Chapter 385: Today, the Commanders are the Youngest

TL: FoodieMonster007

The day of the meeting finally dawned.

Jo Cheonbae started preparing for business earlier than usual. He wrote on a piece of paper and posted it prominently at the entrance.

Closed for the Day (今日休業).

Jo Cheonbae looked at the sign he had written and took a deep breath. Today's the day! You can do this, Chunbae.

"Is something happening today?" Mr. Yang from the cloth shop asked worriedly.

"There's a meeting of the Divine Cult at the inn today." Jo Cheonbae had kept it a secret until now, but he could finally reveal it.

Mr. Yang was naturally startled. "A Divine Cult meeting is being held at your inn?"

"That's right."

"Congratulations, congratulations." Everyone knew Jo Cheonbae was close with the Young Cult Leader. They also knew that not only the Divine Cult's Demon Supremes but even the Heavenly Demon had visited his inn, so the meeting was not surprising.

"Can I come watch later?"

"If you had that kind of courage, you'd be living a life where you wore those martial arts uniforms you sell."

Mr. Yang agreed he had a point and laughed heartily. "Do well."

"Thanks."

Songyi, who helped Jo Cheonbae in the kitchen, also came in earlier than usual. There was not much to prepare. Jo Cheonbae had already prepared everything in advance so dishes could be served the moment an order came in.

"Aren't you scared, Elder owner?" Songyi was terrified of the meeting that would take place today.

"Scared? What's there to be scared of?"

"Aren't a bunch of demonic practitioners coming here today?"

"Don't be scared. We have the Young Cult Leader. The most reliable person in the world is on our side, so what's there to be afraid of? Besides, it's only the wannabes who bother people. The true masters are gentlemen."

After reassuring Songyi, Jo Cheonbae went out the kitchen's back door.

In truth, Jo Cheonbae was just as nervous. The pressure of serving someone who dropped by unexpectedly was worlds apart from serving guests after preparing like this.

Just then, an old man came in through the back door.

"Elder, we're not open for business today, and you can't come in this way."

"Are you the owner of this place?"

"I am, but…"

"I have something to ask. My legs are aching, so let me just rest for a moment." The old man sat on a small wooden bench in the backyard.

The wrinkles on his face showed he was quite old, but his build was very sturdy. His sharp, tiger-like eyes suggested he must have had quite a temper in his youth.

Other than that, the old man seemed ordinary. Jo Cheonbae observed him with the intuition and keen eye he had developed from his long experience in business, but he did not look like a martial artist. He did not seem like a bad person either.

"I haven't seen you around before."

"I came from Hubei."

"My, you've come from far away. What brings you all the way here?"

"I came to meet someone."

"You must have had a hard journey at your age. Shall I get you a glass of water?"

"I'm fine."

"Who are you meeting that you came all this way?"

"An enemy, if you could call him that, and a close relation, if you could call him that."

At that, Jo Cheonbae asked cautiously, "Are you perhaps here to see your child?"

For a moment, the old man's face stiffened, and an undeniable shadow fell over it.

Jo Cheonbae thought his guess was correct. Cases like this were common. Old folks who had lived apart from their children traveled a long way, hoping to see their child's and grandchild's faces before they died.

"How long has it been since you've seen him?"

"It must have been over ten years."

Jo Cheonbae felt a pang of sympathy. Hadn't he himself just gone through a major family-related incident?

"Where did you agree to meet?"

"We agreed to meet at this inn."

"Oh dear! Of all the days, you picked today? The inn is closed today. What time were you supposed to meet?"

"I still have time, but I came early. I was also curious what sort of scheme he had in mind, choosing this place for our meeting."

The word 'scheme' told him everything. The relationship between this hot-tempered old man and his child was not good.

"You should reconcile, even if it's late."

"Should I?"

"Running a business here, I see all sorts of people. They hate each other to death and fight, but later, they all regret it. They wonder why they were so prideful when all they had to do was endure for a moment, be a little more generous. Aren't you and I past the age for being so sharp-edged, Elder? No, we're at an age where we should throw away our blades."

The old man stared intently at Jo Cheonbae without a word.

"If you keep putting it off, it'll be too late. When you see him, just say you were wrong first, Elder. Isn't that what being an adult is? You should cool your temper a bit."

"Why do you think I have a temper?"

"People like us can tell just by looking at a face. You had quite a temper in your younger days, didn't you?"

The old man gave a strange smile. "I did."

"I'm a man who's accurate when it comes to judging people." The image of Royal Chef Wang, whom he had failed to recognize, flashed through his mind, but he quickly pushed it away.

"Anyway, we're not open today, so please wait at the inn down the street. If someone comes looking for you, Elder, I'll be sure to tell them to go there."

Given the atmosphere today, it would not be easy to pass on that message. Should he ask the demonic practitioner guarding the entrance? He was needlessly worried that the old man might miss his child and never see him again.

Just then, the old man asked abruptly, "I heard the Demonic Cult Headquarters is near here. Have you ever seen the Heavenly Demon?"

Has this old man lost his mind?

"Whose name do you dare speak? If you say such things carelessly in the Demon Village, you won't die a peaceful death."

"My apologies."

Jo Cheonbae considered kicking him out immediately, but then felt sorry for the old man who had come from so far to meet his child, so he answered. "I have. The Cult Leader has visited our inn."

"What kind of person is he? Is he as fearsome as the rumors in the murim say?"

"He's only fearsome to the orthodox sects and unorthodox sects. To us, he is a benevolent person, and he is the one I respect the most."

"Because he protects you from the orthodox sects and unorthodox sects?"

"Of course, that's part of the reason, but…" Jo Cheonbae gave a surprising reason. "I like him because he is the Young Cult Leader's father."

It was the first time Jo Cheonbae had ever uttered such words. He himself had not known he felt this way.

But why is this old man looking at me like he knows something? What do you know about the Young Cult Leader?

Just then, Songyi's voice came from inside. "Elder, a customer is here!"

"Coming." Jo Cheonbae stood up. "You should go now. If you loiter around here today, you could get into big trouble, so please wait at the inn. Understood?"

"Thank you. See you later."

"I'm telling you, we won't see each other today!" Jo Cheonbae hurried into the building.

The customer who had come to the inn was an unexpected person.

"Huh? Lord General."

It was none other than the Demonic Army General, Jang Ho. He usually came for a drink wearing a plain martial arts uniform, but today he was dressed in the formal attire of the Demonic Army.

Seeing the terrifying demon emblem drawn on his chest, a sense of fear arose. Jo Cheonbae was automatically reminded, Ah, this man is the leader of that fearsome Demonic Army.

"General Jang, what brings you here?"

"I'm here to arrange the seating for today's meeting."

"Just give the word, sir. I'll do it."

"No, I'll take care of it myself."

Jang Ho went up to the second floor. There, he arranged the tables and chairs so that three people could face each other in a triangular formation.

Jo Cheonbae was inwardly puzzled. Are only three people coming to the meeting today?

He had thought many people would gather, but that seemed not to be the case, but for a meeting of just three people, Royal Chef Wang came to inspect the food, and the Demonic Army General himself came to arrange the seating?

Gasp! Could it be? Is the Cult Leader coming?

Then he quickly shook his head. If that were the case, the seating would not be arranged like this. The Cult Leader's seat would have been placed at the head of the table. Right now, the three seats were positioned equally, facing each other.

"But why are you doing this yourself, Lord General? And not having your subordinates do it."

"My subordinates will not be coming here today."

Jo Cheonbae did not know that no martial artist below the rank of Commander was allowed in the Alluring Inn today. Here today, the Commanders were the lowest in rank. The Commanders of each organization were stationed throughout the marketplace like ordinary martial artists.

"No one else will be allowed to enter the inn."

Jo Cheonbae was about to mention the old man but stopped. The man had already left anyway. If he said something and the old man was dragged away by the demonic practitioners for questioning, he would not be able to meet his child.

Just then, another person entered the inn.

To his surprise, it was the Fist Demon. Seeing that fearsome face, Jo Cheonbae's heart pounded.

It seems the Fist Demon is also attending the meeting.

The Fist Demon and Jang Ho greeted each other.

With the two of them standing side by side, the inn felt completely filled. Besides, weren't they the two most fearsome-looking men in the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult? With the two intimidating figures meeting, Jo Cheonbae could not even dare to look at them.

After a brief conversation with Jang Ho, the Fist Demon approached Jo Cheonbae.

Ah, I should have gone into the kitchen earlier.

The Fist Demon came right up to him and asked an unexpected question. "Are the food preparations proceeding without a hitch?"

The Fist Demon was asking him about the food preparations?

Jo Cheonbae looked at the Fist Demon with a surprised expression before hastily bowing his head. His face was too frightening to look at directly.

"Don't be surprised. I am in charge of security for today's meeting."

The Fist Demon is in charge of security? He's not attending the meeting as a main participant? Why?

"There are no problems with the food preparations. We can serve it whenever you order."

"Before the food is served, a martial artist from our Cult will come to test it for poison. It's not because we suspect you, but a matter of procedure, so please understand."

"Of course."

Jo Cheonbae went into the kitchen. He already felt his legs going weak.

Why would a Demon Supreme, and the fearsome Fist Demon at that, bother to explain things in such detail to a mere innkeeper? Normally, he would not have. He never would have. Not if it were not for the Young Cult Leader.

It was right then, as Jo Cheonbae was looking into the bubbling broth.

Another Demon Supreme entered the inn.

It was the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, carrying a large giant dao on his back. His attire was also different from usual. He wore a red robe symbolizing a blood-red sky. The Blood Heaven Blade Demon of today was not the same man who had read poetry and joked around with Geom Mugeuk.

A frost-like chill rose from his stubborn eyes.

Jo Cheonbae felt like he was suffocating, so he quickly turned his head and started trimming vegetables that did not need trimming.

Songyi asked with her eyes. And you said you weren't scared?

I'm scared, I'm really scared. He could not bring himself to say it out loud because of his pride.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon asked the Fist Demon, "Have you seen the Young Cult Leader?"

"I heard he stopped by the Cult Leader's place."

"I see."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon slowly walked outside. The Heaven Destroying Dao on his back shone more coldly than ever.

Seeing the Blood Heaven Blade Demon after the Fist Demon, Jo Cheonbae felt immense pressure. The aura of the Demon Supremes today was different from usual. Even though they conversed calmly and just stood there quietly, something felt different.

Phew, get a grip. I have to pull myself together, if only for the Young Cult Leader's sake.

He opened a small window in the kitchen that faced the main street and took a deep breath. As he looked up at the sky to calm his mind, he saw someone.

Someone stood on the roof of the building across the street with his arms crossed. It was an unmistakable person. His white mask glinted in the sunlight.

Was it because the sight of him standing alone, relying on a single mask, looked lonely? Was it because the cherry blossom petals flying with the spring breeze, brushing past the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon, were so beautiful? Jo Cheonbae stared at him as if mesmerized.

Just then, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon's gaze slowly turned toward Jo Cheonbae.

Gasp!

Startled, Jo Cheonbae quickly ducked below the window. Did their eyes meet?

When he cautiously peeked his head up to look again, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon was no longer there.

He let out a sigh and said, "Phew. The Smiling Demon is the scariest person after the Poison King."

When Songyi did not answer, Jo Cheonbae casually turned around.

"……"

He was even more startled than before.

The Poison King had entered at some point and was squatting next to Songyi. He looked at a snail-like bug crawling among the vegetables she was trimming. Songyi was frozen, her hand covering her mouth.

The Poison King was also in his formal attire. Dressed in a stylish robe of green and white, he had become a handsome Young Lord who caught the eye at a glance.

Even in her startled state, Songyi thought the twelve zodiac animal drawings on the poison pouch at the Poison King's waist were cute. If she knew what was inside, she would imagine the eyes of these cute animals turning bloodshot as they leaped out as monsters.

The Poison King placed the bug on a leaf and carried it outside.

As he left, Jo Cheonbae let out the breath he had been holding. "I admit it. I'm scared too."

Then Songyi said, gazing at the spot where the Poison King had left, "No, he's not scary."

"What?"

"He's cool."

Jo Cheonbae shook his head from side to side.

Just then, he sensed someone entering the inn. Jo Cheonbae peeked through the small window from the kitchen to the outside to see who had arrived.

The person who entered was the Flower Sword Supreme, dressed in a pure white martial arts uniform. On a day like today, she might have worn makeup for the first time in a while, but she came bare-faced. The traces of time were naturally visible.

Her face was also tanned from arduous training, creating a contrast with her pure white martial arts uniform.

Nevertheless, Jo Cheonbae felt that she looked more beautiful now than when she used to wear elaborate makeup. He wanted to go and tell her so. You look more wonderful and elegant now. Of course, he did not dare.

There was someone who said it for him. "You're the most beautiful Sword Supreme I've ever seen."

As she turned, the Drunken Demon stepped inside.

He too was properly dressed today. His clothes were embroidered with the image of a drunken god of wine (酒神) laughing. Of all his clothes featuring the wine god, he might have worn one depicting a fearsome, rampaging wine god today.

"I hear the spring breeze is blowing in the Drunken Dream Palace these days?"

"For someone who will be the future Cult Leader, her lips are so sealed."

The Drunken Demon smiled faintly, uncorked his liquor bottle, took a deep sniff, and closed it again.

Is today so important that the Drunken Demon is refraining from drinking?

Just as Jo Cheonbae was thinking that, a golden light poured in from outside the inn. The small giant, the Demonic Buddha, had arrived, revealing his undeniable presence.

His kasaya was embroidered with images of humans and demons suffering in the fires of hell. It looked as if the golden radiance he emitted was becoming flames to burn them away.

Furthermore, the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme appeared as if she had been there all along, seeping into view. Her eyes, which had grown more mature since he last saw her, held a ghastly demonic energy. She was walking the narrow path between humans and ghosts.

It was the first time for Jo Cheonbae. Seeing all of the Eight Demon Supremes in one place. With them all gathered together in their formal attire, it was truly a magnificent sight.

Gathered like this in a marketplace that did not suit them, it became an even more unforgettable scene.

If he were a painter, he would have definitely painted this scene.

So it really was a meeting of the Eight Demon Supremes!

Then, a question naturally arose.

Jo Cheonbae's gaze turned to the second floor. All the Demon Supremes had gathered, so why were there only three seats?

Why isn't anyone sitting there?