Chapter 873: Don't I Look More Handsome in Person?

TL: FoodieMonster007

The Insect Physician flitted about energetically, even before fully recovering her strength. This was a testament to how sick she had been.

"Jigwang, go see if the pork is done boiling!"

"Yes."

"And hurry up and wash the vegetables."

"I'm on it!"

Pyo Jigwang was excited too. The delicious smells of boiling, simmering, and stir-frying filled the courtyard.

Lee Ahn offered to help, but the Insect Physician flatly refused. She wanted to prepare a proper meal for Geom Mugeuk with her own hands.

She had recovered, but she was getting on in years. Her guest was the Young Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, and there was no guarantee they would ever meet again.

Watching her bustle about happily, Lee Ahn smiled. "I don't think I have the confidence to live like that…"

THUMP!

Before she could finish, Geom Mugeuk rested his head on her shoulder.

Lee Ahn turned her head. Geom Mugeuk, who had been nagging the Insect Physician just moments ago, had fallen asleep.

Seeing him sleep so peacefully, she realized how much mental energy he had expended on the treatment.

That's right, get some rest now, Young Master.

Lee Ahn remained still, afraid she might wake Geom Mugeuk. She released her qi, creating a barrier to block out all external sounds. Her skills had advanced to the point where this was possible.

Just then, Han Seol emerged from the building. She saw Geom Mugeuk leaning on Lee Ahn and immediately turned back inside, only to run into Jin Haryong.

"It looks like we still have some time until the meal," she said. "Would you like to have a cup of tea in my room?"

Jin Haryong nodded. "Alright."

Han Seol led her into her room.

Meanwhile, Bi Sayin was in the backyard, looking at the poisonous insects displayed on one of the walls. Pyo Jigwang had assured him he could look as much as he wanted, since the insects that emitted deadly poison were stored separately.

Jin Hagun walked over as Bi Sayin was observing the insects. "Fortunately, it seems we won't have to eat those bugs."

Bi Sayin said to the bug he was observing, "You're all very lucky."

Jin Hagun stood beside Bi Sayin. A sense of camaraderie, born from dealing with their common enemy Geom Mugeuk, had brought them closer.

After watching the insects for a moment, Bi Sayin asked, "Aren't you worried about the Alliance?"

Jin Hagun shook his head. "I was worried the first day, but now I don't feel anything."

Bi Sayin smiled. It was an uncharacteristic thing for Jin Hagun to say.

"What about you?" Jin Hagun asked.

"I wasn't worried, not even on the first day."

This time, Jin Hagun laughed. It was unbelievable they were having such a conversation, considering the atmosphere when they first met. "Do you remember? The day I asked Mugeuk what kind of demonic path he dreamed of."

Bi Sayin nodded. He had been there that day too.

Jin Hagun continued, "Back then, Mugeuk said that the murim he dreams of is one where the Orthodox, Unorthodox, and Demonic paths get along well."

Bi Sayin picked up where Jin Hagun left off. "In the end, he's sticking to his words."

"He's so stubborn."

Bi Sayin completely agreed. It was that stubbornness that had dragged them all here today.

Jin Hagun asked cautiously, "Can I ask you something?"

"Young Lady Han?"

Jin Hagun nodded.

"She's a friend…" Bi Sayin admitted honestly, something he would have never revealed had he not gotten closer to Jin Hagun. Still, he added, "…For now."

A faint smile touched Jin Hagun's lips. "I hope things go well with her."

"Thanks."

Just then, Pyo Jigwang's voice rang out from the courtyard. "Dinner is ready!"

The next morning, Geom Mugeuk bid farewell to the Insect Physician.

"Stay a little longer! I'll make you more delicious food."

"No matter how grand the feast you prepared yesterday was, the most delicious thing I ever ate was that bug feast from the past! The one that taught me the pain of betrayal."

The Insect Physician laughed at Geom Mugeuk's joke.

Geom Mugeuk grew serious and bid her farewell. "Please stay healthy until I see you again!"

The Insect Physician wondered if there would be a next time, but then reconsidered. There would be. Geom Mugeuk was the type to visit even if he only heard news of her death. "You too. Take care until then."

Jin Hagun, Bi Sayin, and the three women also bid farewell to the Insect Physician and Pyo Jigwang.

After the goodbyes, Pyo Jigwang approached Geom Mugeuk to express his gratitude separately. "Young Cult Leader, you've saved my life twice now."

Geom Mugeuk understood he meant that saving his master was the same as saving him. "Well, the two people I saved will go on to save two hundred, no, two thousand more lives."

Pyo Jigwang's gaze deepened. When he first met Geom Mugeuk, he had been a wreck. Now, he was living a precious life, and he had the Young Cult Leader to thank for it. "Farewell."

As he walked away from the main gate, Geom Mugeuk glanced back. Pyo Jigwang was massaging his master's shoulders as they went back inside together.

You two live well.

When Geom Mugeuk turned back around, everyone's eyes were on him.

Lee Ahn asked, "Where are we going now?"

"Let's just go wherever our feet take us," Geom Mugeuk answered.

When they saw the sign hanging over the restaurant, the whole group stopped in their tracks and stared.

"That's a very brave name, isn't it?" Lee Ahn remarked incredulously.

Everyone nodded in agreement.

The Heavenly Horse Restaurant (天馬飯店).¹

They wondered who would dare use the name 'Heavenly Demon', but the Hanja characters were different. It used the character for 'horse' (馬), not 'demon' (魔). In any case, it was a name certain to catch the eye of passersby.

"How can we just pass by a place with a name like this? We're hungry, so let's grab a bite there," Geom Mugeuk suggested.

Everyone nodded in agreement. They were all curious about who would choose such a name and why.

They stepped inside. The restaurant seemed decent, with quite a few customers already seated.

A young woman who looked like a newlywed guided them to a table.

"A bowl of noodles for each of us, please."

Compared to the restaurant's grand name, though, the food was ordinary.

Since their visit was more out of curiosity than hunger, Geom Mugeuk asked the woman a question after they finished their meal. "Is the owner here fond of horses?"

The woman, who had clearly been asked this question many times, immediately understood. "Yes, he loves horses very much."

"Why are you lying?" A customer at the next table chimed in, then revealed the real reason. "It's because the owner here has met the Heavenly Demon in person."

Geom Mugeuk and his companions were startled. In contrast, the customer who had saidn and his friends laughed in amusement.

Someone from inside the kitchen called out, "I'm telling you, I really did meet him!"

"Yeah, sure you did."

The owner who shouted from the kitchen and the customer seemed to know each other. The customer was likely a regular.

With a conversation like this going on, how could Geom Mugeuk simply let it pass?

"Owner, did you really meet the Demonic Cult Leader?" he asked.

A reply came from the kitchen. "That's right."

"Tell us the story! And bring a bottle of liquor here. Serve a round to the other tables, too. All drinks are on me!"

All the customers cheered, and the atmosphere instantly heated up.

"It's been a while, hasn't it? Come on out and tell the story!"

The customers egged the chef on. It seemed most of them had heard the story before.

Fearing they might miss out on the free drinks, another person urged him on again. "Hurry up and tell it!"

"Yeah! Come on out!"

A moment later, the chef walked out from the kitchen.

He flinched when he saw Geom Mugeuk. It wasn't because Geom Mugeuk was a martial artist, nor was it because his companions had an unusual air about them.

"Have we met before?" the chef asked.

Geom Mugeuk shook his head, and the man tilted his own. The face was familiar, but he couldn't for the life of him remember where he had seen it.

"Now, let's hear the story of how you met the Heavenly Demon!" Geom Mugeuk insisted.

The cook's eyes grew distant as he began his story. "In my younger days, I worked as an investigator for a moneylender. My job was to confirm a borrower's family lived at their listed address and get them to act as a guarantor."

Surprisingly, the man was none other than Deokchul, the moneylender investigator who had gone to collect money from Geom Woojin in the past.

"This might sound hard to believe, but at the time, the Demonic Cult Leader's son borrowed money from a moneylender."

Jin Hagun shot Geom Mugeuk an exasperated look. Beside him, Bi Sayin nodded with conviction. The incident was so absurd that they were certain it had to be Geom Mugeuk.

Meanwhile, the other customers were already laughing. The story was unbelievable from the very start.

"Anyone hearing this would think the Young Cult Leader is a reckless brat."

"If that were the case, he would've just bought the whole moneylender's business. Or taken it by force."

For ordinary people, the idea of the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult borrowing money from a moneylender was unimaginable.

As if he had experienced this reaction many times, Deokchul stoically continued his story. "I went all the way to the village in front of the Demonic Cult Headquarters and met the Demon Supremes, and even the First Young Lord there."

How could anyone believe that a mere moneylender's investigator could see the Demon Supremes and the First Young Lord? Still, no one scoffed yet. The real kicker was yet to come.

"Anyway, right in front of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult Headquarters, there were merchants were selling dolls of the Demon Supremes."

"……" Everyone held back their laughter, sensing this wasn't the punchline yet.

Deokchul continued, "I bought dolls of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the Demonic Buddha back then. Then, at a tavern there, I met the Heavenly Demon."

As if on cue, the customers burst out laughing. Those who had heard the story before laughed, and those hearing it for the first time laughed too.

How could he tell such a ridiculous story so nonchalantly? It was funny because the lie was so absurd, and he told it with such a straight face.

Deokchul's wife, however, was upset. Why did her husband keep telling this story when he knew it would only bring him ridicule?

Nevertheless, Deokchul ignored them and rambled on, "It wasn't an ordinary tavern. Writings left by the Demon Supremes and the Heavenly Demon were on the walls."

""!!!"" Suddenly, Geom Mugeuk and his companions realized the man was telling the truth.

"I went up to him while he was drinking alone and asked him to be the guarantor for his son."

Geom Mugeuk couldn't resist grinning. "So? What did he say?"

"He laughed heartily. My persuasion that no parent can win against their child eventually convinced him to sign the guarantor form."

Geom Mugeuk had actually heard from Jo Yang of the moneylender's that his father had met an investigator. It seemed the man standing before him now was that very person!

Deokchul expressed his deep gratitude for the Demonic Cult Leader. "Even though I was incredibly rude, the Heavenly Demon didn't kill me. Instead, he gave me a thousand taels and told me to buy his doll."

Laughter erupted again at the part about buying the doll. Someone commented that this part was funny no matter how many times they heard it.

Geom Mugeuk asked, "Why do you keep telling this story when you know people don't believe you?"

Deokchul revealed his reason. "Because it's the truth. That day, I promised the Cult Leader that I would return to my hometown and live as a new man. With the money he gave me, I came back home, opened this restaurant, and married my wife."

His gaze turned to his wife, who sighed deeply. "Please, stop now," she pleaded, tears streaming from her eyes.

Her husband was a good man, someone she could trust for the rest of her life, but he had this one flaw. She couldn't understand his obsession with this lie and hated seeing him become a laughingstock.

"I'm sorry," Deokchul apologized.

"Promise me you'll stop from now on," his wife said firmly.

Deokchul hesitated for a moment before nodding. He knew his wife was upset, but he hadn't realized it pained her this much. "Alright." He turned to Geom Mugeuk. "The people here will be the last to hear my story. I'm sorry, Darling. I won't do it again."

"Thank you." The wife heaved a sigh of relief.

Deokchul began trudging back to the kitchen, but Geom Mugeuk asked from behind him, "So, did you buy the dolls?"

Deokchul stopped in his tracks and turned to look at Geom Mugeuk. "Why do you ask?"

"Because I believe you."

For a moment, surprise flashed across Deokchul's face. "You believe me?"

Geom Mugeuk nodded seriously.

Deokchul could tell from Geom Mugeuk's expression that the young man wasn't mocking him. He truly believed the story. "Why do you believe me?" he asked curiously.

Geom Mugeuk replied, "Because I think you told the truth."

Deokchul's face brightened. No one had ever believed his story before. He knew his wife didn't truly believe him either, despite what she said.

Well, since today is the last time I tell this story anyway…

"Please wait a moment."

Deokchul brought a box from the kitchen. He had never shown this to anyone but his wife before.

He opened the box, revealing the dolls he had bought. Not only were there dolls of the Eight Demon Supremes, but also of Geom Woojin and Geom Mugeuk.

The customers, seeing the dolls for the first time, crowded around.

"Oh! These are well-made."

"Who is this supposed to be?"

"This Demon Supreme is so cool!"

Geom Mugeuk inspected the dolls closely. Deokchul indeed had all the dolls that were being sold at the time he borrowed money. "Why did you buy all the dolls?" he asked.

If the story was correct, then Deokchul only needed to buy the Cult Leader and Fist Demon dolls, but the dolls laid out also included his own doll and those of the other Eight Demon Supremes.

Deokchul hesitated. "The reason I bought them all was…"

Geom Mugeuk finished the sentence for him despite being the one to ask the question, "Because they offered a thirty percent discount if you bought them all at once, right?"

Deokchul stared at Geom Mugeuk, shocked. "That's right. How did you know?"

Geom Mugeuk smirked and continued, "The amount the Demonic Cult Leader's son borrowed was ten taels, wasn't it?"

"That's right, it was ten taels… Eeeek!" Deokchul was suddenly startled. "How did you know that, too?"

Now, all the customers' eyes turned to Geom Mugeuk.

Geom Mugeuk wondered out loud, "If someone lends money to the son, should they really go to the father to collect it?"

Everyone was bewildered, wondering what he meant.

Geom Mugeuk placed one of the dolls from the box on the table. "Whose doll is this?"

"It's the Young Cult Leader's doll."

Geom Mugeuk stood next to the doll, then struck the exact same pose as the doll. "Don't I look more handsome in person?"

Everyone's gaze flickered between Geom Mugeuk and the doll.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

A scream erupted from someone who realized the two looked exactly alike.

A deathly silence fell over the restaurant.

Geom Mugeuk raised his hand, and all the liquor bottles and cups in the room floated into the air and filled themselves. With this single move, he proved he was the real Young Cult Leader.

Then, he placed ten taels on the table in addition to the cost of their meal. It was for the drinks he had promised, and he deliberately made it ten taels.

He addressed his final words to Deokchul's wife. "Your husband is not a liar or a braggart. He is a wonderful man who kept his promise to my father."

A mixture of apology and awe washed over the face of Deokchul's wife.

Geom Mugeuk left with his companions.

Deokchul, his wife, and the customers all rushed outside to see them off.

They were overwhelmed. Not only had the Young Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult appeared in person, he had also bought and poured them drinks. This was a story they could pass down for generations.

Watching them walk away, Deokchul's wife was the first to apologize. "I'm sorry, Dear."

Deokchul shook his head in a daze. "It's alright, Darling."

The customers also apologized. Their mouths were already itching to tell the story of what they had just witnessed.

"We're sorry for not believing you all this time."

"I apologize as well."

"Please forgive us."

Deokchul smiled at them. He knew that no matter how much they boasted, no one would believe their stories of what happened today too.

"Now you've all become braggarts as well!" he declared.

The customers laughed at his words.

When they looked out the windows, the Young Cult Leader and his group had already vanished.

"If I tell people about this too, no one in the world will believe me, will they?" Deokchul asked.

His wife smiled, accepting his regretful yet overwhelming feelings. "Keep telling that story. I'll always believe you from now on, for the rest of my life."

Translator's Note: Selamat Hari Raya! Eid Mubarak!

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