I listened to the life stories of three men.

A story that began in the dark of night ended again in the dark of night. It wouldn’t have been strange if my ears had bled from how long it went on, but I didn’t miss a single word. I needed to understand their stories in order to know their true nature. And I needed to know their true nature so I could leave without any trouble.

And so, I heard all three of their tales.

The epic of how the ancestors of the Mansang Gate Lord were defeated generals, blocked from entering the military, and thus turned to the dark path.

The solemn tale of how the Thundercry Gate, once a sect of just ten people, fought the dark path and eventually became part of it.

And the pitiful tale of Cheonungbang, originally a unifying power in all of Makseong’s dark path, but weakened by internal power struggles.

I sat through this dreary narrative to the end. Along the way, the three of them came to understand one another’s stories as well—what they thought, how they lived.

What more could I offer them?

I gave my verdict.

“...Though the Mansang Gate Lord’s ancestor was a defeated general, Sun Woo-jin, while remaining in the dark path, still remembered he was the descendant of a warrior who once served the nation. He refrained from using poison or launching cowardly ambushes and tried to maintain a line. Do you both agree with that?”

“After hearing what he’s done and his story tonight, I agree.”

“I do as well. There was no cowardice.”

I nodded.

“Then let me ask—do you want my most skilled direct subordinate from Haomun to lead the Makseong dark path? Or do you want the Mansang Gate Lord to unite all three factions and lead them himself?”

The Thundercry Gate Lord and Cheonungbang Lord glanced at each other, then gave the expected answer.

“We’ll follow the Haomun Lord’s will. We’re not in a position to choose otherwise.”

“I feel the same.”

“If any of you lied about what you’ve said, you’ve surely figured out what kind of person I am after spending the entire night with me, haven’t you?”

“Yes.”

I spoke to the three men of the dark path.

“I suppressed my killing intent all night just to listen to your stories, but honestly? They weren’t fun, they weren’t touching, they weren’t interesting, and they weren’t moving. I was amazed at how someone could fill their story with nothing but excuses. You’re masters of excuses. But, Mansang Gate Lord.”