The days away from the Third Internal Officer and the Black Sky Lord were becoming a bit more lively for Woo. Although he had vowed never to use anything Kang-oh had given him, that resolve quickly melted away. "It's not from him, it's from the Third Internal Officer," he told himself, bitterly smiling at his own weak justification.
Thanks to applying the healing ointment regularly, the burn on his arm was almost healed. The problem was his back; he couldn't reach the wound, so he had to settle for applying the ointment around it. Still, it felt like it was healing well enough.
Good tools made all the difference. Tasks that once required twice the effort and twice the caution, like chopping wood, became far quicker and easier with the new axe. When the blade dulled, all it took was sharpening it with a whetstone, and it was good as new.
As he gradually cut down trees, the distance from the hut to the next tree grew longer, and bringing back the cut wood became a task in itself. This led Woo to naturally use a horse. At first, he had wondered why the Third Internal Officer hadn't just left supplies but had included a horse as well. Now it was clear—it had been Kang-oh's idea, anticipating that Woo's injured leg would make it difficult to carry heavy loads.
It wasn't just any horse, either. Even Woo, with his limited experience, could tell it wasn't a simple pack mule but a finely bred steed, far too elegant for the mere task of hauling wood.
However, the issue was finding enough grass and water for the horse. While he could easily take it to the stream for a drink, the horse needed a lot of grass to eat. It was only natural that such a large animal required plenty of food to move around. Luckily, being deep in the mountains, there was no shortage of vegetation. With few travelers passing through, the surrounding grasslands grew thick and lush. So, during the day, Woo would let the horse graze freely and only tie it near his hut at night, bringing some water and grass for it to eat.
Suddenly, Woo felt a bit amused as he realized how well Kang-oh had been raised. Since he had never been to a stable, he probably didn't expect that he would need to provide special feed for the horse. He must have thought simply gifting a horse would be helpful enough—especially since he had already sent a generous amount of food for Woo himself.
Ironically, Woo was hardly in a position to judge. Once, he too had been a privileged young master who knew nothing of how horses were raised, relying on servants to handle such things. What he used to find pathetic about himself now seemed endearing when it came to Kang-oh, warming his heart.
It was obvious that the Black Sky Lord had truly cherished Kang-oh. And why wouldn't he? Imagine thinking yourself alone in the world, only to suddenly find a blood relative. How could anyone not treasure that?
But Woo's situation had been entirely different. He had believed in the bond of blood, only to discover that he wasn't truly family. That despair... learning he had been nothing more than a cuckoo in someone else's nest... it had devoured his pride and his spirit. All that remained after the fire burned out was the shadow of the person he once thought he was, clinging to a hollow arrogance that had no place in his current life.
After sending the supplies through the Third Internal Officer, Kang-oh hadn't shown himself even once. Considering the effort he'd already made for someone like Woo—a mere servant—it was almost excessive. Woo had no right to feel disappointed or hurt by Kang-oh's absence. He had already resolved not to expect anything more. What Kang-oh had done was more than enough, even more than he deserved.
Now, the only thing Woo wished for was for Kang-oh to live happily, enjoying all the things he was meant to have in his rightful place. That alone would bring Woo peace.
Taking a break from chopping wood, Woo set down his axe and wiped the sweat from his forehead. He no longer worried about his clothes getting soaked with sweat. He could wash them every day and change into clean ones. Being someone who valued cleanliness, it had been quite distressing not to be able to wash his clothes on time. Although he had gradually gotten used to it, being able to do laundry regularly again felt like a breath of fresh air. Having lived in just one outfit even in the dead of winter, the current situation felt like a dream.
His meals had also improved significantly. Woo had begun experimenting with the wild herbs he foraged, separating the bitter ones from the mild. The milder herbs he dried and steeped into broths, which he used as soup bases. If he added a bit of jerky to the rice or porridge, the flavor was just right. From a life where taste was a luxury he couldn't afford, Woo now enjoyed meals that satisfied even his once-finicky palate. Everything seemed to be falling into place. It was almost unsettling how smooth life had become, as if ten years' worth of fortune had all arrived at once.
Wrapped in a warm blanket, Woo closed his eyes, feeling a rare moment of peace.
Late at night, the sudden sound of a horse whinnying broke the silence.
"Neigh!"
Woo, deep in sleep, was jolted awake by the anxious sounds of the horse. Peering outside the hut, he saw the glowing yellow eyes of a wild beast. They were targeting the horse.
"Oh no!"
It didn't take Woo long to understand what had happened. The ground was scattered with trampled plants, and he quickly pieced it together. During the day, while Woo had been working, the horse had wandered around, grazing near the hut. It had eaten not just the grass but also the wild plants Woo had deliberately planted to repel predators. He had let his guard down, thinking the recent quiet meant the danger had passed. He had let his guard down since it had been quiet lately.
He sprinted swiftly toward the campfire, his movements hindered by his injured leg yet somehow maintaining an almost superhuman speed. In that brief moment, the horse's final cries echoed in the air. The wolves were clearly targeting the horse, knowing it was tied up and unable to escape—an easy prey.
The sound of wolves tearing into flesh reached his ears, wet and grotesque.
Thankfully, the fire hadn't gone out yet. Woo grabbed a burning piece of wood from the flames. Three wolves were already feasting on the bloodied carcass of the horse that had faithfully carried his loads. The poor creature convulsed briefly before its body finally went limp.
"Damn it...!"
The situation was dire. He was alone, while the wolves traveled in packs. The three in front of him were likely not the only ones. Even these three wouldn't be satisfied with just one horse.
Woo gripped the log like a sword. His stance showed traces of having practiced swordsmanship, even if only clumsily. Two of the wolves were preoccupied with eating the horse, but the third, noticing Woo moving, turned its bloodied snout in his direction. It scratched the ground with its paws, ready to pounce, but seemed to be keeping its distance for now, wary of the fire he held.
"Grraah!"
There was another one!
Feeling the presence of a wolf approaching from behind, Woo quickly turned and swung the burning log at the wolf charging at him. If he hadn't had any martial arts training, he would have likely been bitten and killed by that wolf.
The wolf on the other side of the campfire charged at Woo, seemingly seeking revenge for its fallen companion. Woo managed to fend off the second attack, though barely.
"Yip... yip..."
Barely deflecting the wolf's strike, Woo felt cold sweat streaming down his face. While he could mimic the movements of his prime, his weakened body was far from capable of executing them perfectly. His internal energy was scattered, and his unsteady legs made every move a struggle.
"Ugh! Grrr!"
Perhaps having eaten enough or feeling threatened by the sight of their fallen comrade, the remaining two wolves slowly formed a circle around him. The first wolf, which had been rolling on the ground, joined them.
Gritting his teeth, Woo gripped the burning firewood tightly, swinging it in wide arcs to maintain his distance. His eyes burned with determination as he steeled himself, refusing to let fear take over.
He couldn't die here. Not like this.
The third attack came. This time, it was a coordinated assault. One wolf attacked first, followed closely by the next. Woo struck one with the burning log and then kicked the belly of the next one. He nearly lost his balance and fell to the ground but managed to steady himself just in time.
Damn, damn these legs!
Realizing that Woo was not a formidable opponent, the four wolves began to close in on him. Woo swung the log to keep them at bay, positioning himself with his back to the campfire to protect any gaps in his defense as best as he could.
Woo was determined to at least burn one of the wolves with the fire. Sensing the danger, the wolves hesitated to attack right away. However, their howls grew more menacing with each passing moment.
The scent of horse blood had undoubtedly spread far and wide, not only drawing this pack of wolves but possibly other predators as well. This was truly a crisis. Cold sweat trickled down Woo's face, but even that distraction couldn't be allowed. He forced his eyes wide open, refusing to let anything obscure his vision.
A howl broke through the tense air, and two wolves emerged from the shadows.
Six of them—six! If he had any internal energy left, it might have been manageable, but there was no way he could handle all of them. As reinforcements arrived, the four wolves surrounding Woo launched their attack in unison.
To think that Dan Woo-hyo, once the revered grand master of the White Virtue Clan, would meet his end in a remote mountain, torn apart by wolves…!
The irony stung. The position and name Woo had cast aside ten years ago now seemed to be the very essence of who he was—a revelation that only came at the brink of death.
"Yip! Yip!"
At that moment, timely help arrived.
"You audacious beasts! You've had your fill of meat; how dare you target a human?"
Standing under the cold moonlight was none other than Ye Kang-oh, the Third Disciple of the Black Sky Clan, wielding a sword.
Kang-oh sighed, great full he had arrived in time to help Woo. Although he had ordered some of the members of Honamdan (Honam Corpse) to follow Woo, he hadn't expected the sudden reappearance of the wolves he had driven away moments earlier while climbing the mountain.
Over the past few days, Kang-oh had traveled deep into the Black Sky Clan to meet Ye Jin-rang, his master and the Black Sky Lord.
Over the past few days, Kang-oh had traveled to the heart of the Black Sky Clan to meet with his master, Ye Jin-rang.
Leaving Woo behind had made Kang-oh uneasy, so he had hurriedly used his martial arts skill to reach the Black Sky Clan as soon as possible. As soon as the Third Disciple appeared, the First Internal Officer, Seomun Geum-ryeong, came out to greet him.
"Third Disciple."
The elegant older woman gave a slight bow. Kang-oh returned the gesture with a nod, noting her presence meant that Jin-rang was already aware of Kang-oh's actions through the Third Internal Officer. Maintaining a calm demeanor, Kang-oh calmly spoke.
"I need to see my master."
Seomun Geum-ryeong led Kang-oh inside. Jin-rang was in his usual quarters, but it seemed he had sent everyone away beforehand—there was barely any trace of others nearby.
"You've come." Jin-rang greeted Kang-oh warmly.
Seo Moon-geum-ryeong, as if following prior instructions, bowed and quietly left the room. Kang-oh pondered how to bring up the topic, but when his eyes met Jin-rang's, he sensed something.
Was it just his imagination, or did Ye Jin-rang seem anxious? It was subtle, but it felt as though his master was carefully watching Kang-oh's every move.
"I heard about the situation from the Third Internal Officer."
In the end, it was Ye Jin-rang who spoke first. Kang-oh took his time to gather his thoughts.
"As you permitted, Master, I carried out my investigation and uncovered something difficult to believe."
"Go on."
Jin-rang appeared calm on the surface, but inside, he was anything but at ease.
"It turns out that one of the officers managing the internal affairs of the Black Sky Clan has been continuously abusing that servant."
It was clear that the Third Internal Officer was not someone who would easily open up. He resisted the urge to bite his lip, keeping his composure. However, Kang-oh's words were not finished yet.
"This has been happening for eight years. I have secured testimonies from other servants who stayed in the same quarters. Therefore, I confronted the Third Internal Officer to investigate."
"You never do things half-heartedly."
While Jin-rang appreciated his disciple's thoroughness, he couldn't shake off his unease. He knew that Kang-oh's inquiries would eventually lead back to him. Removing Woo from the picture had been nothing more than a temporary solution, a way to bury the problem. Yet Kang-oh had found Woo, and now the truth was clawing its way back to Jin-rang's feet.
"He claimed that his misdeeds were implicitly approved by you, Master. I would like to ask you directly about this."
"Do you believe the Third Internal Officer's words?"
"Even if he is just a servant, I cannot ignore it if you continue to turn a blind eye to the unreasonable treatment he has endured."
Jin-rang knew everything that happened inside the Black Sky Clan. After all, he was the one who gathered the scattered members of the sects and martial artists from the demonic cult to form the Black Sky Clan. He couldn't possibly be unaware of what was happening under his nose. In fact, he had given Kang-oh the authority to investigate while secretly instructing the Third Internal Officer to get rid of Woo.
"Are you going to hold me accountable for the matter of a single servant?" Jin-rang feigned a threatening tone. Kang-oh lowered his head.
"Please help me so that I can continue to revere you, Master."
It was almost like a threat. Jin-rang let out a hollow laugh. He was surprised that Kang-oh would stand up to him over such a trivial matter. He shivered as he realized that even the indifferent child had noticed Woo. It was undoubtedly a twist of fate.
In the end, would everything just become tangled up…?
"You don't know the whole story." Jin-rang said, squeezing his eyes shut.
"Then I need to know."
Kang-oh showed no signs of backing down. In fact, it might be better to let Woo remain a person connected only to himself, Jin-rang thought. Although Kang-oh had conducted a thorough investigation, he likely only knew Woo as someone who had appeared in the Black Sky Clan eight years ago. It had taken Woo two years to return from the brink of death. At the time, all he could do was cling to life, but now, in hindsight, perhaps it was fortunate that he had made it through.
After a long silence, Jin-rang finally spoke.
"Woo... is the son of an enemy."
With each syllable, a deep-seated hatred emerged that Kang-oh had never witnessed before. It was a long-simmering rage. It felt as if Jin-rang despised not just the ground Woo walked on but even the very breath he took. Even if Woo's parents had been killed by this man, the venom in Jin-rang's voice seemed to suggest that he would not speak such words with such bitter hatred for just any reason.. It was as if he were expressing the very essence of betrayal itself.
"If that is the case, then do not let him live—kill him."
Kang-oh replied without hesitation. His decision was not influenced by his master's grudge; rather, he believed that it was necessary to cut the ties. It was better to end Woo's life swiftly than to let him suffer continuously. As a martial artist, he understood that a person could harbor both good and evil intentions. Even if someone had treated him kindly, if they were an enemy of the Black Sky Clan, he could still kill them. But this situation was different.
To take a person and subject them to ongoing abuse while turning a blind eye was unacceptable. Jin-rang's silence was essentially encouragement, not just permission. There was no way he was unaware of the Third Internal Officer's cruelty. If, as his master had said, he felt such hatred for the son of his enemy, he wouldn't be able to ignore it. He would want to keep an eye on every move Woo made, wanting to see just how miserable he could become. This was a harsh reality, even for a martial artist. Moreover, the form of revenge that the leader of the Black Sky Clan should choose was not this. This was a lesson Kang-oh had learned from Jin-rang.
"But at the same time, he is also the son of a benefactor."
"..."
Kang-oh fell silent. Finally, the reason why Jin-rang hated Woo so much but still turned away from him became clear. Typically, in the martial world, one grudge could be settled with one act of kindness. But Ye Jin-rang was unable to do that...
The helplessness that seeped through his vivid hatred was not like the master Kang-oh knew. Wasn't Jin-rang someone who lived more freely and recklessly than anyone else?
The supreme martial artist, Black Sky Lord Ye Jin-rang, had once achieved legendary feats during his prime—uniting with the White Virtue Clan's ruler to drive out the Blood Sect and later consolidating power within the Black Sky Clan by gathering the remnants of the demonic and martial sects. This man, who had transcended the limits of humanity, was now trapped by emotions he could not control, unable to move an inch.
"I won't ask you to understand my anger. But... I apologize for you discovering that I am still human."
Jin-rang raised his hand and rubbed his forehead, which showed signs of distress.
"I won't make excuses for my pettiness. But from now on, I will not lay a hand on that man."
"..."
"Are you... very disappointed?"
As Kang-oh remained silent, Jin-rang cautiously spoke up.
Kang-oh could sense his master's desperation. He couldn't understand why Jin-rang was watching his expression so closely. It was unacceptable for a disciple to interfere in his master's personal grudges. He had come here today prepared to risk his life to offer counsel to his master. Yet, Jin-rang was focused on Kang-oh's reaction, as if it were the most important thing in the world.
Overwhelmed by rising emotions, Kang-oh bit his lip. It pained him to realize that someone so good to him could be so harsh to others.
"That servant named Woo... I will take him with me."
"Kang-oh!" Jin-rang shouted in surprise. Kang-oh did not back down and lowered his head.
"You won't be able to sever this connection on your own."
It had been eight years—a hatred that had lasted for eight long years. If someone as resolute as Ye Jin-rang, a man who had achieved such great accomplishments, could not break free from this kind of deep-seated grudge, then the depths of that abyss-like hatred were unimaginable. Therefore, Woo had to be kept outside of Jin-rang's authority.
Whether he liked it or not, Ye Jin-rang had taught and given everything to Kang-oh. Because of that debt, Kang-oh couldn't help but lean more toward Jin-rang than Woo.
His desire to take Woo with him stemmed from a sense of guilt and responsibility.
"I refuse."
At Jin-rang's rejection, Kang-oh raised his head. His master wore a fierce expression he had never seen before.
"You don't understand. That bastard's mother stole from me. His blood is that of a thief. Kang-oh... don't be deceived. I fear that you will be taken away by someone who pretends to be weak and submissive." His voice trembled with genuine anxiety. Jin-rang grasped Kang-oh's hand and rested his forehead against it.
"If I were to lose you too... I wouldn't be able to endure it."
"Master...!"
Kang-oh's eyes widened at the fragile appearance Jin-rang displayed. Slowly regaining his composure in response to his disciple's call, Jin-rang lifted his head. His eyes looked unusually bloodshot, possibly a result of the martial arts he had practiced.
"I will concede this time. But remember this."
Jin-rang tightened his grip on Kang-oh's hand.
"Do not let your guard down. You must not give him even a sliver of your heart. He is a monster. That is how he was born."
"..."
"There is a debt I owe in my lifetime that prevents me from killing him... He is the worst of the worst."
The patience Jin-rang had shown by tolerating Woo's presence was his absolute limit. He had watched the Third Internal Officer treat Woo cruelly, but Jin-rang feared that if he intervened, he would only end up encouraging the officer further, unable to stop himself from doing so.
Woo, or rather the existence of the now-missing grand master of the White Virtue Clan, Dan Woo-hyo, had taken away the most precious thing Jin-rang possessed. His world had been plunged into darkness because of Dan Woo-hyo and his mother, Seol Bu-yong.
Ye Jin-rang had so little left. His life had been a continuous struggle, and the one moment of joy he had ever experienced was shattered before he could even fully enjoy it. If it hadn't been for Dan Woo-hyo, if only he weren't the son of that cruel woman... Jin-rang's beloved would still be alive and by his side.
Thus, this hatred was entirely justified.
"...I will remember." Kang-oh replied slowly.
Jin-rang tightly embraced him, holding onto the only family he had left in this world.
***
After leaving Jin-rang, Kang-oh immediately made his way toward the mountain. He had stationed a member of the Honamdan in case anything happened while he was away, and when he called them to ask about Woo, he was relieved to hear that Woo was doing fine. The servant had been diligently applying medicine every morning and evening, eating well, and, most importantly, had been using the axe to chop wood as instructed. Despite his mixed emotions, Kang-oh felt a little lighter upon hearing the news.
Although it bothered him that everything Woo had urgently used came through the Third Internal Officer, the outcome was what mattered.
After receiving the report, Kang-oh was climbing the mountain when he suddenly stopped at the smell of blood in the air. His keen sense of smell indicated that a battle had taken place somewhere nearby. Normally, he might have thought it was just a fight among beasts over food, but right now, Kang-oh's nerves were focused on just one situation. How many people could be shedding blood in this remote hillside? He had briefly thought that nothing unusual would happen and had called the members to casually listen to the report…!
His fists clenched involuntarily in tension.
Would they be alive? Or...?
Kang-oh hurriedly used his martial arts skill. With a restless heart, he maneuvered through the dense trees, suppressing all sorts of ominous thoughts as he made his way to Woo's dwelling. When he finally arrived at the scene, he saw Woo, gripping firewood with both hands, gritting his teeth as he faced off against a wolf. It felt as if his heart, which had sunk to the ground, was returning to its original place.
Immediately drawing his sword, Kang-oh charged at the wolf that was lunging at Woo.
"Are you hurt?"
Woo felt as if a line was drawn in the air. In that moment, the wolf that had been lunging at him had its snout torn open horizontally. It was a remarkable display of martial skill. At the same time, another wolf that had lunged from the opposite side was kicked away by Kang-oh.
The wolf, which had only been pushed back when Woo had kicked it earlier, was sent flying by Kang-oh's strike, crashing into a tree far in the distance. The wolf's body twitched a few times on the ground before it finally lay still. Kang-oh's energy hadn't been strong enough to break the tree that the wolf had collided with, though.
A menacing aura emanated from Kang-oh's body. The wolves, having witnessed their companion fall in an instant and feeling the sudden pressure from the human, became greatly intimidated. Kang-oh stomped down, shaking the ground beneath him. As a result, a couple of wolves lost their balance and fell, while one wolf sprang up from the ground and lunged at Kang-oh. Without hesitation, Kang-oh drove his sword straight into the wolf's throat and pulled it out in one swift motion. It was clear that he had pierced through bone and flesh, yet his hand moved as if he were simply cutting through a piece of paper.
It was an impressive achievement for someone of his age.
Woo regretted that he couldn't fully keep up with Kang-oh's movements due to his current level of strength. Instead, he decided to focus on the remaining wolf that was targeting him. Swinging the blazing firewood, the flames scorched the wolf's fur and burned its flesh. Woo struggled to maintain his balance since one of his legs was shorter than the other, but he used this to his advantage, pretending to stumble to catch the wolf off guard. He then quickly struck the wolf with the log, aiming for its belly.
Thud!
Although Woo was somewhat frail, he still had the strength of a full-grown man. The wolf that had taken a solid hit to its vital spot lay on the ground, unable to get back up and only letting out low growls. Woo tightened his grip on the firewood and approached the wolf to deliver the final blow. Since it had attacked him, he felt no hesitation.
In no time, the six wolves were subdued. Since Kang-oh had dealt with the other five, Woo was able to take down one by himself.
"You're safe."
Kang-oh, surprised by Woo's unexpected struggle, finally spoke up. Woo felt flustered by the concern in Kang-oh's voice and didn't know how to respond.
"Th-thank you. I-I owe you my life."
"You fought well."
Indeed, if Woo hadn't been swinging the firewood to hold off the wolves, he would have become their prey before Kang-oh even arrived. Woo lowered his head in humility.
"If you hadn't come, I would have... died."
"It's my fault for coming into this mountain to catch man-eating wolves and then neglecting my duty. So, there's no need to be so grateful."
Kang-oh muttered. Since he had already made that excuse, he might as well stick to it. He thought it was enough that he had driven the wolves away from Woo's shelter without killing them. But somehow, things had turned out this way. He absentmindedly fiddled with the hilt of his dagger.
"N-no, I truly thank you."
Woo bowed his head repeatedly. This time, it wasn't out of his usual timid nature; it genuinely seemed like he was expressing his heartfelt gratitude.
Having heard about Woo from his master, Kang-oh looked down at the bowing servant with a complicated expression.
"Pack your things."
"W-what do you mean by 'things'?"
Woo's eyes widened in surprise at Kang-oh's unexpected words.
"I-I need to stay here, or else I will be punished." Using the Third Internal Officer as an excuse, Woo tried to back away.
Kang-oh responded calmly, as if he had anticipated this.
"From today, your master is no longer my Master, but me."
"Excuse me?"
Woo shot his head up in shock, looking so bewildered that a fly could have flown into his open mouth. However, Kang-oh paid him no mind.
"I told you to pack your things... It seems you have no intention of doing so. If you don't want to do it yourself, I'll take care of it."
Kang-oh took long strides and brushed past Woo, then began to gather Woo's belongings neatly around the hut. Woo, limping as he chased after Kang-oh, tried desperately to stop him, but he was no match for Kang-oh in strength or speed.
"Let me do it instead."
"It's too late."
Kang-oh's voice was blunt. He wasn't naturally a warm person, and he knew that if he gave Woo any chance, he would keep insisting on refusing help.
Kang-oh, seeing Woo's persistence, purposely slowed his pace. He knew that if he kept walking at his usual speed, it would put a strain on Woo's legs, who was trying to keep up.
"Please, this is something I have to do..."
Woo stomped his feet in frustration. Kang-oh listened to his words but let them go in one ear and out the other.
Having packed up the few belongings, Kang-oh rolled them in a blanket and tucked it under his arm. He then gestured for Woo to come closer.
"We're going down the mountain now, so come here."
"Aren't we walking?"
Woo's gaze anxiously followed Kang-oh. He had a bad feeling about this.
"I'll use Quinggong (Art of moving). Hold on tight."
Biting his lip, Woo realized that no matter how much he tried to endure, if Kang-oh decided to move, he would be swept away. In front of a martial artist, an ordinary person trying to escape was no different from a rabbit in front of a mountain lion. Woo struggled to hide his uneasy expression as he tightly gripped Kang-oh's clothes.
"Um, please take care of me..."
Without responding, Kang-oh stomped the ground. Woo squeezed his eyes shut. It felt similar to the fall he had experienced ten years ago, yet it was a completely different sensation.
Woo understood that everything would change because of this.