I entered the Magachon with my father.

Walking together down this road brought back fresh memories. There’s always something moving about the first time you experience something.

“How long has it been since you’ve been to Magachon?”

“It’s been a while.”

From his words, it seemed like it had been quite some time since he had come out here.

“It must feel nice to get some fresh air?”

I wondered what this place meant to my father.

We walked slowly, casually glancing at the shops lined along the road, the vendors standing in front of them, and the passersby.

It seemed that people were born with a certain presence. My father didn’t raise his internal energy or emit any aura, but the path he walked naturally opened up.

Without even realizing it, everyone moved aside and avoided blocking his way. There was something about my father that couldn’t be described simply by the word "presence."

I stopped in front of a textile shop that sold both silk and clothes.

“Father, this is a special occasion, so why don’t we get a set of martial arts robes together?”

“I’ve had dozens of martial robes made by expert tailors.”

“But you’ve never had one made with your son, have you? Let’s just get one, shall we?”

I stepped into the shop first. My father followed behind me, feigning reluctance.

Inside the store, there were piles of silks, fabrics, and clothing.

I quickly picked out a martial robe before my father could change his mind.

“What do you think of that martial robe?”

It was a robe with the emblem of the Heavenly Demon Sect embroidered on it, representing our sect. It was originally a pattern that should not be used casually, but since it wasn’t forbidden to sell, it had become a sort of souvenir over time.

But my father pointed to another robe.

“What about that one?”

It was a bright white robe. Plum blossoms were embroidered on the arms and legs, making it look like a robe worn by a righteous faction member.

“You want to go with that one?”

“We promised to visit the Central Plains together, didn’t we? You can’t wear something like that for such a trip.”

“!”

I was truly surprised. He remembered that we had planned to visit the Central Plains together!

“I’m fine with that. I’ll ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ take two of those robes.”

Surprisingly, my father paid for the robes.

“You said you’d buy me a meal, so I’ll buy the clothes.”

“Thank you, Father.”

I carefully packed the two robes, which were wrapped separately in paper.

There were many things I wanted to say, but I didn’t. If I spoke unnecessarily, I thought my father might deflect the awkward atmosphere with a sharp remark. For now, it was best to enjoy the current mood and situation.

“Where do you want to eat?”

“There, over there.”

I led my father to a lively tavern.

If I were to escort my father, we would have to go to the best inn or tavern, but I didn’t want to. The best places were frequented by high-ranking people, so I thought a place that had more meaning for me would be better.

“This is my regular spot.”

The tavern keeper, Jo Chunbae, greeted us with a big smile.

“Today, it seems you’ve come with a new guest.”

“He’s not a guest, he’s family.”

“This is your first time with family, isn’t it? Yes? Family? You said family...”

Jo Chunbae hesitated, looking at my father.

Although I couldn’t see his face clearly because of his head covering, the feeling that he wasn’t young was unmistakable. Jo Chunbae unconsciously took a step back.

Then, with his eyes, he asked me, “Isn’t he… really?”

I nodded in response.

Yes, he was the one the owner had thought of.

Once Jo Chunbae realized that the person with me was the Heavenly Demon, his face turned pale, and he began trembling like a leaf in the wind. How could he possibly miss out on such a big opportunity?

I ordered the dishes my father had chosen.

“Please make it delicious.”

“Yes.”

Jo Chunbae staggered toward the kitchen, his legs shaking. Thanks to that, he heard my first transmission.

— Cook comfortably. I doubt my father will kill anyone just because the food isn’t good.

Jo Chunbae nearly stumbled over as he entered the kitchen.

“When was the last time you drank at a tavern like this?”

“When I was young.”

“Since becoming the Sect Leader, you haven’t come once, have you?”

My father nodded.

“Aren’t you frustrated?”

“It’s fine.”

“Well, it might be more frustrating when you step back into the world. There are plenty of people you want to kill, but you can’t.”

My father chuckled, and I poured him some wine. He filled my cup in return. Now, pouring drinks for each other felt natural. It was just like now, when we were buying clothes together.

“You’ve gained a lot of internal energy. Where did you get it?”

“I got the Blood Essence Pill from the Wind Sky Sect Leader.”

My honest answer surprised my father.

“He gave you that? That greedy man?”

“Everyone seems to pity me. Every time they see me, they want to give me such elixirs.”

“Perhaps.”

My father drank, and I emptied my cup as well. It seemed like he had a lot to say, but in the end, he only said this:

“Just don’t let them take your things.”

“Don’t worry. I’m just as greedy for martial arts as you are, Father.”

Meanwhile, the food arrived.

Jo Chunbae was usually the one to run the tavern, and he had the skill to carry large trays of food without spilling a drop. Even if wine spilled on the floor, he wouldn’t slip. He moved gracefully like a master using Deng Ping Du Shui (Stepping on Water) and when an order came from another table, he would swiftly change positions and take the order.

But today, Jo Chunbae was different. He came to us slowly, almost as if he feared spilling the food. It was the first time I’d seen him be so cautious with the dishes.

“I thought a killer was coming.”

Jo Chunbae, who came to us with a look of desperation, gently placed the food down.

“If you need anything else, just call for me anytime!”

With that, Jo Chunbae almost looked as though he would suffocate, then hurried down to the first floor.

I couldn’t stand on the stairs and eavesdrop on my father’s opinion of the food. If I tried, my life wouldn’t be worth a fraction of a second.

My father tasted the food and nodded.

“It’s not bad.”

“Please tell the owner yourself next time. He’ll really appreciate it.”

“Unnecessary words.”

“But those ‘unnecessary words’ will become memories and rewards for someone. If you don’t say them, they won’t know.”

My father continued eating without a word.

Then, unexpectedly, he asked:

“Why did the Wind Sky Sect Leader stir things up like that? Tell me about that.”

Originally, I should have answered, "He wanted to obtain divine treasures, then later hoped to gain people," but as the successor, I gave a more fitting reply.

“I was trying to separate the Wind Sky Sect from the Palm Faction.”

“And? Did you succeed?”

“For now, it seems like I have.”

“What did you promise in return?”

“I’d like to open a branch of the Wind Sky Sect in the Central Plains, even if it’s just a small one.”

“No!”

“Why not?”

My father gave an unexpected answer.

“Do you know why I oppose them moving to the Central Plains?”

“Is it because of the history between the Blood Sect and our sect?”

My father shook his head.

“What does the past matter? That’s not the reason.”

“Then is it because you teamed up with the Palm Faction?”

“I’ve let them join intentionally.”

The words that came from my father’s mouth surprised even the Palm Faction members who might overhear.

“To strike the Wind Sky Sect or the Palm Faction, if they’re entangled, it’s easy to create an excuse.”

Indeed, my father showed that he wasn’t afraid of either the Wind Sky Sect or the Palm Faction.

“Then why oppose it?”

“It’s not the right time yet. Just remember that.”

The words “It’s not the right time yet” struck me deeply.

I could sense my father’s thoughts. The Wind Sky Sect’s move to the Central Plains would be significant not only for us but also for the Martial Alliance and the Demonic Alliance.

Especially for the Martial Alliance, which had suffered greatly from the Blood Sect’s past invasion of the Central Plains. If the Wind Sky Sect’s expansion were seen as the resurrection of the Blood Sect, it could cause a major political upheaval.

When my father said it wasn’t the right time, wasn’t it the same as saying, “I will decide when the time is right”?

‘Father, are you secretly dreaming of uniting the martial world?’

Although that dream wasn’t realized because of Hwa Mugi, given my father’s abilities, it might not be an impossible aspiration. While Hyeolcheon Doma calls me a sleeping dragon, perhaps the real dragon hasn’t awakened yet…

I had the urge to probe my father’s heart, but I held it back. If I did, this wonderful moment might be ruined. There would be plenty of opportunities to ask later.

“I understand. I’ll handle that matter.”

“How?”

“I’ve become personally involved with the Wind Sky Sect Leader, so I’ll resolve it personally.”

“Personally? That’s the hardest method.”

“But the most effective, right? Don’t worry. I won’t be arrogant enough to think I can understand other people’s hearts. I won’t be greedy for their hearts, nor will I believe them completely.”

Half of that was the truth. I don’t want to live a life of suspicion. What’s the point of becoming the Heavenly Demon if all you do is doubt everyone?

I don’t claim to understand everyone’s heart, but I will try my best to learn. I won’t gain everyone’s heart, but at least I won’t treat them with lies and hypocrisy. The ones I trust, I’ll continue to trust.

“Leave the Wind Sky Sect issue to me. I’ll handle it well.”

My father nodded and stood up.

“I ate well. Come play Go with me next month.”

“Yes! You’ll need to prepare the stones!”

My father reached out and took one of the two robes we had bought.

He walked to the first floor, holding the robe.

More than the robes themselves, or the fact that my father paid for them, what moved me most was seeing him take the robe without me asking.

And my father’s unexpected behavior was completed by Jo Chunbae.

As my father passed by, Jo Chunbae, who had been standing next to the counter, bowed so deeply that his forehead nearly touched the floor.

“It was an honor to serve you.”

My father, who was about to leave, stopped and turned.

“The food was good.”

Jo Chunbae, stunned and overwhelmed, stood frozen as my father walked out.

After a moment, Jo Chunbae shouted after him.

“Yes! Thank you! Please come again next time!”

But my father was already walking far away.

Finally, Jo Chunbae let out a long sigh of relief and sat down heavily.

He pulled out some hidden alcohol from beneath the counter and drank it in one go. He rarely drank while working, but today was beyond ordinary.

I leaned against the railing and asked him:

“How do you feel?”

“If I die now, I’ll have no regrets. I’d live as the tavern owner again in my next life.”

“If you were reborn, you’d be a hero of the martial world.”

“I don’t want that. I’m content watching someone like you from the side. Serving delicious food is enough for me.”

“Then become a master and live this life.”

“Then I’d be even more miserable. Even if I were a master, I’d have to endure it, right?”

“I see.”

Watching Jo Chunbae drink, I looked outside the tavern. In the distance, I could see the back of my father, walking slowly through the crowd. Who would have known? That they had just passed the Heavenly Demon.

Before the regression, I never paid much attention.

I never looked at my father’s back, or Jo Chunbae’s flushed face as he smiled, or the people walking along their busy paths. I didn’t look at them, didn’t know their hearts, and didn’t look at their eyes or mouths. Because I didn’t look, I didn’t know, and because I didn’t know, I couldn’t win.

No, I didn’t lose to Hwa Mugi. I lost to my own life. To the indifferent life I lived.

“Sir, would you like more drink?”

Jo Chunbae asked from below.

“No. I have people to see today.”

Leaving the tavern, I walked the same path my father had taken and returned to the crossroads.