The Third Disciple was assigned to lead the Black Sky Clan's search party, and Hee-do Won became naturally busy. It was because preparations had to be made for the departure of the master. Woo thought that this series of events was simply to welcome a guest from the White Virtue Clan, but he was shocked when he saw Kang-oh dressed up.
Kang-oh was usually away for long periods of time for duels. It wasn't unusual for him to leave again. However, Woo had thought that he would be the one to leave first, never considering that Kang-oh might be the one to leave Black Sky Clan first.
It felt as if something had lodged itself in his chest.
"Hou... House of Joy is busy. Is something going on?"
"Ah."
Yeon-jin, who had been folding clothes, responded to Woo's question.
"You know that there are guests from the White Virtue Clan, right?"
"Yes."
As Woo nodded, Yeon-jin continued speaking.
"I heard they're searching for the missing Grandmaster of White Virtue Clan. They want to extend the search range to the Black Sky Clan's territory, but apparently, the White Virtue Clan isn't familiar with the area, so they requested cooperation. That's why a search party was formed in the Black Sky Clan, and the Third Disciple is in charge. For the time being, he'll be leading the search party, so he'll be leaving House of Joy."
"...!"
Woo's face turned pale at Yeon-jin's smooth explanation. He had been trying to find out about Kang-oh's situation, but instead, he had learned an unexpected truth.
He hadn't been particularly curious about the reason for this visit, as White Virtue Clan had been stumbling all along. He had only been tense because of Kong Yool's appearance…
Had White Virtue Clan's search party really reached this place after looking everywhere? Or had another lead appeared?
There could be no such thing as simple coincidence. Unable to clearly understand the current situation, Woo's chest tightened with frustration. The information available to him as a Grandmaster was vastly different from what he could access as a servant. Since he hadn't intentionally sought information about what had happened to White Virtue Clan after he had disappeared, he remained in the dark about the current state of affairs.
He had only known that they kept sending out search parties, so he had been staying low and cautious all this time.
He didn't want to be discovered in such a state.
It felt like the last bastion of someone who once had everything but could now only let go.
"When, when is the search supposed to start?"
"I heard they are leaving tonight. That's why House of Joy is so busy." Yeon-jin whispered, lowering her voice.
"Some of the seniors are saying that the Third Disciple's fate is at play here."
Woo's expression twisted subtly. Kang-oh's departure from Black Sky Clan to travel the martial world was not due to any personal gain; it was to avoid the scrutiny of the First Disciple while preventing conflict among the disciples.
However, to those who didn't know, it probably appeared to be the reckless behavior of the Third Disciple. Despite being well aware that the lives of those in high positions are often distorted by the opinions of others, he still couldn't help but feel uneasy.
Woo felt that even under the protection of the Grandmaster of Black Sky Clan, who loved him dearly, Kang-oh's life wasn't entirely peaceful. He had thought that as long as he wasn't by his side, everything would be fine.
Looking back now, he realized how much of an overestimation that had been.
The young boy, who once had nightmares and sought refuge in Dan Woo-Hyo's arms, had grown into a man with a cold demeanor. He was a sturdy martial artist, someone who looked as though nothing could pierce him, not even a needle.
Behind that growth, there might not have been a flourishing spring, but perhaps a lonely winter—the solitude he had to endure because of others' distorted views.
"Is that so..." Woo muttered.
Yeon-jin looked at him with a worried expression.
"You seem troubled."
"Me…?"
Woo covered his mouth with his hand as he was caught showing his expression.
"Yes."
Yeon-jin, who nodded, added, "If you're feeling anxious about not having breakfast together anymore, don't let it bother you. The Third Disciple called for you today."
"Y-Yes… W-What?"
Woo nodded but then looked at Yeon-jin with a confused expression. She fidgeted, tugging at the hem of her clothes in a somewhat awkward manner.
"Uhm... this morning, he just asked about how the guest was doing, what you ate well, and what you didn't eat. He also checks if you've taken your medicine every time. If it's uncomfortable for you, please let me know, and I won't bring it up again."
As the master of Hee-do Won, Kang-oh's subordinates were expected to answer any questions directly, and failing to do so would lead to trouble. Yeon-jin's offer to remain silent if Woo was uncomfortable carried great weight.
Had he truly allowed himself to care this much? He had been trying to live quietly, avoiding forming connections to keep others from getting drawn into his troubled life…
"That's not it. It's just... I'm surprised that he's looking after my affairs while being so busy."
"Well, that's true, isn't it?"
Yeon-jin nodded.
"Though the Third Disciple is reserved and doesn't express it in words, it seems like he's paying attention to you in many ways."
At first, she was afraid of Kang-oh's call, but as the days passed, she realized that he was not the terrifying figure she had once thought him to be. This was because Kang-oh, aside from asking about Woo's work, did not inquire about anything else. He didn't even press Yeon-jin about her dealings with the First Internal Officer. Even in Woo's absence, he kept his promises.
Though he spoke little, he seemed to be a person of integrity. She realized that the Third Disciple was not a bad person, just as Woo had said.
What struck Yeon-jin was how fascinating Woo truly was. She had only come to understand Kang-oh's character after having the opportunity to converse with him. However, Woo seemed to have known the Third Disciple's nature from the very beginning.
As far as Yeon-jin knew, Woo and the Third Disciple hadn't known each other for long. Of course, Woo had a kind of insight that was hard to explain, but even if one knew the depths of water, understanding a person's heart was much more difficult.
Even servants like Yeon-jin, who were in close proximity to high-ranking individuals, rarely dared to look them in the eye. They simply followed orders and carried them out. In such a relationship, the possibility of forming a personal connection was completely ruled out, so Yeon-jin never tried to understand the Third Disciple.
If someone like Yeon-jin, who served a high-ranking person up close, was so cautious, what about someone like a maidservant?
But Woo had seen the Third Disciple as a person from the very beginning. He saw him not as a powerful figure who could trample upon anyone's life, but as a human being, Ye Kang-oh.
Otherwise, someone who had been beaten down by the Third Internal Officer's whip would never have been able to speak of the character of the Third Disciple of the Black Sky Clan.
The tension, piled up layer by layer made Yeon-jin suspect that there was something beyond the surface of Woo. Yeon-jin, who had limited knowledge about the martial world and had never tried to learn more, did not know the true identity of Woo.
She simply realized that Woo was someone more than what he appeared to be.
It would be a lie to say she wasn't curious, but she understood that the truth was likely something she couldn't handle, so she didn't press further. She had learned to control the curiosity that had once derailed the trajectory of her life.
"When... will he be back?"
As Woo hesitated and spoke, Yeon-jin wrinkled her nose slightly. It seemed as though she was lost in thought.
"Well... us lowly servants can't really find out specific locations or schedules."
Upon hearing Yeon-jin's words, Woo bit his lip, realizing that was indeed not information Yeon-jin would have access to. The only reason she knew that Kang-oh had been assigned to the search team was because of Hee-do Won's gossip, so it was something she learned naturally.
"How about asking him directly?"
Just as Woo's spirits were sinking, Yeon-jin casually tossed out the suggestion, causing his eyes to widen.
"Di-directly?"
"He's not someone who would avoid you just because you're going to meet him first. You're just asking when he'll be back—surely he wouldn't make a big deal out of it, right?"
Yeon-jin gently nudged Woo from behind with a subtle tone. With hesitation in his eyes, Woo only twitched his fingers. Slowly, his gaze shifted, and the last place it landed was the vase by the window. The blue hydrangeas were blooming. They still looked quite fresh, having soaked up plenty of water.
As Woo gazed quietly at the scene, he gathered the courage to speak.
"Then, could you... ask him? If it's alright, could you ask him if he's willing to talk for a moment...?"
If this was the last chance before he left, maybe a brief meeting would be fine.
Yeon-jin, considering it not a difficult task, cheerfully left the room.
However, Woo's anticipation crumbled.
"Um... what should we do? I heard the Third Disciple won't be coming to House of Joy and will be leaving right away."
Not long after, Yeonjin returned with a dark expression. Woo had half-expected this outcome before she spoke, but he still felt his heart sink at her words. His shoulders twitched slightly before slowly slumping down.
Normally, Woo never showed his inner thoughts or easily revealed his emotions, but at this moment, it was clear that he was disappointed. Seeing Woo's noticeably dejected mood, Yeon-jin fidgeted with her feet.
"...I feel like I might have stirred up unnecessary hopes. What should we do?"
Woo slowly shook his head at the look of helpless guilt on her face.
"I-it's alright. No one could've known what the Third Disciple was planning."
"I thought he would at least stop by House of Joy... but I heard that a servant just left the building to deliver his luggage."
At her flustered explanation, Woo gently patted her shoulder.
Even though it wasn't her problem, Yeon-jin couldn't hide her confusion. Just earlier that same day, the Third Disciple had summoned her—she never imagined he'd leave without saying a word to Woo.
She had noticed that the two of them had been spending less time together lately, and it made her wonder if something had happened. Still, knowing how fickle the Third Disciple could be, she didn't think much of it. Moreover, he had still been meticulously checking the food delivered to Woo's room and managing the people around him, so she never considered that he might be distancing himself from Woo.
"I-it's alright," Woo repeated, more to himself than to Yeon-jin.
His gaze slowly drifted past Yeon-jin's shoulder and towards the window.
Where once there had been blue peonies, the basin now held a neatly arranged bunch of blue hydrangeas. Days had passed, but they were still full of moisture, looking fresh and vibrant.
"I remember… you liked peonies, so I said I would bring you more flowers."
A memory from the past suddenly returned to Woo like a gift.
"It's a promise I made back then."
The memory was so vivid that Woo felt he could even recall the cold air brushing against his cheek when he heard those words from Kang-oh.
Time long gone, something that could never be grasped, was so clear it felt like Kang-oh's voice was right beside him. It would've been better if he could forget it—but it remained, like a brand, replaying that first moment again and again.
The pain of the face he burned with his own hands had faded so much, and yet the invisible wounds screamed right beside his ear.
Dan Baek-hoon's son was dead, Seol Bu-yong's pride was dead, the White Virtue Clan's Grandmaster was dead, and even the man once known as Dan Woo-hyo was now gone—but this heart refused to die with them.
Woo, the servant who had tried to bury the noise inside him, finally opened his mouth. He had intended to say it was enough now, that he would let go.
"So… then… he's still in the Black Sky Clan?"
But the words that came out were something entirely different.
"Yes. But I don't know when he'll be leaving."
"Th-then… would I be able to go see him?"
At the immediate follow-up question from Woo, Yeonjin's eyes widened. Despite the evident hesitation on his face, it was clear that he was hoping for a positive answer.
Aside from that, he knew that Kong Yool would be there. And Ye Jin-rang wouldn't be pleased that Woo went to see Kang-oh first. Moreover, his body, which had suffered from a seizure, struggled to keep up with even a little walking, leaving him breathless. He felt fortunate that his relationship with Kang-oh had grown distant, allowing him to avoid accompanying him to Hongamgak.
Because once this life without purpose were to be exposed, he didn't know what he could use to support himself anymore.
"Alright."
Yeon-jin opened her mouth as if she had made a firm decision
"Let's give it a try."
***
Kong Yool waited at the Mansion of Unity until the search party was organized. Black Sky Clan was responding seriously to this matter. It had only been a day since the request was made, and the search team was already formed, with the Third Disciple taking the lead.
Kong Yool couldn't shake the feeling that all of this had been meticulously prepared in advance by Black Sky Clan, watching the smooth and quiet organization of the search team.
It was no surprise though, it was well known that White Virtue Clan had spent ten long years searching for their missing Grandmaster.
His wandering thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of a visitor at the Mansion of Unity. A warrior, leading several subordinates, appeared in front of the mansion and strode toward Kong Yool as soon as he spotted him.
"It's been a while."
Kang-oh, with his straightforward manner, greeted Kong Yool, who returned the gesture respectfully.
"I didn't expect to meet again under these circumstances, but I look forward to working with you."
Kong Yool had vivid memories of Kang-oh, the youngest disciple of Black Sky Clan's Grandmaster. This was largely due to the rumors that he was still wandering around challenging others to sparring matches, just like in the past. Kong Yool was even surprised when the Third Disciple's challenged him.
When he had accepted the challenge in his younger days, Kong Yool had the chance to meet Kang-oh for the first time. The young man had shown immense potential. Kong Yool had assumed he would be filled with the same pride and eagerness to prove himself as he had been when he was younger. But, unexpectedly, Kang-oh appeared more cautious than expected. When they began to spar, the brilliance of his sword was almost blinding.
Since they were in a position where hurting each other is difficult, the duel lasted a full hundred exchanges without a single deadly move being made. Thinking that it would never end at this rate, Kong Yool declared a draw first.
Today's meeting was their first since that time.
It wasn't just the familiarity of Ye Kang-oh's face that made Kong Yool glad to see him. More than that, it was because word had long spread throughout the entire martial world that the Grandmaster of the Black Sky Clan doted on his youngest disciple. The fact that the Black Sky Clan's Third Disciple had been dispatched for "something like this" slightly brightened Kong Yool's expression.
It seemed like it wouldn't hurt to place some hope in Black Sky Clan's cooperation.
"I came to greet you and discuss the schedule. I'll be leading the advance party and departing from Black Sky Clan first. If there's anything you can share about the search or the disappearance of the White Virtue Clan's Grandmaster, please don't hesitate to tell me."
Kong Yool nodded at Kang-oh's blunt yet polite inquiry. He briefly excused himself, stood up, and returned with a scroll from the luggage he'd brought with him to Black Sky Clan.
"Before we begin the search, we should first know who we're looking for. It's been ten years since the Third Disciple began operating under Black Sky Clan, correct?"
"Yes, that's right."
To those who kept their ears open, it was fairly common knowledge that the Black Sky Clan's Third Disciple was an orphan picked up by Ye Jin-rang.
"This portrait was drawn for search purposes. Since the timing coincides with the disappearance of the Grandmaster, I figured the Third Disciple might have never seen him before, so I brought it."
As Kong Yool spoke, he unrolled the scroll and laid it out before Kang-oh.
The man in the portrait looked more like someone from the immortal realm than the human world. The painter must have poured their heart and soul into the details, and the facial features were so perfectly crafted that it made one question whether such a face could even exist in reality. It almost felt like the work of an artist trying to show off their aesthetic sense and skill rather than depict a real person.
"So we're supposed to search based on this portrait?" Kang-oh asked, furrowing his brow. No matter how he thought about it, it felt quite strange.
If a man like the one in this painting were walking around alive, there's no way he wouldn't stand out. Just as no one could ignore the sight of multicolored clouds descending to earth, stories about him would be spreading nonstop. But the White Virtue Clan still hadn't found its master after ten years.
"Of course not," Kong Yool shook his head.
Kang-oh figured the White Virtue Clan had likely exaggerated the portrait to highlight the Palace Lord's appearance. Still, he couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed. It was the kind of disappointment anyone with an eye for beauty might feel—and also the frustration that came from knowing the portrait's lack of accuracy would make the search even harder.
The longer this journey gets, the more it feels like the day he'll see Woo again keeps getting pushed back. Woo was a man who spoke only of wanting to leave, such heartless words… but even so, he couldn't avoid seeing him forever.
"This painting does not even capture half of the Lord's true appearance."
Kang-oh thought it was a joke at first, but Kong Yool looked completely serious.
"There's a famous painter who broke his brush while attempting to paint the Grandmaster. I went to him, begged and pleaded."
"Was it really necessary to seek out an artist who had broken his brush to make such a request?"
"His accuracy was better than anyone else's. The last portrait he painted before he gave up captured at least thirty percent of the lord's true likeness."
"…"
Kang-oh felt strange. After a short pause, he voiced the question he had when he first saw the White Virtue Clan's Grandmaster's portrait.
"Then why has it been so difficult to find the Grandmaster? If there is a being with such an ethereal appearance, if even a tiger saw them wandering over a mountain, it'd speak just to spread the tale."
"We've considered that as well. That's why we're weighing two possibilities. First, his face was disfigured in an accident. Second—"
The following words naturally came from Kang-oh.
"He may be detained somewhere, unable to return on his own will."
Even though Kong Yool had intended to say it himself, hearing it from someone else brought a different feeling, and a quiet despair seeped into his demeanor.
"…Yes, that is correct."
Kang-oh's expression also grew serious.
Who in the world would imprison the leader of one of the most powerful martial arts organizations, one of the top three in the martial world? No one would commit such an act, considering the potential consequences.
At the same time, if someone were bold enough to do such a thing, they would ensure that the secret did not leak out.
Dan Woo-hyo's martial arts were unmatched by anyone, but he was not the number one in the world. Although there weren't many martial artists who reached his level, there were still a handful, and even the Black Sky Clan's Grandmaster, for example, possessed greater strength than the newly appointed Grandmaster of White Virtue Clan.
Just as one cannot measure the height of the sky or the depth of the sea, it is impossible to prepare for every hidden danger in the martial world. Kong Yool knew a few methods that could render even the greatest experts powerless. Techniques like the Heavenly Net, Mountain Poison, the techniques of the Zhuge family, the perfected version of the Heavenly Demon Cult's Forbidden Vision…"
Therefore, as each day passed without finding Dan Woo-Hyo, his anxiety grew.
"We will begin the search, keeping all possibilities open." Kang-oh spoke with a serious tone.
It was then that Gong-yul realized his fingertips were trembling slightly, and he hid them under the table. Whether it was due to his naturally mild temperament or not, the Third Disciple pretended not to notice and shifted his gaze elsewhere.
He seemed indifferent, but he came across as someone who was considerate in his own way.
"We'll start from Xinjiang. Third Disciple, please search Hap-mil together with one of our men who knows what our Lord looks like. We'll head down from Yak-gang toward Ujeon and search there."
Thanks to the Third Disciple overlooking his earlier nervousness, Kong Yool regained his composure and began explaining calmly.
"I understand."
Kang-oh listened carefully to Kong Yool's explanation for the search..
To help Black Sky Clan understand the situation, the current state of the search from the very beginning until now was summarized clearly by Kong Yool.
The more he listened, the stranger it seemed. No one knew where or how the Lord of White Virtue Clan had gone missing. The only thing that was certain was that it happened ten years ago.
The Lord was known to frequently travel without revealing his destinations, leading some to speculate that Dan Woo-hyo had gone to the Southern Sea, while others believed he remained in Luoyang. There were even claims he had headed west in search of the legendary Podallap Palace.
Given the situation, the search was inevitably met with difficulties. Kang-oh had also been told he was cursed with misfortune during travel, and it seemed the same was true for the missing White Virtue Clan's Grandmaster.
Strangely, in that aspect, Kang-oh found a commonality between the missing Dan Woo-hyo and himself. Being unable to settle in one place meant that person's heart was always wandering. While he had chosen to roam because he could not commit to anything in Black Sky Clan, what could be the reason for the Grandmaster of White Virtue Clan, who had everything, to leave?
Shaking off the thought, Kang-oh tried to assess the area they would be searching. After the fall of the Heavenly Demon Cult, Xinjiang had become a land without a master. It was a desert region, barren and harsh, making it hard for any faction to establish a firm root there. There were even rumors that the surviving members of the Heavenly Demon Cult had hidden themselves deep in the Ten Thousand Great Mountains, quietly plotting their return.
But so far, no proper martial group had officially planted their flag in Xinjiang. At least, not officially. Black Sky Clan had already extended its influence over Qinghai and Gansu, accepting remnants of the Sama clan and some survivors of the Heavenly Demon Cult. Those who had been pushed all the way to Xinjiang were merely small-time bandits and rogue martial artists who could not even cross the threshold of Black Sky Clan, preying on civilians.
And so, Xinjiang, once home to the thriving Heavenly Demon Cult, had become a playground for every kind of lowlife, It was obvious that traversing the region would be chaotic.
"First of all, the most prominent force in Yak-gang is the Blood Sect, led by Son Yeol-chan, who claims to have barely survived the war with the Blood Cult. They use axes. While they operate like a sect, though they are practically no different from bandits.. They don't have strong backing or much power, so it's unlikely they could hold the Grandmaster captive. Still, there are bandit groups that appear throughout the Yak-gang and desert regions, known for their elusive nature, so it wouldn't hurt to investigate them."
Kang-oh carefully laid out everything he knew about the Xinjiang region. While he wasn't particularly well-versed in the area, but as he wandered around in the Central Plains, he naturally became more familiar with it. The region was desert land, plagued by corrupt forces, and had been cut off from the outside world long ago. This was the reason he remembered its details.
"…?"
Kong Yool, who had been listening attentively to Kang-oh's explanation, suddenly stared at the side of his face. At the end of his gaze was Kang-oh, whose expression had softened slightly, lost in thoughts of Woo.
There was... something about it. A strange sense of déjà vu that was hard to explain.
"I'd appreciate it if you could stop staring at my face."
Kang-oh, in the middle of his explanation about Xinjiang, furrowed his brow at the blatant gaze on his cheek.
He was used to drawing attention due to his appearance. But he loathed the dirty rumors that always followed the unique air he carried and had never once enjoyed being the object of anyone's gaze.
So his voice, pointing out Kong Yool's rudeness, came out sharp.
"Ah, I didn't mean anything by it. It just felt... strangely familiar. If I was being rude, I apologize."
Kong Yool took a step back, lowering himself in a respectful gesture. Though he eased his tone, Kang-oh drew a clear line.
"It would be best if you could be more careful in the future."
Knowing that saying anything more would be pointless, Kong Yool gave a salute and lowered his gaze roughly to Kang-oh's shoulder. In the martial world, one naturally encounters all sorts of eccentric martial artists. Being offended by someone staring directly at your face wasn't exactly strange.
What he couldn't understand, however, was why the Third Disciple's face felt so familiar to him.
Even with his sharp eye for details, it was a stretch for Kong Yool to connect the current Kang-oh to the "black chick" that Dan Woo-Hyo used to keep by his side. There wasn't a single trace of similarity between them, and among the rumors floating around the murim, the most common one claimed that Ye Kang-oh was the illegitimate child of Ye Jin-rang, raised secretly.
In truth, Kong Yool had almost no interaction with the boy the Grandmaster had once kept near. All he knew was that the child was somehow connected to Dan Baek-hoon's disappearance—and that he had seemed terribly weak, as if he might collapse at any moment. Back then, when Dan Woo-Hyo was busy, it had been Peng, the leader of the Flight Winged Group, who took care of him. Kong Yool had no real reason or opportunity to grow close to the boy.
Maybe if this were ten years ago, when Jin-rang first brought Kang-oh in, the idea might have crossed his mind. But for Kong Yool, it was too much of a stretch to think that the young man standing before him now was the same "black chick" who used to trail after the Grandmaster.
To avoid offending the Third Disciple, who would be a key ally in the upcoming search, Kong Yool swallowed the sense of déjà vu he felt.
Once the discussion about their future plans was over, Kang-oh stood up neatly from his seat.
"Then, as I mentioned, I'll head out first."
"Oh, I will have a martial artist from White Virtue Clan to accompany you, Third Disciple."
"Understood."
With a martial artist from the White Virtue Clan that Kong Yool had assigned, Kang-oh left the Mansion of Unity
It was the first time he'd moved so urgently since leaving the Black Sky Clan. Though he'd officially been placed on the search team, forming a separate advance unit like this and taking off ahead—what a ridiculous look!
What was amusing was that this was also the first time his steps felt so heavy when leaving. Usually, every time he left the Black Sky Clan, what he felt was relief. Most of it stemmed from wanting to avoid clashing with the First Disciple, but still… every time, he left feeling unburdened. But this time…
It was truly a contradictory situation. What a contradictory situation this was. It was like being chained at the ankles and chased by hellfire.
All Kang-oh had done was allow one more person under his roof. That was all.
And yet, that small choice ended up changing everything.
Kang-oh's gaze, as he headed toward the main gate of the Black Sky Clan, drifted for a moment—toward the distant roof of the House of Joy. Even from afar, the striking elegance of the tiled roof stood out vividly. But even if the House of Joy had become so old and worn down it was on the verge of collapsing, Kang-oh would still have recognized it. Among all the many eaves of the Black Sky Clan, the ones on the House of Joy had always been special to him.
That person may wanna leave now, but until Kang-oh returns, they will stay there.
Swallowing a sigh, Kang-oh quickened his pace. He wanted to leave as soon as possible and return even faster.
The main gate of the Mansion of Unity grew more distant. Kang-oh did not look back.