Chapter 376: The Banquet is Canceled
Chapter 376: The Banquet is Canceled
It was a small fragment of iron.
Unlike the round Black Essence of the Pungcheon Cult that the Secret Casket had first absorbed, this piece was different. It was an ornament shaped like a fang, looking as though it had been torn from a beast made of metal. It was a bit too heavy to wear as a pendant, making it better suited as a desk decoration.
"I’ll take this."
Bi Sa-in looked at Geom Mu-geuk with a startled expression. "Are you serious?"
"I am."
"May I take a look?"
"By all means."
Bi Sa-in examined the ornament closely. No matter how he looked at it, it was just a fang made of iron. However, there was no way Geom Mu-geuk would have chosen it without a reason.
"Why do you want this specifically?"
"I felt a strong pull toward it."
"I truly can't figure you out."
This wasn't the first or second time he’d felt this way since meeting Geom Mu-geuk, but this instance was the most baffling of all.
"I received the Sun and Moon Sword from you, and the Combat God from the Alliance Leader, didn't I? This is more than enough for me."
"And here you were worried about losing your sense of mystery. The curiosity over why you chose this will probably haunt me for the rest of my life."
Geom Mu-geuk and Bi Sa-in walked out of the Treasure Vault together.
"I never dreamed I would experience things like this with you," Bi Sa-in remarked.
It wasn't just Bi Sa-in. Geom Mu-geuk himself had never imagined he would live such a life after his regression. Back when he wandered the Central Plains alone, desperately searching for materials for the Great Regression Art, he had comforted himself by imagining life after returning to the past. Could he have ever imagined then that he would be walking side-by-side with the Young Alliance Leader of the Unorthodox Path out of their very own Treasure Vault?
"There will be many more unexpected things in the future. Let’s spend our lives being surprised like this."
Though Mu-geuk was younger than him, he was someone Bi Sa-in felt he could always rely on. There was one thing Bi Sa-in wanted to ask such a man.
"Are you not afraid?"
"Of what?"
"The people plotting these conspiracies against us. We don't know what they might do next, hiding there in the darkness."
Since he believed the Combat King had escaped alive, perhaps this fear was only natural. Now that the frantic battle was over and he could finally catch his breath, Bi Sa-in realized just how perilous the situation had been. If not for Geom Mu-geuk, he would have died several times over by now.
Young Cult Leader, what on earth are you thinking?
Mu-geuk answered calmly. "What is there to fear? I am certain I am living more earnestly than they are. If I am defeated even after doing my absolute best, then it simply can't be helped, can it? I shall die without regrets."
"!"
Those words would become a milestone for Bi Sa-in’s future. Even while offering such profound words, Mu-geuk was the one to express his gratitude instead.
"Thank you for keeping your promise."
Thinking of the immense gratitude that had filled the settlement basket, Bi Sa-in felt only apology and shame in this moment. He strode ahead to hide his expression and said, "Just don't be late for the evening banquet."
*
Geom Mu-geuk returned to the guest hall provided by the Unorthodox Path Alliance. After entering the room, he locked the door and closed the windows.
He placed the Secret Casket and the iron fang he had taken from the Treasure Vault onto the table. Having already experienced the casket absorbing Black Essence once, he wasn't surprised by what was to come.
By the way, you seem to absorb things of different shapes too.
"You were hungry, right? Here, eat up!"
However, the Secret Casket didn't budge.
"Eat. Why aren't you eating?"
It had definitely vibrated earlier, but the casket did not absorb the iron ornament.
"Did your face change to a different side in the meantime?"
He changed the orientation and placed the fang ornament against a different side, but it still wasn't absorbed.
"What? Is it not this? Was it something else nearby?"
Of course, that couldn't be it. It had clearly reacted to this item. He tried several different methods, but it was all in vain. Eventually, Geom Mu-geuk gave up.
"You must be full."
The Secret Casket merely maintained the bright smile he had drawn on it.
*
That evening, Geom Mu-geuk walked down the corridor toward the Alliance Leader’s Hall, guided by In Gung.
In Gung naturally stopped at a certain point and looked back; as expected, Geom Mu-geuk had stopped in front of the steel wolf statue.
"Since you won't be able to see it after today, why don't you take a moment to say your goodbyes? I will be waiting in the Alliance Leader’s Hall."
He felt sorry for not giving Mu-geuk enough time with the wolf statue he liked so much. It was a gesture of consideration born from the goodwill of Mu-geuk having saved the Alliance Leader.
"Thank you. I’ll be there shortly."
Once In Gung disappeared, Mu-geuk bid farewell to the wolf.
"I won't be seeing you anymore either."
He didn't know why this wolf statue kept catching his eye. Was it because he felt his past life before the regression resembled this lonely wolf? Perhaps.
"We won't meet again. Take care."
After stroking the wolf's head, Mu-geuk was about to turn away when he suddenly froze. A thought struck him like a bolt of lightning. Mu-geuk pulled the fang ornament from his robe.
Could it be? No way, right?
Mu-geuk placed the fang into the steel wolf's open maw. He tried fitting it into the space where a fang should be, but there was no change. It was the same on the other side.
I figured as much.
He was about to leave, but since he had already started, he tried the upper teeth as well. At that exact moment, a blue radiance erupted from the wolf's eyes.
Swaaaaaaa!
In that instant, it felt as if the wolf had come to life. Mu-geuk circulated his internal energy and stepped back. Fortunately, the wolf did not attack him. Instead, with a mechanical clack, something rolled out from the wolf's mouth.
Mu-geuk was astonished when he saw what it was.
What had emerged was a blue-tinted orb. If the one he had absorbed before was the black-colored Black Essence, this was the blue-colored Blue Essence. It was even the exact same size.
This fang had been the key to extracting the orb hidden inside the steel wolf's body. Only now did he understand why he had been so drawn to this statue. It wasn't him, but the Secret Casket that had led him. Or perhaps the energy of the Black Essence he had absorbed earlier had pulled him toward its counterpart.
Vwooooong.
The Secret Casket in his robe vibrated in response. He took out the casket and placed the Blue Essence on top of it.
Sliiiide.
As if it had been waiting, the Secret Casket began to absorb the Blue Essence. The hard orb seeped into the casket like liquid. After absorbing all of the Blue Essence, the casket vibrated once, and then...
Sssssss!
Something with a blue aura began to emerge from the Secret Casket.
It was the same as with the Black Essence. It wasn't smoke, liquid, internal energy, or light. Something indescribable spread through Mu-geuk’s hands and arms, permeating his entire body.
Once again, the Heavenly Demon Body Protection Art did not activate. Instead, a refreshing sensation spread through his form. Mu-geuk’s instincts were certain: whatever this energy was, it would not harm him.
The moment the energy spread from head to toe, a radiance erupted from Mu-geuk’s body. It was a light so intense he had to shield his eyes. When he opened them again, the blue energy had been completely absorbed. He had taken in the second energy through the Secret Casket.
That said, there were no immediate changes to his body. The two energies did not meet or mix. They simply lay dormant, each deep within his body. He felt it was because he hadn't yet absorbed all the energies required to trigger a true change.
The Secret Casket spat out the Blue Essence, now drained of its power. It had become an ordinary stone. After storing the casket, the stone, and the fang in his robe, he expressed his gratitude to the wolf.
"I won't let what you held be used in vain. Thank you, Blue Wolf."
The wolf stood as majestic as ever, as if it had never emitted a blue light from its eyes. Geom Mu-geuk slowly made his way toward the Alliance Leader’s Hall.
*
Seated in his Grand Tutor's chair, Baek Ja-gang was thinking of the Heavenly Demon, Geom Wu-jin. That gaze that seemed to look down on him was still vivid in his mind. He had met him twice, and both times, it was the same look.
Would a third time be any different?
In the past, he would have refused outright, but the reason he was hesitating now wasn't because of this conspiracy. It wasn't because he wanted to become friends with Geom Wu-jin either. It was because of Geom Mu-geuk.
He raised a son like that? That Geom Wu-jin?
He couldn't believe it. He wanted to meet him and see for himself—to confirm that it wasn't Geom Wu-jin’s influence, but that such a son had been born and raised like a freak of nature. If Geom Wu-jin really had raised him that way, he felt like he would be truly infuriated.
"What do you think?"
Bi Sa-in, standing below the chair, answered calmly. "I think you should go."
"Your reason?"
"Because I believe in you, Alliance Leader."
"Because you believe in me?"
"Because you are the only person in this world I truly trust."
Baek Ja-gang looked down at his disciple with a surprised expression. He wasn't the type to say such things, but he had changed.
"Since meeting the Young Cult Leader, I have been thinking a lot about the need to change."
"Because you have to change to win?"
He naturally assumed that was the case, but Bi Sa-in had a different thought.
"No, I have no intention of winning."
"It’s not that you lack the confidence to win?"
"I’ve changed the dream itself. Instead of dreaming of winning, I dream of walking together. Perhaps that will be a harder battle for me than a fight over winning or losing."
Just as it is harder for a martial artist not to draw their sword than it is to draw it.
"It will be very difficult beside such an extraordinary person. There will be comparisons, wounded pride, and a lot of self-loathing. But I want to try. I’m not satisfied with being the head of a snake; I want to dream of ascending to heaven by entangling myself with a dragon. Even if I fall and die, I’ll die having seen the sky, so I’ll have no regrets."
Bi Sa-in said everything he had to say without being intimidated. This was the first time he had spoken so much in front of the Alliance Leader.
Baek Ja-gang was inwardly satisfied. His disciple was right. Right now, winning or losing wasn't important. What mattered was momentum. It was better for him to state his convictions like this than to make empty boasts about winning just to look good.
He had lived his life without children. That was why, as he grew older, there were times he felt a sense of regret.
But here is my child.
That was how he felt. His disciple, who was like a son, was saying he would walk a path Baek Ja-gang himself had never taken. Indeed, no matter how big a snake grew, it was still just a snake.
Just then, news of Geom Mu-geuk’s arrival came. A moment later, the doors to the Alliance Leader’s Hall opened, and Mu-geuk stepped inside. When he reached the chair, Baek Ja-gang spoke first.
"Did you rest well?"
"Thanks to you, I’ve returned after a comfortable rest."
Baek Ja-gang must have heard what Mu-geuk had chosen from the Treasure Vault, but he didn't ask about it. Once permission was given, that was the end of it. That resolute mindset reminded Mu-geuk a lot of his father. It made him hope that the two of them might actually get along.
Instead, Baek Ja-gang asked something else. "What kind of person do you think I am?"
A brief silence followed the sudden question. Bi Sa-in was also curious about how Mu-geuk would answer. After a moment of thought, Mu-geuk broke the silence.
"To be honest, I haven't known you long enough to say for sure. However, seeing as you lead the Unorthodox Path with dignity while competing with my father, you must be a great man."
It was a humble response that elevated both his father and Baek Ja-gang.
"Since he is the person my friend here respects most, I’m sure you are someone worthy of respect."
Mu-geuk’s gaze, which had briefly turned toward Bi Sa-in, now fixed on Baek Ja-gang.
"However, the answer I just gave was based on others. I would like to give you my own answer, based purely on what I feel. I want to know more about what kind of person you are, Alliance Leader. So, why don't you come to my restaurant for a drink?"
Baek Ja-gang fell into thought as he looked down at Mu-geuk. If he went, he would meet Geom Wu-jin. This decision could change not only his own fate but the fate of the entire Unorthodox Path Alliance.
Finally, Baek Ja-gang made up his mind.
"Today's banquet is canceled."
And he added a surprising reason.
"We shall have our drinks at your restaurant instead."
A bright smile spread across Geom Mu-geuk’s face at Baek Ja-gang’s decisive choice.
"Thank you very much, Alliance Leader."
"In exchange, as you mentioned, you must resolve the Murim Alliance issue yourself. After that, we will set a specific schedule. However, if the Murim Alliance does not accept, this decision is void."
"I understand. I will contact you as soon as it is resolved."
Mu-geuk knew. He knew how difficult this decision was for the leader of the Unorthodox Path. Who would jump into enemy territory without knowing how things would turn out? He had just staked his life.
"I still don't know exactly what kind of person you are, but I must say this."
"Say what?"
"You are magnificent."
Since he didn't feel any goosebumps, the Young Cult Leader seemed to sincerely think he was magnificent.
"I’ll pass on the flattery," Baek Ja-gang replied with a smirk.
Mu-geuk bowed respectfully. "Then, please take care until we meet again."
Mu-geuk left the Alliance Leader’s Hall. The leader of the Unorthodox Path was someone he hadn't known well before his regression, but he turned out to be such a straightforward man. I like this guy.
As he waited for a moment in front of the hall, Bi Sa-in followed him out.
"Are you leaving immediately?"
Mu-geuk nodded.
"Where are you headed now?"
"I need to stop by a safe house to pick up someone I need to take to the Main Cult. I also need to see the Poison King. After stopping at the Main Cult, I’ll head back to the Murim Alliance. If things go well there, I’ll send word immediately."
"You certainly are busy."
He was a man whose specialty was arriving and departing abruptly, but this time, Bi Sa-in felt a sense of regret at their parting.
"I suppose you’ll see Captain Jin when you get there."
Jin Ha-gun had been disappointed he couldn't come along for the Unorthodox Path Alliance business, but now Bi Sa-in was in that same position.
"You should come with us."
"The Murim Alliance Leader would just love the three of us hanging out together. Going there would only irritate him. Why are you looking at me like that?"
Then came Mu-geuk’s surprise question. "When are you going to dance?"
Bi Sa-in’s face flushed with embarrassment.
"Surely the Young Alliance Leader of the Unorthodox Path wouldn't go back on his own word?"
"I’ll do it! I said I’d do it!"
Now even his ears were red. Honestly, one could never let their guard down for a second around Geom Mu-geuk.
Fortunately, 1st Wolf arrived and saved him. He handed over the sword box he had been keeping. Bi Sa-in passed it back to Mu-geuk.
"Here is the Sun and Moon Sword I was holding for you."
"Thanks for the gift."
Just as Mu-geuk’s lips twitched to ask about the dance again...
"I’m currently holding two swords," Mu-geuk noted.
"Then I’ll hold back. I suppose I have to."
This playful and persistent man would probably tease him about this for a long time. Eventually, he would have to perform that dance someday. After that final bit of banter, the two of them bid each other a pleasant farewell.
"I will definitely persuade the Murim Alliance Leader, so let’s see each other at the Main Cult."