On the table lay a radiant white stone, seemingly just an ordinary gemstone, as it gave off no discernible energy.
But this was no common stone. It was a relic from the highest-ranked demonic beasts from the Magyeong Gate, the highest recorded in Zhongyuan.
Known as the White Demon Stone.
In terms of energy, it couldn’t even be compared to the Demon Stones left by the Blue-Rank or the newly emerging Red-Rank beasts.
In terms of pure energy, it rivaled even the Dokcheon Pill I possessed and was comparable to the legendary Daehwandal of Shaolin.
As of now in Zhongyuan—and likely in the future—there would be no way to obtain another White Demon Stone, as White-Rank beasts had ceased to appear.
This stone before me…
I believed it to be the only remaining White Demon Stone. Originally, I’d planned to consume it right after obtaining it.
“Didn’t have time to, given how busy I was.”
Since returning, I’d been running around constantly, with no time to spare.
And besides, it was mainly needed to stabilize my partially reached stage, so it wasn’t urgent.
I had saved it, thinking I’d use it eventually.
“Didn’t expect it to be used like this.”
The Divine Doctor was staring at the White Demon Stone on the table, almost glaring at it, as if uncertain whether it was truly what he thought.
“…This…”
“Yes, it’s a White Demon Stone.”
“…!”
At my confirmation, the Divine Doctor’s eyes widened to the size of saucers.
“If you doubt me, I can’t do much, but this is indeed a White Demon Stone.”
No one else may recognize it, but I couldn’t be mistaken—the Demon Devouring Art embedded within me could sense it.
“…Why… why does a brat like you have this?”
“Someone gave it to me. Told me to use it.”
“What?”
The Divine Doctor looked at me in disbelief.
It was the truth, though. Tang Jemoon had given it to me, so it was a gift, but the Divine Doctor didn’t seem to believe it.
Believe it or not, it didn’t matter.
What mattered was that I possessed the White Demon Stone.
“So, let me ask again. I’ve heard you need this—is that correct?”
The Divine Doctor’s gaze wavered at my question.
I watched him quietly, making no attempt to rush his response. If I pushed now, it would only signal my own urgency, which I couldn’t afford to do.
I simply waited for his answer.
After several moments passed…
“…Yes.”
The Divine Doctor finally replied with difficulty.
Good. The first hurdle was cleared.
Masking my inner relief with a faint smile, I spoke.
“If you truly need it, I can give it to you.”
I could give him the White Demon Stone I held.
One might expect him to be overjoyed at my words, but instead, he looked more troubled, a slight frown creasing his forehead.
He likely understood.
‘I’m not just offering this White Demon Stone out of goodwill.’
It was clear to him that I had other motives.
“…What do you want from me?”
Sure enough, he asked.
This response told me two things:
First, he didn’t ask what my goal was but rather what I wanted in return.
Second, though he didn’t know exactly what I’d ask for, he was already willing to accept.
These clues made one thing clear.
‘The Divine Doctor is desperate to obtain the White Demon Stone.’
He couldn’t possibly give it up. Why, though?
Without the Demon Devouring Art, one couldn’t draw energy from Demon Stones, making the White Demon Stone essentially a white rock.
So why was he so determined to have it?
“It doesn’t matter.”
Though I didn’t know the reason, it didn’t matter. I could find out in time.
“There are some questions I’d like to ask you. If you answer them, I’ll give you the White Demon Stone. I don’t particularly need it myself.”
Of course, that last part was a lie.
With dozens of Dokcheon Pills in my possession, I could afford to part with it. Otherwise, I’d never let it go so easily.
“Questions?”
“Yes.”
The Divine Doctor said nothing, though his silence seemed to imply agreement.
After taking a breath, I asked my first question.
“To start, I’d like to know why you need the White Demon Stone.”
“…”
“Rare as it may be, it’s just a useless stone in terms of effect. Why do you need it?”
Why did the Divine Doctor need a White Demon Stone? Despite his esteemed reputation, he had no apparent greed and seemed devoted solely to his craft.
So what did he want with the White Demon Stone?
“If I don’t answer, what then?”
“It doesn’t really matter, but you likely wouldn’t receive the White Demon Stone I intended to give you.”
An obvious threat.
A threat that if he didn’t answer, he wouldn’t get the stone.
“Ha, clever.”
“My apologies. I have my own reasons.”
In truth, I didn’t bear any ill will toward the Divine Doctor.
Yet I was in no position to afford generosity. It wasn’t a matter of trust; there were simply too many people I needed to protect, and they were my priority.
“…”
Seemingly deep in thought, the Divine Doctor stared at the White Demon Stone before finally biting his lip and speaking slowly.
“…I need it for my grandson.”
“Your grandson? You mean Hyuk?”
“Yes.”
Using the White Demon Stone for Je Gal-hyuk?
I tilted my head in confusion.
It wasn’t an herb or elixir; to most people, it was just a rock. What could he possibly do for Je Gal-hyuk with it?
“And what exactly do you plan to do with it?”
“I intend to clear his throat.”
“Pardon?”
Clearing Je Gal-hyuk’s throat… as in curing his muteness?
“I don’t understand.”
How would he accomplish that with the White Demon Stone? No matter how I thought about it, it made no sense.
“…Do I have to answer this as well?”
“Yes. I can’t move past it without understanding.”
“And if I lie?”
“I doubt you would, but if you did… well, that would be that.”
I had no intention of forcing the Divine Doctor to tell the truth.
It was just that I had an odd trust that he wouldn’t lie about something like this.
“…”
If my response was unexpected, the Divine Doctor’s expression grew even more uncomfortable.
“If it’s too much trouble, I can ask something else—”
“It’s not a physical issue with my grandson that prevents him from speaking.”
“Hmm?”
It wasn’t a physical issue?
“Then what do you mean?”
“To be precise, it’s part of a ‘curse.’”
“A curse?”
A curse.
I’d heard of such things. It was a technique supposedly used by fringe practitioners from the more obscure Daoist sects, though with notoriously poor effectiveness. It devoured Qi, rendering it ineffective on even mid-level martial artists, so only a few ever practiced it.
A curse…? Then…
I thought back to the former Cheon Yu-rang.
He was a crazed man who went around laughing behind a half-mask and a fan.
But he hadn’t been mute like Je Gal-hyuk.
I had thought that Cheonma had used some means to restore his voice.
Could that “means” have been lifting the curse, as the Divine Doctor suggested?
“So, you need the White Demon Stone to lift the curse?”
“…Yes.”
“But why?”
“That, I cannot reveal.”
“Understood.”
I nodded in response, though it wasn’t out of agreement.
I simply accepted that I’d need to let this part go.
‘Something’s tangled up in this.’
Putting aside his prickly demeanor, the Divine Doctor was someone who hated to see those around him suffer.
From his answer, it seemed that disclosing this would lead to some complications.
At that moment, a thought crossed my mind, a fleeting image of someone’s face.
Cheol Ji-seon—his relationship with the Divine Doctor came to mind.
‘That’s not something I should pursue.’
This wasn’t something to discuss with the Divine Doctor.
‘I’ll have to hear it from Cheol Ji-seon himself.’
I had decided whom I’d ask.
With that, I addressed the Divine Doctor.
“Understood. I’ll move on.”
The Divine Doctor let out a quiet sigh, as if relieved.
“The next question is about my condition.”
“Your condition… the last time I checked…”
“Yes, you mentioned my vessel was on the verge of breaking, but recently, I broke and remade it myself.”
“…I see… no, wait, what? What did you just say?”
The Divine Doctor’s reaction was intense.
“You shattered and rebuilt your vessel?”
“Yes, that’s how it turned out.”
I had no better way to explain it—it had been just as surprising to me.
From the Divine Doctor’s perspective, it was as if a man he’d diagnosed with ten years to live suddenly came back alive after mere days.
“What… Give me your hand. I need to examine this personally.”
“I’ll show it to you afterward… but I’ll need your word on something first.”
“What?”
“Regardless of what you see in my body, you’ll keep your mouth shut. That’s what I’m asking.”
“…!”
Perhaps sensing something unusual, the Divine Doctor’s face tightened.
“Will you agree?”
No matter what he sensed, I knew the Divine Doctor had no other choice.
“…Fine.”
With the White Demon Stone in front of him, the Divine Doctor was in no position to refuse.
“Thank you.”
Of course, it wasn’t easy for me to act this way with the Divine Doctor, either.
I bore no ill will toward him, only goodwill.
So having to behave in such a manner toward him left a bitter taste in my mouth.
It was petty and shameful.
But even so, it had to be done.
“Now, for the final question.”
The earlier questions weren’t critical.
The important matter was this one.
“I have some questions about Wi Seol-ah.”
“…”
At this, the Divine Doctor’s eye twitched, as if he’d anticipated the question.
“I’ve heard that you and Sword Saint used the Sealing Demon Stone to do something to her.”
The Sealing Demon Stone that had been in the former Cheon Yu-rang’s room… and Wi Seol-ah, who had regained her presence.
I sensed a connection and wanted to confirm what Wi Seol-ah had told me.
Why had the Sword Saint made such a choice? What was Wi Seol-ah’s current state?
I intended to find out, no matter what it took.
“…”
The Divine Doctor’s face darkened as he contemplated my question. After a long silence, he finally spoke.
“Does she still resent the Leader?”
It was an unexpected question.
By Leader, did he mean the Sword Saint?
He’d been the leader of the Martial Alliance two generations ago, though now he was two leaders removed.
And if Wi Seol-ah still resented him…
“Yes.”
I knew.
The uncomfortable expression Wi Seol-ah wore whenever she spoke of her grandfather.
The Divine Doctor sighed and spoke to me.
“I didn’t particularly like the Leader. I acknowledge his skills, but as a leader, he often prioritized other things over his principles.”
In terms of influence alone, he’d been the most powerful leader of the Martial Alliance since its founding by Yeon Il-cheon.
But it seemed the Divine Doctor didn’t see it that way.
“Even so, I understood him. He was human, after all.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“He was the Leader, so he shouldn’t have done it, but as a father and a grandfather, I can understand.”
His voice held a mix of emotions.
Resentment was apparent, but beneath it lay a sense of empathy and sadness.
“There was only one reason the Leader did what he did for that child. Because of that reason, I lent him my help, despite my reservations.”
“And that reason was…?”
As an uneasy feeling took root, I asked.
The Divine Doctor’s calm voice answered.
“If he hadn’t sealed away her potential…”
Up until now, she had been breathing steadily, yet…
“She would have surely died not long afterward.”
The moment I heard the Divine Doctor’s words, I felt a sudden tightness in my chest.
******************
In the Shanxi District.
It was the path leading to the garden toward the head of the Gu Family's residence.
Under the bright weather amidst blooming white flowers, a woman walked with graceful, measured steps.
Observing her composed posture and her elegantly raised upper body with each step, one could tell she was a person of refined education.
However, there was a rare brightness about her steps that was hard to ignore.
As she walked, the steward tending to the flower beds noticed her and respectfully greeted her.
"Greetings, Madam."
This woman was none other than Mi Horan, the lady of the Gu family and head of the Baekhwa Trading Company, one of the three most powerful trading companies in Zhongyuan.
She paused her steps and nodded slightly to the steward.
"Is he inside?"
"Yes, Madam."
"May I go in now?"
Upon her words, the steward moved aside, a gesture of permission.
There were only three people who could enter the head’s residence without prior permission.
Those were Elder Il, the Gu family steward, and the lady herself, Mi Horan.
Yet, she always sought the steward's permission before entering, despite it being unnecessary.
Seeing her behave in such a way, the steward hesitantly spoke up.
"Madam."
"Yes?"
"It seems you’re in a good mood."
"Oh."
At his words, Mi Horan gave a faint smile.
"No, not particularly."
With that, she continued on her way to the head’s residence.
But anyone could tell she was indeed in a good mood. After all, it was almost unheard of for Mi Horan to smile so visibly.
Seeing her like that, the steward also held back a smile as he resumed tending to the flower beds.
Clip-clop.
There was certainly a lightness to Mi Horan's steps as she made her way to the head’s residence.
Although she had denied it to the steward, she was indeed in a good mood.
And the reason for this was the letter she held in her hand.
It was a letter sent by Gu Yangcheon.
This might very well be the first time Gu Yangcheon had sent a personal letter to Mi Horan.
The letter, which had arrived early in the morning, bore the seal of the Baekhwa Trading Company.
It seemed it had been sent through one of their branches, but what mattered more was the content within.
I apologize for reaching out in this way. I hope you’ve been well. The opening was a light greeting, but what followed was quite interesting.
He mentioned that he had obtained a rare opportunity and had sold an item through the trading company.
In doing so, he had also used Mi Horan’s name, which was the core of the message.
During a conversation with the branch manager, I had no choice but to refer to Madam Mi as my mother. How long had she lingered on that part of the letter?
She must have been frozen on that line for quite some time.
I apologize in advance if learning about this later causes any offense. Apologize? She couldn’t understand why Gu Yangcheon would feel the need to apologize to her.
Clearing her slightly dazed mind, Mi Horan continued reading, only to find herself reaching the final line all too soon.
The letter was not very lengthy.
Oh, and by the way, the branch manager in Sichuan seems to be performing quite well. Until next time. After finishing the brief letter, Mi Horan took a few steady breaths.
“The Sichuan branch manager…?”
The last line Gu Yangcheon had written in his letter.
She was familiar with the Sichuan branch manager.
“He has a keen eye for talent but is notorious for his ambitions and greed.”
His name was…what was it again? She couldn’t quite recall.
Not that it mattered, as he wasn’t particularly important—she had plans to deal with him in the near future anyway.
But—
“If that child saw him in a favorable light, there must be a reason.”
Gu Yangcheon had praised him.
And with those words alone, the fate of the Sichuan branch manager took an unexpected turn.
Immediately, Mi Horan wrote a letter to send across the entire trading company, sealing it with her stamp.
The message ordered everyone to halt their current tasks and prioritize the assignment entrusted by Gu Yangcheon.
After handing the rather unconventional directive to an aide, she carefully folded the letter she had received and tucked it into her chest before moving on.
Her destination was the head’s residence, where Gu Cheolwoon awaited.
Though she hid her emotions well, she was undoubtedly going there to boast.
She could barely contain her excitement to present the letter she had received to Gu Cheolwoon.
Soon, she arrived at the door.
Mi Horan took hold of the door handle and opened it.
"The child has sent a letter…."
Normally, she would have started with a greeting, but in her haste, she dove straight into the main point.
Unfortunately, she didn’t manage to finish her sentence.
"…You?"
The atmosphere inside the residence was unusual.
Gu Cheolwoon sat at his desk with his usual impassive expression.
However, the aura emanating from him felt strange.
Anger.
What she felt from Gu Cheolwoon was unmistakably anger.
And to Mi Horan’s eyes, it was a level of fury she hadn’t seen in perhaps over a decade.
Without a word, Mi Horan observed him.
One hand was fiddling with his beard, while the other held a letter.
It bore a seal she recognized.
"The Tang Clan?"
It was the seal of the Sichuan Tang Clan.
The Tang Clan was Gu Yangcheon’s intended destination, and given the timing, he should have arrived around now.
The fact that a letter had arrived from there…
"Could something have happened?"
As the thought crossed her mind and her expression tightened slightly—
Rumble.
Gu Cheolwoon rose to his feet.
Whoosh—!!
At that moment, a palpable heat surged through the room, enough for Mi Horan to feel it.
“Ugh!”
Though she was a merchant first and a martial artist second, her skill level was no more than mid-tier.
Her martial prowess was mainly for self-defense and wasn’t particularly high.
Because of this, she struggled to withstand the aura Gu Cheolwoon was emitting.
Which made it all the more shocking.
Gu Cheolwoon usually suppressed his power to avoid harming those around him.
What had happened to make him react so strongly?
"What on earth happened…."
“Four days.”
Gu Cheolwoon’s steely gaze turned toward her.
“I will return in four days.”
“What… what do you mean? You have the trading company’s schedule to…”
Mi Horan tried to add urgently, but—
Whoosh!
Gu Cheolwoon disappeared before her eyes, leaving behind only embers.
Upon seeing this, Mi Horan immediately turned and dashed out of the residence.
Was it to catch him? Hardly. She could never stop him.
Rather, it was to convey a message to the steward and alert the trading company.
She had to warn them, as it seemed there was trouble brewing.
This was because, in her younger years,
Whenever Gu Cheolwoon had vanished with such a fiery reaction, catastrophic events always followed.
Once, an entire faction of the Unorthodox Sect was incinerated.
Another time, a sect that had planned to mobilize an army was wiped off the map.
Having witnessed these events firsthand, Mi Horan moved quickly.
With her husband so enraged—
She couldn’t even begin to imagine what he would do this time.