Chapter 869 ·Did I Perhaps Make a Drunken Scene?

The ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍four pressed in on the two.

Their ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍target was not the hot and fearsome one, but the cold and beautiful one.

“You ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍didn’t even send word that you were coming to us.”

As ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Geom Mugeuk fired the opening shot, Lee Ahn played along.

“I ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍didn’t even know, and I’m her only cousin.”

Jin ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Hagun, too, made a joke he would never normally direct at Han Seol.

“You went to the Divine Cult last time, then to the Unorthodox Alliance next, so I thought you’d come to our Martial Alliance this time.”

At Jin Hagun’s words, Jin Haryeong recalled how Geom Mugeuk had once asked Han Seol about her ideal type.

“This is all because Brother isn’t reliable and talks too much.”

Jin Hagun looked aggrieved.

He had always been known as a dependable man of few words.

And now, he was being told that he talked too much, right in front of Geom Mugeuk, no less.

“I can’t let that slide!”

With Geom Mugeuk taking the lead, the other three followed, pressing forward.

Han Seol took a step back, and Bih Sa-in stepped in front of her. He had moved instinctively, but the moment he caught the playful glint on Geom Mugeuk’s face, he inwardly clicked his tongue.

“So I’ve had it wrong all this time.”

Geom Mugeuk glanced at Jin Hagun beside him and spoke.

“I thought you were the Young Leader of the Martial Alliance all along.”

Jin Hagun wondered what he meant.

“Anyone looking would think we’re the villains, and that fellow there is the righteous hero protecting a lady, isn’t he?”

Jin Hagun nodded.

“Truth be told, I was from the Unorthodox Alliance.”

At her brother’s silly joke, Jin Haryeong let out a small laugh. Was he putting on a performance like a medicine peddler? Or casually tossing out such jokes? She was seeing many sides of her brother she had never seen before today.

Geom Mugeuk shouted solemnly.

“To think that the first war of our era would be fought between the Demonic Alliance and the Four Beauties Alliance. I never dreamed it would come to this.”

Bih Sa-in hurriedly waved his hands.

“Don’t misunderstand. It’s not like what you’re thinking. It’s just…”

“Just what!”

Han Seol, who had been watching their antics, finally spoke.

“I came to congratulate Young Leader Bi on his birthday. It’s been a while since I’ve seen everyone.”

Han Seol greeted Lee Ahn separately.

“Sister, have you been well?”

“I’ll hear news about you through Young Leader Bi from now on.”

Everyone could tell that Han Seol had feelings for Bih Sa-in. To come all this way personally just to celebrate his birthday? That would be impossible without interest in him.

And Han Seol did not bother to hide it.

“He is the kindest to me.”

A faint blush touched Bih Sa-in’s face. Spring had come to that fearsome visage.

“I said you looked handsome when you smiled, but not right now!”

Geom Mugeuk became a meddler in love and laid out a formation.

“Since I’ve become a villain anyway, I shall gladly become a harsh trial for your affection. If you can’t find a way to break through, that affection will never come to fruition. I’ll follow you to the end and interfere!”

At that, Bih Sa-in suddenly asked,

“But is there even anyone here who knows how to break through affection?”

When Geom Mugeuk could not offer a rebuttal, Jin Haryeong stepped in as a fair judge.

“It seems the Young Leader has already found the method to break through in a single stroke.”

The trial was shattered, and Geom Mugeuk admitted defeat.

“Ugh! Not a bear, not a wolf. A fox, a fox.”

At that, everyone laughed. And so, the commotion-like greeting came to an end.

Bih Sa-in asked them,

“What in the world is going on?”

Geom Mugeuk looked at Jin Hagun as he answered.

“Hagun took leave. That means both you and we now have a chance to strike the Martial Alliance.”

Bih Sa-in looked at Jin Hagun. Normally, he would have asked, ‘Are you alright?’ It was a question one would ask only after growing close. But now, Bih Sa-in said this instead.

“I’m envious.”

He truly was. Of the courage to put into action what one wanted to do.

“There’s a place open for you too.”

Bih Sa-in understood. They had not come because of his birthday. They had come to ask him to travel together.

Of course, he should go.

The words rose up to his throat. But he could not say them.

He was not in a position to come and go as he pleased.

More importantly, Han Seol was here.

Bih Sa-in turned and spoke to Il-rang.

“Friends have come from afar, so prepare the finest liquor.”

---

Il-rang rented out the entire Hwayang Pavilion.

Originally, he had only reserved a single VIP room, but the situation had changed. This was a gathering of successors who would become the future rulers of the martial world.

Their safety mattered, but there was also the concern that information might leak out.

The Thirteen Wolves guarded the surroundings like an iron wall and even personally brought the drinks and dishes.

Bih Sa-in poured drinks for everyone. He was truly glad and happy that his friends had come.

“Thank you for coming all this way.”

Everyone dropped their playful attitudes and offered sincere congratulations.

“Congratulations.”

“Congratulations!”

They had not even started drinking yet, but Bih Sa-in already felt intoxicated.

The Young Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult and the Young Leader of the Martial Alliance attending the birthday banquet of the Young Leader of the Unorthodox Alliance together?

It was a first in the history of the martial world, and something that would likely never happen again.

Without a doubt, they were leaving their mark on history.

“Now, to Sa-in’s birthday! Cheers!”

Everyone drank the first cup in high spirits. The finest liquor of Hwayang Pavilion went down smoothly.

After a drink, Bih Sa-in also offered his congratulations to Geom Mugeuk.

“Congratulations on defeating the Heavenly Killing Star.”

It was their first meeting since Geom Mugeuk had defeated the Heavenly Killing Star.

“It was only possible thanks to the help of the two Alliance Leaders.”

He gave credit to the leaders, but Bih Sa-in knew that it was ultimately the Demonic Cult Leader and Geom Mugeuk who had killed and stopped it. Baek Jagang, who had returned after the battle, had summoned him and told him everything that had happened.

Since the topic had come up, Geom Mugeuk spoke honestly.

“The battle with the Heavenly Killing Star is over, but I’m still fighting.”

There was no need to say who he was fighting.

“We can’t predict what kind of situation will unfold from here on.”

As the atmosphere naturally grew heavy, Geom Mugeuk continued. Before getting drunk, this was something he wanted to say to them.

“So I’ll tell you one principle I’ve decided on.”

At the mention of a principle, everyone looked at him. And that principle was astonishing.

“No matter what situation arises, I will never attack you.”

And then came an even more shocking addition.

“Even if it costs me my life.”

“!”

Everyone could tell—Geom Mugeuk was speaking sincerely.

“Ah, of course, I don’t mean that you’re more important than me. My life is far more precious.”

Even so, the reason he said this was simple.

“If our relationship ever breaks, it won’t be because of a lack of trust, but because of circumstances.”

Geom Mugeuk gave the most extreme example.

“Hundreds of demonic practitioners’ lives are on the line. If I don’t attack you, they’ll all die. The same is true in reverse. When that kind of situation arises, no matter how close we are, we’ll begin to doubt one another. ‘The situation leaves no choice. Hagun will attack.’ ‘Sa-in will attack.’ ‘That loudmouthed demonic bastard will attack.’”

Everyone listened to Geom Mugeuk in silence.

“So I’m telling you this principle now. Even if such a situation arises, I will not attack you. I’ll probably be trying to resolve it in another way. So don’t waste time doubting how I might act. Use that time to find another method yourselves.”

Only now did they fully understand why Geom Mugeuk was stating this principle. It meant they should not waste their mental strength on unnecessary things, but respond as wisely as possible.

And was that resolve his alone? Jin Hagun calmly expressed his own will.

“I, too, will never draw my sword against you.”

Bih Sa-in likewise conveyed his sincerity.

“I swear as well. I will never attack you.”

No more words were needed. The three raised their cups at the same time and made a toast.

The three women watching could feel it. What they were witnessing now might very well be the unification of the martial world.

If not the Young Cult Leader and Young Leaders, but the Cult Leader and the Alliance Leaders themselves were to share such a gathering, then a truly perfect unification of the martial world would be achieved.

Not a unification where the strongest force crushed the other two.

Rather, a perfect unification where all three respected one another, refrained from encroaching upon each other's domains, and coexisted in harmony.

Of course, even within this solemn vow, Geom Mugeuk did not forget to tease the man of the day.

“Of course, if you sneak off to see a woman behind your friend’s back, I might have to draw my sword then.”

Bih Sa-in accepted the joke in good spirits.

“As long as it’s not a matter of kidnapping that woman, I’ll never draw my sword either.”

The three laughed together and emptied their cups once more.

---

Lee Ahn stood outside, letting the night breeze wash over her.

It had been a long time since she had drunk this much. No one had expelled their alcohol.

No one forced drinks on anyone, but everyone had gotten quite drunk.

Especially Bih Sa-in, whose spirits were higher than ever today. It was the first time he had experienced such a lively and joyous birthday banquet.

He drank because he felt good, because the liquor tasted good, and simply because he wanted to.

Even now, the boisterous noise could be heard from inside. At gatherings where only Geom Mugeuk’s voice used to dominate, now Bih Sa-in and Jin Hagun’s voices were contributing just as much.

“It’ll be the first and last birthday banquet.”

At Bih Sa-in’s words, Geom Mugeuk and Jin Hagun shouted drunkenly.

“The last? Then what about my birthday banquet? Even if you quit, you should at least come to mine!”

“Sorry, but the next birthday coming up is mine.”

Listening to their conversation, Lee Ahn smiled.

At that moment, Han Seol approached her from behind.

Just by looking at the stains of food and drink scattered across her pure white clothes, one could tell what kind of atmosphere it had been.

“They really got me good.”

Han Seol’s face was flushed from the alcohol as well.

“It’s a birthday banquet, but it’s also a celebration for defeating a great enemy.”

At Lee Ahn’s words, Han Seol nodded. She had every right to take part in that celebration as well. She and the Northern Sea Ice Palace had played their part in that battle.

“But did something happen between the two of you?”

“Nothing happened. I just came out to have some fun with the Young Cult Leader.”

“No.”

The two Han Seol referred to were not Geom Mugeuk and Lee Ahn.

“I mean you and Miss Jin.”

“Why me and Miss Jin?”

“You seem a bit awkward. I happen to be quite skilled at acting bright while talking with people I feel awkward around.”

Lee Ahn did not try to hide it.

“We decided that during this trip, we’ll determine whether we become friends or enemies.”

Of course, that didn’t mean she told everything.

For a brief moment, Han Seol looked like she didn’t understand, then suddenly spoke.

“Then become enemies.”

Without even hearing the details, Han Seol immediately recommended it. Perhaps it was the alcohol, but she was far more talkative than usual.

“I think that would be better for you, Sister.”

Lee Ahn looked at her quietly, then spoke words she had never said before.

“I always told the Young Cult Leader that I had ten tails. But in truth, I don’t.”

“Then how many?”

Han Seol had expected her to say far more, but the answer was unexpected.

“One.”

After a brief pause, Lee Ahn continued.

“I only have a single tail that deceives others into thinking I have ten.”

Han Seol asked,

“Why did you pretend to have ten tails?”

Lee Ahn looked up at the night sky for a moment.

“Perhaps this is what I wanted to say. Even if I stand silently at your side like a folding screen, acting as a guard, I'm not without my own charm. I'm not merely a frustratingly kind person who always gives way to others. I know how to look after my own interests as well. I'm not a fool who only yields. I'm someone capable of taking what I want.”

Of course, Lee Ahn knew she was not like that.

That ordinary sword placed behind the weapon shop had felt like herself. After receiving just a sip of water, she had gone to save that woman’s husband. Even Han Seol, who did not know her deeply, worried that she might yield something away.

“I thought you were more charming because you had no tail at all.”

“What?”

“The things you dislike about yourself are qualities I could never possess, no matter how hard I tried. To become someone like you, I would need ten tails, pretending to be kind, pretending to yield, pretending not to be selfish, pretending to be someone willing to sacrifice for others. I need those tails to become like you, while you need them to become the opposite.”

The two women looked at each other in silence.

At that moment, Jin Haryeong leaned out of the third-floor window and called out.

“What are you two doing? Come quickly! The star of the day is going to dance!”

Jin Haryeong was quite drunk as well. If she was like that, then Bih Sa-in, who had volunteered to dance, must have been even more drunk.

Lee Ahn shouted back,

“I’m coming! I can miss anything else, but not that.”

By the time she finished speaking, Han Seol had already gone inside.

Those hurried steps were clearly not to enjoy the scene, but to stop it.

As Lee Ahn was about to follow, she glanced up at the night sky and murmured softly,

“Seol, today’s heat doesn’t seem like something even the chill of the Northern Sea could cool.”

---

Bih Sa-in woke up. His head throbbed painfully. It was his first time drinking this much without worrying about the aftermath.

At that moment, deep within his mind, Geom Mugeuk’s voice echoed like a reverberation. It was a line that made every hair on his body stand on end.

—On a day this good, how could we possibly skip dancing!

Bih Sa-in’s eyes snapped open.

He had sworn never to dance again in his life. Then why was the image of himself confidently getting up, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, flashing through his mind?

‘No way… right? Surely not?’

Of course not, but then what was this ominous feeling?

Bih Sa-in got up from the bed and called out.

“Il-rang!”

“You have awakened?”

“Come here for a moment.”

Il-rang, who had been standing guard outside, opened the door and entered.

Seeing him brought back memories of grabbing his hand, dragging him inside, and forcing him to drink with her.

Bih Sa-in asked bluntly,

“Did I dance?”

A smile flickered across Il-rang’s face.

“Which dance, and with whom, are you referring to?”

Damn it! Bih Sa-in shook his head and chose not to ask further.

“Never mind. Forget it.”

No, he had to ask this.

“Did I perhaps make a drunken scene?”

Surely he hadn’t embarrassed himself in front of Han Seol?

Fortunately, Il-rang shook his head.

“It was the first time I’ve seen you enjoy yourself like that. It was a good sight.”

“Then where is everyone?”

At that, Il-rang took out a letter from his sleeve and handed it over.

“This is a letter left by Young Cult Leader Geom as he departed with your friends.”

Bih Sa-in flinched. It seemed they hadn’t been able to wait and had left first. Most likely, they had given him space to spend time with Han Seol.

Still, they could have at least had breakfast together before leaving. Or at least said goodbye.

With a hint of regret, he opened the letter.

If you want to save Miss Han, follow the western main road. But come alone.

For a moment, Bih Sa-in stared blankly at the letter, then burst into loud laughter.

It was a proposal perfectly befitting Geom Mugeuk's style. Taking Han Seol with him essentially meant: don't think too hard about it, just follow along. A brazen mix of coercion and hostage-taking that only Geom Mugeuk could pull off.

Bih Sa-in showed the letter to Il-rang. He had already guessed what it contained. After all, Geom Mugeuk had taken Han Seol with him.

“Il-rang.”

“Yes, Young Leader.”

Bih Sa-in looked at him calmly.

“This time… I really will have to go save her alone.”

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