“I don’t know about the place they’re in, but I do know about the place I’m in. It feels so empty without this martial artist.”

In response to Seo Daeryong’s lament, Jang Ho agreed.

“The vacant spot is huge.”

The two were on their way to a pub called “The Wind and the Flow” in the Maga Village.

Jang Ho was a large man, while Seo Daeryong was small, making them stand out in contrast as they passed by people.

“I never thought I’d miss a martial artist more than ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ Lord Gak.”

The three of them, including Ian, had enjoyed drinking together before. This time, it was just the two of them, and it wasn’t nearly as fun.

Ian and Seo Daeryong had been the ones to lead the conversation, but now, with Ian gone, only the quiet Jang Ho remained, so the mood inevitably dropped.

But there was also an upside. In exchange for giving up fun, the atmosphere became more serious, allowing them a chance to learn more about each other. Jang Ho had mentioned for the first time that his childhood dream was to become a painter.

“I’m sure this martial artist is doing well, right?”

At Seo Daeryong’s question, Jang Ho nodded confidently.

“Of course, he’s doing well. Who did he go with? Don’t worry.”

“I’m not worried. I’m envious. I imagine all sorts of situations unfolding in front of this martial artist, things I can’t even think of. I envy him. I wish I could be there with him, playing at his side!”

“Don’t forget, there’s also the vicious Demon Master beside him.”

“Now that I think about it... maybe it’s better that I have Lord Jang beside me.”

Jang Ho chuckled. Seo Daeryong thought that Jang Ho’s manly smile alone made the night worth it. If anything, he wanted to smile like Jang Ho.

After a while, the two arrived at the pub.

As they were about to enter, the owner, Jo Chunbae, came out and motioned for them to be quiet.

“You can’t go in right now.”

“Why?”

“The Demon Lords are here.”

“Who’s here?”

Seo Daeryong peered inside, where, at the table they’d been drinking at earlier, his master, the Blood Heaven Butcher, Hyeolcheon Doma, and Ma Bul were sitting together, drinking.

Surprised, Seo Daeryong quickly stepped back.

“We’ll drink somewhere else today.”

“Alright, take care.”

After seeing them off, Jo Chunbae went back inside.

He looked up at the scene. Even from where he stood, he could feel the strange tension between Hyeolcheon Doma and Ma Bul.

“Why did you call me here?”

At Hyeolcheon Doma’s question, Ma Bul didn’t answer.

This was unlike Ma Bul. Instead of his usual sharp, snarky attitude, there was an unmistakable weariness.

Ma Bul drank alone.

“You and I aren’t strangers who can’t have a drink together, are we?”

“Stranger? You, who’ve been spreading rumors about me being a traitor, now want to call me ‘senior’?”

“A traitor is a traitor.”

“Then aren’t you the traitor? You came to me, leaving the Grand Prince behind.”

“You’ve always acted like you knew everything. That’s why I was so disrespected.”

Hyeolcheon Doma’s lips curled up slightly. Instead of retorting, he simply drank. He had felt pity for Ma Bul just a short while ago—such a small, greedy man.

But that arrogance had changed after meeting Geom Muguk.

“It’s not easy, is it?”

At Hyeolcheon Doma’s remark, Ma Bul lifted his head. He wasn’t sure if it was mockery or not, but Hyeolcheon Doma was simply refilling his cup.

It didn’t seem like a mocking comment, so Ma Bul blurted out before he could stop himself.

“...It’s not easy.”

After saying it, Ma Bul regretted it. He had given Hyeolcheon Doma the chance to mock him, and as expected, Hyeolcheon Doma seized it.

“You’ve lived thinking you were the Grand Prince’s right-hand man, haven’t you? But it seems you’re just a fish caught in a net. A golden carp, perhaps.”

“You can’t even have a drink with your junior. That small, twisted heart of yours can’t even allow that?”

“You should’ve treated me better. If you were a senior, you should have acted like one from the beginning.”

“Shut your mouth!”

BAM!

Ma Bul slammed the table. The table broke apart, and everything on it fell to the floor.

“Don’t break the table next time. We don’t destroy tables in our way of martial arts.”

“What the hell are you saying? Are you senile?”

Ma Bul stormed out in frustration.

“Damn it!”

He had already lost when he broke the table. Why did he even come to Hyeolcheon Doma in the first place?

He hated that his inner turmoil was seen by him. The thought of Hyeolcheon Doma disrespecting him even more made him furious.

“Yeah, go ahead and disrespect me, you shriveled old man.”

As Ma Bul left, Hyeolcheon Doma rose from his seat.

But unlike what Ma Bul had expected, Hyeolcheon Doma showed no sign of mockery or disdain. Instead, the same sigh that Ma Bul had expressed earlier came from him as well.

“Yeah, it’s not easy.”

As Hyeolcheon Doma left the pub, he handed Jo Chunbae money. The cost of the drinks and the broken table.

“It’s fine.”

When Hyeolcheon Doma glared at him, Jo Chunbae quickly accepted the money.

“Don’t tell Young Master about the table.”

“What? Of course, don’t worry.”

With that, Hyeolcheon Doma left.

Jo Chunbae watched him leave, then went up to clean the broken table.

Even without the Young Master, people were still coming. Not long ago, Ilhwa Geomjong came alone, ordered drinks, but didn’t drink a single drop.

Jo Chunbae knew why they came to his pub.

It wasn’t for the good taste of the wine, the delicious food, or the nice atmosphere. They all came because they were longing for someone.