“Was the reunion too soon?”

Jin Ha-ryeong greeted warmly, standing at the door.

Water dripped from Ian’s hair. Having just finished martial arts training, Ian had washed and changed into simple clothes.

“The sooner the reunion with a welcome person, the better, right? Please, come in.”

Jin Ha-ryeong smiled as she stepped inside. Some people can brighten others’ moods with just a word. Probably that was why Ian came to see her.

As she sat down, she noticed a bottle of liquor placed on the table.

“Planning to have a drink?”

“Oh, I found some liquor here.”

It seemed to be liquor kept for guests visiting the An household.

“Could you pour me a glass too?”

“Of course. Wait a moment. I didn’t prepare any snacks since it’s just a casual drink.”

“That’s fine. Let’s just drink.”

“Are you sure?”

“You don’t think that because I’m the granddaughter of the Alliance Leader, I need a feast to drink, do you?”

Ian smiled and shook his head.

After pouring each other a drink, they toasted.

“Did something good happen today?”

“Why do you ask?”

“Both the liquor and the bright look on your warrior’s face.”

Good things? Of course, there were. He had finally received martial arts guidance from Geom Mugeuk after a long time, and even better than that was what Geom Mugeuk had said.

―Then why did you bring her?

―Why? It was just an excuse to go out and hang out with you after a long time.

To the one who taught martial arts only inherited by the bloodline of Cheonma, who always said your happiness comes first, and who said such words — how could he not be loyal?

Ian didn’t answer, but Jin Ha-ryeong could feel it. This good mood of his was connected to Geom Mugeuk.

Ian naturally changed the subject.

“Aren’t you tired? Living as the granddaughter of the Martial Alliance Leader?”

“This warrior asks in reverse.”

“Huh?”

“Everyone asks me how great it is to be the granddaughter of the Martial # Nоvеlight # Alliance Leader.”

“Maybe I’m negative.”

“I’ve never seen a negative person call themselves negative.”

After emptying her cup, Jin Ha-ryeong spoke to Ian.

“It’s hard. More than I thought.”

“I figured so.”

“Isn’t it hard for you too? Serving someone not easy to serve.”

Despite the question, Jin Ha-ryeong felt envious of the woman who had long been with Geom Mugeuk.

“It’s not hard. When I’m with him, things happen that would never occur in a lifetime. Sometimes I even drink with the granddaughter of the Martial Alliance Leader.”

Ian’s joking words earned wholehearted agreement from Jin Ha-ryeong.

“That’s right, the world is truly unpredictable.”

The relationship with Geom Mugeuk, this very moment.

They talked about various things: life in the Martial Alliance and life in the Demon Sect, each other’s experiences they had never faced before, exchanging them with every emptied cup.

Sometimes a subtle tension arose, then they spoke of Geom Mugeuk again. They talked about martial arts, then about Geom Mugeuk again.

Jin Ha-ryeong honestly hoped to find flaws in Ian. But the more they talked, the more she thought, this woman is okay.

When the bottle was empty, Jin Ha-ryeong stood up. She didn’t ask to drink more. Instead, she made a surprising proposal to Ian.

“This warrior, shall we be friends?”

“So impulsive? We’ve only met twice now.”

“So what? The martial world is a place where people kill strangers on sight.”

It was the first time Jin Ha-ryeong had ever said “let’s be friends” to anyone.

Many lined up to be her friend. But she never told any of them to be friends. Yet to Ian, whom she had met only twice, she offered friendship first. Jin Ha-ryeong thought she didn’t even fully understand herself, just like the unpredictable world.

“Are you really okay with being friends with a demon?”

“I’m fine. What about you, warrior?”

Ian looked silently at Jin Ha-ryeong for a moment, then smiled brightly.

“To gain a cool friend like you, how could I refuse?”

Jin Ha-ryeong’s regret for saying that instantly vanished.

Jin Ha-gun sought his master again.

Crunch, crunch.

“Have you found a way?”

His master kept asking for a way. Jin Ha-gun now knew. The master didn’t want to hear a way, but wanted to pressure him — to control him. The quickest, surest way to tie someone down was to intimidate them.

“No. I came today for a different reason.”

With a somewhat resolute reply, Baek Cheon-gyeong stopped carving wood. When he looked up, Jin Ha-gun honestly revealed his heart.

“I know you’ve been very disappointed in me lately. I made excuses to you, but deep inside I’m reflecting deeply.”

Baek Cheon-gyeong’s expression remained largely unchanged.

“I have a favor to ask, master.”

A slight doubt flashed in Baek Cheon-gyeong’s eyes. It seemed unlikely in the current mood that he would ask for anything. In other words, it was an important request.

“Speak.”

“At the previous Sorongjeon, there was a connection between the Demon Sect’s Little Pill Master Geom Mugeuk and Ha-ryeong.”

Jin Ha-gun sighed lightly and added,

“It seems Ha-ryeong had feelings for him then.”

Baek Cheon-gyeong listened silently.

“This fool invited the Demon Sect’s Little Pill Master to this late-stage gathering. And now the Little Pill Master has secretly come to the main alliance.”

“The Demon Sect’s Little Pill Master is at the main alliance?”

Baek Cheon-gyeong’s eyes sharpened.

“I just found out about that a moment ago.”

“Are you saying Geom Mugeuk came to see Ha-ryeong?”

“Yes. It seems he also has feelings for my sister.”

Baek Cheon-gyeong didn’t believe it.

“The rumored Demon Sect’s Little Pill Master is no pushover. You’ve seen him in person and suffered from him, haven’t you? And you say he came to the main alliance just because of a woman?”

“That’s right. He’s no ordinary man. That’s why there can’t be any other reason.”

“What do you mean?”

“Would such a smart man come alone to the Martial Alliance? The only reason a smart man becomes a fool is one.”

Some of the words Jin Ha-gun said were things Geom Mugeuk had taught him.

―Will this convince the master?

―Since it’s about my sister, it will. Blood relations are something neither to understand nor explain.

Baek Cheon-gyeong still looked unconvinced.

“So? What do you want to ask?”

It was a request Baek Cheon-gyeong didn’t expect at all.

“Please meet Geom Mugeuk.”

He, who rarely showed emotion, couldn’t hide his surprise this time.

“What do you mean?”

“Meet him and warn him. Stay away from my sister.”

Baek Cheon-gyeong wore a stunned expression. He truly hadn’t expected such a request.

“After losing the Cheonhe Sect, now you want to make sure you don’t lose your sister?”

His words were harsh, but Jin Ha-gun didn’t back down.

“I can lose the Cheonhe Sect, but never my sister.”

“Then why don’t you warn him yourself?”

“He won’t listen to me. While dealing with the Cheonhe Sect affair, he completely ignored and toyed with me. He’s the kind to come even more boldly in front of me. From what I’ve seen, Geom Mugeuk is such a persistent man.”

“If you can’t do it, you should ask the Alliance Leader.”

“Don’t you know grandpa’s temper? He’ll throw that man out immediately. If he doesn’t attack him out of anger, that’s a blessing. If kicked out, the man will surely hold a grudge. A crazy man who came alone to the Martial Alliance just to see my sister.”

“This isn’t my business. How can I deal with what neither the Alliance Leader nor you can?”

Baek Cheon-gyeong firmly refused.

Jin Ha-gun knelt on the spot.

“You know better than anyone how much my sister means to me. I’ve always regarded you as a father and served you.”

Because it was the truth, this was an unbearably painful and frustrating moment for Jin Ha-gun.

“Please, hear the earnest request of this inadequate disciple.”

Crunch, crunch.

Baek Cheon-gyeong pondered while carving wood.

Jin Ha-gun didn’t move, kneeling still.

How much time passed?

What was he thinking? Baek Cheon-gyeong finished the carving and said,

“Bring him tomorrow.”

“The master permitted it.”

Jin Ha-gun said happily.

Geom Mugeuk spoke as if he had expected this outcome.

“I knew you would succeed.”

Praise didn’t matter now.

“What do you plan to do when you meet him?”

“I’ll have to decide.”

“Decide what?”

“Whether to spare him or kill him.”

Geom Mugeuk looked into Jin Ha-gun’s eyes and asked.

“Will you trust my decision?”

“How can I trust you, who likes to joke? I only trust my own judgment.”

Jin Ha-gun stood up.

Just as he was leaving the room, he stopped at the door.

“Have you ever felt like you were lost?”

It was a thought he had these days. While proceeding with things, a part of his mind tormented him with, ‘The master is a good person, but you are being used by Geom Mugeuk.’

“No. I have a very good sense of direction.”

Jin Ha-gun made a joking face as if to say “That’s another joke” and turned to leave. But Geom Mugeuk said from behind,

“It’s not that you’re lost, but that you forgot where you were going.”

“Isn’t that the same thing?”

“They say all roads lead somewhere. If you know where to go, you can’t get lost.”

“What if you even forget where to go?”

“Then sit down on the ground and cry your heart out.”

“Don’t joke.”

Geom Mugeuk recalled the times when he wandered Central Plains searching for Dae-beop materials. There were times he desperately wanted to cry his eyes out.

“You ask people you meet, if no one, look at the stars, if still no clue, throw your shoe and leave it to fate. If still no clue, just walk wherever your feet take you.”

“Aren’t you afraid?”

“What is there to fear? I’m already lost anyway.”

“!”

Jin Ha-gun fell silent for a moment, then sighed.

“You really are... a strange man.”

“You’re refined. The others in our school called me crazy.”

“Then you must be a strangely crazy man. See you tomorrow morning.”

After saying that, Jin Ha-gun left.

Geom Mugeuk stared out the window for a moment.

Jin Ha-gun was still young and didn’t know what it truly meant to be lost. A truly lost person doesn’t even realize they are lost.

The next day, Geom Mugeuk arrived with Jin Ha-gun at the master’s workshop.

“Master, I’m here. With the Demon Sect’s Little Pill Master.”

“Come in.”

When they entered, Jin Ha-gun flinched in surprise. The master looked different than usual. He wore a splendid red jangsam and carried a long sword at his waist. Jin Ha-gun recalled the first time he saw him wearing such flashy clothes.

Geom Mugeuk and Baek Cheon-gyeong’s gazes met in the air. Geom Mugeuk’s clear, deep eyes and Baek Cheon-gyeong’s narrow, long eyes made it difficult to read each other’s feelings.

A tense atmosphere prevailed as Geom Mugeuk opened his qi. To check the opponent’s martial arts skill. Regardless of the other’s will, a deep abyss pulled Baek Cheon-gyeong in.

Baek Cheon-gyeong’s qi was unique in response.

Geom Mugeuk looked around. He found himself standing in a dense forest. Endless towering trees surrounded him. A loneliness dropped onto him as if he was suddenly thrown out of the world.

While Baek Cheon-gyeong sank into the abyss, Geom Mugeuk walked deeper into the forest. Sunlight filtered through and birds chirped. Someone with such bright qi? No. If he were such a person, Jin Ha-gun wouldn’t have called him.

Geom Mugeuk kept walking deeper. The forest tempted him to stop, showing the same endless scenery, saying there was no need to go further. Geom Mugeuk resisted and kept walking inside.

What led him was neither his own will nor Baek Cheon-gyeong’s qi. At this moment, surprisingly, it was the Flame Demon Martial Art.

‘There is something there.’

It was so deeply hidden that only someone trained in the Flame Demon Martial Art could detect it. That also meant the opponent’s martial arts were extraordinary.

Eventually, Geom Mugeuk found a wooden statue shaped like a person deep in the forest.

The statue stood with arms crossed, so lifelike it felt like a living person. But its face was left uncarved — flat. A strange sensation came over him, as if the wood would soon move and form a face.

As Geom Mugeuk approached, the surrounding trees began to stretch out trunks and move. Branches blocked in front of the statue and menaced him.

At that moment, Geom Mugeuk realized.

‘Wooden Form Thousand Souls Technique!’

An ultimate secret art using all the trees in the world.

He was engulfed in shock and passion. Not because this secret art made all the trees move at will or because small wooden dolls grew large and attacked like masters.

He knew who used this martial art.

After Flame Demon disappeared, his followers created the Cheonham Alliance.

The twelve absolute masters who ruled the Cheonham Alliance.

They were called the Twelve Zodiac Kings by the world.

They hid their identity and operated as the Zodiac Kings. Perhaps fearing the revenge of Jeong Sama in the future.

The eighth of those Zodiac Kings, the Eighth King, was the one who used the Wooden Form Thousand Souls Technique.

Geom Mugeuk’s heart began pounding violently.

‘It’s the Wood King!’

It was the first time after returning that he met a follower of Flame Demon.