Book 23 Chapter 1

An Invitation

― News from the West

Wheeeeeee!

The ochre wind lashed violently against their bodies, and the clock showed not even an inch of visibility ahead, so dark it was. It was due to the hazy yellow dust blowing in from the west. The dust, born from a parched desert, was riding the wind, crossing the continent and dyeing the vibrant spring colors with its own hue.

"Tch. This damned dung-colored wind, it makes my eyes sting."

The curse naturally escaped the lips of Kang Sang-won of the Qingseong Sect, who was on guard duty.

"It's particularly bad this year. It didn't seem this severe last year."

Jeong Ha-gun of the Hae Nam Sect, on guard with him, chimed in. Both men were wearing dust masks covering their faces. However, their exposed eyes could not escape the torment of this yellow dust storm. Although both hailed from prestigious orthodox sects, their backgrounds offered little prestige here. That was because such things were merely the bare minimum. The place they found themselves in was one where it would be quicker to find someone *not* affiliated with the Nine Great Sects or Eight Great Families. Therefore, even those from renowned orthodox sects found themselves relegated to guard duty. To be entrusted with more important tasks, they would have to hone their skills far beyond their current level.

"Damn it. If I spit, I feel like I'll be spitting mud. My mouth feels dry and gritty, it's making me feel like crap."

Kang Sang-won grumbled, his brow furrowed. He had to rise through the ranks quickly, for standing guard at the main gate on a day like this was a living hell.

"When we're relieved, let's go wash down our throats."

Despite everything, Jeong Ha-gun, as a friend, tried to comfort him.

"That sounds good. I can't stand it without a bowl of rough rice wine!"

"Is that all you want? On a day like this, a greasy pork dish and some fiery sake would be perfect."

"Kyaa~ Just thinking about it makes my mouth water."

Their minds had already arrived at the inn. They felt that if they didn't joke around like this, they wouldn't be able to escape the gloomy feeling of being trapped alone in this hazy world. They had to speak, otherwise, the weather was so severe that they might forget their friend was even there.

"Huh? What's that?"

Jeong Ha-gun was the first to spot it.

"Where, where? What madman would be out in this weather…"

Kang Sang-won narrowed his eyes and looked in the direction Jeong Ha-gun was pointing.

"Oh, it really is."

It wasn't a hallucination. It wasn't an illusion. A figure was genuinely walking towards them from beyond the wall of dust.

"Who is it?"

"Who knows… They must be having a hard time in this weather."

It was a dreadful day, where bringing a horse would likely result in it suffocating mid-journey. On such a day, the best course of action was to stay holed up inside a warm, cozy home, with windows and doors tightly shut, comfortably stretching out and rolling around.

The man wore a conical hat pulled down low and a flowing cloak wrapped around his entire body. He was hunched over, taking one difficult step after another against the fierce wind. His cloak and hat were both ochre, but they must not have been this color from the start. Finally, the man, having broken through the ochre dust storm, reached the main gate they were guarding. Kang Sang-won and Jeong Ha-gun tensed for a moment.

"Pah! I thought I was going to die. Cough, cough, cough! Pant, pant, pant! Do you have water?"

The man, covering his face with a cloth, exclaimed loudly.

"Here, here you go."

Startled by the man's sudden appearance, Kang Sang-won fumbled and handed him a kettle.

The man drank the water greedily. He looked like he was swallowing the sweetest nectar in the world.

"Khaaaaaa, that's good! The water tastes amazing. Thanks to you, I'm alive."

"No need for thanks. But where are you from?"

As the man calmed down, Jeong Ha-gun, not forgetting his duty as a guard, asked.

"Ah, I came from the west."

"Where in the west?"

The word "west" was too broad to be considered a proper answer.

"Ah, I came from Dongting Lake. I am Yeong Ho-gam, the head of the Dongting Lake branch of the Central Plains Escort Service."

The name "Central Plains Escort Service" was enough to carry weight here.

"Ah, you are from the Central Plains Escort Service. Then, Head Yeong, what business do you have with our Alliance?"

"What could a mere escort have to do? I have a package to transport."

"A package? Without a horse?"

No matter how they looked, he wasn't carrying anything that could be called a package.

"Ah, that fellow died on the way. The yellow dust storm was that bad. I had no choice but to continue on foot. I nearly 'died in the line of duty' myself. The wind is exceptionally harsh this year."

"I agree. It's agony just to keep our eyes open. Speaking of which, if the horse died, then the package…"

"Ah, no. If the horse dies, it is the duty of an escort to carry the person and transport it to the end. Fortunately, the package was small this time. That was a relief."

"Then, can you tell us what this package is?"

This was because different departments handled different types of packages. They were responsible for security as well as general errands. And the head guard overseeing them was currently resting inside the guardhouse beyond the main gate.

"Ah, it's paper, just a sheet of paper!"

That would certainly be light.

"Paper?"

Kang Sang-won and Jeong Ha-gun's eyes widened.

"Hahaha, it is paper, but not just any ordinary paper. The package I brought is a letter."

At that, the two were astonished.

"You mean you came through this terrible yellow dust storm alone just for a single letter?"

"It happened that way. It's the creed of our Central Plains Escort Service to transport anything the client requests. But this is no ordinary letter. It's something valuable enough for me, the head of the Central Plains Escort Service, to deliver personally."

His words carried a sense of pride.

"Is that so? Then, can you tell us who the letter is addressed to?"

Whether the letter was valuable or not depended on who received it.

"Ah, of course. The letter I brought is addressed to the great hero Na Baek-cheon, the Alliance Leader."

Yeong Ho-gam smiled broadly and looked up at the plaque hanging above the main gate. It bore the inscription 'Jeongcheon Alliance' in a vigorous script.

A single letter knocked on the massive gate of the Jeongcheon Alliance. After a couple of verification procedures, the closed gate swung open. The letter passed through two sturdy iron gates, circumvented a corridor, and proceeded along a paved path. As it passed through three inner gates and turned twice in corridors, it soon reached its destination. However, a hand stopped the letter's advance just before it. The owner of the hand stood at the top of the twelve stairs leading to the letter's final destination.

"Stop there. You cannot come further carelessly."

The letter stopped. The person who stopped it was Namgung Jin, the Lightning Sword, the Direct Guardian of the Alliance Leader.

"What is it, Yi-chil?"

Yi-chil, who was holding the letter, replied.

"Yes, Guardian. It's a letter for the Alliance Leader."

Then, a look of bewilderment crossed Namgung Jin's face.

"Yi-chil, you are the head guard of the main gate, not in charge of letters."

"It's a letter that just arrived via the head of the Central Plains Escort Service, and I received it at the main gate. It seemed urgent, so I came myself."

"From the escort service? Who sent it?"

"It's not written."

"Let me see it."

From twelve stairs up, Namgung Jin extended his hand, and the letter in Yi-chil's hand gently floated up, flew like a butterfly, and was drawn into the man's palm. It was an impressive feat of aerial manipulation.

*Swish!*

After carefully examining the sealed letter from all sides, Namgung Jin unhesitatingly broke the seal.

"Gasp!"

Yi-chil was horrified as the seal of a letter meant for the Alliance Leader was so carelessly torn open. Namgung Jin then calmed him.

"Ah, you wouldn't know because you're in charge of the main gate. I have the authority to open all letters except for a few specific types. Especially for letters with an unknown sender, one can't be sure what poison might be hidden within. Sometimes, letters with poison or hidden weapons arrive, so it's my job to always be vigilant."

As Namgung Jin said, letters sometimes contained razor blades or poison, so extra caution was needed when receiving mail from unknown sources. The safest route was prior inspection. In such cases, he could open the letter as a guard. Once it was confirmed that there were no hidden razor blades, glass powder, or poison, only then would it be delivered to Na Baek-cheon's hands. It seemed the position of Alliance Leader was no easy one.

"Hmm?"

As Namgung Jin read through the letter, his body stiffened.

"Is something wrong, Guardian Namgung?"

Inside the envelope was something far more terrifying than a razor blade or poison. Yes, the most fatal thing was the content itself, scrawled on the white paper.

"It's nothing. Go back and rest."

After sending Yi-chil, who was watching him with anxious eyes, away, Namgung Jin muttered quietly.

"Should I deliver this? I really don't want to… Heh, what a predicament…"

He felt like tearing his hair out. The reaction to expect was terrifyingly obvious. Should he deliver it or not? After hesitating for a long time, Namgung Jin made up his mind and went inside. In the office, Alliance Leader Na Baek-cheon was engaged in a fierce battle with a mountain of documents piled on his desk. It was a big mistake to think that the top leader could just relax and do nothing. He was the top leader because he bore the most responsibility and did the most work.

"Hmm, what is it, Direct Guardian?"

Na Baek-cheon asked without looking up from the documents.

"…"

Instead of answering, Direct Guardian Namgung Jin looked around, then carefully began to move valuable items one by one outside.

"Huh? What are you doing?"

Only then did Na Baek-cheon lift his gaze from the documents and look at his guardian.

"I am practicing the saying 'preparedness averts disaster.'"

Namgung Jin replied without stopping his busy hands.

"What?"

Namgung Jin's movements were so swift that there were almost no valuable items left in the office.

"It's just a small precautionary measure. Please don't worry about it."

The strange answer only deepened Na Baek-cheon's suspicion.

"It's quite worrying. Can't you tell me?"

However, Namgung Jin's resolve was firm enough to refuse the Alliance Leader's request.

"You'll know soon. Let me finish this first."

As promised, once the item removal was complete, Namgung Jin reluctantly took out the letter from his breast pocket and presented it to Na Baek-cheon.

"What is this?"

Na Baek-cheon asked, looking at the opened envelope.

"You'll know when you read it."

After sending the letter away with a slight hesitation, he quickly stepped back. Then, as Na Baek-cheon's gaze swept down the letter, he quickly covered his ears, watching his face and expression change by the moment.

"What!?"

Then, a roar that shook the entire office erupted. The beams and rafters supporting the office trembled, spewing dust. The wall, unable to withstand the tremor, cracked with a loud noise.

As if proving that the brush is mightier than the sword, this single letter devastated the office of the formidable martial arts master, Alliance Leader Na Baek-cheon. Fortunately, he was sitting when he read it; otherwise, he might have fallen off his horse from the shock and suffered a fracture.

"Oh dear! Al-Alliance Leader, please calm down, you're going to break all these expensive items!"

Namgung Jin, who had served as Na Baek-cheon's guardian for a long time, tried to calm his lord's wrath, but it was of little use.

*Crack! Crackle! Shatter!*

Starting with the teacup saucer in front of Na Baek-cheon, thin lines etched intricate patterns across the surface of the teacup before it shattered into pieces. Fortunately, the documents were not soaked as the tea was finished. If Namgung Jin had not used his foresight to move the expensive ceramics and decorations, they would have met the same tragic fate as the teacup. If it weren't for his quick thinking, the damage would have been much greater.

"Pl-please, calm down!"

Once again, Namgung Jin tried to dissuade Na Baek-cheon.

"Calm down? Calm down my ass! Do you think I can calm down right now!"

*Bang!*

Na Baek-cheon's angry fist struck the rosewood desk like lightning.

*Crack!*

'Ah, I'll have to order a new desk tomorrow.'

The fragrant desk, made of expensive rosewood, could not withstand the blow and was split in two, meeting its demise.

"If it were you, could you calm down right now, Guardian Nam?"

Na Baek-cheon, unable to suppress his anger, sputtered.

"Guardian Namgung."

Namgung Jin quietly corrected the Alliance Leader, who always omitted a character when he was annoyed. As the Direct Guardian of the Jeongcheon Alliance, he did not wish to take on the unknown role of defending the office from the Alliance Leader. However, someone had to protect this office, filled with confidential information and expensive decorations, until Na Baek-cheon regained his senses. The collapse of this place meant the collapse of the Jeongcheon Alliance's core. Namgung Jin decided to use his last resort. With a grave heart, Namgung Jin opened his mouth.

"If you continue like this, I will tell Madam!"

"……!!"

With those words from Namgung Jin, Na Baek-cheon's raging fury vanished as if by magic.

"Now, now, you wouldn't actually do that, would you?"

Na Baek-cheon asked with a reluctant face. The name of the faint light in his eyes was fear.

"We'll see."

Namgung Jin replied cruelly. He boasted that he could not harm the Alliance Leader as long as he was present, yet he seemed to have no qualms about harming the Alliance Leader's mind. Thus, the Alliance Leader's office narrowly avoided impending destruction.

"…"

*Whoosh!*

"Al-Alliance Leader?"

Na Baek-cheon, barely calmed by Namgung Jin's ultimate technique, put down his brush, the weapon of a veteran warrior who had fought against documents, and rushed out. His movements, employing a secret technique, were so swift that Namgung Jin, regrettably, could not keep up. All he grasped was a fleeting wisp of wind.

"This is bad!"

However, having served the Alliance Leader for over a decade, predicting his next move was not difficult.

"Agh! I have to hurry!"

Namgung Jin swiftly moved in the opposite direction from where Na Baek-cheon had gone.

With lightning-fast hand movements, he darted around the room, and numerous items were drawn into his hands. This was the Alliance Leader's private chamber, where no one else was allowed to enter, but there was no hesitation in his movements. After all, he was the master of this room. The items now being collected included underwear, socks, emergency medicine, and spare shoes, all necessary for travel. Na Baek-cheon quickly slung the bulging bag, which looked like a frog that had overeaten, over his back, stood up, turned towards the door, and took a step. Before he could even take a second step, he froze solid. He had discovered his young wife, Ye Cheong, formerly known as the most beautiful woman in the dark arts, Bingwolseonja, standing with her arms crossed, her icy gaze fixed on him. Cornered, Na Baek-cheon broke out in a cold sweat.

"W-wife…"

He was as immobile as a rabbit before a tiger. The being he loved most and feared most stood before him. His young wife, Ye Cheong, formerly known as the most beautiful woman in the dark arts, Bingwolseonja, had eyes that shone with a cold, starlike light.

"…"

Ye Cheong's expression remained cold, and she did not reply. This was the reaction Na Baek-cheon feared most. Even a veteran warrior like Na Baek-cheon was at a loss in the face of this chilling silence.

"How… how did you get here…"

Normally, at this time, she would be enjoying tea in the garden. For her to appear so precisely meant she must have received prior notice.

"The Direct Guardian rushed to inform me," Ye Cheong said coldly.

"'Madam, the Alliance Leader is running amok. Please stop him!'"

Upon hearing the full story, Ye Cheong had quickly rushed to where her husband might be. And as she suspected, he was there. He had abandoned all pretense of Alliance Leader dignity and become a father unfit for any occasion.

*Glance!*

Ye Cheong's gaze fell on the bulging white object behind Na Baek-cheon.

"What is that, dear?"

"Th-that is…"

He could not admit, even if he were torn apart, that it was luggage for fleeing to Dongting Lake.

"Did you finish all the documents for today?"

Ye Cheong's voice, which had become calm again, sounded more terrifying than that of a grim reaper.

"No… that is, well… for a moment…"

Of course, he hadn't finished, having abandoned them midway to rush off.

"Oh, where were you planning to go, leaving your work behind?"

Ye Cheong's voice was so icy it could freeze Na Baek-cheon's words.

'Sigh. He didn't listen to Direct Guardian Nam's warnings, did he…'

Sighing deeply, Ye Cheong lamented inwardly.

Because of his absurd love for their daughter, he sometimes neglected his work, and Direct Guardian Namgung Jin always had to clean up the mess. But this time, Na Baek-cheon would have to face the consequences.

"You're not going to see some hidden woman, are you?"

Upon hearing Ye Cheong's sudden question, Na Baek-cheon's face turned pale. It was incredibly difficult to drain the color from his face, a man who had reached the highest level of swordsmanship, but she managed it with a single sentence.

"Ah, no, wife… this… that's a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding…"

Na Baek-cheon pleaded, fighting against the fear of death.

"No. Whether it's a misunderstanding or not, I don't know. All I know for sure is that you are hiding something from me."

"Hiding… that's a misunderstanding…"

"Be quiet!"

A sharp cry, laced with quiet rage, cut off his words.

"Yes."

Na Baek-cheon hastily shut his mouth.

"Enough with the excuses! The answer I want is different."

"……?"

Convinced she had cornered Na Baek-cheon, Ye Cheong extended her white hand.

"Give it to me!"

"Wh-what are you talking about, wife?"

Na Baek-cheon asked with a trembling voice.

"The letter!"

"You'd be better off not seeing it…"

Na Baek-cheon said with genuine sincerity. But sincerity wasn't always effective.

"The letter!!"

Ye Cheong said curtly once more. It was an absolute command that allowed no refusal.

"Yes! Wife! He-here…"

Na Baek-cheon pulled the crumpled letter, creased from his anger, from his breast pocket and respectfully handed it to his wife.

Then, the letter floated from Na Baek-cheon's hand, flew like a butterfly, and landed softly in Ye Cheong's palm. She began to read the letter she had received. She hadn't heard the contents because Namgung Jin had spoken too hastily. As Ye Cheong skimmed through the letter, her expression grew colder and colder. Na Baek-cheon knew what state she was in. He grew increasingly fearful.

Congratulations.

We invite you to the 'First Ever Life-and-Death Battle', a martial arts tournament hosted by Ganghoran's Yuan Tong Arena, with a staggering prize of five hundred thousand taels. We also inform you that your child will be participating in this grand tournament, where lives are fought for. We kindly request your presence to grace the occasion.

- Host Geum Jeoksin, Donwang.

"Th-this is?"

Ye Cheong knew what Ganghoran was. And she knew what that tournament was. Na Baek-cheon had no choice but to reluctantly explain the entire situation.

'Damn, I might get beaten to death by my wife today…'

Na Baek-cheon began to seriously contemplate what to have inscribed on his tombstone and written in his will.

"Haa…"

Seeing his anxious state, Ye Cheong sighed again. Her husband was usually so normal, so why was he like this at times like these? Ye Cheong was extremely curious about the mechanism behind it.

"Why are you so scared over something like this? You're the Alliance Leader. Aren't you ashamed?"

Then, Na Baek-cheon puffed out his chest and said,

"But fear is fear, isn't it? Admitting and accepting it is also strength."

Ye Cheong's reaction to that excuse was simple.

"What a load of crap!"

"…"

Na Baek-cheon remained silent, like someone standing next to a ticking bomb. Ye Cheong let out a deep sigh. It felt like the whole day would be spent sighing.

"Haa, when I saw Direct Guardian flustered and anxious, I had a premonition, but I never expected it to be this…"

"…"

Na Baek-cheon remained silent. He had nothing to say even if he had a hundred mouths.

"Direct Guardian said with a breathless voice that you were suddenly postponing everything to go on a trip. It was no use trying to stop you. You only do that when it involves Rina's affairs."

Indeed, she was his wife of twenty years. She had a clear understanding of Na Baek-cheon's behavior.

"Ah, you knew?"

"Who do you think I am?"

"Well, that's…"

"I am your wife. We have lived together as husband and wife for twenty years. Did you think I wouldn't know that?"

"No, that's…"

"I've known that for a long time. I just turned a blind eye until now. But…"

The agitated woman paused for a moment and fell silent. Anger had vanished from her face, replaced by a look of seriousness.

"This time, I have a bad feeling. You can call it a woman's intuition."

Ye Cheong, though not as gifted as her daughter Na Ye-rin, had sharp intuition.

"Are you saying Rina is in danger?"

Na Baek-cheon asked, his face etched with anxiety. He knew from experience that his wife's premonitions were often accurate.

"No."

Ye Cheong shook her head to the question.

"I am more worried about you."

Her intuition was warning her thus.

"Haha, really? Is that so……"

Na Baek-cheon stammered, his elderly face blushing. How could he not be happy when his beloved, and beautiful—though a bit fierce—wife was worried about his safety? He felt like a happy man. In these matters, he was quite simple.

"Then what should I do? If you have any advice, I will listen carefully."

Ye Cheong sighed softly and shook her head.

"You're not going to say you won't go, are you?"

Na Baek-cheon scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

"Haa…"

Another sigh escaped him. It seemed he was determined to go no matter what. She knew from experience that trying to stop him was useless.

"I have no advice. My advice not to go was already unheeded. Instead."

"……?"

As Na Baek-cheon looked at her with a puzzled gaze, Ye Cheong declared,

"I will go with you!"

Na Baek-cheon exclaimed in surprise, "Are you serious?"

There was no hesitation in her answer.

"Of course, I am serious."

She wasn't free enough to joke around today.

"W-wife…"

It was a thunderous bomb declaration for Na Baek-cheon.

"Please reconsider…"

He wanted to stop her somehow. But he had no power to do so.

"It's no use trying to stop me. And I know more about the dark arts than you do."

"Th-that may be so, but…"

He had no intention of denying that. Ye Cheong spoke again.

"I know what that place is like. How can I possibly send someone as naive and kind-hearted as you to such a dangerous place with peace of mind?"

"Ah, no, even if you are the Alliance Leader of the martial arts world…"

She was likely the only person in the entire martial arts world who would call him naive. Nevertheless, he felt a strange joy when she said that. As his tension eased slightly, the Alliance Leader felt a little more at ease.

"Oh my, even if you are the Alliance Leader, I'm still not reassured. What if something happens to you? Besides, I want to meet that child, Bi Ryu-yeon, too."

"Why that kid again…?"

Na Baek-cheon asked with a displeased look. His tone was clearly one of considerable annoyance.

"Rina, did that child ever write the man's name on the letter? As a mother, I want to see who the first person she chose is. How great is he?"

"He's probably nothing special. You'll likely think he's a petty fellow the moment you see that arrogant brat. I guarantee it. We can't possibly give our Rina to such a guy. Absolutely not."

The last sentence was almost a monologue. It was clear that no man would ever be good enough for Na Baek-cheon until the end of the world.

"Hmm, if he's a petty man as you say, I'll get rid of him myself."

A terrifying declaration escaped Ye Cheong's lips.

"No, there's no need for that…"

That was clearly meant sincerely. Na Baek-cheon trembled and tried to stop his wife.

"Then, do you want Rina to date a petty man?"

"No, that's not what I mean, but…"

In truth, whether a man was petty or not was no longer the deciding factor for him. The important thing was simply whether he was a man or not.

"Then don't interfere. This is something I must do as a mother."

"No… Besides, I heard that kid couldn't go to Macheongak this time. I don't know the details, but he might not be able to meet them even if he went."

Na Baek-cheon's efforts to dissuade her were commendable.

"Hmm, then that's a bit of a shame. Oh well. Still, my mind is made up. I haven't seen our Rina in a long time. This outing should be a chance for a mother-daughter reunion after a long time. How long has it been since I've been to Macheongak…"

That place held many fond memories for her.

"Haha, speaking of which, you were the 'Commander-in-Chief' there back then. It must not have been easy for a woman."

Na Baek-cheon smiled and reminisced about the past, as if he now had the courage to laugh.

"You were still the Alliance Leader then, weren't you?"

"Haha, was I?"

"Of course. I can never forget the first time I saw you when you visited Macheongak for an inspection."

"Hoho, was there anything remarkable? I was just an old man."

Na Baek-cheon scratched the back of his head, perhaps out of embarrassment.

Then, the woman gently stroked Na Baek-cheon's white hair with her fair-skinned hand and said,

"Even then, your hair was as white as it is now, but it was handsome."

Ye Cheong whispered into Na Baek-cheon's ear in a soft voice.

"Ahem. Ahem."

Na Baek-cheon coughed repeatedly. His face flushed, not from drinking, but from embarrassment.

"I-I'm not teasing my husband! Ahem!"

He seemed embarrassed. But he didn't seem to dislike it.

*Pfft!*

Ye Cheong let out a soft laugh at his youthful demeanor. She suspected she was the only one in this vast world who could see such a sight.

"You're so cute, really. I told you, you're so naive."

Hearing his wife's giggling laughter, a smile spread across Na Baek-cheon's face.

"You're probably the only one in the world who calls the Alliance Leader of the martial arts world 'cute'."

"Of course. That's why I'm the Alliance Leader's wife. That's a wife's privilege."

Ye Cheong declared, puffing out her chest proudly.

"Yes, is there any doubt? I will serve you, Madam!"

Na Baek-cheon said playfully, bowing.

"Then, could you prepare a carriage?"

Ye Cheong said in a dignified posture, her back straight and her head held high.

"Is there any doubt? I will have it brought immediately."

After bowing again, Na Baek-cheon gently kissed his wife's cheek and left the chamber to prepare for the journey.

"Alliance Leader?"

Direct Guardian Namgung Jin, who had rushed over, fearing a bloody incident, stopped his steps and called out to him.

"What is it?"

Na Baek-cheon replied in a dazed voice. Fortunately, Namgung Jin's heinous betrayal was clearly not on his mind at the moment.

"Did something good happen?"

Namgung Jin asked with a bewildered expression. He had not expected the Alliance Leader to be so well.

"No, nothing."

Na Baek-cheon replied without looking at Namgung Jin's face. The sky was so beautiful. He was currently engrossed in appreciating the magnificent world of creation. He was a happy man. Yes, indeed. Under the blue sky, his ailment was worsening. Seeing his vacant expression, Namgung Jin quietly admired his wife's skill.

'As expected, Madam!'

It was clear who held the real power here.

* * *

And at this moment, another letter arrived for Hae Joong-shin, the chief of the Janggang Water Village. And that day, the village was thrown into chaos. The origin of this letter, which turned the fearsome water bandits' headquarters upside down like a beehive with a single sheet, was as follows.