When the old doctor brought up Samaryun’s injuries, his expression darkened.
His battle with the Heavenly Demon…
That brutal fight had left Samaryun with serious aftereffects.
The Heavenly Demon had used a powerful martial art called the Star Absorption Technique. Some people even called it a demonic technique because it could absorb another person’s energy.
Samaryun didn’t know the Heavenly Demon had mastered that technique, and because of it, he suffered major internal injuries and lost part of his inner energy.
And now, that injury was getting in the way.
He could do some light energy transfer, but doing a full Purification Technique might be too much in his current condition. Giving Yeonhwa a little energy earlier wasn’t nearly the same.
After thinking for a moment, Samaryun sighed.
“I’m not sure if I can get rid of the demonic energy, but this technique is indeed the best way to purify her.”
“Right? I knew you’d understand,” said the doctor.
Just then, all eyes turned.
“Master… what are you doing?”
Yeonhwa had suddenly sat up in bed — not slowly, but like a spring bouncing back.
‘Wasn’t she supposed to be unconscious?!’
Everyone stared in disbelief, especially the old doctor.
“Guess I can kill this quack now,” Samaryun muttered.
“W-wait, please calm down, Master!” his men cried, panicking.
The old doctor, realizing the danger, quickly ran away.
Once he was gone, the mood relaxed a bit.
“Master, shouldn’t you be checking on your student?”
“Forget the doctor. Look at your disciple.”
Samaryun turned to Yeonhwa and stared in silence.
“…”
“…”
“…”
It was awkward. They were both waiting for the other to say something.
Finally, Yeonhwa spoke first.
“Um… mister?”
Mister? His men all sighed in despair.
“Isn’t he your master?”
“Maybe she hit her head and forgot?”
Samaryun stayed silent.
Then finally, he spoke.
“Yeonhwa.”
“Did you sleep well?”
His men thought: How could she have slept well with all that noise?
But neither of them cared. They hugged like they hadn’t seen each other in years.
The others decided not to ruin the touching moment and quietly left.
“Let’s go. Time to go train the others.”
“Some people have cute disciples… all I get are grumpy guys.”
Luckily, Samaryun was too focused on Yeonhwa to hear their complaints.
Later, Samaryun checked Yeonhwa’s condition. More than the demonic energy, he needed to make sure she was truly okay.
Thankfully, the doctor’s earlier words were true: the demonic energy could be removed using Purification.
And Samaryun confirmed that the doctor wasn’t just bluffing — he was competent.
“So, do you not remember anything?”
Samaryun asked, now acting more seriously.
Yeonhwa tried to speak calmly, since this fancy place made her feel like she had to be proper.
“Well… I remember falling into the pond. Then a maid called me Young Lady. And she said you were the Master of the Sapa Alliance. But it was all a dream, right?”
Samaryun stayed silent.
Yeonhwa smiled.
“See? I knew it was a dream! There’s no way I’m some noble lady—”
“No. I was just surprised by how grown-up you suddenly sound. Did you hit your head?”
Yeonhwa’s eyes widened.
“You’re serious…?”
Samaryun nodded and said firmly:
“From now on, you are my disciple and the Princess of the Dark Gate.”
He continued, looking her straight in the eyes:
“I am the second leader of the Dark Gate and the Master of the Sapa Alliance. People call me the Overlord.”
Yeonhwa blinked, stunned.
She had figured he was an important person, but not this important.
His clothes were always so simple… She never would’ve guessed he was the top leader.
“I said I’d take you as my disciple. So now, I’m responsible for you.”
“…”
“If you want anything, tell me. As the leader of Sapa, I’ll do whatever I can.”
Even a child knew the meaning of that title. Right now, the Sapa Alliance holds the most power in the martial arts world. Everyone knew that.
And Samaryun stood at the top of it.
He was called the Overlord, the Sword Demon.
These weren’t just fancy titles.
But Yeonhwa wasn’t afraid of him.
“I want to get stronger.”
Her eyes were clear and determined. There was fire in her words.
“I want to train hard and protect the people I care about.”
As she spoke, Samaryun was reminded of his younger self — when he lost his wife and child, even though he wanted to protect them.
He clenched his fist.
“You’ve been thinking about all this a lot, huh?”
“I… saw my mom in a dream. I missed her so much. I don’t want to lose anyone ever again.”
“…”
“And this is just between us… but I also saw in my dream that my mom was a disciple of the Grand Elder. Master, did you know?”
He sighed.
She had learned something he couldn’t bring himself to tell her.
Like how she had sensed the danger of the assassin earlier.
“Yes, it’s true. Your mother was a disciple of the great master Sowolhyang.”
“Then… what did you call her?”
“…Junior Sister.”
He hadn’t said that name in so long.
“Sometimes I called her Dohee.”
Yeonhwa smiled at the sound of her mother’s name.
It felt so warm, like Samaryun was remembering a beloved sister.
She teared up.
“Don’t cry.”
“I’m not crying!”
“Then what’s this on my hand?”
He wiped away her tears with the back of his hand.
Yeonhwa pouted.
“Mom said you’re supposed to pretend not to notice at times like this…”
“Your mother said that?”
“Yeah. Isn’t she awesome?”
“Yes. She was an amazing person…”
Samaryun stared at Yeonhwa for a moment, lost in memories.
She didn’t look like her mother at all, but in that moment… he saw a glimpse of her.
Maybe Yeonhwa wasn’t just her daughter.
Maybe she was here to help him remember the people he’d lost.
Even if only for a little while.
