Ian slowly walked up to this floor.
Seen up close, Ian was even more beautiful than when viewed from below. Moreover, one could feel an unapproachable air about her.
“Young Cult Leader!”
Ian stood before Geom Mugeuk.
If other people hadn’t been there, she wouldn’t have called him Young Cult Leader but Young Master. “Young Master!” She would have run and embraced him tightly. She had missed Geom Mugeuk that much.
“You’ve worked hard.”
At those words from Geom Mugeuk, Ian felt her stiff, tense heart melt away like a lie.
‘You’ve finally returned!’
Ian felt exactly the same emotion that Geom Mugeuk had felt upon seeing his father.
Ian’s gaze naturally turned to Hanseol.
The first reason Hanseol had come to the Heavenly Demon Cult was to meet Ian. She had worried about leaving without seeing her, so it was fortunate that Ian had returned.
Hanseol called out to her.
“Sister.”
It was the first time they had met since parting after deciding to be sisters. She had expected it to be very awkward and distant, but unexpectedly it was not.
At the word “Sister,” everyone who didn’t know their relationship was startled.
“I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“Didn’t you say you’d show me around when I come to the Central Plains next time?”
She remembered exactly what Ian had said.
“Yes, welcome.”
Watching Ian smile at her, Hanseol felt that Ian had changed somehow. Yet she couldn’t tell exactly what kind of change it was.
Seo Daeryong gladly greeted Ian.
“This martial artist is glad you have returned safely.”
“Has the Pavilion Lord been well?”
Then Geom Mugeuk spoke up slyly.
“He’s fared the best among us.”
As he said this, he looked at Dana. The quick-witted Ian opened her eyes wide.
“No way? You traitor!”
Ian showed their intimacy with a casual joke, and Seo Daeryong laughed sheepishly.
Ian said to Dana with a bright smile.
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you, Lord.”
Dana looked at the youngest and spoke.
“The youngest was able to enter the Ghost Shadow Corps thanks to the Young Cult Leader. Hurry and greet her.”
Dan-yeon stared blankly at Ian, mesmerized, then belatedly came to her senses.
“Ah, you are so beautiful. I am Dan-yeon, who has just joined as a new recruit. The First Squad Leader told me to report starting tomorrow.”
Dan-yeon politely greeted her with cupped fists.
Ian quietly gazed at her, then suddenly asked a question.
“Have you heard what kind of organization we are?”
“Yes, I heard it is a place that becomes the Young Cult Leader’s shadow.”
“Good, then I’ll ask. If the Cult Leader’s command and the Young Cult Leader’s command conflict, what will you do?”
Dan-yeon answered without hesitation.
“I should follow the Young Cult Leader’s command, shouldn’t I?”
“Then wouldn’t that be treason?”
She flinched at the word treason, but Dan-yeon’s thoughts were firm.
“A shadow is destined to disappear without the body, after all.”
At Dan-yeon’s answer, Ian looked at Geom Mugeuk and spoke.
“She hasn’t even started her first day yet, but her loyalty is greater than mine?”
At those words, a smile formed on Dan-yeon’s face. She liked interesting people. Indeed, she was the brightest and wittiest among the three sisters. The earlier joke calling Seo Daeryong a traitor, and now too—she liked Ian very much.
The great goodwill felt toward Geom Mugeuk was not solely because he was the Young Cult Leader. It was because of the relaxed jokes he threw out at times like this.
“But you’ll still send the food to Father, won’t you?”
At Ian’s questioning gaze, Geom Mugeuk merely smiled an inscrutable smile.
Jang Ho greeted her once more.
“This martial artist is glad you have returned safely.”
“My Lord has grown even more imposing!”
The reunion with Cheon Sohee was also after a long time.
“We used to see each other every day, but now it’s hard to see your face even once.”
“The Young Cult Leader said he would definitely revive the midnight training.”
After finally greeting Gangdal as well, they sat down together.
Geom Mugeuk raised his glass high and shouted.
“My heart has returned!”
Ian was embarrassed, thinking, He’s doing this again, but still raised her glass high.
And so everyone toasted cheerfully and drank.
Setting down her glass, Dan-yeon whispered to Seo Daeryong.
“Brother-in-law, that was too obvious a lie.”
She was referring to what Seo Daeryong had said earlier, that his sister was prettier.
As Seo Daeryong laughed awkwardly, Dan-yeon whispered again.
“At times like this, you say, ‘In my eyes, you’re prettier.’”
“Ah!”
Seo Daeryong also whispered to Dan-yeon.
“Please teach me well from now on, sister-in-law.”
“Won’t the quality of advice depend on the size of my brother-in-law’s allowance?”
At those words, Seo Daeryong laughed. A thought suddenly came to his mind.
‘Am I allowed to be this happy?’
He feared that Heaven might be jealous of this happiness and send misfortune.
Then he suddenly looked at Geom Mugeuk drinking with Ian.
He felt he now knew for certain in his heart what he had only vaguely understood in his head. Why Geom Mugeuk had moved so diligently.
To Geom Mugeuk, Ian must be Dana, Jang Ho must be Danbi, and he himself must be Dan-yeon. He had moved so diligently to ensure that misfortune would not dare approach. To ensure that laziness did not invite misfortune.
‘I too will protect it through diligence, Young Cult Leader.’
Just then, their eyes met, and the two of them toasted in the air before emptying their cups.
Even though there were people meeting for the first time, the atmosphere was pleasant.
The pillar that was Geom Mugeuk put everyone at ease.
Laughing and chatting, everyone conversed comfortably.
Toward the end of the drinking gathering, they broke into smaller groups to talk.
Danbi, who was to enter the Yellow Heaven Pavilion as an executioner, conversed with Seo Daeryong and Gangdal. She was usually the second daughter who didn’t speak much, but she wasn’t so introverted as to miss an opportunity to build rapport with her direct superiors.
Seo Daeryong spoke to his two subordinates.
“I think our Yellow Heaven Pavilion is a guiding star. Its role is to keep one from losing their way on a dark night. Because everyone tries to find an easier path, even if every organization in the cult is shaken, we alone must not be shaken.”
Danbi asked cautiously.
“How can we not be shaken?”
Then Seo Daeryong answered honestly.
“Each person must find their own guiding star.”
Gangdal and Danbi fell into thought and quietly emptied their cups.
Seo Daeryong’s gaze turned to Geom Mugeuk. He could say this because he had already found his.
Meanwhile, Dan-yeon was looking only at Ian.
She had completely fallen for Ian, the leader of the organization she belonged to. Beautiful, strong, and above all, a witty person. Ian was truly the very image she dreamed of becoming.
“Lord, do you have a dream?”
Ian answered Dan-yeon’s courageous question.
“To survive well for a long time.”
Ian left out one important word.
Geom Mugeuk drank and talked with Cheon Sohee and Jang Ho about this and that. They spoke of the Fist Demon, and of Jang Ho’s painting.
Cheon Sohee felt like she could finally breathe freely after so long. Gathering like this to talk and drink was wonderful. She used to drink comfortably with the iron fists of the Donggwon Sect, but after becoming the successor, such occasions had disappeared.
“We’ll take our leave first.”
Since they had to face their first day at new organizations the next day, the Dan sisters rose from their seats first.
Dana had been quiet throughout the drinking gathering.
In truth, she was someone who drank well and could talk a great deal if she tried, but today she refrained from both drinking and speaking. To avoid any mistakes for Seo Daeryong and her younger sisters.
Before parting, Ian spoke softly to Dana.
“Pavilion Lord Seo is truly a good person.”
“Thank you.”
As they rose from their seats, Gangdal also bid farewell.
“A subordinate goes to prepare for tomorrow; can the leader afford to be idle?”
He said that, but it was because he felt it was time to step aside for their long-awaited reunion. He was one who knew when to join in and when to step away decisively.
Hanseol also stood up.
“The elders seem tired, so I should be going too.”
On the first floor, Sahan of the Hanbing Twin Swords was asleep with his head on his wife’s shoulder. He was drunk from drinking after a long time.
Geom Mugeuk spoke to Hanseol.
“Miss Han, I have a request.”
“Please speak.”
“Please leave a word on this wall.”
At those words, Jo Chunbae’s face on the first floor brightened. As expected, Geom Mugeuk understood and looked after her wishes.
She immediately shook her head.
“I don’t think I’m qualified.”
“Then leave it on this wall. Here we will leave the names of our young experts. Let our Young Palace Lord open the beginning.”
With that request, Hanseol eventually left a message.
—Drank well with friends and now leaving. Hanseol, Young Palace Lord of the Northern Sea Ice Palace.
It was the moment the successor of the Northern Sea Ice Palace finally left writing on the wall of the Pungnyu Tavern.
At the expression “friends,” Seo Daeryong smiled warmly, and Jo Chunbae beamed with joy.
“Thank you. Truly, thank you.”
Jo Chunbae expressed gratitude to Hanseol, then looked at Geom Mugeuk and smiled broadly. She would never have left those words if not for Geom Mugeuk.
And so everyone left, and only Geom Mugeuk, Cheon Sohee, and the drinking trio remained at the Pungnyu Tavern. Geom Mugeuk had deliberately kept Cheon Sohee from leaving though she had tried to go.
“Drink for a moment. I have something to bring.”
While Geom Mugeuk briefly stepped away, the four of them chatted about this and that.
Then Ian asked Seo Daeryong.
“How does it feel to have someone you love?”
To Seo Daeryong, Jang Ho and Ian were more than simple drinking friends.
“Honestly, I returned with Miss Dan, but I’m scared. I’ve lived selfishly thinking only of myself my whole life, so I wonder if I can do well. I worry I’ll regret it later.”
Since they were all unmarried, they were no different from Seo Daeryong in sentiment.
Then Geom Mugeuk’s voice was heard from the first floor.
“Such worries should be asked of an experienced person.”
Geom Mugeuk came up to this floor bringing Jo Chunbae with him. Having gone somewhere in the meantime, he held a sword belt and a long sword case.
“Proprietor, do you regret marriage?”
At Geom Mugeuk’s question, Jo Chunbae smiled and said.
“There were times I regretted it. After big fights with the wife, whew, I’d fall asleep dreaming of the days I lived alone.”
Everyone laughed at his honest confession.
“But I would have regretted living alone too. No matter how disobedient the brat is, I’d be terrified imagining my life without him. Whether it’s love or hate, as I get older, I have only my wife.”
Geom Mugeuk said to Seo Daeryong.
“When love troubles weigh on you, come to the Pungnyu Tavern for advice!”
“Yes!”
Jo Chunbae bowed, saying he was unworthy of such honor, then went down to the first floor. He was smiling as he descended the stairs. To think he would now end up giving love advice to the Yellow Heaven Pavilion Lord.
Seo Daeryong’s gaze turned to the case and sword belt Geom Mugeuk had brought.
“But what is that? It looks like a sword case?”
Geom Mugeuk gave the sword case to Ian.
“Here, a gift.”
Ian, receiving the case, was startled. She had never imagined receiving a gift at this gathering.
“A gift?”
The case was engraved with a sun and moon in a magnificent manner; just by looking at the exquisitely crafted case, one could tell what was inside was no ordinary item.
Inside was a single sword.
Ian slowly drew the sword.
“Ah!”
An exclamation of admiration burst from her.
Shiiiiiiing.
A chilling killing intent spread in all directions in an instant. Truly, it was no ordinary treasured sword.
“It is the Sun-Moon Sword.”
At Geom Mugeuk’s words, not only Ian but Jang Ho, Seo Daeryong, and Cheon Sohee were all startled. The Sun-Moon Sword was a famous treasured sword in the martial world.
It was the very Sun-Moon Sword received from the Black Serpent Commander while resolving a matter involving the Bisa in the past. The Bisa had given the sword back to Geom Mugeuk, and at that time Geom Mugeuk had said he would give it to his heart. He had kept it safe and well since then, and now the moment to give it to Ian had come.
“Why are you giving me such a precious sword?”
“Because you’ve now reached the realm where you can protect this sword. Congratulations, Ian.”
“Ah, as I thought! You knew.”
She had achieved the grand completion of the Soaring Sword Technique she had dreamed of. It was a feat impossible in the time given even for one talented in martial arts, and it was possible thanks to Geom Mugeuk, who had taught her generously without reserve.
“Are you truly giving this to me?”
Geom Mugeuk nodded. To a martial artist, a sword is like life; the Sun-Moon Sword would become another life for her.
And the sword suited her well.
"I won't refuse. I know I'll never obtain a sword like this again in my life. I'll take it."
"I had a feeling you'd like it, so I even brought the sword case."
"Thank you very much, young master."
It was a burden, truly a burden, but he was so happy he felt as though he might take flight. He wanted to hurry and display the Bicheon Sword Technique with this sword.
On the other hand, receiving such a gift alone felt so burdensome that he was sorry to the other three.
How could he not know that feeling? Seo Daeryong said to Geom Mugeuk.
"No matter that I'm the heart, this is too much! What about us?"
He had deliberately played the clown, but unexpected words came from Geom Mugeuk.
"Lord Jang and you lot have yours too."
Surely not. But Geom Mugeuk began pulling things out from his leather bag.
Protective armors emerging from the leather bag.
Geom Mugeuk gave Seo Daeryong the Biho Steel Armor, Jang Ho the Geumgang Divine Armor, and Cheon Sohui the Hwayang Armor.
These armors had come from the treasure vault of the Eunha Trading Company Lord. They were exactly the ones Geom Mugeuk had worn in four layers and packed away.
"Something this precious! I cannot accept it!"
At Seo Daeryong's refusal, Geom Mugeuk put the Biho Steel Armor away again.
"Really? Then I suppose I should give this to Ian too."
As he tried to take it back, Seo Daeryong desperately refused to let go of the Biho Steel Armor.
"You can't turn this martial artist into a greedy person."
All three were deeply moved. The armors they had just received were priceless; they could never buy them even if they saved their entire lives, and even if they had the money, they could not obtain them.
Cheon Sohui vowed in her heart.
‘Someday, wearing this armor, I will definitely protect the Cult Leader.’
Jang Ho wore a troubled expression. He had already become a Demon Lord thanks to Geom Mugeuk, and now he had received such a precious gift.
"I don't know if I should accept something so precious."
"You must accept it. I became the very incarnation of greed in front of my father and packed these away desperately in order to give them to you."
"What about the Young Cult Leader's?"
At that, Geom Mugeuk spread open his clothes. The garment he wore underneath was the Black Dragon Leather Armor.
"Naturally, I took the best one, so you don't need to feel burdened."
He had deliberately worn it, afraid they might refuse.
This consideration was more precious than the armor itself.
"Thank you very much, Young Cult Leader."
Geom Mugeuk looked at them with a pleased heart.
Yes, become stronger. Become so strong that no one would dare touch us.
"This is not a gift for you. It is a gift to my heart, my right arm, my left arm, and my only fourth sibling, so it is a gift I give to myself."
* * *
After the drinking party ended, Geom Mugeuk and Ian walked along a mountain trail at dawn. Ian brought up something he hadn't said while others were around.
"Aren't you going to ask about this mission?"
The mission was to bring Seo Jin, the Ghost Spirit Lord's younger sibling, to serve as the leader of the Second Squad of the Ghost Shadow Corps.
Seo Jin.
The only friend in his life before the regression.
If he had failed to meet her, his regression would never have come to pass.
In this life, he hoped she would form a bond with Ian rather than remaining a wanderer, and live a happier life.
"You failed, didn't you?"
If he had succeeded, he would have returned with her.
"Did something else happen this time too?"
Previously, Ian had become entangled in another matter through the fateful connection of receiving water from a woman.
"No, this time I met the young lady Seo."
"You met her?"
"I even managed to persuade her. It was really not easy."
"Then why didn't she come with you?"
"She said she would come after finishing what she had to do. She said she had business at the Hwangryong Martial Academy."
Hwangryong Martial Academy.
It was a massive martial arts academy that had produced countless masters, truly the greatest in the martial world in both name and reality.
"She said she'd come straightaway after finishing her business... Young Cult Leader?"
Ian turned his head back. Geom Mugeuk had stopped walking with a stiff expression.
"What's wrong?"
Because in his previous life, the one who had killed her was someone from the Hwangryong Martial Academy. Most likely, that ill-fated connection had begun around this time. Or perhaps fate had changed.
Geom Mugeuk could feel it. The sweet rest of the past few days had ended, and now was the moment he had to step back out into the martial world.
"Ian, you haven't unpacked yet, have you?"