A single carriage was racing swiftly along.
The two people inside were Yong Jamyeong, leader of the Eunha Merchant Guild, and Yong Jinhu (龍珍厚), the eldest of his three sons.
“Are we truly going to the wedding of the Demon Cult’s Young Cult Leader?”
“We are.”
No matter how many times he asked, the answer was the same. At first, he had thought his father was teasing him.
But that did not seem to be the case. The decisive proof was that the only guard was Baek Chong, seated on the driver’s bench. Baek Chong was one of the key figures who had built the Eunha Merchant Guild alongside his father, and the warrior his father trusted most.
This was the first time Baek Chong alone had accompanied his father on an outing.
“Don’t tell me our merchant guild has joined hands with the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult?”
Yong Jinhu was afraid his father would say yes. Joining hands with the Demon Cult—that was something he did not even want to imagine.
Fortunately, his father shook his head.
“No. This visit is strictly a personal one on my part. I’m bringing you along separately from the guild, as my son. I wanted to introduce you to the Young Cult Leader.”
Yong Jamyeong told his son of a past secret he had never once mentioned before.
“When I was young, I once fell into a trap set by a colleague in the merchant world and nearly lost my life. At that time, a warrior who did not reveal his name saved me. I recently learned that he was the current Demon Cult Leader.”
Yong Jinhu was startled. The Demon Cult Leader was the benefactor who had saved his father’s life?
“Even so, if Father attends the Young Cult Leader’s wedding, word of it will surely spread through the murim.”
“I suppose it will.”
“If this becomes known to the world, many sects and merchant guilds that trade with us will sever ties.”
There was no way his father did not know what the consequences would be.
“Perhaps you intend to attend while wearing a bamboo hat and concealing your identity?”
After all, it was common to attend murim events without revealing one’s identity.
But Yong Jamyeong shook his head.
“I intend to attend without hiding who I am.”
Yong Jinhu found it strange. Leaving aside the fact that the other party was his life-saving benefactor, his father was, no matter what anyone said, a merchant. And that father was willing to shoulder such a great loss? Why on earth?
“Even if you hide your identity, they will understand. What guest could be more honored than you, Father?”
Yong Jinhu took pride in the fact that his father was the greatest merchant guild leader under heaven.
“There will be people more honored than I.”
“How could there be such people?”
Yong Jamyeong thought of Geom Ujin. Then he thought of his son, Geom Mugeuk. Both of them were far too extraordinary.
“To those people, there is no way I would be the greatest guest.”
Having grown up watching his father receive only the treatment reserved for the most honored of guests, Yong Jinhu could not accept those words.
“I hope attending this wedding will become an opportunity to broaden your narrow view.”
All three of his sons lacked aptitude for affairs of the merchant world.
If one had no talent for earning money, then at least one ought to have an eye for people. The reason he had brought along his eldest son, who still showed the most promise of the three, was because he hoped this would be a good experience for him.
Before long, the carriage arrived at its destination.
Yong Jinhu took a deep breath and stepped down from the carriage.
The next moment, he was startled by the scene unfolding before his eyes.
They were near the main gate of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. Along the Cult’s massive wall stood countless carriages. Splendid large carriages.
This was the first time Yong Jinhu had ever seen so many carriages in one place.
People alighting from carriages, people just arriving, people conversing with acquaintances—there truly were countless people there.
All around, large-framed warriors stood here and there. Their aura was terrifying, and even he, with his shallow martial skill, could tell they were no ordinary warriors.
Baek Chong said in a low voice.
“Do not stare at them. They are the Divine Cult’s Demon Army.”
Yong Jinhu had also heard of the Demon Army. They were the very Demon Army said to be unstoppable if they charged in with those massive bodies.
Baek Chong, rich in experience, possessed much information and insight regarding the murim, and in preparation for this visit to the Divine Cult in particular, he had studied everything he could about the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
Just then, someone recognized Yong Jamyeong and came over to greet him.
“Guild Leader Yong!”
“Manor Lord Geum.”
He was none other than Geum Asu, the Lord of Golden Manor, the wealthiest man in Fujian and a great merchant counted among the top ten in the Central Plains.
In the past, Geom Mugeuk had saved his daughter and grandson, and in return received a bundle of treasures larger than himself. That connection had continued until now, and they too had been invited to this wedding.
The two men knew each other well, and Geum Asu was Yong Jamyeong’s senior in the merchant world.
“This is my daughter and my grandson.”
Geum Asu’s daughter, Geum Sayeon, and his grandson, Yangi, had come with him. Yangi, who had been a little child when Geom Mugeuk saved him, had grown quite a lot before anyone knew it.
“How did you come to be here?”
Geum Asu was surprised by Yong Jamyeong’s attendance. The Eunha Merchant Guild, the greatest merchant guild under heaven, dealt with orthodox, unorthodox, and demonic factions alike. Attending a wedding of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult must surely have been burdensome.
Yong Jamyeong spoke honestly to Geum Asu.
“In my youth, I received the grace of having my life saved by the Demon Cult Leader.”
“What an extraordinary coincidence.”
“What do you mean?”
“We too received the grace of having our lives saved by the Young Cult Leader.”
“Ah, I see.”
Yong Jinhu, listening from the side, could not understand it. They had each received the grace of having their lives saved by the most frightening Demon Cult Leader and Young Cult Leader in the world?
Yong Jinhu looked around. Not only Geum Asu, but many other recognizable figures were present.
Though not quite on his father’s level, they were still major figures of the merchant world, the sort who made one think, That person came here?
Of course, there were more warriors than merchants. They were leaders who contended for regional supremacy.
‘The Demon Cult really is impressive, to make all these people come.’
Just then, a member of the Demon Army walked over.
Yong Jinhu thought he would escort his father first.
But the Demon Army soldier delivered words Yong Jinhu had not expected at all, then turned and left.
“Those who have arrived, please enter at once.”
The people who had been conversing began moving toward the main gate. Naturally, a line formed heading that way.
‘They’re making Father walk together with these people?’
Yong Jinhu found the sight of his father standing in line to enter somewhere far too unfamiliar.
Wherever they went, his father had always been the central figure, but now he was merely one among countless guests.
‘They’re treating Father like this?’
Yong Jinhu said quietly.
“The Demon Cult must be deliberately trying to dampen the Eunha Merchant Guild’s spirit.”
Yong Jamyeong said to his son.
“That is because you have yet to meet the Cult Leader and the Young Cult Leader.”
“What sort of people are they?”
“If they intended to intimidate someone, they would not be people who would use a method as paltry as this.”
Among those standing in line were Jo Chunbae and his wife, Yang In. Dressed in newly bought clothes, the two were terribly excited and happy, but
among people of such tremendous status, they moved along quietly without saying a word.
They had been worrying that if they caught someone’s eye, something like yesterday might happen again.
Then someone strode toward them.
“Welcome, master.”
The person who approached them was none other than the Demon Army Lord, Jang Ho.
Jo Chunbae and Yang In bowed their heads in greeting.
“Demon Army Lord!”
At the words “Demon Army Lord,” the people around them held their breath. The leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult’s elite Demon Army, whom they had only heard of in rumors, was now standing right before their eyes.
Warriors of the sects that followed the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult respectfully cupped their fists and conveyed the reverence they had long held for him.
After Jang Ho returned their greetings with a cupped-fist salute, he spoke again to Jo Chunbae and Yang In.
“The Young Cult Leader ordered me to escort you two specially. Now, please come this way.”
“We are all right.”
“I, who received the order, am not all right. Let us go.”
“Oh dear.”
Jang Ho led the two out and entered first. In accordance with Geom Mugeuk’s request, seats had been prepared for the two between himself and Seo Daeryong. Among today’s honored guest seats, it was the place where the two would be most comfortable.
Yong Jinhu found it strange that they received special treatment even the leader of the Eunha Merchant Guild had not.
“Who are they to be treated like that? They must be incredible masters, no?”
Yong Jamyeong smiled as he said,
“They are probably more ordinary than anyone else here.”
“What?”
“If you knew what sort of person the Young Cult Leader is, it would not seem strange at all.”
Because Yong Jamyeong knew what kind of person Geom Mugeuk was, he did not find such special treatment toward those two, who looked as though they had not learned even a shred of martial arts, strange at all.
Rather, he thought it was just like Geom Mugeuk.
Behind him, Geum Asu and Geum Sayeon also nodded as they looked at each other. The Young Cult Leader they had experienced had also been someone utterly special.
Before long, they passed through the main gate and entered the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
Yong Jinhu’s eyes widened.
Straight ahead lay an enormous, broad avenue, wide enough for twenty carriages to pass side by side with room to spare. On either side of the road stood massive statues of evil spirits in rows.
The evil spirit statues erected like gatekeepers looked down below with terrifying, arrogant gazes.
Beyond them, endless avenues and magnificent buildings stretched out without end.
The thought came to him naturally.
‘This was made by human hands?’
The giant evil spirit statues erected everywhere were so lifelike that it seemed they might move at any moment and trample them. Simply being there truly made him feel cowed.
Not only him, but all the others visiting the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult for the first time were likewise overwhelmed by the sight within.
After walking for quite some time, they arrived at the wedding venue.
It was the largest training ground in the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
Seats for the guests had been prepared in front of the place where the ceremony would be held. There were seats for the invited guests, and behind them, seats where the residents of Maga Village could sit freely had also been prepared.
Outside the center, forming a semicircle, were tiers of seats where countless people could sit, like spectator seats around an arena.
Members of the Demon Army guided the invited guests to their designated seats.
Yong Jinhu was shocked to learn that his father was seated not in the first row, but the third.
‘Not even the second row, but the third?’
Once all the outside guests had taken their seats in the central area, the entrances began in earnest.
A group of warriors entered the place in orderly formation. The person at the lead was a beautiful woman dressed in elegant clothes.
Those following behind her were the Demon Swords.
“It is the Ilhwa Sword Venerate!”
At Baek Chong’s words, Yong Jinhu was startled. It was the first time he had seen the Sword Venerate he had only ever heard of.
‘So she was such a beautiful woman!’
It felt as though he were looking at a single flower blooming amid snow.
The Demon Swords took seats in one section of the spectator seats arranged on all sides, and the Ilhwa Sword Venerate came forward and sat in the second row.
‘The second row is for the Demon Venerates.’
Then Yong Jinhu found it strange.
‘Then who is the front row for?’
Just then, amid cheers, another group of warriors entered from the opposite side.
Baek Chong informed him again.
“It is the Blood Heaven Saber Demon!”
The Blood Heaven Saber Demon, with a great saber on his back, walked at the head, and behind him the Saber Ghosts followed in. If the Demon Swords possessed discipline, the Saber Ghosts were rough and free-spirited.
In the past, when their relationship had been poor, they would have jeered at one another, but now they did not. As the Ilhwa Sword Venerate and the Blood Heaven Saber Demon had grown close, their relationship had improved as well.
The Saber Ghosts also took seats among the spectators, and the Blood Heaven Saber Demon sat beside the Ilhwa Sword Venerate.
This time, the Demon Buddha entered at the head, emitting a golden radiance. Behind him, the Mad Monks walked while chanting Buddhist prayers in unison to bless today’s wedding.
“They are demonic monks who would tear your entire body apart alive if you mistook them for mere fake monks.”
Even without Baek Chong’s warning, one could tell at a glance that they were no ordinary monks.
Today, the Demon Buddha’s radiance shone even more brightly than usual.
The next to appear were the Soul-Seizing Demon Venerate and the ghost arts masters.
When they appeared, Yong Jinhu felt dizzy.
“I suddenly feel lightheaded.”
For Yong Jinhu, whose internal energy was shallow, Baek Chong injected a strand of inner force through his back.
“It is the ghostly energy of the ghost arts masters. Breathe in deeply and exhale slowly.”
Only then did Yong Jinhu’s face relax. Even though they were not deliberately emitting their ghostly energy, it was already this much; just imagining what it would be like if they actually released it was frightening.
Next came demonic practitioners wearing splendid masks.
“They are the Faceless Guests of the Valley of Villains.”
At the words “Valley of Villains,” Yong Jinhu unconsciously averted his gaze.
The Faceless Guests were different from usual. They, who always huddled in groups of twos and threes, squatting together, were today dressed properly and walking in with dignity while wearing splendid masks. Today, they were utterly normal!
“That man must be the Extreme Evil Little Demon.”
“That is correct.”
The Extreme Evil Little Demon, standing at the very front, was also wearing an ornate mask today instead of his usual white one.
Having heard plenty of the Extreme Evil Little Demon’s infamy, Yong Jinhu found himself trembling. The fear ordinary martial artists felt toward the Extreme Evil Little Demon was entirely different from what they felt toward the other Demon Venerables.
But in truth, there was no need to be so afraid today of all days.
The Extreme Evil Little Demon was smiling more brightly than ever before. He seemed overflowing with magnanimity, as though he would forgive anyone for all but the most outrageous mistake.
The Faceless Guests were the same. Since they were especially close to Geom Mugeuk, the Valley of Villains was in the midst of a festival today.
In particular, Sipchilgyo and the Crescent-Moon Faceless Guest were the happiest. Since they had not yet held their own wedding, the Young Cult Leader’s wedding today had a great influence on the two of them.
“Are their masks usually that ornate?”
At Yong Jinhu’s question, Baek Chong put the knowledge he had studied to full use.
“I heard that the Faceless Guests have many kinds of masks. Those are probably Pleasure Ghost Masks, worn for festivals or banquets.”
This time, a beautiful boy entered, leading a group of demonic martial artists.
“Look at their waists.”
They had pouches fastened at their waists. Four, five, six, seven. Each wore a different number. Only the beautiful boy at the very front wore twelve pouches.
“Don’t tell me?”
“Yes, that’s right. They are the Poison Fangs led by the Poison King. With a single gesture from them, the guests would be slaughtered in an instant.”
More than that, Yong Jinhu was shocked by the fact that the Poison King looked so young. He looked far younger than Yong Jinhu himself.
This time, a noisy clamor arose, along with the strong smell of liquor.
They were the Drunken Demon and the Drinkers. Today, the Drunken Demon had allowed the Drinkers to drink to their hearts’ content.
“What are they thinking, getting drunk already? What if they make a mistake?”
Baek Chong answered Yong Jinhu’s question.
“I heard that the drunker they become, the clearer their minds grow. They won’t make mistakes from being drunk.”
This time, the Iron Fists of the Donggwon Gate appeared in outfits that revealed their muscles.
For them, the more bare flesh they showed, the more formal and respectful it was.
The bride’s father, the Fist Demon, did not come out with them. Thus, the person standing at the front was Cheon Sohui.
In that way, all of the Eight Demon Venerables and their subordinates took their seats.
It was lively and bustling, with laughter breaking out here and there.
The guests were feasting their eyes. They were seeing people they had never seen in their lives. They were looking at the Demon Venerables, and at their elite subordinates.
They could feel anew just how precious this occasion was. When they returned, they would surely boast to everyone, exaggeration piled upon exaggeration.
Baek Chong was surprised by the atmosphere he had not expected.
He had thought it would be far heavier and darker than this.
He had expected them to use this opportunity to make it known to everyone.
We are the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult!
So he had thought the ghost art practitioners would emit ghostly energy, the Iron Fists would swing their fists, and the Poison Fangs would send up poisonous smoke.
He had thought the Faceless Guests would sneer coldly, killing intent would flow from the swords of the Demon Swords and Blade Ghosts, the Mad Monks would chant deathly prayers, and the Drinkers would make drunken scenes.
But it was bright. They were laughing and chatting. They were enjoying themselves as if they had come to a festival. So much so that they hardly felt like demonic martial artists.
It was right then.
Dudududududu.
Five carriages began to enter the place.
Not only Yong Jinhu, but all the guests were puzzled.
‘Every guest here came on foot, yet carriages are coming all the way in here? Just who on earth could they be?’
On all five large carriages approaching them, a blue wolf was painted.