Deep within Jin Paecheon's heart, something stirred.
It was an emotion he had felt for the first time in his life. Having lived as the Martial Alliance Lord, he had met countless people and experienced all manner of things.
And now, his emotions dried up like stone, functioned only out of habit. Smiling out of habit, raging out of habit, grieving out of habit.
But the stirring he felt now was real.
He had lived while deliberately averting his eyes from that deeply wounded place. He had wanted to carve out the wound, but the more he tried, the larger the scar became. So he had covered it and lived on. He knew it was festering inside yet pretended otherwise. After all, he thought everyone lived carrying such wounds. Because he had much to do. Because he was the Martial Alliance Lord.
And now Jin Paecheon felt it. That the pus of his wound was being washed away as it began to heal.
He had said the same words to himself dozens, hundreds of times.
*I wouldn't have done that.*
But the wound in his heart had not healed. Yet when someone else uttered those words, emotions surged within him. He had a premonition that he could finally break free from that wound.
To think he would feel this way from just a few words.
Normally, his pride would have been wounded. He would have desperately denied it.
But looking at Geom Mugeuk gazing at him with clear, deep eyes, his pride—which had been writhing as if to awaken—quietly fell back asleep.
"Thank you for saying that."
Geom Mugeuk smiled pleasantly. The Alliance Lord was someone capable of saying those words at this moment. Whether one could acknowledge one's wound and speak those words was truly important. Because the final treatment of a wound had always belonged to the one wounded. The Alliance Lord had now wrapped the last bandage around his injury.
"Unlike the Alliance Lord, Baek Cheongyeong refused to acknowledge it until the very end."
Geom Mugeuk naturally steered the conversation back to what they had been discussing.
"I had believed until now that the one who annihilated them was the younger sibling of the Mokcheon-ga clan leader. Because he was not present during the annihilation that day, and was later found as a corpse who had taken his own life."
"In conclusion, that corpse was not him."
Since it concerned the Mokcheon-ga, how meticulously must Jin Paecheon have investigated the matter at the time? And yet he had been deceived.
"Then who annihilated them?"
"There is someone who exploited Baek Cheongyeong's desire for revenge. They helped him fake his death and infiltrate the Martial Alliance under a new identity. I suspect he is the one who annihilated the Mokcheon-ga."
Jin Paecheon's thoughts deepened. Manipulating a corpse, infiltrating the Alliance. This was not simple personal enmity or malice. This was war.
The opponent was not someone who merely schemed. By annihilating the Mokcheon-ga, he had proven his martial might as well.
"You must bear in mind that there is someone targeting the Martial Alliance."
To avoid wasting mental energy wondering if it might be someone from the Demon Cult, he added a word.
"This time he even tried to kill me to scheme for a war with our cult. Thus, he is also an enemy of our cult."
Geom Mugeuk did not mention that the death of the Alliance Lord's son and daughter-in-law might have been part of that man's scheme from the beginning. Because that was not yet certain.
"I shall investigate thoroughly to uncover the mastermind."
"I will find him as well. If you require my aid, call upon me anytime. At least in capturing this mastermind, I wish to help."
Geom Mugeuk limited the offer to himself rather than the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. There was no need for the Martial Alliance to join hands with the Demon Cult; by offering his own hand, he lessened the Alliance Lord's burden.
Jin Paecheon accepted readily.
"Do that."
"Then I shall see you again. I will meet Young Master Jin and Young Lady Jin, then depart at once."
"Wait."
Calling out to Geom Mugeuk, who was turning to leave, Jin Paecheon slowly approached.
As an expert of Jin Paecheon's caliber drew near, Geom Mugeuk's Heavenly Demon Guardian Divine Art activated on its own. But for this moment, at least, that effort was in vain.
Jin Paecheon embraced Geom Mugeuk tightly.
"Not as the Martial Alliance Lord, but as Haryeong's grandfather, I am truly grateful to you."
Geom Mugeuk also returned the embrace.
"Please take care of yourself until we meet again."
Naturally, he did not forget a jest.
"If there is a Demon Cult Young Lord whom the Martial Alliance Lord has embraced, tell him to step forth!"
Jin Paecheon laughed heartily, then spoke honestly.
"So a hug is enough to settle it? In my heart, I wanted to repay you with something grand. Our Alliance's treasure vault is filled with all manner of spirit medicines and divine weapons."
"Then please give them to me. I beg you!"
Jin Paecheon laughed at Geom Mugeuk's shameless reply.
"I'm sorry, but I must refuse. I fear you would add that power to your arsenal and strike us."
"Are you not more afraid of leaving a debt of the heart?"
"!"
Geom Mugeuk spoke with a smile.
"That is why I decline material compensation."
Watching Geom Mugeuk's retreating figure as he politely paid his respects and turned to leave, Jin Paecheon truly thought it a pity.
What if he had not been the Demon Cult's Young Lord?
He recalled the time when Jin Haryeong had brought Geom Mugeuk, declaring she would marry a servant.
*If only he had been a servant.*
It was Jin Paecheon's true feeling, which he could tell no one.
* * *
Jin Haryeong screamed and sat up with a start.
Turning her head, she saw she was in the infirmary.
"Are you alright?"
It was Jin Hagun, who had rushed in startled.
"I dreamt I died."
It was a dream in which, after she died at Chorim, the Demon Lords arrived.
She had thought he might shed at least a tear, if not wail, but Yi An had been too busy chatting with the Demon Lords to care about her death. That was more of a nightmare than dying.
*We've only truly seen each other three times, so what's there to feel slighted about?*
Since when were those three ordinary meetings? The first as friends, the second in a duel, the last as a rescue. Such a connection was truly not easy.
"It won't happen again."
"How can you say that for sure?"
"Because I will make sure of it."
"That's what I should do."
Though she was smiling, there was a new strength in Jin Haryeong's gaze. Through this incident, Jin Hagun felt his younger sister had grown.
"How long did I sleep?"
"About half a shichen."
Jin Haryeong rose. She felt uneasy that Geom Mugeuk might have left while she slept. Even if she had to let him go, she should bid him farewell.
"What about Geom Mugeuk?"
"He's waiting outside. He said he would greet you when you woke up, then leave."
At the news that Geom Mugeuk had waited for her, Jin Haryeong was inwardly moved.
As she tried to go outside, Jin Hagun spoke.
"You know?"
"What?"
"That it's impossible. Don't give your heart in the first place."
"Why? Are you worried? Worried that your only sister might have her heart stolen by the Demon Cult's Young Lord?"
Surprisingly, Jin Hagun nodded.
"Yes, I'm worried about that."
"Aren't you supposed to say you trust your sister and not to worry?"
"No, I'm worried."
Had it been anyone other than Geom Mugeuk, she would have been offended, but Jin Haryeong actually felt pleased. Because it was about whether she would be paired with Geom Mugeuk or not.
"Brother, I'm not as naive as you think."
"Then that's fine."
Jin Haryeong, who had been about to go outside, instead worried about Jin Hagun.
"What about you, Brother? Are you okay?"
"What do you mean?"
"I'm telling you not to get swept up by that person."
Then Jin Hagun revealed an unexpected thought.
"Forcibly trying not to get swept up is worse. Even if you get swept up, do it selfishly."
"Selfishly?"
"Take all the good influence he gives, without letting your own core waver."
Jin Haryeong wondered if that could really work. If human relationships could be severed as cleanly as he said, what worry would there be?
By that logic, she was the same. She had told him not to worry because she wasn't naive, but could she truly endure Geom Mugeuk to that extent?
"I suppose we really do share the same blood. Brother, you are far from naive too."
Thus, the two of them came outside.
Geom Mugeuk was standing in the clinic courtyard, looking up at the sky.
Jin Haryeong stood beside him.
"What are you looking at?"
"Do you see that sky color there? That is the color of my sword gang."
"Better than a dull color. To die struck by such a beautiful hue."
At her words, Geom Mugeuk laughed and turned his head.
"Is your body alright?"
"Thanks to you."
"I waited to see your face before leaving. See you next time."
Jin Haryeong was so reluctant to part with him. She wanted to stay with him a little longer.
*Stay and hang out a while longer. Even a few days.*
But being unable to say even such words was the relationship and fate between Geom Mugeuk and herself.
"Before you go, answer this. How can I become strong like you?"
"By training as if your life depends on it."
"But it looks like you're always playing."
"Training is done where no one can see."
Then Jin Hagun slowly walked over.
"I heard from Grandfather about the mastermind."
He could not believe there had been someone manipulating his master.
Geom Mugeuk passed the credit to him.
"It was thanks to you that this matter was uncovered. Had you not noticed something strange about your master, disaster might have befallen us later."
Jin Hagun found it horrifying to imagine. Had he let it pass unknowingly, Baek Cheongyeong would have driven them to ruin at a decisive moment.
Jin Hagun redirected the credit back to Geom Mugeuk.
"It was thanks to you. Because of your words to look properly rather than carelessly, I was able to realize."
From now on, Jin Hagun would strive to look everyone in the eye properly. Not only the Demon Extermination Corps, but the Martial Alliance's organization as well would be reformed.
Geom Mugeuk offered his final farewell.
"Be careful in all things."
"You as well."
Jin Hagun expressed his final gratitude.
"Thank you for saving my sister."
"Do not forget. Repay me later without fail."
Thinking it was an answer befitting Geom Mugeuk, Jin Hagun smiled faintly.
"Then let us meet again."
Geom Mugeuk also took his leave of Jin Haryeong.
Jin Haryeong asked with a smile.
"We're still friends, right?"
At Jin Haryeong's words, Geom Mugeuk nodded.
"There is a tavern near our cult's main altar with fine liquor and a good innkeeper. I shall invite you next time."
Would such a day truly come?
The moment Jin Haryeong nodded, Geom Mugeuk kicked off the ground and soared into the air, instantly vanishing from sight.
"Brother, I think we need to work hard. The Demon Cult can't be cooler than us, right?"
Jin Hagun walked away with large strides without answering.
*I know Brother's personality better than anyone. He won't lose, our Brother.*
Jin Haryeong, who had been following him, glanced back toward where Geom Mugeuk had disappeared.
But soon she too strode forward with vigor. As if she were the only one who had gained enlightenment?
It was her first step toward becoming not the Hubei First Beauty, but the Hubei First Sword.
* * *
In the An family kitchen, Yi An was busy cooking.
She did not know why she had suddenly felt like cooking for the two Demon Lords herself.
There were only three or four dishes she knew how to make, and she prepared the one she was most confident in.
"Then please enjoy."
"You eat too."
"I'm fine."
Because Gwonma insisted, even gesturing for her to join, Yi An dined with them.
Sharing a meal with Hyeolcheon Doma and Gwonma?
Wasn't this a punishment by any standard? She was extremely nervous when Hyeolcheon Doma spoke while eating.
"It's bland."
Hyeolcheon Doma was not one to offer false praise out of consideration for the cook.
"Ah! I'm sorry. I under-seasoned it. I'll go prepare it again."
Then Gwonma grabbed the plate Yi An was about to take away.
"He said eating bland is healthy."
"Who?"
"The Demonic Physician."
Yi An was inwardly grateful, not having expected Gwonma to say such a thing.
She realized the Demon Lords were truly different up close from how they appeared. Then again, her outward impression and actual personality were completely different too.
Hyeolcheon Doma asked, as if curious.
"Why did you suddenly cook for us?"
Of course, there was a reason.
She had been moved and filled with respect by the two Demon Lords in battle. The strength and intensity they showed gave her tremendous inspiration as she began her full activities as the Ghost Shadow Great Lord. So she wanted to treat them to a sincere meal.
"It's not an opportunity that comes often."
She added what Seo Daeryong always said at drinking gatherings.
"I want to tell my child later. That this mother personally cooked for Lord Hyeolcheon Doma and Lord Gwonma when she was young."
"Make sure to say it was bland."
Yi An laughed awkwardly at Hyeolcheon Doma's words.
Then Gwonma suddenly spoke.
"A child resembling both Mugeuk and you would be incredible."
Yi An was startled. At first she thought she had misheard. Flustered, she quickly said.
"How could I marry the Young Lord? Even if I've become a Great Lord, I was merely an ordinary martial artist."
"What does it matter? Neither the Cult Lord nor Mugeuk is someone who cares about such things."
At Gwonma's words, Hyeolcheon Doma nodded in agreement.
She was truly grateful to Gwonma for saying so. But there had always been something weighing on her mind. It was the first thought that came to her whenever marriage was mentioned.
Words she normally would not bring up, yet somehow she wanted to speak them before these two frightening people. No, the words spilled out naturally.
"I don't even know who my parents are."
Then Hyeolcheon Doma offered a word of comfort.
"Family is the enemy. You don't need to know."
She was also grateful to Hyeolcheon Doma for speaking thus.
Then Gwonma said something completely unexpected.
"If that truly weighs on your mind, I shall become your father."
Hyeolcheon Doma was startled by those words. So how startled must Yi An, the person in question, have been?
So surprised and flustered was she that she dropped the chopsticks she held.
She had never spoken privately with Gwonma. So why? Did he take a liking to her at the late-night training gathering? Or was there another reason? Was it a joke? Had she misheard this time for sure?
All manner of thoughts filled her mind, leaving her speechless.
Then Geom Mugeuk entered.
"I have returned."
Geom Mugeuk immediately grasped the frozen atmosphere.
"Nothing happened when the Demon Cult's Young Lord was at the Martial Alliance Lord's residence, so what in the world happened at the An family's dinner table?"
It was Hyeolcheon Doma who broke the ensuing silence.
"The food was bland."