Geom Mugeuk’s arrival shifted the situation into a new phase.

Bisa-in wasn’t surprised—he had expected Geom Mugeuk—but Jinha-gun was taken aback.

“So that’s Geom Mugeuk!”

The warriors who had entered earlier bore shields and demon motifs on their chests—the Cheonma Jeon guards. So the two extraordinary figures who had followed him were definitely Majons.

The thin old man carrying a greatsword larger than his torso was surely Hyeol Cheon Doma, and the steel-like muscular man was undoubtedly Gwon Ma. Especially upon seeing Gwon Ma’s face, Jinha-gun’s heart sank—he had never seen such a terrifying face before.

“The Demon Sect has appeared as well?”

Though startled, Jinha-gun understood. After all, it was the Demon Sect that had tried to swallow Tianhe Sect, so they naturally wouldn’t retreat quietly.

The most shocked was Seobaekjung. Having used the Murim Alliance’s power to rescue his son, the Tianhe Sect’s young lord must be furious. ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) And now, bringing the Majons with him—what did that mean?

Though seasoned, Seobaekjung’s heart shrank at this moment.

“One wrong move and I’m dead.”

If the Satan Alliance’s young lord or the Tianhe Sect’s young lord tried to kill him, would Jinha-gun risk his life to block it? The issue might be publicized later, but that would be after his death.

He had so far walked the tightrope between righteous sects, but now he truly had to tread carefully. That rope was his lifeline.

Meanwhile, Seo Cheong was confused. When Bisa-in arrived, he was full of fear; but now with Geom Mugeuk here, he wondered, “What on earth is happening?”

Their eyes met, and Geom Mugeuk’s expression seemed to say,

I told you I’d see you again soon. Stay right there.

Seo Cheong inwardly bristled.

“Don’t make me laugh!”

Having retreated to the corner, Seo Cheong now stepped forward.

“Still, you won’t be able to do anything to me!”

He had no idea what was really going on. His life had been one of complacency, thinking “It’ll be fine.” in crises.

He felt reassured with all the righteous sects gathered. His instinct said, With this many people, someone will protect me.

He didn’t know all these people had come to consume Tianhe Sect. This time, it simply wouldn’t be allowed.

Geom Mugeuk strode toward Jinha-gun. The Demon Exterminator warriors tensely drew swords. The Cheonma Jeon guards also leveled swords at them. The subordinates were more nervous than their lords.

Geom Mugeuk parted the guards and advanced.

“I am Geom Mugeuk, Little Pill Master of Cheonma Sin Gyo.”

Jinha-gun parted the Demon Exterminator warriors and stepped forward.

“I am Jinha-gun, Demon Exterminator Lord of the Murim Alliance.”

Their eyes locked in the space between a few steps.

A historic moment—the meeting of the confirmed next Cheonma Sin Gyo lord and the strong candidate for Murim Alliance lord!

Jinha-gun was quietly surprised. Geom Mugeuk was different from what he had imagined. Besides being young and handsome, his eyes were clear and deep—no evil aura at all. He suddenly recalled what his sister had said.

—What if he’s a demon knight?

Immediately, Jinha-gun denied his sister’s words. It was a prejudice based on appearance. Never trust appearances.

Geom Mugeuk sensed Jinha-gun resembled Jinha-ryeong. Despite his youth, his eyes held both chivalry and righteous spirit. If he cared for Murim, he would wish for Jinha-gun to become the next leader; if he dreamed of unifying Murim, he would wish he would not.

Between the ranks of Demon Exterminator and guards, a fierce stare-down erupted. Neither side yielded an inch.

Geom Mugeuk said to Jinha-gun,

“Instead of standing like this, shall we sit and discuss territory seriously?”

Jinha-gun turned and walked toward the table, deliberately taking the seat of honor and gesturing for them to sit beside him.

Geom Mugeuk smiled faintly at the gesture. Not bad. Jinha-gun’s first impression was a pass. If it had been someone like Seo Cheong—grandson of the Murim Alliance leader—he would have been disappointed. But Jinha-gun’s eyes and presence were good.

Bisa-in was the first to move, striding forward.

He sat directly opposite Jinha-gun, not in the seat Jinha-gun offered.

Without a word, he stared. A silent contest began between them.

Geom Mugeuk’s smile deepened. Of course, Bisa-in wouldn’t comply so easily.

Though Jinha-gun had lived as the protagonist all his life, here he would realize he might be a supporting role.

Geom Mugeuk sat down at the seat Jinha-gun indicated, naturally positioning himself between Jinha-gun and Bisa-in.

“This world’s most entertaining spectacle is a fight. The battle between righteous and heretic heirs? I’ve got the best seat.”

Despite Geom Mugeuk’s jest, the tension in the room did not ease.

With the three seated close, a hair-trigger standoff ignited.

Demon Exterminator, Satan Thirteen Rangers, and Cheonma Jeon guards lined up behind their lords, glaring at each other. These were elite warriors who would turn the place into a bloodbath if fighting broke out.

Jeok-yeon sent secret messages to the guards.

—Don’t be nervous!

—Whatever happens, protect the Little Pill Master.

—Don’t be afraid.

She soothed them with repeated messages, reminding herself as well. She never imagined she’d have to guard Geom Mugeuk in such a situation. He was undoubtedly the hardest lord to protect in Murim.

Hyeol Cheon Doma, Gwon Ma, Sword Immortal, Goeak, and Gwangseom stood naturally a little apart. The initial tension and that after the Majons arrived were completely different. Though not shown, they were ready to strike at any moment.

Hyeol Cheon Doma and Sword Immortal met eyes.

“Long time no see.”

Hyeol Cheon Doma greeted first, and Sword Immortal replied,

“About ten years?”

“Longer, I think.”

Though Sword Immortal despised heretics and Demon Sect, his gaze toward Hyeol Cheon Doma was not unfriendly. It seemed some bond had existed between them.

“To see you here in such a place.”

Sword Immortal said, and Hyeol Cheon Doma replied,

“Glad to see you in good health.”

“You look thinner.”

Then Goeak stepped forward.

“Acting close though you’re not even friends?”

Hyeol Cheon Doma said to him,

“Still meddling recklessly.”

“You’re still as disrespectful as ever, senior.”

Goeak called Hyeol Cheon Doma “senior.”

“Since you know I haven’t changed, you’d better keep quiet.”

Goeak scoffed but didn’t argue. Regardless of skill, Hyeol Cheon Doma was harder to deal with than Sword Immortal. The “spicy ginger” of Murim was showing why he had been summoned.

Meanwhile, Gwon Ma stood expressionless with his fists lowered, sending a chill through everyone there. Not just his face, but his aura was immense. Gwon Ma’s presence was completely different facing enemies.

Jinha-gun filled a cup and poured wine. He acted like the host in place of Seobaekjung, facing both Demon Sect and Satan Alliance, striving not to be overwhelmed.

“I’ve heard much about the Little Pill Master.”

Jinha-gun especially guarded himself against Geom Mugeuk, a demon who had made Majons his followers and was hailed as the greatest successor in Demon Sect history. He was extremely wary of what tricks he might play.

“What rumors?”

“Most were hard to believe.”

“And now that you see him, what do you think?”

Honestly, Jinha-gun had no clue what kind of person Geom Mugeuk really was.

Instead of answering, he raised his glass. He knew better than anyone that silence was wise when uncertain.

“A toast!”

After the three toasted and drank, it was truly a historic first drinking meeting to be remembered in Murim’s history.

Filling a second glass, Jinha-gun asked,

“You two seem not to be strangers.”

It was clear from Geom Mugeuk and Bisa-in not greeting each other separately.

“Right. We know each other.”

Geom Mugeuk greeted Bisa-in.

“How have you been?”

They didn’t reveal that they had conspired together, but they didn’t pretend to be strangers.

Bisa-in answered curtly,

“I was well until you showed up.”

Though gruff with Jinha-gun watching, he was thankful to Geom Mugeuk. Thanks to him, fifteen small and medium sects in Honam had been absorbed into the Satan Alliance. Still, he had no intention of yielding Tianhe Sect. They would compete fairly.

—I won’t yield.

Bisa-in sent through secret message, and Geom Mugeuk replied,

—I intend to yield.

—How do you lie without changing expression?

—Was it obvious?

Bisa-in turned his head with a look like “I can’t handle this.”

The tense atmosphere between him and Jinha-gun immediately relaxed as Geom Mugeuk and he exchanged messages. If unaware of Geom Mugeuk, one might think him a frivolous fool, but now it was clear: Geom Mugeuk was the hardest opponent among all masters here.

Meanwhile, secret messages passed between Jinha-gun and Seobaekjung. Today’s fate would be decided more by what was unspoken than by spoken words.

—Don’t lose heart.

—I trust only you, lord.

But despite words, Seobaekjung was inwardly uneasy. With the heretics and Demon Sect fully committed, he considered the possibility of switching sides as the situation evolved.

Finally, the moment came.

Geom Mugeuk looked at Seobaekjung beside him.

“Come, Sect Leader Seo, have a drink with us.”

Seobaekjung sat beside Jinha-gun and accepted the drink.

Bisa-in resumed his previous words before Geom Mugeuk’s arrival.

“Sect Leader Seo, will you truly walk the path with the Murim Alliance?”

Seobaekjung still hesitated.

He chose the Murim Alliance because of Baek Cheon-gyeong, the man with the satgat hat and Jinha-gun’s master. It was a relationship hard to betray, but the Satan Alliance heir couldn’t be told, Yes, we betrayed you.

Seobaekjung glanced subtly at Jinha-gun, who gave a look saying, Don’t mind them. Speak confidently.

Watching their reactions, Geom Mugeuk asked Jinha-gun,

“Are you and Sect Leader Seo strangers?”

“Yes.”

He wanted to show Seobaekjung that he was confident in front of Geom Mugeuk and Bisa-in. But Seobaekjung’s answer raised another question.

“How strange. If you are strangers, what made Sect Leader Seo trust you for help?”

Their eyes turned to Seobaekjung.

He should have said something like, I always admired the righteous sects.

But he hadn’t predicted how this would unfold. He chose his words carefully, worried he might have to side with the Demon Sect or heretics. What if Jinha-gun got angry? It didn’t matter—they all wanted Tianhe Sect. Though the balance was precarious, he still held the knife’s handle.

Geom Mugeuk bluntly asked,

“Who was the bridge between you two?”

This was the key point Geom Mugeuk wanted to know—the mastermind behind this event.

Seobaekjung and Jinha-gun gave no answer. They should have denied it, but the sudden question left them speechless.

“There must be someone.”

Geom Mugeuk’s suspicion turned to certainty.

“Someone who knows both Jinha-gun and Seobaekjung connected them.”

They must find that person. Not just because he connected them, but because he had the guts to stand against Cheonma Sin Gyo. Who could it be?

Sensing Seobaekjung faltering, Jinha-gun immediately sent a secret message.

—Sect Leader, you must trust us.

—I do. But as you see, they have no intention of giving up easily.

—Neither will we.

—Give me your assurance.

Seobaekjung demanded from Jinha-gun.

Unable to give up Tianhe Sect, Jinha-gun declared firmly.

“As Tianhe Sect and the Murim Alliance unite, we will protect Tianhe Sect. Threatening Tianhe Sect will be deemed an attack on the Murim Alliance.”

The Demon Exterminator warriors boosted their morale as if in response.

Bisa-in coldly said,

“That’s your opinion. I have yet to hear from Sect Leader Seo.”

The Satan Thirteen Rangers raised their morale as if waiting for his cue.

Bisa-in sent a secret message to Seobaekjung.

—The sects that followed you have all turned. Who will help Tianhe Sect if problems arise in Honam? Do you think the Demon Exterminator Lord will protect you forever here? This is not a threat but reality.

How could Seobaekjung not know this reality?

—Our path is the best one.

Seobaekjung looked at Geom Mugeuk, thinking this might indeed be the wise choice.

Three ropes were stretched: two swayed before him asking to be grabbed, but the other was far away.

Why don’t you offer it to me?

Geom Mugeuk smiled as if reading his mind.

“I’m enjoying this serious drinking party. So don’t say you’ll follow the main sect.”

All eyes turned to Geom Mugeuk. Everyone knew he wouldn’t give up Tianhe Sect so easily. Smiles curled on Hyeol Cheon Doma and Gwon Ma’s lips.

Bisa-in grew uneasy inside.

“No way?”

He had a bad feeling that Seobaekjung would say he’d choose the Demon Sect when leaving. Even if he refused, it would feel like a betrayal.

And so began Geom Mugeuk’s first subtle attempt to turn the situation.

He sent a secret message to Jinha-gun.

—Lord Jin, one question.

Jinha-gun stared at Geom Mugeuk with a look that no trick would work on him. But what came next was beyond imagination.

—Do you want to be Murim Alliance lord?

Jinha-gun was shocked. He had never expected such a question.

Eyes wide open, an even stronger, more unsettling question came flying at him.

—Do you know? You are giving up the Murim Alliance lordship yourself.