“Why do you refuse?”

The Ma Jons who had been arguing fiercely moments ago now united as one.

The first to answer was Chwima.

“I hate being trapped inside fences. Just thinking about fences makes me feel suffocated.”

The reply came from Sword Sovereign Ilhwa.

“Accept everyone? That’s difficult. Even when taking a walk, you have to be compatible with your companion.”

It was obvious who she had in mind.

Next, Blood Heaven Butcher spoke.

“Did you hear what I said? People’s hearts differ from mine!”

The last to give a reason was Geukak Soma.

“Why can’t we kill?”

His was a jest in response to the request that they may fight, hate, and quarrel inside my fence—but just not kill.

The mix of jest and sincerity was natural, but what surprised me was that each of the four gave a different reason.

Earlier, Chwima mocked me by imitating my words.

“Did you see Lord Lee’s bluff earlier? This is the decision of the one who will be your future Heavenly Demon. The sect leader should have seen this.”

I waved my hand exaggeratedly.

“Don’t say such terrible things. Now that we’re all gathered, let’s have a drink.”

Geukak Soma, who had been outside the window, came inside. This was the first time the Ma Jons connected to me had gathered in one place.

It was truly a historic day—not only for me but also for the tavern owner.

Jo Chun-bae, who brought drinks and snacks, was deeply moved.

“Is it really that good?”

“How could it not be? I’m probably the first tavern owner in history to experience this. I’d die without regret.”

“This might just be the beginning. Who knows who’ll gather here to drink next?”

“My heart feels like it will burst even now...”

Jo Chun-bae bowed and greeted the Ma Jons.

“It’s an honor to have you here. I will serve you to the best of my ability.”

After greeting, he stepped back. At the stairs going down to the first floor, he looked back for a moment, seemingly trying hard to remember this glorious moment.

“Now, I will pour you each a drink.”

Chwima poured drinks for everyone.

Geukak Soma, who never drank because of his mask, only received a drink.

Blood Heaven Butcher moved Geukak’s drink aside after receiving it and poured himself a fresh cup.

Sword Sovereign Ilhwa drank the drink Chwima poured with obvious intent to show Blood Heaven Butcher.

Even pouring a single drink created intense tension between them.

After one round of drinks, Geukak Soma asked me,

“By the way, why was I called here?”

He naturally assumed I had called him.

“Lord Soma, I did not call you.”

“Then who did?”

“Chwima called you.”

Chwima said politely to Geukak Soma,

“I called because I had something to tell you.”

No matter what they thought of each other privately, they were extremely polite toward one another.

“Lord Lee said he values senior Butcher more than us, so I called you to hear it directly.”

Pouring his drink, Chwima added,

“We’re just side players. Lord Lee’s center is senior Blood Heaven Butcher.”

“Maybe you’re a side player, but I’m not.”

“Is that so?”

Chwima asked me, as if to confirm.

“Lord Lee, if you had to choose between Lord Soma and senior Butcher, who would you choose?”

“Lord Soma.”

Chwima blinked and asked again,

“That’s different from before. Didn’t you say you could say senior Butcher is better even when he’s right in front of you?”

“Me? When?”

I widened my eyes and denied it flatly.

“How could you say that about the relationship between Lord Soma and me? Lord Soma, don’t be fooled. The newcomer is scheming to remove the established one.”

Chwima laughed heartily at my words, finding it amusing, then drank and said,

“Don’t underestimate the newcomer. I think the length of acquaintance doesn’t matter between people. Sometimes one meeting is unforgettable for a lifetime.”

I stared at him for a moment, then suddenly asked,

“Chwima, have you really met such a person?”

Chwima’s hand, raised to drink, stopped midair.

“What do you mean?”

“I wonder if such a person really exists. Someone you met once but never forgot. Does everyone have such a person?”

After exchanging looks with the four Ma Jons, I continued,

“Even if you were close enough to die for each other, when long time passes without seeing, you become strangers. Even if you think you’re close, any gap makes it awkward like starting over. That’s how it is for me. Ah! I admit I can’t forget our Sword Sovereign, a truly beautiful person.”

Chwima finished another cup.

“It’s strange for someone so young to say that.”

“You’re dismissive again—of young stories and young drunks.”

He looked at me with a curious gaze. Since he remembered everything I said so well, he might dislike my words but still feel goodwill.

“I get it. I keep forgetting. Our Lord Lee’s youth is not ordinary youth.”

“Please don’t forget I’m a young old man.”

I raised my glass and Chwima toasted.

The mood had stiffened somewhat since the Ma Jons gathered, but drinking with him still somehow felt lively. He had the skill to keep conversations flowing and lift the mood.

“Again, I choose Geukak Soma.”

Raising my glass as if to toast him, I drank alone.

His eyes smiled pleasantly through their sockets. Seeing that smile after a long time made me feel good.

Glad to see you again.

Perhaps it was because of the fierce battle with Baekmanggi, but I had developed an indescribable comradeship with Geukak Soma. It was a feeling apart from Ma Jon or heir status.

Then Blood Heaven Butcher sent a silent message.

—Good. Take care of the others first.

—Doesn’t it hurt your pride?

—What pride could possibly be hurt by this? Just remember one thing: never trust Geukak or Chwima.

The more I learned about them, the more I understood my father’s hardships. If these four were difficult, then leading eight more and all the sect leader’s duties… Father must have been truly exhausted.

The mood of the drinking party was good.

Since they all favored me, no one revealed their sharpness or temper here. Thankfully, everyone was holding back well. Such a normal yet pleasant gathering with Ma Jons!

As usual, Chwima was the main drinker.

He made sure to eat snacks after every three cups, as if showing off to me.

Once our eyes met, I nodded and smiled.

Geukak Soma gave me a strange look.

I knew. Though not all his emotions were in that gaze, part of it was jealousy.

The one who first begged me to be friends was Geukak Soma. And now Chwima was begging me to become sworn brothers.

Similar, yet completely different.

Will the day come when Geukak unmasks and Chwima sobers up, and they can be together?

Geukak Soma once said he disliked Chwima’s smell of alcohol.

But here, he showed no such expression. Without prior warning, I never would have known what he thought. Only mutual respect passed between these Ma Jons.

“I heard you left the sect and then came back.”

“That’s right.”

“You must know a lot about Lord Lee.”

Geukak Soma glanced at me and said,

“Lord Lee is far from you and me.”

“Far?”

“Very far.”

Geukak Soma called me a villain like himself but gave different information to Chwima.

“But senior Butcher is the one closest to Lord Lee.”

Chwima showed surprise at Geukak’s words.

“Senior Butcher? Not Sword Sovereign?”

Geukak Soma looked at Sword Sovereign Ilhwa and said something unexpected.

“Sword Sovereign is just like us. If you were friends, you would have known.”

A moment of silence followed.

Sword Sovereign Ilhwa’s expression stiffened slightly.

What did Geukak Soma see in her to say that? She was known as the least Ma Jon-like among the Palma Ma Jons.

At that moment, Blood Heaven Butcher snapped angrily.

“Nonsense! Sword Sovereign is nothing like you.”

In the end, the one who stood up for her in this situation was Blood Heaven Butcher.

“Who are you to judge while wearing a mask? She’s much better than you.”

He, who had restrained himself several times during the drinking party, finally exploded.

Despite his fierce reaction, Geukak Soma didn’t get angry but just smiled. Blood Heaven Butcher, furious, looked ready to swing the Heaven-Cleaving Blade.

Sword Sovereign Ilhwa spoke quietly but coldly.

“Do you think I like you standing up for me like that?”

Blood Heaven Butcher didn’t stand up without knowing her reaction. He kept drinking heavily.

Then Sword Sovereign Ilhwa said something unexpected.

“But... she might be right.”

Blood Heaven Butcher looked down at his empty cup.

“Yes, that might be true.”

Blood Heaven Butcher hadn’t risen to defend her blindly.

“We might be more hypocritical and worse than the ones behind the mask. True.”

Sword Sovereign Ilhwa’s pupils trembled slightly at his honest words.

“Who are we to say who’s better or worse? But at least don’t get caught in front of those fools! Don’t be fooled by masked and drunken scoundrels!”

Chwima quietly said,

“Why say that to me, who’s just staying quiet?”

“You’re the same! Sneaky! Hypocritical! You can fool everyone but not my eyes! You two, get away from Lord Lee!”

Blood Heaven Butcher couldn’t hold back any longer and vented his feelings. Though gruff, he was deep-hearted, but emotions flared up because this was about Sword Sovereign and me.

Meanwhile, Chwima just smiled broadly and sipped his drink, making him seem the very villain of villains.

Blood Heaven Butcher stood up and apologized to me.

“Lord Lee, sorry for ruining the mood. At least I didn’t plan to leave first today.”

“No, senior, it’s not you who should leave first.”

“What do you mean?”

“This drinking party ends here.”

I looked at the other three Ma Jons.

“Shall we call ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) it a night?”

Chwima drained his last cup.

“Breaking the stuck stone with a solid hammer, huh?”

“Of course. What kind of drink would it be if the senior leaves angry? Butcher is my wings. If his wings fly away, so do I.”

It was clear the stuck stone couldn’t be easily removed. This was my gratitude for him coming all this way to drink with me.

—Thank you, senior.

At my silent message, Blood Heaven Butcher turned and stared out the window, his heart moved.

Chwima smiled.

“I’ll give up my wings, so be my brother.”

Then Geukak Soma said,

“Be my friend.”

Finally, Sword Sovereign Ilhwa did not hold back. Though her mood was subdued, she couldn’t miss this moment.

“I’m already a special friend.”

Everyone looked at her in surprise, but she was just proud, not bragging that we were martial arts friends.

“Now, one last thing.”

I released the prayer I showed earlier again. Filling the air with dignity and grace, I spoke to them.

“As your future Heavenly Demon who will lead you, I say again: Within my fence, fight as much as you want. Hate, envy, quarrel... Ah! You really go too far!”

The Ma Jons flew away one after another, not just leaving but disappearing instantly using their martial art skills.

“Wait! I want you all to hear this! Butcher! Even senior!”

But they were already gone.

I smiled and sat back down. Though the seats were empty, their fervor seemed to linger.

Looking down to the first floor, Jo Chun-bae held close the tab Chwima had left, staring wistfully at the spot where the Ma Jons had disappeared.

“Owner, let’s have a drink.”

“Gladly, Lord Soma.”

Jo Chun-bae came up and poured me a drink. I poured his as well.

We drank together. The battle with the Ma Jons had drained much spiritual energy, but drinking with Jo Chun-bae calmed my heart.

He cautiously asked, watching me.

“Tough, isn’t it?”

“Do I look tired?”

“I was just thinking how hard it must be to face those Ma Jons.”

“Yes, it is.”

When I spoke honestly, Jo Chun-bae smiled. The wrinkles on his face—etched from dealing with all kinds of customers and the hardships of life—looked especially distinguished today.

“Do you know what my wife whispers in my ear when I say I’m tired?”

“What?”

“She says I’m weak.”

I laughed loudly. I knew well how much those two loved each other. Sometimes, silly jokes like that mean more than heartfelt comfort.

Jo Chun-bae joked.

“Want me to try?”

“No, no need. Someone else came for that.”

“Who?”

Suddenly, Jo Chun-bae felt an overwhelming presence behind him. Goosebumps rose all over his body. The feeling was on a different level from being with the Ma Jons. He cautiously turned around.

“Oh my!”

Jo Chun-bae shrieked and bowed deeply to the floor.

My father was standing behind me, having arrived without me noticing.

He sat down in front of me and said,

“Weak.”

I smiled and said to Jo Chun-bae,

“Owner, close the shop and set up a new drinking table here!”