Instead of answering, Geom Mugeuk asked Jin Ha-ryeong.
“Which do you think would be more difficult? Getting permission or inviting the Martial Alliance Leader.”
She couldn’t answer the comparison, but one thing was certain.
“Both are impossible. There’s no way my grandfather would ever drink with the Demon Cult Master or the Unorthodox Alliance Leader in the same room.”
Geom Mugeuk hung his head, his shoulders slumping.
“Right, I guess I have to go see the Alliance Leader to carry out an impossible mission. All alone, desolate, and lonely.”
Even after he had walked to the entrance, the two didn't stop him.
Geom Mugeuk returned to his original spot.
“You guys are too much. Is this how friends should act?”
Just then, Jin Ha-gun asked.
“Why did you invite the Unorthodox Alliance Leader? You wouldn’t have called the Demon Sect just to treat him to a drink. No, even if that was your intention, the Unorthodox Alliance Leader would not have agreed. How did you persuade him?”
Geom Mugeuk answered honestly.
“In the hope that there would be no war.”
Of course, the two of them could not possibly understand the deep meaning behind these words.
He couldn't tell them that their fathers or the Unorthodox Alliance Leader dreamed of unifying the martial world.
“So, if the Unorthodox Alliance Leader has a drink in front of the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect, the war will disappear?”
“I believe it will.”
Jin Ha-ryeong believed it too.
This ridiculous answer.
It wasn’t because Geom Mugeuk’s reply was firm.
The reason was simple.
If he hadn’t saved her life, she would not be in this world.
“Were you serious about what you said earlier? That you’d take me in if I get kicked out of the Alliance?”
“I’ll even throw you a welcoming ceremony.”
Jin Ha-ryeong briefly pictured the scene.
Herself, kicked out of the Alliance, standing in the rain at the main gate of the Demon Sect with a bundle of her belongings, along with her escort, Chu Ho.
Then Geom Mugeuk would open the door and joke around.
—From now on, you're my handmaiden.
He was the kind of person who would pull such a prank.
Yes, her faith in Geom Mugeuk wasn’t just because she owed him her life.
“Alright, I’ll help.”
A sense of ease washed over her, making her feel that this decision was the right one.
“Brother, you shouldn't get involved. If you do, you’ll really lose your position as the successor.”
Jin Ha-gun looked at his sister.
‘How can she make it sound so easy?’
In his own heart, such clear limits existed.
A boundary line was drawn all around him.
It was a line he had never crossed.
He had never considered a life where he wasn't the successor.
The same went for a life of defying his grandfather.
But his sister leaped over that line with ease.
In that respect, Geom Mugeuk and Jin Ha-ryeong had something in common.
Jin Ha-gun quietly looked into his own heart.
What did he truly want? Would crossing that line be an act of bravado? Or a new challenge? Unable to know without trying, Jin Ha-gun was conflicted.
“I told you not to worry, brother. You understand his situation too, don't you?”
Instead of saying he understood, Geom Mugeuk looked at Jin Ha-gun.
His eyes were hoping that he would cross the limit.
‘You’re not going to take responsibility for my life, so why are you looking at me like that?’
Jin Ha-gun’s gaze turned to Jin Ha-ryeong.
“You can’t do it alone.”
“What?”
“If you go alone, you’ll really get kicked out. If we go together, at least we won’t get kicked out.”
“You’ll help too, brother?”
Jin Ha-gun nodded.
She never thought her brother would make such a decision.
“Have you really given up your ambition for power?”
“It’s the opposite. It’s to protect my power.”
Jin Ha-gun’s reason for helping was also simple.
“War is not something I want either.”
In the end, it meant he also believed Geom Mugeuk’s words.
That he was invited because there was a reason to invite him.
Geom Mugeuk knew what a huge decision Jin Ha-gun had made.
He had wagered his position as successor.
“If you get kicked out, I’ll protest in front of the Martial Alliance to have you reinstated.”
A moment ago, Jin Ha-ryeong had imagined the main gate of the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect; now, Jin Ha-gun imagined the main gate of the Martial Alliance.
Geom Mugeuk standing in front of the Martial Alliance's main gate, holding a banner that read, ‘Reinstate my friend Jin Ha-gun as the successor!’ Just imagining it was embarrassing, but…
‘This man is more than capable of doing it.’
Geom Mugeuk said to Jin Ha-gun.
“Thank you. I will never forget what you’ve staked on this decision.”
This was something Jin Ha-gun learned.
What need is there for words between us? Geom Mugeuk would say it like this.
Thank you.
I won’t forget.
Once they decided to help with this matter, Jin Ha-gun and Jin Ha-ryeong’s gazes naturally turned to Geom Mugeuk.
“So? What’s your plan?”
*
The first person to visit Jin Pae-cheon was Jin Ha-ryeong.
“What brings you here?”
“I came because I wanted to see you, Grandfather.”
Though his personality was tyrannical, his love for his granddaughter was certain.
Besides, the granddaughter who was once so prickly had recently seemed to have matured.
“You had a gathering of the younger generation today, didn’t you?”
“Yes, it went well.”
“Are there still young men who fancy you these days?”
“Of course. There was one today, you know?”
“Is there anyone among them you like?”
“It’s hard to find a man as wonderful as you, Grandfather. You must have been very popular with the female warriors when you were young, right?”
A bright smile spread across Jin Pae-cheon’s lips.
It was a smile reserved for his granddaughter, one that others rarely saw.
“Your words are so sweet today, you must have a favor to ask of me.”
“You misunderstand. I’m being sincere.”
“If it's someone you like, I'm willing to accept him without being selfish. You know that, don't you? I'm the man who accepted even a servant as a potential grandson-in-law.”
Jin Pae-cheon mentioned Geom Mugeuk while observing his granddaughter’s expression.
He was worried she couldn't make up her mind because of him.
“I should have held onto him back then.”
At her wistful words, Jin Pae-cheon stared at his granddaughter.
“I’m joking, Grandfather.”
“Of course, it must be a joke.”
Wouldn’t Jin Pae-cheon also feel regret? If he had been from an ordinary demonic practitioner background, he might have pushed for it, even if it was unreasonable.
No, what was he thinking? How could he marry his own granddaughter to a demonic practitioner? It was just a lingering attachment because the boy named Geom Mugeuk was so exceptional.
At that moment, Jin Ha-gun entered the Alliance Leader’s Hall.
After he politely greeted Jin Pae-cheon, Jin Ha-ryeong asked.
“My dear brother, it’s been hard to see your face lately.”
The two acted as if they had met by chance.
“The rumor is that you’re engrossed in training these days.”
“What brings you here?”
“I came because I missed Grandfather. What about you, brother?”
Then, Jin Ha-gun spoke to Jin Pae-cheon.
“The Young Cult Master of the Demon Sect is outside. He says he has come with a favor to ask of you, Alliance Leader.”
If all three of them came at once, it would look like they were plotting something, so they gathered separately like this.
Jin Ha-ryeong acted out a convincing look of surprise.
The thought that Geom Mugeuk was standing just outside that door made her nervous for no reason.
No acting was needed.
“Before we let him in, I have a favor to ask of you, Alliance Leader.”
“Speak.”
“I don’t know what favor the Young Cult Master of the Demon Sect will ask, but if it’s something you can grant, please lend me your support.”
There was a reason for making a request he didn’t usually make.
“You are aware that we dealt with the child kidnapping case during the last Demon Slaying Branch operation. On the way here, I asked the Young Cult Master, and he said he had broken the brainwashing placed on the children and returned them to their respective homes. Were you aware of this, by any chance?”
Jin Pae-cheon nodded.
He had already received a report on the matter.
Jin Pae-cheon was greatly pleased by the news that the children had been rescued safely.
That was why he felt a sense of welcome upon hearing that Geom Mugeuk had come.
“Since that matter was the work of the Demon Slaying Branch, it means I now owe a debt to the Young Cult Master. I would like to repay it on this occasion.”
Jin Pae-cheon readily accepted his grandson’s request.
“I will do so.”
A moment later, Geom Mugeuk entered the hall.
He bowed deeply, showing his respect.
“Alliance Leader, have you been well?”
“Welcome.”
Jin Pae-cheon calmly observed Geom Mugeuk.
His eyes were clearer and deeper than when he had last seen him.
‘His level of martial arts mastery has risen even higher than before.’
The more he looked, the more he coveted him, and for that reason, the more regrettable it was.
Geom Mugeuk also greeted Jin Ha-ryeong as if meeting for the first time.
“Miss Jin, it has been a long time. Have you been well?”
“It’s inconvenient without a servant.”
At her joke, Geom Mugeuk smiled and said.
“For you, Miss Jin, I can play the part of a servant anytime.”
Though she knew it was a jest, his words made her heart flutter.
“I heard about your exploits in the Unorthodox Alliance. You rescued all the children, I hear? That’s truly admirable.”
She repeated it once more, praising Geom Mugeuk’s achievement.
This meeting today wasn’t about getting her grandfather’s permission, but about winning his heart.
“Fortunately, I was lucky. The Unorthodox Alliance also helped proactively.”
After exchanging greetings, Geom Mugeuk stated his reason for visiting in a calm tone.
“I am indebted to the Unorthodox Alliance Leader for his help in handling the recent matter. So, I have invited him to my regular tavern in front of our Main Sect.”
Jin Pae-cheon said nothing.
His aura began to settle.
As if a window had been thrown open in mid-winter, the surroundings instantly grew chilly.
While the Alliance Leader's gentle gaze turned as sharp as an ice pick, Geom Mugeuk’s words continued.
“The Unorthodox Alliance Leader said he did not want to cause any unnecessary misunderstandings with you, Alliance Leader. So I told him. That I would go and explain so that no misunderstanding would arise. That is why I have come to see you. To tell you it’s no big deal, so please do not misunderstand.”
Jin Pae-cheon’s expression hardened, and his gaze grew even colder.
To him, it sounded like the Demon Sect was joining hands with the Unorthodox Alliance.
Jin Ha-gun and Jin Ha-ryeong considered this fortunate.
If it had been anyone other than Geom Mugeuk, a roar of anger would have already erupted.
Jin Ha-ryeong spoke coldly in her grandfather’s stead.
“So you mean to have a secret talk with the Unorthodox Alliance. Since it would be discovered anyway, are you confessing preemptively?”
“It’s true that it would be discovered anyway. However, this is a personal matter between the Unorthodox Alliance Leader and myself, not a secret meeting. We will meet at a tavern for all to see, so the entire martial world will know.”
Geom Mugeuk emphasized that it was not a secret meeting.
“If you really wanted to meet in secret, would you meet at a tavern in the Demon Family Village?”
“Why did you choose that place?”
It was an unplanned question.
It was a question born purely from her personal curiosity.
It was also the place he had said he wanted to invite her to before.
“The place I intend to host the Unorthodox Alliance Leader is called the Flowing Wine Tavern. The owner's name is Jo Chun-bae. He’s a good man, with good skills, and a good atmosphere. If you sit on the second floor there, have a drink, and look outside, you can understand the reason why I have to live.”
Jin Ha-ryeong was curious.
What does he see there?
“The tables there are sturdy, so they won’t break even if a martial artist comes. The customers who go there might be surprised to see the Unorthodox Alliance Leader, but they won’t be scared.”
“How can that be?”
Geom Mugeuk’s sincere answer came out.
“Because my Demonic Path is there.”
A moment of silence fell.
Who could understand the deep meaning contained in those words?
But because they were words she couldn’t understand, Jin Ha-ryeong wanted to go even more.
She returned to her original plan, revealing a coldness that was contrary to her true feelings.
“You try to entice us with plausible words, but this is something I cannot allow.”
There was a reason for Jin Ha-ryeong stepping forward to object.
If she showed even a hint of agreement with Geom Mugeuk’s opinion, her grandfather would worry and become even more furious.
On the other hand, Jin Ha-gun stood there silently.
Since he had already mentioned the debt he had to repay, he only showed a slight expression of being in a difficult position.
“Whether you join hands with the Unorthodox Alliance or not is your business, but at least don’t deceive us!”
Her sharp, clear voice echoed in the Alliance Leader’s Hall.
“Deceive you?”
“You say it’s a private meeting between you and him, but there’s no way the Cult Master of the Divine Sect won’t come to meet the Unorthodox Alliance Leader, is there?”
Jin Pae-cheon was also worried about that point.
In the end, it would be a meeting between the Heavenly Demon and the Unorthodox Alliance Leader.
“If you meet, you’ll exchange telepathic messages, won't you? Your martial arts are so profound that only Grandfather would be able to detect it. In the end, you and the Unorthodox Alliance could secretly plot things.”
She subtly emphasized that they couldn’t plot any schemes carelessly if her grandfather was present.
“You misunderstand.”
Jin Ha-ryeong said to Jin Pae-cheon.
“Grandfather, you must absolutely not allow this.”
As Jin Ha-ryeong got worked up and angry first, Jin Pae-cheon lost his chance to get angry.
Her anger, coming from someone who seemed likely to side with Geom Mugeuk, had a proper effect.
“Ha-ryeong, you should calm down for a moment.”
“This is an act of deceit against Grandfather and this Alliance!”
“I told you to stop!”
“I’m sorry, Grandfather.”
Jin Pae-cheon asked Jin Ha-gun, who had been silently watching the situation.
“What are your thoughts?”
Jin Ha-gun presented a completely new perspective.
“What are you plotting? Are you planning to lure the Unorthodox Alliance Leader and kill him?”
For a moment, Jin Pae-cheon was inwardly startled.
He had been focused on the thought that the Demon Sect and the Unorthodox Alliance were joining hands to pull some trick, but he had never thought that the Demon Sect would kill the Unorthodox Alliance Leader.
Since that was also a very plausible question, Jin Pae-cheon paid close attention to Geom Mugeuk’s reaction and answer.
For a moment, Geom Mugeuk was too flustered to answer.
“Are you saying that perhaps we intend to strike the Unorthodox Alliance on this occasion?”
“Don’t make such a ridiculous misunderstanding.”
“If the Unorthodox Alliance Leader were to die in some unforeseen accident at this meeting, the Young Alliance Leader of the Unorthodox Alliance would ascend to the position of Alliance Leader. And isn’t that Young Alliance Leader close to you?”
Jin Ha-ryeong continued Jin Ha-gun’s words.
This was the most important moment of today’s plan.
“Then you would have the Unorthodox Alliance in your grasp! Now I think I understand why you tried so hard to befriend the Young Alliance Leader of the Unorthodox Alliance.”
Jin Pae-cheon thought it was a plausible speculation.
Was there any guarantee it wouldn’t happen? Moreover, Geom Mugeuk, who was always so confident, looked somewhat intimidated, as if he had been hit where it hurt.
“Am I wrong?”
“I only came to ask for permission. If you don’t want to give it, you can just say no. Don’t resort to such baseless speculation.”
Geom Mugeuk looked at Jin Pae-cheon.
“If the Alliance Leader’s intentions are the same as his granddaughter’s, then I will take my leave.”
Seeing him trying to withdraw without arguing the rights and wrongs any further, Jin Pae-cheon felt something was suspicious.
He became certain that there was definitely some scheme behind this unconventional event.
‘The balance of the Righteous, Demonic, and Unorthodox Sects will be broken?’
Suddenly, Jin Pae-cheon recalled the image of the Heavenly Demon, Geom Woojin.
Whenever he thought of him, the first thing that came to mind was his cold and arrogant gaze.
That ambitious gaze that said he would never end as just the Cult Master of the Demon Sect.
‘Is that look in your eyes still there?’
Geom Mugeuk respectfully clasped his hands and turned around.
“I will take my leave now.”
Just as Geom Mugeuk hastily turned around.
“Wait.”
Soon after, Jin Pae-cheon’s shocking declaration followed.
“I will attend this meeting as well.”
Startled, Geom Mugeuk spoke urgently.
“No, you don’t have to come. Just don’t misunderstand the meeting between our Sect and the Unorthodox Alliance. You don’t need to come!”
At Geom Mugeuk’s refusal, Jin Pae-cheon declared firmly.
“I said I’m going too!”