As the Alliance Leader’s gaze shifted toward us, the previously noisy hall gradually fell silent.

His eyes passed over his granddaughter and landed on me, standing beside her. I kept my head slightly bowed, avoiding direct eye contact.

Even without looking, I could feel his gaze examining me. It was a tense moment, and I made no effort to hide my nervousness. It would be stranger if an ordinary servant like me wasn’t nervous in such a place.

Even if I were exposed, I tried my best not to reveal myself unnecessarily.

The Martial Alliance Leader, Jin Pae-cheon, asked me,

“Who is this servant?”

At that moment, Jin Ha-ryeong loudly declared,

“He’s the person I’m dating.”

Her plan to protect me was exactly this.

Though my approach was straightforward, hers was as well. I had expected something like this, but seeing it in person, I appreciated her courage and thoughtfulness. To say that in front of so many people as the granddaughter of the Martial Alliance Leader was no easy task.

Her words stirred murmurs among those present, including Jo-shin and his father, the Master of Jinryong Manor.

The Master of Jinryong Manor frowned deeply. He was in the middle of arranging his son’s marriage, and now his prospective daughter-in-law had brought another man.

Jo-shin, standing beside him, smiled as he looked at us, though he undoubtedly felt a deep insult.

Jin Pae-cheon raised his hand, and the crowd instantly quieted.

“I did not ask you.”

After speaking to Jin Ha-ryeong, he turned his question back to me.

“Who exactly are you?”

“I am Geom Yeon.”

“From which sect?”

“I am the servant of Seo-ryong, the young master of the Western Dao Sect in Gansu.”

At the word “servant,” the crowd buzzed louder than before.

Though Jin Pae-cheon rarely showed his emotions in front of the heroes, he could not hide his bewilderment now.

He looked at Jin Ha-ryeong, his expression asking: ‘Are you really going to do this?’ She answered firmly: ‘Yes.’

His gaze returned to me. Despite her bombshell announcement, how much did the Leader understand about me?

“Geom So-hyeop.”

Though I said I was a servant, he addressed me by name.

“Ryeong has always been mischievous since she was young, especially skilled at surprising people. Once, she nearly fell into possession by performing reversed sword techniques. Today, she brought you here to shock us all.”

Jin Pae-cheon spoke as if today’s events were just another of her pranks.

“Everyone is sufficiently surprised, so I think you’ve fulfilled your role. You’ve suffered enough being dragged here by her. I’ll treat you properly next time, so for today, return.”

The Leader settled the situation like that. Some might think it was just her prank, or that the Leader was simply letting her rebelliousness slide.

At least one thing was clear: no one really believed I was the person she was dating.

Of course, Jin Ha-ryeong did not back down easily.

“You must have been very surprised. If it weren’t for Grandfather, I wouldn’t be alive today. So I won’t play pranks anymore. This person is truly the one I like.”

All eyes returned to me. Some clicked their tongues or sighed at my disheveled appearance.

Their expressions ranged from ‘Ah, just a child of the family’ to ‘Even the Leader isn’t an exception.’ They just didn’t dare say it openly in front of the Leader.

“Did you say you like this man?”

“Yes.”

Her answer to her grandfather’s question was unwavering.

Tension hung thick between them—thicker than on the fighting stage. Except for Jo-shin and the Master of Jinryong Manor, everyone °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° watched with keen interest.

“So, you might marry this man?”

The mention of marriage made Jin Ha-ryeong flinch.

“But marriage is a serious matter of human relations. We should date longer.”

“After declaring it in front of so many people, what’s there to hesitate? Fine. Since he is the one you want, I will approve the marriage.”

“Grandfather!”

“I will marry you two right here, right now. Isn’t this what you want? You don’t want an arranged marriage; you want to marry the person you like. Fine, your wish is granted!”

Jin Pae-cheon didn’t stop there; he took another step.

“Prepare the marriage immediately.”

At his command, subordinates began preparations for the wedding.

Jin Ha-ryeong’s panic was evident.

She knew her grandfather’s personality was formidable, but she hadn’t expected him to push marriage through on the spot like this.

“I haven’t even greeted his family.”

“Martial artists aren’t bound by formalities. They will understand. Greet them politely later.”

She looked at me in dismay. Even I hadn’t anticipated this turn of events.

“Our future son-in-law, come here and have a drink.”

Son-in-law? Never before in my entire life—even before regression—had I heard such a thing. And to hear it from the Martial Alliance Leader? Father, I’m being called son-in-law by the Martial Alliance Leader while receiving a drink!

I accepted the drink offered by the Leader — my first from him.

“Thank you.”

“Take good care of our granddaughter.”

From his deep, cold gaze, I could tell he had already seen my true nature. First, he intended to resolve the matter of his granddaughter in front of the heroes, then deal with me.

He gave a faint smile — not a smile of pleasure but a warning to be ready.

Meanwhile, wedding preparations proceeded smoothly. Weddings were common among martial artists in the Alliance, so organizing one was no trouble.

Eventually, Jin Ha-ryeong surrendered.

“Enough! I lost. We are not to be married.”

Only then did Jin Pae-cheon smile.

Who dares to be cheeky with this old man?

I accept defeat, grandfather. But I must explain.

After exchanging expressions like these, Jin Ha-ryeong explained the day’s events to everyone.

“Elders, seniors, I apologize for disrupting this precious gathering. There’s a reason for the commotion I caused. Someone jealous wants to kill this man just because he was with me. So I had to create this ruckus to protect him.”

Then someone in attendance clapped and shouted,

“Impressive!”

It was Jo-shin.

“To go to such lengths for that shabby, ugly servant! Truly remarkable!”

When he applauded, others joined in.

I sensed Jo-shin’s anger rising sharply. Good — people make mistakes when their emotions run wild. Let him rampage more.

Jin Ha-ryeong loudly declared to everyone,

“If anyone bothers this man in the future, I will personally take revenge. Bullying the weak is something Grandfather warned us against all his life. Keep that in mind.”

Mentioning the Leader was a smart move.

After finishing, she tugged at my sleeve.

“Let’s go now. Grandfather, I apologize for today. I’ll visit again to apologize properly.”

We bowed politely to the Leader and left with Jin Ha-ryeong.

Walking silently through the Martial Alliance headquarters, she suddenly stopped.

“Sorry for not telling you earlier.”

“It’s alright.”

“You said then that my selfishness would hurt others.”

“You didn’t say it directly.”

“That was what you meant. Yes, my way of handling this was reckless, but I thought this was the only way to protect you.”

Regardless of right or wrong, she truly wanted to protect me.

“Since I said it before your grandfather, no one will dare harm you. If they do, that would be good — I’ll have an excuse to never do an arranged marriage again, saying, ‘See, he’s not a good person after all.’”

“Then I will gladly die for you.”

Jin Ha-ryeong looked at me with slight anger.

“I know you’re joking, but please don’t say things like that. Since I was young, Grandfather has told me repeatedly: Protecting the good from the wicked is what our orthodox sect exists for. I’m not great, but I will never watch someone suffer because of me.”

“That’s admirable.”

“I’m not saying that to be praised.”

“But is it alright? Tomorrow, today’s events will be rumored.”

“Bad rumors won’t spread. Instead, it’ll be said that the Martial Alliance Leader’s granddaughter caused a scene to protect her servant! The Alliance even manages such things. Didn’t know that?”

She stared at me.

“At least until the end of the So-ryong Tournament, no one will be able to touch you. Find a chance to leave — don’t go back home, go far away.”

She took money out of her pocket and handed it to me.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t keep my promise to buy noodles and drinks three times.”

It was more than enough to cover the food and drink. It seemed like money for me to use while escaping.

I saw regret in her eyes. She considered this moment final. Even if I didn’t leave right away, she had no plans to approach me again — to prevent me from falling into danger once more.

“Then be happy.”

Watching her walk away, I looked down at the money in my hand.

Then I looked up at the bright moon.

Father, the martial unification you dreamed of can only be achieved by killing all these people.

Looking up at the night sky, I turned and said,

“I have something to say.”

Before I knew it, Jin Pae-cheon was silently behind me. He must have overheard all the conversation between me and Jin Ha-ryeong.

“You must speak clearly. Every word you say holds your life.”

Jin Pae-cheon’s aura had transformed. He was no longer the man I had seen at the banquet.

His aura was like the ocean. Far away, I heard a deep whale’s cry, and the wind carried the scent of the sea. I felt as if I were floating alone on an endless ocean.

Then—

Thak! Thak! Thak! Thak! Thak! Thak! Thak! Thak!

Dozens of warriors fell from all directions like lightning striking vertically. They wore white masks and white martial robes. They were the elite Heavenly Dragon Guardian Squad, sworn to follow the Leader to hell if needed.

Chaeng!

They drew their swords simultaneously, sounding as if only one sword was drawn. Even by the sound of their sword draw, one could tell how well-trained and skilled they were. Their spirit tightened around me like a spiderweb.

“I want to be alone with the Leader.”

“Do you have a reason why that should be?”

“What I am about to say is something only the Leader must know.”

The Leader did not order them to retreat. Nor would the guards back down easily with such skilled strangers present.

“If I had come here to assassinate the Leader, there would have been other opportunities and methods. I wouldn’t have tried now under such tense circumstances.”

The Leader commanded,

“All of you, withdraw.”

Instantly, they vanished as if flying away. Though gone from sight, I knew they were not gone entirely. Nor could they be made to leave completely.

They were not simply the Leader’s subordinates but his protectors. They would never leave his side, no matter what.

They followed all orders except the one not to protect me.

To kill the Leader, all of them would have to be killed.

I sent a private message to Jin Pae-cheon.

―From now on, I will speak in private messages.

―First, I will reveal my identity.

I disclosed to him,

―I am the second son of the Demonic Cult Leader...

Before I finished,

Puaaang!

A surge of aura shot from Jin Pae-cheon’s hand like lightning, striking me.

Kwaaang!

A roaring explosion erupted around me, dust swirling.

When the dust settled, I stood there. Crossing my hands, I raised my defensive energy to block the strike.

Through the crossed arms, I stared at Jin Pae-cheon and continued.

―...Geom Mugeuk.

Shaaaang!

Kwaaaang!

An even stronger aura struck me.

I stood firm, arms crossed, absorbing it with my defensive energy at its limit, my arms aching as if they might fall off.

―...I am Geom Mugeuk.

By enduring these two surges, I proved my identity through strength.

The tiger-like eyes of the Leader shone brightly. The man who had asked ‘Who is this servant?’ and the fierce aura he now emitted were completely different. I could feel that this burning presence was his true self.

―Why has the son of the Demonic Cult approached my granddaughter?

I lowered my crossed arms and straightened my posture.

―To save your granddaughter.

Jin Pae-cheon’s aura turned fierce. The overwhelming pressure swirling around me felt like my body was tearing apart.

This power alone could shred a person—this was the aura of the Martial Alliance Leader at his peak.

The next surge would be far stronger than the last. If he drew his sword, each strike would be a matter of life or death.

It was just beginning—the battle to convince him.

―Only I can save your granddaughter.

Jin Pae-cheon’s aura shifted from fierce to terrifying. Dark clouds gathered, the world dimmed, and the sea began to churn.