Episode 549: Return to the Demon Sect
In a makeshift camp, two men sat across from each other at a temporary table and chairs. They were Neung Un-pa and Gu Yoon, sharing a drink.
“So, that’s what happened, huh?” Neung Un-pa chuckled heartily.
Gu Yoon smiled softly. “Yes, it was all because I’m such a lightweight when it comes to alcohol.”
“Haha, indeed. You always turned red after just a couple of drinks and started giggling.”
“That’s how I ended up speaking informally to my master.”
“Did that really happen?”
“Yes, my master was so taken aback that he said he should bring the leader to see me in that state.”
“Oh, and then?”
“I told him to go ahead and bring the leader. I even said we should get another bottle of wine.”
“Hahaha!”
Neung Un-pa laughed loudly. It had been ages since he laughed so freely. Shaking his head, he said, “To think someone as reserved as you would act like that. It’s a shame I didn’t see it myself.”
“You’d regret it if you had,” Gu Yoon replied with a laugh.
“Is that so? Maybe I should see for myself. How about a drink now?”
“Haha, they say even a dog learns martial arts after three years. I’ve been around drinkers long enough to hold my own now. I might even outdrink you, my lord.”
“Ha! I doubt that. Are you underestimating my drinking skills? Perhaps we should make a wager.”
The leader laughed, raising his glass. Gu Yoon smiled faintly at the sight. Yes, this was the leader he knew—a man who could share a candid conversation without pretense. Respected by all, yet to Gu Yoon, he was like an old friend, one of the few with whom he could truly open his heart.
“I really like you, my lord,” Gu Yoon confessed.
It was true. Perhaps that’s why he had tried to ignore the signs—the leader’s gradual decline. Maybe he had pretended not to notice.
Neung Un-pa looked at Gu Yoon with a gentle smile. “Shall I share a secret with you?”
“What is it?” Gu Yoon asked, a bit tense. He hadn’t expected the leader to get to the point so quickly.
With a mock-serious expression, the leader glanced around before speaking quietly. “The truth is, you might find this surprising.”
“Go ahead. I’m ready. And remember, I’m always on your side.”
“Well, the truth is… I like you a lot too.”
“What?” Gu Yoon looked dumbfounded, and Neung Un-pa laughed, raising his glass.
“Hahaha! Drinking with someone you like makes the night all the more enjoyable!”
Neung Un-pa downed his drink, then lifted the bottle to his lips, drinking straight from it. It was an uncharacteristic sight for the leader, yet somehow, it felt more genuine.
‘Perhaps…’ Gu Yoon thought, ‘I never truly knew him.’
He realized he knew the leader, but not the man behind the title. Watching Neung Un-pa laugh so freely, Gu Yoon felt a pang in his heart.
‘I’m sorry, my lord. I was mistaken, thinking we were closer than we were. Have you been lonely?’
It had been so long since he saw the leader laugh like this—so human. Now he understood how isolated the leader must have felt, how lonely he had been.
If he were asked to take the leader’s place, Gu Yoon knew he couldn’t. No matter how strong his martial arts, he couldn’t bear the weight of such a position. It would all be an act, from start to finish.
Neung Un-pa set the bottle down. “It’s been ages since I’ve had such a good time.”
“I’m sorry. I should have visited more often.”
“No, no. Your position as chief strategist isn’t exactly leisurely.”
“My lord…”
Gu Yoon felt a deep ache in his chest. His master had always said, “A strategist must be closer to the leader than anyone else—not just in mind, but in heart.”
“I’ll remember that, Master.”
But he hadn’t understood back then. Now, finally, he grasped his master’s meaning.
‘Master, your slow-witted disciple finally understands.’
He hoped it wasn’t too late.
Gu Yoon took a drink and set his glass down. “I’m sorry, my lord.”
“Hmm? What for?”
Seeing Neung Un-pa’s genuine curiosity, Gu Yoon felt tears well up. “Just… I’m sorry I can’t show you that funny side of me anymore because I can hold my liquor now.”
He bowed his head, his voice thick with emotion. He should have shown the leader his vulnerable side, and he should have seen the leader’s as well. He shouldn’t have left such a person alone for so long.
Unable to hold back, a tear fell. Neung Un-pa paused.
“Are you crying, strategist?”
“I’m sorry. I’m just so sorry…”
“What? Are you really crying? Haha!”
Neung Un-pa burst into laughter, clutching his stomach as he laughed for what seemed like forever. Perhaps it was the alcohol releasing his pent-up emotions.
After a long laugh, Neung Un-pa said, “You’re quite something! You boss the leader around when drunk, and now you cry like a girl! Haha! Your drinking habits are something else!”
“Yes, indeed,” Gu Yoon replied, wiping his tears with a smile.
‘It’s not too late.’
“Let’s drink!”
“Alright! I’ll show you my drinking prowess today!”
“Great!”
The two men grinned at each other, raising their bottles and drinking heartily. They laughed and talked, not just about light topics but also about the heavy burdens they shared and the trials they had overcome together.
Through it all, they realized that physical proximity doesn’t equate to emotional closeness. Without opening one’s heart, even the closest of companions can feel distant.
Finally, Gu Yoon set his bottle down. “My lord, from now on, I’ll be by your side.”
“You’ve always been by my side.”
“I’ll be even closer.”
“Thank you.”
“I may lack in many ways, but I’ll try to make up for it with my heart and mind. I’ll do my best.”
Neung Un-pa looked at Gu Yoon with a faint smile. Why hadn’t he seen it before? Why had he made the choices he did, overlooking someone so loyal?
And why had Lee Ja-jun followed his orders so unquestioningly?
Tonight’s drink was strange—sweet at first, but bitter in the end.
‘Yes, it’s time to wake up.’
It wasn’t too late. The night was long, and by tomorrow noon, the strategist would surely find a solution.
Neung Un-pa stood up. “Get up.”
“What?”
“I have something to show you. And something to say.”
Gu Yoon instinctively felt that the moment had come. The unease he’d felt for so long, the unfamiliarity in the leader’s demeanor—perhaps now he would understand.
Tonight’s long conversation hadn’t been in vain.
Gu Yoon rose quietly. The two men walked slowly toward the tent.
The tent was a mess, just as they’d left it.
“I should have told you sooner. I hope it’s not too late. But if anyone can set things right, it’s you.”
“What is it you want to show me?”
“Well…”
Neung Un-pa walked to the bed and lifted the pillow. He froze.
It was gone!
‘How?’
He had hidden it under the pillow before leaving. Had someone been here?
While Neung Un-pa was caught off guard, Gu Yoon furrowed his brow and asked, “My lord?”
“Ah… it’s just…”
At that moment, a familiar voice called out, “My lord, it’s Lee Ja-jun, head of the Changshin Clan.”
Lee Ja-jun entered the tent. “Strategist, you’re here too.”
“Ah, Clan Leader Lee.”
The two exchanged brief nods of acknowledgment.
Neung Un-pa furrowed his brow as he looked at Lee Ja-jun.
“What is it?”
“I thought you might have forgotten this.”
“What is it?”
Lee Ja-jun stood facing Neung Un-pa, his back to Gu Yoon. With a slight twist of his lips, he held out a necklace.
Of course, Gu Yoon couldn’t see what it was, obscured as it was by Lee Ja-jun’s body.
“In case you were looking for it.”
“This is…! Why do you have this…?”
But Lee Ja-jun, pretending not to hear, interrupted with a report.
“Oh, there’s good news.”
“Good news?”
“The Lady of Sabigang has successfully defended Guju. Not only that, but she has also managed to subdue a large number of demon knights and brought them under her command.”
“Demons under her command…?”
“Thanks to that, the martial world is showering her with praise. They’re calling her a hero like no other. The number of warriors pledging support to the Palace of Demon Extermination is beyond count.”
“Such…”
A chill crept into Neung Un-pa’s heart.
His gaze was now fixed on the necklace in Lee Ja-jun’s hand.
His eyes began to fill with desire.
Shhh…!
The necklace seemed to whisper to him.
Neung Un-pa took the necklace and tucked it into his sleeve.
“That’s quite the development.”
He murmured with a cold expression.
As Lee Ja-jun retreated with a smile, Gu Yoon called out softly.
“Leader…?”
“Ah, Gu.”
“You were going to say something earlier…”
“The truth is… I’ve let Cheonmu go. I hadn’t had the chance to tell you.”
“Oh… May I ask why?”
“His health has been failing, leading to small mistakes. Even during the recent subjugation, he wasn’t quite in sync.”
Gu Yoon bowed his head.
“Understood. I’ll recommend a suitable replacement as soon as possible.”
“I’d appreciate that.”
“Is that all you wanted to say?”
“Yes, that’s all.”
Neung Un-pa smiled faintly, as if to say there was nothing more to discuss.
Gu Yoon felt it again.
That sense of unease.
But there was nothing more he could do.
“Very well, then… I’ll take my leave.”
“Yes, I’m tired. I should rest as well.”
“Rest well, then.”