It was an unexpected joint operation between the Righteous Path and the Demon Sect.
Baek Ja-gang looked at the proud Jin Pae-cheon, then turned his gaze back to Geom Woojin.
The one who had drawn his sword first was that Geom Woojin.
After all, he was the one who had called Geom Muyang up.
The Heavenly Demon, bragging about his son?
‘It seems his appearance isn't the only thing that has changed.’
He wondered if perhaps this change was what had nurtured Geom Mugeuk.
In fact, the person more flustered than Baek Ja-gang at that moment was Bi Sa-in.
Everyone else had a pair, but he was alone, which made him feel as if he had done something wrong.
He felt sorry for his Master.
He wanted to shout on his Master’s behalf.
‘You two! You are being so childish!’
You think so too, right? He looked at Geom Mugeuk with such an expression.
Then, as if waiting for it, a telepathic message from Geom Mugeuk arrived.
—You should have many children later! Have about seven and line them up! Get your revenge then.
—How can you even say that!
He regretted looking over.
Geom Mugeuk must have been waiting for a chance to tease him.
In truth, among everyone present, only Geom Mugeuk could guess his father’s hidden meaning in calling for his brother.
His father wanted to show them off.
His two sons, who had ended the fight for succession without spilling blood.
That was why he wanted to boast about his sons standing proudly on his left and right.
It was both a boast and a compliment.
‘Isn’t that right? The joy of letting someone live is greater than the joy of killing them, right? Others might not know, but you do, Father.
You know this is a much harder thing to do.
Because you are someone who can kill anyone if you just set your mind to it.’
In any case, Geom Mugeuk could feel it.
This moment, with his brother and him standing side by side, was his father’s first and last time bragging about his children in his entire life.
Father, I will make sure this isn't your last time bragging.
I will make you continue to brag.
In the meantime, Baek Ja-gang’s counterattack began.
“A tree with many branches has no peaceful days from the wind.”
Were his years of living alone filled only with loneliness? It had been a life of absolute freedom.
And yet, how dare they brag about that arduous path in front of this fine life of his?
A slight shadow crossed the proud Jin Pae-cheon’s face.
Having sent his son off before him, Jin Pae-cheon had been hit squarely by that wind.
Because his branch had been broken.
That was why he tried so hard to raise Jin Ha-gun and Jin Ha-ryeong with great care.
The two of them were the only private greed allowed to him, a man who had lived his life dedicated only to the Martial Alliance and the Martial World.
Just as the atmosphere was about to turn heavy, Geom Woojin spoke.
“But from those branches, flowers bloom and birds sing.”
Geom Mugeuk did not miss the opportunity and stepped forward.
“My older brother is the flower, and I am the singing bird.”
At that, Geom Woojin looked at Geom Muyang and said.
“Flowers do bloom.”
And then, looking at Geom Mugeuk.
“And the wind also blows.”
He corrected him just like that.
Geom Mugeuk feigned an expression of, ‘You’re being too harsh.’
Jin Ha-ryeong smiled at the sight.
In a different sense, she thought, Geom Mugeuk was like the wind.
A person who would suddenly blow in and cause a whirlwind, only to vanish like the wind.
That was why she had come here herself, to find that wind.
Just as she expected, the wind was blowing at today’s meeting as well.
‘Truly, things I could never have imagined are happening.’
She had never dreamed that she would be called up to a place where these three men were gathered.
She certainly never imagined that the conversation would be broken open with them bragging about their children.
She saw the Heavenly Demon up close for the first time.
And surprisingly, before the thought, ‘That is the Heavenly Demon,’ this thought came first.
‘That is his father.’
They looked alike, yet not alike.
Geom Woojin gave off an intimidating aura that made it difficult to utter a single word to him.
It would have been the same even if she hadn't known he was the Heavenly Demon.
It wasn't the dignity that came with his position.
It was not the fear one felt from someone with a frightening face like the Fist Demon or Bi Sa-in, but an intense presence that Geom Woojin himself radiated.
Normally, she should have felt fear and rejection.
But she did not dislike it so much.
On the contrary, she wanted to strike up a conversation.
I’ve wanted to meet you at least once.
Was it because he was Geom Mugeuk’s father? Though it was their first time meeting, it felt like she had seen him many times, and she felt a strange sense of closeness.
Her gaze this time turned to Geom Muyang.
It was the same again.
Not the Great Young Master of the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect, but.
‘That is his older brother.’
He had a completely different feel from Geom Mugeuk.
He was calm and composed, and seemed like someone who would not easily reveal his emotions.
If he resembled anyone, it was her older brother, not Geom Mugeuk.
Her eyes met Geom Muyang’s, and she slightly bowed her head in greeting.
Geom Muyang also gave a slight nod.
‘That person and I do have something in common.’
The fact that they were blood relatives who had been pushed out of the line of succession.
Of course, she had never had any ambition to become the successor in the first place.
‘I don't know who will marry you two, but the scariest father-in-law in the world is waiting for you.’
The future father-in-law would ask.
‘What does your father do?’
‘He is the Heavenly Demon.’
The thought of such a situation was amusing just to imagine.
In any case, matters related to Geom Mugeuk always made her nervous, excited, and smile.
Her gaze this time turned towards Bi Sa-in.
Normally, his was a face not easy to look upon, but strangely, it did not feel so hideous.
It must be because he was in the company of her older brother and Geom Mugeuk.
Jin Ha-ryeong then looked closely at Baek Ja-gang.
He had a completely different feel from the Heavenly Demon.
He was also different from her grandfather.
In fact, among the three, it was hardest to tell what kind of person he was just by his appearance.
However, his black martial robes told a few stories.
To come out dressed like that in a place like this? Normally, it would give this impression.
I am not a person who cares about external things.
But she did not sense this intention at all.
Instead, she felt this.
A will to fight in the most convenient attire for fighting if something were to happen here.
That will seemed to swallow all intentions, and it felt so natural.
A person who focused solely on himself, rather than on justification and face.
For that reason, he too looked incredibly strong.
After looking around at the people on this floor, she let out a light sigh without realizing it.
It was astonishing to be in such a place.
Perhaps Jin Pae-cheon, who was nearby, had heard her sigh?
“Did you know that my granddaughter is Hubei's Number One Beauty?”
Or was it because he was reminded of his deceased son and daughter-in-law?
Jin Pae-cheon had never bragged about his grandchildren to the warriors of the Martial Alliance or the people of the Righteous Path.
The Alliance Leader acting like a doting fool, bragging about his grandson and granddaughter.
This was something that the proud and honor-bound Jin Pae-cheon could never allow.
Thus, today's boast was one that had been held back for a very long time.
It was a boast directed at the two men before him, and also a boast for the masters of the Righteous Path on the first floor, who were pretending not to listen.
Jin Pae-cheon looked back at Jin Ha-ryeong.
“This grandfather thinks you are the Greatest Beauty Under Heaven.”
As he said this in front of everyone, Jin Ha-ryeong’s face flushed red hot.
‘No! Grandfather! Please!’
She tried her best to answer calmly.
“There are so many beautiful people in the world. Others will make fun of me.”
“Who would dare make fun of my granddaughter?”
At that, the gazes of Bi Sa-in and Jin Ha-gun turned towards one person as if on cue.
Even Geom Muyang, who had just met Jin Pae-cheon today, looked at Geom Mugeuk standing beside him with an expression that said, ‘Who else but this fellow would make fun of her?’
Jin Pae-cheon asked the subject of their gazes.
“What do you think?”
Jin Ha-ryeong was inwardly nervous about what words would come out of Geom Mugeuk’s mouth.
It was obvious he would tease her with some witticism.
“I think the same. If a Greatest Beauty Under Heaven Contest were held, Miss Jin would surely win. She would win even if the Alliance Leader wasn't a judge!”
Jin Pae-cheon smiled with satisfaction.
The successors smiled faintly at Geom Mugeuk’s answer.
He could have just said, ‘She is the most beautiful,’ but he had to mention a Greatest Beauty Under Heaven Contest and even the judging.
There was likely no one else in this world who would answer the Martial Alliance Leader’s question in such a way.
Jin Ha-ryeong found Geom Mugeuk’s answer amusing, yet she felt good at the same time.
She was grateful that he had said this in front of her grandfather, even though the more beautiful Lee Ahn existed.
“Thank you for seeing me in a good light.”
Of course, her inner thoughts were different.
—Even though you think Lee Ahn is the Greatest Beauty Under Heaven.
When she sent a telepathic message to Geom Mugeuk, a reply came back.
—Even if your grandfather was the judge, Lee Ahn would still come in first.
Grandfather, this person is teasing me! She ought to tattle on him to her grandfather.
Jin Pae-cheon was busy today.
He had made up his mind.
This time, he began to brag about Jin Ha-gun.
“They say raising a son is useless, but it depends on the son, doesn't it?”
He then looked at Jin Ha-gun standing behind him.
“Full of righteousness and a sense of responsibility. Where can one find such an excellent son? I am proud of you.”
Of course, he was his grandson, but he used the word ‘son’ to compare him with the other successors.
Jin Ha-gun was flustered.
Jin Pae-cheon was not usually someone who took care of him like this.
On the contrary, he had treated him with more strictness and fear, lest he do something foolish by using the fact that he was his grandson.
It had been such a long time since he had heard the words ‘proud of you’ that he was deeply moved.
Today’s comparison targets were Geom Mugeuk and Bi Sa-in; how could he possibly say he was better than those two? But for this moment, he omitted humility.
“It is all thanks to Grandfather's excellent teachings and guidance.”
After speaking, he wondered when was the last time he had said such words to his grandfather.
Had there even been such a time? Surprisingly, he could not even remember.
It had been a long time since he had heard that he was a source of pride, but he himself had never properly expressed his gratitude.
Jin Ha-gun sent a telepathic message to Geom Mugeuk.
—Do you know? I can't even remember the last time I thanked my grandfather.
Geom Mugeuk had, at some point, become a person to whom he could comfortably convey his honest feelings in moments like these.
—Aren't we those sons from earlier? The ones that are useless to raise?
Perhaps this was why.
Because he was a person who could read his heart and comfort him.
And on top of that, a person who could show him the way forward.
—Still, when we finally mature, we do it properly, don't we?
Jin Ha-gun felt that this meeting was meaningful, just for making him newly aware of his relationship with his grandfather.
Baek Ja-gang had believed Bi Sa-in was still lacking compared to Geom Mugeuk, but he had never once thought he was lacking compared to that Jin Ha-gun.
He could permit second place, but third place was absolutely out of the question.
‘No matter how much you brag, he can't compare to my Sa-in.’
He resolved to make that point clear before this meeting ended.
In any case, after the three successors came up, the atmosphere on the second floor changed.
At the very least, a lively conversation had begun.
The Demon Sovereigns were having similar thoughts about Geom Mugeuk.
As expected! Things only get resolved when the Young Cult Master goes.
Geom Mugeuk did not let this good flow slip away.
He shouted towards the floor below.
“Innkeeper, wine and dishes, please.”
“Right away.”
Jo Chun-bae went up with the wine and side dishes.
He had been in and out of this second floor countless times, but he had never been as nervous as he was at this moment.
‘If I spill this, I spill my life!’
His hands were truly trembling, but he mustered all the courage he had.
He placed the wine and side dishes at their respective seats.
It was the most tense and suffocating moment of his life.
“Please enjoy your meal.”
As he was about to turn, Jin Pae-cheon asked Jo Chun-bae.
“Do you know? Why the Young Cult Master held this meeting at your tavern.”
Jo Chun-bae had not expected to be asked such a question by the Martial Alliance Leader.
“I am not sure either.”
Jin Pae-cheon believed there was another reason for hosting the meeting at this particular tavern.
No matter how good the wine tasted, how good could it be? And no matter how good the innkeeper’s character was, how good could it be? Even if it were the best, why here?
At that moment, an unexpected person answered instead.
“My son's Demonic Path is here.”
The person most surprised by those words was Geom Mugeuk.
He had never dreamed that his father would say this.
A single phrase from his father’s mouth.
My son's Demonic Path.
Geom Mugeuk was so deeply moved.
He was so happy that he felt dazed.
Jin Pae-cheon stared at Geom Woojin in silence for a moment.
He too had not expected Geom Woojin to answer for him.
His son's Demonic Path is here?
If it had been about something else, he would not have continued the conversation, but since it was a matter of their children, he asked out of courtesy.
“Cult Master, do you know what kind of Demonic Path your son walks?”
Everyone’s gaze was focused on Geom Woojin.
Those on the first floor were also listening intently to their conversation.
The Demon Sovereigns, in particular, were curious about what answer would come.
After a brief pause, Geom Woojin spoke.
“I am trying to understand.”
The word ‘trying’ was heard differently by each person.
Most understood it as a roundabout way of saying he did not approve, but for Geom Mugeuk and those who knew him, it was different.
‘He is trying to understand me.’
From the very beginning, the fact that he had answered for him allowed him to feel his father’s heart.
It was not an answer for the Martial Alliance Leader.
That answer was for him.
Geom Mugeuk’s gaze turned to his father’s back.
‘Thank you, Father.’
Was it a courtesy for the preceding question? Geom Woojin asked Jin Pae-cheon.
“Alliance Leader, how much do you understand your grandchildren?”
Jin Pae-cheon had not expected such a question, so he was unsure how to answer.
He answered honestly.
He might have been different about other topics, but he took stories about his blood relatives seriously.
“I am also trying.”
It seemed as though, for the first time since they had sat in this spot, a common ground was being formed.
Baek Ja-gang suddenly asked Jin Pae-cheon.
“Then, Alliance Leader, do you know what kind of Righteous Path your grandson dreams of?”
For a moment, Jin Pae-cheon was flustered.
He had never had a conversation about this.
“You said you were trying, I hope you weren't just trying with words.”
It was Baek Ja-gang’s polite counterattack.
After being made to feel so absurd and bewildered, he was not one to simply take it lying down.
Bragging about children? His side had not even started yet.
Jin Pae-cheon was about to make an excuse but subtly glanced at Geom Woojin.
It was he who had brought up the topic of his son’s Demonic Path, so he was hoping he would add a word to help him out.
It would be better for Geom Woojin to say just one thing than for him to make a pathetic excuse.
‘Alliance Leader, you may not have experienced it, but it's not as easy as you think to have a proper conversation with a grown child.’
That one sentence would be enough.
He did not even expect him to add that it is hard when they are young and hard when they are older.
Did we not just form a righteous-demonic united front? Did we not just form a bond over our bloodlines?
Looking at Jin Pae-cheon’s expectant gaze, Geom Woojin said calmly.
“I have been conversing with him often these days.”