"How did you know?"

"About what?"

Hyeoltu's hand moved like lightning.

There was no time to react.

His left hand had already pressed my paralysis acupoints, restricting my movements.

I didn't know when he had drawn it, but Hyeoltu's other hand was holding a dagger imbued with qi, pressing firmly against the back of my neck.

It was a situation where I couldn't escape death if he exerted even a little bit of force.

GULP.

I thought I had somewhat approached his level after shedding my mortal body and exchanging my bones, but as expected, it wasn't a gap that could be closed in a day or two.

"I asked how you knew... that place actually exists."

"I didn't know."

"... I am not joking. Tell me the truth about how you knew."

I could somewhat understand Hyeoltu's overreaction.

Because the Black Forest was like a final sanctuary to them.

I answered while keeping my neck as still as possible.

"I really didn't know. But I do now."

"What?"

"With your reaction just now, it's no different from you confirming that the Black Forest exists."

"..."

The Black Forest was one of the rumors floating around Jianghu like a legend.

A place where retired Underworld experts were said to gather and live.

Also known as the Black Immortal Realm, it frequently came up as a good topic of conversation for many drinkers.

In my past life, I too simply thought it was one of those absurd rumors like the Taiyi Sword Emperor.

However, seeing this reaction, I was certain.

"It's surprising. To think the Black Forest actually exists."

"... Is that really true?"

Hyeoltu's eyes shook violently.

"Regardless of whether it's true or not, who would actually think such a place truly exists?"

"..."

Of course, it was a lie.

In my past life, there was a time when the experts of the Black Forest poured out into Jianghu en masse.

That was when I also learned that the Black Forest actually existed.

After the Sword Demon's Underworld Alliance collapsed and even the Underworld Murim was devastated, the gates to the place that only circulated as a legend were opened.

The appearance of the Underworld's absolute experts, most of whom were known to have died or retired due to old age, was quite a massive shock even from the Murim Alliance's perspective.

I added while enduring the pain transmitted from the back of my neck.

"My usual habit of consistently throwing out jokes has brought about this unexpected benefit."

"... Can you not realize that your life has been put in even greater danger?"

"By not killing me right this moment, haven't you already acknowledged your mistake, sir?"

SLIDE.

Hyeoltu's hand lowered.

With my paralysis acupoints released, I rubbed my neck.

It bled a little, but it was a light price to pay for drawing out the story of the 'Black Forest'.

Hyeoltu warned in a low voice.

"You had better completely forget what you just heard."

"Why is that?"

Hyeoltu put the dagger into his robes and stared at me quietly.

"Not only would people not believe it in the first place, but anyone who hears even a little bit about that place from you will die off one by one."

"..."

Listening quietly, the thought occurred to me that the reason the 'Black Forest' had circulated as a baseless rumor all this time might have been because they wanted it that way.

"I will absolutely never speak of it anywhere."

"You should do that. If you don't want to see pointless deaths."

I nodded once and then brought up the main point.

"Instead, I have a request."

"... This is not a condition for a deal."

"Then I will simply ask as a favor."

Hyeoltu looked at me with a dumbfounded expression, but I did not yield to it.

Because it would be too late if the Black Forest appeared at the same time as in my past life.

I met Hyeoltu's eyes straight on.

"Please allow me to meet the elders of the Black Forest."

"Do you think the Black Forest is some kind of tourist destination?"

"I am not saying I want to sightsee in the Black Forest. I am saying I want to meet the people residing inside it."

"Why?"

In times like this, it is faster to make him understand the reason himself rather than giving a long-winded explanation.

"You've seen it yourself, haven't you, sir? The events happening in the Underworld Alliance and the current Jianghu."

"What are you talking a—"

Hyeoltu frowned for a moment while speaking.

Even without me having to explain, looking at the series of events that occurred in the Underworld Alliance, it would be easy to understand what I intended to do in the Black Forest.

Hyeoltu firmly drew a line.

"That is Jianghu's business."

"Isn't the Black Forest also within Jianghu?"

"We do not interfere in the affairs of the world."

But I couldn't simply back down either.

"Didn't you and Elder Yeom Gwibi coming to the Underworld Alliance constitute interfering in the affairs of the world?"

"That is..."

Ultimately, Hyeoltu kept his mouth shut.

He knew well that this kind of argument was merely a sluggish, meaningless endeavor.

"This incident occurred within the Underworld Alliance. Do you not know that the more you continue to dip your feet into the Underworld Murim like this, the more your place in the Orthodox Murim will disappear?"

I shook my head firmly.

"This didn't just happen in the Underworld Alliance alone. I have constantly seen the traces of those who caused this incident in Henan Province, the Puyang Plains, and Sichuan."

"..."

Hyeoltu still frowned, looking as if he was displeased.

But he was merely displeased; he probably understood what I was saying better than anyone else.

"If the Black Forest is within Jianghu, then the Black Forest cannot exist without Jianghu either. And if the Black Forest does not cooperate to stand against 'that group', Jianghu will be put in jeopardy."

"... You brat."

Hyeoltu's face hardened more stiffly than ever before.

"You are full of fear. Even so, they are nothing more than a single group within the vast Jianghu."

"That single group is completely shaking up both the Murim Alliance and the Underworld Alliance. And leaving absolutely no trace of themselves."

"..."

Seeing Hyeoltu's conflicted face, I also closed my mouth.

Because adding any more words right now would only end up fostering negative emotions.

And after a short while.

"What do you intend to do in the Black Forest?"

Hyeoltu opened his mouth.

I laid out my plan without delay.

"I intend to prepare so that we aren't too late."

"You're saying you'll draw out the personnel of the Black Forest?"

"Yes."

Hyeoltu closed his eyes and shook his head.

"That is impossible."

"Even if they've left the mundane world, their roots are still in Jianghu. Joining the war belatedly would be nothing more than fixing the barn after losing the cow."

Hyeoltu remained silent for a long time.

'Is he intending to repeat the regrets of the past life once again?'

I took another step toward him.

"It's no use regretting it after everything has disappeared."

"... That's not it."

"Pardon?"

Hyeoltu continued speaking with difficulty.

"That's not it."

"Is there a reason?"

"..."

Hyeoltu stared at me for a long time with complicated eyes, pondering who knew what.

Soon, his heavy mouth opened again.

"... I will tell you that when you come to the Black Forest."

"...!"

'It worked.'

I cheered internally.

Because this meant that he was permitting me to visit the Black Forest.

However, the joy was fleeting.

Hyeoltu's sunken voice could be heard.

"But not right now."

"Then when will it be possible?"

"I will let you know when the time comes."

"Do you not even know how long it will take?"

Hyeoltu fell into thought for a moment.

He slowly nodded.

"... Yes."

"Then where should I contact you? I will be constantly on the move."

"No matter where you are, we will find you. And when the time comes, I will let you know."

I felt a lot of lingering disappointment, but still, just getting the conversation to this point was enough.

I judged that I shouldn't press him any further.

"I will wait. But I hope it won't be too late."

"If it's you, perhaps it might just be possible..."

Hyeoltu muttered incomprehensible words to himself like a soliloquy.

* * *

I tried to convince Cha Seokdu up until the very last moment.

However, after pretending not to listen, he ultimately didn't even agree to meet with me at the end.

Even though I was the one who facilitated both the founding of the Underworld Alliance and its stabilization.

'This is why they talk about black-haired beasts.

Especially a guy whose insides are pitch-black shouldn't be trusted.'

"That is enough. The Murim Alliance has also cleared out the Blood Cult in Sichuan through this incident, so you have done more than enough of what you needed to do."

Seeing as the Delegation Head, Ak Byeongbi, was saying this, it seemed I really did do my job well.

"Furthermore, they are the Underworld. Beings who cannot coexist with us. Just look right now. We saved the Underworld Alliance from a crisis, yet you can tell just by seeing that no one is here to see us off."

Just as he said, even if I let Cha Seokdu slide, it was still disappointing that the Underworld bigwigs I had formed a connection with didn't show their faces either.

"If by chance there is anyone who criticizes you for failing to forge an alliance, I will step forward, so do not worry."

"..."

'What is it with this middle-aged man?

Why is he suddenly being so caring?

Hmm... It's nice that our misunderstandings seem to have been cleared up, but.

Somehow, it feels like our relationship has become even more twisted.'

Tang Seo-hee took it a step further.

"You do not need to worry. If words really do not get through to them, you can simply become the Vice Leader of the Underworld Alliance."

Tang Seo-hee, who had become notably close with the warriors of the Four Emperors Peak during whatever happened while I was asleep.

She was the person among our delegation members who was most regretful about returning to the Murim Alliance.

By the time I brushed off my lingering attachments a bit thanks to those two, an escort warrior reported.

"Head, all preparations are complete."

At the escort warrior's words, we also gathered our personal belongings and stepped outside.

The carriage that had arrived full of gifts was now empty, holding only a few supplies for our return journey.

Eventually, just as we were about to mount the horses the escort warriors brought over.

Suddenly, it became noisy outside the gates, and a group of people began entering the equestrian ground.

And then, a familiar face stepped forward.

"Huh?"

"I am a little late."

When Strategist Dam cupped his fist toward Ak Byeongbi, who was about to mount his horse, Ak Byeongbi hastily returned the greeting in a fluster.

"I didn't expect you to come out to see us off."

Ak Byeongbi's expression was filled with bewilderment.

At this, a faint smile hung on Strategist Dam's lips.

"The ancient sages said that one who fails to express gratitude is worse than a beast, did they not?"

"..."

'Did he know that Ak Byeongbi used to curse them out immensely?'

Dam-ak looked around at the delegation members before fixing his gaze on me and adding.

"We might become comrades walking the same path together in the future, might we not? Of course I had to come out."

Ak Byeongbi desperately managed his facial expression.

'Oh, at this rate, I wonder if his face is going to explode.'

"... Thank you for your concern."

Dam-ak waved his hand as if it was nothing, then immediately pointed behind him and said.

"In addition, the Leader has prepared some gifts."

"Gifts?"

A moment later, about a dozen people carrying large and small boxes entered the equestrian ground one after another.

"What is that?"

As soon as the curious Tang Seo-hee finished speaking, they stood on both sides of Dam-ak and opened the boxes.

"Gah! That's...!"

The first one to let out a shriek was Ilmyeong.

He couldn't take his eyes off the box closest to Dam-ak.

Then, he let out an exclamation as if deeply moved.

"A-A small statue of Maitreya Buddha!"

Ilmyeong trembled as if he had met the actual Buddha.

The sight of even his scalp vibrating violently was quite a rare spectacle.

"Hoo...!"

Of course, the reactions of the other delegation members weren't much different from his.

Even though Dam-ak, the one who actually prepared the gifts, remained composed.

"The Leader also expressed regret over failing to form an alliance this time. However, two distant factions cannot suddenly become close all at once. He conveyed the opinion of how about we narrow the distance one step at a time like this."

Looking at the items inside the boxes, I spat out words without realizing it.

"It feels like we've gotten about three steps closer."

"..."

Ak Byeongbi glared at me with sharp eyes at my thoughtless remark, but he soon turned his head and cupped his fist to Dam-ak.

"I will certainly convey the Underworld Alliance's intentions to the Murim Alliance."

Before anyone knew it, the corners of his mouth had also crept up into a smile.

'Always acting like he doesn't care.'

"Now, now! You can just load it up over here!! Keep up the good work, c'mon!"

While the escort warriors loaded the items Dam-ak prepared onto the empty carriage one by one in time with my enthusiastic cheers and chants, Dam-ak approached me.

Then, after silently staring at my face, he blurted out.

"Thank you."

"For what?"

At my counter-question, he cleared his throat a couple of times and turned his head away.

"... Let's see each other again next time."

'Somehow, it looked like his ears had turned a bit red.'

I chuckled at him.

"We have to see each other again, of course."

He hadn't conveyed it clearly, but I somehow felt like I could sense Dam-ak's feelings.

Dam-ak nodded lightly and turned around.

Finally.

Thinking that we were really departing now, I was about to pull hard on the horse's reins when.

"...!"

We had to stop again because of the people completely filling the front of the equestrian ground.

"What is this...!"

Underworld figures filled the streets.

Because of them, there was no path for the escort agency's carriage to pass through.

"W-What should we do?"

As Ilmyeong's brow contorted upon seeing the universally fierce-looking individuals, Ak Byeongbi spoke calmly.

"We can just go."

"Pardon?"

Ak Byeongbi lifted his head and stared straight ahead.

"I'm saying they aren't trying to block us."

The moment bewilderment settled in Ilmyeong and Tang Seo-hee's eyes.

"...!"

Those who had been blocking the road began to part to both sides.

And.

CLAP, CLAP, CLAP, CLAP.

Starting with someone, the sound of applause began to ring out.

Soon, even cheers could be heard.

"Have a safe trip! See you next time!"

"Black Flame Dragon! You really are the Underworld's Divine Star!"

"You Murim Alliance lackeys take care too!"

'It feels like there's some unpleasant remarks mixed in there too...'

Anyway, friendly voices enveloped us.

There were also people tossing dumplings or money pouches from here and there.

Tang Seo-hee expertly snatched up only the things that could serve as snacks out of them.

Turning my head to check, the Alliance Leader's Pavilion's communication guards had expressions showing they couldn't make heads or tails of the current situation.

None of us responded to their greetings, but their cheers continued on endlessly.

And a faint smile hung on the faces of the delegation members.

After we came out of the Underworld Alliance and their send-off was no longer visible.

Ak Byeongbi, who pulled on his reins to slow his speed, approached me and whispered softly.

"Perhaps I was wrong."

"Suddenly, what..."

Leaving only those words behind, Ak Byeongbi moved forward once again.