Chapter 724: Master is Not His Usual Self

TL: FoodieMonster007

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon stared at his reflection in the bronze mirror. He had taken off the martial arts uniform he always wore and was now in ceremonial robes to officiate today's wedding.

He cleared his throat for a moment, then announced, "Today, in this very spot, the groom Seo Daeryong and the bride Dan Ah are joined in a hundred-year bond, a destiny bestowed by the heavens."

Then, he started changing his tone.

"Are joined. Are joined, I say."

None of it felt right, and a look of displeasure bloomed on the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's face. If he followed his temper, he would have just wanted to say this.

"Today is the day these two form a blood pact!"

But that was not an option. He practiced the wedding speech again.

"The groom, Seo Daeryong, joined our Cult at a young age and walked the perilous path of demonic arts…"

When he couldn't remember the next part, he pulled a piece of paper from his robes and read it. He muttered the written words for a moment before speaking again.

"After serving as a Special Investigator of the Sanzu River Hall, he rose to the position of the Sanzu Hall Director. The bride, Dan Ah, has traversed the Central Plains…"

He unfolded the paper again, memorizing the rest.

Just as his nervous voice trembled, someone spoke from behind him. "My goodness! What are we to do if the officiant is more nervous than the groom?"

A faint smile touched the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's lips. The owner of the voice was Geom Mugeuk.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon turned toward Geom Mugeuk and said, "Who said I'm nervous?"

"Isn't it because you're too tense to memorize it?"

"You think I can't memorize something like this?"

Geom Mugeuk said with a laugh, "If you try to recite it after memorizing it word for word, you'll definitely forget. Your mind will go blank, and you won't be able to think of anything."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon's brow twitched, but he couldn't deny it. Geom Mugeuk was right. He had been trying to memorize it since last night, and it still wasn't sticking. In front of a crowd, it would be even harder to recall.

"I'd rather fight a life-or-death battle with the Murim Alliance Chairman." For something like that, he would go out to fight without batting an eye. Why was something so trivial making him this nervous?

Geom Mugeuk offered a solution. "Just say what you want to say to Daeryong. It doesn't matter if it's short. Actually, guests these days prefer shorter speeches."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon admitted honestly, "In my younger days, I could memorize entire martial arts manuals on the spot. I don't know why this is so hard."

"It's because it's your disciple's wedding, and you want to do a good job."

"Why don't you just say it's because I'm old!"

After his grumpy outburst, HWARREUREUK.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon used his searing yang energy to burn the paper with the wedding speech. "Just 'live well and eat well!' I'll just say that one thing and be done with it."

"That suits you perfectly, Elder. Everyone will love it."

Then, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon said something unexpected. "Or you could give the speech."

"Me?" Geom Mugeuk looked dumbfounded.

"Weren't you the one who made that brat Daeryong into a proper man and got him married? You're much better with words, too."

"You're the one who made Director Seo a man, Elder. Would the Director Seo of today even exist if you hadn't taken him as your disciple?"

"That was me falling for your little scheme."

"I wasn't the one who drunkenly clung to your trouser leg, Elder, nor was I the one who let a wasted Daeryong sleep in your bed." In that respect, he believed the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and Seo Daeryong were truly fated to be.

"Elder, you've worked hard raising Director Seo into a man and getting him married."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon stared intently at Geom Mugeuk. Seeing him come to check on him, knowing he would be anxious on a day like this, he thought about how consistent Geom Mugeuk always was.

"How are the fisticuffs going with that your brawler of a master?" Everyone knew that Geom Mugeuk had holed himself up in the Fist Demon's quarters to train.

Geom Mugeuk held up a tightly clenched fist. "It went from a baby's fist to a boy's fist, and yesterday, I finally received his acknowledgment. This fist is now an adult's fist."

His Thunder Asura Fist had ascended another level. When those who were racing toward the pinnacle of martial arts trained together, openly sharing their achievements, the effects were unbelievable.

It wasn't just Geom Mugeuk. The Fist Demon also felt he had gained a great deal from the training. This was because of what the Fist Demon had said at the end.

"I wonder if my fists will make a sound again."

The sound of thunder had come and gone. If it were to return now, what kind of sound would it make? No, what would the power of that fist be like?

"This is all thanks to you, Elder."

"Why is it thanks to me? It's because your master taught you well and you worked hard."

"Because you showed me the right path, Elder. If not for you, I would have been running in the opposite direction. Effort aimed in the wrong direction only returns as frustration equal to that effort. 'If you don't know which way to go, it's better to rest!' It's all thanks to your teachings, Elder."

A satisfied expression formed on the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's face.

Geom Mugeuk added with a smile, "Now, you must also show Daeryong which way to go. Let's go."

At that same time, Seo Daeryong was also standing before a bronze mirror. He was wearing red ceremonial robes embroidered with clouds and cranes, silk shoes, a floral coronet, and a jade belt. His own appearance looked so unfamiliar.

Seo Daeryong asked his reflection in the mirror. "Daeryong, are you allowed to be this happy?"

Just then, a voice came from behind. "You are."

Startled, he turned to see the Demonic Army General Jang Ho standing at the door.

"Congratulations on your marriage."

Seo Daeryong approached him with a moved expression. "Thank you, General." He had met Jang Ho once for a meal to introduce Dan Ah, but they hadn't seen each other separately since then as they were busy.

"How do you feel?"

Seo Daeryong replied to Jang Ho's question with a smile. "Didn't you hear me just a moment ago?"

Jang Ho laughed along with him. "Well, let's go."

When they went outside, four members of the Demonic Army were waiting.

"We will be escorting the bride and groom for the day."

"You really don't have to go this far."

It might seem like a small thing, but it held great significance. For the Demonic Army to move like this meant that the Demonic Army General was acknowledging his friendship with Seo Daeryong. Considering Jang Ho's strict nature in all matters, this was truly a great show of favor toward Seo Daeryong.

"Thank you, General."

"Don't mention it."

If his life hadn't changed after meeting Geom Mugeuk, this was a man he would have never exchanged a single word with. Now, they had become this close.

They arrived at the location where the wedding ceremony was being held. A large training ground was decorated all over with red and gold cloth and banners. A large folding screen stood in the center, and in front of it, a table was set for the wedding. To its left and right, seats were prepared for the bride and groom to greet their guests.

As Seo Daeryong sat in the groom's seat, he was surprised. A great number of seats had been prepared for the guests, and his first thought was whether they could possibly fill them all.

Soon, the flower palanquin carrying the bride arrived.

As she stepped out of the palanquin, Dan Ah's heart sank. There was no one in the numerous prepared seats, even though the ceremony was about to begin. With a trembling heart, she sat in the waiting area for the bride.

Next, Geom Mugeuk and the Blood Heaven Blade Demon arrived.

Seo Daeryong rose from his seat and greeted the two. "Master! Young Cult Leader!" The truth was, he too was inwardly flustered by the lack of guests.

Geom Mugeuk looked around. "It's almost time for the ceremony to start, but not many people have come."

It wasn't just 'not many'. Aside from the members of the Demonic Army who had come with them, there were truly only a few people.

"What about the investigators and enforcement martial artists from the Sanzu River Hall? Not here yet?"

Seo Daeryong hung his head low. "It seems my usual conduct has been poor." He looked as if he was about to cry. He himself was fine. He had lived a lonely life anyway. But for Dan Ah's sake, the wedding couldn't be this desolate.

Ah, I didn't want to show her this side of things. Just twenty more people, no, just ten more, please come!

Geom Mugeuk consoled, "It's enough if the people who truly want to congratulate you are here. And they are. Your master is here, General Jang is here, Lee Ahn is here. The Second Young Lady and the Youngest Young Lady are here. And most importantly, I'm here!"

Seo Daeryong grabbed Geom Mugeuk's collar, pulled him aside, and whispered desperately, "Young Cult Leader, please call even just your bodyguards. I'm so ashamed for Young Lady Dan to see this."

He hadn't known so few would come. He had worked so hard all this time. It seemed that effort had been his alone.

"You think my bodyguards will be enough?"

"What?"

Geom Mugeuk raised his hand high.

PWIIIIING! BANG! BOOM!

At that signal, fireworks erupted from all directions. Colorful and beautiful fireworks exploded in the blue sky.

BANG! BOOM! BOOM!

Finally, the guests began to enter. Geom Mugeuk had made them wait for a while to tease Seo Daeryong.

"Young Cult Leader!" Seeing the people entering the venue, tears welled up in Seo Daeryong's eyes.

Geom Mugeuk smirked. "The bride isn't crying, but the groom is about to?"

"I… I was really surprised!"

"Well, did you think you could get married before me and not get teased at least this much?"

The first to enter were the investigators and enforcement martial artists of the Sanzu River Hall.

"Director! Congratulations!"

Led by the most senior investigator, Gong Myeong, the investigators swarmed in to congratulate him. The enforcement martial artists followed behind them.

"And without you even asking, my bodyguards came too." Indeed, the Young Cult Leader's bodyguards also came to offer their congratulations.

Seo Daeryong was so busy receiving greetings from the flood of guests that he couldn't think straight.

Watching this, Dan Ah felt a great sense of relief. To be honest, until a moment ago, she had been even more nervous and flustered than Seo Daeryong.

What a relief.

Thinking back to when there was no one here, the situation of her own lack of guests seemed like no problem at all. However, that problem was also solved quickly.

A crowd of guests swarmed in to congratulate her. They were none other than the second team of the Ghost Shadows, led by Seo Jin.

"Congratulations on your marriage, Young Lady Dan!" Seo Jin greeted them on behalf of the team.

Dan Yeon stepped forward to introduce her colleagues. "This is Captain Seo Jin of the Ghost Shadows Second Division, which I belong to."

Dan Ah bowed her head respectfully. "My sister still has much to learn. Please guide her well in the future."

"Yeon is already doing well. Don't worry," Seo Jin replied.

Other team members stepped forward to congratulate her.

"Congratulations on your marriage."

"I'm on the same team as Dan Yeon. Congratulations."

"Congratulations."

Dan Ah was relieved. The worries that had kept her up all night vanished in that moment. This many congratulations were enough. No, it wasn't just one or two people. Almost all the team members had come to congratulate her, and Dan Ah was deeply moved.

It was more than enough. Still, they weren't the only guests today.

Various commanders and captains from the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult came to congratulate Seo Daeryong. Due to the nature of the Sanzu River Hall, it didn't have good relations with other organizations, yet many people still came to celebrate.

It was thanks to Seo Daeryong's fair handling of matters. While many disliked him, there were also many who highly valued his work.

Just then, the martial artists parted in a rush, creating a path.

The first Demon Supreme had arrived, and surprisingly, the one who seemed most likely to come last had come first.

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon, wearing a white mask, led a few of the Faceless Warriors and walked toward Seo Daeryong. "Congratulations," he said.

"Thank you so much. I never imagined you would come, Smiling Demon," Seo Daeryong said nervously. Even though he was the Sanzu Hall Director, he hadn't dared to invite the Demon Supremes.

"The Blade Demon invited me," the Smiling Demon replied. In truth, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon would have attended even without the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's invitation. After all, he was Geom Mugeuk's right-hand man.

At that moment, the Seventeenth Bridge, standing behind Cha Yiran, searched for the Crescent Moon Faceless Warrior among those behind the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon. Surprisingly, he was there. It seemed that, just as she had, he too had striven to be part of this escort.

Their gazes met in mid-air. To meet at a wedding of all places made it a truly meaningful encounter.

As it turned out, the Smiling Demon wasn't the only Demon Supreme in attendance. The Drunken Demon and the Flower Sword Supreme appeared there together.

Seo Daeryong was stunned by their unexpected visit.

The Drunken Demon congratulated Seo Daeryong, handing him alcohol as a gift. "It's a sweet fruit wine. If you ever need strong liquor later, come find me." He then said loudly to Geom Mugeuk, "I've brought good liquor to drink at the celebration tonight!"

Looking where he was pointing, Yeo Bin of the Three Great Drunkards was standing there with boxes of alcohol piled up.

Geom Mugeuk could feel it. In the time he hadn't seen him, the Drunken Demon had become even more free. He looked around at the surrounding Demon Supremes and declared, "Tonight, we drink all night! Nobody think about going home today!"

The Flower Sword Supreme also brought a gift. However, she didn't give it to Seo Daeryong, but to Dan Ah. "Congratulations on your marriage."

"Thank you, Sword Supreme," Dan Ah replied.

Dan Ah had learned swordsmanship from the Flower Sword Supreme once after coming to the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. Although she hadn't officially become her disciple, in her heart, she regarded the Flower Sword Supreme as her master. She had desperately wanted to invite her but hadn't dared to invite a Demon Supreme, yet here she was.

The Flower Sword Supreme gave her a flower pot as a gift. It was one of the cherished flowers she grew herself.

"A flower may seem to bloom on its own, but it requires a lot of care. It needs sunlight, it needs wind, and it needs to be repotted. A married life is probably the same, isn't it?" the Flower Sword Supreme said.

Dan Ah immediately understood the meaning behind this gift. "I will do my best to nurture them both, Sword Supreme."

Watching from the side, Seo Daeryong wanted to shout: "The flower I'm growing in my office, I still haven't killed it and am raising it well!"

The Flower Sword Supreme spoke to him as he was thinking such jokes. "You are truly a fortunate man."

At first, he thought she was talking about Dan Ah, but this time, her words were about someone else. The Flower Sword Supreme looked at someone, and Seo Daeryong followed her gaze.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon was there, greeting guests with a bright smile.

"!" The sight caused a sharp pang of emotion to strike Seo Daeryong's heart.

The Flower Sword Supreme said in amazement, "That's the first time I've ever seen that expression on his face."

His Master, who normally never smiled, was greeting the guests with a wide grin. He was thanking them for coming. He was telling them where to sit. He was telling them to be sure to stay for the meal afterward. He even smiled at not just the other Demon Supremes and Commanders but ordinary martial artists, people he normally wouldn't give a second glance to.

In this moment, his master was not being his usual self.