Chapter 554: We Fought Together, So We Drink Together

TL: FoodieMonster007

Every gaze in the room focused on Bi Sayin. He usually wore black, so his white attire was a first and naturally captured their attention.

As Bi Sayin walked over, he did his best to avoid Geom Mugeuk's eyes. He had a feeling that the moment he sat down, he would be teased about his clothes.

Geom Mugeuk poured alcohol into a cup and said, "My savior, have a drink."

Bi Sayin eyed Geom Mugeuk with suspicion.

I can't let my guard down!

This was Geom Mugeuk, after all, a man who could embarrass him at any moment.

Without showing his inner thoughts, Bi Sayin also expressed his gratitude. "Thanks to you, I was able to protect my reputation."

Originally, those bastards had intended to use Bi Sayin to get rid of the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman. Their fates would have become far more tangled if Geom Mugeuk had not stepped in.

Just then, the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman, who was bringing a dish over herself, spoke with a bright expression. "You also saved all the lives in the Thousand Flower Palace."

She set the dish on the table. The spread laid out today was more than could be called a feast. All manner of delicacies and fine liquor had been prepared.

"Oh, and I've also prepared separate food and drinks for the martial artists."

Even though no one had asked, she had made arrangements for separate seating for the guards posted outside. She was worried they might feel uncomfortable, so she had set up distinct areas for the orthodox, unorthodox, and demonic factions in a corner of the brothel. This way, there would be no chance of them clashing.

"Thank you so much for your consideration."

The Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman looked at Geom Mugeuk. "You saved me once before, and now you've saved me again."

At her words, Geom Mugeuk glanced around at his friends at the table and calmly replied, "I'd love to take credit I don't deserve in front of our Pavilion Master, but this time, it was a joint effort by the orthodox and unorthodox. This is the moment the three-party meeting at the Alluring Inn finally bore fruit."

It was an achievement accomplished through the power of the successors. It was a historic day where the orthodox, unorthodox, and demonic had united against a single enemy. And it was not the Cult Leaders or Chairmen, but the successors who had done it. The Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman politely bowed her head to the others to show her gratitude. She gave a special smile to Jin Haryong, who had protected her.

"Then, please enjoy yourselves."

After she bowed and moved away, Geom Mugeuk filled everyone's cups.

"Now, let's have a drink together to celebrate our reunion."

Geom Mugeuk lifted his cup, and everyone else toasted with him.

"Let's drink and have fun to our heart's content today. Until this party is over, forget all enemies and conspiracies! Forget which faction we belong to. Let's just hang out, talk about our first loves, and chat about silly things!"

Everyone coolly drained their cups.

A guilty telepathic message from Bi Sayin flew in.

[Don't misunderstand.]

[What misunderstanding?]

[Me wearing white is a complete coincidence. I just grabbed whatever was at hand when I changed, and it happened to be white.]

Geom Mugeuk stared intently at Bi Sayin before making a disappointed face.

"……"

[Did you comb your hair yourself?]

Flinching, Bi Sayin stated firmly, [I did not!]

Immediately after, Bi Sayin cautiously asked.

…..Does it look weird?

Geom Mugeuk held back a laugh and drank his alcohol. Bi Sayin had even been late because he was combing his hair. Despite that scary face, and despite being the fearsome Young Alliance Chairman of the Evil Alliance, he was still a young man in his prime.

[Looking again, I guess it looks okay.]

[Anyway, don't misunderstand.]

If Bi Sayin didn't like Han Seol, there was no way he would have shown up wearing white. And he combed his hair, too? This wasn't just about a good first impression. Wasn't this love at first sight?

Geom Mugeuk was about to take another drink when he flinched in surprise. Bi Sayin was glaring at him fiercely.

[Just you try to mess with me! The Great Orthodox-Demonic War will break out that very day.]

[I didn't say anything.]

[I'm warning you!]

Of course, the warning had no effect. Just as Geom Mugeuk was grinning and thinking about the best way to tease him to make it legendary, a voice spoke up.

"I think white suits you better."

Everyone's attention turned to the person who had spoken.

[Huh? This wasn't in my calculations.]

Bi Sayin did not even register Geom Mugeuk's telepathy. The one who had spoken was, surprisingly, Han Seol.

She looked at Bi Sayin and said, "It suits you better than the black clothes you wore yesterday."

Bi Sayin's face flushed slightly as his eyes widened. He stood there blankly, unsure of what to say.

[Hurry up and say thank you!]

At Geom Mugeuk's telepathic prod, Bi Sayin politely performed a clasped hands greeting toward her and replied, "Thank you for your kind words."

"I was just telling you my impression."

Bi Sayin sent another telepathic message to Geom Mugeuk.

[You put her up to this, didn't you? To tease me.]

His voice, which never trembled even when facing powerful foes, was now shaking.

[I'm not that close with Young Lady Han.]

Geom Mugeuk looked at Han Seol with a new sense of wonder. When he had seen her before, she gave the impression of being very closed off in her relationships. She seemed a bit different now.

Perhaps feeling burdened by everyone's gaze, she added the reason for her comment. "Most people in my palace wear white, so I know who looks good in white and who doesn't."

Geom Mugeuk picked up on her words. He couldn't let this golden opportunity slip by. "Since you brought it up, why don't you give the Young Alliance Chairman a word of advice on how to wear white?"

Han Seol looked at Bi Sayin. At that, Bi Sayin's face turned even redder.

"How could I possibly give such advice?"

When she politely refused, Geom Mugeuk persuaded her. "You know, don't you? People like us will never hear such words in our lifetime if not for an opportunity like this. If you don't tell him, Young Alliance Chairman Bi will wear nothing but drab black clothes for the rest of his life."

Unable to refuse after he put it that way, she glanced at Bi Sayin for a moment before speaking calmly. "Because you have a strong presence, you probably tend to wear martial arts uniforms in intense colors like black or red. However, that only emphasizes your impression more. Even if it's not white like now, if you wear clothes in bright, warm colors, you'll seem much softer."

Bi Sayin was speechless for a moment. It was the first time in his life he had been advised to wear a warm-colored martial arts uniform. He had never once thought that a warm-colored uniform would suit him. No, he had never even considered trying one on.

Bi Sayin bowed his head slightly to her and said, "Thank you for your words."

Han Seol also bowed her head slightly in return.

The Cold Ice Dual Swords, standing a little away from her, exchanged glances. It was the first time they realized their Princess had such a side to her. She was usually the one who just listened.

[The Empress would be surprised if she heard this.]

[She wouldn't believe it.]

They thought this was also a side of her that the Ice Empress knew nothing about.

Geom Mugeuk raised his cup again. "Now, to our Young Alliance Chairman's bright martial arts uniform!"

Everyone emptied their cups once more.

Putting down his cup, Geom Mugeuk asked Han Seol, "Young Lady Han, what is your ideal type?"

Han Seol looked surprised by the sudden question. Beside her, Bi Sayin glared at Geom Mugeuk.

[I told you not to!]

Geom Mugeuk pretended not to notice and continued his conversation with her. "Why are you so surprised?"

"It's the first time I've been asked that question."

True. Who would have ever asked the Princess of the Ice Palace about her ideal type?

"Why do you ask?"

"Isn't it okay for friends to ask each other things like that?"

At the word 'friends', Han Seol's clear eyes shone even brighter. She seemed to think for a moment. "I like a dependable man. One who is a man of few words."

"That's too much!"

The quick-witted Jin Haryong sent a telepathic message to Geom Mugeuk.

[You're the one who told the Young Alliance Chairman to wear white, aren't you?]

There was no way Bi Sayin would suddenly show up to a place like this wearing white. There was also a subtle atmosphere at the drinking party.

[I did.]

[Are you trying to set them up?]

Even without activating her woman's intuition, she had a hunch just from knowing the kind of person Geom Mugeuk was.

[I thought they'd look good together.]

Hearing that, Jin Haryong glanced at her Orabeoni.

What about my Orabeoni!

She was worried he would be upset knowing that Geom Mugeuk was only looking out for Bi Sayin. She worried about this because she knew better than anyone how much he thought of Geom Mugeuk.

[You should look out for my Orabeoni, too.]

[You should be the one looking out for Commander Jin. You're the one leading the gathering of prodigies. You've met hundreds of female martial artists, haven't you?]

For a moment, Jin Haryong flinched. She had met many decent female martial artists, even if not hundreds. Come to think of it, she had never decided to find a woman suitable for her Orabeoni. She had vaguely thought that since he would become the leader of the Murim Alliance, he would meet a better female martial artist later. To be honest, she probably just hadn't paid it any mind.

Having realized that, she couldn't very well ask Geom Mugeuk why he wasn't paying attention to him. She sincerely reflected on her actions. Even though he was a friend, he was still an outsider, yet he was being so considerate.

Jin Haryong looked at her Orabeoni. What could have happened in the formations? She felt that his thoughts had become deeper since then. Right, he's so busy and going through so much. When would he have time to date a woman?

Right, I'll find someone for you, Orabeoni!

Geom Mugeuk was leading the mood of the party with various stories while exchanging telepathic messages with Bi Sayin.

[Don't just sit there drinking, ask Young Lady Han some questions.]

[I appreciate the thought, but you don't have to do that.]

Honestly, Bi Sayin liked his first impression of Han Seol. Based on looks alone, she was his ideal type.

[It's not going to work out anyway. How could the Ice Palace and the Evil Alliance ever be connected?]

The Ice Palace belonged to the mysterious forces of the Outer Regions, but it was a sect closer to the orthodox sects.

[Were you and I fated to be connected when we became friends?]

[It's different with us.]

Geom Mugeuk refilled Bi Sayin's empty cup.

[And if it doesn't work out, it'll be because of your face. Do you really think it won't work out because of the Evil Alliance and the Ice Palace?]

About to flare up, Bi Sayin let out a hollow laugh instead.

[You're right.]

[Conversely, it could work out because of your face.]

[What do you mean?]

[Didn't I tell you before? That your smile is handsome. If there's a woman who thinks like me, it'll work out because of that face.]

[Nonsense!]

He really thought it was nonsense. Even he thought he looked truly scary and fierce.

[If she had no interest at all, she wouldn't have told you that you look good in white.]

Bi Sayin tilted his cup again.

[If we part ways now, who knows when we'll see each other again.]

[I see your game. You want to tease me after I confess and get rejected, don't you?]

[Of course, it's not that I don't feel that way, but why would I want to see you get angry and ruin this great party?]

Bi Sayin felt he shouldn't fall for it, but he fell for it again.

[Then why are you doing this?]

[The jianghu is fine, the Evil Alliance is fine, it's all good. But we're also in the prime of our youth, aren't we?]

[!]

These young people do not yet know how quickly time flies to reach life's final destination.

[Later, Young Lady Han might remember you, but you won't remember what this excitement felt like, will you?]

Bi Sayin stared at Geom Mugeuk. He hadn't even lived that long, yet he spoke so wisely.

[Have courage. You're the one who even danced in front of all those people.]

Bi Sayin ended up laughing. At least when he recalled that event, he had no regrets.

[If you get rejected, you won't even piss in the direction of the North Sea. If a war breaks out, we'll invade the North Sea Ice Palace first! Our Cult will go with you then!]

In truth, a more powerful temptation than this playful nonsense was this. It was the fact that he had never lost out or regretted listening to Geom Mugeuk's words before.

Of course, that didn't mean he intended to reveal his feelings to Han Seol. Even if he regretted it later. The memory of Geom Mugeuk persuading him like this was enough. Later, Geom Mugeuk would probably tease him. 'You should have listened to me then,' he'd say. Yes, he might regret it.

However, Geom Mugeuk was a man who didn't know how to give up.

[The night is still young. Now, shall we liven things up a bit?]

Geom Mugeuk shot up from his seat.

"We weren't the only ones who fought last night."

Geom Mugeuk's gaze turned towards the Thirteen Evil Wolves and the Demon Slaying Brigade guarding various spots, and to the Faceless Warriors perched on a distant wall.

"We all fought together, so we should all drink together. At least for today."

Geom Mugeuk extended his hand, and telekinesis was activated.

SWOOOSH.

The tables and chairs that had been set up separately in the corners were gathered into one place. The tables laden with food moved quickly, but not a single drop of alcohol was spilled. The numerous moving chairs made no sound.

"Let's all gather and drink together today. Let's pour drinks for each other and make toasts. We don't need an outer perimeter for today. They couldn't beat us when we were sober, so how could they possibly beat us when we're drunk?"

A few martial artists laughed at his words. However, they couldn't just sit around drinking in the presence of the Young Alliance Chairman and the head of the Demon Slaying Brigade. Just then, a voice was heard.

"We will guard the Thousand Flower Palace today."

Turning around, they saw the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon standing at the entrance. Behind him, the Faceless Warriors were lined up.

Jin Hagun and Bi Sayin were surprised and flustered. The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon and the Faceless Warriors couldn't drink with them anyway. Even so, they never expected the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon to offer to stand guard for them.

Geom Mugeuk smiled and said, "Would you do that for us?"

From behind his mask, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon said with a laugh, "Please drink to your heart's content today."

Geom Mugeuk looked at Jin Hagun and Bi Sayin. Since Geom Mugeuk had stepped up, and now even the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon had stepped up, there was no need to hesitate any longer. After the two of them nodded, they called all their subordinates inside.

"Now, drink comfortably today! That's an order!"

The people of the Thousand Flower Palace carried out alcohol and dishes. The Thirteen Evil Wolves and the Demon Slaying Brigade sat down together. They had conducted joint operations before, so their relationship wasn't that awkward.

Geom Mugeuk went around and poured drinks for everyone. "Now, we drink comfortably today. Let go of all your troubles and worries, and for today, let's celebrate our survival!"

A boisterous noise could be heard from inside.

Before long, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon was standing on the highest roof of the Thousand Flower Palace with his arms crossed. Below him, the Faceless Warriors were scattered across the roofs and walls, standing or squatting as they guarded the surroundings.

Moonlight shone through a hole in a broken wall. Through that hole, Geom Mugeuk could be seen raising his cup high and shouting a toast.

Today, it was not the sword at his waist, but the cup they raised together that gleamed in the moonlight.