Chapter 125: Look at You, Quite the Ladies' Man
Chapter 125: Look at You, Quite the Ladies' Man
Seo Dae-ryong stood in the Pavilion Master’s office of the Huangquan Pavilion, carefully watering a potted plant.
“Hey, Number Two. When exactly is the Pavilion Master coming back?”
He addressed the flower left behind by the One Flower Sword Venerable as ‘Number Two.’ It was a nickname born from a lingering joke about Seo being the third most important person in the office.
“He should’ve taken me with him. Just how much fun are they having without me? Not a single word for weeks.”
With both Geom Mu-geuk and Lee An gone, the spark had gone out of his daily life. He had even suspended his regular drinking sessions with Jang Ho last month, postponing them until Lee An’s return. Honestly, it was only fun when the three of them were together. Only then did the world feel complete.
“Hmph! From now on, you’re Number One. I’m Number Two starting today. Since we’ve been abandoned, let’s just take over the whole place!”
In truth, he was already running the show. Seo Dae-ryong handled the vast majority of the Huangquan Pavilion’s primary operations. Although there were seniors present, everyone knew that Geom Mu-geuk favored Seo Dae-ryong above all others, so he had naturally stepped into the role of Acting Pavilion Master. More importantly, Seo Dae-ryong handled the work better than anyone else could.
The period of Geom Mu-geuk’s absence had become a time of growth for him—a time when he truly began to earn the respect of his peers. Furthermore, he hadn't missed a single day of training in blade techniques under the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon never spoke of Geom Mu-geuk. It was as if he feared that mentioning the young man would reveal just how much he missed him. Even when Seo Dae-ryong intentionally brought up the Pavilion Master, the old man would feign ignorance and remain silent.
Master, that actually makes it more obvious.
As he stood by the window, suppressing his longing for his friends, an enforcement martial artist opened the door.
“We are ready, sir.”
“Let’s go, then.”
To my slacker Pavilion Master, wherever you are: I’m heading out to work again.
Ten enforcement martial artists were waiting outside the building. Usually, two enforcement officers accompanied a single investigator; the fact that there were ten today made it clear that the mission was both vital and dangerous.
“Is everyone equipped with their White Tiger Armor?”
“Yes, sir. We are.”
The White Tiger Armor was standard-issue protective gear provided to enforcement martial artists. While it couldn't compare to a true divine artifact, it was highly effective at warding off ordinary blades.
“Let’s move. Stay sharp; there’s a high chance of a confrontation.”
The squad arrived at the Great Drunken Forest, the residence of the Great Drunken Demon.
The Great Drunken Demon was one of the Eight Demon Lords. He was perpetually intoxicated, which had earned him his title. Many rumors surrounded him; some said he stayed drunk to numb the pain of a deep emotional wound, while others claimed his unique martial arts required a state of inebriation. Regardless, one thing was certain: the drunker he got, the stronger he became.
The martial artists who followed him were known as the Drunkards—a band of heavy drinkers who lived for the bottle.
The gates to the Great Drunken Forest were firmly shut. When an enforcement officer knocked, a Drunkard guarding the entrance cracked the door open.
“Who goes there?”
“We are from the Huangquan Pavilion. Open the gate.”
“What business do you have here?”
Seo Dae-ryong held up the official documents. “We are here to arrest the Drunkard Do Ho.”
The man named Do Ho had driven a carriage while intoxicated and plowed into a crowded marketplace, killing two people and injuring over ten others. Afterward, he had abandoned the carriage and fled on foot.
The Drunkard didn't hesitate to answer. “Do Ho isn't here. Go away.”
“How would you know? The Great Drunken Forest is vast. How can you be sure he isn’t hiding inside?”
“If I say he’s not here, he’s not here. Now leave.”
The Drunkard slammed the door shut.
Seo Dae-ryong had expected this. The Demon Lords’ subordinates often felt that being cooperative made them look weak compared to other factions. If one was defiant, they were all defiant. In particular, as Geom Mu-geuk’s absence grew longer, the authority of the Huangquan Pavilion’s warriors had begun to wane.
“Give them a final warning, then break the door down.”
“Yes, sir.”
An enforcement officer stepped forward and shouted, infusing his voice with internal energy. “If you do not open the gate by the count of ten, we will enter by force! One, two, three... nine, ten!”
Just as they were about to smash the gate—
Creeeeak.
The door swung open, and a different man appeared. This was Ho-yang, the leader of the entrance guards. He glared at Seo Dae-ryong.
“Do you think you’ll leave this forest alive after trespassing?”
“A Drunkard named Do Ho has committed a crime. This isn't something you should blindly cover up. Hand him over, and we’ll leave.”
“Do Ho is not here.”
“Do not underestimate the Pavilion’s intelligence network. We have confirmed that he returned here. If it’s discovered that he is indeed inside, you will be charged with harboring a criminal. Are you prepared for the consequences?”
Suddenly, Ho-yang released a cold surge of demonic energy. As the leader of the guards, his pressure was sharp. He was confident he could make a mere investigator from the Huangquan Pavilion back down, but Seo Dae-ryong didn't budge.
Instead, Seo Dae-ryong’s own aura began to overwhelm Ho-yang. This was the fruit of his daily, relentless training under the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.
Just as Ho-yang was reflexively stepping back, a fierce-looking middle-aged man walked out from the forest.
Slap!
The man ruthlessly struck Ho-yang across the face.
“You pathetic piece of shit! Getting pushed back by a lowly investigator.”
Ho-yang, who had been knocked to the ground, scrambled up and bowed his head. “I am sorry!”
The man who had appeared was Gu Ma-yeong, one of the three Great Drunkards of the forest. He was notorious for his foul temper and his habit of letting his fists do the talking.
Recognizing him, Seo Dae-ryong’s expression hardened. Of all people.
Reeking of alcohol, Gu Ma-yeong walked right up to Seo Dae-ryong. “What the hell are you barking for? You’re ruining the taste of my drink.”
“A man named Do Ho from this forest caused a fatal accident while driving a carriage drunk.”
“It’s only natural for a Drunkard to be drunk, and accidents happen when you drive. Why the hell are you all swarming here over that?”
“Even for a Drunkard, the law forbids driving while intoxicated.”
“Bullshit. Do you follow every single law?”
“At the very least, I don't kill people with my negligence.”
Gu Ma-yeong shoved his face close to Seo Dae-ryong’s. Seo Dae-ryong winced at the nauseating stench of cheap liquor.
“Look me in the eye.”
Seo Dae-ryong did not look away.
“Go back, find some random scapegoat, and say he was the one driving. Look at my eyes. Do you understand?”
“I cannot do that.”
“What? Say that again.”
“I said I can’t. If you don't move, I’ll arrest you as well.”
Gu Ma-yeong’s face contorted. He pulled a liquor bottle from his waist and raised it high, intending to pour it over Seo Dae-ryong’s head.
Behind Seo, the enforcement martial artists gripped their sword hilts simultaneously. The moment an order was given, they were ready to fight to the death.
Gu Ma-yeong’s gaze shifted to the squad. “Don't make me laugh. If you want to die, go ahead and draw those toothpicks.”
The Drunkards behind Gu Ma-yeong also took combat stances. In that hair-trigger situation, Seo Dae-ryong raised his hand to restrain his men. A bloodbath here would be disastrous for the Cult’s internal stability.
I thought so, Gu Ma-yeong thought with a sneer. But just as he was about to drench Seo Dae-ryong in alcohol—
A low, warning voice drifted from the path behind them.
“If you pour that, I’ll cut off your wrist, fill that bottle with your blood, and pour that over your head.”
Recognizing the voice, Seo Dae-ryong’s face brightened instantly.
“Pavilion Master!”
As Seo Dae-ryong turned, he saw Geom Mu-geuk walking toward them.
“My boys, you’ve been working hard.”
At his appearance, Seo Dae-ryong and the enforcement martial artists rejoiced.
“Welcome back, Pavilion Master!”
“It’s good to have you back, sir!”
They greeted him with such fervor that it was clear no other leader was as beloved as he was. After acknowledging them, Geom Mu-geuk walked straight up to Gu Ma-yeong.
“Did your Demon Lord teach you to waste alcohol by pouring it on people’s heads?”
At the mention of the Great Drunken Demon, killing intent flared in Gu Ma-yeong’s eyes. However, Geom Mu-geuk’s presence completely overwhelmed him. Even without releasing his demonic energy, his sheer aura pinned Gu Ma-yeong in place. A primal chill raced down Gu Ma-yeong’s spine, every hair on his body standing on end.
The Second Young Master’s aura is this powerful?
Gu Ma-yeong felt his intoxication vanish instantly. He had heard various rumors about the Second Young Master, but facing him in person provided a completely different level of pressure.
“And to think you’d try to pour it on a Huangquan Pavilion investigator. What cave have you been hiding in? Haven't you heard the rumors about me? Or did you think I was never coming back just because I was away for a bit?”
Gu Ma-yeong could only glare, unable to muster an excuse. When he had first heard the rumors that the boy had cut down a Demon Monarch, he had dismissed them as nonsense. He’d assumed the stories were exaggerated because he was the successor, but now, he realized every word was likely true.
“Go inside and...” Geom Mu-geuk turned to Seo Dae-ryong. “What was his name?”
“Do Ho, sir.”
Geom Mu-geuk turned back to Gu Ma-yeong. “You heard him. Bring Do Ho out. Now!”
Gu Ma-yeong’s face twisted, but he didn't move.
Geom Mu-geuk wordlessly drew his Black Demonic Sword. The sharp energy radiating from the blade made the hearts of the surrounding Drunkards wither with dread.
“You might be a drunkard, but I’m a madman.”
When Geom Mu-geuk took a step forward, Gu Ma-yeong’s resolve broke.
“I’ll... I’ll bring him out!”
Gu Ma-yeong hurried inside.
Geom Mu-geuk had intentionally treated Gu Ma-yeong harshly to bolster the morale of Seo Dae-ryong and the enforcement squad. Word of today’s events would spread throughout the Cult, and no one would dare pull a stunt like this again, even in his absence.
Seo Dae-ryong and the enforcement martial artists gathered around him.
“When did you arrive, sir?”
“Just now. I was going to change and see my father, but I heard you guys were here, so I stopped by on my way to the Heavenly Demon Hall.”
Seo Dae-ryong was so moved that tears actually welled in his eyes.
“Are you really that happy?” Geom Mu-geuk asked.
“I didn't realize I’d be this glad to see you back, Pavilion Master.”
“Are you sure it’s not just because you avoided being humiliated by a drunk?”
“I caught a whiff earlier—that guy’s liquor was expensive. On my meager salary, when would I ever get to taste something like that? I was prepared to at least taste it as it dripped down my face.”
Geom Mu-geuk smiled. In the time they’d been apart, Seo Dae-ryong had grown. Not just in his martial arts, but in his composure. One had to be this calm when dealing with thugs like Gu Ma-yeong.
“Maybe I should leave the Cult more often.”
“Please, don't even joke about that! I was bored to death while you were gone.”
The enforcement martial artists laughed. Geom Mu-geuk felt a surge of warmth seeing them again. He hadn't realized it while he was away, but seeing them now made him realize how much he’d missed his home.
Meanwhile, the gate opened again, and Gu Ma-yeong dragged Do Ho out. The man’s face was battered and bloody; it seemed Gu Ma-yeong had taken his frustration out on the criminal.
“Arrest him!”
The enforcement officers took Do Ho into custody. Gu Ma-yeong glared fiercely at Geom Mu-geuk, trying to salvage the last of his pride. In contrast, Geom Mu-geuk spoke in a softer tone than before.
“You’re Drunkards, so I won't tell you not to drink. But drink without causing trouble for others. Thank you for your cooperation.”
With beasts like this, you couldn't just keep pushing. If you did, they would eventually lash out. Since he had broken the man’s pride in front of his subordinates, smoothing it over was a necessary tactic.
“Let’s have a drink sometime. My treat.”
At Geom Mu-geuk’s words, Gu Ma-yeong merely snorted and retreated back into the forest.
The enforcement squad headed back to the Huangquan Pavilion with Do Ho, while Geom Mu-geuk and Seo Dae-ryong walked slowly toward the Heavenly Demon Hall.
“You weren't injured during your travels, were you?”
“I’m fine.”
“That’s a relief. We were very worried when we heard the Extreme Evil Smiling Demon returned alone.”
“Worried he’d killed me?”
“Honestly, I wanted to go to Villain Valley right then and demand answers.”
“Then another investigator would be standing here today. You'd be dead.”
“That’s why I didn't go. Now that you’re back, Pavilion Master, I’m going to take a few days of vacation.”
“I’ll be sure to tell Elder Blade Demon. I’ll tell him his beloved disciple is taking a vacation because he’s finished preparing for his hellish training.”
“...Vacation? What vacation? I have work to do.”
“Right? I just got back; it wouldn't be right for you to go anywhere, would it?”
Geom Mu-geuk laughed along with Seo Dae-ryong. Joking with him made it truly feel like he had returned to the Main Cult.
“Whoa!”
Suddenly, Seo Dae-ryong stopped in his tracks and whispered. “To the northwest. Look, but don't make it obvious.”
A woman who commanded attention at a single glance was standing there.
“Was there ever such a beauty in our Cult? No, how can a human have a figure like that? Ah! She must have descended from the heavens.”
“Do you like her?”
“Who wouldn't?”
“Want to meet her?”
“Oh, please. I don't think I could even meet her eyes. Wait, what did you just say? Meet her? How?”
“She came back with me.”
“What? Re-really?” Seo Dae-ryong stared in shock. Then, he quickly shook his head. “Ayy, stop lying.”
“It’s true. We’re close.”
“You know a beauty like that? And you’re close? Why are you acting so tough with me? Wow... look at you. You’re quite the ladies' man, aren't you?”
Geom Mu-geuk gestured for the woman to come over. She began to walk gracefully toward the two men.