“Now, take this.”

Gi Uhui’s eyes deepened as she received the documents and nameplate Je Gal Munho handed her.

“This is...?”

“The building, the signboard, and most of the medicinal ingredients produced in the northern Central Plains have all been prepared. The number of medical practitioners well-versed in each field totals two hundred and fifty. I believe that is more than enough to establish a foundation.”

“...”

“The medical office under the Martial Alliance will be called the Medical Immortal Pavilion. From now on, Divine Maiden, you will be called the Pavilion Lord of the Medical Immortal Pavilion.”

A look of bewilderment passed across Gi Uhui’s face.

“I am grateful that you regard me kindly, but the truth is that I lack the experience to govern so many medical practitioners.”

Je Gal Munho shook his head.

“No one gathered here questions your experience, Divine Maiden.”

“Strategist.”

“No matter how splendidly one can swing a blade, if one cannot fight an enemy, it is useless. And no matter how well one has learned the words of the sages, if one cannot make them part of one’s life, that too is useless.”

“...”

“Even a child knows your medical skill is exceptional. And the reason that exceptional medical skill became so widely known is because you spent many long years treating patients.”

Je Gal Munho smiled.

“I believe you have more than enough ability to stand as the head of the medical practitioners.”

It was tremendous praise, but even so, Gi Uhui’s expression did not brighten.

Je Gal Munho quietly studied her face, then asked in an even voice,

“Is the reason you hesitate like this because your nature is gentle? Or because you truly believe your skill is lacking?”

“I...”

“Or else.”

Je Gal Munho’s eyes deepened.

“Is it because of your past as someone of the Three Fanatic Creeds, and among them, the Divine Flame Cult?”

In that instant, the color drained from Gi Uhui’s face.

Je Gal Munho smiled.

“Commander Yeon was right.”

“...You knew.”

“Of course. I am the strategist of the Martial Alliance. Since I also possess a certain degree of personnel authority, it is basic procedure for me to understand a person’s detailed background when making appointments. Commander Yeon knows that as well. Besides, if he had not revealed the identity of this person called Hidden Shadow One, Commander Yeon himself might have been in danger instead.”

Gi Uhui looked at Je Gal Munho with trembling eyes, then soon let out a sigh.

The other party already knew everything. And yet he still intended to place her as the Pavilion Lord of the Medical Immortal Pavilion. She could tell he meant her no immediate harm.

Je Gal Munho’s eyes gleamed.

Certainly.

An ordinary person would have been busy trembling in terror.

And yet Gi Uhui quickly brought her heart under control. It was not because she had let everything go, but because she had seen through the fact that he had no intention of harming her.

Her nature is good and simple. But her mind is not weak. She is wise, too.

Je Gal Munho had heard Gi Uhui’s circumstances from Yeon Hojeong.

Of course, unless one was the person herself, one could not fully understand how much suffering she had endured. But even hearing about it was enough to tell him that Gi Uhui had lived a terribly agonized life.

Gi Uhui asked,

“And yet you still intend to make me the Pavilion Lord of the Medical Immortal Pavilion?”

“I do.”

“...”

“Listen without misunderstanding. Apart from your skill, I do not yet trust the person you are. Even so, the reason I am pushing you forward as Pavilion Lord of the Medical Immortal Pavilion is because I trust Commander Yeon that much.”

Green Mountain Tiger Commander, Yeon Hojeong.

Gi Uhui thought he was a truly frightening man, and yet a captivating one.

Yeon Hojeong was younger than she was. At such a young age, he had earned this degree of trust from the strategist, one of the highest authorities in the Martial Alliance.

That was truly remarkable. Though she was not deeply versed in the nature of organizations, she had experienced the Divine Flame Cult’s structure to some extent, and she knew how difficult it was to grant that much trust to a young member of the younger generation.

It cannot be simply because he is capable.

Ability was the foundation, but one had to know how to make people trust. And building that trust would be impossible without a person’s innate charm and a bond that transcended age.

“Also, if you sit in a high position, will it not be much easier for our side to watch you?”

“...I see.”

Je Gal Munho smiled.

“I do not yet trust you, but I do believe that the heart with which you practiced medicine without compensation for so long was sincere. If you truly sever yourself from the Divine Flame Cult and burn yourself for the Central Plains, perhaps one day even this suspicion of mine will melt away like snow beneath the spring sun.”

Gi Uhui smiled bitterly.

“That will not happen.”

“Hm?”

“To suspect even a chivalrous hero of the same organization until the very end. Is that not a basic quality of every strategist under heaven?”

Je Gal Munho burst into hearty laughter.

“You have landed a blow on me.”

Gi Uhui spoke in a voice filled with resolve.

“If you know my past, then I will state this clearly.”

“Speak.”

“I do not move for the Central Plains. I will only strive to move for people who are oppressed without any sin.”

“Hm.”

“If the Divine Flame Cult strays from proper order, I will oppose the Divine Flame Cult. And if the Martial Alliance strays from proper order, I will remove myself from the position of Pavilion Lord of the Medical Immortal Pavilion, go out into the world, and denounce the Martial Alliance.”

Je Gal Munho nodded.

“That is enough. No, I hope you will absolutely do so. Because that is the greatest value of our Orthodox Path martial world: righteousness and chivalry.”

He rose from his seat.

“The Medical Immortal Pavilion will officially open in five days. I will see you then.”

With those words, Je Gal Munho left the room.

Left alone, Gi Uhui suddenly looked out the window.

“The weather is easing.”

The cold wind was still sharp. But the sky was clear and beautiful.

Gi Uhui closed her eyes.

For a moment, the cold, clear wind refreshed her confused mind.

*****

Mo Yong Yeonhwa quickly regained her composure.

She, too, had heard from her father and knew. Mo Yong-woo had returned to her father’s side.

That was certainly sincere. She trusted her father’s eye. If so, it was only proper to forget the old ill-fated ties and build a new relationship again.

Mo Yong Yeonhwa smiled.

“It has been a long time.”

“Yes, it has.”

“Forget my reaction from a moment ago. I heard that you are with Father. Then I, too, should forget the things of the past.”

The corners of Mo Yong-woo’s mouth rose.

It was a smile closer to a sneer. Somehow, because it did not suit him, it made the one who saw it feel all the more ominous.

“What an amusing thing to say. If anyone is to forgive, it should be me. If anyone is to forget, it should be me.”

Mo Yong Yeonhwa did not lose her smile.

Though her eyes grew somewhat cold.

“I wonder. At this point, would it not be ridiculous to argue over who was at fault? I believe what matters is that we have become comrades moving forward together.”

It was an absurd thing to say. They had never been a normal uncle and niece to begin with, but even so, her tone was certainly far too stiff.

Of course, from Mo Yong Yeonhwa’s perspective, she was enduring quite a lot. She had not even seen her father yet, and she did not want to make matters unnecessarily large.

Mo Yong-woo nodded.

“That is not wrong. For the sake of the greater cause, it would be best to forget such trivial conflicts of the past.”

“That is a good mindset.”

“Then shall we begin an official conversation?”

Mo Yong Yeonhwa shook her head.

“I would also like to speak with you, Uncle, but I must see Father first.”

“You will speak with me before you see Brother.”

“What do you mean?”

The corners of Mo Yong-woo’s mouth rose even higher.

“Think of it as a light inspection.”

The smile vanished from Mo Yong Yeonhwa’s face.

“An inspection?”

“Of course.”

“...This is rather interesting. Why must I be inspected by you, Uncle?”

“Because you should be. As Brother’s closest aide, must I not confirm whether you are truly someone who will not become a problem?”

Mo Yong Yeonhwa’s eyes narrowed little by little.

“You seem to have forgotten that I am the daughter of the man you call Brother.”

Mo Yong-woo shook his head.

“Show no more of that childishness. Being stubborn for reasons you cannot prove is very ugly to see.”

He was saying that blood ties alone could not prove anything.

Beyond displeasure, Mo Yong Yeonhwa was considerably startled by that remark from Mo Yong-woo. At the very least, the Mo Yong-woo she knew had not been a person capable of saying such a thing.

A clear sneer appeared on Mo Yong Yeonhwa’s cold face.

“You have changed for the worse. Blood kin are bound by heavenly ties. Do you truly think I would betray Father?”

“The possibility is always open.”

“Perhaps in the world you live in, Uncle.”

“The world Brother lives in is like that as well. Brother shattered the bond between siblings to become Clan Lord.”

“...!!”

Mo Yong Yeonhwa’s face hardened sharply.

“Do you mean that?”

“Whether I mean it or not, it is fact. And it is also an undeniable fact that the main house developed in that fashion.”

“...I wonder how Father will take that statement of yours.”

Mo Yong-woo smiled faintly.

“He will think me bold.”

“Is that all?”

“If you are curious, go tell on me yourself. Of course, until I permit it, you will not be able to cross the gate into the inner district.”

Mo Yong Yeonhwa’s cheek trembled.

“Enough.”

“No. This begins now.”

“You must have heard everything about where I am coming from and why I have come.”

“How is that any different from what you babbled a moment ago, telling me not to suspect you because of blood ties?”

“...!”

“Do not worry. If you yourself are clean, then this conversation we are having now will become nothing at all.”

By now, Mo Yong Yeonhwa’s eyes were blazing with unmistakable anger.

“Then how will you inspect this niece of yours?”

“Like this.”

THRUST!

Mo Yong Yeonhwa’s eyes opened as if they would tear.

THUMP!

She sank to her knees on the spot. From below her neck down to her hip joints, sensation vanished in an instant. He had used an extremely delicate paralysis point to numb only that exact region.

H-How can this be!

It was terrifying speed. Mo Yong Yeonhwa had achieved her own measure of progress in the meantime, but Mo Yong-woo’s growth had far surpassed hers.

Before she knew it, Mo Yong-woo stood behind her and placed a hand on her shoulder.

HOOOOOOONG.

“Hm.”

Mo Yong-woo soon removed his hand from her shoulder.

“Identity confirmed. It is the same True Qi I sensed from you before.”

“...!”

“However, you brought someone you should not have brought.”

“Wh-What?!”

Mo Yong-woo looked at the attendant.

The attendant flinched. He too had been startled by Mo Yong-woo’s astonishing movement.

Looking at the attendant, Mo Yong-woo tilted his head.

“You cannot enter the inner district. Return now.”

“P-Pardon?!”

“I told you to return.”

The attendant instinctively looked at Mo Yong Yeonhwa.

Mo Yong Yeonhwa shouted in anger.

“What do you think you are doing?! Release my paralysis point at once and...!”

“The black dragon may be like that. Even if it knows the situation, it would not feel it firsthand. But you should not have done this.”

“...?!”

“The atmosphere in the Alliance has grown rigid because of the election soon to come. If we let someone like this inside, the matter could become large. If you had been thinking, you should have cut this off yourself beforehand.”

“Release this at once!”

Mo Yong-woo let her words pass in one ear and out the other.

He spoke to the attendant.

“From the look of you, you seem to be someone from that side.”

“...”

“If your presence can be exposed to me, your skill is obvious without even needing to see it. Return.”

The attendant spoke in a stiff voice.

“I cannot do that.”

“Is that so?”

Mo Yong-woo nodded.

“A pity.”

THUD!

Shock appeared in Mo Yong Yeonhwa’s eyes.

Before she knew it, the attendant had collapsed on the spot, tongue lolling from his mouth.

Mo Yong-woo shook off his hand.

“The inspection is over. I will handle this man, so go see Brother now.”