Yuk Cheongah, who had reached out to grab Bu Eunseol’s sleeve, froze the moment she spotted the two approaching figures.
In that brief gap, Bu Eunseol politely cupped his hands toward Gongsun Dankyung and Baek Museong.
“Commander Gongsun, Captain Baek.”
Gongsun Dankyung nodded with a gentle smile.
“Captain Seon. What brings you here?”
When she said “what brings you,” her gaze was not on Bu Eunseol, but on Yuk Cheongah standing beside him.
Understanding the implication, Bu Eunseol answered with perfect courtesy.
“As you can see, I was returning to the corps… when I happened to run into Hall Leader Yuk.”
At that instant, Baek Museong’s face, standing beside Gongsun Dankyung, stiffened ever so slightly.
The Supreme Corps was located in the bamboo grove at the very end of the Martial Alliance’s north gate. Unless Yuk Cheongah had deliberately come looking for him, there was no way they could “happen” to meet here.
‘So that’s how it is.’
Feeling the blatant stares of Gongsun Dankyung and Baek Museong, Yuk Cheongah inwardly laughed in disbelief.
‘Now she’s trying to destroy my relationship with Captain Baek as well.’
Only now did she realize that everything had been part of Gongsun Dankyung’s scheme.
Bu Eunseol changed the subject.
“And what brings the two of you here?”
Gongsun Dankyung glanced at Baek Museong before answering.
“I heard that the Leaders of Ascending Martial Hall and Dragon Coiling Hall coincidentally proposed the exact same mission to the Vice-Leader at the same time.”
She looked calmly at Baek Museong as she continued.
“If two halls compete over the same task, the chances of failure only rise. So I was on my way to persuade both Leaders.”
“Persuade them… how?”
“If both halls must move at once, wouldn’t it be better for them to truly combine their strength?”
‘Of course it was all planned.’
Yuk Cheongah’s expression turned ice-cold.
Watching Gongsun Dankyung speak so fluently and naturally only confirmed it.
The position of a Commander in the Martial Alliance was not so idle that she would personally concern herself with the mission of a mere first-rank captain.
In the end, Gongsun Dankyung had foreseen every detail, waited for the exact moment Yuk Cheongah confronted Seon Woojin, and brought Baek Museong here at precisely that time.
Human relationships begin to crack from the tiniest seed of doubt.
“It seems Captain Baek has already accepted the proposal,” Yuk Cheongah finally spat, her words sharp as thorns toward Baek Museong. “He followed the Commander here so eagerly.”
Seeing the amiable expression on Baek Museong’s face, it was clear he could not have refused Gongsun Dankyung’s request even if he had wanted to.
“Nothing has been decided yet,” Baek Museong replied indifferently, meeting Yuk Cheongah’s frigid gaze. “But since the Hall Leader puts it that way, I suppose I must follow the Commander’s judgment.”
‘Was it hopeless from the start?’
Only now did Yuk Cheongah realize the truth.
Even without Gongsun Dankyung’s scheme, she and Baek Museong could never have formed a close alliance.
She had long known that Baek Museong was in love with Gongsun Dankyung… yet she had believed he could still separate personal feelings from duty.
But a man blinded by love has no such discernment.
“I came for a similar reason—to hear Captain Seon's opinion,” Yuk Cheongah said coldly, staring at Baek Museong. “Just like you did, Captain Baek.”
Frost laced her voice.
Being summoned by the Commander was no small matter. Yet he had followed her here so casually, without even informing Yuk Cheongah…
An overwhelming sense of betrayal and disappointment crashed over her.
“Is there any need to ask my opinion?” Bu Eunseol stepped forward and spoke calmly. “If the higher-ups have already agreed, I will simply obey.”
“How fortunate,” Gongsun Dankyung said, looking back and forth between Baek Museong and Bu Eunseol. “Then I shall take it that both of you are in agreement, and I will persuade the two Leaders accordingly.”
“Understood. Then, if you’ll excuse me—I have urgent duties to attend to…” Bu Eunseol cupped his hands toward Gongsun Dankyung, Yuk Cheongah, and Baek Museong. “I’ll take my leave first.”
Baek Museong likewise cupped his hands toward the two women.
“I too shall take my leave.”
Then he turned and walked away.
Only Gongsun Dankyung and Yuk Cheongah remained at the entrance to the bamboo grove.
‘Gongsun Dankyung.’
Yuk Cheongah bit her lip.
With nothing more than this single orchestrated encounter, the woman had shattered the cooperative relationship she had carefully maintained with Baek Museong.
Such a feat was only possible because of her terrifying insight into human psychology and relationships.
For Yuk Cheongah’s ambitions, the greatest obstacle was none other than Gongsun Dankyung herself.
“Captain Seon is truly cherished,” Yuk Cheongah said. “Even for a minor mission like this, the Commander personally attends to every detail.”
“Is that so?” Gongsun Dankyung replied with an innocent smile. “I thought both Leaders were staking their lives on it, so it hardly seemed minor.”
It was a veiled jab at the fierce rivalry between Yuk Jangcheon of the Ascending Martial Hall and Yong Myeong of the Dragon Coiling Hall.
Yuk Cheongah no longer responded. She merely cupped her hands politely.
“Then I’ll be going.”
“Please do.”
As Yuk Cheongah turned away, a chill colder than ice filled her eyes.
‘Commander Gongsun… you will regret today.’
Since things had come to this, she could no longer ride the same boat as Baek Museong.
In the end, whether it be Seon Woojin or Baek Museong, she would have to treat them as pieces to be discarded.
***
—Captain Baek, Captain Seon. Let the two of them handle the newly appeared slaughter demon together.
In the end, thanks to Gongsun Dankyung’s mediation, the Leaders of Ascending Martial Hall and Dragon Coiling Hall agreed to send Bu Eunseol and Baek Museong respectively, but to have them combine forces.
Everyone in the leadership knew the two Leaders were burning with desire to claim merit in order to become the next Martial Heaven Commander.
If they competed like madmen to kill the slaughter demon, something was bound to go wrong.
Moreover, from an outsider’s perspective, it would look utterly unsightly—as though they were desperate for achievement.
Thus, this decision was made.
Of course, Gongsun Dankyung’s influence had worked behind the scenes, and the two Leaders had accepted it with bitter reluctance.
Meanwhile, the senior elders of the Martial Alliance found the news puzzling.
Seon Woojin, commander of the Supreme Corps, newly risen as a genius of the younger generation.
Baek Museong, the Golden True Dragon and proud disciple of the Buddha Venerable, already firmly established as a future pillar.
Sending both of them—and their corps—just to hunt one slaughter demon?
—Who will claim the greater merit?
Every elder in the Alliance watched the outcome of this mission with keen interest.
***
Bu Eunseol and Baek Museong each selected ten of their finest subordinates and left the Martial Alliance.
The sooner they finished the task, the fewer innocent people the slaughter demon would slaughter.
Both corps set off for Sichuan without delay.
Because they had to travel with their men, they used qinggong by day and slept outdoors by night.
Finally reaching the Sichuan border, they sought shelter in an abandoned house as night fell.
Crackle, crackle.
Sparks from the separate campfires of the two corps broke the silence.
Though they traveled together, everything else was done separately.
Bu Eunseol and Baek Museong exchanged almost no words.
Originally, the two men had been on good terms, but this mission had made things awkward.
More precisely, Baek Museong now felt uncomfortable around Bu Eunseol.
‘Senior Sister regards Captain Seon as someone special.’ Baek Museong’s eyes narrowed as he walked through the forest after letting his men rest.
‘It’s only natural.’
Seon Woojin was an extraordinary man who concealed brilliance within seeming ordinariness.
He was the kind of genius who had stolen even Baek Museong’s own heart—a man who had never before spared a glance for peers of his generation.
It was perhaps inevitable that a woman like Gongsun Dankyung would take an interest in him.
If only Bu Eunseol showed even the slightest affection toward her, Baek Museong could at least feel some relief.
Yet Bu Eunseol always treated her with cool indifference—and that indifference only irritated him more.
‘So in the end, he is my rival.’
Even if Seon Woojin himself felt nothing for Gongsun Dankyung, as long as she treated him specially, he was Baek Museong’s rival whether he wished it or not.
Step, step.
Then he heard footsteps behind him. A figure in white robes approached, carrying something large in his arms.
It was Bu Eunseol.
“There you are. Here.” As he drew near, Bu Eunseol tossed the object to Baek Museong.
It was an enormous gourd jar, large enough for a child to hide inside.
“We should reach the Songpan area by tomorrow. Once we do, we may be too busy chasing the demon to drink—so we won’t have another chance like this.”
Baek Museong smiled, a little embarrassed.
“The moment we left the Alliance, you dropped the formal speech.”
“Why keep up that boring act when we’re already this far out?”
Pop.
Baek Museong opened the gourd.
A sweet, indescribably rich aroma of liquor tickled his nose.
“And your drink?”
“You thought you’d finish this whole thing alone?”
“Ah, right.”
Baek Museong took a swig, and his eyes widened.
The liquor inside was Geomnamchun, Sichuan’s most famous brew—and judging by the fragrance, it had aged at least a hundred years.
He tossed the gourd back to Bu Eunseol.
“When on earth did you get your hands on something this fine?”
“I didn’t ‘get’ it. I prepared it before we even left the Alliance.”
Glug, glug.
Bu Eunseol drank deeply, then spoke calmly.
“It’s not every day I get to travel with Brother Baek. I thought we should share at least one drink.”
Baek Museong drew a long breath.
Thanks to Gongsun Dankyung, his heart had been wounded lately. Yet Bu Eunseol remained unchanged.
No matter the circumstances, he looked at Baek Museong exactly as he always had.
For the first time, Baek Museong felt ashamed.
“I never knew I was this petty.”
“What are you talking about?”
Baek Museong spoke the truth that had been weighing on him.
“To be honest, these past few days I’ve resented you. She seems interested in you, yet you show no interest in her.”
“Would you prefer I showed interest in the Commander?”
“No, that’s not—” Even as he spoke, he knew it sounded strange.
He waved his hand dismissively.
“What I mean is…”
“I understand,” Bu Eunseol said.
“You do?”
“Of course. No man wants to see the woman he loves treated coldly by another.”
Baek Museong’s eyes widened in shock.
He had never imagined Bu Eunseol could be this perceptive, this understanding of his heart.
“I must have disappointed you greatly.”
“…”
“To think you’ve been friends with someone so narrow-minded.” Baek Museong hung his head in shame.
But the reply he received was unexpected.
“It’s just that pure and honest about your feelings.” Bu Eunseol tossed the gourd back. “So stop blaming yourself.”
Baek Museong looked down at the gourd he caught and smiled.
In front of a friend who truly understood him, there was no need to feel shame about anything.
He realized he could simply be honest.
“You’ve always felt like an old friend, even from the first time we met,” Baek Museong said, his expression finally relaxed. “That’s probably why I keep saying unnecessary things around you.”
“Now you know.” Bu Eunseol pretended to feel the effects of the alcohol and gazed at the distant sky, giving Baek Museong time to sort his complicated feelings.
“Have you ever been in love?”
The question came out of nowhere.
“Surely someone as outstanding as you has had plenty of offers.”
“I’ve turned down several marriage proposals. I’m not ready to start a family yet.”
“I see.” Baek Museong smiled. “You’ll understand one day. When you stand before the person you love, anyone would panic.”
“…”
“Your eyes and ears go blind, and your heart fills with nothing but that person.” Baek Museong laughed heartily as he watched Bu Eunseol’s dazed expression.
“Don’t look at me like I’m possessed. One day, when you fall in love, you’ll understand what I mean.”
After laughing for a long while, Baek Museong let out a deep sigh and spoke as though he had made up his mind.
“From now on, I will keep earning merit until I become Martial Heaven Commander—surpassing both you and Hall Leader Yuk.”
“…”
“And when that day comes, I will propose to her.”
He smiled happily.
“Of course Senior Sister will refuse. But the position of Commander means I can see the her whenever I wish. I intend to wait by her side for the rest of my life.”
“Why tell me this?”
Baek Museong answered in a low voice.
“Because I like you far too much.”
Suddenly, pure white light flickered in his eyes, and an overwhelming white aura surged from his body.
A supreme master—he was finally unleashing the immense power he had kept hidden until now.
“After this mission, you will earn no more merit. The same goes for the slaughter demon.” Despite the murderous words, Baek Museong’s lips curved into a joyful smile. “And once I become Commander, I will appoint you as my Vice-Commander. Even if I do something foolish or make mistakes… you would clean it up coolly for me.”
“Brother Baek.”
“I warned you in advance, so don’t hold any grudges.”
Baek Museong smiled sadly.
“I must become Commander to win her heart.”
Bu Eunseol could say nothing.
The world is full of people, and each holds something different as the highest value in life.
Some pursue fame, some immense wealth, and some… love.
A man who could one day become a supreme grandmaster and leave a great mark on the martial world had set winning Gongsun Dankyung’s heart as the ultimate goal of his life.
“Do I seem strange?”
Bu Eunseol shook his head.
“No.”
Then he added, “I envy you, Brother Baek—someone who can be so honest with his feelings.”
“Is that supposed to comfort me?”
“It’s the truth.” Bu Eunseol gave a dry smile. “I could never do the same.”
If Baek Museong’s goal was love, Bu Eunseol’s goal was revenge.
To achieve it, he had to defeat countless enemies and overcome endless trials.
He could not—must not—let emotions show or be swayed by them.
‘Will I be able to, once my revenge is complete?’
Even Bu Eunseol did not know.
He only hoped that Baek Museong’s love would one day be returned.
“From now on, you and I are truly rivals.”
“If you mean rivals in love, I refuse.”
“Hahaha! Not rivals in love—true rivals in merit.”
Baek Museong laughed, and Bu Eunseol smiled too.
Normally, rivals cannot bless each other or look upon one another with ease.
Yet these two could.
Because they would both give their all without regret.
Because whoever became Commander, they would sincerely congratulate the other.
Their ultimate goals were different, but they both understood the value of friendship.
“Then let’s stop the drinking here.”
“What?”
“We have to start competing seriously tomorrow.”
It was Bu Eunseol’s consideration.
If they kept talking and drinking like this, that noble man might lose sight of his goal entirely out of friendship for him.
Splash!
Bu Eunseol stood and swung the gourd high into the air. The remaining liquor scattered upward like ten million droplets, soaring into the night sky.
“Let’s head back. The men will start worrying.”
Baek Museong nodded with a laugh.
“Alright.”
Side by side, they walked toward where their subordinates were camping.
“Oh, right—when I become Commander, I’ll bring the entire Supreme Corps with you.”
“Dream big. Say that again after you’ve reached hall leader rank.”
As the two men whispered and disappeared into the forest,
Pitter-patter.
The droplets Bu Eunseol had flung fell back to earth like rain.
By chance? Or by fate?
The fallen liquor formed a long, perfect line…
…exactly splitting the spot where Bu Eunseol and Baek Museong had stood facing each other into two precise halves.
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