Yeon Cheon Baek was in high spirits.The worries that had plagued him for so long were completely gone.Yeon Woo Jin truly was his blood grandson.He wanted to run outside and shout for joy.Now that he knew for certain, Woo Jin looked even more lovable in his eyes.He had already been overflowing with affection, but now it swelled even further.On such a joyous day, one must drink.As though reading his heart, the attendants brought in the table of wine.“Woo Jin, tonight this grandfather of yours wants to get drunk.”“Yes, drink as much as you like.”“Hahaha! Good! Very good!”Happiness poured out of Yeon Cheon Baek’s face.Knowing the reason, Yeon Woo Jin simply smiled and let his grandfather do as he wished.But there was one regret.He had hoped to hear news of his son.He recalled the first time he met Woo Jin.Clothes torn to rags and soaked in sweat, yet his face strangely clean.Something had felt off.The clothes bore the clear marks of having been chased, but the face did not. It was unnatural.Had he been fleeing from pursuers?It must be so. Otherwise, why would he have been collapsed alone in such a desolate place?As for his spotless face, Yeon Cheon Baek assumed it was due to Woo Jin’s special abilities.The state of the clothes and the place he was found meant only one thing: he had been pursued.The thought he did not want to entertain pressed in—his son might no longer be in this world.The joy of meeting his grandson and the grief of not knowing his son’s fate came crashing down together.That night was filled with the quiet sound of Yeon Cheon Baek emptying his cup and Woo Jin refilling it. ****Yeon Cheon Baek’s joy only deepened.The moonlight upon the lake was beautiful, and the wine tasted exquisite.All because he had discovered that Yeon Woo Jin was truly his grandson.The one burden in his heart had been lifted.He could not stop laughing.It felt as though he might float away into the sky.And the more he thought, the more similarities he recalled.Especially the black eyes—such a trait could only come from bloodline.Yes… our family has always had the trait, that when we grow enraged, our pupils turn black.He had once thought it strange when he noticed the resemblance. Now he understood—the Black Eyes manifested because Woo Jin was truly of his blood.What’s more, Woo Jin’s present appearance was the spitting image of himself in his youth.He had assumed it was a saying—that people grow to resemble those they love. But no, it was blood that made them alike.As Yeon Cheon Baek grinned to himself, Woo Jin chuckled.“Is something amusing, Grandfather?”“Eh?”“You keep smiling.”“Ah! Of course! Hahaha! What could be more joyous than drinking with my Woo Jin?”His words made Woo Jin beam.“For me as well, Grandfather.”“Khahahaha!”How could life be so happy?Yeon Cheon Baek was truly content.He wished to preserve this happiness forever.If only they had been drinking on the very top floor, it would have been perfect.That much was regrettable.Who had claimed the top floor, he wondered.“Woo Jin, are you not curious who occupies the top floor?”“No. Are you, Grandfather?”“Indeed. Considering the price of wine here, only someone extraordinary could have reserved it. That makes me curious.”“Shall I find out for you?”“Yes. I must know what manner of men they are.”Yeon Cheon Baek well knew of Woo Jin’s special abilities—among them, the power to see beyond walls.Woo Jin lifted his gaze toward the ceiling, his pupils turning black.Not only in anger, but whenever his powers awakened, his eyes shifted to Black Eyes.At the same time, he amplified the sounds he wished to hear.In his vision, two middle-aged men appeared, and their conversation entered his ears.—“A leader in name only, yet a puppet in truth.”—“Indeed. It is because we lack the strength.”—“Unless one has unmatched power like the Martial Deity Heaven Lord, one cannot rein them in. You know the Nine Schools and Five Great Clans have long dominated Murim.”—“I am no different. My power is far too lacking to command the great heretical sects.”—“What use is authority, when we are constantly ignored?”—“The same for me.”—“So if the time comes that unity is required, what then?”—“At this rate, they may as well simply take turns appointing a puppet. I should never have coveted this post in the first place.”—“If not you, they would have chosen another puppet.”—“With things run this way, how could we ever oppose Martial Deity Heaven? Even united as one, it would barely suffice.”—“They act so because they trust Martial Deity Heaven.”—“But what if Martial Deity Heaven should suddenly turn against them? Could they resist?”—“Resist? The truth is, the Central Plains already lies beneath their sway. They even offered their manuals as tribute to prove they would not oppose them.”—“True enough.”—“That is why they feel secure. So long as they do not oppose Martial Deity Heaven, peace will remain. The Alliance is only a tool to uphold their prestige. It is not a coalition to defend Murim, orthodox or heretical.”—“Only naïve mid-tier sects believe the Alliance will protect them.”—“A man should at least harbor the ambition to surpass Martial Deity Heaven. The martial world I heard of in my youth was not like this.”Hearing their words, Woo Jin recognized them.“They are the Martial Alliance Leader and the Four Evils Alliance Leader.”“Oh? Is that so?”“Yes. Lamenting that they are leaders in name only.”“Why?”“It seems they lack the strength to command their factions.”“Tsks, pathetic.”“They do have ambition, though.”“Ambition?”“Yes. They long to surpass Martial Deity Heaven. It is only the circumstances that prevent it.”“Kukuku. So they do harbor ambition. I wonder what sort of men they are. How about it? Shall we join them for a drink? I am curious what the view is like from the top floor.”His eyes sparkled as he asked, and Woo Jin grinned, nodding.“Yes, let’s.”“Kukuku. Let us go!” ****On the way to the top floor—Since it was the finest chamber of the pavilion, even the stairs leading up glittered with opulence.Two martial guards stood watch at the stairway. Likely they were hired by the establishment.As Yeon Cheon Baek and Woo Jin approached, the guards blocked their path.“Halt. The top floor is already occupied. If you wish to drink there, please return another day.”Their tone was firm yet polite.Yeon Cheon Baek smiled.“I came precisely to meet the occupants. Go and announce me.”“Do you know them?”“Of course. Are not the Martial Alliance Leader and the Four Evils Alliance Leader inside?”At those words, the guards glanced at each other.Only they and the pavilion master knew who was upstairs.“No, sir. You are mistaken.”Even if guessed correctly, they had to deny it.“Enough. Just tell them this: Yeon Cheon Baek wishes to see them.”The guards hesitated, then sighed.“Very well. Please wait. We will send word.”From their reaction, it was clear they did not recognize the name.One went inside, bowing respectfully.“Forgive the intrusion.”The two Alliance Leaders, in the midst of drinking, frowned.“What is it? Did we not give strict orders? No one is to be admitted, no interruptions.”“Yes, I know. But a visitor has come, requesting audience with the two of you.”“With us? But no one knows we are here.”“Damn it. Are we being watched?”“Who is it?”“He gave his name as Yeon Cheon Baek.”“Yeon Cheon Baek?”“Yeon Cheon Baek?”Both repeated the name, brows furrowed.It sounded familiar, but they could not place it.“I swear I have heard it before.”“So have I.”“If both of us recognize it, then he must be a famous figure indeed.”“There is something unsettling about it. The moment I heard it, my body stiffened.”“A man surnamed Yeon… who could it be?”As they puzzled, Eon Ho Baek suddenly froze, his body trembling.“What is it? Do you recall who?”At Su Cheon Kang’s question, Eon Ho Baek slowly nodded. His face had gone ashen.If a mere name could drain the color from the Martial Alliance Leader’s face, then only one man came to mind.At once, the name returned to him.“Gasp! C-could it be…?”“No… impossible. He would not be here…”Tension gripped them as they asked the guard,“Did he truly give his name as Yeon Cheon Baek?”“Yes.”“Then bring him in. With the utmost respect. Do you hear?”“Yes. Take great care not to offend him.”“Yes, understood.”The guards realized then: whoever was outside, he was no ordinary man.They returned quickly and bowed deeply.“You are invited in, honored guest.”“Kukuku. Very well. Let’s go.”“This way, please.”Following the guard, Yeon Cheon Baek and Woo Jin entered.Inside, Eon Ho Baek and Su Cheon Kang had already risen, waiting respectfully.Seeing this, Yeon Cheon Baek grinned.“Forgive me for interrupting your private time. I grew curious about the top floor, and your conversation piqued my interest as well.”Conversation?“Our conversation…?”“Ah, don’t misunderstand. I did not eavesdrop intentionally. From below, I simply happened to hear your words.”At that, both Alliance Leaders went pale.The top floor was soundproofed by formation, and on top of that, they had personally sealed it with inner force.Yet he had heard it all?They could only think—truly worthy of his reputation.“Are you… truly the Martial Deity Heaven Lord?” Eon Ho Baek asked.Yeon Cheon Baek’s expression darkened.“Would there be a lunatic ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) who dared impersonate me? Were there, my men would tear him limb from limb.”As he spoke, he released a faint trace of his energy.That faint aura alone was proof enough.Both men trembled.Even that little was beyond their comprehension.That they had ever dreamed of opposing such a being—how laughable.To hear of him in rumor was one thing. To experience him in person was another world entirely.And they finally understood why the great sects never truly attempted to fight Martial Deity Heaven.“How long do you mean to leave me standing?”“Ah! Forgive us, please—please, take the seat of honor!”They quickly guided him to the head of the table.Then their eyes darted to the youth beside him.“This is my grandson,” Yeon Cheon Baek said proudly. “Heir to Martial Deity Heaven. Pay him your respects.”“It is an honor. I am Yeon Woo Jin.”“I—I am Eon Ho Baek, Leader of the Martial Alliance.”“And I am Su Cheon Kang, Leader of the Four Evils Alliance. I beg your regard.”“Good, good. Now that we’ve all been introduced, let us sit.”And so, in that moment, the masters of the top floor changed hands.

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