When Geom Muyang returned to his residence, someone was waiting in the courtyard.
Sitting astride a rock and looking up at the moon was none other than Geom Mugeuk.
“Are you doing all the main sect duties by yourself? Why are you so late?”
“What brings you here at this hour?”
“I came because I missed you, Hyung. And there’s something I wanted to talk about.”
Geom Muyang knew what his younger brother was going to say.
“You’re getting married?”
“Huh? How did you know?”
“Who doesn’t know?”
“This main sect truly has no secrets whatsoever.”
News of Geom Mugeuk’s marriage was already the hot topic within the sect.
Geom Muyang walked over and sat down beside Geom Mugeuk. Sitting down next to him without being invited—something natural for brothers in other households—was deeply touching to Geom Mugeuk.
It meant that he and his brother had now become close enough to act so freely with each other.
“Sorry for cutting in line.”
“It’s fine. I have no intention of getting married anyway.”
“Neither did I.”
Geom Muyang looked at Geom Mugeuk.
“The next thing I knew, I was saying, ‘Please give me your daughter’s hand in marriage.’”
Geom Muyang smiled at his brother’s joke.
“You’ll do well in married life too.”
“You think so?”
“You’ll become a good husband and a good father.”
Geom Mugeuk’s gaze, which had been directed at the night sky, turned toward Geom Muyang.
“I think you, Hyung, would make a truly great father. Not so sure about a good husband, though.”
Geom Muyang looked at him with an expression asking why he thought that.
“You take after Father completely, don’t you?”
Did he really resemble their father? Mabul had always told him that he, not Geom Mugeuk, took after the Cult Leader. Come to think of it, the Martial Alliance Leader, Jin Pacheon, had said something similar too.
“Do you really think I take after Father?”
Geom Mugeuk nodded.
“If you grow old just as you are now, I think you’ll become exactly like Father.”
“Father would hate hearing that.”
“He’d love it? I’m telling you, our father’s love for his firstborn—no one can stop it.”
A faint smile formed on Geom Muyang’s lips.
“Hyung, you should get married too so we can shower him with grandchildren. If you’re holding grandchildren in both arms, you can’t draw your sword, right?”
“Then you’d probably fight using the Igigeo Sword Technique while holding the grandchildren.”
This time, Geom Mugeuk laughed at Geom Muyang’s joke. It felt good to talk with his brother like this after so long.
Now, even sitting together in silence wasn’t awkward, so they spent a while moon-gazing together.
“You must be tired, so rest. I’ll be going.”
As Geom Mugeuk tried to leave, Geom Muyang called out from behind.
“Geuka.”
It was the first time he’d called him “Geuka” since they were little children.
“Congratulations.”
Geom Mugeuk turned his head. Under the moonlight, his brother looked more dependable than ever.
“Thank you, Hyung.”
***
When Geom Mugeuk went to visit him, the Pungcheon Cult Leader was packing his bags.
“Where are you going?”
When Geom Mugeuk asked in surprise, the Pungcheon Cult Leader gave an unexpected answer.
“I’m thinking of taking a trip on my own. Don’t worry. I’ll be back before your wedding ceremony.”
“By yourself?”
“Of course, by myself.”
The Pungcheon Cult Leader’s lingering resentment burst forth.
“Wasn’t it you who said we should take a trip together later, you, me, and Gowol?”
“I remember.”
“Gowol is too busy to go, and you have a wedding to prepare now so you can’t go. What can I do? I have to go alone.”
He was actually thinking of visiting the Hero’s Guesthouse. Since he was the one who came up with the name, he ought to visit.
“So, what brings you here?”
“I came to ask a favor.”
Words truly unexpected came from Geom Mugeuk.
“Please officiate my wedding.”
The Pungcheon Cult Leader was startled. He was so surprised he thought he had misheard.
“Me?”
“Yes, please do it, Elder.”
“Aren’t there many Demonic Venerables close to you besides me?”
The Pungcheon Cult Leader had expected that if Geom Mugeuk asked anyone to officiate, it would be Hyeolcheon Doma.
“Don’t tell me you asked Hyeolcheon Doma and got rejected.”
“No. I haven’t asked Doma Elder. You are the first person I’m asking, Cult Leader.”
The fact that he had come to him first filled the Pungcheon Cult Leader with emotion yet also bewilderment.
“Why me?”
“Is there a reason you can’t? Didn’t you tell me to give Father grandchildren and stop him from unifying the martial world?”
Yes, he had certainly said those words to Geom Mugeuk.
“I’m doing exactly as you ordered, Cult Leader. I’m getting married because of you. If I regret it later, you must take responsibility.”
“What nonsense is that! And what business does someone who has never even been married have officiating a wedding?”
“We martial artists aren’t bound by ordinary laws and customs. Didn’t Elder Doma officiate the wedding of the Hwangcheon Pavilion Master some time ago?”
“That’s because they were master and disciple.”
“Aren’t you also my teacher?”
They had agreed to treat each other as master and disciple within the Space-Time Reversal Art. But he had thought that was merely a joke.
“Thanks to the Space-Time Reversal Art and the Heaven-Soaring Secret Art, I was able to kill Cheonsal Seong. Not only that, but I also overcame various other crises.”
Geom Mugeuk expressed his gratitude to the Pungcheon Cult Leader.
“Just like Lady Gwonma, you are also my master, Cult Leader.”
Even though it wasn’t under the condition of “only within the Space-Time Reversal Art!” hearing the word “master” moved the Pungcheon Cult Leader deeply.
As if to hide his emotion, the Pungcheon Cult Leader put on a suspicious look for no reason.
“Tell me honestly. What are you scheming?”
“You threw everything away and came to me, Cult Leader.”
“That was because of Gowol, not you.”
“You also gave me precious divine artifacts without hesitation.”
“That was also because Gowol told me to.”
“You fought Cheonsal Seong for the sake of our main sect.”
“Because if that place fell, Gowol would die.”
Geom Mugeuk said with a smile.
“This is why. You are a wonderful person who does all these things for me that others would find hard-pressed to do even one of, and yet you never boast about it.”
“!”
An even greater emotion swept across the Pungcheon Cult Leader’s face. Hearing such words from Geom Mugeuk felt better than from anyone else.
“Just as you gave me my name, please also be the one to start my new beginning, Cult Leader. I respect you.”
How could he refuse when “respect” had even come out?
“Very well, I shall officiate.”
“Thank you.”
Geom Mugeuk bowed his head in gratitude.
Right after, the Pungcheon Cult Leader rushed straight to Eunwol.
He called Gowol out and began boasting.
“The Young Cult Leader asked me to officiate his wedding. He said he respects me!”
Watching the Pungcheon Cult Leader who looked like he could fly from joy, Gowol smiled.
“Are you that happy?”
“Of course. It’s not just anyone’s wedding—it’s the Young Cult Leader’s wedding. I’m sure both the orthodox and unorthodox factions will attend; it’ll be a wedding that the entire martial world attends. And I am to officiate that wedding.”
Gowol knew the real reason he was happy.
“Isn’t it because the Pungcheon Cult Leader from outside is coming?”
“!”
Surely his disciple and the current era’s Pungcheon Cult Leader, So Baekta, would also be invited.
“Don’t you want to show him?”
The Pungcheon Cult Leader couldn’t deny it. How wounded his pride would be to see the master who had abandoned everything sitting among the crowd watching the wedding without any presence? Both his own and his disciple’s pride would be hurt.
“Yes, you brat! I want to show him I’m not dead yet.”
Gowol said to him with a smile.
“My Cult Leader.”
“What is it?”
“At this point, you’ve succeeded.”
“In what?”
“I may not have become the Young Cult Leader’s right-hand man, but at least I avoided that wretched fate of being the Cult Leader back then.”
“Same for you. Since the organization you built has entered the main hall of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult so openly, you’ve escaped those shackles from back then. We’ve succeeded at this level!”
The two looked at each other and laughed loudly in good spirits.
“This isn’t the time for this. What should I wear? Have I gained some weight lately? Should I have new ceremonial robes fitted from scratch?”
***
Finally, the day before the wedding ceremony arrived.
With guests coming from all across the Central Plains, Magachon was packed with people. All the inns were full, and the Divine Cult provided temporary lodgings for those who couldn’t find a place to stay in time.
To ensure no unpleasant incidents occurred, Magun personally stepped in to manage everything. Thanks to that, everyone controlled their anger well, and not a single unpleasant incident took place.
“There are so many people, I wonder if we’ll be able to see properly.”
The one who spoke worriedly was Yang In, wife of Jo Chunbae.
“We have to go even if we watch from afar. Whose wedding is it that we wouldn’t attend?”
The two had even bought new clothes to attend tomorrow’s wedding.
Then, one of the guests who had been listening spoke up abruptly.
“You people are attending too?”
As it was time to close the tavern, only the last few guests remained there. So they had spoken carelessly, but those words were heard.
The two at the table were guests who had come from afar: Hyeong Soyin, the sect leader of the Iron Claw Gate, which followed the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, and his son, Hyeong Dae.
The one who had just spoken was the son, Hyeong Dae.
“The tavern keeper? How? Is that even possible?”
Jo Chunbae explained politely.
“We were told that the residents of Magachon may freely attend tomorrow’s wedding.”
“By whom?”
“The martial artists of Hwangcheon Pavilion came and informed us personally.”
Hyeong Dae’s face stiffened.
“So what? They told you to go, so you’re going?”
He had an expression of utter incomprehension. At that moment, his father, Hyeong Soyin, who was with him, stopped his son.
“Dae, stop it.”
“No, isn’t that right? Does the tavern keeper even know what kind of occasion that is?”
Though he had stopped his son, inwardly Hyeong Soyin thought similarly. If it was a wedding where even a tavern keeper could attend so freely,
their status as invited guests felt diminished. They had boasted so much to those around them about being invited.
This was exactly what the residents of Magachon had worried about.
Not only were there too many people to see properly, but they were also afraid of getting into a quarrel with martial artists for no reason if they went.
A quarrel had broken out even before they went.
Jo Chunbae bowed his head. At times like this, he shouldn’t ramble on needlessly. He bowed his head as if admitting fault, but Hyeong Dae persistently demanded an answer.
“So are you going or not?”
If he said they weren’t going and then ran into these people there, it would be a disaster, so Jo Chunbae was at a loss, unsure what to do. Just then, someone spoke from behind.
“The tavern keeper will be attending.”
The one who entered was Geom Mugeuk.
“Young Cult Leader!”
At the words “Young Cult Leader,” the two from the Iron Claw Gate sprang up from their seats.
Jo Chunbae was startled because he hadn’t expected Geom Mugeuk to come here on the eve of the wedding.
“What brings you here, sir?”
“I came to see our tavern keeper’s face. And I have something to give.”
“But you must be busy preparing for the wedding.”
“What would I be busy with? It’s the people preparing who are busy and struggling. Ah, the bride couldn’t come today because she’s busy. She asked me to convey her apologies for not being able to come together.”
“Oh my, why such words.”
Geom Mugeuk also greeted Jo Chunbae’s wife.
“Have you been well too, Madam?”
“We greet the Young Cult Leader.”
In Yang In’s eyes as she looked at Geom Mugeuk were deep emotion and gratitude. He was the Young Cult Leader who had saved her husband and family. And in her husband’s life, the Young Cult Leader was his greatest pride.
After exchanging greetings, Geom Mugeuk looked at Hyeong Soyin and Hyeong Dae. They were holding their breath, heads bowed.
They had made a mistake toward someone the Young Cult Leader knew at the Young Cult Leader’s wedding?
Even at a glance, it was clearly no ordinary relationship. If they had misspoken, they had picked the absolute worst target.
*They’ll use us as blood offerings for tomorrow’s wedding!*
The moment such words were uttered, it would mean death. Furthermore, their entire sect could be annihilated.
“I like the people of Magachon. Especially this tavern keeper here—I like him the most.”
Hyeong Dae said in a trembling voice.
“I apologize. I failed to recognize a noble person and made a mistake.”
Geom Mugeuk spoke to him with a stern gaze. He could have spoken gently, but for Hyeong Dae’s sake, he revealed a cold demonic aura as he spoke.
“This martial world is a place where a single mistake can cost you your life. Today’s mistake isn’t to that degree, but on an unlucky day, you can lose your life over a mistake even more trivial than this.
When your reckless tongue itches to run off someday, be sure to recall this very moment.”
“I will engrave it in my mind.”
Hyeong Soyin politely bowed his head in gratitude.
“Thank you for showing mercy.”
Geom Mugeuk sent a telepathic message to him.
*You should have stopped him earlier and more forcefully.*
—I am sorry. It was my oversight.
—If you raise him like this, you will lose your precious child one day. Let today’s incident be a lesson and educate him properly.
—I will bear it in mind, Young Cult Leader.
Hyeongdae apologized to Jo Chunbae.
“Proprietor, please forgive my rudeness.”
“No, no. I am quite all right.”
After the two of them bowed respectfully to Geom Mugeuk, they left.
Jo Chunbae and Yangin looked at each other. This was why they respected the Young Cult Leader. He was someone considerate enough to settle matters amicably so that no harm would come to them.
As if nothing had happened, Geom Mugeuk looked around the interior of Pungnyu Tavern.
The newly built interior was certainly wider and cleaner.
“You made the inside just as it used to be.”
From the location of the kitchen to the placement of the tables, it had been arranged to revive its former appearance as much as possible.
“I did that because it’s more comfortable for me. Most of the people who come to my place are regulars, too.”
There was something else that had remained the same.
“There is a seat for you on the third floor, Young Cult Leader.”
Originally, the Young Cult Leader’s seat had been on the second floor. The seat offered when the Cult Leader came, or when the Demon Venerables came—now that seat had been moved to the third floor.
Geom Mugeuk went up to the third floor. Jo Chunbae followed after him. Thinking the Young Cult Leader might perhaps have a drink there, Yangin gathered some liquor and simple side dishes and followed them up.
On the third floor, there were only two tables prepared: one small seat and one large seat.
“We do not accept guests here at all.”
“You needn’t go this far. Proprietor, you have a business to run.”
Jo Chunbae smiled faintly and said,
“To tell the truth, I no longer have the strength to run business all the way up to the third floor. Even if I hire more people, I would still have to pay more attention to it. So I made it a place entirely for you, Young Cult Leader.”
Now that he looked, Jo Chunbae had far more white hair than when they had first met.
“Do you not wish to retire now and rest comfortably?”
“There’s something merchants say among themselves. If someone who has worked all his life suddenly rests, that’s when he starts getting sick, and then he dies.
For me, working is resting. Truth be told, I don’t even know how to rest. Ah, but I will rest fully for one day tomorrow. Once the ceremony is over, I’ll go on an outing with my wife as well.”
Geom Mugeuk took out a red envelope from his robes and handed it to him.
“Here, take this. This is what I came to give you.”
When Jo Chunbae checked what was inside, he was startled. It was an official wedding invitation to Geom Mugeuk’s wedding.
“If you show this to the martial artists at the entrance, they will guide you to a seat near the front where you can see the ceremony well. I’ve told them in advance, so our cult’s martial artists will look after you and your wife properly for the day tomorrow.”
“Oh, my! This is something lowly people like us cannot possibly bear.”
Jo Chunbae and Yangin were so flustered they did not know what to do.
“Lowly? Proprietor, do you know how precious you are to me?”
Jo Chunbae looked at Geom Mugeuk with eyes full of emotion. Just what merit had he accumulated in his previous life to receive such fortune?
“Do you know this? Thanks to you, Young Cult Leader, the twilight years of my life are shining the brightest.”
With the liquor Yangin had brought, Geom Mugeuk filled three cups to the brim.
“Now, since I’ll be busy tomorrow and won’t be able to greet you two properly.”
Geom Mugeuk raised his cup and said,
“Let us drink a congratulatory cup in advance.”