Chapter 384: I Cannot Tell You the Secret Ingredient

TL: FoodieMonster007

Jo Cheonbae was in a very good mood lately.

He enjoyed the most precious vacation of his life and even played the part of a wonderful son-in-law.

He truly could not ask for more.

It was all because of that person.

"Innkeeper, have you been well?"

He now lived a life where the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult greeted him with a bright smile.

"Young Cult Leader, what brings you here so early?"

"I came because I have something to tell you, Innkeeper."

"Please, come in."

Jo Cheonbae escorted Geom Mugeuk inside.

Geom Mugeuk looked around the Alluring Inn. It had not changed at all, even after some time.

"As expected! I feel at ease the moment I step inside."

"I don't know what to do with myself when you say such things."

Geom Mugeuk took his usual seat on the second floor.

"You should sit too, Innkeeper."

Jo Cheonbae sat across from Geom Mugeuk, feeling tense.

What could he possibly have to say to me?

Geom Mugeuk handed him a piece of paper with a date written on it.

"I think I'll need to rent out the entire Alluring Inn for this day. Would that be alright?"

"Of course."

This was Geom Mugeuk, the man who had saved his life and his family's lives. Jo Cheonbae would gladly let him rent it for a month, not just a day. If Geom Mugeuk asked for the inn itself, could he refuse?

"But who is coming that you need to do this?"

Until now, everyone had just shown up unannounced. The Heavenly Demon, unannounced. The Demon Supremes, unannounced. Who could be coming that required advance notice and renting the entire inn?

"There will be a meeting for our Cult. I boasted about you, Innkeeper. I insisted that we must hold it here."

"Thank you so much, Young Cult Leader."

At this point, a slight misunderstanding occurred.

Jo Cheonbae thought they were holding an internal Divine Cult meeting at the inn. It was a chance to sell some liquor and spread the Alluring Inn's name.

"Please prepare the alcohol and dishes with care. I apologize that I can't reveal who the guests are in advance. Also, I must ask you not to speak of this meeting to anyone outside until the day of."

"Of course, don't you worry."

Jo Cheonbae laughed heartily with confidence.

Finally, a chance to repay even a small part of my debt to the Young Cult Leader.

His gaze turned to the back wall. No matter how esteemed the guest.

I'm a man who has even hosted the Cult Leader!

Was that all? He had also hosted drinking parties for the Demon Supremes, the Demonic Army General, and the Sanzu Hall Director.

"When it comes to receiving esteemed guests, haven't I been through it all? Leave it to me!"

Innkeeper, this time the guests are people who mostly fight mid-air.

It was top secret, but Geom Mugeuk could have given Jo Cheonbae a hint. However, that would only backfire.

Jo Cheonbae would be too worried to sleep at night. He was the type of person to scale a cliff just to find good ingredients. No, Jo Cheonbae's heart might not even last until that day.

"Then I'll be counting on you, Innkeeper."

Truthfully, Geom Mugeuk would have preferred to just barge in as usual. He imagined the Murim Alliance Chairman arriving to a full first floor, saying, 'Let's clear a path,' and weaving through the crowd to the second floor.

He just wanted to show things as they normally were. Jo Cheonbae would handle them just fine, as he always had. A three-party summit held amongst the regular patrons!

Of course, he could not bring himself to insist on that. It would be too troublesome for the bodyguards.

"I'll be back later with my brother to eat."

"I will prepare your usual favorites."

After leaving the inn, Geom Mugeuk walked over to a middle-aged man in a bamboo hat who stood across the street.

"Did you not come in because of me?"

The middle-aged man took off his bamboo hat.

"You recognized me."

Surprisingly, he was Wang Suksu, the Cult Leader's former head chef.

The Head Strategist had apparently sent Wang Suksu to ensure the meeting went off without a hitch. It was a separate matter from trusting Geom Mugeuk, as the guests were the Murim Alliance Chairman and the Evil Alliance Chairman.

"I came to see if the inn needed anything."

He said this, but he had come to inspect the place, to check the food and the sanitation.

"Please don't mind me and carry on with your duties."

"Will that be alright?"

Knowing Geom Mugeuk had chosen the location, Wang Suksu was inwardly concerned.

"I will be fine, but that inn probably won't be."

"Pardon?"

"How could a humble inn like that possibly please someone like you, Chef Wang? You won't like a single thing about it."

Wang Suksu had to admit it. He had also thought it was absurd to hold such a meeting in an inn like that.

"In that case, may I ask why you chose this place?"

There were many reasons, but Geom Mugeuk gave the one that would resonate most with Wang Suksu.

"The food is delicious."

As expected, Wang Suksu immediately understood and nodded.

"If that is the reason, then it is more than enough."

"Then I will see you later."

Geom Mugeuk watched Wang Suksu enter the Alluring Inn before heading toward Headquarters.

The person he met at Headquarters was his brother, Geom Muyang. He was in his office, handling work for the upcoming meeting.

"What is it?"

"I came to see your face, brother."

"I'm busy. If you've seen my face, you can go."

He acted gruff for no reason, but his face showed a hint of pleasure.

"Let's eat together. We can check out the meeting place while we're at it."

"I told you I'm busy."

"My brother has plenty of bad traits, but I never thought he'd become a poster child for armchair theorizing! How can anything get done right when you decide everything from a desk without seeing the site? You have to see it with your own eyes and say, 'Innkeeper, don't you think this needs fixing?' and 'Little brother, don't you think you should concede on this point?'"

Geom Muyang covered his ears and rose from his seat.

The two walked side by side toward the Demon Village.

"You're attending the meeting too, right, brother?"

"Why? Do you wish I wouldn't?"

"How could that be? I have to show off to the people from the Murim Alliance and the Evil Alliance that I beat this man to become the successor."

Geom Mugeuk was worried that Geom Muyang might say he would not attend.

However, Geom Muyang was surprisingly confident.

"If I don't go, won't they say I didn't show up because I was ashamed of being pushed out of the succession? I have to go if only to avoid that."

It could not have been something he wanted to do. Geom Mugeuk was grateful to his brother for agreeing to attend.

"On second thought, maybe I shouldn't have you come. Everyone will be whispering, 'With such a fine eldest son, why did they make the younger brother the successor?'"

"As long as you know."

"Commander Jin's siblings from the Murim Alliance will be there this time. We have to show them that we are the more impressive pair of siblings."

"Is that why you invited them?"

"Yes, I invited them to show off the kind of people I have around me. I'm serious."

"How childish."

As they talked, Geom Mugeuk suddenly asked.

"Do you still dream?"

"What dream?"

"The dream of you becoming the successor."

Come to think of it, he had not had that dream recently. He used to have it so often at first.

"I dream it every day."

Geom Muyang finally realized the dream had left him. It was not something he would forget, no matter how busy he was. He felt a sense of relief, yet also a twinge of disappointment.

"I'll dream it even on the day before I die of old age."

"That's pathetic."

"I'll dream it even in my grave."

Finding his own words amusing, Geom Muyang let out a faint smile.

Geom Mugeuk could feel that his brother had let go.

"If you keep dreaming, it might become a reality someday. Who knows what the future holds for people?"

Geom Muyang, who had been walking alongside him, stopped and shouted with an angry face.

"Don't you even dream of it!"

Very occasionally, he would picture it. The image of Geom Mugeuk passing the position of Heavenly Demon to him and leaving. The more he learned about his younger brother, the clearer that scene became.

"Why are you trying to wake me from my dream?"

Geom Muyang deliberately looked at his brother with an even colder expression. He had to be firm on this point.

"Once you've taken it, you hold onto it until the end. I won't forgive you for yielding. Got it?"

"I got it. I won't yield. Am I an idiot? To give up something so good?"

The two started walking again. They did not say another word until they reached the Alluring Inn.

At that moment, Wang Suksu was in awe.

The food tasted better than he had expected. It seemed simple, yet it had a deep flavor. It was a taste anyone could enjoy, yet it also had its own unique character.

"How did you make this broth?"

"I added a secret ingredient to a pork-based broth. Even if you're from the Cult, I can't tell you the secret ingredient."

"That's fine."

This elderly man had said he was from the Cult and wanted to taste the food before the meeting.

Having done business here for a long time, Jo Cheonbae knew better than anyone how the Divine Cult handled things. It was only natural for someone to come and inspect the place.

After taking another sip of the broth, Wang Suksu was deeply moved.

"It has a different taste from the first sip."

"Oh, no, not at all."

Jo Cheonbae waved his hands humbly, but his shoulders were raised as high as the corners of his upturned lips.

"Ah, then please try this as well."

Even the Cult Leader has eaten this!

Wang Suksu tried the offered dish and looked very satisfied.

"This is good too. This one suits my palate the best."

Jo Cheonbae then said suggestively.

"Shall I pack some for you?"

"Would you do that?"

"To be honest, I've often been told since I was young that I have a natural gift for cooking. My tongue is sensitive too, so I know my flavors. I don't know if you're aware, but cooking, much like martial arts, requires talent."

"I would like to bring the Divine Cult's chefs here sometime to have a taste. To show them that such a deep flavor can be achieved even with such common ingredients."

"Oh, what are you saying. No, not at all."

Jo Cheonbae waved his hands again. He was in such a good mood that his waving hands seemed like butterflies about to flutter away.

In his excitement, Jo Cheonbae finally noticed Geom Mugeuk and Geom Muyang standing at the entrance, watching them.

"Ah, Young Cult Leader. First Young Lord! When did you arrive?"

Jo Cheonbae bowed politely to the two.

"This guest here is from our Cult, here for a preliminary inspection."

Geom Muyang greeted Wang Suksu first.

"Chef Wang."

"First Young Lord."

At the words 'Chef Wang', Jo Cheonbae flinched. A chef? This man was a chef? Chef Wang?

Having done business here for so long, how could he not have heard stories about Chef Wang? Could it be? That Chef Wang?

Jo Cheonbae asked Geom Mugeuk in a trembling voice.

"Could this person be? No, right?"

Geom Mugeuk smiled and said.

"That's right. This is the former head chef of the Cult Leader."

Startled, Jo Cheonbae jumped. All the butterflies that had been soaring came crashing down.

"Aigoo!"

He had boasted about everything, from making seasonings to simmering broth, not just to any chef, but to the former head chef of the Cult Leader.

"This foolish man has been wielding a stick and lecturing on martial arts in front of a sword god."

Wang Suksu then shook his head.

"Sometimes, that stick can be sharper than the sword god's sword."

They say that truly delicious places are hidden in unexpected spots, and the Alluring Inn was just that. Even when Geom Mugeuk had said it was delicious, Wang Suksu had inwardly dismissed it, thinking, how good could it be?

Wang Suksu said to Geom Mugeuk.

"I am a person who believes there is a destiny between food and people. This taste must have played a part in the destiny between this inn and you, Young Cult Leader."

It was the moment Jo Cheonbae received recognition from the Cult Leader's former chef.

"I enjoyed the meal."

"It was an honor, Chef!"

Before leaving, Wang Suksu took all the food that Jo Cheonbae had packed for him. That gesture alone moved Jo Cheonbae.

"That delicious dish, please bring it up to the second floor."

Leaving him drenched in emotion, Geom Mugeuk and Geom Muyang went up to the second floor.

Geom Muyang sent a telepathic message.

[It wasn't that good.]

[Why use telepathy? You should have said it out loud in front of the innkeeper, you meanie.]

[He's too moved right now. I don't think he would have heard me anyway.]

Jo Cheonbae just stared blankly at the back of the departed Wang Suksu.

"Sit here, brother. The view outside is good from here."

Geom Mugeuk offered him the good seat.

"Since I can't yield the grandmaster's chair, I should at least yield this seat."

Brother, do you know? To me, that seat is as precious as the grandmaster's chair.

When Jin Hagun came out of the meeting room, Jin Haryong was waiting.

"Took you a while?"

"They're in the middle of a battle of pride."

At Jin Hagun's words, Jin Haryong asked.

"What pride?"

"They're worried about the number of bodyguards compared to the Evil Alliance."

"Trying to take more?"

Jin Hagun shook his head.

"Trying to take at least one less."

Jin Haryong could not help but laugh. They were worried that having more bodyguards would make them look scared.

"They worry about the strangest things."

"It's an important issue for those people, but why are you here?"

"You took me off the meeting list, didn't you?"

"Yes, I heard they did."

"……"

"Because we can't both go."

Jin Haryong wore an expression that said, don't tell me.

"In case something happens, one of us has to survive?"

Jin Hagun nodded.

"Alright, go in and convince them. If you can't, then your Orabeoni will be the one staying behind."

Jin Hagun knew his sister's personality better than anyone, and also that she really wanted to see Geom Mugeuk.

"I was in the middle of convincing them anyway."

"You came for nothing. For not trusting your amazing Orabeoni."

"Am I really the best?"

Jin Hagun went back inside.

Jin Haryong smiled slightly and looked up at the sky outside the hallway window.

The clouds flowed across the sky, seeming to stand still, but time passed quickly.

Until the very moment of departure, Baek Jagang was in his personal training hall.

He had stayed there ever since the meeting date was set, preparing as if for war.

Today, too, he glared at the iron dummy.

In his eyes, Geom Woojin was now superimposed over the iron dummy.

He was still looking down at him with those arrogant eyes.

Just then, someone spoke from outside.

"Sayin. It is almost time to depart."

"Come in."

Bi Sayin entered the hall.

"Do you know who stands there?"

Bi Sayin looked at the iron dummy. The image of Geom Mugeuk was superimposed over it.

"Who stands there?"

"The Demonic Cult Leader stands there. Just as he looked when I met him ten years ago. He has been standing there ever since the three-party summit was decided."

Bi Sayin stared at the iron dummy with him for a moment before suddenly asking.

"Did you cut him down?"

For a moment, Baek Jagang was silent. The silence was long, but Bi Sayin did not think he had made a mistake. He was certain his master had been waiting for that question.

"I could not."

Bi Sayin liked this about his master. He did not hide the truth for the sake of face or pride.

"I understood in this place why I decided to meet him."

"What was the reason?"

"He had grown too large in my mind."

Bi Sayin could guess what those words meant.

"He will become smaller when you meet him this time."

A single anxiety surfaced in Baek Jagang's mind.

"What if he is even greater than the man I have built him up to be?"

Had he ever seen such a candid side of his master? Was it Geom Mugeuk who had changed his master, or was it Geom Woojin?

"Then you might understand a little of how I feel. The frustrating heart of a disciple watching a rival who only grows larger every time I see him."

Baek Jagang laughed silently.

Bi Sayin was pleased to see his master laugh. It felt like he took one step closer each time he laughed. He was fine even if it was just a delusion.

Soon, attendants came in with clothes. It was the ornate attire the Evil Alliance Chairman wore for official excursions.

However, Baek Jagang dismissed all the clothes.

He recalled the time he first stepped onto the unorthodox path and put on a single, clean black martial arts uniform.

The black martial arts uniform suited him perfectly, and it carried more dignity than the ornate attire from before.

"Let us go, to the Demonic Cult."