RM-Bab 128

Chapter 128: If You Could Only Ask One Question.

Jang Ho was being led by Seo Daeryong to the Flowing Wine Tavern.

“Didn’t we agree to have our drinking session after Martial artist Lee returned?”

“We did.”

“Then why are we going for drinks now?”

And during work hours, no less.

He insisted they had to go, practically dragging him along.

This had never happened before, so Jang Ho obediently followed Seo Daeryong’s lead.

Although their drinking sessions had been suspended in Lee Ahn’s absence, the two of them had shared many conversations before that.

The initially awkward and uncomfortable meetings between just the two of them had turned into a rather friendly relationship by the last day.

“It’s because I have someone to introduce to you today, Lord Jang.”

“Who is it?”

“You’ll see when we get there. It’s someone important to me, so I really wanted to introduce them to you.”

“I understand.”

For some reason, Jang Ho saw a kind of childish playfulness in Seo Daeryong’s expression.

But since they had started meeting, Seo Daeryong had never played a prank on him, so he couldn’t imagine what today’s meeting was about.

The two of them entered the Flowing Wine Tavern.

The owner, Jo Chun-bae, greeted the two warmly.

“Ah, it’s been a while. If I had known you two were coming, I would have kept a spot open.”

In the seat on the second floor where they always sat, a woman wearing a veil was sitting with her back to them.

“It’s fine.”

Seo Daeryong led Jang Ho up to the second-floor table where the woman sat.

The woman was sitting with wine and some simple snacks ordered, but because of the veil, her face couldn’t be seen clearly.

When Seo Daeryong sat down in front of her, Jang Ho finally realized this woman was the person he was going to be introduced to.

‘Is this the woman the Second Young Master was talking about?’

He had seen Seo Daeryong teasing him by mentioning a junior he liked.

But an Underworld Pavilion investigator wouldn’t meet him wearing a veil, would she? Especially at an introduction like this.

Just as Jang Ho was wondering, the veiled woman greeted him first.

“I’ve heard a lot about you, Lord Jang.”

Of course, she was Lee Ahn.

This time too, she had altered her voice.

It was then.

Jang Ho recognized Lee Ahn.

“Martial artist Lee?”

In that moment, not only Lee Ahn but also Seo Daeryong, who was with her, was startled.

“How did you know it was me?”

At Lee Ahn’s question, Jang Ho hesitated for a moment before speaking softly.

“I am very sensitive to sound. I remember and recognize the characteristics of a person’s voice and inflection well. That’s why, for a voice I’ve heard often, I can figure out the original no matter how it’s altered.”

“Ah!”

Lee Ahn and Seo Daeryong exclaimed at the same time.

“The reason I could become the Demon Army Lord was because this sensitivity to sound was a great help in my martial arts training and in actual combat. This is the first time I’m revealing this.”

He had also revealed for the first time in front of Seo Daeryong that his childhood dream was to be a painter.

When they first started their drinking sessions, Jang Ho never imagined he would be revealing his personal life at this gathering.

He had started with the thought that since they were close to Geom Mugeuk, it wouldn’t hurt to be friendly, but now he was sharing all sorts of stories in front of these two.

Lee Ahn removed her veil.

“It’s been a while, Lord Jang.”

“Welcome back, Martial artist Lee.”

Jang Ho greeted Lee Ahn warmly.

Watching them, Seo Daeryong was inwardly impressed.

Jang Ho showed no sign of being swayed by Lee Ahn’s beauty.

In contrast, hadn’t he himself made all the fuss in the world?

‘How can he be like that?’

He was even worried that Lee Ahn might feel awkward.

Of course, Lee Ahn didn’t mind at all.

In fact, she seemed more at ease with Jang Ho treating her just as before.

“Alright, it’s all on me today. So please, order whatever you want!”

The three of them talked for a long time.

Without a doubt, the star of the day was Lee Ahn.

She told them everything: how difficult the Body Toxin Purification Art had been, what happened on her journey, and how interesting the first wedding she had ever seen was.

Seo Daeryong and Jang Ho listened to her stories and chimed in.

Then, when she briefly stepped away, Seo Daeryong asked Jang Ho.

“Lord Jang. Isn’t Martial artist Lee’s transformation astonishing?”

“It is. She has become so beautiful.”

“Is that all?”

“Pardon? Is something else required?”

“Not at all, but you don’t seem too surprised. I even suspected that you two had already met and were teasing me.”

“Of course not. That’s not it.”

Seo Daeryong lowered his voice and said suggestively.

“Then there’s no need to hold back on purpose. It’s just us.”

She’s pretty, right? Please say she’s pretty! The emotion was written all over Seo Daeryong’s face, and Jang Ho couldn’t help but laugh.

Their relationship had developed to the point where the phrase ‘just us’ came out naturally.

“I don’t know if this will be a disservice to Martial artist Lee, but I don’t place any meaning on a person’s appearance. Maybe it’s because of the scar on my face. I think there’s a part of me that thinks, with this face, who am I to judge anyone?”

At Jang Ho’s sincere words, Seo Daeryong also shared something he had always thought.

“Lord Jang, that scar of yours is cool.”

“Cool? It’s hideous.”

“No, it’s cool. Really. Sell it to me!”

At that, Jang Ho unhesitatingly reached for his dagger.

“I can make you an identical one.”

Seo Daeryong, startled, stopped him.

“What are you doing!”

“So be honest. Say it’s hideous.”

“It’s cool because there’s a story behind it. I’m saying I’ll buy the story too.”

“It’s not much of a story. I was just injured fighting enemies.”

“For a martial artist, that is a great story. I don’t want to get a scar from a friend’s dagger while drinking.”

Seo Daeryong was unaware that he had used the word ‘friend’.

“Let’s have a drink.”

Jang Ho raised his cup.

He didn’t know what Seo Daeryong thought, but he felt comfortable here.

After maintaining a flawless appearance in front of the Demon Army, coming here finally allowed him to relax and feel like he was resting.

Just then, Lee Ahn returned.

“Where was I?”

Jang Ho said to her.

“Martial artist Lee, the night is long, so you can start from the beginning again.”

+++

At that same time, I was meeting with the Plum Blossom Sword Sovereign.

And I heard something unexpected from her.

“The Drunken Demon? I know him well.”

Unexpectedly, the Plum Blossom Sword Sovereign was acquainted with him.

“We drink together sometimes. We had a drink just a few days ago.”

“You had a drink a few days ago?”

“He comes to see me for a drink sometimes.”

It was an image that was hard to imagine, but on second thought, it was natural for the Eight Demon Sovereigns, who held power, to have their own exchanges.

“What kind of person is the Drunken Demon?”

“He’s a pleasant person to drink with.”

The Plum Blossom Sword Sovereign’s assessment was very favorable, the complete opposite of the Evil Heart Laughing Demon’s.

“When did you two become close?”

“I don’t know either. When was it? It seems like it’s been quite a while. We just got close while drinking.”

“What is the Drunken Demon’s personality like?”

“He’s easygoing.”

If he were truly an easygoing person, the Evil Heart Laughing Demon would not have described him that way.

In other words, the Drunken Demon showed completely different sides depending on the person.

“How can a Demon Sovereign be easygoing? He must be hiding his claws.”

“That might be true. But why do you ask about the Drunken Demon?”

“One of the Drunken Demon’s people caused some trouble this time. The Underworld Pavilion has him in custody, but I thought the Drunken Demon might make a move.”

“And you’re not planning to make a move using that as an excuse, Second Young Master?”

“You’re as sharp as ever. The Drunken Demon is the only one who hasn’t decided his position between my brother and me.”

The Plum Blossom Sword Sovereign stared at me intently, then smiled and said.

“I haven’t decided my course of action either, you know? I haven’t yet decided to stand on your side, Second Young Master.”

How could I not know what was in her heart? That’s why I spoke to her with exaggeration.

“Ah! I believed with all my heart that you were on my side.”

“Of course, I like you, Second Young Master. Honestly, it doesn’t even make sense to compare you to the First Young Master. But being close is a personal matter, while the successor issue is a public one, isn’t it?”

“I understand.”

“But that doesn’t mean I’m choosing the First Young Master, so don’t be upset.”

“I am never upset with you, Sword Sovereign. No, I can’t be.”

“Why is that?”

“Do you remember what I said when I met you before, Sword Sovereign? I threw a tantrum, demanding that you prove you were more helpful to me than the Blade Demon Elder.”

A faint smile appeared on the Plum Blossom Sword Sovereign’s lips.

It was clear from her expression that she remembered everything.

“Now it’s your turn, Senior. It’s your turn to say, ‘Prove that you are more helpful to me than the First Young Master!’”

The very fact that she hadn’t reacted that way was proof that she regarded me with favor.

“I told you then, didn’t I? That I despise people who try to win the hearts of their subordinates and juniors for free with things like dreams, ideals, and loyalty. I have no intention of winning your heart with such things, Senior. I must grant what you desire as much as I can, while at the same time showing you that I have the qualities of a Heavenly Demon.”

A look of admiration crossed the Plum Blossom Sword Sovereign’s face at my words.

“As expected! I chose my sparring partner well.”

Bringing up sparring at this moment meant that what she wanted included sparring.

She still had a desire to become stronger.

“I look forward to the day we spar again.”

+++

After meeting the Plum Blossom Sword Sovereign, I returned to my residence.

Go Wol, who had been living with me, was not home.

He had left the Sect to carry out my order to create an information organization like the Heaven-Reaching Pavilion.

Several dispatches he had sent had arrived at my residence.

They were reports that he was traveling throughout the Central Plains with the money I gave him, building up the organization’s network.

I wasn’t worried about him.

As if to prove he was not someone who would make me worry, he had left with the Wind Heaven Sect Leader.

The image of the two of them bickering while working on this task together made me smile.

That night, Lee Ahn stopped by for a moment.

I expected her to be tipsy from the alcohol, but she wasn’t as drunk as I thought.

“I chattered so much that I completely sobered up.”

“Did you have a good time?”

“They say a journey isn’t about leaving but about returning. After talking my heart out to those two, I feel like my journey is finally complete.”

Whether it was because her Conception and Governor Vessels were cleared, or because of something she realized this time, she gave off a distinctly different feeling than before she left the Sect.

“I made a resolution during my trip. It might sound like I’m showing off, but since I’ve brought it up, I’ll tell you. While it was nice to receive so much attention, it was also very burdensome. I came to the conclusion that the only way to escape this burden is for me to become truly strong.”

Lee Ahn was resolved to train fiercely again.

I believe that by striving like this, she will eventually achieve something.

“But that doesn’t mean I’ll just be cooped up in the training grounds. I’ll read a lot of books and meet people, just like the Blood Heaven Blade Demon. I won’t just become stronger in martial arts; I, as a person, will become stronger. That way, I can make Cheongmyeon and Seo Jin my squad leaders, right? They wouldn’t come to me just because I’m strong in martial arts.”

I believe she will become a true master.

Because the direction of her efforts is aimed at becoming a true master.

Talent and effort are important in martial arts.

What kind of martial art it is and who the master is are important.

Real combat experience is also important.

But the moment her martial arts, which had been racing toward the extreme, surpasses a certain level, she will realize it, just as I did.

That the end of the path of martial arts is ultimately a battle of who you are as a person.

I consider the process of meeting and persuading the Demon Sovereigns to also be a part of becoming stronger.

I even think that my efforts to stop the Ghost Spirit Master’s wedding were part of the process of becoming stronger.

To perfectly understand someone is nearly impossible.

But I have finally realized that the broader your understanding of people and the world becomes, the closer you get to the essence of martial arts.

“Well, I’ll be going now. I’m all sobered up, but my head is throbbing.”

As she was turning to leave, I asked her.

“Lee Ahn.”

“Yes.”

“Let’s say you end up drinking with the Drunken Demon.”

“Suddenly, with the Drunken Demon Sovereign?”

“In the world of drunkards, you’re quite something yourself, aren’t you?”

“Well, that’s true.”

“I want to know what kind of person the Drunken Demon is, but you can only ask one question. What would you ask?”

Lee Ahn seemed to ponder for a moment, then came up with something.

“That man must have had a great many drinks in his life. In that case, I would ask this.”

As if the Drunken Demon were right in front of her, Lee Ahn asked.

“When, and with whom, was the wine you drank the most delicious?”