The carriage stopped beside the place where the ceremony was being held.
"That symbol!"
There was only one place that took the blue wolf as its symbol.
Baekchong, and indeed all the guests, knew exactly where that place was.
Clack clack clack clack clack.
The doors of five carriages opened simultaneously.
From the first and fifth carriages, martial artists descended first. They were none other than the Thirteen Wolves of Sado.
Once they stood in orderly formation around the carriages, the experts of the Sado Alliance disembarked next. They were representative experts of the Sado Alliance, so renowned that merely mentioning their names was enough to know them.
They stepped down and surveyed their surroundings. Though demonic martial artists filled every direction, not one among them lost their nerve.
The one who descended next was Bisain, who overwhelmed everyone present with his imposing presence alone.
Upon seeing him, Baekchong spoke in a low voice.
"He is the Young Alliance Chief of the Sado Alliance."
It was surprising enough that the Young Alliance Chief of the Sado Alliance had come personally.
Yet another person descended from the same carriage.
"It is the Sado Alliance Chief!"
Yongjinhu was truly startled.
The Sado Alliance Chief had come in person? And accompanied by the Young Alliance Chief and their experts at that?
He could not believe it even seeing it with his own eyes. He had expected them to send a single expert as a congratulatory envoy at most.
The one who greeted them was the Eldest Young Master, Geom Muyang.
"Welcome."
"Eldest Young Master, it has been a while."
Geom Ujin and Geom Mugeuk were busy preparing for the wedding ceremony, so Geom Muyang had come to receive the guests in their stead.
"Please, come this way."
Geom Muyang guided Baek Jagang to the front row. The Demon Lords seated in the second row all rose to offer their respects with cupped-fist salutes.
"We greet the Alliance Chief."
Baek Jagang also cupped his fists and returned the greeting to the Demon Lords.
"It has been a while."
Baek Jagang and Bisain sat in the front row, while the Sado Alliance experts who had accompanied them sat with the Demon Lords in the second row.
Since they had already sat together once during the previous Three-Party Meeting, the atmosphere was not particularly awkward.
Only then did Yongjinhu understand.
'So the first row was reserved for the Sado Alliance Chief and his successor.'
Then it made sense why his father was in the third row.
It was right at that moment.
Thud thud thud thud.
There was another procession of carriages. This time, three carriages raced toward the location.
The pattern engraved on them was precisely that of the wicked spirit engraved upon the Dark Thunder Bell.
Those who descended were the elders of the Pungcheon Cult from beyond the frontier. Their eyes were shrewd and experienced, having weathered countless trials, and from them one could feel a harsh sandstorm blowing.
The last to descend was the Pungcheon Cult Leader, Sobaekta.
"It is the Pungcheon Cult Leader!"
At Baekchong's explanation, Yongjinhu looked over with a surprised expression.
"He is much younger than I thought."
This was exactly why Yongjamyeong had brought his son. When else would there be a chance to see such people? He had hoped his son would broaden his horizons by witnessing the experts of the world beyond the heavens.
As expected, Geom Muyang greeted him.
"You must have had a difficult journey, Cult Leader."
"Thank you for inviting me to this precious occasion."
Sobaekta had become far deeper in his cultivation and far more powerful compared to the past when he had fought the Phantom King alongside Geom Mugeuk, the previous Pungcheon Cult Leader, and Mabul.
Though still young, he showed no deficiency in his bearing as the Pungcheon Cult Leader.
Baek Jagang, who had arrived earlier, along with the Eight Demon Lords and the Sado Alliance experts, all greeted them.
He too took a seat in the front row.
Thud thud thud thud.
This time, a single carriage arrived.
The symbol engraved on this carriage was a dragon. A magnificent dragon was depicted as if coiling around the carriage, and beneath it, characters were written.
Great Hero Heart.
Everyone could tell. They knew which faction the carriage belonged to, and whose carriage it was.
The first to descend were Jin Hagun and Jin Haryeong. Jin Haryeong had not hesitated over whether to come. To say she had no lingering feelings would be a lie,
but she was not so attached that she could not come to offer congratulations. When her brother had asked, the words "Of course we must go" had spilled from her lips unbidden.
Moreover, today's congratulations were not limited to just those two.
Finally, Jinpaecheon descended from the carriage.
"It is the Murim Alliance Chief!"
Yongjinhu was startled out of his wits. He had thought the Sado Alliance or the Pungcheon Cult might attend.
But the Murim Alliance Chief coming personally? He could not believe it even seeing it with his own eyes.
It was definitely the Murim Alliance Chief. He had once greeted him together with his father long ago. Though surely the Chief could not remember a greeting from so long ago.
The guests also murmured. If no one else, they were all surprised that the Murim Alliance Chief had come in person.
The fact that Jinpaecheon had visited the main hall of the Heavenly Demon Cult with only his two grandchildren in tow was an extreme demonstration of how great his trust in Geom Mugeuk and Geom Ujin was.
In fact, the Murim Alliance's Chief Strategist, Jegal Hyeon, had advised Jinpaecheon to attend secretly in a personal capacity. If he came discreetly wearing a bamboo hat, the Heavenly Demon Cult side would surely understand.
After all, the Murim Alliance Chief officially attending the wedding of the Heavenly Demon Cult's Young Cult Lord would be a momentous event that would send massive waves through the orthodox martial arts world.
But Jinpaecheon had decided to go officially to offer his congratulations.
The fact that Geom Mugeuk had saved his grandchildren's lives alone was reason enough to attend. Moreover, if the Heavenly Demon Cult had failed to stop Cheonsalseong this time, that fiend would have swept through both the Murim Alliance and the Sado Alliance.
"If it were not for the Cult Leader and the Young Cult Lord, you and I would all be dead."
Those words were enough. Instead, he had not brought other Murim Alliance experts. He could have filled ten carriages with them if he wished, but he did not want to burden anyone.
After all, this visit was a personal one.
Geom Muyang guided Murim Alliance Chief Jinpaecheon to the front seats.
Baek Jagang and the Pungcheon Cult Leader, as well as the Eight Demon Lords and other experts, all rose to greet him.
The gazes of Jin Hagun and Bisain met.
Unconcealable delight flowed between the two.
"Today is the day."
"Yes, today is the day."
Their eyes were already brimming with mischief. That insolent Geom Mukeuk! He was the youngest among them, and yet he was getting married before them—that was simply something they could not let slide.
Today, they intended to properly display the power of the Righteous-Evil Alliance. The days of being on the receiving end would be reversed today.
Even though it was not their own wedding, their hearts pounded needlessly.
In truth, it was not just the younger ones; Jinpaecheon and Baek Jagang were in similar states of mind as well.
"You have come well."
"It is no trivial matter, so of course I had to come."
The two were now at a point where they were secretly glad to see each other. If it were not for Geom Mugeuk, theirs would have been a relationship of constant suspicion and wariness.
And so Jinpaecheon, Jin Hagun, and Jin Haryeong also sat in the front row.
One would have thought they were the last guests for the first row, but
Thud thud thud thud thud.
More carriages entered once again.
They were the most numerous to have entered thus far. A full ten carriages made their way in.
The specially treated surfaces of the carriages gave the effect of being made of ice. Added to that were snowflake patterns. They truly looked as if winter itself had arrived.
Dressed in spotless white martial robes, the experts of the North Sea Ice Palace descended. When they arrived, it felt as if the surroundings had grown chilly.
The last to descend was the North Sea Ice Palace Lord, Han Seogyeong. The Young Palace Lord Han Seol descended with her as well.
Han Seogyeong had brought the Hanbing Twin Swords and all the top experts of the North Sea Ice Palace.
Thankfully they had sent word beforehand, for the number was enough to say the North Sea Ice Palace was invading the Central Plains.
There was a reason she had gone to such lengths to bring so many.
So that Ian, alone in the Central Plains, would not be disheartened.
To show that they were her family, that her aunt had come.
After exchanging greetings with the two Alliance Chiefs and Sobaekta, Han Seogyeong smiled particularly at one person.
It was none other than Bisain, who had come all the way to the North Sea to greet her last time.
Frankly, her first impression of Bisain had not been good. His face was grotesque with scars.
But the more she spoke with him, the more she realized he was a person of true substance.
Should she call it rediscovering her daughter? Han Seogyeong thought this to herself.
'Who knew she had such unexpectedly good taste in men.'
The guests were all surprised and amazed. After the Sado Alliance Chief, the Pungcheon Cult Leader, and the Murim Alliance Chief, they were now seeing the mysterious Palace Lord of the North Sea Ice Palace in person.
They felt anew both surprise and pride at the fact that they had been invited to this occasion.
Watching the Ice Palace Lord exchange greetings with the Alliance Chiefs, Yongjamyeong spoke to his son.
"Do you understand now? Why I said people more precious than your father would come."
These words flowed unbidden from Yongjinhu's mouth.
"Just what kind of person is the Young Cult Lord?"
He had shouted it out without realizing, so Yongjamyeong was startled and stopped him.
"Shh!"
But everyone around them had already heard it.
Nervous with a sense of dread, at that moment,
Jinpaecheon in the front row turned to look at him and spoke.
"Young Hero Yong."
Yongjinhu sprang to his feet and greeted him with a cupped-fist salute.
"Ah! You remember me, Alliance Chief."
"Of course I remember."
After exchanging a glance with Yongjamyeong seated beside him, Jinpaecheon spoke calmly to Yongjinhu.
"The Young Cult Lord is someone you must experience directly to understand. You cannot know him through another's words. You would never believe them otherwise."
Everyone around them smiled in agreement with those words.
"I hope that you too will have such a good opportunity in the future, Young Hero."
"Yes, Alliance Chief. I sincerely thank you for your kind words."
He had wondered if the Alliance Chief had called him to scold him for speaking so loudly, but that was not the case. The Chief had spoken out of goodwill for him.
Yongjinhu looked at his father. His father had said he wanted to introduce him to the Young Cult Lord.
'Did they really all come because of the Young Cult Lord? What kind of person is he?'
Before long, a person stepped forward before them.
The one who would preside over this wedding was the Chief Strategist, Sima Myeong.
Just from this alone, one could tell how important the Heavenly Demon Cult considered this marriage.
"Now, we shall begin the wedding ceremony."
Thunderous cheers erupted from all directions.
"The parents of the bride and groom will now enter."
Geom Ujin and Gwonma appeared from opposite sides.
At Geom Ujin's appearance, all the guests rose from their seats in unison.
Not a single breath could be heard from the spectator seats that had been noisy just moments before.
Geom Ujin slowly walked out. His presence grew more pronounced the greater the crowd.
If everyone else was black and white, he alone radiated red—such was the presence he displayed without fail even at this very moment.
Gwonma, on the other hand, appeared more nervous than ever.
He was someone who would not bat an eye even if told to fight every martial artist here, yet now he was nervous.
The two exchanged greetings and then sat in their prepared seats.
Geom Ujin exchanged glances with those in the front row.
Deeply with Jinpaecheon and Baek Jagang, lightly with Han Seogyeong and Sobaekta.
Then he exchanged voice transmissions with Gwonma.
"-In-law, how do you feel?"
"-I am bewildered. Happy, yet also somewhat sorry. Something like that."
This time, it was the other way around.
"-Cult Leader, how do you feel?"
"-I feel only joy."
"-I suppose this is the difference between the parent of a daughter and the parent of a son."
Then Geom Ujin smiled and spoke.
"Then, in-law, let us trade my son for your daughter!"
"-I refuse!"
This was the Geom Ujin who could make such casual jokes only with Gwonma.
Sima Myeong spoke in a loud voice.
"The groom shall now enter."
Boom! Doo-boom! Boom boom boom boom!
To the vigorous sound of drums, Geom Mugeuk strode in energetically, clad in ceremonial robes.
As expected, following around him in full ceremonial attire were his guards, including Jeogyeon.
Their cultivation had now reached a level where the seniors who guarded Geom Ujin would marvel.
Waaaaaaaah!
When Geom Mugeuk appeared, tremendous cheers erupted from all directions. It was not mere applause.
One could tell from those cheers how much the demonic martial artists of the Heavenly Demon Cult adored their Young Cult Lord.
They were not forced cheers, but cries of joy born of genuine affection.
And would Geom Mugeuk follow ordinary etiquette?
The Geom Mugeuk walking out grinned brightly, raising both hands in delight.
"I'm getting married!"
His words pierced through the cheers and rang clearly in the ears of every guest.
After bowing respectfully to Geom Ujin and Gwonma, Geom Mugeuk turned toward the guests.
Turning his body toward them, he looked at the people seated in the first row.
Jinpaecheon and Baek Jagang, Sobaekta and Han Seogyeong.
There were also his friends, Bisain and Jin Hagun, as well as Jin Haryeong and Han Seol.
Geom Mugeuk met each and every one of their gazes.
Geom Mugeuk knew well just how long and difficult a journey they had made.
He remembered the day he had first met them. The eyes that had doubted and distrusted him had now changed into something warm and pleasant. Amazingly, the fates of every one of them had changed after meeting Geom Mugeuk.
If he followed his heart, he would have run out to greet each and every one of them and offer his thanks. But that was something to be done at the congratulatory banquet after the ceremony was over.
Behind them, he saw the Eight Demon Venerables.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the Ilhwa Sword Venerable, the Poison King and the Soul-Capturing Demon Venerable, the Drunken Demon and the Demon Buddha, and even the Extreme Evil Little Demon.
Representing the Demon Venerables, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon threw a joke at Geom Mugeuk, who was smiling brightly. Since it was a formal occasion, he spoke politely.
“Young Cult Leader, are you that happy?”
“I am! I don’t think I should get drunk today. I’m so happy I feel like dancing.”
Those listening laughed in good spirits.
Then Seo Daeryong murmured softly.
“At last, there’s something I’m ahead of our Young Cult Leader in.”
It was a joke made to Dan-a and his sisters-in-law seated beside him, but Geom Mugeuk, whose ears had been transformed through rebirth, heard even that quiet remark.
“Pavilion Lord of Hwangcheon, since you are my senior in married life, please teach me much from now on!”
At that, Seo Daeryong lifted high the son he was holding, Yeongha.
Laughter burst out from all around at the sight.
As befitted Geom Mugeuk’s wedding, the atmosphere was cheerful and free. He was not bound by formality.
With eyes as sharp as a hawk, Geom Mugeuk said,
“You people from Maga Village standing in the far back corner, all of you, come forward. There’s a place for you over there.”
Jang Ho led them out and had them watch from there.
A scene was unfolding that could truly be seen only at Geom Mugeuk’s wedding: the groom exchanging words with the guests, and merchants seated a little apart in a place where the Alliance Leader and the Cult Leader were present.
Now came the most important moment.
“Now, next, the bride will enter.”
This time, a beautiful melody rang out as the bride entered from the opposite side.
The martial artists of the Northern Sea Ice Palace had intended to shout even louder than the cheers that had risen when the groom entered. It was to make sure Ian would not feel intimidated. That was why as many as ten carriages had come.
But there was no need.
Waaaaaaah!
From the demonic practitioners seated among the audience, a cheer even louder than when Geom Mugeuk had appeared burst forth. Not only the warriors of the Ghost Shadow Corps, but everyone watching welcomed the bride with even greater cheers.
There, as Han Seogyeong and Han Seol looked at each other in delight, the bride of the day, dressed in splendid ceremonial robes, began to enter.