Geom Mugeuk and Ian stopped walking.
Along the path they were walking, a drunkard sat collapsed on the steps in front of a building, singing. Ian thought to herself.
'What kind of story does he have, to sing so sorrowfully?'
Just then, Geom Mugeuk, who had been listening to the song as well, spoke.
“He sings terribly.”
At those words, Ian burst out laughing. Really, how could he judge the man’s singing skill at a time like this?
Courtesans came out and led the drunkard inside.
“You said you were going out for some fresh air. What are you doing here?”
Then, from the opposite side, someone was shouting at the top of his lungs.
“Do you know who I am! Tell the master here to come out! Hurry!”
Watching the scene, Ian spoke.
“Does he even know who the master here is, acting like that?”
The place where Geom Mugeuk and Ian stood was none other than inside Cheonhwaru.
They had been traveling through the Central Plains and had come to meet the master of Cheonhwaru.
The drunkard who had been shouting picked a fight with the two of them as well.
“Hey! Who are you? What are you glaring at? Who are you?”
And does this man know who this person is either, acting like this?
“No, we’re leaving, we’re going. Sorry for staring!”
Ian pulled Geom Mugeuk along and moved on.
“Let’s go. Let’s not insert ourselves into that miserable life too.”
Behind them, the drunkard shouted loudly again, and courtesans came out to soothe him and lead him inside. Unless it was an excessive commotion, martial artists were not mobilized.
“Ugh, no matter how much money I made, I couldn’t run this business. How could I watch that every day?”
“If you actually did it, you’d probably do it the best.”
If it had been Geom Mugeuk, he probably would have sat down with that singing drunkard and sung along.
Geom Mugeuk and Ian entered the inner courtyard where the master of Cheonhwaru resided. Martial artists hidden throughout the inner courtyard could be sensed.
There had been those guarding this place when they visited before, but the ones hidden now were even greater experts.
Cheonhwaru too had overcome many crises and gradually built up its foundation.
When they opened the final gate of the inner courtyard and entered, two unexpected people greeted Geom Mugeuk and Ian.
It was two Faceless Guests who welcomed them.
Geom Mugeuk could tell who they were even without them removing their masks.
They were none other than the Crescent Moon Faceless Guest and Sipchilgyo. Seeing that Sipchilgyo was also wearing a Faceless Guest mask, it seemed she had become one as well. Beside the pure white mask she wore, “十七” was written.
“Welcome, Young Leader.”
The two greeted him with polite respect. Their gazes toward the Young Leader were exceedingly favorable. After all, Geom Mugeuk was the decisive person who had connected their love.
Especially when the Crescent Moon Faceless Guest had come to Geom Mugeuk to pour out her worries, his words had been of great help. She had been troubled over whether it was right to force Sipchilgyo to become a Faceless Guest with her.
—Try living as a Faceless Guest without regrets once, and then run away together.
After that, Sipchilgyo’s life as a Faceless Guest began. Contrary to what the Crescent Moon Faceless Guest had worried about, Sipchilgyo was enjoying it. Unexpectedly, the life behind a mask suited her well.
“What are you two doing here? Were you perhaps dispatched?”
He had thought Geukak Soma had sent them to protect the master of Cheonhwaru.
Then, from the building behind them, an unexpected person walked out.
“I was the one dispatched.”
Surprisingly, it was none other than Geukak Soma.
“Why, when did you arrive, Lord Soma?”
Behind his mask, Geukak Soma’s eyes smiled brightly.
“It’s been a while.”
They could tell that the Crescent Moon Faceless Guest and Sipchilgyo had followed to attend upon Geukak Soma.
“It seemed the Young Leader cherishes these children quite specially. I brought them out so they could get some fresh air.”
Geom Mugeuk looked at the two and nodded.
“They’re a fine-looking young couple, aren’t they?”
Just then, someone else walked out from behind and spoke.
“As fine-looking as the Young Leader and this warrior?”
The woman who followed out was none other than the master of Cheonhwaru. Just as the two Faceless Guests were in their youth, Geom Mugeuk and Ian were also truly in their most beautiful years, from the master of Cheonhwaru’s perspective.
“Welcome, Young Leader.”
The master of Cheonhwaru, whom she was seeing after a long time, was dressed in splendid makeup and well-arranged clothes, but more than anything, her expression was bright.
“You’ve become more beautiful and brighter, Master.”
The master of Cheonhwaru glanced at Geukak Soma as she answered.
“How could I not improve?”
How could she not know that this meant she was happy because Geukak Soma had come?
Ian greeted Geukak Soma and the master of Cheonhwaru.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you both.”
Geukak Soma nodded and accepted the greeting, while the master of Cheonhwaru actively fussed over Ian. The master of Cheonhwaru took Ian’s hand, delighted.
“This warrior, I’ve missed you. You’ve grown even more beautiful in the time we haven’t seen each other.”
Her outward appearance hadn’t actually changed. But even as she traveled, Ian’s martial arts prowess had risen, changing her aura and demeanor.
“Thank you, Master. I wanted to see you too.”
Geom Mugeuk stepped forward as if to say it wasn’t only to that degree.
“You have no idea how much she pestered me to come see you.”
Because it was true, Ian didn’t deny it.
The master of Cheonhwaru always said kind words to her. And because Ian knew it wasn’t simply because of Geom Mugeuk, the master of Cheonhwaru was a special person to her as well.
When the two first met, Ian had been unable to cure the side effects of the Petrification Art. Even so, the master of Cheonhwaru had recognized Ian’s true worth.
The master of Cheonhwaru was also the one who told her to value herself as someone who would accomplish great things.
It wasn’t necessarily because of that that she wanted to see her, but strangely, during this trip, she had felt she simply had to see her. This was the first time she had felt such an emotion.
The master of Cheonhwaru watched Ian with a gaze that seemed to already know her heart, and then—
“This warrior, shall we leave the men to play and go for a walk ourselves?”
“Yes, that sounds good.”
Geom Mugeuk shouted to the master of Cheonhwaru, who was walking away.
“Leave the men to play! That’s the thing we men most want to hear! Please say it often!”
At Geom Mugeuk’s shout from behind, the master of Cheonhwaru smiled.
“The Young Leader remains the same, doesn’t he?”
To Ian’s words, the master of Cheonhwaru gave an unexpected answer.
“He looks quite different to me.”
“The Young Leader?”
The master of Cheonhwaru nodded. But she didn’t explain what looked different. Instead, she asked about the trip.
“Is the trip enjoyable?”
Ian smiled and nodded. Who could fail to enjoy a trip spent with him?
Perhaps she had wanted to meet her because she knew that more than anyone, the master of Cheonhwaru would understand her heart. No, in truth, she had wanted to ask her.
‘What should I do?’
But those words didn’t leave her mouth.
“Strangely, from a few days ago, I started wanting to see you, Master. So I pestered the Young Leader to change our travel schedule to come here.”
Ian looked at the master of Cheonhwaru and added.
“I suppose I wanted to eat a home-cooked meal made by you.”
Ian had tasted the master of Cheonhwaru’s cooking skills back when she had been confined in the An household.
Then the master of Cheonhwaru rolled up her sleeves.
“I shall display my skills once more.”
The two women smiled at each other.
The master of Cheonhwaru’s gaze, which had been looking at Ian, turned toward the stars in the night sky. A dizzy spell swept through her eyes.
“This warrior is gradually drawing closer to her destiny.”
Ian flinched for a moment. From the first time they met, the master of Cheonhwaru had spoken as though she could see Ian’s destiny.
“I don’t really know what my destiny is.”
The master of Cheonhwaru smiled and asked.
“No, this warrior must be feeling it.”
Ian couldn’t say otherwise. When they had decided to travel, Geom Mugeuk had said,
—To find the real Ian.
Ian knew. Those words foretold a change in her relationship with Geom Mugeuk. Whatever it was, it would be related to her destiny.
The master of Cheonhwaru gave her courage.
“Believe in yourself. This warrior will play a greater role than anyone in the world.”
Ian smiled. It would be a lie to say such words weren’t burdensome, but—
“You have no idea how much strength these words have given me.”
“I am simply telling you what I see and feel.”
What exactly had she seen in her?
Ian raised her head. Far away, atop the roof of Cheonhwaru’s tallest building, Geom Mugeuk and Geukak Soma stood.
The two stood side by side, gazing at the night scenery spread out in the distance.
“Is your journey enjoyable?”
“Yes, it’s fun. I met past connections, and confirmed that more than half of the famous restaurants in the Central Plains food tour are overrated.”
Geukak Soma smiled at Geom Mugeuk’s joke. Then Geom Mugeuk added one more thing.
“Actually, I came on this trip to find an answer.”
Geukak Soma could guess what the problem was. Since it was a trip taken alone with Ian, it must be a matter concerning her.
“And did you find the answer?”
Geom Mugeuk slowly nodded.
“Yes.”
In truth, when Geom Mugeuk first regressed, he had tried to let Ian go. He had actually told her to leave. He had tried his hardest not to give her his heart.
He had intended to live this life alone as well. He had thought that loving someone while carrying that dark and difficult past life was not a courtesy to the other person.
But as he lived his life after the regression, his heart had gradually changed. His relationship with his father, his relationship with the demonic followers, his relationships with friends. As precious relationships increased, it seemed greed had sprouted within him.
The decisive reason was this.
Perhaps I could become a good father like my father too?
Though Geom Mugeuk said he had found the answer, Geukak Soma saw some hesitation in him.
“What troubles you?”
An unexpected answer flowed from Geom Mugeuk.
“Am I allowed to dream of happiness?”
It was not an answer fitting for someone who was allowed to dream of conquering the world.
Geukak Soma knew where this question stemmed from.
He could tell it was a question born from the abyss of unfathomable depth—the darkness he had often sensed in Geom Mugeuk, which felt so ill-fitting.
“What makes you uneasy?”
After a brief pause, Geom Mugeuk answered.
“I fear that by harboring excessive greed, a great misfortune like the Heavenly Slaughter Star will come again. The Heavenly Slaughter Star has already come, so an even greater misfortune may arrive.”
Geukak Soma did not ask why that was excessive greed. Instead, he said this.
“Tell it to come.”
“!”
“Are we not the people best suited to face that misfortune and darkness? Don’t let it go elsewhere—tell it to come to us.”
Geukak Soma had not said “tell it to come to the Young Leader,” but “tell it to come to us.”
Understanding that this meant they would stand together no matter what darkness came, a smile formed on Geom Mugeuk’s face.
“Therefore, the Young Leader becoming happy may once again become an act that saves the martial arts world.”
Could there be anyone who could say “you may be happy” in such a magnificent way?
Perhaps that was why he could speak words buried deep in his heart so comfortably.
“Then shall I trust you and try to be happy?”
***
“It’s here, the place the Master told us about.”
The master of Cheonhwaru had recommended that there was a beautiful place nearby, so the two of them should go for a walk.
It was truly a beautiful place.
Willows that seemed hundreds of years old let down their hair toward the lake, and moonlight streamed through the leaves.
There, the stars of the heavens seemed to have shattered and scattered, twinkling. It was because hundreds and thousands of fireflies flitted about the lakeshore where beautiful flowers bloomed.
Standing in that place filled with the scent of grass, water, and ancient trees, Geom Mugeuk and Ian were enraptured by the beautiful sight.
“It’s so beautiful.”
Geom Mugeuk nodded at Ian’s exclamation. A sight this beautiful was new to him as well.
When Ian reached out her hand, a firefly landed on her fingertip. Light appeared and disappeared as if it were breathing.
Ian, who had been quietly watching, suddenly asked.
“Young Leader, is traveling with me fun?”
“It is.”
“What about it?”
“Why? Do you think I’m traveling with you even though it isn’t fun?”
“Because you’re someone who always keeps your promises.”
When Ian gently raised her hand, the firefly on her fingertip flew away.
“If it’s because of me, you can go back now.”
“I don’t want to.”
“What?”
“I truly enjoy this journey. Even if you don’t, I’ll keep going because I enjoy it. If you feel it’s unfair, then you should have been born the Young Cult Master.”
Ian was truly grateful that Geom Mugeuk said this.
“I don’t feel the least bit wronged that I wasn’t born the Young Cult Master, but I do feel a little wronged that you were born as the Young Cult Master.”
Ian finally felt that it was time to ask this question.
“Why are you so good to me? This is the last time I’ll ask.”
Long ago, they had jokingly promised that she would ask this question only five times, and in the meantime, she had already asked four. In truth, it was not as though he had been good to her only five times, but now she was asking the fifth and final question she had saved and saved.
“I won’t ask again.”
Geom Mugeuk had once answered playfully that it was so he could work her for the rest of her life. Another time, as he was returning after fighting with his older brother, he had answered that she had suddenly come to mind.
And now he felt that the time had come to answer her properly.
“There are many reasons. Can you remember them all?”
Ian nodded.
“Even if I forget the oral formulae of the Flying Heaven Sword Art, I won’t forget what you’re about to say.”
At that, Geom Mugeuk smiled and said,
“The first reason is because you’re so good at joking like that.”
“It wasn’t a joke.”
“Because you’re someone who nods beside me no matter what I say and takes my side.”
For some reason, Ian refuted even that reason.
“If the other person is the Young Cult Master of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, even someone with a broken neck would nod and take his side.”
Geom Mugeuk gave another reason.
“You also have the patience to never give up once you set your mind to something.”
She had shown that in the process of learning the Flying Heaven Swordsmanship. Whenever he went to see her, she had been training in martial arts.
“Who would give up after obtaining the Flying Heaven Sword Art? Even the laziest person in the world would have lost sleep over it.”
Despite her continued rebuttals, Geom Mugeuk kept giving his reasons.
“More than anything, I like your goodness.”
“You’ve been thoroughly fooled.”
Ian told him something she had never once spoken of before.
“It’s because of the side effects of the Full-Body Petrification Art. To survive, I had to become good. That way, the Young Cult Master wouldn’t abandon me.
I wasn’t even ten years old back then. I’m ashamed to say it, but from that time on, goodness became one of my ways of surviving.”
Ian’s eyes trembled.
Geom Mugeuk could feel it. She was trying to push him away, but this was not truly pushing him away.
She seemed to be putting up an ironclad defense, but in truth, she was doing everything she could to break down the iron wall standing between them.
If he gave a hundred reasons, she would offer a hundred rebuttals.
This was her effort to break down that wall.
“There aren’t any more, are there? Now that you actually have to give reasons, there aren’t that many, right?”
It was just as Ian looked back at the fireflies. Over the years, Geom Mugeuk had surprised her countless times, but never as much as in this moment.
The words that flowed from Geom Mugeuk’s mouth were a single phrase.
“Miss Yi.”