“Why is the Evil Sect suddenly becoming so proactive? Not to mention spreading this strange Mihonsan...”

“I'm not sure either. The thoughts of those above are unfathomable.”

“Is that so. Being in the Evil Sect, have you noticed any preparations for war or anything of the sort?”

“Well, everyone suddenly became busy. I found myself running around a lot too.”

“It's curious that the Martial Alliance hasn't made a move despite the clear signs of an impending war. Could the Evil Sect be involved in this as well?”

“Could it be? I doubt it. Even I, a member of the Evil Sect, am unaware of such events.”

As Mukhyang's questions dwindled into mutterings to herself, Gaesin responded.

'Who knows. Maybe that level of information isn't given to you. But for now, I have no choice but to believe.'

Discomfort lingered, but there was no alternative.

"Miss, don't worry too much. I assure you!"

"You know more than I do, so I'm trusting you."

After a moment of silence, Mukhyang spoke up again.

"By the way, when did Mihonsan start spreading in the Martial Alliance?"

"I guess it must have been recently? The young master started sending me on errands only recently. I don't know the reason, though. Maybe because of the drug, he let me escape. Now, he's completely lost it."

'So Jachim hasn't been active for long. But how far Mihonsan has spread, that remains unknown... Wait a minute.'

"Jachim is in his right mind! He can't be otherwise."

The lack of conviction in her voice betrayed her uncertainty. The notion that a Mihonsan addict could be sane was preposterous.

"Don't ever speak such nonsense again."

However, Mukhyang had no choice but to assert so. Who would willingly accept that their loved one had gone mad?

"I, I'll be careful."

Gaesin, intimidated by Mukhyang's fierce aura, hastily nodded.

Silence ensued between them. As they walked absentmindedly, nightfall came quickly since they were in the mountains. Deciding to camp for the night, they lit a fire and finished a simple dinner.

Gaesin was the first to fall asleep. He had dozed off even before they could decide on a watch schedule. Mukhyang warmed herself by the fire, warding off the chilly night air of the mountain.

'I'll have to wake him up in a few hours to switch.'

How much time had passed when she heard rustling behind her? Mukhyang felt her hair stand on end from tension.

'What if it's those archers from yesterday?'

As Mukhyang reached into her sleeve for a hidden weapon, she heard a small noise.

"Peep?"

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What popped out was a small bird, one of its legs visibly broken even in the dark night.

"Oh, it was just a bird."

Relieved, Mukhyang took out not a hidden weapon but some medicine and a piece of cloth from her sleeve. She caught the bird, unable to flee, applied some medicine to its leg, and securely bandaged it with the cloth, which seemed to help.

'The medicine is for humans, but it should work to some extent on animals, right?'

"Make sure not to get hurt and take care next time, okay?"

After stroking the bird's head a few times, Mukhyang thought it was about time for her to sleep as well.

"Wake up. Isn't it your turn to keep watch?"

Unlike when she was tending to the bird, her touch was quite rough as she shook Gaesin awake.

"Hmm... Is it morning?"

"No, it's your turn for the night watch. You don't expect me to stay up all night, do you?"

"Right, the night watch. I can't be the only one sleeping."

Rubbing his eyes, Gaesin got up, his voice heavy with sleep. Then, noticing the bird fluttering around him, he expressed his curiosity.

"What's with this bird?"

"It seemed hurt, so I treated it a bit. It'll leave when it's time."

"Ah."

The next morning, however, the bird hadn't left and instead nestled between Mukhyang's neck and shoulder, sleeping soundly. Did it recognize its savior? It was a commendable little bird.

"You should head back to your nest. What will you do staying here?"

With a voice filled with laughter, Mukhyang whispered to the bird, getting up with a refreshed mood.

"This bird keeps following us."

Did it recognize its benefactor? The bird continued to stick around Mukhyang and Gaesin, always staying within sight.

"Think of it as a companion for our journey."

Mukhyang carefully extended her hand towards the bird, which flitted onto her finger. Placing the

bird on her shoulder, Mukhyang stepped forward cheerfully.

"Here is where I know the trade takes place."

After days of travel, they arrived at a desolate plain.

"It certainly seems like a good place for a secret meeting. Somewhere to hide and wait would be ideal."

Mukhyang then noticed a cluster of rocks that could provide cover if they squeezed in just right.

"Let's hide behind those rocks."

"Are you sure no one has changed the location? It's empty here."

"We'll have to wait and see."

Pulling a reluctant Gaesin, Mukhyang hid behind the rocks. Soon enough, they sensed someone's approach.

"Hey, you didn't bring anyone tailing you, did you?"

"Of course not. What do you take me for?"

A seemingly ordinary civilian was conversing with a man dressed in the Hwasan faction's attire.

"Enough with the chatter, medicine man, just hand over the goods."

"Alright, alright. Just give me a moment."

The man referred to as the medicine man reached into his robe and pulled out a pouch.

"I trust you've prepared the money properly."

An undeniable drug deal was unfolding before their eyes.

Mukhyang quickly thought about how to capture both men. The medicine man might be manageable, but the Hwasan man appeared to be a formidable opponent.

'I might have to use a lethal poison to take them both down. But killing them isn't an option.'

Mukhyang then looked at Gaesin.

'Right. I can use him.'

"You take care of the Hwasan man!"

With that, Mukhyang burst out, launching her hidden weapons. Two needles coated with paralyzing poison flew towards the two men.

The sudden ambush caught even the skilled Hwasan man off guard.

"Me? I only have one arm!"

Shouting, Gaesin, following orders, charged at the Hwasan man and managed to grapple him with his one good arm. Luckily, the man was distracted enough by the needles that Gaesin could effectively subdue him, albeit in a rather comical fashion.

Dragging the paralyzed medicine man back, Mukhyang had to suppress her laughter at the sight of Gaesin.