Chapter 815: Let's Be Friends Just for Today

TL: FoodieMonster007

The man's presence grew immense as he drew closer, as if he was pushing space aside with his very existence as he walked.

Geom Woojin and the Murim Alliance Chairman, Jin Paecheon, rose from their seats. This was not a presence one could face while sitting down.

Besides, Geom Woojin was the host. Jin Paecheon and Baek Jagang were only here to assist him.

Jin Paecheon stood a short distance from the table.

SWISH!

A kitchen knife lifted the beaded curtain over the kitchen entrance.

Baek Jagang, standing behind it, commented with a hint of regret, "The soup was boiling so nicely, too."

He spoke casually, but his eyes shone sharper than ever. He extinguished the fire, set down the knife, and strode out of the kitchen.

The Sword King moved slowly to stand against the back wall, not far from where the Poison King sat. He didn't know how the Poison King would fight, but he felt someone needed to protect him. That way, the Poison King's arts could truly shine.

The Poison King seemed to notice his intention. He glanced at the Sword King before looking back toward the entrance.

The man arrived in front of the Alluring Inn, bringing with him a tension that could explode at any moment.

He stepped into the Alluring Inn. He had long, dark hair and a tall, powerful build perfect for martial arts. His gaze was intense, and a red aura lingered in his pupils.

This wasn't killing intent or qi. It was an innate aura, not an energy someone projected artificially.

Everyone could tell that the aura was the energy of the Celestial Killer Star, even though none of them had ever seen it in person.

The man wore a single sword in a black scabbard. Most impressively, he was younger than they had imagined.

As the man entered the inn, his tremendous presence vanished. This meant he could control it at will, making it impossible for them to relax their guard.

The man walked without hesitation to Geom Woojin's table and fearlessly took the seat Jin Paecheon had just vacated. Sitting down while enemies stood right beside him was an act of madness, especially when those enemies were the Murim Alliance Chairman and the Fist Demon. If not for the presence he had projected earlier, one might have mistaken him for a passing drunkard.

The man lifted the teacup poured for Jin Paecheon and drained it in one gulp. He set the teacup down and remarked politely, "Not bad."

It was unclear if he meant the tea or the people waiting for him.

His gaze turned to Geom Woojin. "So you're the Demonic Cult Leader of this era."

The man's voice was as calm as his gaze. He didn't try to add weight to it or project a fierce spirit, nor did he act deliberately casual. Everyone's first impression was that he was an opponent whose true measure was difficult to grasp.

Geom Woojin nodded. "And you're the Celestial Killer Star."

The man smiled softly, his words flowing naturally as if he had been part of the group all along. "Isn't it funny that a person is born with a destiny? It means that no matter how kindly I try to live, I'll eventually cause a bloodbath. Cult Leader, do you also believe fate can't be defied?"

Geom Woojin snorted. "Why ask? You've already proved it by coming here."

The two men's gazes locked.

"If you don't want to be called the Celestial Killer Star, state your true name."

"You're qualified to hear my name."

The Fist Demon, standing beside Geom Woojin, was ready to throw a punch at any moment. To him, the man's calmness felt like extreme danger and arrogance.

"Hwa Mugi."

The man was Hwa Mugi. He was the one who had killed the Cult Leader and the Chairmen in Geom Mugeuk's life before his regression. Now, he had appeared at the Alluring Inn.

Hwa Mugi held the empty teacup out to the side and opened his hand.

CLANG!

The teacup fell to the floor and shattered.

"Yes, just as this cup fell and shattered, I couldn't defy my fate."

In response, Geom Woojin slowly drank his tea. Then, just like Hwa Mugi, he dropped his empty cup.

FWIP!

This time, however, it didn't shatter. Just before the cup hit the floor, it flew up via telekinesis and settled back into its original spot.

"Fate can be defied." Geom Woojin met Hwa Mugi's gaze. "I, too, once enjoyed the sound of things shattering, but no more."

Hwa Mugi's expression brightened. "I made the right choice coming to you first. I feel better now."

Despite his words, however, the faint red glow in his eyes darkened.

Hwa Mugi made eye contact with each person there, first meeting Jin Paecheon's gaze, then Baek Jagang's. His gaze revealed everything. He knew Jin Paecheon was the Murim Alliance Chairman and Baek Jagang was the Evil Alliance Chairman, yet he didn't waver in the slightest.

His gaze swept over the others. The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader, the Fist Demon, the Sword King, and even the Poison King. Even if he didn't know their identities, he should have been able to estimate their skill, yet Hwa Mugi's expression remained unchanged.

Because of this, his next words sounded like false modesty.

"You've overestimated me."

"I didn't overestimate you," Geom Woojin denied. "My son did."

From the start, lighting the Demonic Flames had been Geom Mugeuk's idea. Taking several Demon Supremes with him and leaving the Fist Demon and the Poison King behind were all part of it.

Geom Woojin considered it all to be Geom Mugeuk's arrangement. His son's prediction had been correct. A man who could remain at ease even in this situation had truly come.

Son, so this was the existence you feared?

Indeed, Hwa Mugi was an opponent worth fearing. The unknown potential radiating from the man was unlike anything he had ever seen. He couldn't predict what might burst forth from within him. The fact that the enemy remained calm in this situation alone made him truly formidable.

"Actually, the person I wanted to see most was your son," Hwa Mugi remarked.

"Then why did you come to me?"

"To hurt your son." Hwa Mugi looked straight into Geom Woojin's eyes. "By killing you."

Silence filled the room. Hwa Mugi had clearly revealed his reason for coming. He had come to kill Geom Woojin.

In Geom Mugeuk's previous life, Hwa Mugi had gone to the Murim Alliance first, then the Evil Alliance, and finally the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. This time, he had come to the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult first.

The Fist Demon quietly clenched his fist. He would kill the Cult Leader just to hurt Geom Mugeuk?

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader said to Geom Woojin, "What a relief! Wouldn't it be unsettling if he wanted to kill the Cult Leader because of heaven's fate or something like that?"

As expected, he had to be the one to break the suffocating tension.

Geom Woojin played along. "Then are you saying it's fine for my son to be hurt?"

"Since he's the Young Cult Leader who turns wounds into armor, it's fine. The experience will make him an even better Cult Leader in the future."

Listening to their conversation, Hwa Mugi smiled brightly. He seemed to smile a lot. Looking around, he changed the subject. "I heard a three-way summit was held here?"

Hwa Mugi abruptly stood and walked toward the second floor. This place was filled with opponents where a single misstep could cost him his life. The moment someone attacked, hell would be unleashed, yet, he moved naturally.

His movements were neither grand nor special. He appeared so full of openings that it was ironically difficult to find one to exploit.

On his way to the second floor, he met the Poison King and the Sword King's eyes. After passing them, he stopped at the stairs and looked back at the Sword King.

"Ponytail and bare feet. It's you! The traitor."

"……" The Sword King showed no reaction.

"You're brave."

He meant it was brave for the Sword King to wait for him despite the betrayal.

"You flatter me. I've never met anyone as brave as you," the Sword King said. Even though he had belonged to Hwa Mugi's organization, this was his first time seeing the man.

Hwa Mugi grinned at the Sword King. "I still won't let you off the hook, though."

He went up to the second floor and looked at the words written on the wall.

"They're really here."

It seemed he had come knowing about the inscriptions.

Hwa Mugi read the phrases one by one with his hands clasped behind his back. After finishing, he looked down from the railing. "You people are different from the orthodox, unorthodox, and demonic factions I know. They did nothing but fight incessantly."

Everyone had the same question. Hwa Mugi was clearly young, so which factions was he referring to? Was he a master from a previous generation who underwent rejuvenation? It was certainly possible.

For now, they observed Hwa Mugi carefully, allowing him to lead the situation. What they needed was information about their opponent.

"I should leave a line of writing before I go, too."

Unfortunately, someone downstairs couldn't stand his leisurely attitude.

"Tell us what you want to leave. I'll write it for you," the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader chimed in.

Hwa Mugi leaned against the railing and asked the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader, "Who are you?"

He didn't seem to be trying to provoke him. He genuinely appeared not to know.

Everyone instantly realized that he must have come here without knowing who was present. He had simply barged into the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's headquarters alone, armed with only a single sword.

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's pride was stung, but he replied, "I'm not important, so don't mind me. Just remember me as the one who will record your will."

However. Hwa Mugi recognized him a moment later. "Ah, you're the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader. I heard you were in the Divine Cult as well."

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's gaze grew incredibly cold. He was no longer the gentle, lackadaisical man just moments before. "Seeing that your master sent you here anyway, he must have hoped you'd die here."

Hwa Mugi nodded readily. Of course, he had seen through the Darkness Palace Lord's intentions.

"Correct. The Lord was hoping I'd die here along with all of you. Do you know why I didn't kill him, even knowing that? He knelt and begged for his life. He said he'd offer me the Young Cult Leader's head."

Everyone could tell he wasn't lying. The Darkness Palace Lord, the mastermind behind all this, had knelt and begged this man for his life. Hwa Mugi was the true leader of their organization.

Realizing this, Geom Woojin smiled.

Well done, son.

He was praising his son's choice to leave the true leader to him.

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader said confidently, "Don't worry. Even if you didn't kill him, the Young Cult Leader will cut off his head."

"You people really trust the Young Cult Leader." Hwa Mugi looked back at the wall on the second floor. "Well, that isn't something just anyone can accomplish. Anyway, let's put aside the fact that your child is special. For the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult to interact with orthodox sects? Isn't that a bit shameful?"

He had asked the question without turning around, but it was clear who his question was for.

"Not at all," Geom Woojin shook his head firmly.

Jin Paecheon was inwardly surprised. The Cult Leader answered sincerely.

He might choose not to speak, but he was not a man who lied.

Hwa Mugi changed his target, turning to to Jin Paecheon. "I should ask our Murim Alliance Chairman this then. Why are you here?"

Jin Paecheon was inwardly flustered. He hadn't expected to be asked why he was here. If Hwa Mugi had asked if he was ashamed, Jin Paecheon would have simply answered that he wasn't. However, the reason he was here was a long story.

Hwa Mugi asked again, "Is it acceptable for the Murim Alliance Chairman to associate with the Demonic Cult Leader like this?"

"I'm not here as the Murim Alliance Chairman."

"Then in what capacity are you here?"

After a brief pause, Jin Paecheon answered calmly. "I'm here as that man's friend."

Even as he spoke, he wondered if this was right. A friend? Their relationship was still too distant for that word, and their positions prevented them from ever truly being friends. However, Hwa Mugi had pushed him, and the word 'friend' had slipped out before he knew it.

Suddenly, Geom Woojin's telepathy reached him. [Let's be friends, just for today.]

Jin Paecheon looked at Geom Woojin and nodded, grateful that his temporary friend understood his feelings so well.

"What nonsense is this? Chairman Jin! You must not be here! You must never associate with that evil Demonic Cult and the cunning Evil Alliance!" Hwa Mugi screamed like a madman. "If you associate with them, you'll regret it for the rest of your life. Leave this place right now!"

Jin Paecheon and the others were stunned speechless. Hwa Mugi's entire demeanor had changed in an instant, as if he was a completely different person. In fact, he sounded genuinely worried.

Everyone stared blankly at him, puzzled.

"I said leave! Now!" Hwa Mugi roared.

In that moment, he really looked like a madman. Everyone thought Hwa Mugi was just mocking the Murim Alliance Chairman.

Only Geom Woojin noticed the anomaly. For a brief instant, the red aura in Hwa Mugi's eyes vanished, replaced by a flash of orthodox qi.

That's clearly orthodox qi!

In other words, he wasn't acting.

Geom Woojin realized an important truth.

There is something really weird going on inside that man's body.