Episode 887: That cult leader escaped that fate.
When Geommuyang returned to her quarters, someone was waiting in the courtyard.
The person sitting on a rock and gazing up at the moon was none other than Geommugeuk.
“Are you handling all the school affairs by yourself? Why are you so late?”
“What brings you here at this hour?”
“I came because I missed you. I have something to talk about.”
Geommuyang knew what her younger sibling was trying to say.
“You’re getting married?”
“Huh? How did you know?”
“Who wouldn’t know?”
“Anyway, this school has no secrets.”
The news of Geom Mu-geuk’s marriage was already the talk of the town at school.
Geom Mu-yang walked over and sat down right beside him. The fact that she came and sat down without being asked—an action that would have been taken for granted by siblings in other families—moved Geom Mu-geuk deeply. It meant that he and his brother had now become this close and comfortable with each other.
“Sorry for cutting in line.”
“It’s okay. I have no intention of getting married.”
“I used to be like that, too.”
Geommuyang looked at Geommugeuk.
“When I came to my senses, I found myself saying, ‘Please give your daughter to me.'”
Geommu-yang laughed at Geommu-geuk’s joke.
“You’ll do well in married life, too.”
“Really?”
“You’ll be a good husband and a good father.”
Geommugeuk’s gaze, which had been fixed on the night sky, turned toward Geommuyang.
“I think you would make a really good father. I’m not sure about a good husband, though.”
Geommuyang looked at Geommugeuk with a look that asked why he was thinking such a thing.
“You look exactly like your father, don’t you?”
“Does he really resemble his father?” Mabul always told himself. He said that it was he, not Geom Mu-geuk, who resembled the Cult Leader. Come to think of it, the Leader of the Murim Alliance, Jin Pae-cheon, had said the same thing.
“Do you also think I really take after my father?”
Geommugeuk nodded.
“I think if you keep growing old like this, you’ll become exactly like Father.”
“Father would hate to hear that.”
“He’ll probably like it. I tell you all the time. No one can stop my father’s love for his eldest son.”
A faint smile formed on Geommuyang’s lips.
“You need to get married too so we can shower you with grandchildren. You won’t be able to draw your sword while holding grandchildren in both hands, will you?”
“Then he’ll fight using the Sword-Energy Technique while holding his grandchildren.”
This time, Geommugeuk laughed at Geommuyang’s joke. It felt good to have a conversation like this with his brother for the first time in a long while.
Since sitting in silence didn’t feel awkward anymore, they watched the moon together for quite a while.
You must be tired, so get some rest. I’m off.
As Geommu-geuk was about to leave, Geommu-yang called out from behind him.
“Geuk-ah.”
It was the first time he had called himself Geuk-ah since he was a kid.
Congratulations.
Geommugeuk turned his head. Under the moonlight, his brother looked more dependable than ever.
“Thanks, brother.”
* * *
When Geommugeuk visited, the Pungcheon Sect Leader was packing his bags.
Where are you going?
When Geommugeuk asked in surprise, Pungcheon Gyoju gave an unexpected answer.
“I’m thinking of going on a solo trip. Don’t worry. I’ll be back before your wedding.”
“Alone?”
“Then I’m alone.”
The Pungcheon sect leader’s grudge exploded.
“You said it, didn’t you? That the three of us—Gowol, Gowol, and I—would go on a trip someday.”
“I remember.”
“Gowol can’t go because she’s busy, and you can’t go because you have to get married soon. What can I do? I’ll have to go alone.”
Actually, I was planning to visit the Hero Inn. It’s the name he gave me, so of course I should go.
“By the way, what brings you here?”
“I came to see you to ask for a favor.”
A truly unexpected remark came from Geommugeuk.
Please officiate at my wedding.
Pungcheon Gyoju was startled. He was so surprised that he thought he had misheard.
“Me?”
“Yes, please do it, Elder.”
“There are plenty of Demon Lords you’re close with besides me, aren’t there?”
Pungcheon Gyoju expected that if Geommugeuk asked him to officiate, he would ask Hyeolcheon Doma.
“Did you perhaps ask Blood Heaven Daoist and get refused?”
“No. I did not speak to Elder Daoist. This is my first request to the Cult Leader.”
Pungcheon Gyoju felt both moved and puzzled by the fact that he was the first to come to him.
“Why me?”
“Is there a reason why it cannot be done? Didn’t you tell me to give Father a grandchild and stop the unification of the martial arts world?”
Yes, I definitely said that to Geom Mugeuk before.
“I am doing exactly as the Cult Leader instructed. I am marrying because of you. If I regret this later, you must take responsibility.”
“What kind of nonsense is that! And how can someone who has never even been married officiate a wedding?”
“Martial artists are not bound by general laws and etiquette. Didn’t Master Doma officiate at the wedding of the Lord of the Underworld Pavilion the other day?”
“Well, that was between master and disciple.”
“But aren’t you my master, too?”
I had decided to treat him as my master within the Space-Time Illusion Technique. However, I considered that to be nothing more than a joke.
“Thanks to the Space-Time Illusion Technique and the Heaven-Time Secret Technique, I was able to kill the Heavenly Killer Star. Not only that, but I also overcame several other crises.”
Geommugeuk expressed his gratitude to the Pungcheon sect leader.
Just like Madam Kwon, the Cult Leader is my master.
“Only within the Space-Time Illusion Technique!” Even though this condition was not met, the Pungcheon Sect Leader was deeply moved upon hearing the word “Master.” Fearing
that his emotion might be discovered, the Pungcheon Sect Leader cast a suspicious glance for no reason.
“Tell me the truth. What are your ulterior motives?”
“The Cult Leader abandoned everything to come to me.”
“Well, I came not because of you, but because of Gowol.”
“You also gave me precious sacred artifacts without hesitation.”
“And you gave them to me because Gowol ordered it.”
“And you fought the Heavenly Killer Star for our sect.”
“Because if that line were breached, Gowol would die.”
Geommugeuk smiled and said.
“That is why. You are such a wonderful person who does everything that others would find difficult to do even one thing for, yet never makes a big deal out of it.”
“!”
A deeper sense of emotion crossed the face of the Pungcheon Sect Leader. He felt better hearing such words from Geom Mugeuk than from anyone else.
Just as you gave a name to Brother Evil, please give me a beginning as well, Master. I respect you, Master.
Since even respect was shown, how could I refuse?
“That’s good. I’ll stand by.”
“Thank you.”
Geommugeuk bowed his head in gratitude.
The Pungcheon Sect Leader immediately rushed to Eunwol.
He called Gowol out and started boasting.
“The Young Cult Leader asked me to officiate his wedding. He said he respects me!”
Gowol smiled as he watched Pungcheon Gyoju, who was overjoyed as if he were about to fly.
“Are you that happy?”
“Of course. It’s not just anyone’s wedding; it’s the Young Sect Leader’s, isn’t it? Representatives from both the Orthodox and Evil Sects will surely attend; it will truly be a wedding attended by the entire martial arts world. And I’m going to be the officiant for that marriage.”
Gowol knew the real reason he was happy.
“Isn’t it because the Pungcheon Sect Leader is coming from outside?”
“!”
His disciple So Baek-ta, the leader of the Pungcheon Sect of that era, will surely be invited to come as well.
“You don’t want to show him, do you?”
Even if it wasn’t the Pungcheon Sect Leader, he couldn’t say a word. How deeply would his pride be hurt if he saw his master, who had abandoned everything and left, sitting among people watching a wedding with absolutely no presence? It would hurt both him and his disciple.
“Yeah, you bastard! I just wanted to show you that I’m not dead yet.”
Gowol smiled and said to him.
“Cult Leader.”
“What is it?”
“I consider this a success.”
“Success in what?” “
I couldn’t become the Young Cult Leader’s right-hand man, but at least I escaped the fate of that Cult Leader from back then.”
“The same goes for you. Since the organization you created has blatantly infiltrated the main headquarters of the Heavenly Demon Cult, you have escaped that shackle from back then. I consider this a success!”
The two people looked at each other and laughed loudly in a good mood.
“This isn’t the time for this. What should I wear? I’ve gained some weight lately, haven’t I? Should I get a new formal suit made?”
* * *
Finally, the day before the wedding arrived.
Maga Village was packed with guests from all over the Central Plains. All the inns were full, and the Shingyo provided temporary lodging for those who had not yet found a place to sleep.
To prevent any unpleasant incidents from occurring, the Demon Lord personally stepped forward to manage everything. Thanks to this, everyone controlled their anger well, and there were no unpleasant incidents.
There are so many people, I’m not sure if I’ll be able to see properly.
The person who spoke with concern was Jo Chun-bae’s wife, Yang In.
“I have to go, even if I’m just watching from afar. Whose wedding is it that I wouldn’t go?”
The two of them had even bought new clothes to attend the wedding tomorrow.
At that moment, one of the guests who was listening suddenly spoke up.
“You guys are attending too?”
It was time for the tavern to close, so only the last few guests remained. I let my guard down and spoke, and they had heard me.
The two people present were wedding guests who had traveled from afar: Xing Suyin, the leader of the Iron Claw Sect (a follower of the Heavenly Demon Cult), and his son, Xing Da.
It was the son, Xing Da, who had just spoken.
“How could a bar owner do that? Is that even possible?”
Jo Chun-bae politely explained to him.
“He said that the residents of Magachon are free to attend the wedding tomorrow.”
“Who?”
“The warriors of Hwangcheongak came and informed us in person.”
Hyung-dae’s face hardened.
So what? You’re going just because they told you to?
He wore a look of complete incomprehension. Just then, his father, Hyung So-in, who was with him, stopped his son.
“Daeya, stop it.”
“Isn’t that right? Does the tavern owner know what kind of place that is before going there?”
Although he tried to dissuade his son, Hyeongsoin secretly shared the same sentiment. If the tavern owner was going to attend the wedding so freely, it felt as though their invitation was losing its significance. After all, they had boasted so much to everyone around them about being invited.
This was what the residents of Magachon were worried about.
Not only were the crowds too large to see properly, but they were also afraid of getting into a fight with the warriors if they went for no reason. They
were already getting into arguments like this before even arriving.
Jo Chun-bae bowed his head. At times like this, one should not needlessly go on and on. Although he bowed his head apologizing for his wrongdoing, Hyeong-dae persistently demanded an answer.
“So, are you saying you’re going or not?”
Jo Chun-bae was at a loss for what to do, as it would be a disaster if he refused to go and ran into them there. Just then, someone spoke from behind him.
The host will be attending.
The person who entered was a sword dance.
“Young Master!”
At the mention of the young sect leader, the two men of Cheoljomun suddenly stood up from their seats.
Jo Chun-bae was surprised because he did not expect Geommugeuk to visit this place the day before the wedding.
“What brings you here?”
“I came because I wanted to see the owner’s face. I also have something to give you.”
“You must be busy preparing for the wedding.”
“What could I be busy about? It is the people preparing who are busy and exhausted. Oh, the bride couldn’t come today because she is busy. She asked me to tell you she is sorry she couldn’t come with her.”
“Oh my, such a thing.”
Geommugeuk also greeted Jo Chun-bae’s wife.
“Have you been well, Madam?”
“I greet the Young Master.”
Yang-in’s eyes were filled with deep emotion and gratitude as she watched the sword dance. It was the Young Cult Leader who had saved her husband and family. And in her husband’s life, the Young Cult Leader was the greatest source of pride.
After exchanging greetings, Geom Mu-geuk looked at Hyung So-in and Hyung Dae. They were hanging their heads, barely able to breathe. Did they make a mistake with someone the Young Sect Leader knew while attending his wedding?
It was obvious at first glance that it was no ordinary relationship. If he had run his mouth, he had run it completely wrong.
I will make you a blood sacrifice for the wedding tomorrow!
The moment such words were spoken, it was death. Furthermore, the entire family could have been annihilated.
“I like the people of Magachon. I especially like the owner here the most.”
Hyung-dae said in a trembling voice.
“I am sorry. I failed to recognize you as a distinguished person and made a mistake.”
Geom Mu-geuk spoke to him with a stern gaze. He could have spoken softly, but for his sake, he revealed a cold demonic aura as he spoke.
“This martial arts world is a place where a single mistake can cost you a life. Today’s mistake isn’t quite that serious, but on unlucky days, even a more trivial error can cost you your life. Someday, when your thoughtless mouth itches, be sure to remember this moment.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
The prisoner respectfully bowed his head to express his gratitude.
Thank you for your mercy.
Geommu-geuk sent a telepathic message to him.
“―I should have stopped him earlier and more strongly.
―I am sorry. It was my oversight.
―If you raise him like this, you will eventually lose your precious child. Use today’s incident as an opportunity to educate him properly.
―I will keep that in mind, Young Master.”
Hyung-dae apologized to Jo Chun-bae.
“Innkeeper, please forgive my rudeness.”
“No, no. I am fine.”
After the two of them politely greeted Geommugeuk, they left the place.
Jo Chun-bae and Yang-in looked at each other. This is why they respected the Young Sect Leader. He was a considerate person who handled matters smoothly so that they would not suffer any harm.
Geommugeuk looked around the interior of the Pungnyu Tavern as if nothing had happened.
The newly built interior was certainly more spacious and clean.
“The interior was built exactly as it used to be.”
From the location of the kitchen to the placement of the tables, the space has been decorated to recreate the original appearance as much as possible.
“I did that because it was comfortable for me. Most of the people who visit my place are regulars, too.”
There was something else that remained the same.
There is a seat for the Young Master on the third floor over there.
Originally, the seat of the Junior Sect Leader was on this floor. It was the seat given when the Sect Leader or the Demon Lords visited, but now that seat has been moved to the third floor.
Geom Mu-geuk went up to the third floor. Jo Chun-bae followed him up. Yang-in packed some alcohol and simple snacks and followed him up, fearing that the Young Sect Leader might have a drink there.
On the third floor, only two tables were prepared: one small one and one large one.
“We aren’t accepting customers here at all.”
“You don’t have to go to such lengths. Owner, you need to do business.”
Jo Chun-bae smiled faintly and said.
“To be honest, I am running out of strength now and do not have the capacity to run business on the third floor. Even if I hired more staff, I would have to pay more attention to it myself. So, I have made this space exclusively for the Young Master.”
Come to think of it, Jo Chun-bae had a lot more white hair than when I first saw him.
“Don’t you want to retire now and rest comfortably?”
“There is a saying among business people. They say that if someone who has worked their whole life suddenly stops working, they start getting sick and eventually die. For me, working is resting. In fact, I don’t even know how to rest. Oh, by the way, I will rest well tomorrow. And after the ceremony, I’ll go on an outing with my wife.”
Geommugeuk took a red envelope out of his pocket and handed it over.
Here, take this. I came to give you this.
Jo Chun-bae was startled when he checked what was inside. It was an official wedding invitation to Geommugeuk’s wedding.
“If you show this to the shaman at the entrance, they will guide you to a seat at the front where you can see the ceremony well. I have already informed them, so the shamans from our school will take good care of our host and his wife tomorrow.”
“Oh dear! This is a task that we, of our humble status, cannot handle.”
Jo Chun-bae and Yang In were flustered and didn’t know what to do.
“How can you call me lowly? You are such a precious person to me, Master.”
Jo Chun-bae gazed at the sword dance with eyes full of emotion. What merit on earth did he accumulate in his past life to receive such blessings?
Do you know? Thanks to you, the young master, the later years of my life are shining the brightest.
Geommugeuk filled three cups with the wine brought by Yangin.
Well, I’ll be busy tomorrow, so I won’t be able to properly greet both of you.
Geommugeuk raised his wine glass and spoke.
Let’s have a celebratory drink in advance.
