Published at 26th of January 2026 10:12 pm

Chapter 378

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The moment the Tyrant King's objective became clear, I looked at him and thought,

'The record.'

What record? I didn't know for sure, but I could tell that the thing he was seeking was the bracer.

'The thing Yu Chun-gil stole.'

Just from the way he mentioned it, I could tell.

'If you resolve this, I'll consider your request.'

I ponder the meaning of his words.

'He's trying to test me.'

I sensed it immediately. This guy seemed certain that I had some information.

How else could he react like that?

'Haaa.'

What should I do? Should I claim I know? While I hesitated for a brief moment,

'Wait.'

I realized something strange about what he said.

Here was the biggest problem.

'How did the Tyrant King know that the Blue Moon Sect had what he was looking for?'

The statement that he'd consider my request once I resolved this, spoken with such certainty...

'That means information.'

Which means someone must have provided him with the information.

'... Then.'

My mind raced. Like the wheels of a carriage spinning madly, my thoughts spun without end.

Connections formed.

The line that had started in my mind raced from its starting point to its destination.

And I finally realized something.

'Baek Yun.'

The Old Sword of the Crescent Moon, Baek Yun.

I was certain it was him.

'Baek Yun is the source of the information.'

He's someone who knows about the secret store room, and someone who seems to have his own agenda.

He was also a suspect I had considered in Yu Chun-gil's murder case.

'... He's the one most likely to have given information to the Tyrant King.'

I called it a possibility, but for me, it was as close to certainty as can be.

Given all the circumstances, Baek Yun was the only one who made sense.

That's as far as I got.

Once I'd reached this conclusion, I asked the Tyrant King,

"What kind of record are you searching for that you'd suspect the Blue Moon Sect...? And do you mean to say that my teacher stole it?"

"Yes, your teacher, the Sword Saint, stole it and ran away."

"Why...?"

"...."

When I asked for the reason, the Tyrant King fell silent.

I wondered what was with him now, and then—

『Why else? That bastard messed with me over some drinks, so I straightened him out.』

'... What?'

Drinks?

Again?

I had to wrinkle up my face in disbelief.

Surely not...

'He lost such an important thing over a mere drinking wager...?'

Unbelievable.

Could that possibly be the reason?

『Even then, after losing, he insisted he couldn't give it up because it was so important, so I forced it from him.』

"..."

So that's why he said he stole it—he just forced it away since the other refused to hand it over.

"... There were a number of reasons."

Even as he dodged my gaze, the Tyrant King looked like someone unable to say it outright.

Well, if that was the reason, I, too, would find it unspeakable.

What kind of childish story was this?

"Anyway, until this matter is settled, I'll have to put your request on hold. I trust you can understand at least that much."

"... Alright."

Contrary to his earlier statement that he'd do almost anything, he was now stalling. It bothered me a little.

'But he's right.'

Given the situation, it was reasonable to wait a bit.

No—in fact, even if that weren't the case.

'At this point...'

I figured I had to check for myself.

Just what that bracer was.

* * *

Late at night.

Unlike last time, the moon was up. Though it didn't reach the fullness of a full moon, it shone with a calm brightness.

It was large enough, glowing with a light much like a full moon.

As the moon illuminated the world—

Tsk.

Inside a quiet chamber, Chun Hye-In poured tea with a languid expression.

Perhaps because she was alone, only a single teacup was set out as she poured the tea.

Drip, drip.

Just as she filled the cup to the brim—

"Martial uncle."

Breaking the silence, Chun Hye-In spoke.

It looked like there was nobody present, yet someone appeared at her call.

"May I pour you a cup?"

As she lifted her teacup and spoke, an old man with blue eyes emerged from the darkness.

Baek Yun appeared and replied,

"That's alright. I have no desire to drink anything at the moment."

"Is that so. Well, it can't be helped, then."

Sip. Chun Hye-In wetted her lips as she spoke.

"I heard you completed your mission successfully."

"Ah, yes."

Chun Hye-In nodded.

She had completed her mission... Despite her reply, her eyes were full of questions.

What had she done, really?

She'd done nothing. That man had done everything.

'Bang Sung-Yun.'

A man she didn't like. Impossible to read, and whenever she tried, she felt like he would turn her perception inside out.

With an expression full of irritation, Chun Hye-In recalled that irritating youth.

At that moment—

"I heard your younger brother has awakened the Moon Eye as well?"

At the mention of Chun Uijin, Chun Hye-In's furrowed brow relaxed.

"Ah, yes. He did manage it."

She had never expected him to open the Moon Eye upon reaching the peak. Surprising, indeed.

'I knew he'd succeed someday.'

But not this soon. Judging by her brother's talents, she thought it would take several more years.

'This too...'

It was all thanks to that man.

From the moment he appeared, something changed. Her brother changed, and—

'The Sect Leader as well.'

Even that person, whom she thought would never change, changed in some ways.

Maybe the entire Blue Moon Sect was different now.

'All because of just one man.'

Though "just" didn't do him justice—he was the Sword Saint's successor, called the Moon Hero, and the youngest ever candidate for Alliance Leader.

'... Even so.'

He was still just a single person.

She still couldn't really understand how someone like that could have such an impact.

"Whew..."

Chun Hye-In sighed. As if to soothe her discomfort, she took another sip of tea.

"It's nearly time."

She froze.

At Baek Yun's words, she held her cup midway and stopped.

The time.

Her expression went blank at those words.

"It's good that he's come, but... Can it be done?"

"Do you believe it's impossible?"

"I wonder."

She answered with a question, but inside, she already had her answer.

She thought it would be difficult. Even more so in their current state.

But—

"No, you can do it."

Baek Yun said, looking at her with faith.

"You are capable."

"... Hmm..."

At those words, Chun Hye-In turned around. Baek Yun stared right at her.

With the certainty in his eyes, Chun Hye-In asked,

"Do you have some method?"

"Yes."

In response to her question, Baek Yun nodded.

"There is."

His tone was firm. Was there really such a way? Is that possible? As doubts surfaced—

"I discovered Yu Chun-gil's secret store room."

"...!"

At Baek Yun's words, Chun Hye-In's face changed. Her eyes widened to the size of lanterns.

"... Secret store room? That existed? Where?"

"It was located inside the Blue Moon Sect."

"I see..."

To think something like that existed within the Blue Moon Sect... Was that even possible?

Chun Hye-In reacted in disbelief.

"Inside, there is something that could help you. Once you find it, everything will be resolved."

"What in the world is inside to make you say that?"

"It is a divine pill passed down through the generations of the Blue Moon Sect."

"Pardon?"

"Only the Sect Leader could take it... And its recipe should be in there. If you can get just that, there will be no problem."

Why would he respond like that over a divine pill? While pondering—

"You're that certain it's inside?"

"Yes."

"In that case..."

Chun Hye-In had to ask the fundamental question.

"You claim to know of the secret store room. Does that mean... Bang Sung-Yun doesn't?"

"...."

The Sword Saint's successor.

He could be called the true owner of the secret store room—didn't he know?

At such a question, Baek Yun replied with conviction,

"He does not."

"Why not?"

"If he did, the store room's content wouldn't still be there. And there's no way he'd have opened the next space after that. No matter how talented he is."

"..."

At these words, Chun Hye-In frowned. There was another space inside the store room?

And—

'... He wouldn't have opened it?'

That certainty that Bang Sung-Yun could never have opened it.

That bothered her.

Because—

'If it's him...'

The Bang Sung-Yun she knew was someone who would casually smash expectations like that.

With that thought, Chun Hye-In said to Baek Yun,

"Martial uncle."

"Yes."

"The fact that you're telling me about the secret store room now—there's a purpose to it, right? So—"

She asked,

"Can I visit that store room as well?"

She wanted to visit the secret store room Yu Chun-gil had left behind.

Baek Yun chuckled at her words.

"Are you that curious?"

"Yes."

How could she not be? It was the trace left behind by none other than the Sword Saint.

"Alright, then let's go now."

Baek Yun approved Chun Hye-In's request. There may be nothing left in that store room, but somewhere in there, a divine pill must still be hidden.

All they had to do was secure that one thing. Or so Baek Yun thought—

He never imagined that the divine pill was already missing.

* * *

"Phew-CHOO!!"

I sneezed loudly. Damn, my nose stings.

I wiped the snot running down my nose with my sleeve.

Yu Chun-gil watched with clear disgust.

『That's just filthy...』

"Why the fuss over a bit of snot? Ah, my ears are itchy too."

Was someone badmouthing me behind my back?

'I suppose that happens.'

I wiped again, accepting that people badmouthing me was just a way of life.

"Phew."

Then I looked around.

At the moment, I was inside Yu Chun-gil's storage room.

My goal was to check the Tyrant King's bracers and what remained of the Sword Saint's items.

"Let's see..."

I pawed through the stacked items one by one.

"Found it."

After some time, I located the Tyrant King's bracers.

"Hmm."

I confirmed its location, but didn't grab it immediately.

'Touching it could be trouble.'

It was Yu Chun-gil's property. Even if the Tyrant King was its original owner, it belonged to Yu Chun-gil now.

In other words, it was now the possession of a ghost.

'Which means, if I just grab it...'

I'd be hit by a wave of karma, and that would cause me serious problems—I needed another solution.

"Let's see..."

I took out a piece of paper—yellow talisman paper.

Next, I fished a small gourd out of my pocket and uncorked it.

A sour, fishy smell wafted out. I dipped my finger into it. The moment I felt something slimy, I smeared it onto the talisman.

A red line appeared. It was pig's blood.

I wrote a few characters with it, then stuck the talisman onto my arm.

Oooong. A faint vibration ran through me.

The quivering of my soul.

'It's on.'

A talisman drawn in pig's blood. With it, I could deceive the world.

I masked my soul with something else.

'This won't last long.'

At best, it would hold for a moment. After that, the effects would catch up to me.

'Time to move.'

I immediately grabbed the bracer. Turned it this way and that—at first glance, it looked like an ordinary bracer.

'What the...?'

There was nothing unusual about it. Was there really something special?

Puzzled, I kept fidgeting with it.

Oooong—

'Huh?'

There was a reaction from within. What? Why did it—

'Huh?'

The moment I felt the reaction, my grip loosened.

Thunk!

The bracer dropped to the floor.

I was nearing my limit anyway, but I'd figured something out.

'What is this bracer...'

It looked like nothing special, but this was...

"It's a sacred blade...?"

It was something I knew very well.

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