Chapter 562: A Facade More Powerful Than Sincerity
Chapter 562: A Facade More Powerful Than Sincerity
Everyone gathered around the tables on the second floor.
The Dan sisters were the first to introduce themselves. Unlike her two composed older sisters, the youngest, Dan-yeon, boisterously bragged about her new position.
“I’m just a ronin until today, but starting tomorrow, I’ll be Dan-yeon of the Ghost Shadow Squad!”
Han Seol wore a faint smile. As soon as they had arrived, Geom Mu-geuk had introduced her to the tavern owner, and now he was introducing these ronin sisters as his friends. From the successors of the Murim Alliance and the Unorthodox Path Alliance to a simple tavern owner and mere wanderers—Geom Mu-geuk was a man who counted them all as his friends.
Jang Ho looked at Geom Mu-geuk, his eyes silently asking for an explanation.
Though they had encountered the Dan sisters during the battle at the Jing'an Branch, he hadn't expected to see them here at the main headquarters of the Cult.
Geom Mu-geuk looked at the eldest sister, Dan-ah, and spoke.
“It seems my right hand has finally found his missing wing.”
That explanation was enough.
Instead of offering congratulations to Seo Dae-ryong, Jang Ho turned to Dan-ah and spoke with polite gravity.
“May I offer you a drink?”
“Ah, yes...”
Jang Ho respectfully poured a drink for the flustered Dan-ah. It was the moment a woman who had lived her life as a nameless ronin received a cup from a Demon Monarch.
“Welcome, sister-in-law.”
Dan-ah was startled by the term, and Seo Dae-ryong was even more shocked. It was a public declaration that Jang Ho considered him a true friend and a brother.
Only after that did Jang Ho greet the others formally. By taking special care of Dan-ah first, he had shown the ultimate respect to Seo Dae-ryong.
How could Seo Dae-ryong not recognize that sentiment? He bowed his head deeply toward Jang Ho. Thank you, Monarch.
Next, Gang Dal introduced himself. He still felt awkward and out of place in such high-profile company.
Geom Mu-geuk stepped forward to introduce him formally.
“Captain Gang saved these three young ladies. Thanks to his actions, countless lives were spared.”
Gang Dal felt a surge of gratitude toward Geom Mu-geuk. In truth, his choice back then had ultimately been for his own survival. It hadn't been born of some grand cause or a noble spirit of sacrifice.
Yet, Geom Mu-geuk did not belittle his choice as mere luck; he appraised it as something far more valuable than it actually was. In a world where everyone was busy tearing others down to climb higher, such a gesture was rare.
Geom Mu-geuk offered Gang Dal a drink.
“Accept a drink from me.”
“Yes, Young Cult Leader.”
“The responsibility you hold now is heavy. Please uphold the laws and regulations of our Cult faithfully from now on.”
“I will protect them with all my loyalty.”
As the liquor poured by the Young Cult Leader slid down his throat, Gang Dal finally realized that he was truly living a new life.
After Gang Dal’s introduction, Cheon So-hui greeted the group. She had rushed over the moment she received Geom Mu-geuk’s sudden message. She was the type of person who would run anywhere if Geom Mu-geuk called, regardless of what anyone else thought.
It wasn't just because she had become a successor thanks to him. It was because he was the future Cult Leader she would serve when she eventually became the Fist Demon.
“She is the top disciple of the Fist Demon and the one who will inherit the title of the next Fist Demon.”
Those who didn't know her were stunned. Who could have imagined the next Fist Demon would attend such a casual gathering? Moreover, that the next Fist Demon was a woman?
The Dan sisters exchanged surprised glances. From a Demon Monarch to the next Fist Demon—is it really okay for us to be in a place like this? Truly, it had been a series of shocks since the moment they arrived at the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
“And she is also my only junior sister.”
Geom Mu-geuk looked at Cheon So-hui with a bright smile.
“Have you been well?”
“Yes, Senior Brother.”
Normally, she should have addressed him as "Young Cult Leader" in front of others, but because he introduced her as his junior sister, she chose to call him "Senior Brother."
She couldn't express how much she wanted to brag about being the Young Cult Leader’s junior sister. Since Geom Mu-geuk had set the stage for her today, she allowed her suppressed pride to show.
“Is Master doing well? I’m throwing a drinking party before even greeting him.”
It wasn't just the Fist Demon. Aside from the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the One Flower Sword Venerable, he hadn't even met the other Demon Lords yet.
“Now then, let me introduce today’s guest of honor.”
Finally, Geom Mu-geuk introduced Han Seol.
“She is the Young Palace Master of the North Sea Ice Palace.”
Once again, those who didn't know her were shocked. One might expect to meet the next Fist Demon at the gates of the Demonic Cult, but the successor of the Ice Palace?
“Today’s gathering is to introduce my friends from the Central Plains to the Young Palace Master.”
At the expression "my friends," both Gang Dal and the Dan sisters felt inwardly tense. Friends with the Young Cult Leader? It sounded like an impossible dream.
“In addition, it’s a place to celebrate Captain Kang’s arrival at the headquarters.”
Geom Mu-geuk’s gaze moved from Gang Dal to the Dan sisters.
“It’s also a place to celebrate the new lives of these three ladies.”
Next, he looked at Cheon So-hui.
“And a place to have some fun with my junior sister after a long time.”
Finally, he looked at Jang Ho and Seo Dae-ryong.
“It is a place to reattach my right and left hands to this body that has returned safely.”
Geom Mu-geuk raised his glass high.
“Now, for today at least, let’s put everything down and have some fun!”
After a vigorous toast, everyone emptied their glasses. With Geom Mu-geuk leading the atmosphere, the party heated up in an instant.
Geom Mu-geuk filled Han Seol’s glass and asked, “What did you talk about with the Drunken Demon?”
Han Seol wore an inscrutable smile. It was all about you, who else would it be?
“We talked about alcohol, about beautiful lakes, and about a crazy person.”
“A crazy person? Who?”
“There is such a person. Someone who makes me angry every time I see them.”
As Han Seol stared intently at him, Geom Mu-geuk realized that person was himself.
“Don’t believe the words of a drunkard!”
Han Seol laughed at that.
“You’re right. There probably isn't another crazy person as diligent as you.”
Geom Mu-geuk shook his head as if refusing to admit it.
“Do you know what I felt during this trip away from the Cult? That I need to be even more diligent. I thought I was truly diligent in my own way, but I almost died this time. I had momentarily forgotten.”
Geom Mu-geuk emptied his glass and said, “The enemy is always more diligent than I am.”
Jang Ho drank alone upon hearing that Geom Mu-geuk had almost lost his life. He was upset. It was a relief that his lord had returned alive, but the "what ifs" haunted him.
If he could, he wanted to lead the Demon Army and support Geom Mu-geuk himself. It was only a pity that, realistically, he couldn't leave his post.
Seo Dae-ryong silently held out his glass, and Jang Ho toasted him. The frustration in Seo Dae-ryong’s glass mirrored Jang Ho’s regret.
Just as the atmosphere was dipping into somber territory, Jo Chun-bae came upstairs with both hands full of dishes.
“Sorry to keep you waiting!”
“Oh, I was dying for a taste of our innkeeper’s cooking.”
“I made this with specially prepared, high-quality ingredients, so please, enjoy.”
Geom Mu-geuk caught him just as he was about to leave after setting down the food.
“Where are you going? It’s been a while; you should have a drink before you go.”
“Oh, no. How could I join a table with such noble people?”
Geom Mu-geuk forced him to sit as the man tried to back away with a wave of his hand.
“There is no one more noble than the owner of this establishment. Now, sit and have a drink.”
“I’ll pour for you first.”
“Just take it.”
Jo Chun-bae accepted the drink with an overwhelmed expression. Geom Mu-geuk treated him the same whether he was in a high mood or a low one.
Having spent his life running a tavern, Jo Chun-bae had seen it all. He knew well how difficult it was to treat someone consistently like this—especially when there was an incomparable difference in social status.
“The wine tastes wonderful.”
Jo Chun-bae respectfully poured a drink for Geom Mu-geuk.
“As expected, the wine served by our innkeeper is the best.”
“I am truly glad you returned safely, Young Cult Leader.”
“Ah, and set aside one bottle separately to drink whenever you feel like it.”
“Oh, that’s quite alright.”
“It’s a chance to drink wine bestowed by the Drunken Demon. Don’t refuse.”
“Thank you.”
Han Seol was watching Geom Mu-geuk closely, as if examining him under a lens.
Is there really no facade in all those actions? Is he not acting right now just to show off to me? 'Look at me, I am a person with such great tolerance.' Is he not running a scam?
Even though she felt it wasn't the case, she couldn't help but doubt. How can a person be like that?
Suddenly, the Drunken Demon’s words came to mind.
— Because I’ve thought about it dozens of times.
Those "dozens of times" surely didn't just mean "I want to live like this man too." It likely meant he had doubted and doubted again whether it was all a facade.
Watching Geom Mu-geuk lean against the railing and talk to Jo Chun-bae until the very moment the man went back down to the first floor, she reached a conclusion.
Fine, it might be a facade. But that facade is more powerful than sincerity. Because no one’s sincerity could ever keep up with a facade like that.
Han Seol took another drink.
Just then, her eyes met Dan-ah’s, who had been looking at her from the side.
Dan-ah smiled and bowed her head slightly. It was a gesture expressing that she wouldn't dare to meet the eyes of the Young Palace Master of the North Sea Ice Palace.
“Please, accept a drink from me.”
Han Seol poured a drink for Dan-ah.
“You’re my first ronin friend.”
Dan-ah was startled by those words.
“A friend? That is far more than I deserve, Young Palace Master.”
Han Seol knew that wasn't true. At this very table, a man like Seo Dae-ryong sincerely loved this woman, and Jang Ho was treating her with formal respect. And was Geom Mu-geuk the type of person to ignore someone for being a ronin or value someone highly just for being a Young Palace Master?
This was a place where who you were mattered more than your status.
She looked at Geom Mu-geuk. He had introduced her as the guest of honor, but the master of this gathering was clearly him.
That master was currently talking to Cheon So-hui.
“It’s hard, isn't it?”
At that question, the laughter that burst out of her revealed just how hard she had been pushing herself. She was a woman who was trying her absolute hardest. She hated the idea of people saying the successor had been chosen poorly more than she hated death. That would be a disservice to both her Master and Geom Mu-geuk.
“Sometimes I miss the late-night training group.”
“Me too.”
Come to think of it, those late-night sessions had been the catalyst for his friendship with the Fist Demon.
“There will be a day when we all gather again.”
“Will such a day come?”
“It definitely will.”
For that day—to be able to gather like this and laugh and talk.
That was the reason Geom Mu-geuk worked so hard.
The drinking party grew more mellow. Everyone relaxed and drank. Normally, this would be impossible between such different ranks, but in this place, it felt as if there was a guarantor.
If they were invited by Geom Mu-geuk...
There was a shared belief that they were people one could open their heart to.
Then, Han Seol and Jang Ho’s eyes met.
When they first greeted each other, he had given a drink to Dan-ah, but he hadn't given one to her yet. In the past, she might have felt ignored by such a trivial thing, but...
“Please, accept a drink from me.”
Now, she offered the drink first.
“Thank you.”
Jang Ho respectfully accepted and drank.
“May I offer you one as well?”
“Of course.”
Jang Ho respectfully poured the wine. She could tell from his expression that he held no personal ill will toward her. He was simply a man who didn't think about currying favor with anyone and silently kept his place. He had only shown courtesy to Dan-ah for Seo Dae-ryong’s sake.
If she hadn't offered him a drink, she might have felt uneasy, but by simply offering a drink, her impression of the man changed.
If you pile up these small things, you become someone like Geom Mu-geuk.
When she looked for Geom Mu-geuk, he was no longer in his seat.
He was in an unexpected place.
Without anyone noticing when he’d gone down, he was drinking with the Twin Frost Swords on the first floor.
Sa Han and So-bing, who had told her never to trust the Young Cult Leader, were laughing heartily at something he said.
Yes, the Drunken Demon was right.
‘I can’t live like you.’
She admitted it. No matter how much she tried, she could never be like that. Taking care of these people while also looking after the Twin Frost Swords on the first floor?
Even if she couldn't live exactly like Geom Mu-geuk, she had felt and learned much. She had been a child when she left the North Sea, but she felt as though she might return as an adult.
When Geom Mu-geuk returned to his seat, Dan-yeon came to his side and asked with a face flushed from alcohol.
“You said it before, didn't you? That the Ghost Shadow Squad is where the Young Cult Leader’s heart serves as the Captain.”
“I did.”
“What kind of person is the Captain? I’m so curious.”
She had summoned her courage, aided by the alcohol.
Seo Dae-ryong answered instead.
“She’s beautiful.”
He had jumped in, delighted by the mention of Lee An.
Dan-yeon narrowed her eyes and asked, “I asked what kind of person she is, and you say she’s beautiful? How much?”
Seo Dae-ryong was about to excitedly say she could be called the most beautiful woman under heaven.
At that moment, Geom Mu-geuk’s urgent voice transmission flew in.
— Get a grip!
In an instant, Seo Dae-ryong’s drunkenness vanished.
Seo Dae-ryong looked at Dan-ah beside him and said, “She’s not as pretty as Miss Dan, but she’s on the beautiful side.”
Dan-ah blushed slightly and said, “Don’t say such nonsense.”
Seeing that she wasn't displeased, Seo Dae-ryong sent a voice transmission to Geom Mu-geuk.
— I’m saved! Thank you!
— If you let your guard down, you die!
Dan-yeon asked again, “Then where is the Captain now?”
It was just as Han Seol, listening from the side, felt a pang of longing for her own sister.
Creeeeak.
The tavern door opened, and someone stepped inside.
Everyone’s eyes turned toward the entrance. Jo Chun-bae, seeing the person who entered, wore a delighted smile.
The Twin Frost Swords looked on in surprise. The person who entered was a woman, and as she stepped in, it felt as if the surroundings had brightened.
Not only the three Dan sisters but also Gang Dal stared with wide eyes. He had never seen such a beautiful woman in his life.
Jang Ho and Seo Dae-ryong smiled brightly with expressions that said, She’s finally here!
The woman was Lee An.
Her eyes had become clearer and deeper, and her aura felt different than before. Geom Mu-geuk could tell instantly.
‘She has finally achieved the Great Achievement of the Flying Heaven Sword Technique!’
The attainment of Great Achievement had gifted her a new kind of beauty. It wasn't just aesthetic anymore; it was a beauty tempered with strength.
Lee An looked up at Geom Mu-geuk and spoke calmly.
“Ghost Shadow Squad Leader Lee An, returning after completing my mission.”
Her gaze swept over Geom Mu-geuk, Seo Dae-ryong, Jang Ho, and then Han Seol.
Her face filled with joy. Lee An smiled brightly and said, “Wait, are you all having this much fun without me?”