Chapter 894: I Didn't Know What She'd Like, So I Prepared Everything

TL: FoodieMonster007

The moment he heard the news of the child's birth, Geom Woojin arrived as fast as light.

His heart trembled as he stood before the door, a feeling he had not experienced even when fighting the Celestial Killer Star.

Opening the door, he first checked on Lee Ahn.

"Are you feeling alright?"

"Yes, Father-in-law," Lee Ahn replied, trying to sit up.

A gentle energy from Geom Woojin enveloped her and laid her back down.

"You went through a lot," he said.

It was a single phrase, but his words were filled with heartfelt warmth.

His gaze shifted to the baby lying next to Lee Ahn.

Geom Mugeuk had discovered several new expressions on his father's face over the years, and today he saw another one. "Congratulations on becoming a grandfather!"

Geom Woojin nodded. He could not hide his emotions. He was filled with an inexpressible feeling, a joy completely different from when he had his own children.

"Please hold your granddaughter, Father."

Geom Woojin looked at the Fist Demon. "Have you held her?"

"I'll hold her later when she's a little bigger," the Fist Demon said, worried that he was too big and clumsy to safely hold the baby.

Geom Mugeuk giggled. Even the great Fist Demon was at a loss before his first granddaughter.

He picked up the child and handed her to his father.

Geom Woojin carefully held the baby. He was nervous too, as it had been a very long time since he had held one. At some point, he had forgotten that all life begins so small.

To him, though, this baby felt heavy, heavier than any other being in the world.

His eyes wavered as he looked at her. His son resembled his late wife, and his granddaughter was the spitting image of his son.

The baby's faint breaths shook his heart with a resonance greater than the verses of the Nine Calamities Demonic Art.

"Have you named her?" he asked.

"We would like you to name her, Father."

Geom Woojin looked at his son in surprise.

Geom Mugeuk nodded. He and Lee Ahn had already decided.

"There was a name your mother wanted to give if she had a daughter," Geom Woojin said, looking at his granddaughter. "Hayeon. Geom Hayeon. With the 'Ha (夏)' from summer and the 'Yeon (緣)' from destiny."

Geom Mugeuk wasn't sure if it was coincidence or fate, but the character for destiny was now part of his daughter's name.

Lee Ahn looked at Geom Mugeuk and nodded, then smiled brightly. "What a beautiful name."

Geom Mugeuk took his daughter back into his arms. "From now on, your name is Geom Hayeon!"

DING DONG!

A bell echoed from outside the window, not an urgent alarm but a gentle, resonant ringing. It was the sound that marked a joyous occasion within the Cult.

All demonic practitioners immediately stopped what they were doing. Everyone knew that the Demon Princess had given birth safely.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon paused his reading. No words in his book could compare to the emotion of this moment.

In the training yard, the Flower Sword Supreme raised her sword high to the sky.

The Drunken Demon raised his cup in a toast to the air.

For today, the Poison King released a poisonous insect he had painstakingly captured.

The Demonic Buddha quietly chanted a prayer for the baby's health.

While soothing a soul, the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme laughed like a madwoman.

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon, who was staring at a white wall, smiled silently.

Seo Daeryong, who was in the middle of conducting an interrogation, put his hands up and cheered.

Jang Ho, about to leave for a mission, shouted thunderously with the Demonic Army from inside his large carriage, "Congratulations on your safe delivery, Demon Princess!"

"I'll put her to sleep," Geom Mugeuk said as he took Hayeon from Lee Ahn's arms.

"WAAAAAAH!"

As soon as she was in her Daddy's arms, her crying grew louder.

"She's not sleeping even though she ate a lot," Lee Ahn groaned.

Hayeon woke up almost every two hours, leaving her with no proper sleep. Seo Daeryong had once remarked he never knew babies woke up so often, and he was right. She woke up constantly.

"She's not sick, is she?" Geom Mugeuk placed his hand on Hayeon's forehead. "She doesn't seem to have a fever."

Mastering martial arts and parenting were two completely different things. Like martial arts, parenting was an endless realm. He could shatter a cliff with one punch, but he couldn't stop a child from crying. He had no way to overcome this challenge.

"I'll watch her, so you get some sleep."

"Thank you."

Suddenly, a presence appeared outside.

Geom Mugeuk instantly recognized the late-night visitor. "Hayeon, want to go for a walk in the yard with Daddy?"

When he went out to the yard holding the baby, his father was already there.

"What brings you here at this hour?" he asked.

Geom Woojin replied nonchalantly, "I couldn't sleep, so I took a walk."

Geom Mugeuk eyed his father suspiciously. How could that be true? He must have come because he heard Lee Ahn was struggling with childcare these days.

"I'll watch her for two hours, so you two get some sleep," Geom Woojin offered.

Geom Mugeuk blinked. "You, Father?"

Geom Woojin nodded.

Geom Mugeuk did not hesitate to hand Hayeon over. "How can I thank you enough?!"

Was it because she was in unfamiliar arms? Hayeon stopped crying right away and stared at her grandfather.

Geom Woojin turned around with his granddaughter, who stared at him with wide, round eyes. "Hayeon, let's go play with this old grandpa."

Hayeon did not cry as they walked out the door.

Geom Mugeuk returned to his room. When he entered, he found that Lee Ahn had heard the entire conversation.

"Will Father-in-law be okay?"

"It's not just anyone, it's Father. It's fine, don't worry and let's sleep."

Geom Mugeuk lay down on the bed with Lee Ahn.

As soon as the sleep-deprived Lee Ahn fell asleep, he silently got up and left the room.

No, it's not okay! How could Father possibly put Hayeon to sleep when we were struggling so much?

Geom Mugeuk immediately shot off.

After he disappeared, Lee Ahn opened her eyes.

That's right, there's no way that worrywart could sleep soundly after leaving his daughter with his father. In any case, for today, I shall let the Geoms take care of our Hayeon.

Feeling relaxed, she slept soundly.

Meanwhile, Geom Mugeuk arrived at his father's residence. He expected to hear Hayeon crying, but the house was quiet.

When he entered the room, he was startled by the scene before him. Hayeon was sleeping soundly in her grandfather's arms, but more importantly, his father and daughter were wearing matching floral pajamas!

His eyes widened in surprise. Father prepared a baby-sized pajama set for Hayeon in advance?!

"Shh!" Geom Woojin made a shushing gesture as he carefully laid Hayeon down on the bed.

Worried he might wake her, Geom Mugeuk sent a telepathic message. [How on earth did you do it?]

[For your information, I've raised two sons.]

Geom Mugeuk nodded blankly. Come to think of it, his father had said something like that before. While telling the story of rushing to the Demonic Physician with his feverish older brother in his arms, he mentioned that he had brought his own high fever down by wiping himself with lukewarm water. It meant he had become more composed by the time his second son came along.

[You're amazing, Father.]

Geom Mugeuk went to his daughter. Why did you make your mother suffer so much when you can sleep this well?

Geom Woojin replied smugly, [It seems the little one has already figured out what kind of person her grandfather is.]

Geom Mugeuk grinned. Well, whose daughter is she? It's only natural she'd be quick-witted. She knows she'll never lose out as long as she's on Father's good side.

Geom Woojin smiled as he looked down at Hayeon. [I'll watch her for you sometimes.]

A new painting was hung in Geom Mugeuk's room.

The painting of him dancing with his friends on his wedding day was pushed to a corner, its original spot taken by paintings of Hayeon. There was a painting of her as a newborn, another of her taking her first steps, and one of her with a small wooden sword, about forty-five centimeters long, at her waist.

Jang Ho's painting skills had improved as much as the child had grown.

"Time really flies," Geom Mugeuk muttered, staring out the window. He felt like Hayeon was born just yesterday, but now she was already running around and speaking quite well.

Suddenly, someone's head popped up over the wall and then disappeared.

"What are you peeking at?" Geom Mugeuk asked as he left the room.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon entered the yard. "Peeking? I wasn't peeking. I was just passing by and took a glance."

"While using your movement arts?" Geom Mugeuk smirked, guessing why he had come. "If you came to see Hayeon, you're a step too late."

A flash of disappointment crossed the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's face. "My goodness, doesn't the Cult Leader have any work to do?"

"Apparently not."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon let out a hollow laugh. "Does he really like his granddaughter that much?"

Geom Mugeuk pouted. It was not just that his father adored her. Hayeon was also very fond of her grandfather. Even while playing with her Mommy and Daddy, she would ask to be taken to see her grandfather because she missed him.

That time was Lee Ahn's break time. She would quietly drink a cup of tea, and sometimes even practice her martial arts.

"It's finally this year," the Blood Heaven Blade Demon said abruptly.

Geom Mugeuk nodded. "Time really does fly."

The five years he had promised his father was up this year. In fact, it was this month, with only a few days left.

Back then, he had asked his father to wait for five years. He had promised that if his father's dream was still world domination when the time came, he would stand at the forefront of the war.

He felt like the day would never come, but after having and raising a child, it had arrived before he knew it.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon snapped, "You brat, how dare you talk to me about the passage of time?"

Geom Mugeuk laughed. Right, someone once said that in your twenties, time passes at the speed of second-rate movement arts, and in your thirties, at the speed of third-rate. Someday, will it race by at the speed of complete mastery?

"I thought you would have launched a plan by the time this year came around."

"What kind of plan?"

"I thought you'd be going around to the Demon Supremes, asking them to oppose the unification of the murim."

"If I asked, would you listen?"

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon shook his head. "I probably couldn't."

Geom Mugeuk nodded as if he had expected as much. "If Elder can't, which of the other Demon Supremes would? I don't want to burden them unnecessarily."

Even though I used to push all sorts of burdens on them before.

"Did you mature a bit after becoming a father?"

Geom Mugeuk's expression was meaningful. "No, this is also a plan."

"A plan?"

"I intend to settle the matter on that day, in that place." Geom Mugeuk then revealed why he had not visited them, his tone serious. "If I visit and ask them in advance, they will all conclude that they have no choice, but on that day, I will launch a plan to win their sympathy. I'll make them feel, 'Ah, the Young Cult Leader is going this far, I must step up and help him.'"

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon sighed. It might seem unlikely for anyone else, but it feels possible for Geom Mugeuk.

"Why are you telling me?" he asked.

Geom Mugeuk explained, "This is also part of the plan. You'll think, 'How can I not help a Young Cult Leader who is being so open with me? I, at least, must help him!'"

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon looked dumbfounded. He was right about at least one thing. Visiting them in advance would be pointless, as their conclusions were already set.

"Do you think Father's dream is still the same?" Geom Mugeuk asked.

"I can't know what's in the Cult Leader's heart. However…" After a brief pause, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon added calmly, "The Cult Leader is probably trying, too."

Geom Mugeuk understood the meaning behind those words.

Just then, another visitor arrived. It was the Demonic Buddha.

"What brings you here?"

"I was out in the Central Plains and bought some clothes for Hayeon on my way back."

The Demonic Buddha handed over the wrapped clothes, even though he was a man you would never expect to buy children's clothes in his entire life.

"Thank you."

"Where's Hayeon?" The Demonic Buddha had intended to see the girl's face since he was here.

"You're a step too late."

The Demonic Buddha realized that Hayeon was with the Cult Leader again.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon threw a joke at him. "Take a number and get in line. I'm next."

Someone else spoke from behind. "What's this about an queue? Whoever comes first on the day gets to play with Hayeon."

Everyone turned around. It was the Drunken Demon.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon shot him a look that said, 'Where did this drunkard come from?'

The Drunken Demon did not back down, though. "Senior, I've been sober for ten days. I'm on edge, so don't mess with me."

"Why did you quit drinking?"

"……" The Drunken Demon couldn't answer.

Geom Mugeuk answered for him. "Hayeon said she didn't like him because he smelled of alcohol."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon stared at the Drunken Demon in disbelief. "How can the Drunken Demon quit drinking over something like that?"

"That's why I'm telling you not to talk about things like taking queue numbers!"

The Demonic Buddha seemed to want no part in the fight for a number. "I just came to drop off the clothes. Let me know if they don't fit. I'll exchange them."

As he was about to turn and leave, Geom Mugeuk said, "Hayeon likes you a lot, Demonic Buddha."

"……" The Demonic Buddha was startled.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the Drunken Demon also perked up their ears.

"Just a few days ago, she asked when she could see the Golden Buddha Grandpa."

"Did she really say she likes me?"

"She seems to find the light that emanates from your body fascinating and pleasant, and she feels more comfortable with you because you're short."

The Demonic Buddha's expression brightened. The things he considered his weaknesses were points of affection for Hayeon. "Still, it won't do Hayeon any good to meet someone like me," he said, taking a step back.

The Drunken Demon cut in. "If we're going by that logic, aren't I just a drunkard?"

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon added a word as well. "Am I any different? I'm a man with the character for 'blood' in my alias."

"Still, don't you read a lot of books, Blade Demon? You'll be a great help to Hayeon."

To Hayeon, the Blade Demon's nickname was Book Grandpa. She loved visiting the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's house because it was full of books.

"Young Cult Leader. Who does Hayeon like the most among the Demon Supremes?" the Blood Heaven Blade Demon asked. "You must know, right?"

The three Demon Supremes' eyes sparkled in unison.

Because I'm the Book Grandpa!

Because I'm the Golden Buddha Grandpa!

Because I quit drinking!

The person Geom Mugeuk named was a truly unexpected figure. "It's the Poison King."

Everyone was disappointed at the mention of the Poison King, but curious as well.

"Why? Didn't the Poison King give Hayeon a hard time before?"

The Poison King had raised Hayeon's resistance to poison through various methods. As a result, while she did not have Myriad Poison Immunity, her constitution was changed so that she would not be affected by most common poisons.

The treatment was most effective when administered at a young age, but it was something they could never have entrusted to the Poison King without Geom Mugeuk and Lee Ahn's absolute faith in his skills.

In any case, it must have been a difficult experience for Hayeon, so the Poison King should have been her least favorite Demon Supreme.

"Why the Poison King?!"

"He's handsome, isn't he?" Geom Mugeuk replied to the three Demon Supremes' jealous cry.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the Demonic Buddha sighed and smacked their lips. To top it all off, the Poison King was eternally youthful.

The Drunken Demon's reaction was different from theirs, though.

"I can't accept this! Once the smell of alcohol is gone, I can win!"

…No, he could never win. From a distance, the Poison King walked over, showing what he held in his hand.

Just like that, he hammered the final nail in the coffin of the popularity rankings. He had prepared twelve small, cute pouches, each one adorably embroidered with one of the twelve zodiac animals, like the rat, ox, rabbit, and tiger.

"I didn't know what animal Hayeon would like, so I prepared everything," he explained.