Chapter 539: Have You Ever Served Drinks in a Brothel?

TL: FoodieMonster007

Geom Mugeuk and the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon emerged from the Spacetime Manipulation Technique. They had returned from illusion to reality after two days that neither of them would ever forget.

When Geom Mugeuk opened the door, he found Yeo Jong standing there.

"Has someone come to see me?"

With a slightly flushed face, Yeo Jong answered him.

"It's the head of the Demon Slaying Brigade and Young Lady Jin Haryong."

Of course, Yeo Jong was aware of who they were. She knew the head of the Demon Slaying Brigade was the grandson of the Murim Alliance's leader and the strongest candidate to succeed him.

She had never expected Jin Hagun to visit the Thousand Flower Palace. Now the Evil Alliance Young Alliance Chairman would be arriving as well. If that happened, the successors to the demonic, orthodox, and unorthodox factions would all be gathered in one place.

Yeo Jong felt this was not only the greatest crisis of her life but also an opportunity for an experience she would never have again.

"A friend was in danger, so I called for them," Geom Mugeuk explained.

At his words, Yeo Jong expressed her envy.

"I'm envious. I've never managed to make a friend like that in my life."

Her words prompted a slightly disappointed response from Geom Mugeuk.

"You don't have any friends? Then what about me?"

As if his words were too much to handle, Yeo Jong quickly bowed her head.

"I'll bring them here."

As Yeo Jong turned away, she thought that the Young Cult Leader had every right to be disappointed. When she was in danger, hadn't he and Cho Hwi rushed over without a moment's rest? That was no different from the head of the Demon Slaying Brigade coming now.

Come to think of it, I have friends too.

She had the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon, who was like the heavens to her, and another friend like the heavens who would come running in a crisis. Her life was one where she could ask for nothing more.

After Yeo Jong withdrew, Geom Mugeuk immediately sat down to circulate his energy. With his inner arts completely gone, he was trying to take a moment to perform at least one full circulation.

While Geom Mugeuk focused on his energy, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon stood beside him as a guard. He recalled the snowy landscape he had witnessed inside the Spacetime Manipulation Technique.

Geom Mugeuk spoke with his eyes still closed, having reached a state where he could talk freely even while circulating his energy.

"Smiling Demon, your martial arts can reach an even higher state than they are now."

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon had long ago mastered the Blood Calamity Finger and the Extremely Savage Demonic Palm. Recent changes in his life and an increase in his inner arts had improved his martial arts further, and the two days of training had solidified that state.

Now, Geom Mugeuk was saying he could rise even higher. This meant that from his current Eleventh Star, he could reach the Twelfth Star mastery.

"If the Blood Calamity Finger and the Extremely Savage Demonic Palm are perfected further, they will be reborn as completely different martial arts."

He might have disbelieved anyone else, but he could trust Geom Mugeuk's words. After all, Geom Mugeuk had hovered between life and death with him more than anyone. He had seen his martial arts up close countless times.

"Become stronger, Smiling Demon."

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon had always sensed it. There was a clear reason and a target for Geom Mugeuk's endless pursuit of strength.

"Is the enemy we must face that strong?"

Geom Mugeuk answered after a brief pause.

"He is strong."

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon slowly nodded. If that was the case, no more words were needed.

"I will become stronger."

If only to protect the Young Cult Leader.

And he was not the only one improving. Recently, not just him but the other Demon Supremes were also growing stronger in their own ways.

That was why he had a premonition. The current Eight Demon Supremes would become the strongest in history.

Just then, Jin Hagun and Jin Haryong arrived with Yeo Jong.

Entering the room, they were first surprised to see Geom Mugeuk circulating his energy. They were then surprised again to see the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon standing next to him, as they had not expected to find him here.

"Greetings, Demon Supreme."

"Commander Jin, welcome."

Compared to Jin Hagun's awkward greeting, Jin Haryong greeted him with a bright expression.

"It's been a long time!"

"Miss Jin, it's good to see you."

Jin Hagun could see how much he and his sister had changed just from this exchange.

The fact that he had greeted first and that Jin Haryong was speaking with such a bright voice was something that should have been impossible.

Jin Hagun's gaze shifted to Geom Mugeuk, who was still circulating his energy. Yes, this scene felt right.

Everything was divided into before meeting Geom Mugeuk and after meeting Geom Mugeuk.

Everything had changed after getting to know him. It wasn't just his own life. Even his sister was now gesturing to the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon, asking if Geom Mugeuk was hurt.

Jin Haryong was happy to see Geom Mugeuk after so long. Seeing him circulating his energy at their reunion, she thought it was just like him. A joke naturally slipped out.

"You called for the head of the Demon Slaying Brigade and you're just circulating your energy? You're too bold!"

Jin Hagun shot her a look, warning her not to be so casual with the Young Cult Leader in front of a Demon Supreme.

Just then, Geom Mugeuk completed one full circulation of his vital energy and opened his eyes.

"I just wanted to show how much I trust the head of our Demon Slaying Brigade."

Geom Mugeuk shot up from his seat. The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon, who stood beside him, was inwardly surprised.

The speed at which he circulates his vital energy for one cycle is astonishingly fast.

Of course, this single circulation would not replenish all of Geom Mugeuk's vast inner arts. At this rate, however, it seemed he would recover his power completely very quickly.

Geom Mugeuk and Jin Hagun greeted each other first.

"You arrived early?"

"As it happens, I wasn't far."

Geom Mugeuk looked at Jin Haryong. Instead of a greeting, she summed up the situation.

"Who would believe it? The man who will be the heir to the Murim Alliance received word from the Demonic Cult's Young Cult Leader that the Evil Alliance Young Alliance Chairman was in danger, and he came running just like this."

Geom Mugeuk smiled at her. She gave off a more relaxed feeling than before, which meant she had grown.

"I happened to be nearby too. I don't usually come to Guizhou."

It must be fate that I see you. She stopped herself before saying the words.

After they exchanged greetings, Geom Mugeuk introduced Yeo Jong to them.

"This is the owner of the Thousand Flower Palace, and someone I like and respect."

Jin Hagun and Jin Haryong greeted her politely. The fact that Geom Mugeuk emphasized that he liked and respected her meant she was an important person.

Yeo Jong quietly looked at their faces. Geom Mugeuk was curious about what fate she was reading from them.

"Seeing you two, I can tell that the future of the orthodox sects' murim is incredibly bright."

"You praise us too highly."

After they exchanged greetings, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon excused himself, figuring the two would be uncomfortable if he stayed.

"Well then, please talk amongst yourselves."

As the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon was about to leave with Yeo Jong, Geom Mugeuk made a request.

"Pavilion Master, I'm sorry to ask, but please show off your skills one more time. These are friends who have been suffering in foreign lands and haven't been able to eat properly."

Before she could answer, Jin Hagun declined.

"It's alright. You don't need to go to such trouble for us."

Then, Yeo Jong smiled and said, "How many chances will I get in my life to serve a meal to the head of the Demon Slaying Brigade? Please don't refuse this great honor you have given me."

With her saying that, Jin Hagun could not refuse.

Yeo Jong could guess Geom Mugeuk's intention. It was his way of helping her deepen her connection with Jin Hagun, even if just a little. The Thousand Flower Palace was expanding throughout the Central Plains, so a connection with the head of the Demon Slaying Brigade was an unconditional benefit for her, especially one she initiated herself.

As Yeo Jong left, she gave Geom Mugeuk a look of gratitude.

Thank you, Young Cult Leader.

After the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon and Yeo Jong departed, only the three of them remained.

"Tell me in detail what happened."

"Our dancer friend has a lot of enemies."

Geom Mugeuk told them everything that had happened concerning the Thousand Flower Palace.

After hearing the story, the expressions of the two hardened. On their way over, they had discussed the possibility that Geom Mugeuk might have exaggerated because he missed them. But after hearing everything, they knew the situation was serious.

"This isn't something a mere Trading Company could plan, so there must be someone behind it."

Jin Hagun's gaze turned to Geom Mugeuk.

"That means they could be targeting you."

Then Geom Mugeuk pulled the two of them into it as well.

"Or it could be you two. What if it's someone who predicted I would call for you?"

"Are we in danger because we have the wrong friend?"

"You have the right friend, so you're escaping the danger of being defeated one by one."

Jin Hagun now knew this was not just an empty boast. The enemies were targeting people regardless of whether they were from the orthodox, unorthodox, or demonic factions.

"Our Cult is currently investigating the Hundred Prosperities Trading Company intensively. The results should be out soon. Then we might be able to figure out what those bastards ultimately want."

Jin Hagun was grateful that Geom Mugeuk had called him. If Bi Sayin and Geom Mugeuk had resolved this matter by themselves and he had only heard about it later, he felt he would have been somewhat disappointed.

"Thanks for calling me."

"You might not be so thankful after you hear what I'm about to say."

What kind of prank was he planning now? Not just Jin Hagun, but Jin Haryong too was curious about what Geom Mugeuk was going to say.

And as always, the question was something they had never expected.

"Have you ever served drinks in a brothel?"

"It suits you, don't you think?"

At Geom Mugeuk's words, Jin Hagun looked at his reflection in the bronze mirror. He was now wearing the uniform of those who worked at the Thousand Flower Palace.

He truly never dreamed he would be doing something like this in his life.

"If you start learning the work now, you'll be proficient by the beginning of next month."

Not only that, but it was also decided that the martial artists of the Demon Slaying Brigade would disguise themselves as workers of the Thousand Flower Palace.

The reason Jin Hagun stood before the bronze mirror in such attire was because of Geom Mugeuk's request.

"I want you all to protect the courtesans who work here."

Geom Mugeuk persuaded him earnestly.

"We don't know what will happen that day. It could end anticlimactically, or something could happen that exceeds our expectations. I don't know if you know this, but I'm a person who always thinks of the worst-case scenario."

What Geom Mugeuk was worried about was the safety of the courtesans.

"When things get out of hand, no one will be able to pay attention to them. And I can't entrust this task to the Faceless Warriors."

Geom Mugeuk stared at Jin Hagun and said, "You and the Demon Slaying Brigade will protect them that day."

Asking the head of the Demon Slaying Brigade and his forces to come all this way just to protect courtesans could have offended Jin Hagun's pride. He could have felt like he was being pushed aside from the important work.

However, Jin Hagun nodded readily and answered.

"I will protect them."

Jin Haryong was inwardly surprised by his answer. There was no hint of resentment, no feeling of 'I'm annoyed, but I'll do it because it's Geom Mugeuk's request'.

He looked like he was genuinely and willingly accepting the request.

Geom Mugeuk also looked surprised by the ready answer.

"You're not saying no? You could've said, 'I'll get Sayin, so you serve the drinks.' That's what I would've said."

Then Jin Hagun stared intently at Geom Mugeuk and asked, "Isn't it because this job is more important that you're entrusting it to me?"

Geom Mugeuk's clear, deep eyes formed a pleasant eye-smile.

"Thank you for understanding my heart."

Then Jin Haryong jumped in and shouted, "Don't be fooled! You just didn't want to deal with the drunkards, so you're dumping it on my Orabeoni!"

Geom Mugeuk feigned a gasp, playing along with her joke.

Of course, she knew too. She knew that Geom Mugeuk was genuinely worried about their safety.

What surprised her was her Orabeoni's attitude, but there was a reason why Jin Hagun had readily accepted Geom Mugeuk's request.

"In the operation right before I came here, I saved some women and children."

The relief that had appeared on a child's face at that time kept coming to his mind.

"At that moment, I had a thought. Punishing evil is important, but saving their lives is even more important."

If anyone else heard this, they would say it was a rather late realization.

In reality, Jin Hagun had saved countless people and performed countless acts of chivalry until now.

"At some point, chivalry became a matter of course."

Naturally saving, naturally killing. It's natural since I'm the head of the Demon Slaying Brigade, right? The future Chairman can't afford to rest.

"Surprisingly, even chivalry can cause fatigue to build up."

He felt it, but Jin Hagun tried to deny it and just ran forward.

While he had been running relentlessly like that, he saw the relief blooming on that child's face right before his eyes. He felt the child's hand gripping his own tightly.

It was the moment when chivalry became tangible and was engraved in Jin Hagun's heart.

No, perhaps he was consciously engraving that moment in his heart to endure this deep fatigue.

"When given the chance to kill a hundred villains and the chance to save a child at the same time, I would go to save the child. But what about it? What about the innocent lives those hundred villains will kill in the future?"

He wanted to ask Geom Mugeuk. What would you do? Am I right to think this way?

That unchanging gaze of Geom Mugeuk looked back at him. Yes, it was probably because he knew he would look at him with such eyes that he could confess these worries.

And because he knew he was a person who would give a clear answer like this, not a complicated one.

"Don't worry and go save the child. I'll go kill the villains. I'll take on the villain's role."

Jin Hagun smiled faintly. How could he not know that even though Geom Mugeuk said that, he was also a person who would go to save the child?

"You're going to be a truly great Chairman. A Chairman who holds the hands of those who must be protected. That path will be really hard and exhausting. You'll regret and regret again because of the hundred you let live. When it gets unbearably tough, come find me. I'll hang out with you and we'll have fun. So don't you dare treat me coldly then! Don't say, 'That guy, he was fine when he was young, but now he's just a talkative demonic practitioner with slick words!' You can't do that!"

Jin Hagun, who had been staring at Geom Mugeuk for a moment, said abruptly.

"I will. I'll call you a demonic practitioner with slick words!"

"That's too harsh, Chairman!"

Jin Hagun believed it. Even then, Geom Mugeuk's words would shine just as they did now. And even if they did not shine, they would still reach his heart.

That was why, even when he became a white-haired Chairman, he would go to him with worries that were difficult to ask others about.

Ah, I'm not so sure. What do you think?

Jin Hagun's gaze returned to his reflection in the bronze mirror as he said, "Someone might get hurt or die that day. But none of the courtesans here will be among them."

At that firm resolve, the gaze of Geom Mugeuk, standing behind Jin Hagun, deepened.

"No one will get hurt or die that day. My demonic path is far too selfish compared to your righteous path to ever let something like that happen."