Ok-Hwa stared down at Jo Tae-joo, who was lying face down next to Byeok Tae-san whilst wearing a surprised expression.

“What did you see?”

Upon hearing this question, Ok-Hwa calmly recalled the scene she had just seen. Byeok Tae-san placed his hand on the crown of Jo Tae-joo and before pulling something out. However, she didn’t know what it was.

After that, though, Jo Tae-joo’s eyes rolled over, and soon he started screaming…

Perhaps this had already been discussed in advance, but no one came to see him even though he had been making such a fuss in front of the building. There was also the possibility that someone did witness it, but was too embarrassed to show themselves.

However, Ok-Hwa was different from the rest. This was because she had unnaturally perceptive eyes that could see and notice other things.

Because of this, she felt surprised that she couldn’t see anything from the screaming Jo Tae-joo. The emotions that had been treasured from the start up until now had disappeared entirely. Now, it was just empty.

Ok-Hwa hadn’t gotten a new ability yet, so she couldn’t possibly say for sure, but perhaps the reason behind the emptiness was because this person had seen something that had shocked him to the core?

With this, she continued to watch as Jo Tae-joo stood there, rolling his eyes and screaming. This lasted for two hours.

What was even more surprising was what happened next.

Suddenly, Jo Tae-joo fell face-first onto the floor and began to tremble in fear. From then on, his true feelings began to show.

The lust, ambition, deceit, and ridicule she had seen before were all gone. Now, it was replaced by both fear and obedience.

Ok-Hwa, who could remember all these, looked at Byeok Tae-san with a nervous expression. With this, she slowly explained what she had seen.

As she spoke, Byeok Tae-san listened to her and watched her with curious eyes. Once she finished, Byeok Tae-san nodded.

“That seems fun.”

It was really fun. The moment he caught the soul, only emptiness would remain afterward.

Byeok Tae-san pondered for a moment. In fact, he had tried to teach Ok-Hwa about the god of spirits. Now, however, martial arts seemed to suit her better.

The compatibility between Amyeongbo and Biryeongsingong was already pretty good, so she really didn’t mind the fact that she had just learned it.

However, now that she had seen this, how could she get past it?

“Do you have any plans to learn magic skills?” Byeong Tae-san asked her.

With this, Ok-Hwa’s eyes widened in response.

* * *

Seo Do-gun made it a point to visit Cheon Geum-ryeon.

The Cheon Geum-ryeon had been made by gathering several tops based in Wuhan, and all of them didn’t seem all that stable.

Receiving a counterattack whilst working on the top of the golden wall was indeed very painful. He spent too much money whilst working on the masterwork.

At that time, of course, it was not enough to recover everything, so he thought that he could make more money using it. However, this hopeful investment soon returned as poison.

Cheon Geum-ryeon was in a situation where the funds were not flowing properly anymore.

It was a situation where it seemed like it would collapse if someone gently pushed its back.

Under such circumstances, Seo Do-gun still persisted in visiting.

He came alongside the black moon sword Bong Mu-ok, who served as a messenger in the past. Cheon Geum-ryeon was stunned as they witnessed the silhouettes of these big figures.

The Black Moon Sword disappeared once Cheon Geum-ryeon began to push badly against the top of the golden wall. However, he made himself visible once more, marking his position as someone who held influential power over the Black Moon Sword.

Cheon Geum-ryeon-ju looked at Seo Do-gun with a nervous expression. Honestly speaking, he did not feel all that satisfied with the current situation, but couldn’t find it in himself to make complaints about it. These people were a terrifying bunch to deal with.

In response, Seo Do-gun looked at Cheon Geum-ryeon-ju and grinned. “Why are you shaking so much? Have you done anything wrong?”

“That’s not possible. I just… I’m surprised, yes. You came so suddenly…”

“Ah, are you feeling a little off because I’ve appeared out of the blue after not showing myself for quite a long time?”

“Oh, no. It’s not that…”

“Then is it because you think you won’t live any longer once you saw me here?”

Cheon Geum-ryeon-ju’s heart began to squeeze as he heard this. He thought that Seo Do-gun would have an inkling of what he was feeling, but he hadn’t expected the man to say it so directly.

“Are you going to kill me?” He asked instead.

“Hey, I’m not the kind of guy who just kills people. I came here just to have a casual conversation. I’m going to make you some offers that you will not be able to refuse.”

This felt all the more frightening because he knew he wouldn’t be able to refuse whatever offer would be thrown his way. After all, to refuse his offer would be the equivalent of accepting my death.

“Then… what is your offer?”

Upon hearing this, Seo Do-gun spoke casually, as if this was just a typical, daily conversation.

“Is Cheon Geum-ryeon ruined anyway?”

“Yes?”

“You were pushed by the top of the gold wall and you were ruined. Is there any chance of its revival?”

Cheon Geum-ryeon’s expression hardened. However, he quickly corrected his expression. “Yes. It has gone bankrupt, and there is no chance of revival anymore.”

Seo Do-gun then smiled brightly. “Now it makes sense. After all, it doesn’t mean we all have to die together, right?”

Seo Do-gun raised and lowered the horse while waving at the Cheon Geum Yeon Ju.

Cheon Geum-ryeon’s eyes fluttered.

No matter how bad things got, Cheon Geum-ryeon was still Cheon Geum-ryeon. If he stopped losing without being greedy here, he could still lay the groundwork when it was time to start over.

‘But he’s looking at me and telling me to go out and die.’ He thought.

“What do you do though? If you didn’t like this, you shouldn’t have held that guy’s hand in the first place.” He smiled. “Perhaps I should do it?”

“Ah, this is nothing. Pack the Cheom geum-ryeon well and try to contact the Moorimmaeng and Heukryeon.”

“Wow, are you talking about the Moorimmaeng? With a black lily?”

Upon hearing this, Cheon Geum-ryeon-ju’s eyes grew wide. “Didn’t you say you won’t kill me?”

“Why would you die? My story isn’t over yet. Please help out Namgung Sega and Zhuge Sega as well.”

This was all coming from his point of view. How could the author have said such a thing without going crazy?

Upon seeing Cheon Geum-ryeon-ju’s attitude, a smile broke out on Seo Do-gun’s face.

“This… They all said it was going to ruin my eyes and my ears were blocked.”

“What do you mean?”

“The places I just talked about are all aiming for infinity.”

“Yes, I’m aware of that.”

“What do you think they’re willing to do in order to create a beachhead in Wuhan?”

“Yeah, about that… I will set up a cause, just like Ho Mu-ryun did.”

“That’s it. What I want is for Cheon Geum-ryeon to become their cause.”

Cheon Geum-ryeon-ju looked at Seo-do-gun and swallowed hard. “Is that even possible?”

Seo Do-gun merely chuckled in response. “I don’t know. Isn’t that something you, the owner of Cheon Geum-ryeon, should be concerned about? What If I can bring in the Moorim maeng or Heukryeon? Then with their help, you might be able to hit me.”

Cheon Geum-ryeon-ju got goosebumps at his words and began to clap his hands in quite the desperate manner. “Never! I will never do such nonsense! I know where I stand!”

Seo Do-gun shook his head lightly. “You don’t have to. Because that’s what I want.”

“Y-Yes?”

“Please bring in the Moorimmaeng and Heukryeon to reveal our existence. Right now, we are holding hands with the top of the golden wall. I’ll begin scattering pieces of evidence here and there to solidify the claim.”

Cheon Geum-ryeon’s jaw dropped at this. “Well, would that really work?”

Unless Moorimmaeng or Heukryeon were fools, they would face a headwind if they were to make an attempt to deter this clumsily.

Seo Do-gun smiled pleasantly. “It doesn’t matter if it works or not. It would still bring me my intended effect. Shouldn’t Cheon Geum-ryeon only take profits in the meantime? Why are you not confident about this?”

Cheon Geum-ryeon-ju’s head twitched. This was a fight worth fighting for. That was, if Seo Do-gun did his job properly.

In addition to this, knowing this move would prove to be the most advantageous to him, so there was no way he wouldn’t grab onto the opportunity.

“Let’s do it. No, I will definitely do it.”

His answer made Do-gun smile. “That’s what I like to hear.”

* * *

Two days had then passed since Byeok Tae-san picked up the spirit of Jo Tae-ju and burned it. Afterward, Jo Tae-joo returned to Haomen, and Ru Baekhwa returned to its original state.

And today, Ru Baekhwa would arrive in Wuhan.

As soon as he got off the boat, he ran to the gold closet.

Upon reaching the Geum byokjang, he was guided to the reception room in the hall where Byeok Tae-san was staying, and after a while, he got to meet with the man himself.

Byeok Tae-san looked at Ru Baekhwa, who was sitting in a small place in front of him.

Ru Baekhwa could feel his nerves popping out.

He was far different from Jo Tae-joo. Even as he was just making his way to the Geum byokjang, Tae-san already knew everything that had transpired in Wuhan.

“Sorry. I should have prepared properly.”

“There’s no need for that. The preparations for it is not the important thing here. Well, in the future, he won’t have anything to fuss about.”

Ru Baekhwa’s hair rose as he heard this. He was once again reminded of why he should fear Byeok Tae-san.

“I heard that you have recently been informed about the infinite situation.”

Tae-san nodded in reply.

“When I came to Wuhan, I requested information from each Haomen branch and compiled the information I received.”

Ru Baekhwa politely held out a few papers with both hands. The other man picked them up and glanced over them. Then, the corners of his mouth rose slightly.

“Can you believe it?”

These papers divulged that Moorimmaeng, Heukryeon, Namgungse, and Zhugesega were working to advance to Wuhan. It also explained their movements in detail, as well as the people who were in charge of this task.

Byeok Tae-san, who had confirmed all of this, looked at Ru Baekhwa. Baekhwa simply stared back with the same nervous expression.

As their eyes met, there was silence between them for a moment.

Byeok Tae-san was eventually the first to open his mouth.

“Are you planning to become Hao Munju?”

Ru Baekhwa could feel his jaw drop at his question.

“If Confucius permits, we will do so.”

Tae-san then looked down at him with his eyes shining. He didn’t ask for help, he just asked for permission. That meant that he might already be prepared to take on Haomun.

To be honest, this just felt a little surprising.

“There is no need to just be Hao Munju.”

It would be difficult if Hao Mun’s power ended up being cut while fighting to become Hao Munju.

The reason for turning Ru Baekhwa into Hao Munju was to be able to use Hao Mun, but if information power was lost due to a power struggle, then there would be no reason to take control of Hao Mun in the first place.

“We need help to bring Confucius to the level he wants.”

“How much?”

“You need someone to use your powers properly.”

“Tell me exactly.”

Ru Baekhwa thought for a moment, trying to gauge the number of enemies that should fight.

“The level of martial arts of the Hao Mundo is not very high. However, the levels of the current three guards in Hao Munju and the samurai who protects the elders who must be dealt with are quite high.”

They could not be technically called Haomen. This was because they were hired by Hao Munju and the elders.

Ru Baekhwa paused for a moment before speaking once more. “The level of the samurai protecting Hao Munju is about the same as the head of the number of enemies who attacked the former Homu-ryun late indexes.”

Upon hearing this, Tae-san’s eyes lit up. “Aren’t you weaker than you’d like to admit?”

The guy who led the enemies at the time ended up in a fierce fight against Yeon Ha-rin. If he were to use this as a basis, then that meant he was a couple of levels higher than Yeon Ha-rin.

“So one person could be considered strong, and the few others fall short of a few levels. In addition to this, the samurai who protect the elders are a little inferior to that as well.”

Byeok Tae-san nodded.

Weren’t there some good opportunities to use at times like this? It seemed like it should be used here to indemnify the sins that had been committed.

“Take this and go to Dongho Pyoguk.”

Tae-san wrote something down one of the books in a single stroke before handing it over to Ru Baekhwa.

Baekhwa took great care in putting the book in his arms. He refused to let his mind wander about what could possibly be written in the book, nor what the relationship between Dongho Pyoguk and Byeok Tae-san could possibly be. He didn’t even think about whether Dongho Pyoguk would be able to deal with them.

If this was what Tae-san told him to do, then that was what needed to be done.

As the conversation was about to end, a voice resonated from just outside the door.

“Sir. Can I come in?”

It was the voice of Heavenly Father. From the looks of it, it seemed that the chimpanzee was also there.

“Come in.”

As soon as Tae-san gave his permission, the door opened and Cheon Chushinui and Ilchimkai entered.

Shortly after, seven huge chests appeared.

Cheon Chushinui smiled and began to speak. “Confucius, we have completed 100 each of the Tenchu Shrines you mentioned.”

“That is indeed very good.”

Tae-san looked at the stacked chests with shining eyes. The energy flowing through the chests was similar to that of the Cheonchu Shrine in his arms.

“It looks well made.”

“Hey, is that all you’re going to say? It’s perfect! It’s the best I’ve ever made!”

This was only possible because of the help of Ilchimbaek, and the two members of the Cheon Yakbang sacrificed their sleep and exerted the extra effort needed. At those words, the one who was sitting next to him spoke up.

“Why are you being sarcastic now?”

“When did I do that? I just said it was perfectly well made.”

Byeok Tae-san stopped the two of them before the spat could worsen. “Good job. Just put it in my room.”

He was about to reply that he knew what to do, but suddenly a voice intervened.

“May I ask what the Cheonchu Shrine is?”

It was a white rose.

With twinkling eyes, she alternately stared at Cheon Chushinui and the chests. This made the man’s expression darken. For some reason, this didn’t feel right.

Unsurprisingly, Byeok Tae-san said while looking at the god Cheon Chu.

“If you can handle this well, then you can give it to Haomen as a prize. Just make thirty more of each.”

“Yeah?” Cheon Chushinui stared blankly at Tae-san. His gaze then averted to Ru Baekhwa, and though it was only meant to be a quick look, his eyes widened.

However, Ru Baekhwa soon bowed towards Tae-san, his face flat on the floor. “I will never forget the grace of Confucius. I will repay you with certain results.”

When Byeok Tae-san waved his hands, Ru Baekhwa quickly retreated.

Cheon Chushinui stared at Ru Baekhwa until the end, but the man refused to make eye contact with him.

“Oh, just that for sure.”

Tae-san’s cold voice was evident, even in Cheon Chushinui’s ears.

“What does that mean? You don’t like him?”

Then, the man’s mind flashed. “Oh my gosh, Confucius. Could it be? I am different from my brother.”

“Hey! Why are you bringing me up again?!”

When the two showed signs of starting up another argument, Byeok Tae-san waved his hand.

Then, to Baekhwa’s surprise, Cheon Chushinui and Ilchimkai were pushed back through the open door by an invisible force.

The two men who were pushed back found themselves gaping at Tae-san. However, he looked at them in an indifferent manner. “Make sure you close the door before you go.”

They didn’t need to be told twice.