Han Seol followed Geom Mugeuk.
The martial artists they passed saw Geom Mugeuk and bowed respectfully.
She could see it in their eyes.
A deep trust and loyalty for Geom Mugeuk.
Was it because of what happened at the Demon Family Village? She found herself constantly comparing herself to Geom Mugeuk.
Until now, she had never seen how the martial artists of the Ice Palace looked at her.
No, she must have seen them, but she had never paid attention, so she couldn't remember.
For the first time, she wondered what kind of look was in their eyes.
They entered the Heavenly Demon Hall.
Han Seol's heart pounded at the thought of meeting the Cult Master for the first time.
Just then, a telepathic message from Sa Han came to her.
-Do not be nervous! We will protect you.
In truth, the Ice Cold Twin Blades were even more nervous.
They had thought they would never see the Heavenly Demon in their lifetime.
In the distance, she could see Geom Woojin sitting on the Grand Advisor's seat.
To Han Seol, the sight of him alone in the vast Heavenly Demon Hall felt unfamiliar, yet lonely.
Walking down the path of blood, Geom Mugeuk spoke in a loud voice.
“Father! Your son has completed his mission and returned.”
His voice echoed powerfully.
Although he was too far for anyone else to see, Geom Mugeuk used his Divine Eye Technique to see a faint smile form on his father's lips.
He must be happy that his son had returned.
Having reached the base of the Grand Advisor's seat, Geom Mugeuk looked up at his father.
His eyes met his father's.
“Seeing you, Father, I finally feel like I've returned to the Main Sect.”
To feel this sense of relief just by seeing his father.
It was something he could never have imagined when he first regressed.
Han Seol silently looked up at Geom Woojin.
Geom Woojin's gaze turned to her.
'He's more handsome than the doll!'
Geom Woojin's real-life appearance and presence were something the doll could never capture.
She had thought the doll was beautified because he was the 'Heavenly Demon,' but the real person was far more handsome.
She had expected him to have a terrifying appearance.
And only after getting closer could she feel it.
This space was not vast at all.
The presence of the man named Geom Woojin filled the entire space.
Geom Mugeuk introduced Han Seol.
“This is the Young Palace Master of the Northern Sea Ice Palace.”
Of course, he had notified the Heaven-Reaching Pavilion in advance, so his father would have known he was returning with Han Seol.
Han Seol bowed respectfully and greeted him.
"I am Han Seol. It is a great honor to meet such a venerable person."
“You must be tired from the long journey.”
“Thanks to the Young Cult Master, I had a good time seeing the Central Plains.”
The Ice Cold Twin Blades who came with her also bowed respectfully.
“We are the Ice Cold Twin Blades. We greet the Supreme Master of the Divine Sect.”
“I have heard much of your reputation.”
The two of them felt a much more intense sensation than Han Seol.
The moment their eyes met Geom Woojin's, they felt their entire bodies freeze.
Even though he did not emit any particular aura, Geom Woojin's presence alone overwhelmed the two of them.
Just as Sa Han was about to resist that presence.
Shiiik.
Shunk.
He heard the sound of a blade of wind, followed by the sound of flesh being cut.
Sa Han looked down at his chest.
It was soaked in blood.
A long line of blood was also drawn across the chest of So Bing, who stood beside him.
Sa Han turned around.
He saw the back of Geom Woojin, who had cut him and So Bing as he passed.
Sa Han looked down at his own sword.
It was drawn by about a hand's breadth.
'This is the difference in skill between the Heavenly Demon and me!'
This all happened in Sa Han's imagination.
He liked to read his opponent's presence or aura to imagine and anticipate his fights, and most of his battles ended as he foresaw.
What if he had tried to fight the Heavenly Demon today? The result would not have been much different.
'A one-move opponent!'
He knew the Cult Master was strong, but he never imagined his presence would be this powerful.
Geom Woojin spoke to the three of them.
“Rest comfortably at the Main Sect before you leave.”
Han Seol and the Ice Cold Twin Blades clasped their fists and bowed.
“Thank you.”
Geom Woojin said to Geom Mugeuk.
"Take good care of them."
“Yes, I will come see you again later then.”
He had much to say to his father, but he would have to save that for a time when they were alone.
After Han Seol and the Ice Cold Twin Blades bid farewell to Geom Woojin, they left the Heavenly Demon Hall with Geom Mugeuk.
"Haa."
As she stepped out the door, Han Seol let out a sigh.
She had only exchanged greetings, yet her entire body ached as if she had fallen ill.
It was because she had been too tense.
Sa Han's expression was stiff.
Seeing him, So Bing could guess what her husband had imagined and what the result had been.
“How was my father?"
At Geom Mugeuk's question, Han Seol answered honestly.
"He was truly magnificent.”
“Don't you start. I keep losing to my father in popularity contests these days."
"I can see why."
“That's harsh!”
Geom Mugeuk led them to the guest hall where the most honored guests stayed.
The room was so lavishly decorated that it made one wonder if a guest room could be this splendid.
“You must be tired from the long journey. For now, get some rest, and I'll see you at the Flowing Wine Tavern in the evening.”
“Thank you."
Just then, a subordinate came and reported.
Before going to the Heavenly Demon Hall, he had ordered the subordinate to find out if Lee Ahn had returned.
“Martial artist Lee has not yet returned.”
Hearing the report, a hint of disappointment crossed Han Seol's face.
“I might have to leave without seeing my sister."
This, too, was an unfamiliar feeling of regret.
She had never felt disappointed about not being able to meet someone.
Then, the subordinate added.
“Oh, and the Underworld Pavilion Lord has just returned.”
"Did he come alone?"
Geom Mugeuk knew that Seo Daeryong's fate depended on the answer to this question.
“No, sir. He came with some women."
Geom Mugeuk's face brightened.
After the subordinate finished his report and left, Han Seol asked Geom Mugeuk.
"What's happened that makes you so happy?"
“It seems my right-hand man has finally found his spring day.”
Her expression showed she didn't understand what he meant, but instead of explaining, Geom Mugeuk made an unexpected suggestion.
“How about you stay at the Main Sect until Lee Ahn returns?"
His words were so unexpected that not only Han Seol but also the Ice Cold Twin Blades were surprised.
“Is there any reason you must return to the Northern Sea in a hurry?"
“Not really.”
"Then there's no reason you can't, is there?"
“Isn't it strange? For the Young Palace Master of the Northern Sea Ice Palace to stay in the Divine Sect.”
“Just think of it as visiting a friend's house."
He had used the word 'friend' at the Heavenly Flower Pavilion as well, and now he was calling her a friend again.
"Do you really consider me a friend?”
It was a cautious question, but the answer came easily.
“I do."
"But we don't know each other very well, do we?"
“What friends know everything from the start? If it feels right, you become friends. In fact, the more you know, the harder it is to become friends.”
Han Seol didn't know how to respond.
She had never had a friend before.
“Think about it. If we were to become friends when we're older, we'd scrutinize every little thing. What they did in the past, what their personality is like, how they are when they drink, if they hold grudges, how greedy they are."
"If even one thing doesn't sit right, that nagging feeling would prevent us from becoming friends. But when we're young, it's the opposite, isn't it? Even if you dislike everything else, if you connect on just one thing, you can become friends."
“Then what was it that connected with me?”
Then came words she had never expected.
"Because you're as refreshing as the winds of the Northern Sea.”
Han Seol's eyes widened slightly.
“You’re the kind of person who goes when I say, ‘Let's go to the Main Sect,’ goes when I say, ‘Let's meet at the Unorthodox Alliance,’ and buys all the dolls when I say we should. I thought it would be nice to have a friend who lives by their feelings. Especially since I'm a person who worries and overthinks a lot. Now, please rest well, and I'll see you later.”
After Geom Mugeuk left the guest hall, Han Seol stood there in a daze for a moment.
We connected because I'm as refreshing as the wind?
I'm a friend who lives by her feelings?
It was the first time in her life she had heard such things.
And it didn't sound bad.
Of course, Geom Mugeuk's proposal was not welcomed by the Ice Cold Twin Blades.
“You must not stay in the Divine Sect for too long.”
Han Seol asked him in return.
“Are you worried the Young Cult Master is plotting something?”
“Even if that's not the case, this place is the most dangerous dragon's lair and tiger's den in the Martial World. We don't know what might happen in the future.”
Han Seol walked to the window.
She could see the back of Geom Mugeuk walking out past the guest hall's flower garden.
Thinking about it, she had indeed come all this way trusting only him.
“In the midst of the Central Plains' forest of blades and mountains of swords, isn't this the one place we can rest for a while?”
At her words, the Ice Cold Twin Blades looked at each other.
These days, the Han Seol they had known since she was a child felt unfamiliar.
She used to be the one who would stand up and leave at the slightest discomfort, with a biting cold wind about her.
Sa Han said to her.
“Do not trust the Young Cult Master too much. In the end, he is still a demonic practitioner. No, before that, do not trust people.”
Han Seol turned to the two of them and asked.
“But you two trust each other, don't you?"
"Well, that's......."
Just as Sa Han was trying to persuade her, So Bing spoke.
“However long we stay, let's just enjoy our time here.”
Sa Han looked at So Bing.
-This is the Young Palace Master's first trip to the Central Plains, isn't it?
After sending the telepathic message to her husband, So Bing spoke in a calm tone.
Her words weren't meant just for Han Seol.
“When will we ever get to visit the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect again?"
“Is this where we'll be living from now on?"
Awed by the grandeur of the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect's Main Sect, the youngest, Dan-yeon, asked in a trembling voice.
Though she pretended to be calm, Dan-ah was trembling just as much.
She looked at Seo Daeryong beside her.
She had come to the Main Sect of the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect, trusting this one man.
And she had brought her two younger sisters with her.
Seo Daeryong looked at Dan-ah and said.
“From now on, this is home. Come, let's go in.”
Seo Daeryong entered the main gate with them.
The demonic practitioners guarding the gate were so fearsome it was hard to even meet their eyes.
But they bowed respectfully to Seo Daeryong.
"Oh, brother-in-law! That's cool!"
At Dan-yeon's whisper, Seo Daeryong's shoulders straightened with pride.
As they went inside through a small gate.
“Waaaaah!"
Dan-yeon shouted without realizing it.
She was startled by the giant demon statues.
“They look so scary.”
“Scary? From now on, they're here to protect us."
Hearing that, the Dan Sisters realized their fate had changed.
As the three women walked toward the inner courtyard, they constantly looked around, marveling.
The scale was truly overwhelming.
Some of the demonic practitioners passing by recognized the Underworld Pavilion Lord and bowed their heads respectfully.
Seeing how most people greeted him first, the Dan Sisters truly understood Seo Daeryong's standing.
They had vaguely known he was a high-ranking person, but this was the moment they saw with their own eyes that he was indeed a high-ranking official in the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect.
Seo Daeryong first took them to his residence.
The maids had kept it spotless, so despite his long absence, the house was clean.
“For the time being, stay here.”
As it was the residence of the Underworld Pavilion Lord, there were several rooms.
“Sister-in-law, pick any room you like!”
The term ‘sister-in-law’ now rolled off Seo Daeryong’s tongue.
Of course, he only called the youngest, who took his jokes well, 'sister-in-law.'
"The house is so nice!"
Dan-yeon, who was running from room to room with excitement, said to her second sister.
“I’ll give you first choice. Which room do you want?"
She knew her second sister wanted to settle down more than anyone, so she let her choose her favorite room first.
Lying on the bed in the room she had chosen, Dan-bi looked out the window, a sense of relief washing over her face.
She had stayed in better places many times, but no matter how nice they were, they weren't home.
Now, this place was her home, her room.
Dan-yeon smiled as she watched Dan-bi.
In truth, she wasn't as desperate to settle down as her sister.
She still preferred wandering the Central Plains, but she didn't show it for her sisters' sake.
After they had chosen their rooms, the three sisters gathered in one place.
Dan-ah bowed her head to Seo Daeryong to express her gratitude.
"Thank you."
“What are you talking about? I'm the one who's grateful you trusted and followed me.”
Dan-ah had made up her mind on the way here.
“We won't cause any trouble for you, Pavilion Lord. You don't have to go out of your way for us. We can start from the lowest-level martial artist. We'll take the test to enter officially."
She had heard that the Underworld Pavilion was the institution that enforced the laws of the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect.
She was worried that problems would arise if he used his authority as the Underworld Pavilion Lord to place them somewhere.
She was confident they could survive on their own, no matter what.
After all, they had overcome the harsh life of a wanderer.
“Don't worry about us, brother-in-law! If it doesn't work out, we can just do menial chores.”
Just then, someone spoke.
“They are honored guests. That won't do.”
The four of them turned in surprise to see Geom Mugeuk standing at the door.
“Young Cult Master!"
The Dan Sisters hurriedly greeted him.
“We greet the Young Cult Master.”
They had seen Geom Mugeuk at the inn and at the branch office.
Seo Daeryong rushed over to Geom Mugeuk.
“Are you hurt anywhere, sir?"
“I am fine.”
Seeing him still take care of him in front of Dan-ah, Seo Daeryong said.
“You can speak comfortably now. We will be seeing each other often from now on.”
Geom Mugeuk smiled brightly at them and said.
"Welcome."
“We will serve you with all our loyalty from now on.”
Geom Mugeuk looked at Seo Daeryong.
Seo Daeryong smiled sheepishly, but his expression was that of a victor, challenging him.
Geom Mugeuk decided to play along with his old friend, who seemed to want to joke around for the first time in a while.
“How dare you fall in love before the Young Cult Master?”
“Well, I am a bit older."
The two men looked at each other and laughed.
Geom Mugeuk said to Dan-ah.
“You have an excellent eye for men.”
Dan-ah smiled, and Seo Daeryong waved his hand, saying not to say such things.
But Seo Daeryong's eyes said, 'Please, a little more.'
“Pavilion Lord Seo once said that the Main Sect would not change."
"The change in the Main Sect began the moment he said those words to me."
"Perhaps Pavilion Lord Seo said that because he wanted to bring the three of you to the Main Sect.”
The three women didn't quite understand what he meant, but Seo Daeryong felt a lump in his throat as he recalled the past.
He was so grateful to Geom Mugeuk, who always said that the change began because of him.
Geom Mugeuk said to the three women.
“If it weren't for you all this time, we would have been in real trouble."
After all, it would have led to the death of the Heavenly Flower Pavilion Mistress.
“It wouldn't be right for those who have performed such great merit to start as low-level martial artists. I intend to arrange positions for you.”
As if he had a place in mind for each of them, Geom Mugeuk said to the three women.
“You've been together your whole lives, so how about you practice being apart now?"