Translator: FenrirTL
Editor/Quality Checker/Notes : Saphartlantis
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Chapter 391: Even if We Fight, Let’s Fight Among Ourselves
Geom Muyang silently stared down at the duck dish placed in front of him.
Was it because they were of the same bloodline? Even without seeing each other often, there were times when he could clearly see into his younger brother’s heart. Just like now.
The duck had swum up to him playfully, but Geom Muyang could tell. His younger brother was expressing his thanks.
Geom Mugeuk, who was always good with all sorts of cheesy words, was, in this moment, conveying his heart silently.
Who’s calling who unexpressive?
Meanwhile, Jin Haryeong saw herself in Geom Muyang, who had stepped forward for Geom Mugeuk.
If it had been her, could she have stepped up like that in place of her older brother? Probably not.
And even if she had, could she have seized the atmosphere so powerfully like that? If she didn’t truly care for her younger sibling, she wouldn’t have been able to pull it off. From the beginning, Geom Muyang had already resolved to see it through to the end.
Jin Haryeong wasn’t the only one moved. Bih Sa-in also spoke quietly.
“Having a sibling must be a wonderful thing.”
Until now, Bih Sa-in had never once regretted being alone. But just for today, he felt a bit envious. Envious of having a sibling who would step forward for you like that. 1
At that moment, Geom Mugeuk, who had his eyes closed, spoke.
“If you envy it, then make me your older brother.”
“You’d be the younger one!”
Geom Mugeuk still had his eyes closed as he chuckled.
“Why are your eyes closed when you’re not even sleeping?”
“It’s the first rest my brother has given me. I ought to enjoy it.”
Then Geom Muyang said,
“I told you to give your mouth a rest. Open your eyes, close your mouth.”
“I’m feeling too good to let my mouth rest.”
Another thing Bih Sa-in envied was that the two brothers had resolved their succession battle without shedding blood.
How much blood was he forced to spill just to become a successor? That’s how succession battles go. That’s how the life of martial artists is. Everyone’s gone through the same.
That’s what he had thought and lived by, but now, there were two people in front of him who hadn’t lived that way. They were joking around, asking if life really had to be like that.
Jin Hagun was quietly drinking. Was it because of the strange emotions stirring within him? The alcohol went down more smoothly than usual.
That, too, was because of Geom Muyang. He had always known that Geom Mugeuk was an incredible person, so it wasn’t surprising no matter what he achieved.
But seeing Geom Muyang just now had stirred up complicated feelings. Admiration, jealousy, and shame had all become tangled. It was probably because people had said he resembled him.
What part of me resembles him? Aren’t I just better?
He had secretly harbored that kind of thought deep down, but the way Geom Muyang had acted moments ago made him ashamed of his own arrogance.
At that moment, Jin Haryeong poured a drink into Jin Hagun’s cup. Though she didn’t say anything, she understood her older brother’s troubled heart.
“I’m looking forward to what’s to come.”
It meant there was still a long road ahead, but she truly meant she was looking forward to it.
What kind of martial world would unfold when these people became Cult Leader and Alliance Leader? Seeing all three of them together in one place today made her anticipation grow even more. It felt different from when she had only vaguely imagined it.
Meanwhile, the mood on the first floor had completely relaxed.
People gathered in small groups and drank with those they were close to. It was just a shabby tavern, so expectations were low to begin with, but both the drinks and the food turned out to be surprisingly excellent.
“The taste is quite good.”
Jo Chunbae, who had already heard this compliment twice, went back into the kitchen with a big smile on his face. He had heard it from both orthodox and unorthodox martial artists. Just imagining bragging about it to the regulars already made him happy.
“One more bottle here!”
“Yes, coming right up!”
I shall protect the peace of the martial world! As Jo Chunbae busily ran around, Gu Cheonpa was refilling So Yeonrang’s cup.
“Sorry.”
It was she who had provoked the Supreme Sword of the Great Principle earlier. If she had just looked away first, it would have been fine, but her pride hadn’t allowed it.
“You’re just young.”
“I’m not that young. Do you know how old I am?”
“At your age, you’re still young. If I were your age…”
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon started to say something, but stopped.
“What would you do if you were my age?”
“Nothing in particular.”
In truth, there was something.
But instead of saying it, Old man Blade quietly drank. 2
“Why don’t you just live like you’re my age?”
“How can I live that way when I’m not?”
The One-Slash Sword Supreme lightly tapped the table three times and made a declaration.
“From now on, Gu Cheonpa is the same age as So Yeonrang.”
The Drunken Demon, who had been drinking nearby, chimed in.
“You must really have some grudges piled up against your senior. Trying to become friends and resolve it all, huh?”
Old man Blade let out a faint laugh.
“Seems like it.”
For some reason, the Blade Demon poured a drink for Song Sa-hyuk. He always went around saying he couldn’t stand drunkards, yet here he was.
“I know you’ve done a lot for this person and me.”
He was aware that the Drunken Demon had played a big role in restoring the relationship between him and the One-Slash Sword Supreme. Even if he didn’t know all the details, he had heard from So Yeonrang that Song Sa-hyuk had put in a lot of effort.
“Well, that’s what friends are for.”
He tried to slip in some charm, but the One-Slash Sword Supreme wouldn’t let it slide.
“Friends? Don’t even dream of it!”
“Didn’t you say you feel younger now, senior?”
“You’re only the same age as me.”
Next to the three who were enjoying a rare moment of cheerful mood was the Poison King. He was still leaning against the window, looking outside.
The wind that blew in ruffled his hair. If there had been any women passing by, they would’ve all stopped in their tracks, but the outside was under strict control.
Ma Bul approached him.
“What have you been looking at so intently since earlier?”
“I was just feeling a bit stifled, so I looked out. The spring air is nice.”
He didn’t feel confined when researching and creating poisons in his quarters within the Thousand Poisons Forest, but being outside like this, he felt a certain pressure. Perhaps it was also because he was always wandering through the forest, looking for poisonous herbs and insects.
“Is there no poisonous herb you’re looking for these days?”
“Of course there is. There are plenty I need that bloom in the spring.”
“I’ll come visit sometime soon.”
The Poison King’s expression brightened. The Demonic Buddha truly had an uncanny knack for finding poisonous herbs.
Ma Bul looked up at the second floor.
“It’d be nice if we could go together, but he’s too busy.” 3
The Poison King’s gaze also turned to the second floor. The tension that once gripped it had eased after the successors had gone up. How could he not know it was because Geom Mugeuk was at the center of it all?
The Poison King was about to turn his gaze back out the window when he locked eyes with one of the high-level unorthodox experts.
The one offering a clasp-fist salute was Monster Evil. Having fought alongside him against the Battle King, he knew that the Poison King had saved numerous members of the Unorthodox Alliance. Though the surrounding unorthodox masters watched him, he didn’t care in the slightest. 4
The Poison King returned the clasp-fist salute with proper courtesy, then looked back outside.
In a corner of the tavern, where he sat alone, Soma was approached by Cheong Seon.
“May I sit?”
The Evil Smiling Demon nodded.
He hadn’t touched the food or the alcohol.
“I know you don’t consume external food, but allow me to at least fill your cup.”
Just as it had been when he was alone on the roof earlier, now again, Soma caught her attention. It wasn’t a rational attraction, but rather a pull born from a sense of kinship.
The eyes behind the white mask stared quietly at the Soul Reaper Demon Supreme, then suddenly spoke.
“I envy you.”
“What do you mean?”
The Evil Smiling Demon looked up at the second floor. That one action was enough to convey what he meant.
It meant: I serve the Heavenly Demon of this generation, but you, while still young, already serve Geom Mugeuk as his Demon Supreme.
“You truly have a taste for difficult things, Soma-nim.”
She understood the meaning—that serving Geom Mugeuk was no easy task—and the eyes inside the mask smiled.
Dan woo-gang stood with his arms crossed near the entrance. He was in charge of today’s safety and didn’t let his guard down for even a moment. The Division Leaders outside constantly relayed the security situation, and the Fist Demon King remained on full alert.
That was the reason Geom Woojin trusted him the most. Whatever task he was given, he completed it flawlessly.
The Cult Leader and the two Alliance Leaders were still each drinking in their own space.
Earlier, after Jin Paecheon offered him a drink and Geom Woojin refused, the awkward mood lingered between them.
Well, it was better to listen to the successors chatting and joking around than to watch two people who disliked each other awkwardly try to converse.
Jin Paecheon recalled what Geom Mugeuk had said earlier.
―Because they’ve never had fun in their lives. They don’t even know how to.
It was true. He really couldn’t remember a single time in his life when he had played or had fun. His life had been a relentless sprint toward the top since childhood.
'At this point...'
He didn’t even know how to have fun now, nor did he want to.
'Work is play.'
That was the mindset he had lived with.
To have reached the position of Alliance Leader—was that not a glorious life? And yet, the fact that there hadn’t been a single moment of leisure in that life was still a regret.
If he had made a conscious effort, maybe he could’ve made room for that kind of leisure. But if he had, would he have still reached this point? There’s nothing more futile than pondering what ifs in life—it was unknowable.
At that moment, Geom Woojin’s gaze turned to Jin Paecheon. Their eyes met in midair.
For just a brief moment, the arrogant and aloof look in Geom Woojin’s eyes softened.
“Would you give me a drink?”
Just before, he had refused a drink being offered. And now, he was asking for one.
No one knew the reason, but it was clear that it hadn’t been said lightly.
'Why the change of heart?' 5
He didn’t ask. He already knew Geom Woojin wasn’t the kind of person to answer such a question.
'You refused earlier! Do you think I’m someone who pours when you want it and withholds when you don’t?'
He didn’t let his pride speak either. Because in that moment, the one who had bent his pride was Geom Woojin.
Was it because he heard what Geom Mugeuk had said? That he wanted them to rest and have fun during this summit. Was that what changed his mind?
As Jin Paecheon picked up the bottle and approached, Geom Woojin also stood from his seat.
Jin Paecheon poured the drink while standing.
“Thank you.”
Baek Jagang, who was watching the scene, neither offered a drink nor asked for one. He didn’t isolate himself, but neither did he get too involved.
He stood at the midpoint between connection and distance.
He was always at just the right distance.
This time, Geom Woojin turned his eyes toward Baek Jagang.
From the look in Geom Woojin’s eyes, Baek Jagang sensed that he had something to say to them.
Baek Jagang also picked up his cup and walked toward them.
And so, the three of them stood close. Close enough that one could reach the others with an outstretched hand.
With their skills, it was a distance close enough to land a fatal blow in an ambush. And for that reason, this distance was also one of trust.
Geom Woojin hadn’t called them over to have fun together. It was, in fact, quite the opposite.
“Let’s talk business now.”
The expressions on Jin Paecheon and Baek Jagang turned serious.
Geom Woojin emitted his energy, encasing the surroundings to prevent their voices from leaking outside.
“You’re both aware that there’s a force behind this incident.”
Of course they were. Jin Paecheon’s grandchildren had nearly died, and Baek Jagang had even fought directly against the Battle King.
Then, astonishing words came out of Geom Woojin’s mouth.
“Even if we fight, let’s fight among ourselves.”
It meant: let’s not drag outsiders into our battles. In other words, let’s join forces to eliminate those bastards.
“Our cult intends to share all information related to them with you, and will make eradicating them our top priority.”
Jin Paecheon and Baek Jagang were caught off guard. They hadn’t expected Geom Woojin to lay down his cards first.
In negotiations, the one who reveals their intentions first is generally at a disadvantage. And there was no way the Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult wouldn’t know that. Especially someone as proud as him—one would expect him to wait for them to propose cooperation first.
But Geom Woojin shattered those expectations.
Had this man changed too? Or was this all part of some other scheme?
Many thoughts raced through Jin Paecheon’s mind.
Could the words of this Cult Leader really be trusted?
There was no way to know.
As always, it was time to rely on that thing which had helped him survive until now—his instinct.
Instinct didn’t tell him whether the Cult Leader’s words were true or false. Instead, it turned his head.
In the distance, he saw Geom Mugeuk.
His instincts told him to look at that child. And then they whispered: 'If you’re unsure, trust that kid. The one who dragged you and the Unorthodox Alliance Leader all the way to the front of the Cult Leader’s tavern.'
At last, Jin Paecheon spoke his honest feelings.
“To be honest, I’ve never had a serious conversation with my grandchildren. You’re right. I don’t know what kind of Righteous Path that child dreams of.”
His gaze toward Jin Hagun grew deeper.
“I want to see the Righteous Path that child walks. I’m sure it’s a beautiful and admirable one. Yes, if we want to see that road, we’ll need to crush all those despicable rats who scheme in the shadows.”
Jin Paecheon turned his gaze back to Geom Woojin.
“Very well. Our Alliance will also share all information related to them and make taking down their backers our top priority.”
This was the moment the Martial Alliance decided to join hands with the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
Both Geom Woojin and Jin Paecheon turned their eyes to Baek Jagang.
He had already made up his mind. Though he wasn’t someone who talked much and no one could tell that he had a knack for detecting lies, at the very least, there hadn’t been a single moment in today’s conversation with Geom Woojin that had sent chills to his ears.
“When the orthodox move, how could the unorthodox cling to stubbornness? Let’s show those bastards exactly who they dared to provoke.”
His small eyes smiled. Though his tone was humble, as if yielding a step to the Orthodox or the Demonic, his gaze was one that bowed to no one.
No more words were needed.
The three raised their cups, and they clinked together in midair.
It was the moment an unprecedented alliance of Orthodox, Demonic, and Unorthodox forces was born in the history of the martial world.
From now on, the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, the Martial Alliance, and the Unorthodox Alliance would share all information regarding the forces behind the incident. They would pursue the enemy together—and if needed, offer mutual support.
At some point, Geom Mugeuk had opened his eyes and was quietly watching the three make their toast. The other four were doing the same.
From the moment the voices were blocked out, they all knew a serious conversation was taking place. And so, when the toast happened, they could guess: the Three-Way Alliance had been formed.
This was what it meant to trust one’s father. No matter what his father thought of his Demonic Path, or despised the other two, at the very least, he was someone who knew exactly what to do in the right place, at the right time.
That was why he had been able to host this summit with peace of mind. Because he knew his father would handle the rest. As expected, a father was a father.
“Honestly, these are people who truly don’t know how to have fun.”
At Geom Mugeuk’s words, everyone smiled.
“This is a historic moment. We can’t just let it pass quietly. Since those who don’t know how to celebrate are sitting there, why don’t we do it for them instead? Drink to our heart’s content, sing our lungs out, and then…”
With a meaningful grin, Geom Mugeuk turned his gaze to Bih Sa-in.
“Why are you looking at me?”
Startled, Bih Sa-in saw it.
A massive storm cloud bringing a typhoon. A tidal wave rising up to the heavens. Lava erupting from the ground like fireballs. No, worse than any of that—the greatest crisis of his life was rushing down upon him. 6
1 : Oh believe me, you don’t get to see such moments often. Most of the time it’s teasing, arguments and blame-shifting. But at least, you *know* your sibling is there to protect us in cases like these (or at least, you very much hope so ^^).
2 : Hmmm, what could it be…..
3 : That’s quite the understatement XDXDXD Plus you have too much fun ignoring him when he asks ^^
4 : It’s always the little things that resonate more deeply. The slightest butterfly wings flap that create the greatest storms.
5 : He’s trying to make an effort too. It’s especially hard for these old men since they’re stubborn and inflexible.
6 : *Immediately understand* Bih Sa-in : “NOOOOOOOOO !!!!!!” Me : “YEEEEEESSSSSSS !!!!” XDXDXD