With that thought, Ha Hyun stared at Baek Yeo Heun, who was intently aiming the tip of her sword at him from the middle of the smoke screen. It was then that he felt the presence of someone else nearby.

“Ha Hyun.”

Recognizing the voice, Ha Hyun immediately rose from his spot. His master, Yu Woon, who had silently approached him, watched Ha Hyun with a calm gaze.

“Master.”

Ha Hyun looked up at the man who had become his master two years ago, the face of the Volcano’s Supreme Sword.

If Baek Yeo Heun had been the first person to give Ha Hyun confidence, this was the other path Ha Hyun had first chosen in life.

Two years ago, he had decided to kill a soldier who was chasing him in order to get rid of any potential issues, even though he was running away without a destination in mind.

〈I’m sorry for intruding. I couldn’t just walk by when I saw this. May I ask you a few questions?〉

It was Yu Woon who stopped him.

At a glance, he looked strong. Unlike the soldier, he didn’t look easy to knock down and run away from, and Ha Hyun had no choice but to agree to his proposal since he couldn’t leave the soldier he was holding hostage.

〈…Go ahead.〉

〈Why are you trying to kill this person? Are you connected through debts?〉

〈No debts. He is simply chasing me.〉

〈Have you committed a crime?〉

〈I have committed none.〉

Yu Woon, who had been silent at his reply, spoke as if sighing.

〈You look young. There’s no need to resort to killing so early on.〉

Although he didn’t entirely agree, Yu Woon then poked the soldier’s pressure points, ensuring he would be unconscious for at least a day, thus buying time. So Ha Hyun outwardly accepted his words.

Only then did Ha Hyun notice Yu Woon’s attire.

White robes and a Taoist cap. He was unmistakably a Taoist priest. The plum blossom embroidered on his collar and cuffs made it clear which sect he belonged to.

Volcano.

A prominent family belonging to the Ancient Nine Sects.

A considerably large Taoist sect.

The moment he realized this, Ha Hyun decided where to run to.

Yet among the things he had brought with him, nothing was of value. A Taoist priest wouldn’t need poisons or daggers. Even if they did, he couldn’t use those to negotiate.

So Ha Hyun, leaning on Yu Woon’s unwillingness to ignore the situation, outright kneeled and asked for help. It wasn’t that difficult after all.

〈…Fine. I will accompany you as far as the family estate.〉
His expression was one of discomfort, but fortunately, he didn’t have to wait long to find an answer.

However, the truth was that Ha Hyun still didn’t trust him up to that point. If he were to leave him halfway, he wouldn’t blame him; he was just planning on following along somehow.

Even after showing his deference, Ha Hyun had discussed with Jangmunin what had happened regarding his ‘Huhwan,’ and even had him find out what had happened on his behalf.

Until that point, Ha Hyun, who had been contemplating the worst-case scenario, still remembered the feeling he had when Yuwoon unexpectedly informed him that everything had been resolved without any issues.

The reason the entrance exam, which Hahoon helped Ha Hyun with, became the second instance of unconditional favor was that the first was done by Yuwoon.

In the martial world, the relationship between master and disciple is like that between parent and child, and for Ha Hyun, the existence of parents who gave birth to him was as good as nonexistent. Therefore, Yuwoon was also significant to Ha Hyun in a different way from Hahoon.

“Why do you look like that? You seem to be troubled.”

Since it was a question from that kind of person, he didn’t bother to hide his feelings.

If it were someone else, Ha Hyun would have circumvented the issue with plausible words. However, Yuwoon was also someone who recognized why Hahoon sometimes looked glum for no apparent reason.

“The disciples are acting strange again. I was trying to figure out what the problem could be.”

“Hmm.”

Yuwoon smirked.

Ha Hyun knew that Yuwoon paid quite a bit of attention to Hahoon. He wasn’t a man who discriminated among his disciples, but Ha Hyun understood that Hahoon was special to him as his first disciple.

After a few instances when Hahoon would look unexpectedly glum, Yuwoon started to inquire about Hahoon from his disciples or subordinates—that is, from people under Ha Hyun’s command.

And they, lacking any better knowledge, would simply laugh it off saying, ‘kids go through phases like that.’

Of course, Ha Hyun did not believe what his subordinates said about ‘kids going through phases.’ He could clearly see that it wasn’t an issue of that sort.

“He must be sensitive, so understand him.”

Yuwoon spoke quietly, his smirk still in place.

‘Isn’t that closer to being touchy rather than sensitive?’

Ha Hyun thought to himself but did not vocalize it. As Ha Hyun remained silent, Yuwoon opened his mouth again.

“Or have you thought of any issues that you suspect?”

With that question, Ha Hyun finally returned to the real problem he had been contemplating.

‘…How did I end up here?’

Feeling futile, he eventually gave up on the issue he had been wrestling with.

“I don’t know.”
Then Yoo-woon softly chuckled.

“Don’t worry too much. As you know, he’s not a frail child. You’ll wear yourself out with all this fretting.”

“……Yes.”

“It’s nice to see you two getting along so well, though.”

With that, Yoo-woon lightly patted Ha Hyun’s shoulder and passed him by.

It appeared that Ha Heun, who had been in the practice yard, finally noticed Yoo-woon and greeted him. Following Yoo-woon into the practice yard, Ha Hyun let out a quiet sigh.

I’m not worn out.

‘Rather, I’d like to find out what’s causing this.’

At this point, it was an obsession.

Still, Yoo-woon was right in that regard. Whether sulking now, by tonight or at most in a couple of days, Ha Heun would revert to his normal state on his own. In that sense, his recovery was oddly quick.

The reason it bothered him, despite knowing this, was undoubtedly because Ha Heun held a special place in Ha Hyun’s heart.

‘He’s my disciple, after all.’

Although calling him a disciple, he was younger and shorter, which made him seem more like a younger brother. Nonetheless, Ha Hyun didn’t want to see him sulk, even for a moment.

‘Never thought I’d worry about someone else like this.’

Feeling somewhat astonished, Ha Hyun clicked his tongue internally.

That was how the spring went.