Chapter 384: I Cannot Disclose the Secret Ingredient
Chapter 384: I Cannot Disclose the Secret Ingredient
Jo Chun-bae had been in an exceptionally good mood lately.
He had just enjoyed the most rejuvenating vacation of his life and had even played the part of a dutiful son-in-law. Truly, he couldn't ask for anything more.
And it was all thanks to one man.
"Innkeeper, have you been well?"
Jo Chun-bae was living a life where the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult greeted him with a bright, warm smile.
"Young Cult Leader! What brings you here so early in the morning?"
"I came because I have something to discuss with you."
"Please, come inside."
Jo Chun-bae hurriedly ushered Geom Mu-geuk into the establishment.
Geom Mu-geuk looked around the Pungryu Tavern. Even though it had been a while since his last visit, nothing had changed.
"As expected! I feel at peace the moment I step inside."
"I'm humbled that you would say so, my Lord."
Geom Mu-geuk took his usual seat on the second floor.
"You should sit as well, Innkeeper."
Jo Chun-bae sat across from him, feeling a flutter of nervous anticipation. I wonder what he has to say?
Geom Mu-geuk handed him a piece of paper with the date of the upcoming summit written on it.
"I believe I'll need to rent out the entire Pungryu Tavern for this day. Would that be alright?"
"Of course!" Jo Chun-bae answered without a second thought.
Geom Mu-geuk was the man who had saved his life and the lives of his family. He would have let him rent the place for a month, let alone a day. Even if the Young Cult Leader had asked for the tavern itself, Jo wouldn't have been able to refuse.
"But if I may ask... who is coming that requires such arrangements?"
Until now, everyone had just dropped by unannounced. The Heavenly Demon had popped in, and the Demon Lords had strolled through the doors. Who could possibly be coming that required advance notice and the rental of the entire tavern?
"There is a meeting of the Divine Cult. I've been bragging about you, Innkeeper. I told them I absolutely had to host them here."
"Thank you so much, Young Cult Leader!"
There was a slight misunderstanding here. Jo Chun-bae assumed this was merely an internal meeting of the Divine Cult and that Mu-geuk was trying to promote the Pungryu Tavern's reputation by hosting it there.
"Please take extra care with the wine and the food. I apologize for not being able to reveal the identity of the guests in advance. Also, I must ask that you do not mention this meeting to anyone until the day it occurs."
"Of course, of course. Don't you worry about a thing."
Jo Chun-bae let out a confident, hearty laugh. Finally, an opportunity to repay at least a fraction of the debt I owe the Young Cult Leader.
His gaze drifted toward the back wall. No matter how distinguished the guests were...
I've even served the Cult Leader himself!
And that wasn't all. He had hosted drinking sessions for the Demon Lords, the Demon Monarchs, and even the Huangquan Pavilion Master.
"When it comes to receiving precious guests, haven't I been through it all? Leave it to me!"
Innkeeper, the guests this time are mostly people who specialize in aerial combat.
Strictly speaking, the guest list was top secret, but Geom Mu-geuk could have given Jo Chun-bae a hint about who was coming. However, he knew doing so would only backfire. Jo Chun-bae wouldn't have been able to sleep a wink out of worry, and he was the type of man who would scale dangerous cliffs just to find the best ingredients. In fact, Jo's heart might not have lasted until the day of the meeting.
"Then I shall leave it in your hands."
In truth, Geom Mu-geuk had wanted to just barge in as usual. He imagined the first floor filled with regular customers, and the Murim Alliance Leader saying, "Excuse me, coming through," as he wove through the crowd to get to the second floor.
He wanted to show them the tavern's usual, lively appearance. He believed Jo Chun-bae would have handled them just fine, as he always had. A three-party summit held right in the middle of the regular patrons!
Of course, he couldn't bring himself to insist on that. It would have been far too distressing for the guards.
"I'll be back later to eat with my brother."
"I'll have your favorites ready, Young Cult Leader."
Leaving the tavern, Geom Mu-geuk walked toward a middle-aged man standing across the street wearing a bamboo hat.
"Did you stay outside because of me?"
The middle-aged man removed his hat. "You recognized me."
Surprisingly, it was Cook Wang, the head cook of the Cult Leader's Palace.
It seemed the Chief Strategist had sent Cook Wang to ensure the summit went flawlessly. Regardless of his trust in Geom Mu-geuk, the guests to be served were the Murim Alliance Leader and the Unorthodox Path Alliance Leader.
"I came to see if the tavern needed anything."
He phrased it as an offer of help, but it was an inspection. He wanted to check the quality of the food and the state of hygiene.
"Don't mind me and just do what you need to do," Mu-geuk said.
"Would that be alright?"
Knowing that Geom Mu-geuk had personally chosen the location for the summit, Cook Wang was inwardly concerned.
"I'm fine with it, but the tavern might not be."
"Pardon?"
"Since it's you, Cook Wang, doing the inspecting, how could that humble tavern possibly meet your standards? You'll probably find fault with everything from one to ten."
Cook Wang conceded the point. He had been wondering if it was even appropriate to hold such a monumental summit in a place like that.
"In that case, may I ask why you chose that place?"
There were many reasons, but Geom Mu-geuk gave the one that would resonate most with a chef.
"The food is delicious."
As expected, Cook Wang immediately nodded in agreement. "If that is the reason, it is more than enough."
"Then I'll see you later."
Geom Mu-geuk watched Cook Wang enter the Pungryu Tavern before heading toward the main headquarters.
The person he met at the headquarters was his brother, Geom Mu-yang. He was in his office, buried in paperwork related to the upcoming summit.
"What brings you here?"
"I came to see your face, Brother."
"I'm busy. If you've seen it, then leave."
He acted blunt for no reason, but there was a hint of a welcome in his eyes.
"Let's eat together. We can check out the meeting venue while we're at it."
"I told you, I'm busy."
"My brother has all sorts of bad traits, but I never thought he'd become the king of armchair theorists! How can anything run properly if you decide things sitting in your chair without even visiting the site? You need to go see it for yourself and tell the innkeeper, 'This needs to be fixed,' or tell me, 'Little brother, you should compromise on this.'"
Geom Mu-yang stood up, covering his ears to block out the nagging.
*
The two walked side by side toward Ma Clan Village.
"You're attending the summit too, right, Brother?"
"Why? Do you wish I wouldn't?"
"How could that be? I have to brag to the people of the Murim Alliance and the Unorthodox Path Alliance that I beat this guy to become the successor."
Geom Mu-geuk was worried that Geom Mu-yang might refuse to attend out of pride. However, Geom Mu-yang was unexpectedly dignified.
"If I don't go, they'll say I stayed away because I was too ashamed of losing the succession. I'll go if only to avoid that."
It couldn't have been something he wanted to do. Geom Mu-geuk was grateful to his brother for agreeing to attend.
"On second thought, maybe I shouldn't let you come. Everyone will probably whisper about why they made the younger brother the successor when they have such a fine eldest son."
"As long as you know."
"Captain Jin and his sister from the Murim Alliance are coming too. We have to show them that we're the more impressive siblings."
"Is that why you invited them? To show off?"
"Yeah. I invited them because I wanted to brag about the kind of people I have around me. I mean it."
"How childish."
After chatting about this and that, Geom Mu-geuk suddenly asked, "Do you still dream?"
"What dream?"
"The dream of you becoming the successor."
Thinking back, Geom Mu-yang realized he hadn't had that dream recently. At first, he had dreamed it every single night.
"I dream it every day," he lied.
Geom Mu-yang finally realized that the dream had left him. It wasn't something he would have forgotten just because he was busy; it had simply faded. He felt a strange mix of relief and sadness.
"I'll probably still be dreaming it the day before I die of old age."
"That's pathetic."
"I'll dream it even after I'm in my grave."
Geom Mu-yang chuckled softly, finding his own words amusing. Geom Mu-geuk could feel that his brother had finally let go of his lingering attachments.
"If you keep dreaming, maybe it'll become reality one day. Who knows how things will turn out?"
Geom Mu-yang stopped in his tracks, his face hardening. "Don't you even dream of it!"
Every so often, a vision would cross his mind—a scene of Geom Mu-geuk handing over the position of Heavenly Demon to him and leaving. The more he learned about his brother, the clearer that scene became.
"Why are you trying to wake me from my dream?"
Geom Mu-yang looked at his brother with an intentionally cold gaze. He had to make this point clear.
"Once you've taken it, you hold onto it until the end. I won't forgive any concessions. Do you understand?"
"I get it. I won't concede. Am I a fool? Why would I give up something so good?"
The two resumed their walk. They didn't say another word until they reached the Pungryu Tavern.
At that moment, Cook Wang was in a state of pure admiration.
The food tasted better than he had expected. It seemed simple, yet it had a profound depth. It was a flavor that anyone could enjoy without hesitation, yet it possessed a unique character of its own.
"How did you make this broth?"
"I used a pork base and added a secret ingredient. Even if you're from the Cult, I cannot disclose the secret ingredient."
"That's quite alright."
This elderly man had said he was from the Cult and wanted to taste the food here before the meeting. Having done business here for a long time, Jo Chun-bae knew better than anyone how the Divine Cult operated. It was only natural for someone to come out and inspect.
After taking another sip of the broth, Cook Wang was deeply moved. "It tastes different than it did at first."
"Oh, it's nothing. Really." Jo Chun-bae waved his hand in mock humility, but his shoulders were squared and the corners of his mouth were turned up high. "Ah, then you must try this as well."
Even the Cult Leader ate this!
Cook Wang tried the dish offered and was very satisfied. "This is also good. This one suits my palate the best."
Jo Chun-bae suggested casually, "Shall I pack some for you?"
"Would you do that?"
"To be honest, I've been told since I was young that I have a natural gift for cooking. My palate is sensitive, so I know flavor. I don't know if you realize, but cooking is just like martial arts—it requires talent."
"I'd like to bring the cooks of the Divine Cult here sometime to let them taste this. To show them that such deep flavor can be achieved even with common ingredients."
"Oh, what are you saying? It's nothing, really."
Jo Chun-bae waved his hand again. He was in such a good mood that his hand movements were as light and cheerful as a fluttering butterfly.
In the midst of his excitement, Jo Chun-bae finally noticed Geom Mu-geuk and Geom Mu-yang standing at the entrance, watching them.
"Ah, Young Cult Leader! First Young Master! When did you arrive?"
Jo Chun-bae bowed politely to the two. "This guest here is someone who came from the Main Cult for a preliminary inspection."
Geom Mu-yang greeted Cook Wang first. "Cook Wang."
"First Young Master."
Jo Chun-bae flinched at the name. Cook? This man was a cook? Cook Wang?
How could someone who had done business here for so long not have heard of Cook Wang? Could it be? That Cook Wang?
Jo Chun-bae asked Geom Mu-geuk in a trembling voice. "Could it be that this person is...? No, right?"
Geom Mu-geuk said with a smile, "That's right. He is the head cook in charge of the Cult Leader's Palace."
Startled, Jo Chun-bae nearly jumped out of his skin. His heart, which had been fluttering like a butterfly, came crashing down to earth.
"Oh my!"
He had been bragging about seasoning and broth to the head cook of the Cult Leader's Palace, of all people.
"This foolish man has been swinging a stick in front of a Sword God, lecturing him on martial arts..."
Cook Wang shook his head. "Sometimes, that stick can be sharper than the Sword God's blade."
He had heard that truly delicious restaurants were hidden in unexpected places, and the Pungryu Tavern was exactly that. When Geom Mu-geuk said it was delicious, he had inwardly dismissed it, thinking, How good could it be?
Cook Wang said to Geom Mu-geuk, "I am a man who believes there is a destiny between food and people. This flavor must have played a part in the bond between this tavern and you, Young Cult Leader."
It was the moment Jo Chun-bae received recognition from the greatest chef in the Cult.
"I enjoyed the meal."
"It was an honor, Master Cook!"
Before leaving, Cook Wang took all the food Jo Chun-bae had packed for him. That gesture alone moved Jo Chun-bae to tears.
"Please bring that delicious food to the second floor."
Leaving the emotional innkeeper behind, Geom Mu-geuk and Geom Mu-yang headed upstairs.
Geom Mu-yang sent a message via Voice Transmission.
— It wasn't actually that delicious.
— Why send that via Voice Transmission? You should have been mean and said it out loud in front of the innkeeper.
— He's so moved right now that he wouldn't hear me even if I shouted it.
Jo Chun-bae was staring blankly at Cook Wang's retreating back.
"Sit here, Brother. The view of the outside is great from here."
Geom Mu-geuk yielded the best seat.
"Since you won't let me yield the Grand Tutor’s Chair, I should at least yield this seat."
Brother, do you know? To me, this seat is just as precious as that chair.
*
When Jin Ha-gun emerged from the conference room, Jin Ha-ryeong was waiting for him.
"That took a long time."
"They're in the middle of a pride battle."
At Jin Ha-gun's words, Jin Ha-ryeong asked, "What kind of pride?"
"They're agonizing over the number of escorts compared to the Unorthodox Path Alliance."
"Are they trying to bring more?"
Jin Ha-gun shook his head. "They're trying to bring as few as possible."
Jin Ha-ryeong couldn't help but laugh. They were worried that having too many escorts would make them look like they were afraid.
"They worry about the strangest things."
"It's an important matter to them. But why are you here?"
"I saw that my name was removed from the summit list?"
"Yes, I heard they took it off."
"Why?"
"Because we can't both go."
Jin Ha-ryeong made a face as if to say, You've got to be kidding me. "In case something happens, one of us has to survive?"
Jin Ha-gun nodded.
"Well, go back in there and persuade them. If you can't, then you're the one staying behind, Brother."
Jin Ha-gun knew his sister's personality better than anyone. He also knew how much she wanted to see Geom Mu-geuk.
"I was already in the middle of persuading them."
"I guess I came for nothing. I shouldn't have doubted the best brother in the world."
"Am I really the best?"
Jin Ha-gun went back inside. Jin Ha-ryeong smiled slightly and looked up at the sky through the hallway window. The drifting clouds were slow, as if they had stopped, but time was flowing rapidly.
*
Until the very moment of departure, Baek Ja-gang remained in his private training ground.
Ever since the date of the summit was set, he had stayed there as if preparing for war. Today, too, he was glaring at an iron training dummy.
In his eyes, the image of Geom Wu-jin was superimposed over the iron figure. The man was still looking at him with those arrogant eyes.
Then, someone spoke from outside.
"It is Sa-in. It is almost time to depart."
"Enter."
Bi Sa-in stepped inside.
"Do you know who is standing there?"
Bi Sa-in looked at the iron figure. The image of Geom Mu-geuk appeared superimposed over it in his mind. "Who is standing there?"
"The Demonic Cult Leader is standing there. Exactly as he looked when I met him ten years ago. He has been standing there ever since the three-party summit was decided."
Bi Sa-in looked at the iron figure and suddenly asked, "Did you cut him down?"
Baek Ja-gang was silent for a moment. The silence was long, but Bi Sa-in did not think he had made a mistake. His master had clearly been waiting for that question.
"I could not."
Bi Sa-in liked this about his master. He did not hide the truth for the sake of face or pride.
"I realized here why I decided to meet him."
"What was the reason?"
"He had grown too large within my heart."
Bi Sa-in could guess what those words meant. "He will become smaller once you meet him this time."
A single anxiety rose in Baek Ja-gang's heart. "What if he is even larger than the one I've built up?"
Had he ever seen his master look so honest? Was it Geom Mu-geuk who had changed his master, or was it the shadow of Geom Wu-jin?
"Then you'll be able to understand my feelings a little better," Bi Sa-in said. "The frustrating heart of a disciple who watches his rival grow larger every time he sees him."
Baek Ja-gang laughed silently.
Bi Sa-in felt good seeing his master laugh. He felt that with every laugh, his master was taking a step forward. Even if it was just an illusion, it was fine.
Soon after, maidservants entered with clothing. It was the flamboyant attire the Unorthodox Path Alliance Leader wore for official public appearances.
However, Baek Ja-gang dismissed all of it.
Recalling the time he first threw himself into the Unorthodox Path, he put on a single set of clean black martial robes. The black robes suited him perfectly, carrying more dignity than the flamboyant attire from before.
"Let us go to the Demonic Cult."