Chapter 562: A Facade More Powerful Than Sincerity

TL: FoodieMonster007

Everyone gathered and sat on the second floor.

First, the Dan sisters introduced themselves.

Unlike the calm greetings of her two older sisters, the youngest, Dan Yeon, spiritedly boasted about her new organization.

"I'm Dan Yeon! I'm a mercenary until today, but starting tomorrow, I'll be a member of the Ghost Shadow Squad!"

Han Seol smiled faintly. As soon as she arrived, he had introduced her to the tavern owner, and now he was introducing these mercenary sisters as his friends. From the successors of the Murim Alliance and the Evil Alliance to a tavern owner and mercenaries, the man who had them all as friends was none other than Geom Mugeuk.

Jang Ho glanced at Geom Mugeuk, his eyes asking what was going on.

He had met the Dan sisters before during the fight at the Jeong-an branch, but he never expected to see them here at the Headquarters.

Geom Mugeuk looked at Dan Ah and said.

"My right-hand man has finally found his other half."

That explanation was enough.

Instead of congratulating Seo Daeryong, Jang Ho spoke politely to Dan Ah.

"May I offer you a drink?"

"Ah, yes."

Jang Ho politely poured a drink for the flustered Dan Ah. It was the moment she, who had lived her life as a mercenary, received a drink from the Demonic Army General.

"Welcome, sister-in-law."

Dan Ah was surprised by the term 'sister-in-law', and Seo Daeryong was even more so. It meant that Jang Ho considered him not just a friend, but a brother.

Only after that did Jang Ho politely greet everyone else. By giving special attention to Dan Ah, he was showing respect to Seo Daeryong.

How could Seo Daeryong not understand his sentiment? Seo Daeryong bowed his head to Jang Ho, a silent message of thanks to his lord.

Next, Kang Dal offered his greeting. He still felt awkward in this setting.

Geom Mugeuk stepped forward to formally introduce him.

"Manager Kang saved the three Young Ladies here. Thanks to him, countless lives were saved."

Kang Dal was grateful to Geom Mugeuk. In truth, his choice had ultimately been for his own sake. It was not born from some grand cause or spirit of sacrifice. However, Geom Mugeuk did not belittle his choice as mere luck, instead valuing it more than it was worth. It was a world where everyone else was busy tearing others down.

Geom Mugeuk gave Kang Dal a cup of liquor.

"Have a drink from me."

"Yes, Young Cult Leader."

"The responsibility you now hold is immense. From now on, please uphold the laws and regulations of our Cult well."

"I will defend them with my utmost loyalty."

As the liquor poured by the Young Cult Leader went down his throat, Kang Dal finally realized that he was living a new life.

After Kang Dal's introduction, Cheon Sohwi greeted everyone. She was the one who had rushed over immediately upon Geom Mugeuk's sudden summons.

She was the type to run anywhere if Geom Mugeuk called, even if no one else did.

It was not just because she had become the successor thanks to Geom Mugeuk. It was because when she became the Fist Demon, he would be the future Cult Leader she would serve.

"This is the disciple of the Fist Demon and the next in line to become the Fist Demon."

Those who did not know her were all startled. Who would have thought the next Fist Demon would be attending this gathering? And what was more, a woman was the next Fist Demon?

The Dan sisters exchanged surprised glances, wondering if they were even allowed to be in such a place. The Demonic Army General and now the next Fist Demon. Truly, it had been a series of surprises from the moment they arrived at the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.

"And she is also my one and only junior martial sister."

Geom Mugeuk smiled brightly as he looked at Cheon Sohwi.

"Have you been well?"

"Yes, Senior Brother."

Normally, in front of others, she should have called him Young Cult Leader, but because he had introduced her as his junior sister at the end, she called him Senior Brother. She could not express how much she wanted to boast about being the Young Cult Leader's junior sister. Today, Geom Mugeuk had set the stage for her, allowing her to reveal the pride she had been holding back.

"Is Master doing well? I'm holding a drinking party without even paying my respects."

And it was not just the Fist Demon. Aside from the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the Flower Sword Supreme, he had not even met the other Demon Supremes yet.

"Now then, I will introduce today's guest of honor."

Geom Mugeuk finally introduced Han Seol.

"This is the Princess of the North Sea Ice Palace."

Those who did not know her were startled once again. They were in front of the Demonic Cult Headquarters, so meeting the next Fist Demon was plausible, but the next Ice Empress?

"This gathering today is to introduce my friends from the Central Plains to the Princess of the Ice Palace."

At the expression 'my friends', Kang Dal and the Dan sisters grew inwardly tense. Friends with the Young Cult Leader? It was an absurd notion.

"In addition, it's a place to celebrate Manager Kang's entry into the Headquarters."

Geom Mugeuk's gaze shifted from Kang Dal to the Dan sisters.

"And to celebrate the new lives of you three."

Next, he looked at Cheon Sohwi.

"And a chance to have some fun with my junior sister after a long time."

Finally, he looked at Jang Ho and Seo Daeryong.

"It's a place to reattach my right and left arms to this body that has returned safely."

Geom Mugeuk raised his glass.

"Now, let's put everything aside for today and have fun!"

After a vigorous toast, everyone emptied their glasses. As Geom Mugeuk led the mood, the gathering quickly became lively.

Geom Mugeuk refilled Han Seol's glass and asked.

"What did you talk about with the Drunken Demon?"

Han Seol gave an enigmatic smile. It was all about him, of course.

"We talked about liquor, about a beautiful lake, and about a crazy person."

"A crazy person? Who do you mean?"

"There's someone like that. Someone who makes me angry every time I see him."

As Han Seol stared at him, Geom Mugeuk knew she was talking about him.

"Don't believe the words of a drunkard!"

Han Seol laughed at his words.

"That's right, there's probably no crazy person as diligent as you."

Geom Mugeuk shook his head as if he would not admit it.

"Do you know what I realized on this trip outside the Cult? I need to be more diligent. I thought I was being really diligent, but I almost died this time. I had forgotten for a moment."

Geom Mugeuk said, emptying his glass.

"That the enemy is always more diligent than I am."

Hearing that Geom Mugeuk had almost lost his life, Jang Ho drank alone. He was upset. It was a relief that he had returned alive, but what if something had happened? If he could, he wanted to lead the Demonic Army and assist Geom Mugeuk himself. It was just a shame that it was not realistically possible.

Seo Daeryong silently held out his glass, and Jang Ho toasted with him. The frustration in Seo Daeryong's glass was similar to Jang Ho's regret.

Just as the atmosphere began to settle, Jo Cheonbae came up with his hands full of dishes.

"You've waited a long time."

"Oh, I was dying to eat the food our host made."

"I made it with specially prepared, fine ingredients, so please enjoy."

Geom Mugeuk stopped him as he was about to just put down the food and leave.

"Where are you going? It's been a while, you should stay for a drink."

"Oh my, no. How could I possibly join a gathering of such esteemed people?"

He waved his hands and tried to back away, but Geom Mugeuk forced him to sit.

"There's no one here more esteemed than the host. Now, sit down and have a drink."

"Let me pour for you first."

"Just take it."

Jo Cheonbae accepted the drink with a grateful expression and drank it. Geom Mugeuk was someone who treated him the same, whether in good moods or bad. Jo Cheonbae had seen it all while selling liquor his entire life. He knew very well how difficult it was to treat someone so consistently, especially despite an incomparable difference in status.

"The liquor tastes wonderful."

Jo Cheonbae politely poured a drink for Geom Mugeuk.

"As expected, the liquor from our host is the most delicious."

"I'm so relieved that you've returned safely."

"Oh, and I set aside a bottle of liquor for you. Drink it when you feel like it."

"Oh my, that's alright."

"It's a chance to drink liquor bestowed by the Drunken Demon. Don't refuse."

"Thank you."

Han Seol was watching Geom Mugeuk, scrutinizing him.

Is there really no pretense in any of his actions? Could he be acting just to show me, to project an image of a tolerant person? Was he trying to deceive her? Even knowing it was not true, she kept doubting. How can he be like that?

Suddenly, she recalled the Drunken Demon's words.

[Because I've had that thought dozens of times.]

Those dozens of times could not have just been thoughts of wanting to live like him. It must have meant he had doubted and doubted again whether it was all a facade.

Watching Geom Mugeuk lean against the railing, talking with Jo Cheonbae until the very last moment as he descended to the first floor, she came to a conclusion.

Yes, it could be a facade. However, that facade is more powerful than sincerity. No one's sincerity could ever match that facade.

Han Seol drank another glass of liquor.

Just then, her eyes met with Dan Ah, who was looking at her from the side.

Dan Ah smiled and bowed her head slightly. It was an expression that said, how could she dare to meet the eyes of the Princess of the North Sea Ice Palace.

"Please, have a drink from me."

Han Seol poured a drink for Dan Ah.

"You're the first mercenary friend I've ever had."

Dan Ah was startled by her words.

"A friend? That's an undeserved honor."

Han Seol knew that was not true. In this very gathering, Seo Daeryong over there genuinely liked this woman, and Jang Ho treated her with utmost respect. And was Geom Mugeuk the type of person to look down on someone for being a mercenary or praise someone for being a Princess? This was a place where who you were mattered, not what your status was.

She looked at Geom Mugeuk. He had introduced her as the guest of honor, but the true host of this gathering was Geom Mugeuk.

That host was now talking with Cheon Sohwi.

"Is it tough?"

Her explosive laughter in response to his question revealed just how tough it was for her. She was truly working herself to death. She would rather die than hear people say that the wrong successor had been chosen. That would be a disservice to her Master and to Geom Mugeuk.

"Sometimes I miss the late-night training sessions."

"Me too."

Come to think of it, those late-night training sessions were what had allowed him to get closer to the Fist Demon.

"There will be a day when we can gather again."

"Will such a day come?"

"It will definitely come."

For that day, to be able to gather, laugh, and talk like this today. That was the reason Geom Mugeuk worked so hard.

And so, the drinking party grew more and more convivial. Everyone relaxed and drank.

Normally, this would be an impossible gathering, but this place felt like it had a guarantor.

If they were someone invited by Geom Mugeuk? There was a belief that they were a person you could relax and be open with.

Then, Han Seol's and Jang Ho's eyes met.

When they were first introduced, he had offered a drink to Dan Ah, but he had yet to offer one to her. In the past, she would have felt slighted by such a trivial thing.

"Please, have a drink from me."

Now, she offered a drink first.

"Thank you."

Jang Ho politely accepted the drink and drank it.

"May I offer you a drink as well?"

"Of course."

Jang Ho politely poured her a drink. She could tell from his expression that he held no ill feelings toward her. He was the type of person who did not try to curry favor with anyone, but quietly held his ground. He had only shown such courtesy for Seo Daeryong's sake.

If she had not offered him a drink, he might have been left with an uncomfortable feeling, but just by offering the drink, her impression of him changed.

If one were to accumulate these small things, they would become like Geom Mugeuk.

When she looked for Geom Mugeuk, he was not in his seat.

He was in an unexpected place.

Somehow, he had gone downstairs and was drinking with the Cold Ice Dual Swords.

Sa Han and So Bing, who had insisted on never trusting the Young Cult Leader, were now laughing heartily at something he had said.

Yes, the Drunken Demon was right.

I can't live like you.

She admitted it. No matter how much she accumulated, she could never become like that. Taking care of all these people while also looking after the Cold Ice Dual Swords on the first floor? Although she could not live like Geom Mugeuk, she had felt and learned a great deal.

She had been a child when she left the North Sea, but now she felt she might return as an adult.

When Geom Mugeuk returned to his seat, this time Dan Yeon came to his side, her face flushed from the alcohol, and asked.

"You said it before, didn't you? That the Ghost Shadow Squad is where the Young Cult Leader's heart is the Commander."

"I did."

"What kind of person is the Commander? I'm so curious."

She had borrowed courage from the alcohol.

Then, Seo Daeryong answered in his stead.

"She's beautiful."

He had jumped into the conversation, happy to hear Lee Ahn's name mentioned.

Dan Yeon narrowed her eyes and asked. She had asked what kind of person she was, and his answer was 'beautiful'?

"How beautiful?"

Just as Seo Daeryong was excitedly about to say she could be called the world number one beauty, an urgent telepathy from Geom Mugeuk shot through.

[Get a grip!]

In that instant, Seo Daeryong sobered up completely.

Seo Daeryong looked at Dan Ah beside him and said.

"Not as much as Young Lady Dan, but she's on the pretty side."

Dan Ah blushed slightly and said.

"Don't say such things."

Seeing her expression, which showed she was not displeased, Seo Daeryong sent a telepathy to Geom Mugeuk.

[I'm saved! Thank you!]

[You die if you let your guard down!]

Dan Yeon asked again.

"Then where is the Commander now?"

Just as Han Seol, who was listening from the side, began to feel that she missed her Unnie.

"……"

The tavern door opened, and a person walked inside.

Everyone's gaze turned in that direction.

Seeing the person who entered, Jo Cheonbae broke into a welcoming smile.

The Cold Ice Dual Swords stared in surprise. The person who entered was a woman, and as she stepped in, it felt as if the surroundings brightened.

The three Dan sisters, as well as Kang Dal, widened their eyes. They had never seen such a beautiful woman in their lives.

Jang Ho and Seo Daeryong smiled brightly, a look of 'She's finally here!' on their faces.

She was none other than Lee Ahn.

Her gaze was clearer and deeper, and her aura also gave off a different feeling than before.

Geom Mugeuk could tell.

She's finally achieved complete mastery of the Soaring Sky Sword Art!

The achievement of complete mastery had bestowed upon her a new kind of beauty. It was no longer just beauty, but a strong and resilient beauty.

Lee Ahn looked up at Geom Mugeuk and calmly said.

"Lee Ahn, Lord of the Ghost Shadow Squad, has returned after completing my mission."

Her gaze fell upon Geom Mugeuk, Seo Daeryong, Jang Ho, and then Han Seol.

A look of delight blossomed across her face. Lee Ahn smiled brightly and said.

"Hey, are you guys really having fun like this without me?"