The wedding hall was transformed into a banquet hall.
The musicians took their places and began playing lively tunes in earnest.
The platform where the ceremony had been held was cleared away, and a stage was built there. Dancers climbed onto the stage and danced to the music.
Since they had been specially prepared for this day, they were dancers of the highest caliber.
All the chefs and kitchen workers of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult came out carrying tables laden with food and wine. The procession seemed endless.
Separate seats had been prepared for the Cult Leader, the Alliance Leader, the Palace Lord, and the experts who had accompanied them. A little farther away, places had been set up for the ordinary guests.
Enough food and wine had been prepared to fill the Great Training Hall, so everyone in attendance could enjoy the banquet.
Only then did Geom Ujin and Gwonma welcome Jin Paecheon, Baek Jagang, Han Seogyeong, and So Baekta.
Geom Ujin first greeted Jin Paecheon, for whom attending had likely been the greatest burden in many ways.
“Thank you for coming.”
“Of course I had to come.”
The fact that he had arrived with only a single carriage was enough to suggest how difficult the journey had been for him.
“Congratulations, Cult Leader Geom.”
“Thank you.”
“Congratulations, Venerable Gwonma.”
“Thank you, Alliance Leader.”
For today, at least, Jin Paecheon decided to forget Geom Ujin’s ambition to unite the martial world. He had truly come only to offer his sincere congratulations.
“Your son has gained a truly beautiful bride.”
“Her character is as outstanding as her appearance.”
“You are already bragging about your daughter-in-law?”
Geom Ujin smiled at Jin Paecheon’s joke.
Baek Jagang, who had been listening beside them, spoke with a laugh.
“A daughter-in-law like that is certainly worth bragging about.”
And so Baek Jagang naturally joined in the greetings as well.
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you for coming.”
He had brought the experts representing the Evil Alliance, filling five carriages with them.
Just as Jin Paecheon had shown the utmost respect by coming in a single carriage despite the political burden, Baek Jagang had shown the greatest respect possible in his own way.
So Baekta found it very unfamiliar to see the leaders of the orthodox, unorthodox, and demonic factions speaking so casually with one another. Judging solely by this scene, one could believe they were simply martial artists from the same organization having a conversation.
Han Seogyeong added a word to Geom Ujin’s praise of his daughter-in-law.
“As you all know, the bride is my niece.”
Geom Ujin raised the North Sea Ice Palace with a kind word.
“Where could the Ice Palace’s grace, clear and pure as snow, have gone?”
Geom Ujin was not ordinarily the sort of person to say things merely because they sounded pleasant to the other party, but today was an exception.
The family of Ian was involved, after all, and the North Sea Ice Palace had brought so many experts all the way here.
Han Seogyeong smiled at Geom Ujin’s words. She had been worried that Ian might be treated poorly because of her origins as a guard, but after coming here, she realized there had been no reason for such concern.
“Waaaaaaah!”
Just then, a roar rose from far away.
When Geom Mugeuk and Ian arrived there after changing clothes, people crowded around them. They had felt it during the wedding ceremony as well, but the cheers and congratulations were not merely formal. The people were shouting because they were genuinely happy.
“Don’t leave without meeting me first! You can’t just leave!”
At Geom Mugeuk’s cry, the Alliance Leader and the others, along with his friends and the Eight Venerables, all burst out laughing. It would take that chatterbox quite a while to meet every one of those people and make his way over here.
The first people Geom Mugeuk looked after were the residents of Maga Village, including Jo Chunbae.
“Thank you for coming.”
“Thank you so much for inviting us.”
All the residents of Maga Village had come to congratulate Geom Mugeuk.
It was the first time in their lives they had attended such a grand wedding, and the first time they had ever seen so many remarkable people gathered in one place.
They had already held Geom Mugeuk in profound respect, but being invited to an occasion like this made their feelings impossible to express.
They would probably talk about and boast of this wedding until the day they died.
“Come on, everyone. Come here and taste the dishes prepared by our cult’s chefs.”
Geom Mugeuk called them over to the tables. Otherwise, they would have been too conscious of the Demon Cult members to touch the food and wine. So an entire row of long tables had been set aside for the residents of Maga Village.
“Come on, let’s all have a drink!”
He poured wine for everyone and accepted a cup from Jo Chunbae.
“Congratulations on your marriage!”
After draining his cup, Geom Mugeuk made sure not to leave out a joke.
“Even if the dishes served here aren’t as delicious as our host’s cooking, you mustn’t let it show on your faces. You know why, don’t you?
The chefs are hiding somewhere and watching. If they see anyone making an unpleasant face after tasting the food—”
Geom Mugeuk put on a deliberately terrifying expression and drew a finger across his throat.
Everyone burst out laughing at the joke. It had been an awkward and frightening place for them, but Geom Mugeuk’s humor eased their tension.
“Now, enjoy your food while watching the performances. They say several performances have been prepared for today, so look forward to them.”
The residents of Maga Village watched the performances. It was their first time seeing such beautiful music and entertainment.
Jo Chunbae wiped away his tears.
“Why are you crying?”
“It’s nothing. I’ve never seen such an enchanting performance in my life.”
As if that were the real reason. He was crying again because he was grateful to Geom Mugeuk for taking such good care of them.
“Stay and watch all the performances before you leave.”
Geom Mugeuk took Jo Chunbae’s hand. Unlike on other days, when Jo Chunbae had been overwhelmed with gratitude, today he firmly grasped Geom Mugeuk’s hand in return.
Then, belatedly realizing what he had done, he exclaimed, “Oh!” and hurriedly withdrew his bony, warm hand in surprise.
The next person Geom Mugeuk and Ian looked after was Seo Daeryong.
“Young Cult Leader!”
“Pavilion Lord Hwangcheon.”
With countless eyes focused on him, Seo Daeryong behaved with dignity as he offered his congratulations. In his heart, he wanted to run over and embrace them tightly.
You know I’m the senior in this field, right? He wanted to congratulate them while putting on all sorts of airs and cracking jokes.
“Congratulations, Young Cult Leader.”
“Thank you.”
Beside Seo Daeryong stood his wife, Dana, holding their son.
Geom Mugeuk went over and took the child into his arms.
“Yeongha, your father is a truly wonderful man, someone the cult cannot do without. So you must grow up strong and healthy! Take after your mother in looks and your father in brains! Understand?”
Seo Daeryong had already been overwhelmed with emotion, but hearing Geom Mugeuk say such things in front of everyone moved him deeply.
Seo Daeryong’s sisters-in-law, Danbi and Danyeon, also offered their congratulations.
“Congratulations, Young Cult Leader!”
Geom Mugeuk spoke to the youngest, Danyeon.
“At least today, I’m more handsome than my father, aren’t I?”
When they had first met, Danyeon had said that Geom Ujin was the most handsome.
Danyeon looked toward Geom Ujin in the distance. Her eyes were instantly drawn toward him, and that expression answered the question for her.
“That’s too cruel, little sister-in-law.”
Danyeon smiled and replied,
“Today, our Young Cult Leader is the most handsome!”
Jang Ho, who was standing beside them, cupped his fists politely and offered his congratulations.
“Many congratulations.”
Ian sent him a look. We absolutely have to hold our drinking gathering!
Jang Ho smiled and nodded.
Of course, it would be difficult in reality. Ian, the commander of the Ghost Guard, and Ian, the Young Cult Leader’s wife, would be living completely different lives.
“Lord Jang, be sure to paint our wedding ceremony today.”
“I understand.”
Next, Geom Mugeuk and Ian met Ak Gunhak and Cha Iran.
Cha Iran spoke to them.
“Thank you.”
Instead of saying congratulations, she said thank you.
Quick-witted as ever, Ian immediately understood why she had said it. Their marriage had evidently brought about a decisive change in the relationship between the two.
So Ian was the one who offered Cha Iran congratulations.
“Congratulations!”
“It’s all thanks to you.”
Did Geom Mugeuk really not understand what those words meant?
He whispered into Ak Gunhak’s ear.
“Is it all right to make a decision this suddenly?”
Ak Gunhak whispered back.
“Who do you think turned the man who wanted to quietly run an inn by himself into this?”
“I didn’t think you’d actually do it just because I told you to.”
Is this guy insane? Ak Gunhak was wondering whether he should grab the groom by the collar at least once, when—
“Stop teasing my man.”
The person who said it with such force was Cha Iran.
Geom Mugeuk whispered to Ak Gunhak again.
“I think it’s too late to turn back now.”
“I can hear you!”
At Cha Iran’s shout, Geom Mugeuk beamed. If the two of them ran the inn as husband and wife—
“A legendary inn will be born in the martial world.”
That was exactly what Cha Iran intended, now that they had started down this path.
“Yes. We intend to raise it into something like that.”
Ak Gunhak said to Geom Mugeuk,
“There are many people waiting. Go on and see them. Come visit us often.”
“Brother Ak, thanks for coming.”
Seeing Cha Iran link arms with Ak Gunhak, Geom Mugeuk and Ian turned away.
Just then, the dancers’ performance came to an end.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The sweet music stopped, and drums rang out for the next performance—the sword dance.
It felt as though the sound was expressing Ak Gunhak’s future.
“What are we going to do about our poor Brother Ak?”
Cha Iran’s voice carried from far away.
“I can hear you!”
Laughing, Geom Mugeuk and Ian hurried off.
On a day like this, they could have pretended to be busy and simply passed by.
But Geom Mugeuk made sure to greet every person who caught his eye.
“Chungui!”
When he called her name loudly, Chungui, who had been speaking with Ma Ui, was startled.
At the name Chungui, the people around them turned their eyes toward her.
Chungui? The money-grubber Chungui? That’s the money-grubber Chungui? Whispers arose here and there.
Geom Mugeuk infused his voice with inner power and spoke to everyone.
“You have all misunderstood her until now. Elder Chungui has spent her entire life raising orphans with the money she earned.
She has lived a more valuable life than anyone here. In the name of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult’s Young Cult Leader, I guarantee that what I have said is true.”
When Geom Mugeuk revealed the truth about her, Chungui asked in surprise,
“Why are you doing this?”
She would normally have shouted angrily, but given the occasion, Chungui asked as politely as she could.
“You’ve been cursed at your whole life, haven’t you? I want you to spend the rest of your life being praised by people.”
“!”
“You deserve that much, Elder Chungui.”
“I did not do those things seeking such praise.”
“I know. That’s why I revealed it. Because I know you would never reveal it yourself.”
Geom Mugeuk looked at her gently as he spoke.
“I’ve already caused the trouble, so I don’t know anything!”
Geom Mugeuk led Ian away as though fleeing and added,
“Starting today, I’m off duty, and you’re off duty too, Elder Chungui!”
How could Chungui not understand Geom Mugeuk’s heart?
Flustered by the eyes pouring down upon her, she sighed. Then Ma Ui, who was standing beside her, spoke.
“To confess, I was the same.”
At her questioning look, Ma Ui told her about his own circumstances.
“I was living a different life from the one I live now. It was a dark and gloomy existence. But the Young Cult Leader dragged me out into a place where there was light.”
Ma Ui’s expression was peaceful, as if to show that he was not lying.
“I am satisfied with the life I live now.”
Ma Ui looked at her and added one last thing.
“How much longer do you think we have to live, anyway? That remarkable young man led us into the light, so let’s pretend we can’t resist and live this life as our own. We can meet from time to time and talk about medicine as well.”
Chungui eventually nodded. Yes, her life had already changed greatly because of the Young Cult Leader. Fine. Let’s see what life in this bright world will be like.
Meanwhile, Geom Mugeuk continued on and this time went to see the Lord of Cheonhwa Pavilion.
The Lord of Cheonhwa Pavilion gave Ian a tight hug.
“This woman will live better than anyone.”
“You know, don’t you? I believe everything you say as though it were carved in stone.”
“Yes. You may believe me.”
“Thank you.”
As the two women spoke, a person walking in the distance caught Geom Mugeuk’s eye.
He was as small as an ant from here, but Geom Mugeuk could tell that it was Goeak.
—Thank you for coming.
Goeak was startled. He was surprised that Geom Mugeuk had recognized him from so far away, and even more surprised that he had sent a voice transmission.
It was clear that Geom Mugeuk had reached the realm where he could freely employ the Thousand-Li Voice Transmission technique.
Goeak could not send his voice that far, so he merely waved.
“Live well, Young Cult Leader.”
He had been walking away, thinking that he would never see Geom Mugeuk again until the day he died. But after exchanging such a final farewell, he did not feel bad.
While Geom Mugeuk and Ian greeted the guests, Geom Ujin was drinking with the Alliance Leaders, Han Seogyeong, and So Baekta.
They talked not only about the Central Plains, but also about the state of affairs in the Outer Lands and the Northern Sea.
It was truly as if the entire martial world had gathered in one place for a conference.
A little farther away, the young successors were seated, while the Eight Demon Venerables, the Evil Dao Alliance, and the experts from the Northern Sea and the Outer Lands sat in separate groups beside them, drinking.
As they talked, a cheer rose from the direction where Geom Mugeuk was standing. The Faceless Guests had come to congratulate Geom Mugeuk and Ian.
Amid the Faceless Guests in their splendid masks, Geom Mugeuk was laughing with delight. It was such a radiant smile that one could not help but wonder if anyone really could be that happy.
Not only the Faceless Guests, but also the Demon Swords, Blade Devils, and Iron Fists were mingling together. Normally, the subordinates of the Demon Lords did not associate with one another, but at least today, they mingled as though they belonged to a single organization.
Watching Geom Mugeuk surrounded by people, Jin Paecheon suddenly had a thought.
When had it been? When had he ever stood like that among the martial artists of the Martial Alliance? And when had he ever mingled with the residents near the Martial Alliance headquarters, the way he had with the people of Maga Village?
Had there truly ever been such a time?
At some point, he had become busy and begun living a life surrounded only by certain people. Among experts and venerable masters—though looking back now, it was not as if he had been quite that busy.
Why had he lived as though he were always being pursued?
As he let out a soft sigh, Baek Jagang silently poured him a drink, as though he knew exactly what Jin Paecheon was thinking.
Jin Hagun and Bisa-in also drank as they watched Geom Mugeuk.
“As always, that fellow gives us an answer.”
Jin Hagun believed that sight was the answer to what kind of Alliance Leader he ought to become.
Bisa-in gave a faint smile and said,
“The problem is that even if you peek at the answer sheet of the person beside you, it isn’t easy to write down the answer.”
Everyone smiled faintly at his words. What Geom Mugeuk was showing them now was not something one could accomplish merely by imitating him.
“Still, there is one fortunate thing.”
Han Seol spoke unexpectedly.
“The two of them will show us the answer there as well, while living their married life together.”
Jin Haryeong shook her head and replied,
“Though I cannot say for certain, I doubt even that answer will be easy to copy. Not if it is those two as husband and wife.”
Everyone wore expressions of agreement at her words.
“In any case, he is far too popular. It will take quite a while for him to make his way over to us.”
Bisa-in looked toward Geom Mugeuk. This time, the members of the merchant groups who had come as wedding guests were not letting him go.
Yong Jamyeong of the Silver River Merchant Group was introducing his son, while Geum A-su of the Golden Manor was presenting his grandson, who had grown so much.
Geom Mugeuk was jokingly telling them to line up according to the order in which they had brought their expensive wedding gifts.
The road from there to here was long—very long.
Even though he was a man whose qinggong was faster than anyone else’s, a man who could fly like a ray of light.
Yes, that was probably why.
Because he was the one who had filled that road to overflowing with people, because he knew how deep the feelings contained in each of those steps were.
That was why the Cult Leader, the Alliance Leader, the Palace Lord, and their successors were all so willing to wait.
Even when the Cult Leader, the Alliance Leader, and the Palace Lord were waiting, he was the sort of man who would first take the hands of the people of Maga Village. That was why they were willing to wait.
Bisa-in emptied the cup in his hand and said with a smile,
“Well, whose wedding is it? How could it end so easily?”