The Recluse's Invitation

"I don't have much to offer you myself... Tell me, have you exchanged your Dragon Tiger Plaque yet?" asked the Mugeuk Hall Master.

"Not yet," Dokgo Jin replied.

A faint smile touched Jin Cheonseong's lips. "That is fortunate. In that case, there is something I can actually help you with. Do you know what manner of treasures are housed within the Zimi Vault?"

"I know very little," Dokgo Jin answered candidly.

Though wild rumors concerning the Zimi Vault ran rampant across the alliance, virtually nothing concrete was known about the actual treasures sealed inside its walls.

"I thought as much. There is a strict time limit inside the Zimi Vault. If you spend your time inspecting items one by one, your time will expire before you can even make a choice."

This was news to Dokgo Jin.

"Very well, allow me to recommend a few. They were the very artifacts I deliberated over until the bitter end." Jin Cheonseong's eyes gleamed as he continued. "The first you should consider is the Evil-Warding Precious Mirror. To the naked eye, it appears to be nothing more than an aged bronze mirror the size of a palm, yet it harbors an exceptionally potent aura of evil-vanquishing power."

A sharp glint appeared in Dokgo Jin's eyes.

The Evil-Warding Precious Mirror?

It was a treasure he had heard of before.

"As you walk the world under heaven, the day will inevitably come when you encounter sinister illusions that deceive sight and sound, or unorthodox formations designed to distort the senses. In such moments, that mirror will prove invaluable."

Pausing to catch his breath, Jin Cheonseong moved on to the second item.

"The second is a bracelet known as the Pulse-Locking Gold Ring. The instant you fasten it to your wrist, it suppresses your meridians and forcefully constricts the flow of internal qi."

Dokgo Jin immediately understood its deeper utility. In actual combat, such an item would be nothing short of a shackle. In cultivation and training, however, restricting internal energy forced the practitioner to focus entirely on the pure form and execution of their martial arts.

"If you restrain your internal qi with the Pulse-Locking Gold Ring for a prolonged period, the sudden rebound upon removing it can trigger a tremendous breakthrough."

Dokgo Jin nodded in quiet comprehension. An artifact capable of imposing deliberate limits to foster explosive growth was precisely the kind of treasure that would entice a training fanatic like the Mugeuk Hall Master.

"The last is a pair of gloves named the Ash-Net Hidden Glove. Even I do not know what material was used to weave them. Yet despite being extraordinarily thin, they are wondrous artifacts capable of warding off naked sword qi. Any martial artist who specializes in hand-to-hand arts would covet them endlessly."

Not a single one was ordinary.

Indeed, they were well worth agonizing over. Yet another question rose in Dokgo Jin's mind.

If he deliberated over those three until the very end... what did the Mugeuk Hall Master actually bring out instead?

Whether unaware of Dokgo Jin's curiosity or simply unconcerned, Jin Cheonseong continued. "I believe all three are vastly more valuable than common renowned blades or spirit pills. Consider carefully what you need most at this moment before making your selection."

Without his advice, Dokgo Jin would likely have overlooked them entirely amidst the vault's vast collection.

"Thank you for your guidance. I shall weigh it deeply."

Dokgo Jin clasped his hands in a formal bow and took his leave.

Once Dokgo Jin departed, a middle-aged martial artist stepped out from the shadows of Mugeuk Hall. It was Yang Ho-won, the White Silk Sword, a trusted confidant and expert swordsman directly serving Jin Cheonseong.

He turned toward the Hall Master and asked respectfully, "How did you find him?"

A subtle smile played upon Jin Cheonseong's lips. "A talent rarely encountered in these times. He possesses the mettle to become a core pillar of this alliance's future."

"Word has it that both Grand Elder Yong and the Cloud Sea Hall Master have taken a keen interest in him."

"Anyone with eyes to see would recognize his worth."

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"Is it wise to simply leave him be?"

Jin Cheonseong's brow furrowed. "I have no idea what you are getting at. What would you have me do?"

"..."

"We martial brothers do not squabble over petty power. The alliance must advance as one. If even we divide into factions and feud among ourselves, how could we ever hope to unite the Four Hegemons of the Central Plains?"

Yang Ho-won bowed his head low. "Forgive me, Hall Master. My perspective was short-sighted."

"Besides, the Dragon Tiger Plaque Master belongs to the White Tiger Flag. The White Tiger Flag Master will see to him properly."

Though Jin Cheonseong spoke with absolute conviction, Yang Ho-won could not help harboring a different thought.

Whether the other Hall Masters share your noble convictions, Master... I cannot be certain.

Stepping out of Mugeuk Hall, Dokgo Jin gave his swollen hand a light shake. To any onlooker's astonishment, the purplish swelling receded rapidly, returning the hand to its pristine state within breaths. The Ink Flame Qi had coursed through his flesh, dramatically accelerating his physical recovery.

"..."

He lowered his hand casually, as though nothing out of the ordinary had occurred.

It isn't the Mugeuk Hall Master either.

He had undergone the grueling ordeal of Mugeuk Gate only to find a dead end, leaving a faint sense of emptiness in his chest. Yet on the whole, Dokgo Jin felt thoroughly satisfied.

I gained an exceptional martial art.

Though the Stone Monkey Palm lacked raw destructive power on its own, Dokgo Jin already had plans to remedy that flaw. On top of that, he had obtained vital intelligence regarding the treasures within the Zimi Vault. For Dokgo Jin, this visit had yielded substantial returns.

With Jin Cheonseong cleared, suspicion naturally shifted to the remaining disciple: the Taehwa Hall Master. The probability of him being the collaborator had skyrocketed.

Still, I must confirm it with my own eyes.

There was a glaring obstacle, however.

He had no straightforward means of meeting the Taehwa Hall Master.

Among the three personal disciples, Do Euncheon was infamous for his total seclusion, rarely taking a single step outside his domain. Even Sagong Wun had admitted that securing an audience with him was nearly impossible.

It was a vexing dilemma, but Dokgo Jin had already devised a plan.

The only issue is how to persuade her...

He decided to forge ahead and face her directly.

In the most secluded corner of Iron Heart Hall lay an open training ground.

As Shin Pyeong of the Iron Soul Unit's First Squad finished delivering his report, Yoo Seol-ah's eyes rounded in disbelief.

"...Is that the truth?"

"Yes, Vice-Commander! I saw it with my own two eyes."

Yoo Seol-ah swallowed dryly, her throat tight with anticipation.

"And? Did he pass?"

Faced with her tense interrogation, Shin Pyeong scratched the back of his head, his voice trailing off. "Well, about that... I'm not entirely sure..."

"What?! You were supposed to find that out to the very end!"

"Look, I clearly saw him enter Mugeuk Gate, spend a considerable amount of time inside, and then come walking back out. It's not like I could just stroll up and ask him how it went, could I?"

"Tsk. Completely useless."

As Yoo Seol-ah pouted in irritation, Shin Pyeong cautiously offered a theory.

"Still, we can make an educated guess."

"Oh? What is it?"

"Normally, when a challenger fails, they slink back with their spirits crushed, don't they? But the Dragon Tiger Plaque Master immediately marched off somewhere else. I figured he might have passed and gone straight to see the Mugeuk Hall Master."

"You mean he ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠went inside Mugeuk Hall?"

Yoo Seol-ah's eyes sparkled, but Shin Pyeong's next words instantly crushed her expectations.

"Uh... no, not quite."

"Hey! Then he could have just had business somewhere else entirely!"

"Uh...? Oh, that's true. I hadn't thought of that."

"Good grief, you hopeless blockhead! I was a fool to entrust you with anything."

Shin Pyeong grinned foolishly. "Heheh, I suppose you were."

"What? Are you calling me a fool to my face?!"

Yoo Seol-ah glared fiercely, practically bristling as if ready to pounce. Shin Pyeong flinched and hurriedly took a step back.

"Th-That's not... I didn't say it, Vice-Commander, you said it yourself—"

"You little brat, you really want a beating, don't you?!"

Yoo Seol-ah raised a fist to smack the back of his head, but stopped herself and let out a heavy sigh instead. She had dispatched him because of his quick feet and sharp instincts, yet he had fumbled the single most crucial piece of the puzzle.

"Haaah, it's my own fault for expecting anything."

"Ah! Come to think of it, I ran into a warrior from Cloud Sea Hall loitering around the area as well."

"Cloud Sea Hall?"

"Yes. It seems the Cloud Sea Hall Master is taking a massive interest in the Dragon Tiger Plaque Master too."

Yoo Seol-ah was already well aware that Sagong Wun had his sights on Dokgo Jin.

"I see. Get out of here."

The moment the words left her mouth, Shin Pyeong vanished from sight like a wisp of smoke.

Watching his retreating back—which moved with lightning speed only when fleeing trouble—Yoo Seol-ah let out a faint chuckle.

"He's only sharp when it comes to saving his own skin."

Shrugging her shoulders, she readjusted her grip on the twin swords she had set down earlier. Preparing to resume the martial exercises interrupted by Shin Pyeong's report, her blades cut through the empty air with a sharp hiss.

Swish, swish, swish!

The twin swords traced fluid, dazzling arcs through the courtyard, yet her mind remained completely preoccupied with other matters.

Did Dokgo Jin truly clear Mugeuk Gate?

The possibility certainly existed. After all, he was the first martial artist to claim the Dragon Tiger Plaque in decades.

Even so, Mugeuk Gate was an impassable wall that not even Yeom Baek, the leader of the Iron Soul Unit, had managed to overcome.

Standard logic dictates that it should be impossible, but...

Everything Dokgo Jin had demonstrated so far had violently shattered common sense.

He always pulled off what no one ever dared to expect.

Even as she swung her swords, curiosity gnawed at her insides until she felt she might burst.

How much time had passed?

Unable to endure the suspense any longer, Yoo Seol-ah finally halted her movements.

"This is ridiculous. Even if he laughs in my face, I have to go ask him directly..."

She sheathed her twin swords and spun around on her heel—only to freeze in utter shock.

"Gah!"

"...?"

Dokgo Jin was standing right before her eyes.

"Aigoo, you scared the life out of me! Make some noise when you walk around, will you?!"

"...I believe I made plenty of sound ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠as I approached."

"I-Is that so? Ahem! I must have been entirely immersed in my sword forms." Yoo Seol-ah cleared her throat awkwardly, trying to recover her composure. "What brings you here? Aren't you supposed to be swamped with the Flag Master's assignment?"

Though this secluded corner of the grounds was not officially reserved, it was practically Yoo Seol-ah's private training space. Unless someone specifically had business with her, other squad members rarely ventured into this area.

"Well, the truth is..."

"Did something happen? Did you need help with your Mug—I mean, your martial cultivation?"

Dokgo Jin barely suppressed the urge to laugh.

I knew it. She already knows.

He had noticed Shin Pyeong tailing him from the start.

I assumed it was mere personal curiosity, but it turns out it was on Vice-Commander Yoo's orders. This will be far simpler than I anticipated.

Maintaining a carefully measured, somber expression, Dokgo Jin spoke. "Something has been weighing heavily on my mind. I heard through the grapevine that the Vice-Commander often provides personal counsel for the squad members' concerns..."

For a split second, Yoo Seol-ah racked her brain trying to remember if she had ever done such a thing, but right now, that did not matter in the slightest.

"Of course I do! As the Vice-Commander, attending to the mental well-being of my subordinates is an essential part of my duty."

"That is a relief. To be frank..." Dokgo Jin sighed, explaining that the mission assigned to him by the White Tiger Flag Master had hit a wall and caused him immense distress. "I have encountered an impasse, and it is not something I can resolve through my own strength alone."

Yoo Seol-ah's pupils quivered.

What could it be? Is it because of the test at Mugeuk Gate? What kind of assignment would make him challenge Mugeuk Gate in the first place?

"Haaah."

Dokgo Jin let out a faint, weary breath before continuing. "The Flag Master entrusted this task to me with grand expectations. If I fail... his disappointment will be immense. It may even result in my expulsion."

"Oh, come on, you're taking it way too far. Why on earth would they expel the Dragon Tiger Plaque Master?"

"The higher the expectations, the deeper the disappointment," Dokgo Jin murmured darkly. "Perhaps he assigned me an impossible mission from the very start just to create a pretext to transfer me to another branch..."

Yoo Seol-ah's face instantly stiffened.

What did he just say?!

When she stopped to think about it, the possibility was chillingly plausible.

If another Flag Master made a formal request, our Flag Master couldn't simply transfer away a talented subordinate without a valid reason!

Using a failed mission as an excuse to cast him out would be the perfect political pretext.

No way in hell! Do you ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠have any idea how much blood, sweat, and tears went into securing our newbie?!

"Still, just confiding in you like this has lifted some of the weight from my chest. Thank you, Vice-Commander."

"...Huh? Wait, that's it?"

"Yes. Now, I must return to pursuing the mission..."

As Dokgo Jin turned to walk away, Yoo Seol-ah panicked and called out after him.

"H-Hold on a second!"

"...?"

"You can't just stop there! What kind of mission is driving you to such despair? If it's too confidential to explain in full, at least tell me where you're stuck! Who knows? Maybe I can actually help you!"

Dokgo Jin put on a deeply conflicted expression, hesitating as if wrestling with protocol. "Mmm. I cannot disclose it recklessly... but seeing as it is you, Vice-Commander, I suppose I can whisper a hint."

"Yes, yes! Hurry up and spit it out!"

"The truth is... in order to carry out this assignment, I absolutely must meet the Taehwa Hall Master."

"Eh?"

Yoo Seol-ah blinked in surprise.

The Taehwa Hall Master? Wait, does that mean his reason for challenging Mugeuk Gate was solely to secure an audience with the Mugeuk Hall Master? ...Is his mission tied to the Three Hidden Halls?

She desperately wanted to ask, 'So did you already meet the Mugeuk Hall Master?!' but bit her tongue and swallowed the question.

"As you know, for an ordinary squad member like me, securing an audience with a Hall Master is practically impossible."

Yoo Seol-ah's eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

The Taehwa Hall Master...

Suddenly, she puffed out her chest with resolute determination. "I have to protect our newbie! Leave it to me and don't worry about a thing. I will find a way."

"Truly?"

"Of course! Who do you take me for? I happen to be—" She caught herself right before blurting out that she was the daughter of the Heavenly Mechanism Hall Master, clearing her throat loudly. "Ahem! In any case, just wait. I'll make it happen somehow."

A subtle, knowing smile graced Dokgo Jin's lips. "Even if it is only words, I am deeply grateful."

"I told you, it's not just words!"

"Understood."

Dokgo Jin bowed and turned to take his leave, pausing after a couple of paces to toss a casual remark over his shoulder.

"Ah. And by the way... I passed Mugeuk Gate."

"Wh-What did you say?!"

Yoo Seol-ah stood rooted to the spot, her jaw slacked in stunned bewilderment as she stared blankly at Dokgo Jin's retreating silhouette.

And then.

The very next day, a martial artist from Taehwa Hall arrived seeking Dokgo Jin.

It was a personal invitation from the Taehwa Hall Master.