The evening before her departure to Mount Hua.

Seolhwa visited Namgoong Cheonghae’s residence.

“...”

She stood still, blankly surveying the cluttered room filled with books and scattered belongings.

“Ah, right.”

Amid the mess, Namgoong Cheonghae himself looked no less disheveled than his surroundings.

His hair was tangled, as if he had not tended to it in days, and his robes were in disarray, parts of the fabric jutting out untidily.

The contrast was stark enough that it was difficult to recall the once-neat figure he used to be.

“Just a moment... wait a moment.”

Flustered by Seolhwa’s sudden visit, Cheonghae moved to tidy up the room, knocking things around clumsily, only to sigh and give up moments later.

“If you do not mind... would you walk with me for a while?”

“...Yes.”

It seemed he needed the walk more than she did.

The two stepped outside, heading toward the rear garden behind the residence. Perhaps his was the only place the attendants had left untouched; the garden, in contrast, was immaculate.

As soon as they stepped into the open air, Cheonghae inhaled deeply. There was a trace of refreshment on his face.

“What were you doing just now?”

“Hmm?”

“Just before I came in. All the books were about mechanical formations and formation techniques.”

“...You saw that already, did you.”

“I did not mean to.”

“It is fine. No harm in seeing it, after all. Ha ha.”

Cheonghae let out a clear, unburdened laugh.

It was lighter than before—a laugh that had finally regained a measure of peace.

“There was something I had wanted to study. I am simply doing so now, without restraint. For a long time, I had no space for such indulgence.”

What had started as minor assistance with clan affairs had slowly become a weight and a shackle.

He had not begun with the ambition to become clan head. Yet as he became more involved, those around him began to speak of him as the next in line to lead. And in time, he found himself striving to meet those expectations.

Of course, it did not help that his wife had been urging him persistently toward the role as well.

“In truth, I have always preferred formations over the sword.”

“I know. You are highly skilled with them, too.”

She could not forget the formation she had seen at the Celestial Martial Festival.

With only a few stones, he had turned a modest sparring ground into a labyrinth. That astonishment had never left her.

“So I thought, I might as well take this opportunity to revise the clan’s formations and mechanisms. After the damage we suffered, I feel it is the least I can do to find some peace of mind.”

Within the Namgoong estate, a variety of formations and mechanical devices had been set up to repel intruders and signal danger.

Cheonghae, gifted in formations from an early age, had overseen them for years.

But as he took on greater and greater responsibilities, his attention had inevitably been drawn elsewhere. Only now did he finally have the space to return to them.

What had begun as a way to shake off his lethargy was unexpectedly reviving the joys of his youth.

When was the last time he had been so deeply immersed in something?

Cheonghae, in this moment, was content.

“So... what brings you here today?”

“...Nothing, really. I was simply wondering if you were well, Uncle.”

In truth, she had come fearing he might be paralyzed by guilt, doing nothing while the clan stood nearly empty.

There was no need to worry after all.

He was stronger than she had expected. Her uncle.

Seolhwa’s lips curved into a faint smile.

Not a smile she forced, nor one she intended. Just something natural.

“I am leaving for Mount Hua tomorrow. With Grandfather.”

“Ah. Then someone from Mount Hua must have arrived.”

Though they had arrived half a day ago, Cheonghae had been so absorbed in his work that he had not yet heard.

So much had changed in such a short time.

“Take care. It was dangerous the last time, was it not?”

“Grandfather is coming with me this time. Please take care of the household while we are away.”

Cheonghae nodded.

“I will.”

“Well then.”

Seolhwa gave a deep, respectful bow and turned to leave.

Her steps were lighter than when she had arrived.

“Seolhwa.”

“?”

“Thank you.”

“....”

A cool breeze drifted by from somewhere.

Though he looked a bit more unkempt than before, Namgoong Cheonghae still suited that clear, breezy presence.

The smile he wore as he saw her off looked freer than ever. In that crisp evening air, he raised his hand and waved.

Seolhwa gave another respectful bow in his direction before leaving the courtyard.

****

From Anhui to Shaanxi, they would travel the official road that passed through the lower region of Henan.

At the head of the party rode Namgoong Mucheon, the clan head, along with the commander of the Black Dragon Division and half of its members. At the center were the two disciples from Mount Hua, Seolhwa, and the head of the Medical Hall, all riding in a carriage. The rear was guarded by the remaining half of the Black Dragon Division.

Though they traveled with only the minimum escort to hasten their pace, the use of a carriage inevitably slowed them down.

Yu Pyo, watching the carriage, spoke to Yu Gang through sound transmission.

—Have you informed Mount Hua?

Yu Gang glanced at Yu Pyo, then quickly looked forward again, trying not to let his awkwardness show.

—Probably... someone from Namgoong already has...?

In truth, he had not. He had been told not to.

Namgoong Seolhwa had come to him beforehand and said there was something she had to do before arriving at Mount Hua—and that they must not send word ahead.

So he had agreed.

—So it is not certain, then.

At his senior brother’s cold reply, Yu Gang swallowed hard. Deception, as expected, did not suit his nature.

The only answer he could manage was:

—I am not sure myself...

And within, he stifled the cry rising in his chest.

Yu Pyo looked at him in silence for a brief moment, then urged his horse forward, heading toward the vanguard.

He could not bring himself to question Namgoong Mucheon directly, so he approached the commander of the Black Dragon Division instead.

“Commander.”

“Ah, Dojang. What is it?”

“Did the Namgoong Clan send prior word to Mount Hua regarding this visit?”

“Hm. Not yet.”

“...Pardon?”

They had already entered Henan Province—and still no message?

“Would it not be improper to arrive without any notice whatsoever?”

“Arrive unannounced, you say. Someone hearing this might think our clan intends to assault Mount Hua.”

“...”

Yu Pyo’s grip tightened on his reins.

If it were anyone else, perhaps he could excuse it. But the Sword Emperor himself was heading to Mount Hua, and still, they had sent no word. What else could this be, if not a stealthy intrusion?

And yet the Namgoong side seemed entirely unfazed, as though it were the most natural thing in the world. He could not stand it.

“In that case, I believe I should send word myself. If we pass through a village, I will dispatch a swift letter.”

“Do as you please.”

“?!”

The commander’s response was surprisingly agreeable.

Then why had they not simply done it in the first place?

His irritation only grew, confusion building with it—but it did not take long for Yu Pyo to uncover the reason.

****

“What is the meaning of this?!”

“Senior Brother!”

Two days had already passed.

And not once had the group stopped in a village.

Though they had agreed to travel by the official road, the Namgoong escort had claimed to know a shortcut and led them onto unfamiliar paths. Ever since, they had been traveling along a desolate route, far from any settlements.

Now, as the Black Dragon commander was arranging the campfire and tents for the night, Yu Pyo stormed up in a fury, with Yu Gang chasing after him, trying to hold him back.

“Why such anger, Dojang? Are your lodgings too rough for your liking?”

“Do you think it is about where I sleep?! What I want to know is, what exactly is going on here?! You have deliberately avoided every village so I cannot send a letter to Mount Hua!”

The commotion drew the attention not only of the Black Dragon soldiers but also of Seolhwa and Choryeon, who stepped outside.

The only one who remained inside was Namgoong Mucheon.

“To say we are deliberately avoiding villages—that is a harsh accusation, Dojang. Why do you make me out to be such a scheming man? I am merely trying to hasten our journey—”

“Enough with the excuses!”

Yu Pyo drew his sword.

Yu Gang gasped and tried to stop him, but Yu Pyo showed no intention of backing down.

The Black Dragon soldiers murmured restlessly, and the commander’s expression darkened.

Yu Pyo raised his sword toward him and shouted:

“What is your true purpose in visiting Mount Hua?! If you truly intended only to escort us, the proper thing would have been to send word ahead! But by employing such underhanded tricks to keep me from contacting my sect—surely you are hiding something!”

His accusation drew outrage from the soldiers.

They had endured harsh travel conditions only to protect the two disciples from Mount Hua—and now he dared to speak of scheming?

Worse, he was raising his sword against their own commander.

Amid the rising tension, Commander Namgoong Hyeok turned to glance at Seolhwa, who was silently observing the situation.

Sensing his gaze, Seolhwa gave a small, almost imperceptible nod.

With that, the commander raised his hand, signaling his soldiers to stand down.

“It seems Dojang Yu has severely misunderstood us. I assure you, there is no hidden motive. But... since I doubt you would believe me even if I explained, how about this?”

“Another ploy, no doubt—!”

“If you can best me in a duel, then tomorrow we will make a detour and stop in a village, no matter what it takes. However, using swords would make this too serious. Let us use palms instead.”

“Palms?”

“Only one hand. Keep it light. What say you? Or... are you unskilled in palm techniques?”

It was an obvious provocation. But the commander’s words struck Yu Pyo’s pride.

Yu Pyo sheathed his sword and handed it to Yu Gang.

“If anyone is unskilled in palm techniques, it would be the Namgoong Clan—not Mount Hua.”

He had heard of Namgoong’s strength in swordsmanship, but never of any great palm techniques.

Mount Hua, in contrast, though known for its sword, was one of the oldest sects in existence.

Mount Hua’s martial halls were filled with manuals that dwarfed anything the clans could dream of!

Among them were even peerless palm techniques.

The sect’s fame came largely from its /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ sword art, but that did not mean its other skills were lacking.

“You will regret this.”

The two men stood facing each other, one hand clasped behind their backs, the other raised in ready stance.