Jo Ibaek reached the summit of the highest mountain near the Martial Alliance headquarters, where the Martial Alliance Leader stood with his hands behind his back at the cliff’s edge.

“Leader.”

“Lord Jo, you have come? Please, come here.”

Jo Ibaek stood beside the Martial Alliance Leader. The view was as magnificent as the height.

“The scenery is truly beautiful.”

“That’s why I come here often.”

“Being able to enjoy this beauty is thanks to you, Leader. Because you firmly support the martial world, the demonic cult can’t run rampant, right?”

“I appreciate your kind words.”

When the Martial Alliance Leader called for this meeting, Jo Ibaek had secretly hoped to discuss the marriage arrangement. Furthermore, meeting on the mountaintop instead of the Alliance headquarters suggested a private, candid conversation between parents without onlookers.

“Lord Jo.”

“Yes, Leader.”

“How long have we known each other?”

“Almost thirty years, I believe.”

“Time flies indeed. It’s been that long already.”

They stood silently, reflecting on the years past.

“Is there a particular reason you summoned me today?”

“To speak about your son’s matters.”

As expected, Jo Ibaek’s expression brightened, thinking it was about the marriage. He had promised a substantial financial support to the Martial Alliance, yet the response had been lukewarm, making him wonder if things were going poorly.

Jin Paecheon slowly turned his gaze toward Jo Ibaek.

“Have you heard of the Cheonmyeonghoe?”

Though the question struck like a dagger to the heart, Jo Ibaek calmly replied,

“This is the first I’ve heard of it.”

He even calmly asked what kind of place it was.

“It’s a mysterious sect known to be involved in many sinister activities.”

“There are all sorts of trash in the martial world.”

“Lord Jo.”

“Yes, Leader.”

“It seems your son is involved with that trash.”

Though cautious in words, Jin Paecheon’s gaze was sharp enough to pierce through Jo Ibaek.

“What do you mean by that?”

“Lord Jo has been recruited by the Cheonmyeonghoe.”

Jo Ibaek was taken aback. It was so natural one couldn’t tell if he was truly shocked or just pretending.

“Your son Josin was recruited by the Cheonmyeonghoe and attempted to kidnap my granddaughter.”

As the shock deepened, Jo Ibaek’s voice rose.

“That’s nonsense. The marriage is underway; why would he do such a thing unless he’s crazy? There must be some misunderstanding.”

“I hope so too, but there is clear evidence.”

“What evidence?”

“A confession from one who received Lord Jo’s orders.”

“That confession might be a trap to ensnare my son.”

Jin Paecheon silently clasped his hands behind his back and stared at the jagged rocky peak afar. Their hearts were sharper toward each other than that sheer mountain.

“Leader, please let me meet my son. I want to hear what truly happened.”

“That cannot be, by alliance rules.”

“Think of our long relationship; you can’t refuse me.”

“Indeed. Thinking of our past, I cannot.”

Jin Paecheon’s cold, severe gaze pierced Jo Ibaek.

“I know you belong to the Cheonmyeonghoe.”

“!”

“Do not think to deny it.”

Jin Paecheon released his qi. An icy wave engulfed Jo Ibaek. A fierce tempest of the boundless sea crashed upon him, filled with emotion—willing to kill, desiring to kill.

Jo Ibaek gritted his teeth, struggling against the pressure, his body teetering as if about to be pushed off the cliff.

Slowly, the storm that seemed about to tear him apart subsided. Jo Ibaek found footing on a small island in the vast ocean.

“I do not wish to end ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ our long bond like this. Only I and one of my subordinates know of this matter.”

As Geommuguk said, Jin Paecheon was granting Jo Ibaek some breathing room.

He had not pressed whether Jo Ibaek was part of the Cheonmyeonghoe’s leadership, only called him a member—an implication that with cooperation, the matter could be resolved quietly.

Jo Ibaek knelt before the leader.

“There were unavoidable circumstances.”

“I understand. When one leads many, one sometimes must walk unwanted paths.”

“I don’t know what to say to your vast mercy, Leader. I am sorry.”

Tears streamed down his face—so genuine it was hard to imagine they were anything but sincere.

Jin Paecheon looked down upon him with bitterness. Despite knowing him for thirty years, he had chosen the path of betrayal. Was it the other’s fault? Or his own fault for making departure inevitable?

“Only hand over the Cheonmyeonghoe leader, and all past events will be forgiven.”

Though unspoken, it was a promise of forgiveness. Jo Ibaek breathed freely, saved by that mercy.

“That one secretly recruited even my son. That alone I can never forgive. I will meet the Cheonmyeonghoe leader tomorrow; bring my son to that meeting.”

“Tomorrow?”

“The Cheonmyeonghoe leader is not far from here.”

The leader was close enough to arrive within a day. Truly, darkness lies beneath the lamp.

“You have made a wise decision.”

“I will arrange the meeting and contact you. Once again, thank you for your grace, Leader.”

He bowed and turned away.

As he walked, his expression stiffened. No warmth or coldness, no emotion that could reveal his true heart. But he was certainly not the man who had knelt weeping moments ago.

After he disappeared, Geommuguk appeared.

“Is it safe to let him go without surveillance?”

“It will be fine.”

Geommuguk wanted to let him loose, hoping he would do everything he could—so that the matter could be resolved once and for all.

“We must consider the possibility of betrayal. Asking to bring the son tomorrow means exchanging the Cheonmyeonghoe leader for him. It implies a lack of complete trust in the Leader.”

“You suspect my mind may change after catching the Cheonmyeonghoe leader?”

“That would be fortunate. It’s just as likely they will conspire with the Cheonmyeonghoe leader and lay a trap. For now, it’s fifty-fifty. Leave the rest to me.”

Whether Jo Ibaek betrays or not, it was a dangerous situation—capturing an unknown Cheonmyeonghoe leader.

“Do you really plan to handle this alone?”

“If they have ill intentions, it will be dangerous. This is not a matter for a noble to handle alone.”

“Are you not in danger?”

“This has always been my duty.”

Jin Paecheon gazed at Geommuguk for a moment. Remarkably, he thought how good it would be if Geommuguk were an orthodox martial artist.

“Do not be too saddened by Jo Ibaek’s betrayal. He was originally an evil man, merely hiding it while by the Leader’s side. This side was good, and that side was evil.”

He even tried to console himself. Jin Paecheon wanted to have a drink with Geommuguk.

“Will you join me for a drink?”

Geommuguk, about to leave after a good meeting with the Leader, could not refuse a drink with him alone.

“Let’s drink here. I’ll get it.”

“I’ll wait.”

“Do you have a preferred drink?”

“Bring me a strong liquor.”

Geommuguk disappeared instantly.

Shortly after, Jin Paecheon was surprised to see Geommuguk return with a bottle. No matter how good the lightness skill, it shouldn’t be possible to fetch and return so quickly.

“Did you bury the liquor on the mountain?”

“It was a rare drink. My body was excited, so my steps were a bit quicker.”

Earlier, returning from Dongho, he didn’t chase the Leader with lightness skill to avoid wounding his pride, but today he hadn’t come late on purpose.

“I also brought a fine cup.”

He poured the drink.

Just then, someone appeared—the first time the warrior who had always secretly stayed near Geommuguk revealed himself.

“I’ll check the liquor for poison.”

He was a round-faced man with a gentle impression, contrary to the sharp, angular type expected.

I could tell this was the person the Martial Alliance Leader trusted most. If the father had his clan, the Leader had this man.

This loyal subordinate had stayed nearby, knowing I wouldn’t poison the drink, yet never let his guard down for the Leader’s safety.

After confirming no poison, he vanished again.

“Say goodbye before you go.”

Jin Paecheon smiled faintly at my half-joking, half-regretful remark.

“He’s a rigid man; you’ll understand.”

“I know well. My favorite person was once my guard.”

“Why no longer your guard?”

“He forced me to stop following his life and live my own.”

Geommuguk’s words stirred a strange feeling in Jin Paecheon—his personality was unlike a demon’s, inspiring both desire and a strange fear. What if this person becomes the Heavenly Demon? That was the start of his fear.

After filling their cups, they toasted and drank.

“Do you like mild liquor?”

“I don’t drink often. And you?”

“Sometimes.”

Drinking after a long time made me think of the Drunken Demon. Is he still swimming drunk in that lake?

Though on the eve of a decisive battle, the drinking with the Leader was calm and peaceful.

Both knew that life-changing events aren’t prepared suddenly, but come from a lifetime’s worth of living.

“How is your father?”

The Leader asked about the Heavenly Demon.

“He’s well.”

“Seeing you, I miss the swordmaster. It’s been a long time.”

“I will convey your words when I return. Father will be pleased.”

“No way. Your father would want to kill me.”

“How about you, Leader?”

“I was the same until now…”

After a pause, Jin Paecheon spoke honestly.

“My feelings changed after seeing you.”

He thought that when the Heavenly Demon dies, Geommuguk would become the Heavenly Demon. Maybe this was better for the orthodox world. Surprisingly, he was having such thoughts about this young man.

“How is your relationship with your father?”

“We were distant but recently improved.”

“That’s good.”

“Playing Go with him helped. He learned from the head general of the main sect and always wins against me. Meanwhile, my generals don’t know how to play.”

“Generals don’t know how to play Go?”

“Exactly! Same reaction. I’ll be sure to tell my generals. The Martial Alliance Leader had the same reaction!”

The Leader laughed at Geommuguk’s joke.

“I also went hunting with my father in the mountains. We even drank at the guesthouse. Do you know how the innkeeper reacted when my father came?”

Geommuguk deliberately told stories of his time with his father, keeping it lighthearted. Jin Paecheon smiled listening.

I knew the sadness behind the Leader’s smile. He was a father who lost a son. I could only guess how he felt, but I knew he was thinking of his son.

And as always, Geommuguk believed one must not bury emotional wounds.

“Do you miss your son?”

The Leader flinched. His expression changed rapidly—anger, confusion, sorrow, longing—all emotions flashing in moments.

“Sometimes.”

Jin Paecheon said no more and drank. Geommuguk did the same.

Had he ever been asked such a question after losing his son? Probably not. Who could dare ask the Martial Alliance Leader?

“Tomorrow we will go together.”

“No, I will go alone.”

“I know you are a master unmatched, but it’s dangerous to go alone.”

“If we use Martial Alliance masters, some may be linked to Cheonmyeonghoe. If secrets leak and the Cheonmyeonghoe leader escapes, we’ll never find him again.”

“Then go with me, just the two of us.”

I knew Jin Paecheon meant it sincerely. I admired that sincerely. What Martial Alliance Leader would say he’d go with the bloodline of the demonic cult leader to a place full of mortal danger?

As long as Jin Paecheon remained, orthodox martial arts would endure.

“The Leader has other duties.”

“What duties?”

“To prepare for the betrayal of Jin Ryongjang. He faces a crisis where all he’s worked for may be lost. You said you would forgive him, but would he believe that? If not, he will use every means.”

“For example?”

“They used the marriage to manipulate Jin Sojeo, so we used Josin. We used him more aggressively than they did. How will they respond?”

Jin Paecheon’s expression hardened at the thought.

“While you and I move together, they may target Jin Sojeo. Since they used a child, they’ll want her to suffer too. This life-threatening choice means a powerful master will be sent. You must be there. Protect your family.”

Looking at Jin Paecheon’s worried eyes, I raised my cup.

“Trust the demonic path once. No matter how wicked the evil, it won’t work on us.”

Jin Paecheon drank with me.

We shared only one bottle briefly, but it was the best and most memorable drinking session I’d ever had.

Setting down the last glass, I bowed politely.

“I’ll say farewell early today. Please take care until we meet again.”