All eyes were on Bi Sa-in.
He usually wore black robes, so his appearance in white robes for the first time naturally drew their gazes.
As Bi Sa-in walked over, he painstakingly avoided Geom Mugeuk's eyes.
He had a feeling he would be teased about his clothes as soon as he sat down.
Geom Mugeuk poured wine into his cup and said, "My life's savior, have a drink."
Bi Sa-in looked at Geom Mugeuk with suspicious eyes.
'I can't let my guard down!'
This was Geom Mugeuk, who could embarrass him at any moment.
Without revealing his inner thoughts, Bi Sa-in also expressed his gratitude.
"Thanks to you, I protected my reputation."
Originally, their enemies had intended to use Bi Sa-in to eliminate the Heavenly Flower Pavilion Mistress.
If Geom Mugeuk hadn't intervened, their fates would have become even more entangled.
Just then, the Heavenly Flower Pavilion Mistress, who was bringing the dishes herself, said with a bright face, "You also saved all the lives in the Heavenly Flower Pavilion."
She placed the dishes on the table.
The spread prepared today was beyond what could be described as a magnificent feast.
All sorts of delicacies from land and sea were prepared, along with fine wine.
"Oh, and I have separately prepared wine and dishes for the martial artists."
Even though he hadn't asked beforehand, she had arranged a separate place for those standing guard outside.
In case they might feel uncomfortable, she had arranged separate spots for the Righteous, Demonic, and Unorthodox Sects in a corner of the courtesan house, so there would be no reason for them to clash.
"Thank you so much for your consideration."
The Heavenly Flower Pavilion Mistress looked at Geom Mugeuk.
"You saved me once before, and you've saved me again this time."
Geom Mugeuk looked around at the friends seated at the table and then spoke calmly.
"I would like to take credit for things I haven't done before our Mistress, but this time, it was a task accomplished by the Righteous, Demonic, and Unorthodox factions working together. It is the moment the three-party meeting at the Flowing Wine Tavern has finally borne fruit."
It was a historic day when the Righteous, Demonic, and Unorthodox factions had joined forces to face a single enemy.
And it was accomplished by the power of the successors, not the Cult Master and Alliance Leaders.
The Heavenly Flower Pavilion Mistress bowed her head respectfully to the others to express her gratitude.
She gave a separate smile to Jin Ha-ryeong, who had protected her.
"Then, please enjoy yourselves to your hearts' content."
After she bowed and left, Geom Mugeuk filled everyone's cup.
"Now, in celebration of our reunion, let's drink together."
Geom Mugeuk raised his cup, and everyone toasted.
"Let's drink and have fun as much as we want today. Until this drinking party ends, forget all enemies and conspiracies! Forget which factions we belong to. Let's just talk about our first loves and have some idle chatter!"
Everyone drained their wine in one go.
Bi Sa-in's guilt-ridden telepathic message flew in.
-Do not misunderstand.
-Misunderstand what?
-Me wearing white robes is purely a coincidence.
I was changing and just happened to grab these white robes.
Geom Mugeuk stared at Bi Sa-in, his face showing disappointment.
-Why?
-Did you comb your hair yourself?
Startled, Bi Sa-in said firmly.
─I did not!
A moment later, Bi Sa-in asked cautiously.
·Does it look strange?
Geom Mugeuk struggled to hold back his laughter and drank his wine.
The man had come late, having even combed his hair.
Despite that fearsome face, despite being the terrifying Young Alliance Leader of the Unorthodox Alliance, he was still a young man in his prime.
-Looking again, I think it looks fine.
-Anyway, do not misunderstand.
There was no way he would have worn white if Han Seol hadn't approved of it.
And combing his hair too? Wasn't this more than just a good first impression, but love at first sight?
As Geom Mugeuk was about to take another drink, he was startled.
Bi Sa-in was glaring fiercely at him.
ㅡJust you try to make a joke! On that day, a great war between the Demonic and Righteous paths will erupt.
-I didn't say anything.
-I have warned you!
Of course, the warning had no effect.
Just as Geom Mugeuk was smiling, pondering how to best tease him to make it legendary, a voice spoke.
"I think white suits you better."
Everyone's gaze turned towards the speaker.
-Huh? This was not in my calculations.
Bi Sa-in didn't even register Geom Mugeuk's telepathic message.
The one who had spoken was, surprisingly, Han Seol.
She looked at Bi Sa-in and said, "I mean it suits you better than the black robes you wore yesterday."
Bi Sa-in's face flushed slightly, and his eyes widened.
He was so stunned he didn't know what to say.
ㅡHurry up and say thank you!
At Geom Mugeuk's telepathic message, Bi Sa-in respectfully clasped his fist towards her and replied.
"Thank you for seeing me in a good light."
"I was merely stating my impression."
Bi Sa-in sent another telepathic message to Geom Mugeuk.
ㅡYou put her up to this, didn't you? To make fun of me.
His voice, which never trembled even when fighting powerful enemies, was now shaking.
-I am not that close with Miss Han.
Geom Mugeuk looked at Han Seol with a new perspective.
When he saw her before, she gave off the impression of being very closed off in her relationships.
She felt a bit different from back then.
Perhaps feeling burdened by the gazes focused on her, she added the reason for her comment.
"Most people in the Palace wear white robes, so I know who looks good in white and who doesn't."
Geom Mugeuk seized on her words.
He could not let this golden opportunity slip away.
"Since the topic has come up, why don't you give the Young Alliance Leader a word of advice on how to wear white robes?"
Han Seol looked at Bi Sa-in.
At that, Bi Sa-in's face turned even redder.
"How could I possibly give such advice?"
As she politely declined, Geom Mugeuk persuaded her.
"You know, don't you? People like us will never hear such words in our lifetime if not for an opportunity like this. If you do not tell him, Young Alliance Leader Bi will wear gloomy black robes for the rest of his life."
Since he put it that way, she couldn't refuse.
She glanced at Bi Sa-in for a moment, then spoke calmly.
"Because you have a strong presence, you probably wore intensely colored martial robes like black or red. But that only emphasizes your presence more. Even if it is not white like now, if you wear clothes in bright, warm colors, you will come across as much softer."
Bi Sa-in was speechless for a moment.
It was the first time in his life he had received advice to wear warm-colored martial robes.
He had never once thought that warm-colored martial robes would suit him.
No, he had never even considered wearing such robes in the first place.
Bi Sa-in bowed his head slightly to her and said, "Thank you for your words."
Han Seol also bowed her head slightly.
A short distance away, the Ice Cold Twin Blades looked at each other and exchanged glances.
It was the first time they realized their Young Palace Master had such a side to her.
She was usually the one who just listened.
─The Palace Master would be surprised if she heard.
─She would not believe it.
This too, they thought, was a side the Ice Palace Master was completely unaware of.
Geom Mugeuk raised his cup again.
"Now, to our Young Alliance Leader's splendid martial robes!"
Everyone drained their cups again.
Putting down his cup, Geom Mugeuk asked Han Seol, "Miss Han, what is your ideal type?"
At the sudden question, Han Seol wore a surprised expression.
Beside her, Bi Sa-in glared at Geom Mugeuk.
-I told you not to!
Geom Mugeuk feigned ignorance and continued the conversation with her.
"Why are you so surprised?"
"It is the first time I have been asked such a question."
Indeed.
Who would have ever asked the Young Palace Master of the Ice Palace who her ideal type was?
"Why do you ask?"
"Can't friends ask such things of each other?"
At the word 'friend', Han Seol's clear eyes shone even brighter.
She seemed to ponder for a moment.
"I like a dependable man. One of few words."
"You are too much!"
The quick-witted Jin Ha-ryeong sent a telepathic message to Geom Mugeuk.
─Telling the Young Alliance Leader to wear white, that was your doing, wasn't it?
It was unlikely he would have shown up in white robes to such a gathering.
There was also a subtle current flowing at the drinking party.
-It was.
─Are you trying to set them up?
Even without resorting to a woman's intuition, just by knowing Geom Mugeuk, she had an inkling.
-I thought they would look good together.
Hearing this, Jin Ha-ryeong looked at her older brother.
'What about my brother!'
She was worried he would be upset knowing Geom Mugeuk only looked out for Bi Sa-in.
She knew better than anyone how much her brother thought of Geom Mugeuk, which was why she was worried.
-You could have looked out for my brother too.
─You should be the one looking out for Branch Master Jin.
You lead the gatherings of the rising generation, have you not met hundreds of female warriors?
For a moment, Jin Ha-ryeong winced.
Not hundreds, but she had met many fine female warriors.
Come to think of it, she had never resolved to find a woman suitable for her brother.
She had vaguely thought that since he would become the Martial Alliance Leader, he would meet a better female warrior later.
To be honest, she had not really given it any thought.
And now she could not very well ask Geom Mugeuk why he did not care.
She was truly repentant.
Even though they were just friends, they were still outsiders.
Yet an outsider was showing such consideration.
Jin Ha-ryeong looked at her brother.
What could have happened in the formation? She had sensed that her brother had been deep in thought more often since then.
Yes, he was so busy and so exhausted, when would he have the time to court a woman?
'Alright, I will find someone for you, brother!'
Geom Mugeuk led the atmosphere of the party with various stories while exchanging telepathic messages with Bi Sa-in.
-Do not just sit there drinking.
Ask Miss Han some questions too.
─I appreciate your sentiment, but you do not have to.
Honestly, Bi Sa-in liked his first impression of Han Seol.
Based on appearance alone, she was his ideal type.
ㅡIt is a lost cause anyway.
How could the Ice Palace and the Unorthodox Alliance ever be connected?
The Ice Palace belonged to the mysterious factions of the Outlands, but it was a sect closer to the Righteous Path.
─Are you and I friends because we had a connectable relationship?
─It is different with us.
Geom Mugeuk filled Bi Sa-in's empty cup.
-And if it does not work out, it will be because of your face.
Why would it not work out because of the Unorthodox Alliance and the Ice Palace?
About to get angry, Bi Sa-in let out a hollow laugh.
─That is true.
ㅡConversely, it could work out because of your face.
-What do you mean by that?
-Did I not tell you before? That your smiling face is handsome.
If a woman thinks like me, it will work out because of that face.
-Nonsense!
He truly thought it was nonsense.
Even he thought he looked incredibly scary and fierce.
-If she had no interest at all, she would not have said that the white robes suit you well earlier.
Bi Sa-in tilted his cup again.
He did not know.
-If you part ways now, who knows when you will see each other again. ㅡI see your scheme.
You want to make fun of me getting rejected after I confess, right?
─Of course, I am not entirely without such thoughts, but why would I want to see you get angry and ruin this fine drinking party?
Bi Sa-in, feeling he should not fall for it, fell for it again.
-Then why are you doing this?
-The martial world is good, the Unorthodox Alliance is good, everything is good, but are we not also in our youth?
These youths still do not know.
How quickly time flows to reach life's final destination.
-Later, Miss Han might remember, but you probably will not remember what this excitement felt like.
Bi Sa-in stared at Geom Mugeuk.
He has not even lived it, yet he speaks so well.
ㅡHave courage.
You are the man who even danced in front of all those people.
Bi Sa-in finally burst into laughter.
At least when he recalled that incident, he had no regrets.
-If I get rejected, I will not even piss in the direction of the Northern Sea.
If war breaks out, the Northern Sea Ice Palace will be the first I attack! The Main Sect will join me then!
In truth, a more powerful temptation than this playful nonsense was this.
So far, he had never suffered a loss or had regrets from listening to Geom Mugeuk's words.
Of course, that did not mean he planned to reveal his feelings to Han Seol.
Even if he regretted it later, this memory of Geom Mugeuk persuading him was enough.
Later, Geom Mugeuk would probably tease him.
He would say, 'I told you to listen to me back then.' Yes, he might regret it.
But Geom Mugeuk was a man who did not know how to give up.
-The night is still young.
Now, shall we liven things up a bit?
Geom Mugeuk abruptly rose from his seat.
"We were not the only ones who fought last night."
Geom Mugeuk's gaze turned to the Thirteen Wolves of the Unorthodox Path and the Demon Slaying Branch guarding various places, and to the Faceless Ones perched on the distant wall.
"We all fought together, so we must all drink together. At least for today."
Geom Mugeuk extended his hand, and his energy moved the objects.
Swoosh.
He gathered the tables and chairs that were set up separately in the corner into one place.
The tables laden with food moved swiftly without a single drop of wine being spilled, and the numerous chairs moved without making a sound.
"Today, let's all gather and drink. Let's pour each other drinks and make toasts. We do not need an outer perimeter guard for today. They could not defeat us when we were sober, so how could they possibly defeat us when we are drunk?"
At his words, a few of the martial artists laughed.
But they could not just sit and drink in the presence of the Young Alliance Leader and the Demon Slaying Branch Master.
Just then, a voice was heard.
"We will guard the Heavenly Flower Pavilion today."
Turning around, they saw the Evil Heart Laughing Demon standing at the entrance.
Behind him, the Faceless Ones were lined up.
Jin Ha-gun and Bi Sa-in were surprised and bewildered.
The Evil Heart Laughing Demon and the Faceless Ones could not drink with them anyway.
But even so, they never expected the Evil Heart Laughing Demon to offer to protect them.
Geom Mugeuk smiled and said, "Would you do that for us?"
From behind his mask, the Evil Heart Laughing Demon laughed and said, "Please drink to your hearts' content today."
Geom Mugeuk looked at Jin Ha-gun and Bi Sa-in.
Since Geom Mugeuk and even the Evil Heart Laughing Demon had stepped forward, there was no need to hesitate further.
The two of them nodded, then called all their subordinates inside.
"Now, drink at ease today! That is an order!"
The people of the Heavenly Flower Pavilion carried in wine and dishes.
The Thirteen Wolves of the Unorthodox Path and the Demon Slaying Branch sat down together.
They had conducted operations together before, so they were not exactly strangers.
Geom Mugeuk went around and poured wine for everyone.
"Now, let us drink comfortably today. Set aside all your troubles and worries, and for today, let us celebrate our survival!"
A boisterous noise could be heard from inside.
At some point, the Evil Heart Laughing Demon was standing on the highest roof of the Heavenly Flower Pavilion, his arms crossed.
Below him, the Faceless Ones were scattered across the roofs and walls, standing or crouching, guarding the surroundings.
Moonlight shone through a hole in the broken wall.
Through that hole, the figure of Geom Mugeuk could be seen, raising his cup high and shouting a toast.
Today, it was not the sword at his waist, but the wine cup they raised together that shone in the moonlight.