At the mention of the Tiansha Xing, Gaye felt fear.
Others might not know, but she did. Just how fearsome a being he was.
Because he had undone and emerged from the seal of the Seventy-Two Star Golden Soul Formation—a seal no human could possibly break. Because she herself had watched that process unfold in real time.
Before coming here, Gaye recalled that day.
In that place where starlight filled the ceiling, she had felt terror.
“You must leave now.”
Only one constellation remained unlit upon the ceiling. Once that final constellation lit up, he would break free from the seal.
But the Dark Palace Lord sat motionless in a meditative posture, like a man who had given up on everything. Even the darkness lingering around his body was listless today.
“There is a way to stop him from emerging.”
Gaye knew. That if the Seventy-Two Star Golden Soul Formation were completely destroyed, the one trapped inside could never come out. And the Dark Palace Lord knew this method as well.
“If we destroy the seal? What of this palace’s three-hundred-year wish?”
“But if he emerges before the Six Paths Origin Qi is obtained… he will kill the Palace Lord first.”
“Perhaps he will.”
The Dark Palace Lord looked as though he had already resigned himself to death.
“Destroy the seal and find another way.”
After a brief pause, the Dark Palace Lord asked.
“Do you think I have time left to start anew?”
Gaye could not answer that question. No matter how great a master the Dark Palace Lord was, he was still human in the end. The countless wrinkles etched into his face spoke of that limit.
“Go to Dongjeong Lake first and prepare what I told you.”
“What are you planning to do?”
The Dark Palace Lord said something astonishing.
“I shall meet him.”
As incomprehensible characters overlapped across the Dark Palace Lord’s face, Gaye returned to reality.
Afterward, the Dark Palace Lord did not die and came to Dongjeong Lake. Whether he had met the one who broke free from the seal, and what words they had exchanged, he did not say.
If he had met him, how had he survived? Had he begged? Had he negotiated? Or had he not met him at all?
The Dark Palace Lord glared at Geom Mugeuk and spoke.
“Now, every table in this world will be shattered.”
He knew precisely what kind of demonic path Geom Mugeuk dreamed of.
“Ridiculous.”
Geom Mugeuk sneered at that prophecy, as if it were a curse.
“A new Murim where evil becomes good and good becomes evil? That’s not the Murim you want, is it?”
The corners of the Dark Palace Lord’s eyes twitched.
“You dreamed of a Murim where everything operates normally, didn’t you? A Murim where your subordinates rule the world and you reign above them as the mastermind, isn’t that right?”
The Dark Palace Lord could not say no. How on earth did the Young Cult Leader know? That was truly the life he had dreamed of.
“If the world is completely shrouded in darkness, would your darkness hold any meaning?”
“!”
He must have known. That in such a world, the existence known as the Dark Palace Lord would no longer be special. That he would fall to become merely one among countless evils.
“Either I die or you die. Today, one of us will die. Before that, I want to hear it from you.”
Geom Mugeuk knew. That this Dark Palace Lord had deep ties to Hwamugi. He had to find out as much as possible about Hwamugi before fighting him.
If they were bound by such a deep fate, wouldn’t he feel the urge to tell someone, at least once, before the final battle?
“How did you come to know that person?”
* * *
When Baek Jagang had rushed here, he had never imagined the atmosphere would be like this.
He had expected a situation of grave solemnity.
How should he greet the Demonic Cult Leader in such a situation? Would he even believe that he had come to help?
Should he say he had come to help? Or make some small talk?
“I came to see what the Tiansha Xing looks like.”
He had arrived while thinking all sorts of thoughts, but—
Had he eaten?
“I have not yet eaten.”
At Baek Jagang’s answer, Geom Ujin, who had poked his head out from the kitchen, withdrew back inside.
“Then, please wait a moment.”
Through the opening in the kitchen wall, the sight of him slicing meat was visible.
The profile of the person with him was briefly visible. He looked so young that Baek Jagang mistook him for a chef or a waiter.
Then, a pouch hanging at the man’s waist caught Baek Jagang’s eye.
When checking the opponent’s weapons, something far more chilling than any treasured sword or blade had hung there. Twelve of them, no less.
Baek Jagang realized that the person peeling onions was the Poison King.
‘The Poison King is peeling onions?’
Even though the Lord of the Four Paths Alliance had arrived, the Poison King did not spare him a single glance, focusing solely on helping Geom Ujin.
Baek Jagang did not mind, as he already knew the Poison King was not one to be bound by ordinary courtesy.
The shocking fact right now was this:
‘The Demonic Cult Leader is cooking, and the Poison King is helping him?’
For a moment, even this thought crossed his mind.
‘Did he know I was coming and is making poisoned food with the Poison King?’
Wasn’t this a more reasonable suspicion than the Heavenly Demon and the Poison King personally cooking a meal for him?
Of course, Baek Jagang knew very well that it was not the case.
Geom Ujin had no reason to poison him. If he wanted to kill him, he would throw that kitchen knife; he was not one to resort to poison.
Moreover, the Poison King was shedding streams of tears as he peeled onions. It couldn’t be that he was crying because the Lord of the Four Paths Alliance was going to die of poisoning.
‘If he isn’t trying to poison me, then?’
Could it be that Tiansha Xing had already come, killed Geom Ujin, and was now wearing his skin?
How shocked must he be to have such outlandish thoughts?
Gwonma approached him and greeted him politely.
“You must have had a hard journey. Please, have a seat here.”
Baek Jagang returned the greeting with a fist salute.
“Thank you.”
He also exchanged greetings with the Wind Heaven Cult Leader. They were already acquainted.
“It has been a while.”
“Have you been well?”
Although he had stepped down as the cult leader of the Wind Heaven Cult, Baek Jagang still recognized him as the foremost master beyond the pass.
The Wind Heaven Cult Leader found Baek Jagang’s visit truly unexpected.
The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult was in crisis, yet the Lord of the Four Paths Alliance had come to help? How was he to accept this fact?
“You came alone?”
“I came alone.”
He had even come alone? This was as surprising as the fact that he had come at all. What if he ended up being killed by the Demonic Cult Leader?
Being one who could not suppress his curiosity, the Wind Heaven Cult Leader subtly began to probe his intentions.
“When the Alliance Lord Baek entered through the gate, a thought crossed my mind for a moment. Could it be that Alliance Lord Baek is the Tiansha Xing?”
Knowing that the Wind Heaven Cult Leader was apt to make absurd jokes, Baek Jagang smiled and replied.
“When I fail to rein in my temper, I am sometimes misunderstood in that way.”
He returned the joke multiplied fivefold.
“By that logic, aren’t there already five Tiansha Xings inside this tavern alone?”
The Wind Heaven Cult Leader laughed aloud at the joke implying that he was not the only one who resembled the Tiansha Xing.
He was right. If any of these people went out into the rivers and lakes and caused trouble, it would become the worst incident in history.
“If you are not the Tiansha Xing, why have you come here?”
Gwonma, who was listening from the side, and the Sword King in the corner also waited curiously for Baek Jagang’s answer. As he listened to their conversation, Geom Ujin continued cooking in silence.
The Wind Heaven Cult Leader had asked with a smile, but it was not a question one could answer with a smile.
Though somewhat direct and rude, Baek Jagang was rather grateful to the Wind Heaven Cult Leader.
It was better to be asked outright than to be suspected in one’s heart. At least this way, he had a chance to answer.
Of course, Baek Jagang did not easily reveal his true feelings.
“I came because I was bored.”
Everyone was startled by those words. They wondered if it was a joke, but his voice held not a trace of laughter.
“If it weren’t for an incident of this magnitude, I would have no excuse to go out alone for fun. I saw it as an opportunity and rushed here.”
Baek Jagang could not speak the real reason aloud.
He had come because he was worried the Demonic Cult Leader might die.
It was a situation where he should have rejoiced at the weakening of the Demonic Cult, and he was wary of the cult leader’s ambition to unify the Murim, but even so, he wished for him to survive.
He could not say that when the lips are gone, the teeth grow cold. Nor could he say that if the father of his closest friend died, his disciple would be heartbroken.
He could not say that he wanted to grow old with this Demonic Cult Leader, bragging about their children.
Baek Jagang could not explain the reason.
Just then, Geom Ujin called out to Baek Jagang from the kitchen.
“Alliance Lord Baek.”
As Baek Jagang looked over, Geom Ujin poked his head out of the kitchen. A heavy tension hung in the air over what words might come out of Geom Ujin’s mouth.
“Do you eat spicy food well?”
In Geom Ujin’s gaze, Baek Jagang could sense that he knew why he had come.
Baek Jagang smiled and said.
“I quite enjoy spicy food.”
Geom Ujin nodded and disappeared back into the kitchen. And his voice was heard.
“Slice a few more chili peppers.”
The Poison King, who had yet to erase the tear tracks left by the onions, began slicing chili peppers this time.
Now the Wind Heaven Cult Leader no longer asked why he had come.
“I too enjoy spicy food very much. The best thing about coming to the Central Plains was the abundance of spicy dishes.”
“Remarkable. It is not a decision just anyone could make.”
It was said in regard to the Wind Heaven Cult Leader abandoning his position as cult leader and coming to the Central Plains.
“It seems I too was bored with life.”
Since the topic had come up, he introduced the Sword King.
“By the way, that man is in a similar situation as I.”
Wondering what that meant.
“He came all the way to the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult because of the Young Cult Leader, you see.”
Of course, Baek Jagang knew of the Sword King.
Even without revealing his energy, his strength could be felt. It meant that such a force had been added to the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, which was not good news for the Four Paths Alliance.
“Evil Martial Artist, if life ever becomes boring, look toward our alliance rather than the Martial Alliance.”
The Sword King silently bowed his head lightly, and the Wind Heaven Cult Leader answered on his behalf.
“Unfortunately for the Alliance Lord, it seems that man has already found his answer for what to do when life becomes boring.”
Just as they finished exchanging greetings with the Sword King, the sound of food being stir-fried came from the kitchen.
Sssss.
Geom Ujin was stir-frying meat and vegetables in a heated wok. The onions the Poison King had shed tears over were in there too.
Feeling sorry for just sitting idle, Baek Jagang got up and walked over to the kitchen.
“Is there nothing I can help with?”
“It’s fine. It’s almost done.”
Baek Jagang stood before the kitchen for a moment, watching Geom Ujin’s back as he cooked. He was not deliberately putting on this scene. He was truly serious about cooking right now.
‘Is this your own way of dispelling life’s emptiness?’
Finally, the cooking was finished.
Everyone sat around the table and tasted the dishes made by Geom Ujin.
The Wind Heaven Cult Leader watched for cues and did not pick up his chopsticks first. Only after seeing Geom Ujin and Gwonma eat first and deem it fine did he lift his chopsticks.
Eating a dish whose ingredients had been prepared by the Poison King was no small feat unless one had a strong heart.
He ate wondering if it could be that delicious, but the dish was unexpectedly tasty.
“Oh! It’s delicious.”
The Wind Heaven Cult Leader exclaimed. It was not words to ingratiate himself with the Heavenly Demon. The meat and vegetables were grilled perfectly, and the seasoning was exquisite.
Baek Jagang was also surprised by Geom Ujin’s cooking skills.
“I would believe it if you said a professional chef had made this. I would even like to learn, should the opportunity arise.”
“You exaggerate.”
Gwonma could sense it. Despite his stoic expression, Geom Ujin was immensely proud right now.
Geom Ujin said nonchalantly, chopsticks in hand.
“Thank you for coming.”
It sent no chill down his spine.
Baek Jagang picked up a mouthful of food with his chopsticks.
“It’s delightfully spicy.”
* * *
The next day, Jin Paecheon, the Martial Alliance Lord, entered Maga Village as darkness fell.
One could not know how many times he had contemplated turning back on his way here.
It was due to the worry that the Tiansha Xing might head to the Martial Alliance.
But in the end, he had come to the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
Despite the desperate dissuasion of Commander-in-Chief Jegal Hyeon, Jin Paecheon said this. Just as his grandson had once said to him.
“This is the first and last decision I have made according to my heart since becoming the Alliance Lord.”
It had been such a difficult journey to the Demonic Cult, yet Jin Paecheon still had many worries.
How would the Demonic Cult Leader regard his visit?
He would be suspicious, wouldn’t he?
He might think he had come to observe the fight against the Tiansha Xing and gather information on the Guhwa Demonic Art.
Or he might suspect that he intended to betray him at the decisive moment and kill him.
Jin Paecheon looked down at the Gentleman’s Sword at his waist. Since he had even come bearing the Foremost Sword of All Time, it was perhaps even more likely he would be suspected.
He had to persuade him well to avoid any unnecessary misunderstanding.
Moving with a heavy and cautious heart, he saw a single place with its lights on in the darkened street.
‘That place?’
It was precisely the tavern where the tripartite talks had been held long ago.
The energy felt from the tavern was unusual.
Jin Paecheon took a deep breath and carefully opened the tavern door and entered.
Four people sitting at the table were looking at him.
Gwonma and the Poison King sat facing him, and the Sword King and the Wind Heaven Cult Leader sat beside them. They were looking at him with surprised eyes.
‘A grave atmosphere! And the Demonic Cult Leader is not here!’
Could I be one step too late?
Just as Jin Paecheon’s heart sank, voices were heard from inside the kitchen.
“This is how you rotate it so the meat soaks up the seasoning evenly, yes?”
“There is no need to use internal energy for that.”
“If you’re going to do it, doesn’t it taste better when made splendidly?”
“You got it splattered everywhere showing off.”
Having confirmed whose voices they were, Jin Paecheon’s eyes went wide in shock. If he had not misheard!
‘Could it be! Have I fallen under sorcery?’
Just then, Baek Jagang poked his head out of the kitchen. As if he had just fought a bloody battle in the kitchen, his clothes and even his face were smeared with red seasoning.
With a bright face, he asked Jin Paecheon.
“Have you eaten?”