Chapter 386: If I Had Known the Cult Leader Was Coming

TL: FoodieMonster007

Jo Cheonbae looked again at the Eight Demon Supremes standing on the street before the tavern.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon stood tall in the center with a giant dao at his side. The Flower Sword Supreme and the Drunken Demon flanked him, chatting casually. Nearby, the Poison King squatted down, inspecting something on the ground. The Demonic Buddha looked down at it with him.

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon perched on a roof's edge. He always preferred solitude and high places.

The Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme looked up at the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon. She was young and struggled to mingle with the others, and her gaze suggested a sense of kinship with the solitary figure.

The Fist Demon, who was in charge of security, stood watching the marketplace with his large fists hanging at his sides. He wore the gauntlets Geom Mugeuk had gifted him.

The eight Demon Supremes protected the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. The scene etched itself into Jo Cheonbae's heart like a painting, a story he could boast about to customers for years.

Jo Cheonbae was not the only one watching the Eight Demon Supremes. The merchants in the marketplace watched them, and among them stood the Commanders. This was a first for the Commanders too, being mobilized to stand guard like common martial artists. They were men who could not even remember the last time they had stood guard.

A sudden longing surged in Jo Cheonbae's heart for the one person who made such a sight possible.

Young Cult Leader, where are you? I miss you.

For this meeting, Father chose his most magnificent clothes. The key feature was on the back, where the rear view of the Heavenly Demon Soul was embroidered. The robe made it seem as if the Heavenly Demon Soul itself was walking when Father moved. It was an outfit that declared, I am the Heavenly Demon, Geom Woojin.

Our eyes met in the mirror as he changed.

"You look your absolute best today."

Today's protagonist was not me, not Jo Cheonbae, not the Murim Alliance Chairman, and not the Evil Alliance Chairman. The protagonist of the day, in my opinion, was Father.

However, Father seemed to think the protagonist was me.

"Well, I've gathered everyone like you wanted. What do you plan to do now?"

"As I wished?"

"Was it my wish, then?"

"Of course. Why else would the two Chairmen come? They're coming because they want to see you, Father."

Father's reflection in the mirror smirked at me. Father, you should see your expression right now. Is it really okay to smirk at someone so blatantly? Of course, I absolutely loved his signature smirk. It was the moment my banter worked, and it was also his answer.

This smirk had many meanings. Sometimes it meant 'You're getting cheeky', other times 'Is that really so?', or even 'Don't make me laugh'. Right now, it meant 'What an audacious brat'.

Father turned to face me.

"Let's go. If you've invited guests, you should be there first to wait for them."

For today, I walked quietly behind Father without my usual banter. The fearsome back of the Heavenly Demon Soul embroidered on his robe resembled Father's own back. It made me curious about my own Heavenly Demon Soul.

On the day I achieve complete mastery of the Nine Calamities Demonic Art, what form will my Heavenly Demon Soul take?

My brother, Geom Muyang, waited in front of our residence. Father's gaze toward my brother was gentle. He must have been proud that Geom Muyang was joining us on such a day.

"Father, please look at me with the same expression you have for Hyung right now."

Father did not answer and simply strode forward. My brother and I followed on his left and right.

"Our father, who only favors his eldest son. This is too much."

I thought he would ignore my words as usual.

"When your brother was young, he once had a fever."

Both my brother and I were startled. This was the first time our father had ever brought up something like this.

"The physician was away on business at the time. I used the Heavenly Demon Flight Step and ran all the way there, carrying your brother."

So that's when Hyung started acting strange! I wanted to quip but held back. My brother listened to our father with a look of utter shock and tension. If I'm this surprised, how much more so is he?

"Fortunately, the fever went down right away. The physician laughed, saying it wasn't serious enough for me to rush over like that."

Even this perfect man had his clumsy moments. In front of his sick child, he was not the Heavenly Demon, but a father. These were words I would have never heard if I had not regressed and changed our relationship.

Father added one more thing.

"So I feel a bit sorry."

After all, a parent experiences all sorts of trial and error raising their first child.

My brother said nothing and quietly walked behind our father. I could feel him suppressing a surge of intense emotion. I had a feeling that my brother would never forget the words our father said today.

Yes, it's thanks to Father that Hyung is holding up so well.

"What about me? Did I never have a fever?"

"You did. Yours was boiling hot."

"Then you must have run even faster."

A faint smile appeared on Father's lips. This smile, at least, was not a smirk, but one that recalled a time long ago.

"I stripped you naked and wiped you down with lukewarm water to bring the fever down."

"That's too much!"

Did Father, walking ahead, laugh? I had the illusion that the Heavenly Demon Soul on his back was laughing too.

The entire walk to the Demon Village, I pictured Father running while holding my brother, and Father wetting a cloth with lukewarm water to wipe my body down.

Yes, we've come this far. With every step we take closer, I'm sure I'll get to hear another story.

In the distance, the Alluring Inn came into view.

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon leaped down from the roof. The Poison King, who had been squatting lost in his own world, shot to his feet. The two who seemed like they would never emerge from their thoughts moved first. The rest of the Demon Supremes split to either side and looked toward the end of the street.

Jo Cheonbae could not bear the curiosity. He came out of the kitchen and peeked his head outside.

GASP!

At the end of the street, Geom Woojin walked toward them. Behind him, the Young Cult Leader and the First Young Lord followed, spread out like wings on either side.

The Cult Leader is really attending this meeting!

A shocked Jo Cheonbae froze on the spot. He wished someone would just pick him up and carry him to the kitchen. His feet would not move because he could not just duck back inside after seeing the Cult Leader approaching.

As Geom Woojin drew closer, the Demon Supremes performed a clasped hands greeting in unison.

"We greet the Cult Leader."

Their voices became one, echoing powerfully. The merchants who had been watching from outside had already gone back inside their buildings. In the marketplace, Commanders stood in a line at a set distance, their heads bowed. Jang Ho stood at their lead.

"Everyone, be at ease."

Geom Woojin's low but heavy voice resonated to the end of the marketplace. The bowing Commanders all raised their heads, revealing their dignified forms.

"Now, let's go inside."

Geom Woojin led the way in, and the Demon Supremes followed him. Jo Cheonbae was prostrated flat on the ground next to the entrance.

Geom Woojin recognized him.

"Rise."

"If I had known the Cult Leader was coming, I would've prepared with even more care and devotion."

Just then, Geom Mugeuk spoke slyly from behind.

"Does that mean you didn't do your best? Innkeeper, there's only one father, but there are eight of them here."

A flustered Jo Cheonbae habitually waved his hands in denial.

"No, that's not what I meant."

Then he was startled again and quickly bowed his head. Waving his hands in front of the Cult Leader. He had done something for which it would not be strange to hear, 'Someone cut off those disrespectful hands!'

Geom Woojin glanced back at Geom Mugeuk as if he were pathetic.

You want to tease the innkeeper in a situation like this?

Sensing an opportunity, the Demon Supremes also looked at Geom Mugeuk. A barrage of reproachful gazes fell upon him.

"No, I was just trying to lighten the mood. You're all too much! You don't even breathe in front of Father and just abandon me!"

Of course, was that really the case?

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon's frosty gaze seemed to say, 'Oh, you rascal!' The eyes of the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon laughed behind his mask. The Drunken Demon's gaze said, 'So you've already spread the rumor about what happened with Yeo Bin?' The Poison King never retreated into his own world in front of their father. The Fist Demon's strict gaze said, 'No pranks today'. Then there was the gaze of the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme, the first of the next generation, the Flower Sword Supreme's soft yet intense gaze, and even the Demonic Buddha's unyielding gaze, which was on my brother, not me.

The Fist Demon guided Geom Woojin to the second floor.

"This way up."

Geom Woojin took one of the three seats on the second floor.

Watching the Fist Demon come back down, Jo Cheonbae was inwardly puzzled.

Why isn't anyone else going up? If not the Demon Supremes, then who on earth is he meeting?

The possibility that his counterparts were the Murim Alliance Chairman or the Evil Alliance Chairman was unthinkable. How could he possibly imagine that such a momentous meeting would take place in his own tavern?

The Demon Supremes stood on the first floor. Not a single one sat down. They gathered together in one area instead of scattering.

Who on earth is coming?

Just then, a person entered the tavern. Jo Cheonbae was startled when he saw the person. It was the old man he had seen that morning. Standing near the entrance, he rushed over to the old man.

"Old man, I told you not today. Why are you here? Go on, hurry up and leave."

Startled gazes all turned toward Jo Cheonbae.

Jo Cheonbae looked around at the Demon Supremes and said, "No, it's nothing. He's someone who had an appointment at our tavern today. There was a slight misunderstanding."

Then he quickly whispered in the old man's ear.

"Hurry and go. Everyone here is a fearsome person."

Only then did Jo Cheonbae see them. The martial artists lined up behind the old man stared at him with cold eyes.

"Yikes!"

Startled, Jo Cheonbae faltered and stepped back. He had seen all sorts of martial artists while running his tavern. The people lined up behind the old man were not just any masters. He could not put it into words, but he felt the same overwhelming presence from them that he had felt from the Demon Supremes.

Jo Cheonbae looked back at the old man in surprise.

The old man's plain clothes were gone, replaced by a magnificent, luxurious robe. An ascending azure dragon coiled around the two characters for 'chivalry' embroidered on his chest. His clothes were not the only thing that had changed. His entire atmosphere was different. The old man exuded an absolute dignity that overwhelmed the masters behind him, and his piercing eyes were like a true tiger's.

"Didn't I say we'd see each other later?"

Jo Cheonbae answered in a trembling voice.

"You must be the one attending the summit today."

Geom Mugeuk, who had been watching, stepped forward.

"This is the Murim Alliance Chairman."

Jo Cheonbae's eyes grew wider and wider. The words 'Murim Alliance Chairman' sounded so foreign. The Murim Alliance Chairman? The Chairman of the orthodox sects' Murim Alliance? Why is the Murim Alliance Chairman here? Has a war broken out? Is this a dream?

"I was the one who invited the Chairman to the Alluring Inn."

Too shocked, Jo Cheonbae stood with his mouth agape, unable to say a word.

Geom Mugeuk slowly walked over and greeted Jin Paecheon first.

"You've had a long journey."

"Not at all. It's been a while since I've been in this region, so the trip was enjoyable."

"This is the innkeeper I mentioned to you earlier."

Jo Cheonbae's heart pounded as if it would burst. He mentioned me to the Murim Alliance Chairman? And now he's introducing me?

"Innkeeper."

Even with the Murim Alliance Chairman before him, Geom Mugeuk looked at Jo Cheonbae with a calm gaze. A gentle energy spread from Geom Mugeuk's body and enveloped Jo Cheonbae. As it did, Jo Cheonbae felt his wildly pounding heart begin to calm.

It wasn't enough that he saved my life and my family's, but he's also holding a summit between the Demonic Cult and the Orthodox Faction at my tavern?

For the first time, Jo Cheonbae wished he could use telepathy.

Will I be able to convey this insane, passionate gratitude to him later?

"We're counting on your skills, Innkeeper."

Jo Cheonbae nodded his head vigorously.

Jin Paecheon said to Geom Mugeuk, "When I met the innkeeper earlier, I understood why you chose this tavern."

The Murim Alliance Chairman had been scolded by Jo Cheonbae. He had told him not to be so hostile and that the elder should apologize first.

"Once you've had the food and drink, you'll understand completely."

Jin Paecheon went up to the second floor. He declined the Fist Demon's offer to guide him and went up alone.

Among the martial artists who came with him were Jin Hagun and Jin Haryong. I wanted to joke around with them, but since this was an official meeting, I just exchanged a silent clasped hands greeting.

Jin Haryong, in particular, was already in a good mood just from seeing Geom Mugeuk. There's a thrill that only Geom Mugeuk can give. In the whole world, who else could stand in front of the Murim Alliance Chairman just to introduce a tavern owner?

Behind them were seven masters, carefully selected from the Murim Alliance. There was an old master with graying white hair and a young master who looked to be in his thirties. They were all former and current top masters of the orthodox sects, whose names everyone would recognize. These were people who could be honest with their feelings even in front of the Demon Supremes.

One of them wore an openly displeased expression. The Chivalrous Hero Lim Sanggon. He was displeased that Geom Mugeuk had taken care of Jo Cheonbae in front of the Murim Alliance Chairman earlier. Why introduce some tavern owner? It's nothing short of disrespecting us.

As he glared at Geom Mugeuk, a cold gaze shot toward him.

It was the Blood Heaven Blade Demon. The warning in his eyes was clear.

How dare you send such a look to the Young Cult Leader?

At that, an old man next to the Chivalrous Hero glared at the Blood Heaven Blade Demon. The Taiyi Divine Sword Jingwang, a master of swordsmanship who had dominated the previous generation's murim with a single sword.

Filthy Demonic Cult bastards. He too let his feelings show plainly on his face.

This time, the Flower Sword Supreme stared at him coldly. Since both were individuals striving for the pinnacle of swordsmanship, it was only natural for them to be conscious of each other.

Jo Cheonbae was not watching this silent war of nerves. He was watching, as if mesmerized, as Jin Paecheon slowly made his way up to the second floor. Even though Jin Paecheon revealed no aura, the moment he stepped onto the second floor, Jo Cheonbae could feel the air on the first and second floors change.

A summit between the Demonic Cult and the Orthodox Faction is being held at my tavern! At my tavern!

Jo Cheonbae was so happy he felt like he might faint. He calmed his heart and took a deep breath. Now was the time to display his greatest skills.

Just as he was about to head to the kitchen, Jo Cheonbae spun around and looked up at the second floor. The one remaining seat caught his eye.

Huh? Then what's that seat for?