Three days after the attack in the afternoon.

While overseeing Yubak and Danju’s family members, I received word from Yubak about the previous night’s incident.

It turned out that Jangnam, the eldest son, had a confrontation with a prisoner he had locked up in a room to vent his anger.

The revelation was that Jangnam wasn’t actually a unilateral victim of a curse, but instead had been plotting with a black magic sect called Heukcheonmun to kill his younger brother.

“That… sorcerer seems to have no particular connection with Heukcheonmun. For some unknown reason, he posed as a holy sage and messed up the real relationship between the holy sage and Heukcheonmun. The last attack happened because of that.”

I pondered Yubak’s words with a somewhat dazed feeling. Yubak then added, seemingly concerned.

“Ha Hyun, you know? It’s your first time going out to the martial world. That you couldn’t subdue the sorcerer isn’t your fault. There’s no reason for you to be hurt or blame yourself.”

“…Yes, Yubak. I understand.”

I couldn’t afford to make a foolish face in front of an adult who was doing their best to comfort me. I obediently nodded and replied, swallowing a sigh inwardly.

‘The lie was indeed no lie.’

The sorcerer really had nothing to do with Heukcheonmun. He had just fanned the flames of an already existing situation for the sole reason of wanting to see me.

The fact that he hadn’t lied about this gave me a strange feeling.

Anyway, if the truth was revealed like this, from now on, it would be a family matter for Danju.

‘To think he was trying to kill his own brother.’

That alone was truly shocking.

“And so, Yubak, it seems proper for us, Hwasan, to clean up and leave Heukcheonmun.”

“Do you agree with the sage? Will many people be needed for the cleanup? Should I put in a request?”

“Hmm, according to what the prisoner divulged, their numbers have significantly reduced due to the last attack. They didn’t have many martial artists to begin with. It shouldn’t be difficult, so just Ha Jin and I, and…”

Yuseong Yubak hesitated momentarily, then decided.

“Include Ha Hyun as well. Yes, that should suffice.”

Upon hearing Ha Hyun’s name, I momentarily hesitated. Come to think of it, for the past three days, we’d both been busy and, having much to think about, I had hardly crossed paths with Ha Hyun.

Yubak also questioned Yuseong Yubak in a tone filled with concern.

“Is Ha Hyun alright?”
“On the surface, their attitudes seem unchanged, but who knows what’s really going on inside. This time, however, instead of treating those who know martial arts especially harshly, we plan to simply shut down the money flow and report to the officials.”

“Mm, true. It would’ve been better to experience that direction before using the assassination technique.”

“There’s nothing we can do now that it’s happened. How about having Ha Hyun take care of the patients here?”

“Alright, let’s do that.”

The leaders settled the plans for the days ahead, and several days passed.

The children of Lord Danju had fully recovered. The Danju couple, who had been in bad shape due to the shocking actions of their firstborn, had also regained some energy.

The four leaders who went to sort out the Black Sky Gate, including Lord Yuseong and Ha Hyun, had also returned to the academy without injuries.

‘It’s finally over.’

I didn’t do anything particularly amazing, but I feel strangely tired. The comforting fact is that all that’s left is to return to the volcano.

The departure is tomorrow morning, but I can’t sleep. So, I stepped out of the monastery for a moment.

‘My mind continues to feel complicated.’

Even though everything’s over, the atmosphere is still not good. Wandering around someone else’s house at this time of night is not very polite. But I couldn’t help it, feeling that if I continued to toss and turn within the monastery, I’d wake others.

Having stayed in this academy for quite some time, I occasionally encounter warriors who recognize me and greet me with a nod, without words. Thanks to that, I had walked quite a distance.

And unexpectedly, I ran into Lord Danju.

“Ah.”

“……You’re Dojang Ha Hyun.”

He was staring vacantly into the artificially made lakeside, digging into the ground and filling it with water within the academy.

The sight of someone who must be shocked by their child’s actions staring intently at the water’s surface was oddly unsettling. I hesitated but approached Lord Danju a few steps.

“Hello, Lord Danju. How are you feeling?”

“Mm, I’m almost fine now.”

Lord Danju looked visibly tired, but smiled warmly.

“What about you, Dojang?”

“Pardon?”

“Wandering around aimlessly this late at night usually means there’s a problem, doesn’t it? Just like I’m doing here.”

I was caught off guard by Lord Danju’s question. I didn’t expect someone who’s busy looking after themselves to ask about my well-being.

“As for me…….”
“Was my question too impolite? If so, I apologize. The seal bearer is about the same age as my daughter, so I couldn’t help but be concerned.”

“No, not at all.”