Geom Muyang silently gazed down at the duck dish placed before him.
Was it because they shared the same blood? There were times, even if they did not see each other often, when he could see deep into his younger brother’s heart.
Now was one of those times.
The duck had swum over to him as if in jest, but Geom Muyang knew.
His brother was thanking him.
Geom Mugeuk was usually good with all sorts of cringe-worthy words, but at this moment, he was conveying his heart in silence.
And he had the nerve to call someone else taciturn.
Meanwhile, Jin Ha-ryeong was putting herself in Geom Muyang’s shoes as he had stepped forward for Geom Mugeuk.
If it had been her, could she have stood up for her older brother like that? She probably could not have.
Even if she had, could she have commanded the atmosphere so powerfully? It would have been impossible without a genuine heart for his brother.
From the beginning, Geom Muyang had been prepared to see it through to the end.
Jin Ha-ryeong was not the only one who was moved.
Bi Sa-in also spoke quietly.
“It seems to be a wonderful thing to have a brother.”
Bi Sa-in had never once regretted being alone.
But today, for the first time, he was a little envious.
To have a brother who would step forward for you like that.
Just then, Geom Mugeuk, who had his eyes closed, spoke.
“If you are envious, then take me as your older brother.”
“You mean younger brother!”
Geom Mugeuk was still smiling with his eyes closed.
“You are not even sleeping, why are your eyes closed?”
“This is the first rest my brother has ever given me. I must take it.”
Then, Geom Muyang spoke.
“I told you to rest that mouth of yours. Eyes open, mouth shut.”
“I am too happy for my mouth to rest.”
Another thing that made Bi Sa-in envious was that those brothers had ended their succession battle without shedding blood.
How much blood had he shed to become the successor? Succession battles were all like that.
The lives of martial artists were all like that.
It had always been that way.
He had lived his life thinking so, but now before him were two people who were not like that.
They were bantering, as if asking if life really had to be that way.
Jin Ha-gun was drinking quietly.
Was it because he was stirred by a strange emotion? The wine went down more smoothly than usual.
It was also because of Geom Muyang.
He already knew Geom Mugeuk was an extraordinary person, so nothing he did would be strange.
But seeing Geom Muyang just now had complicated his heart.
Admiration, jealousy, and shame were all mixed together.
It was probably more so because he had been told that he resembled him.
How do I resemble him? Am I not better?
He had harbored such thoughts, but the way Geom Muyang had acted just now made him ashamed of his own arrogance.
Just then, Jin Ha-ryeong poured wine into Jin Ha-gun’s cup.
She said nothing, but she understood her older brother’s troubled heart.
“I look forward to the future.”
It meant that there was still a long way to go, but she was also genuinely looking forward to it.
What kind of martial world would unfold when these people became the Cult Master and the Alliance Leaders? Seeing all three of them in one place today filled her with even greater anticipation.
It was different from when she had just vaguely imagined it.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere on the first floor had completely loosened up.
People gathered in twos and threes with those they were close to and drank.
It was a shabby tavern, so they had not expected much, but both the wine and the food were excellent.
“This tastes quite good.”
Having heard such praise twice already, Jo Chun-bae entered the kitchen with a broad smile.
He had heard it from martial artists of the Righteous Path and the Unorthodox Path.
The thought of boasting about this to his regulars already made him happy.
“Another bottle of wine here!”
“Yes, coming!”
I will protect the peace of the martial world! As Jo Chun-bae was busy running around, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon was filling the Plum Blossom Sword Sovereign's cup.
“I am sorry.”
She was the one who had provoked the Taiyi Divine Sword earlier.
It would have been fine if she had just looked away first, but her pride had not allowed it.
“It is because you are young.”
“Young? How old do you think I am?”
“At your age, you are young. If I were your age…”
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon trailed off.
“If you were my age, what would you do?”
“I have not decided on anything specific.”
In truth, he had.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon did not tell her what it was and quietly drank his wine.
“You can just live as if you are my age, can you not?”
“How can I live that way when I am not that age?”
The Plum Blossom Sword Sovereign lightly tapped the table three times and declared.
“From now on, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon is the same age as the Plum Blossom Sword Sovereign.”
The Drunken Demon, who was drinking beside them, chimed in.
“You must have a lot of resentment built up towards your senior. You are trying to resolve it all by becoming friends.”
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon smiled faintly.
“It seems so.”
For a change, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon poured the Drunken Demon a drink.
He was always saying he hated the sight of the drunkard.
“I know you have put in a lot of effort in various ways between this person and me.”
He knew that the Drunken Demon had played a large role in restoring his relationship with the Plum Blossom Sword Sovereign.
Even if he did not know the full details, he had heard from the Plum Blossom Sword Sovereign that the Drunken Demon had tried very hard.
“Well, it is for my friends.”
He had tried to be sly, but the Plum Blossom Sword Sovereign would not let it slide.
“Friends? Do not even dream of it!”
“You said you became younger too, senior?”
“He is only the same age as me.”
Next to the three people who were enjoying a pleasant atmosphere for the first time in a long time was the Poison King.
He was still leaning against the window, looking outside.
The wind that blew in rustled his hair.
If any women had been passing by, they would have all stopped in their tracks, but the outside was being strictly controlled.
The Demon Buddha approached him.
“What have you been looking at for so long?”
“I was just looking because I feel a bit cooped up. The spring air is nice too.”
He did not feel stifled in his residence within the Thousand Poison Forest because he was researching and creating poisons, but he felt it when he was in other places like this.
It was also because he was always wandering the Thousand Poison Forest in search of poisonous herbs and poisonous insects.
“Are there any poisonous herbs you are looking for these days?”
“Of course there are. There are plenty of things I need among the poisonous herbs that bloom in spring.”
“I will visit you soon.”
The Poison King’s expression brightened.
The Demon Buddha was truly like a ghost when it came to finding poisonous herbs.
The Demon Buddha looked up at the second floor.
“It would be nice if we could go together, but he is so busy.”
The Poison King’s gaze also turned to the second floor.
The tense atmosphere of the second floor had loosened after the successors went up.
How could he not know that Geom Mugeuk was at the center of it?
The Poison King was about to turn his gaze back to the window when his eyes met with one of the masters of the Unorthodox Path.
The person who greeted him with a cupped fist was Gwae-ak.
Having fought alongside the Martial King, he knew that the Poison King had saved the martial artists of the Unorthodox Alliance.
He paid no mind to the Unorthodox Path masters around him who were staring at him.
The Poison King also cupped his fist and returned the gesture before looking out the window.
The Soul-Devouring Demon Sovereign approached the Evil Heart Laughing Demon, who was sitting alone in a corner of the tavern.
“May I sit?”
The Evil Heart Laughing Demon nodded.
He had not touched either the wine or the food.
“I know you do not eat outside food, but I will just fill your cup.”
He had been concerned about the Evil Heart Laughing Demon, who had been alone on the roof earlier and was alone now.
It was not a romantic attraction, but an attraction born from a sense of kinship.
The two eyes within the white mask stared intently at the Soul-Devouring Demon Sovereign, then suddenly spoke.
“I envy you.”
“What do you mean?”
The Evil Heart Laughing Demon then looked up at the second floor.
That single action revealed the meaning of his words.
He was a person who served the current Heavenly Demon, but you are a Demon Sovereign who is young enough to serve Geom Mugeuk.
That was the meaning.
“Laughing Demon Sovereign, you truly like difficult things.”
Knowing that it meant serving Geom Mugeuk was not an easy task, the two eyes within the eyeholes smiled.
The Fist Demon stood near the entrance with his arms crossed.
Responsible for the safety of the day, he did not let his guard down for a single moment.
The Division Lords outside constantly reported on the security situation, and the Fist Demon had all his senses on high alert.
This was also why Geom Woojin trusted him the most.
When given a job, he did it perfectly.
The Cult Master and the two Alliance Leaders were still drinking their own wine.
An awkward atmosphere had continued after Geom Woojin refused Jin Pae-cheon’s earlier offer of a drink.
Then again, it was better for them to listen to the successors banter and talk than for them, who disliked each other, to have an awkward conversation.
Jin Pae-cheon was recalling the words Geom Mugeuk had said earlier.
—They are people who have never had fun in their entire lives.
They probably do not even know how to have fun.
It was true.
He really had no memory of having fun in his entire life.
It was a life where he had only run towards the top since he was young.
'Now of all times...'
Not only did he not know how to have fun, he did not even want to.
'Working is having fun.'
That was how he had lived his life.
What a glorious life it had been, to rise to the position of Martial Alliance Leader.
However, the fact that he had not had even a small bit of leisure was regrettable.
If he had consciously made an effort, could he have perhaps found that leisure? If so, would he have failed to reach this position? Just as there was nothing more futile than making assumptions about life, it was something he could not know.
Just then, Geom Woojin’s gaze turned to Jin Pae-cheon.
Their eyes met in mid-air.
Geom Woojin’s arrogant and haughty gaze softened for a brief moment.
“Will you give me a glass of wine?”
He had refused the offer of wine before, but now he was asking for a glass.
He did not know the reason, but he could feel that it was not something said lightly.
'Why did you change your mind?'
He did not ask.
He knew he was not the type to answer anyway.
'You refused before! Am I someone who gives when you ask and stops when you say so?'
He did not assert his pride like that either.
The moment he asked for a drink, the one who had swallowed his pride was Geom Woojin.
Was it because he had heard what Geom Mugeuk said? That he wanted them to have fun and rest at this meeting.
Is that why he changed his mind?
As Jin Pae-cheon approached with the wine bottle, Geom Woojin also rose from his seat.
Jin Pae-cheon poured the wine while standing.
“Thank you.”
Baek Ja-gang, who was watching them, neither offered nor asked for wine.
He did not stand apart, nor did he get deeply involved.
The Unorthodox Path, between the Righteous and the Demonic.
He was always at an appropriate distance.
This time, Geom Woojin looked at Baek Ja-gang.
Baek Ja-gang felt from Geom Woojin’s gaze that he had something to say to them.
Baek Ja-gang also picked up his wine cup and approached them.
The three of them stood close together.
A distance where they could reach out and touch each other.
With their skills, it was a distance where they could inflict a fatal wound on an opponent with a surprise attack.
For that reason, this distance was also a distance of trust.
The reason Geom Woojin had called them was not to have fun together.
It was quite the opposite.
“Now, let us talk business.”
Jin Pae-cheon and Baek Ja-gang’s expressions turned serious.
Geom Woojin emitted his energy, surrounding them.
He did it so that their voices would not leak outside.
“You must know that there is a force behind this incident.”
Of course.
Jin Pae-cheon’s grandson and granddaughter had almost died, and Baek Ja-gang had even fought the Martial King himself.
Soon, surprising words came from Geom Woojin’s mouth.
“Let’s fight amongst ourselves, if we must fight.”
It meant that they should not let others interfere in their battles, in other words, they should join forces to eliminate them.
“The Main Sect intends to share all information related to them with you and make their punishment the Main Sect’s top priority.”
Jin Pae-cheon and Baek Ja-gang thought it was unexpected.
They had not expected Geom Woojin to lay his cards on the table like this first.
In negotiations, the side that reveals their thoughts first is at a disadvantage.
The Demon Cult Master, who could not possibly be unaware of this.
Moreover, being the proud man he was, he could have waited for them to suggest joining forces first.
Geom Woojin had shattered all expectations like this.
Had this person also changed? Or was there another scheme?
Various thoughts flashed through Jin Pae-cheon’s mind.
Could he trust the words of this Demon Cult Master?
It was impossible to know.
The time had come to rely on the thing that had helped him survive until now.
That very thing, his instinct.
His instinct did not tell him whether the Demon Cult Master’s words were true or not.
Instead, it made him turn his head.
He could see Geom Mugeuk in the distance.
His instinct told him to look at him.
And he heard his instinct’s whisper.
If you are not sure, trust that child.
The child who dragged you and that Unorthodox Alliance Leader to a tavern in front of the Demon Sect.
Eventually, Jin Pae-cheon revealed his honest feelings.
“To be honest, I have never had a serious conversation with my grandchildren. That is right. I do not know what kind of Righteous Path that child dreams of.”
Jin Pae-cheon’s eyes deepened as he looked at Jin Ha-gun.
“I want to see the Righteous Path that child walks. It will be a truly beautiful and wonderful path. Yes, to see that path, we must beat down all those cowardly people who scheme from behind.”
Jin Pae-cheon’s gaze returned to Geom Woojin.
“Very well. The Martial Alliance will also share all information related to them and make it our top priority to punish the masterminds.”
It was the moment the Martial Alliance decided to join hands with the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect.
Geom Woojin and Jin Pae-cheon’s gazes turned to Baek Ja-gang.
He had already made his decision.
He had not talked to him much, so he could not tell if he was the type of person whose senses for detecting lies worked, but at least during his conversation with Geom Woojin today, he had never felt a chill run down his spine.
“When the Righteous and Demonic Paths are going, can the Unorthodox Path be stubborn? Let us show them who they dared to mess with.”
His small eyes smiled.
He spoke humbly, as if yielding a step to the Righteous Path or the Demon Sect, but his eyes showed that he was not inferior to anyone.
No more words were needed.
The three people’s cups clashed in the air.
It was the moment of the birth of the Righteous-Unorthodox-Demonic alliance, an event that would never happen again in the history of the martial world.
From now on, the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect, the Martial Alliance, and the Unorthodox Alliance would share all information regarding the masterminds, track down their enemies, and even provide support if needed.
Geom Mugeuk had at some point opened his eyes and was watching the three men make a toast.
The other four were doing the same.
The moment their voices were cut off, they knew the three were having a very important conversation.
That was why they could guess that the three-way alliance had been formed with that toast.
This was what it meant to believe in his father.
No matter what his father thought of his demonic path, he was at least a person who knew what to do and where to be.
That was why he had been at ease even after arranging this meeting.
He had thought that his father would take care of the rest.
As expected, his father was his father.
“They really are people who do not know how to have fun.”
Everyone smiled at Geom Mugeuk’s words.
“We cannot just let such a historic moment pass. Let us celebrate properly on behalf of those who do not know how to have fun. Let us drink until we drop, sing songs, and…”
Geom Mugeuk grinned meaningfully and looked at Bi Sa-in.
“Why are you looking at me?”
Startled, Bi Sa-in saw it.
A giant dark cloud bringing a typhoon, a tsunami that soared to the sky, lava erupting from a volcano, no, something even more serious, the greatest crisis of his life was descending upon him.