Book 29 Chapter 3

Darkness that falls at the end of darkness

—The runner and the waiter

The secret passage connected beneath the Shin Yongsan Inn was longer than expected.

Perhaps because it was completely sealed immediately after its creation and had never been used, the passage was covered in thick dust, leaving clear footprints with every step.

Jin Ling's nose tickled from the rising dust, but she held back a sneeze, fearing she might give away their presence. Walking through the dark and stifling passage, even suppressing her breathing, was a considerable ordeal. Without Yeom Do and Bing Geom No Sa, her dependable shield and mental pillar, by her side, her heart grew even more anxious.

'How wonderful it would be if Gung Sang were here right now…'

Why did that person always have to be absent at times like these? Jin Ling felt a surge of irritation mixed with a profound loneliness, shuddering. Even though she wasn't alone, and the other colleagues from Cheon Mu Academy were with her, her heart felt hollow, as if half of it had vanished.

'Does Dae Saja feel lonely like me? Even if he is that Dae Hyung, without him by my side…'

Placing a hand on her chest, Jin Ling lifted her gaze and saw Na Ye Rin's back, walking with an unwavering stride, not a hint of hesitation. Each step exuded strong conviction, as if telling her to follow with peace of mind.

'Well, to date Dae Hyung, one would need nerves tougher than a bull's tendon. Is that the kind of nerve one needs?'

Jin Ling couldn't help but be amazed by Na Ye Rin's boldness. The presence of the seemingly formidable Dae Saja somehow gave her a sliver of reassurance.

'But why am I so uneasy…'

She endured, thinking that this unease would subside as they moved further away from the inn where danger lurked. However, the farther they got from the inn, the less the anxiety receded, and the more it occupied the center of Jin Ling's heart.

Meanwhile, Na Ye Rin, who was confidently leading the way, was not as at ease as Jin Ling might have thought.

'Yeom Do and Bing Geom, the two elders who said they would follow soon, are still nowhere to be seen… It's probably meaningless to wait for them any longer.'

Na Ye Rin had a premonition. She *knew* that the two elders would not be able to return easily. Knowing didn't offer a solution; it only amplified her anxiety, yet she couldn't help but know these things.

'It must be the Great Madam of Shin Maga who made a move.'

Even if the Shin Ma Pal Seon Ja were strong, it would not be easy for them alone to subdue Yeom Do and Bing Geom. But…

'If the Great Madam, referred to as the 'Big Mama,' personally intervened…'

Yeom Do and Bing Geom No Sa might already be beyond return.

…forever.

If that were the case, what would happen to the remaining members of the rescue party?

'Ryu Yeon… If you were by my side now, I wouldn't feel so lost…'

Na Ye Rin was surprised by her own thought.

When had she started to rely on a man so naturally? She had always thought men were the most untrustworthy.

Na Ye Rin suppressed the thoughts that threatened to snowball and steeled her weakening resolve.

For now, she would believe in herself. She wanted to become strong enough that even separated, Bi Ryu Yeon could be at ease, that he wouldn't have to worry about her at all, and that he could entrust the people he needed protected to her without concern. And above all, she wanted to protect the people with her now.

"Let's hurry our pace."

Na Ye Rin spoke in a quiet voice to the group who had begun to pause in a wider, empty space in the middle of the secret passage.

"Shouldn't we stop here and wait for the elders?"

Dam Chong Gwan, the manager and de facto administrator of the Shin Yongsan Inn, the fifth outpost, asked as he turned around holding his fire wand. Na Ye Rin shook her head.

"No. If we linger here and are caught by pursuers, then even the two elders will be overwhelmed."

"Still…"

Dam Chong Gwan, still hesitant, seemed unconvinced. Na Ye Rin spoke to him in a low but firm voice.

"We must go, right now."

Her voice was quiet, yet it was imbued with a mysterious certainty.

"They will follow soon. Let's hurry."

Na Ye Rin then said in a softer voice.

'Soon… I know they won't be able to follow…'

A lonely, self-deprecating smile flickered across Na Ye Rin's face and vanished before anyone noticed.

"Th-that's true. I understand. We're only one more il-gak away from the exit. There are some devices scattered along the way to throw off pursuers, so follow carefully."

The Chong Gwan, Dam Hwan, who was guiding them again, picked up his pace without realizing it.

"Come on, Unni."

Na Ye Rin said, looking back at Yeong Ryeong, who was quietly following her without leaving her side.

"Oh, yes… Let's do that."

Yeong Ryeong, who had been acting as if she were in a trance, completely unaware of Na Ye Rin's presence, was startled when Na Ye Rin suddenly turned and spoke to her, stammering. The informal language slipped out again.

'Why is this happening? To be so flustered that I stammer and then lapse into informal language again…'

However, instead of being angry at Yeong Ryeong's informal reply, which sounded like she was addressing a younger sibling, Na Ye Rin merely smiled softly.

It was a smile that seemed to say that this was enough for now.

'This is driving me crazy.'

If Yeong Ryeong had acted arrogant, saying "See? I told you so," or forced her opinion, Yeong Ryeong would have fiercely resisted. But with that deep smile, as if telling her not to worry and understanding everything, she couldn't even retort properly.

"Protect her! If you can't protect her, you will probably regret it for the rest of your life! I guarantee it. Don't make the same mistake as someone else. You might end up carrying that burden forever."

Yeom Do's words, spoken at their parting, echoed in her ears as if they were thorns.

'No! No! No! That can't be it! It can't be!'

Yeong Ryeong shook her head violently, as if trying to shake off a phantom clinging to her.

'What is truth and what is falsehood? I can no longer be sure of who I am.'

As time passed, the confusion only amplified instead of subsiding.

Cold.

Shivering, it felt as if the cold darkness was gnawing at her mind, leaving her body and soul chilled. Yeong Ryeong felt like collapsing on the spot.

Exquisitely lonely.

It felt like floating alone in the vast, dark sea in the dead of night.

Then, a warm hand firmly grasped her shivering shoulder.

"Your face is so pale. What's wrong, Unni?"

Startled, Yeong Ryeong snapped back to attention. The surroundings, which had been so dark, were now somewhat illuminated.

"Ye Rin ah…"

It was Na Ye Rin's hand that had grasped her shoulder.

"Ah, no. It's nothing. I just felt a chill for a moment."

Yeong Ryeong said, turning her head sharply to the side. Something welled up inside her chest.

"Are you really alright?"

"Of-of course I'm alright. Why are you bothering me when I say I'm alright?"

'Th-this isn't right…'

As she yelled, she regretted it deeply in her heart.

Na Ye Rin looked at Yeong Ryeong with eyes full of pity.

"But your eyes are tearing up."

Her tone was full of concern.

"Te-tears? That's impossible! Don't lie!"

Yeong Ryeong flusteredly wiped her eyes. She felt moisture on the back of her hand.

"……!"

When did that happen?

"Be careful. If the water energy surges too strongly along your spine and invades your brain, you could fall into demonic possession and become endlessly melancholic. Have you forgotten? You were the one who taught me that when I was young, Ryeong Unni."

"Me?"

"Of course. Don't you remember? If fire energy is too strong, it burns the nerves in the spine, driving people to madness, and if water energy, or yin energy, is too strong and surges up the spine to invade the brain, it makes people endlessly depressed. That is 'Juhwa' and 'Imma.' That's what you taught me."

Yeong Ryeong shook her head violently as if resisting.

She had no memory of it. And she shouldn't have.

Then, something flashed through a corner of Yeong Ryeong's mind.

"So, you understand, right? What this Unni is trying to say? Don't you know? …Listen carefully! Now… the main point… Body and mind… always straight… maintain… protect… your heart… your young heart! No matter how… painful… protect it… I will help you! No matter who… hurts you… I won't let them! Because…"

Because, because, because, because, because, because… It felt like there was something important missing at the end. But she couldn't recall anything more.

'Ack…'

Yeong Ryeong's head suddenly began to throb.

"Are you alright? Your complexion has become even paler."

*Snap!*

"Get away! Don't come near me!"

Yeong Ryeong yelled, forcefully pushing away Na Ye Rin's hand.

"…Unni…"

Na Ye Rin murmured in a dazed tone, looking down at her reddened hand.

Yeong Ryeong was equally flustered, but then her face hardened cruelly, and she shouted again.

"Go away. I told you not to come near. If you come near, you'll only make me hurt and suffer. Go away now!"

Clear rejection, confusion, shame, and loneliness.

All sorts of emotions swirled within Yeong Ryeong.

Looking at Yeong Ryeong's contorted face, Na Ye Rin concluded that if she approached further, she might push her into mental danger. Moreover, seeing Yeong Ryeong in pain was painful for her as well.

"If I cause you pain, Unni, then there's no choice. I will withdraw."

Na Ye Rin bowed in a salute with a lonely expression and walked towards the front of the group. As Yeong Ryeong watched Na Ye Rin's retreating back, a multitude of emotions crossed her eyes. Her hand, extended belatedly, clutched at the empty air in vain.

The labyrinth, which had seemed to brighten for a moment, was once again filled with pitch-black darkness.

There was no exit in sight.

"Here it is. Press this mechanism, and the secret door will open."

Finally reaching the end of the secret passage, Dam Chong Gwan sighed with relief, his face brighter, and pointed to a circular mechanism on the right wall.

"Surely there aren't any ambushers outside?"

Jin Ling, who had come to Na Ye Rin's side, asked with a worried expression. But Dam Chong Gwan's face remained bright.

"Don't worry. Beyond this door is the forest outside the castle walls. It's a secluded area beyond the ramparts. Who would think there's a secret passage connecting to the castle there?"

"As expected, the longer the passage, the harder it is to predict the exit."

Gong Son Jeol Hwi, who had been silently positioned at the rear of the group, agreed with Dam Chong Gwan's words. Then, his stiff expression relaxed, and he added.

"Phew, so this suffocating passage is behind us!"

He, who couldn't follow Mo Yong Hwi or Bi Ryu Yeon, had no one to talk to, and the atmosphere wasn't conducive to conversation, so he naturally positioned himself at the rear of the group and moved through the secret passage. Behind him were those whose positions were somewhat awkward, such as Mu Myeong, Jang So Ok, and Ok Yu Gyeong, and directly in front of him were Jin Ling, Yeong Ryeong, and Geum Yeong Ho, so he had remained silent, whether he liked it or not.

All he had heard as he walked was Jang So Ok chiding Mu Myeong a couple of times from behind. Other than that, everyone in front and behind was silent, and he really had no place to interject. Geum Yeong Ho seemed like someone who might respond if he spoke to him, but for some reason, he felt a sense of crisis, as if crossing an irreversible bridge in interpersonal relationships. Thus, Gong Son Jeol Hwi could only chew on an inexplicable loneliness in the darkness.

As he was feeling touched by the feeling of breaking his silence after ten years, Ma Ha Ryeong, who had been walking at the front of the group, nodded and said.

"Ah, I see. That's why the passage was so long. I thought we were walking for an unusually long time, but it was outside the castle walls."

It seemed the stuffiness was the same for everyone, front and back.

"You found the passage stifling."

Dam Chong Gwan said with a smile, and Ma Ha Ryeong snorted sheepishly.

"Hmph, I just prefer wider places to narrow ones."

In fact, Ma Ha Ryeong had been inwardly disgusted because she felt like she would be crammed into the narrow and unnecessarily long passage. She detested narrow spaces.

"Haha, is that so? In any case, this is a secret passage that has never been used since it was created. There is absolutely no possibility of it being exposed."

Chong Gwan Dam Hwan said confidently. Yong Cheon Myeong took a step closer to Ma Ha Ryeong and said gently.

"For now, we have no choice but to believe Chong Gwan Dam's words, Ha Ryeong. At least, there's no life detected beyond the door, so it should be fine. And even if something happens, I will protect you, so don't worry."

Then Ma Ha Ryeong retorted sharply.

"Who said I'm worried? Even though I have a 'frail and weak body,' I can protect myself! Cheon Myeong, who is your leader?"

"Of course, Ha Ryeong, you are my leader."

Yong Cheon Myeong's immediate answer seemed satisfactory, and Ma Ha Ryeong nodded with a pleased smile.

"Yes, your leader is me, Ma Ha Ryeong. But… well, if you insist on protecting me, I won't object."

Although her words were sharp, Ma Ha Ryeong leaned subtly against Yong Cheon Myeong.

"Of course, I will protect you. Just trust me, Yong Cheon Myeong."

"I will protect you too, Cheon Myeong. Because you are my second-in-command."

It was a relief that she didn't say "my only…"

"Good grief, this is unbearable to watch. Oh dear, where can a person without a lover survive?"

Geum Yeong Ho, who had been watching the two with a variety of expressions as if they were amusing, pouted his thick lips at their increasingly intimate behavior.

He was envious. With his prestigious family background and ample wealth, to not have a lover! He was convinced something was seriously wrong.

"You used to fight like cats and dogs…"

It was a mystery when they became a couple who generated so much affection by calling each other's names.

"Frail, who on earth…"

Geum Yeong Ho, grumbling with a perverted expression, fell silent when he realized Ma Ha Ryeong was staring at him.

'Do you want to die?'

There was no basis for interpreting the look in her eyes any other way.

"Ah, no. It's nothing, Aha ha ha ha ha! What did I say? I didn't say anything!"

Only then did Ma Ha Ryeong withdraw her fierce gaze. Nevertheless, Geum Yeong Ho's heart continued to pound.

'Phew, I almost died from a single wrong joke and her glare.'

After her business with Yong Cheon Myeong was settled, Ma Ha Ryeong seemed to have shed a layer, gradually gaining more dignity as a leader. Her former sharp, fierce, and arrogant demeanor was slowly fading, and she was being reborn as a more confident person each day. Moreover, she occasionally showed a cute side, which led to a considerable increase in her followers.

"Then I will open the door."

*Grrr…*

As Dam Chong Gwan touched the mechanism, the secret door began to open with a faint grinding sound.

"Huh? Eek! Wh-what is this! Ptooey ptooey ptooey ptooey!"

Geum Yeong Ho yelled, spitting out gritty sand that had entered his mouth.

"Don't worry. Well, there might be a few ants mixed in, but they're not fatal. They're not poisonous either."

"Ptooey ptooey! That's not the problem!"

Uniquely, what opened along with the mechanism was not the door in front of them but above their heads, towards the ceiling. As the ceiling door opened, some of the sand piled on top as camouflage poured down, and Geum Yeong Ho happened to be standing there.

"Pfft! Oh my, I was so surprised, it's kind of funny."

Ma Ha Ryeong laughed with schadenfreude as she watched Geum Yeong Ho spitting sand.

"…But then, what is this door here?"

Jin Ling asked, pointing to the door in front, which had two dragon carvings. Dam Hwan then replied with a smile.

"That's a fake door, of course. Haha, it looks quite convincing, doesn't it? But if I were you, I wouldn't go through that door."

"And why is that?"

To Jin Ling's question, Dam Chong Gwan answered with a serious expression.

"Because behind it lies a death formation filled with deadly mechanisms."

"……!"

"People are easily fooled by appearances."

Ma Ha Ryeong felt a slight chill at Dam Chong Gwan's words and muttered as she looked at the elaborately decorated front door.

"It's a trap that defies common sense, isn't it?"

If they had entered this passage without Dam Hwan's guidance… they would have stepped into the death formation with smiles, unaware of anything.

"In this case, common sense itself is the trap. Moreover, when one is in a hurry and in an emergency, it's common to lack the leisure to pay attention to every detail, so people surprisingly fall for it."

His tone was light, as if he were casually describing today's lunch menu, but the meaning behind his words was too profound to ignore, weighing heavily on everyone's minds. The reason they didn't fall for the trap today was because they were 'allies' and not 'enemies' of Dam Hwan.

Even though the unpleasantness lingered in their hearts and mouths, when he looked up, the moon hanging in the night sky entered Geum Yeong Ho's eyes through the opened ceiling door.

The cold night air flowed into the passage along with the scent of the forest. It was fresh air that cooled them to their core.

"Alright, let's quickly get out of this stifling passage."

Geum Yeong Ho, who felt twice as stifled due to his larger build, was desperate to leave.

"Wait."

Geum Yeong Ho's steps, which were about to rush out, suddenly stopped.

"Why, Na Sojeo?"

Geum Yeong Ho asked with a wry smile. What stopped him was Na Ye Rin, who had remained silent amidst the conversation that had begun among the relieved group upon reaching the exit.

"I think it would be best to wait a moment."

"Why? Do you sense something strange?"

Dam Chong Gwan asked anxiously, but Na Ye Rin shook her head calmly.

"No."

"Then…?"

To the puzzled Dam Chong Gwan's question, she replied with a composed face.

"Just because."

"Just because…?"

"I can't express it any other way."

Geum Yeong Ho, who was listening to the conversation from the side, twitched his cheek again.

"You don't seem to believe me."

At those words, Geum Yeong Ho quickly opened his mouth and said.

"Yes? No, not at all. Ah, hahaha. I'll wait a bit, ahahaha."

Although he could ignore others' words due to his personality, he feared the repercussions if he ignored the words of Na Ye Rin, who was like his elder sister.

Given 'his' potential disciplinary actions, how could he be reckless?

And then, an il-gak passed.

"……."

Deep silence filled the passage. No one spoke. Helplessly, Geum Yeong Ho spoke again as their representative.

"Um, excuse me, Dae Saja? Nothing seems to be happening?"

"That's right. Nothing has happened yet."

Na Ye Rin's answer was calm, as if she felt no embarrassment about her prediction being wrong, or perhaps her conviction remained unchanged.

"Then we can leave now, right?"

"Well, I don't think so."

"You don't?"

"No."

"But we can't stay stuck in such a narrow and stuffy place all day, can we?"

"How about waiting for another il-gak?"

To Na Ye Rin's question, Geum Yeong Ho sighed.

"Surely, what could happen in just one il-gak? Besides, we already waited once, as you said."

He didn't want to wait a second time.

"…Then, so be it."

Na Ye Rin seemed slightly displeased, but it was hard to refuse, as not only Geum Yeong Ho but everyone around her clearly wanted to leave. She knew that if she refused, unseen dissatisfaction would pour towards her again.

"Now, Dam Chong Gwan. What do we do now?"

Geum Yeong Ho asked with an excited voice.

"Um… How about waiting a little longer? One il-gak isn't that long a time, is it?"

Dam Hwan felt uneasy. As someone who worked in the shadows, his instinct for sensing danger was far more developed than others. To him, Na Ye Rin's words felt like something that shouldn't be ignored. Furthermore, it was his habit to exercise caution when even one person warned of danger.

"If we delay any longer and pursuers catch up, and we all get caught, will you take responsibility, Dam Chong Gwan?"

"Of course, I can't do that."

Although spoken to Dam Hwan, it was implicitly meant for Na Ye Rin to hear. Dam Hwan considered arguing more strongly, but he gave up, as he had no concrete basis to argue against leaving.

"Haa, alright. I'll lower the ladder."

As Dam Hwan pressed a spot on the right wall, a wooden ladder slid down.

"Everyone! Let's go. I'll lead the way. However, if something happens, don't blame it on me. I clearly opposed this."

Having made that clear, Dam Chong Gwan began to climb the wooden ladder leading to the ceiling door, holding his fire wand.

Just as the fire wand was about to emerge from the opened ceiling door.

"Stop!"

Na Ye Rin, who had been quiet, reached out urgently towards Dam Chong Gwan and shouted.

As Dam Hwan was paying attention to Na Ye Rin's words, his body momentarily faltered.

*Chwararararack!*

A long silk cord shot out from her sleeve and pulled Dam Hwan down.

"What on earth…"

The next moment.

*Boom!*

With a sudden explosion, the fire wand Dam Hwan was holding burst into flames and exploded. Then, red sparks, like a swarm of fireflies, fluttered in the air, mixed with straw.

If he hadn't momentarily faltered, and if Na Ye Rin hadn't acted in time, his head would have shattered like a watermelon falling from the fifth floor of Hwang Hak Ru, a competitor of Shin Yongsan Inn.

"Huk! Wh-what was that…"

Dam Hwan, who had shrunk back into the passage like a startled turtle, was too stunned to speak, his heart chilled to the bone.

"Wh-what was that attack? It definitely wasn't sword energy, was it?"

Gong Son Jeol Hwi muttered to himself, looking at the end of the fire wand, which was now just a handle.

Ma Ha Ryeong nodded in agreement.

"That's right. If it were a long-range sword energy attack, we would have seen its trajectory. But that just felt like it struck without any warning! Was it a long-range palm technique of the 'Gyeok Gong Jang' type?"

"Impossible! Unless it's a long-range palm technique like Shaolin's 'Baek Bo Sin Kwon' (Hundred Pace Divine Fist), it's hard to achieve such power!"

Jin Ling reacted skeptically to Ma Ha Ryeong's words.

"To have such power at a distance of at least ten jang…"

Given that they couldn't sense it, it meant it was deployed at least ten jang away.

"Unless it's a peak master, most long-range techniques lose their power beyond three jang…"

"That's right. Most of the power is lost during transmission through the air."

Ma Ha Ryeong interrupted Jin Ling. Yong Cheon Myeong also nodded and added.

"Besides, I didn't hear the characteristic whistling sound of Gyeok Gong Jang, Ha Ryeong."

Whether it was Gyeok Gong Jang, Gyeok Gong Kwon, or Gyeok Gong Ji, any attack that struck through the air usually generated a strong air disturbance, producing a characteristic whistling sound. That strong air disturbance was like a wave, essential for delivering destructive power.

"Then what on earth flew at us?"

"Tch, what kind of surprise attack was it so I can prepare or not!"

Geum Yeong Ho, who had been impatient to leave, grumbled beside them.

He was more at ease dealing with surprise attacks like arrows or swords and spears. But with this kind of sneak attack, even if they knew it was coming, they were at risk of being hit if they didn't know its nature.

They were already at a disadvantage of one, no, about three moves, having been ambushed.

"I believe it's not a Gyeok Gong Jang type, but a Eum Gong (sound technique) type."

Na Ye Rin, who had been watching quietly, spoke softly. All eyes turned to Na Ye Rin.

"Eum Gong? I don't recall hearing any music, let alone breathing sounds."

Ma Ha Ryeong seemed unconvinced.

"It's probably 'Mu Eum Tan Ju' (Soundless Music)."

Everyone was surprised by Na Ye Rin's words.

"Mu Eum Tan Ju? Are you perhaps referring to *that* Mu Eum Tan Ju?"

Jin Ling's eyes widened as she asked cautiously.

"No, unfortunately, it is precisely that Mu Eum Tan Ju."

Gong Son Jeol Hwi was appalled by the firm answer.

"Mu Eum Tan Ju? Is it even possible for a soundless Eum Gong?"

Others were equally shocked.

"I heard about it during Eum Gong class with Master Hong Ran, the Celestial Musician. She said that among those who have reached such a level in the martial arts world today, there wouldn't be more than five fingers."

Mu Eum Tan Ju!

An ultimate secret of Eum Gong, only usable by those who have reached the peak of Eum Gong cultivation.

Gyeok Gong Jang transmits power through air waves, while Eum Gong transmits power through sound waves. Of course, sometimes sound shakes the air. In any case, the existence of sound is essential for Eum Gong to exert its full power.

But Mu Eum Tan Ju is different.

It is the realm of transmitting power through soundlessness. The strings are plucked, but no sound is made, and only the waves, retaining their power, fly out to kill the enemy. It is indeed comparable to one of the highest levels of sword techniques, the 'Invisible Blade [Bul Gasi In].' This means one of the five who have reached that level, or more, is here now.

"I didn't attend the Eum Gong class."

"Well, this golden pig of a person is extremely reluctant to learn anything that doesn't make money."

Jin Ling said sharply.

"What are you talking about! Music can be quite profitable depending on how you sell it! But culture like poetry, calligraphy, painting, and music is extremely demanding. If you dabble in it carelessly, you'll go bankrupt. I just don't want to sell something I don't understand."

"Oh my, Golden Pig, I didn't know you had a philosophy of commerce. I see you a little differently now. So, you won't sell it in the future either?"

Geum Yeong Ho shook his head seriously at Jin Ling's mocking words.

"No, I'm just not ready yet. My father said that selling intangible things is the essence of business. I'm even thinking of holding singing and dancing competitions by selecting curvaceous female singers from all regions."

Even though he admitted he wasn't ready, he seemed to have already figured out his business plan.

"When you select the girls, you should definitely ask Master Jang to be the judge! Ah, Jin Ling, if you're interested, contact me too!"

"Me? While I'm pretty… I'm a disciple of the Ami sect…"

"Hmm, you're not bad for that!"

"…Forget it."

*Quack!*

As Geum Yeong Ho nodded after looking Jin Ling up and down, Jin Ling's two fingers poked Geum Yeong Ho's eyes with the technique 'Eung Jo Tam An' (Eagle Bird Greed Eye).

"Kyaaaak! My eyes! My eyes!"

Geum Yeong Ho writhed violently, clutching his eyes. However, his colleagues, who kept their distance fearing they might catch his perversion, left him no choice but to shed tears for the second time.

"Phew, anyway… I never expected to run into a master with such a rare martial art. It would have been much easier to deal with a master who used a sword or saber."

Ma Ha Ryeong, her tension slightly eased by Geum Yeong Ho, muttered with a thoughtful expression. The strong-willed Miss Ma hated being cornered like this, with her hands and feet tied.

"Then do you have any clever ideas, Ha Ryeong?"

Yong Cheon Myeong asked, looking at her. Ma Ha Ryeong looked back at him and asked in return.

"How many times do you think I've fought with a master of that rare Eum Gong?"

"Well… maybe two or three times?"

Ma Ha Ryeong shook her head.

"Incorrect. Not at all. Perhaps others are no different?"

No one could refute her words.

No one in the group had ever exchanged hands with a peak master of Eum Gong. The fact that they all had limited experience meant that peak masters of Eum Gong were rare beings.

"Hmm…"

Everyone fell into deep thought.

Indeed, defending against Mu Eum Tan Ju was no different from defending against an invisible blade.

How could they rashly put their necks on the line?

They had no choice but to devise countermeasures.

However, their meeting dragged on without reaching a conclusion.

To the annoyance of someone waiting outside.

* * *

"Huh, they're not coming out? What are they so shy about, dawdling like this? Come out and have a talk with me, kids."

In a dense thicket about ten jang southwest of the secret passage's entrance.

Hiding among the lush branches and grass, suppressing her presence with stealth techniques, Gal Hyo Hyo, the seventh of the Shin Ma Pal Seon Ja, grumbled in a low voice. She held a large silver geum instead of a spear. Then, a calm but somewhat cold voice was heard from beside her.

"That… who do you think is to blame?"

At the tone of accusation rich in the voice from right beside her, Gal Hyo Hyo's body stiffened.

"Haha, Sixth Sister, you say. It makes it sound like I made a mistake."

Given who she was talking to, Gal Hyo Hyo quickly relaxed her expression and said with a broad smile.

"You don't think your hasty actions ruined the entire performance? Thanks to you, the effectiveness of Mu Eum Tan Ju has been halved."

Originally, the subtlety of Mu Eum Tan Ju, like Yuk Hab Jeon Seong, lay in making the origin and direction of the sound difficult to discern. The fear came from the fact that 'sound' imbued with force would strike from an unknown direction, 'without sound.'

Invisible, undetectable attacks were the essence of this art, so naturally, its effectiveness would decrease if used so overtly.

She had been too hasty in revealing her hand.

In the martial arts world, as in any game, the one who shows their hand first loses.

"No, that's…"

"Because you rushed forward first, the entire performance was ruined?"

A woman whose hair, tied with black and white silk cords, flowed down to her waist. Her entire being exuded a noble grace reminiscent of a crane. In one hand, she held a jade flute made of jadeite. She was Gal Hyo Min, the sixth of the Shin Ma Pal Seon Ja, the 'Celestial Musician.'

"I have nothing to say."

Gal Hyo Hyo bowed her head. No matter how old she got, she always felt younger in front of her sixth sister.

"It's always the seventh sister who's the problem. She looks like a stable boy and has the personality of a stable boy. Really unbearable."

A cute girl like a cat, with her hair braided in two pigtails, chimed in mockingly from the side. A jet-black cat sat on the girl's shoulder. It was an extremely swift spiritual beast, whose movements were so fast that even a skilled master couldn't follow them, 'Heuk Seol Myo' (Black Snow Cat). In other words, this adorable-looking girl was none other than Gal Hyo Myo, the youngest of the Shin Ma Pal Seon Ja, the 'Floating Cat Fairy.'

"Hey, you peanut cat, you wanna mess around? Who looks like a stable boy! I'm just tall, you little runt!"

Gal Hyo Hyo, bristling, glared at the youngest. She had shrunk back in front of her sixth sister, but she couldn't stand being looked down upon by her youngest sibling, not as an elder sister.

"What? Who are you calling a runt? You call me, this adorable cutie, a runt! You lanky stable boy!"

"Grrr, this is really…!"

Being called a stable boy was the last thing Gal Hyo Hyo wanted to hear. Especially hearing it from this youngest sibling made her explode with anger three times over. Gal Hyo Hyo had long, shapely legs, a slender figure, and was tall and well-built, but her face was the most ordinary among the eight siblings.

Her tall, slender physique and spirited, manly demeanor made her popularity among the female warriors of the Shin Ma family unrivaled. However, she couldn't simply be happy about her subtly high popularity.

"If not anyone else, I don't want to hear that from you!"

"Why? …Heehee, well, I am too pretty!"

The youngest Hyo Myo casually swept her braided hair with her right hand and shrugged her small, cute shoulders.

"You're so proud!"

Gal Hyo Hyo let out a hollow laugh, as if exasperated.

"Hmph, of course, I am! Being pretty is good. Aren't you envious? Aren't you?"

"…I think I need to have a talk with you first, younger sister, before dealing with them."

Gal Hyo Hyo clenched her trembling fist and forced a smile.

"Kya! You're going to hit me with that thick fist? I'm telling Mom later!"

The threat, though not technically a threat, surprisingly worked, and Gal Hyo Hyo's fist faltered.

"…Well, since we're twelve years apart, fighting you would be a loss for me. This elder will spare you this once."

In reality, Gal Hyo Hyo had a slight inferiority complex about being the least feminine among the Shin Ma Pal Seon Ja. But even so, she couldn't bear to hear such words from this little runt, not for her pride's sake. Every time she bickered with this youngest sibling, Gal Hyo Hyo felt miserable and like she was suffering a great loss.

'Sigh, I can't just punch her one good hit…'

It was clear she would face her mother, Hong Ryeon Seon Ja Dan Hye,'s wrath. Since she was the youngest child born after much effort, and especially because she had been frail and sickly from a young age, Dan Hye's attention and affection had been exceptionally special.

'Well, there might be other reasons… but she's just a joy-giver anyway.'

Having been pampered too much, the youngest had become as spirited and lively as a cat, as if she had never been sickly. Moreover, she was so good at being cute and fawning that she monopolized the love of the mothers and all six sisters except Hyo Hyo.

The spiritual cat on her shoulder, Heuk Seol Myo, was also a gift from the usually quiet Gal Hyo Min. While she treated the youngest with extreme strictness, giving such a precious gift to the youngest was undeniably excessive favoritism.

Everyone was too lenient with the youngest.

'Why is this wild cat kid so defiant only towards me, while not acting up towards the other sisters? Ah, I see. It's because of her inferiority complex about her height! She's jealous because my legs are much longer than hers!'

Although no one among the other seven was shorter than the youngest, Gal Hyo Hyo decided to comfort herself by thinking this. If she didn't, she felt like she might one day beat Hyo Myo severely.

"Seeing you two playing so harmoniously amidst this, it warms my heart to see your sibling affection."

Gal Hyo Min, who had been silently watching the two, spoke softly. Both Gal Hyo Hyo and Gal Hyo Myo flinched simultaneously. Even Heuk Seol Myo, perched on Gal Hyo Myo's shoulder, flinched for a moment.

"Alright, enough chatter, it's time to work, youngest."

Gal Hyo Hyo said with a smile, placing a hand on Gal Hyo Myo's shoulder.

"Yes, let's work hard, Hyo Hyo Unni!"

No matter how brazenly the youngest acted, she seemed to fear her sixth sister's gaze.

"Should we set fire to the den, like when we hunted foxes when we were young? It doesn't look like there are any separate holes dug, so they'll come out if smoke gets in."

"No fire."

"Why?"

"Fire burns wood, and if the wood and forest disappear, animals will have nowhere to go. Besides, won't my clothes get soot on them?"

Gal Hyo Min objected with a visibly disgusted expression.

"It's black clothes anyway, isn't it?"

Gal Hyo Hyo said nonchalantly. It was true that Gal Hyo Min usually wore white silk clothes with black stripes, like a crane, that reached almost to her knees, but now she was wearing black mourning clothes due to the tragic event. The only thing with black stripes on a white background was the long, luxurious hair tie that bound her long, flowing hair.

"Still, it's soot. I hate smoke."

Gal Hyo Min, who was as meticulous as a noble crane, was unyielding.

"Fine, no fire."

Hyo Myo urged, speaking lightly.

"Hurry up and think, tall sister. Min Unni's face is getting more and more serious."

"I'm thinking, don't interrupt me. Ah, I don't know anymore. Since it's come to this, I'll step up."

As her mind grew desperate, her body moved before she could think. Gal Hyo Hyo strode forward, took a deep breath, and began to shout.

"Listen! I am Gal Hyo Hyo, the seventh of Shin Ma! If you are warriors, come out and fight with honor! If you don't appear within five counts, you will suffer greatly!"

She seemed frustrated, and Gal Hyo Hyo ended up declaring war. Her deep and pure inner energy resonated through the night air. Of course, they wouldn't come out just because she shouted so abruptly.

"Did you call that a threat?"

Gal Hyo Min said with a look of disdain.

"…Yeah. Was it a bit much?"

"It wasn't just 'a bit much,' you tall sister!"

Gal Hyo Hyo glared at Hyo Myo, who meanly chimed in from the side. Gal Hyo Min sighed and said.

"Since it's come to this, let's finish it with your specialty, 'strength'."

"Ah, you mean a show of force? That's good, good."

Gal Hyo Hyo nodded, as if confident in that.

"But can Unni help me a bit? I think I'm not quite enough on my own. Ah, I'll use this, this."

Seeing Gal Hyo Hyo point to the silver geum in her hand, Gal Hyo Min reluctantly nodded.

"…How shameless."

Only then did Gal Hyo Hyo grin and state the main point.

"As you know, I'm always like this, haha. So, how about it, after a long time?"

"…That song… are you referring to it? Hmm, then the interlude is enough. Start the main performance right away."

While Hyo Myo tilted her head in confusion, the two exchanged glances.

"Okay. Min Unni, I trust you to support me well from behind. I can't control the subtle power adjustments well."

"Yes, we can't bury them alive, can we? Understood, let's try to harmonize after a long time. It would be troublesome if you got carried away and went berserk again."

Gal Hyo Min took out a black jade flute from her bosom, which gleamed with a black luster as if carved from obsidian. The instrument, with a dragon engraved in silver thread on its cold, black surface.

While her specialty was Eum Gong, she could play all instruments, but she cherished the black flute especially. This black flute was a gift from her elder brother, Gal Jung Cheon, who had painstakingly obtained it for her, who was engrossed in music. When Gal Hyo Min vehemently refused to accept such an expensive treasure, Gal Jung Cheon had laughed and said.

"It's fine, it's fine. Aren't I someone who hears the best performance in the world for a thousand gold? Such luxury is not easily enjoyed even by the leader of the Heuk Cheon Alliance. Think of it as the price of hearing your performance for a lifetime, and this black flute is cheap."

And Gal Jung Cheon could no longer hear her black flute's music. Forever.

And so, she could never repay the value of this black flute.

'Great brother, this song will be the first movement of the requiem for you.'

Despite her swirling emotions, Gal Hyo Min calmly brought the black flute to her lips with a serene expression.

Gal Hyo Hyo, sitting in front of the silver geum placed on the floor, placed her hands on the seven strings and muttered to herself.

"Their smiles will disappear from their faces."

And the duet began.

*Ding! Tting ttididing tting! Wheeeriririririririr—!*

The clear and pure sound of the flute, along with the increasingly rapid sound of the silver geum, began to echo in the cool night forest sky.

It was the beginning of a nightmare.