Chapter 725: Live Well and Prosper
Chapter 725: Live Well and Prosper
Seo Dae-ryong said nothing.
He simply stared at the Blood Heaven Blade Demon in silence. The image of his master’s bright, beaming smile etched itself deep into his heart.
“Pavilion Master Seo.”
At the One Flower Sword Venerable’s call, Seo Dae-ryong snapped back to his senses and looked toward her.
“Yes, Sword Venerable.”
“You should receive your guests’ greetings.”
While he had been lost in the sight of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, several martial artists had already lined up, waiting for their turn to congratulate him.
“Ah, yes.”
As the One Flower Sword Venerable turned to walk away, Seo Dae-ryong spoke to her back.
“Thank you, Sword Venerable.”
If she hadn't pointed it out, he would have been so preoccupied with the guests' congratulations that he might have missed that rare expression on his master’s face.
The One Flower Sword Venerable nodded silently and continued walking.
She headed toward Geom Mu-geuk, who was standing a short distance away, chatting with the Drunken Demon.
“I’m actually the one feeling hurt because you don’t seem hurt at all, Brother,” the Drunken Demon grumbled.
Even though Geom Mu-geuk hadn't visited him immediately upon returning to the Cult, the Drunken Demon seemed entirely unbothered. Usually, he would have whined and complained incessantly.
“He must have been busy,” the Drunken Demon added, almost to himself.
“I wasn't that busy. I had time to visit you,” Mu-geuk countered.
“Then your mind must have been busy.”
Geom Mu-geuk stared intently at the Drunken Demon.
“Did something happen while I was gone? Are you sick? Is it terminal?”
“Once time passes, it’s all futile. Do you think I’ll die regretting that you didn't visit me?”
Just then, the One Flower Sword Venerable approached and interjected.
“He’s just changed the way he expresses his hurt. It’s a change in tactics, so don’t be fooled.”
Startled, the Drunken Demon let out a hollow laugh and looked up at the sky.
Leaving him behind, Geom Mu-geuk bowed respectfully to the One Flower Sword Venerable.
“I apologize for not visiting you immediately after my return.”
“I heard you were focused on your fist technique training.”
The One Flower Sword Venerable observed Geom Mu-geuk quietly before shaking her head.
“Because of you, I have no time to rest.”
It was her way of saying that he showed growth every time they met, and that she, too, was still pushing herself to keep up.
“May I visit you as a sparring partner sometime soon?”
The One Flower Sword Venerable smiled and nodded.
“Come whenever you like.”
At that moment, another Demon Lord arrived.
It was the Soul-Seizing Demon Lord. Since she was attending as a guest, she had suppressed her ghostly qi to a minimum, but Geom Mu-geuk could still tell at a glance—she had grown even stronger since their last meeting. Like him, she seemed to grow by leaps and bounds every time their paths crossed.
The Soul-Seizing Demon Lord offered her congratulations to Seo Dae-ryong. She, too, had come more out of her respect for the Blood Heaven Blade Demon than out of personal friendship with the groom.
After offering her greetings, she sought out Geom Mu-geuk first. No matter what anyone said, the person she cared about most was him. The Young Cult Leader was the one person she most wanted to show her growth to.
“This wait is quite intriguing and pleasant,” Mu-geuk remarked.
He meant that he was looking forward to the day she would grow enough to truly become his Demon Lord.
The Soul-Seizing Demon Lord laughed happily. His words were a reward for her past efforts and more than enough motivation for her future endeavors.
The next Demon Lord to arrive had the most terrifying face of all the guests present.
Everyone held their breath at the appearance of the Fist Demon. His massive frame cut a path through the crowd.
The Fist Demon went to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon first to offer his congratulations, rather than to Seo Dae-ryong.
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you for coming.”
Geom Mu-geuk watched the two of them talk.
They were the two people closest to his father. As such, they shared a unique bond centered around the Cult Leader—and a bond centered around Mu-geuk himself.
When the two of them looked at him and shared a few words, Geom Mu-geuk spoke up with a grin.
“You aren't bad-mouthing me, are you?”
The two ignored him and continued their conversation.
“You’re too much!” Mu-geuk joked.
Watching from the side, Cha Yi-ran could feel how deep the relationship between these masters and the Young Cult Leader was, simply by the way they ignored him to keep talking. If she hadn't experienced the kind of person Geom Mu-geuk was, she would have been making all sorts of wild guesses based on that interaction.
Suddenly, Geom Mu-geuk spotted someone and ran over happily.
“Innkeeper!”
Jo Chun-bae, dressed in his finest clothes, was standing in a far corner. Naturally, he had been invited to the wedding as well.
“Young Cult Leader.”
“I’m glad you came. Come, let’s go.”
Geom Mu-geuk took his hand and led him toward Seo Dae-ryong.
“Actually, Innkeeper, aren't you already acquainted with all the Demon Lords here? Why don't you go around and greet them all?”
“Oh, heavens! Please, don’t even joke about such a thing.”
Cha Yi-ran watched silently as Geom Mu-geuk introduced Jo Chun-bae to Seo Dae-ryong. The Young Cult Leader treated him with more warmth than he did the Demon Lords. Again, if she hadn't known Mu-geuk, she would have been agonizing over the tavern keeper’s true identity.
“There’s no need to doubt him,” Lee An said, coming up beside her.
“I’m not doubting him.”
Cha Yi-ran no longer thought Geom Mu-geuk was hiding something. He was simply new and surprising every time she saw him.
“I was just thinking… it must be very difficult to be that Young Cult Leader’s shadow.”
Lee An gave a cryptic smile.
“No. It’s because it isn't difficult that it will be hard for us.”
Cha Yi-ran felt she understood roughly what Lee An meant.
Then, Geom Mu-geuk brought Jo Chun-bae over to where they were standing. Lee An welcomed the innkeeper warmly.
“Please, stay here with us.”
“No, no. I’m fine staying in the back.”
“Stay with me,” she insisted.
Not far from them sat the bride, Dan-ah. She was in a state of shock at the sheer caliber of the guests.
Captains of the Demonic Cult had come, Unit Leaders had come, and even the legendary Demon Lords were here as guests. She had never seen or heard of such a grand wedding in her entire life. To think she had worried the ceremony might be lonely. What on earth had she been thinking?
And then, a single thought occurred to her once more.
‘He really is an incredible person.’
She was so grateful that such a great man loved her.
Geom Mu-geuk looked around. He had found Jo Chun-bae, but there were still others he needed to find.
“By the way, why don't I see them? I’ll be back in a moment.”
Geom Mu-geuk set off to find someone in the crowded training ground.
The person he was looking for was crouching under a tree in a corner of the grounds. It was the Poison King. He had arrived but hadn't even bothered to greet anyone.
Geom Mu-geuk sat down beside him and asked, “What’s this one’s name?”
“It’s a Red-headed Ant.”
Sure enough, the ants crawling on the ground had red heads.
“If you ignore them because they’re small, you’ll suffer.”
They seemed to be highly venomous ants.
“When did you arrive?”
The answer came from behind him, instead of from the Poison King.
“We arrived a while ago.”
Mu-geuk turned to see the Demon Buddha standing there. His older brother, Geom Mu-yang, was also standing a short distance away.
“What is this? A suspicious gathering?”
In truth, there was nothing suspicious about it. His brother was close to the Demon Buddha, and the Demon Buddha was close to the Poison King.
“I think I know the name of this group. The Flames of Rebellion!”
At Mu-geuk’s banter, Geom Mu-yang replied bluntly.
“Those flames died out long ago. Someone extinguished them quite thoroughly.”
The Demon Buddha gave a faint smile at Mu-yang’s words. Geom Mu-yang’s heart had softened enough that he could now make such jokes comfortably.
“Since you’re all here, you should offer your congratulations first.”
“We’ll do it later.”
Of course, it seemed they were all stuck there because the Poison King was preoccupied with his ants.
“Since it’s been a while, I expected you to make an entrance shimmering with golden light?”
Today, the radiance from the Demon Buddha’s body was dimmer than usual. It seemed he had adjusted the intensity since he was attending as a guest.
“At my wedding, you must enter with enough light to blind the guests.”
“Are you planning to marry as well?”
When the Demon Buddha asked in surprise, Geom Mu-geuk answered as if it were obvious.
“Of course. I have to.”
He answered so readily that the Demon Buddha found it hard to believe.
“Even if you do, there will be so many shining people at your wedding that my radiance won't even compare.”
The Demon Buddha truly felt that Mu-geuk’s wedding would be an event beyond anyone's imagination.
Right then, the surroundings suddenly fell silent. Everyone’s gaze turned toward a single point. Slouching postures were instantly straightened. Even the Poison King, who looked like he would remain crouching even if a bloody battle broke out next to him, stood up.
Geom Wu-jin was walking toward them.
As he appeared, no one dared to even breathe loudly. Those who had doubted the Cult Leader would actually attend were even more shocked. Among them, the most stunned were Seo Dae-ryong and Dan-ah. They had never dreamed the Cult Leader would attend their wedding.
Step, step, step, step.
Everyone standing in Geom Wu-jin’s path performed a fist salute to show their respect. He didn't radiate any particular aura, but his mere presence overwhelmed everyone there.
Walking slowly, Geom Wu-jin surprisingly headed toward the bride’s side. With a gentle gaze, he spoke to Dan-ah.
“Congratulations on your marriage.”
It was shocking enough that the Demonic Cult Leader had come, but he had come to congratulate her first. Dan-ah’s mind went blank, not knowing what to do.
“How… how could the Cult Leader…?”
At her shock, Geom Wu-jin said calmly, “Do we not have a connection from the Central Plains?”
He was referring to the time her family had sent food to him. Of course, that wasn't the only reason he had come. He was primarily there for the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, but he had made sure to acknowledge the woman who had joined the Cult with only her two younger siblings first.
“Thank you so much, Cult Leader.”
Without realizing it, she tried to prostrate herself in her wedding robes, but a gentle energy from Geom Wu-jin stopped her.
Dan-bi and Dan-yeon watched the Cult Leader’s retreating back with deep emotion. Dan-yeon, who had been the one to send the food to Geom Wu-jin that day, really wanted to shout: ‘The most handsome and coolest person in the world is the Cult Leader!’
After acknowledging the bride, Geom Wu-jin approached Seo Dae-ryong.
“Pavilion Master Seo, congratulations on your marriage.”
“Thank you, Cult Leader.”
Seo Dae-ryong was deeply moved. He was truly grateful that the Leader had looked after Dan-ah first.
As Geom Wu-jin took the center seat, Geom Mu-geuk and Geom Mu-yang sat on either side of him, and the Demon Lords lined up to their left and right. Naturally, the Poison King and the Demon Buddha, who had been in the corner of the training ground, sat with them.
The ceremony proceeded according to tradition, and soon it was time for the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s officiant speech.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon, who had never been nervous in front of anyone, was clearly tense now. Clearing his throat, he slowly began to speak.
“Today, in the presence of the August Cult Leader, my disciple, Huangquan Pavilion Master Seo Dae-ryong, and the beautiful bride, Dan-ah, are joined in a heavenly bond of marriage.”
A smile played on Geom Mu-geuk’s lips.
‘You punks, live well and prosper.’
That was what the Blood Heaven Blade Demon had said he would say. He probably really wanted to just say that and be done with it. But he was delivering the speech he had painstakingly memorized.
“The groom, Seo Dae-ryong, joined the Main Cult early on and walked the treacherous path of the Demonic Way…”
This wasn't a place for him to act on his usual impulses. This wasn't a place to show off his personality; it was a precious occasion for Seo Dae-ryong and Dan-ah.
Everyone listened to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s speech. He stumbled over his words occasionally, and there were long pauses.
“…Life is inherently a lonely path. To find a partner to walk that path with is the greatest blessing one can have in life.”
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s words trailed off. He had forgotten the next line. Flustered, he closed his eyes to recall the words and then continued. Given his pride, such a thing was unimaginable, but he pushed through silently.
“…Do not look only at each other’s strength; soothe each other’s wounds. Rest while leaning on each other’s backs. Be together in every moment. A married couple is…”
He forgot the next part again, and once more, he paused to remember before continuing. He could have ended it quickly out of shame. But the Blood Heaven Blade Demon spoke every single word he had prepared, one by one.
Geom Wu-jin watched him with a deep, knowing gaze. The Fist Demon, the One Flower Sword Venerable, the Drunken Demon, and the other Demon Lords felt the same. Today, they were seeing a new side of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon for the first time in decades.
“…And so, when you finally stop in that field after wandering the Jianghu, watch the stars and face the end together.”
That was the end of the formal speech.
After finishing, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon looked at Seo Dae-ryong. Seo Dae-ryong’s eyes were red as he struggled to hold back tears.
Now, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon spoke his honest heart. These weren't the prepared words from before, but what he truly wanted to say to his disciple and his new wife in this moment.
“I am a man who has never been married in my life. So, I do not know what makes for a good marriage.”
Seo Dae-ryong looked at his master with trembling eyes.
“I haven't even lived as a good person. My life was filled with nothing but misfortune.”
Seo Dae-ryong almost shouted, ‘That’s not true, Master!’
“So, I honestly don’t know what to tell you as a couple.”
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon briefly looked past them at Geom Wu-jin. After meeting the Cult Leader’s eyes, he slowly turned his head to look at the Drunken Demon, and then the One Flower Sword Venerable.
“As I get older, I find myself constantly regretting the past.”
His gaze returned to Seo Dae-ryong and Dan-ah.
“You are smart children, so do not live a life of regret like your master.”
Seo Dae-ryong bowed his head deeply. His shoulders shook slightly. The tears he had been holding back finally fell. Seeing his tears, Dan-ah began to cry as well. She knew all too well how much Seo Dae-ryong revered his master.
As the two of them wept, the flustered Blood Heaven Blade Demon looked toward Geom Mu-geuk. Since a wedding wasn't supposed to be this somber, Geom Mu-geuk stepped in as the rescue team with a laugh.
“Our Elder, how did you ever hold back from saying what you really wanted to say?”
Geom Mu-geuk began to imitate the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s usual gruff tone.
“O members of the Divine Cult, born and raised in the darkness! Betrayal is death, so forge an eternal covenant of blood! Throw away your swords and pick up the blade!”
The Demon Lords laughed, and even one corner of Geom Wu-jin’s mouth curled up. Relieved that it was all over, the tension finally left the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s face.
Since both the bride and groom had lost their parents, the procedure of bowing to parents was omitted. Instead, Seo Dae-ryong and Dan-ah prepared to bow to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon. But the old master waved them off and walked far away.
Seo Dae-ryong and Dan-ah bowed toward his retreating back. With that bow, the wedding ceremony came to an end.
As the couple stood up, a gust of wind blew through.
Whoosh.
A single petal fell from the flowers Dan-ah was holding. The petal fluttered through the crowd and landed on the One Flower Sword Venerable’s hand. A smile touched the lips of the woman who loved flowers.
Geom Mu-geuk walked toward Seo Dae-ryong. He was beaming. Seeing that expression, Seo Dae-ryong wondered if he had ever seen the Young Cult Leader look so genuinely happy.
Bang! Pop! Bang!
Under the exploding fireworks, Geom Mu-geuk shouted the words the Blood Heaven Blade Demon hadn't been able to say.
“My right hand! Live well and prosper!”