It was the moment the Righteous-Demonic alliance was dismantled.
What did he mean by that? That he speaks with him often these days? Did he truly believe I looked his way to hear such an answer? How dare he stare me in the eyes and deceive me so?
Baek Ja-gang’s expression brightened, firing a signal flare that announced the new formation of an alliance between the Unorthodox Faction and the Demonic Sect.
‘These heretics of the Unorthodox Path!’
Regardless, Geom Woojin spoke again as if to prove his words were sincere.
“We hunt together, fish together, and even play Go.”
Geom Mugeuk was startled.
“Huh? We've never gone fishing, have we?”
For a moment, Jin Pae-cheon’s eyes glinted coldly.
Did he really make up a story? When he doesn't even talk with his children? Despite the suspicious glares directed at him, Geom Woojin remained composed.
“Are you my only son?”
Of course, Geom Mugeuk had asked this suspecting that his father had gone fishing with his older brother.
His father was not one to lie.
He had wanted to show everyone present that his father also took good care of his brother.
“That's too much! Please take me fishing too!”
Geom Woojin pretended not to hear and looked at Jin Pae-cheon as he spoke.
“The time with my son was good, but it was also time I needed for myself.”
The two men's gazes met in mid-air.
That arrogant and haughty gaze that could make one feel unpleasant just by looking.
That's how he knew.
It wasn't a lie.
A gaze like that would feel no need to lie.
“Yes, children are good, and time for oneself is also good.”
Jin Pae-cheon’s gaze turned cold.
“Then what about all of you?”
The excited atmosphere instantly cooled.
This was not a question from a grandfather boasting about his children, but from Jin Pae-cheon, the Martial Alliance Leader.
Baek Ja-gang also watched silently, waiting to see how Geom Woojin would respond.
Geom Woojin stared at the wine bottle before him.
Depending on his answer, not even the first glass might be poured from that bottle.
“Do you think you can stop us just by saving such time?”
The moment he finished speaking, the air instantly changed.
It grew cold and heavy.
Bi Sa-in looked at Geom Mugeuk.
Jin Ha-gun and Jin Ha-ryeong also looked at Geom Mugeuk.
However, instead of looking at them, Geom Mugeuk looked at his father's back.
Both his father and the Heavenly Demon Soul etched upon his back were beings who never looked back.
They were beings who only moved forward.
His father, who had briefly looked back for his son, was now looking forward again.
He was looking at the entire Martial World.
He had just asked the Martial Alliance Leader if he could stop them.
The first to react were the masters of the Righteous Path on the first floor.
They all released their auras, preparing to strike at any moment.
The words the Demon Cult Master had just spoken were a clear provocation.
The masters of the Unorthodox Faction also made full preparations.
They exchanged telepathic messages, planning their moves should a fight break out between the Demonic Sect and the Righteous Path.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon stood with his arms crossed, watching the Righteous Path masters before him.
He wore a serious expression, as if contemplating who to cut down first.
But in truth, he was thinking of something else.
He had faith that as long as Geom Woojin and Geom Mugeuk were up there, a fight would not break out.
He was now thinking of Seo Daeryong.
Listening to the conversation on the second floor, he had realized that he himself had never had a deep conversation with his disciple.
‘I should arrange to see him separately soon.’
He was surprised at himself.
And he didn't dislike it.
In the past, he would have been disgusted.
He had believed such soft emotions would only hasten his end.
He was suddenly reminded of the words Geom Mugeuk had once heard from the Cult Master.
What cheap sentimentality, perfect for dying.
Yes, he would have thought that.
He, too, had lived his life thinking just like the Cult Master.
But these days, he often thought that among all his emotions, that one might be the most precious.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon turned his head toward the heat he felt beside him.
The Plum Blossom Sword Sovereign had already chosen her opponent.
If a free-for-all broke out, she intended to kill the Taiyi Divine Sword.
The Taiyi Divine Sword, having read her killing intent, secretly wished for a fight to begin.
‘Every last one of these Demonic Sect bastards must be wiped out.’
That had always been his unchanging belief.
As the atmosphere grew murderous, the Drunken Demon uncorked a wine bottle and took a long swig.
The faint aroma of wine heightened the tension in the hall.
Of course, even in this situation, there was one person who was at ease.
The Poison King had opened a window and was resting his chin on the sill, gazing outside.
Someone might have sent a cold glare his way for such audacity, but no one dared to pick a fight with the Poison King.
One could kill him, but everyone would have to die together.
The Poison King had always been that kind of existence.
Just as the taut tension persisted.
Geom Mugeuk sent a telepathic message to Baek Ja-gang.
—Please stop them.
—Me?
It was unexpected that he would ask for help, but at the same time, it wasn't a bad feeling.
—Then who will?
—We would welcome a fight between the Righteous Path and the Demonic Sect.
—What if they grow fond of each other while fighting?
—That would be troublesome.
Among the three men here, Baek Ja-gang was the most flexible.
“Sa-in, pour me a glass of wine.”
“Yes, Master.”
Bi Sa-in filled Baek Ja-gang's cup.
Both Geom Woojin and Jin Pae-cheon understood his intention well.
If they weren't truly going to engage in a life-and-death battle here.
“Mugeuk, pour me a glass of wine.”
“Yes, Father.”
Jin Pae-cheon, not to be outdone, also spoke.
“Ha-gun, pour me a glass of wine.”
“Yes, Grandfather.”
And so, the three men each drank a glass.
Putting down his cup, Jin Pae-cheon asked Geom Mugeuk.
“You said your Demonic Path is here?”
“That is correct.”
“Where is this Demonic Path?”
At Jin Pae-cheon's question, everyone's gaze turned to Geom Mugeuk.
Not just Jin Pae-cheon, but Baek Ja-gang was also curious.
Where in this tavern could his Demonic Path be?
An unexpected answer came from Geom Mugeuk's lips.
“You are looking at it right now.”
“What do you mean?”
Geom Mugeuk looked at Jo Chun-bae, who was standing awkwardly, not having been able to leave yet.
Only then did Jin Pae-cheon realize that Geom Mugeuk's Demonic Path was Jo Chun-bae.
“That tavern owner is your Demonic Path?”
“That is correct.”
The person in question, Jo Chun-bae, was the most surprised.
He had grown used to being surprised lately, but this set a new record.
Have you ever been the Young Cult Master’s Demonic Path? This man must be drunk.
And in front of the Demon Cult Master, the Martial Alliance Leader, and the Unorthodox Alliance Leader, no less.
Hehe, very drunk.
This time, Jin Pae-cheon asked Jo Chun-bae.
“Are you the Young Cult Master's Demonic Path?”
“How could I dare.”
Jo Chun-bae was so flustered he didn't know what to say.
“Tell me what you think. I want to hear the thoughts of the person involved. I'm not threatening you, so answer comfortably.”
How could this possibly be a comfortable setting?
Flustered, Jo Chun-bae glanced at Geom Mugeuk.
Geom Mugeuk was smiling at him.
As always, Geom Mugeuk’s gaze said, ‘I am here, so do not be afraid.’
How could he ever repay the grace of this person who bestowed such great meaning upon his humble self? Repaying with his life was far, far from enough.
“I…”
As he began to speak, the surroundings fell so silent that not a single breath could be heard.
He could feel everyone's attention on him.
‘Oh, my heart! Stop pounding so hard!’
Jin Pae-cheon smiled and said.
“Speak as if I am the person you saw this morning. You spoke well then, didn't you?”
He hadn't just spoken well; he had even scolded the Alliance Leader.
Jo Chun-bae took a deep breath, and then began to speak.
In truth, these were words he had wanted to say to Geom Woojin, the Heavenly Demon.
This would be his only chance to speak to him, so Jo Chun-bae mustered his courage.
“The Young Cult Master opened an Underworld Pavilion branch across from our tavern. He told us to report any injustices there. We, who had been dominated by martial artists our entire lives, have now seen the Underworld Pavilion investigators with our own eyes and even filed reports there. These days, we have become friendly with them. When we have delicious food, we even bring some over for those at the branch.”
His voice trembled, which made his words feel all the more sincere.
“The Young Cult Master often came to my tavern for a drink, and he told me this. My Demonic Path does not break tables.”
The masters on the first floor, hearing this for the first time, exchanged glances.
Did they hear wrong? What does he not break?
“After that, the ruffians who got drunk and beat people up gradually disappeared. The martial artists who treated the merchants here like servants also disappeared. The number of people dying in accidents decreased, and so did the number of those who went missing. I do not know what the Demonic Path is, what the Righteous Path is, or what the Unorthodox Path is.”
Jo Chun-bae was now speaking with his eyes squeezed shut.
The only thing giving him the strength to overcome his fear was his heart for Geom Mugeuk.
“However, if I were given a choice and had to pick just one ‘path’ from all the paths in the world, I would choose the Young Cult Master's Demonic Path without hesitation. Even if I don't know what it is, I would choose it. I can guarantee that not just me, but everyone living in the Demon Family Village would do the same. Because when everyone else was far away, only the Young Cult Master was by our side.”
Since he had already started, Jo Chun-bae revealed a truth he had never once spoken before.
“From now on, I hope the Young Cult Master does not take on great tasks. Because he will surely be considerate of the people he meets and act for the good of everyone. I worry those tasks will be too difficult for him. I worry he will become exhausted.”
As if in a trance, Jo Chun-bae finished speaking and bowed his head deeply.
“I, a lowly person, have overstepped my bounds. Please forgive me.”
His body trembled violently.
Now that he had finished speaking, a wave of fear washed over him.
He couldn't remember what he had just said.
Had he committed some unforgivable rudeness?
Geom Mugeuk approached him and spoke gently.
“Thank you, tavern owner. What other tavern owner in the world would speak for me in a place like this?”
“It is the other way around. What Young Cult Master in the world would speak for a tavern owner? For the Young Cult Master, I would have no regrets even if I were to die here.”
Geom Woojin, Jin Pae-cheon, and Baek Ja-gang silently watched Jo Chun-bae's fervent gaze.
As did Geom Muyang, Bi Sa-in, Jin Ha-gun, and Jin Ha-ryeong, and the Demon Sovereigns and masters of the Righteous and Unorthodox factions on the first floor.
Some deeply understood the relationship between the two, while others did not understand at all.
There were those who thought it was a trick, an act.
And those who found it pathetic.
It was at that moment.
Drip, drip, drip.
With a clear sound, Geom Woojin poured wine into the cup before him.
“Tavern owner, come and receive a glass of wine from me.”
“!”
At Geom Woojin’s words, Jo Chun-bae’s face turned pale.
“How could I dare!”
He trembled, but whose command was it that he could simply ignore?
Jo Chun-bae rushed over and respectfully received the wine.
“Drink it, and then pour me a glass.”
After drinking the wine, Jo Chun-bae poured a glass for Geom Woojin.
His hand trembled so much that wine spilled over the cup's edge.
But the wine, as if by magic, flowed back into the cup.
Geom Woojin had used a supreme level of skill to lift the overflowing wine back into the cup.
Not a single drop fell to the floor.
For the first time, Jo Chun-bae's eyes met Geom Woojin's.
It was a very brief moment, but a gaze Jo Chun-bae would never be able to forget for the rest of his life.
It was then.
“Receive a glass of my wine as well.”
Surprisingly, the one who spoke was Jin Pae-cheon.
His sincere heart for Geom Mugeuk had been conveyed to the Alliance Leader's heart.
Thus, his words were genuine.
“I still do not understand the Young Cult Master's Demonic Path, but at least I think I understand why it is here.”
Jin Pae-cheon offered Jo Chun-bae a glass of wine.
Baek Ja-gang didn't remain still either.
He silently gestured for Jo Chun-bae to come closer.
Baek Ja-gang said nothing.
He just poured wine for Jo Chun-bae and then lightly clinked his own cup against his.
Clink.
The clear sound of cups clinking echoed gently through the tavern.
That sound became a signal, and the tense atmosphere eased once more.
Geom Mugeuk said loudly.
“Father, Alliance Leaders, we will also have a drink.”
Geom Woojin and the two Alliance Leaders nodded in permission, and Geom Mugeuk took the four of them to a corner on the second floor.
“Tavern owner, bring us wine first!”
“Yes, coming!”
Jo Chun-bae brought wine and cups first.
Just as they all sat around the table and were about to share a drink and greet each other.
From behind, something flew up and slowly drifted to where they were sitting.
It was a dish of sautéed mushrooms, flown through the air by an unseen force, and it landed precisely in front of Bi Sa-in.
And from behind came a single remark from Baek Ja-gang.
“These are the mushrooms our Sa-in likes.”
Bi Sa-in's eyes widened.
It was the most flustered he had ever looked since they first met.
Then, the duck dish on Jin Pae-cheon's table couldn't hold back.
The dish sent by Jin Pae-cheon flew across the air and landed before Jin Ha-gun.
“Ha-gun, it's the duck you like. Don't drink on an empty stomach.”
Then, from a table where it seemed nothing would ever lift off, a dish rose into the air.
A dish from Geom Woojin's table flew over and landed before Geom Mugeuk.
“But this is a dish I dislike?”
Then Geom Woojin said.
“I sent it because it's a dish I dislike.”
From where Geom Mugeuk sat, he could only see his father's back.
It was as if the Heavenly Demon Soul was smiling.
“As expected! Blood is thicker than water, so our tastes are the same! Still, the dish my father sent is the best.”
At Geom Mugeuk's cry, Jin Ha-gun shouted.
“No! The dish the Alliance Leader sent is the best.”
Bi Sa-in, not to be outdone, shouted even louder.
“No! The dish my Master sent is the best.”
At this new competition, Jin Ha-ryeong smiled with an expression that said she couldn't believe them.
They say men are children no matter how old they get, and that to study men, one must study children.
And these men were protecting the Martial World.
“Why are you smiling like that?”
At Geom Mugeuk's question, she raised her cup and said.
“Because I feel so reassured. Come on, let's all have a drink!”