After drinking...

The Sword Demon stopped after five cups. Master Yukhap got drunk after seven.

Yukhap was now passed out, lying at the edge of the platform, and the Sword Demon, feeling tipsy, had gone inside to rest.

So much for getting drunk and sharing deep stories.

That didn’t happen.

In the end, the remaining alcohol was downed in a drinking contest between the Lecher and me.

Since we had nothing to say beyond a few exchanged insults, I stayed quiet.

The Sword Demon’s quarters had become completely still—only the soft snoring of Master Yukhap echoed quietly in the space.

Eventually, when even the alcohol ran out, the Lecher climbed up the wall and sat there like a sentry, staring out at the darkening surroundings.

“What are you doing up there?”

The Lecher replied in a low voice.

“He normally doesn’t drink more than five cups. He must’ve gone a bit overboard tonight.”

So his Master was drunk—meaning the Lecher was standing guard.

“Didn’t he drink that much last time, too?”

“That time he just sipped. Tonight, he actually drank.”

“Is Senior always that weak with alcohol?”

Still watching the darkness, the Lecher glanced back at me.

“You build tolerance by drinking. You and I? This amount wouldn’t get us drunk. But someone who barely drinks? This is how it is.”

“Can’t he just use his internal energy to purge the intoxication? That Yukgap guy collapsed fast.”

The Lecher responded.

“When you're drinking with guests, there's no need to suppress it with energy.”

And just like that, after draining the entire liquor stash, the Lecher and I found ourselves having the longest conversation we’d ever had without cursing at each other.

Then, still watching the darkness, the Lecher asked me,

“You said you met the Cult Leader at Blood Night Palace, right? What was he like?”

“Yeah, I met him.”

“Did your legs go weak just from looking at him? That’s what the rumors say.”

“Not at all. But… he did leave an impression.”

“According to my Master, most people in the Cult can’t even make eye contact with him. Not out of politeness—but because it’s actually easier to talk while looking down.”

“He’s someone worth fearing.”

“Why?”

“Because you can never tell what he’s thinking.”

The Lecher snorted.

“What’s so hard to figure out? Probably thinking about killing everyone and becoming the strongest under heaven.”

“I don’t mean his goals. I mean in day-to-day life, during ordinary conversations—you still won’t be able to tell what’s on his mind. That kind of thing is far more terrifying.”

Then, out of nowhere, the Lecher said something strange.

“You know, when I think about it… I basically exist because of the Demonic Cult.”

“Is that so?”

“Pretty much. If the Cult hadn’t destroyed the Jade Flower Palace, its people wouldn’t have scattered. If they hadn’t scattered, I wouldn’t have been born. Jade Flower Palace was originally a group founded to protect women, but the Demonic Cult crushed it. That’s why I exist. I don’t resent being born into a powerful household, but suddenly I had this older brother from another mother, and I turned out to be a bastard child. I could even live with that… but none of this was a life I chose.”

“So?”

The Lecher turned to me, but I couldn’t make out his expression in the moonless night.

“I’m just saying... all of this happened just because the Cult Leader was powerful. He’s the reason I started life as a joke. And the more I looked into it, the more I realized—there really wasn’t any other reason. The Cult slaughtered Jade Flower Palace just because it declared independence.”

After a pause, he shifted his tone.

“...Who the hell are you? All of you crawling out—come out now.”

I shot up from the platform and joined the Lecher on the wall, scanning the surroundings.

Why would we get ambushed in Baek Eung-ji?

Then again, if they were skilled, there wasn’t really a reason they couldn’t make it here.

The darkness rippled, and four or five figures slowly emerged. Dressed well—impossible to tell where they were from.

***

A man’s voice called out.

“Is the Sword Demon inside?”

The Lecher replied,

“I asked where you’re from.”

The speaker took a few more steps forward, looked up at us, and answered,

“Tell him the Third Young Master is here.”

Before the Lecher could respond, the Sword Demon’s voice rang out from inside.

“Let him in.”

From the darkness, the subordinates turned to the young man.

“Please, go ahead.”

A composed young man stepped forward in silence and entered the quarters. The rest of the group waited outside.

The Lecher and I sat casually on the wall, watching the man.

So that’s the Third Young Master—the Cult Leader’s third son.

He looked around, arms behind his back. Glanced at the still-groggy Master Yukhap.

Even at a glance, the resemblance to the Cult Leader was obvious.

The Cult Leader’s face was so distinct that even if you’d never met his son, you couldn’t miss the bloodline.

The Sword Demon emerged, now in comfortable clothes, and spoke.

“Welcome.”

The Third Young Master gave a respectful nod.

“Left Guardian, I hope you’ve been well.”

The Sword Demon eyed him.

“You’re not here to die, are you? What brings you here?”

The Third Young Master’s tone was calm.

“Left Guardian, Elder Hwan Guija has passed away.”

“And?”

“He was retired. No one will seek revenge. So I’ve come myself. From what I’ve heard, it was the Haomun Lord who killed him. When I asked around, they said you were close with him.”

“We are.”

The Third Young Master nodded.

“Well, since you’re close, I can’t just barge into your home and drag him out. I’ve come to pay my respects and ask in advance.”

The Sword Demon asked,

“Third, what did Hwan Guija want most?”

“To see me become Vice Cult Leader… and for our family to survive.”

“If such a man has fallen, then the proper response would be to show restraint and acknowledge your misfortune. Do you think your father will be pleased that a potential heir has come all the way to Baek Eung-ji to stir things up?”

“Even if you disapprove, he was my maternal grandfather. Not showing some personal response would make me less than human.”

“If you run wild in a foreign region, your father may use it as an excuse to trigger conflict, which could spread far. In the end, your brothers will shine while you become isolated. This is not a wise move.”

“If you were in my position, what would you do?”

“Why am I still the Left Guardian anyway? The post should’ve been filled by now.”

The Third Young Master chuckled.

“It’s not a role that’s so easily earned. To be recognized as the new Left Guardian, one must first eliminate the traitor. You’ll be hearing good news soon, I’m sure.”

“How delightful. Still, if I were you, I’d lay low at your maternal home and let this storm pass. But you won’t listen.”

The Third Young Master nodded.

“You read me well. I do respect you as a warrior, but I don’t feel the need to bow to a traitor. I heard Baek Eung-ji has become a haven for idle fools from the White Path. Who would’ve thought even the Left Guardian reeks of booze now? Why waste time holed up here? Why not return and kneel before the Cult Leader again?”

A low chuckle escaped the Sword Demon.

The Third Young Master continued.

“The Cult Leader often says he’s disappointed in you. Word is, many were quite pleased to hear you’ve taken to wielding a wooden sword.”

At that, the Lecher spoke up.

“You arrogant little shit... Just because you’re the Cult Leader’s brat doesn’t mean you’re royalty. Watch your damn mouth.”

The Third Young Master turned to him.

“Ah, you. The filthy blood of Jade Flower Palace...”

The Lecher quietly rose to his feet on the wall, but the Sword Demon intervened.

“I’m still talking, Mongrang.”

The Lecher took a deep breath, then replied,

“Yes, Master.”

The Third Young Master smiled at the Sword Demon.

“Left Guardian, there aren’t many experts that the Cult Leader wants to deal with personally. Not many he’d step out to kill himself. That’s why you’ve been allowed to rest here in peace. You know it too, don’t you? He wants you to grow stronger by any means necessary, so he can face you one last time. But for today, let’s avoid all that. Just hand over the Haomun Lord.”

The Sword Demon sighed lightly.

“Third, you believe in yourself far too much. I know better than anyone how gifted you heirs are. But your father and I both hoped you’d become more complete before entering the battlefield of life and death. Live a little longer. Charge into chaos later.”

“I’ll reflect on that after I kill the Haomun Lord. I knew you’d refuse, of course. But that doesn’t mean I don’t have other methods.”

He nodded a few times, then turned away.

“It’s been good seeing your face again. Enjoy your time drinking with those White Path fools. Think of it as a reward vacation before your death. I’ll see you again.”

The Third Young Master strode out.

I called after him.

“That dumbass didn’t even look me in the eye. Unbelievable.”

As I mulled over his words, I turned to the Sword Demon.

“...Anyway, Senior, I’ll take my leave. No need to see me off—you drank too much.”

But the Sword Demon called me back.

“Moon Lord, don’t rush.”

“Isn’t this a situation that calls for haste?”

A still-drunken Master Yukhap chimed in.

“What the hell just happened?”

The Sword Demon explained.

“He didn’t come to see me. He came to provoke you. If you leave now, he’ll likely go after Haomun directly—to lure you in.”

Yukhap nodded in realization.

“Ah.”

“The problem is we don’t know who he’s traveling with. Don’t get reckless.”

I understood as well.

At first glance, it looked like a verbal spat between him and the Sword Demon—but really, that line “I have my ways” was bait. A setup to pull me out.

And frankly, the Sword Demon is someone who should be facing off against the Cult Leader himself. He’s too high-level to go chasing some brat. The Third Young Master probably factored that in before coming.

The Sword Demon muttered after a moment’s thought.

“It was a blatant provocation, but I hate seeing you get dragged around like this.”

I answered flatly.

“It can’t be helped. Sometimes you have to let the enemy think their scheme worked. Yukgap, you stay here. You’re still drunk.”

The Sword Demon reached out as if to hold me back.

“Moon Lord, don’t let your guard down. This could turn into a reverse pursuit.”

“I know.”

“And… he’s still the Cult Leader’s son. He’s a symbol. You don’t have to kill him. If you capture him and hand him over, the other heirs will likely eliminate him themselves. The result will be quite different.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

I gave a strong shake of my head atop the wall. Of all times, I had to drink too much.

“Damn it…”

I had no intention of asking for help—from Yukhap, the Sword Demon, or the Lecher. I walked straight into the darkness where the Third Young Master had vanished.

The deeper I went, the heavier the intoxication felt.

I stood still for a moment, calming my breath, when the Lecher’s voice rang out.

“Master…”

Though he said no more, the Sword Demon replied,

“Go with him. And be careful.”

“Yes, Master.”

Once I steadied my breathing, I channeled my internal energy to force out the alcohol. Rushing forward while this drunk would only make me vomit mid-run.

From the quarters, Yukhap called out.

“Sword Demon, I’ll see you again.”

The Sword Demon’s reply came sharp and clear.

“You, Yukgap—don’t be an idiot. Stay put. Join them once you sober up.”

I gathered my energy and expelled the intoxication through the tip of my index finger. Not perfect, but good enough.

As I stared into the darkness, the Lecher arrived beside me.

I looked at him.

“What now, you drunken idiot?”

The Lecher squinted and shot back,

“Don’t mind me. Just the filthy blood of Jade Flower Palace, remember? You backwater booze-hound.”

“You should’ve ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) bought a reasonable amount of liquor.”

Yawning, I walked into the night with the Lecher beside me. We weren’t heading for the main roads—just through the shadows.

I didn’t know if I was the one pursuing or the one being pursued.

I didn’t know if the Third Young Master truly planned to attack Haomun—or if he was waiting nearby to confront me.

All I knew was...

It was all darkness around us.