Chapter 725: Eat Well and Live Well

TL: FoodieMonster007

Seo Daeryong said nothing. He just stared silently at the Blood Heaven Blade Demon. In that moment, the image of his master's bright smile was deeply engraved in his heart.

"Director Seo."

At the Flower Sword Supreme's call, Seo Daeryong snapped back to his senses and looked at her.

"Yes, Sword Supreme-nim."

"You need to greet the guests."

While he had been watching the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, several martial artists had lined up and were now waiting for him.

"Ah, yes."

As the Flower Sword Supreme turned to leave, Seo Daeryong spoke to her.

"Thank you, Sword Supreme-nim."

If she hadn't pointed it out, he would have been so busy receiving congratulations that he would have missed his master's expression.

The Flower Sword Supreme simply nodded and walked away. She headed toward Geom Mugeuk, who was standing a short distance away talking with the Drunken Demon.

"It's more upsetting for me that you're not upset, Hyung."

The Drunken Demon no longer seemed to care that Geom Mugeuk hadn't visited him after returning. He should have been grumbling and complaining.

"You must have been busy."

"I wasn't busy. I had time to visit you, Hyung."

"Your heart must have been busy."

Geom Mugeuk stared intently at the Drunken Demon.

"Did something happen in the meantime? Are you sick? Is it a terminal illness?"

"Once it's over, it's all meaningless. When I die, will I regret that you didn't come to see me?"

Just then, the Flower Sword Supreme approached them and commented.

"He's just changed his way of being upset. It's a change of tactics, so don't be fooled."

Startled, the Drunken Demon let out a hollow laugh and looked up at the sky.

Leaving him be, Geom Mugeuk greeted the Flower Sword Supreme with a respectful bow.

"I apologize for not visiting you immediately after my return."

"I heard you were training in fist techniques."

The Flower Sword Supreme studied Geom Mugeuk for a moment, then shook her head.

"Because of you, I have no time to rest."

It was her way of saying he had grown every time she saw him. It also implied that she was still striving hard herself.

"May I visit you soon for a duel?"

The Flower Sword Supreme smiled and nodded.

"Come anytime."

Just then, a new Demon Supreme arrived. It was the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme. She had minimized her demonic energy as a guest, but Geom Mugeuk could tell she had grown stronger. She too was improving by leaps and bounds every time he saw her.

The Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme offered her congratulations to Seo Daeryong. She had come more because of her relationship with the Blood Heaven Blade Demon than any friendship with the groom.

Afterward, she sought out Geom Mugeuk first to greet him. No matter what anyone said, the person she cared about most was Geom Mugeuk. The person she most wanted to show her growth to was the Young Cult Leader.

"This wait is a most interesting and pleasant one."

He meant he was waiting for the day she grew strong enough to become his Demon Supreme.

The Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme smiled happily. His words were a reward for her past efforts and more than enough to fuel her future endeavors.

The next Demon Supreme to arrive was the person with the most frightening face among all the guests. The appearance of the Fist Demon made everyone hold their breath. His large back cut a path through the crowd.

The Fist Demon went not to Seo Daeryong, but to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon first to offer his congratulations.

"Congratulations."

"Thank you for coming."

Geom Mugeuk watched the two of them talk. They were the two people closest to his father. Because of that, they shared a unique bond centered around the former Cult Leader. And there was also a bond centered around him.

When the two of them looked at him while talking, Geom Mugeuk said with a smile. "You're not speaking ill of me, are you?"

The two did not reply and simply continued their conversation.

"That's too much!"

Cha Yiran, watching from the side, could sense how deep their relationship with the Young Cult Leader was from the way they ignored him. If she had not experienced Geom Mugeuk before, she would have had to make all sorts of assumptions about that behavior.

Just then, Geom Mugeuk saw someone and ran over happily.

"Innkeeper."

A well-dressed Jo Cheonbae stood in a far corner. He, of course, had also been invited.

"Young Cult Leader."

"I'm glad you came. Now, let's go."

Geom Mugeuk took his hand and led him to Seo Daeryong.

"Actually, our innkeeper here is already acquainted with all the Demon Supremes, isn't he? Would you like to go around and greet them all?"

"Goodness, please don't say such things, even as a joke."

Cha Yiran silently watched as Geom Mugeuk took Jo Cheonbae to greet Seo Daeryong. The Young Cult Leader treated him more warmly than he did the Demon Supremes. This was another thing that would have made her ponder the tavern owner's true identity, had she not experienced Geom Mugeuk beforehand.

"There's no need to be suspicious."

Lee Ahn came to her side and said this.

"I'm not suspicious."

She no longer thought that Geom Mugeuk was hiding something. It was just that he was new and surprising every time she saw him.

"It's just… I was thinking it must be very difficult to be the Young Cult Leader's shadow."

At that, Lee Ahn gave an enigmatic smile.

"No, it's because it's not hard that it will be hard for us."

Cha Yiran felt she could roughly guess what Lee Ahn meant.

Just then, Geom Mugeuk brought Jo Cheonbae over to where they were. Lee Ahn greeted Jo Cheonbae warmly.

"Come over here and stay with us."

"No, it's alright. I can stay back there."

"Stay with me."

Not far from them, the bride, Dan Ah, was seated. She was in a state of shock at the incredible guests. Captains of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult came, then more Captains, and then Demon Supremes. In her entire life, she had never seen or even heard of such a grand wedding.

To think she had worried that such a grand wedding would feel empty. What on earth had she been thinking?

A new thought occurred to her.

He really was an amazing person.

She was so grateful that such an amazing person liked her.

Geom Mugeuk looked around. He had found Jo Cheonbae, but there were still people he needed to find.

"By the way, why can't I see them? I'll be right back."

Geom Mugeuk set off to find someone in the bustling venue. The person he was looking for was squatting under a tree in a corner of the training ground. It was the Poison King. He had come here without even offering a greeting.

Geom Mugeuk sat down next to him and asked.

"What's this one's name?"

"Hongduui."

Indeed, the heads of the ants crawling on the ground were red.

"You'll suffer if you underestimate them just because they're small."

They appeared to be a highly venomous type of ant.

"When did you arrive?"

The answer came not from the Poison King, but from behind him.

"We arrived a while ago."

Turning around, he saw the Demonic Buddha standing there. A little farther away was his brother, Geom Muyang.

"What's this? A suspicious meeting?"

In truth, there was nothing suspicious about it. His brother was close with the Demonic Buddha, and the Demonic Buddha was close with the Poison King.

"I know the name of this gathering. The Flames of Rebellion!"

At Geom Mugeuk's jest, Geom Muyang replied bluntly.

"Those flames were extinguished a long time ago. Someone put them out quite thoroughly."

The Demonic Buddha smiled faintly at Geom Muyang's words. His brother was now relaxed enough to make such jokes comfortably.

"If you're all here, you should offer your congratulations first."

"We'll do it later."

Of course, it seemed they were all held up because the Poison King was engrossed in his ants.

"Since it's been a while since your last outing, I thought you'd make a grand entrance, flashing a golden aura?"

Today, the Demonic Buddha's body had a fainter glow than usual. It seemed he had adjusted its intensity since he came as a guest.

"At my wedding, you must enter with a light so bright it blinds the guests."

"You're getting married too?" the Demonic Buddha asked in surprise.

Geom Mugeuk replied as if it were obvious.

"Of course, I have to."

He answered so readily that the Demonic Buddha did not quite believe him.

"Even if you do, there will be too many shining people at your wedding. My radiance won't be nearly enough."

It truly felt like it would be a wedding where one could not even imagine who would attend.

Just then, the surroundings suddenly began to quiet down. Everyone's gaze turned to one spot. All relaxed postures straightened up. Even the Poison King, who seemed as if he would remain squatting if a bloody battle broke out, stood up.

Geom Woojin was walking toward them.

At his appearance, everyone held their breath. Those who had thought, "Surely the Cult Leader wouldn't come," were even more surprised. Among them, the most surprised were Seo Daeryong and Dan Ah. They had never dreamed that the Cult Leader would attend their wedding.

Everyone in Geom Woojin's path showed their respect with a clasped hands greeting. He revealed no aura, but his presence alone overwhelmed everyone there.

Walking slowly, Geom Woojin headed, surprisingly, toward the bride. He spoke to Dan Ah with a gentle gaze.

"Congratulations on your marriage."

It was astonishing enough that the Demonic Cult Leader had come, but he had come to congratulate her first. Dan Ah's mind went blank, not knowing what to do.

"How could the Cult Leader…?"

At her surprise, Geom Woojin said calmly.

"Don't we have a connection from the Central Plains?"

He was referring to the time the dish they had sent from the next table had come to him. Of course, that was not why Geom Woojin had come. He attended because of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, but he took care of her first, the one who had joined the cult with only her two younger sisters.

"Thank you so much, Cult Leader."

She was about to prostrate herself in her ceremonial robes, but a gentle energy from Geom Woojin stopped her.

Dan Bi and Dan Yeon also watched the Cult Leader's retreating back with deep emotion. Dan Yeon, who had sent the dish that day, truly wanted to shout.

The most handsome and wonderful person in this world is the Cult Leader!

After attending to the bride, Geom Woojin approached Seo Daeryong.

"Director Seo, congratulations on your marriage."

"Thank you, Cult Leader."

Seo Daeryong was moved. He was truly grateful that the Cult Leader had taken care of her first, not him.

When Geom Woojin sat in the center seat, Geom Mugeuk and Geom Muyang sat on either side of him. The Demon Supremes lined up to their left and right. Naturally, the Poison King and the Demonic Buddha, who had been in the corner, also sat with them.

The wedding proceeded, and soon it was time for the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's officiating speech. The Blood Heaven Blade Demon, who had never been nervous in front of anyone, now felt a palpable tension.

After clearing his throat, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon slowly opened his mouth.

"Today, in the presence of our august Cult Leader, my disciple, the Sanzu Hall Director Seo Daeryong, and the beautiful bride Dan Ah, are joined in a hundred-year bond by a fate bestowed by the heavens."

A smile formed on Geom Mugeuk's lips.

You bastards, eat well and live well.

That was what the Blood Heaven Blade Demon had said he would do. He must have really wanted to just say that. Instead, he was delivering the speech he had painstakingly memorized.

"The groom, Seo Daeryong, joined our Cult through the God of War early on and walked the arduous path of the demonic way…"

This was not a place to act on his temper or reveal his personality. It was a precious occasion for Seo Daeryong and Dan Ah.

Everyone listened to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's speech. He stammered in the middle, and his words were cut off at times.

"…Life is an inherently lonely path. To meet a companion to walk that path with can be called the greatest blessing in life."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon's words trailed off. He had forgotten the next part.

Flustered, he closed his eyes, recalled the memory, and then continued speaking. Considering his pride, it was an unimaginable thing, but he silently continued his words.

"…Do not look only at each other's strengths, but soothe each other's wounds. Rest with your backs against each other. Be together in every moment. A married couple is…"

He forgot the next words again. The Blood Heaven Blade Demon continued the ceremony by recalling his memory once more. He could have finished it briefly out of shame. However, he spoke the words he had prepared, one letter, one word at a time.

Geom Woojin looked at the Blood Heaven Blade Demon with a deep gaze. The Fist Demon, the Flower Sword Supreme, the Drunken Demon, and the other Demon Supremes were the same. Today, they were seeing a new side of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon for the first time in decades.

"…And as you wander the jianghu, when you stop in a field, watch the stars and share your final moments together."

That was the end of the officiating speech.

After finishing, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon looked at Seo Daeryong. Seo Daeryong was fighting back tears, his eyes red.

Now, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon conveyed his honest feelings. Not the prepared speech, but the words he wanted to say to his disciple and his wife at this moment.

"I am a man who has never married in my life. So I don't know how to live to have a good married life."

Seo Daeryong looked at his master with trembling eyes.

"I haven't even lived as a good person. My life was just full of misfortune."

Seo Daeryong almost shouted, "That's not true, Master."

"So I don't really know what to say to you two."

For a moment, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon looked past the couple toward Geom Woojin. After exchanging a look with the Cult Leader, he slowly turned his head to look at the Drunken Demon, and then at the Flower Sword Supreme.

"As I get older, I find myself constantly regretting the past."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon's gaze returned to Seo Daeryong and Dan Ah.

"You are both smart kids, so don't live a life of regret like this master of yours."

Seo Daeryong bowed his head deeply, his shoulders trembling slightly. The tears he had been holding back began to fall. At Seo Daeryong's tears, tears also fell from Dan Ah's eyes. She knew well how Seo Daeryong felt about his master.

When the two of them started crying, the flustered Blood Heaven Blade Demon looked at Geom Mugeuk. A wedding was not supposed to be this solemn, so Geom Mugeuk stepped in with a smile.

"Our Elder, how did you manage to hold back from saying this?"

Geom Mugeuk imitated the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and declared.

"Oh, you demons of the Divine Cult, born and raised in darkness! Betrayal is death, so form an eternal blood pact! Abandon the sword and take up the blade!"

The Demon Supremes laughed, and one corner of Geom Woojin's mouth curled up. With a sense of relief, the tension on the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's face eased.

Since both of them had lost their parents, the procedure of bowing to them was omitted. Seo Daeryong and Dan Ah tried to bow to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon instead, but he waved his hands dismissively and walked far away.

Seo Daeryong and Dan Ah bowed to his retreating back.

With that bow, their wedding ceremony came to an end.

As the two who had bowed stood up, a gust of wind blew.

HWIIIING.

A petal fell from the flower Dan Ah was holding. It fluttered through the people and landed on the Flower Sword Supreme's hand. A smile formed on the lips of the woman who loved flowers.

Geom Mugeuk walked toward Seo Daeryong, smiling brightly. Seeing that expression approach him, Seo Daeryong wondered if he had ever seen the Young Cult Leader's face so happy.

BANG! BOOOM! BANG!

Under the exploding fireworks, Geom Mugeuk said the words the Blood Heaven Blade Demon could not bring himself to say.

"My right-hand man, eat well and live well!"