Chapter 85 : Chapter 85

Chapter 85. It Isn’t Over Yet (2)

The victory banquet continued for three days and nights.

Normally, martial artists hated letting themselves go, but given the circumstances, everyone had completely loosened their grip on reason and gotten drunk. The sentries guarding against outside intrusion were probably still sober, but inside the estate, there wasn’t a single person who wasn’t intoxicated.

“Ughhh… I can’t drink anymore…”

“You should go inside and rest, Young Master.”

“Uuuugh…”

“Oh dear… it can’t be helped. I’ll escort you inside.”

Tang Seoyeon supported the drunken Han Cheong-un as she walked. At that moment, a servant hurried over from the side.

“Miss, I’ll do it—”

“Grr.”

And immediately retreated.

After driving off the tactless servant, Tang Seoyeon continued to support the completely plastered Han Cheong-un. To anyone watching, it looked like a gentle woman taking care of a drunk man.

‘It’s a done deal, a done deal, a done—’

If only they knew what was really going on in her head.

After bringing the drunk Han Cheong-un to his room, Tang Seoyeon clenched her fist tightly.

I won.

He’s mine now.

Baek Sua, Eon Sohee—get lost.

Once the seal is stamped, it’s over.

Filled with anticipation, Tang Seoyeon opened the door—and—

“Damn it…”

“You’re finally here?”

Inside, sipping tea as she waited, was Baek Sua.

“What are you doing here, unni?”

“I had something to report, so I was waiting.”

“The Sect Leader’s completely passed out. Do the report another time and leave.”

“And if I leave, what are you planning to do?”

At Baek Sua’s question, Tang Seoyeon puffed out her chest and declared proudly,

“Cloud-and-rain pleasure!”

“……”

Was she always like this?

Once a tragic woman—a great slaughterer who had once plunged the Jianghu into fear, only to meet her end at the hands of her own bloodline. Someone Baek Sua had been wary of, yet pitied.

If she’d known she was this kind of person, she wouldn’t have pitied her at all.

Baek Sua sighed and said,

“He’s fine.”

“Huh?”

Startled, Tang Seoyeon turned around. There stood Han Cheong-un, gulping down water as if he were thirsty.

Tang Seoyeon stared at him.

“Young Master, you’re not drunk?”

“Nope. I’ve never really gotten drunk.”

Han Cheong-un had always been able to drink like a fish. After regressing, it had gotten even worse. In his previous life, he at least felt the effects of alcohol, but now he barely felt anything at all.

So how could he possibly be drunk? He was just thirsty.

“Tch.”

Tang Seoyeon clicked her tongue regretfully and left the room. Left behind, Baek Sua sighed.

“You could at least say thank you for guarding your chastity.”

“What are you talking about?”

“If I hadn’t come, she would’ve done it.”

“No way. She’s the treasured jewel of a noble household—there’s no way.”

“She literally said ‘cloud-and-rain pleasure.’”

“She was just joking.”

“…Huh?”

“Women joke like that all the time, don’t they?”

“……”

This hopeless idiot.

It was like watching a child left alone by the water—no, this wasn’t just innocence, it was ignorance. How was she supposed to deal with this?

The world was full of scheming temptresses, and yet he was this naïve. This really wouldn’t do.

Maybe she should just somehow—

“Oh! Come to think of it, Sua, you’ve pulled similar jokes a few times too. Don’t you remember?”

“I’ll give my report.”

She abruptly changed the subject.

After letting out a sigh, Baek Sua continued,

“No movement.”

“Still?”

“Yes. Not even the slightest sign. Yeonhwa is still monitoring, but honestly, at this rate, it feels like he’ll stay silent to the end.”

“Damn it.”

Han Cheong-un frowned.

During this war, he had deliberately hidden Baek Sua, a force that could have made a huge difference. Yeonhwa was originally a hidden asset, but Baek Sua was a first-generation disciple of Mount Hua—an openly recognized powerhouse.

If he had deployed her on the battlefield, the war would’ve been far easier.

‘At the very least, Honghyeoldo-gwi would’ve been taken down.’

But he hadn’t.

The reason he concealed Baek Sua was simple: to save a trump card for a far greater evil.

The Ghost Spirit Daoist.

To catch that man, he had deliberately withheld Baek Sua from the battlefield. And yet—

“There’s no bite at all.”

Originally, he’d expected the Ghost Spirit Daoist to move amid the chaos of war. But there had been no sign whatsoever.

Then perhaps he would act after the war, when their guard was down?

With that thought, Han Cheong-un had deliberately acted drunk during the banquets held over several days.

But—

“Why isn’t he moving?”

It didn’t make sense.

Han Cheong-un knew the Ghost Spirit Daoist was extremely cautious, but he wasn’t the type to remain silent forever. If he had a goal, he would pursue it obsessively until he achieved it.

“Could he have been discovered?”

“No. If that were the case, it would mean he’d figured out the true nature of your eyes. That’s not it. He didn’t originally know how dangerous your eyes were.”

“Then maybe…”

Baek Sua voiced the worst-case scenario she’d been considering.

“What if the Ghost Spirit Daoist is the same as us?”

“What do you mean?”

“What if he also retained memories from before regression?”

“……”

Han Cheong-un fell silent.

It was something he himself had considered more than once. And if that were true, it would be the worst possible outcome. A Ghost Spirit Daoist with the knowledge of a regressor?

Against an enemy like that, victory would be impossible from the start.

But—

“Probably not.”

“Why do you think so?”

“Because I’m still alive.”

“Ah…”

It was convincing.

“If he were a regressor, the first thing he’d have done is kill me—before I grew stronger.”

“That makes sense.”

Baek Sua nodded.

The Ghost Spirit Daoist would never fail to recognize how much of an obstacle Han Cheong-un was. If she were in his position and had suddenly regressed, she’d kill Han Cheong-un first too.

‘And then me.’

But both Han Cheong-un and Baek Sua were alive and well, and the Ghost Spirit Daoist showed no signs of being wary of them.

So—

“The chances that he’s the same as us are low.”

“…That’s a relief.”

Still, Baek Sua noticed something.

Han Cheong-un hadn’t said it was impossible—only that the chances were low. He hadn’t completely ruled out the worst case.

“….”

Han Cheong-un crossed his arms and fell into silence. Watching him think deeply, Baek Sua wondered,

‘Should I kiss him?’

No, that wasn’t it.

‘Let’s wait. He’ll come up with something.’

When Han Cheong-un was like this, he always found an answer. From experience, Baek Sua knew that well.

So if she trusted him and waited—

“It can’t be helped. If the fish won’t take the bait, I’ll have to jump into the pond and catch it myself.”

“How are you planning to do that?”

“That is—”

***

The excitement of victory gradually faded.

It was time for everyone to return to their daily lives.

The Emei Sect had already finished preparing to return to Mount Emei, and the Qingcheng Sect was much the same.

‘Once we return, I’ll pass the position of Sect Leader to Cheon-i. And then… I’ll have to leave the sect for a while.’

Qingcheng Daoist was organizing his thoughts over tea when—

Kang!

A sudden noise rang out—the sound of weapons colliding.

Qingcheng Daoist frowned and rose from his seat.

“What’s going on?”

“I’ll check, Master.”

A disciple rushed off.

With so many people from different sects gathered in one place, minor incidents were bound to happen. Even though everyone was united by victory and camaraderie now, that wouldn’t last forever.

‘Tch. Even so, this is too soon. Don’t tell me it’s one of our disciples?’

If it was, he had no intention of letting it slide.

The disciple who had gone to check came running back, panting. Seeing his expression, Qingcheng Daoist’s frown deepened.

“What happened?”

“O-our Qingcheng disciple is fighting.”

“Who? And with whom?”

“Th-that is…”

“Who is it? Speak!”

“It’s… Senior Uncle Jeongcheon.”

“…What?”

“The opponent is… Sect Leader Han of the Extreme Dao Sect.”

“What kind of nonsense is that?!”

Qingcheng Daoist’s outburst was understandable.

He rushed to the scene—and what he saw was—

“Sect Leader Han, please calm yourself. I don’t know what I’ve done wrong, but please calm yourself first—”

“You think this can be settled with words?!”

“Sect Leader Han—”

“Draw your sword. Today, one of us will die.”

Jeongcheon stood pale-faced, while Han Cheong-un pressed him with a terrifying aura.

Seeing this, Qingcheng Daoist gritted his teeth and rushed forward.

“Stop, Sect Leader Han!”

He stepped in front of Han Cheong-un.

Han Cheong-un didn’t even blink.

“Step aside, Sect Leader.”

“I can’t do that.”

Qingcheng Daoist answered firmly.

He owed Han Cheong-un a debt he could never fully repay. But the man Han Cheong-un was trying to kill was Qingcheng’s future—his own disciple.

“What happened? What did my disciple do to provoke such rage?”

He glanced back at Jeongcheon.

“You! Speak! What have you done wrong?!”

Scolded by his master, Jeongcheon stammered,

“I-I don’t know the reason.”

“What?”

“Sect Leader Han suddenly came and challenged me to a duel. I truly don’t understand what’s going on.”

Jeongcheon looked genuinely aggrieved.

‘It doesn’t seem like he’s lying.’

Qingcheng Daoist turned back to Han Cheong-un.

“Sect Leader Han, there seems to be a misunderstanding. And if my disciple made a mistake, I will apologize in Qingcheng’s name.”

He lowered himself as far as possible—something he’d only do because the opponent was Han Cheong-un.

Yet Han Cheong-un’s response remained unchanged.

“Step aside, Sect Leader.”

“Sect Leader Han, I’ve gone this far—ghk…!”

Kaaang!

A flash-like strike.

Qingcheng Daoist hurriedly drew his sword and blocked, but the attack sent a chill down his spine.

Han Cheong-un radiated killing intent and spoke coldly.

“This is not something that can be resolved with words. I must take that man’s head. Step aside.”

Qingcheng Daoist clenched his teeth.

“I can’t.”

He raised his sword and took a stance.

Seeing this, Han Cheong-un said,

“You intend to face me?”

“I know how formidable your martial arts are. But do not forget—I am still Qingcheng’s Sect Leader.”

“Fine. Let’s see.”

Han Cheong-un advanced without hesitation.

Qingcheng Daoist bit his lip.

He had no idea what was truly going on, but he couldn’t retreat. To save his disciple’s life, he had to fight Qingcheng’s benefactor.

And worse—

‘Can I even win?’

To be honest, he was clearly at a disadvantage.

This wasn’t right. If possible, he should resolve this with words—

“Han—”

“Don’t regret this!”

‘Damn it!’

Before he could finish speaking, Han Cheong-un charged.

Qingcheng Daoist steadied himself and met the spear head-on, unfolding the refined Qingfeng Sword Art.

“O-oh…”

“He’s blocking all of that…”

“As expected of the Sect Leader…”

A clash between masters was always an eye-opening spectacle.

Han Cheong-un’s thrusts cut cleanly through the air, too fast to follow with the naked eye. Yet Qingcheng Daoist blocked them all, as if he could see every strike.

Truly worthy of the Sect Leader of the prestigious Qingcheng Sect.

But—

“How long do you plan to only defend?!”

Han Cheong-un barked, pressing even harder.

“Ghk…!”

Qingcheng Daoist’s sword tip began to waver.

Enduring a relentless assault from someone like Han Cheong-un without counterattacking was nearly impossible.

‘I have no choice. I’ll force him back once.’

He narrowly deflected Han Cheong-un’s spear—

Kakakakang—

—and advanced with a sharp thrust of his own.

It wouldn’t hit, but it should be enough to make him retreat, create distance, and then talk—

Puuk!