It's because neither of them is a villain.
If either Gwiryeongja or Im Hyang were a villain, their married life wouldn't have been hell for so long. Someone would have left, or someone would have killed the other.
It's because they are both ordinary people. A relationship and life of fighting and bickering until affection took root, of truly hating each other yet being unable to help but live together, yet absolutely never wanting to repeat that life.
"Now, please come inside. Food is prepared, so have a meal first."
Ian and I went inside. Seojin followed us.
"Let me guide you."
I was trying to connect Seojin's fate from my previous life with Ian in this one.
As we walked together, I sent a voice transmission to Ian.
—Ian, Seojin here is a candidate for second squad leader of Gwiyeongdae.
—Ah!
Perhaps because it was unexpected, her eyes widened and sparkled.
—Just imagine having a squad leader who can use Ghost Arts in the Gwiyeongdae you lead.
—That would be incredible. Besides, the character for 'ghost' is even in our unit's name!
—Whether to take this woman under your command is still up to you.
Because Ian had absolute faith in me, she didn't ask anything about 'why her?'
Instead, she spoke to Seojin.
"Congratulations on my brother's wedding."
"Thank you. I thought he'd never get married in his life, yet here he is."
Though it was their first meeting, Seojin answered cheerfully.
"Why? You have good looks and a good personality."
"Still, he's just a bookworm who only studied."
Seojin was feeling favorable toward Ian. I knew the reason well.
The Seojin of the past had also liked pretty women very much. She said seeing pretty things brightened her mood. She liked beauties, flowers, and pretty clothes. Those tastes ill-suited to a wanderer were likely due to having had a childhood smoothly raised in a prestigious family.
"I've only heard of it in stories; I've never experienced Ghost Arts before."
"It's nothing special."
Seojin stopped walking for a moment and raised her hand. Black smoke rose from her palm and instantly took the shape of a snake.
Though it was a small snake made of smoke, it was strangely lifelike, seeming as though it might transform into a pitch-black serpent at any moment.
Whoosh!
The snake suddenly lunged toward Ian. But before it touched her, it popped and scattered into smoke.
"So cool!"
"You weren't surprised?"
"Because there was no killing intent."
A strange light flashed in Seojin's eyes as she looked at Ian. No matter how little killing intent there was, anyone would flinch if a snake suddenly lunged at them. But Ian wasn't agitated in the slightest.
"Show me again next time."
"Next time, I'll bring out something bigger and scarier."
"Great!"
I thought their personalities would mesh well too. Both women had straightforward, unpretentious personalities and knew how to be considerate of others.
If only both Cheongmyeon and Seojin could enter Gwiyeongdae?
Cheongmyeon holding down the fort as first squad leader, Seojin brightening the mood as second squad leader. Already a pleasant picture.
But it wouldn't be easy. One was a Demon Lord candidate, and the other was blood kin of the Gwimun Lord.
Several guests had already arrived in the main hall, and more continued to arrive afterward. There were guests of Gwiryeongja and guests of Im Hyang.
Once all invited guests had arrived, Gwiryeongja and Im Hyang also entered the main hall.
Together we raised our glasses and celebrated their upcoming wedding.
Most of the invited guests were successors of prestigious families, so they were well-mannered.
But there was exactly one exception. He was Ju Myeong of Seojongpa, who had been Im Hyang's friend since childhood. He entered with a dark expression, very dissatisfied with this marriage.
Was it because of the alcohol he'd downed from the start? Or had he harbored feelings for Im Hyang all along?
Right there in front of Gwiryeongja, he spoke openly to Im Hyang.
"Honestly, as an old friend, I can't congratulate you on this wedding."
"Why not?"
"By nature, martial families should form ties with martial families to avoid future trouble."
Naturally, Gwiryeongja felt bad hearing that. Moreover, saying such things right next to him was nothing short of openly disrespecting him.
Since Ju Myeong was Im Hyang's guest, Gwiryeongja spoke to him in a pleasant tone.
"Our sect is also a proper martial faction dwelling in the murim."
"No one here thinks of Gwimun as a martial faction."
"How can you say that? Our sect has contributed greatly to the murim until now."
"Young Master Seo, do you think Gwimun's techniques are legitimate martial arts?"
For a moment, Gwiryeongja couldn't answer. No one had ever asked him in such a way, so he didn't know how to respond.
"Martial arts and sorcery are clearly different things."
As Ju Myeong crossed the line, a clear, ringing voice echoed through the main hall.
"Then shall we check how wonderfully you handle sorcery with your martial arts?"
The one who stepped forward was Seojin. Seeing her stare at her opponent with one eyebrow slightly raised, memories of old days came back to me. Even during her wandering days, one eyebrow would rise like that when she was angry.
When she extended her hand, black mist rose around Ju Myeong.
"Huh!"
Startled, Ju Myeong looked around and drew his sword.
"What? What is this?"
He began swinging his sword at the air. He was definitely seeing some kind of illusion.
And to my eyes, I could see what he was seeing. A pitch-black shadow with only eyes and a mouth was rushing at him. It looked so horrifying and real that, even knowing it was an illusion, my heart turned cold.
And to my eyes, I could also see the method to dispel it. It was the result of combining the Blood Eye Spiritual Water and the Divine Eye Technique.
Ju Myeong was swinging his sword here and there, creating a situation where people nearby could get hurt.
When Seojin withdrew her technique, Ju Myeong, who had been swinging at the air, soon realized he had fallen for the Ghost Arts. Even knowing it was an illusion, he had been swinging his sword without realizing it. That is the Ghost Arts of Gwimun—to affect someone even when they know.
He glared at Seojin.
"To humiliate me with such cheap sorcery, I'll never forgive—"
Slap!
His cheek turned. The one who strode over and slapped him was Im Hyang.
"Do you want to die? Haven't you sobered up? Who do you think you are to say you won't forgive?"
"You!"
"Are we really friends? Friends don't act like this. You're my only friend, yet you make me this miserable?"
At those words, Ju Myeong couldn't say anything. The words 'you're my only friend' seemed to strike him like a dagger.
Ju Myeong let out a short sigh and said,
"I'm sorry."
The rage that had flared like flames was already gone.
"I'm sorry for hitting you too."
"It's fine. You hit me several times when we were young, didn't you?"
Ju Myeong also apologized to Gwiryeongja and Seojin.
"I apologize. It was rude of me to belittle your family. I am sorry."
But he had to get the last word.
"Still, I hate this marriage! I oppose it!"
With that, Ju Myeong left the place.
My gaze turned to Gwiryeongja.
Gwiryeongja, it should have been you shouting like that.
'I hate this marriage! Don't congratulate me! Am I truly the only one who opposes this wedding, even the groom?'
Gwiryeongja tried to scold Seojin for stepping forward recklessly, but Im Hyang stopped him.
And she apologized to Gwiryeongja.
"I'm sorry. We've been friends since childhood, so he seems to have been quite upset about me getting married."
"Isn't it because he cherishes you so much, Lady Im?"
"If he cherished me, he wouldn't act like that. He just got drunk and made a scene. Forget it."
Watching Gwiryeongja's gaze toward her grow even deeper, I inwardly sighed.
'He's falling deeper.'
Seeing her today, Im Hyang was quite a good woman too. I thought that if Gwiryeongja could properly understand her personality, the two of them might get along well.
* * *
Gwiryeongja stepped outside for a moment during the banquet to get some fresh air.
He hadn't shown it in front of Im Hyang, but somehow his mood kept sinking.
It was because of Ju Myeong earlier. When Ju Myeong expressed his dissatisfaction and stepped forward, Gwiryeongja kept regretting that he should have stepped up instead.
Could Im Hyang see him as a coward?
He would have won if he'd stepped up. Should he have displayed his skills properly? No. His father had always warned against letting Gwimun get swept up in murim conflicts.
What murim conflict? It was just a quarrel between friends. He should have stepped up!
Gwiryeongja's mind wavered back and forth, unable to settle. He hated how he looked now, regretting too late, even more than not having stepped up.
Lost in thought as he walked, he arrived at his study.
He stood by the window and looked inside. When he was here, his heart was most at ease. Come to think of it, whenever he was scolded by his father or had a problem, he always came here. This place had been Gwiryeongja's sole haven and refuge.
Gwiryeongja knew.
He wasn't someone who would be happy after subduing Ju Myeong and making him kneel while cackling with glee. He was someone happiest when reading books, researching, investigating, and being quiet.
'By the way, I should show this place to Lady Im.'
He wanted to boast to Im Hyang about how much he read. Today, he felt that way particularly strongly.
Then someone spoke.
"You truly have many books."
Startled, Gwiryeongja turned around.
Behind him stood I, who had followed him out.
"I was feeling stuffy and came out for some air, and while walking I ended up here."
"I see."
"I think you're the first murim person I've met with so many books."
"I've loved reading since I was young."
"I see. There is someone around me who also likes books."
"Oh, really? Please introduce me if there's a chance."
"I shall."
I imagined Gwiryeongja's horrified expression when he learned that the other party was the Blood Heaven Blade Demon. The displeased face of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon looking at Gwiryeongja came to mind, and a laugh escaped me.
Together with him, I naturally moved my steps toward the main hall.
"Young Master Seo and Lady Im, the more I see you two, the better you suit each other."
"If this is consolation because of what happened earlier, it's fine. I've forgotten it all."
"In my eyes, it looked like jealousy. Yet I understand that young master. If a friend I'd long liked were getting married, I too would want to go and overturn the wedding feast."
I eased Gwiryeongja's mood. Whether I stopped his marriage or not, it was only possible if I became somewhat close to him anyway.
And the fastest way to get close to someone is to tell them what they want to hear.
"Someday that young master will jump up from his sleep and drink cold water, thinking, 'Why did I do such a stupid thing back then?'"
Gwiryeongja laughed at that. Since that incident had ruined his mood, it was fitting to use it to clear his mood as well.
"You held yourself well. If you hadn't, it would be you jumping up from your sleep, Young Master Seo."
Gwiryeongja stopped his steps, looked at me, and suddenly asked,
"Have we perhaps met before?"
Gwiryeongja, do you feel some kind of fate? Well, if it's you, you might be able to feel something.
"This is our first meeting."
"But looking at you, you don't feel like a stranger."
"Are there not people who feel comfortable even at first meeting, like someone you've known for a long time? Like a friend. Someone you trust for no reason. Someone you just want to look after."
"It's not quite to that extent."
"Perhaps it's because I felt favorable toward you from the start, Young Master Seo. Seeing the books earlier made me respect you even more."
I continued to say pleasing things, dismantling his wariness. Even the worn-down Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the Supreme Evil Lesser Demon couldn't withstand my Divine Art of Flattery; getting close to this young Gwiryeongja was nothing.
And the most important point of this Divine Art of Flattery is knowing when to stop and retreat decisively. Because I had to give him time to chew over my words and feel good.
"Well then, I'll go in first."
I left him and entered the main hall.
* * *
On the way back after the banquet, I asked Ian,
"What did you think of Seojin?"
Ian had been talking with Seojin throughout the banquet.
"I liked her. She's excellent material for a squad leader."
"My recommendations never fail."
"But there's one problem."
"It's whether she'll join our main sect, right?"
"Yes."
"Gwimun is originally a sect that stands between orthodox and heretical. Among Gwimun's past ancestors, there were those who belonged to our main sect. If we persuade her well, there will be no problem."
"You know a lot about Gwimun?"
"I studied a bit before coming."
Actually, it was all things I'd heard from Seojin in the past. During her wandering days, Seojin hadn't wanted to be tied down by factions. She hadn't wanted to belong anywhere, and because of that, she was someone who could go anywhere.
"Anyway, we'll have to return to the main sect soon, so we can't take her with us. We just need to make it so she can find us later."
When she eventually runs away from home feeling suffocated, we just need to make it so she finds Ian instead of living as a wanderer.
"You know, right? To contact us, you can leave your name at the Seoho Inns located throughout the Central Plains."
"I'll be sure to tell her when we part ways later."
Separate from Ian, I planned to keep an eye on Seojin's movements myself. So that the great branch of fate could connect to Ian.
"By the way, young master? What happened with stopping the marriage?"
"Change of plans."
It was a decision made after seeing Gwiryeongja and Im Hyang at today's banquet.
Chief Gwak of our main sect's Iron Room always says: Small differences make a masterpiece.
I believe that applies to human relationships too. Small differences will change the results. Even if you can't change the person, you can change the relationship.
We devote our lives out of loyalty moved by a single word, part ways feeling hurt by a single word, hate for a lifetime because of a single word. That's who we are.
So my new strategy was this:
"I won't stop Gwiryeongja's marriage, but I'll make it so the two can live happily."
It can't be helped, Gwiryeongja. You must marry. But instead of the gates of hell, I'll open a different door for you.