“The prestige and benefits of the family, cooperation, and righteousness—it’s not for such grand reasons. It’s something more humble.”

After a moment of contemplation, Dang Gi-ho stood up and brushed the dust off his robe.

“Shall we talk while we walk?”

“Of course.”

Mu-hwi followed Dang Gi-ho, taking in the sights of the Sacheon Dang family estate. Along the way, he naturally encountered several family members.

Seeing Dang Gi-ho walking with Mu-hwi, the family members bowed respectfully.

“Master.”

“Ah, Ok-hyun. Off to research a new blend for the poison?”

“Yes.”

“Be careful.”

“Don’t worry.”

Ok-hyun, the family member addressed, smiled warmly and bowed at Dang Gi-ho’s concern.

Throughout their walk, Dang Gi-ho greeted each family member they met with familiarity, and they responded in kind, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Observing this, Mu-hwi got a sense of the everyday atmosphere of the Sacheon Dang family.

“It seems harmonious.”

“Does it? I’m glad it appears that way.”

Laughter from children drifted over the wall, causing both Mu-hwi and Dang Gi-ho to pause and look over.

“Watch out! Here I come!”

“You’ll never hit that target!”

“Just wait and see!”

The children of the Sacheon Dang family were playing energetically, using various types of throwing weapons as toys. Even some of the weapons Dang Gi-ho had demonstrated in martial arts were among them. Mu-hwi watched the children’s bright smiles.

“The children seem to be having fun.”

Dang Gi-ho also watched the children running and laughing.

“When I was their age, I never laughed like that. Neither did my peers. The family back then was quite bleak.”

Dang Gi-ho recalled his childhood with a bitter smile.

“It seems the atmosphere of the family was quite different in the past.”

Dang Gi-ho simply nodded.

“The family claimed to uphold righteousness, but it was more akin to a den of rogues. We pursued poisons and hidden weapons without regard for anything else, and the family members operated on the principle of survival of the fittest.”

In those days, the core philosophy of the Sacheon Dang family was survival of the fittest, a principle that spared no one, not even the young. From the moment they began learning martial arts, they were thrust into endless competition. To the family, a fellow member was merely a competitor with shared blood and surname.

As long as they didn’t kill, anything was permissible to topple a rival. The family believed this approach greatly enhanced their skills with poisons and hidden weapons and cultivated the necessary ruthlessness.

“While others accepted this as normal, I found it deeply unsettling. I questioned whether a family that spilled its own blood could truly be considered normal. The elders saw me as an oddity.”

“Master!”

The children playing nearby spotted Dang Gi-ho and waved enthusiastically. He waved back with a smile.

“That’s when you decided to change the family.”

Dang Gi-ho nodded firmly.

“The family back then was a place where children couldn’t be children, and adults were like demons. I didn’t believe that was what a family should be, so I resolved to become the head.”

During his youth, Dang Gi-ho experienced various martial sects, particularly the Namgung and Baekri families, which were considered the three great families alongside the Sacheon Dang. They had a profound impact on him.

He reformed many family practices, modeling them after the righteous sects, and paid special attention to the education of children.

Though poisons and hidden weapons were often seen as cowardly and cruel, if used for righteous purposes and with a sense of responsibility, the martial artists of the Sacheon Dang family could be honorable.

This teaching, emphasizing the responsibility of martial arts, was a core principle Dang Gi-ho integrated into the children’s education. It was a key phrase that quietly transformed the family, leading to its current state.

“Why do you waver when the family has become what you envisioned?”

Mu-hwi looked at Dang Gi-ho, who was speaking candidly about the past.

“Though the Overlord’s forces have shown ambition in Sacheon, and even with the Sacheon Alliance, it’s been difficult to hold them back. And with my sister leaving the family and soaring to new heights, I question whether the path I’ve led the family on is truly the right one.”

Dang Gi-ho emphasized that the Sacheon Dang family was a home of blood ties before being a martial sect.

The Sacheon Poison Lord argued that it was a martial sect where one’s worth was proven through martial prowess.

There were many reasons, but the ideological differences regarding the family were a major reason the Sacheon Poison Lord left.

Listening to Dang Gi-ho, Mu-hwi nodded.

“You’re worried that the changes have weakened the family’s martial strength. Is that why you asked that question at the end of the duel?”

“Yes.”

After a brief silence, Mu-hwi spoke slowly.

“I don’t believe returning to the old ways will make the family stronger.”

“Why do you say that?”

“In learning martial arts, mindset is as important as talent. Your teachings have given the descendants a clear direction of righteousness. It will unleash a greater power than simply stepping over others to rise.”

Dang Gi-ho stopped and looked at Mu-hwi.

“The martial arts of the Sacheon Dang family are strong in their own right. If the descendants embrace the current teachings and each finds their own righteous path, they will shine. This is merely growing pains.”

Dang Gi-ho remained silent, contemplating Mu-hwi’s words. He watched the carefree children playing. Mu-hwi added, “And if a family can’t even achieve something as simple as making children laugh, how can it accomplish anything greater?”

Dang Gi-ho smiled warmly at Mu-hwi.

“Even though the Mount Hua Sect has regained its former glory, I believe it will soar even higher if you become its leader.”

Mu-hwi grinned at Dang Gi-ho’s words.

“Then, the Mount Hua Sect will be known as the greatest sword sect under heaven.”

“Hahaha!”

Dang Gi-ho laughed heartily at Mu-hwi’s words. Then, with a serious expression, he clasped his hands in a respectful gesture.

“Plum Blossom Sword Master, I will take your advice to heart.”

Mu-hwi returned the gesture.

Watching Dang Gi-ho walk with a lighter step, Mu-hwi was deep in thought.

Being a leader, whether as a sect master, clan head, or family leader, wasn’t just about solving immediate issues like the number of disciples, finances, martial strength, or interests.

Leading a sect meant being the focal point for its members, looking at the past and present, and shaping the future.

“Being a sect leader… it might be a headache later.”

Mu-hwi chuckled to himself and followed Dang Gi-ho.

* * *

“Here, take this.”

Dokgo Yul, who had come to the family estate upon hearing Mu-hwi was there, was handed an elixir as soon as he arrived.

Dokgo Yul looked at the elixir Mu-hwi offered with a puzzled expression.

“What is it?”

“It’s an elixir made from the inner core of the Poisonous Horned Spider.”

Dokgo Yul’s eyes widened at the mention of the Poisonous Horned Spider. The elixir, made by combining the inner core and blood of the spider with various herbs by the family’s physicians, was produced in significant quantity.

After giving it to all the Plum Blossom Sword Masters, there were still ten pills left. Five were given to the family, and the remaining five were to be taken to the Mount Hua Sect. Mu-hwi handed one of these to Dokgo Yul.

“Taking this will make you immune to most poisons and significantly boost your internal energy.”

“Is it really okay for me to have such a precious elixir?”

“I’m just giving it to you because there’s some left over, so just take it without any fuss.”

“Alright, I’ll gladly accept it.”

Dokgo Yul grinned widely at the elixir in his hand. Mu-hwi looked at him with mild disapproval.

“Why did you come to Sacheon instead of staying in Hanam, especially in these circumstances?”

“I couldn’t stand the Overlord’s tyranny. It was infuriating when they tried to crush the Dokgo Association just because I was the Sword Ghost’s disciple.”

“Even with the Dokgo Association’s support, it’s a difficult battle for the Sacheon Alliance.”

Dokgo Yul nodded without hesitation at Mu-hwi’s words.

“Just because it’s difficult doesn’t mean there’s no reason to fight.”

Seeing Mu-hwi’s expression remain unchanged, Dokgo Yul chuckled.

“My master faced the Overlord’s forces alone. Compared to that, this is easy.”

“I heard even the Sword Ghost didn’t recklessly confront the Overlord. He understood the difference in power and acted accordingly. You should keep that in mind.”

“I will.”

Dokgo Yul tucked the elixir into his sleeve and gestured to the Ghost Shadow Sword on his back.

“Since I’ll soon be heading to the front lines and won’t have another chance, let’s spar now. We couldn’t do it in Hanam.”

Mu-hwi sighed lightly and nodded.

“I’ll make sure to beat you just enough so it won’t affect your fighting.”

* * *

“Stop.”

The Sword King, leading the Baekri family’s martial force to Sacheon, raised his left hand.

At his signal, the martial force following him came to an immediate halt.

With narrowed eyes, the Sword King glared at the man standing alone in the middle of the road.

“Sword King. It’s good to see you.”

The Sword King eyed the man dressed in black from head to toe, his hand instinctively reaching for the hilt of his sword.

A sharp aura emanated from the Sword King’s entire being, causing the empty right sleeve of his robe to flutter in the air.

Sensing this energy, the man nodded in acknowledgment.

“Sword King. Once fallen, yet now you bear the title without a hint of inadequacy. Losing your right arm seems to have been the catalyst for your enlightenment.”

The Sword King’s eyes crinkled at the man’s words.

“Do you know me, old friend? Who exactly are you?”

“I am called Heukcheon. Though we’ve never met face-to-face, I’ve observed you from afar. You’ve changed remarkably since the days you secluded yourself after your defeat by the Sword Saint.”

Heukcheon took a step forward.

The commotion behind the Sword King grew louder.

Just that single step from Heukcheon sent the warriors of the Baekri family scrambling to widen the distance between them.

Even without releasing any aura, Heukcheon’s mere presence was enough to unsettle the Baekri warriors.

The Sword King, watching Heukcheon with a grave expression, asked, “I’ve heard of the Black Night Palace Lord, but compared to you, he seems lacking. Is he merely a puppet, and you the true master?”

“You’ve got it wrong. He is indeed the Black Night Palace Lord, not a puppet. He’s my disciple.”

Hearing Heukcheon refer to the Black Night Palace Lord as his disciple, the Sword King sighed and slowly drew his sword.

Heukcheon’s facial muscles twitched slightly.

“Sword King, what do you intend to do?”

“Blocking our path like this—isn’t it to hinder our journey to Sichuan?”

“Indeed. Withdraw with your men, and I’ll spare you. Though I wish to see how your sword has changed, there will be a better time for that.”

“Are you aiding the Tyrant Castle?”

Heukcheon shook his head.

“The affairs of the martial world and my actions are unrelated. I simply go where I please. There’s a child in Sichuan who has caught my interest.”

At Heukcheon’s words, the Sword King’s aura grew even sharper.

“The Volcano Sword Saint.”

Heukcheon nodded.

“Sword King, if you go, it won’t be an interesting situation.”

The Sword King, letting out a deep breath, turned to his followers.

“Everyone, fall back. Return home.”

An elder of the Baekri family caught a glimpse of the Sword King’s expression. It was so serene that the elder felt compelled to ask, “Will the Grand Elder accompany us?”

“Why ask when you already know? Lead the men quickly. Who knows when his mind might change!”

With those words, the Sword King turned away, leaving the elder unable to see his face.

“Understood.”

The elder bowed to the Sword King’s back and swiftly led the men away. Watching them leave, Heukcheon asked, “Why don’t you go with them?”

“Because the title of Sword King is too heavy to simply run away to save my life.”

“I still vividly remember the you who tried to escape reality after losing to the Sword Saint. You’ve truly changed.”

Heukcheon unclasped his hands from behind his back and slowly clenched his fists. The Sword King assumed a stance, not with the Heavenly Wing Sword Technique he had developed in his later years, but with the Baekri family’s sword technique.

Seeing the unwavering eyes of the Sword King, who chose not to use the Heavenly Wing Sword Technique, Heukcheon nodded.

Abandoning the Heavenly Wing Sword Technique was proof that he had fully overcome his defeat by the Volcano Sword Saint.

“I acknowledge it. You are the Sword King.”

With Heukcheon’s words, darkness began to creep toward the Sword King.