Jo Chun-bae once again looked at the Eight Demon Sovereigns standing in the street in front of the Tavern.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon stood tall in the center with a great blade at his side, while the Plum Blossom Sword Sovereign and the Drunken Demon stood on either side of him, conversing.
Beside them, the Poison King was squatting, looking at something, and the Demon Buddha was looking down at it with him.
The Evil Heart Laughing Demon was perched on the edge of the roof.
He always preferred to be alone and liked high places.
The Soul-Devouring Demon Sovereign was looking up at the Evil Heart Laughing Demon.
Being young, she couldn't easily mingle with the other Demon Sovereigns, so her gaze seemed to suggest she might be feeling a sense of kinship with him.
The Fist Demon, in charge of security for the day, stood with his two large fists hanging at his sides, watching the marketplace.
He was wearing the gauntlet given to him by Geom Mugeuk as a gift.
The eight Demon Sovereigns who protect the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect, a scene he could boast about to his customers for years to come, was etched into Jo Chun-bae's mind like a painting.
Jo Chun-bae wasn't the only one looking at the Eight Demon Sovereigns.
The merchants in the marketplace were watching, and among them stood the Division Lords.
It was a first for the Division Lords as well.
To be mobilized and stand guard like ordinary martial artists.
These were men who couldn't even remember the last time they had stood watch.
Suddenly, a feeling of longing surged in Jo Chun-bae's heart.
The one person who had made such a sight possible.
‘Young Cult Master, where are you? I miss you.’
*
My father chose his most splendid clothes to wear for this meeting.
The key feature of these clothes was on the back.
An image of the Heavenly Demon Soul, its back turned, was drawn there.
Clothes that made it seem as if the Heavenly Demon Soul was also walking when my father walked.
It was truly a garment that proclaimed, "I am the Heavenly Demon, Geom Woojin."
I made eye contact with my father, who was changing, in the bronze mirror.
"You look your absolute best today."
Today's protagonist is not me, not Jo Chun-bae, not the Martial Alliance Leader, and not the Unorthodox Alliance Leader.
The protagonist of today, in my opinion, is my father.
But it seems my father thinks that protagonist is me.
"Well, you've gathered everyone as you wished. What do you plan to do now?"
"As I wished?"
"Was it my wish, then?"
"Of course. Why would the two Alliance Leaders come? They're coming because they want to see you, Father."
My father in the mirror scoffed at me.
Father, you should see your expression right now.
Is it really okay to scoff at someone so openly?
Of course, I absolutely love this unique scoff of my father's.
It's the moment my banter gets through, and it's also his answer.
This scoff can be interpreted in many ways.
Sometimes it means 'You're being cheeky,' other times 'Is that really so?', and even 'Don't be ridiculous.' And like now, 'What a shameless rascal.'
My father turned towards me.
"Let's go. If you've invited guests, you should go and wait for them first."
For today, I refrained from bantering and quietly followed behind my father.
The fearsome back of the Heavenly Demon Soul drawn on his back.
Looking at it, which resembled my father's back, I grew curious about my own Heavenly Demon Soul.
On the day my Nine Calamities Demon Art reaches Great Mastery, what form will my Heavenly Demon Soul manifest in?
My older brother, Geom Muyang, was waiting in front of our residence.
My father's gaze towards my brother was gentle.
He must be proud that he is joining us on a day like today.
"Father, please look at me with the same gaze you're giving my brother right now."
Father didn't answer and strode forward.
My brother and I followed, one on each side.
"Our father, who only loves his eldest son, this is too much."
I expected him to ignore me, of course.
"When he was young, your brother once had a fever."
Both my brother and I were startled.
It was the first time our father had ever said such a thing.
"At the time, the Demon Doctor was away on business. I held your brother and rushed to him using the Heavenly Demon Flying Technique."
So that's when my brother started acting strange! I wanted to joke, but I held it back.
My brother was listening to our father's words with a very surprised and tense expression.
If I was this surprised, how much more so must my brother be?
"Fortunately, the fever went down right away. The Demon Doctor laughed, saying it wasn't serious enough to rush over like that."
Even this perfect man had moments of clumsiness.
In front of his sick child, he was not the Heavenly Demon, but a father.
These were words I would have never heard if I hadn't regressed and changed our relationship.
My father added one more thing.
"So I feel sorry, in a way."
Because the firstborn is often the one who experiences all the trials and errors of child-rearing.
My brother said nothing and quietly followed behind our father.
I could feel him suppressing a surge of intense emotion.
I had a feeling my brother would never forget the words our father spoke today.
Yes, the reason my brother is enduring so well is thanks to our father.
"What about me? Did I ever have a fever?"
"You did. Yours was burning even hotter."
"Then you must have run even faster."
A faint smile touched my father's lips.
This smile wasn't a scoff, but one of reminiscence for that time long ago.
"I stripped you naked and wiped you down with lukewarm water to bring the fever down."
"That's too much!"
Did my father, walking ahead, laugh? I had the illusion that the Heavenly Demon Soul on his back was smiling.
All the way to Demon Family Village, the image of my father running while holding my brother, and the image of him wiping my body with a cloth soaked in lukewarm water to bring down my fever, came to mind.
Yes, we've come this far.
With each step we take closer, we'll be able to hear another story.
In the distance, I could see the Flowing Wine Tavern.
*
The Evil Heart Laughing Demon on the roof leaped lightly to the ground.
The Poison King, who had been squatting and lost in thought, shot up from his spot.
The two who seemed like they would never emerge from their own worlds were the first to move, and the remaining Demon Sovereigns parted to either side and looked towards the end of the street.
Jo Chun-bae was so curious he couldn't bear it.
So he came out of the kitchen and peeked outside.
‘Gasp!’
At the end of the street, Geom Woojin was walking towards them.
Behind him, the Young Cult Master and the First Young Master followed like wings spread out on either side.
‘The Cult Master really is attending!’
A shocked Jo Chun-bae froze on the spot.
He wished someone would pick up his petrified self and carry him into the kitchen.
The reason his feet wouldn't move was that he couldn't just duck back inside after seeing the Cult Master approaching.
As Geom Woojin drew near, the Demon Sovereigns cupped their fists in unison and paid their respects.
"We greet the Cult Master."
Their voices became one, ringing out powerfully.
The merchants who had been watching from outside had already gone back inside their buildings.
In the marketplace, the Division Lords stood in a line at regular intervals, their heads bowed, with Jang Ho at the very front.
"Everyone, be at ease."
Geom Woojin's low but heavy voice echoed to the end of the marketplace.
All the Division Lords who had been bowing raised their heads, looking valiant.
"Now, let's go inside."
Geom Woojin led the way in, and the Demon Sovereigns followed him.
By the entrance, Jo Chun-bae was prostrated on the floor.
Geom Woojin recognized him.
"Rise."
"If I had known the Cult Master was coming, I would have prepared with even greater care."
Just then, Geom Mugeuk spoke up from behind.
"Does that mean you didn't do your best? Innkeeper, my father may be one person, but there are eight sovereigns here."
A flustered Jo Chun-bae habitually waved his hands in denial.
"No, that's not what I meant."
Then he startled again and quickly bowed his head.
To wave one's hands in front of the Cult Master.
He had done something for which it wouldn't have been strange at all to hear someone say, 'Someone must cut off those disrespectful hands!'
Geom Woojin looked back at Geom Mugeuk as if he were pathetic.
You want to tease the innkeeper in a situation like this?
Seizing the opportunity, the other Demon Sovereigns also looked at Geom Mugeuk.
A unanimous downpour of reproachful gazes.
"No, I was just trying to ease the tension. You're all too much! In front of Father, you all abandon me without a second thought!"
Of course, could that really be the case?
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon's gaze, which had been frosty all this time, now said 'Oh, you rascal!', and the Evil Heart Laughing Demon's eyes were smiling from behind his mask.
The Drunken Demon's gaze that said, 'You've already spread the rumor about Yeo Bin, haven't you?', the Poison King's gaze that showed he would never retreat into his own world in front of Father, the Fist Demon's stern gaze that said 'No jokes today', the Soul-Devouring Demon Sovereign's gaze as the first of the next generation of sovereigns, the Plum Blossom Sword Sovereign's soft yet intense gaze, and even the Demon Buddha's unyielding gaze that was directed at my brother, not me.
The Fist Demon guided Geom Woojin to the second floor.
"This way up."
Geom Woojin took one of the three seats on the second floor.
Watching the Fist Demon come back down, Jo Chun-bae was inwardly puzzled.
‘Why isn't anyone else going up? If it's not the Demon Sovereigns, then who is he meeting?’
He couldn't even begin to imagine that the other party was the Martial Alliance Leader or the Unorthodox Alliance Leader.
How could he possibly imagine it? That such a momentous meeting would be held in his own Tavern.
The Demon Sovereigns stood on the first floor.
Not a single one sat down.
Moreover, they didn't scatter but gathered in one corner.
‘Just who is coming?’
Just then, a person entered the Tavern.
Seeing the person who entered, Jo Chun-bae was startled.
It was the old man he had seen that morning.
Standing near the entrance, he rushed over to the old man.
"Old sir, I told you not today, why did you come? Please leave, quickly."
All eyes turned to Jo Chun-bae in surprise.
Jo Chun-bae looked around at the Demon Sovereigns and said.
"No, no. This person had an appointment at our Tavern today. There was a slight misunderstanding."
While saying this, he quickly whispered to the old man.
"Please leave quickly. Everyone here is very frightening."
Only then did Jo Chun-bae see.
The martial artists lined up behind the old man.
They were staring at him with cold eyes.
"Aigoo!"
A startled Jo Chun-bae staggered backward.
Having run a Tavern, Jo Chun-bae had seen all sorts of martial artists.
The people lined up behind the old man now were not just masters.
An indescribable, yes, he felt from them the same overwhelming presence he felt when he saw the Demon Sovereigns.
Surprised, Jo Chun-bae looked at the old man again.
The old man's ordinary clothes were now splendid and luxurious.
On his chest, an ascending azure dragon coiled around the two characters for ‘Righteous Hero’.
Not only had his clothes changed, but his aura was different too.
The old man exuded an absolute dignity and grace that overwhelmed the masters behind him, and his piercing eyes were those of a true tiger.
"Didn't I say we'd see each other later?"
Jo Chun-bae answered with a trembling voice.
"You are the one attending the meeting today."
Geom Mugeuk, who had been watching, stepped forward and spoke.
"This is the Martial Alliance Leader."
Jo Chun-bae's eyes widened.
The words 'Martial Alliance Leader' sounded so foreign.
Martial Alliance Leader? The leader of the Righteous Path's Martial Alliance? Why is the Martial Alliance Leader here? Has a war broken out? Am I dreaming?
"I invited the Alliance Leader to the Flowing Wine Tavern."
Too stunned, Jo Chun-bae could only stand there with his mouth agape, speechless.
Geom Mugeuk slowly walked over and greeted Jin Pae-cheon first.
"You've worked hard coming all this way."
"Not at all. It's been a while since I've been in this region, so the journey was enjoyable."
"This is the proprietor I mentioned to you earlier."
Jo Chun-bae's heart pounded as if it would burst.
He had mentioned him to the Martial Alliance Leader? And now he was introducing him?
"Innkeeper."
Even with the Martial Alliance Leader standing before him, Geom Mugeuk looked at Jo Chun-bae with a calm gaze.
A gentle energy spread from Geom Mugeuk's body and enveloped Jo Chun-bae.
At that, Jo Chun-bae felt his frantically pounding heart begin to calm down.
As if saving his life and his family's wasn't enough, he was holding the Demonic-Righteous meeting at his Tavern?
For the first time, Jo Chun-bae wished he could use telepathy.
Would he be able to convey this incredibly intense gratitude later?
"We're counting on your skills, innkeeper."
Jo Chun-bae nodded vigorously.
Jin Pae-cheon said to Geom Mugeuk.
"When I met the innkeeper earlier, I could see why you chose this Tavern."
He was the Martial Alliance Leader who had been scolded by Jo Chun-bae.
To not be so confrontational and for the adult to go and apologize first.
"Once you've had the wine and food, you'll understand completely."
Jin Pae-cheon went up to the second floor.
He declined the Fist Demon's offer to guide him and went up alone.
Among the martial artists who came with him were Jin Ha-gun and Jin Ha-ryeong.
I wanted to banter with them, but since it was an official meeting, I just silently cupped my fist.
Jin Ha-ryeong, in particular, immediately felt her mood lift upon seeing Geom Mugeuk.
There was a thrill that only Geom Mugeuk could give.
Who in the world could stand in front of the Martial Alliance Leader just to introduce a tavern keeper?
Behind them were seven masters, carefully selected from the Martial Alliance.
There was an old master with a full head of white hair, and also a young master who looked to be in his thirties.
They were the greatest masters of the Righteous Path, both past and present, whose names everyone would recognize.
These were people who could be honest with their feelings even in front of the Demon Sovereigns, and one of them wore a blatantly displeased expression.
The Great Righteous Hero, Lim Sang-gon.
He was displeased that Mugeuk had taken care of Jo Chun-bae in front of the Martial Alliance Leader.
Why would he introduce some tavern keeper in the first place? It was as if he was looking down on them.
As he glared at Geom Mugeuk, a cold gaze shot towards him.
It was the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.
A clear warning was contained in his gaze.
How dare you send such a look to the Young Cult Master?
At that, the old man next to the Great Righteous Hero glared at the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.
The Taiyi Divine Sword, Jin Gwang.
A master of swordsmanship who had dominated the previous generation's martial world with a single sword.
Filthy Demon Sect bastards.
He too plainly revealed his feelings on his face.
This time, the Plum Blossom Sword Sovereign stared coldly at him.
As both were people heading towards the ultimate state of swordsmanship, it was only natural that they were conscious of each other.
Jo Chun-bae was not watching this silent war of nerves.
As if mesmerized, he was watching Jin Pae-cheon slowly make his way up to the second floor.
Even though Jin Pae-cheon revealed no aura, as he stepped onto the second floor, Jo Chun-bae could feel the air on the first and second floors change.
‘The Demonic-Righteous meeting is being held in my Tavern! In my Tavern!’
Jo Chun-bae was so happy he felt like he could faint.
He calmed his heart and took a deep breath.
Now was the time to show his greatest skill.
Just as he was about to head to the kitchen, Jo Chun-bae spun around and looked up at the second floor.
His eye was caught by the one remaining seat.
‘Huh? Then what's that seat for?’