Chapter 889: Want to Trade My Son for Your Daughter?

TL: FoodieMonster007

A carriage stopped beside the ceremony venue.

"That symbol!"

Only one organization used a blue wolf as its crest. Not just Baekchong, but all the guests knew who they were.

CHK CHK CHK CHK CHK!

The doors of the 5 carriages opened in unison, and martial artists disembarked from the first and fifth carriages.

They were the Thirteen Evil Wolves. They formed a disciplined perimeter as the masters of the Evil Alliance stepped out, each one a renowned figure.

They looked around at the demonic cultivators filling the area, completely unintimidated.

Bi Sayin followed, his presence alone overwhelming everyone.

Baekchong said quietly, "It's the Evil Alliance's Young Alliance Chairman."

The Young Alliance Chairman's personal attendance was surprising enough, but another more person stepped out of the same carriage.

"It's the Evil Alliance Chairman!"

Yong Jinhu was stunned. The Evil Alliance Chairman had come himself? And he had brought the Young Alliance Leader and his masters?

He could not believe his eyes. He had only expected a single representative from the Evil Alliance, not its entire leadership.

First Young Lord Geom Muyang greeted them in place of Geom Woojin and Geom Mugeuk, who were preparing for the ceremony. "Welcome."

"First Young Lord, it's been a while."

"This way, please."

Geom Muyang guided Baek Jagang to the front row.

The Demon Supremes in the second row rose and offered him a clasped-hands greeting. ""We greet the Chairman.""

Baek Jagang returned the greeting. "It's been a long time."

Baek Jagang and Bi Sayin took their seats in the front row. The Evil Alliance masters who accompanied them sat in the second row with the Demon Supremes. The atmosphere was not awkward, as they had sat together before during the tripartite meeting.

Yong Jinhu understood now. So the first row was for the Evil Alliance Chairman and his successor.

That explained why his father was in the third row.

DUDUDUDUDU!

Just then, another procession appeared. This time, 3 carriages rushed toward them. The crest on the carriages was the same demon engraved on the Echoing Thunder Bell.

The men who disembarked were the elders of the Outer Regions' Heavenly Wind Cult. Their experienced eyes gave off the feeling of a coarse sandstorm.

The last to emerge was the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader, Jo Baekta.

"It's the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader!" Baekchong exclaimed.

"He's much younger than I thought," Yong Jinhu said, staring in shock.

Yong Jamyeong smiled. This was why he had brought his son. He wanted the boy to broaden his horizons by seeing these masters from beyond the heavens. When would he get another chance?

Geom Muyang greeted the new arrival as well. "You've traveled a long way, Heavenly Wind Cult Leader."

"Thank you for inviting me to this prestigious event."

Jo Baekta's presence was much deeper and more powerful than when he had fought the Illusion King. Though still young, he carried himself with the full bearing of the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader.

Baek Jagang, the Eight Demon Supremes, and the Evil Alliance masters greeted him. He also took a seat in the front row.

DUDUDUDUDU!

This time, a single carriage arrived. A dragon was engraved on it, coiling magnificently around the carriage's frame. Beneath it were the characters for "Heart of Righteousness (大俠心)".

Everyone instantly realized which faction the carriage belonged to and who was inside.

Jin Hagun and Jin Haryong disembarked first.

Jin Haryong had not hesitated to come. While she had some regrets, they were not enough to stop her from celebrating her friends' wedding. Therefore, when her brother asked, she had naturally replied, "Of course, we have to go."

They were not the only guests from the Murim Alliance. Jin Paecheon stepped out of the carriage.

"It's the Murim Alliance Chairman!"

Yong Jinhu was startled. He had considered that the Evil Alliance or the Heavenly Wind Cult might attend, but the Murim Alliance Chairman himself? He couldn't believe his eyes.

It was definitely the Murim Alliance Chairman, too. Yong Jinhu had greeted him once before with his father, though it was so long ago that the Chairman probably did not remember.

The guests began to murmur, shocked that the Murim Alliance Chairman had come in person.

Jin Paecheon's visit to the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's headquarters with only his two grandchildren was an extreme show of trust in Geom Mugeuk and Geom Woojin.

The Murim Alliance's Head Strategist, Jaegal Hyeon, had actually advised Jin Paecheon to attend secretly. He suggested going discreetly in a bamboo hat, confident the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult would understand. After all, the Murim Alliance Chairman officially attending the Young Cult Leader's wedding was a major event that would cause huge ripples in the orthodox sects.

However, Jin Paecheon had decided to offer his congratulations officially. Geom Mugeuk had saved his grandchildren's lives, which was reason enough. Moreover, if the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult had not stopped the Celestial Killer Star, the fiend would have swept through both the Murim Alliance and the Evil Alliance.

"If it weren't for the Demonic Cult Leader and the Young Cult Leader, you, I, all of us would be dead."

That was reason enough. He chose not to bring any other masters from the Murim Alliance. He could have filled 10 carriages, but he did not want to burden his hosts. In every respect, this was a personal visit.

Geom Muyang guided Jin Paecheon to the front row.

Baek Jagang, the Wind Heavenly Cult Leader, the Eight Demon Supremes, and the other masters all rose to greet him.

Jin Hagun and Bi Sayin's eyes met. A clear sense of glee passed between them.

[Today's the day.]

[Yeah, it's today.]

Their eyes glinted with mischief. That cheeky Geom Mugeuk! He was the youngest of them all but was getting married first. They couldn't just let that slide. They planned to demonstrate the power of the orthodox and unorthodox alliances today. The days of being on the receiving end of bullying would be reversed.

Though it was not their own wedding, their hearts pounded with anticipation.

In fact, it was not just the young ones. Jin Paecheon and Baek Jagang felt similarly.

"You've done well to come."

"It's not just any occasion, of course I had to come."

Both of them had reached a point where they were subtly happy to see each other. Without Geom Mugeuk, their relationship would have remained one of constant suspicion and vigilance.

And so, Jin Paecheon, Jin Hagun, and Jin Haryong also took their seats in the front row.

Just when it seemed they were the last guests for the front row.

DUDUDUDUDU!

Yet another procession entered. It was the largest yet, with a staggering 10 carriages rolling in.

The carriages' specially treated surfaces looked like ice, and a snowflake crest adorned each one. It was as if winter itself was approaching.

Figures in pure white martial arts uniforms disembarked. They were the masters of the North Sea Ice Palace, and their arrival seemed to chill the air.

The last to disembark was the Empress of the North Sea Ice Palace, Han Seogyeong, accompanied by Princess Han Seol.

Han Seogyeong had brought all the North Sea Ice Palace's top masters, including the Cold Ice Dual Swords. It was a good thing she had sent word in advance, as the force was large enough to be considered an invasion of the Central Plains.

She had a reason for bringing so many people. She wanted to ensure Lee Ahn, alone in the Central Plains, would not feel intimidated. She wanted to show her that her family, her aunt, was here.

After greeting the Chairmen and Jo Baekta, Han Seogyeong smiled at one person in particular. It was Bi Sayin, who had traveled all the way to the North Sea to greet her recently.

Honestly, her first impression of Bi Sayin had not been good. His face was grotesque thanks to the myriad scars, but the more they talked, the more she realized what a genuine person he was.

Han Seogyeong thought this was a rediscovery of her daughter's character. It seemed her daughter had surprisingly good taste in men.

The guests were amazed. After the Evil Alliance Chairman, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader, and the Murim Alliance Chairman, they were now seeing the mysterious Empress of the North Sea Ice Palace in person. They felt a renewed sense of awe and pride at being invited.

Watching the Empress exchange greetings with the Chairmen, Yong Jamyeong said to his son, "Do you understand now? Why I told you that people more distinguished than me would be coming."

The words escaped Yong Jinhu's lips before he could stop them. "Just what kind of person is the Young Cult Leader?" he blurted out loud.

A startled Yong Jamyeong quickly shushed him. "Shh!"

Everyone nearby had already heard, though.

Just as he tensed with dread, Jin Paecheon in the front row turned to him. "Young Master Yong."

Yong Jinhu shot to his feet and offered a clasped-hands greeting. "Ah! You remember me, Chairman."

"Of course, I remember."

Jin Paecheon nodded to Yong Jamyeong, then spoke calmly to Yong Jinhu. "The Young Cult Leader is someone you have to experience for yourself. You won't understand him just by hearing about him. You'd never believe it."

Everyone nearby smiled in agreement.

"I hope you'll have such a good opportunity in the future, Young Master Yong."

"Yes, Chairman. Thank you sincerely for your valuable guidance."

Yong Jinhu had worried the Chairman was calling him over to scold him for speaking loudly, but that was not the case. Jin Paecheon had spoken out of goodwill.

He looked at his father, who had also said he came to introduce him to the Young Cult Leader.

Did they all really come because of him? Just what kind of person is he?

Before long, a man stepped forward.

Head Strategist Sama Myeong was the official host of the wedding, a testament to how importantly the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult viewed this marriage.

"The wedding ceremony will now begin."

A thunderous roar erupted from all around.

"The parents of the bride and groom will now enter."

Geom Woojin and the Fist Demon appeared from opposite sides.

At Geom Woojin's appearance, all the guests rose in unison. The once-noisy audience fell silent.

Geom Woojin walked out slowly. His presence grew more prominent with the size of the crowd. It was as if everyone else was in black and white while he alone shone with a red hue. His imposing presence was on full display.

The Fist Demon, on the other hand, looked more nervous than ever. He was a man who would not bat an eye at fighting every martial artist present, yet now he was visibly jumpy.

The two men greeted each other and then sat in their prepared seats.

Geom Woojin exchanged greetings with the front row through his eyes alone. He gave a deep nod to Jin Paecheon and Baek Jagang, and a lighter one to Han Seogyeong and Jo Baekta.

Then he exchanged telepathic messages with the Fist Demon.

[In-law, how are you feeling?]

[I'm a bit dazed. I feel happy, but also a little sad.]

Geom Woojin chuckled. This time, their feeligs were the other way around.

[How about you, Cult Leader?]

[I'm just happy.]

[I suppose this is the difference between a parent with a daughter and a parent with a son.]

At that, Geom Woojin smiled and made an informal joke he would only share with the Fist Demon. [In that case, do you want to trade my son for your daughter?]

[No way!]

Sama Myeong announced loudly, "The groom will now enter."

DUM! DUDUM! DUUUUUM!

A powerful drumbeat echoed as Geom Mugeuk, dressed in ceremonial robes, walked in energetically.

Cheokyeon and the rest of Geom Mugeuk's bodyguards followed, also in ceremonial attire. Their presence had reached a level that even Geom Woojin's bodyguards would admire.

""WOOOOOOOAAAAAAAH!""

A tremendous roar erupted as Geom Mugeuk appeared. It was more than applause. The cheer showed how deeply the people of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult adored their Young Cult Leader. It was a cry of joy born from genuine affection.

Naturally, would Geom Mugeuk ever follow conventional etiquette? He beamed, threw both hands in the air, and cheered back, "Everyone!I'm getting married!"

His words pierced the cacophony, reaching every guest's ears.

After politely bowing to Geom Woojin and the Fist Demon, Geom Mugeuk turned toward the guests. His gaze swept over the front row. Jin Paecheon, Baek Jagang, Jo Baekta, and Han Seogyeong, and his friends, Bi Sayin, Jin Hagun, Jin Haryong, and Han Seol.

He met their eyes, one by one.

Geom Mugeuk knew what a long and difficult journey they had all made. He recalled their first meeting. The suspicion and distrust in their eyes had been replaced with warmth. Amazingly, meeting him had changed every one of their destinies.

If he could, he would have run to greet each of them and express his gratitude, but that would have to wait for the banquet after the ceremony.

Behind them, he saw the Eight Demon Supremes. The Blood Heaven Blade Demon, the Flower Sword Supreme, the Poison King, the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme, the Drunken Demon, the Demonic Buddha, and the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon, speaking for the Supremes, tossed a polite joke at the beaming Geom Mugeuk. "Young Cult Leader, are you that happy?"

"I am! I don't think I should get drunk today. I'm so happy I feel like dancing."

The guests laughed pleasantly.

Seo Daeryong muttered quietly, "Finally, there's something I've done before our Young Cult Leader."

He was joking with Dan Ah and his sisters-in-law, but Geom Mugeuk's enhanced hearing caught the quiet words.

"Sanzu Hall Director, you're my senior in married life, so please teach me a lot from now on!"

In response, Seo Daeryong lifted his son, Yeongha, prompting another wave of laughter.

As expected of Geom Mugeuk's wedding, the atmosphere was pleasant and free, unbound by formality.

With hawk-like eyes, Geom Mugeuk called out, "You people from the Demon Village in the back corner, come forward. There are seats for you over there."

Jang Ho had brought the villagers to watch from the back.

Anyway, a groom bantering with his guests, and merchants seated near the Chairmen and Cult Leaders. It was a scene that could only happen at Geom Mugeuk's wedding.

Finally, the most important moment arrived.

"Now, the bride will make her entrance."

A beautiful melody filled the air as the bride entered from the opposite side.

The martial artists from the North Sea Ice Palace had intended to cheer even louder than they had for the groom. They wanted to ensure Lee Ahn would not feel intimidated. That was why ten carriages had come.

Ultimately, however, there was no need.

""WOOOOOOOAAAAH!""

A cheer even louder than the one for Geom Mugeuk erupted from the cultists. Not just the Ghost Shadow Squad, but everyone present welcomed the bride with a massive roar.

Han Seogyeong and Han Seol looked at each other with joy as the bride, dressed in splendid ceremonial robes, began her entrance.