Chapter 386: If I Had Known the Cult Leader Was Coming
Chapter 386: If I Had Known the Cult Leader Was Coming
Jo Chun-bae stole another glance at the Eight Demon Lords standing in the street before his tavern.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon stood tall in the center, a massive blade strapped to his waist. On either side of him, the One Flower Sword Venerable and the Drunken Demon were deep in conversation.
Beside them, the Poison King was crouched on the ground, peering intently at something, while the Demon Buddha looked down at it with him.
The Extreme Evil Smiling Demon sat perched on the edge of a roof. He had always preferred solitude and high vantage points.
The Soul-Seizing Demon Lord was looking up at him. Being young and unable to mingle easily with the other Demon Lords, her gaze suggested she felt a certain kinship with the Smiling Demon.
The Fist Demon, responsible for today’s security, stood with his massive fists hanging at his sides, scanning the marketplace. He wore the gauntlets that Geom Mu-geuk had given him as a gift.
The eight Demon Lords who protected the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult—this scene, which he would brag about to his customers for years to come, was etched into Jo Chun-bae’s heart like a masterpiece.
Jo Chun-bae wasn't the only one staring. The marketplace merchants watched with bated breath, and between the stalls stood the Unit Leaders.
This was a first for the Unit Leaders as well—to have every single one of them mobilized to stand guard like common martial artists. They couldn't even remember the last time they had pulled sentry duty.
Suddenly, a wave of longing surged in Jo Chun-bae’s heart for the one person who had made this sight possible.
‘Young Cult Leader, where are you? I miss you.’
*
For this meeting, Father chose his most magnificent robe.
The centerpiece of the garment was the embroidery on the back. It depicted the Heavenly Demon Soul from behind, standing with its back turned to the world.
When Father walked, it looked as if the Heavenly Demon Soul was walking too. It was a robe that practically screamed: I am the Heavenly Demon, Geom Wu-jin.
I caught Father’s eye in the bronze mirror as he finished dressing.
“You look more magnificent than ever today.”
The protagonist of today wasn't me, nor Jo Chun-bae, nor the Murim Alliance Leader, nor the Unorthodox Path Alliance Leader.
In my mind, the protagonist was Father.
However, Father seemed to think I was the one in the spotlight.
“Well, I have gathered them all as you wished. What do you intend to do now?”
“As I wished?”
“Was it my wish, then?”
“Of course. Why else would the two Alliance Leaders come? They’re coming because they want to see you, Father.”
Father’s reflection in the mirror sneered at me. Father, look at your expression right now. Is it really okay to sneer at someone so blatantly?
Of course, I loved that particular sneer of his.
It was the moment my banter hit its mark, and it was his way of responding.
That sneer could be interpreted in many ways. Sometimes it meant ‘you’re being cheeky,’ other times it was ‘is that so?’ or ‘don't make me laugh.’ Right now, it clearly said: ‘you shameless brat.’
Father turned toward me.
“Let’s go. If you’ve invited guests, you should be there to receive them.”
For today, I followed quietly behind Father without any further banter.
The terrifying back of the Heavenly Demon Soul was embroidered on his robe. Looking at it, which so closely resembled Father’s own back, I grew curious about my own Heavenly Demon Soul.
On the day I achieved Great Achievement in the Nine Calamities Demonic Art, what form would my Heavenly Demon Soul take?
My older brother, Geom Mu-yang, was waiting in front of the residence.
Father’s gaze toward him was soft. He must have been proud to have his eldest by his side on a day like this.
“Father, please look at me with that same gaze you’re giving Brother.”
Father didn't answer and strode forward. Brother and I followed on his left and right.
“Our father only loves his eldest son. You’re too much.”
I expected him to ignore me, as usual.
“When your brother was young, he once had a fever.”
Both Brother and I were startled. This was the first time Father had ever brought up such a memory.
“The Demon Doctor was away on business at the time. I held your brother and ran to him using the Heavenly Demon Flight Technique.”
That’s when Brother started acting strange! I wanted to joke, but I held it back. Brother was listening to Father’s words with such a shocked, tense expression. If I was this surprised, I could only imagine how he felt.
“Fortunately, the fever broke quickly. The Demon Doctor laughed, saying it wasn't serious enough to warrant such a frantic run.”
Even this perfect man had his moments of clumsiness. In front of a sick child, he wasn't the Heavenly Demon; he was just a father. These were words I never would have heard if I hadn't regressed and changed our relationship.
Father added one more thing.
“So, I feel a bit sorry for him.”
The firstborn is often the one a parent experiences all sorts of trial and error with.
Brother said nothing and followed silently behind Father. I could feel him suppressing a surge of emotion. I had a feeling Brother would never forget the words Father spoke today.
Yes, the reason Brother is holding up so well is thanks to Father.
“What about me? Did I ever have a fever?”
“You did. Yours was even more scorching.”
“Then you must have run even faster.”
A faint smile touched the corners of Father’s mouth. This smile wasn't a sneer; it was the kind of smile that reminisced about a time long ago.
“I stripped you naked and wiped you down with lukewarm water to bring the fever down.”
“That’s too much!”
Did Father, walking ahead, laugh? I had the illusion that the Heavenly Demon Soul on his back was smiling.
As we walked toward Ma Clan Village, I kept imagining Father running while holding Brother, and Father wiping my body with a cloth to break my fever.
Yes, we’ve come this far. With every step closer, I was sure I’d hear another story.
In the distance, the Pungryu Tavern came into view.
*
The Extreme Evil Smiling Demon, who had been on the roof, leaped to the ground.
The Poison King, who had been crouched in thought, sprang to his feet.
The two who seemed least likely to leave their own worlds were the first to move. The rest of the Demon Lords split into two rows and looked toward the end of the street.
Jo Chun-bae was dying of curiosity. He stepped out of the kitchen and peeked outside.
‘Ugh!’
Geom Wu-jin was walking from the end of the street. Behind him, the Young Cult Leader and the First Young Master followed like wings.
‘The Cult Leader really is attending!’
Jo Chun-bae froze on the spot. He wished someone would pick up his statue-like self and carry him back to the kitchen. The reason he couldn't move was that he had seen the Cult Leader arriving and felt it would be disrespectful to just duck back inside.
As Geom Wu-jin drew near, the Demon Lords simultaneously gave a fist salute.
“We greet the Cult Leader!”
Their voices joined as one, echoing thunderously. The merchants who had been watching from outside had already retreated into their buildings.
In the marketplace, the Unit Leaders stood in a line at regular intervals with their heads bowed, with Jang Ho at the front.
“At ease, everyone.”
Geom Wu-jin’s voice, low but heavy, resonated to the end of the marketplace. The Unit Leaders all raised their heads and stood tall.
“Now, let’s go inside.”
Geom Wu-jin led the way, and the Demon Lords followed. Jo Chun-bae was prostrated flat on the ground beside the entrance.
Geom Wu-jin recognized him. “Stand up.”
“If I had known the Cult Leader was coming, I would have prepared with even more heart and soul!”
Then, Geom Mu-geuk spoke up from behind.
“Does that mean you didn't give your best before? Innkeeper, there is only one Father, but there are eight Demon Lords here.”
Flustered, Jo Chun-bae waved his hands habitually. “No, that’s not what I meant...”
Then he recoiled in shock and bowed his head again. To wave his hands in front of the Cult Leader—it wouldn't have been strange if someone had shouted, ‘Someone cut off those insolent hands!’
Geom Wu-jin looked back at Geom Mu-geuk as if he were pathetic. Do you really want to tease the innkeeper in this situation?
Seeing the opportunity, the Demon Lords also looked at Geom Mu-geuk. A barrage of accusing glares poured over him.
“No, I was just trying to lighten the tension! You guys are too much! You just abandon me without a second thought in front of Father!”
Of course, that wasn't actually the case.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s gaze, which had been icy all along, was now saying, ‘Oh, you rascal!’ and the Smiling Demon’s eyes behind his mask were laughing.
The Drunken Demon’s gaze said, ‘I heard you already spread the word about what happened with Yeo-bin?’ The Poison King’s gaze was one that only ever left his own world in front of Father. The Fist Demon’s gaze was stern, saying ‘no jokes today.’ The Soul-Seizing Demon Lord, the first of the next generation of Demon Lords, watched him, as did the One Flower Sword Venerable with a gaze both soft and intense. Even the Demon Buddha’s unyielding gaze was fixed on Mu-yang instead of Mu-geuk.
The Fist Demon guided Geom Wu-jin to the second floor. “Please, go up.”
Geom Wu-jin took one of the three seats on the second floor.
Watching the Fist Demon come back down, Jo Chun-bae was inwardly puzzled.
‘Why is no one else going up? If not the Demon Lords, then who is he meeting?’
The idea that the counterpart could be the Murim Alliance Leader or the Unorthodox Path Alliance Leader was something he couldn't even fathom. How could he imagine it? That such a momentous meeting was taking place in his humble tavern.
The Demon Lords stood on the first floor. None of them sat down. Furthermore, they didn't scatter but gathered on one side.
‘Just who is coming?’
Right then, a person stepped into the tavern. Jo Chun-bae was startled when he saw the newcomer. It was the old man he had seen this morning.
Being near the entrance, he rushed to the old man.
“Old man, I told you today is no good. Why are you here? Go, quickly, go!”
All eyes turned toward Jo Chun-bae in surprise.
Jo Chun-bae turned to the surrounding Demon Lords and said, “No, it’s nothing. This is someone who had an appointment at our tavern today. There was a slight misunderstanding.”
Then he whispered quickly to the old man. “Go, quickly. These are all very scary people.”
Only then did Jo Chun-bae see the martial artists lined up behind the old man. They were staring at him with cold, sharp eyes.
“Whoa!”
Startled, Jo Chun-bae stumbled backward.
Having run a tavern, Jo Chun-bae had seen all kinds of martial artists. The people lined up behind the old man weren't just experts. He felt an overwhelming presence from them that was hard to put into words—the same kind he felt from the Demon Lords.
Jo Chun-bae looked at the old man again in shock.
The old man’s ordinary clothes were now replaced by something ornate and luxurious. On his chest, the two characters for Heroic Chivalry (義俠) were entwined by a Blue Dragon ascending to the heavens.
It wasn't just his clothes that had changed; his aura was different too. The old man exuded an absolute majesty and dignity that overwhelmed the experts behind him, and his piercing eyes were like those of a real tiger.
“Didn't I say we’d see each other later?”
Jo Chun-bae replied in a trembling voice. “You... you are one of the participants in today’s meeting.”
Geom Mu-geuk, who had been watching, stepped forward. “He is the Murim Alliance Leader.”
Jo Chun-bae’s eyes grew wider and wider. The term ‘Murim Alliance Leader’ sounded so foreign. The Murim Alliance Leader? The leader of the Orthodox Murim Alliance? Why was he here? Had a war broken out? Was this a dream?
“I invited the Alliance Leader to the Pungryu Tavern.”
Too shocked to speak, Jo Chun-bae stood with his mouth agape. Geom Mu-geuk walked slowly and greeted Jin Pae-cheon first.
“Thank you for traveling such a long way.”
“Not at all. It’s been a while since I’ve been to this region, so the journey was pleasant.”
“This is the owner of this establishment, whom I mentioned to you before.”
Jo Chun-bae’s heart pounded as if it would explode. He mentioned me to the Murim Alliance Leader? And now he’s introducing me?
“Innkeeper.”
Even with the Murim Alliance Leader standing there, Geom Mu-geuk looked at Jo Chun-bae with calm eyes. A soft energy radiated from Geom Mu-geuk’s body and enveloped Jo Chun-bae. Immediately, Jo Chun-bae felt his frantically racing heart begin to steady.
Not only had the Young Cult Leader saved his and his family’s lives, but he was also holding the Demonic-Orthodox Meeting at his tavern?
For the first time, Jo Chun-bae wished he could use Voice Transmission.
Will I ever be able to properly convey this overwhelming, crazy gratitude?
“Please show us your best skills, Innkeeper.”
Jo Chun-bae nodded vigorously.
Jin Pae-cheon said to Geom Mu-geuk, “When I met the innkeeper earlier, I could see why you chose this tavern.”
The Murim Alliance Leader had been scolded by Jo Chun-bae earlier—told not to be so prickly and that an elder should be the first to apologize.
“Once you’ve had the wine and food, you’ll understand completely.”
Jin Pae-cheon headed to the second floor. He declined the Fist Demon’s offer to guide him and went up alone.
Among the martial artists who came with him were Jin Ha-gun and Jin Ha-ryeong. Mu-geuk wanted to banter with them, but since this was a formal meeting, he simply gave a silent fist salute.
Jin Ha-ryeong, in particular, felt her mood lift the moment she saw Geom Mu-geuk. There was a certain thrill that only he could provide. Who else in the world would block the Murim Alliance Leader’s path just to introduce a tavern keeper?
Behind them were seven experts handpicked from the Murim Alliance. There were old masters with hair as white as snow, and young experts who looked to be in their thirties. They were the greatest masters of the Orthodox faction, past and present, whose names everyone would recognize.
These were people who could be honest with their emotions even in front of the Demon Lords, and one of them wore a blatantly displeased expression.
The Great Righteous Hero, Im Sang-gon.
He was unhappy that Jo Chun-bae had been given such attention in front of the Murim Alliance Leader. Why on earth would anyone introduce a mere tavern keeper? It felt like an insult to their status.
When he glared at Geom Mu-geuk, a cold gaze flew toward him. It was the Blood Heaven Blade Demon. His eyes held a clear warning: How dare you look at the Young Cult Leader like that?
Then, the old man beside the Great Righteous Hero glared back at the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.
The Taiyi Divine Sword, Jin Gwang.
A master of swordsmanship who had dominated the previous generation of the Murim with a single blade.
Filthy Demonic Cult bastards.
He, too, made no effort to hide his feelings. In response, the One Flower Sword Venerable looked at him coldly. Since both were masters striving for the ultimate principle of swordsmanship, they couldn't help but be conscious of each other.
Jo Chun-bae wasn't watching this silent war of nerves. He was watching, as if possessed, as Jin Pae-cheon slowly walked up to the second floor.
Even though Jin Pae-cheon didn't display any aura, the moment he stepped onto the second floor, the air on both levels seemed to change.
‘The Demonic-Orthodox Meeting is being held in my tavern! In my tavern!’
Jo Chun-bae was so happy he felt like he might faint. He composed himself and took a deep breath. Now was the time to show his absolute best skills.
As he turned to go to the kitchen, Jo Chun-bae glanced up at the second floor. One remaining seat caught his eye.
‘Huh? Then what’s that last seat for?’