I had planned to attend the banquet taking only Tang Seo-hee as my food taster, but Ilmyeong stepped up to join us.

"It is a place where all the rising stars of the Underworld are gathered, so it could be dangerous for Benefactor Jin to go alone."

Gun Yuhyeon also agreed with Ilmyeong, saying that would be for the best, and we followed his guidance toward a pavilion located on the outskirts of the Underworld Alliance.

Unlike the other pavilions, the pavilion located to the north of the main building had a luxurious finish, suggesting that considerable attention had been paid to its exterior, and that alone indicated it was a space meant for noble persons.

As we entered, servants with disciplined attitudes guided us to our seats, and we were led to the grand hall located deep inside the pavilion.

A long table sat in the center of the large grand hall, and all sorts of rare delicacies were laid out upon it.

With only that single table existing in the massive grand hall, the sounds of people talking boisterously echoed thunderously throughout the entire space.

And when we entered the grand hall and approached the table, the atmosphere, which had been as noisy as a marketplace, was suddenly cut short.

Gazes laced with obvious hostility seemed to ask why we were there.

"... I wonder if I have done something unnecessary."

A shadow fell over the face of Gun Yuhyeon, who had invited us.

Thinking that standing still would get us nowhere, I stepped forward and cupped my fists.

"I came because I heard there was an opportunity to form good connections. May we join you? If this is displeasing to you, we will turn back."

When I spoke politely but confidently, the people exchanged glances, looking unsure of what to do.

Then, everyone's gaze shifted in one direction.

Toward a man with sharp eyes, who was sitting dead center holding a cup of liquor.

CLACK.

Dam-ak set his cup down and spoke.

"First, I apologize for not inviting you. If I had known you were so open-minded... I would have invited you sooner."

'It is painfully obvious he does not mean a single word of that.'

I gave a faint smile.

"Isn't this how we narrow the distance between us?"

At my nonchalant attitude, Dam-ak smiled in response.

"If you don't mind, would you join us and grace this gathering with your presence?"

He then pointed to the seat next to him.

The people sitting near Dam-ak stood up and vacated their seats themselves.

"This is going to ruin the taste of the liquor."

"Kikik."

"Heh."

The murmurs sounded as if someone were talking to themselves.

There was no way that I or the other martial artists here could fail to hear it.

However, there was no way Ilmyeong, who possessed the Immovable Mind, would fall for such provocation.

The same went for me.

As for Tang Seo-hee... I wasn't sure.

She just kept her eyes fixed on the food without even glancing anywhere else.

We took our seats, but the atmosphere still did not return to how it was before.

Some were like that because they felt awkward, while others were like that out of pure hostility.

Just then.

A man sitting opposite us spoke with a meaningful smile.

"Come to think of it, we were in the wrong. Isn't the Black Flame Dragon a renowned rising star of the Underworld Murim?"

"Hahahaha!"

"Hehehe."

At the man's words, a group of people burst into laughter with their mouths wide open.

The boisterousness had returned, but it still felt like everyone's gaze was concentrated on us.

"But I heard a strange rumor. They say that very same Black Flame Dragon is arranging an alliance between the Underworld Alliance and the Murim Alliance."

The man looked around, seeking agreement.

"Do you think this makes any sense?"

It was as if he wanted to see what we would do.

The man stared intently at me while licking his lips.

While I was trying to gauge his identity.

Gun Yuhyeon's sound transmission reached my ears.

[-He is Gal Jeongi, the fourth disciple of the Hwangsa Sect Leader. Like the Hwangsa Sect Leader, he is a staunch warmonger.]

'Was Evil Bear Gal Jeongi originally from the Hwangsa Sect?'

'These Underworld bastards change their affiliations as often as they change clothes, so I never know what their roots are.'

Regardless, thanks to Gun Yuhyeon, I was able to understand my opponent's intentions more clearly.

I looked straight into Gal Jeongi's eyes.

"Why wouldn't it?"

"Huh?"

"You didn't organize the Underworld Alliance solely to fight the Murim Alliance, did you?"

He leaned back and laughed.

"Hahaha! Exactly."

Then, his eyes suddenly flashed with a sharp glint.

"To be precise, it's to resist the Murim Alliance's oppression."

'Hah, look at him acting so brazen with his paltry skills, completely ignorant of the horrors of war.'

'It is because of bastards like him that the warmongers always gain traction.'

'Rotten bastards who will slip away to the back whenever there's actually a fight.'

'Trying to persuade a piece of shit like this will only drain my energy. I need to avoid him not because I am afraid, but because he's filthy.'

'After all, I came here to persuade Dam-ak.'

"You seem to enjoy fighting?"

"I don't back down from a fight that comes my way."

"Do you... know what the crime of provoking an assault is?"

"What?"

'Ooh, look at that fierce glare.'

"It means even if you didn't start the fight yourself, if you act in a way that deserves a beating, you deserve to get hit."

"... Hah, this bastard. What the hell are you saying right now?"

I looked around and provoked him.

"Is there anyone here who can defeat Senior Ilmyeong?"

"..."

"Even if a hundred warriors from the Hwangsa Sect attacked at once, you still probably wouldn't be able to defeat Senior Ilmyeong."

"You bastard!"

CRASH.

As Gal Jeongi aggressively sprang to his feet, the table rattled, knocking over food and spilling cups of liquor.

"Do you think the Hwangsa Sect is a joke?!"

"You seem itching to start a war with the Murim Alliance. ... I am asking if you are confident in engaging in a life-or-death battle with Ilmyeong."

"..."

"Why so quiet? Are you planning to run around avoiding experts like Senior Ilmyeong even if a war breaks out?"

I examined the faces of those who had laughed alongside Gal Jeongi.

"For people advocating for war, none of you have stepped up to fight on the frontlines yourselves."

'Every single one of them was building infamy with talent far superior for their age.'

'But that is only possible during times of peace.'

'Because once a war breaks out, everyone, regardless of age and gender, will be placed in a situation where they are judged by an absolute scale of strength and weakness.'

"War is not a sparring match. Opponents will not step up to match your level. If a war were to break out between the Underworld Alliance and the Murim Alliance right now, wouldn't all of you here be driven to the very frontlines of the battlefield?"

'Once standing on such a ruthless battlefield, any trace of mercy vanishes from the enemy's blades.'

'In a place where humans do not see others as humans, the same heartless swords used to cut wood and straw will cut down people.'

"Do you know how many casualties there are on the first day of a war?"

'When a battle breaks out after both sides have made thorough preparations, countless victims emerge in an instant.'

'Some wars are fought with such overwhelming momentum that they end before a week even passes.'

'If that is the case for ordinary wars, would a war between martial artists be any less?'

"War is not a fight that ends with mere injuries. It's something you do prepared to lose a limb at minimum, and your life as a rule."

At my words, the atmosphere grew even more solemn.

Gal Jeongi growled through gritted teeth.

"... Do you think we of the Underworld would start a war without even that level of resolve?"

"I am not asking about the Underworld Alliance's resolve."

"What?"

"I am asking if you possess such resolve."

I looked straight into his eyes.

"The resolve to face Senior Ilmyeong on the first day and engage in a life-or-death battle."

"..."

Just as Gal Jeongi, who had briefly glanced at Ilmyeong, was about to shoot a sharp glare back at me.

Dam-ak, sitting dead center, spoke up.

"If that is the case... must we simply wait for death while walking on eggshells around the Murim Alliance?"

'What is this all of a sudden?'

Dam-ak downed his liquor and calmly continued.

"For now, the Murim Alliance's attention is directed elsewhere due to the Blood Cult gaining power in Sichuan. But once the battle against the Blood Cult ends, where will that arrow point?"

'Every organization needs its own goals and justification.'

'An organization that merely chases after dominance and power is no different from a carriage without a horse.'

'An organization always pursues goals and justification.'

'That is why Dam-ak was asking about the Murim Alliance's justification and goals.'

"I believe that missing this moment while the Murim Alliance is weakened would be no different from throwing away a heaven-sent opportunity. What do you think, Sir Black Flame Dragon?"

'Of course, Dam-ak is right.'

'Right now is indeed the best time for the Underworld Alliance.'

'Of course, that is under the premise that they can actually subjugate the Murim Alliance.'

'However.'

"That will probably be impossible."

"Do you think the Underworld Alliance lacks the strength?"

I shook my head.

'The Murim Alliance's strength does not solely come from its size.'

"The roots are different. Does the Underworld Alliance have the confidence to subjugate the Murim Alliance while simultaneously taking on the Nine Sects and One Gang, the Five Great Noble Clans, the 108 Peaks, and the countless other sects that support it?"

'The Murim Alliance's true power lies in the sects that have grown alongside it.'

'No matter how much the Underworld Alliance inflates its numbers with mere headcounts, sects that haven't even been established for a hundred years will face limits in their supply of power.'

"If you attack the Murim Alliance, it will undoubtedly be perceived as an attack against all the Orthodox sects. Is the Underworld Alliance prepared for that?"

For a split second, I saw Dam-ak's eyes waver slightly.

He looked at me for a moment before slowly continuing his words.

"The Murim Alliance and the Underworld Alliance are like oil and water. The Murim Alliance will never wait for the Underworld Alliance to establish its foundation."

Dam-ak's gaze, as he looked at each of us one by one, was brimming with hostility.

'How can someone who served as the Murim Alliance's Chief Strategist in his past life hold such deep hostility toward the Murim Alliance in this life?'

Dam-ak tapped his fingers on the table and asked me.

"Since they say you are an outstanding tactician, Sir Black Flame Dragon, let me ask you one thing."

His sharp gaze turned toward me.

"Must the Underworld Alliance simply wait for death until the Murim Alliance subjugates us?"

'The Dam-ak I knew in my past life was not someone this blood-crazed.'

'Furthermore, even if he sought out someone else's opinion, he was always a person who made his own judgments.'

'Even asking me this right now isn't because he truly doesn't know, but rather to probe and see what our intentions are.'

I didn't avoid his gaze and spoke.

"Even after the war with the Blood Cult ends, there will be no instance of the Murim Alliance attacking the Underworld Alliance."

"How can you be so confident? Are you not merely an academy representative, Sir Black Flame Dragon?"

'I suppose that is true.'

'Being nothing more than an academy representative, I am in no position to predict the actions of the Murim Alliance.'

'However, I have already experienced a future that everyone here is ignorant of.'

"The Blood Cult isn't the only one wielding bizarre sorcery. There are even more terrifying entities out there."

"..."

"And 'they' are currently aiming for the world. I am talking about monsters who do not care at all about human lives."

Dam-ak stroked his chin and leaned back.

It was an attitude that seemed to treat my claim as baseless nonsense.

"Are you spouting conspiracy theories?"

'Conspiracy theories, huh...'

I asked Dam-ak directly.

"Have you by any chance heard the rumors of an Iron Jiangshi appearing in Sichuan?"

"... Those who use sorcery naturally employ such entities."

I shook my head.

"During the Murim Academy's standard exam, I saw beings far more bizarre than that."

"Just how bizarre are we talking about?"

I recalled my memories of that day.

'Entities that cannot be seen, have no tangible form, and hide in the shadows to reap people's lives.'

"Their skin is as hard as steel, they carve their own bones to use as swords, and they melt into the darkness to devour everything."

"..."

'His eyes showed that he absolutely could not believe such beings actually existed.'

"For us to fight amongst ourselves is no different from signaling that we are handing the world over to them."

"Do you have evidence?"

"... I do not."

Dam-ak immediately cast his gaze to my side.

"Did the rest of you see the same thing?"

Receiving Dam-ak's gaze, Ilmyeong and Tang Seo-hee shook their heads.

At that, those who had been listening to our conversation with a hint of tension let out their breaths and began to snicker.

'I suppose even I wouldn't have easily believed it if I had only heard it as a story.'

Just as the subdued atmosphere was about to become boisterous again.

"... They also emit something similar to a poisonous aura."

A man's voice drifted over chillingly.

"...?"

"Huh?"

The people's gazes converged on the owner of the voice.

The man standing where everyone's gaze had gathered was none other than Gun Yuhyeon.

He shuddered as if gripped by fear.

"They were undeniably human, yet at the same time, beings that were not human."

I barely swallowed my groan and asked.

"... Did you see them?"

"It was from a distance, but I saw them clearly."

As the two of us exchanged glances, Dam-ak stared at Gun Yuhyeon for a moment before shaking his head.

"Even so, we cannot pin our hopes on something we haven't even seen with our own eyes."

Dam-ak shook his head decisively.

"We cannot trust the Murim Alliance."

Dam-ak's resolute words echoed throughout the grand hall.

* * *

My impression of Dam-ak from my past life was that he was a rather outstanding individual.

'Though it could be that the people who handled military strategy before him were so incompetent that he merely seemed outstanding by comparison.'

'But through this meeting, I realized it for sure.'

'Dam-ak is an incredibly difficult person to deal with when he is an enemy.'

'He absolutely refuses to reveal what is inside his head.'

'Realistically, Dam-ak must also know that it would be difficult for the Underworld Alliance to start a war right now.'

'Unless he actually desires the ruin of the Underworld Alliance, he must also know that even if they target the Murim Alliance now, they cannot take down the entire Orthodox faction.'

'Then why.'

'Why does Dam-ak continue to express such hostile opinions?'

"Things have gotten difficult."

The face of Gun Yuhyeon, who had left the grand hall with us, was also full of anxiety.

His nonchalant demeanor from the gambling den was nowhere to be found.

After all, the very weight of a war was entirely different compared to a gambling table.

I cupped my fists toward him.

"Even though you went out of your way to help, I couldn't show you a good result."

At my words, Gun Yuhyeon shook his head.

"Not at all. For now, the story you shared today alone will cause some to grasp reality to an extent. If we gather them and form a consensus, the higher-ups will likely reconsider."

With a smile forming on his lips before I knew it, Gun Yuhyeon continued.

"What do you plan to do from here?"

"For now, I think I'll need to meet with some of the others a bit more. There should still be some time until the founding ceremony ends."

'The priority is to have a conversation with the leader, Cha Seokdu, and those I met at the Demonic Spirit Plateau.'

Gun Yuhyeon nodded.

"I see. If you ever need any help, please let me know at any time."

"I appreciate the thought alone."

As we chatted, we soon arrived at the lodgings where we were staying.

Just as I was about to say my goodbyes to Gun Yuhyeon and turn around.

Gun Yuhyeon asked.

"Would you consider it a reward for today and give me just one answer?"

'An answer? What kind of answer?'

As I tilted my head, Gun Yuhyeon spoke without delay.

"In that final round, when you pulled the Five Heavenly Kings..."

He asked me with a face more serious than ever before.

"Was it genuine?"

He looked incredibly desperate, as if waiting for the answer of a lifetime.

'He must really love gambling quite a bit.'

'It's enough to make me feel a pang of guilt for no reason.'

Instead of answering, I gave him a smile.

At that, as if that alone was satisfying enough, he nodded.

"I see. So that was how it was. Thank goodness! I am truly, truly relieved."

Gun Yuhyeon returned to his own lodgings with steps so light he seemed like he could fly.

Watching his all-too-transparent back, I found myself chuckling for some reason.

Turning my head to the side, I saw Tang Seo-hee also continuing to track his retreating figure.

"What a truly strange person. He was beaten by a trick, yet he smiles like that."

'It seems even Tang Seo-hee cannot easily understand the mental state of gamblers.'

'Then again, who in the world could possibly understand a gambler's mind?'

I stretched and looked back at my companions.

"Let's head in too. I think we need to have a discussion about our next course of action."

Just like that, we entered the lodgings, and the moment we stepped into the inner room, all of us stopped moving simultaneously.

'The scent of blood?'

Without a doubt, the stench of blood, mixed with a metallic tang, filled the inner room.

Before long.

"Benefactor Jin!"

Ilmyeong's eyes shot wide open as he pointed to one side and shouted.

In the spot where his finger pointed.

Ak Byeongbi lay dead, completely covered in blood.