The four of them pressed in on the two.
Their target was not the hot and frightening one, but the cold and beautiful one.
“You didn’t even send word that you’d come.”
When Geom Mugeuk struck first, Ian fell in step with him.
“Even I didn’t know, and I’m your only older cousin.”
Jin Hagun, too, made a joke he never would have made to Han Seol under normal circumstances.
“Last time you went to the Divine Cult, and after that to the Evil Dao Alliance, so I thought you’d come to our Alliance this time.”
At Jin Hagun’s words, Jin Haryeong recalled how Geom Mugeuk had once asked Han Seol about her ideal type.
“This is all because my brother isn’t dependable and talks too much.”
Jin Hagun looked aggrieved. He had always been famous for being dependable and taciturn. And to think he had to hear that he talked too much in front of Geom Mugeuk, of all people.
“Now that I can’t let slide!”
With Geom Mugeuk as the vanguard, the other three followed behind and pressed in.
At that, Han Seol took one step back, and Bi Sain stepped in front of her. He had moved without thinking, but when he saw the mischief flicker across Geom Mugeuk’s face, he inwardly thought, Ah, damn.
“I’ve been mistaken all this time.”
Geom Mugeuk looked at Jin Hagun standing beside him as he spoke.
“I thought you were the Young Alliance Leader of the Murim Alliance.”
Jin Hagun wondered what he meant by that.
“To anyone looking, we’re the villains, and that fellow is the righteous hero protecting a lady, isn’t he?”
Jin Hagun nodded and replied.
“Turns out I was with the Evil Dao Alliance all along.”
At her brother’s frivolous joke, Jin Haryeong let out a laugh. Hadn’t he put on a performance with a medicine peddler? And now he was making such jokes so calmly? Today, she was seeing many sides of her brother she had never seen before.
Geom Mugeuk cried out with solemn resolve.
“I never dreamed the first war of our era would be a war between the Demon-Righteous Coalition and the Evil-Ice Coalition.”
Bi Sain hurriedly waved his hands and said,
“Don’t misunderstand. It’s not what you’re thinking. It’s just…”
“Just what!”
Han Seol, who had been watching their antics, finally opened her mouth.
“It’s Young Alliance Leader Bi’s birthday, so I came to congratulate him. It’s been a long time, everyone.”
Han Seol greeted Ian separately.
“Unni, have you been well?”
“From now on, I’ll hear how you’re doing through Young Alliance Leader Bi.”
Everyone could tell that Han Seol also had an interest in Bi Sain. Would she really come all that way in person just to celebrate his birthday?
If she had no interest in Bi Sain, it would have been impossible.
And Han Seol made no particular effort to hide that fact.
“Young Alliance Leader Bi is the kindest to me.”
A slight blush crossed Bi Sain’s face. Spring had come to that terrifying face.
“I said you looked good when you smiled, but not right now!”
Geom Mugeuk became an obstruction to love and laid out his formation.
“Since I’ve become the villain anyway, I shall gladly become a perilous trial standing in the way of your affections. If you cannot find the method to break it, your love will never come to pass. I’ll follow you to the ends of the earth and interfere!”
At that, Bi Sain suddenly asked,
“But among the people here, is there even anyone who knows the method to break through love?”
When Geom Mugeuk could not offer a single rebuttal, Jin Haryeong became the fair judge.
“It seems the Young Alliance Leader found the method to break it at once?”
The trial was shattered, and Geom Mugeuk admitted defeat.
“Good grief! He’s not a bear, and he’s not a wolf. He’s a fox, a fox.”
At that, everyone laughed. Thus, the greeting that had been like a whole commotion came to an end.
Bi Sain asked them,
“What on earth happened?”
Geom Mugeuk looked at Jin Hagun and said,
“Hagun took a vacation. Which means the chance has come for you and us to strike the Murim Alliance.”
Bi Sain looked at Jin Hagun. Normally, he would have asked, “Are you all right?” Even that would have been a question he could ask because they had grown close, but now Bi Sain said this instead.
“I’m envious.”
He was truly envious. Of the courage to put into action what he wanted to do.
“There’s still a place for you, too.”
Bi Sain could tell. The reason they had come to see him was not because of his birthday, but to ask him to travel with them.
Of course I should go.
The words rose all the way to his throat. But he could not say them.
He was not in a position where he could simply go just because he wanted to, and more than anything, Han Seol was here.
Bi Sain turned to Illang and said,
“My friends have come from afar, so please prepare the finest wine.”
***
Illang rented out the entirety of Hwayang Pavilion.
Originally, he had rented only one VIP room, but the situation had changed. This was a gathering of the successors of the three paths that would one day become the masters of the murim: Evil, Demonic, and Righteous.
Their safety was one thing, but there was also the possibility that some information might leak out.
The Thirteen Wolves of the Evil Dao guarded the area around it like an iron wall, and they even brought the wine and food themselves.
Bi Sain poured wine for everyone. He was so glad and happy that his friends had come.
“Thank you for coming like this.”
Everyone set aside their playfulness and congratulated him sincerely.
“Congratulations.”
“Happy birthday!”
Though he had not even drunk yet, Bi Sain already felt intoxicated.
The Young Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult and the Young Alliance Leader of the Murim Alliance were together at the birthday celebration of the Young Alliance Leader of the Evil Dao Alliance? It was something that had never happened in the history of the murim, and likely never would again.
They were undoubtedly leaving a mark on the history of the murim.
“Now, to celebrate Sain’s birthday! Cheers!”
Everyone drank the first cup in good spirits. Since the finest wine in Hwayang Pavilion had been brought out, it went down smoothly.
After drinking a cup, Bi Sain offered his congratulations to Geom Mugeuk as well.
“Congratulations on repelling the Heaven-Slaying Star.”
It was the first time he had met Geom Mugeuk since the Heaven-Slaying Star had been repelled.
“It was only possible because the two Alliance Leaders helped.”
He attributed the credit to the Alliance Leaders, but Bi Sain knew that in the end, the ones who had killed and stopped him were the Cult Leader of the Demonic Path and Geom Mugeuk. After returning from the battle, Baek Jagang had called him and told him everything that had happened.
Since the subject had come up, Geom Mugeuk spoke honestly.
“The battle with the Heaven-Slaying Star is over, but I am still fighting.”
They knew whom he was fighting without him having to say it.
“No one can predict what situations will unfold from now on.”
As the atmosphere naturally grew heavy, Geom Mugeuk continued speaking. This was something he had intended to tell them before he got drunk.
“So I want to tell you one principle I’ve set for myself.”
At the word principle, everyone looked at Geom Mugeuk. And that principle was astonishing.
“No matter what situation arises, I will not attack you.”
Then came another astonishing line.
“Even if I die.”
“!”
They all understood. Geom Mugeuk was speaking from the heart.
“Ah, of course, I don’t mean you are more important than I am. My life is far more precious.”
Even so, the reason he said this was as follows.
“If our relationship breaks apart, it won’t be because we lack trust. It will be because of the situation.”
Geom Mugeuk gave an example of the most extreme situation among them.
“The lives of hundreds of demonic practitioners are at stake. If I don’t attack you, they all die. The reverse could also be true.
If that kind of situation arises, no matter how close we are, we’ll end up suspecting each other. Since the circumstances can’t be helped, Hagun will attack.
Sain will attack. That loud-mouthed demonic bastard will attack.”
Everyone listened to Geom Mugeuk in silence.
“That’s why I’m telling you this principle now. Even if such a situation comes, I will not attack you.
I’ll probably be trying to solve it another way. So don’t waste your time suspecting what I might do. Use that time to find another way yourselves.”
Only now did they understand clearly why Geom Mugeuk had spoken of such a principle. It meant they should not waste mental energy on useless concerns and should deal with things as wisely as possible.
And how could Geom Mugeuk be the only one who felt that way? Jin Hagun stated his own will in a calm tone.
“I, too, will never draw my sword against you.”
Bi Sain likewise conveyed his sincerity.
“I swear it as well. I will never attack you.”
No more words were needed. The three of them raised their cups high at the same time and toasted.
The three women watching could feel it. What they were seeing now might perhaps be the unification of the murim.
If not the Young Cult Leader and the Young Alliance Leaders, but the Cult Leader and the Alliance Leaders were to hold this exact same gathering, then at that time, true and perfect unification of the murim would be achieved.
A unification of the murim even more perfect than one where the strongest power destroyed the other two forces. The most perfect unification of the murim, where they respected one another, did not invade one another, and lived together.
Of course, even within this solemn vow, Geom Mugeuk did not forget to tease the main character of the day.
“Of course, if you go off secretly with a woman behind your friend’s back, then I might draw my sword.”
Bi Sain cheerfully accepted Geom Mugeuk’s joke.
“As long as it isn’t a matter of kidnapping that woman, I’ll never have reason to draw my sword either.”
The three of them laughed together and emptied their cups again.
***
Ian was outside, taking in the night breeze.
It had been a long time since she had drunk this much. Everyone had been drinking without expelling the alcohol from their bodies.
No one forced anyone to drink, but everyone had gotten quite drunk.
In particular, Bi Sain was in the highest of spirits today. It was the first time he had ever had such an exciting birthday banquet.
He drank because he felt good, drank because the wine tasted good, and drank simply because he felt like drinking.
Even now, boisterous sounds were coming from inside. At drinking gatherings where only Geom Mugeuk’s voice had always been heard, Bi Sain and Jin Hagun’s voices were now properly playing their parts as well.
“It’ll be my first and last birthday banquet.”
At Bi Sain’s words, Geom Mugeuk and Jin Hagun shouted drunkenly.
“Last? Then what about my birthday banquet? Even if we quit, we have to do mine!”
“Sorry, but the next birthday coming up is mine. Mine.”
Listening to their conversation, Ian smiled. Then Han Seol walked up to her from behind.
Just from the fact that her pure white clothes were stained here and there with wine and food, one could tell what the atmosphere had been like today.
“Those people really picked the right day.”
Han Seol’s face, too, was flushed with drunkenness.
“It’s a birthday banquet, but it’s also a banquet to congratulate ourselves on defeating a great enemy.”
At Ian’s words, Han Seol nodded. She, too, had every right to take part in that banquet. She and the Northern Sea Ice Palace had also played a role in the battle against that great enemy.
“But did something happen between you two?”
“Nothing happened. I just came out to have fun with the Young Cult Leader.”
“No.”
The two people Han Seol was asking about were not Geom Mugeuk and Ian.
“I mean with Lady Jin.”
“What about Lady Jin?”
“You seem awkward with each other somehow. I happen to be quite experienced in pretending to be cheerful while talking with people I feel awkward around.”
Ian did not deliberately hide it.
“We decided to determine on this trip whether we would become friends or enemies.”
Of course, that did not mean she told her everything.
Han Seol looked unable to understand for a moment, then suddenly said to Ian,
“Then become enemies.”
Han Seol recommended it without even hearing what it was about. Was it because of the wine? Han Seol was speaking more than usual.
“I think that would be better for you, unni.”
Ian gazed quietly at Han Seol, then spoke words she had never once brought up before.
“I always told the Young Cult Leader that I had ten tails. But in truth, I don’t have ten tails.”
“Then how many do you have?”
Han Seol thought she would say she had far more, but the answer was unexpected.
“One.”
After a brief pause, Ian answered.
“I have only one tail, the single tail that deceives others into thinking I have ten.”
Han Seol asked Ian,
“Why did you lie and say you had ten tails?”
Ian looked up at the night sky for a moment.
“I suppose I wanted to say this. That even though I’m a guard warrior who stands silently like a folding screen, if you look closely, I’m someone with hidden charms.
That I’m not some frustrating person who’s only kind, but someone who knows how to take care of what’s mine. That I’m someone who knows how to take things too, not someone who foolishly yields.”
Of course, Ian knew she was not like that. The ordinary sword standing behind the weapons shop had felt like herself, she had gone to save that woman’s husband after receiving a single sip of water, and even Han Seol, who did not know her deeply, was worried that she might yield something.
“I thought you were more charming because you were someone without tails, unni.”
“What?”
“Those parts you dislike about yourself are things I could never obtain no matter how hard I tried my entire life. If anything, I’d have to act them out with ten tails.”
Pretending to be kind, pretending to know how to yield, pretending not to be selfish, pretending to be someone who could willingly sacrifice herself for another.
“To become like you, Sister, I need a tail. But you need a tail to become the opposite.”
The two women looked at each other in silence.
Just then, Jin Haryeong poked her head out of a third-floor window and called out.
“What are you two doing? Hurry up and come! Today’s star says he’s going to dance!”
Jin Haryeong, shouting like that, was also very drunk. And Bi Sain, who had stepped forward saying he would dance, was probably even drunker.
Ian shouted back to Jin Haryeong.
“We’re coming. I could miss anything else, but not that.”
By the time Ian finished speaking, Han Seol was already heading inside. Those hurried steps were clearly not the steps of someone going to enjoy the spectacle, but of someone going to stop it.
Ian, about to follow her in, paused and looked up at the night sky, then murmured softly.
“Seol-ah, tonight’s heat doesn’t look easy to cool, not even with that chill of the North Sea.”
***
Bi Sain woke up. His head throbbed with pain. It was the first time he had ever drunk so much without worrying about what would come afterward.
Then, from deep within his heart, Geom Mugeuk’s voice echoed back to him. The words made every fine hair on his body stand on end.
—Now, on a fine day like this, how could we leave out dancing!
Bi Sain’s eyes flew open.
He had sworn never to dance again in his life. So why did he remember himself rising from his seat while saying, Of course!
“No way, right? Surely not?”
Of course it couldn’t be, but what was this ominous feeling?
Bi Sain got out of bed and called for someone.
“Illang!”
“Are you awake?”
“Come in for a moment.”
Illang, who had been standing guard outside, opened the door and entered. Seeing Illang brought the memories back. He remembered grabbing the man’s hand and dragging him inside by force to drink with him.
Bi Sain asked without preamble.
“Did I dance?”
A smile flickered across Illang’s face.
“Do you mean which dance, and with whom?”
Damn it! Bi Sain shook his head and asked no further.
“No. Forget it.”
No, this he had to ask.
“Did I perhaps make a drunken scene?”
Surely he hadn’t made a drunken scene in front of Han Seol?
Fortunately, Illang shook his head as if to say no.
“It was the first time I had ever seen you look so happy. It was good to see.”
“By the way, where is everyone?”
At that, Illang took a letter from inside his robe and handed it to him.
“It is a letter Young Cult Leader Geom left behind when he departed with your friends.”
Bi Sain was startled. It seemed Geom Mugeuk had been unable to wait and had left first. Perhaps he had made room for him to spend time with Han Seol.
Still, even if he was going to leave, he could have had breakfast with him first. He could at least have said goodbye.
With a sense of regret, Bi Sain opened the letter.
—If you want to save Miss Han, follow the western main road. But come alone.
Bi Sain stared blankly down at the letter for a moment, then burst into loud laughter.
It was an invitation to travel together, in a style only Geom Mugeuk would use. Taking Han Seol with him was a pleasant bit of coercion, a hostage-taking that only Geom Mugeuk could pull off, telling him not to weigh this or that and simply come along.
Bi Sain showed the letter to Illang. Illang had already guessed its contents. After all, Geom Mugeuk had even taken Han Seol with him.
“Illang.”
“Yes, Young Alliance Leader.”
Bi Sain looked at him calmly and said,
“This time, I really must go save her alone.”
Bi Sain set off westward with his lightness skill.