Baek Eung-ji, Cheonpung Pavilion.

After I ordered a mountain of food and sat back to watch the street, Master Yukhap asked,

“Why did you order so much?”

“This place is good. We’ll start with some iced noodles to warm up the stomach, then some chili-topped tofu, dumplings, and finish with sweet-and-sour pork while sipping some Dugangju.”

Yukhap replied,

“We don’t need to head back right away?”

“Yukhap, have you ever lived this pathetically before?”

“Absolutely not.”

“Then take this chance to try it.”

I chewed on dried snacks while watching the street.

“People… need to live pathetically from time to time.”

Yukhap sighed.

“You must’ve been pathetic for a long time. It suits you.”

“Of course. I’m the most pathetic bastard in the world.”

I had planned to return to Haomun but changed course and ended up at Baek Eung-ji. On the way, I had a long discussion with Yukhap about martial theory, especially regarding Sword Curtains.

Of course, I wasn’t the only one learning.

I also shared techniques with Yukhap on how to shatter or reverse sword curtains during combat.

So, whether we were returning to Haomun or drinking here at Baek Eung-ji, our journey was still primarily about sharpening our martial knowledge.

While eating noodles, I glanced around the street. Yukhap, noticing this, asked,

“Looking for someone? Someone to kill?”

I sipped some broth and replied,

“Not someone to kill.”

“Then who?”

Pointing to the crowd, I asked,

“What do you think of the vibe here?”

Yukhap responded with a slightly uneasy tone.

“Plenty of Jianghu folk. Most seem to be affiliated with orthodox sects or noble families. But then, that’s the kind of place Baek Eung-ji is.”

“There’s one person here—one of the post-peak generation. The strongest among them.”

“And?”

“He’s probably stronger than you.”

Yukhap scoffed.

“Come on, Lord.”

“What?”

“It was humiliating enough to lose to you. A post-peak generation kid is supposed to be stronger than me?”

“He’s around my age.”

Yukhap asked seriously,

“And you say he’s stronger than me? That can’t be.”

I ate some tofu and replied,

“Why not? Is there some law that says younger people can’t surpass you? The Demonic Cult’s Grand Dukes are around my age too. Do you think all of them are weaker than you?”

“They’re… special cases.”

“What good is being ‘special’ when you die fighting the Demonic Cult?”

“Fair point.”

I drank my Dugangju and added,

“When people from the orthodox side fight, grudges remain. When the dark path fights itself, the winner often tries to recruit the loser. But in the demonic path… there are usually no choices. It’s either death or slavery.”

“And you?”

“Sometimes I hold grudges, sometimes I take them in, sometimes I kill them.”

Yukhap sipped his drink while eyeing me.

“You just want it all, don’t you. What a guy.”

I burst into laughter so suddenly my shoulders shook. When I couldn’t stop, Yukhap chuckled a few times along with me.

“Stop laughing like that. People are staring, you lunatic.”

As the alcohol set in, I wrapped my right hand in Ice Curtain. A chill rose in my palm and formed a thin disc. Yukhap quickly scolded me.

“Don’t. Seriously. Must you train in the middle of drinking?”

“Habit, sorry.”

“Why are you always trying to make the Ice Curtain thinner?”

“Speed.”

“Speed?”

“I’m training to deploy it faster.”

“Ah.”

“Seems useful for grabbing weapons or handling sneak attacks too. There’s still a lot to explore.”

After the meal, we were about to visit the Sword Demon’s place when a familiar voice rang out.

“What the hell are you doing here?”

I turned and saw the Lust Demon walking toward us. He narrowed his brow.

“I wondered who the crazy bastard laughing like that was. Of course it was this crazy bastard.”

Seems he had been nearby.

The moment he showed up, I got hit with a triple combo of “crazy bastard” insults. I pointed to the empty seat.

“Sit.”

Once he did, I introduced them.

“This is Master Yukhap. This is Mongrang, second son of the Wind-and-Cloud Mong Family.”

After introducing two members of the Evil Society of My Past Life, I observed their reactions.

Yukhap said,

“Pleasure.”

The Lust Demon glanced over him and muttered curtly,

“Sure.”

I folded my arms and thought deeply.

How could I make these two fight so I could enjoy the show?

As I pondered seriously, I raised my cup.

“It's been a while—have a drink.”

The Lust Demon took the cup and said suspiciously,

“…This doesn’t have that in it, right?”

“What?”

“Never mind.”

He was referring to laxatives, so I poured the drink with a deadpan face. I poured for Yukhap as well.

“Cheers.”

The three of us clinked cups with zero friendliness, drinking while eyeing one another with thinly veiled hostility.

The Lust Demon asked,

“So, what brings you here?”

Munching on sweet-and-sour pork, I answered,

“I heard Senior Heo’s health declined, so I went to check on him. Your master wasn’t around, so I came here. Is he doing well?”

“No idea.”

“What do you mean, no idea?”

“He’s almost always in meditation. I can’t interrupt him.”

I watched his expression and nodded.

“I see.”

When I went quiet, the two men glanced at each other and then looked away. It was clear as day—they didn’t like each other.

I smirked slightly...

And both of them asked at once:

“Why are you smiling?”

“What’s so funny?”

I clicked my tongue.

“You lunatics even complain about smiling. Can’t I smile?”

The Lust Demon snapped,

“Then tell us why you’re smiling.”

I tapped the table and said,

“Fine. I came to Baek Eung-ji not just to meet your master—but to make you two meet as well. Why?”

“…”

“Because among all the masters I’ve fought, you two are the best. Like dragon and tiger, an evenly matched clash. If someone told me to bet on your duel, I wouldn’t know who to pick.”

“…”

They glared at each other, then turned to me.

The Lust Demon said,

“You came all this way just to instigate a fight?”

Yukhap chuckled.

“Now I see why you brought us here. You could’ve just said so.”

I looked at them with a serious face, then slipped into my usual bluffing tactic.

“Just kidding. Mongrang, talk to your master today or tomorrow. If he’s okay with it, Yukhap and I will come meet him. We should, now that we’re here.”

Yukhap asked,

“So who is your master?”

“You’ll see. Anyway, being here with Master Yukhap really puts me at ease.”

The Lust Demon asked,

“What’s so comforting?”

“Your master, me, Yukhap, and you. I feel like we could handle most demonic forces that come our way.”

The Lust Demon nodded.

“That’s true.”

Then, as if pondering something, he tilted his head.

“Wait. Did the Demonic Cult make a move?”

“Well, I got tangled with the Third Young Master and killed some of his people.”

“The Third Young Master…”

“You know him?”

“Of course I do. He’s the grandson of Hwan Guija.”

Considering the Sword Demon used to be part of the Demonic Cult, the Lust Demon probably knew more about their top members than most.

I looked at Yukhap.

“Did we kill Hwan Guija?”

“Seems like it.”

The Lust Demon looked shocked.

“You killed Hwan Guija?”

I tilted my head.

“An old man showed up when I messed with the Third Young Master’s faction, so probably him. Didn’t even exchange names before I killed him. Rude bastard.”

The Lust Demon frowned.

“You didn’t lead a pursuit team here, did you?”

“Of course not. I wiped them out.”

We went quiet for a moment and drank. While drinking, the Lust Demon casually turned to stare at a passing woman’s behind.

Then Yukhap said something unexpected to him.

“Do you have to be so obvious?”

The Lust Demon grinned.

“What, a cute stray cat passed by. Got a problem?”

Yukhap chuckled.

“Guess that stray cat was stuck to that lady’s rear, huh?”

“Whether it’s on her ass or her shoulder—what’s it to you?”

Wow. The childishness of that exchange was honestly amazing.

It was a filthy but fitting exchange for the Ghost Demon and the Lust Demon.

I sighed and knocked on the table.

“That’s enough. I wanted to introduce you two and maybe arrange a duel, but this is just ridiculous. If you’re going to bicker like this, no need to spar. Do it some other time.”

The Lust Demon looked at me.

“You shut up.”

Yukhap added,

“Please close your mouth.”

As I went quiet, the Lust Demon fired off a provocation.

“Who told you to pack all that scorn into those ugly little eyes? It’s annoying to look at.”

Yukhap stood up. I gestured downward.

“Sit. Sit down, damn it.”

But Yukhap rose, and the Lust Demon followed.

I glared at him.

“Oh, for god’s sake…”

The Lust Demon said to Yukhap,

“Let’s go.”

Yukhap nodded.

“Lead the way.”

They stormed off, leaving me at the table. I threw down a bit more money than we owed, grabbed the snacks and bottle, and followed them.

***

In a wide clearing, I crossed my arms and declared,

“Duel format. No serious injuries. One round. Any weapon allowed. No sand-throwing.”

The Lust Demon glared at me.

“…”

Yukhap asked,

“Lord, if it’s hand-to-hand—who do you think would win?”

I answered honestly.

“Mongrang would win.”

Hearing that, Yukhap placed down the bundle of five swords and [N O V E L I G H T] drew his blade.

“Can’t win if I don’t go all in, huh?”

With a smug look, the Lust Demon sneered.

“Looks like you’ve been following the Lord around ever since he beat you…”

Without warning, Yukhap lunged. The Lust Demon’s figure slid back like a shadow.

I crossed my arms and watched.

I already knew the outcome.

Right now, Yukhap couldn’t beat the Lust Demon. I’ve fought both—no one knows it better than me. The Lust Demon has deeper internal energy and greater mastery of offensive-defensive transitions.

Yukhapmun’s martial art, as the Ghost Demon once said, is slow to develop.

If Yukhap lost this time, it would surely ignite something in him.

I sat down in a comfortable pose and watched like a student. I compared the Lust Demon’s Ice Arts with my Moonlight Cold Heart Technique, and Yukhap’s Yukhap Sword Style with my Plum Blossom Sword Style.

Coincidentally, their duel…

Had everything to do with me.

I memorized the Lust Demon’s movement and techniques, planning to incorporate them into my own style. I closely observed Yukhap’s ironclad defense as well.

Oddly, despite both of them having lost to me before…

From a referee’s point of view, they had plenty I could still learn from.

As the duel progressed, Yukhap realized the depth of the Lust Demon’s inner strength and doubled down on iron defense.

Meanwhile, the Lust Demon gradually increased the power of his Ice Arts—but as his attacks kept getting blocked, his expression grew more serious.

I chewed snacks, drank Dugangju, and watched.

Feeling uncomfortable, I slid a large rock under my left elbow and reclined lazily.

“Damn… that was close. Yukhap dodged well.”

“…”

“Cutting it close.”

“…”

“Falling for it again? Nah.”

“…”

With a thunderous boom, both leapt back and stared each other down.

Yukhap snapped,

“Lord, one more word and I swear—”

The Lust Demon added,

“Say it in your head. You’re distracting us.”

If they ganged up on me, even I’d be in trouble, so I replied flatly,

“Understood. Message received.”

I drank more Dugangju and watched in silence.

It was turning into a much more serious fight than I had expected.