It was an unthinkable joint operation between the Orthodox faction and the Demonic Cult.
Baek Jagang looked at Jin Paecheon, who was beaming with pride, before turning his gaze to Geom Ujin again.
The first person to draw his sword was that Geom Ujin. He was the very one who had summoned Geom Muyang, after all. The Heavenly Demon was bragging about his children?
"It seems the changes were not merely external."
He wondered if perhaps it was this change that had raised Geom Mugeuk.
In truth, the person more flustered than Baek Jagang at this moment was Bisain.
Everyone else was in pairs; only he was alone, so he couldn't help but feel as though he had done something wrong. He felt sorry toward his master.
He wanted to shout in his master's stead.
"You two! You are truly childish!"
He looked at Geom Mugeuk with a gaze that said, "You think so too, don't you?"
Then, as if he had been waiting, Geom Mugeuk's voice transmission flew in.
"Later, you must have many children! Have about seven and line them up! Then take your revenge."
"You call that a proper thing to say!"
He regretted looking. Geom Mugeuk had probably been scouring for an opportunity to tease him.
In truth, of everyone present, only Geom Mugeuk was guessing the underlying meaning of his father calling his elder brother here.
Father wanted to show them off. His two sons who had ended the succession struggle without shedding blood. Thus, he wanted to boast of his sons standing proudly at his left and right. This was both boasting and praise.
"Right? The joy of sparing is greater than the joy of killing, is it not? Even if others don't know, Father does, doesn't he? That this is a far more difficult thing. Because he is someone who can kill anyone if he sets his mind to it."
Anyway, Geom Mugeuk could feel it. That this moment of placing his elder brother and himself side by side was the first and last time in his father's life that he boasted about his children.
"Father, I will not let this be your last boast. I will let you keep boasting."
While this was happening, Baek Jagang's counterattack began.
"A tree with many branches knows no day without wind."
In all those years living alone, was there only loneliness? It had truly been a life lived freely and without restraint. But how could anyone boast of that arduous path before this good life?
A slight shadow swept across Jin Paecheon's face, which had been swelling with pride. Jin Paecheon, who had sent his child off before him, was the one who had been struck head-on by that wind. Because his branches had broken.
That was why he had tried so hard to raise Jin Hagun and Jin Haryeong preciously. To him, who had lived his life dedicating himself solely to the Martial Alliance and the martial world, those two were the only private desire permitted.
Just when the atmosphere was in danger of growing heavy, Geom Ujin spoke.
"From those branches, flowers bloom and birds chirp, do they not?"
Geom Mugeuk did not miss the opportunity and stepped in.
"My elder brother is the flower, and I am the chirping bird."
Then Geom Ujin looked at Geom Muyang and said,
"Flowers bloom."
And looking at Geom Mugeuk,
"The wind blows as well."
He corrected him like that.
Geom Mugeuk put on an expression that said, "You are too much."
At that sight, Jin Haryeong smiled.
In a different sense, she thought Geom Mugeuk was a wind-like person. One who suddenly blew in, raising a whirlwind, before disappearing like the wind. That was why she had come to find that wind herself.
As expected, even at today's gathering, the wind was blowing without fail.
"Truly unimaginable things are happening."
She had never dreamed she would be called up to a place where these three were gathered. She had known even less that the conversation would be broached through boasting about children.
For the first time, she saw the Heavenly Demon this closely. And surprisingly, before the thought "So that person is the Heavenly Demon" could arise, this thought came first.
"That is his father."
He looked alike, yet not alike.
Geom Ujin exuded an oppressive aura that made it difficult to even get a word in. It would have been the same even if one didn't know he was the Heavenly Demon. It was not the dignity of his position. It was not the fear born from a frightening appearance like the Demonic Lord or Bisain. There was an intense presence emanating from the very person called Geom Ujin.
She should have felt fear and revulsion.
But she did not hate it so much. Rather, she wanted to speak to him.
"I have wanted to meet you at least once."
Was it because he was Geom Mugeuk's father? Though it was their first meeting, it felt like she had seen him many times before, and she felt a strange intimacy.
Her gaze then turned to Geom Muyang. It was the same this time. Not as the Great Young Lord of the Heavenly Demon Cult.
"So that is his elder brother."
He felt completely different from Geom Mugeuk. He felt composed and orderly, and he did not seem like someone who would reveal his emotions easily. If anything, the elder brother was the one who resembled their father, not Geom Mugeuk.
Her eyes met Geom Muyang's, and she bowed her head slightly in greeting. Geom Muyang also lowered his head slightly.
"We do have something in common."
The fact that we are blood relatives yet pushed out of the succession. Of course, she had never had any ambition to become the successor in the first place.
"Whoever marries you two, the most frightening father-in-law in the world awaits."
The future father-in-law asks.
"What does your father do?"
"He is the Heavenly Demon."
Recalling such a situation, she found it amusing just to imagine it. In any case, matters related to Geom Mugeuk always made her nervous, excited, and made her laugh.
Her gaze then turned to Bisain.
It was a face that would normally be difficult to look at, but strangely, it did not feel so hideous.
Perhaps because he was getting along with her elder brother and Geom Mugeuk?
This time, Jin Haryeong examined Baek Jagang carefully.
He felt completely different from the Heavenly Demon. He was different from her grandfather too.
Rather, of the three men, he was the one whose true nature was hardest to discern from outward appearance alone.
However, that black martial uniform told a few stories.
He wore such attire to this kind of occasion? Normally, one would think that.
"I am not someone who cares about outward things."
But she could not sense any such intention at all.
Instead, she got this feeling. The resolve that if trouble broke out here, he would fight in the attire most convenient for combat.
It was a feeling where all intention was swallowed by that resolve, and it was entirely natural. A person focused solely on himself rather than justification or face. Because of that, he too looked truly strong.
Having looked around at the people on this floor, she unconsciously let out a light sigh. She was astonished to find herself in such a place.
Did Jin Paecheon, who was nearby, hear her sigh?
Or was it because he thought of his dead son and daughter-in-law?
Jin Paecheon had never boasted about his grandchildren to the martial artists of the Martial Alliance or the Orthodox faction.
For the Alliance Leader to boast about his grandson and granddaughter like a besotted fool.
This was something the prideful and honor-conscious Jin Paecheon would never permit.
Thus, today's boasting was truly a boast he had held back for a long time. It was a boast directed at the two people before his eyes, and also at the Orthodox experts on the first floor who were pretending not to know.
Jin Paecheon turned to look at Jin Haryeong.
"This old man thinks you are the Greatest Beauty Under Heaven."
Having said this before everyone, Jin Haryeong's face burned red.
'No! Grandfather! Please!'
She forced herself to answer calmly.
"There are so many beautiful people in the world. The others will tease me."
"How dare anyone tease my granddaughter?"
Then Bisain and Jin Hagun's gazes turned to one person as if they had been waiting. Even Geom Muyang, who was meeting Jin Paecheon for the first time today, looked at Geom Mugeuk, who was standing nearby, with an expression that said, "Who else would tease her but this fellow?"
Jin Paecheon asked the protagonist of their gazes.
"What do you think?"
Jin Haryeong was inwardly nervous about what words would come from Geom Mugeuk's mouth. He would obviously tease her with a jest.
"I think the same. If a tournament to select the Greatest Beauty Under Heaven were held, Young Lady Jin would certainly win. Even if the Alliance Leader did not judge, she would win!"
Jin Paecheon put on a satisfied smile.
The successors smiled faintly at Geom Mugeuk's answer. He could have simply answered that she was the most beautiful, yet he had to mention the tournament and even the judging.
There was probably no one else in this world who would answer the Martial Alliance Leader's question in such a manner besides Geom Mugeuk.
Jin Haryeong found Geom Mugeuk's answer amusing, yet at the same time she felt happy. Even though there was a more beautiful Yi An, she was grateful that he said this before her grandfather.
"Thank you for thinking so highly of me."
Of course, her true feelings were different.
'While thinking that the Greatest Beauty Under Heaven is Yi An.'
She sent a voice transmission to Geom Mugeuk, and a reply came back.
'Even if your grandfather judged, Yi An would probably take first place.'
'Grandfather, this person is teasing me! I should tell on him to Grandfather.'
Today, Jin Paecheon was busy. He had made up his mind. This time, he began to boast about Jin Hagun.
"Raising sons may be useless, but a son is still a son in his own way, is he not?"
As he said this, he looked at Jin Hagun, who was standing behind him.
"Full of chivalry and responsibility. Where else could one see such an excellent son? I am proud of you."
Of course, to him Jin Hagun was his grandson, but he called him a son to compare him with the other successors.
Jin Hagun was flustered. Jin Paecheon was not someone who normally looked after him like this. Fearing that he might do something vain using the fact that he was his grandson, he had treated Jin Hagun even more strictly and fiercely. Having heard the words "I am proud of you" after so long, Jin Hagun was deeply moved.
With Geom Mugeuk and Bisain as today's comparisons, how could he say that he was better than those two? But for this moment alone, he set aside humility.
"It is thanks to Grandfather's excellent teachings and guidance."
After speaking, he wondered when he had last said such words to his grandfather. Had he ever? Surprisingly, he couldn't even remember.
It had been a long time since he had heard the words "proud," but he too had never properly expressed his gratitude.
Jin Hagun sent a voice transmission to Geom Mugeuk.
"Did you know? I cannot even remember when I last expressed my gratitude to Grandfather before this."
Geom Mugeuk had become someone to whom he could comfortably convey his honest feelings at such moments.
"Aren't we those sons he mentioned earlier? Those sons who are useless no matter how you raise them."
That was probably why. Because he was someone who read his heart and comforted him. Someone who even showed him the path forward.
"But if we come to our senses once more, won't we do it properly?"
Jin Hagun felt that this meeting alone was meaningful simply for having newly perceived his relationship with his grandfather.
Baek Jagang thought that Bisain was still lacking compared to Geom Mugeuk, but he had never once thought Jin Hagun was lacking. Second place was permissible, but third was absolutely unacceptable.
'No matter how much he boasts, he cannot compare to our Sain.'
He resolved to make that point clear before today's gathering ended.
In any case, after the three successors came up, the atmosphere on this floor changed. At the very least, conversation began to flow actively.
The Demonic Lords were harboring similar thoughts about Geom Mugeuk.
"As expected! It gets resolved only when the Young Cult Leader steps in."
Geom Mugeuk did not miss this favorable turn. He shouted toward the lower floor.
"Proprietor, liquor and food, please."
"Understood."
Jo Chunbae went up carrying liquor and side dishes.
He had gone in and out of this floor countless times, but he had never trembled as much as at this moment.
'If I spill this, I spill my life!'
His hands truly trembled, but he mustered all the courage he had.
He set down the liquor and side dishes at each seat. It was the most nerve-wracking and suffocating moment of his life.
"Please enjoy."
As he was turning to leave, Jin Paecheon asked Jo Chunbae,
"Do you know? Why the Young Cult Leader hosted this meeting at your tavern."
Jo Chunbae hadn't expected to receive such a question from the Martial Alliance Leader.
"I do not know either."
Jin Paecheon believed there must be another reason the meeting was hosted at this tavern of all places. How good could the liquor possibly taste? How good could the proprietor's personality possibly be? Even if they were the best, why here?
Then an unexpected person answered in his stead.
"My son's demonic path is here."
The most surprised person at those words was Geom Mugeuk. He had never dreamed his father would say such a thing.
A single phrase from his father's mouth.
My son's demonic path.
Geom Mugeuk was so moved. He was so overjoyed that his mind went blank.
Jin Paecheon looked at Geom Ujin in silence for a moment. He too had not expected Geom Ujin to answer for him. His son's demonic path was here?
Had it been any other words, he would not have continued the conversation, but since it was a matter of children, he asked out of courtesy.
"Cult Leader, do you know what kind of demonic path your son's path is?"
Everyone's gaze focused on Geom Ujin. Those on the first floor were likewise straining their ears to listen to their conversation. The Demonic Lords in particular were curious about what answer would come.
After a brief pause, Geom Ujin spoke.
"I am endeavoring to understand it."
The word "endeavoring" was heard differently by each listener. Most understood it as a roundabout way of saying he would not acknowledge it, but to Geom Mugeuk and those who knew him, it was different.
'He is trying to understand me.'
From the very fact that he had answered in his stead, Geom Mugeuk could feel his father's heart. It was not an answer directed at the Martial Alliance Leader. That answer was directed at him.
Geom Mugeuk's gaze fixed on his father's back.
'Thank you, Father.'
Perhaps as courtesy for the earlier question? Geom Ujin asked Jin Paecheon,
"Alliance Leader, how well do you understand your grandchildren?"
Because he had not expected such a question, Jin Paecheon was troubled over how to answer. He answered honestly. He might have been different with other matters, but he took matters of blood family seriously.
"I too am endeavoring."
He wondered if this was the first moment of empathy since they had sat down.
Baek Jagang abruptly asked Jin Paecheon,
"Then does the Alliance Leader know what level your grandchild dreams of reaching?"
In that instant, Jin Paecheon was flustered. He had never had a conversation about this.
"You said you were endeavoring, but I wonder if it is only in words."
It was Baek Jagang's polite counterattack. He was not one to simply take being left so dumbfounded and bewildered. Boasting about children? He hadn't even started yet.
Jin Paecheon tried to make excuses and glanced at Geom Ujin. Since he was the one who had brought up his son's demonic path, he hoped Geom Ujin would chip in a word.
If Geom Ujin said just one word, it would be better than him making pathetic excuses.
'Alliance Leader, you wouldn't know because you haven't experienced it, but having a proper conversation with a grown child is more difficult than you think.'
That would have been enough. He didn't even expect him to add that it's hard when they're young and hard when they're grown.
"Did we not form an Orthodox-Demonic united front together? Did we not form a bond over our bloodlines?"
Meeting Jin Paecheon's expectant gaze, Geom Ujin said calmly,
"These days, I converse with him often."
Absolute Regression