The wedding hall was transformed into a banquet hall.
Musicians took their places and began to play lively tunes in earnest.
The platform where the ceremony had been held was cleared away, and a stage was set up in its place.
Dancers came onto the stage and danced to the music.
They were the most skilled dancers, prepared especially for this day.
All the chefs of the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect and those who worked in the kitchen came out, carrying tables laden with wine and food.
The procession was endless.
A separate area was prepared for the Cult Master, the Alliance Leader, the Palace Master, and the masters who had accompanied them, while another area was set up a little farther away for the regular guests.
Enough wine and food were prepared to fill the Grand Martial Arts Arena, allowing everyone in attendance to enjoy the banquet.
Geom Woojin and the Fist Demon finally greeted Jin Pae-cheon, Baek Ja-gang, Han Seo-gyeong, and So Baek-ta.
Geom Woojin first greeted Jin Pae-cheon, whose attendance must have been the most burdensome in many ways.
“Thank you for coming.”
“Of course, I had to come.”
The fact that only one carriage had arrived hinted at how difficult his journey must have been.
“Congratulations, Cult Master Geom.”
“Thank you.”
“Congratulations, Fist Demon Sovereign.”
“Thank you, Alliance Leader.”
For today, Jin Pae-cheon decided to forget about Geom Woojin’s ambition to unify the Martial World.
He was truly here today purely to offer his congratulations.
“Your son has indeed found a beautiful spouse.”
“She is a child whose heart is as outstanding as her looks.”
“Are you already boasting about your daughter-in-law?”
Geom Woojin smiled at Jin Pae-cheon’s joke.
Baek Ja-gang, who was listening from the side, said with a laugh.
“With a daughter-in-law like that, isn’t she worth boasting about?”
And so, Baek Ja-gang also naturally exchanged greetings.
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you for coming.”
He had come with five carriages packed with the masters representing the Unorthodox Alliance.
Just as Jin Pae-cheon had come with a single carriage despite the political burden, Baek Ja-gang had also shown the utmost respect.
So Baek-ta found the sight of the leaders of the Righteous, Demonic, and Unorthodox Sects conversing so informally to be very unfamiliar.
Looking at this scene alone, one could believe they were martial artists from the same organization talking.
Han Seo-gyeong added a word to Geom Woojin’s praise of his daughter-in-law.
“As you all know, the bride is my niece.”
Geom Woojin praised the Northern Sea Ice Palace with kind words.
“How could the snow-like clarity and purity of the Ice Palace’s grace be diminished?”
Geom Woojin was not normally the type to say such things just to please the other person, but today was an exception.
Not only was it Lee Ahn’s family, but the Northern Sea Ice Palace had also traveled that long road, leading so many masters.
Han Seo-gyeong smiled at Geom Woojin’s words.
She had been worried that Lee Ahn might be treated poorly for being a former escort, but upon arriving, she realized there was no need for such concerns.
Waaaaah!
Just then, a cheer was heard from afar.
When Geom Mugeuk and Lee Ahn, having changed their clothes, arrived, people swarmed to them.
As she had felt during the wedding, this was not just a formal cheer of celebration.
They were shouting out of genuine joy.
“Don’t any of you leave! You have to meet me before you go! You can’t just leave!”
At Geom Mugeuk’s characteristic shout, not only the Alliance Leaders but also his friends and the Eight Demon Sovereigns all laughed.
It would take a while for that chatterbox to meet all those people and make his way here.
The first people Geom Mugeuk attended to were the residents of Demon Family Village, including Jo Chun-bae.
“Thank you for coming.”
“Thank you so much for inviting us.”
All the residents of Demon Family Village had come to congratulate Geom Mugeuk.
It was the first time in their lives they had attended such a grand wedding, and the first time they had seen so many great people at once.
Their respect for Geom Mugeuk was already deep, but to be invited to such a place, their feelings were beyond words.
They would probably talk about and boast of today’s wedding until the day they died.
“Now, everyone, come here and taste the cooking of our Main Sect’s chefs.”
Geom Mugeuk led them to a table.
If he didn’t do this, they would be too conscious of the demonic practitioners to even touch the wine and food there.
So, he had an entire long table set aside for the residents of Demon Family Village.
“Now, let’s all have a drink!”
He poured drinks for all of them and received a drink from Jo Chun-bae.
“Congratulations on your marriage!”
After emptying his cup, Geom Mugeuk didn’t forget to make a joke.
“Even if the food served here is not as tasty as our innkeeper’s cooking, you must not show it on your faces. You know why. The chefs are watching from hiding, and that person with the displeased expression!”
Geom Mugeuk feigned a scary expression and drew his hand across his neck.
Everyone burst into laughter at his joke.
It was an awkward and intimidating occasion, but Geom Mugeuk’s joke eased their tension.
“Now, eat and enjoy the performance. They said they prepared many performances today, so look forward to it.”
The residents of Demon Family Village watched the performance.
It was the first time they had seen such beautiful music and performances.
Jo Chun-bae wiped away a tear.
“Why are you crying?”
“It’s nothing, it’s just the first time in my life I’ve seen such a magnificent performance.”
Was that truly the reason?
He was crying again out of gratitude for Geom Mugeuk, who was taking care of them like this.
“Watch the whole performance before you go.”
Geom Mugeuk held Jo Chun-bae’s hand.
Unlike his usual awe-struck self, today Jo Chun-bae held Geom Mugeuk’s hand tightly.
Then, belatedly, he cried out, “Oh!”
His thin, warm hand scurried away in surprise.
The next person Geom Mugeuk and Lee Ahn attended to was Seo Daeryong.
“Young Cult Master!”
“Underworld Pavilion Lord.”
As countless eyes were focused on them, Seo Daeryong, offering his congratulations, acted with dignity.
In his heart, he wanted to run up and embrace him.
You know I’m the senior in this field, right?
He wanted to congratulate him with all sorts of playful boasts.
“Congratulations, Young Cult Master.”
“Thank you.”
Beside Seo Daeryong stood his wife, Dan-ah, holding their son.
Geom Mugeuk went over and held the child in his arms.
“Yeong-ha, your father is a truly wonderful person, indispensable to our Main Sect. So you, too, must grow up strong and healthy! Take after your mother in looks, and your father in brains! Got it?”
Seo Daeryong was already overflowing with emotion, but for Geom Mugeuk to say such things in front of everyone, he was truly moved.
Seo Daeryong’s sisters-in-law, Dan-bi and Dan-yeon, also offered their congratulations.
“Congratulations, Young Cult Master!”
Geom Mugeuk said to the youngest, Dan-yeon.
“At least for today, aren’t I more handsome than my father?”
When they first met, Dan-yeon had said Geom Woojin was the most handsome.
Dan-yeon looked towards Geom Woojin in the distance.
Ah!
The look in her eyes, as if she were being drawn in, already answered for her.
“You’re too much, youngest sister-in-law.”
Dan-yeon said with a smile.
“For today, our Young Cult Master is the most handsome!”
Jang Ho, who was standing next to them, congratulated them with a polite fist-in-palm salute.
“My sincerest congratulations.”
Lee Ahn gave Jang Ho a look.
Let’s definitely have our drinking party!
Jang Ho smiled and nodded.
Of course, it would be difficult in reality.
Lee Ahn, the Ghost Shadow Branch Master, and Lee Ahn, the Young Cult Master’s wife, would lead completely different lives.
“Lord Jang, be sure to paint a picture of our wedding today.”
“I understand.”
Geom Mugeuk and Lee Ahn next met with Ak Gun-hak and Cha Iran.
Cha Iran said to the two of them.
“Thank you.”
Instead of congratulations, she said thank you.
The quick-witted Lee Ahn immediately understood why she had said thank you.
Their marriage must have brought a decisive change to the two’s relationship.
So, it was Lee Ahn who congratulated Cha Iran instead.
“Congratulations!”
“It’s thanks to you.”
How could Geom Mugeuk not know what that meant?
Geom Mugeuk whispered into Ak Gun-hak’s ear.
“Is it okay to just decide like this?”
Ak Gun-hak also whispered into Geom Mugeuk’s ear.
“Who was it that turned a person who wanted to quietly run an inn by himself into this?”
“I didn’t think you’d actually do it just because I told you to.”
Is this guy crazy?
Just as Ak Gun-hak was contemplating whether he should grab the groom by the collar.
“Stop teasing my man.”
The one who spoke so forcefully was Cha Iran.
Geom Mugeuk whispered to Ak Gun-hak again.
“I think it’s too late to turn back.”
“I can hear you!”
Geom Mugeuk beamed at Cha Iran’s shout.
If the two of them ran it as a couple.
“A legendary inn will be born in the martial world.”
Now that she had started, that was Cha Iran’s goal.
“Yes, I plan to build it up that way.”
Ak Gun-hak said to Geom Mugeuk.
“There are a lot of people waiting. You should go. Come visit often.”
“Brother Ak, thank you for coming.”
Watching Cha Iran link arms with Ak Gun-hak, Geom Mugeuk and Lee Ahn turned away.
Just then, the dancers’ performance ended.
Thump!
Thump!
Thump!
The sweet music stopped, and drumbeats echoed for the next performance, a sword dance.
It felt as if it was expressing Ak Gun-hak’s future.
“What are we going to do about our poor Brother Ak?”
Cha Iran’s voice came from afar!
“I can hear you!”
Geom Mugeuk and Lee Ahn laughed and quickly walked away.
On a day like this, he could have just pretended to be busy and passed by.
But Geom Mugeuk took care of every single person he noticed.
“Insect Doctor!”
Hearing her name called out so loudly, Chung-yi, who was talking with the Demon Doctor, was startled.
At the mention of ‘Insect Doctor,’ the surrounding gazes turned to her.
Insect Doctor?
Chung-yi, the money bug?
That person is Chung-yi, the money bug.
Murmurs arose here and there.
Geom Mugeuk imbued his voice with inner energy and announced to everyone.
“Until now, you have all misunderstood. Elder Chung-yi has spent her life raising orphans with the money she earned. She has lived a life more valuable than anyone here. I, Geom Mugeuk, the Young Cult Master of the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect, pledge my name to guarantee the truth of my words.”
As Geom Mugeuk revealed this about her, Chung-yi asked in surprise.
“Why are you doing this?”
Normally, she would have shouted more angrily, but given the occasion, Chung-yi asked as politely as she could.
“You’ve been insulted your whole life, haven’t you? Now, live the rest of your life being praised by people.”
“!”
“Insect Doctor, you are more than worthy of it.”
“I didn’t do it for such praise.”
“I know. That’s why I revealed it. Because I know you would never reveal it yourself.”
Geom Mugeuk looked at her with gentle eyes and said.
“I’ve already caused the trouble, so it’s out of my hands!”
Geom Mugeuk took Lee Ahn and, as if fleeing, moved to another area, adding.
“Today is Day One for me too, and Day One for you, Insect Doctor!”
How could Chung-yi not understand Geom Mugeuk’s heart?
Flustered by the gazes pouring in from all around, she let out a sigh.
The Demon Doctor next to her said.
“To be honest, I was the same.”
When she gave a questioning look, the Demon Doctor told her own story.
“I also lived a different life than I do now. It was a dark and gloomy life. But the Young Cult Master pulled me out into a place with light.”
As if to prove it wasn’t a lie, the Demon Doctor’s expression was peaceful.
“I am living that life with satisfaction.”
The Demon Doctor looked at her and finally added.
“How much longer will we live? Since that outstanding person led us to the light, we should just pretend we can’t resist and live this life as our own. We can meet up sometimes and talk about medicine.”
Chung-yi finally nodded.
Right, my life has already changed so much because of the Young Cult Master.
Alright, let’s see how this life in the bright world turns out.
In the meantime, Geom Mugeuk had moved on again, this time to the Heavenly Flower Pavilion Mistress.
The Heavenly Flower Pavilion Mistress held Lee Ahn in a tight embrace.
“This martial artist will live better than anyone.”
“You know, right? I believe your words like gospel, Pavilion Mistress.”
“Yes, you can believe them.”
“Thank you.”
While the two women were talking, Geom Mugeuk’s eyes caught sight of a person walking away in the distance.
Though he was as small as an ant, Geom Mugeuk knew it was Gwae-ak.
—Thank you for coming.
Gwae-ak was startled.
He was surprised that Geom Mugeuk had recognized him from so far away, and even more surprised that he had sent a telepathic message.
He could tell that Geom Mugeuk had reached a level of mastery where he could use the Thousand-Mile Transmission freely.
Since he couldn’t send a telepathic message that far, he just waved his hand.
“Live well, Young Cult Master.”
He had been walking away, thinking he would never see Geom Mugeuk again until he died.
It didn’t feel bad to part after this final farewell.
While Geom Mugeuk and Lee Ahn were greeting people, Geom Woojin was drinking with the Alliance Leaders, Han Seo-gyeong, and So Baek-ta.
They talked about matters concerning the Central Plains, as well as the situations in the Outlands and the Northern Sea.
It was truly a sight of the entire martial world gathered in one place for a meeting.
A little further away sat the young successors, and next to them, the Eight Demon Sovereigns, the Unorthodox Alliance, and the masters from the Northern Sea and the Outlands sat separately, drinking.
As they talked, a cheer erupted from where Geom Mugeuk was.
The Faceless Ones had come to congratulate Geom Mugeuk and Lee Ahn.
Among the Faceless Ones wearing magnificent masks, Geom Mugeuk was laughing excitedly.
It was a bright smile that made one wonder how he could be so happy.
Not only the Faceless Ones, but also the Demon Swords, Blade Ghosts, and Iron Fists were mingling together.
Normally, the subordinates of the Demon Sovereigns did not interact, but at least for today, they mingled as if they were one organization.
Watching Geom Mugeuk surrounded by people, Jin Pae-cheon had a sudden thought.
When was it?
When was the last time he had stood among the martial artists of the Martial Alliance like that?
And when was the last time he had mingled with the residents near the Martial Alliance headquarters, like the residents of Demon Family Village?
Had he ever done such a thing?
At some point, he had become busy and lived a life surrounded only by certain people.
Among masters and renowned experts.
Thinking back now, he hadn’t even been that busy.
Why had he lived his life as if he were being chased?
As he let out a light sigh, Baek Ja-gang silently poured him a drink, as if he knew exactly what Jin Pae-cheon was thinking.
Jin Ha-gun and Bi Sa-in also drank while watching Geom Mugeuk.
“As always, that friend gives us the answer.”
Jin Ha-gun considered that sight to be the answer to what kind of Alliance Leader he should become.
Bi Sa-in smiled faintly and said.
“The problem is that it’s not easy to write the answer even if you peek at the test of the person next to you.”
Everyone smiled faintly at his words.
Because what Geom Mugeuk was showing was not something that could be done by merely imitating him.
“But there’s one fortunate thing.”
Han Seol said something unexpected.
“As they live their married life, they will show us the answer there too.”
Jin Ha-ryeong shook her head and replied.
“I don’t know, but that answer probably won’t be easy to follow either. If it’s that couple.”
Everyone wore expressions of agreement at her words.
“Anyway, he’s so popular that it will take a while for him to get to us.”
Bi Sa-in looked at Geom Mugeuk.
This time, the people from the merchant groups who had come as guests were not letting him go.
Yong Ja-myeong of the Silver River Merchant Group was introducing his son, and Geum Ah-su of the Golden Manor was introducing his grandson who had grown up so much.
Geom Mugeuk was joking that they should line up in the order of the most expensive wedding gifts they brought.
The road from there to here was long and far.
Even for a person whose lightness arts were faster than anyone, who could fly like light.
Yes, that must be why.
Because he was the one who filled that road to the brim with people, because they knew how deep the feelings contained in each and every one of those steps were.
That must be why the Cult Master, the Alliance Leader, the Palace Master, and their successors were waiting so willingly.
Even if the Cult Master, the Alliance Leader, and the Palace Master were waiting, because he was the one who held the hands of the Demon Family Village residents first, they were waiting so willingly.
Bi Sa-in, who had emptied his wine cup, said with a smile.
“Yes, whose wedding is it? How could it end so easily?”
......
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