Chapter 825: Everyone Is Out of Their Minds

TL: FoodieMonster007

Let's eat? In the middle of a life-or-death battle? Is he a lunatic?

That was the first thought to cross Hwa Mugi's mind. It was a thought many who had encountered Geom Mugeuk shared.

No, he can't possibly be that crazy. He must have something up his sleeve.

Hwa Mugi knew the Young Cult Leader was no ordinary person, but what surprised him more was everyone else's reaction.

Shouldn't at least one of them look bewildered or question the absurdity of the Young Cult Leader's suggestion?

Contrary to his expectations, a shocking response began to unfold.

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader rubbed his belly. "Come to think of it, I'm hungry too."

Since Hwa Mugi had barged in just as Baek Jagang finished cooking, no one had eaten yet.

Hwa Mugi ignored the fatty. The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader was known for spouting nonsense, so his reaction was somewhat understandable.

However, Baek Jagang then boasted to Geom Mugeuk, "The Cult Leader taught me how to cook."

Hwa Mugi simply couldn't understand. Why is the Evil Alliance Chairman saying that? Is he going to cook? The man who was just fighting so fiercely? No, why does even the Demonic Cult Leader look proud at those words?

It was as if a switch had flipped the moment the Young Cult Leader arrived, transforming the entire group. The warriors who hadn't taken their eyes off him for a second began to look elsewhere, their grave expressions brightening.

The Sword King glanced at the sky for the first time. The Poison King, who had been staring with eyes as deep as an abyss, now studied an uprooted tree.

Surely he isn't looking at that bug crawling from the roots?

The common emotion radiating from them was relief.

Why? Not even the Heavenly Demon's presence gave them relief!

Hwa Mugi was both bewildered and curious.

Just what is this guy?

He had heard from the Darkness Palace Lord that the Young Cult Leader influenced everyone, but he never imagined it was to this extent.

Geom Mugeuk spoke to Hwa Mugi again, not with an idle threat like, "I'll kill you after we eat," but with a simple request.

"Let's eat before you kill us," he said.

"Is there a reason I should?" Hwa Mugi asked.

"Yes," Geom Mugeuk replied. "Because this will be the last meal you ever enjoy."

"What?" For a moment, Hwa Mugi thought Geom Mugeuk was threatening him.

"Well, if you win and we all die, this atmosphere, this feeling, this tension… you'll never experience it again," Geom Mugeuk explained seriously, staring into Hwa Mugi's eyes. "Once we're all dead, only those trembling in fear and feigning loyalty will remain. You know, those people who just pretend to be loyal. You'll kill them indiscriminately out of boredom and temper. Unfortunately, no matter how many you kill, your heart will never again beat in excitement like it does today."

"!" Hwa Mugi's gaze shifted from Geom Mugeuk to Geom Woojin, the man he had been most wary of throughout the fight. Though Geom Woojin hadn't drawn his sword, he felt as if they had already fought a fierce battle.

He tuned to the other martial masters of the current era. Next to Geom Woojin, the Fist Demon stood tall, his fists still clenched with regret. Jin Paecheon and Baek Jagang stood side by side, with the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader, the Sword King, and the Poison King behind them.

Yes, he's right. A moment like this will never come again.

Geom Mugeuk smiled. "So, let's eat."

"……" Hwa Mugi found himself strangely persuaded. The tension had been draining away ever since the Young Cult Leader arrived.

Geom Mugeuk whined, "If you don't want to, then at least let me eat! Are you going to be that petty about food?"

"…Fine." Hwa Mugi finally nodded. Geom Mugeuk was simply too intriguing to attack outright. He couldn't fight with such deflated morale anyway.

Geom Mugeuk smiled brightly. "Okay, let's go inside!"

He turned toward the Alluring Inn.

"…AAAAAAH! WHAT'S ALL THISSSSS!" he screamed in despair.

One wall of the Alluring Inn had collapsed, and the second-floor wall with the carved writing was gone entirely.

Geom Mugeuk spun to face Hwa Mugi. "You bastard, did you break that? Do you know how precious that wall is?! This won't do." He placed a hand on his sword. "No matter how hungry I am, it seems I need to teach you a lesson first."

Hwa Mugi reached for his own black sword. He welcomed a fight, even though he felt wronged at being accused for a crime he didn't commit.

"Actually, I'm the one who smashed the wall," Geom Woojin confessed.

A moment of silence passed.

Geom Mugeuk lowered his voice and said seriously, "You did well. Removing a wall that hinders battle is the best plan. Actually, I'm only saying this now, but the writing everyone left wasn't that great. Since you've practiced once, you'll leave even better writing next time, right? Right?"

As soon as he finished talking, he entered the ruined inn.

Geom Woojin followed, and Jin Paecheon and Baek Jagang trailed behind them, laughing.

The three of them entered without even a glance at Hwa Mugi.

Only the Fist Demon remained wary of Hwa Mugi's movements as the others filed into the Alluring Inn.

Hwa Mugi couldn't believe his eyes. These guys! They're all just going inside and leaving me behind?

Just moments ago, they were fighting over who was a hero and who was a villain, but now, he felt lonely and ignored. He had gone from protagonist to supporting character… no, not even that. He was an extra, left alone on the road.

Don't extras often die in stories?

After staring quietly at the inn for a while, Hwa Mugi followed the group inside.

"It's more damaged than I thought," Geom Mugeuk grumbled, surveying the interior. The remaining walls were cracked, and broken tables and chairs lay scattered about. He looked up at the empty space where the second-floor wall had been. "I once told the owner that even if this wall were destroyed, its destruction would have meaning."

"Are you upset I didn't protect it?" Geom Woojin asked. He knew that everything in the inn, from the unbroken tables to the wall, all of it represented his son's demonic path.

Geom Mugeuk looked at his father. You probably don't know how much it means to me that you're asking this, Father.

He smiled. "What are you talking about? You already protected it, didn't you?"

"??" Geom Woojin blinked, puzzled.

Geom Mugeuk glanced out the window at the burning Demonic Flames in the distance. "What I wanted to protect wasn't the wall or the tables, but the innkeeper and the people of the Demon Village. You already protected them by lighting the Demonic Flames, Father." His gaze returned to Geom Woojin. "That was a truly wonderful choice, Father. The people of the Demon Village will never forget your grace."

"……" Geom Woojin stared at his son without a word.

Rather, the Fist Demon, who had been listening in, was the one who reacted.

The Cult Leader is human too. He must have thought of Geom Mugeuk while protecting the Demon Village people. He must have hoped to hear these words from his son.

A faint smile touched his lips.

Geom Mugeuk continued, "The fact that you chose this place as the battleground for the fate of the murim will be a lifelong source of pride for the innkeeper. It will have a meaning far greater than any writing on a wall."

The Fist Demon knew how good the Cult Leader must feel. If he himself felt this pleased, how much more so must the Cult Leader be?

"Fortunately, some things are still intact." Geom Mugeuk dragged an unbroken table and chairs from a corner to the center of the room. "Please sit, Father."

"……" Hwa Mugi stood at the entrance, watching Geom Mugeuk's every move. His eyes seemed to say, Fine, let's see how far you'll take this insane farce.

Baek Jagang stepped forward. "I learned a few dishes from your father. Would you like a taste?"

"Please do!" Geom Mugeuk exclaimed. "How many people in the history of the murim get to eat food cooked by the Evil Alliance Chairman?"

Baek Jagang went straight into the kitchen to inspect his cooking. "You're in luck. The kitchen isn't too damaged."

Geom Mugeuk's eyes lit up. "Can I look forward to it?"

"Of course!" Baek Jagang replied.

Even if it doesn't taste good, I have an escape route, he thought. I can just push all the blame onto his father.

The thought excited him more than he had been during the fight. And so, the hand that had just unleashed the Tyrannical King Annihilation Sword Technique now held a kitchen knife.

Baek Jagang called out, "Is there anyone who can help me?"

Geom Woojin remained seated, unable to leave Hwa Mugi unattended.

The Poison King, remembering the tears he shed while peeling onions, deliberately stared out the window. His posture made it clear he had only helped the Cult Leader and would not do so for anyone else.

"I'd like to help, but I have no talent for it," the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader, who would indeed likely cause more trouble than help, added.

The Sword King was nursing internal injuries, and Jin Paecheon was in an awkward position to volunteer.

That left one person.

"I will help," the Fist Demon volunteered.

He had already demonstrated his skill by slicing carrots earlier. Despite his appearance, his cooking skills were far superior to Baek Jagang's.

Also, he offered to help not because no one else was suitable, but because he genuinely wanted to. He had learned something from Baek Jagang this time about choosing practical benefit over honor and pride, and it had greatly influenced him.

He entered the kitchen. Now, the two men who had fought Hwa Mugi together were embarking on a new battle in the kitchen.

Hwa Mugi watched the ridiculous scene unfold.

Everyone is out of their minds.

Baek Jagang and the Fist Demon, who were just trying to kill him, had disappeared into the kitchen. Normal people wouldn't have done that, and even if they did, shouldn't they have at least said something like, "Let's postpone our fight until after the meal"?

Do they really believe the Young Cult Leader can handle me? Or did the Poison King release some mass hallucination drug?

His eyes met Geom Mugeuk's.

"Come here and sit," Geom Mugeuk said.

Hwa Mugi didn't move.

Geom Mugeuk added, "Look, we don't kill people while they're eating. So come on."

Hwa Mugi slowly walked over and sat down. Geom Mugeuk's eyes were dangerous. Looking into them, he felt the man was sincerely telling the truth and making sense even though he was blabbing nonsense.

Geom Mugeuk went to the kitchen and returned with alcohol and cups. "I'll pour you a drink, Father, especially since it's been a while," he said, pouring for Geom Woojin first. "I should've brought some of the Drunken Demon's good wine, but it's all gone."

Everyone immediately understood the implication. A fight had occurred that was so intense, the Drunken Demon had to drink all his wine. The battle on that front must have been truly terrible.

After that, Geom Mugeuk poured drinks for the others in turn, starting with Jin Paecheon.

The alcohol felt more profound than ever. Just moments ago, they had despaired before the monstrous Hwa Mugi. Now, they were receiving a drink from Geom Mugeuk.

After filling the cup before Hwa Mugi to the brim, Geom Mugeuk held out the bottle to him. "You. Pour me a drink too."

Hwa Mugi glared at Geom Mugeuk. "What are you doing?"

"I'm having a drink with my life's nemesis for the first and last time."

"……" Hwa Mugi glared daggers at Geom Mugeuk, but he saw only sincerity, not trickery.

"One of us will die before the day is over anyway," Geom Mugeuk added. "Even if you rule the murim later, try to live with at least this much composure."

Hwa Mugi finally took the bottle and filled Geom Mugeuk's cup. He braced for a surprise attack, but nothing happened.

Geom Mugeuk raised his cup high. "Here's to a drink with the Celestial Killer Star! Cheers!"

Everyone drank except for Hwa Mugi, who hadn't touched his cup.

Deep down, Jin Paecheon was stupefied. He had expected the situation to improve with Geom Mugeuk's arrival, but he hadn't expected the entire game to change. Not even the Celestial Killer Star was an exception from the Young Cult Leader's contagious madness.

A short while later, Baek Jagang brought out a large bowl of food, and the Fist Demon served it into smaller bowls.

Baek Jagang said nervously, "Here, everyone try it."

Geom Mugeuk sniffed the air. "It smells delicious!"

"Let's eat together," Geom Woojin said to Baek Jagang.

Baek Jagang and the Fist Demon joined the table.

Hwa Mugi stared down at the food before him. When Geom Mugeuk first suggested eating, he never imagined it would lead to this.

Of course, he wasn't alone in being bewildered. Who could have imagined sitting at a dining table with the Celestial Killer Star?

"It's really delicious!" Geom Mugeuk exclaimed.

Baek Jagang asked suspiciously, "Aren't you just saying that for your father's sake?"

"I have about nine tongues, and the one I'm using now is for tasting, not flattery. It's really delicious."

Baek Jagang was still skeptical, but his expression brightened when the others agreed. He definitely had a talent for cooking.

Geom Mugeuk chirped, "Please make it again next time I visit!"

"Come anytime," Baek Jagang replied.

A sneer formed on Hwa Mugi's lips. There is no next time for any of you.

Geom Mugeuk looked at Hwa Mugi. "Why aren't you eating?"

Hwa Mugi hadn't touched his chopsticks. Just because everyone else had lost their minds didn't mean he had to.

Geom Mugeuk stared quietly at Hwa Mugi before saying something surprising. Well, Hwa Mugi had already been surprised several times today, but this was the most shocking remark yet.

"Actually, this is the second time I'm eating with you."