Chapter 394: My Meeting Has Finally Ended

TL: FoodieMonster007

"Why's it gotten so quiet outside?"

Jo Cheonbae turned his head at Songyi's words.

He was in the kitchen, wrestling with the food. Stir-frying, boiling, grilling. He worried it might be late or taste bad, so he poured all his effort into cooking.

Jo Cheonbae cautiously peeked his head out of the kitchen. The once-bustling first floor had gone silent. Everyone stared up at the second floor.

Jo Cheonbae stepped out of the kitchen and also looked up. He was surprised to see the Evil Alliance Chairman writing a message on the wall.

Gasp!

Jo Cheonbae clamped a hand over his mouth.

He could not see the words, but another message appeared above the Evil Alliance Chairman's. It was unmistakably the writing of the Murim Alliance Chairman.

Ah!

Jo Cheonbae's legs trembled with surprise and excitement. He thought there could be no more surprises. Today, Jo Cheonbae's heart was growing stronger.

Bi Sayin saw the message his master left on the wall and bowed his head deeply, as if embarrassed. A smile still formed on his lips.

The message was left at the three-party talks, so it was bound to become a hot topic in the murim. It was a message that could go down in history for a very long time.

His Master surely knew this, yet he had mentioned Bi Sayin. Even now, his master made him the protagonist, not himself or Jin Hagun.

After leaving their messages, the Murim Alliance Chairman and the Evil Alliance Chairman descended. The Heavenly Demon and the successors followed them down together. The sight of them descending the stairs was deeply engraved in Jo Cheonbae's heart. Every scene unfolding here moved him.

The martial masters on the first floor did not know what was said upstairs. Geom Woojin had prevented any sound from leaking out before the leaders spoke.

But they could guess the historic meeting had ended successfully. The leaders' expressions and the messages they left on the wall were proof enough.

Jin Paecheon was about to leave. He smiled at Jo Cheonbae, who stood before the kitchen. "The alcohol and the food were delicious," he said.

"Oh my, thank you," escaped Jo Cheonbae's lips automatically. He normally would have run over and bowed deeply, but he could not do that before the Heavenly Demon. He bowed from the waist in front of the kitchen to show his gratitude.

Jin Paecheon walked out, followed by Jin Hagun and Jin Haryong. Behind them, the masters of the orthodox sects spread out and followed. They trailed their Chairman's back quietly and with discipline. One would never guess they had been drinking and chatting loudly just moments before.

Before they left, one more incident occurred, known only to those involved.

The Taiyi Divine Sword glared at the Flower Sword Supreme one last time.

The Flower Sword Supreme did not avoid his gaze.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon stood beside her. He sent a telepathic message to the Taiyi Divine Sword.

'Stop staring already.'

The Taiyi Divine Sword glared at the Blood Heaven Blade Demon. The man was not intimidated and sent another cold remark.

'Before I gouge your eyes out.'

The Taiyi Divine Sword was flustered. He had not expected the Blood Heaven Blade Demon to use such crude profanity and could not lash out. The man's fierce aura made it clear that any reaction would lead to a fight.

He could not start a fight now, regardless of whether he would win or lose against the Blood Heaven Blade Demon. The Cult Leader and the Chairmen had just said their farewells after a successful meeting.

He knows that and is acting this way.

The Taiyi Divine Sword glared at the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, then whipped his head away.

Anyway, these damn Demonic Cult bastards!

He was truly sick and tired of the Demonic Cult.

The Flower Sword Supreme sent the Blood Heaven Blade Demon a telepathic message. 'What did you say?'

'I politely told him to stop looking.'

The Flower Sword Supreme knew that could not be right. The Taiyi Divine Sword's reaction was not to a polite remark.

'Thank you, my friend.'

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon looked at her, dumbfounded.

'We're the same age now, aren't we?' she replied.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon smiled faintly. His response to the Taiyi Divine Sword certainly fit the phrase 'If only I were ten years younger!'. The profanity he used was something he would have said forty years ago. He never would have done it if not for the Flower Sword Supreme.

Next, the unorthodox sects left.

Baek Jagang glanced at Geom Woojin and Geom Mugeuk before he departed.

Let's see on harvesting day.

He thought that if their side's 'seed' was Bi Sayin, the competition of raising successors might be a worthy challenge.

Baek Jagang went outside. The masters of the unorthodox sects spread out and moved behind him.

After seeing off all the masters, Geom Woojin left last. Geom Muyang and the Eight Demon Supremes followed behind him, spreading their wings.

And so, everyone left. Only Jo Cheonbae and Geom Mugeuk remained in the Alluring Inn.

Ah, there was one more person.

"Songyi. You worked hard today."

He paid Songyi for her labor in the kitchen and sent her off. He gave her double pay for all the work and packed a load of leftover food for her.

"Thank you! You should get some rest too, Elder."

Once Songyi left, only Geom Mugeuk and Jo Cheonbae remained.

Geom Mugeuk looked at Jo Cheonbae with a gentle gaze.

"You've truly worked hard."

"Ah, it feels like a dream." Jo Cheonbae plopped into his seat, then shot back up. "Um, may I go up to the second floor for a moment?"

"Let's go together."

Jo Cheonbae stood before the second-floor wall, deeply moved.

"I never knew a day like this would come."

The Heavenly Demon, the Murim Alliance Chairman, and the Evil Alliance Chairman had all left messages on his tavern wall. No other tavern in the world was like this. There never had been, and there likely never would be again.

At the same time, Jo Cheonbae became afraid.

"I'm scared."

"What are you afraid of?"

"What if this wall gets damaged?" The thought terrified Jo Cheonbae, and his body trembled. What if someone graffitied the wall? What if they destroyed it? What if they stole the entire wall?

Geom Mugeuk smiled. "Who would dare make an enemy of both the orthodox and unorthodox? Even if they managed to steal that wall, where would they sell it?"

Geom Mugeuk knew these words would not completely reassure Jo Cheonbae. The man would remain anxious and worried.

"Even if that happened, it would have its own meaning."

"Pardon? What do you mean?"

"Someone damages the wall for some reason and disappears. I'm saying that would also become a moment in history. It might even become a more interesting piece of history."

Jo Cheonbae never expected Geom Mugeuk to say something like that.

"All that matters is that you, the owner, remember this moment. Then it will last forever. Look. Would anyone who left their mark on that wall get angry if it were damaged? They'd probably just come back and write on it again."

The heavy boulder on Jo Cheonbae's chest finally lifted.

"So let's remember this moment well in our hearts."

"Yes, Young Cult Leader."

Jo Cheonbae could not understand how such a young person could be so considerate.

"May I offer you a drink?"

"Of course. I'll have a drink from the owner."

Jo Cheonbae respectfully poured Geom Mugeuk a drink.

"As expected! The owner's drink is the most delicious." Geom Mugeuk drank it down refreshingly, then picked up the bottle. "Have a drink of my alcohol as well."

He poured Jo Cheonbae a full cup.

Jo Cheonbae politely received the drink and emptied his cup. As he drank, he finally felt it. The biggest event in his life as a tavern owner had ended.

Then Jo Cheonbae saw it. Geom Mugeuk sat quietly, looking out at the street beyond the tavern.

It was a quiet side, different from when he laughed and chatted. Jo Cheonbae now knew. That calm, lonely demeanor was the Young Cult Leader's true self.

"Owner, I'll be on my way now."

Jo Cheonbae could not think of what to say. What words could convey his immense gratitude? He gave his usual greeting to tavern customers.

"Come again, customer!"

How could Geom Mugeuk not know his heart? Geom Mugeuk played along and greeted him like a regular.

"Sell a lot, owner."

As Geom Mugeuk left, the marketplace people who had been holding their breath began to enter the tavern. Jo Cheonbae's boasting would likely continue late into the night. He probably would not even let them cough near that wall. As long as those people are alive, the wall is alive too.

I returned to Headquarters and went straight to the Cult Leader's hall to see the protagonist of today's meeting. Father, who had led the talks to success, was not there.

"He said to bring you to him when you arrived, Young Cult Leader."

The bodyguard, Hwi, guided me to the Cult Leader's private hot spring behind Father's residence. He usually did not let me come this far, but he allowed me in today for some reason.

Father soaked in the hot spring, steam rising in billows around him.

"A bath with Father after so long! This is great!"

I started to take off my clothes, but Father held out his hand. My robe's open lapels closed, and telekinesis pushed me back.

"That's too much! Please let me in too!"

Father shook his head firmly.

"You put miracle herbs in that water, didn't you? If I soak in there, my skin will get as strong as steel, right? Is that why you're doing this alone?"

Father gently closed his eyes. "It's ordinary water. Passed down for a long time."

"Then shouldn't you at least put some miracle herbs in it? This is where the Heavenly Demon bathes."

"Why don't you buy some and put them in yourself."

"Natural is always best for everything."

Right. No matter how much Father has changed, he is not the type to bathe with me. Just letting me come this far is a big change.

"Then I'll just sit here and soak up some steam."

I sat in front of the hot spring.

"How was it, meeting the Murim Alliance Chairman and the Evil Alliance Chairman?"

"They were the same as ever."

He must have seen things I could not. They must have held a different meaning for Father.

Father stared at me quietly, then said softly, "You look tired."

At those words, the tension that gripped my heart all day melted away.

As expected! Father noticed.

I was tired. Really tired.

I had danced, laughed, and joked, but I was tense from the beginning of the meeting to the end.

My nerves were on edge in case those bastards were plotting something. I was even more tense because Father, the Murim Alliance Chairman, and the Evil Alliance Chairman were all present. Conspiracies, by nature, exploit such moments of complacency.

Fortunately, the meeting ended without incident.

I think our enemies didn't make any clumsy attempts precisely because they are strong. They made the right judgment. They calculated that if they tried to plot something while we were all gathered, they would be the ones to lose in the end.

Facing an external enemy while the orthodox and unorthodox were gathered would only unite our side even more.

"It seems I was more worried than I realized."

Father nodded.

"Aren't you going to tell me I did a good job?"

"You did a good job."

"It was a compliment I had to poke Father in the ribs for, but it still feels good." I looked around the hot spring. "I remember being in here."

For a moment, the corner of Father's eye twitched. The steam obscured my vision, but the Divine Eye Technique let me see his expression clearly.

"I remember crying that it was too hot. You carried me in your arms, Father. I remember my brother, too. He sat before me, pretending it wasn't hot at all. Thinking back, even then, my brother wanted to look good for you."

"Even after becoming the successor, you still badmouth your brother when he's not around."

"You saw how cool he was earlier, didn't you? He's a brother you can't let your guard down around."

How could these words be an insult? Father must have known I brought it up to say how cool my brother was.

After a brief pause, I spoke respectfully to Father.

"Thank you, Father."

"For what?"

"For everything."

My demonic arts are blocking Father's. He must have confirmed that again today. It must bother him, yet Father shows no sign of it.

After a brief pause, Father said, "You must be tired. Go and rest."

"Yes, Father. You rest as well."

Of course, I did not just leave.

SPLASH.

I playfully flicked water at Father before running away.

Of course, not a single droplet reached Father.

Next time, I'll scrub your back for you, Father. Though I don't know if that day will ever come.

I returned to my residence and used the Spacetime Manipulation Technique to create my second personal space.

My first space was a beach with a blue sky and sea. This new space was a snowfield with pure white snow piled in all directions. I created a small hot spring there, inspired by Father's.

This place had only two things. Snow and stars. Only pure white snow and the stars in the night sky were visible.

How about this, Father? Isn't this place more atmospheric?

I took off my clothes, folded them neatly, and placed the Secret Box on top.

Then I soaked my body in the steaming hot spring.

"Ah! This is nice!"

I sat looking up at the star-filled night sky, feeling all my fatigue melt away.

I finally realized the meeting was over. The other people's meeting ended earlier, but my meeting was only now over.

Today's meeting was only truly over for me after I talked with Jo Cheonbae, met Father, and confirmed everyone was safe.

A pleasant relief washed over me. The weariness mixed with the warm water, making me feel even better.

PLUNGE.

I submerged myself completely, head and all.

Above the water, the stars of the night sky shimmered as if they were dancing.

This time alone was wonderful. If you truly respect someone, you must respect their time alone. Right now, I was respecting myself to my heart's content.

Ah, I'm not alone right now, am I?

I poked my head out of the water and spoke playfully to the Secret Box.

"Are you cold? Want to come in too?"

Thanks to this guy, I've already absorbed the Black Orb and the Green Orb. I don't know how many more I need to absorb for the energy to become complete.

Truly, if it were anyone else, they would have focused all their attention on uncovering the secrets of the Secret Box or the energy absorbed into their body, but I'm relaxed.

It started that way, so I left it to fate. We're just going along together like this, like friends.

Still, I was sometimes curious.

"How many more energies are left to absorb?"

The Secret Box was unlikely to answer.

"Actually, you don't know either, do you?"

The Secret Box just smiled brightly, as always.