Tread Lightly on Thawing Ice

"To fail at even this! I have no face to show the Black Sky Lord!"

A series of kicks rained down on his body. Curled up tightly on the ground, he endured it. Suppressing groans of pain had become second nature to him—showing discomfort only invited further beatings.

What was the reason this time...?

Woo could hardly remember anymore. Sometimes the beatings had a cause, and at other times, they did not. Despite this, he never thought of resisting. Dropping his hands to his sides and submitting, he found, would occasionally let him forget the fact that he had been beaten at all. It left him feeling dull, dim-witted.

But even that wasn't enough.

If he drank the "Oblivion Water," which was said to flow through the river of the afterlife, could he erase these memories from his mind once and for all?

But should he even erase them?

It hadn't always been this way.

"I'm sick of punishing you. Get lost and clean yourself up."

The man spat at him with contempt. The Third Internal Officer, who managed the servants of Black Sky, particularly despised him. This, of course, reflected the will of his master.

The Black Sky Lord, Ye Jin-rang.

The reigning demonic master of Black Sky, one of the two great powers dividing the martial world.

He owed him more than his life. But even if Ye Jin-rang had shown him mercy, it didn't mean that mercy equated to kindness.

When the Third Internal Officer, who had poured out scorn and violence, finally left, Woo staggered to his feet. His body, thoroughly beaten, ached in every part. Still, he had been ordered to wash, and lying on the ground any longer would only invite harsher punishment from the Third Internal Officer.

Woo limped forward. Even under normal circumstances, his gait was awkward, but after the beating, it was far worse. Each step felt like walking over shards of glass, pain slicing through him with every movement.

Once, he had never imagined living a life like this. He had been a man crafted of brilliance and glory.

But that was a distant, long-lost past.

Step by painful step, he arrived at a shallow stream. When it rained, the stream's waters would swell, enough to sweep a person away, but on most days, the water barely reached the knees. Slowly, Woo stripped off his tattered clothes, laying them on a rock, and waded into the stream.

The water was so cold it seemed to pierce his very bones. If he were still the man he once was, he wouldn't have been affected by the cold or the heat. But his once-mighty body had long since deteriorated. The icy water made him shiver uncontrollably, his teeth chattering audibly. Worse still, the wounds from the beating burned unbearably whenever the water touched them, and his legs, fatigued to the limit, threatened to give out beneath him.

Still, Woo endured. The thought of relying on someone else's care was but a distant memory. The only thing accompanying him now was the ceaseless murmur of the stream.

*Rustle*—

At that moment, a sound came from the forest.

Woo froze, stunned that someone had approached this close without him noticing.

"Well… it seems I've lost my way."

The figure emerging from between the trees was a young man. His features were strikingly masculine, yet his lips were unusually red. His thick eyebrows and deep black eyes exuded a mesmerizing allure. It was clearly broad daylight, yet looking at him made one feel as though night had fallen.

There was an eerie and decadent charm about him.

With broad shoulders, long and well-proportioned limbs, and an imposing presence, he resembled the god of war from ancient times. He was clad in a deep red garment, through which his sleek yet robust muscles were faintly visible.

He exuded a rugged masculinity, yet there was something about him that stirred desire in those who beheld him. However, what captivated Woo most about the man's face was not simply his beauty.

*He's grown up well.*

Woo found himself staring at the man without realizing it, startled by his own unconscious thought, and hurriedly prostrated himself on the ground. Being naked from his bath didn't matter, nor did the fresh dirt now covering the wounds he had painstakingly cleaned despite the pain.

Right now, Woo felt as though his soul was about to leave his body.

*Why now?*

In over a decade of living in the Black Sky Clan, he had never once crossed paths with this man—not even by accident. This encounter felt like a bolt of lightning striking him.

"A servant, is it?"

The man, gazing down at the prostrate figure, scowled as he looked at the naked body. It wasn't the sight of a man's body that disturbed him. It was the sheer brutality of the state the body was in.

The servant's back, exposed to the sunlight, was a patchwork of old scars and fresh wounds. Among them were deep marks that resembled lashings. That wasn't all. There were fresh, bruised areas, as if blood had only just begun to pool there, scattered across the body—looking as if he had just been beaten.

Though the Black Sky Clan's notoriety rang loud across the martial world, it was rare for their treatment of servants, those without martial arts training, to be so cruel. The man, typically indifferent to those around him, found this level of brutality excessive.

"Yes, My Lord."

"Do you know who I am?"

"How could a lowly servant, living under the grace of the Black Sky Lord, not recognize his youngest disciple?"

The servant spat out a lie without a second thought.

Ye Kang-oh, the Third Disciple of the Black Sky Clan, was the youngest disciple most cherished by the great martial master Ye Jin-rang. He was a prodigy among prodigies and had already gained a reputation as a future leader of the Black Sky Clan.

But the servant knew Ye Kang-oh not because he was Ye Jin-rang's disciple. In fact, the servant had known Ye Kang-oh before he knew Ye Jin-rang.

He was at a loss, unsure how to react to this one-sided reunion. He couldn't tell if it was joy, sadness, or regret. He didn't even know what the emotion truly was. The only consolation was that Ye Kang-oh didn't seem to notice Woo's confusion. Even if Ye Kang-oh had some memory, it couldn't possibly connect to the Woo he was seeing now.

The past and the present were as different as day and night, so sometimes even Woo himself found the current him unrecognizable.

Lying flat on the ground, Woo saw the dirt that stained his hands. He didn't feel any particular sorrow at being reduced to the pitiful state of crawling on his knees like a bug on the dirt. However, the distance between him and Ye Kang-oh was clear and undeniable. Ye Kang-oh was someone from the past, someone who had already departed. It was only a coincidence that they had been brought together again, but that was all. They would never meet again.

Woo struggled to maintain his composure.

"Who did this to your body?" Ye Kang-oh asked.

"Oh, it's nothing. I, I just... I was punished because of my own incompetence," Woo answered, his face pressed to the ground in a deep bow.

Ye Kang-oh frowned at the sight of the servant's posture.

"I asked because I need to punish whoever has violated the rules of the Black Sky Clan. There's no need for you to make excuses. Now, tell me—who was it?"

Woo's lips trembled. At first, the words wouldn't come out.

"Th... that is… um…"

The servant's behavior, as though his tongue had frozen, made Ye Kang-oh realize that getting a confession from this servant would be difficult. Just as he was contemplating whether he should interrogate each member of the Black Sky Clan, the servant finally squeezed his eyes shut and spoke.

"Ugh… I must go see the Black Sky Lord. I… I was told to wash quickly, but I've been… too slow…"

"You're the Black Sky Lord's servant?"

Ye Kang-oh's expression darkened coldly. While the servant was not in a position to lie, Ye Kang-oh found it hard to believe his words.

Although the entire martial world criticized Ye Jin-rang's rough temperament, the master Ye Kang-oh knew was someone who could be quite deep-hearted. If this servant truly served the Black Sky Lord, there was no way he would bear such visible signs of abuse. Ye Jin-rang would never allow that to happen.

At least, that was how Ye Kang-oh thought.

"Yes, that's correct. Though I'm just a lowly servant, I do serve the Black Sky Lord…"

"Is that so? Then, lead the way."

"Pardon?"

The servant asked in disbelief, hoping that he had misheard. He knew he shouldn't ask again, yet he reflexively repeated himself, overwhelmed by the awkwardness of the situation. He nearly lifted his head in shock.

Ye Kang-oh sighed at the servant's frustrating attitude.

Woo instinctively flinched as a sigh drifted above his head. This was the moment when hands or feet would typically come flying towards him. Ye Kang-oh's eyes narrowed as he watched Wu, who had curled into a small ball. 'Did he think that I would strike him, and that was why he shrank away like this?'

"I was planning to visit my master. You lead the way."

Ye Kang-oh's voice softened slightly as he spoke.

"Yes, yes!"

Wu hurriedly jumped up. Though he was completely naked, there was no hint of shame in his actions as he moved toward the clothes laid out on the rock. His back, thin and fragile, with neither muscle nor flesh, seemed pitiful to the point of being heartbreaking.

It was the first time Ye Kang-oh had seen Woo's face since their accidental meeting. His skin, disfigured as though he had suffered severe burns, and his features buried within it, were so grotesque they made anyone hesitate to look. Yet, Ye Kang-oh did not show the usual disdain for someone so disfigured, nor did he act as though he looked down on him. He simply pressed his lips together firmly.

His resolve to remove the one responsible for treating him as nothing more than an abused servant only grew with his confusion.

It truly did not make sense. The Black Sky Clan, one of the largest sects in the martial world, was run by his master, Ye Jin-rang, the Black Sky Lord. The master, Ye Jin-rang, who was also Ye Kang-oh's mentor, didn't employ just any servant. Even if they weren't extraordinarily handsome, they had to have neat appearances and upright behavior.

However, the man who claimed to be the Black Sky Lord's servant had a grotesque face and stuttered as he spoke. That wasn't all. His gait was unsteady, with a noticeable limp, and his posture was awkward, his back slightly hunched.

"What's your name?"

The sudden question, as if it had just occurred to him, made Woo flinch in surprise. Although Kang-oh might have spoken it without thinking, to Woo, it was like stepping on red-hot stones.

Was it alright to answer?

"I-I'm Woo," he stammered.

Kang-oh nodded, acknowledging the answer.

"Got it. I'll remember."

Asking the servant's name had been a half-impulsive decision. But what was odd was the strange, distant look in his eyes, as if he knew Ye Kang-oh well, or had some kind of recognition.

Kang-oh's instincts were usually accurate, but this time, he couldn't be sure. He had no recollection of this servant. While it was possible Woo might have been a fleeting acquaintance of his master, this was the first time Kang-oh had seen him.

Though Kang-oh wasn't one to pay attention to his surroundings, if someone like Woo, with such a distinctive limp, had passed by before, he would have at least vaguely remembered…

Ye Kang-oh cast a fleeting glance at the serious expression on Woo's face, and his discomfort deepened. Every little reaction from Woo seemed to unsettle him. If Woo were a complete stranger, he wouldn't be so affected.

Despite having nothing in his stomach, Woo felt uneasy. His chest tightened with tension, and even though he led the way, he struggled not to glance back constantly. For the first time in years, he was acutely aware of his limping leg, making his steps slower than usual.

Yet, without a word of complaint, Ye Kang-oh adjusted his pace to match Woo's. There was no need for him to use his light-footed skill—his sturdy build alone, striding with strong, long steps, would have made him much faster than Woo. But he didn't say a word, which made Woo feel apologetic, yet also reminded him of his master, Ye Jin-rang's careful training of his disciple.

No, Ye Kang-oh had always been a good child.

The memory of the past resurfaced, and Woo's steps slowed. At that moment, Ye Kang-oh, who had been quietly following him, spoke.

"Is your leg hurting a lot?"

"Eh? Ah, no. If… if it's frustrating, I can walk faster."

As Woo fumbled and seemed ready to collapse, Ye Kang-oh furrowed his brow.

"No. I was just wondering if I'm making it harder for you to walk."

In fact, beads of cold sweat were forming on Woo's neck. Kang-oh slowly followed behind, then spoke as he realized he was urging someone who was already injured.

"It's alright. It's my fault for troubling the Third Young Master's mind. I'll be fine as long as I can help."

Woo bowed deeply. His body was indeed in poor condition, but after years of enduring pain, this was nothing. Patience had become his companion as he continued this harsh life.

"..."

Kang-oh couldn't help but feel unsettled as he looked down at Woo. Strangely, an impulse arose within him to carry the servant himself. This wasn't the usual behavior of the Third Young Master of Black Sky, who had no interest in either observing his surroundings or befriending anyone.

It was a relief that they were almost at their master's quarters.

The foremost master of martial arts, the Black Sky Lord, Ye Jin-rang, was standing at the entrance to his residence. The courtyard of Black Sky Lord was full of extraordinary flowers, making it difficult to tell whether it was a heavenly realm or a human one. But amidst that scenery, the most exquisite sight was none other than Ye Jin-rang himself. True to his fame as the greatest martial artist, he bore a beautiful appearance rather than the usual scarred and hardened face one would expect. Only the sharpness in his gaze hinted that he was not one to be easily trifled with.

The man, hands clasped behind his back, was strolling through the courtyard. He raised his head and smiled as he recognized his youngest disciple's approach.

"Kang-oh, is that you?"

The smile was so enchanting that, for a moment, it was difficult to tell whether it was a flower or a person. Moreover, no matter how high his martial prowess, age would still catch up with a person, yet Ye Jin-rang appeared as youthful as if he had reversed the passage of time. Considering he had surpassed the age of fifty, his youthful appearance was almost otherworldly, like that of a creature from myth.

"Master."

Kang-oh bowed respectfully to his master, but he was immediately straightened by Ye Jin-rang's sudden approach.

"You don't need to greet me like that," Ye Jin-rang said kindly. Despite being known for his brusque demeanor, Ye Jin-rang always insisted that his youngest disciple not stand on ceremony. Nonetheless, Kang-oh always greeted his master with full respect. His position in the Black Sky Clan made such formality necessary.

The presence of the Third Disciple in the Black Sky Clan was indeed unusual. One day, Ye Jin-rang had brought home a boy covered in wounds and took him in as his disciple. Not only that, the Black Sky Lord gave the boy a name and even bestowed his own family name upon him. Considering that Ye Jin-rang's two previous disciples came from prestigious families, the affection he lavished on Kang-oh, a boy with no connections, was quite surprising. What was even more remarkable was that even the First Grand Disciple, famous for his exceptional talents, had not received the family name of his master. It was clear that Ye Jin-rang cherished Kang-oh deeply. Thus, it wasn't surprising that rumors circulated that the Third Disciple had been named as his successor.

For Kang-oh, who had no interest at all in his master's position, this was an uncomfortable rumor. He always acted as though he was fully aware of his place. His elder brother, though, always behaved like a gentle scholar, but who could truly know what was in his heart? He simply had to act properly, even though Jin-rang treated him without any formalities.

"And..."

The Black Sky Lord, Ye Jin-rang, slowly shifted his gaze away from Kang-oh and turned to the figure standing beside him.

"Did you bring Kang-oh here?"

"Y-Yes."

At Jin-rang's appearance, Woo immediately dropped to the ground, pressing his forehead against the floor. His voice was stammering, and his awkwardness seemed to indicate that he was greatly intimidated by the presence of the Black Sky Lord. However, Jin-rang understood that Woo's tense demeanor was due to Kang-oh, not himself.

"A bug is actually being useful today. You may leave now."

"Th-Thank you..."

Kang-oh's brow furrowed. Although Jin-rang was known for his rough and blunt nature, it was the first time Kang-oh had seen him speak so carelessly to a servant. After confirming that Woo had left, Jin-rang turned back to his youngest disciple, noticing the discomfort in his expression.

"Is there a problem? If he acted inappropriately towards you, speak up. I'll give him a lesson."

"No, it's nothing. I just wanted to express my gratitude for his kind guidance to this place, despite his own discomfort."

"That's the job of the servant. It's not something for you to worry about."

Generally, Ye Jin-rang, the master, was kind to his youngest disciple, but now he was bluntly trying to dismiss Kang-oh's concern for Woo. With his immense strength, there was no need for him to care about what others thought, and this straightforwardness was one of his defining traits.

Kang-oh could sense that Ye Jin-rang's attitude toward Woo wasn't something that had been formed in a day or two. The Black Sky Lord was someone who, if something displeased him, would immediately remove the cause without hesitation. But how, then, was Woo still alive? Moreover, combining what he had said with his master's attitude, it seemed like Woo was even serving as Ye Jin-rang's personal attendant.

That Woo man was, in many ways, not ordinary.

"Is that so? I met him by the creek, and his body was covered in wounds."

Kang-oh, who usually obeyed without question, had been persistently bringing up Woo's situation, causing Ye Jin-rang's expression to stiffen noticeably. After a brief pause, Ye Jin-rang seemed to recall something and then asked about Woo.

"...So, you want to express gratitude, huh? What are you planning to do about it?"

"Well, I thought it would be best to send him some golden ointment and let him rest until he fully recovers."

"Alright, let's do that."

Ye Jin-rang nodded without hesitation. He had no desire to send any kind of medicine to Wu, nor did he wish to leave him to rest. However, what mattered more at the moment was drawing Ye Kang-oh's attention away from Woo.

"…You're not asking?"

Ye Kang-oh murmured, his voice low and almost to himself. Yet, Ye Jin-rang's sharp hearing caught every word his disciple said.

"What are you talking about?"

"My master's servant was injured badly enough to require Golden Herb medicine. Yet, you haven't inquired about how it happened. I found it somewhat puzzling."

"That…"

Ye Jin-rang clicked his tongue in frustration. In his obsession with beating Woo in front of Kang-oh, he had unknowingly shown a rare moment of softness to his youngest disciple. In his eagerness to deal with Wu in front of Ye Kang-oh, he had unwittingly revealed a side of himself that was usually harsh and unforgiving in front of his youngest disciple.

"Would you allow me to find the person who hurt Master's servant?"

"There's no need for you to involve yourself in such trivial matters. I'll have my subordinate look into it."

Because Ye Jin-rang had been complicit in turning a blind eye to the cruelty inflicted on Wu, it had led to the current situation. He attempted to stop his disciple from pushing further. However, Ye Kang-oh was unusually firm this time.

"It was bold of them to lay a hand on someone who hasn't even learned the martial arts of Black Sky. What's worse, he's my master's servant. Please, allow me to personally set things right and restore Black Sky's principles."

Bowing deeply, Kang-oh showed no intention of rising until granted permission. Ye Jin-rang ground his teeth in silence.

If it were any other disciple, he would have simply cut off their request. But this was Kang-oh. Ye Jin-rang was soft on his youngest disciple. While people might think the lord of Black Sky had everything in his grasp, the truth was that very little remained in his hands. After years of loss, at the end of it all, he had miraculously encountered Kang-oh.

And so, to Kang-oh alone, Ye Jin-rang found himself unable to resist.

"Do as you wish."

"Thank you. I shall take my leave now."

With a wave of his hand, Ye Jin-rang dismissed Kang-oh. Though he had allowed the investigation into the matter, a knot remained in his heart. The fact that the paths of those two would cross again troubled him deeply.

How hard had he worked to keep Kang-oh and Woo apart over the past 10 years?

And yet, in the end, they had met. If fate truly existed, it was an audacious force. Ye Jin-rang clenched his fist tightly, blood dripping from his palm as his nails dug into his skin.

At the moment of their reunion, Ye Kang-oh's gaze shifted toward the man, drawn in like a piece of metal to a magnet, Ye Jin-rang's heart sank.

"My Lord!"

The servant, who had always been waiting to serve the Black Sky Lord, cried out in shock when he saw blood pooling on the ground. Ye Jin-rang frowned. He had unconsciously torn his palm open. It was an old habit of his to harm himself in a fit of rage, a habit he thought he discarded since he first took in Kang-oh. But now, it returned with full force the moment Woo and Kang-oh reunited.

"Enough noise. It's healed, so stop causing a ruckus and call the Third Commander."

Though his palm had been injured, it had healed quickly, leaving only a faint scar. As a master of a profoundly high level, his healing abilities were exceptional.

The scar faded almost immediately, but Ye Jin-rang's eyes glinted with bloodlust as he gazed at his hand.

He had missed seeing that bastard's bloodline suffer directly, a sentiment he could not shake. If there was any justice in the world, his son should now be living a life of misery, without name or honor, like a wretched beast.

But for now, it was urgent to separate Kang-oh from that man. He would never allow them to intertwine again. With resolve, Ye Jin-rang lifted his head, determined to send Woo away from Kang-oh's sight and call for the Third Commander to deal with the matter.

Ultimately, it would mean deceiving Kang-oh, but Jin-rang firmly believed this was the right thing to do.

Kang-oh immediately began his investigation. Though he had just returned from an assignment outside the Black Sky Clan and was carrying a significant amount of accumulated fatigue, he had a nagging feeling that resting now would be a mistake.

Thanks to his capable subordinates, it wasn't difficult to gather information about a single servant. Within just a few hours, a prepared report was handed to Kang-oh, and he began reviewing it.

Woo had started working for the Black Sky Clan eight years ago. The most surprising detail in this servant's history was that the person who brought him to the clan was none other than Ye Jin-rang himself.

Jin-rang, who rarely personally recruited anyone into the Black Sky Clan, had caused a massive stir ten years ago when Kang-oh was brought in. If Jin-rang had brought Woo in, there should have been a similar commotion eight years ago—but there had been none.

It was as if the matter had been deliberately concealed.

Frowning, Kang-oh turned to the next page of the report. The flickering candlelight cast wavering shadows over the paper in the deepening night.

Woo was soon placed under the care of the Third Commander and eventually assigned to serve the Black Sky Lord. Kang-oh found it strange that the Third Internal Officer is the one assigned to handle Woo.

The Black Sky Clan had three administrators responsible for its internal management, and among them, the Third Internal Officer was infamous for his harsh and cold nature. If Jin-rang had personally brought Wu to the Black Sky Clan, it must have meant he had some interest in him. But why would he entrust him to the Third Internal Officer?

Wasn't there the First Internal Officer, who, though curt, was fair and just? Or even the Second Internal Officer, who was hot-tempered but magnanimous?

According to the records, it seemed that, at first, even the Third Internal Officer showed some consideration for Wu. After all, he was a servant directly assigned by the Black Sky Lord. However, one day, when Woo made a mistake, the Third Internal Officer struck him in a moment of anger. Jin-rang, who witnessed it, did not stop him. From that day on, the Third Internal Officer's abusive behavior escalated rapidly.

This so-called "special treatment" only further alienated Woo from the group. Unable to blend in with those around him, he spent eight solitary years surviving in the Black Sky Clan.

The record was sparse—simple enough to be summarized in just a few sentences. Yet, for the life of one individual, it was as brittle and desolate as the sand of a desert.

"How strange..."

From the very first moment, he had piqued his curiosity. There was no information about Woo's background, nor any explanation for why the master had personally brought him in and assigned him as a servant.

This man named Woo was undoubtedly hiding secrets far beyond what was visible.

The most puzzling thing was his master's attitude. Although he eventually allowed Kang-oh to investigate who had abused Woo, he wore an expression of unease the entire time. Considering how the Black Sky Lord normally doted on his youngest disciple, his behavior now felt distinctly out of character.

It was almost as if he feared the consequences of denying Kang-oh's request.

Kang-oh burned the report over a candle.

Disobeying his master's wishes never sat well with him. Perhaps it was best to leave the matter of that servant buried here. Woo wasn't a great martial artist or the heir to a renowned family. He was just a lowly servant groveling on the ground.

As the ashes of the report scattered, Kang-oh's hand paused. Strangely, his eyes caught on the name *Woo (愚)*, meaning "foolish." Who would use such a name? What kind of parents would give their child a name so steeped in disdain—unless they deeply despised the child from the start...

Wait. Was that even his real name?

The thought struck Kang-oh suddenly, and he faltered. He had intended to let go of his curiosity about Woo, but the servant's image kept creeping back into his mind.

Buddhism teaches that even brushing sleeves with another is a form of fate. But this… this felt different. It was odd. Kang-oh wasn't the type to pay attention to others like this. Normally, his only interest in people lay in whether they were strong enough for him to test his skills against.

But Woo's emaciated, abused body showed no signs of a trained warrior. He was just an ordinary man—thin, broken, and fragile.

"Keep a close eye on the Three Internal Officer." Kang-oh finally instructed. "If they attempt to seize the Black Sky's assets, stop them at once."

"Understood, my lord."

At Kang-oh's words, his subordinate, who had been waiting nearby, bowed deeply before vanishing. His movements were so fleeting and ethereal, like mist dissolving into the air. This man belonged to the Honam Corps, a group handpicked and trained personally by Kang-oh within the Black Sky Clan.

It was on the advice of his master, who had suggested, "Isn't it time you start taking on subordinates?" that Kang-oh personally selected these men. Since he had no interest in vying for the position of the next Black Sky Lord, most of his subordinates came from minor factions or had no notable backing. However, every one of them was exceptionally talented.

To avoid any speculation that he might harbor ambitions for the position of the next Black Sky Lord, the Honam Corps operated in the shadows. Despite serving a leader with no apparent aspirations, the Honam Corps loyally and wholeheartedly followed Ye Kang-oh, the Third Disciple. In turn, Kang-oh made every effort to reward their loyalty generously.

Yet, everything in the Black Sky Clan felt strangely burdensome to him, as though he had acquired it at a great cost. It was like the wealth and glory he enjoyed had been pledged against something important, something he could not quite define. He had never shared these feelings—not with his master, Ye Jin-rang, nor with his subordinates in the Honam Corps.

Because of his cautious behavior, even while enjoying the Black Sky Lord's undivided favor, people often said, "That young one has a depth of mind far beyond his years." But to Kang-oh, it felt like he was wearing someone else's clothes—uncomfortable and ill-fitting.

How could he care about what happened around him, then? His position, his master's favor—it all felt like a fleeting dream from which he would one day awaken. The only thing that held meaning to him was the achievements he had attained through his own martial prowess.

Thus, the fame of Ye Kang-oh, the Third Disciple of the Black Sky Clan, which spread within and beyond its borders, was mostly earned through his battles with masters from other factions.

As befitting the Third Young Disciple of the Black Sky Clan, Ye Kang-oh was infamous for his brutal and unruly nature, as well as his supposed fondness for bloodshed. Even though he always adhered to proper etiquette, sending official dueling invitations and ensuring referees were present during matches, his reputation remained relentless. They said that if one were to line up all the martial artists of the White Path who had supposedly died at Ye Kang-oh's merciless hands, the procession would stretch from Anhui Province to Luoyang City.

In truth, not a single person had actually died by his hand.

Such rumors were inevitable for the Black Sky Clan, the foremost representatives of the dark path in the martial world. In contrast, the White Radiance Palace, the pinnacle of the righteous path, was untainted by such gossip.

There was a time, not too long ago, when the Black Sky Lord and the White Virtue Palace Lord had stood shoulder to shoulder, driving out the Blood Cult from the Central Plains. During that era, when the entire martial world united against heretical sects, martial artists—regardless of their allegiance to the dark or righteous path—shared drinks under the banner of justice and camaraderie.

This wasn't ancient history. It was the war of Ye Jin-rang's prime, the master of Ye Kang-oh.

And yet, the hearts of those in the martial world were fickle and unkind. They drew lines between the Black Sky Clan and the Virtue Palace simply because their martial philosophies differed. As tensions between the dark and righteous paths gradually surfaced, the question of whether the Martial Alliance would survive into the next generation became uncertain.

Just as it had been during the era of the Heavenly Demon Cult, rumors swirled that the Black Sky Clan would soon sever its ties with the Martial Alliance and return to being an independent faction. Such speculation was the favorite pastime of gossips.

If only the missing Lord of the White Virtue Palace were present, there might have been room for negotiation. But that person had vanished from the martial world a decade ago. The story of the mother who continued searching for her abruptly missing child was well known. Despite the certainty that the missing Lord must have perished after such a long absence, the White Virtue Palace had never ceased sending out search parties. Whenever Kang-oh saw this, he couldn't help but feel a tinge of jealousy.

That missing Lord would never know what it felt like to drift aimlessly like Kang-oh. Wasn't there a family so desperately searching for them? In contrast, Kang-oh was utterly alone between heaven and earth, a true solitary figure. Though he was favored by his master, everyone said Jin-rang was a capricious man. He might smile as beautifully as a flower today but transform into a malevolent demon tomorrow. Of course, Kang-oh trusted his master. However, he longed for something stronger, something that would bind him to this world more firmly.

"Foolish. How foolish..."

Wasn't he, unsatisfied with what he already had, the very definition of foolish—like the servant whose name meant foolish?

Returning to the same circular thoughts, Kang-oh clicked his tongue. It seemed there were still embers in the fire he had thought extinguished with a simple press of his thumb. If things continued like this, he would keep dwelling on it, unable to find peace of mind.

Though his master had been unenthusiastic, he had granted permission. And once given, he wouldn't obstruct Kang-oh's investigation. Not when it carried the justification of restoring order to the Black Sky. Even if his master wouldn't praise him, he wouldn't scold him either.

With a soft blow, Kang-oh extinguished the candle. At that moment, pitch-black darkness rushed in like a flood, wrapping around him like the jaws of a beast.

The night was silent and still.