"It's been a while."
Guryun frowned as he looked at Amwang offering a greeting.
"So the bastard who hasn't shown his face for over a decade finally decides to show himself."
"You seem to have been doing well, Guryun."
"Does this look like I'm doing well to you?"
Guryun pulled aside his martial robe to reveal his chest.
A deep scar remained there, not yet faded.
It was a wound he had suffered in a battle with the Dark Night Palace Lord.
For a moment, the cave fell silent as they looked at it....
Pfft.
Paejon couldn't hold it in and burst out laughing. And quite heartily at that.
"Hahaha! Haha!"
"Someone is injured, and you laugh?"
"Ahaha...!"
Was it really that funny? Tears welled at the corners of Paejon's eyes.
"That Guryun got a hole pierced through his body. Well done indeed."
"I... merely let my guard down for a moment."
"Weren't you the one who said that letting your guard down is nothing but the excuse of a loser?"
"..."
Had he said such a thing? Guryun couldn't remember, but thinking it sounded like something he would have said, he had to keep his mouth shut.
After cackling for a good while, Paejon spoke to Guryun.
"Who was your opponent?"
"What, if you knew, would you avenge me?"
"That's insane. Do I look like someone who would do such a bothersome thing?"
"You truly haven't a shred of friendship."
As Guryun spat out the words as if flabbergasted, Paejon took a sip of liquor.
Drinking repeatedly as if his throat were parched.
Paejon asked Guryun,
"How broken is your body?"
"..."
It was a sudden question.
Clink.
Guryun did not answer Paejon's question.
He merely filled his cup to the brim in silence.
"I'm fine. Relatively intact."
"Intact, indeed. And yet you're walking around with a hole in your chest."
"..."
"You've grown old, Guryun."
"That much you can tell at a glance."
"Not necessarily."
Paejon chuckled as he spoke. Guryun let out a deep sigh at those words.
"If you wish, I will contact the Divine Physician for you."
"I've already met him."
"Hm? You met him?"
Paejon's eyes widened in surprise at Guryun's words. He had seen the Divine Physician?
He should have been a difficult person to find....
"Who do you think fixed up my chest?"
"...Ha, was it that old man?"
Paejon noticed Amwang's empty cup and poured him some liquor.
Even so, he kept his words directed at Guryun.
"What did the Divine Physician say?"
"What more needs to be said? It is the price of senility."
"Do the people of your clan know you've ended up like this?"
"The family head probably knows."
Tsk tsk.
Guryun smiled as if it was nothing.
"It's not that important. If it doesn't hinder my eating or shitting, what meaning does it have?"
"You've really gotten lofty. I wonder where the old Guryun went."
"How long ago are you talking about?"
Guryun clicked his tongue as if to say stop, and Paejon merely smirked.
"I suppose even Mount Tai is toppled by nothing but time."
"Stop talking nonsense and pour the drinks."
At that, Paejon poured liquor into Guryun's cup as well.
After tossing back the full cup, Guryun asked,
"Is what you were doing going well?"
"What?"
"Finding a disciple."
"Ah, that."
"Tsk tsk. You should just live as you are. Why do such a thing?"
It was stifling every time they saw each other, and it went both ways.
Guryun found Paejon stifling. If he had just continued living as he had been, he would have been comfortable.
Yet here was his friend, who had even undergone a reversal of youth, saying he had to see the ultimate of the martial path and the end of martial arts.
Even after regressing to regain his youth and finding no answer, he should have given up.
And yet, in the midst of that, the man who somehow searched for methods as if it were nothing, saying he would find a disciple and see the end of his own martial arts, was truly a wonder.
"Biju. Do you still not know how extremely malicious your martial art is for others to learn?"
When manifesting the Heart Technique, it bestowed extreme agony.
It was impossible to fathom by what method it had been created.
Pain ultimately led directly to hesitation.
No matter how much intent was contained within it.
Understanding, enduring, and practicing it was another matter entirely.
"What madman in the world would endure that to learn martial arts?"
"Tsk, if you can't endure even this much, what can you accomplish?"
"You won't find a madman like you anywhere in the Central Plains."
Guryun was certain of it.
He acknowledged Paejon's martial prowess and the value of his martial art.
But a person with both the talent required to learn it and the patience to endure it would be difficult to find.
The Tuapacheonmu was problematic not only due to the pain but also because it possessed tremendous difficulty—so much so that even Paejon, its creator, had failed to reach its apex.
Talent was one thing, but...
A person endowed with both the talent and the patience to endure and withstand the agony of training?
'Where in the world is such a person?'
Guryun held a conviction that was not quite conviction.
That was why, even for the Guyangcheon he cherished, he had merely wished for Paejon's teachings.
He had not asked him to take him as a disciple.
'Where else would I make a precious child learn such a martial art?'
Guyangcheon had already learned the bloodline martial art called Guyeomhwaryungong.
But Biju, this madman—if he wished, he was someone who would tear out whatever was necessary and force his own martial art into another.
"Perhaps it's time to give up. How about finding another meth—"
"That is why I have taken a disciple."
"...What?"
Guryun's eyes widened at Paejon's words.
He had taken a disciple?
"You have taken a disciple?"
"Hm? Why are you so surprised?"
"What madman would enter as your disciple?"
"...Guryun, you seem to be under some misconception. I am quite a decent person."
One of the Three Venerables of the World, and the pinnacle of the martial faction.
That was the value Paejon held, but to Guryun, it felt like crawling into the road to hell.
At Guryun's shocked expression, Paejon was rather dumbfounded.
"Didn't you think this would happen anyway?"
"What are you talking about? What did I do?"
Paejon rather couldn't understand Guryun.
He felt like their conversation was crossing wires.
"Well, that's..."
"Wait."
Just as Paejon was about to ask something about Guyangcheon.
Guryun raised his hand, cutting off Paejon's words.
"Why?"
He asked as if wondering what was the matter, but Guryun's expression was extremely serious.
A face shocked as if he couldn't believe something.
"...Hey, where did all the side dishes go?"
"...!"
At Guryun's words, Paejon quickly surveyed the side dishes.
The food they had gone to the trouble of buying was nearly gone.
"Hm?"
Amwang looked at Guryun with eyes as if asking why.
"Why?"
"Why, you crazy bastard! Did you eat all this alone? Where did you sell your courtesy!"
"Then you should have eaten it."
Guryun and Paejon made faces of disbelief at Amwang's words.
"That one's appetite—I wonder how old he is, yet it never decreases."
"...Oh, my bones. I went and bought it all with my old body, and I didn't even get a bite."
Despite the two's words, Amwang merely swallowed another mouthful of the remaining food.
"...Forget it. It's not the first or second time we've seen him like that."
Guryun sighed and took another sip of liquor.
Paejon looked at Amwang and asked,
"Any progress on your end?"
At his words, Amwang raised his head.
"These past dozen or so years. I mean, have you found what you seek?"
A time when each had something they desired.
Because the goals they sought were different, the paths they walked had also changed.
Amwang held a moment of silence at Paejon's question.
Then answered in a calm voice.
"I have not found the perfect thing, but it seems I have discovered the path."
"That is fortunate indeed."
Paejon vaguely knew what Amwang dreamed of.
"That fellow who attacked Hanam this time—what do you plan to do with him?"
It was a question about the treatment of the Black Dragon Sword.
"Does he have a connection to you?"
"I don't know yet."
"You don't know—you must have caught a whiff of something and moved."
Amwang did not answer.
But the two could only guess vaguely from his expression.
"Do you plan to take him to the main base?"
"If necessary."
The main base Paejon spoke of was Amwang's dwelling and the headquarters of the Cheolya Salsudae.
"Is he someone who would break under torture?"
"I don't know. We'll find out if we try."
Paejon nodded at the simple words.
Because it was true. If you beat a man, he would usually talk.
He would either talk.
Or die before talking. It was one of the two.
"I heard he was locked in the League's prison."
"I will take him to Sichuan first."
"Sichuan...?"
Something came to Paejon's mind at those words.
The meaning of sending him all the way to Sichuan, far from the League...
"You plan to use the Tang Clan."
He saw that it was connected to the Tang Clan, the hegemon of Sichuan.
Though they were now called one of the Four Great Families affiliated with the Orthodox faction, those who knew their true nature knew how dark and cruel the Tang Clan actually was.
"It will take a long time to reach Sichuan. Why aren't you using your tricks?"
"Tricks?"
"I thought you'd take him back to your main base because you didn't want to wait."
The Amwang that Paejon knew was more than capable of such a thing.
Doing so without anyone noticing was Amwang's specialty.
Amwang nodded at Paejon's words.
"That was the plan."
As expected.
Indeed, Amwang had been thinking exactly that.
"It is no longer necessary. I have business in Sichuan, so I may as well go together."
"Business? You have business in Sichuan?"
"Yes."
"...You too?"
Amwang tilted his head as Paejon spoke in puzzlement.
The meaning of 'you too?' was that Paejon was also heading to Sichuan.
"You mean to say you are going as well."
"I have business on my end as well."
It was technically Guyangcheon's business, but Paejon roughly thought it was the same thing.
"Will the Bi Family head permit this?"
"What if he doesn't?"
"Indeed."
Amwang nodded at Paejon's words. Because it was true.
He was nominally the father of Bi Uijin and the head of the Bi Family.
But in the end, Biju's will held sway.
'Amwang, to Sichuan.'
He didn't know if the man would accompany him, but if he did, it wouldn't be bad.
'I had something I wanted that bastard to do, as it happens.'
It was also the right time to inform Guyangcheon of something.
That part seemed like something he could ask Amwang to do.
Of course, he didn't think Guyangcheon would like it.
And then.
Guryun, who had been watching them, popped a remaining bite of food into his mouth and spoke.
"Everything is fine, but."
At those words, Paejon and Amwang's gazes shifted.
"...I called people here, so why are you two talking about things only you know?"
It was a rather sulky voice.
******************
When I entered the League and headed to the conference hall, many people were already gathered.
Seeing that, Cheoljiseon began trembling as if an earthquake had struck.
It couldn't be helped. The people inside were truly big shots.
'Where is my seat?'
I looked around, searching for a place to sit.
There were seats for gathered merchant leaders, seats for family heads, and seats for those from martial sects.
I had to find my seat among them.
'Should I just sit anywhere?'
Just as I thought I didn't want to go deep in and wondered if I couldn't just pull a nearby chair and sit...
—Third.
A familiar voice struck my ears.
I turned my head in the direction the voice transmission had come from with a surprised gaze, and saw crimson eyes in the distance.
It was Father.
—Come here.
"..."
It was bewildering.
Because it just had to be the front row.
How had Father ended up sitting there?
Normally, he wouldn't sit in a place like that.
"Yangcheon?"
My gaze wavered as I flustered, and Cheoljiseon, noticing this, called out to me.
After pondering what to do, I eventually pulled Cheoljiseon along and moved.
Approaching the seats, I saw not only Father but several familiar faces.
One was the head of the Namgung Family, Namgungjin.
"I... see you after a long time."
"...Have you been well?"
"I'm always the same. It seems you have been well, son-in-law. There was no end to the praise."
"...Yes."
I never thought the word son-in-law would come out of Namgungjin's mouth.
My ears itched fiercely, but I couldn't scratch them, so I had to endure.
The problem was that several people reacted to the word son-in-law.
One was....
'Damn.'
I wondered who it was—the Baekcheon Sword Lord.
His gaze toward me was still sharp. It seemed his anger hadn't subsided yet.
Well, it wasn't an emotion that would subside easily.
Another was the Poison King I had seen during the day.
His expression was full of discomfort.
Did I do something wrong? I don't think I did anything to this man.
'No, I'm a professional at getting cursed at even when I haven't done anything.'
Having been through it so many times, I didn't think much of it.
Lastly....
'...He was here too.'
The father of Paeng Ujin and Paeng Ahui. It was Dowang Paeng Jeou.
I could understand the Baekcheon Sword Lord, but why was this man looking at me like that?
Of course, considering the relationship, it wasn't strange that he didn't like me.
He was a bastard who spewed abuse at his daughter and broke off the engagement—it would be strange if he liked me.
Besides these, I saw several family heads of unknown houses.
Among them were some I knew.
Almost all the heads of the famous clans in the Central Plains had gathered.
I bowed cautiously as I looked at them.
"...This bloodline descendant of the Gu Family greets the family heads."
"Th-this bloodline descendant of the Cheol Family greets the family heads...."
Following my greeting, Cheoljiseon also offered his respects.
Then I carefully pulled out a chair and sat.
Normally, as soon as I sat in this seat, the surrounding family heads would have pretended to know me and struck up conversations.
But for some reason, everyone was keeping their mouths shut like mute people who had eaten honey.
Why is that?
Is it because the meeting is about to start?
That could be it, but somehow...
'They look terrified?'
I felt that somehow.
It must be my imagination. Who would these gentlemen be scared of?
"...!"
Right after I sat in the chair, I was startled without realizing it.
Because Father was glaring at me.
'What? Did I do something wrong?'
I immediately wondered what trouble I had caused at Father's gaze.
'I've caused so many that I don't know which one it was?'
I had done so much that I was rather at a loss.
Feeling like I would choke, just as I was about to say something.
"Family Head..."
"Well done."
"Yes?"
Father said that to me and then turned his head.
I thought I had misheard and looked at Father.
But Father's gaze never returned to me.
At this sudden praise from Father, the thought that flashed through my mind was...
'...Is he sick?'
I wondered if Father had contracted a fatal illness.
Surely not.
I had never seen him sick even in my previous life.
Of course, I didn't have the guts to ask Father why he had praised me.
So it was best to avoid his gaze, even if it seemed somewhat unnatural.
And yet, ridiculously.
'...This is annoying.'
Feeling subtly pleased was truly annoying.
It was praise without reason—what was such a word.
I calmed my unnecessarily fluttering heart and regulated my breathing.
I was too old to be happy about receiving praise once.
"Yangcheon, what's wrong?"
"What."
"No... Just... you were suddenly smiling..."
"Be quiet."
"Okay."
After silencing the tactless Cheoljiseon who had butted in.
I waited quietly.
Because I felt it would begin soon.
It wasn't just me.
The conference hall, which had been buzzing to some degree.
Had now become as quiet as dead mice.
Clack.
Footsteps were heard.
A figure who had been waiting climbed onto the platform.
There was no need to see who it was. The figure who climbed up was the host of this meeting.
The current Lord of the Martial League, Nakgeom Jangcheon.
The figure on the platform caught his breath for a moment, then slowly began to speak.
—First.
His voice rang out loudly. It must have been amplified using internal energy.
—As this meeting was convened due to the incident that occurred in Hanam, I will first offer an apology as the League Lord.
Jangcheon bowed his head as he spoke.
Just from the letter he held, it seemed he had much to say.
I watched the process calmly.
It was quiet now, but soon it would likely become a mess.
Arguing over this and that, demanding blame—you did wrong, what did you do right, etc.
Those gathered here would bring out the words they had been holding back and engage in debate.
I disliked such complicated situations, which was why I hadn't wanted to come if possible.
'Why did they call me?'
What use did they have for me that they stamped the League Lord's seal and asked me to come?
It was still hard to know.
Amidst such doubts.
'...What?'
I felt a gaze from somewhere.
It was such a blatant gaze that I couldn't miss it.
I definitely felt someone looking at me from somewhere.
Finding which direction the gaze came from wasn't very difficult.
It would have been stranger not to feel such an intense gaze.
The direction was behind the League Lord.
It was felt among the figures who appeared to be the Martial League's Sword Corps.
Wondering who it was, I slightly heightened my senses.
"...!"
I found him immediately.
And.
Having confirmed the owner of this gaze, I felt something drop in my chest.
'That bastard...'
The bastard staring at me.
'Jangseonyeon...?'
It was definitely Jangseonyeon. The one I had burned to death in the Demonic Realm, after which I had run everywhere in the present world searching for traces.
Since not a single trace remained, I had thought something else had happened.
Jangseonyeon stood behind the League Lord, looking at me with a grinning face.
Seeing that smile, I had to sense a subtle difference.
Should I say something felt different from the Jangseonyeon I knew?
The moment I felt that sense of alienation, I infused energy into my Spectral Sight.
I knew of people who lived wearing others' skins, so I wondered if it was that again, but.
'...It's not.'
Surprisingly, nothing strange could be felt from him.
Then what was this strange sensation?
Then.
Chiiiiing—!
"...Urk...?"
My right arm felt insanely hot.
The place where the pain was felt was where my skin had changed.
I clutched my arm at the sudden pain.
'What? Why is this happening?'
Enduring the pain with effort, I looked at Jangseonyeon once more.
The moment I sent my gaze again, I had to be surprised once more.
Jangseonyeon, having confirmed me contorted in pain.
Was making a surprised expression as if he had seen something curious.
Because his eyes appeared to have subtly turned red.