"Revenge is fine and all, but you need to set clear boundaries. Otherwise, you might end up being the one getting devoured."
At Chun-bong’s words, Seo-jun gave her a strange look.
"Have I killed too many?"
"No."
"Really?"
"Yeah. If you're gonna do it, do it thoroughly. Being underestimated is even worse."
Chun-bong's eyes took on a peculiar glow—platinum tinged with the hues of sunset. That mysterious light reflected Seo-jun.
"But you should start thinking about what comes next. You said it before—it's easier to deal with those who bare their fangs than to protect something."
"I did."
"You really need to think about that carefully. Even if you wipe out an entire sect, human ties don’t stop at sect boundaries. If you keep cutting people down, you'll eventually turn the whole world into your enemy."
Chun-bong poked Seo-jun’s arm with the skewer she had been using.
"Same goes for the Black Lotus Union. Even if you destroy them completely, as long as people exist, you can’t erase the very concept of demonic cults."
"...Is that so?"
Seo-jun leaned back against the bench, his gaze tilting toward the sky. As expected, the sunset-painted heavens were red.
"Then, do you think I should stop now?"
The thought ran deep. Especially because it was coming from Chun-bong.
She often acted like a child, but she was wise. Seo-jun trusted her judgment more than anyone else’s.
When he glanced sideways at Chun-bong, she blinked at him.
"How would I know?"
"What."
"I'm just saying. The decision is yours. You’re not a kid."
Chun-bong tucked the last of her sugar-glazed hawthorn skewer into her sleeve.
"I just thought someone should say it once. Unni wouldn't stop you from doing whatever you want."
"Sua noona... yeah, she wouldn’t."
Even if he suggested streaking around naked, she’d probably just nod shyly.
"If that’s what you want, Seo-jun…"
The image played out in his head, shockingly vivid.
"Oh..."
"You bastard... What the hell are you thinking about right now?"
"Naked walk."
"...Are you out of your damn mind?"
Chun-bong instinctively put some distance between them. Seo-jun wouldn’t allow it. He shot up from his seat and lifted her into the air.
"H-Hey! Put me down! I told you not to—!"
Ignoring her protests, he hoisted her onto his shoulders. Startled, Chun-bong instinctively grabbed onto the back of his head, clinging tightly to avoid falling. Seo-jun burst into laughter.
"This oppa is not a madman."
"That’s not the problem..."
"I don’t like naked walks."
"Huh. That’s a relief."
With Chun-bong riding on his shoulders, Seo-jun started walking toward the Namgung Clan. It was about time to head back.
"Anyway, that’s the thing."
"Hm?"
Wasn't the conversation over? When he tilted his head up, Chun-bong was staring down at him, their eyes meeting.
"I believe in you. But just take a moment, every now and then, to ask yourself—was this really the path you wanted to take?"
"That’s a good idea."
"As long as you’re sure, I’ll follow you to the end. No matter what anyone says, there’s nothing in this entire Zhongyuan more important to me than you."
Her gaze was sincere.
It felt like a statement far more embarrassing than saying “I love you” or expressing affection.
But honestly, it didn’t matter.
"I’m really happy to be Chun-bong’s oppa."
"Then act like it."
"I always do."
Their steps toward the Namgung Clan felt so light that a hum naturally escaped him.
Seo-jun was a man who knew how to put what he learned into practice.
"I love you."
"Mm...?"
Nestled in his arms, Namgung Sua’s face flushed red.
"What’s with you all of a sudden...?"
"You don’t like it?"
"I do, of course..."
Burying her face in his chest, Namgung Sua peeked up at him.
"...I love you too."
Her shy eye smile was utterly seductive. Seo-jun chuckled and rested his chin on the top of her head. A muffled voice rose from below.
"...What about Geum Mae?"
"Hm?"
"You don’t usually say it to Geum Mae, do you?"
"Ah, the newly reborn New Lee Seo-jun is different now."
Chun-bong had been the one who told him he should express his feelings more often.
If he excluded only her, even the ever-magnanimous Geum Chun-bong might throw a fit, hugging a pillow and sobbing her heart out.
"I already told her."
And that resulted in Chun-bong blushing bright red, landing a few punches on him before running away.
"Hmph... What did you two even talk about yesterday?"
Namgung Sua let out a faintly amused hum, tapping Seo-jun’s chest. When he finally let go, she fixed her tousled hair and spoke.
"Anyway, the mourners should be arriving soon."
"Time flies when you’re cooped up indoors."
It had already been a while since the Sword Sect was annihilated. As expected, rumors had spread like wildfire.
"The Heavenly Lord Who Annihilates Evil wiped out the Sword Sect single-handedly!"
The sect leader, Geom Yul, had been killed by Namgung Jincheon. But the former sect leader, Geom Hyeon, who had taken over in his stead, was also a well-known master of the previous generation.
Just because someone belonged to the previous generation didn’t necessarily mean they were stronger than the current one. But time itself was power.
No one doubted the strength of the Thousand Sword Lord, Geom Hyeon. Naturally, the fame of the Heavenly Lord Who Annihilates Evil soared.
"Now that I think about it, fame isn’t all that useful."
Seo-jun carried the still-blushing Chun-bong on his back as he walked. Namgung Sua naturally looped her arm around his.
"Isn’t it a good thing?"
"I don’t know. Doesn’t seem that important."
Once someone stepped into the realm of Supreme Grandmaster, reputation became nothing more than an empty shell.
Ultimately, only a Supreme Grandmaster could contend with another Supreme Grandmaster. Those below them were insignificant.
Put simply, having a good reputation among ordinary people was about as meaningful to a Supreme Grandmaster as being popular among stray cats.
Of course, if those ordinary people had connections to a Supreme Grandmaster, that was a different story. It was like the difference between a stray cat and a pet cat.
And messing with someone’s pet cat could definitely start a fight with its owner.
"Well, it probably depends on the Supreme Grandmaster, but that’s usually how it goes."
That was precisely why Hwangbo Ryung initially refused to acknowledge Namgung Myeong’s marriage.
On the surface, the Hwangbo Clan and Namgung Clan seemed to hold similar positions. But such superficial titles meant nothing.
Hwangbo Ryung was a Supreme Grandmaster. Namgung Myeong was merely a Grandmaster.
The only reason Hwangbo Ryung eventually relented was that a Supreme Grandmaster—Seo-jun himself—had personally confronted him.
In crude terms, they had finally begun to communicate on equal footing.
Chun-bong, still on his back, leaned forward, her gaze meeting Seo-jun’s.
"You better not start treating me differently just because you're a Supreme Grandmaster."
"If anyone else does, call me. I’ll break their heads, Supreme Grandmaster or not."
"I mean you, dumbass."
"Then try making some sense, Geum Chun-bong."
After all, even Supreme Grandmasters were still human.
"...Probably."
As Seo-jun chuckled and continued walking, Namgung Sua pressed herself closer to him and whispered,
"Noona doesn’t mind being treated a little roughly."
"But that would break my heart, so no."
"Mmm, well, that’s a shame, but I guess there’s no helping it."
Namgung Sua pouted her lips. He’d have to smack her ass later.
When Seo-jun arrived at the clan leader’s hall, he lowered Chun-bong from his back. Upon entering, Namgung Myeong and Hwangbo Hyeji greeted them.
"Ah, hyungnim. You’re here. The mourners should start arriving one by one soon."
"Yeah, Noona told me. Will there be a lot of people?"
"Of course. There are people from the Sixteen Noble Clans, as well as members of various mid-tier sects, so the numbers will be significant."
Just as Namgung Myeong said, every day, countless mourners visited the Namgung Clan.
Since Zhongyuan was vast, there was still some time left before the funeral, yet many had already arrived in advance.
The Namgung Clan, in turn, had recalled all its members who had been away. Luckily, with the Black Lotus Union’s power greatly weakened, there were no major disturbances.
"Ah, Daoist Heo Do-jin."
"It has been a while, Heavenly Lord Who Annihilates Evil."
"Why so formal? Just speak comfortably."
"Then I shall do so."
Perhaps mindful of the fact that Seo-jun was now the strongest force within the Namgung Clan, many of the visitors from the Sixteen Noble Clans were already acquainted with him.
Among them was Daoist Heo Do-jin from Wudang, whom he had previously met at the Yongbong Assembly.
"Have you eaten lunch?"
"Not yet."
"Want to eat together?"
"Then I shall accept your lunch recommendation."
The atmosphere in mourning was heavy. Even Heo Do-jin spoke in a low, quiet tone.
But seeing him utter such a serious statement about lunch recommendations, Seo-jun had to bite his lip to keep from laughing.
"Should I have explained it in more detail?"
It seemed like he thought it was just some trendy slang that young people used.
Geum Chun-bong, who was fluent in MZ generation lingo, was staring at Heo Do-jin with a strange expression.
Over the next few days, members of the Sixteen Noble Clans began arriving one after another at the Namgung Clan.
Mount Hua, Zhongnan, Wudang, Qingcheng, Kunlun, Emei, Kongtong, Shaolin, Beggars' Sect, Tang Clan, Zhuge Clan, Peng Clan.
And finally, the Imperial Family.
A particularly massive procession led by the Imperial Family drew countless gazes.
At the forefront stood the Third Prince, Zhu Yang-il. Watching him, Chun-bong clicked her tongue.
"Dragging that kind of procession to someone else’s mourning? You really have to hand it to the Imperial Family for their vanity."
Her voice wasn’t loud. With Namgung Jincheon’s funeral approaching, neither Seo-jun nor Chun-bong intended to cause friction with the mourners if they could help it.
"Ah, my, how terribly sorry I am."
But had someone overheard?
A man suddenly appeared.
Chun-bong hadn’t even reacted. Her eyes widened in surprise.
Grinning, the man spoke.
"Oh, come now, come now. You’re scaring me. My apologies for the procession. It’s just that, well, everyone kept saying something about the Emperor’s dignity and all that."
The man took a step back. The qi that had subtly reacted to Seo-jun’s will, silently keeping the man in check, slowly dissipated.
Seo-jun narrowed his eyes and scrutinized him.
But there was no need to look closely to discern his identity.
A black robe embroidered with golden dragons.
An aura that blended seamlessly into space itself.
His identity was beyond obvious.
"A little different from what I expected."
His smile was frivolous, his demeanor lighthearted. Even his dragon robe was worn sloppily, as if thrown on without care.
The man suddenly leaned in.
"You’re that guy, right? Heavenly Lord Who Annihilates Evil. I’ve heard a lot about you. Nice to meet you."
"And you are?"
"Zhu Wonjang."
The master of the Imperial Family—the Emperor—smirked.
"Looking forward to working with you."