“First, you must circulate your energy.”
Bi Sa-in was worried about Gwae-ak.
His complexion was so pale he looked as if he could collapse at any moment.
“Do not worry. I've been through worse situations than this and was fine.”
Before sitting down, Gwae-ak glanced at the Crescent Moon Saber's corpse.
He saw the corpse of Gwang-seom overlapping it.
He also saw the form of the Thousand Hands Sword, one of the Twin Swords of Yama.
To think the day would come when he would kill the Seven Great Masters of the Unorthodox Alliance with his own hands.
When life changes drastically, it's like an assassin's dagger.
It never gives a warning.
While doing various jobs for the Unorthodox Alliance, Gwae-ak had always kept one foot back.
He was always ready to pull out if needed.
That was the kind of man he had been.
‘I've come in too deep.’
But as he had told Bi Sa-in before, this feeling wasn't bad.
Though doing something for someone else felt truly awkward.
Gwae-ak sent a telepathic message to one person.
—Is this how it's supposed to feel?
The recipient was Geom Mugeuk.
He had asked abruptly, without any context, but Geom Mugeuk answered without hesitation.
—This is just the beginning.
Does he know what I'm asking to give such an answer?
—Then what happens later?
—You'll regret it.
Why did I get caught up in this and suffer so? You might even die because of those unfitting emotions.
Geom Mugeuk knew exactly what the question was and was answering accordingly.
—But it will be different when you die.
—How?
—At least you won't leave behind words like 'this feels disgusting' like the Crescent Moon Saber did.
You'll leave different words.
I'll be sure to listen until the very end.
—I'll live longer than you.
I'll show you the tenacious life of the Unorthodox Faction.
Gwae-ak closed his eyes and began to circulate his energy.
Geom Mugeuk's gaze turned to Baek Ja-gang.
Feeling the gaze upon him, Baek Ja-gang looked his way.
After drawing his attention, Geom Mugeuk immediately looked at the Martial King.
It was as if he was saying.
I will handle the Martial King now, so please watch your disciple for a moment.
He was an opponent you couldn't take your eyes off for even a single moment.
At the same time, Geom Mugeuk sent a telepathic message.
—What you see may not be everything.
This is a conspiracy aimed at none other than the Alliance Leader himself.
Geom Mugeuk then gave an extreme example.
—My father could walk out of those bushes behind us.
To be able to speak so pleasantly even while reminding him of the danger!
Baek Ja-gang once again felt a strong sense of jealousy toward Geom Woojin.
'I admit, you've had a great harvest raising your son.'
Not just a good harvest, he admitted it was a great one.
'But isn't farming done every year?'
There was hope.
After all, Gwae-ak had stepped up for Bi Sa-in.
The fact that he had won over such a difficult person meant that he now had the capacity to gain a true supporter.
Geom Mugeuk sent another telepathic message.
—You mustn't get a single scratch.
I will help as well.
Seeing him repeat what he'd said earlier, it seemed Geom Mugeuk really intended to conclude things this way.
'Fine, I will let you enjoy your great harvest this year.'
Yes, if he was going to properly compete with Geom Woojin in raising a son.
—Yes, I won't get a single scratch.
While the atmosphere on the Unorthodox Alliance's side was good, it was not so for the Martial King's side.
With the death of the Poison Overlord, and now the Crescent Moon Saber, the Fighting Wolves' morale plummeted.
No matter how much they loved to fight, they didn't like losing fights.
They were people who could make their opponents bow their heads with just a glare, but now that glare had no effect.
Their opponents were the Thirteen Wolves of the Unorthodox Path and the warriors of the Extreme Blade Corps, who were difficult to defeat even when their morale was sky-high.
Naturally, everyone's gazes turned to the Martial King.
He was not swayed at all.
He didn't try to encourage the Fighting Wolves or force their morale up.
In fact, his demeanor calmed their anxiety.
The Martial King spoke politely to the Blue Killing Ghost.
“Senior, please step forward and handle this.”
The Martial King trusted his skills.
He was worried about his hot-blooded and terrible personality, but since he was a man who had been through many storms, he wasn't overly concerned.
The Blue Killing Ghost stepped forward and spoke to the Unorthodox Alliance warriors.
“Your side has chosen one person, so it's fair for our side to choose one now, right? Surely the elites of the Unorthodox Alliance won't rush me like a pack of dogs because they're scared of this old man, right? You bastards, your Alliance Leader is watching!”
He smiled, revealing the few teeth he had left.
A faint smile appeared on the Martial King's lips.
Yes, just do that.
On the other hand, Baek Ja-gang's expression stiffened.
He knew there was no one here who could face the Blue Killing Ghost one-on-one.
Besides, the man wouldn't nominate Geom Mugeuk.
The Blue Killing Ghost said to Gwae-ak.
“How about you step forward first? You, the one who killed all the Seven Great Masters of the Unorthodox Alliance and is now acting like you want to become the Greatest Master of the Unorthodox Faction.”
He picked a fight with Gwae-ak, perhaps because he had a personal friendship with the Crescent Moon Saber.
Of course, Gwae-ak was not one to be trifled with.
Gwae-ak, who had his eyes closed, opened them.
“And what are you standing there for? What are you trying to gain?”
For a moment, the Blue Killing Ghost's expression twitched.
“Did a man who's become a public enemy of our alliance really expect to be treated like a senior? Just what kind of filthy life did you live to become a public enemy to the Righteous, Unorthodox, and Demonic Factions?”
The Blue Killing Ghost took a step forward, exuding killing intent.
At that, Bi Sa-in stepped in front of Gwae-ak protectively.
“Stand back.”
The Blue Killing Ghost gave him a contemptuous look.
“Young Alliance Leader, unless that hideous face of yours turns into martial skill, don't you dare block my path.”
The Blue Killing Ghost provoked Bi Sa-in on purpose.
His target was never Gwae-ak, but Bi Sa-in.
Knowing their relationship was strong, he had picked a fight with Gwae-ak to draw Bi Sa-in out.
His plan was to take him hostage if an enraged Bi Sa-in charged at him.
If he rushed just ten steps, he intended to snatch him up like a hawk.
It was the best way to turn the tables in this situation where the Poison Overlord and the Crescent Moon Saber were dead.
If he had him as a hostage, the Unorthodox Alliance wouldn't be able to engage in a chaotic brawl.
He planned to eliminate them one by one and finally get rid of the Unorthodox Alliance Leader with the Martial King.
“No one has probably told you this honestly, Young Alliance Leader, so I'll tell you. Your face is disgusting to even look at.”
Who had ever heard that their face was disgusting? Bi Sa-in felt terrible.
In the past, he might have fallen for this provocation.
He was truly angry.
But the Bi Sa-in of today was different.
How would Geom Mugeuk react? Anger is one thing, but he wouldn't let his emotions dictate his actions, right?
“There was someone who told me this face was handsome.”
“Who on earth?”
At that, Bi Sa-in looked at Geom Mugeuk.
Geom Mugeuk said with a troubled expression.
“... It was a joke.”
Bi Sa-in smiled.
He was satisfied with himself for becoming someone who could laugh at a time like this.
He was sure this change would make him stronger in the future.
He was also grateful to Geom Mugeuk for creating a relationship where he didn't feel bad at all even after hearing it was a joke.
That grateful person always looked after his feelings with great care.
After a jest, he never forgot to say something like this.
“When you smile like this, you do look a little handsome.”
Since all the Unorthodox Alliance warriors were watching, Geom Mugeuk praised Bi Sa-in once more.
“People who don't know how to look at faces will only see your scar, but those who do will recognize how handsome your original face is beneath the scar.”
It wasn't about looking at his inner self.
Geom Mugeuk hoped these words would work like magic.
He hoped someone would say it.
Looking again, he does look okay.
He hoped people like that would increase one by one.
“And your smile greatly resembles that of the Fist Demon, a Demon Sovereign of our sect. It's my favorite smile after my father's.”
How could he not be grateful when he said this in front of everyone? After meeting Geom Mugeuk and constantly hearing such words, his long-held inferiority complex was fading.
He was so grateful and happy right now that he thought he might be able to shake it off completely after today.
“Then I must create many reasons to smile.”
“Isn't that up to you?”
The Blue Killing Ghost, who was listening to their conversation, felt like he had been dragged into something.
Far from provoking his opponent, it seemed he had helped improve their relationship, which made him feel foul.
In any case, he had failed to take Bi Sa-in hostage.
The Blue Killing Ghost's gaze returned to his original target.
“You come out.”
The opponent he pointed to was Beon Cheon, the Division Lord of the Extreme Blade Corps.
“I will be your opponent.”
Beon Cheon was not at all intimidated by the Blue Killing Ghost.
This was the spirit of the man named Beon Cheon.
That was why he led the Extreme Blade Corps, the most elite unit directly under the Alliance Leader.
The Unorthodox Alliance had numerous pavilions and divisions.
But in a situation like today where it was unclear who to trust, the first organization to be mobilized was the Extreme Blade Corps.
He was the leader of such an organization.
Therefore, even if his opponent was not just the Blue Killing Ghost but the Martial King as well, he was not a man who would be afraid.
That was why Baek Ja-gang had to stop this fight.
No matter how strong Beon Cheon was, he couldn't withstand the inner energy of the Blue Killing Ghost, a master of the previous generation.
However, if he stepped in to stop it, that Blue Killing Ghost would mock Beon Cheon's honor and pride with all sorts of insulting words.
He had to respond carefully as his subordinates were watching.
Baek Ja-gang found himself looking at Geom Mugeuk.
He didn't want to admit it, but he felt he was relying on him at this moment.
And Geom Mugeuk once again began to meet the Alliance Leader's expectations.
Geom Mugeuk spoke politely to the Blue Killing Ghost.
“Before you two fight, may I say just one thing to our old master?”
“What is it?”
“Actually, when it comes to being ugly, the old senior is uglier than the Young Alliance Leader.”
“What?”
Not expecting such words, the baffled Blue Killing Ghost's expression crumpled into a frown.
“I'm telling you this because I'm afraid you'll die in the fight without knowing the truth.”
Die at the hands of Beon Cheon? This too was a provocative statement.
But the words that bothered him more were these.
“Are you saying I'm uglier than the Young Alliance Leader?”
“That's right.”
Geom Mugeuk knew.
The Blue Killing Ghost was unattractive now with his missing teeth and many wrinkles, but in his youth, he was known as a handsome young master.
He was a man with immense pride in his appearance.
That was also the reason he had mocked Bi Sa-in's looks.
“Even if I imagine your youthful face and compare, you are definitely uglier. I apologize.”
When he even bowed his head deeply and apologized, the Blue Killing Ghost became even angrier.
If he had just hurled insults, calling him uglier, it would have been a meaningless accusation, but with this polite apology, he felt truly awful.
'This little brat is quite something!'
He knew he was being deliberately provoked, but he couldn't avoid it.
He just couldn't accept being called uglier than that Bi Sa-in.
It was a face he himself had called disgusting.
“It seems you don't believe me. Shall we check?”
Geom Mugeuk said in a loud voice to those present.
“Alright then, let's see who is uglier. Raise your hand if you think the Young Alliance Leader here is ugly!”
No one had expected such a question, so everyone was flustered.
Baek Ja-gang was surprised, and even the Martial King was surprised.
There wasn't a single person there who wasn't surprised.
A beauty contest in this situation?
Naturally, no one from the Unorthodox Alliance's side raised their hand.
Even if they thought so, who would dare? On the other hand, there were some Fighting Wolves who failed to raise their hands in time due to the sudden question.
“Then, raise your hand if you think our old master is ugly!”
As soon as he finished speaking, Geom Mugeuk shot his hand up, and the Thirteen Wolves of the Unorthodox Path followed suit.
Then, all the warriors of the Extreme Blade Corps also raised their hands.
At that moment, Bi Sa-in's eyes widened.
Baek Ja-gang had raised his hand.
In such a ridiculous situation, he had never dreamed his Master would raise his hand for him.
'Master!'
He had only raised his hand once, but it was so moving.
He did not know.
That his Master's action also included an apology for having suspected him this time.
Geom Mugeuk said to the Blue Killing Ghost.
“Look here. Aren't there far more people who think our old senior is ugly?”
“You brat, isn't that just because you have more people?”
“Isn't it the same?”
“What is?”
“Aren't you, Senior, also acting as you please just because you're old? Mocking your junior for being ugly, isn't that all because you have more inner energy?”
“!”
They were unexpected words, so the Blue Killing Ghost was momentarily speechless.
Geom Mugeuk's true intention was this.
“Earlier, Senior Gwae pointed out someone of similar age and skill to fight. But you're not doing that, are you, old senior? If you want fairness, our side should also send out people equivalent to your age.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“I'm saying we'll send out a number of people whose ages add up to yours, so let's fight. Or you can just confidently admit that you're uglier.”
“You crazy bastard, how can you say such things!”
He had brought up appearances to provoke Bi Sa-in, but now he was falling for Geom Mugeuk's provocation instead.
“Are you pulling this kind of trick thinking you can defeat me by ganging up on me?”
“Just admit you're ugly and fight Division Lord Beon!”
“What kind of ridiculous nonsense is this?”
“No, I've spoken out of turn. Please continue with your duel.”
“This bastard!”
“What's so shameful about a man admitting he's ugly.”
In the end, the Blue Killing Ghost could not hold back any longer and shouted.
“Fine! I'll kill all of you at once.”
As soon as his words fell, Bi Sa-in stepped forward first.
“Let's settle who is uglier.”
As if he had been waiting, Geom Mugeuk followed.
“If my friend goes, I go too! Our side's total age is still far too low, so I'll join forces with one more person.”
Geom Mugeuk glanced back and forth between Il-rang and Beon Cheon, then said to Il-rang.
“Since Division Lord Beon was nominated and also falsely accused this time, please yield.”
Il-rang readily nodded.
If Geom Mugeuk and Beon Cheon stepped up, he wouldn't have to.
In any case, if a crisis arose for Bi Sa-in, he planned to intervene regardless of any promises.
For that purpose, it was better to stay out.
The Blue Killing Ghost belatedly came to his senses.
'Ah, this wasn't the plan.'
He had snapped out of anger, and now three people stood before him side-by-side.
Anyway, it was this damned hot temper that made him a public enemy of all three factions.
No matter how old he got, it never changed.
It was the Martial King who resolved the situation.
“The ages don't match.”
The Martial King said to Geom Mugeuk in a calm tone.
“You should step out, and Il-rang should step in.”
Geom Mugeuk had expected the Martial King to intervene, so he readily accepted.
The Martial King would never allow him to fight alongside them.
“Then, I'm counting on you, Il-rang-nim.”
Il-rang took his place.
An image surfaced in the Martial King's mind.
The image of Geom Mugeuk, who had used so many words, jests, and absurdities, returning to the blood-soaked battlefield.
Standing there alone, looking this way with endlessly deep eyes.
The Blue Killing Ghost was so easily fooled because he couldn't see that side of him.
In the spot where originally only Beon Cheon should have stood, Bi Sa-in and Il-rang now stood together.
Geom Mugeuk, who had stepped back, looked at Baek Ja-gang.
'This is as much as I can do.'