Chapter 332: I Try to Console Him in My Own Way

TL: FoodieMonster007

Geom Mugeuk had a gift for the Drunken Demon. On the way back, Geom Mugeuk had stopped at a famous distillery in the Outer Regions to buy some liquor.

Cheokyeon unloaded boxes of liquor from the carriage. It was not just one or two bottles. Geom Mugeuk had bought several different kinds so the Drunken Demon could drink them over time.

"Don't tell me you bought this for me?"

"I bought the kinds you like, but I'm not sure how they'll be. I intentionally left out the ones that are too strong. For your health."

The Drunken Demon felt flustered by the unexpected gift. He had only come to ask Geom Mugeuk if he had a good trip with the Demonic Buddha without him, but he received a gift instead.

The Demonic Buddha spoke on Geom Mugeuk's behalf.

"The Young Cult Leader stopped by several places in the Outer Regions for you. He didn't shy away from the trouble of going to faraway places on purpose."

The Demonic Buddha took credit like this to make up for the guilt of not giving the poisonous herbs to Geom Mugeuk.

"Well then, you two talk. I'll head to the Cult Leader's hall first."

The Demonic Buddha took his leave.

After the Demonic Buddha left, the Drunken Demon examined the liquor. He was not moved just because Geom Mugeuk had bought him alcohol. All the liquors from the Outer Regions that the Drunken Demon had mentioned were good while drinking with Geom Mugeuk were there. Geom Mugeuk had remembered all of them.

The Drunken Demon picked up a bottle, opened the stopper, and drank straight from it.

The liquor tasted incredibly sweet.

"Give me a sip, too."

Geom Mugeuk also drank the liquor the Drunken Demon handed him.

"It definitely tastes different from the liquor of the Central Plains. I'll come by soon, so let's have a drink together."

Just then, someone else appeared.

"Did you have a good trip?"

She was the Flower Sword Supreme.

The Drunken Demon asked her, "I heard you were busy with your training?"

She came because she missed Geom Mugeuk. She wanted to show him that she was still training, without any makeup on. She also had one more thing to say.

"I came to tell you to take our drunkard with you next time you go out, but it seems there's no need for that."

She looked at the boxes of liquor and asked, "You bought a lot. Is there no gift for me?"

"I'm sorry, but this time, the only gift is for our Drunken Demon."

At that, the Drunken Demon asked Geom Mugeuk, "What about the Cult Leader's?"

When Geom Mugeuk nodded, the Drunken Demon was inwardly flustered but also pleased.

Normally, this would be a moment for playful banter, but he could not bring himself to do it in front of the Flower Sword Supreme. How could she not know? The reason she was here was to protest him taking only the Demonic Buddha.

The Flower Sword Supreme asked Geom Mugeuk, "What about the matter you went for?"

"I handled it well."

"Yes, since you were the one who went."

"There were dangerous moments, too."

At that, the Flower Sword Supreme repeated what she had said before.

"Yes, since you were the one who went."

She meant that storms and clouds followed Geom Mugeuk.

"Now that you're back, stop by sometime."

"Yes, I'll visit you soon."

The Flower Sword Supreme looked at the Drunken Demon and asked, "Should I help you carry these in?"

The Drunken Demon nodded. If he used his qi, ten boxes or even a hundred would be nothing. It was not as if she was asking because she did not know that.

The Drunken Demon and the Flower Sword Supreme picked up the boxes of liquor bottles and walked away side by side.

After walking for a while, the Flower Sword Supreme suddenly said to the Drunken Demon, "Demon Supreme, let's grow up a little."

The Drunken Demon had nothing to say in response.

After the Drunken Demon and the Flower Sword Supreme left, another Demon Supreme arrived. This time, it was the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme.

"Did you have a good trip?"

Since this trip to the Outer Regions had started because of her, she had to come out to see him.

"Thanks to your concern, I had a safe trip."

After exchanging greetings, she looked for the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader.

"Where is Master?"

"The Cult Leader remained at the Heavenly Wind Cult."

Geom Mugeuk quickly told the surprised woman, "He said he would come as soon as his business there is finished, so it shouldn't take too long."

A look of disappointment crossed the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme's face. It was clear she had been waiting for the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader more than anyone. The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader was currently exploding in popularity among the disciples.

After she left, Seo Daeryong said, "Just how many Demon Supremes have come? Let's see. One, two… a whopping four of them have come."

To that, Geom Mugeuk replied, "No, five."

"What? Did I miscount?"

Geom Mugeuk's gaze turned to a giant stone statue standing far in the distance.

"There's one over there, too."

"Who is it?"

It looked so small that Seo Daeryong could not recognize who it was.

However, with the Divine Eye Technique, Geom Mugeuk saw clearly. He was happier to see this person than anyone.

The person wearing a white mask and watching this way with his arms crossed was none other than the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon. He was on top of the same statue where they had stood together before.

The Smiling Demon!

Even from so far away, he had been watching for his return.

Last time, he had said it. That when Geom Mugeuk returned to the cult, he could be the one to come and meet him first. He had not just stopped at those words and actions then. He had come out to greet him first this time as well.

Thank you, the Smiling Demon. I will visit you later.

Geom Mugeuk did not know if he could see it, but he bowed his head in that direction before turning toward the Cult Leader's hall.

Because right now, he missed his father too much.

In the Heavenly Demon Hall, Father was with Head Strategist Sama Myeong. The Demonic Buddha had already greeted the two of them and left.

"I've returned, Father."

He received my greeting with a blunt expression, but I was so happy and glad to see Father. I hoped this feeling would show on my face. I hoped Father would recognize it.

"Strategist, I have returned."

"You've worked hard, Young Cult Leader."

He had already received a full report of the events in the Outer Regions through the Hidden Moon.

"Until now, our headquarters failed to detect any movements of the Blood Cult's revival. It is entirely my oversight."

"No. Before that man died, he told me that the revival of the Blood Cult was his goal, but he had a change of heart. As if to prove it, he even tried to destroy the sacred ground left by the Blood Cult at the last moment. He was a man who moved for his own personal desires."

Of course, Sama Myeong probably had some idea. After all, Baek Cheongeong, who had been operating secretly in the Murim Alliance, had no connection to the Blood Cult whatsoever.

"There may be remnants, so please be careful."

"They're the ones who should be careful. Whose son did they mess with?"

Sama Myeong smiled at my joke.

Just then, Father, who had only been listening to our conversation, suddenly asked me, "What kind of people are they?"

He cut straight to the point. He was asking for my intuition.

"They are very dangerous people. More dangerous than any organization that has appeared in the murim so far. Because no one has ever thought of messing with the orthodox and unorthodox and the Outer Regions all at once."

Father slowly nodded his head, as if he agreed with my words.

Father looked at Sama Myeong and said, "It seems you'll be busy."

His words carried his intention to handle it carefully and well, and they also contained his trust in the Head Strategist.

"I will report as soon as new information comes in. Please, you two talk now."

Sama Myeong bowed politely and excused himself.

Father came down from the grand master's chair.

"Let's take a walk."

"……"

Father enjoys walking with me these days. Walking together in the inner garden was good for me in many ways. Every time the cultists passing by saw us like this, their respect for my authority and their loyalty would grow.

"Oh, and Father. I've solved the secret of the Secret Box."

Father was so surprised he stopped walking.

I took the Secret Box out from my robes. Then I told him about absorbing the energy of the Black Orb at the Heavenly Wind Cult.

"If you wish, I will return it to you."

"It is an item that has found its fate with you, so it is yours now."

Father's way of always moving me. At times like this, the words 'a father is a father' come out on their own.

Father reached out and grabbed my wrist instead of the Secret Box. A stream of energy flowed in through my wrist. He was checking to see if there was anything wrong with my body.

"I feel some kind of energy inside you, but I cannot identify what it is. However, it doesn't feel malicious."

I looked down at the Secret Box I was holding. As Father said, fate had reached me. I feel that this fate is by no means a bad one.

"If I feel anything wrong with my body, I will tell you immediately."

I could not feel the energy of the Black Orb, but I could feel Father's worry. It is an energy more precious and empowering than any other in the world.

"Oh, and the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader remained at his cult. Through this incident, his relationship with their current Cult Leader has become stronger. Just like you and I, Father."

"You think our relationship has become stronger?"

"Stronger is not enough to describe it. It's sticky, thick, and hot. Ah! This feeling, I can't express it with words."

A sneer formed on Father's lips. Seeing that smile, a pleasant sense of relief washed over me. I felt like I had truly returned.

"Isn't there someone else you should be getting closer to?"

I smiled and said to Father, "As a matter of fact, after greeting you, I was planning to go see my brother first."

Tension filled the air in the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's smithy. It was the moment of the final test for a newly developed weapon. The weapon to be tested today was a pair of gauntlets for those who use fist techniques.

"These newly developed gauntlets are made of a material so thin and soft that you can barely feel them on your hands. However, their durability has been greatly improved, preventing them from being cut by swords or daos."

The person explaining was Craftsman Gwak of the smithy. Standing before him was the First Young Lord, Geom Muyang.

The person who planned and pushed for the development of these gauntlets was Geom Muyang himself. He was in charge of various important duties within the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.

At first, Geom Muyang had expected to be pushed into an insignificant position.

However, Geom Mugeuk shared important parts of his own duties with him. These tasks were not limited to administrative work. He also entrusted him with matters related to the main elite organizations within the cult and duties concerning the Eight Demon Supremes. It was a practical demonstration of his trust in his brother.

The durability test was a success. The gauntlets were not cut despite being struck with a sword. The onlookers cheered in unison.

"Not only that, but the power of the fist has also been enhanced by more than ten percent."

"You've truly worked hard."

"The First Young Lord is the one who worked hard."

In fact, Craftsman Gwak had shaken his head several times during this project. When it came to meticulous work, he was not one to fall behind anyone, but compared to the First Young Lord, he felt like a slacker who did a shoddy job.

Geom Muyang would visit several times a day to check on the progress. If there was even the slightest issue, he would ask for it to be remade.

However, Geom Muyang did not just give orders. He personally investigated, researched, and led by example, so the smithy could not complain. Thanks to that, they succeeded in creating more excellent gauntlets than ever before.

"For now, these are gauntlets for fifty people. First Young Lord, please deliver them to the Eastern Fist Garrison yourself."

He thought that with this much effort, Geom Muyang deserved to take them personally and take the credit.

"Thank you for your consideration."

"I think the Fist Demon will be very pleased to see these gauntlets."

"Someday, we will have to make gauntlets that the Fist Demon himself can wear."

Although the quality was outstanding, they were still standard-issue gauntlets.

"Please, have those gauntlets made at a different smithy."

Geom Muyang gave a faint smile at Chief Gwak's joke.

Just then, someone spoke from behind.

"As expected! You're taking care of your own."

When the two turned around, they saw Geom Mugeuk entering.

"Developing something for the person who supported you first, I see."

During the succession battle, the Fist Demon had officially announced his support for Geom Muyang.

Unlike in the past, Geom Muyang received the words gently.

"Isn't that obvious? From now on, I'm only going to develop things for the Fist Demon and the Demonic Buddha. If you don't like it, you can kick me out."

"I can't do that, you're too good at your job."

Geom Mugeuk politely bowed to Chief Gwak.

"It's been a while, Chief."

"I heard you had returned."

"May I try on the gauntlets?"

"Of course."

Geom Mugeuk put the gauntlets on his hands. Chief Gwak watched with a somewhat nervous heart. It was a well-known fact that Geom Mugeuk had inherited the Fist Demon's fist techniques. A master of fist arts was now conducting the first test.

After putting on the gauntlets and swinging his fists around, Geom Mugeuk smiled pleasantly and said, "These are excellent. May I have them?"

Only then did Chief Gwak also relax.

"Of course."

"As a memento, please leave your name on them, Chief. Wouldn't that increase their value tenfold?"

Chief Gwak smiled and excused himself, telling them to talk.

As Geom Muyang was about to lift all the boxes of gauntlets at once, Geom Mugeuk took half of them.

The two of them walked side by side.

"The Demonic Buddha's help was huge on this trip."

"He is a good person. You shouldn't be rude to him."

Geom Mugeuk looked at Geom Muyang and smiled.

"Why are you smiling?"

"When I look at you, you take good care of the people around you. Developing these gauntlets first, for example."

"It's like locking the stable door after the horse has bolted."

"That horse didn't go far. It's still around the stable."

Geom Muyang also let out a small laugh.

"Thank you."

At that, Geom Muyang spoke rather coldly.

"Do you know that I regret the past several times a day? Do you know that I fall asleep every night imagining myself as the successor? I'm not someone you should be thanking, so don't thank me."

"That's why I'm thankful."

"What?"

"I'm thankful that you're telling me this. In the future, if you're boiling with anger and just can't stand it, come find me and tell me like this. If I'm not around, go to the Demonic Buddha. If that doesn't work, go to the Fist Demon. If you really can't bear it, go to Father."

"Why is Father last? You should leave Father out of it."

"Telling Father will probably be the most relieving, don't you think?"

Geom Muyang stopped walking and looked at me.

"You need to get closer to Father. Putting aside all this Young Cult Leader business. We're his sons, aren't we?"

I try to console my brother in my own way.

"Father and the Demonic Buddha are worried about you, but I'm not worried about you. I have no intention of consoling you either. You'll do fine on your own. I, of all people, know how tough you are, don't I?"

Geom Muyang smiled faintly, self-deprecatingly.

Of course, I know. I know how quickly a person can crumble once they start to fall apart.

When our hearts begin to tempt and whisper to us, we come to realize. Our will is not bound by a lock made of ten-thousand-year-old cold iron. Sometimes, it is tied with a cloth knot that comes undone with a slight pull.

"Have you ever asked Father?"

"What?"

"What he's having a hard time with."

For a moment, Geom Muyang flinched.

"Have you asked?"

"I haven't asked either. It seemed like a job for the eldest son to do first."

My brother stared at me intently.

This was the method I chose to console my brother. Because if he falls into self-pity, he will sink into an endless abyss.

"I think it's time for us to start taking care of them. You go first, because you're the older brother."