Chapter 125: Wow, You're a Man After All

TL: FoodieMonster007

Seo Daeryong watered the flowers in a pot inside the Sanzu Hall Director's office.

"Second-in-command, when on earth is the Director coming back?"

He called the potted flowers, left behind by the Flower Sword Supreme, his 'second-in-command'. The nickname came from his joke that he was the third most important person in the office.

"He should've taken me with him. I wonder how much fun they're having without me, for there to be no news at all?"

Without Geom Mugeuk and Lee Ahn, the fun in his life certainly felt cut in half.

He had also stopped his regular drinking sessions with Jang Ho last month, postponing them until Lee Ahn returned. Honestly, it was only fun when the three of them were together. It felt complete only when the three of them were together.

"Hmph! From now on, you be the first-in-command. Starting today, I'm the second-in-command. Let's, the abandoned ones, take it all for ourselves!"

In truth, he was already taking over everything. Seo Daeryong handled most of the Sanzu River Hall's major affairs. Although there were Seniors, they knew Geom Mugeuk supported Seo Daeryong the most. He naturally became the acting Director, and Seo Daeryong handled the job better than anyone.

Geom Mugeuk's absence was a time of growth for him, a time when he began to be truly recognized.

Additionally, he never missed a single day of learning blade arts from the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon never spoke about Geom Mugeuk. It seemed he thought that mentioning Geom Mugeuk would reveal how much he missed him.

Even when Seo Daeryong talked about Geom Mugeuk, he would pretend not to hear and say nothing.

Master, that's actually even stranger.

As he stood by the window suppressing his longing for Geom Mugeuk and Lee Ahn, an enforcement martial artist opened the door and entered.

"We're ready."

"Let's go."

My slacker Director, who knows where you are or what you're doing, I'm off to work again.

Outside the building, ten enforcement martial artists waited. Usually, one investigator moved with two enforcement martial artists. The number ten alone indicated that today's operation was both very important and dangerous.

"Have you all equipped your White Tiger Armor?"

"Yes, we have."

The White Tiger Armor was a standard-issue treasured armor provided to the enforcement martial artists. It couldn't compare to a real treasured armor, but it was still effective at blocking ordinary swords and blades.

"Let's go. A conflict may arise, so you must all stay on your toes."

Leading the enforcement martial artists, he arrived at the Great Drunken Forest, where the Great Drunken Demon resided.

The Great Drunken Demon was one of the Eight Demon Supremes. He was always drunk, which was why people called him the Drunken Demon. There were various rumors about him.

Some said he was always drunk because he had suffered a great wound to his heart. Other rumors claimed his unique martial arts utilized intoxication. In any case, one certain fact was that the drunker he got, the stronger he became.

The martial artists who followed him were called 'drunks'. They too were heavy drinkers who loved and could hold their liquor.

The gate of the Great Drunken Forest was firmly shut.

An enforcement martial artist knocked on the gate. A drunk guarding the entrance opened it and appeared.

"Who are you?"

"We're from the Sanzu River Hall. Open the gate."

"What business brings you here?"

Seo Daeryong held up a document and showed it to him.

"We're here to arrest the drunk, Do Ho."

That bastard Do Ho had driven a carriage while drunk and charged into a marketplace, killing two people and injuring more than ten. Afterward, he abandoned the carriage and fled, saving only himself.

The drunk answered without hesitation.

"Do Ho isn't here. Go back."

"How would you know? Whether Do Ho is in this vast Great Drunken Forest or not."

"If I say he's not here, then he's not here. Go back."

The drunk immediately closed the gate and went back inside.

He had already expected this reaction. It seemed the subordinates of the Demon Supremes felt that being obedient made them seem weaker than the other Demon Supremes' followers. Since one didn't listen, none of them did.

Especially with Geom Mugeuk's absence dragging on recently, the authority of the Sanzu River Hall martial artists was beginning to lose its effect.

"Give a warning, then break down the gate."

An enforcement martial artist stepped forward and shouted a warning, imbuing his voice with inner arts.

"If you don't open up before I count to ten, we will break down the gate and enter. One, two, three, four… nine, ten."

Just as they were about to break down the gate, it opened and someone appeared. It was a different drunk from before. He was Ho Yang, the person in charge of the drunks guarding the entrance.

Ho Yang glared at Seo Daeryong.

"Do you think you can trespass in our forest and get away unscathed?"

"A drunk named Do Ho has committed a crime. This isn't a matter to be blindly covered up. We'll leave if you just hand over Do Ho."

"Do Ho is not here."

"Don't disregard our hall's intelligence network. We have reliable information that Do Ho returned here. If it's revealed that he is here, you too will be guilty of harboring a criminal. Are you fine with that?"

In that moment, Ho Yang unleashed a cold demonic qi.

Befitting the leader of the drunks on duty, his aura was sharp. He was confident he could make an investigator from the Sanzu River Hall back down, but Seo Daeryong did not retreat.

Instead, Seo Daeryong's aura overwhelmed Ho Yang's. This was the result of learning blade arts from the Blood Heaven Blade Demon without missing a single day and training diligently.

Just as Ho Yang unconsciously took a step back, a fierce-looking middle-aged man walked out from the Great Drunken Forest.

SLAP!

The man mercilessly struck Ho Yang across the cheek.

"You fucking idiot! Getting pushed back by a mere investigator like him."

Ho Yang, who had been knocked away, scrambled to his feet and bowed his head.

"I'm sorry!"

The man who had come out was Gu Mayeong, one of the Three Drunkards of the Great Drunken Forest, infamous for his foul temper. His notoriety was widely known. He was said to be hot-blooded and would act with his fists without thinking of the consequences.

Recognizing his opponent, Seo Daeryong's expression hardened.

Of all people.

Gu Mayeong walked right up to Seo Daeryong, reeking of alcohol.

"Why are you making a fuss and ruining the taste of my drink?"

"A man named Do Ho from this place caused an accident while driving a carriage drunk."

"It's natural for a drunk to be drunk, and accidents can happen when driving a carriage. So why are you all swarming here and making a scene?"

"Even if he is a drunk, it's the established law that one can't drive a carriage while intoxicated."

"Bullshit. Do you follow every single law?"

"At least I don't drink, drive a carriage, and kill people."

Gu Mayeong shoved his face close to Seo Daeryong's. Seo Daeryong frowned at the foul stench of alcohol.

"Look me in the eye."

Seo Daeryong did not avoid his gaze.

"Go back, find some random guy, and pin the blame on him for driving the carriage. Look at my eyes. Got it?"

"I can't do that."

"What? Say that again."

"I said, I can't do that. If you don't move aside, I'll arrest you as well."

Gu Mayeong's expression twisted. He took out the liquor bottle hanging from his waist.

He raised it high, intending to pour it over Seo Daeryong's head.

The hands of the enforcement martial artists standing behind him all went to the hilts of their swords at once.

Their posture showed they were ready to charge forward and fight to the death if the order was given.

Gu Mayeong's gaze turned to the enforcement martial artists.

"Bullshit. If you want to die, try drawing that sword."

The drunks behind Gu Mayeong also readied themselves to draw their weapons.

In the volatile situation, Seo Daeryong raised a hand to stop the enforcement martial artists. A sword fight could not break out here.

Just as Gu Mayeong sneered, as if to say 'That's more like it', and was about to pour the alcohol on Seo Daeryong's head, a low warning came from somewhere.

"If you pour that alcohol, I will cut off that wrist, fill that bottle with your blood, and pour it on your head."

Seo Daeryong's expression brightened considerably when he identified the voice.

"Director!"

When Seo Daeryong turned around, Geom Mugeuk was walking toward them.

"My boys, you've worked hard."

At his appearance, Seo Daeryong and the enforcement martial artists were overjoyed and welcomed him.

"Welcome, Director!"

"Director!"

"It's good to have you back."

Everyone welcomed Geom Mugeuk so enthusiastically that it seemed no other leader could be so warmly received.

After greeting them, Geom Mugeuk walked over to Gu Mayeong.

"Did your Demon Supreme teach you to pour alcohol on people's heads?"

At the mention of the Great Drunken Demon, killing intent flared in Gu Mayeong's eyes.

However, Geom Mugeuk's presence overwhelmed him. Even without releasing any demonic qi, his aura alone ensnared Gu Mayeong. The fine hairs all over Gu Mayeong's body stood on end with fear.

Was the Second Young Lord's presence this powerful?

Gu Mayeong felt as if he had sobered up in an instant. He had only heard rumors about the Second Young Lord, but facing him in person exerted a completely different kind of pressure.

"And to think of pouring alcohol on the head of a Sanzu River Hall investigator. Did you just come out of seclusion training or something? Haven't you heard the rumors about me? Or did you think that just because I was away for a bit, I would never come back?"

Gu Mayeong could only glare fiercely at Geom Mugeuk, not daring to make any excuses. When he had heard the rumor that he had cut down the Demonic Army General, he had thought it was absurd. He had assumed the rumor was exaggerated because he was the heir, but now he realized he must have really done it.

"Go inside and…"

Geom Mugeuk turned to Seo Daeryong and asked.

"Who was it again?"

"It's Do Ho."

Geom Mugeuk spoke to Gu Mayeong again.

"You heard him. Bring out that bastard Do Ho. Right now!"

Gu Mayeong stood frozen, his expression contorted.

Geom Mugeuk unhesitatingly drew the Black Demon Sword. The sharp energy emanating from the sword made the hearts of the drunks present shrink coldly.

"You may be a drunkard, but I'm a madman."

When Geom Mugeuk took a step forward, Gu Mayeong could no longer hold out.

"I'll bring him out!"

Gu Mayeong went inside.

I deliberately treated Gu Mayeong harshly. It was for the morale of Seo Daeryong and the enforcement martial artists. Word of today's events will spread throughout the cult, and in the future, they won't dare pull something like this just because I'm not around.

Seo Daeryong and the enforcement martial artists gathered around me.

"When did you arrive?"

"Just now. I was about to change my clothes and go see Father, but I heard you all were here, so I stopped by on my way to the Heavenly Demon Hall."

Seo Daeryong was so moved that tears even welled up in his eyes.

"Are you that happy?"

"I didn't realize I'd be this happy to have you back, Director."

"Isn't it because you avoided being humiliated by a drunkard?"

"From the smell earlier, that guy's alcohol was expensive. On my meager salary, when would I ever get to drink something like that? I should at least get to taste it as it runs down my face."

Geom Mugeuk smiled at Seo Daeryong. In the time they hadn't seen each other, Seo Daeryong had grown even more. Not just his martial arts skill and presence, but he even had a sense of composure. One needed to be calm like this when dealing with bastards like Gu Mayeong.

Maybe I should leave the cult more often?

"Please don't! I was bored to death while you were gone, Director."

The enforcement martial artists laughed at Seo Daeryong's words. Geom Mugeuk felt good seeing them again. He hadn't realized it when he was here, but seeing them again after being apart made him very happy.

Meanwhile, the gate opened again, and Gu Mayeong came out, dragging Do Ho. His face was battered and bleeding. It seemed Gu Mayeong had taken his anger out on the man.

"Arrest him!"

The enforcement martial artists arrested Do Ho.

Gu Mayeong glared fiercely at Geom Mugeuk, as if trying to display his last shred of pride.

Geom Mugeuk, on the other hand, spoke in a gentle tone, unlike before.

"You're drunks, so I won't stop you from drinking, but you should drink without causing harm to others. Thanks for your cooperation."

You can't just corner a beast-like man like him. If you do, he'll end up causing great harm to someone and self-destruct. If you've crushed his pride in front of his subordinates, giving it a little boost like this is a knack for managing relationships.

"Let's have a drink next time. It'll be on me."

At Geom Mugeuk's words, Gu Mayeong just snorted and went inside.

The enforcement martial artists took Do Ho and returned to the Sanzu River Hall, while Geom Mugeuk and Seo Daeryong slowly walked toward the Heavenly Demon Hall.

"Did you get hurt anywhere while you were away this time?"

"Nope."

"That's a relief. I was very worried when I heard that the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon had returned alone."

"Worried she might have killed me and come back alone?"

"At that time, I really wanted to go to the Valley of Evil and ask."

"Then some other investigator would have been in your place today."

"That's why I didn't go. Now that you're back, Director, I'm going to take a few days off."

"I'll tell Elder Blade Demon. That his beloved disciple has taken a vacation and is all ready for hellish training."

"…A vacation? What vacation? I have to work."

"Right? I'm finally back, so you can't just go somewhere, can you?"

I looked at Seo Daeryong and smiled. Joking with him made it really feel like I was back in our Cult.

Suddenly, Seo Daeryong stopped in his tracks and whispered.

"To the northwest. Look without looking like you're looking."

A woman who instantly captured one's gaze was standing there.

"Was there such a beauty in our Cult? No, how can a person have a figure like that? Ah! She must have descended from the heavens."

"Do you like her?"

"Who wouldn't?"

"Want to meet her?"

"Phew, I don't think I could even make eye contact. What? What did you just say? Meet her? How?"

"She came with me this time."

"What? Whaat?"

Seo Daeryong looked at Geom Mugeuk in shock. Then he quickly shook his head.

"Ayy, don't lie to me."

"It's true. We're close."

"You know a beauty like that, Director? You're close? Why are you bluffing like that between us? Wow, now I see you're a man too, Director."

Geom Mugeuk beckoned to the woman.

The woman then began to walk gracefully toward where the two of them were standing.