That evening, Bisain and Hanseol arrived at Geom Mugeuk's residence.
Hanseol gave Hanbing Twin Swords a rare moment alone together. Now that they were meeting Geom Mugeuk as well, they no longer needed a bodyguard.
"You've finally come."
Geom Mugeuk welcomed them warmly.
"Weren't you arriving tomorrow?"
He had originally intended to say, "It just happened to work out that way." But seeing Geom Mugeuk's face in person, the lie would not come out.
"We arrived early today and went sightseeing with Lady Han in Muhan."
They had eaten delicious food at the Muhanjeil Restaurant and had tea at the Daru, famous for its fine incense. They even enjoyed a stroll before arriving here. Honestly, Bisain felt guilty toward Geom Mugeuk.
Geom Muyang also came out to greet them.
"Welcome."
"I'm sorry for visiting so late."
Rather, it was Geom Muyang who could not meet their eyes. The memory of having spied on the two moments ago flashed through his mind, leaving him embarrassed.
"Come, let's go inside. We have matters to discuss and much to prepare."
Geom Mugeuk led them to the main hall.
"I plan to hold our own private celebration the day after tomorrow."
Since Jin Hagun would be exhausted from attending the Martial Alliance banquet today, he would let him rest a day and hold it the day after.
"And a congratulatory performance is in order, don't you think?"
At the words "congratulatory performance," everyone flinched and tensed. The emotions in their gazes were all the same.
What is he scheming now?
Before Geom Mugeuk could even speak, Bisain said firmly:
"Absolutely not."
"What?"
"Whatever you're thinking right now, absolutely not!"
Then Geom Mugeuk asked with a meaningful smile:
"What am I thinking?"
Bisain refused to speak those words aloud. If he did, they would undoubtedly become reality immediately.
But Bisain was not Geom Mugeuk's target.
Geom Mugeuk subtly asked Hanseol:
"Would you dance? Surely a celebration banquet cannot be without dance and music, can it?"
Such was the extent to which Hanseol regarded Geom Mugeuk as an eccentric that these mad words did not sound strange at all.
"Must we go that far? Isn't it enough to congratulate him from the heart?"
"Of course, that would suffice. Just like the countless guests who met Hagun today to offer their congratulations. If the banquet hasn't ended even now, he's probably still receiving them. But in ten years, Hagun will think, 'What did that person say to congratulate me? Did they even come?'"
No one could argue against those words.
"So you want to do something memorable?"
Geom Mugeuk shook his head.
"It is not for him."
"Then for whom?"
"It is for us. For the memory of us preparing such a performance for a friend. Think about it. Do you not remember what you have given more than what you have received?"
"!"
Bisain, watching, shook his head. He could feel that Hanseol was being slightly swayed. No! She must not fall for it!
"I understand what you mean, but I cannot dance."
Relief washed over Bisain at her words.
'Well done. Truly well done.'
But like a bolt from the blue, Hanseol added:
"...But what about singing?"
Bisain looked at her in shock. Not only him, but Geom Mugeuk and Geom Muyang were surprised as well.
"Though I cannot sing well."
"That does not matter! We have only gathered tone-deaf people here, so this is perfect."
Geom Mugeuk cheered, but Bisain's heart grew complicated.
If she stepped up, he could not stay out of it.
But no matter what, he could not dance again.
This time, Geom Mugeuk dragged his older brother into it.
"Besides, among us is someone who can give a wonderful performance to match the lady's song."
Just as Geom Mugeuk was stealthily reaching for the bamboo flute in his bosom, his brother's voice transmission flew in:
—Pull that out and you're dead!
—You cannot have her sing without accompaniment, can you?
Using her as a shield, Geom Mugeuk pulled out the bamboo flute.
"Is it not surprising? That my brother knows how to play an instrument."
At the same time, he subtly praised his brother.
"He is probably the strongest person in the world among those who play instruments."
Geom Muyang looked at Geom Mugeuk with an expression that said he was beyond stopping.
His younger brother's eyes seemed to say exactly this:
—Brother, wouldn't it be fun to live a life you've never lived before?
Yes, if he was going to refuse now, he should not have played at the instrument shop that day.
"I will play."
Yes, if he was going to do it anyway, it was better to decide cleanly and be done with it.
More honestly speaking,
playing the bamboo flute was a hundred times better than dancing or singing.
He thought it a relief. If he had to dance? He would sooner apply gold powder to his face and live in seclusion.
Only one person remained now: Bisain.
He was driven to the edge of a cliff. If he fell, he would have to dance! No! Absolutely not!
Now Geom Muyang knew for certain what Geom Mugeuk had been scheming for Bisain.
He really could not help with this one. Sorry.
Because if he slipped up, his flute could be snatched away and he could be dragged onto the dance floor.
Geom Mugeuk began to persuade Bisain.
"Fortunately, we have a long day ahead of us."
"All of one day."
"So what if we sing poorly, dance poorly, or play poorly? We are the only ones who will hear and see it."
Geom Mugeuk emphasized the words "just us."
"It is something the five of us pull off together. We take it to our graves."
"Why five?"
"Lady Jin has already agreed to join."
Even Lady Jin!
Thud!
A stone fell from behind his feet down the cliff.
"Were you a dancer in a past life? Why are you so obsessed with dancing?"
Geom Mugeuk's reason lay in an unexpected place.
"When we reached a life-or-death crisis, you said it. That if you survived, you would dance."
"!"
Because of that promise, he had ended up dancing at the Three-Party Meeting.
"It was a choice made by your subconscious. The first thing you wanted to do if you survived. Perhaps it was because deep down, you wanted to live a different life rather than your ordinary one?"
He sure knew how to turn a passing remark into something grand!
But at least thanks to Geom Mugeuk, he was getting the chance to live a different life. His current relationship with Hanseol was like that too.
Whoosh.
Just as he could hold on no longer and was falling from the cliff—
Grab.
Someone caught his hand.
It was Hanseol.
"Let's do our best."
At her words, Bisain's mind changed. What he had thought he could not do in front of her, he would now bravely attempt precisely because she was watching.
Bisain declared to Geom Mugeuk:
"This is the last time I dance."
Geom Mugeuk smiled brightly and shouted:
"Right, let's dance to our heart's content, and then look for something else we haven't tried before!"
* * *
Two days later.
Jin Hagun entered the Blue Cloud Forest.
Today's celebration banquet was to be held here. The place of the final battle.
The pavilion was destroyed and gone, but the bamboo forest remained as it was.
A banquet table had been set up in the middle of that bamboo forest.
The table was laden with fine liquor and excellent dishes. These were foods that Jin Haryeong had requested from the alliance's master chefs.
"Welcome, my friend."
Geom Mugeuk and Bisain, Hanseol and Jin Haryeong, and Geom Muyang were waiting for him.
The moment he saw them, Jin Hagun's mood lifted. He felt happy just looking at them, before a single word was spoken.
"Come, have a drink first."
As Jin Hagun strode over, Geom Mugeuk poured him a drink first.
Clear.
The pure sound of a cup being filled.
Jin Hagun gazed at Geom Mugeuk. That he had ascended to the position of successor—
'No matter what anyone says, it is thanks to you.'
Once the cup was full, this time Jin Hagun filled Geom Mugeuk's cup.
'I will follow slowly, my friend.'
After filling Geom Mugeuk's cup, he filled everyone else's cups as well.
Geom Mugeuk raised his cup high.
"To the future Lord of the Martial Alliance!"
Everyone there shouted in agreement and emptied their cups.
A smile filled Jin Hagun's face as he drank.
He had achieved his dream, and there were people who sincerely congratulated him for it. Among those here, there was no one trying to look good to him simply because he was the Martial Alliance Lord.
"Now, let me pour one."
This time, Bisain poured liquor into Jin Hagun's cup.
"Thank you for coming all this way."
"I would have come no matter where."
As the two drank, Geom Mugeuk quipped:
"You might have wished the road was longer."
At Jin Hagun's questioning expression, Geom Mugeuk subtly glanced at Bisain.
Flustered, Bisain looked away. Jin Hagun understood immediately.
'He noticed.'
How quick-witted he was.
He thought it rather for the best. Being teased by Geom Mugeuk was more comfortable than the awkwardness of deceiving him.
Next, Jin Haryeong stepped forward.
"Congratulations, Brother."
"Thank you."
At their warm gazes toward one another—
"Brother, that is the look siblings give each other."
Geom Muyang pretended not to hear and poured liquor for Jin Hagun.
"Please take my cup as well."
"Thank you so much for coming."
Jin Hagun had not separately asked Geom Muyang to look after the Gwakyeong siblings. The Young Lord of the Demonic Cult was now someone who gave Jin Hagun the faith that he would do well even without being asked.
Finally, Hanseol poured him a drink.
"Congratulations."
"Thank you so much for coming."
And so Jin Hagun took turns drinking with everyone gathered there.
Now the real drinking began.
When everyone had grown tipsy from passing drinks back and forth—
Geom Mugeuk rose from his seat and walked outside.
"Now, we have a congratulatory performance to celebrate our friend Hagun becoming the successor!"
Because it was so unexpected, Jin Hagun was startled.
He was even more surprised to see everyone stand up and walk out.
'All five of them?'
He could understand the others, but even Geom Muyang? That was the most surprising.
The five people took their positions.
Geom Muyang and Hanseol stood at the far left and right ends, and between them stood Geom Mugeuk, Bisain, and Jin Haryeong.
The five stood in a line and looked at Jin Hagun. Because he had not expected such an atmosphere, Jin Hagun was rather bewildered.
'What on earth are they trying to do?'
Could they be planning to demonstrate swordsmanship since there were no musicians? Just as he was wondering—
Geom Muyang took out a bamboo flute. That was the first shock. It was the moment the Young Lord of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult pulled out a flute instead of concealed weapons.
As Geom Muyang took his stance and breathed into it, the bamboo flute resonated beautifully. It was truly masterful skill.
Soon, a clear, elegant singing voice followed the bamboo flute's melody.
Jin Hagun was surprised for the second time at the sight of Hanseol singing.
The Young Palace Mistress of the Northern Sea Ice Palace singing to congratulate him?
Finally, the three in the middle began to dance to the melody and song.
Jin Hagun's gaze turned to one person. It was a person with the appearance least suited to dancing in this world.
'Sain, I'm sorry.'
How much he must have suffered at Geom Mugeuk's hands to perform this dance? He could tell without looking.
But separate from those feelings, Bisain was dancing the hardest among the three. He had said he would rather die than dance, but he was not one to do a half-hearted job once he decided to do it.
It was evident that he had practiced a great deal. The dance of the three matched the bamboo flute and singing perfectly.
Bisain's trance-like dance.
Had he practiced dancing normally? It was an unbelievably splendid dance for just one day of practice.
Bisain deserved to stand in the center.
Geom Mugeuk and Jin Haryeong on either side danced diligently as well, but they minimized their own movements to make Bisain stand out even more.
The music grew faster and more exciting, and Hanseol's song grew more cheerful. The mist flowing around them made the stage even more spectacular.
A sight he would never forget for the rest of his life was unfolding before Jin Hagun's eyes.
If someday he grew old and told someone about today, what would happen?
"Long ago, a congratulatory performance was held to celebrate my becoming the successor. The Young Lord of the Divine Cult played the bamboo flute, and the Young Palace Mistress of the Northern Sea Ice Palace sang. And the successors of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult and the Sadomaeng, and my own sibling, danced to that song."
After hearing it all, that person might go to meet the Divine Physician of the Martial Alliance.
"...I believe the Alliance Lord is unwell."
The danso and the singing stopped, and the dance ended as well. Even the finishing move was perfectly in sync. For something they had practiced for only a day, it was far too splendid a performance.
A brief silence flowed.
Jin Hagun rose from his seat and bowed his head.
“I will never forget this moment for as long as I live.”
He was sincerely grateful to them. Were these people the sort to play the danso, sing, and dance? The fact that they had practiced for his sake moved him beyond words.
Bisain, who had burned himself completely out, staggered back to his seat and drained his cup.
“How is it? Now that you’ve done it, don’t you feel relieved?”
He could not deny Geom Mugeuk’s words. The wine he had just drunk was the most delicious in the world.
At that moment, Bisain’s eyes met Han Seol’s.
“You were wonderful.”
That one word from her was enough. Bisain smiled in satisfaction. Still!
‘There will be no more dancing in my life!’
* * *
That night.
Beneath the moonlight, three men stood atop the tips of the bamboo.
They were the three successors who would lead the Murim in the future: Geom Mugeuk, Jin Hagun, and Bisain.
“I’ll be leaving tomorrow.”
Geom Mugeuk intended to return straight to the Sect as soon as this gathering ended. There was somewhere he needed to go, but he had been away from the Sect for too long, so for now he planned to return to the main headquarters with his older brother.
Jin Hagun felt regretful. If they parted like this, he did not know when they would be able to meet again.
And in this moment, Bisain was regretting another parting even more.
When this gathering ended, Han Seol too was scheduled to return to the North Sea together with the Hanbing Twin Swords.
Bisain’s gaze turned toward Han Seol below.
Down there, Geom Muyang, Jin Haryeong, and Han Seol were drunk and talking among themselves.
Let’s have a drink as fellow people who were pushed out of the successor position!
With the cup Jin Haryeong had offered, Geom Muyang and Jin Haryeong had become one, and the bear doll Han Seol had brought all the way here had also become a topic of conversation.
They were three people who seemed as though they would be awkward together, surprisingly enough, yet the conversation did not stop. Even Geom Muyang, who seemed unlikely to say a single word, was adding a few remarks now and then.
Bisain’s gaze went to Han Seol, then returned to Geom Mugeuk. He knew he had already been found out.
“Why aren’t you teasing me?”
He had expected Geom Mugeuk to pick on him, tease him, and fluster him over the fact that he liked her.
“The road ahead is ninety thousand li long. I figured I could tease you slowly.”
Those words held the worry that it would not be easy for the two of them to end up together.
Jin Hagun nodded as if he thought the same.
Bisain asked Jin Hagun,
“When did you notice?”
“From the moment I first saw you.”
“How?”
“You came wearing white together and even brought a bear doll. Did you expect me not to know?”
Bisain’s face flushed slightly. With Geom Mugeuk, he had been put through so much that there was nothing left to be embarrassed about. But somehow, in front of Jin Hagun, he was still a little embarrassed.
He was the sort of man who would rather die than talk to anyone about matters involving women.
But thinking that the two of them knew made his heart feel at ease.
“If the Ice Palace Lord opposes it, invade the North Sea! The Sect will pretend not to know.”
Jin Hagun picked up Geom Mugeuk’s joke.
“Don’t do that. We’ll have to go help the Ice Palace.”
“You should help your friend! Sain, tell them to give back your dance!”
At those words, Bisain laughed. It had been a long time since he had smiled so brightly.
“Oh! What a charming smile! Show that smile to Lady Han!”
At Geom Mugeuk’s words, Bisain let out a light sigh. Would such a day ever come?
Just then, Jin Haryeong called up from below.
“What are you talking about that’s so funny?”
Three young men had gathered, so of course it was talk about women.
Geom Mugeuk shouted back to her.
“What else would successors talk about when they gather? Of course we’re talking about peace in the Murim!”
Absolute Regression Chapter 676