Who would you not be able to bear losing?
Jin Pae-cheon could not answer easily.
It was not because he had never thought about it.
Losing someone precious.
He was someone who had felt a deeper sorrow than anyone else in the world over this.
People try to forget sad things one way or another, but how could one forget a child buried in one's heart?
That was why it was a worry that had tormented him countless times throughout his life.
What if he lost his grandchildren as well?
How could Geom Mugeuk not know his heart?
Having once had a heart-to-heart talk with Jin Pae-cheon about the death of his son and daughter-in-law, he understood that heart better than anyone.
He knew his question would reopen old wounds, but he had to ask.
Because they were currently facing a vile enemy who only sought out their wounds to stab them.
He knew it was an utterly inconsiderate question to ask the Alliance Leader.
“You can just tell me the first person who came to mind.”
Jin Pae-cheon had no intention of answering.
He had already said more than enough to this young Cult Master today, things he should and shouldn't have said.
“Do you really think the reason they are coming is to kill my people?”
Geom Mugeuk nodded firmly.
“Yes, I believe so.”
“And why are you so sure?”
“Because I can’t find any other reason.”
Couldn't it be for this reason?
It would have been nice if he could have said something like that, but Jin Pae-cheon also couldn't find another reason.
“I would rather they came to kill me or my brother.”
But that wasn't it.
If their goal had been to kill him, So Jeong-rak's actions would have been different from the start.
A name that had not come from Jin Pae-cheon now came from Geom Mugeuk.
“Where is Miss Jin right now?”
The next moment!
A powerful aura erupted from Jin Pae-cheon's body.
Shwaaaaaa!
The bamboo stalks all bent at once from Jin Pae-cheon's aura that spread out in all directions.
Geom Mugeuk's hair and clothes fluttered violently as if they would be blown away by a storm.
It was a terrifying aura, as if he might draw his sword and strike at any moment.
Tatatatatat!
The Escort Martial Artists who felt Jin Pae-cheon's aura flew over and landed.
The aura had reached even those who were guarding the outside of the bamboo forest.
Jin Pae-cheon said to the Escort Martial Artists.
“Find Ha-ryeong and bring her to the Alliance Leader’s Hall.”
Swish swish swish!
Half of the Escort Martial Artists leaped away and vanished from the spot.
Jin Pae-cheon didn't question whether Geom Mugeuk's words were true or not.
“Next will be Branch Master Jin.”
Again, the truth of these words was a matter for later.
“Tell Branch Master Jin and the Demon Slaying Branch that the Demon Flame Lord and the White Bone Soul Demon might be targeting them.”
Another Escort Martial Artist leaped away and vanished.
Only then did Jin Pae-cheon dismiss the Escort Martial Artists.
Jin Pae-cheon withdrew his blade-sharp aura and asked.
“Is my question answered now?”
“Yes, more than enough.”
Though he appeared calm, a storm was raging in Jin Pae-cheon’s heart.
The thought that his grandchildren's safety was at stake made him feel as if a fog was clouding his mind.
When the question of who he couldn't bear to lose came up, he should have given the order right then.
It was when Geom Mugeuk asked where Ha-ryeong was that his mind cleared in a flash.
“I have one more thing to tell you.”
This, too, would be a great shock to the Alliance Leader.
But it was something he had to tell him.
“Do you know of So Jeong-rak of the Enlightened Heart Clinic?”
At the mention of So Jeong-rak, Jin Pae-cheon’s gaze turned cold.
It was not a name that should have come up in this chaotic conspiracy.
“I know him well.”
“What kind of person is he?”
Jin Pae-cheon grew anxious.
What on earth is he going to say now?
“Stop beating around the bush and get to the point.”
First the Heavenly Wandering Hermit, and now So Jeong-rak.
The Alliance Leader's trust in him might fall even further, but Geom Mugeuk had no choice.
‘He is also one of the hidden forces.
And a master of Poison Arts.’
He expected a rough, explosive reaction.
Jin Pae-cheon, who had been staring quietly into Geom Mugeuk’s eyes, turned his head to look at the bamboo forest.
His gaze was utterly calm.
“You don’t seem surprised.”
“In a situation where my only friend could be an enemy, what else is there to be surprised about?”
Though he said that, Jin Pae-cheon's heart was in turmoil.
So Jeong-rak was a Doctor who did as much good as the Heavenly Wandering Hermit.
He had praised him to others countless times and had met him on many occasions.
And now he's also one of the hidden forces?
It was so absurd that he didn't even feel angry.
The mists that had been scattered by his aura began to fill the surroundings again.
The area was once again filled with fog.
“Do you have proof?”
“I have the most certain proof.”
“What is it?”
“It’s me.”
With a look asking what he meant, Jin Pae-cheon turned his head to look at Geom Mugeuk.
“He administered poison to me himself.”
“!”
What more certain proof could there be? If one truly believed Geom Mugeuk.
But what if one didn't?
“Isn't that the most uncertain proof?”
Knowing what the Alliance Leader meant, Geom Mugeuk could only give a faint smile.
“If you were poisoned, how are you so fine?”
Geom Mugeuk let out a light sigh.
“You might get very angry at what I’m about to say.”
After laying that groundwork.
“The Poison King is here in Wuhan.”
It would be a series of shocks for the Alliance Leader.
The Heavenly Wandering Hermit, the Demon Prohibition Order, So Jeong-rak, the Poison King.
“Hooo.”
The low breath Jin Pae-cheon let out echoed in the surroundings.
Geom Mugeuk could feel it.
How hard the Alliance Leader was trying to control his emotions right now.
The Poison King's presence was a different matter from another Demon Sovereign being here.
“The counterfeit weapons were coated in a powerful poison. Since it was related to my brother, I asked the Poison King to protect him.”
Geom Mugeuk bowed his head respectfully.
“I apologize for not telling you beforehand.”
Jin Pae-cheon asked in a cold tone.
“You said you trusted me, so why didn't you tell me?”
Geom Mugeuk raised his head and looked at Jin Pae-cheon.
It was the coldest gaze he had received since they met.
“After learning that the Heavenly Wandering Hermit was behind this, I judged that I had to move cautiously. Until then, I couldn't leave the sect.”
It was an excuse that told the truth, but Geom Mugeuk didn’t end it there.
“At the time, I thought it was for the best, but thinking about it now, I should have found a way to inform you first, Alliance Leader. I apologize.”
Geom Mugeuk conveyed his true feelings.
“To be honest, I was worried. The man behind this has been friends with you for decades, Alliance Leader. I was worried that speaking rashly might ruin things. In short, I didn't trust you, Alliance Leader. I have no right to speak of trust to you.”
Jin Pae-cheon looked down silently at the back of Geom Mugeuk’s bowed head.
How much time passed like that?
“I will accept your apology.”
“Thank you.”
The matter of the Poison King was something he could have gotten very angry about.
No matter the circumstances, the Poison King entering Wuhan without his permission was something that should never have happened.
Nevertheless, there was a reason Jin Pae-cheon accepted this apology.
“Looking at that mischievous-looking back of your head, a thought suddenly came to me. What if everything you said is true? What if you hadn’t told me any of this? Then I would have faced this situation knowing nothing.”
A truly unpleasant thought followed.
“What if I didn't know that my friend, Elder Hwa, was an enemy, that So Jeong-rak was an enemy, and that the old demons who broke the Demon Prohibition Order were coming to kill Ha-ryeong and Ha-gun?”
Even as he said it, a chill ran down Jin Pae-cheon’s spine.
Jin Pae-cheon asked with his eyes.
Is it all really true?
At that, Geom Mugeuk, who had been serious the whole time, smiled brightly and said.
“If I were you, Alliance Leader, I would have been truly happy. I would have thought, ‘Heaven has given me a chance to protect what is precious to me,’ and danced in the middle of Demon Family Village.”
Geom Mugeuk drew Jin Pae-cheon into that dance.
“So if you save Branch Master Jin and Miss Jin, are you not going to dance, Alliance Leader?”
Jin Pae-cheon was flustered by the unexpected question, but his answer was firm.
“I’d have to. If the kids are safe, what is there that I can’t do?”
“Yes, it’s the same for me. If my words are all true, and thanks to that, you save Miss Jin and Branch Master Jin, then you have to dance with me! You’ve promised!”
Seeing Geom Mugeuk’s wide smile, he couldn’t bring himself to say, ‘No, I didn’t promise!’
It was probably because the children’s lives were at stake.
“And if my words turn out to be false, isn't it the perfect opportunity to separate this dangerous friend from the Demon Sect from your grandson? So be happy. It's good if I'm right, and it's good if I'm wrong. Either way, it's a happy occasion.”
Jin Pae-cheon’s gaze deepened as he looked at Geom Mugeuk.
Was it because of his clear, deep eyes?
Or was it because of those uninhibited words?
When listening to Geom Mugeuk, everything he said sounded true.
He was captivating, even enthralling an old man like himself.
“I have one last thing to say.”
At those words, Jin Pae-cheon made an incredulous face.
“After saying so much, you still have more to say?”
“It’s something I must say to you, Alliance Leader.”
It was about his trust with Jin Pae-cheon.
“From now on, I will trust you, Alliance Leader. So whatever happens, I will tell you everything so there are no misunderstandings. Please watch me.”
The Young Cult Master of the Demon Sect says he trusts the Martial Alliance Leader and asks to be watched.
He asks to dance together.
Listening to him, he seemed like the kind of person who would really keep all the words he spoke.
This was the kind of person he was, which was why he had stressed again and again to his grandson to be careful.
And at this moment, Jin Pae-cheon thought to himself.
‘I should be careful myself.’
Geom Mugeuk bowed politely and turned away.
As he descended from the pavilion, Jin Pae-cheon spoke calmly from behind him.
“Nevertheless……………”
Geom Mugeuk stopped and looked back at him.
“I hope that not everything you said is true.”
Towards that half-serious, half-joking gaze, Geom Mugeuk replied earnestly.
“No, I hope everything I said is true. If it’s not… that would mean I am the enemy.”
Geom Mugeuk let out a light sigh and added.
“That in itself would be a problem, wouldn't it?”
Returning to his quarters, Geom Mugeuk gathered his brother and the two Demon Sovereigns.
“I told the Alliance Leader that Miss Jin and Branch Master Jin would be the targets, but there is one more person I'm thinking of.”
The Demon Buddha read Geom Mugeuk’s mind and pointed out a person.
“The Heavenly Wandering Hermit, right?”
Geom Mugeuk nodded, convinced.
“Yes, I believe he is the number one priority.”
The reason was easy enough to guess.
If he were to die at the hands of a demonic practitioner, a great conflict would arise between the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect and the Martial Alliance.
“But why is he the number one priority? The death of his own blood would be a bigger shock to the Alliance Leader.”
Geom Mugeuk nodded at Geom Muyang’s words.
“Yes, that shock would be incomparable.”
“But why? Is it because the Heavenly Wandering Hermit is more respected by the martial artists?”
“In that regard, the impact of Branch Master Jin's death wouldn't be small either. Think about it, not just anyone, but the Demon Slaying Branch Master was killed by a martial artist from our Main Sect. In terms of symbolism, it might not be as much as the Heavenly Wandering Hermit, but the martial artists of the Righteous Path would rise up like wildfire at his death too. Besides, he’s the Alliance Leader’s grandson, isn't he?”
“Then why do you say the Heavenly Wandering Hermit is the number one priority?”
The reason Geom Mugeuk judged it this way was because of this.
“Because of the Alliance Leader’s justification.”
Geom Mugeuk knew Jin Pae-cheon’s character well.
“Could the Alliance Leader truly start a war just because his own blood was killed?”
He is a man who has dedicated his entire life to righteousness and justice in the martial world.
“He has lived for the martial artists of the Righteous Path. Could he, with his noble character, drive them to their deaths just because his own blood was killed? If it were a stranger, it might be easier.”
On the other hand, what if the Heavenly Wandering Hermit were to die?
“A man respected by all martial artists of the Righteous Path was killed by a demonic practitioner. To endure this would only bring criticism.”
Only then did everyone nod.
If the goal was to create a rift between the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect and the Righteous Path, then the Heavenly Wandering Hermit was indeed a worthy number one target.
However, there was this question.
“Even so, they would sacrifice someone they’ve cultivated for decades?”
Geom Mugeuk answered Geom Muyang’s question.
“That’s why it would be more meaningful. If a great war between the Demonic and Righteous factions were to break out over the sacrifice of a single person.”
Geom Mugeuk added another possibility to that.
“What if there isn’t just one death? What if the Heavenly Wandering Hermit dies and Miss Jin dies? What if the Heavenly Wandering Hermit dies and Branch Master Jin dies? Or what if all three die? Not only the Alliance Leader’s fury, but no one would be able to stop the great war between the Demonic and Righteous factions from erupting.”
No matter how crazed a demonic practitioner might be, there wouldn’t be a master who would commit such an act.
But what if they were people with nowhere to return to?
A moment of silence flowed.
The Demon Buddha, who had been listening to the brothers' conversation, asked.
“How are you going to deal with it?”
The Demon Buddha had no idea how fortunate it was that the target of this question was Geom Mugeuk.
Because he himself had not been able to think of the things Geom Mugeuk had mentioned earlier.
“We’ll have to handle them one by one.”
Geom Mugeuk had already decided on the first target.
“Who in Wuhan could possibly undo the seal of the Demon Prohibition Order?”
At that, as if there was nothing to think about, the Poison King answered curtly.
“So Jeong-rak.”
Geom Mugeuk thought the same.
It must have been So Jeong-rak who had performed the Great Art to save the Martial King who was poisoned by the Poison King in the past.
The King of Darkness had said it back then.
That he was saved by performing the Great Art multiple times.
Being able to perform the Great Art meant he could also undo the seal of the Demon Prohibition Order.
Whether he did it alone or if someone else was involved, it was certain that So Jeong-rak was at the center of it.
“Since he dared to challenge the Poison King, let’s deal with So Jeong-rak first.”
It all seemed like separate events, but this time, everything was intricately connected.
And if one of them were to be cut off?
“When they can no longer undo the seal of the Demon Prohibition Order, how will the two old demons react?”