The Heavenly Demon Sect, often called the devil's den in the martial world, was more lively than ever.
"Hey! Be careful over there!"
"Whoa?!"
"Phew, almost caused a major accident... Why is that iron pillar so heavy?"
"You fool! Of course, an iron pillar is heavy!"
"Hehe."
Huge stages were being set up all over the place. These were the stages of traveling troupes that brought joy to people of all ages, overcoming the storms of the martial world.
"Ahhh! It's hot!"
"Hey, move it carefully!"
"I feel like I'm going to die!"
"What good is learning martial arts if you can't even lift a pot?!"
"Ugh! Why don't you try lifting it, Head Chef?"
"That brat? No lunch for you today!"
"What? Are you going to be petty?"
Various taverns were bustling, carrying many more ingredients and dishes than usual. And these taverns were already crowded with countless martial artists.
The sect had been noisy since dawn. By noon, the atmosphere had exploded with energy.
Wei Honglian, watching the scene from afar, shook her head.
"When chaos goes beyond a certain point, it starts to feel endearing. It's like an anthill here."
The number of demons was overwhelming, almost impossible to count. It wasn't just the demons belonging to the sect; influential demons from all over the demonic martial world had gathered.
During such times when outsiders entered all at once, problems could easily arise. If they caused trouble, it would be difficult to handle since they weren't sect members.
However, that was just a concern. In fact, the Pasun Festival had fewer incidents than banquets held by the Yicheon Alliance or the Iron Blood Castle.
The reason was simple: this was the Heavenly Demon Sect.
The Heavenly Demon Sect, the holy land of the demonic martial world, was revered as sacred.
If a troublemaking demon appeared, they often resolved it among themselves before the sect's demons could even intervene.
But there's no need to suppress the rising excitement.
For the next four days, the Heavenly Demon Sect would be the most vibrant place on the continent.
Of course, where there's light, there's always shadow.
"Ugh!"
The middle-aged man being dragged away, coughing up blood, was in a truly miserable state.
His limbs were all broken, and he seemed to be on the brink of death from severe internal injuries. He was being dragged by members of the Punishment Hall.
"What's going on there?"
"They say he's a spy sent by the Iron Blood Castle."
"Hah! Those guys are bold. They dared to plant a spy in the sect."
"He's not the only one. Two spies sent by the Yicheon Alliance have already been caught. Those two fools tried to enter the sect as soon as the outer gate opened."
"Crazy, just crazy."
"That's why you can't trust those orthodox folks. They have no sense of honor."
"Either way, the sect's protectors are going to have a hard time."
Wei Honglian chuckled at those words from afar.
"Hey, Ma. Don't you feel anything hearing that? Doesn't it prick your conscience?"
"..."
"If it were me, I'd ask the young master for permission and go help out. Oh, cold-hearted Ma Guard. If your comrades knew you were living comfortably by the young master's side, they'd cry tears of blood."
"My duty is to closely guard the young master. I know nothing of other matters."
"...Cold-hearted bastard. Heartless bastard."
"By the way, why are you here?"
Wei Honglian placed her hands on her hips and showed her belly.
"Nothing else to do."
Ma Dongpil felt exasperated at her straightforward answer.
She's like an onion, with endless layers to peel, and like an abyss, with no end to her depths.
"Don't your subordinates say anything?"
"Say anything? They might. But they'll do it where I can't hear. They're not stupid enough to say it where I can hear and end their lives that day."
"Sometimes, I even admire that personality of yours."
"What an honor. But where's the young master?"
"He went to buy food."
"Food? Oh my."
Ma Dongpil smacked his lips.
"He said even simple street food would be delicious. How humble he is."
"Why are you making excuses for him?"
"It's not an excuse, just stating the truth."
"Nonsense."
"Watch your language."
"I only need to be careful with the young master, not with you."
"That's the problem; you're not careful with the young master either."
"Stiff bastard. Why does the young master keep such a rigid guy around..."
At that moment.
Smack!
"Ouch!"
Wei Honglian grabbed the back of her head and rolled on the ground.
Seoryang, who had approached her from behind, shook his fist.
"Your head is as hard as a rock. Talking behind my back when no one's around? Do you want to die?"
"Ugh! It wasn't backtalk!"
"Then what was it? Flattery? Praise?"
"…Ugh."
"Try it one more time, I dare you."
Wei Honglian grumbled as she got up.
"The young master is really too much. Why only to me?"
"Aren't you the one who's too much? How come you're the only one who doesn't know why I do this? Is your head just for decoration?"
"You're being too harsh!"
"..."
"…I'm sorry."
Seoryang, who had snorted, laid out the food he had bought in front of the two.
"Hey, try these. Skewers with duck, pork, and vegetables. It's a feast."
When Seoryang offered one, Ma Dongpil politely accepted the skewer. In contrast, Wei Honglian had a somewhat sour expression.
Seoryang frowned.
"What? Don't want to eat? Then give it back."
"No, that's not it."
"Then what?"
"…You seem really happy?"
Instead, Seoryang looked at the two as if surprised.
"Then aren't you guys happy? It's a festival! When will you see a scene like this again?"
We see it every year.
Ma Dongpil couldn't bring himself to say that. He didn't want to spoil Seoryang's high spirits.
Wei Honglian also kept her mouth shut, but not out of kindness like Ma Dongpil. She just didn't want to get hit.
Seoryang pulled the two along.
"Eat quickly, and let's go watch the performance!"
"A, a performance?"
"Why? Don't want to watch?"
The two shouted in unison.
"We want to watch!"
"Great!"
Excited, Seoryang led the way.
When had he ever enjoyed such a festival, having spent his life hiding and cutting throats? He had only seen it from afar, never fully enjoying it.
Naturally, he was thrilled.
Wei Honglian, quietly following Seoryang, slyly asked Ma Dongpil.
"Hey, Ma."
"Ma Dongpil."
"Isn't the young master too excited? Was he always like this?"
"No matter how many times I tell you to watch your words, you never listen."
"Shut up and just tell me."
"…Honestly, I don't know either. I didn't expect him to be this excited."
Though he often joked and spoke lightly, Seoryang always gave Ma Dongpil the impression of an unattainable master.
Even when he showed a silly side, it was seen as humanizing, and his hearty appetite and incredible drinking capacity were seen as magnanimous.
But today, Seoryang seemed very different. It didn't seem like he was putting on an act; he genuinely seemed to be enjoying himself.
'Well, the young master has always shown his true self.'
Ma Dongpil smiled.
'The young master needed this kind of atmosphere once in a while.'
From the beginning at Gojukrim to the recent grand battle with the Beast Palace.
Seoryang hadn't had a single day to rest. Sleeping in or drinking all night didn't mean resting.
Even if he didn't say it, he must have lived each day with the tension only someone of high status could feel.
Ma Dongpil's expression, as he looked at Seoryang with a smile, seemed much softer than before.
Though Seoryang's influence was part of it, the growth in his martial arts also showed in his relaxed expression.
On the other hand, Wei Honglian interpreted that soft smile a bit differently.
'Could it be?'
After a moment of thought, Wei Honglian cautiously spoke.
"Ma."
"What is it?"
"You're not, right?"
"Not what?"
"…Never mind."
"You're being silly."
You're too intense.
Wei Honglian, brushing off the goosebumps on her arms, quickly ran to Seoryang.
"Young master! Let's…"
Smack!
"Ouch! Why again?!"
"I told you not to call me young master, didn't I?"
"Do you know how many young masters there are here? Among the demons who joined, there are so many first young masters, second young masters, and third young masters!"
"Oh? I never thought of that."
"..."
"You just cursed me in your mind, didn't you?"
"Just give me a skewer."
"You bad girl. I'll let it slide this time."
And so, the three arrived at the place where the traveling troupe was performing.
The performance had already begun.
It was a play with a common theme in the martial world, about a lone survivor from a destroyed family overcoming countless hardships to become the greatest hero in the martial world.
The story was utterly childish, but the actors' performances were very skillful. Perhaps because of that, everyone watching the performance was completely absorbed, holding their breath.
As the play reached its climax, the audience erupted in cheers.
"Wow!"
"Next part! Next part!"
"What? Are they done?"
"Will they perform the next show too?"
Seoryang took a deep breath.
"You can't underestimate performances, can you? Amazing. It's been a long time since I focused on something other than martial arts... Huh?"
He blinked.
"Why are you crying?"
"..."
"Hey, crazy girl."
"Which bastard...!"
"..."
"I'm sorry."
"Never mind, why are you crying?"
"Huh?"
When Wei Honglian wiped her eyes, they were full of tears.
The snot that had run down also moistened her lips. Wei Honglian wiped her face roughly with her sleeve.
"Darn! This is so embarrassing."
Seoryang, who was about to frown and grumble, paused for a moment.
'Come to think of it.'
Wei Honglian was the sole surviving member of the prestigious Wei family of Honam, which had been wiped out.
After joining the sect, she became the youngest combat unit leader in the inner sect. Why she joined the sect was unknown. After all, it was the Heavenly Demon Sect that destroyed her family.
Seoryang looked at Wei Honglian quietly. Though she was wiping her face repeatedly out of embarrassment, tears continued to flow as her emotions surged.
'Everyone carries their own story...'
Who doesn't have a story? Though she usually showed a lively and energetic side, Wei Honglian was someone who knew sorrow.
He patted Wei Honglian's shoulder.
"Don't hold back if you want to cry."
"..."
"A crazy girl like you... No, a weirdo... Anyway, what can I say... Life is really..."
"Enough, okay?"
Seoryang scratched his head. He had never comforted someone crying sadly before, so he didn't know what to say.
After pondering for a moment, he suddenly spoke.
"But you grew up to be a girl who can wield a sword like a pro, right? That's enough."
Wei Honglian looked at Seoryang with a shocked face.
"…That's really shocking."
"Huh?"
"Hmph! Never mind! I'll go buy some skewers, so watch another show if you want!"
Wei Honglian quickly left. Though it was because she was embarrassed about crying, Seoryang, unaware of this, could only be flustered.
"Did I do something wrong?"
"..."
"Dongpil?"
"I... will keep my mouth shut."
Seoryang smacked his lips. Thinking back, it was indeed a random comment.
"Darn, but she's really good with a sword, isn't she? She's really picky... Huh?"
Ma Dongpil scratched his head.
"Um... Young master?"
"..."
"Ahem! If I may say... You went a bit too far this time."
"Dongpil."
"Oh, of course, I don't mean to say the young master was wrong..."
"They're here."
"Excuse me?"
Seoryang grinned.
He was looking at the outer gate from afar.
At the entrance of the open gate, a large flag was fluttering.
On that flag, the words "Demonic Sword" were inscribed.
"The Jin family is making their entrance."