A heavy silence settled.

Calling it his “last request” was Geukak Soma’s strongest move.

Blood Heaven Butcher had never expected Soma to come out like this. There was no room to ease the tension with a joke.

Kwonma clenched his fist involuntarily, his pounding heart making it impossible to hold back. He felt as if he was standing alongside Soma on that battlefield.

Geom Woojin stared silently at Geukak Soma.

The surrounding air had grown cold. Under Geom Woojin’s grave presence, as heavy as Mount Tai, Geukak Soma felt suffocated, as if he were choking. His entire body ached as if being torn apart. It felt like sharp blades were falling through holes densely punctured all around the walls.

Feeling the pain, Geukak Soma closed his eyes. He sensed an illusion of standing in the very center of the battlefield. Blood flowed like a stream, and shouts echoed from all sides. Flames soared, and secret techniques flew wildly. Right in the middle of that battlefield stood Geukak Soma.

And the person standing before him was not Geom Woojin, but Geom Mugeuk. Wearing his mask atop his head, he was speaking to Soma silently. Though no sound came, Soma understood from the movements of his lips:

“I want to see more of your world, Soma-nim.”

At the moment Geom Mugeuk smiled brightly and lowered his mask, Geukak Soma returned to reality.

Where Geom Mugeuk had stood, Geom Woojin was now present.

Their eyes met, and simultaneously the immense pressure weighing down on Soma began to slowly fade.

Geom Woojin spoke sternly.

“I can tolerate your back wearing the Immortal Fireghost Mask, but don’t look at me wearing that mask.”

The Immortal Fireghost Mask was worn when going to war — a solemn warning from Cheonma never to point the blade at oneself, no matter what.

Geukak Soma bowed his head.

“Please forgive me, Sect Leader.”

Though the warning was stern, Geom Woojin’s expression showed no displeasure. His face already bore forgiveness, granting Soma leeway this one time.

Blood Heaven Butcher and Kwonma sensed it as well. If anything, this event had caused Geom Woojin to develop a liking for Geukak Soma. He felt pleased by that man’s spirit. The people Cheonma favors are exactly those kinds of people.

To prove it, Geom Woojin added one more sentence.

“If you come asking again, why call it the last request?”

“I will endure even if I have more requests.”

Geukak Soma had given up on any further chances.

“I’ll accept only the first request.”

That was Geom Woojin’s way of saying he would listen again next time. Though it might seem rude, Geom Woojin embraced Geukak Soma with great magnanimity.

Geukak Soma bowed with a grateful look.

“Thank you.”

He then turned around, removed the Immortal Fireghost Mask, and put back on his original white mask.

Blood Heaven Butcher felt that the blank white mask, without any design, was scarier than the Immortal Fireghost Mask adorned with the image of a malevolent spirit.

At that moment, another pair appeared. Surprisingly, they were Great Drunken Demon and Ilhwa Sword Immortal.

Great Drunken Demon was heavily drunk.

“Sect Leader, we pay our respects.”

Drunken Demon and Sword Immortal stood side by side and greeted the Sect Leader.

“I should have come sober, but I couldn’t face you sober, so I had a drink. Please forgive me.”

Drunken Demon immediately took care of Sword Immortal.

“Ah, Sword Immortal didn’t want to come, but I forced her.”

This was Drunken Demon’s friendship — showing consideration so as not to burden Cheonma, while also ensuring he wasn’t left alone as the only one not helping Geom Mugeuk. There was definitely a difference between coming and not coming.

Though Ilhwa Sword Immortal followed reluctantly, she was troubled inside. Her head told her not to come at all! But her heart wondered if it was okay for only her to stay out.

Cheonma was always difficult and worthy of respect in her eyes. But now, the ones standing before her were the three Ma Jons who had come first.

“Why did they all accept Geom Mugeuk’s request? Weren’t they afraid of the Sect Leader’s forbidding orders?”

Feeling a bit hurt by unknown relationships, she also wondered if she was too selfish. Even now, she didn’t quite understand why Drunken Demon was so troubled.

Geom Woojin asked Drunken Demon,

“Did you come because of Mugeuk?”

Drunken Demon had told Geom Mugeuk that the Sect Leader disliked him, but Geom Woojin gave no sign of that.

Trying to excuse his late arrival, Drunken Demon said,

“I refused Lee Gongja’s request to persuade the Sect Leader.”

“Then why did you come?”

“I came because I was ashamed. I begged to be brothers, but when it came time to help, I stepped back. I was ashamed.”

Drunken Demon’s voice trembled. Normally talkative and joking, it was clear how nervous he was now.

Geom Woojin did not ask Drunken Demon why he had fallen for Geom Mugeuk. Did he really dislike him?

That question was asked instead by Blood Heaven Butcher.

“How did you end up falling for Lee Gongja? We’ve all told our stories, so now it’s your turn.”

Drunken Demon glanced at Geom Woojin and answered cautiously.

“Lee Gongja makes me drunk. When I see him, I think of alcohol. Drinking together is fun, and when he’s gone, I drink again missing him. I’ve had many like this in my life, but Lee Gongja is different.”

“What is that difference?”

“He makes me drunk, but also keeps waking me up from that drunkenness. Like standing before the Sect Leader now — drunk, then sober, drunk again. He’s the only one who does both simultaneously.”

The Ma Jons quietly listened, recalling their own Geom Mugeuk.

Then Geom Woojin suddenly asked,

“If he’s so special, why did you refuse Mugeuk’s request?”

“Sorry, but may I answer after one drink?”

It was a rude request, but one Geom Woojin allowed.

Nodding, Geom Woojin watched as Drunken Demon downed the liquor from his waist. His eyes brightened as the alcohol took effect.

Looking intently at Geom Woojin, Drunken Demon said,

“It’s because of you, Sect Leader.”

Tension began to rise again.

“Because of me?”

“Yes. Because of you, I became the useless older brother who couldn’t look after his younger sibling.”

“Why because of me?”

“Because I hoped you wouldn’t hate me more.”

Drunken Demon thought this was the only day he could say this forever. He had wanted to tell the Sect Leader once: Why do you hate me like this? Please don’t hate me so much.

“Did you think I hated you?”

“Didn’t you?”

The atmosphere tightened further.

A telepathic shout from Ilhwa Sword Immortal came quickly to Drunken Demon:

—Are you crazy? Stop it!

Drunken Demon glanced at her.

—If you don’t say it now, you’ll regret it when you die.

Drunken Demon took out more liquor and drank it. Then he revealed a story he had never told anyone.

“I tried to look good in front of the Sect Leader! But he never gave me a break!”

He never expected to say this among the other Ma Jons, but emotions always burst out in moments like this. Or maybe it was because he hoped someone would listen.

Geom Woojin said nothing.

“Shut up, you drunkard!”

The shout came from Ilhwa Sword Immortal. Just as Drunken Demon cared for her, she now cared for him.

“You drunkard! Why did you come here? Just to complain? You said you’d step up for your younger sibling, even if you got kicked out by the Sect Leader? You said I should be here too, so I’d have something to say to Lee Gongja later? But what are you doing? Why complain drunkenly instead of saying what you want? How dare you in front of anyone!”

She normally wasn’t one to get angry like this or talk so much. But she was deliberately more angry now, hoping to release Geom Woojin’s anger.

Ignoring or maybe unaware of her feelings, Drunken Demon shouted back,

“I forgot everything when I saw the Sect Leader’s face! What now!”

“Don’t pretend to be drunk! You’re not drunk enough yet!”

Drunken Demon flinched.

“You drunkard! Even I would hate you. Babbling while drunk. Why hate? Because you act hateful.”

“Fine, you’re so great! Our noble Sword Immortal! So great! I’m already marked anyway, so it’s okay, really!”

At that moment, Geom Woojin suddenly said,

“I don’t hate you.”

Silence fell. Everyone’s gaze turned to Geom Woojin.

“You hated your master.”

Drunken Demon was startled. He had never heard that before. Even his master had never said it.

Geom Woojin said no more. He did not scold Drunken Demon’s rudeness or apologize for misunderstandings. Nor did he explain why he was hated.

Drunken Demon looked at Geom Woojin and asked,

“Did you really not have even a trace of hatred for me?”

“None at all.”

A corner of the wall blocking Drunken Demon’s heart collapsed with a crash. Through the broken wall came a ray of light.

“If I had known, I would have drunk like this earlier.”

As if no drunkenness had been shown before, Drunken Demon now spoke calmly and seriously.

“Not knowing this reason... whenever I met the Sect Leader, I drank heavily that day. Why did he look at me so coldly? Did I make some mistake? I couldn’t sleep thinking all sorts of things.”

Now he could finally meet Geom Woojin’s gaze. Since he thought Cheonma hated him, he never dared to look properly.

“I’m sorry to the Sect Leader, but today’s drunken rant will remain the greatest drunken rant of my life.”

Geom Woojin asked,

“So? Will you also ask Mugeuk for help?”

Drunken Demon answered firmly,

“No. I will not ask.”

Geom Woojin looked around at the five Ma Jons.

Since becoming Cheonma, it was the first time five Ma Jons had come for one person.

“That guy is rewriting the history of the main sect.”

Geom Woojin spoke to the empty air.

“Bring Mugeuk here.”

When I arrived, Father and the five Ma Jons stood in a line, looking at me.

I expected each to try persuading Father separately, but they were all together. And even Drunken Demon and Ilhwa Sword Immortal, who had previously refused, were present.

“Son, we came at your call.”

Luckily, Father’s expression wasn’t bad. I made eye contact with each of the five Ma Jons.

Blood Heaven Butcher gave a slight nod as if signaling the situation was fine.

Kwonma clenched his fist noticeably just for me, signaling that the mood was right.

Geukak Soma smiled. From the relief in his eyes, I knew he had been through a big ordeal.

Drunken Demon looked at Father. I could feel another change in his life. Standing beside him, Ilhwa Sword Immortal smiled at me.

“My five favorites are all here!”

Drunken Demon still looked at Father and said in a drunken voice,

“Why leave out the Sect Leader? There are six.”

“I left out the elder brother.”

“...Ah.”

Drunken Demon drank. Seeing him openly drinking in front of Father, it was clear the situation had gotten truly chaotic. Later, Blood Heaven Butcher or Drunken Demon would tell me about today.

I stood before Father. I was nervous inside, wondering how it would turn out.

Then.

Geukak Soma slowly walked over and stood beside me. Just that one act told me what kind of day he’d had.

His eyes behind the mask looked at me with a smile.

“I have done all I could.”

“Thank you so much, Soma-nim.”

We exchanged feelings with our eyes.

Next, Blood Heaven Butcher sighed and stood beside me.

“I don’t know what this chaos is at this late hour.”

“I apologize.”

Next to move was Kwonma.

“He’s the first disciple, so it can’t be helped.”

Three Ma Jons stood beside me.

Their eyes filled with apology directed at Father. They weren’t opposing him; they were showing they intended to protect me.

Then Drunken Demon, who had been looking at Father, walked toward me.

“Seeing Mugeuk like this, I just can’t stand it. I have to help too. Did you ever dislike your master for wavering this way or that?”

To Drunken Demon’s question, Geom Woojin answered,

“On the contrary. When drunk, he never gave up his stubbornness.”

“That’s really fortunate. I’m probably the first among the Five Ma Jons to be easily swayed.”

“Isn’t that a problem?”

“Then tell the next Drunken Demon. Your master was too easily swayed and you hated that.”

In front of Cheonma, Drunken Demon finally felt at ease. The only one allowed to get drunk in front of Cheonma — building great trust like that. The path Drunken Demon must take in his relationship with Father.

And I sensed this change would transform Drunken Demon himself.

This time, Drunken Demon smiled at me.

“Wait until this useless brother of yours becomes cool.”

He spoke sincerely.

“If you promise you’ll be less cool than me.”

Drunken Demon handed me a bottle. Promises with Drunken Demon are made over drinks. After I drank, I passed the bottle back. He drank again.

After drinking, Drunken Demon walked over to Ilhwa Sword Immortal.

He took her hand and led her toward us.

“I believe the Sect Leader’s decision is correct.”

“I know. Still, today’s place to stand is here.”

It was enough that she had conveyed her will to the Sect Leader.

Even amidst all this, Drunken Demon seated her beside Blood Heaven Butcher and returned to his place.

Now five Ma Jons stood by my sides. When we attacked the Evil Song Sect there had been four; now Kwonma had joined to make five.

Father silently looked at me and the Ma Jons. His expression was neither displeased nor pleased. After all, this was something he had never experienced.

A mocking smile appeared at the corner of Father’s lips. Yes, that laugh fit the situation ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) perfectly.

“Good. Originally, I would have required all eight Ma Jons to be here to grant permission, but today, Geukak has done the work of three.”

Three Ma Jons worth of Geukak made seven total.

“If you bring just one more before me, I will grant permission.”

“Who?”

A name slipped from Father’s mouth. The one Ma Jon I had not met once since regression — the final Ma Jon.

“The Poison King.”