Chapter 390: What Murim Peace Needs Right Now
Chapter 390: What Murim Peace Needs Right Now
Baek Ja-gang had sent the mushroom dish to Bi Sa-in for the sole purpose of flaunting his relationship with the boy in front of Jin Pae-cheon.
I know exactly which dishes my disciple enjoys.
However, Jin Pae-cheon already knew what his grandson liked.
Well, they are grandfather and grandson, so they must have shared many meals together.
In truth, Baek Ja-gang was enjoying the situation. He truly hadn't expected today’s summit to unfold this way.
Jin Pae-cheon, boasting about his grandchildren as if venting years of pent-up pride, was an unexpected sight. Even more interesting was the new side of Geom Wu-jin, whom Baek Ja-gang had expected to be nothing but cold and heartless.
Was it true that blood couldn't be hidden? Geom Wu-jin’s unexpected actions shared a certain eccentricity with Geom Mu-geuk. Conversely, it meant that Geom Wu-jin’s cold and cynical nature might also reside within Geom Mu-geuk’s blood.
Regardless, he had confirmed today exactly where Geom Mu-geuk’s Demonic Path was headed.
When asked, "What is your Demonic Path?" the Young Cult Leader hadn't offered a superficial answer that merely sounded plausible. He was walking a firm, unwavering path—perhaps more so than the elders themselves.
Baek Ja-gang’s gaze shifted toward Geom Wu-jin.
The son’s Demonic Path is clearly not the father’s.
The paths the two walked weren't just slightly different; they were heading in polar opposite directions.
What do you intend to do from here on?
He could find no answer in Geom Wu-jin’s frigid eyes. In any case, Jin Pae-cheon was likely harboring the same concerns.
What do you think of them? This father and son.
But at that moment, Jin Pae-cheon was focused on something else.
"Cult Leader Geom."
Jin Pae-cheon stared at Geom Wu-jin for a moment.
"Will you accept a drink from me?"
Jin Pae-cheon had been deeply moved while listening to Jo Chun-bae. Geom Mu-geuk had accomplished something that even the chivalrous heroes of the Orthodox Faction struggled to do. It was an act that should have taken place in front of the Murim Alliance headquarters, not a tavern in front of the Demonic Cult.
As the Murim Alliance Leader, how could he not be pleased that the successor to the Cult was such a person?
Thus, he wanted to offer a drink to the man who had raised Geom Mu-geuk. There was no other motive. He still disliked the Demonic Cult, and he still disliked its Leader. It was a grand gesture, but Geom Wu-jin seemed to dislike it just as much.
"I refuse."
Geom Wu-jin did not state his reason.
"You would accept a drink from a tavern owner, but not from me?"
Without a word, Geom Wu-jin filled his own cup. Jin Pae-cheon could guess the reason.
He doesn't want to become friendly. Because I am someone he must kill one day.
The ambition to unify the Murim still burned in Geom Wu-jin’s eyes. Even if they sat face-to-face and laughed, even if they shared a drink, even if they were swept up in a heated competition of boasting about their children, or even if they sent ten appetizers flying through the air with dazzling skill...
The fact that they would become enemies the moment they stepped out of this tavern would not change. This moment of elegance and leisure was nothing more than an illusion.
Jin Pae-cheon filled his own cup and drank alone.
Then what will you do? Will you continue down that path even if it means blocking your own son’s way?
Jin Pae-cheon then looked at Baek Ja-gang. The Unorthodox Leader was lost in thought, fiddling with his wine cup.
The enemy was not just one person. One could not afford to underestimate those small eyes. If one became too preoccupied with the Heavenly Demon, their head might very well be taken by Baek Ja-gang’s hand instead. He was a man possessed of equal parts skill and ambition.
One only had to look at his black martial robes to know—when the time came, he would move with terrifying speed and decisiveness.
There was a common joke that if the three current leaders had been born in different eras, three separate wars would have broken out. Murim seniors often brought this up when joking about Jin Pae-cheon’s own domineering personality.
And you want me to take these men fishing and hunting with our grandchildren?
Suddenly, an image flashed through Jin Pae-cheon’s mind: himself standing dazed with a fishing rod, watching the Murim Alliance burn to the ground in despair.
These are men who must not be trusted.
Jin Pae-cheon turned his head to look at the person who had brought them all together today.
Can you walk your path without being devoured by your father?
*
Unlike the heavy atmosphere surrounding the adults, the mood among the young people was bright. Of course, the one leading the atmosphere was Geom Mu-geuk.
"Now, now, let me introduce a new face. This is my older brother, who lost the succession battle and is constantly eyeing my position."
In the past, he would have snapped back with a sharp retort, but now, Geom Mu-yang could only let out a hollow laugh.
"I am Geom Mu-yang," he introduced himself bluntly.
Geom Mu-geuk knew. Given his brother’s personality, simply being present at this gathering meant he was putting in every ounce of effort he could manage.
Jin Ha-ryeong had heard much about Geom Mu-yang from her brother. At one time, everyone in the Murim believed this man would become the successor. Then, news had arrived that the struggle for succession within the Demonic Cult had ended without a single drop of blood being shed.
At first, it was hard to believe. After getting to know Geom Mu-geuk, she realized it was possible, but such a thing couldn't be achieved by one person alone. It was only possible because this man, Geom Mu-yang, was also an extraordinary individual.
Jin Ha-ryeong’s gaze shifted from Geom Mu-yang to Geom Mu-geuk, who sat beside him.
They are brothers, yet how can they be so different?
It seemed her thoughts reached Geom Mu-geuk.
"What do you think, looking at my brother?"
It was a question meant to fluster her, but Jin Ha-ryeong handled it calmly.
"I feel a sense of kinship."
"Kinship? In what way?"
"His situation is similar to mine. The miserable fate of eventually being eliminated by the successor." She finished her banter by looking at Geom Mu-yang. "My life is hanging by a thread as well."
She wondered if it was alright to act this way toward the First Young Master of the Demonic Cult, whom she was meeting for the first time, but Geom Mu-geuk’s influence was powerful. With him by her side, such jokes came naturally.
Fortunately, Geom Mu-yang didn't seem offended. He recalled the past—the moment he had asked Geom Mu-geuk when he intended to kill him. That was why her joke resonated with him. No one could truly understand the heart of someone walking alongside a successor unless they had experienced it themselves.
"Will you have a drink?"
It was unexpected. She hadn't thought he would offer. She accepted readily.
"Gladly. Let’s have a drink as fellow sufferers."
Geom Mu-yang filled her cup to the brim. Watching this, Jin Ha-gun spoke up.
"Didn't you hear what Grandfather said earlier? Who would dare touch the most beautiful woman under heaven, the granddaughter he wouldn't trade for the world?"
After receiving her drink, Jin Ha-ryeong poured one for Geom Mu-yang and asked, "What about you? What if the Cult Leader orders you to kill me?"
Geom Mu-yang drank without answering. Jin Ha-ryeong turned to Jin Ha-gun with a 'see?' expression.
"At least it wasn't something he could confidently deny in this setting."
Jin Ha-ryeong emptied her cup. She found this gathering incredibly refreshing. If not for Geom Mu-geuk, would she ever have had the chance to exchange jokes and share drinks with these two men?
Jin Ha-gun stared at Geom Mu-yang expressionlessly. Honestly, he felt a bit annoyed. He felt the man should have at least said, "How could I kill such a precious person?" Because the joke involved his sister’s life, it made him feel on edge.
Just then, Geom Mu-geuk poured a drink for Jin Ha-gun and said, "Understand him. My brother is naturally blunt. He’s a lot like you."
Like me? In what way?
But on second thought, Jin Ha-gun realized he probably wouldn't have said anything either if he were in the same position.
Next, Geom Mu-geuk filled Bi Sa-in’s cup. His hands and mouth were busy taking care of everyone.
"I like that you aren't blunt."
"This is the first time I've heard someone say I'm not blunt," Bi Sa-in replied.
Then again, that wasn't the only 'first' he'd heard from this man.
— Anyone who knows how to read faces would see how handsome the true face beneath those scars is.
He had even been told he was handsome.
"Young Cult Leader."
"Yes?"
Bi Sa-in asked with a serious look in his eyes.
"Why did you bring us all together in one place?"
Four pairs of eyes turned toward Geom Mu-geuk.
"What’s with those looks? Are you thinking, 'Since it's you, there must be some grand hidden motive or plan'? There isn't. I just thought everyone was too stiff, so I started this to help us relax. It just grew much larger than intended."
"Then how do you plan to end this summit?"
"Can't we just have our fill of fun and go home? Given the personalities of those three over there, the moment one of them stands up and says it's time to go, that's the end of it."
As everyone looked at him in disbelief, Geom Mu-geuk continued.
"I think the most meaningful thing about this gathering is for those three to rest and share a few jokes, even if it's just for today. They’ve never played a day in their lives. They probably don't even know how."
In truth, the same applied to Geom Mu-geuk himself. He knew how to live a life sprinting toward a single goal, but did he truly know how to look after himself and have fun for his own sake?
Jin Ha-ryeong looked over at the Cult Leader and the Alliance Leaders. They weren't even talking; they were just drinking, each lost in their own thoughts. No matter how softly they whispered here, those three could surely hear everything.
And a thought occurred to her. Perhaps, as Geom Mu-geuk said, having those three rest comfortably for even a moment was a far more difficult task than drafting plans for Murim peace. And perhaps it would yield a better result than any grand plan ever could.
It was then.
Screee.
The sound of a sword being half-drawn echoed from the floor below. Silence instantly fell over the room.
Geom Wu-jin continued drinking quietly, Jin Pae-cheon looked slightly worried, and Baek Ja-gang actually let out a faint smile.
Just as Geom Mu-geuk was about to stand up to stop the fight before it escalated, Geom Mu-yang placed a hand on his shoulder to stop him and stood up first. He was signaling that he would handle it.
Surprised by this unexpected gesture, Geom Mu-geuk looked up at his brother. Not only those at the table, but even Geom Wu-jin and the two Alliance Leaders watched Geom Mu-yang.
Geom Mu-yang walked to the railing, looked down, and introduced himself politely.
"I am Geom Mu-yang, the First Young Master of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult."
The gazes from below were filled with curiosity that he, and not Geom Mu-geuk, had stepped forward.
The one who had half-drawn his sword was the Taiyi Divine Sword. His battle of wills with the One Flower Sword Venerable had been ongoing, and he had been irritated by her refusal to back down from his gaze. His pride wouldn't allow him to be the one to look away.
He had already lost the battle of composure, and drawing his sword was a warning that he would strike if she didn't avert her eyes.
Geom Mu-yang didn't single out the Taiyi Divine Sword but addressed everyone.
"I know well who you all are. I know you wouldn't be standing there if you weren't the finest warriors of the Cult and the Alliances."
He began on a respectful note.
"Since you are such people, you must also know how difficult it was to arrange today’s summit. My younger brother is the one who accomplished that impossible task. That is why I want to let him rest today. I don't want him to have to step in and stop a fight here. Today, I will be the one to ensure he rests."
Geom Wu-jin tilted his cup, listening to his son’s words in silence. Jin Pae-cheon and Baek Ja-gang also listened quietly.
The Taiyi Divine Sword, his blade still half-exposed, looked up at Geom Mu-yang with a cold gaze. Looking back at him, Geom Mu-yang’s tone shifted from extremely polite to provocative and intense.
"How far are you all willing to go?"
He said 'you all,' not just 'you.' He didn't target the Taiyi Divine Sword alone; if he had provoked him directly in front of everyone, the man’s pride would have forced him to escalate the situation.
"I can go very far. You might wonder what a man who isn't even the successor has to say, but precisely because I am not the successor... I can go to the very end."
It was a declaration of will, a threat that he would see things through to the bitter end if provoked.
"So, you all should rest today as well. Haven't you spent your entire lives fighting to reach the positions you hold?"
As he turned to leave, he added one last thing.
"You’ve seen my brother, who calls a tavern owner his Demonic Path. You're right—as you can see, he’s a madman. And I am that madman’s older brother. So, unless you intend to fight to the death with madmen, do not touch us today."
The tavern fell silent.
A brighter light emanated from the Demon Buddha’s body. He wore a proud smile, feeling that the time he had spent for the First Young Master had not been in vain.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon strode forward and sat at a table.
"Owner, bring some wine here."
He sat with his back to the Orthodox and Unorthodox masters. It was a display of confidence—attack me if you dare—and a declaration that he wouldn't drink while looking at their faces. This was the kind of man the Blood Heaven Blade Demon was.
As he sat, the other Demon Lords followed suit, taking seats at his table and the ones nearby.
Clack.
The Taiyi Divine Sword’s blade slid back into its scabbard. He hadn't truly intended to draw it, and now that the Demonic Cult had made such a move, how could he?
Not wanting to be outdone in spirit, the Orthodox and Unorthodox masters also took seats near where they had been standing. Some turned their backs with confidence, while others remained standing, staring down their opponents.
What Murim peace needs right now is nothing but delicious wine and food!
With this thought, Jo Chun-bae busily brought out the prepared wine and appetizers. Indeed, standing in a tavern without drinking was bound to lead to a fight.
As Geom Mu-yang returned to his seat, he spoke before Geom Mu-geuk could say a word.
"Don't say anything!"
"How do you know what I was going to say?"
"Whatever it is, don't say it!"
Bi Sa-in nodded and raised his glass, well aware of how much Mu-yang must have suffered to react that way. His cup clinked loudly against those of Jin Ha-gun and Jin Ha-ryeong. It was a toast of shared understanding.
"This is great. I get to rest thanks to you, Brother. If I had gone down to stop them, a disaster would have happened. I would've gotten worked up and said, 'The Cult Leader and Alliance Leaders are sitting right here, so who do you think you are drawing a sword on a day like today? Come up here!' Then the person next to them would have..."
Geom Mu-yang shoved a cup toward Geom Mu-geuk, telling him to just drink.
"Give that mouth a rest."
He spoke coldly, but how could Geom Mu-geuk not know? He knew his brother’s heart, and he knew how much courage it must have taken for him to step forward just now.
Geom Mu-geuk relaxed his posture, leaning back in his chair and stretching out his legs.
"Yeah, let's rest."
It was comfortable. In this moment, he felt as relaxed as if he were lying on that beach inside the Space-Time Displacement Technique. No, perhaps even more so.
Watching him sit there with his eyes closed and a faint smirk on his face, Jin Ha-ryeong suddenly thought he looked lonely, though she didn't know why. But the thought was fleeting.
The dish of roast duck sitting in front of Jin Ha-gun began to slide slowly across the table on its own. While everyone watched, the duck dish moved until it stopped right in front of Geom Mu-yang.
"If you wanted some, you should have just said so," Jin Ha-ryeong said, making Geom Mu-yang panic.
"No! I didn't do this."
"Of course you didn't!"
Everyone’s eyes turned toward Geom Mu-geuk at once. Under the weight of their gazes, Geom Mu-geuk opened one eye slightly and said with a grin, "My brother likes duck, too."