An hour had passed since the Scattering Energy Poison was dispersed on the two of them.

Unable to circulate their internal energy after inhaling the poison, the two became flustered. But at Namgoong Mucheon’s assurance that they would be fine, they quietly sat cross-legged and waited for the toxic energy «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» to dissipate.

After thirty minutes, a faint pink aura began to rise from Yu Gang’s body like a shimmering haze.

Yu Gang opened his eyes wide and shouted.

“My internal energy has returned!”

At that, Yu Pyo—seated beside him—also opened his eyes and turned to look at him. His expression twisted slightly, as though puzzled.

“The length of time the poison remains varies from person to person. Try not to worry about it,” Seolhwa said.

At her words, Yu Pyo let out a brief sigh and closed his eyes again, returning to his internal cultivation.

Feeling awkward for celebrating alone without realizing, Yu Gang stood and moved to No Un’s side.

Another thirty minutes passed.

Seolhwa looked toward Namgoong Mucheon.

Their hypothesis had been initially proven.

‘It is certain—the effect of the hypnotic technique is preventing the poison from being expelled.’

That the Scattering Energy Poison dissipated naturally within thirty minutes was proven through both Seolhwa and Yu Gang.

For those in whom the poison still remained even after that time—such as Mount Hua’s Sect Leader, No Un, and Yu Pyo—the common trait was that they were under hypnosis.

Another thirty minutes passed.

Yu Pyo, who had been silently meditating, suddenly flinched—his hand trembled.

He opened his eyes and looked at his hand with a strange expression. Then, when he rolled up his sleeve—

“!”

Everyone saw it. Boils were erupting on Yu Pyo’s arm, like hives.

“W-What in the world...!”

No Un, who noticed the symptom first, staggered back.

“Quickly, give him the antidote pill. Hurry...!”

Namgoong Mucheon nodded to Seolhwa.

Still composed, Seolhwa held the antidote pill out to the stunned Yu Pyo and said,

“If you take this antidote pill, the poison will dissipate and your internal energy will return. The boils on your arm will vanish as well. Please, take it.”

“...Thank you.”

Shortly after swallowing the antidote, a dense pink aura began to flow from Yu Pyo’s body.

The boils that had risen on his arm disappeared as though they had never been there.

“This confirms it.”

“What exactly has been confirmed...? Why was one of us unaffected while I ended up with these boils?”

“It will be faster for me to show you than explain it.”

Namgoong Mucheon strode toward Yu Pyo.

Yu Pyo was still bewildered by what had just happened to his body.

“Seolhwa, step back.”

At Namgoong Mucheon’s command, Seolhwa withdrew. The Black Dragon Division Commander and two of his subordinates, who had been standing by, approached Yu Pyo.

“Pardon us for a moment.”

In a swift motion, the two subordinates seized Yu Pyo’s arms and pulled them behind his back. The Commander held his shoulders from behind.

“What is the meaning of this?! What have I done wrong...?!”

“The seal. You remember I asked why the Mount Hua Sect had not been informed of the Namgoong Clan’s visit?”

“!”

“I will show you the reason. Just stay still for a moment.”

Namgoong Mucheon placed his hand atop Yu Pyo’s head.

Hypnosis was not mere suggestion. It could not be triggered forcibly so easily.

Even recognizing that someone was under hypnosis was difficult. Grasping and stimulating the thread of that energy was harder still.

‘But whether the technique is strong or weak, there will always be remnants of the hypnotist’s internal energy.’

For someone at Namgoong Mucheon’s level—a master of the Flowing Realm—it was possible to trace such remnants.

Whooosh—

A blue aura surged from Namgoong Mucheon.

Drawing up his internal force, he channeled it through Yu Pyo’s crown pressure point.

In that moment, Yu Pyo’s world went dark with a thud.

Whoosh—

Mucheon’s energy surged into Yu Pyo. His head dropped forward abruptly.

His aura faded, and silence fell over the field.

Everyone watched with tension etched on their faces.

A twitch.

Yu Pyo’s body moved.

‘The hypnotic technique that caused Mount Hua’s downfall overnight.’

Though she had only heard the stories, even Seolhwa was seeing it in action for the first time.

Unconsciously, Seolhwa clenched her fists.

The air grew taut, thick with tension, as Yu Pyo slowly raised his head.

“!”

Seolhwa saw it—the emptiness in his eyes. They were open, but lifeless. Hollow eyes, as if he saw nothing at all.

At Namgoong Mucheon’s signal, the Black Dragon Division members let go of Yu Pyo and stepped back immediately.

Another moment of silent stillness.

Whoosh—!

“!”

Yu Pyo suddenly launched a palm strike at Namgoong Mucheon.

Smack—!

And it was a strike imbued with the full force of Ten-Star internal energy.

“What the—!”

No Un, startled by the attack, stepped forward to block it—but Seolhwa grabbed his arm.

“Does he look like he is in his right mind?”

“What...?”

Only then did No Un truly look at Yu Pyo’s face.

Though he was using his full strength to attack Namgoong Mucheon, his face showed no strain, no hesitation—just numbness.

No, the idea that Yu Pyo would attack Namgoong Mucheon at all was preposterous.

He was bold, yes—but not reckless.

Despite being one of the younger core disciples, he was talented enough to surpass his seniors in skill and possessed the insight to gauge an opponent’s level.

And now, this very Yu Pyo was attacking the Sword Emperor, one of the ten greatest martial masters alive?

“What has done this to Yu Pyo?”

“It is hypnosis.”

“...Hypnosis?”

No Un turned to Seolhwa, eyes wide with shock.

“You said... hypnosis?”

“Are you familiar with it?”

“I do not know the details. However, I have heard that the Shangqing Sect of the Daoist school in Maoshan uses a similar type of technique.”

The Daoist group known as either the Maoshan Sect or Shangqing Sect.

Seolhwa had heard of them as well.

They shared Daoist characteristics, much like Mount Hua or Wudang, but were said to have greater mastery in esoteric arts than martial arts.

Though technically part of the orthodox faction, their use of eccentric techniques had earned them a poor reputation in the martial world.

They were known to be extremely secretive. As such, information about them was scarce.

“But this is the first time I have seen it with my own eyes. Who placed the hypnosis on Yu Pyo?”

Smack—!

Namgoong Mucheon, who had been blocking Yu Pyo’s attacks for several rounds, struck him sharply on the back of the neck.

Yu Pyo collapsed to the ground with a heavy thud.

“...!”

Namgoong Mucheon turned to face No Un, who had frozen in shock.

“I do not know. That is why I showed you.”

Namgoong Mucheon approached No Un.

As the Black Dragon Division Commander and his men turned over Yu Pyo’s unconscious body and laid him flat, Choryeon—who had been observing nearby—stepped forward to check Yu Pyo’s condition.

“As you can see, the disciple of Mount Hua is under hypnosis.”

“Do you know where he might have been placed under it? Yu Pyo has not been involved in the main sect’s operations for long. Perhaps we should ask whom he has met...”

“He is not the only one.”

“...What?”

“You are under it as well.”

“!”

Shock crossed No Un’s face. His reaction was not one of disbelief, but of being unable to process it at all.

Namgoong Mucheon let out a short sigh before continuing.

“Though hard to believe, Mount Hua is in grave danger. As you have seen, once the hypnosis is triggered, the victim attacks indiscriminately, ally or enemy alike.”

“...”

“There are many in Mount Hua under hypnosis. Far too many. I do not know the exact number, but I estimate at least half the sect has been affected.”

“...”

As Namgoong Mucheon spoke, No Un remained silent.

He could not form a response. He could not think of what to say. His mind went blank.

His gaze drifted to Yu Pyo, who was now being examined by Choryeon.

Then to Yu Gang beside him, still stunned by everything he had just heard.

Then further off into the distance.

“...So that means...”

So that means...

How could he even say it?

Half of the main sect was under hypnosis. The hypnosis caused people to lose consciousness and attack without control. And they did not even know who was under it.

Then—

“If it were to be triggered all at once...”

Then what would happen...?

What would happen to us—to Mount Hua?

Namgoong Mucheon looked at No Un with a hardened expression.

It was not a question asked in search of an answer.

The mere fact that half of Mount Hua was hypnotized had already led No Un to realize the danger that was coming.

There was no comforting reply to give.

A sect leader must confront the crisis facing their organization with cold clarity. That was the position of one who stood at the front.

As Namgoong Mucheon’s steady gaze met his, No Un looked down again.

The first thought that seized his mind was that all of this was his fault.

For the past two years, burdened by the illness brought on by his own pride, he had hidden away, fearing that word of his condition might spread.

During that time, Mount Hua had begun to rot from within, and its disciples were being manipulated and overtaken with no defenses in place.

Ah...

What kind of sect leader was he?

How could such a pathetic man claim the title of Sect Leader?

“How could I...”

“Jade Plum Sword.”

No Un raised his head to look at Namgoong Mucheon.

“Do you believe you have the luxury of wallowing in guilt?”

Mucheon’s firm gaze held no reproach.

“Pull yourself together.”

It was the trust of an old friend—and the understanding of another who stood in the same position.

“Is this not your Mount Hua?”