Chapter 848: Don't Flip Over the Cult Leader's Drinking Table

TL: FoodieMonster007

When Geom Mugeuk and Geom Woojin emerged, they found Hwi setting down food.

He greeted them with a pleased expression, clasping his hands. "Greetings, Cult Leader and Young Cult Leader."

He examined Geom Woojin first. He had worried that the Cult Leader might have changed, since time flowed differently inside and outside the training area, but fortunately, Geom Woojin looked the same as before.

"You've worked hard, haven't you?" Geom Mugeuk asked.

Hwi shook his head. "Not at all. I only brought the food."

"Please tell the cooks! Their hard work is over now! If we had only eaten jerky and nutrient balls, we'd still be in there."

Thanks to the cooks and Hwi, he and his father had eaten well and trained hard.

Hwi said politely to Geom Mugeuk, "Congratulations on your great achievement."

Geom Mugeuk's eyes widened in surprise. "Is it that obvious?"

"No, I haven't been able to fathom the Young Cult Leader's level for a while now."

This wasn't just a polite remark. It was the truth. Geom Mugeuk had long since surpassed the state of Origin Reversal and had now reached the final realm of martial arts.

"Then how did you know?" Geom Mugeuk asked.

Hwi smiled. "You wouldn't have entered joint seclusion training if it wasn't a crucial moment, and having done so, you wouldn't have come out without results."

He knew both of their personalities perfectly. In particular, he knew the Cult Leader better than anyone, and for him, giving up halfway was not an option.

Geom Woojin declared proudly. "Geuk is the youngest in our Cult's history to achieve twelfth star mastery of the Nine Calamities Demonic Art."

At the words 'twelfth star mastery', Hwi turned to Geom Mugeuk in astonishment and congratulated him again. "Young Cult Leader, my sincerest congratulations."

The Young Cult Leader had truly become the second-strongest martial master in the world. Given his youth, it was only a matter of time before he became number one. Considering his extraordinary achievements, it wouldn't take long.

In truth, while achieving twelfth star mastery was a remarkable feat, Hwi found something else even more surprising.

Cult Leader, do you realize you just bragged about your son to me for the first time?

Geom Mugeuk credited his father. "When it comes to being blessed with parents, I'm second to none, right? Who else in the world would guide someone as young as me to twelfth star mastery?"

It wasn't just this seclusion training. His father's help had also been the greatest factor when he achieved tenth star mastery.

"As long as you know," Geom Woojin sneered.

In fact, the seclusion training time had also been a great help to him. The experience made him realize that the completion of martial arts was still far off. Even after achieving twelfth star mastery of the Nine Calamities Demonic Art, there was still a long path left to walk.

Hwi delivered news that needed to be shared while they were both present. "The Demon Supremes, the Demonic Army, and the Ghost Shadow Squad have all returned. However, an incident occurred during the process."

He explained that the large Secret Box that remained after the fight with the Darkness Palace Lord was being moved to the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult Headquarters.

"I received a report that the Secret Box vanished during transport. It wasn't plundered or lost, it just disappeared without a trace. The Sanzu River Hall has begun an investigation into the matter."

Geom Woojin looked at Geom Mugeuk, as his son knew the most about the Secret Box.

"I don't think an investigation is necessary," Geom Mugeuk said, figuring the old man who sent him back in time must have retrieved the Secret Box. No, considering its mystical properties, perhaps the Secret Box had never belonged to the mortal world in the first place. He added, "It seems the Secret Box has gone back to where it originally belongs."

Geom Woojin nodded. He knew the Secret Box was why multiple souls had entered the Celestial Killer Star's body. It was an item that had to be recovered, but for his son to speak this way, he must have a good idea of what happened. "Have them stop the investigation."

"I will relay the message."

Geom Mugeuk said to his father. "Oh, and Father. Why don't you open the Heavenly Demon Vault to celebrate this occasion?"

"!?" Geom Woojin gave his son a questioning look.

"The big fight is over, so why not gather all the Demon Supremes soon and hold a tournament? We can put up a few Ten-Thousand Year Blood Ginseng Roots as prizes."

"What kind of tournament?"

"The Demon Supremes can't just beat each other up, so how about a fishing tournament? A showdown with their pride on the line! You, me, and Hyung-nim can participate too."

At the mention of fishing, a competitive spirit flashed across Geom Woojin's face.

"Excellent!" he agreed at once and started walking toward the Heavenly Demon Hall, with Hwi following behind.

A faint smile touched his lips as he walked. How could he not know his son was setting the stage for him to take care of the Demon Supremes, using the fishing tournament as an excuse to console them for their hard work?

Geom Mugeuk stood there for a moment, looking up at the sky, even after Geom Woojin and Hwi had walked off toward the Heavenly Demon Hall. His original plan was to play to his heart's content, but he had instead emerged from the most arduous training of his life.

That was why he shouted at the real sky, which he hadn't seen in a long time.

"Don't try to stop me now! I'm really going to have fun! Really!"

In the silent sky, only indifferent cumulus clouds drifted slowly by.

Having achieved twelfth star mastery of the Nine Calamities Demonic Art, there was something Geom Mugeuk had to do.

Returning to his residence, he immediately unleashed the Spacetime Manipulation Technique. A green plain unfolded before him, and he summoned a being well-suited to the vast space.

His colossal Heavenly Demon Soul descended.

This was the first time he had seen his own Heavenly Demon Soul after achieving twelfth star mastery. Just as his father's had changed, his own had also transformed.

The flame pattern on its chest was larger and more distinct, and the symbol of the Heavenly Demon Soul was engraved on the backs of both its hands. His father's Heavenly Demon Soul had the symbol only on its right hand, but his was on both. Furthermore, various parts of its body looked different, as if it were wearing armor. It looked much cooler and more refined, but its gaze was even more fearsome and intense.

"Congratulations on becoming a Twelfth Star Heavenly Demon Soul!"

The Heavenly Demon Soul slowly brought its hands together and bowed slightly, like a human performing a clasped-hands greeting. Geom Mugeuk could tell it was congratulating him on achieving twelfth star mastery.

"Thanks, my friend. We have a place to go now, so please descend in human size."

The Heavenly Demon Soul vanished and then descended again in a smaller size. Compared to the usual one, the smaller version of the Heavenly Demon Soul had a much more intense feel.

SNAP!

Geom Mugeuk snapped his fingers, and the space around them changed to his favorite place, the small island. Under the hot sun, a white sandy beach stretched out beside a broad-leafed tree. Two comfortable chairs sat in its shade.

"This is your seat," he said.

"……" The Heavenly Demon Soul's eyes wavered slightly.

There was a saying that a Heavenly Demon Soul's personality resembles its master, and Geom Mugeuk's was certainly unique.

Geom Mugeuk sat first, leaning back in the chair as if half-lying down. "You have no idea how much I missed this place while I was training," he rambled, his gaze fixed on the sea. "Sitting here like this, looking at the sea, I can forget all my worries, at least for a little while. I don't know if you have any worries, though."

The Heavenly Demon Soul glanced at Geom Mugeuk before looking back at the sea.

"You've reached the Twelfth Star now, so you're going to talk, right? Honestly, you must be itching to speak, aren't you? Father said some Heavenly Demon Souls in the past conversed with their masters. You're not the first, so no need to feel burdened. Besides, it's impossible for the Heavenly Demon Soul of a master who loves to talk this much to be unable to speak, right?"

Still, the Heavenly Demon Soul remained silent.

Geom Mugeuk pouted, though in truth, it didn't matter if it didn't speak. Just having someone there to listen to him was enough to be grateful for.

Just then, the Heavenly Demon Soul slowly sat down in its chair.

Geom Mugeuk looked at his friend, deeply moved. It hadn't simply obeyed a command to sit. This action was clearly an emotional exchange, a sign they had grown one step closer.

The Heavenly Demon Soul stared at the distant sea with a stoic face.

A thought occurred to Geom Mugeuk. Perhaps this Heavenly Demon Soul didn't resemble his talkative, post-regression self, but rather his personality from before he regressed—his hidden true self, deep in his heart.

He smiled. "Yeah, it would be too noisy if we were both talkative, wouldn't it?"

And so, Geom Mugeuk and the Heavenly Demon Soul sat silently on the beach, watching the sea.

"You're already out of seclusion training? I heard you entered joint seclusion training with the Cult Leader, so I thought you'd be in there for a long time."

The Drunken Demon was startled to see Geom Mugeuk. He seemed surprised that they had come out in just a few days.

Geom Mugeuk grinned. After relaxing on the beach with the Heavenly Demon Soul, the Drunken Demon was the first person he had gone to see. "That's just how it turned out. How are your injuries?"

"I'm fine now. Don't tell me you came because you were worried about me?"

Geom Mugeuk nodded. The Drunken Demon had fought so fiercely that he had drunk all his liquor. This time, he wanted to check on him first. "I wanted to have a celebratory drink with you."

"Sounds good." The Drunken Demon went to get some liquor from a corner of the Drunken Dream Palace, when he suddenly remembered something. "No, wait. There's a place you and I should go."

He led Geom Mugeuk to the forbidden zone deep within the Great Drunken Forest, the very place where the wines were kept.

Geom Mugeuk knew why the Drunken Demon had brought him here. Now that the Celestial Killer Star was dead, he wanted to check if the wines had spoiled.

The two entered nervously.

After checking the wines, the Drunken Demon cheered joyfully, as happy as a child. "The wines haven't spoiled! Everything's finally back to normal!"

Geom Mugeuk could feel just how important these wines were to him. "You're that happy?"

"Of course."

Others might think of it as a superstition, but to the Drunken Demon, it was the most important thing.

"Congratulations!"

"Thanks. Let's have our celebratory drink here."

"Sounds good."

The Drunken Demon brought out liquor and cups he had stored in the forbidden zone.

The two sat and drank next to the wines. The Drunken Demon smiled nonstop, happy just looking at the clear liquid.

"This liquor tastes amazing. I don't think I've had this one before."

"It's one I've been saving. I was planning to drink it when the wines returned to normal."

"You seem to have an endless supply of saved liquor."

"I even have some I've set aside to drink on the day you become the Cult Leader. That's the one I cherish the most."

Geom Mugeuk laughed loudly, "Isn't the best one the one you were going to drink when you retire?"

The Drunken Demon flinched.

Drinking in the forbidden zone of the Great Drunken Forest had its own unique charm.

After a few drinks, the Drunken Demon spoke to Geom Mugeuk, "Don't worry about the future ahead of time."

"Is it that obvious?"

"Worry is written all over your face."

"You know me. I'm the type to worry needlessly. I even worry about things that won't happen, and since this matter is what it is, it's not easy to just put it off for later." Geom Mugeuk emptied his cup and shared his honest feelings. "A moment ago, I even had this wicked thought. What if Father starts to seriously try to conquer the murim? I even wished your wines would spoil again. Then maybe I could use it as an excuse to stop him."

The Drunken Demon refilled Geom Mugeuk's empty cup. "The Cult Leader wouldn't care about the wines spoiling."

Geom Mugeuk had nothing to say to that. The Drunken Demon was someone who would follow the Cult Leader's orders without question. If an order came down to kill Jin Hagun or Bi Sayin, he would carry it out willingly.

The Drunken Demon looked down at his cup for a moment, then said something unexpected. "Don't flip over the Cult Leader's drinking table."

Geom Mugeuk looked at the Drunken Demon.

He continued speaking with his gaze still fixed on his cup, "For many long years, the Cult Leader has been drinking the liquor called 'world domination', and he's drunk on it. How do you think he'd feel if someone suddenly showed up, flipped over his table, and threw cold water on him to sober him up? Even if it's his own son."

"Then what should I do?" Geom Mugeuk asked.

The Drunken Demon answered as he drained his cup, "You sit at that drinking table too."

Those were words Geom Mugeuk had never expected.

"First, sit down and think. Don't just flip the table."

Geom Mugeuk tilted his head in puzzlement. Sit at my father's drinking party? What then?

"What if I get drunk too?" he asked.

"That, I don't know." The Drunken Demon laughed self-deprecatingly and poured liquor into Geom Mugeuk's empty cup. "What do you expect from a drunkard's advice?"

"No. It was helpful advice."

"Really?"

Geom Mugeuk nodded. Until now, just as the Drunken Demon said, he had only been thinking about flipping the table and ending the drinking party, but the Drunken Demon was right. From his father's perspective, it would be a sudden and unfair act.

"I felt this when we went to the Ice Palace before, but you're really smart," he said.

The Drunken Demon waved his hands dismissively, but he couldn't hide the 'praise me more' look in his eyes.

"You're the smartest among the Demon Supremes!"

"If I hadn't been so into liquor, I might have been a strategist in the All-Knowing Hall."

Geom Mugeuk laughed. Go Wol had told him to become the Cult Leader. The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader had told him to give his father a grandchild. Now, the Drunken Demon was telling him to get drunk with his father. Everyone was giving him advice in their own way.

At least, one thing was clear.

"Alright, I'll do as you say. I'll sit at that drinking party first. Father must know too. Just how terrible the hangover from this drinking party will be."

Because it was a matter where countless lives would be lost.

What if I become his drinking partner and, in return, we never end the party?

He didn't know if that was possible, but at least he had a clear direction for one thing.

I shouldn't just try to stop my father blindly.

The Drunken Demon brought a box of liquor he had stored in a corner of the forbidden zone. "Take this when you go. It's the same liquor we just drank."

"Why are you giving me something this precious? A whole box of it?"

The Drunken Demon grinned. He wasn't giving the liquor to Geom Mugeuk as a reward for the compliment. Holding out the box, he added, "You said you're going to meet people and have fun now, right? Good liquor creates a good atmosphere, and that good atmosphere… will help you find your answer."