“…So, that’s ‘the fox…’”

When Gyo-ha wrinkled his nose, Noh-sam spoke up.

“Fox-borrowing-the-tiger’s-might.”

“…I knew that too.”

Gyo-ha pouted. He wasn’t lying.

Give him a moment more and it would have come back.

As Noh-sam said, it was indeed fox-borrowing-the-tiger’s-might.

They were leaning on the Justice Gate’s name. But Gyo-ha still looked puzzled.

Why was that a problem?

“The people we did business with also contacted us, saying they were sorry. It seems that when they went to visit them, several members of the Justice Gate went along as well.”

Of course it was hard for them to refuse.

“If Father… no, even if my brother were here, this wouldn’t have happened.”

Yu So-ha clenched her fist.

“How can those wearing the face of the Orthodox Factions…”

Geum Ho-pyeong spoke bitterly. The Justice Gate hadn’t helped openly, but at least some had taken part.

A sect of the Justice Gate’s stature wouldn’t wade into such things directly.

If known, it would stain Wudang’s name as well.

‘A few disciples probably came out to earn pocket money.’

But Geum Ho-pyeong knew:

To ordinary merchants, Orthodox or Unorthodox didn’t matter.

They were still beasts—some were just better behaved.

“So in the end, it’s the Yeo-un Merchant Guild doing? They took the manual too.”

At Gyo-ha’s look, Noh-sam nodded.

“Bang Geum-hyeok, the second young master.”

At that, Gyo-ha sprang to his feet.

Startled, Yu So-ha and Geum Ho-pyeong grabbed him.

“If you strike the Yeo-un Guild now, the Justice Gate will move.”

“And they even asked the local gentry’s understanding for the sixtieth-birthday banquet.”

That’s how important the event was.

Cause a scene here and it would smear the Justice Gate’s name.

“If we contact the Justice Gate, they’ll mediate.”

Geum Ho-pyeong spoke.

Even if the Yu Manor Lord was away, he couldn’t be ignored in Lanzhou.

But Gyo-ha looked as if to say, what are you talking about?

“They’re the ones who did wrong. Why should we make allowances for them?”

They themselves had done nothing wrong.

Yu So-ha and Geum Ho-pyeong blinked, but Moon Ryang nodded and stood.

“From the moment they took the manual, this stopped being just your affair.”

He knew what the two were worried about.

But the situation had changed.

“I won’t be helping you two, but this kid.”

It was Moon Ryang’s way of looking out for them. Unlike wanderers like him, they had roots here.

There was no good in crossing the Justice Gate.

And so, before the two could stop them, Gyo-ha and Moon Ryang left the room.

Yu So-ha and Geum Ho-pyeong exchanged looks.

Just as they were about to call the warriors, Noh-sam set his hands on their shoulders.

“If you two step in here, the problem will grow.”

“But…!”

“You are guests of the Yu Family Manor.”

But Noh-sam shook his head.

“There’s something else I need you two to do.”

At that, the two tilted their heads.

Noh-sam’s gaze on them was deadly serious.

And at his next words, they couldn’t help but sigh.

The night air was cold.

Each breath sent chills stabbing at lungs.

Gyo-ha and Moon Ryang walked the night streets side by side.

People sensed the grim mood and gave them space.

Gyo-ha clenched and opened his fists, checking his condition.

Honestly, he wasn’t in great shape.

His skin prickled. Without the iron shackles, most training couldn’t drain his internal energy.

Which meant it couldn’t be as effective as having a fight.

They might end up fighting not only the Yeo-un Guild, but the Justice Gate as well.

Even so, there was no fear.

‘…Wait, Justice Gate?’

It rang a bell, but he shook his head.

“Justice Gate” was a common name in itself.

There were bound to be several sects with the same name.

Gyo-ha looked to Moon Ryang.

“Are they far from here?”

“Don’t know.”

“Eh?”

Gyo-ha stopped, and naturally Moon Ryang did too.

“…You don’t actually know where we’re going?”

“I’m following you.”

“Eh?”

“Mm?”

The two stared at each other.

“Weren’t you in Lanzhou before me?”

That’s why Gyo-ha had been following Moon Ryang.

“I only trained at the manor. The training hall was clean and nice.”

Only then did they realize the problem and slowly turn their heads.

Before they knew it, no people were in sight—no buildings either.

They had wandered to the outskirts.

In silence, they retraced their steps.

Luckily, they met someone on the way and didn’t have to go all the way back to the Yu Manor.

And so they arrived at the Yeo-un Guild’s manor.

It was as large as the Yu Family’s, but far more lavish.

Guests must have arrived as music and laughter spilled out despite the late hour.

The atmosphere was unlike the Yu Family’s.

As they approached, the gatekeepers blocked them.

“It’s late. These two guests should head back.”

When Moon Ryang’s hand went to his blade, Gyo-ha stepped forward.

“We’re here to take back my property. Your second young master took it.”

He spoke politely, but the gatekeepers snorted.

“Whatever it is, come back in daylight.”

They had no intention of hearing him out.

Then they glanced at Moon Ryang and spoke.

“Cause trouble and you won’t leave in one piece.”

At the cold retort, Gyo-ha grinned.

“I was clear, wasn’t I?”

Crack, crick.

Gyo-ha loosened up, the sound of his bones popping cutting through the music.

“How dare—! Do you know where—”

As the gatekeepers drew their swords, a gust swept in.

It blasted not only through the gatekeepers but the main gate itself.

Thung.

The crumpled gate slammed to the ground.

Beside him, Moon Ryang’s eyes lit with interest.

“You’ve grown again.”

Gyo-ha only shook out his fists.

His raging muscles writhed.

He felt it too. His body was different from before.

Not just because he had shed the iron shackles.

Each step, each punch had changed.

He’d grown bit by bit before, but this was different.

It felt like a small wall had come down.

Gyo-ha and Moon Ryang strode through the broken gate.

The musicians had already stopped.

Only the footsteps of guards rushing out broke the quiet.

They didn’t move until they were surrounded.

“Who are you lot!”

They charged the two.

As Moon Ryang reached for his blade, Gyo-ha stepped in.

“Your body’s not well. Let me handle this part.”

If he got worse here, they might not spar the day after tomorrow.

Whether he knew Gyo-ha’s thought or not, Moon Ryang considered, then nodded.

Gyo-ha stepped into the spears and swords flying in.

He slipped past and swung a fist.

Pung!

With a light punch, a sword-wielding guard was sent flying.

The same happened to the spear thrusting from the side.

Gyo-ha’s fist shattered the shaft and slammed into the guard’s gut.

“They’re no ordinary lot!”

“Watch it!”

Those charging stopped and opened distance.

They weren’t opponents you could brawl down.

A brief lull followed.

Then someone recognized Moon Ryang in the back and whispered.

The murmurs swelled.

Soon a middle-aged man stepped through the guards, frowning at those felled.

“Ghost Evil Blade. What brings you to our merchant guild?”

His voice was even, but tension flickered on his face.

Being of the merchant guild, he knew of Ghost Evil Blade’s fearsome name.

But Moon Ryang only turned to the side.

Only then did they see who was spearheading this.

“And you are?”

“Ah—I’m here to take back what your second young master stole.”

At Gyo-ha’s reply, the man frowned.

“Fetch the second young master.”

“Yes.”

A guard ran off.

Watching him go, the man turned and glared at Gyo-ha.

“Your words had better be true.”

It didn’t take long for the guard to return.

He came quickly and whispered something, troubled.

The man’s face hardened.

“Mm.”

He hesitated to speak; then the guards in back stirred.

And out came—

“What is this racket!”

A ringing voice. An old man strode out.

Because of his massive build, the old man looked as if walking alone was a struggle.

“Guild Master.”

The man bowed in haste and supported Bang Ho-gwak.

Then he whispered something.

When he finished, Bang Ho-gwak clicked his tongue.

Then he looked to Gyo-ha and Moon Ryang and spoke.

“It’s late, so be on your way. I’ll have your things sent in the morning. We’ll consider this disturbance as nothing.”

Bang Ho-gwak waved a hand dismissively.

As if granting them a favor, Gyo-ha’s eyes went askew at his tone.

Whether he noticed or not, Bang Ho-gwak turned to go in.

The bowed man looked back to Moon Ryang and Gyo-ha.

“Young Master Geum-hyeok is out. As the Guild Master said, we’ll send the baggage to the Yu Manor at first light.”

“What are you saying?”

Gyo-ha cut him coldly and stepped forward.

Koong!

Dust rose.

His fierceness was unlike before, laid bare.

“Why do you get to decide that?”

He wasn’t a beggar at a feast.

He was the one robbed. They were thieves.

“Bring my stuff out. Now. And bring him too.”

A cold wind blew.

At Gyo-ha’s words, Bang Ho-gwak halted mid-turn.

He turned back slowly.

Anger rose on his face.

“I tried to pass this quietly because I have an important guest.”

“…Sir, what’s the matter?”

“Oh, no. Scholar-official Yeom1, please go inside.”

A handsome young gentleman came out and snapped open his fan.

He was followed by women in heavy makeup.

Scholar-official. This was not a title familiar to the people of Murim.

It was for one who passed the civil service exam.

He wasn’t yet in office, but as good as destined for high post.

Even without office, his gentry status was assured.

It was no wonder Bang Ho-gwak was acting cautious. Though he may be green now, in a decade he might sit high.

The handsome scholar-official regarded Moon Ryang and Gyo-ha with fitting arrogance, then cocked his head.

Gyo-ha did the same.

“Ah.”

“Huh?”

They spoke at once.

At the youth’s reaction, Bang Ho-gwak asked carefully:

“Do you perhaps know him?”

“It’s nothing, my lord. I was momentarily mistaken. From the look of it, this seems to be a personal matter of grudges and debts, so it’s best that I excuse myself.”

“There’s no need for that. Please, go inside and wait — this will be over shortly.”

Bang Ho-gwak jerked his chin at Gyo-ha and Moon Ryang.

The men surrounding them drew their weapons as one.

Gyo-ha tore his gaze from the youth and clenched his fists.

This is how it should have been from the start.

Then he swung at the ones rushing in.

Pung!

His fist tore through the air.

Moon Ryang drew his blade as well.

Srrrk.

The blade slid out soundless, like drawing soft cloth.

A chilly aura flowed out at the same time.