Chapter 847 : Even Now, He Would Be Watching Me.

The ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍training continued.

Geom ‍​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Mugeuk had been steadily building up his efforts day by day, with the firm belief that he would surely achieve Twelve Star Greatness.

After ‍​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍all, the very best was teaching the very best to the very best.

Now, ‍​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍all that remained was effort.

He ‍​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍already knew from experience—water kept heating up until, in a final instant, it boiled over. If one could not endure the heat during that process and stopped, all that remained was for it to cool down.

But ‍​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍right now, it was too hot. So much so that he felt like giving up at any moment.

“Haah, haah.”

Geom Mugeuk lay on the ground, gasping for breath.

Geom Woojin stood beside him with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing into the distance.

The intensity of the training had been increasing day by day, so much so that one might worry more about the father who was teaching.

Drip, drip.

Just then, raindrops began to fall one by one.

Shaaahhhhh.

Soon, a sudden downpour began.

“Ah! It’s raining. Where did this rain come from all of a sudden!”

To react so naturally to rain he himself had caused?

“Father, shall we take shelter over there for a moment?”

At some point, a small pavilion had appeared behind them.

With a faint smile, Geom Woojin walked toward it. An invisible energy surrounded his body, preventing even a single drop of rain from touching him.

Shaaahhhhh.

The two sat side by side, watching the falling rain.

“Would you like a drink? The cook happened to make some pancakes today.”

So he had planned this all along. Well, a day of slacking off once in a while was necessary.

“Let us have a drink for the first time in a while.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than Geom Mugeuk darted off in an instant and returned with alcohol and pancakes.

The two drank in the pavilion, using the rain and pancakes as their accompaniment.

In truth, even including his life before regression, this was the first time Geom Mugeuk had ever spent such a long time alone with someone. The same likely applied to his father. Yet Geom Mugeuk did not feel awkward or burdened at all.

It was not merely because of the efforts he had put in until now. His efforts to make his father feel as comfortable here as he would outside had erased any such awkwardness.

How could there even be room for awkwardness? He had been busy constantly creating new spaces and trying to make them as atmospheric as possible.

Shaaahhhhh.

Simply sitting still and watching the rain felt good.

Then Geom Mugeuk carefully spoke.

“I may end up losing all the points I have painstakingly built up until now, but there is a question I must ask.”

It was a question he had never once brought up until now.

“What kind of person was Mother?”

Had he expected that his son would ask this someday? Even at the sudden question, his father did not seem surprised.

“When I was very young, I once asked my elder brother about Mother.”

It was a time when neither of them had even considered succession struggles.

“At that time, my brother said this. Father dislikes it, so never bring it up.”

Back then, his brother had also been young.

“After that day, I never brought it up again.”

They had lived as though she were a presence that must not be mentioned.

Since he had no memories of his mother, there was no deep longing. Moreover, with the appearance of Hwa Moogi, his entire life had been focused on stopping him.

Now that Hwa Moogi was dead, he thought it was finally time to ask his father at least once.

His father said nothing. He simply stared silently at the falling rain.

Geom Mugeuk did not press further. When the time came, he would surely tell him.

Shaaahhhhh.

---

“Bring me another bottle of alcohol.”

At the words of the Martial Alliance Leader Jin Paecheon, the waiter hurried over and set down a bottle.

“Here you are! Please enjoy!”

Jin Paecheon sat inside a bustling inn.

On his way back to the Martial Alliance, he had stopped by a tavern again. Even when he had gone to assist the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, he had stopped at a tavern to enjoy a brief escape where no one recognized him.

Back then, he had no leisure, but now he calmly enjoyed the moment.

Once again, no one recognized him. Who would imagine that the Martial Alliance Leader would be drinking alone in such a place? Even if someone who knew him saw him, they would merely tilt their head and pass by.

People eating meals, people chatting over drinks, families dining together, escorts in the middle of transport—amid the lively crowd, Jin Paecheon quietly observed them.

Then, his eyes caught sight of a boy standing by the roadside, staring into the inn. The boy, dressed like a beggar, tightly held the hand of a younger sibling.

Without hesitation, Jin Paecheon gestured for the child to come.

The boy looked wary at first, then soon entered with his sibling.

When the innkeeper tried to chase them away at the entrance—

“I called those children. Let them in.”

Seeing at a glance that he was no ordinary martial artist, the innkeeper quickly sent the children over.

“This old man has ordered too much food and cannot finish it all. It would be a waste to throw it away, so would you help me?”

The younger sibling did not understand, but the older one seemed to know exactly what that meant.

“Thank you.”

The boy first fed his younger sibling. He stopped the child from eating too hastily.

“Slowly! Eat slowly.”

Only after taking care of the younger one did the boy begin to eat.

“How old are you?”

“Twelve.”

“Your parents?”

“They have passed away.”

He said that they had been left with relatives but, after being abused, had fled in the night with his sibling.

How many days could this child possibly survive in such a harsh world while taking care of that young sibling?

Jin Paecheon did not speak to the boy further, allowing him to eat in peace.

When the children finished their meal, Jin Paecheon wrote something on a piece of paper and handed it to the boy.

“Do you know where the Martial Alliance branch is located here?”

“Yes, I saw it earlier on my way here.”

“Then go straight to the Martial Alliance branch. If you deliver this letter, you will be able to get work that will keep your younger sibling from going hungry.”

The boy was smart and quick-witted. If he had been told to go somewhere else, he would not have gone, but if it was the Martial Alliance branch, at least they would not sell him off somewhere.

“Do not be afraid, and make sure to go. Trust this old man. Understood?”

“Thank you.”

After giving a deep bow, the boy left the place with his sibling.

As the two children departed, someone approached and sat down in their place.

It was Jin Hagun.

“Martial Alliance Leader, I am truly relieved that you have returned safely.”

After Jin Paecheon had left, there had not been a single day Jin Hagun had slept peacefully. He had regretted asking his grandfather for help more than once.

So when he received his grandfather’s urgent message to meet here, he could not describe how happy he had been. Far more than the repulsion of the Heavenly Killing Star, he was relieved that his grandfather was safe.

“Send someone to make sure those children reach the branch safely. And inform the branch members properly as well.”

“Yes.”

Jin Hagun relayed the order to a subordinate of the Demon-Slaying Brigade waiting outside.

Once he sat back down, Jin Paecheon calmly spoke of the outcome of the battle.

“There were several battles, but in the end, the one who repelled the Heavenly Killing Star was the Demonic Cult Leader, and the one who blocked its final counterattack was the Young Cult Leader.”

Jin Paecheon conveyed his honest feelings to his grandson.

“I was concerned about their strength even during the battle, and I remained concerned after it ended. I wondered if the Demonic Cult Leader might attempt to bring about the vain dream of a war between the Righteous and Demonic factions. All the way here, that was my only worry.”

But as he had fed the children earlier, he recalled something he had forgotten.

Jin Paecheon asked his grandson:

“If you had been sitting here, would you have called those children in and fed them?”

Jin Hagun did not hesitate. He would have done so without fail.

“Yes, I would have.”

“Yes. That is who we are.”

Through the process of making Jin Hagun the Young Leader, Jin Paecheon’s trust in his grandson had deepened beyond measure. Now, he no longer deceived his own heart for the sake of appearances.

“This old man was momentarily overwhelmed by the Demonic Cult Leader’s formidable martial arts and forgot what kind of people we are. I was only worried about war.”

The worry and anguish that had lingered on Jin Paecheon’s face were already gone.

“As long as we have the heart to ensure that child does not let go of his sibling’s hand, we will not lose. It was not a technique capable of overcoming the Demonic Cult Leader’s Nine Calamities Demon Art that has protected the martial world of the Righteous Faction for so long—it was that very heart. Shamefully, this old man had forgotten that for a moment.”

A firm resolve filled Jin Paecheon’s voice.

“Remember this well. The ones we must protect are not only those children, but also everyone who seeks to protect them. We will protect them all. That is the reason we exist. Do you understand?”

“Yes, I will keep it in mind.”

“This old man intends to strive even harder from now on.”

Looking at Jin Paecheon’s clear, shining eyes, Jin Hagun thought to himself.

‘Do people become more admirable as they age? No.

It is admirable people who age admirably, and those who are not become nothing more than pitiful old men.’

“I will definitely become a Martial Alliance Leader as admirable as you, Grandfather.”

Jin Paecheon smiled and unfastened the Gentleman’s Sword at his waist, handing it to his grandson.

“Take your sword.”

---

Today, a clash of the Nine Calamities Demon Art was unfolding.

Great Annihilation Form versus Great Annihilation Form.

Chrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

From both sides, demonic ghosts split apart simultaneously.

Seeing the demonic ghosts lined up before Geom Woojin, Geom Mugeuk widened his eyes. He had used the Great Annihilation Form countless times, yet what his father displayed now was something he had never seen before.

“This technique can be modified like this?”

Astonishingly, his father’s Great Annihilation Form formed two rows.

Originally, the demonic ghosts would line up in a single row, but upon achieving Twelve Star Greatness, he had become capable of forming two.

“Since when were these guys so obedient?”

The number of split entities had also increased, making it feel as though an army of demonic ghosts stood in formation.

“This is cheating, Father!”

But no sooner had he spoken than his father’s demonic ghosts surged forward.

KWA-KWA-KWA-KWA-KWA-KWA!

Geom Mugeuk’s demonic ghosts charged forward without fear.

KWA-AAAAAANG!

His ghosts collided with the first row and were annihilated.

But immediately, the second row pressed forward like a crushing wave.

Bang! KWAANG!

The Great Demon Wall erected before Geom Mugeuk blocked the advancing ghosts.

Had his father made some sort of determination? Today, more than ever, he was pushing forward with overwhelming Internal Energy.

“This time I really almost died—”

At that moment, Geom Mugeuk could not finish his sentence. A shadow began to fall over the place where he and his father stood.

“No way… right?”

Behind his father, the Heavenly Demon Spirit rose to its full height.

There was not even a warning. The moment it descended, dozens of sword-shaped energies began forming like stars in the air behind it.

Seventh Form of the Nine Calamities Demon Art, Demon Soul Genesis.

Without even turning back, Geom Mugeuk activated the Lightning Flash Step and escaped.

Shuk shuk shuk shuk shuk!

KWA-KWA-KWA-KWA-KWA!

The energies narrowly rained down behind him as he fled.

“No matter how powerful Demon Soul Genesis is, it cannot catch me!”

At that very moment—

Swooooosh!

The massive Heavenly Demon Spirit charged toward Geom Mugeuk at terrifying speed. It was the Eighth Form, Demon Soul Rapid Ascent.

Closing the distance in an instant, the Heavenly Demon Spirit’s eyes turned pure white. It was about to unleash the Ninth Form, Heavenly Demon Supreme.

Father, what are you doing? I will die!

“Save me, Heavenly Demon Spirit!”

Of course, he was calling out to his own Heavenly Demon Spirit.

Geom Mugeuk erected the Great Demon Wall.

Ziiiiiiing!

The Great Demon Wall was being pierced by the Heavenly Demon Supreme. If it broke through, this was not something that could be blocked with Protective Energy.

Neither his father nor the Heavenly Demon Spirit stopped. From his father’s cold gaze, Geom Mugeuk could feel it clearly.

If you cannot find a solution, you die!

The next moment—

Flash.

The energy that pierced through the Great Demon Wall collided with a brilliant white light.

KWA-AAAAANG!

With a tremendous explosion, the surroundings trembled as if an earthquake had struck. The overturned ground scattered dirt and dust everywhere.

When the dust settled, Geom Mugeuk stood there. Astonishingly, he had survived even the Heavenly Demon Supreme.

“I imitated what Father did… and it worked.”

Geom Mugeuk had unleashed Heavenly Demon World Annihilation.

Not the version that annihilated everything, but the very one his father had used to create a sword of light and kill Hwa Moogi. That very technique, formed into a sword! The strongest move had been countered with the strongest move.

“When I was pushed to the brink of death, I was able to imitate it.”

A strange smile appeared on his father’s face.

“Do you think something like that can be imitated just because you try?”

Then, astonishing words came from his father’s mouth.

“You have achieved Twelve Star Greatness.”

It was because he had reached Twelve Star Greatness that he could modify and use Heavenly Demon World Annihilation.

“You achieved it several days ago. You knew as well, didn’t you?”

Geom Mugeuk lowered his head deeply.

“Yes, I knew.”

“Why did you not say anything?”

“I wanted to stay with you for a few more days, Father… so I did not say it. I am sorry.”

How could he scold such a son for hiding it? Everyone in the world feared him, yet his son only wished to remain by his side a little longer.

In truth, their feelings were the same. Geom Woojin had also known for several days that his son had achieved Twelve Star Greatness.

“You have finally done it.”

“Yes, I have finally done it.”

“Congratulations.”

“Thanks to you, Father, I was able to accomplish in a short time what would have taken a lifetime. I am truly grateful.”

Geom Mugeuk bowed his head in thanks.

Though he did not show it outwardly, Geom Woojin was just as pleased as his son.

“It is thanks to your own effort. You have worked hard.”

The two stood side by side, gazing toward the distant horizon of the plains. As the sun set, the red glow of dusk beautifully dyed the world.

“This is the end here as well.”

After standing like that for a while, watching the sunset, Geom Woojin suddenly spoke.

“She was the only person I ever loved.”

“!”

Startled, Geom Mugeuk turned to look at his father.

A trace of longing flickered in his father’s eyes as he gazed at the sunset. It was an expression he had never seen before.

Without realizing it, Geom Mugeuk let out a sigh of relief. He had wondered how his father felt about his mother. Did he hate her? Did he regret meeting her? Was there some untold story? All kinds of worries had filled his mind.

But now, none of that mattered.

If his father had truly loved her.

“I think she must have been the most wonderful person in the world.”

Geom Woojin’s gaze toward his son deepened.

“If she had seen you, she would have liked you very much.”

As long as his father carried his mother in his heart—

“She is surely watching me even now.”

An uncontrollable surge of emotion passed over Geom Woojin’s face.

As if to hide it, he turned his head toward the distant sunset and said:

“Let us go out now.”

“Yes, Father.”

Geom Mugeuk snapped his fingers.

Since activating the Temporal and Spatial Transference Technique, it was the lightest and most pleasant snap he had ever made—snap!