Chapter 250: In the Midst of the Fervor

TL: FoodieMonster007

Eight Demon Supremes stood in a line, watching Geom Mugeuk. Every cultist gathered there focused on his movements.

Geom Mugeuk walked first to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.

"The Blade Demon."

"Young Cult Leader."

Geom Mugeuk's gaze on the Blood Heaven Blade Demon was intense.

"It's all thanks to you, Elder, that I was able to become the successor."

With all the cultists watching, Geom Mugeuk loudly gave the Blood Heaven Blade Demon credit.

At his words, the blade demons standing behind the Blood Heaven Blade Demon roared and released their demonic qi. If the Heavenly Demon hadn't been present, they would have shouted, "Blood Heaven! Blood Heaven!"

Geom Mugeuk watched them with pleasure. Thanks to these aggressive and rough fellows, he had reached the final stage of the Meridians Strengthening Art and achieved Myriad Poison Immunity.

Thank you, you blade demons!

Others would have been startled to hear it, but Geom Mugeuk found them endearing.

He respectfully conveyed his feelings to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.

"I respect you, Elder!"

Geom Mugeuk said it with sincerity. The Blood Heaven Blade Demon was the first Demon Supreme to become his person and had given everything without holding back.

"It's thanks to the Young Cult Leader's outstanding capabilities. What has this old man done?"

"Please continue to guide me well in the future."

Since it was an official occasion, the two men showed each other proper respect.

Of course, Geom Mugeuk was not one to let it pass so formally. In his usual tone, completely different from his current calm voice, he sent a telepathic message.

[Elder, let's drink later! Let's have a grand celebration! By the way, a Young Cult Leader can lie in bed without washing, right?]

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon was very pleased by Geom Mugeuk's unchanging banter.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon knew Geom Mugeuk would be like this even if he became the Heavenly Demon. It was this very character that had made him fall so deeply for the man named Geom Mugeuk.

[Are you trying to get scolded by the Cult Leader for fooling around? Focus!]

Next, Geom Mugeuk walked over to the Flower Sword Supreme.

"The Sword Supreme."

"Young Cult Leader."

"I ask for your continued guidance in the future. Thanks to you, Sword Supreme, my swordsmanship has improved greatly."

The Flower Sword Supreme was inwardly flustered. Their duel didn't deserve such high praise, especially since she had lost. He was saving her face in front of her subordinates.

Indeed, the demonic swords' expressions brightened. They too roared and released their demonic qi.

They tried to shout louder and release even greater demonic qi than the blade demons before them.

Even on a day like this, the blade demons and the demonic swords were engaged in a war of nerves.

The Flower Sword Supreme smiled and said, "The Young Cult Leader's talent for martial arts is a gift from the heavens, so my help must have been insignificant."

"You're being too modest. Please continue to guide me well in the future."

"I will."

Next, he stood before the Fist Demon.

Geom Mugeuk knew deep affection hid behind that fearsome face. That was why he also knew how powerful that man's straightforward punch was.

Geom Mugeuk wanted to shatter a cliff himself, but he also wanted to let the Fist Demon shatter one. He wanted to make his dream come true.

"Master."

"Young Cult Leader, now that you've become a person of high status, I think I should stop being your Master."

"I learned about life from your fists, Master. No matter what position I rise to, you'll always be my Master."

Because it meant Geom Mugeuk would serve him as Master even as the Heavenly Demon, a pleasant smile graced the Fist Demon's fearsome face.

At that, the iron fists also roared. They were the ones who had learned fist techniques alongside Geom Mugeuk.

They had grown fond of Geom Mugeuk during training, so they sincerely congratulated him on becoming the Young Cult Leader. Among the Black Fists at the very front stood Cheon Sohwi.

This time, he stood before the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme.

He felt sorry that he hadn't been able to take care of Cheongseon separately while looking after the other Demon Supremes and leaving the cult to face enemies.

"Demon Supreme."

"Young Cult Leader."

Fortunately, her face showed no disappointment. On the contrary, she was more favorable than anyone.

She knew well that she would not have risen to the position of Demon Supreme if it weren't for Geom Mugeuk. Moreover, her connection with the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader, who had taught her martial arts, was also because of Geom Mugeuk. That was why she was determined to become stronger as quickly as possible to repay that debt.

Geom Mugeuk showed her proper respect, just as he had with the previous Demon Supremes.

"The martial artists say that the scariest person in our Cult is the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme. Please continue to be our Cult's most fearsome blade!"

"Please help me a great deal, Young Cult Leader!"

The shamans released their ghostly energy in unison. The torches held by the cultists flickered as if in a wind from the spreading energy. A gloomy aura, as if ghosts might appear at any moment, filled the air.

Next, he stood before the Drunken Demon.

The Drunken Demon looked at Geom Mugeuk with a flushed face.

"The Drunken Demon."

"Young Cult Leader."

"Learning about alcohol and the jianghu from you, Drunken Demon, has been a great help. I'll be in your care in the future as well."

At the same time, Geom Mugeuk sent a telepathic message.

[I want to call you brother.]

[I want to call you 'little brother'.]

[Should we just go for it?]

[Don't. If we do that, I'll really get on the Cult Leader's bad side.]

Unlike the playful telepathic exchange, the Drunken Demon spoke in a calm and stern manner.

"Come anytime. The alcohol for the Young Cult Leader is always ready. Now, this drink is to celebrate you becoming the Young Cult Leader."

As the Drunken Demon drank the alcohol from his waist, the drunkards behind him all drank in unison. The alcoholic aura they emitted mixed with the demonic qi and ghostly energy, swirling around the area. The atmosphere grew more and more intense.

Next was the Demonic Buddha.

He was the Demon Supreme Geom Mugeuk felt most sorry for in this place today.

"Congratulations, Young Cult Leader."

He was calm. He was not foolish enough to blame Geom Mugeuk for the First Young Lord's failure.

"Thank you."

"The future of our Cult rests on you, Young Cult Leader, so I hope you never forget that."

"I will keep that in mind."

The Demonic Buddha's gaze went over Geom Mugeuk's shoulder toward Geom Muyang in the distance. Geom Mugeuk could feel his concern for Geom Muyang.

"We monks will pray for the Young Cult Leader's future."

As soon as the Demonic Buddha finished speaking, the mad monks began chanting sutras in unison, praying for Geom Mugeuk's future.

Geom Mugeuk knew. At the very least, the Demonic Buddha would be praying for Geom Muyang.

Please protect my brother until the end, Demonic Buddha.

That was Geom Mugeuk's honest feeling.

Geom Mugeuk now stood before the Poison King. Seeing the Poison King put his mind at ease, and a smile formed on his face. At some point, the Poison King had become such a pleasant person to him.

"The Poison King."

"Young Cult Leader."

"Thanks to your teachings in the Thousand Poisons Forest, I will be largely free from the danger of poisonkilling intent in the future. Thank you."

"You have a constitution that is naturally strong against poison, so as long as you keep my words in mind, you'll never die from poison."

A telepathic message immediately flew to the Poison King.

[Thanks to you playing with me that day, I was able to become the Young Cult Leader like this.]

[If you're so grateful, let's make another bet on finding poisonous herbs.]

Geom Mugeuk deliberately lowered his telepathic voice.

[I am the Young Cult Leader. I'm a different person from the herb-gathering Second Young Lord.]

[Come and do some cleaning, too.]

Of course, it didn't work on the Poison King.

The Poison King's eyes shone clearly as he looked at Geom Mugeuk.

With this, you must have taken one more step toward the person you must face.

Finally, Geom Mugeuk stood before the last Demon Supreme.

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon wore a brilliantly colored mask.

"The Smiling Demon."

"Young Cult Leader."

The two men stared at each other without a word. Just from the look in the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon's eyes behind the mask, Geom Mugeuk could tell how happy he was.

Geom Mugeuk felt it was an immense stroke of luck to have met someone he could trust so deeply in his life.

"The mask is splendid."

"It's the mask I wear when attending a celebratory banquet. It's a mask that's perfectly suited for today's occasion."

The two eyes of the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon were smiling within the eyeholes.

Geom Mugeuk no longer needed to scrutinize the true meaning behind his smile. At least when it came to him, what he saw was all there was.

"I will look forward to the day we go out to fight again."

"I, too, will be waiting."

Having finished speaking, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon laughed out loud. At that, the Faceless Warriors standing behind him followed suit and laughed in unison. It was a grotesque laughter. It was the Faceless Warriors' own way of congratulating him on his ascension to Young Cult Leader.

The laughter of the Faceless Warriors spread through the place. The ghostly energy of the shamans swirled in all directions, and the sound of sutras echoed along with the fierce demonic qi.

They were not the only ones Geom Mugeuk acknowledged.

Geom Mugeuk's gaze turned from the cultists of the eight factions to the martial artists of the Heavenly Demon Hall.

In the distance, he could see the figure of the Demonic Army General, Jang Ho. As direct subordinates of the Heavenly Demon, they would be the first to throw themselves into the fray if anything happened.

He politely gave a clasped hands greeting toward Jang Ho. The roars of the Demonic Army added to the fervor.

He also expressed his gratitude to the investigators and execution martial artists of the Sanzu River Hall with a clasped hands greeting. They too congratulated him with a great roar. Among the investigators, Seo Daeryong stood smiling brightly.

[Congratulations, Director! No, Young Cult Leader!]

[I'm counting only on my right-hand man!]

[Please, trust some of your other body parts too!]

Smiling pleasantly, he also paid his respects to the heads of other organizations with a polite clasped hands greeting. The roars reached their peak.

And finally, Geom Mugeuk looked for one person. A person who could not be hidden no matter how large the crowd. His eyes met with Lee Ahn, who was standing among the cultists.

[You look even prettier today.]

[Since all the cultists are gathered, I was thinking of seducing someone young and handsome if I find one.]

[Even if you combine all the guys here, it won't work.]

[Don't say that. I'm not that special.]

[No, not you. I mean they can't compare to me.]

She laughed. She really liked that Geom Mugeuk hadn't changed even after becoming the Young Cult Leader.

[Congratulations, Young Cult Leader.]

[It's thanks to you protecting me.]

She would never dream that this moment today existed truly because she had thrown her body on the line for him.

Receiving everyone's congratulations, Geom Mugeuk ascended the platform. There were still people to whom he had to convey his thanks.

This time, Geom Mugeuk went to greet Head Strategist Sama Myeong.

"Strategist."

"Congratulations, Young Cult Leader."

Sama Myeong had watched Geom Mugeuk's process of rising to this position closer than anyone. He worried because Geom Mugeuk was too outstanding, and he felt uneasy because he was unpredictable. Even right now, he had never imagined he would say something like this.

"Now that I've become the Young Cult Leader, please teach me some Go behind Father's back."

Sama Myeong smiled at Geom Mugeuk's words.

"That would be difficult."

"You don't wish for me to win, Strategist!"

"I only wish for peace in our Cult. As long as it's not about Go, the All-Knowing Hall will always help the Young Cult Leader."

After exchanging pleasant greetings with Sama Myeong, Geom Mugeuk went to Geom Muyang, who was standing there blankly.

Isn't he the most uncomfortable person in this place? Everything he sees before him could have been his. How regretful must he be?

"Brother, I'm counting only on you."

If it had been just the two of them, Geom Muyang would have shouted, 'You crazy bastard, stop it!' but he couldn't do that now.

"I entrust our Cult to you."

Geom Mugeuk suddenly pulled Geom Muyang into a tight hug.

[Are you crazy?]

[You're the crazy one, brother. For yielding this great position to me.]

[You crazy bastard, get off me!]

A roar erupted at the sight of the two men. They had kept their promise to have a succession battle without seeing blood.

Geom Mugeuk finally stood before his father.

"Father."

Geom Woojin took Geom Mugeuk and walked forward.

As the two stood side by side, a roar erupted.

Just by standing together, immense power was vested in Geom Mugeuk. He was a Young Cult Leader clearly acknowledged by the Heavenly Demon.

And so, amidst roars that seemed as if they would last forever, the late-night announcement of the successor came to an end.

Geom Muyang was walking alone.

The entire cult was bustling with noise, truly in a festive mood.

He wanted to put on a good-natured face and get swept up in the atmosphere, but it wasn't easy.

His role ended here. The role of a supporting character being hugged by the protagonist on stage.

As he was walking slowly while looking down at the ground, someone called him from behind.

"Muyang."

When he turned around, it was his father.

"…Father."

Geom Woojin said to him in a gentle tone.

"Let's eat together."

The moment he heard those words, Geom Muyang felt a surge of emotion. Before he could compose himself, his vision blurred. Geom Muyang clenched his teeth and forced himself to hold it back. He didn't want to show his father a crying face on a day like today.

"I was getting hungry anyway."

"Let's go. The cooks will be awake today, so let's ask them to make your favorite food."

The two walked side by side toward the Heavenly Demon Hall.

Walking with his father like this, memories of past days surfaced in Geom Muyang's mind.

The days he had strived to look good in his father's eyes.

He had done his best to fulfill his role as the eldest son. He wanted to look good to his father. He wanted to receive his father's praise, and he wanted to be acknowledged by his father.

The surest way to do that was to become the successor. He had thought he would be miserably abandoned if he failed to become the successor…

"Are you disappointed?"

"No, I feel rather relieved."

Now, Geom Woojin was no longer looking at the eldest son, but at his son. To Geom Muyang, Geom Woojin was not the Cult Leader, but his father.

Geom Woojin offered no words of comfort.

However, to Geom Muyang, his father's simple words, 'Let's eat together,' were a greater comfort than any consolation. He was so grateful.

Geom Woojin walked ahead, and Geom Muyang followed a few steps behind.

The moonlight silently and gently illuminated the path of the father and son as they walked.

From a distant rooftop, I was watching Father and brother walk away.

Originally, I had planned to have a drink with my brother.

But I stepped back after seeing Father taking care of him. We could drink some other time, but a meal with our father on a day like today would be something my brother would never forget for the rest of his life.

Because of my regression, perhaps my brother had become a source of pain for Father.

I was grateful to Father for taking care of my brother like that. A father is a father.

I leaped up and landed on the top of the tallest spire in the cult.

Standing there with my arms crossed, I looked around at the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, in its festive mood, was completely abuzz. It was a joyful and exciting atmosphere for the first time in a long while.

In the midst of that fervor, I thought about the things I had to do in the future. My mind was calm, and I was confident I could handle what was to come.

I stood there alone at the top until the fervor subsided and the dawn began to break.