The eight Demon Venerables stood in a line, staring at Geom Mugeuk. Every demon gathered there was focused on his movements.
Geom Mugeuk walked first toward the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.
“Lord Blade Demon.”
“Young Cult Leader.”
Geom Mugeuk’s gaze toward the Blood Heaven Blade Demon was full of warmth.
“I was able to become the successor entirely thanks to you, Elder.”
With every demon watching, Geom Mugeuk loudly acknowledged the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s contributions.
At once, the Blade Demons standing behind him let out a unified roar and released their demonic energy. If the Heavenly Demon had not been absent, they would have shouted, “Blood Heaven! Blood Heaven!”
Geom Mugeuk looked at them with satisfaction. Thanks to those fierce and rough fellows, he had been able to complete the final stage of the Heavenly Meridian Strengthening Art, and thanks to that, he had achieved immunity to all poisons.
‘Thank you, Blade Demons!’
It was something that would have shocked anyone else who heard it, but Geom Mugeuk found them adorable.
Geom Mugeuk formally expressed his feelings to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.
“I respect you, Elder!”
He meant it sincerely. The Blood Heaven Blade Demon was the first Demon Venerable to become his man, and the one who had given him everything without reservation.
“It was only because of the Young Cult Leader’s outstanding abilities. What could this old man possibly have done?”
“Please continue to guide me in the future.”
Since this was a formal occasion, the two treated each other with due courtesy.
Of course, Geom Mugeuk was not going to let things end there. In a voice utterly different from his current calm and subdued tone, he sent a voice transmission in his usual manner.
―Elder, let’s have a drink later! We should throw a grand celebration! Oh, right, I can lie down on the bed without washing up now that I’m the Young Cult Leader, right?
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon was overjoyed by Geom Mugeuk’s unchanged banter.
Yes, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon knew that Geom Mugeuk would remain this way even after becoming the Heavenly Demon rather than merely the Young Cult Leader. It was precisely because of that nature that he had fallen so deeply for the person known as Geom Mugeuk.
―Keep fooling around and you’ll get scolded by the Cult Leader. Focus!
Next, Geom Mugeuk walked toward the One-Hua Sword Venerable standing beside him.
“Lord Sword Venerable.”
“Young Cult Leader.”
“I ask for your guidance in the future as well. My swordsmanship has improved greatly thanks to you, Lord Sword Venerable.”
The One-Hua Sword Venerable was inwardly flustered. The spar he had shared with Geom Mugeuk was not something worthy of such praise. He had even lost that spar. Geom Mugeuk was saving his face in front of his subordinates.
Sure enough, the expressions of the Sword Demons brightened, and they too let out a roar as they released their demonic energy.
They tried to shout even louder than the Blade Demons had and release even greater demonic energy.
Even at a gathering like this, the Blade Demons and Sword Demons were engaged in a battle of nerves.
The One-Hua Sword Venerable smiled and said,
“The Young Cult Leader’s talent in martial arts is heaven-given. My assistance must have been insignificant.”
“You are far too modest. Please continue to guide me in the future.”
“Very well.”
Next, Geom Mugeuk stood before the Fist Demon.
Geom Mugeuk knew the deep affection hidden within that frightening face. That was why he also knew how powerful the Fist Demon’s straightforward single punch could be.
Geom Mugeuk had sincerely wanted to bring down the cliff, but he also wanted to let the Fist Demon bring it down. He wanted to help him fulfill his dream.
“Master.”
“Young Cult Leader, now that you have become a person of such distinction, I think I must retire from being your master.”
“I learned about life from your fists, Master. No matter what position I attain, you will always be my master.”
The words meant that he would continue to regard him as his master even if he became the Heavenly Demon, and a pleased smile appeared on the Fist Demon’s frightening face.
The Iron Fists then raised their voices as well. In particular, they were the people who had learned fist techniques alongside Geom Mugeuk.
Having grown fond of Geom Mugeuk during their training, they sincerely congratulated him on becoming the Young Cult Leader. Cheon Sohee was among the Black Fists standing at the very front.
This time, Geom Mugeuk stood before the Soul-Seizing Demon Venerable.
He felt sorry that he had been unable to pay Cheongseon proper attention while looking after the other Demon Venerables and leaving the cult to deal with enemies.
“Demon Venerable.”
“Young Cult Leader.”
Fortunately, there was no resentment in her expression. Rather, she was more favorably disposed toward him than anyone.
She knew very well that she would never have risen to the position of Demon Venerable without Geom Mugeuk. Moreover, Fengcheon Cult Leader, who had taught her martial arts, had also become connected to her through Geom Mugeuk. Thus, she wished to grow stronger as quickly as possible and repay that debt.
Geom Mugeuk showed her the same proper courtesy he had shown the Demon Venerables before her.
“Martial artists say that the most frightening person in our cult is the Soul-Seizing Demon Venerable. Please continue to be the sharpest blade of our cult!”
“Please give me your support, Young Cult Leader!”
The Sorcerers of Spirit Arts released their ghostly energy all at once. The energy spread in every direction, causing the torches held by the demons to sway as though in a breeze. An eerie atmosphere hung over the area, as if ghosts might appear at any moment.
Next, he stood before the Drunken Demon.
The Drunken Demon looked at Geom Mugeuk with his face flushed red.
“Lord Drunken Demon.”
“Young Cult Leader.”
“Learning about alcohol and the martial world from you was a great help to me. I ask for your continued guidance.”
At the same time, Geom Mugeuk sent him a voice transmission.
―I want to call you Big Brother.
―I want to call you Little Brother.
―Should we just do it?
―Don’t. If we do, the Cult Leader will really have it in for me.
Unlike their playful voice transmissions, the Drunken Demon spoke in a calm and solemn tone.
“Come anytime. I will always have wine prepared for the Young Cult Leader. Here, this drink is to celebrate your becoming the Young Cult Leader.”
When the Drunken Demon drank from the flask at his waist, the Drinkers standing behind him all drank as well. The drunkenness they exhaled mingled with the demonic and ghostly energies, swirling violently around them. The atmosphere grew increasingly heated.
Next came the Demon Buddha.
Of all the Demon Venerables, he was the one Geom Mugeuk felt most sorry toward today.
“Congratulations, Young Cult Leader.”
He was composed. He was not foolish enough to blame Geom Mugeuk simply because the First Young Master had failed to become the Young Cult Leader.
“Thank you.”
“The future of our cult rests on the Young Cult Leader, so I hope you will never forget that.”
“I will bear it in mind.”
The Demon Buddha’s gaze passed over Geom Mugeuk’s shoulder and traveled far away toward Geom Muyang. His concern for Geom Muyang could be felt clearly.
“We, the monks, shall pray for the Young Cult Leader’s future.”
When the Demon Buddha finished speaking, the Mad Monks began chanting sutras in unison, praying for Geom Mugeuk’s future.
Geom Mugeuk knew. The Demon Buddha, at least, would be praying for Geom Muyang.
‘Protect my brother well until the very end, Demon Buddha.’
That was Geom Mugeuk’s honest wish.
This time, Geom Mugeuk stood before the Poison King. Seeing the Poison King put his heart at ease and brought a smile to his face. Without realizing it, the Poison King had become someone who made him feel this comfortable.
“Lord Poison King.”
“Young Cult Leader.”
“Thanks to your teachings in the Ten Thousand Poisons Forest, I will now be far less vulnerable to the danger of being poisoned. Thank you.”
“You were naturally resistant to poison in the first place. As long as you remember my words, you will never die from poison.”
A voice transmission immediately flew from Geom Mugeuk to the Poison King.
―Thanks to you playing with me that day, I became the Young Cult Leader.
―If you’re grateful, let’s have another contest to find poisonous herbs.
Geom Mugeuk deliberately lowered his voice.
―I am the Young Cult Leader. I am not the Second Young Master who gathers herbs.
―Come by and do some cleaning, too.
Naturally, that did not work on the Poison King.
The Poison King’s eyes shone clearly as he looked at Geom Mugeuk.
‘With this, you have taken another step toward the person you must face.’
At last, Geom Mugeuk stood before the final Demon Venerable.
The Extreme Evil Little Demon was wearing a brilliantly multicolored mask.
“Lord Little Demon.”
“Young Cult Leader.”
The two gazed at each other without speaking. From the eyes of the Extreme Evil Little Demon visible through the mask alone, Geom Mugeuk could tell how delighted he was.
Geom Mugeuk thought it was an incredible piece of luck to have met someone in this world whom he could trust so deeply.
“Your mask is magnificent.”
“It is the mask I wear when attending a celebration. It is the perfect mask for today’s occasion.”
The Extreme Evil Little Demon’s eyes were smiling behind the eyeholes.
Geom Mugeuk no longer needed to search for the true meaning behind his smile. At least when it came to him, what he saw was all there was.
“I look forward to the day we go out to fight again.”
“I will await it as well.”
When the Extreme Evil Little Demon finished speaking, he burst into loud laughter. The Faceless Guests standing behind him immediately laughed along. It was a grotesque laugh—the Faceless Guests’ own way of congratulating Geom Mugeuk on ascending as Young Cult Leader.
The Faceless Guests’ laughter spread through the area, the Sorcerers of Spirit Arts’ ghostly energy whirled in every direction, and chanting rang out together with the fierce demonic energy.
Geom Mugeuk did not acknowledge only them.
His gaze shifted away from the demons of the Eight Branches and toward the martial artists belonging to the Heavenly Demon Hall.
In the distance, he saw Demon Commander Jang Ho. Those directly under the Heavenly Demon would be the first to hurl themselves forward whenever something happened.
Geom Mugeuk gave Jang Ho a respectful fist-and-palm salute. The roar of the Demon Commanders grew even hotter.
He also saluted the investigators and enforcement martial artists of the Yellow Springs Pavilion, expressing his gratitude. They too congratulated him with a tremendous roar. Seo Daeryong stood among the investigators, grinning brightly.
―Congratulations, Pavilion Master! No, Young Cult Leader!
―I’m counting on your right arm!
―Please trust some other parts of your body as well!
Smiling pleasantly, Geom Mugeuk respectfully saluted the leaders of the other organizations as well. The cheers reached their peak.
Finally, Geom Mugeuk searched for one person. No matter how many people she stood among, there was one person who could never be hidden. His eyes met Ian’s as she stood among the demons.
―You look even prettier today.
―Since all the demons are gathered, I thought I’d try to seduce any young and handsome men who might be here.
―Even if you combined everyone here, they still wouldn’t compare.
―Don’t say such things. I’m nothing special.
―No, not you. I mean that they’re no match for me.
She smiled. She loved that Geom Mugeuk remained unchanged even after becoming the Young Cult Leader.
―Congratulations, Young Cult Leader.
―It’s thanks to you protecting me.
She would never dream that this moment existed because she had truly thrown herself into danger for his sake.
With everyone’s congratulations behind him, Geom Mugeuk climbed onto the platform. There were still people left to thank.
This time, Geom Mugeuk went to greet Grand Strategist Sama Myeong.
“Strategist.”
“Congratulations, Young Cult Leader.”
Sama Myeong had watched Geom Mugeuk’s rise to this position from closer than anyone. Because Geom Mugeuk was too exceptional, he had some concerns. And because he was unpredictable, he also felt uneasy. Even now, he had never imagined that Geom Mugeuk would say something like this.
“Now that I’ve become the Young Cult Leader, please teach me baduk behind my father’s back.”
Sama Myeong smiled at Geom Mugeuk’s words.
“That would be difficult.”
“You don’t want me to win!”
“I only wish for peace within our cult. As long as it is not baduk, the Pavilion of Reaching Heaven will always help the Young Cult Leader.”
After exchanging this pleasant greeting with Sama Myeong, Geom Mugeuk went to Geom Muyang, who stood alone.
Was there anyone here more uncomfortable than him? Everything before his eyes could have become his. How disappointed must he be?
“Brother, I’m counting only on you.”
If they had been alone, Geom Muyang would have shouted, You crazy bastard, stop it! But he could not do so now.
“Please take care of our cult.”
Geom Mugeuk suddenly threw his arms around Geom Muyang.
―Are you crazy?
―You’re the crazy one. You gave me this wonderful position.
―You crazy bastard, get off me!
A roar erupted at the sight of the two men. They had kept their promise to settle the succession struggle without bloodshed.
Finally, Geom Mugeuk stood before his father.
“Father.”
Geom Ujin led Geom Mugeuk forward.
When the two stood side by side, a roar erupted.
The mere fact that the Heavenly Demon had stood beside him lent Geom Mugeuk tremendous strength. He was the Young Cult Leader whom the Heavenly Demon had unequivocally acknowledged.
And so, amid cheers that seemed as though they would continue forever, the announcement of the successor at midnight came to an end.
* * *
Geom Muyang was walking alone.
The entire cult was noisy and lively, filled with the atmosphere of a festival.
He wanted to let himself be swept up in the festivities with a good-natured smile, but it was not easy.
His role ended here. The role of the supporting actor who embraced the protagonist onstage.
He walked slowly with his eyes lowered to the ground, when someone called out from behind him.
“Muyang.”
When he turned around, it was his father.
“…Father.”
Geom Ujin spoke to him in a gentle voice.
“Let’s have a meal together.”
At those words, Geom Muyang felt a surge of emotion. Before he had time to compose himself, his vision blurred. He clenched his teeth and forced himself to hold back. He did not want his father to see him crying on a day like this.
“I was feeling hungry anyway.”
“Let’s go. The cooks will still be awake tonight, so let’s ask them to make something you like.”
The two walked side by side toward the Heavenly Demon Hall.
As he walked together with his father, the days of the past rose within Geom Muyang’s heart.
The days he had spent trying to win his father’s approval.
He had done his utmost to fulfill his role as the eldest son. He wanted to look good in his father’s eyes. He wanted his father’s praise and acknowledgment.
The surest way to achieve that had been to become the successor. He had thought that if he failed to become the successor, he would be cast aside miserably…
“Are you disappointed?”
“No. If anything, I feel relieved.”
Now, Geom Ujin was not looking at his eldest son, but at his son. To Geom Muyang, Geom Ujin was not the Cult Leader, but his father.
Geom Ujin offered him no words of comfort.
But to Geom Muyang, his father’s simple words—let’s have a meal together—were a greater comfort than any consolation could have been. He was deeply grateful.
Geom Ujin walked ahead, while Geom Muyang followed several steps behind.
The moonlight softly illuminated the path ahead of the father and son as they walked in silence.
* * *
I watched my father and brother walking together from a rooftop in the distance.
I had originally planned to have a drink with my brother.
But when I saw Father looking after him, I stepped back. My brother and I could drink together another time, but a meal with Father on a day like this would remain unforgettable to him for the rest of his life.
Perhaps because I had regressed, my brother had become Father’s tenderest spot.
I was grateful to Father for looking after him. Father was still Father.
With a light leap, I flew to the top of the tallest spire in the cult grounds.
Standing there with my arms crossed, I looked out over the Heavenly Demon Divine Church. The entire church was bustling with the atmosphere of a festival. It was a joyful and exciting mood, one we had not experienced in a long time.
At the center of that fervor, I thought about the things I had to do from here on. My heart was calm, and I was confident that I could face the future.
I stood alone at the summit until the fervor subsided and dawn began to rise.