Chapter 385: Today, the Unit Leaders are the Juniors.
Chapter 385: Today, the Unit Leaders are the Juniors.
The day of the summit finally dawned.
Jo Chun-bae, who had started his preparations earlier than usual, wrote a message on a piece of paper and posted it prominently at the entrance.
Closed for Business Today.
Looking at the sign, Jo Chun-bae took a deep breath. Today is finally the day! You can do this, Chun-bae.
"Is something going on today?" Mr. Yang from the fabric shop asked with a worried look.
"There’s a meeting of the Divine Cult at the tavern today."
He had kept it a secret until now, but today he could finally reveal it. Naturally, Mr. Yang was startled.
"A Divine Cult meeting is being held at your tavern?"
"That’s right."
"Congratulations, truly."
Since everyone knew Jo Chun-bae was close with the Young Cult Leader and that not only the Demon Lords but even the Heavenly Demon himself had visited the tavern, the fact that a meeting was being held there wasn't entirely surprising.
"Can I come by later to watch?"
"If you had that kind of courage, you’d be wearing the martial robes you sell instead of just peddling them."
Mr. Yang let out a hearty laugh, admitting it was true. "Do a good job."
"Thank you."
Song-yi, who helped in the kitchen, also arrived earlier than usual. In truth, there wasn't much left to prepare. Jo Chun-bae had already readied everything in advance so that dishes could be served the moment an order came in.
"Aren't you scared, Boss?" Song-yi was visibly terrified of the upcoming meeting.
"Scared? What’s there to be scared of?"
"Won't this place be crawling with demonic cultists today?"
"Don't be afraid. We have the Young Cult Leader on our side. The most reliable person in the world is with us, so what is there to fear? Besides, it’s only the mediocre ones who bully people; the true masters are quite refined."
After soothing Song-yi, Jo Chun-bae stepped out through the kitchen's back door.
In truth, Jo Chun-bae was just as nervous. The pressure of serving someone who dropped by unexpectedly was worlds apart from the pressure of preparing for an official event like this.
Just then, an old man entered through the back door.
"Elder, we aren't open for business today. And you shouldn't come in this way."
"Are you the owner of this place?"
"I am, but..."
"I have something to ask. My legs are aching, so let me rest here for a moment."
The old man sat down on a small wooden bench in the backyard.
Judging by the wrinkles on his face, he was quite advanced in age, but his physique was sturdy. His eyes, piercing like a tiger's, suggested he must have had quite a temper in his youth.
Other than that, he looked ordinary. Jo Chun-bae observed the old man with the intuition and keen eye he had developed over years of business, but the man didn't look like a martial artist. He didn't look like a bad person, either.
"I haven't seen you around before."
"I came from Hubei."
"Oh my, you’ve come from quite far. What brings you all the way here?"
"I came to meet someone."
"You’ve gone through a lot of trouble at your age. Shall I bring you a cup of water?"
"I'm fine."
"Who are you here to meet that brought you all this way?"
"An enemy, if you want to call him that. Or a close relation, if you look at it another way."
At that, Jo Chun-bae asked cautiously, "Did you perhaps come to see your son?"
In an instant, the old man’s face stiffened, and an irrepressible shadow fell over his features. Jo Chun-bae assumed his guess was correct. This happened occasionally—elderly people traveling long distances to see the faces of their children or grandchildren one last time.
"How long has it been since you last saw him?"
"It must have been over ten years."
Jo Chun-bae felt a pang of pity. Hadn't he just gone through a major ordeal involving his own family?
"Where did you agree to meet?"
"We agreed to meet at this tavern."
"Oh dear! Of all days, you picked today? The tavern is closed. What time were you supposed to meet?"
"There’s still time left, but I came early. I was curious what kind of scheme he had to pick this place as the meeting spot."
Just hearing the word 'scheme' was enough to tell Jo Chun-bae that the relationship between this crusty old man and his son was strained.
"Reconcile with him, even if it's only now."
"Should I?"
"Running a business here, you see all sorts of people. They hate each other to death and fight. But looking back later, they all regret it. If they had just endured for one moment, if they had been just a little more generous... they wonder why they held onto their pride so fiercely. Haven't both you and I passed the age of being prickly? No, we're at the age where we should throw away our sharp edges."
The old man stared blankly at Jo Chun-bae without a word.
"If you keep saying 'later, later,' it'll be too late. When you see him, you should be the one to apologize first. Isn't that what an elder does? Temper that personality of yours a bit."
"Why do you think I have a temper?"
"People like us can tell just by looking at a face. Weren't you quite the handful in your younger days?"
The old man wore a strange smile. "I was."
"I happen to have a very accurate eye for people."
The memory of Cook Wang, whom he had failed to recognize properly, flashed through his mind, but he quickly brushed it aside.
"Anyway, we aren't open today, so go wait at the inn down the road. If someone comes looking for you, I’ll be sure to tell them to go there."
Given the atmosphere today, even delivering that message wouldn't be easy. Would he have to ask the demonic practitioners guarding the entrance? He was worried the old man might miss his son and never see him again.
Then, the old man suddenly asked, "I heard the Demonic Cult's headquarters is nearby. Have you ever seen the Heavenly Demon?"
Is this old man crazy?
"How dare you speak his name so casually? If you say things like that recklessly in Ma Clan Village, you won't die a peaceful death."
"My apologies."
Jo Chun-bae considered kicking him out immediately, but he felt bad for the old man who had come from so far, so he answered.
"I have seen him. The Cult Leader has even come to our tavern."
"What kind of person is he? Is he as terrifying as the rumors in the Murim say?"
"He might be terrifying to the Orthodox or Unorthodox factions, but to us, he is a benevolent person. He is the person I respect the most."
"Because he protects you from the Orthodox and Unorthodox people?"
"Well, there's that reason too, but..." Jo Chun-bae gave a surprising reason. "I like him because he’s the Young Cult Leader’s father."
It was the first time Jo Chun-bae had ever uttered those words. He hadn't even realized he felt that way until now.
But why is this old man looking at me like he knows something? What do you know about the Young Cult Leader?
Just then, Song-yi’s voice called out from inside. "Boss, a guest is here!"
"Coming!" Jo Chun-bae stood up. "Hurry along now. It could be dangerous if you linger here today for no reason, so wait at the inn. Understood?"
"Thank you. I'll see you later."
"I told you, we won't see each other today!"
Jo Chun-bae hurried into the building. The guest who had arrived at the tavern was an unexpected figure.
"Oh? Commander."
It was Demon Monarch Jang Ho. Unlike his usual visits where he wore ordinary martial robes to drink, today he was dressed in the formal uniform of the Demon Army. Seeing the terrifying demon motif embroidered on his chest, Jo Chun-bae felt a surge of fear along with the realization: Ah, this man is indeed the fearsome leader of the Demon Army.
"Commander Jang, what brings you here?"
"I'm here to arrange the seating for today's summit."
"Just say the word, and I'll do it."
"No, I'll handle it myself."
Jang Ho went up to the second floor. He arranged the tables and chairs so that three people could face each other in a triangular formation.
Jo Chun-bae was inwardly puzzled. Are only three people coming to today's summit?
He had thought it was a meeting where many people would gather, but apparently not. Yet, for a meeting of only three people, Cook Wang had come to inspect the food and a Demon Monarch was personally arranging the seats?
Gasp! Could it be? Is the Cult Leader coming?
But he soon shook his head. If that were the case, the seating wouldn't be like this. The Cult Leader's seat would have been placed in the position of honor. Right now, all three seats were facing each other as equals.
"But why are you doing this personally, Commander? Instead of having your subordinates do it?"
"My subordinates will not be coming here today."
Jo Chun-bae didn't know. He didn't know that no martial artist below the rank of Unit Leader was allowed to enter Pungryu Tavern today. Today, the Unit Leaders were the juniors. The Unit Leaders of each organization were stationed throughout the marketplace like ordinary warriors.
"No one else will be allowed to enter the tavern."
Jo Chun-bae started to mention the old man but stopped. The man had already left anyway. If he spoke up and the old man was dragged away for questioning, he might not get to see his son.
At that moment, someone else entered the tavern. To his surprise, it was the Fist Demon. Seeing that terrifying face made Jo Chun-bae’s heart pound.
It seems the Fist Demon is also attending the summit.
The Fist Demon and Jang Ho exchanged greetings. When the two of them stood side by side, it felt as if the entire inn was full. Furthermore, weren't they the two most terrifying-looking people in the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult? Faced with these two intimidating figures, Jo Chun-bae didn't even dare to look them in the eye.
After a brief conversation with Jang Ho, the Fist Demon approached Jo Chun-bae.
Ah, I should have gone into the kitchen earlier.
The Fist Demon came right up to him and asked an unexpected question. "Is the food preparation proceeding without a hitch?"
The Fist Demon is asking me about the food?
Jo Chun-bae looked at the Fist Demon with a startled expression before quickly bowing his head. It was a face too frightening to look at directly.
"There is no need to be alarmed. I am in charge of security for today's summit."
The Fist Demon was in charge of security? He wasn't attending as a primary participant? Why?
"The food preparation is perfectly fine. We can serve it whenever you place an order."
"Before the food is served, a martial artist from our Cult will come to inspect it for poison. It is not because we doubt you, but a matter of procedure, so please understand."
"Of course."
Jo Chun-bae retreated into the kitchen. He felt as if the strength was already draining from his legs. Why would a Demon Lord—and the terrifying Fist Demon at that—bother to explain things in such detail to a mere tavern owner? Normally, they wouldn't. They never would have. Not if it weren't for the Young Cult Leader.
It was just as Jo Chun-bae was peering into the simmering broth that another Demon Lord entered the tavern.
It was the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, with a massive great blade strapped to his back. His attire was also different from usual. He wore a red robe symbolizing the blood-colored sky. The Blood Heaven Blade Demon of now was not the same man who had bantered with Geom Mu-geuk while reading poetry.
A frost-like chill emanated from his stern gaze. Jo Chun-bae felt suffocated and quickly turned away to trim vegetables that didn't even need trimming.
Song-yi asked with her eyes: And you're still not scared?
I'm scared, I'm really scared. But he couldn't bring himself to say it out loud because of his pride.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon asked the Fist Demon, "Have you seen the Young Cult Leader?"
"He is at the Heavenly Demon Hall."
"Understood."
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon slowly walked back outside. The Heaven Extermination Great Blade on his back gleamed more coldly than ever.
After seeing the Fist Demon and then the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, Jo Chun-bae felt the pressure mounting. The aura of the Demon Lords today was different from usual. Even though they were just calmly exchanging words and standing quietly, something felt different.
Phew, get it together. I have to stay sharp, if only for the Young Cult Leader.
He opened a small window in the kitchen that looked out onto the main street and took a deep breath. As he looked up at the sky to calm his mind, he saw a person.
Someone was standing on the roof of the building across the street with their arms crossed. It was impossible to mistake who it was. The white mask was reflecting the sunlight and shimmering.
Was it because the figure standing alone, relying only on a mask, looked lonely? Or was it because the cherry blossom petals drifting on the spring breeze as they brushed past the Smiling Demon were so beautiful? Jo Chun-bae stared at him as if possessed.
Then, the Smiling Demon’s gaze slowly shifted toward Jo Chun-bae.
Gasp!
Startled, Jo Chun-bae quickly hid beneath the window. Did we make eye contact?
When he peeked out again, the Smiling Demon was gone. He let out a sigh and muttered, "Whew. Lord Smiling Demon is the scariest person after the Poison King."
When Song-yi didn't respond, Jo Chun-bae reflexively turned around.
"Yikes!"
He was even more startled than before. Without him noticing when he had entered, the Poison King was crouching next to Song-yi, staring at a snail-like bug crawling among the vegetables she was trimming. Song-yi was frozen in place, her hand covering her mouth.
The Poison King was also in formal attire. Dressed in a sophisticated robe of green and white, he had become a handsome young master who commanded attention at a glance.
Even in her state of shock, Song-yi thought the zodiac drawings on the poison pouches at the Poison King's waist were cute. If she knew what was inside them, she would have imagined the eyes of those cute animals turning blood-red as they transformed into monsters and leaped out.
The Poison King picked up the bug on a leaf and carried it outside. Once he was gone, Jo Chun-bae finally exhaled the breath he had been holding.
"I admit it. I'm scared too."
Then, Song-yi spoke while looking toward where the Poison King had departed. "No, I'm not scared."
"What?"
"He's cool."
Jo Chun-bae shook his head. Just then, he sensed someone else entering the tavern. Jo Chun-bae peeked through the small kitchen window to see who it was.
The person who entered was the One Flower Sword Venerable, dressed in snow-white martial robes. On a day like today, one might expect her to wear makeup for once, but she had come with a bare face. The traces of time were naturally visible. Furthermore, her face was tanned from grueling training, creating a sharp contrast with her white robes.
Nevertheless, Jo Chun-bae felt that her current appearance was more beautiful than when she used to wear elaborate makeup. He wanted to go out and tell her: You look more wonderful and elegant now. Of course, he didn't dare.
Someone else said it for him. "You're the most beautiful Sword Venerable I've ever seen."
As she turned around, the Drunken Demon entered. He, too, was properly dressed today. His clothes were embroidered with the image of a laughing, intoxicated Wine God. Among his various outfits featuring the Wine God, one might have expected him to wear the one with the terrifying, rampaging Wine God today.
"I hear a spring breeze is blowing through Drunken Dream Pavilion lately?"
"For someone who will one day be the Cult Leader, your lips are surprisingly loose."
The Drunken Demon gave a faint smile, opened the cap of his wine flask just to take a deep sniff, and then closed it again.
Is today so important that even the Drunken Demon is refraining from alcohol?
As Jo Chun-bae was thinking that, a golden light flooded into the tavern. The small giant, the Demon Buddha, arrived, radiating an irrepressible presence. His kasaya was embroidered with images of humans and demons suffering in the fires of hell, but the golden radiance he emitted made it look as if the flames were burning them away.
Furthermore, the Soul-Seizing Demon Lord appeared as if she had been there all along, blending into the space. In her eyes, which had grown even more mature since he last saw her, an eerie ghostly qi was flowing. She was walking the narrow path between the human and spirit realms.
It was the first time Jo Chun-bae had seen all of the Eight Demon Lords in one place. Seeing them all gathered together in their formal attire was truly a magnificent sight. The fact that they were gathered in an ordinary marketplace tavern, a place that didn't seem to suit them, made the scene even more unforgettable.
If he were a painter, he would have definitely captured this moment.
It really was a meeting of the Eight Demon Lords!
Then, a natural question arose. Jo Chun-bae’s gaze turned toward the second floor. All the Demon Lords were gathered here, so why were there only three seats?
And why is no one sitting there yet?