Chapter 393: Alliance Leader, You Should Leave a Message Too
Chapter 393: Alliance Leader, You Should Leave a Message Too
Jin Ha-gun envied his sister’s courage.
She had been that way since they were children. If there was something she wanted, she was the type to dive in headfirst. After all, she was the same girl who had once stood boldly before their grandfather and declared she would marry a mere attendant.
He turned his gaze to Geom Mu-yang, who stood beside him. Mu-yang was silently watching the three of them dance.
What is this man—the one said to resemble me—thinking right now? Is he envying his sibling just as I am?
Jin Ha-gun then looked up toward the second floor. The expression on his grandfather’s face as he watched Ha-ryeong was soft. He never expected to see the Great Jin Pae-cheon looking so relaxed while sitting between the Heavenly Demon and the Unorthodox Path Alliance Leader.
His sister dancing, his grandfather sharing a table with the heads of the Demonic Cult and the Unorthodox Path, and himself standing beside the First Young Master of the Demonic Cult—none of it felt real.
Finally, Jin Ha-gun’s gaze shifted to the person who had orchestrated this entire fantasy-like scene.
Indeed, how could a man like that not feel embarrassed?
He was likely enduring it for the sake of his friend. Even if it hadn't been a dance floor but a deathtrap surrounded by thousands of enemies, the Geom Mu-geuk he knew would have charged right in without hesitation.
I have to manage the Murim alongside this man. To keep pace with him, I must never forget this moment and the effort it requires.
Even Bi Sa-in, who was following along with that ridiculous dance despite his fierce countenance, was clearly putting in the effort. At the very least, he was one step ahead of Ha-gun.
Geom Mu-geuk shouted to the musicians.
“Alright, give us the final song!”
Perhaps because they knew the end was near, the trio’s movements became even more dazzling.
Though the dance had started in awkwardness, it was different now. They were fully immersed, releasing all the pent-up stress they had accumulated. When else would they ever have the chance to dance like this to such music?
As the final note faded, a heavy silence fell over the bustling marketplace.
Bi Sa-in only then came to his senses.
Dancing to the music, Geom Mu-geuk jumping in... he didn't remember much after that. He couldn't recall what kind of movements he had performed or how. It felt as though a storm had passed through him. A tidal wave had swept the marketplace, and lava had scorched his heart.
Awkwardness rushed back in an instant. Should I run back into the tavern? Just as he was debating his escape, Geom Mu-geuk spoke up loudly.
“That concludes Young Alliance Leader Bi’s dance performance!”
Applause broke out from all sides, and the three of them bowed with a formal fist salute. The unit leaders guarding the marketplace clapped enthusiastically. Jang Ho, in particular, shouted at the top of his lungs.
“You were magnificent!”
Out of courtesy to Bi Sa-in and Jin Ha-ryeong, he didn't name a specific person, but the target was obviously Geom Mu-geuk. Normally, he would have wanted to scream, ‘Young Cult Leader, you’re the coolest!’
Geom Mu-geuk smiled brightly and waved his hand toward Jang Ho and the unit leaders.
Watching this, Jin Ha-gun had a sudden thought. Had he ever seen a leader wave to his subordinates with such a radiant face?
Did he not know the sorrowful truth that humans ultimately betray those who are kind to them, rather than those they fear? No, that was impossible. He likely knew it better than anyone. He smiled and waved despite knowing.
The dancing trio walked toward the entrance.
“How was it?”
Instead of answering Geom Mu-geuk’s question, Geom Mu-yang asked one of his own.
“Tell the truth. You just wanted to dance, didn't you?”
Geom Mu-geuk chuckled at his brother’s jab.
“I think I might actually have a talent for it.”
Geom Mu-yang turned away as if he hadn't heard a word, and everyone followed him back into the tavern.
Jo Chun-bae, waiting at the entrance, spoke with a moved expression.
“There have been countless performances in the Ma Clan Village marketplace, but today’s was the best!”
The scene of them dancing in front of his tavern was etched into Jo Chun-bae’s mind like a masterpiece. Just like the sight of the Demon Lords standing guard, he would never forget this moment.
On the other hand, the experts of the Unorthodox Faction looked at Bi Sa-in with displeased expressions. Some wore traces of mockery, while others looked at him as if he were pathetic. Though they didn't voice it openly, their faces were dark. It was inevitable; the successor of the Unorthodox Path Alliance had danced without any regard for his dignity.
In the past, Bi Sa-in would have been consumed by that reaction. He would have assumed his pounding heart was due to shame and blamed himself for performing a dance he shouldn't have.
But it was different now. His heart wasn't racing because of them. This thumping was the joy of having kept a promise. It was the thrill of a friendship that shared in his embarrassment.
Because of that, Bi Sa-in didn't care about those sending him cold looks.
In any case, these were his master’s people. By the time he became the Unorthodox Path Alliance Leader, new people would be standing in those spots.
The people I need to worry about are the ones who will be standing there then.
He thought he had grown significantly just by reaching this conclusion, but Geom Mu-geuk pulled him up another level by playfully wiggling his hips.
Geom Mu-geuk was teasing the Demon Lords by showing them the dance moves he had just performed.
The Demon Lords each reacted differently. Some shook their heads, some looked away, and some wore faint smiles. But at the very least, none of them mocked him or looked at him with pity. There was a deep sense of intimacy and bonding between them.
Seeing that, Bi Sa-in realized his thinking had been flawed.
I shouldn't wait for later; I need to change things now.
Those Demon Lords weren't Geom Mu-geuk’s Demon Lords; they were the subordinates of the current Heavenly Demon. Yet, they reacted that way. If these men were like this, what would Geom Mu-geuk’s own Demon Lords be like in the future? If Geom Mu-geuk jumped in, all eight of them might have jumped in to dance with him.
I need to work so that the expressions of those Unorthodox experts change to match these Demon Lords.
Bi Sa-in looked at the Unorthodox experts again. He offered a polite fist salute, his expression saying, ‘Please excuse me, I am still young.’
Whether this single gesture would make a huge difference was uncertain, but among the still-displeased gazes, he felt a few of them soften, if only by a fraction.
Indeed, there is no "later" in human relationships. If you can't do it now, you won't be able to do it later either.
Even in the short walk to the second floor, Bi Sa-in was being stimulated by Geom Mu-geuk’s example. He didn't let that stimulation pass him by; he strove to learn and change from it.
They ascended to the second floor.
Geom Wu-jin, Jin Pae-cheon, and Baek Ja-gang were standing there, watching them approach.
Bi Sa-in walked over and stood before Baek Ja-gang.
“I have returned after fulfilling my promise.”
Internally, Bi Sa-in was tense. He had gone out to dance swept up in the heat of the moment, but now he had returned to reality. In fact, thinking back, telling his master he was going out to dance was a crazy thing to do—especially with the Demonic Cult Leader and the Murim Alliance Leader right there.
He braced himself for a thunderous scolding.
“You need more practice,” Baek Ja-gang said simply.
Only then did Bi Sa-in feel the tension leave his body.
“Yes, Master.”
Bi Sa-in’s gratitude was plain on his face. Thank you, Master. I will never forget the kindness you showed your disciple today.
Jin Pae-cheon shook his head at Jin Ha-ryeong with a look that said she was hopeless, but she melted her grandfather’s heart with a charming smile.
Geom Wu-jin was looking at Geom Mu-geuk with his characteristic sneer. Today, that sneer seemed to say, ‘Now you’re even dancing in front of your father?’
Yes, Father. If I can see this sneer of yours—showing that you are reacting to and enjoying something new—I will do anything.
And so, the successors gathered once more to drink.
Bi Sa-in drained his cup. He felt truly lighthearted. Had he ever felt this unburdened in his life? He had danced in front of all these people; what was there left in the world that he couldn't do?
Bi Sa-in expressed his gratitude to Jin Ha-ryeong. He knew she had jumped in for Geom Mu-geuk’s sake, but thanks to her joining, they were able to finish on a high note.
“Thank you for joining us.”
“I enjoyed it as well,” she replied.
Bi Sa-in deliberately didn't thank Geom Mu-geuk. He was waiting for the inevitable banter asking why he was being ignored.
“You were the coolest I’ve ever seen you!” Geom Mu-geuk said instead.
He always defied expectations.
Bi Sa-in stared at him wordlessly. Geom Mu-geuk was the one who had run out to dance with him in that embarrassing moment. Bi Sa-in should have been the one bowing in thanks. Yet, this man was the first to call him cool.
Do you have any idea? I want to live as coolly as you do. That’s why I’m exhausted lately. I’m just a crow-tit trying to keep up with a stork; I feel like my legs are about to split.
“Is that a compliment for a martial artist?” Bi Sa-in asked.
“It’s a compliment precisely because you are a martial artist. What other martial artist in the world could do such a thing?”
Listening to their conversation, Jin Ha-gun agreed. Whether it was the side Geom Mu-yang had shown earlier or what Bi Sa-in had just done, both were things he could never bring himself to do.
Geom Mu-geuk asked him, “Do you regret it? Thinking you should have danced too?”
Normally, he would have answered that he could never do such a thing even if he died. But Jin Ha-gun said nothing. To be honest, a part of him wondered what it would have been like if he had joined them.
Reading his mind, Geom Mu-geuk said with a laugh, “Then say it boldly. ‘Next time a chance like this comes, I’ll definitely dance!’ Say it with style.”
Jin Ha-gun turned to Bi Sa-in. “Is this how you fell into his trap?”
Bi Sa-in nodded. “Exactly. By the time I came to my senses, I had already made the promise.”
The others smiled at those words.
Even as they drank together, they felt a sense of regret. They knew that once this moment ended, it wouldn't be easy to arrange such a gathering again, and they lamented the passing of time. Once they left the tavern, this moment would remain only as a memory and a longing.
Though they wanted to drink through the night, the time to part eventually came.
Jin Pae-cheon looked at Baek Ja-gang. A single look was enough to communicate: It’s time to go. Baek Ja-gang nodded.
When they first arrived, they hadn't even wanted to exchange a word. Being able to share such a look was a significant development.
Jin Pae-cheon and Baek Ja-gang stood up together.
“Thank you for the invitation,” Jin Pae-cheon said.
Geom Wu-jin stood up to face them. “Thank you for traveling such a long way.”
They exchanged brief but proper farewells. They were still enemies, but they would hold hands at least until the forces behind the recent incidents were uprooted.
The successors also bid each other bittersweet farewells.
Geom Mu-geuk said to Bi Sa-in, “It was cool seeing you keep your promise.”
Those were the words Bi Sa-in had wanted to hear most. The biggest reason he had summoned his courage was to show Mu-geuk that he was a man of his word. As if he were perfectly attuned, Geom Mu-geuk didn't forget to mention it.
“No matter how much you say that, I’m never making a promise like that again.”
Next, Mu-geuk bid farewell to Jin Ha-gun.
“Once you officially become the Young Alliance Leader, let’s gather again. We’ll hold a celebration and play all night!”
“Let’s do that,” Ha-gun replied.
Finally, he said goodbye to Jin Ha-ryeong. Out of the three, she was the one who felt the most regret, though she tried her best not to show it.
“Do you think rumors will spread about me dancing?”
“They probably will, right?”
“If I’d known, I would have danced a bit better.”
Geom Mu-geuk looked around at everyone and said, “Miss Jin is too disappointed for us to leave it at this. Let’s the five of us dance one more time.”
Geom Mu-yang and Jin Ha-gun simultaneously drew their swords halfway.
“See? I told you those two are exactly the same,” Mu-geuk joked.
With that, they shared their final farewells. They felt as though they could have stayed all night if they followed their hearts.
Before heading downstairs, Jin Pae-cheon asked, “Surely, Cult Leader Geom, you weren't the one who wrote that inscription?”
He had noticed the names written on the wall since he entered. At the time, he assumed they were just the scribbles of drunks, but now he suspected otherwise.
“I wrote it,” Geom Wu-jin answered.
Jin Pae-cheon was startled. That meant the messages left by the Demon Lords were all real as well. In all his life, he had never seen masters leave their names on the walls of a tavern. And were these just any ordinary masters?
Then, someone spoke from behind.
“Alliance Leader, why don't you leave a word as well?”
He turned to see Geom Mu-geuk standing there.
“Me?” Jin Pae-cheon was flustered. He was a man who rarely lost his composure, but he had been surprised many times since coming here. “Won't it look strange to others? This is a place where you all have left your names.”
“Won't it look impressive instead? ‘The Murim Alliance Leader boldly left his name here before departing. How truly magnificent.’ That’s what they’ll think.”
No, still...
“People will just look at it without much thought,” Mu-geuk added. “They’ll think, ‘Oh, I guess he wrote something.’”
The moment he heard those words, Jin Pae-cheon remembered the emotion he had felt earlier—the regret for his past youth, where he had never been able to laugh brightly or play like this.
Why did I have so much to think about? Why was my life so serious?
Fine. Let’s leave a few characters.
Jin Pae-cheon took a step toward the wall. He was about to write there but turned to another wall instead. He didn't feel right writing above the Heavenly Demon’s inscription, nor did he want to write below it. He was a man who cared about such details.
Jin Pae-cheon’s sword slid from its sheath. He carved a message into the wall with his blade, writing smoothly and without hesitation.
[Jin Pae-cheon, Leader of the Murim Alliance, witnessed a new Demonic Path here.]
He had left the message for Geom Mu-geuk’s sake. Had it not been for the boy, he wouldn't have left a word. No, he wouldn't have come here in the first place.
“Thank you,” Geom Mu-geuk expressed his gratitude with a polite fist salute.
Then, he looked at Baek Ja-gang. The Unorthodox leader didn't hesitate.
“If the Orthodox and the Demonic have gone, the Unorthodox must follow.”
He left his message below Jin Pae-cheon’s. He didn't worry about positioning. While Jin Pae-cheon’s handwriting was powerful and grand, Baek Ja-gang’s was neat yet sharp.
[Baek Ja-gang, Leader of the Unorthodox Path Alliance, witnessed his disciple’s dance at Pungryu Tavern.]
It was a historic moment. The words of the Heavenly Demon, the Murim Alliance Leader, and the Unorthodox Path Alliance Leader were now carved forever into the walls of Pungryu Tavern.