“I see the backtalk hasn’t changed, huh?”

I smiled at my father’s words and replied,

“Backtalk? That’s a misunderstanding! Ah, and even if there is any, it would be directed at Cheonma, so how could it be said to your face? Even the Martial Alliance Chief wouldn’t dare do that. Now, please have a seat.”

I was probably the first to notice my father entering the tavern. So I deliberately said it loud enough for him to hear. Not to stay holed up in Cheonma Hall all the time, but to go out and have some fun.

“Master!”

Ian and Cheon Sohui jumped up to greet him, but my father raised his hand to stop them and sat down.

Though he didn’t emit any special aura, the atmosphere in the shabby guesthouse’s second floor completely changed. It had become Cheonma Hall.

“What brings you here?”

“Just passing by.”

That was his usual answer, but could that be true? Did he really come to see me? Or was it to see the Fist Master?

Ian cautiously said,

“Please speak with us. We will leave.”

“No need. I’ll be up and gone shortly.”

“Yes! Then we will quietly stay out of sight.”

Seeing Ian answer spiritedly, my father suddenly said,

“You’ve grown a lot.”

Ian was so surprised she didn’t know what to say. It seemed she hadn’t been that shocked in a long time. Not only her, but I was surprised too. I never thought my father would acknowledge Ian like that.

“Thank you.”

Ian bowed, her voice trembling.

Though just a single word of thanks, it meant a lot to her. Her gaze turned to me, saying with her eyes, Master, did you see? The Master remembered my childhood. Ah! I’m so touched. The Master remembers me.

If this weren’t such a formal occasion, she would have shouted and jumped with joy.

My father’s gaze then shifted to Cheon Sohui.

“I hear you fight best at Dongkwonmun?”

Cheon Sohui was also stunned. To think Cheonma knew about her? Something she never imagined.

“No.”

“Then was I mistaken?”

“Pardon? No!”

She denied it humbly but then again and again. She was so flustered she didn’t know what to do.

I stepped in to help.

“That’s right. Miss Cheon is the best at Dongkwonmun. I consider her a candidate for the next Fist Master.”

Cheon Sohui became even more flustered, making me feel like I was rescuing no one.

“No, no! The next Fist Master? That’s absurd.”

She waved her hands emphatically, denying it strongly.

My father’s eyes turned to the Fist Master, as if asking for his opinion.

The Fist Master silently looked at Cheon Sohui without commenting.

“She’s teasing you. Don’t mind it.”

I didn’t treat it as a joke.

“That was said sincerely. Father, there has never been a female Fist Master in our sect, right? Wouldn’t that be cool?”

I said this on purpose. To see her become a candidate for the next Fist Master in front of Cheonma — wouldn’t that motivate her more than a hundred words telling her to work hard?

My father, understanding my intent, said to Cheon Sohui,

“Improve further.”

“Yes!”

Cheon Sohui wasn’t going to sleep tonight.

After taking care of the two women, my father turned to the Fist Master.

“How have you been?”

“Yes, Master.”

No matter how fierce he looked, how strong his body was, or how big his fists were, in front of Cheonma, my father, he softened like a child.

“The boy has been bothering you?”

“Nowadays I’m the one bothering him.”

“What do you mean?”

“This is a welcome party for newcomers tonight. I’m the newcomer.”

My father looked surprised as if he didn’t know until then, then smiled. This was the point where he always made a smile he never showed his children, but would in front of martial lords.

He said to Ian,

“It must be a hardship to accept such a grand newcomer.”

“It’s okay. Master Fist is…”

Ian hesitated, unsure what to say or how to introduce the Fist Master, especially in front of Cheonma.

I couldn’t miss the perfect chance to tease the flustered Ian.

“Please understand. Ian can’t lie.”

Ian quickly said,

“No, Master Fist is so cool, dignified, gentle, has a great body, and takes good care of us.”

Silence fell.

“Has a great body?”

Neither the Fist Master nor Ian expected Ian to say that, so both looked a bit embarrassed.

“Did I say that?”

“Yeah. That’s the only truth among your lies.”

Ian gave me a fierce look. Stop teasing me! We’re in front of the Master!

My father poured a drink for the Fist Master.

“You must be having a hard time because of your mischievous son.”

The Fist Master politely accepted the drink with a look that said ‘That’s enough.’

They drank.

The two seemed comfortable yet uncomfortable. The Fist Master was clearly wary and uneasy around my father.

Still, if you looked closely, there was some resemblance between them. Both had a brash attitude of “break first, ask later” despite their true personalities. Both had a somewhat lonely aura.

“First time joining a group like this?”

“First time.”

“How do you like it?”

Was my father here because he was curious about the Fist Master joining?

“I like feeling younger when I hang out with young friends.”

“Are you old enough to say that? It feels like just yesterday I fought for three days and nights against righteous sects at Mount Wutaishan.”

“You still remember that?”

“You were really impressive then.”

“I haven’t been able to outshine that memory with anything cooler.”

My father and the Fist Master.

I thought the atmosphere would stiffen and conversation would be scarce, but surprisingly they talked well.

My father seemed friendlier and more relaxed than when he dealt with other martial lords.

Blood Heaven Butcher said my father’s favorite among martial lords was the Fist Master. I began to think it might be true.

On the other hand, the Fist Master answered only questions, seeming awkward around my father. Perhaps that was why their relationship worked — problems arise when both become too comfortable.

After a few rounds of drinking, Ian seized the moment to say to my father,

“If I have the chance to meet you directly, I want to thank you. Thank you for the last time.”

Ian stood and bowed deeply. We knew what she was thankful for — the permission to teach the Flying Sword Technique.

My father calmly said,

“Great martial arts come with great fate.”

Though not just because of the Flying Sword Technique, she was walking a new path of destiny.

“I will do my best to live up to the great grace you bestowed.”

I hoped this moment meant even more to Ian.

“In that spirit, teach Ian a technique.”

My father’s eyes narrowed slightly at my words.

“Now?”

“When else would we have such an occasion?”

Ian tried to refuse, but I raised my hand to stop her.

“To you it’s just a drinking party, but it could change Ian’s life.”

Then I sent a silent message:

—She has already reached the Gu level at that age. You know how much effort that takes. That child has grown that well, hasn’t she?

Did my father take the hint?

He stood and said to Ian,

“Come with me for a moment.”

He took Ian out.

As they left, Ian looked at me, as if asking, Will I die like this?

I waved ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) goodbye. She wouldn’t die, but it would be a life-changing experience.

Of course, I would guide her to Daeseong, but being taught by my father was a different kind of great help.

I apologized to the Fist Master.

“Sorry to spoil the mood.”

“Being with you means unexpected things always happen.”

“That’s why everyone likes me.”

The Fist Master quietly emptied his cup, then said,

“I told that girl earlier: The greater the trust, the greater the wound. False trust brings misfortune. Now I realize I didn’t say that to you.”

He meant: When you care for others but get betrayed, what will you do?

“Though it may seem I trust everyone blindly, I don’t. I have my own standards. I trust some people so much, others less. Trust everyone or trust no one — I think that’s easier. So I want to take the harder path, wrestling with trust and doubt. How much should I trust the Fist Master? How can I make him trust me more? I want to keep struggling with that.”

For the first time, I revealed my true self to the Fist Master.

“So? Do you think you’ll bring them all with you?”

“Eventually, there will be a time when no one boards my ship. When I’m too tired or my ship is too small.”

“Why do you want to take them all? Even now, with martial arts, you live freely enough.”

“I feel the dam is about to burst.”

“!”

After a pause, the Fist Master asked,

“If the dam bursts and floods, only those on your ship survive?”

“No. Maybe the opposite.”

“The opposite?”

“My ship will leave to stop the dam from bursting. Because you’re on my ship, you might die.”

I said to Cheon Sohui, who was listening,

“So you don’t have to get on my ship.”

Her eyes said, But I think I’m already on it.

Of course, this time she spoke for her head, not her heart.

“I have no intention to get off. I’m on the ship the Fist Master sails. Actually, I’m already on it.”

“Junior sister!”

“What do you mean junior sister? Why do you call me that, Sir?”

She firmly drew the line before the Fist Master.

“Yes, Miss Cheon. Please succeed.”

After saying this, I laughed first. Cheon Sohui wanted to laugh too but dared not in front of the Fist Master.

Then the Fist Master calmly asked,

“Will you put me on that ship too?”

There was a moment of silence. Cheon Sohui looked more nervous than the Fist Master, waiting for my answer.

“I’m not sure yet. Honestly, I haven’t properly seen you yet. All I’ve seen is your fist. Right now, I only want to make these baby hands into fists like yours.”

The Fist Master quietly drank after hearing me. I drank too, and Cheon Sohui cautiously followed.

Fist Master, you can board my ship. If you don’t like it, you can put me on yours. But someday I will carry all your ships on mine. I’m doing all this hoping my ship will become that big.

Soon after, my father and Ian came back.

Ian was excited. Whatever teaching she received was likely a rare opportunity.

“How was it? Did the welcome go well?”

Ian nodded.

“What about you? Will you join this group, Father?”

Everyone was startled by my question. Cheon Sohui barely covered her screaming mouth with her hands.

I expected my father to say, Do you think I have that kind of free time? But instead, he showed an unexpected reaction.

“If I join, will there be any benefits?”

“You must. It’s not just anyone — Cheonma is joining. There are special benefits.”

“What benefits?”

“First, whenever you want, the four of us will have fun with you.”

Then the Fist Master suddenly said,

“The four of us?”

“You’d like that, wouldn’t you? Having fun with the Master.”

The Fist Master’s expression flared and he gave me a look full of curses.

I pretended not to see and turned away. My father asked again,

“What’s the second benefit?”

“If you teach us martial arts, we’ll take it anytime.”

“That’s not my benefit but yours.”

“Nowadays young people often treat elders’ teachings like nagging and ignore them. They hardly get to show off anywhere. So we won’t miss a single word and will listen carefully. Feel free to tell old stories too!”

“I mean, everyone listens well regardless of age or gender.”

Ian and Cheon Sohui bit their lips, holding back laughter with the awareness that falling for this joke would be trouble.

“That’s not all. We’ll travel with you. Then there’ll be no Cheonma Hall, no General Sama, no Grandmaster Tae.”

“Anything else?”

“You’re quite greedy. What else do you want?”

My father said,

“When I want, we’ll play baduk, go hunting.”

Hearing that, my heart clenched. That was not for him but a benefit for me.

“Will you still refuse such generous benefits?”

My father emptied his glass and stood.

“That’s enough for today.”

Just as suddenly as he came, he left abruptly.

He said farewell to the Fist Master.

“See you daily again.”

“I’ll come visit you.”

We all stood and politely bowed to him.

“Since you came, buy us a drink before you go!”

He actually did buy drinks before leaving. The excited Jo Chunbae kept the money given by my father separately.

“A precious drink from Cheonma.”

Ian and Cheon Sohui held their drinks carefully and drank.

After downing another cup, the Fist Master asked me,

“Do you know why the Master came here today?”