Returning to the sect, I headed toward the sect leader’s hall with Chimma.

Chimma was slightly tense at the thought of meeting his father.

In the past, Chimma had drunkenly made a scene in front of his father, pleading not to be hated too much. Though misunderstandings had been cleared then, it seemed his father still wasn’t entirely at ease.

“You can’t leave first! I’m the one who will greet him first.”

He wanted to avoid being alone with his father.

“Where has that mysterious and fearsome Chimma gone?”

“He’s probably drunk, crawling under the carriage somewhere, sleeping.”

Still, he had brought a gift for his father. Before leaving the Northern Sea, he stopped by a famous brewery to buy liquor for his father.

Looking closely, Chimma really wanted to impress his father.

Together, we entered the sect leader’s hall.

As always, my father sat in the high seat. Every time I enter, I’m moved by his unwavering presence.

“Father! Your son has returned!”

Simultaneously, fear gripped me.

What if that seat were empty? What if I had to guard it? Could I offer the same unshakable faith my father does?

I wasn’t afraid because I lacked confidence, but because I knew I could.

My previous life proved I could silently guard that place. But in this life, I wanted to live brightly and freely.

“I’ve returned from the Northern Sea mission!”

I greeted my father loudly.

Beside me, Chimma bowed politely.

“Welcome back, Sect Leader.”

My father looked down at Chimma and immediately noticed his condition.

“Are you hurt?”

“A little, but I’m fine now.”

Chimma was already excited that my father asked about his health. His face flushed even though he hadn’t drunk.

“The soldiers told me about the Northern Sea incident.”

I took the chance to step forward.

“Chimma single-handedly defeated the leader of the shadow force that tried to swallow Binggung.”

I was determined to properly praise Chimma in front of my father.

“Of course.”

My father’s casual acceptance surprised Chimma, who looked up at him.

My father was looking at me, not Chimma.

“Not someone who’d return defeated, right?”

I knew then that my father already recognized Chimma’s strength.

Even without looking sideways, Chimma’s pride was palpable. This might be the first time my father acknowledged him, especially in front of others.

“Thanks to him, I am safe. It was my first time seeing Chimma fight—he was incredible. Above all...”

My gaze shifted toward Chimma. He was tense, wondering what I’d say.

“He was magnificent. Avenging a friend, Chimma was.”

Though intended as praise before my father, it was heartfelt.

I relayed the events in detail. Of course, my father already knew the main points through Cheoncheongak, but the little details were new.

Every time I returned from an exile mission, I told such stories. It deepened the bond between father and son.

Today’s tale mainly centered on Chimma’s feats. It was entertaining, so I doubt my father grew bored—after all, it was more vivid than reality.

“...So as thanks, Binggung bestowed the Binggung Holy Grail upon Chimma.”

Even without my words, my father surely recognized the cup. The white aura shimmering around it was impossible to miss.

Though I said Chimma received it as thanks, he did not let it slide.

“The Holy Grail was accepted by the Little Pill Master, who gave up his own gift instead.”

My father might have looked at me thinking, ‘He wouldn’t just give up his own gift.’ Instead, he said unexpectedly,

“May I have a drink from that cup as well?”

“Of course. We even bought famous Northern Sea liquor to offer you.”

Chimma calmly walked to the high seat.

He poured the liquor into the Binggung Holy Grail and handed it to my father. Every action was careful and steady. Before entering, Chimma would tremble at the mention of my father, but here he was—the Mazone indeed.

My father drained the cup in one gulp.

“The drink is fine, and so is the cup, so the taste is excellent.”

Seeing my father pleased, Chimma smiled happily.

“Would you like another?”

“Don’t bother. Let’s just have one together after a long time.”

For a moment, Chimma’s eyes widened in surprise. It seemed it was the first time his father suggested drinking together.

“Alright.”

He answered happily and gestured at me to leave quickly.

Of course, I wouldn’t miss the chance to tease him.

—You said you can’t leave first?

—Hurry up! Go!

—Let’s drink as a trio. No, I’ll invite the others!

—No way! This is such a rare chance!

After teasing Chimma, I bowed respectfully to my father.

“Then I will take my leave. I’ve often badmouthed my brother when he wasn’t around, but neither of you, don’t badmouth me when I’m not here!”

As I turned to leave, my father suddenly spoke.

“Are you alright?”

Startled, I faced him.

What did he mean?

Our eyes met. In his silent gaze I understood why he asked. If the unspoken words were spoken, they’d be:

You’ve stained your hands with so much blood recently. Are you alright?

I sensed my father’s concern.

No matter how evil someone deserved death, staining your hands with blood wounds your heart and soul.

No matter how outstanding I seem, to my father I am still the reckless youngest son in his twenties.

“That’s why I don’t try to do everything alone. I ask for the Mazones’ help. To protect myself.”

Chimma listened intently with eyes as serious as my father’s.

“I’m fine for now. If it becomes too hard, I’ll come see you.”

My father silently nodded.

“Then I will take my leave.”

I slowly walked out of the sect leader’s hall.

Father, don’t worry. Even if I stain my hands with blood dozens of times more, I’ve come this far steadfastly.

And above all—

“Little Pill Master!”

From over there, Seo Daeryong ran toward us with a bright smile. Even from this distance, I could feel his joy.

With people like him by my side, how could I not be alright?

Seo Daeryong greeted me as if a dead man had come back to life.

“I truly wanted to see you.”

He felt both worried and longing.

A Heavenly Demon Sect disciple, a disciple of Blood Heaven Butcher. Though he had to live his own life, without Geom Mugeuk, life seemed joyless.

But hearing the news of Geom Mugeuk’s return, he ran straight to the sect leader’s hall.

“How have you been?”

When asked, Seo Daeryong replied,

“Same as always. Early morning training, meals, Heavenly Demon Sect duties, visiting Master to train, eating, sleeping. Days are so repetitive that mixing them up wouldn’t matter. Can life be this monotonous? Just to be clear, I reject anyone who says ‘ordinary is happiness.’”

Despite being talkative, he must have struggled acting dignified as Heavenly Demon Sect head.

“Maybe you’re the only one who thinks so?”

“About what?”

“Every day is different. You’re just the one thinking they’re all the same.”

For a moment, Seo Daeryong couldn’t answer. Strictly speaking, the days were both the same and not the same. He wouldn’t admit it easily.

“The cases I handle are all the same.”

“But the prisoners differ. Different personalities, different crimes.”

“But they’re always the same subordinates.”

“Those people have different moods, thoughts, dreams, and meals each day.”

“My ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) life is to always train with the Master after work.”

“You broke through the Imdok Yangmai and grew in skill, right? Naturally, your training changed too.”

Geom Mugeuk was right. The new forms taught by Master were tougher as he grew stronger.

“They’re different, right? Your days.”

“They’re the same. I’ve never beaten the Little Pill Master’s words.”

“That will never change your whole life.”

“Even his boasting!”

We laughed looking at each other.

“Now that the Little Pill Master is back, no one says these things to me. Hearing these words, I nod and think ‘Ah! That’s right.’ From today, my days will be different. I’ve just decided! I’ll ask my subordinates, ‘What did you eat this morning? Did you poop? What did you dream last night? What do you think about lately?’”

Together with Seo Daeryong, I looked up at the sky. Colorful flower-shaped clouds drifted gently. Seeing Daeryong made me realize I was back at the sect.

“Go handle your duties.”

“Where to now?”

“Since I saw your face, I’ll visit the Mazones.”

“You really never get tired, Little Pill Master.”

Daeryong, it’s not about numbers. One relentless person is enough to wear you out.

“What if there were sixteen Mazones at the main sect?”

At his joke, I strode off, answering,

“If so, Chimma would be twice as upset.”

“Elder!”

I ran toward Blood Heaven Butcher with my arms spread wide.

He was reading in his room, resting his saber like a shield nearby.

“You’re too much!”

His voice came from beyond the Gate of Annihilation blocking our way.

“You should rest at home. Why come here to see a familiar face?”

He always said such things with no real meaning. I sat lightly at the edge of Blood Heaven Butcher’s bed.

“If so, why do you read books so avidly?”

“This is different.”

He gave me a warning glance as if I might lie down.

“I’ve returned safely.”

Though he didn’t ask, I told him about my trip.

If before I praised Chimma to my father, this time I focused on myself.

“Now, your father and Chimma are getting along famously.”

“You’re saying the Sect Leader drinks with a drunkard?”

Was that jealousy? A strange flicker crossed Blood Heaven Butcher’s eyes.

But he soon returned to his book.

“Do you find reading that interesting?”

“Yes.”

“After reading so much, do you still not know everything?”

“That’s why it’s interesting. The more I read, the more I realize how little I know.”

Blood Heaven Butcher looked up at me.

“When you have children, read a lot to them. You’ll probably inherit swordsmanship anyway.”

Will I live to have children this lifetime? I have no plans now.

“No, are you telling me to live a life you never did?”

He smiled faintly, as if to say that was so.

Watching him flip through pages, I suddenly asked the question my father posed.

“Do I look okay?”

Still focused on the book, he answered,

“You don’t look okay.”

“Why?”

“Those who are okay don’t ask such questions.”

Then unexpectedly came his words.

“Stay and sleep here tonight.”

He usually sent me home to sleep, never letting me lie down on the bed without washing first.

“Why now?”

“Because you don’t look okay.”

I smiled brightly and threw myself onto the bed.

“Good!”

I thought he’d catch me with his empty hand, but he didn’t.

“It’s comfortable!”

Lying on this bed was the most comfortable thing. Probably because of who Blood Heaven Butcher was.

That grumpy old man was my most comforting person. The first one I wanted to see.

Lying on the bed, he answered without being asked.

“I’m fine. Elder.”

“I know.”

Then came a shocking phrase.

“The one who’s not okay is the Sect Leader.”

“!”

I jumped up, staring at Blood Heaven Butcher. I couldn’t yet guess what he meant.

“I think the Sect Leader has awakened and is stretching.”

I already knew what it meant, but he explained it plainly.

“The Sect Leader has begun to move seriously to fulfill his dream.”

My father’s dream was martial world unification.

“Since you’re chosen as heir, maybe it’s time to move.”

“How long has it been since the tripartite meeting ended?”

The good atmosphere was still fresh. Just hearing music beyond the wall made my body sway.

“If he cared about that, he wouldn’t have dreamed that dream to begin with. He might have even been confident he could have killed them both that day.”

“Do you think him drinking with Chimma means that? Drinking is natural.”

I thought that was a leap in judgment, but it wasn’t just that.

“The Sect Leader met the Masked Man recently.”

“!”

He met the cruel demon?

If it had been the Demon Lord, I might not have suspected. He would have absolutely obeyed my father’s orders.

But the cruel demon is absolutely loyal to me, even if it means going against my father’s command.

Meeting him, combined with Chimma’s first duel, naturally suggested such a hypothesis.

“Our father has begun managing the Mazones to wage war.”