“No, hyung. You would have done just fine in your own way, even without that person. But…” Yeo Haryoon released Jin Cheon-hee’s arm. “…But if you’re going to put it that way, I guess I have no choice.”

Yeo Haryoon’s handprint was starkly visible on Jin Cheon-hee’s arm.

His master’s expression hardened almost imperceptibly at the sight of the Star of Heavenly Slaughter’s mark on his disciple’s arm.

The White Qilin Divine Physician spoke. “Hee-ya. I cannot understand why you would become sworn brothers with… that thing.”

Suppressing a surge of killing intent, his master bit out one more comment. “But what can I do? It’s all because you are too kind…”

Even in this situation, the White Qilin Divine Physician was prodding Yeo Haryoon with a smiling face.

***

“Lady Wang, that was reckless. If Sir Phantom Archer learns of this, he will not remain idle.”

His master was now nagging Wang Gak-yeon. Her face turned pale under the relentless scolding. But her expression was not one of apology or remorse toward her father.

It was worry for Jin Cheon-hee.

Cheon-hee-ya. If I go, you’re dead. What are you going to do?

That was the look she was shooting him.

Even if she got an earful, Wang Gak-yeon was, in the end, an outsider. She just had to listen to the scolding and go back to her father. Her father would probably give her another earful, but she had done more than enough to repay the ‘divine elixir’ she’d received, so she had no regrets.

The problem was what Jin Cheon-hee would do after she left.

“Now then, you may leave. We will discuss this matter again later.”

Wang Gak-yeon gave a deep bow, then shot Jin Cheon-hee a look.

I’m going. Good luck.

Jin Cheon-hee gave a slight nod.

After Wang Gak-yeon left, only three remained: his master, the Little Heavenly Demon Yeo Haryoon, and Jin Cheon-hee.

A heavy silence descended. Jin Cheon-hee spoke quickly, “This disciple will go and brew some tea!”

Then, before his master or Yeo Haryoon could even reply, he darted off to the kitchen.

This is driving me crazy. How did things end up like this?

In the original novel, their relationship was that of a savior and a protagonist, a common trope in martial arts stories.

Of course, it was a bit… businesslike, even back then.

Yeo Haryoon had simply fulfilled his duty to the man who had saved his life, and the White Qilin Divine Physician had likewise asked for favors or provided help when Yeo Haryoon needed it. But it wasn’t as if Yeo Haryoon ever searched for a way to save the White Qilin Divine Physician’s life or worried about his well-being.

Thinking back, it really was a dry relationship.

Yeo Haryoon, befitting a protagonist, was clear about his debts and grudges, but he never shared any real emotion with him. And his master… well, he was a supporting character who died early on, so he’d only had a brief appearance and was never deeply entangled in Yeo Haryoon’s life.

Come to think of it, their personalities were never compatible from the start.

Now that even the thin connection of “savior” and “passing physician” was gone, they were radiating killing intent on sight.

I… I have to do something to make this relationship even a little bit better.

Jin Cheon-hee was lost in thought.

My master, who died in the original story… I’m going to save him. And Yeo Haryoon… I hope he makes at least a few less enemies than in the original, and lives a little more happily.

The Yeo Haryoon of Supreme Heavenly Demon was not lacking as a protagonist, but as a human being, his life was full of empty spaces. Befitting a protagonist, he had lived a life that was, in a word, hell. And the people who had lost their families because of him were dragged into that hell right along with him.

The readers of the novel knew the protagonist wasn’t a bad person. They knew that even as the Heavenly Demon, he operated by his own set of principles.

But that was thanks to the omniscient third-person perspective. The orthodox, unorthodox, and demonic cult members who held a grudge against the protagonist had no way of knowing that.

But this time, things are very different from the original story.

During the short time he had spent with Jin Cheon-hee, Yeo Haryoon had at least taken the time to contemplate the value of human life. And because of the promise he’d made to him as his hyung, he had learned to hold back twice. That alone had significantly reduced his number of potential enemies.

The Yeo Haryoon of the original story had power, but not virtue.

This time, thanks to his principle of “holding back twice,” he was able to build relationships with people who would have otherwise become his enemies. The proof was the bracelet wrapped around Jin Cheon-hee’s wrist: the Dark Heavens Blood Thread.

But while his master’s health was improving and Yeo Haryoon’s killing intent was somewhat suppressed, nothing came for free.

The two of them have become true strangers.

Jin Cheon-hee’s thoughts reached that point, and he slapped himself hard on the cheek. It’s fine! I just have to do better!

After psyching himself up, he brewed the tea and went back inside.

“Master! I’ve brought tea!”

Dureureuk—

***

Jin Cheon-hee poured tea for both of them and then proceeded to animatedly tell Yeo Haryoon all about his life. He didn’t forget to periodically praise his master, saying how amazing he was and how well he treated him.

Conversely, to his master, he didn’t forget to mention how Yeo Haryoon was actually a good kid, that he held back twice, that he was his sworn brother, and that he had given him a precious bracelet as a gift.

“…”

The two of them glared at each other coldly, then each said one thing.

“Hee-ya, there is no need to protect… that thing… so desperately.”

“Hyung, your master seems to be a very important person to you.”

Yeo Haryoon’s voice was even laced with jealousy. It seemed he felt that while he was out rolling in the dirt, on the verge of death, his hyung was making all his happy memories with this man called the White Qilin Divine Physician.

Aigoo. A kid’s a kid, after all.

Still, his master’s expression had softened somewhat.

“Holding back twice… For a Star of Heavenly Slaughter to possess such patience… I’ve never even seen it in the old texts. How truly fascinating.”

His master stroked his chin, lost in thought. At last, he added, “Hee-ya.”

“Yes, Master.”

“I have told you this time and time again, but there is nothing in this world more precious to me than you. That is why, under normal circumstances, that thing would have been dead the moment it entered my sight.”

“…”

“But you call it ‘younger brother,’ and it calls you ‘hyung.’ It makes it difficult for me to act as I please.”

Jin Cheon-hee detected a trap in those words. He said it’s ‘difficult,’ not that he ‘wouldn’t.’

His master let out a small sigh. “Hee-ya.”

“Yes… Master.”

“If that thing… should ever harm even a single hair on your head… I will do whatever it takes.”

His master said this as he looked down on Yeo Haryoon. It was the same smile as always, but it had a sharp aftertaste. It was killing intent.

“Master, that will never happen.”

“Yes. Since you say so, I will try to believe it… just once. After a little investigation, of course. This master has friends in the Demonic Cult as well, you know.”

…He does, doesn’t he. He’s the White Qilin Divine Physician, after all.

With those final words, his master left.

Yeo Haryoon stared at the spot where the White Qilin Divine Physician had been for a long time.

***

Several days passed like that. Jin Cheon-hee helped Yeo Haryoon convalesce, and his master would visit from time to time. The two of them never spoke to each other. They only communicated through Jin Cheon-hee.

“Still, it’s thanks to you they didn’t fight, isn’t it? Be proud.”

That was Wang Gak-yeon’s assessment. As expected, it seemed she’d gone home and gotten an earful from her father. But that was all. Her father, and she herself, knew all too well that her fiery temperament wasn’t going anywhere. After all, the person she resembled most was Phantom Archer himself.

It was a truly unfortunate situation for them both.

Jin Cheon-hee fanned the boiling tonic. “If I wasn’t in the middle, they’d have no reason to fight in the first place.”

“What’s the good of living so pessimistically?”

At Gak-yeon’s words, Jin Cheon-hee gave a bitter smile.

It wasn’t like this in the original story.

As an avid reader of Supreme Heavenly Demon, it was a complicated feeling.

Gak-yeon said, “Cheon-hee-ya.”

“Hm?”

“I’ve felt this for a while, but you try to be too perfect. You’re taking care of your master, and you saved your friend. That’s already everything. On top of that, you saved the Beggar’s Sect’s Branch Leader, with all his limbs intact. And you still want to be more perfect than that.”

“…”

It was advice from one perfectionist to another. Because Wang Gak-yeon had that same tendency, she understood him.

“Not even your real parents could do all that. Look at my dad. He’s an amazing father who even saved his own daughter, but now he’s suffering because of his disobedient daughter who only causes trouble.”

“What are you talking about? Where in the world is there another kid like you?”

“I’m just making a point. Anyway, just do what’s in front of you. Let the rest flow as it will. Not even the Jade Emperor himself could manage all that.”

“…”

Jin Cheon-hee couldn’t answer. Gak-yeon patted him on the back a couple of times.

“Have some confidence. Square your shoulders. I’m going now.”

“Going already?”

“Dad gave me a ridiculous training regimen as punishment. I have to finish it before the sun sets.”

She slung her bow over her shoulder and stood up.

Was it because he had now seen her fight for real? For some reason, she looked incredibly cool.

Right. Things have changed from the original story, but I’m truly glad I was able to save a friend like you.

Even if I went back in time, I’d make the same decision, he thought.

Jin Cheon-hee saw Gak-yeon off, then put out the fire and picked up the medicine bowl.

When he returned to the annex, Yeo Haryoon was sitting cross-legged, circulating his energy. His body had recovered enough that he was now at the stage where he could practice un-gong.

So as not to disturb him, Jin Cheon-hee quietly placed the tonic by his side and began to circulate his own energy.

The sound of the wind rustled through the bamboo grove. In the annex, empty of any other visitors, only the sound of rustling bamboo leaves could be heard.

The smell of snow and rain drifted in together.

Jin Cheon-hee finished his jucheon and slowly opened his eyes.

Ah, the seasons are changing again.

It meant he was getting older.

“Hyung. You’re finished?”

“You must have finished your un-gong first.”

“Yeah. I drank the tonic, too. And I peeled an apple.”

He said this as he placed a plate of apple slices in front of Jin Cheon-hee.

“You’re giving this to me?”

“You’ve been working hard treating me. It’s just an apple.”

The apple Yeo Haryoon offered him was strange. The surface was so smooth, it was more accurate to say it had been ‘skinned’ rather than ‘peeled.’

I don’t see any knife marks… How in the world did he peel this?

It was a level of mastery so high he couldn’t even guess at it. To think he had achieved such a realm at his age… And he was using it to just… peel an apple. It was an extravagance beyond belief.

In times like this, it’s best to pretend I don’t know.

Jin Cheon-hee bit into the apple as he checked Yeo Haryoon’s pulse. “You’re almost completely healed. You should be able to go back now.”

“What about the Gu?”

He meant the Blood Gu.

The Demonic Cult implanted a Blood Gu in its new initiates. It was the most infamous and vicious Gu in all of the Central Plains. Jin Cheon-hee had already told him about the method to free himself from it.

“It’s been completely removed.”

“So you really extracted it. Anyone else would have said it was madness.”

That was right.

There was one secret that Wang Gak-yeon didn’t know. A secret that his master didn’t know.