Two elders, five first-generation disciples, and eight second-generation disciples had died.

Among the Namgoong Clan’s martial artists, three had also perished.

Their funerals were postponed.

Officially, it was said to be so that the remnants of the hypnosis technique in the affected could be treated first. In truth, it was to root out any remaining spies that had yet to be exposed.

Instead, flames of mourning were lit across Mount Hua to honor the dead.

Beacons burned both day and night to commemorate the spirits of those lost.

The disciples of Mount Hua wore their formal robes and restrained their voices. No one laughed or spoke carelessly.

This incident had been a deep shock not only to the youngest disciples but to even the eldest elders.

“We must erase Yu Gang’s Taoist name from the registry and strip him of his martial arts. Was he not brought here by No Un? There is no way he could have known nothing!”

“I agree. No matter how exceptional his martial aptitude may be, the one who taught him betrayed the sect. He could not have led him down the proper path.”

“However, that child truly seems unaware. Are there not disciples who were saved by him? Holding Yu Gang accountable is too much, Sect Leader.”

“I think so as well. To go so far as to abolish his martial arts and expel him would be excessive.”

No Un closed his eyes gently.

He could understand both sides.

The betrayal of No Un—who had once been the pride and pillar of Mount Hua—was enough to enrage the elders who had spent so many years as sworn brothers.

And it was that same man who had brought in Yu Gang.

Even if Yu Gang had no direct involvement in the incident, the sins of his master were grave. That he had known nothing at all could itself be considered a sin.

However—

“Had it not been for that child, we would never have been able to request aid from the Namgoong Clan.”

It was because the Namgoong Clan intervened that the situation could be managed before it worsened.

“I was the one who sent the child to the Namgoong Clan. Though the master’s sin is great, is it not the disciple’s merit that he discovered the thread of resolution?”

No Un could not hold Yu Gang accountable.

More than anything, No Un believed that the one who was suffering most right now was none other than Yu Gang himself.

“We shall not punish the child. However, I will place him under probation and strip him of his Plum Blossom Swordsman title.”

It was the sect leader’s decision.

Not everyone was satisfied with it, but it was neither too harsh nor too lenient—a wise and measured judgment.

The elders gave their assent in response.

Master No Baek of the Martial Pavilion was dismissed, and First-Generation Disciple Yu Gang was demoted and stripped of his title as Plum Blossom Swordsman.

That was the final decision of the Elder Council.

****

“This is how it has turned out, so try not to take it too hard. I did my utmost to consider your position, but the other elders, who counted that man as a sworn brother, had their own perspectives. This was the best compromise.”

No Un’s voice was as gentle as ever.

Even while delivering the outcome of punishment, he showed no sign of resentment or reprimand.

Yu Gang understood that No Un and the elders had considered his position.

However—

“I will leave Mount Hua.”

Yu Gang raised his head with a resolute expression.

The elders seated with No Un turned to him with startled faces.

“What did you just say?”

“I said I will leave Mount Hua of my own accord. The Sect Leader and the elders are right. Perhaps, I did already sense that my master had changed.”

“!”

“Yu Gang—”

No Un hurried to cut him off.

There were elders present who had argued that Yu Gang deserved more severe punishment.

If he said the wrong thing now, he might inflame the anger that had only just settled.

“You may be feeling overwhelmed by emotion and speaking rashly. Let us talk again, later.”

But Yu Gang shook his head.

After No Un fled and the situation began to calm, Yu Gang had spent long hours staring at the mourning beacons that lit Mount Hua through the night.

‘Did I really not know?’

Had he truly not noticed anything strange about him?

‘No. At the very least, I felt something was off.’

He would often leave for “a brief errand” even while supposedly training Yu Gang in martial arts.

He had called in senior disciples, left Yu Gang to train alone, and at times, his energy carried a deeply unsettling sensation.

Looking back, the events at the Namgoong Clan had also been strange.

‘Why did you assign me to spar against Lady Namgoong? You knew full well I was no match for her.’

What had he said in response?

‘I was merely curious how much you had grown.’

At the time, Yu Gang had believed it referred to his own growth.

But... was that truly so?

Was it not Lady Namgoong’s growth that his master had been testing?

“I was indeed aware that something was wrong. But I did not try to learn more. And that is what ultimately drove my fellow disciples to their deaths.”

Back then—when he had sensed that something was amiss.

If he had just asked one more question.

If he had harbored even a little doubt.

Those beacons would not be burning now.

He would not have lost the elders he revered, the brothers and sisters he loved, the juniors he cherished.

“Mount Hua is a good place.”

It was truly a good place. And he loved it.

“I can see it in everyone’s eyes—that they are all concerned for me.”

Not one of his fellow disciples had mentioned No Un in front of him.

Not just the sect leader and the elders, but everyone was trying to be mindful of his feelings—supporting him, worrying for him.

“And that makes it even harder to stay.”

Because he cherished Mount Hua more than anyone—Yu Gang was even more pained.

He longed to understand what his master had been thinking, why he had never laid a finger on him—and that very disconnect weighed heavily with guilt for the fallen disciples.

That was why he had made his decision.

“I will leave Mount Hua.”

No Un, seeing the firm resolve in Yu Gang’s expression, sensed that no words could dissuade him.

Guardian Pavilion Lord No Hyeon spoke in a deliberately stern tone.

“Do you understand what it means to leave this sect?”

As a Plum Blossom Swordsman, Yu Gang had learned Mount Hua’s most advanced techniques. Simply striking his name from the registry was not enough.

They could not take back what had already been taught. The only way was to abolish his dantian and cast him out.

“I understand.”

“You will ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ lose all the internal energy you have built up to this point. Are you saying that is acceptable?”

“Yes.”

“There is a high chance your dantian will never recover.”

“Yes.”

“If you leave, you will never be allowed to return.”

“Yes.”

“Even if you come back and beg, we will not take you in.”

“Yes.”

“Are you saying you will not change your mind, even knowing all this?”

“I will not change my mind.”

“...”

No Hyeon was one of the elders who had always favored Yu Gang.

And now, even he tried to stop him by warning him.

But Yu Gang never wavered.

No Hyeon stepped back.

The other elders said nothing more.

No Un let out a long sigh.

“Very well. I understand. For now, return to your quarters.”

“Yes.”

Yu Gang rose from his seat and slowly clasped his hands in a martial salute toward the sect leader and the elders, bowing deeply at the waist.

It was a gesture filled with respect and reverence for them all.

****

How much time had passed?

Three days? Four? She did not know.

She could not even tell whether time flowed the same way here as it did in reality.

Seolhwa let out a small sigh as she continued to gaze down at her small, plump hand.

‘When does this end?’

Life inside the illusion was nothing but peaceful.

Living joyfully with Namgoong Cheongun, who loved her dearly, and a woman who was likely her mother—that was all there was.

Strangely, she could not recall the woman’s face.

Even while looking at her, it remained unknowable; even having seen her, it vanished the moment she turned away.

It seemed to be because her own memory could no longer fully recall her mother’s face.

“Seolhwa.”

Namgoong Cheongun approached her where she sat on the wooden floor.

“Shall we go see Grandfather? He says he wants to see our Seolhwa.”

“Okay!”

As Seolhwa reached out her hand to Cheongun, he naturally pulled her into his arms.

She had not meant to.

Though her mind was clear, her child’s body did not always obey her will.

Still, because her legs were so short, being carried around was far more comfortable, and in just a few days, Seolhwa had grown perfectly used to this way of life.

“Our Seolhwa is such a pretty girl.”

The woman gently pressed the tip of Seolhwa’s nose with her fingertip and smiled.

It was a beautiful, tender smile.

Not wanting to forget it, Seolhwa stared at the smile for a long time.

“Shall I carry her?”

“No need. Did you not say your wrist was sore? And Seolhwa says she likes her father better, so I will carry her.”

“...Is that so...?”

Still, Seolhwa kept her eyes fixed solely on the woman’s face.

The woman, in turn, softly brushed Seolhwa’s cheek and once again offered her a gentle smile.

“Our Seolhwa is so sweet. Such a thoughtful child to worry about her mother.”

“...”

In time, the three of them arrived at the Family Head’s Hall.

The Black Dragon Division Commander who stood guard at the entrance greeted Cheongun’s family warmly.

“Young Miss, it has been a while. Do you remember me?”

His calloused hand reached out to hold Seolhwa’s plump little one.

Seolhwa reflexively clenched her tiny fist, and Namgoong Hyeok let his hand drop with a dispirited look.

“Please, go on in.... The Family Head is waiting for you....”

Cheongun laughed heartily and passed by the commander to enter the hall.

As they neared the hall, the sound of someone bickering could be heard.

“I tell you, the young miss clearly asked me to hold her! She even called me ‘Chief Grandpa!’”

“Oh, come off it. I won’t believe it until I see it. How could some stubby-tongued little squirt who goes ‘ebebeh’ even pronounce the word ‘grandpa’?”

Then, for the first time in this illusion, came a familiar voice—one Seolhwa had long known.

“Silence, both of you. Can you not see my granddaughter has arrived?”