Instead, each spoonful brought a bitter taste that lingered on his tongue. It seemed they didn't even bother to hide it, knowing full well he wouldn't be able to refuse.
"It's time for a palate cleanser," Yeon-jin said, sliding a teacup toward him after he finished his meal. Ever since Woo had shielded her, Yeon-jin had taken on a gentler demeanor toward him. While she was just a servant of Hee-do Won, her acts of consideration, though small, were meaningful—bringing him tea, secretly washing his bedding when he had nightmares, and other such gestures.
These small acts touched Woo deeply.
"You don't have to do things like this," he stammered.
"A servant who fails to properly care for a guest is punished," she replied, as if these acts were entirely for her own sake.
Woo smiled bitterly at that. Both Kang-oh and Yeon-jin seemed to have found their own ways to respond to his refusals.
His mere verbal rejections were losing their power. The reason he wasn't actively trying to leave was that he no longer had the strength to do so. He could only hope Kang-oh would grow tired of him and leave Black Sky once more to engage in duels elsewhere.
He spent his weary days recalling Kang-oh's promise to find a suitable place for him and provide a home when the time was right.
"Is there anything I can do?" Woo asked with a desperate expression as Yeon-jin cleared the dishes. He had been pressing her for ten days already. Yeon-jin shook her head, looking troubled.
"There's no shortage of help in Hee-do Won, and if the Third Disciple finds out, it'll cause a huge commotion."
"But I'm just a servant..." Woo replied, feeling increasingly anxious. Spending time idly was unsettling. Perhaps it was because Kang-oh was nearby, but old memories kept surfacing. The memories he wanted to shake off returned relentlessly, leading to self-reproach during the day and nightmares at night.
He needed something to occupy himself with.
The aftermath of falling from the cliff at Qilian and the two years spent bedridden still lingered. He couldn't even lift a finger on his own, and he feared he would never walk again. It wasn't just the loss of martial arts; The days stretched unbearably long, filled with nothing but endless sleep. His weakened body allowed his mind to be consumed by despair.
During those times, the only visitor to his sickbed had been Ye Jin-rang, who despised him. As the days passed, Woo quietly began to descend into madness.
He could no longer distinguish between reality and the past. His mind conjured images of Pang Dan-joo coming back to life to hurl accusations at him. He saw his mother killing his father, Dan Baek-hoon. At first, he recognized it as a hallucination, but the more he experienced it, the more vivid the dreams became, they felt like actual memories.
His father would appear as a vengeful ghost, strangling him. Woo, gasping for breath, fell to the ground and begged for mercy.
"Get a hold of yourself!"
It was only after Jin-rang came to check on him and slapped him that Woo finally awoke, realizing that the hand choking his neck was his own. He laughed, drenched in cold sweat, for a long time.
How weak-minded he was, unable to overcome his guilt to the point of dishonoring the dead...
How had he ever dared to call himself the grand master of the White Path?
He felt utterly pathetic and ridiculous. Determined, Woo made every effort to rise from his bed. Unlike when he had first awakened and let everything go, he now tried to drink water on his own, even if it meant crawling. He struggled to eat, trembling hands dropping the spoon countless times, but he persisted in feeding himself. His attempts at rehabilitation, which often left him coughing blood, were so extreme that even Jin-rang could only watch in silent disbelief.
'Indeed, he is the son of Seol bu-yong; he is tenacious.'
When he finally stood on his own two legs, he heard Jin-rang's words telling him to get back to White Virtue Clan. In response, Woo begged Jin-rang to let him stay in Black Sky Clan, promising to do anything. Thus, the lord of White Virtue Clan, Dan Woo-hyo, became the servant "Woo."
When he finally stood on his own two legs, he heard Jin-rang's words telling him to get back to White Virtue Clan. In response, he begged Jin-rang to let him stay in Black Sky Clan, promising to do anything. Thus, the lord of White Virtue Clan, Dan Woo-hyo, became the servant "Woo."
The life of a servant, practically a slave, was unfamiliar but, strangely, a blessing in disguise. The grueling work left him so exhausted that he no longer dreamt at night—a rare and blissful relief. His body, now different from before, protested with pain at the slightest movement, yet Woo pushed through.
He believed that enduring this pain was a way to repay, even a little, the debt he owed to the world for living a life built on lies.
So, the days Woo spent idly at Hee-do Won felt more like torture than rest. It was as if stopping his efforts to atone left his heart writhing with guilt. Being so close to Kang-oh felt like a sin in itself. Accepting his kindness, which came without any understanding, was as burdensome as trying to breathe underwater.
"Here, your status as Third Disciple's guest takes priority over everything else,"
"Sh-should I go directly to the Third Disciple and ask for his permission?"
Yeon-jin's face paled at his words.
"You're not even using the bed yet, and you want to work? What on earth are you saying?"
"…"
As Woo hung his head gloomily, Yeon-jin bit her lip in frustration.
"If you don't want to stay in your room, perhaps you could take a walk...?"
"I... I don't want to go out."
Woo didn't want to draw anyone's attention. Someone like him being anywhere near Kang-oh would surely tarnish Kang-oh's reputation. It would be more reassuring if Kang-oh used him as a scapegoat for his misfortunes rather than keeping him close.
"What about cleaning?" Yeon-jin suggested tasks that Woo could do without being noticed by Kang-oh. Cleaning the corridor was out of the question, but simply tidying up the room might go unnoticed.
"…I've already done it, so there's no more dust to clean," Woo replied.
At his words, Yeon-jin looked around in disbelief. Indeed, the corners of the windows and furniture, where dust would typically accumulate, sparkled. It looked like Woo had cut a piece of cloth from his blanket and scrubbed every inch of the room.
No wonder the place always felt unusually clean whenever she visited.
"Should I sneak in a basket of beans later? If I tell the kitchen staff I'll help shell them, they might let me take some."
"Then, p-please do," Woo replied, his face lighting up with relief.
Seeing his reaction, Yeon-jin quietly resolved to smuggle some beans later. She collected the empty dishes and stepped out.
As always, Woo left no food behind, and the dishes were spotless. He ate so neatly that not a drop of broth spilled over. One would expect Yeon-jin to feel proud when the food she brought was enjoyed so thoroughly, but instead, her heart felt heavy.
The porridge Woo had eaten today was also something she had received from Seo-mun geumryeong.
Having taken on the task of monitoring Woo and preparing his meals, Yeon-jin was receiving small rewards for her efforts. Additional maids were assigned to cover her other duties at Hee-do Won, giving her plenty of free time outside of attending to Woo. She had even heard from the head servant that it was time for her to be promoted after years of hard work, but due to a lack of available management positions, she would only receive a raise without a change in her role.
It felt as if the First Internal Officer, Seomun Geum-ryeong, was intricately weaving the threads of her future, much like a loom. Without arousing any suspicion, Yeon-jin was naturally being guided toward a life of wealth and privilege.
Yet, the weight of her position felt heavy because of her growing feelings for Woo. The more time they spent together, the more fondness she felt for him.
It wasn't that Woo was particularly handsome; in fact, his face bore the scars of a severe injury, and it was painful to look at for too long. Though only scars remained now, it was easy to imagine the extent of the accident that had left such marks. Some of the maids found Woo, brought in by the Third Disciple, unsettling because of this. Others simply felt pity for him.
Yet, the impulses she occasionally felt could not be explained away by mere sympathy. She couldn't bring herself to tell Woo that the porridge he was eating was given to him by the chief steward, and that whatever was in it was likely harmful to his body.
But pity alone couldn't explain the occasional surge of emotion Yeon-jin felt. She couldn't bring herself to say what she knew—that the porridge Woo ate had been provided by the First Internal Officer, and although she didn't know exactly what was in it, she was certain it wasn't good for him.
Ultimately, Yeon-jin decided to take a little less porridge on her way back. Even though the portions might have been smaller than usual, Woo never once complained about being hungry. Yeon-jin found herself frequently going back and forth to the kitchen to find snacks for him. However, no matter how much effort she put in, Woo, with his small appetite, barely touched anything—whether sweet, spicy, or plain.
It was a bit puzzling that he always finished his meals completely. Was the porridge provided by the chief steward particularly to his liking?
Oddly enough, though, he always finished his meals completely. Was it because the porridge prepared by the First Internal Officer suited his taste?
"You..."
As Yeon-jin rounded a curved hallway, she immediately dropped to her knees. She had come face-to-face with Third Disciple Kang-oh. Normally, he would have ignored other attendants, but recognizing her, Kang-oh stopped and spoke. He remembered how Woo had taken her side before.
"It seems that Woo has finished his meal,"
"Yes, My Lord."
The bowl that had contained the porridge was completely empty. Yeon-jin felt relieved that Woo was at least not skipping meals, but Kang-oh frowned at the surprisingly modest number of dishes.
"Is he still only eating porridge?" he asked.
Recalling how Woo had fallen ill as soon as he arrived at Hee-do Won, Kang-oh asked, and Yeon-jin answered politely.
"Summon the physician again and have him check when he'll be able to eat proper meals."
Though Woo had some muscle from hard labor, Kang-oh saw him as quite thin. The man already appeared fragile, and the strange thought crossed Kang-oh's mind that if he held Woo's hand the wrong way, it might snap like a brittle twig.
"I humbly obey," Yeon-jin said, her head bowed low. Cold sweat trickled down her back as she answered what was, on the surface, a simple question about whether the guest had eaten well. Yet, like a guilty conscience, fear gnawed at her. Fearing that Kang-oh might discover the truth about the porridge and, by extension, her relationship with the First Internal Officer.
To her, the Third Disciple's voice felt like a sharp blade grazing the nape of her neck. She wondered if this was how a condemned prisoner felt, trembling in fear of when their execution would come. Yeon-jin tried her best to hide her anxiety.
Fortunately, Kang-oh did not press further and passed by her indifferently. Still on the floor, Yeon-jin stifled the trembling in her shoulders and slowly lifted her head. She watched as the hem of Kang-oh's robe disappeared down the corridor.
Breathing a sigh of relief, she reached for her neck, as if confirming it was still attached. It felt as though she had just peeked beyond the gates of the afterlife and narrowly pulled herself back.
Yeon-jin had stepped into this role of monitoring Woo out of a mix of desire and curiosity, but now she realized she wasn't as bold or composed as she thought. At least, not enough to play a significant part in this dangerous game.
"I should just grab a basket of beans and head back," she muttered to herself as she hurriedly moved her feet.
***
"Are you inside?"
Woo, hearing the footsteps outside, assumed it was Yeon-jin returning with beans. But the voice that reached his ears was Kang-oh's.
"Y-yes." Surprised by Kang-oh's sudden visit, Woo responded.
The door slid open, revealing the man standing there. He wore black robes with a red silk sash wrapped around him like a belt, an outfit that suited him perfectly. His broad shoulders and well-toned physique made even the simplest attire look exceptionally good on him. Strands of his neatly tied dark hair had fallen loose, brushing against his pale face in a way that was strikingly captivating.
He had ruggedly handsome features, yet there was something about him that inexplicably stirred the onlooker.
Feeling embarrassed by his unnecessary thoughts, Woo averted his gaze. Kang-oh, who had grown accustomed to Woo bowing his head every time they met, spoke without hesitation.
"I'm planning to visit Honamdan. Would you like to join me?"
"The... Honamdan..?" Woo stammered, taken aback.
It was the group of Kang-oh's personal guards. He had heard that it was composed mainly of skilled martial artists, even if they came from humble backgrounds.
"W-why would I go there?"
"I want to introduce you." In response to Woo's question, Kang-oh answered as if it were nothing unusual.
"It wouldn't hurt to introduce yourself to others. Besides, doesn't staying in Hee-do Won all the time feel stifling?"
"I-I'm fine. If you're worried about me feeling suffocated, it might be better to just send me back to the servants' quarters…" Woo stammered, his thoughts spilling out like coarse sand.
Kang-oh clicked his tongue. "It's been less than two weeks since you said you'd think about my proposal, and you're already like this. That's harsh."
"…"
Woo kept his head bowed, staring at the floor.
"Right. It's not easy for someone to change their mind, so I'll just have to try harder." Kang-oh swung the door open wide and extended his hand toward Woo. "Let's go. I'll guide you myself."
Woo took a step forward but did not take Kang-oh's hand. Despite feeling awkward, Kang-oh withdrew his hand without showing any sign of hurt pride. After all, he hadn't expected Woo to take it so willingly.
Satisfied with having coaxed Woo out of the room, Kang-oh strode forward confidently.
Honamdan's location was on the outskirts of Black Sky Clan's central area. Although it was relatively close to Hee-do Won, being a military group meant it had to maintain a certain distance from the Black Sky Lord's residence. Kang-oh walked slowly, ensuring that Woo, who had trouble with his legs, wouldn't tire easily.
"Have you ever been anywhere other than the servants' quarters in the Black Sky Clan?" Kang-oh asked.
Woo thought about the Black Sky Lord's residence and shook his head. "No."
"Honamgak, where Honamdan resides, is actually a pretty quiet place." Kang-oh continued.
"Is that so?"
""The members all come from fairly modest families, so not many outsiders try to visit. Plus, since I often leave Black Sky Clan, even those who have business with me don't usually bother going to Honamgak."
"Oh, I see."
Woo felt a twinge of worry. When the leader is absent, the subordinates are often left neglected, which can breed resentment. While this would depend on how well Kang-oh managed his people, dissatisfied subordinates could become dangerous threats in the future.
"Now that I think about it, considering how you dislike attention and prefer quiet, I'd say you might actually like it there."
"..."
Woo, who had been lost in thought due to Kang-oh's concern, didn't respond immediately, unaware that the comment was directed at him.
Kang-oh observed Woo's silence and fiddled with his lips. Although he was half-forcing Woo to accompany him, it was disheartening to see him remain unresponsive even when he spoke kindly.
But nothing happens overnight, he knew he had to keep trying, as he had promised Woo.
"Ah, were you talking to me?" Woo finally asked, snapping out of his reverie a moment too late.
"Yes," Kang-oh replied calmly.
"I-I'm sorry..." Woo mumbled, feeling embarrassed.
But instead of showing any displeasure, Kang-oh's expression turned serious as he asked, "Is it difficult for you to walk because your body hasn't fully recovered?"
"What?" Woo replied, taken aback.
"I mean, if you're still unwell, your reactions might be slower. If I dragged you out here without considering your condition, we can go back now."
Kang-oh stepped closer, as though he was ready to scoop Woo up on the spot. Startled, Woo jumped back in alarm.
"Th-that's not it! I was just curious about Honamdan, that's all!" Woo exclaimed, waving his hands in a desperate attempt to clarify.
Seeing Woo's frantic gestures, Kang-oh finally stepped back, reassured that Woo was in good enough condition.
"You really don't have to take care of me this much,"
"I can't help it. Most people would have lost their patience and screamed by now, but you still keep your mouth shut," Kang-oh replied.
"…"
Though it had only been a short time since their reunion, Woo felt as if Kang-oh had seen right through him, leaving him fidgeting with his fingers.
"We're here. This is Honamdan."
In front of them was a building with a plaque that read "Honamdan," written in bold strokes. The brushwork exuded a refreshing vigor that Woo found appealing.
"Can you read?" Kang-oh asked.
"N-no. I just thought the calligraphy looked nice, even to someone who can't read,"
"That's good to hear," Kang-oh said, and Woo blinked in surprise.
"I wrote that sign myself," Kang-oh added.
"O-oh, I see. That's… amazing."
"You seem to have a good eye. Have you thought about learning to read?" Kang-oh asked, his tone a mix of boldness and confidence rather than arrogance.
"N-no, I haven't," Woo replied, shaking his head. What was the point of learning something he already knew? For him, it was enough to hide the fact that he could already read from Kang-oh.
"If you're going to stay in your room, at least pass the time by reading books or something. It would make things less boring… What a shame."
"I-I'd rather work in Hee-do Won instead," Woo insisted.
Kang-oh frowned at that response. "Work?"
"Cleaning or whatever... I can do it well,"
"I'll consider it," Kang-oh replied, nodding reluctantly at Woo's enthusiastic attitude. This was the first time Woo had strongly requested something other than wanting to be let go; he was asking to be given work.
"In exchange, make sure to sleep on a proper bed from now on."
"..."
Woo fell silent at Kang-oh's relentless words. He had thought that the rumors about the Third Disciple being extremely combative, to the point of challenging every strong martial artists into duels, were likely exaggerated. But seeing Kang-oh's tenacity, once he latched onto something, it made him think those rumors might have been an understatement.
"If I must bear the reputation of exploiting my guests, then there must be a price to pay, don't you think?"
"Ah, I understand," Woo mumbled. He had known that he would eventually have to use the bed, but he hadn't expected it to come about in this manner. Still, he was somewhat relieved that Kang-oh didn't nag him about wanting to work.
If Kang-oh told him to do nothing, Woo would have no choice but to spend his time idly in that room, lost in thought. He couldn't practice martial arts, nor could he read books.
Though his hands and feet were free, his will was still shackled, and he would have been helpless, crushed by his past.
Compared to Hee-do Won, the place's decor was much simpler. There were no elaborate paintings or vibrant tiles on the roof. However, overall, it was designed well for a warrior's use. The training grounds were spacious, and there were plenty of wooden swords for practice. At a glance, it was clear that no wood or materials were wasted, and the overall layout was efficient.
It was, quite literally, a space designed solely for training.
Not only that, the atmosphere of the place was charged with intensity, making the skin tingle. After the fall from the cliffs of Qilian Mountain, Woo's life as a warrior was practically over, but he could still sense just how strong these people were.
Seeing Woo's interest in his surroundings, Kang-oh felt a sense of satisfaction.
"You look more lively here than you did in Hee-do Won,"
"Ah..." Woo flinched at the comment, and Kang-oh immediately regretted it, scrambling for an explanation.
"I just meant that usually, when an ordinary person is surrounded by martial artists, they tend to be on edge, but you seem rather unfazed," he explained.
At those words, Woo felt a wave of anxiety wash over him. Having been born and raised in White Virtue Clan, he was more accustomed to martial artists than ordinary people. He had overlooked the fact that those with no connection to the martial world would naturally be afraid of martial artists.
"Well, I'm a servant of Black Sky Clan after all," After some thought, Woo gave a response that sounded convincing. Kang-oh didn't doubt it and didn't press the matter further.
Just then, as he was trying to calm his racing heart, a warrior with a notable presence approached, having noticed the arrival of the Third Disciple.
""Master, you have arrived,"
The person who politely lowered his head was Il-woon, the leader of Honamdan, who was a close associate of Kang-oh.
"I've come to guide the guest to Honamgak, so don't worry about me and take care of your business." Kang-oh said.
"Yes. So, should I assume there will be no sparring today?" Il-wun asked.
"Hmm, sparring..." Kang-oh hesitated for a moment.
Woo, who had been observing quietly, spoke up.
"If it's because of me, it's fine. You can proceed as scheduled..."
"Would it be boring for you?"
"I-I can just watch you spar," Woo suggested, his curiosity piqued. He was genuinely interested in seeing Kang-oh's progress. Although he couldn't observe him before because he was avoiding him, he wanted to know how Kang-oh had grown during the time they had been apart.
"Then we'll proceed with the sparring as planned. How many opponents will I face today?" Kang-oh asked, nodding at Woo's words.
Il-woon, who had been tilting his head in surprise at the sight of the guest being treated with such attention by his lord, quickly replied. "Today, Jin-seo, Do-gyeong, and Ban-wi are waiting."
"So, just three of them." Kang-oh's voice carried a hint of disappointment as he spoke.
Il-woon, without realizing it, mumbled in response. "Master knocks out the members of Honamdan every day, so there's nothing we can do about it. We have no choice but to limit the number of people. If you were to leave Black Sky Clan as you used to, you could spar with as many as you wanted... but for some reason, lately, you've been staying at Black Sky Clan."
Woo felt a pang of guilt at being the cause of Il-woon's added remarks.
"To add to that, half of the Honamdan members are bedridden." Il-wun continued.
"Sometimes, it's not a bad idea to experience sparring with stronger opponents,"
"You think that just because you're powerful. Not everyone is the same as you."
Kang-oh fixed a steady gaze on Il-wun, who flinched under the weight of his stare. Realizing he had crossed a line, Il-wun quickly returned to his respectful demeanor and asked, "Shall we head straight to the training ground?"
Kang-oh glanced at Woo, who nodded in agreement, and without hesitation, he replied, "Let's go."