Chapter 892: It's a Wonderful Day, Isn't It?

TL: FoodieMonster007

Finally, it was the parents and organization leaders' turn to congratulate the new couple.

Geom Mugeuk and Lee Ahn greeted their fathers before turning to the two Chairmen.

Baek Jagang laughed. "I was wondering why you hadn't come to taste my cooking, but it seems you were busy falling in love."

"It looks like you'll have to cook for two from now on."

"Of course, I will. Come visit anytime."

Han Seogyeong looked at Lee Ahn, reminded of her deceased older sister. "Your mother would have been so happy if she'd seen this."

Lee Ahn looked up at the sky. Are you watching? I was so busy today I didn't even have a moment to think of you, Mom. Please forgive me.

That was the extent of her feelings for her mother. She did not try to go any deeper, knowing that place was filled only with pain and longing. She stopped at the precipice, believing her mother would have wanted that.

"The gates of the Ice Palace are always open to you. Don't forget that."

"Thank you, Auntie."

Han Seogyeong's face brightened. This was the first time Lee Ahn had called her 'Auntie'.

Watching Geom Mugeuk and Lee Ahn go to greet the Demon Supremes, Geom Woojin said proudly, "Heh. I was the first to marry off my son."

It was a boast recalling the day of their tripartite meeting, when they had all bragged about their children. Today was his clear victory.

Jin Paecheon admitted defeat. "It's frustrating, but I've lost."

Baek Jagang had no intention of losing so easily, though. "I may have lost in marriage, but who knows who will see a grandchild first?"

He glanced at Bi Sayin and Han Seol, who sat in the distance. He had heard the two were spending a lot of time together.

Jin Paecheon grew anxious, but he had one last card to play. "You all may only see daughters-in-law, but I can see a granddaughter-in-law and a grandson-in-law."

Geom Woojin and Baek Jagang laughed.

"……" Jo Baekta watched the trio in disbelief.

Why are the Demonic Cult Leader, the Murim Alliance Chairman, and the Evil Alliance Chairman engaged in such a childish competition?

Meanwhile, Geom Mugeuk and Lee Ahn approached the table where the Eight Demon Supremes and other masters were seated. They politely greeted the visiting masters first, then turned to the Eight Demon Supremes.

"Elder!" Geom Mugeuk went straight to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, even with the other Demon Supremes right beside him. For some reason, the old man looked sulky. "What's wrong?"

The Flower Sword Supreme whispered, "He practiced his officiating speech."

"When did I ever?!"

Realization dawned on Geom Mugeuk. It seemed the Blood Heaven Blade Demon had expected to officiate the wedding, but it ended up being the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader instead. "I thought since you did it for the Sanzu Hall Director, you wouldn't want to do it again," he placated. "Besides, our magnanimous Elder would get over it quickly, but the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader would hold a grudge for three years."

A chilling voice echoed from behind. "Three years? Not thirty?"

Everyone turned to see the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader approaching.

"The tables have turned. Now I appear when you're badmouthing me," the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader grumbled.

Geom Mugeuk smiled and soothed him. "Cult Leader! How could that be? I knew you were coming, so I was just joking. Please accept a drink from me."

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader accepted the drink.

"Thank you so much for today," Geom Mugeuk said. "We'll live well, just as you advised."

Lee Ahn bowed her head respectfully in agreement.

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader drained the cup, then conveyed the sincere words he could not say while officiating. "Don't get weary. I… will continue to need you in the future."

He spoke without hesitation, even with the Cult Leader, the Chairmen, and the Eight Demon Supremes present.

Geom Mugeuk nodded. "Yes. I won't get weary."

"Yes, that's all that matters."

Geom Mugeuk received a cup of wine from each of the Eight Demon Supremes, starting with the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.

"The two of you should visit the library often now."

"I'll have to buy some new books."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon could not bring himself to tell them not to come, not with Lee Ahn right there. Still, he added, "I assume you'll remember to bring your pajamas now."

Lee Ahn poured a drink for the Flower Sword Supreme. "I look forward to your continued guidance."

After Geom Woojin and Geom Mugeuk, the Flower Sword Supreme was the most skilled swordsman in the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.

She looked at Lee Ahn differently now that she was the Young Cult Leader's wife. "Demon Princess, what is your goal?"

Lee Ahn startled at the title. It was the first time it truly sank in that she was married. After a brief pause, she answered calmly, "To see the pinnacle of swordsmanship."

The Flower Sword Supreme nodded. If their paths were the same, then, "Let us walk that path together."

The Drunken Demon respectfully poured wine for Geom Mugeuk into the Ice Palace Chalice. "This is a wine I prepared for you today."

Geom Mugeuk drank with Lee Ahn. "It's truly delicious."

"It's the most delicious wine I own."

The Drunken Demon always claimed his latest offering was the most delicious, yet somehow, an even better one always appeared.

"I'll drink the wine on the Drunken Demon's wedding day and re-evaluate then," Geom Mugeuk joked.

The other Demon Supremes laughed.

The Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme watched Geom Mugeuk's life progress, looking forward to the day he would become Cult Leader.

The Demonic Buddha offered a needless gibe. "Is it okay for the younger brother to marry when the older one hasn't yet?"

As he poured the wine, though, the Demonic Buddha's body emitted the bright, clear radiance that signaled he was in a good mood.

The Poison King spoke to Lee Ahn. "Demon Princess, when you have time, stop by the Thousand Poisons Forest and help me with some work."

His words were a request for help, but he was really offering to teach her about poisons.

"Yes, I'll be sure to visit."

Finally, the two walked over to the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon. He took two masks from his robes and handed them over. They were the Happy Ghost Masks that he and the Faceless Warriors were wearing.

"These are masks worn during festivals. I prepared them as a gift, hoping you'll live your lives like a festival."

"Yes, we'll live our lives like a festival!"

Geom Mugeuk and Lee Ahn had received ordinary masks before, but never the Happy Ghost Mask. They put on the masks and faced each other. Behind the masks, all three of them smiled brightly.

Just then, Geom Woojin rose and walked toward the Demon Supremes.

Geom Mugeuk and Lee Ahn took off their masks and put them away.

"Did you bring it?" Geom Woojin said to the Drunken Demon.

"Yes, Cult Leader." The Drunken Demon produced a bottle of wine. "It's the spirit of the Great Drunken Forest."

The Drunken Demon had suffered great heartache when the spirit had previously gone bad, but today, the Cult Leader had him bring just one bottle.

Geom Woojin took the spirit, poured it for the leaders, and declared, "This is the wine that represents our Cult."

The Drunken Demon was moved. The Cult Leader had always considered the practice of divining the Cult's well-being from the spirit a superstition, yet today, he had called it the wine that represented their Cult.

"Now, everyone, raise your glasses." Geom Woojin's low voice carried clearly to every guest in the grand training ground.

Who would dare disobey? Everyone filled their glasses. When Geom Woojin raised his cup, everyone stood and did the same.

"Thank you for attending my son's wedding. Let's have a toast."

Geom Mugeuk was moved. He had never expected his father to personally bring out the spirit and propose a toast. It was another sign of how happy his father was today.

Everyone drained their cups. It was a moment of drinking with the Heavenly Demon, a great honor for the demonic practitioners and an unforgettable moment for everyone else.

After the toast, Geom Woojin sat back down and resumed his conversation with the Chairmen.

Thank you, Father.

Geom Mugeuk went over to Geom Muyang, who stood a short distance away. "Hyung, let's have a drink together."

"I'm fine."

"Did you forget? You're a proper member of our group of friends, too." Geom Mugeuk brought Geom Muyang over to his friends. "Have you been waiting long?"

He drank with his brother and friends. His face was flushed, as he had decided not to expel the alcohol's effects and just get drunk today.

None of his friends had either. They were all pleasantly drunk.

"It must have been tough. Get some rest now," Jin Hagun said to the couple. He did not offer congratulations or thanks. They had heard those words countless times already, and he wanted them to be able to relax here.

He had originally planned to team up with Bi Sayin and tease Geom Mugeuk for being the youngest to marry, but seeing how drained they were, he no longer felt like it.

"Still, it's comfortable and nice to be with friends."

Bi Sayin asked Geom Mugeuk, "You once told me to have about seven kids and line them up. How many are you planning on having?"

"Huh?" Lee Ahn's face turned slightly red at the mention of children.

"Wouldn't one pretty daughter who looks like Young Lady Lee be enough?" Bi Sayin asked.

Lee Ahn added, "We need a son who looks like Mugeuk, too."

Jin Hagun shook his head. "That would be troublesome. If he has a son who resembles him, our children will have a hard time."

Bi Sayin sighed dramatically, as if it were inevitable.

Han Seol suggested a different possibility. "He might have a taciturn son, unexpectedly unlike his father."

Jin Haryong imagined it. "The father is constantly chattering while the young son listens maturely. Doesn't that seem a bit unsettling?"

Everyone laughed. They all drank together, the gathering finally feeling complete with Geom Mugeuk present.

Upbeat music started playing from the stage. Dancers in new outfits performed an exciting piece, a stark contrast to the earlier elegant one.

Bi Sayin stealthily rose from his seat. Everyone thought he was about to give a formal congratulatory speech, but his next action surprised them all.

The same man who had vowed to never dance again began to dance, swaying gently to the music.

Everyone stared in surprise. No one imagined he would get up and dance while drinking.

"Did something happen while my wedding was going on?" Geom Mugeuk joked.

Bi Sayin ignored him and continued to dance, letting his body move with the music. He paid no mind to the onlookers and felt no embarrassment.

"It's a good day, isn't it?"

It was not a practiced or grand performance, but simply a dance of joy. It was his own congratulatory performance for Geom Mugeuk.

Today, Geom Mugeuk had once again shown him what kind of Chairman he should be. He might not be able to live like that, but at least he knew the direction. In life, direction was more important than speed.

Congratulations, my friend, and thank you.

Watching Bi Sayin, Han Seol stood up.

"Are you going to sing?" Geom Mugeuk asked, remembering she had sung when he danced before.

"No, I want to dance too." Han Seol started dancing next to Bi Sayin, swaying gently.

Geom Mugeuk was taken aback. "Those two must have been bitten by a poisonous insect that causes madness."

Another person had apparently been bitten, though. Jin Haryong stood up. "I can't be left out when it comes to dancing."

"What's with you, too?"

"None of the masters from our alliance are here today," she said, meaning there was no reason to be embarrassed.

Jin Haryong began to sway gently next to the other two.

Of course, the Cult Leader, the Chairmen, the Demon Supremes, and all the masters were watching. However, it was not the first time, so they were no longer surprised.

Geom Mugeuk looked at Jin Hagun. "Your sister is starting to go crazy too."

Jin Hagun slowly rose to his feet.

Geom Mugeuk's jaw dropped. "Why are you being so scary? Hagun, get a grip. You're not this kind of person, are you?"

Jin Hagun had not been that kind of person. Or at least, he had not been, but he had become someone who would say, "Didn't you all give a congratulatory performance when I became the Young Alliance Chairman? It's your wedding day, so there's no reason I can't dance."

Jin Hagun also began to dance. He didn't make big movements, just sway his body pleasantly.

Geom Mugeuk glanced stealthily at his brother.

Geom Muyang frowned. "…Do you want to die?"

"Right, not everyone was bitten by the poisonous insect," Geom Mugeuk laughed. He looked at Lee Ahn, his eyes saying, Let's go too!

Lee Ahn glanced toward Geom Woojin. Your father is watching.

So what? He's just watching his son and daughter-in-law dance.

Her hesitation was brief. With Bi Sayin dancing unprompted and all their friends on their feet, how could they remain seated?

Let's go.

Let's go! If you're really embarrassed, we have our masks, don't we?

Geom Mugeuk and Lee Ahn stood up and joined their friends in the dance.

With Geom Woojin and the Fist Demon watching, Lee Ahn only swayed her upper body very slightly.

The ordinary guests were the ones who were truly shocked. Their eyes widened in astonishment. The heir of the Divine Cult and the heir of the Ice Palace were dancing. In essence, the entire future of the murim was dancing.

There had never been a banquet like this in the history of the murim. It was not a formal affair, but a festival where the bride and groom danced with their friends.

Yong Jamyeong watched them and said to his son, "Son, whether you inherit the family business or do something else, work hard. It seems a wonderful era is coming for you all."

Geom Woojin watched with an expression that said they could not be helped, but the corners of his mouth were smiling.

Baek Jagang's small eyes shone as he watched the dancing youths. "The Young Cult Leader makes my blood boil. He makes me want to be young again and join him."

Jin Paecheon felt the same. Even if he were young again, his personality would not let him dance, but he sympathized with the sentiment.

The Eight Demon Supremes drank as they watched. Seeing the young people dance to the exciting music stirred a passion in their hearts, and they reminisced about their own youth. The young Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme wanted to run out and join them.

Geom Mugeuk shouted to the guests, "Everyone who wants to dance, let's dance!"

The Seventeenth Bridge stood up as if she had been waiting. "I want to dance too."

The Crescent Moon Faceless Warrior shot up. "Let's dance!"

This was the great thing about masks. The two began to dance without hesitation, and the surrounding Faceless Warriors circled them, dancing bizarrely. It did not look odd, since they were always doing strange things. Now, they finally looked like proper Faceless Warriors.

Jo Cheonbae glanced at his wife… and received a slap on the back.

"Don't be ridiculous!"

Everyone enjoyed the exciting banquet. They instinctively knew this was a once-in-a-lifetime event, and the upbeat music made their hips sway.

As the party's energy intensified, Geom Mugeuk shouted to the musicians, "More exciting music!"