“Wow, how luxurious.”

Those were Seo Ryang’s first words as he surveyed the distinguished guest room they were led to.

“They’ve plastered everything with gold. What a waste of money.”

Wi Hong-ryeon’s assessment was beyond harsh, bordering on rude.

“…”

Ma Dong-pil simply stood with his eyes closed.

Unlike Seo Ryang’s quarters, which were spacious but desolate, Hong Wi-moon’s residence was incredibly ornate.

Wi Hong-ryeon glanced at Seo Ryang.

He kept looking around, fascinated by something. His face showed no signs of resentment or envy.

“Young Master.”

“Hm? What?”

“Why don’t you decorate your residence like this as well?”

Seo Ryang stuck out his tongue as if he might vomit.

“Are you crazy? Even if I had money rotting away, I couldn’t live in a place like this. Sure, it’s impressive at first glance, but how could food even go down in such an uncomfortable place?”

Wi Hong-ryeon snickered.

“So you think that way too.”

“Isn’t it obvious?”

It wasn’t obvious at all.

At least in Wi Hong-ryeon’s experience, all rulers indulged in luxury. No, many didn’t even recognize their indulgence as luxury.

In this aspect too, the Third Young Master was clearly different. He seemed to prefer simplicity and comfort.

Wi Hong-ryeon furrowed her brow.

“By the way, why isn’t the Fourth Young Master coming?”

Not even half an incense stick’s time had passed since they were shown to the distinguished guest room. Her impatience was truly sky-high.

Ma Dong-pil spoke with his eyes still closed.

“He’ll come when it’s time.”

“Anyone could say that. Still, shouldn’t he hurry when his superior has arrived?”

“I advise you to watch your words. There are many ears listening.”

“At least none that register on my senses.”

Seeing her interpret his warning about future caution as merely about the current situation, Ma Dong-pil closed not only his eyes but his mouth as well.

That’s when Seo Ryang spoke.

“He won’t come, not right away.”

“What?”

“I said he won’t come right away.”

Ma Dong-pil’s eyes flew open. Wi Hong-ryeon also turned to him in surprise.

Seo Ryang scratched his head.

“I’ve seen this old man do it so many times – they rarely rush to greet unexpected guests.”

“What do you mean?”

“Simply put, it’s a power play. Since we’re uninvited guests who came without notice, they’ll take their time to prepare. Basically, they’re saying ‘be patient whether you like it or not.'”

Of course, that old man was the Righteous Heavens Alliance Leader. Both officially to maintain control of conversations and privately to enjoy watching others squirm, the Alliance Leader always arrived late to meetings.

Wi Hong-ryeon’s brow furrowed deeply. With her diagonal scar, her scowl made her look like a hardened criminal.

“How dare they do this when the Third Young Master is here?”

“I may be the Third Young Master, but aren’t we all the Cult Leader’s disciples? Unless it was someone like the Nine Great Demon Elders, he doesn’t need to consider our circumstances.”

His matter-of-fact tone made it sound even more casual. Wi Hong-ryeon hesitated.

Ma Dong-pil spoke.

“Young Master, what should we do?”

“About what?”

“Perhaps we should send someone to request his prompt arrival…”

“Why bother?”

“Pardon?”

Seo Ryang leaned back in his chair. It was so soft and plush it felt like lying in bed.

“Hey, when else would we get to stay comfortably in a place like this? It’s not bad to enjoy such luxury for a day.”

He even mentioned staying overnight. He truly seemed to think the other party might make them wait an obscenely long time.

“If you’re hungry, why not call someone and order food?”

Ma Dong-pil shook his head.

“I’m fine…”

Ding!

It was none other than Wi Hong-ryeon who pulled the bell cord hanging from the ceiling. Ma Dong-pil stared at her intently.

Wi Hong-ryeon spoke shamelessly.

“Come to think of it, the Young Master is right. When else would I get to eat a meal in a place like this? I might as well eat and sleep while I’m here.”

“That’s the spirit.”

Shortly after, a servant entered. Though not wearing silk, his attire was far too fine for a mere servant.

“You called?”

Wi Hong-ryeon rattled off dish names one after another.

She was ordering strongly flavored dishes in this room with just one window. Ma Dong-pil spoke up.

“The Young Master doesn’t like strong flavors. Instead of that, we should order…”

That’s when Seo Ryang raised his hand.

“Order whatever you want. I don’t mind.”

Wi Hong-ryeon shot Ma Dong-pil a smug look. Ma Dong-pil sat back down, resigned.

Seo Ryang looked up at the ceiling.

His eyes grew distant.

What would that old man do?

Though he was a detestable old man he wouldn’t want to meet even in dreams, there were surprisingly things to learn from him in situations like this.

While he mainly received guests after becoming the Alliance Leader, before that, the old man traveled extensively.

Countless people were ruined by that old man’s footwork in pursuit of power.

What if I were the Alliance Leader? If today’s Hong Wi-moon were like those numerous enemies the old man destroyed?

And what if I modified the old man’s methods in my own way?

“Squad Leader Wi.”

Wi Hong-ryeon startled. The Third Young Master who had been casually calling her “wench” and “girl” was finally addressing her properly.

Seo Ryang grinned.

“Think a few dishes are enough?”

“Pardon?”

“Order several barrels of alcohol while you’re at it!”

Wi Hong-ryeon gave a tight-lipped smile. It was quite an interesting feat.

“If that’s what the Young Master wishes.”

***

“They ordered food and alcohol?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm.”

Hong Wi-moon responded briefly, puffing away at his tobacco which emitted red smoke, his expression unconcerned.

Instead, Shin Hoe’s face grew completely rigid.

“What could they be thinking?”

“Seo Ryang?”

“…Yes.”

“Well, I didn’t expect him to charge in like this. Bringing the Mad Demon Squad Leader, no less.”

Despite his words, he seemed quite relaxed. It wasn’t an act – he genuinely appeared at ease.

“They’re just uninvited guests who barged in during ‘business’ hours. No reason I should rush to meet them at the expense of my time, right?”

“Of course not.”

“Give them whatever they want. If they want to drink, give them drink. If they want food, give them food.”

A faint purple light flickered and disappeared in Hong Wi-moon’s eyes.

“I need to see just how far his current limits extend.”

***

“Urrrp! This is good stuff.”

Wi Hong-ryeon’s face was flushed red.

Ma Dong-pil clicked his tongue.

“After drinking eleven bottles of Fen Wine[1] in just two hours, it would be stranger if you weren’t drunk.”

No, it was amazing that someone could drink that much in the first place.

They say there are as many heavy drinkers as the vast continent, but to down eleven bottles of Fen Wine, each longer and thicker than a man’s arm…

“Hic! By the way, Young Master, you’re really amazing.”

Perhaps it was having a common enemy, but Wi Hong-ryeon had been quite friendly toward Seo Ryang since they decided to come here. Now that she was drunk, she could only become more familiar.

Seo Ryang tilted his head as he emptied his cup.

“What is?”

“How can you be so composed after drinking the same amount as me?”

“Really? I find it strange too.”

It was beyond strange – it was mind-boggling. Even he knew this drinking capacity wasn’t normal.

He vaguely wondered if it might be due to the Ancient Bamboo Spirit Energy, but he wasn’t certain.

Wi Hong-ryeon stared at Seo Ryang for a moment before grinning and asking:

“Young Master, do you know how I got this scar on my face?”

“You just told us. Said you got it while taking down some passing lecher.”

“This scar, you see, I encountered a cat spirit in the northwestern Mount Tian[2] and got slashed by its front paw…”

“Dong-pil! Look after her. She’s starting to lose it.”

Ma Dong-pil quietly moved closer to Wi Hong-ryeon.

“Squad Leader Wi. Let’s get some rest now.”

“Ah, get away! I’m not drunk!”

“Anyone can see you’re absolutely hammered.”

“Hey, you!”

Now she was acting like the master. Ma Dong-pil repeatedly wrote the character for patience (忍) in his heart.

“The Young Master is watching.”

“Who doesn’t know that? I’m talking to the Young Master right now!”

“Please come to your senses.”

“I’m perfectly fine!”

Typical drunk behavior. Seo Ryang snickered as he poured her more wine.

“Right, drink more. Go ahead and drink until your mind completely flies away.”

“Oh? That’s dangerous.”

“What is?”

“Usually when men… ah, I don’t mean you, Young Master.”

“I get it, damn it. So what?”

“Usually when men try to get women drunk, it’s because they want to take advantage…”

“Hey! Stop drinking!”

“Hehe.”

“What’s with this one? Pick one personality, just one! Damn, it’s frustrating.”

While everyone has their own drinking habits, behaving differently from usual is universal. Despite her exceptional capacity, Wi Hong-ryeon seemed no different from ordinary people when drunk.

How long did this boisterous, merry drinking session continue?

“Dong-pil.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

“How long have we been here?”

Ma Dong-pil looked toward the window.

“Judging by the setting sun, it’s been about half a day.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, Young Master.”

“Then perhaps it’s time to begin.”

“Pardon?”

Seo Ryang rose calmly.

Ma Dong-pil’s face grew uneasy. Something about the Young Master’s aura felt unusual.

“What are you planning to do? If you tell me, I can…”

“No, I need to do this myself.”

“What?”

“I’m going to modify that crazy old man’s underhanded attack in my own way. If it works, great. If it ends badly, so be it.”

“I don’t understand what you mean at all…”

Shing!!

The sound of drawing his blade was music to the ears.

The sound was so clean that Ma Dong-pil couldn’t help but admire it. Even Wi Hong-ryeon, who had been groaning drunkenly, snapped her eyes open.

Seo Ryang’s eyes gradually grew cold as he looked down at the long, smooth blade.

He recalled the Righteous Heavens Alliance Leader’s words.

• Taking control isn’t really that complicated. People who care about appearances might seem to have the upper hand at first, but they eventually fall to the limits they set for themselves. On the other hand, those who move forward honestly and stubbornly might be ridiculed, but they can advance without limits. When fighting for control, being completely honest is always best.

A lesson given to the Righteous Heavens Alliance’s Young Master. Seo Ryang had heard it all while in hiding.

He planned to use that method in his own way.

“Aren’t I already infamous as a tyrant?”

“Pardon?”

“Then shouldn’t I cause some chaos like the ill-tempered tyrant I am?”

In that moment, Ma Dong-pil’s face went pale while excitement filled Wi Hong-ryeon’s.

Woong woong woong woong!

Terrifying demonic energy instantly concentrated in the blade.

Seo Ryang smiled viciously.

“Been a while since I’ve drawn my sword.”

He swung the blade.

Flash!