The morning of the New Year’s Festival had dawned.

Everything was perfect.

The weather was clear, and Na Rin had woken up a little earlier than planned to complete her purification bath.

The ceremonial attire of the Demonic Cult, with red silk layered over a black base, fit perfectly on Na Rin’s rapidly growing body, and her white hair, rolled up and tied high, looked neat and cute.

Finally, by burning incense to scent the area around her body, there was not a single flaw to be found.

“Na Rin! The Asura Sword has disappeared!”

Until just now.

“What do you mean all of a sudden, Master?”

“Exactly as I said. That bastard Jeok Gun Ak has finally done it.”

Jeok Gun Ak?

“There must be some misunderstanding. He’s not that kind of person.”

“Oh, come on. What do you know about Jeok Gun Ak?”

I know him quite well. Na Rin pouted her lips sulkily.

Despite appearances, we’ve been crossing swords at the forefront of the Demonic Cult’s battles for over a decade. I know all too well the nasty and irritating tactics that bastard would use…

‘Huh? Wait a minute.’

Na Rin’s expression gradually turned to horror.

This can’t be. I overlooked this.

“Oh no, dammit!”

“Goodness! Why are you suddenly acting like this?”

“I don’t know!”

Na Rin clutched her head and groaned as if in agony.

How could I be so foolish? I was so blinded by the impression from my past life that I neglected to properly assess the current Jeok Gun Ak.

‘The Jeok Gun Ak I remember is from more than a decade into the future from now!’

That’s right. The age at which Na Rin participated in the Demonic Cult’s battles was in her late teens.

Including the years she crossed swords with Jeok Gun Ak, it was an even longer time.

They say that even if it takes ten years, mountains and rivers change, so it’s only natural that Jeok Gun Ak would have grown and become wiser in his own way during that time, unless he was a rock.

“Na Rin, are you all right?”

Na Rin took a calm breath.

Yes. It’s easier to deal with the enemy if they’re more stupid. It’s something to welcome.

“Do you think he did it to interfere with the offering ceremony?”

“Whoever it was, that would be the intention.”

‘Whoever it was?’

Na Rin’s ears perked up.

“So it wasn’t Jeok Gun Ak who did it?”

“I think he’s the culprit. But more importantly, you should call me Lord Gong Son Wu. What’s with this ‘Jeok Gun Ak’? How brazen of you.”

Gong Son Wu continued to nag, saying things like ‘if others heard, they would curse and ask what kind of teacher taught you to be so unruly,’ but Na Rin didn’t even listen. There was no way she would address Jeok Gun Ak respectfully, even if the sun rose from the west.

“It seems there are other strong suspects?”

“There are.”

Then it seems there should be no confusion.

Gong Son Wu let out a deep sigh as if the ground would collapse and grumbled in dissatisfaction.

“But it can’t be that person. He denies the allegations himself.”

“Who is it?”

“Dokgo Cheon.”

Gong Son Wu clicked his tongue disapprovingly.

“You may not know, but that guy is…”

“I know. He’s the eldest son of the Cult Leader, the closest to being the Junior Cult Leader, and an all-around prodigy. Although his personality is a bit arrogant, when he occasionally smiles with his neat teeth, the ladies go crazy over him.”

Gong Son Wu’s eyes widened at the sight of Na Rin reciting the information as if it were obvious.

“…How did you know?”

Na Rin shrugged her shoulders.

There was no need to mention that she had found out the information by pestering the female attendants, who had been dispatched to teach her etiquette, all night long.

“Hmm. Cheon is quite famous, I see. Even you know about him.”

Until the female attendants told her, she didn’t even know his name.

Na Rin feigned innocence and said,

“But why is that elder brother a suspect?”

“Ah. Right. About that. It just so happens that Cheon visited the Northern Sky Palace yesterday.”

Aha. So that’s why he was named a suspect.

“That alone isn’t enough to make him a suspect, is it?”

“No. It’s sufficient.”

Gong Son Wu rested his chin on his arm and glanced at Na Rin as he continued.

“Because he’s of the Heavenly Demon bloodline.”

“Ah!”

The Asura Sword is a divine sword.

Those who are not of the Heavenly Demon bloodline cannot even hold it. Naturally, the culprit must also be of the Heavenly Demon bloodline.

‘That bastard, he’s not a complete idiot after all.’

He carried out the deed because he was confident he could escape suspicion.

However, if it turns out this way, even if Cheon isn’t the real culprit, it means that another Heavenly Demon bloodline is involved in the incident…

Gong Son Wu spoke.

“Fortunately, the offering ceremony is the last part, so let’s try to retrieve the sword before then. As the priestess, make sure to perform the New Year’s Festival well.”

“How will you retrieve it?”

“From experience, at times like this, there’s no choice but to use this.”

Gong Son Wu tapped the Blue Dragon Sword at his waist.

Na Rin nodded in agreement.

‘Right. Most things can be solved with that.’

Those with overwhelming power don’t have many solutions. There’s no need for many. However, that only applies in overwhelming situations.

“Will it be okay? The former Guardians of the Law are also coming.”

“That’s why I prepared this too.”

Gong Son Wu slightly loosened the knot of the bundle he brought and showed the contents to Na Rin. Inside was a black garment. It was dark clothing that was perfect for engaging in suspicious activities.

“As expected of Master.”

“Hoho. Learn it well.”

Is that the only thing a master and disciple can teach each other? It would be truly lamentable if others saw it.

“Oh my.”

At that moment, an elegant and refined way of speaking was heard, unsuitable for the fierce Demonic Cult.

With a splendid and refreshing step like a peony in a vase, and a graceful gesture.

“I didn’t see anything.”

It was the priestess of the Imperial Palace, the female attendant.

“Pretending to be clueless.”

Gong Son Wu clicked his tongue in annoyance without hiding his irritation.

“What are you here for? I thought you finished teaching etiquette.”

“Don’t speak so harshly. I came to lend a hand because the Priestess’s greeting method is somewhat unique.”

The female attendant shifted her gaze towards Na Rin and smiled softly.

“Priestess, did you sleep well?”

“Yes. But is there a problem with my greeting method…?”

“It has been decided to substitute the greeting with a dance for the New Year’s Festival.”

The female attendant skillfully avoided Na Rin’s question and unrolled the scroll she had brought to show.

“Even if the greeting is replaced with a dance, the procedures have been completed so as not to go against the ritual. Priestess, you just need to greet as you usually do when you hear the sound of the drum.”

“You mean to perform the moves?”

“…Yes. Yes, the moves.”

The female attendant hurriedly composed her expression that was about to falter and gave a beautiful smile. Regardless, it seemed that there was no better teacher than the female attendant when it came to teaching refined manners and etiquette.

“I understand your purpose.”

Gong Son Wu still didn’t let his guard down and glared at the female attendant as he continued.

“But it’s best for a grown man to refrain from entering a woman’s room without notice.”

“Oh my. I apologize for that.”

Na Rin’s eyes blinked.

What did Master just say?

“Uh… Who’s a man?”

When Gong Son Wu gestured towards the female attendant, she raised her hand with a small giggle.

“He was a man?!”

“Yes, Priestess.”

“But why is he wearing a skirt!”

“Because it suits me well.”

The female attendant casually lifted the hem of her skirt and then lightly turned her body, letting it fall from her hand. The silk flowed down beautifully like ripples.

“Don’t you think so?”

Na Rin, who was momentarily captivated by the mysterious appearance like a celestial maiden, muttered as if enchanted.

“It… does suit you.”

“He’s just a pervert. This bastard.”

“Lord Gong Son Wu, really. Are you still uncomfortable with me?”

“If you’re done, get lost. Before I slice you up.”

Even when Gong Son Wu growled like a wild cat, the female attendant only laughed merrily.

‘I thought she was a bit tall for a woman, but…’

Since the Demonic Cult was a mix of various races, I didn’t find it particularly strange. Now that I look at it, he’s almost the same height as Gong Son Wu.

“I’d like to, but I haven’t finished my business yet. Even if you don’t know, I can’t turn a blind eye once I know.”

“What else?”

“Ambush is not recommended. I advise against it.”

Gong Son Wu’s body trembled.

Regardless, the female attendant elegantly continued.

“There’s more than one suspect. Of course, Cheon is the prime suspect, but there’s one more. Isn’t there someone else who has come under suspicion?”

“Shut up!”

“It’s…”

Bang!

As soon as he said that, Gong Son Wu grabbed the female attendant by the collar and threw him against the wall. Dust rose thickly around the female attendant who was slammed into the wall.

“Aah! Master, why are you doing this!”

The moment Na Rin ran to check if the female attendant was okay.

“Your temper is still the same as always.”

The female attendant emerged from inside the wardrobe, opening the door.

“…Huh?”

Is it a magical technique?

Seeing the confused Na Rin, the female attendant laughed as if it were cute and amusing, covering his mouth.

“Blocking my mouth doesn’t make the existing facts disappear. Wouldn’t it be wiser to inform the wise Priestess of the truth and seek her wisdom? I heard she solved the Cheongseong Sect’s monster incident quite excellently.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Na Rin is still young. She needs the protection of adults…!”

“It seems I’m also a suspect.”

“Na Rin!”

“You’re indeed very wise.”

Well, there’s no other reason for Master to overreact like this. Of course, even considering that, Gong Son Wu’s current attitude seemed excessive.

“When did the Asura Sword disappear?”

“It was definitely there until the Hae hour (21~23 o’clock) yesterday, and its disappearance was confirmed during the In hour (3~5 o’clock) today.”

In other words, between the Ja and Chuk hours (23~3 o’clock).

It disappeared within those two hours.

And what was Na Rin doing and where during those two hours…?

‘I know why you came.’

Na Rin smiled brightly at the female attendant.

“We share the same fate.”

At that, the smile disappeared from the female attendant’s face.

‘I haven’t even explained the outline of the incident yet.’

At that moment, the female attendant thought.

“…You’re truly wise.”

Perhaps seeking Na Rin’s wisdom might really be the best course of action.

Last night. The Asura Sword disappeared between the Ja and Chuk hours (23~3 o’clock).

Since only those of the Heavenly Demon bloodline can touch the Asura Sword, the culprit is either of the Heavenly Demon bloodline or would have suffered burns on their hands.

According to the initial investigation conducted by the Northern Sky Palace, no one had burns on their hands or had suddenly gone missing.

Therefore, the investigation narrowed down to only the Heavenly Demon bloodline.

The prime suspect is Cheon, the first son, who visited the Northern Sky Palace. Dokgo Cheon.

For some reason, Cheon visited the Northern Sky Palace around the Hae hour (21~23 o’clock), avoiding the eyes of others, and in the process, he clashed with the Black Tortoise Brigade.

“They fought?”

“They didn’t disclose the details, but it seems to have been quite intense.”

The female attendant took out an old notebook from inside his sleeve and showed it.

“This is the list of medical supplies used at the Northern Sky Palace overnight. Gold wound medicine, bandages, splints. In addition, medicinal herbs to reduce fever were used. It seems there were quite a few injured people.”

“Where did you steal this from?”

“Oh my, stealing? I just borrowed it for a moment.”

The female attendant laughed it off gracefully, but it seemed that it wasn’t the first or second time he had laid his hands on other people’s belongings.

Well, for someone who can appear intact from a wardrobe after being slammed into a wall, stealing must be easy.

“So who won?”

“Pardon?”

The female attendant looked like a startled rabbit for a moment, then smiled with crescent moon-shaped eyes and laughed merrily.

“Priestess, really. Of course, the Black Tortoise Brigade won! No matter how outstanding Young Master Cheon’s martial arts are, this isn’t a martial arts novel, so how could he defeat an army by himself?”

“…”

I won, though.

Unable to say that, Na Rin pursed her lips tightly.