Preparations for departure were in full swing in the courtyard.
It had been decided that everyone would return to the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect’s main sect, with only Geom Mugeuk and Geom Muyang remaining.
It was not proper for so many of the Divine Sect’s masters to linger in Wuhan now that the matter was concluded; it was a matter of courtesy to the Martial Alliance.
Two people watched the scene from a distance.
They were the siblings, Gwak Yeong and Gwak Ju.
"We have to go back with them?"
Though they were a brave brother and sister who had cast their lot with the Demon Sect, they were more afraid of returning with those people.
"And the one who brought my sister here isn't even coming?"
Gwak Yeong was even more disappointed by that.
She wished Geom Muyang would go with them, but he had said he had things to do and would come later.
Come to think of it, the First Young Master of the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect was a more daunting and fearsome person than those Demon Sovereigns, yet she was relying on him.
She was grateful to Geom Muyang.
For such a frightening person to be someone they could depend on.
Gwak Yeong and Gwak Ju had found out who all those crazy people were.
And that the one who had called them crazy was the Poison King.
The Poison King?
The very Poison King that even peerless masters trembled before had walked past them, cracking jokes.
They all held such esteemed positions that it was rather hard to believe.
In one’s entire life, would there ever be an opportunity to meet the former Wind Heaven Sect Leader and the Demon Sovereigns? Yet, four such people were right before their eyes.
"They're not going to eat us, are they?"
At Gwak Ju's words, someone suddenly spoke from behind.
"They won't eat you, but they might use you as an ingredient to make poison."
Gwak Ju turned in surprise to see Geom Mugeuk had approached at some point.
"You've never been soaked in a vat full of poison, have you? Your body starts to go all mushy, and you can't tell if that thing floating over there is your finger or your ear."
Gwak Ju stared at Geom Mugeuk, swallowing a shocked breath.
Not because the vat of poison was scary, but because of the status of the person before him.
The Young Cult Master of the Demon Sect!
He hadn't known yesterday, but he knew now.
A person of even greater status than those four fearsome men was speaking to him.
Is this a dream? Yes, this must all be a dream.
The idea of his sister, a craftsman from the Martial Alliance’s Iron Workshop, defecting to the Demon Sect was a dreamlike story from the start.
"Which carriage are you going to ride in?"
Geom Mugeuk's question brought the dazed Gwak Ju back to his senses.
"Ah, ah. We are..."
Gwak Ju glanced at his sister.
As if Gwak Yeong had decided which one to ride in.
Two carriages were currently waiting in the courtyard.
The first carriage was for the Demon Buddha and the Poison King.
The second was for the Wind Heaven Sect Leader and the Soul-Devouring Demon Sovereign.
"Out of all of them, who looks like they have the best personality?"
At that, the four men who were about to board the carriages perked up their ears.
Geom Mugeuk had spoken to the siblings in a whisper, but were the hearing of four masters ordinary?
Besides, Geom Mugeuk was looking right at them as he whispered conspiratorially.
Gwak Ju looked them over and whispered softly.
"Based on looks alone, that handsome man over there seems to have the best personality."
He thought they wouldn't hear, but they heard everything.
The Wind Heaven Sect Leader frowned.
He wasn't so shameless as to hope to be chosen in a contest of who was most handsome.
But the one with a good personality!
That's me, isn't it? When else would I get to use this benevolent face if not now?
"What if you make a mistake by rashly getting into the first carriage just because he looks nice? You know, right? The poison vat!"
Gwak Ju nodded with a pale face.
"Then we'll take the second carriage."
"Right, that sort of thing won't happen there."
Just as he seemed to be reassuring him.
"But if you make a mistake there, you'll end up stabbing your sister to death and then killing yourself. See that man with the unpleasant face and the belly over there? You have to be especially careful of him."
The Wind Heaven Sect Leader shot a glare in their direction.
I can hear you, you punk!
Someone stopped him before he could shout.
"Stop playing around."
Turning around, they saw Geom Muyang standing there.
"You two, take that carriage and go back."
A third carriage had arrived.
The men guarding the carriage were the Division martial artists who had first come with Geom Muyang.
He had ordered them to escort the two back to the main sect before returning.
Gwak Yeong and Gwak Ju felt a sense of relief at the fact that they could travel separately from the Demon Sovereigns.
"I've already sent word ahead, so when you arrive, go to the Iron Workshop and meet Master Craftsman Gwak."
"Thank you for your consideration."
Her eyes, as she looked at Geom Muyang, were filled with many emotions.
It was better when she didn't know his identity and spoke to him so casually.
Then she would have been able to convey this burning gratitude more clearly.
What a shame.
And so, Gwak Yeong and Gwak Ju walked toward the third carriage.
As the two passed by, the Wind Heaven Sect Leader said to the Soul-Devouring Demon Sovereign.
"People usually pick the one who saved their life as number one."
Just then, Gwak Ju flinched.
The Soul-Devouring Demon Sovereign played along with his master's lingering grudge.
"I do need the blood of a young man for the Great Art."
"Aack!" With a single cry, Gwak Ju scurried to the third carriage.
He knew it was a joke, but knowing didn't make it any less scary.
Gwak Yeong followed with an awkward laugh.
Geom Mugeuk and Geom Muyang watched them.
"You should take good care of them from now on."
"You're the one bringing them, so why should I take care of them?"
"You're good at taking care of people."
"From what I saw this time, you have a talent for it too, brother."
Geom Muyang gave no reply.
Rescuing the Gwak siblings this time was different from his past self.
It was an event that allowed him to confirm his own change.
"I like the way you are these days, brother. I like you more and more. So I'll say it again, don't you ever dream of going back to how you were."
"..."
Just then, the carriages started to depart.
Geom Mugeuk ran up and bowed to the Demon Buddha and the Poison King.
"I'll see you at the main sect. And when you see the Grand Strategist, please tell him not to worry about us and to please get some rest!"
The two didn't even look at him, busy discussing poisonous herbs.
"Demon Buddha! You're just being used!"
And so, the first carriage left.
He entrusted another person to the Wind Heaven Sect Leader.
"Sect Leader, please take care of our Grand Strategist Go!"
The Wind Heaven Sect Leader snapped the window shut.
"As if he's actually worried!"
A moment later, the door opened slightly, and the Soul-Devouring Demon Sovereign sent a nod of farewell.
And so, the second carriage also departed.
When the third carriage passed, the playfulness had vanished from Geom Mugeuk's face.
"Welcome to the Main Sect."
A completely different atmosphere than before.
A clear, deep gaze and an overwhelming presence that could not be described with words.
Gwak Yeong and Gwak Ju bowed their heads respectfully.
"Thank you so much for accepting us."
And so, the three carriages set off for the main sect.
Geom Mugeuk walked straight out the gate.
"I'm going to drop by the Martial Alliance for a bit."
Geom Muyang shook his head and called out loudly.
"Is the Martial Alliance your living room, for you to come and go as you please?"
Geom Mugeuk's reply came from beyond the wall.
"They told me to come!"
The streets of Wuhan were buzzing with two pieces of news.
The first was the death of the Heavenly Wandering Hermit, Hwa Yul-cheong.
When the fact that he was a villain who had infiltrated the Martial Alliance was revealed, the martial artists of Wuhan were thrown into shock.
The Martial Alliance made its position clear.
They announced that the person who had personally executed the Heavenly Wandering Hermit was the Martial Alliance Leader, and that his evil deeds had been confirmed by not only the guards of the Alliance Leader’s Hall but also the martial artists of the Demon Slaying Branch.
Hwa Yul-cheong had mocked Jin Pae-cheon, asking, "Do you really think the martial artists will believe your words?" but the fallout was not as great as he had anticipated.
Those who had followed him like devoted believers raised issues, but far more people trusted the Martial Alliance Leader and the Martial Alliance.
It wasn't just Jin Pae-cheon's martial skill that Hwa Yul-cheong had failed to properly gauge.
He had also failed to properly gauge the true strength of Jin Pae-cheon, who had lived his entire life as a shameless Alliance Leader.
It would take time for this situation to be resolved, but there was no chaos significant enough to become a problem.
There was also a second piece of news that overshadowed that event.
It was the news that Jin Ha-gun had become the successor.
The martial artists of the Righteous Path cheered at the news.
Many had thought that the next Alliance Leader should be Jin Ha-gun.
That was how much the Demon Slaying Branch had devoted themselves to the justice and righteousness of the Martial World, disregarding their own lives.
Geom Mugeuk, with a bamboo hat pulled low, walked through the noisy marketplace, which was filled with talk of Jin Ha-gun becoming the successor.
The place he arrived at was the headquarters of the Martial Alliance.
Jin Ha-ryeong was waiting for him at the entrance.
She watched as Geom Mugeuk walked toward her.
'You saved us again.'
Seeing him kept reminding her of when she first met him.
The more significant the person named Geom Mugeuk became, the more she thought of it.
Geom Mugeuk arrived in front of her.
"Is it all over now?"
At her words, Geom Mugeuk shook his head.
"No! Our time starts now!"
Knowing he meant it was time for them to enjoy themselves together, Jin Ha-ryeong smiled happily.
"Let's go, my grandfather is waiting."
The two of them entered the Martial Alliance.
The place she led him to was not toward the Alliance Leader’s Hall.
As if orders had been given in advance, the guards they met did not ask for Geom Mugeuk's identity and let him pass.
The two chatted as they walked together.
"Aren't you disappointed?"
"About what?"
"You could have become the successor too."
"That's something only a person with ambition would covet. I don't have that kind of ambition. The Alliance Leader's granddaughter, and in the future, the Alliance Leader's sister. I'm a person who's already overwhelmed just handling those two roles."
Geom Mugeuk knew she had a greater ambition, but he was certain it wasn't to be the Martial Alliance Leader.
"What about Ha-gun?"
"My brother is at the training grounds right now."
Jin Ha-gun, who had been taught the Imperial Sword Forms by Jin Pae-cheon, was training alone.
Since it was important to properly digest the teachings when he first received them, he would probably be cooped up in the training grounds for a while.
This was a more important moment for him than any other.
"Perfect. In the meantime, we can prepare the celebration feast."
"Are you really going to do it?"
"Of course. A friend has achieved his dream. Let's just invite our friends and have a small party."
Though the word 'small' didn't quite suit them.
"I've already invited everyone."
"You're so diligent."
This gathering would truly be a meeting of the official successors of the Righteous, Demonic, and Unorthodox Factions.
Jin Ha-ryeong was genuinely curious.
"Isn't this a bother for you?"
Among the friends gathering, he was the most outstanding in every way, be it status, martial arts, or personality.
'Do I really have to be the one to gather everyone?' It would be natural for him to think that.
"If I put up with a little bother, I can throw a celebration that your brother will never forget for the rest of his life. And you're saying I shouldn't do it because it's a bother?"
For a moment, Jin Ha-ryeong had a thought.
If even someone this outstanding works so hard, who am I not to? I must live more diligently!
Of course, he also had a way of flustering people like this.
"When should we start practicing our dance?"
"What?"
Jin Ha-ryeong stopped in her tracks with a shocked expression.
"We have to put on a celebratory performance."
"No! No way! I'll die of embarrassment! Absolutely not!"
Of course, her refusal, now that she was his prey, had no chance of working on Geom Mugeuk.
"Then it can't be helped."
Is he giving up this easily?
Of course, that was unlikely.
"It's a shame, though. You danced so hard on an ordinary day. This is the most precious day in your brother's life. You can't do it because you're embarrassed? Back then, the place was full of masters from the Demonic Justice Sect. This time, it's just us, and your brother is such a magnanimous person, he'll understand. Someday, when you're older and think back to today, you'll think, 'Ah, it was really nothing. Why was I like that back then? Why did I hurt my brother's feelings?' You'll shed tears of regret at Ha-gun's grave, won't you? It's okay, Ha-gun will still understand."
In the end, Jin Ha-ryeong threw up both her hands in surrender.
"Ugh, really! I'll dance, I'll dance! Fine, I'll dance until I collapse from exhaustion!"
But she couldn't be the only one to go down.
"I have a condition. You have to dance, and Young Alliance Leader Bi has to dance too!"
Geom Mugeuk would jump at the chance, but she had a feeling that Bi Sa-in would never dance.
Just when her hopes soared that if he didn't dance, she wouldn't have to either...
Geom Mugeuk smiled meaningfully, as if he had a way for everything.
"Of course. Sa-in will be taking center stage."
Jin Pae-cheon was waiting deep inside the inner courtyard.
Before arriving here, Jin Ha-ryeong had turned back first, saying she could go no further.
It was clearly a place only the Alliance Leader could enter.
Jin Pae-cheon stood with his back to them, looking up at the sky.
"Alliance Leader, you have given me another great teaching this time."
Jin Pae-cheon silently waited for Geom Mugeuk's next words.
"If you've made up your mind, execute it immediately."
He was referring to how Jin Pae-cheon had immediately carried out his decision to make his grandson the successor.
Jin Pae-cheon, still gazing at the sky, said calmly.
"The right time to do what must be done is now! I have lived my entire life believing that."
Geom Mugeuk stood next to Jin Pae-cheon.
"I will be sure to keep that in mind as I live."
At those words, Jin Pae-cheon's gaze finally turned from the sky to Geom Mugeuk.
"You, on the other hand, should try living while putting things off a bit."
Geom Mugeuk smiled at Jin Pae-cheon's joke telling him not to get any stronger.
Jin Pae-cheon's expression toward Geom Mugeuk was gentle.
"If it weren't for you, not only this Alliance, but Ha-gun and I would have been in great trouble."
"One never knows what the future holds. I'm sure you would have figured it all out at the decisive moment, Alliance Leader."
"I wonder if that's true."
Though he spoke with a negative connotation, Geom Mugeuk believed it would have been so.
"Yes, I'm sure you would have."
"Why are you so certain?"
"Because your instincts for crisis would surely not have let it slide. When a real crisis came, they would have definitely activated."
This is why.
The reason he couldn't just let it go.
Because his opponent was this kind of person.
He might let his crisis instincts slide, but he couldn't let this slide.
"I am a man who is clear about favors and grudges. I have incurred a debt, so I must repay it."
Jin Pae-cheon started walking, and Geom Mugeuk quietly followed behind him.
After walking a little further, they came to a place thick with fog.
Geom Mugeuk could tell.
A formation was laid out here.
If it was a formation protecting a precious place, he couldn't possibly be told how to break it.
Just as he was wondering if he should close his eyes and follow.
Sssss.
The fog created a path on its own.
He didn't know the principle behind it, but the fog made a winding path.
Forward, then to the side, then forward again.
It was likely a fog that only opened a path for Jin Pae-cheon.
There was no need to step here or skip there.
All one had to do was walk as the fog guided.
When they emerged from the long, foggy path, a massive gate appeared before their eyes.
In powerful calligraphy, the name of the place was written upon it.
Martial Alliance Treasury.