Chapter 132: Today's Drinks Are On Me

TL: FoodieMonster007

Jo Cheonbae, the proprietor of the Alluring Inn, greeted me. He was so happy it was like seeing a dead ancestor return to life. I almost felt sorry for him.

"It's so good to have you back. You have no idea how much I've missed you."

"Innkeeper, have you made a lot of money while I was gone?"

"I've made a lot. Thanks to you, Director, I'm doing very well."

The Sanzu River Hall's small branch, which I thought would disappear quickly, had cleaned up the Demon Village considerably. Martial artists who got drunk, caused trouble, or left without paying had almost vanished. Business was much easier for Jo Cheonbae.

"Prepare a lot of drinks for today," I told him.

"Because it's a reunion after a long time?"

"No. A new drinker is coming today."

"A drinker?"

"You'll know when you see him."

I went up to the second floor.

Only Seo Daeryong and Jang Ho were there. Jang Ho shot to his feet to greet me.

"It's been a long time."

"Have you been well?" I asked, firmly gripping his thick hand.

"The Demonic Army is well-established now, so work is easier. If there's anything you need, please tell me anytime."

The look in Jang Ho's eyes was unchanged. It wouldn't change if I came back after a year or even ten. He was the kind of man who repays one with ten, then feels he still hasn't repaid enough. That was Jang Ho.

That's why I'll protect this noble loyalty. I want to raise him into a great tree and rest in its lush shade. I have no intention of sitting on a lone stump reminiscing about old times.

After I greeted Jang Ho, Seo Daeryong spoke. "I told General Jang and Martial Artist Lee who would be coming. Martial Artist Lee said she had urgent business and left a little while ago."

I knew why she left. There wouldn't be any problems with me here, but she must have worried about even the slightest possibility. Her consideration for me was greater than her desire to enjoy herself. She was probably sweating in the training grounds right now.

"I also told General Jang what happened earlier today."

I could still feel the unabated heat from Seo Daeryong. It was hotter than before, because unresolved emotions always grow in one's heart.

"Didn't I tell you to get drunk and act out? You should unleash all your emotions today."

"What if I die?"

"Then General Jang here will be second-in-command."

Jang Ho smiled faintly and filled Seo Daeryong's cup to the brim. I knew this silent support gave Seo Daeryong great strength. This was likely why Seo Daeryong saw Jang Ho as a role model.

We all drained our cups. Then, I offered Seo Daeryong some advice.

"It's natural to be scared. If you're scared, then be scared. You have to fear what's frightening for your instincts to work. You need to know exactly what you're afraid of, how you react, when you react, and what your limits are."

As we talked, two people entered the inn. It was the Drunken Demon and Yeo Bin.

Jo Cheonbae recognized the guests and was truly surprised. He was happier than he would have been for any other Demon Supreme. His joy went beyond simply welcoming the Drunken Demon as a customer.

"It's an honor to have you here, Great Drunken Demon Elder!" Jo Cheonbae shouted, bowing deeply.

The surrounding customers held their breath when they realized the Drunken Demon had entered.

The Drunken Demon glanced around. "You all are the people I like most in the world," he said. "Drink your fill! Today's drinks are on me."

The drinkers cheered loudly at his words.

Watching from the second floor, I shouted, "He's handsome! The most handsome of all the Demon Supremes!"

The Drunken Demon looked up at me and laughed. "Give that table double the drinks and food!"

Cries of 'handsome' poured out from all directions.

"There too! And that table! Give it to all of them!"

Applause erupted as the drinkers cheered. In an instant, the Drunken Demon had closed the massive gap between a Demon Supreme and the common patrons of the Alluring Inn.

On his way to the second floor, the Drunken Demon even stopped at a table to pour a drink. The patron received the cup with trembling hands, gaining a story to boast about for life. Gasps of envy and cheers erupted from the crowd.

He blended in with the drinkers in an instant.

The Drunken Demon is truly the Drunken Demon, I thought.

After sweeping through the first floor, the Drunken Demon came upstairs.

"Second Young Lord, I'm here."

"Welcome."

He had brought Yeo Bin as promised.

"This is Yeo Bin, my subordinate and one of the Three Great Drunkards of the Great Drunken Forest."

Seo Daeryong and Jang Ho greeted the Drunken Demon and Yeo Bin. We all sat down together after exchanging greetings.

"I heard the Second Young Lord's bodyguard has become more beautiful, but I don't see her. What a shame. I wanted to show her this handsome face!"

The Drunken Demon knew a lot about me. He might even know about Seo Daeryong and Jang Ho.

"You truly are the embodiment of prejudice, Drunken Demon."

"What do you mean?"

"Don't people usually think drunks aren't well-informed?"

"I have to be well-informed because I spend so much time drunk!"

"That's true, but most drinkers don't live that way."

If I peel away his prejudices one by one, I thought, I might finally see the real man known as the Drunken Demon.

I turned to Yeo Bin. "Martial Artist Yeo, do you drink well?"

"Yes, I like it," she answered curtly. She was stiffer than when we met at the Great Drunken Forest. She seemed cautious in front of the Drunken Demon.

I glanced at Seo Daeryong. He was tense, warily watching the Drunken Demon and Yeo Bin.

I sent Seo Daeryong a telepathic message.

[When are you going to step up?]

[Is there any reason to spoil the mood right at the start?]

[If you're going to do it, do it now. You could really die if you do it while drunk.]

[Please don't pour alcohol on my grave. Just plant the flowers I'm growing instead.]

I couldn't tell if Seo Daeryong would endure it or bring it up in a drunken stupor. Either way, I believed the experience would help him.

Just then, Jo Cheonbae came up with a bottle of alcohol I had never seen before.

"This is a special liquor I've been saving," he said. "I wanted to offer it to the Drunken Demon if he ever visited."

The Drunken Demon sniffed the air, his eyes widening. "Ancient Phoenix Wine?"

"Oh! You recognize it by scent alone! That's amazing."

"How could I not know this legendary liquor, brewed with over two hundred medicinal herbs? How did you get such a precious drink?"

"I once worked at a brewery in Guizhou. My master gave it to me as a parting gift."

"Are you sure you can give this to me?"

"I run a liquor business in the front yard of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. Who else would I give it to? I've been waiting for this day."

"Thank you."

I looked at Jo Cheonbae and shouted with mock sulkiness, "Innkeeper! I've come here so often, and you never gave me any!"

Jo Cheonbae laughed. "Because this is a drink for someone who truly knows alcohol."

It seemed he had saved this drink for the day he was fated to meet the Drunken Demon. He then turned to me. "Thanks to you, Director, I've fulfilled a lifelong dream. Thank you."

The Drunken Demon opened the Ancient Phoenix Wine and poured everyone a glass. He even poured one for Jo Cheonbae, who was adamantly refusing.

"Take the rest downstairs and share a little with everyone."

I was inwardly moved by his words. I didn't know what kind of person the Drunken Demon was, but his willingness to share such a precious drink with the other patrons was truly remarkable.

"Thank you. Everyone will love it," Jo Cheonbae said.

A moment later, cheers erupted from downstairs.

"Well then, let's have a drink too!" The Drunken Demon raised his cup, and the entire inn toasted with him.

The drink tasted fantastic, whether from the fine liquor or the atmosphere.

"Thanks to you, I got to drink some fine liquor," I said.

"Thanks to me? It's thanks to the Second Young Lord."

"What do you mean?"

"If it weren't for you, I'd have no reason to come here. So in the end, it's thanks to you."

He was a man who knew how to make people feel good. I rarely used my flattery skills on him because he always made me feel good first.

After the Drunken Demon downed three straight glasses of alcohol, I said, "Please have some side dishes."

As I spoke, the chopsticks in front of him floated up. I had lifted them with telekinesis.

The chopsticks then went back down. The Drunken Demon had lowered them with his own telekinesis.

The chopsticks rose and fell. Our inner arts battle had begun.

Seo Daeryong, Jang Ho, and Yeo Bin watched with tense faces.

The Drunken Demon's inner arts were stronger than I expected. I could have beaten him, but I conceded at a certain point and backed down.

The chopsticks landed on the table.

"Second Young Lord, your inner arts are incredible."

"Didn't you say you get thirty percent stronger when you drink?"

I drank the alcohol in front of me and lifted the chopsticks again.

This time, the Drunken Demon didn't block me. He picked up the chopsticks as if admitting defeat and ate a side dish.

"Are you satisfied now?" he asked.

"I am."

"It was the same last time. Why is a manly Commander so obsessed with side dishes?"

"It's not about being a man or a Commander. I'm just doing it for your health."

"If I eat side dishes, I end up drinking less."

"That's why I'm telling you to eat them. You must have one side dish for every three glasses."

In that moment, I saw Yeo Bin slightly bow her head toward me. It was a gesture of thanks. I could feel that she genuinely cared for the Drunken Demon.

The Drunken Demon asked me, "Why are you so concerned about my health?"

I paused briefly before answering. "Because I don't know what our relationship will be yet, Drunken Demon. What if we become good friends, and then you die from a drinking-related illness?"

"What? Me? Die from a drinking-related illness?" He laughed harder than I had ever seen him laugh, but I remained serious.

"You're a very strange person."

"How so?"

"In my entire life, you're the only one who has ever worried I might get sick from drinking. No one in the future will ever worry about that either."

"There must be others. They're probably just too intimidated to say anything, Drunken Demon."

"Fine, let's say that's true. What if we become enemies? Wouldn't it be better for you if I got sick and died early?"

"I don't want you making excuses. If you die, you must die by my sword. We'd be enemies, after all."

The atmosphere froze at my aggressive words, but the Drunken Demon wasn't offended. He just laughed and drank. Then, as if to prove a point, he ate a side dish.

Satisfied? Yes!

The mood of the drinking session improved even more. After a few more drinks, Seo Daeryong sent me a telepathic message.

[From now on, I'll admit it if you tease me for being a coward. Go ahead and add 'coward' to my introduction.]

He had decided to endure it. It wouldn't have been easy to disrupt the lively atmosphere the Drunken Demon had created.]

[I just keep thinking of reasons not to be brave. A guy who deserved to die died anyway. Is this really worth stepping up for? The female martial artist was just following orders. If I confront anyone, it should be the Drunken Demon, but I feel like I'd die.]

[Hey, coward.]

Seo Daeryong looked up from his cup and met my eyes.

I held out my own cup. No words were needed. You grow from experiences like this.

Seo Daeryong smiled faintly and clinked his cup against mine.

The Drunken Demon watched us and then spoke to Seo Daeryong. "You're a disciple of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, aren't you?"

"Yes, that's right."

The Drunken Demon was not on good terms with the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.

How will he react? I wondered. He could have made a sarcastic remark or mocked Seo Daeryong.

His next words shattered those expectations.

"I have a good feeling about you."

"Pardon?"

"You give off a good vibe as a martial artist. Keep up the good work."

"Ah, yes. Thank you."

Seo Daeryong had been extremely tense, but now he was flustered. He hadn't expected praise from the Drunken Demon. The compliment clearly pleased him, and his expression brightened.

He grinned widely as he drank. When his eyes met mine, an embarrassed telepathic message arrived.

[That's right, this is the kind of guy I am! From now on, after the Master, the best Demon Supreme is the Drunken Demon. This is who I am! What can I do if I like him?]

[I didn't say anything.]

We drank again. As expected, drinking with the Drunken Demon was relaxing. Seo Daeryong and Jang Ho drank cheerfully, chatting with Yeo Bin.

I must not forget, I reminded myself. The Drunken Demon can change the atmosphere with a single joke or gesture, and we are in his element. He is a man who has built his history with alcohol.

Just then, while we were laughing, the Drunken Demon asked me a question.

"So, what do you say? Shall we become sworn brothers now?"

His words made the other three turn their gazes toward us. A Demon Supreme proposing to become sworn brothers with a blood relative of the Heavenly Demon was not an everyday event.

Drunken Demon, what are your intentions? Is this the empty sincerity of a drunkard that will vanish when you're sober? Or is it a calculated plan?

At that moment, the boisterous inn fell silent.

I looked down and saw someone entering. It was someone I never expected to see here.

The man exuded a cold aura and wore a giant dao at his side. It was the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon slowly walked up to the second floor. He sat down between me and the Drunken Demon.

"Give me a drink, too," he said.