Episode 864: Wipe Your Mouth First
“It’s disappointing.”
Geommu-geuk and Ian put down their chopsticks at the same time.
“It doesn’t suit my taste either. We’re not the kind of people who would leave food we paid for behind.”
They didn’t even eat half the food.
“Are you sure this is the right place? Isn’t there an inn with the same name in the next town?”
“No, this is the right place.”
Geommu-geuk and Ian sat side by side, looking down at a book.
Exploring the culinary delights of Central Plains.
It was a book I’d bought with my father at a bookstore that Bloody Heavenly Doma had shown me. I’d planned to take him there later, but Ian and I stopped by first to check it out on the way.
“I guess our expectations were too high.”
“Just because it’s in a book doesn’t mean it’s delicious, but I thought they’d at least do the basics.”
“But that restaurant was delicious last time, right?”
The swordsman drew a line across the place where the name of this guest house was written.
“It was a good thing I came early. If I had brought my father here, the demons would have been sacrificed and a war would have broken out right here.”
Ian laughed at the joke of the sword dance.
The two men, having just left the church, were literally enjoying themselves. They sought out restaurants and eateries renowned for their delicious food, and they made sure to stop by places known for their breathtaking views.
When we camped, we fell asleep under the stars, and we swam together in clear waters.
Geommugeuk showed off his cooking skills, and in kind villages, we stayed overnight and helped with farm work.
The sword dance wasn’t rushed. It was a leisurely journey with her. I didn’t worry about what awaited me at the end.
Ian could feel it. The sword dance was making this trip his own. It made him feel good, but also uneasy. He’d never enjoyed the sword dance so leisurely. He’d never been this happy in his life.
Then, Jeomsoi came and put down the food and drinks.
“That’s not the dish we ordered?”
You rascal! You said it wasn’t tasty, so why are you bringing me this again? Just when I couldn’t bring myself to say that, Jeomsoi looked at the corner and spoke.
“This is a special dish that the guest over there is offering to you.”
Looking over there, I saw a middle-aged man staring at me.
Ian bowed slightly, expressed his gratitude, and then spoke to Geommugeuk as if boasting.
“See? How many times has this happened? Eighth, perhaps?”
“Sixth.”
Ian was truly the center of attention wherever he went. This wasn’t the first or second time he’d ordered food like this.
Ian insisted on wearing a bamboo hat, saying it was too much trouble, but Geommugeuk simply had him take it off.
“Enjoy it, enjoy it to your heart’s content.”
“Isn’t your master enjoying it more?”
“Did you get a ticket?”
In fact, Geommu-geuk was enjoying it more. Eyes would fall on the beautiful Ian, and then inevitably on himself. At those moments, Geommu-geuk would wear a proud expression. “I’m the one hanging out with such a beauty,” he’d say.
“Oh, that guy is coming this way?”
The man who sent the food walked towards the two people.
He was a fairly handsome middle-aged man. He was clearly wearing expensive clothes and adorned with gold and jade jewelry.
Geommu-geuk stared at him for a moment, then looked up at Ian. His eyes seemed to ask, “Do you understand?” Ian smiled and nodded.
“Now you can tell from afar. You’ve improved a lot.”
“It’s obvious at first glance.”
Meanwhile, a man came up to the two people.
“Is this your first time in this town?”
Geommugeuk smiled brightly and lifted the booklet he was holding.
“As you can see, I am traveling with my sister-in-law.”
The man introduced himself.
“I am a person called Damho.”
“I am Geomyeon. I use the character for fate, not for a relationship.”
Ian also introduced himself.
“I’m Ian.”
The name Geommu-geuk was known, so he used Geomyeon, but Ian just used his own name. He used both his face and name as they were.
“Seeing you, my brothers, brought back old memories, so I brought you some drinks and snacks. It’s fate that we’ve met like this, so let’s join us. After all, there’s nothing more meaningful in the martial arts world than meeting new people, right?”
Damho sat down across from the two men without even waiting for permission. He was confident in his words and actions.
“I’ll buy you drinks and food today.”
“You had a good dream last night. I guess you were expecting something like this.”
He might have resented the interruption of their time together, but Geommugeuk, unsure of his intentions, accepted him obediently.
Damho looked at Ian in admiration.
“I think this is the first time I’ve seen such a beautiful young lady.”
He didn’t hide his feelings.
“What is your relationship with the two of you?”
“You are my sisters and friends.”
Damho asked at that.
“Don’t you feel uneasy walking around with such a beautiful sister?”
“What are you uneasy about?”
“I mean, won’t someone come and pick a fight? All sorts of men are bound to fall for beautiful women.”
He spoke confidently, even though it wasn’t his intention.
Geommugeuk smiled and said,
“My sisters are good at fighting, so it’s okay. Come on, let’s have some fun! By the way, since you’re buying it for me, why don’t you go buy it for me at the next bar?”
* * *
A group of warriors had set up camp in front of the Chujia Sword Gate.
They were none other than the martial arts alliance. They stood guard, surrounding the area on all sides, preventing anyone from entering or leaving.
A man arrived there, leading a detachment of warriors. The warriors all bowed their heads to them. The man leading the demon-exterminating force was none other than Jin Ha-gun, the leader of the So-Maeng-Ju.
“What happened?”
The martial arts leader of the Murim Alliance answered Jin Ha-gun’s question.
“The second son of the additional investigation is being held hostage by unidentified persons.”
Since the ordinary Jidan unmanned units couldn’t handle the situation, they urgently requested assistance from the Demon Squad. Fortunately, the Demon Squad was operating nearby.
“A hostage crisis in broad daylight? Who on earth?”
“It’s still unknown who it is.”
It means that you didn’t plan the perfect crime.
“It’s highly likely that they have a grudge.”
The demon warriors nodded, as if they shared Jin Ha’s thoughts. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have been taking hostages like this.
But there was one strange thing.
“Did you contact Maeng during the additional inspection from the beginning?”
The Additional Inspection Clan was a renowned and prestigious sect. With so many of their own masters, they likely wouldn’t have asked for help. Furthermore, I’ve heard the leader of the Additional Inspection Clan is known for his pride.
“It seems the rescue operation failed.”
“Further investigation failed?”
“The vassals barely managed to dissuade the Master from personally going to rescue him.”
The additional inspection he knew was from a sect with quite a few renowned masters. The fact that he failed despite this meant his opponent’s martial arts skills were quite advanced.
“It seems things are not going well since my son is being held hostage.”
Jin Ha-gun nodded at his subordinate’s report and asked again.
“What are their demands?”
“They said they asked for delicious food and drinks.”
“Drinks and food?”
Jin Ha-gun, of course, and even the warriors of the Demonic Squad, looked puzzled. Usually, when the Parakhos stage a hostage crisis, they demand food and drinks.
But they were so skilled that their rescue was impossible during further investigations, so they demanded food and drinks? Something about it felt a bit off.
“There’s an additional question.”
Chu Yeom, the second in command, walked towards Jin Ha-gun. The two exchanged polite greetings.
“Long time no see, So Myeong-ju.”
“Your Majesty.”
Because of the situation, Chuyeom’s complexion was not good.
“I’m sorry to see this happen.”
“Your son’s life or death is more important than that right now.”
Jin Ha-gun asked Chu-yeom cautiously.
“Is there anyone who deserves to be hated?”
Chuyeom shook his head.
“My sons, especially my second son, are truly intelligent and kind. He’s never been in an accident.”
In Jin Ha’s experience, when a child has an accident, he rarely sees parents who truly understand the kind of person they are. Therefore, their testimony is often of little help.
“Where are they?”
“They’ve taken control of the annex.”
“We’ll take care of it from now on.”
“Thank you.”
Jin Ha-gun led the Extermination Squad into the rear garden. As befitting the elite of the Murim Alliance, they moved silently.
After assigning the Extermination Squad’s warriors to secure the rear garden like an iron fortress, he led only a dozen or so Extermination Squad members into the building.
Even as they entered, there was no response from inside.
Jin Ha-gun, who had completely silenced himself, approached the window silently.
He peered inside through the small crack visible in the window.
I saw a young man kneeling in the distance. His face was swollen and battered. He was undoubtedly the second son of the additional investigation.
‘Fortunately, he’s not dead yet.’
I also saw some unmanned personnel lying on the ground. They must have been the experts in the additional search and rescue operation. They didn’t seem to be dead yet. There were no signs of those involved in the hostage situation.
‘I guess I’ll have to hurry.’
Jin Ha-gun gave instructions to his subordinates using a hand signal.
-Everyone enters at once.
The demon slayers, approaching through different windows, all nodded. One of them ducked into the ceiling.
Jin Ha-gun didn’t hesitate in his plan. As soon as his signal was given.
Crunch.
Jin Ha-gun and the Myeolma-dae warriors entered simultaneously through the door, window, and ceiling.
Shh …
A drone fell from the ceiling and wrapped itself around a man kneeling on the floor, pulling him back and shouting.
“We have secured the hostage!”
He should have already attacked before those words even came out.
But Jin Ha-gun remained unresponsive, staring blankly ahead. The other Demon Slayers stood there dumbfounded, their swords frozen in mid-air as they attempted to strike.
The demon warrior who came down from the ceiling to rescue the hostage belatedly looked forward.
‘omg.’
He too froze like a statue. A sight that would have made everyone freeze was unfolding before his eyes.
Two people were staring at me in front of me. The young man, holding a chicken leg in one hand and a glass of wine in the other, was someone I recognized.
It was the Sword Dance Theater.
Sword Dance Theater spoke to Jin Ha-gun with lips glistening with oil.
“Are you here?”
This is the first time I’ve seen him since Geommu-geuk stopped Cheon-sal-seong. I was wondering why he hadn’t contacted me since he should have.
Then, he staged a hostage situation, holding a chicken leg, and with that slick mouth, he said, “What? You’re here?”
I was so shocked and dumbfounded that at first I thought it was someone similar to me. I never imagined that the person taking the son of the additional investigator hostage would be Geommu-geuk.
But Ian was drinking before the sword dance. She, too, was lifting her leg and tearing it open.
Ian quickly put down the chicken leg, took a handkerchief from his bosom, and wiped his mouth.
Then he bowed politely to Jin Ha-gun.
Jin Ha-gun bowed to her and then turned around.
Chu-jung, the second in command, spoke with difficulty.
“……Please save me.”
Not only was his face swollen, several of his teeth were broken.
Jin Ha-gun looked at the sword dance again.
“It wasn’t me, it was Ian. He said he couldn’t stand it anymore. He didn’t think he’d ever get a chance to hit me again.”
When Geommu-geuk brought up the incident, Ian looked dumbfounded. She looked like she was saying, “No, you’re bringing up that? Even what I said?” but she couldn’t deny that she hadn’t hit him.
“It’s the same over there.”
A man was hanging on the back wall, like a piece of clothing hanging on a wall. To my surprise, it was Damho, the man I’d met at the inn. He, too, was bruised and with his head bowed.
Just looking at this appearance, it was truly the appearance of a male and female villain duo.
Just then, the door opened, and the lord, Chuyeom, entered. The demon warriors guarding the entrance followed him. They, too, were astonished by the situation inside.
Chuyeom ran to his son.
“Jung-ah. Are you okay?”
Chuyeom’s eyes grew cold as he saw his son’s face.
“What are you doing? Why don’t you catch them right now?”
Jin Ha-gun asked softly.
“What have you done?”
Chuyeom flinched.
Jinhagun wasn’t asking the question of the hostage-taker, but of his own son.
Chuyeom asked with a cold gaze.
“What are you doing now, Daeju?”
When we first greeted each other, he was called Somaengju, but now his title has changed to Daeju. This shows how much he is dissatisfied with the current situation.
How could Jin Ha-gun not know? What kind of people are those swordsmen and Ian? If they beat him like this, it means they really deserved it. Especially if Ian couldn’t stand it and beat him, it means he did something truly bad.
At that moment, the words of the swordsman were heard from behind.
“Even if you ask him, he’ll never tell you. He’s done something unspeakable.”
Chuyeom, who had been listening, suddenly shouted.
“Shut up! Who are you to say such things so carelessly?”
Ian took another handkerchief out of his bosom and handed it to Geommugeuk.
“Wipe your mouth first.”
“Thank you.”
Geommu-geuk wiped the grease from his mouth.
Chu-yeom was even more infuriated by this action. Who would dare do such a thing in front of him?
“You dared to take my son hostage and kill the additional investigators, and that is the crime of making enemies of the entire martial arts world!”
At that moment, Chuyeom’s eyes met Geommugeuk’s.
At that moment, Chuyeom’s heart sank. The words that had been about to spill out were silenced.
Even without a hint of murder or prayer, Geommugeuk overwhelmed his opponent with a single glance.
“You’re both wrong.”
“What?”
“First of all, all those people who came in earlier are alive.”
The nearby demon slayers examined the fallen. Indeed, just as the sword dance had said, they were all alive.
“No one was hurt, only Ma-hyeol and Ah-hyeol were subdued.”
Chuyeom’s expression hardened at the report from the Demon Squad’s unmanned troops. He knew full well that subduing them without harm would be far more difficult than killing them.
‘How on earth?’
You could kill them by surprise, but subduing the demonic powers of those masters? And without getting hurt? It was definitely not an easy task.
“I didn’t take your son hostage.”
The gaze of the swordsman turned towards Jin Ha-gun.
“We were just waiting for the Demon Slayer to come.”
Jin Ha-gun asked calmly.
“Why did you wait for me?”
As everyone watched, Geommugeuk answered with a serious face.
“Because you miss me?”
What the hell! Is this the time to be kidding? Jin Ha-gun’s eyes and expression were filled with that emotion. The demon slayers standing behind him, unfortunately, couldn’t see that expression, a sight they never normally get to see.
Eventually, the sword dance revealed the real reason.
“There was an incident that shook the martial arts world recently, right?”
In that moment, Jin Ha-gun’s expression hardened and the name of an organization was revealed.
“Tamibang (Admiring Beauty Group)!”
