At the same time.
Yu Arin's biological father, Yu Hyeonseong, was meeting Yakseon.
"Have you been well in the meantime?"
"You've grown even thinner."
He was a handsome middle-aged man with refined features that clearly showed he was Yu Arin's biological father, but he was so gaunt that his cheekbones and jaw stood out sharply.
Yakseon looked into Hyeonseong's lifeless eyes and spoke.
"At this rate, you'll die first."
"I'm perfectly fine."
"Did you eat? I'll make you bibimbap, so eat before you go."
"No, thank you. I've already eaten."
"As if."
With a sigh, Yakseon placed a bowl of bibimbap in front of Yu Hyeonseong.
"You came to ask about Arin, didn't you?"
"How is it? Do you think the Yin-Yang Harmonization Divine Art can treat her?"
"No."
At the firm denial, Yu Hyeonseong tightly shut his eyes.
The only reason he had sent his daughter to Seongmu Academy was to make her Yakseon's disciple.
He believed that Yakseon, an imperial physician, would be able to cure his daughter.
The Yin-Yang Harmonization Divine Art.
He believed that was the only path for his daughter to survive.
"Just like your wife, Arin didn't work either."
"Didn't you say you developed a martial art advanced enough to reform one's constitution? Didn't you say it would be possible once the level of the art rose high enough?"
"That's what I thought."
Yakseon continued without meeting Yu Hyeonseong's gaze.
"I'm sorry."
"…Then there's no reason for her to remain at Seongmu Academy."
Yu Hyeonseong stood up immediately.
If even the Yin-Yang Harmonization Divine Art couldn't resolve his daughter's cursed constitution, then Seongmu Academy had no meaning left.
"Sit down, you fool."
"I heard that some man called Baekdu Sword Demon attacked my daughter this time. If staying in a useless academy only adds more danger, there's even less reason to keep her there."
"This isn't something to decide hastily."
"No. There's nothing more to hear. As of today, I'll take Arin and—"
"Within these three months, Arin has improved a lot."
Yu Hyeonseong immediately sat back down, voicing his confusion.
"Didn't you say there was no progress even with the Yin-Yang Harmonization Divine Art?"
"That had little effect. But Arin's condition has improved to an unbelievable degree."
"That doesn't match what you just said."
"From what I hear, there's a friend who absorbs only her yin energy."
"…Is that true?"
"Yes. It seems to be the same friend who was attacked together with her this time. If you don't believe it, go and check for yourself."
"I should do that."
As Yu Hyeonseong rose again, Yakseon shouted.
"Where do you think you're going? At least eat what I gave you!"
"..."
But Yu Hyeonseong heard nothing.
His attention was focused solely on his daughter.
Left alone as Yu Hyeonseong departed in an instant, Yakseon stared at the bibimbap still sitting in front of him.
"Damn bastard. I put all the good stuff in it."
Unlike the excited grandfather, Father asked Gang Museong to ensure this wouldn't happen again.
"Please pay closer attention from now on. It seems some unsavory force is targeting Seoha."
"Yes. I'll personally see to it."
Father didn't explode in anger.
Strictly speaking, it wasn't Gang Museong's fault.
And if someone was targeting a new cadet of Seongmu Academy—especially one who was a Cheongsin like me—this couldn't be viewed as merely an academy issue.
"Seoha, do you know why that guy was targeting you?"
"Do you know who they are?"
Grandfather asked with obvious interest.
What would happen if I mentioned the Silver Moon Group here?
Grandfather would mobilize every possible means to hunt them down and kill them all.
"I'm not sure."
That's why I didn't elaborate.
I don't know.
That was the best answer I could give right now.
"I see. Don't worry. This old man will look into it."
"Yes, Grandfather."
There was one reason I didn't mention the Silver Moon Group.
To avoid changing the future too drastically.
If Grandfather began hunting the Silver Moon Group, who knows what desperate actions they might take when cornered.
A danger I know is far easier to deal with than an unknown one.
The Silver Moon Group needs to make plans as close to the original timeline as possible and cause the same problems—for me to stop them.
"They probably haven't deviated much from their plan yet."
Baekdu Sword Demon was, strictly speaking, expendable.
He had assassinated quite a few key figures, but even without him, they could simply hire another assassin.
"Their next target won't change."
Forcing Arin into a rampage.
There were some unexpected incidents along the way, but as long as I stop that, it'll be fine.
Just then, the door opened and a man appeared.
A thin face where the cheekbones and jawline stood out.
Yet an appearance whose brilliance hadn't faded.
The handsome middle-aged man, who anyone could tell was Arin's father, approached while greeting Grandfather.
"Excuse me."
"We've said all we need to say, so let's step out."
Grandfather and Father left, and Arin's father took a seat.
And then he stared straight at me.
Blatantly so.
Isn't that a bit much?
Surely this won't blow back on me, right?
"I am Yu Hyeonseong, Arin's father."
"I'm Gang Museong, in charge of the new cadets. I have nothing to say even if I had ten mouths. I sincerely apologize."
Gang Museong sprang up and bowed deeply.
That job must be tough.
Yu Hyeonseong looked at him with dead eyes and spoke.
"Is prevention of recurrence possible?"
"Yes. I plan to personally take charge. Even during evaluations or small missions like this, I'll stay with them as an escort."
"Will that be enough by yourself? There are rumors that Baekdu Sword Demon was at the level of a Seonin."
"Even if it were the Ironblood who just left, killing me wouldn't be easy."
"I know Seonin Gang Museong's skill well. I'm asking whether the children can survive."
"That's why I answered as I did. Until I die, they won't be able to lay a hand on the children."
"Confidence is good. Very well. Please do so. Then, could you give us the room for a moment? I'd like to speak with this boy."
"That is—"
Before Gang Museong could refuse, I spoke.
"It's fine, Seonin."
After a brief pause, Gang Museong replied.
"I'll wait outside."
"Don't worry. I'll just ask a few questions."
Once Gang Museong left, Yu Hyeonseong let out a small breath and began.
"I heard from Yakseon. You know about Arin's constitution?"
Arin panicked and cut in.
"T-that is—"
"Be quiet. You have nothing to say."
Arin shut her mouth and shrank back, looking frightened.
Now I understand why Arin is afraid of her father.
He shuts her down like that, so of course she can't speak comfortably to others either.
"Yu Hyeonseong..."
There wasn't a single line of record about him, so I had to judge him through direct experience.
From just this brief encounter, I could guess his personality.
He seemed like the kind of man you could stab and not draw a single drop of blood.
But that wasn't all.
Was it because of his appearance?
Or that lifeless atmosphere?
There was definitely something more, but it was hard to pinpoint exactly what.
Then I'd just have to continue the conversation and gather more information.
"Yes, that's correct."
"I heard you take Arin's yin energy at night. Is that true?"
"That's right."
"Then why are you fine?"
"What do you mean?"
"If you'd been taking Arin's yin energy every day, your balance should have collapsed long ago. If that hasn't happened, does that mean you have a way to eliminate yin energy?"
"Yes, I do."
At my words, Yu Hyeonseong's eyes came alive.
"What is it?"
"It's my own secret martial art. I plan to teach it to Arin as well."
Just learning the Shinro Mind Method made it possible to release only yin energy, and that alone would be useful to Arin.
Before, I'd hesitated because I thought she might belong to the Silver Moon Group, but now that I knew the truth, there was no problem telling her.
Rather, it was better for me that way.
I had to prevent the rampage by any means necessary.
"Is that true?"
"Yes. Once we see some results, I'll tell you again."
At that moment, Yu Hyeonseong grabbed Arin's wrist.
He was probably examining the state of her qi.
"So the suppressed yin energy has been released. Did you use it?"
"…Yes."
"During this attack?"
"…I'm sorry."
Yu Hyeonseong stared at his daughter with a grave expression, then muttered.
"And yet she came back alive… It'll serve as a temporary measure, at least."
After muttering that, Yu Hyeonseong turned to me and said,
"Please continue to take good care of her."
At those words, Arin beamed with a radiant smile.
Now I understand why people say a face can bloom like a flower.
It was the first time I'd seen her smile like that.
"Of course."
"…Good."
Yu Hyeonseong stood up and went outside, saying to Gang Museong,
"Our conversation is over. We'll be going now."
"Why don't you have lunch with Arin today? She doesn't need to attend class."
"No, there's no time for that."
Yu Hyeonseong turned to Arin and said,
"Train diligently and make it your own."
"Yes."
"Then I'll be off."
Gang Museong muttered as he watched Yu Hyeonseong's back.
"What was that about?"
He was as cold a man as he looked.
Outside, Yu Hyeonseong spotted Yi Gangjin and bowed deeply.
"It's been a while, Ironblood."
"Yes, Yu Seonin. Have you been well? To think your daughter and my grandson are the same age. Haha. Never would've imagined that."
"You have a very clever grandson."
"This is my time to boast. I live just to watch that boy grow."
Yu Hyeonseong smiled and bowed again.
"It was a pleasure meeting you. I'll be on my way."
"Yes, go on."
Once Yu Hyeonseong had gone some distance, Sangwon asked,
"Do you know him?"
"He used to be my subordinate. If Yu Hyeonseong's daughter, she'd make a fine match for Seoha."
"Which family is he from?"
"The Hwagang family. A city by the sea. They're not interested in politics, but they're solid in their own way. Are you interested?"
Sangwon shook his head.
"The opposite. I'd like him to live freely. If he gets tangled with a big family, it'll be hard to live freely, won't it?"
"That's exactly why Hwagang is good."
Yi Gangjin chuckled.
"At the very least, no one there would know your secret."
The Black-Robed Seonin, Yu Hyeonseong.
The man who possessed the most information in this country.
"Baekdu Sword Demon failed. Wow, what an upset. An upset."
Juwon sat in the teacher's study, tearing open a honey pastry.
"A Seonin-level, they said. And he gets killed by kids. What a joke."
The teacher continued his paperwork without changing expression.
"There's no shortage of replacements, so it's fine. And since it'll be assumed Baekdu Sword Demon acted alone, they may become more cautious."
"Then you're just going to let that Yi Seoha go?"
"For now, yes."
Rolling up a bamboo scroll and placing it on the shelf, the teacher continued.
"If we attempt another assassination, they'll be convinced it's the work of an organization, not an individual. They may already suspect it, but suspicion and certainty are different."
Ironblood Yi Gangjin's grandson.
Whether the attempt succeeded or failed, trying again would greatly increase the risk of the Silver Moon Group being exposed.
So for now, they had to conceal themselves in the shadows.
Until the time was right, they had to hide their identity completely.
"Still, it's a shame. I wanted to succeed in one go, which is why we used Baekdu Sword Demon..."
"Right. Dispose of him after success and it's over. Isn't that so?"
When the teacher didn't respond, Lee Juwon flashed an innocent smile and stood up.
"You don't answer troublesome questions."
"The next plan is important. The Man-Nyeon Hasuo and this assassination can fail without issue, but if the next plan goes wrong, one of our core plans collapses."
"…You're making me work again?"
"Please. We need to change the operation leader. Tell Nergal to move personally."
"I don't want to meet the Rakshasa."
Lee Juwon frowned and scratched his head, but the teacher showed no reaction.
He knew it was nothing more than a show of complaint.
"Well, it can't be helped."
As expected, Lee Juwon accepted and left. The teacher leaned back in his chair, staring at the bamboo scrolls on the desk.
Things were going wrong in strange ways.
Because of Yi Seoha.
Then all they had to do was add layers of safeguards.
Rakshasa.
Ghosts that humans cannot defeat.
"I really am scrambling to survive."
Muttering that, the teacher sighed and looked outside.
For some reason, the excessively clear weather irritated him.