Telling him to stop his stale rambling and for someone else to come out was another way of saying, 'You, stop talking and get lost.'
In a situation where he should have been greatly angered, the Martial Emperor Divine Sword was lost in other thoughts.
The words that had flown and struck him earlier were filling his mind.
—If you did it for the Martial World, then prove it.
Did he really bring in the Demon Sect for the sake of the Martial World?
It was a question he had asked himself for a long time, and after long deliberation, he had decided that yes, he had.
But the Martial Emperor Divine Sword knew.
If that were truly the case, he would not have needed to deliberate for so long in the first place.
Bringing in the Demon Sect was entirely a choice made for himself.
He wanted to be the one to end that war.
What if he were to be defeated, unable to end the war that had claimed so many lives?
History would record it thus:
With the death of the Martial Emperor Divine Sword, the war, which produced countless sacrifices, ended in defeat.
He did not want to end the reputation he had built his whole life like this.
Death he did not fear, but defeat, he did.
He wanted to win the war by any means necessary and stand before the martial artists of the Righteous Path himself to say this: I am sorry for not ending the war sooner, but in the end, we were victorious.
Geom Woojin pressed him once more.
“Can you prove to Alliance Leader Jin that your choice was truly for the Martial World?”
The Martial Emperor Divine Sword gave no answer.
Just then, Jin Pae-cheon stepped forward.
"You do not need to prove it.”
Not only the Martial Emperor Divine Sword, but everyone’s gaze turned to Jin Pae-cheon.
Jin Pae-cheon looked at Geom Woojin first.
After sending him a look that said, ‘I’m sorry, but please leave this to me,’ he spoke again to the Martial Emperor Divine Sword.
“I know that you tried in your own way, Alliance Leader. I believe in you.”
For a moment, the eyes of the Martial Emperor Divine Sword, borrowing Hwa Mugi’s body, trembled.
If his opponent had come out saying they could not trust him, he would have found a way to justify himself.
But because they said they believed him, his heart grew heavier.
He had nothing to say.
At the very least, the Martial Emperor Divine Sword was not the kind of villain to take advantage of another’s heart.
How could Jin Pae-cheon not know? The reason the Martial Emperor Divine Sword could not answer with confidence.
That unspeakable feeling.
That was why he said he believed him.
If he were truly a villain, he would not have shown such a side.
He would have shamelessly insisted it was a choice for the Martial World.
He would have boasted that he would prove it somehow.
Everyone has their own life and their own reasons.
Some will understand, and others will criticize.
Even if others pressed him, he did not want to be one of them.
He did not want to see the man he had respected crumble before everyone.
“And I will protect the Martial World of this era.”
This was Jin Pae-cheon’s true heart.
“Even knowing that you are within that body, Alliance Leader, I will point my sword at the Heaven Killing Star. I will swing my sword to kill him. For that, I apologize in advance.”
Jin Pae-cheon, as the junior Alliance Leader, as a successor of the Righteous Path, showed all the courtesy he could.
Geom Woojin, watching him, could tell.
More than his own pressuring, it was Jin Pae-cheon's courtesy, his righteousness, that was provoking him even more.
Whether intended or not, Jin Pae-cheon was perfectly carrying out his own intentions.
He was shaking the soul of the Martial Emperor Divine Sword to its core.
The Martial Emperor Divine Sword ultimately returned to being Hwa Mugi without saying another word.
Hwa Mugi sat perched on the table, putting on a deliberately nasty expression.
"Acting like a prude, but you turned out to be one spicy ginger.”
“What do you mean?”
“You properly shook that old man’s heart.”
Hwa Mugi picked up a wine bottle from the table and drank from it.
"How can you be an Alliance Leader with such a weak heart? An Alliance Leader should be as venomous and vicious as this.”
Hwa Mugi criticized Jin Pae-cheon.
It seemed he intended to shake Jin Pae-cheon as much as Jin Pae-cheon had shaken the Martial Emperor Divine Sword.
Jin Pae-cheon did not fall for the provocation and spoke calmly.
“I truly believe in the Alliance Leader.”
At that, Hwa Mugi looked not at Jin Pae-cheon, but at Geom Woojin and asked.
“The current Martial Alliance Leader is this naive, and you still haven't managed to shatter the Righteous Path?”
It was a remark that mocked both Geom Woojin and Jin Pae-cheon.
Of course, Geom Woojin was not swayed at all.
In fact, from Hwa Mugi’s reaction, he figured out one thing.
'The Heaven Killing Star is concerned about the Martial Emperor Divine Sword.'
What did that mean?
'The Heaven Killing Star and the souls are connected.'
It meant that those souls influenced the Heaven Killing Star in some way.
His decision to shake the souls was the right one.
Hwa Mugi drank his wine and spoke to everyone.
“I can't understand the people of the Righteous Path. Why do you risk your lives for such useless things? Trust? What does it matter if you trust or don't trust? You people live too conscious of others."
Jin Pae-cheon asked Hwa Mugi.
“Then what is it that you believe in?”
“I believe in only one thing, that the events of this day are nothing but destiny.”
“Do you consider yourself an inevitable existence?”
Hwa Mugi’s eyes shone with arrogance.
“That is how you all should see it. If today’s deaths were a coincidence, wouldn’t that be too tragic for you?”
Just then, someone cut in sharply.
“It’s a coincidence."
The one who spoke was Baek Ja-gang.
“Living today is a coincidence, and dying today is a coincidence."
He did not consider life and death to be matters of destiny.
He thought you just die if your luck runs out.
"Countless people were born, and by coincidence, you became the Heaven Killing Star. We also became Alliance Leaders through a series of coincidences. So don't try to wrap yourself up in some grand package.”
At that moment, the look in Hwa Mugi’s eyes changed.
An energy he had never revealed until now, an evil energy.
“You knew I was here, didn't you?"
He was Ju Gasin, the Unorthodox Alliance Leader from three hundred years ago.
Hyeok Do-cheon had emerged because Geom Woojin provoked him, and the Martial Emperor Divine Sword had emerged because Jin Pae-cheon politely invited him.
But Ju Gasin came out on his own.
“Since the Demon Cult Master and the Martial Alliance Leader were here, I figured you would be too.”
Baek Ja-gang had expected that the Unorthodox Alliance Leader from three hundred years ago would be inside Hwa Mugi’s body.
“Then why did you not seek me out?”
“I didn't want to see you."
"Why?"
"Why see an opponent I'll have to kill anyway? It would just be unpleasant.”
Ju Gasin did not get angry.
Instead, he looked at Baek Ja-gang with an expression of interest.
“How is the Unorthodox Alliance of today?”
“It’s getting by, more or less.”
Ju Gasin’s gaze shifted to Geom Woojin and Jin Pae-cheon.
“The Righteous Path always saw us as opportunists who would join hands with the Demon Sect at any moment, and the Demon Sect has always ignored and despised us.”
Ju Gasin’s gaze returned to Baek Ja-gang.
“Between the Righteous Path and the Demon Sect, it was always us who were covered in blood.”
Ju Gasin had dreamed of unifying the Martial World.
He believed the war between the Heavenly Will Palace and the Martial Alliance was the opportunity heaven had given him.
But his dream was shattered when he was sucked into the Secret Vessel.
He had long since forgotten that dream, but seeing Baek Ja-gang, he felt his own dream reviving.
“That’s not something to blame others for, is it? We acted that way.”
This attitude of Baek Ja-gang’s piqued Ju Gasin’s interest.
So he was curious.
What kind of thoughts did this Unorthodox Alliance Leader, whom he had met after three hundred years, have?
“What is your unorthodox path?"
To Ju Gasin's question, Baek Ja-gang answered nonchalantly.
“My unorthodox path? I don't have anything that grand. If you join me, I'll make sure you eat well and live well. That's all.”
Ju Gasin, who had been staring quietly at Baek Ja-gang, sent a telepathic message.
-You must live.
A truly unexpected telepathic message flew to him.
—And fulfill the dream of conquering the Martial World that I could not.
It was not a telepathic message sent to hide the conversation from Hwa Mugi or the other souls.
It was to prevent Geom Woojin, Jin Pae-cheon, and the others here from hearing.
-I will let you, and only you, live in this fight today.
Baek Ja-gang sent him a telepathic message back.
-How?
—By persuading the Heaven Killing Star.
Hearing that, Baek Ja-gang could tell.
These souls and that Heaven Killing Star could converse with each other.
-How can I conquer the Martial World just by surviving here?
Everyone noticed that Baek Ja-gang had started a telepathic conversation with Hwa Mugi, but they waited for their conversation to end.
-Today, the Demon Cult Master and the Martial Alliance Leader will die here, and afterward, when the Demon Sect's main sect and the Martial Alliance are wiped out, you will seize the power vacuum.
With all the Twelve Zodiac Kings dead, someone had to effectively rule the Martial World.
—What about the Heaven Killing Star?
After a brief pause, Ju Gasin spoke.
-You would have to serve him.
You would stand in the position below one man and above all others.
As he faced a crucial decision, Baek Ja-gang’s questions continued.
-Has the Heaven Killing Star mastered all of your martial arts?
-He has.
-And does he possess all of your inner energy?
-He has taken not only our inner energy but our innate energy as well.
He is a being combined of all of us.
-Is such a thing possible?
For three hundred years, they had been implanted in this body, that body, all sorts of bodies.
But no matter how gifted the body and spirit, none could withstand their souls and power.
Most went mad before they could last even a few years.
But Hwa Mugi, born as the Heaven Killing Star, was different.
He accepted their inner energy and souls, and even absorbed all of their martial arts.
However, since no attempt to secure his loyalty worked, the Darkness Palace Master ultimately had no choice but to seal him.
-What is his weakness?
-Why do you ask?
-Couldn't he try to kill me later as well?
-That won't happen if you don't betray him.
—Does he have a weakness?
The word ‘no’ did not come out immediately.
Baek Ja-gang could instinctively tell.
That Heaven Killing Star definitely had some kind of weakness.
—If you tell me his weakness, I will accept your offer.
From his attempt to find out the weakness at all costs, Ju Gasin realized Baek Ja-gang’s inner thoughts.
—You, you have no intention of following my words.
Baek Ja-gang’s small eyes disappeared into a smile.
—Beg for my life and serve under that Heaven Killing Star? It feels like it would hurt my pride more than being caught between the Demon Sect and the Righteous Path right now.
After a brief pause, Baek Ja-gang asked.
-If it were you from three hundred years ago, would you have accepted?
-I would have.
And I would have looked for another opportunity.
Meaning he would have become the second-in-command and looked for a chance to kill Hwa Mugi.
—Is there anything more important than one's life?
-That's why I'm refusing.
The reason for Baek Ja-gang’s refusal was completely unexpected.
-Because I think this side is going to win.
…!
Silence fell between the two.
—I don’t like you, but if you at least survive today, the Unorthodox Alliance won't fall easily.
At the good evaluation, Baek Ja-gang also offered some good words.
-It’s a pity about you too.
If you had been born in a better era, you might have achieved your dream.
Hwa Mugi laughed.
At a glance, it looked as if Hwa Mugi was laughing as he changed from Ju Gasin back to himself, but that last laugh was Ju Gasin’s laugh.
As if he knew the entire content of the telepathic message, Hwa Mugi stared at Baek Ja-gang and said.
“You say you’re wary of the Demon Sect and the Righteous Path, but you are the one with the greatest ambition.”
Geom Woojin and Jin Pae-cheon looked at Baek Ja-gang.
But Baek Ja-gang did not bother to explain about Ju Gasin’s offer.
He was not worried that Geom Woojin or Jin Pae-cheon would misunderstand.
Rather, Geom Woojin felt trust from his demeanor.
It was as if he was saying that no matter what Hwa Mugi said, he had not a shred of shame.
Instead, Baek Ja-gang told everyone what needed to be told.
“He said the souls can converse with each other. That man has learned all the martial arts we've seen, and he has taken their inner energy and innate energy as well. So we must think of this as fighting all of them combined."
It was a moment when the most crucial information for this fight, something they had only vaguely guessed at, was revealed.
“He tried so hard to keep you alive, yet you're struggling to be the first to die.”
Hwa Mugi was smiling, but his eyes were filled with intense killing intent.
Of course, Baek Ja-gang was not afraid at all.
Instead, he sowed discord among his opponents.
“Unorthodox faction bastards are good at backstabbing. So be careful of that person inside. You don't know when he'll strike the back of your soul's head."
As a cold and heavy atmosphere settled, Geom Woojin stepped forward.
“Now that we've all seen who we needed to see, shall we see your skills?”
With Ju Gasin as the last, he had seen all four people dwelling in Hwa Mugi’s body.
He did not know how this meeting would affect the fight with Hwa Mugi, but Geom Woojin believed this choice was the right one.
Hwa Mugi drew the Black Demon Sword and rested it on his shoulder as he replied.
“Well, who will come first?”
Geom Woojin did not follow Hwa Mugi’s intentions.
"We will fight on our own terms. We might fight one-on-one and then switch to a rotating assault, or we might all attack at once. Each of us will fight as we wish."
Those words were not meant for Hwa Mugi.
They were spoken to everyone present.
Once the fight began, they should fight without restrictions, casting aside face and honor.
Focus only on winning!
The two Alliance Leaders, as well as the Fist Demon, the Poison King, the Wind Heaven Sect Leader, and the Sword King, understood the intention behind Geom Woojin’s words.
“Even without me, this Martial World will fall into the hands of the Demon Sect soon enough.”
It was a compliment on Geom Woojin’s excellent judgment, but Hwa Mugi’s words contained a strong attempt to sow discord.
But the discord did not work.
It was already a concern for Jin Pae-cheon and Baek Ja-gang, and they had agreed to treat today’s fight as a separate matter.
Today was a fight for their sons, grandsons, and disciples.
The first person to step forward was Jin Pae-cheon.
“Give me the chance for the first attack.”
Knowing that he had taken the most difficult step, Geom Woojin willingly granted his request.
"Please do."
“Thank you."
Jin Pae-cheon stepped forward.
Saying they should go outside to fight was largely meaningless.
The question was whether this Demon Family Village itself would remain.
Standing before Hwa Mugi, Jin Pae-cheon’s aura changed.
A pure aura, like white jade, enveloped his body, and his eyes shone coldly.
Jin Pae-cheon slowly drew the Gentleman’s Sword.
With a perfect draw, the Gentleman’s Sword awakened.
Could the sound of a sword being drawn be so clear and beautiful?
The moment the Gentleman’s Sword completely left its scabbard, a cold brilliance cut through the air.
An invisible wave of energy spread out in all directions.
Jing.
The Gentleman’s Sword began to hum softly.
The Greatest of All Time sword was crying in the hands of the Greatest Master of the Righteous Faction.
Its dignified momentum seemed to say:
There are two worlds.
The world before the Gentleman's Sword was drawn, and the world after the Gentleman's Sword was drawn.
Jin Pae-cheon conveyed his heart to the Gentleman’s Sword.
‘Although you are in my hand, this fight is for your master.'
So let’s do our best, Gentleman’s Sword.