Translator: FenrirTL
Editor/Quality Checker/Notes : Saphartlantis
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Chapter 389: Where is the Young Cult Leader's Demonic Path?
It was the moment the Righteous-Demonic ‘joint operation’ was disbanded.
What now? You’ve been talking a lot lately, you say? Did you think I was looking at you to hear that kind of answer? And yet, while staring straight into my eyes, you stab me in the back like this?
Baek Jagang’s expression brightened, firing the signal that the Unorthodox-Demonic ‘joint operation’ had been newly formed.
‘These Unorthodox-Demonic heretic bastards!’ 1
Whether they did or not, Geom Woojin spoke again, as if to show that his words were sincere.
“We go hunting together, fishing, and sometimes play Go too.”
Geom Mugeuk was startled.
“Huh? But we’ve never gone fishing together?”
In that moment, Jin Paecheon’s eyes glinted coldly. Did he just make that up? He doesn’t even talk to his children? Even under suspicious gazes, Geom Woojin remained composed.
“Do you think you’re my only son?”
Of course, Geom Mugeuk had guessed that he had gone fishing with his older brother when he asked. Their father wasn’t someone who made things up. He just wanted to show here that he also cared well for his older brother.
“You’re too much! Please go fishing with me too!”
Ignoring him, Geom Woojin looked at Jin Paecheon and spoke.
“Spending time with my son was good, but it was also time I needed for myself.”
The two men’s gazes met in midair.
That arrogant and haughty look that could irritate people just by being seen. That was why it was clear. That this wasn’t a lie. That gaze wouldn’t feel the need to lie.
“Right, time with your child is good, and time for yourself is good too.”
Jin Paecheon’s gaze settled coldly.
“Then what about the others?”
The excitement that had been rising moments ago vanished in an instant.
This was no longer a grandfather bragging about his children. It was Jin Paecheon, the Alliance Leader of the martial world, asking.
Baek Jagang also silently watched, waiting to see what answer Geom Woojin would give.
Geom Woojin stared at the liquor bottle placed before him. Depending on the answer, that bottle’s drink might not even get its first pour.
“Do you think taking time for others could stop us?”
The moment he finished speaking, the air instantly shifted. It grew cold and heavy.
Bih Sa-in looked at Geom Mugeuk. Jin Hagun and Jin Haryeong also looked at Geom Mugeuk.
But Geom Mugeuk didn’t look back at them. Instead, he looked at his father’s back. His father and the Heavenly Demon Spirit etched on his back were not ones to look back. They were people who only moved forward.
His father, who had briefly looked back because of his son, was now facing forward again. Looking at the entire martial world.
Just now, he asked the Alliance Leader of the martial world. Can you stop us?
The first to react were the righteous faction elites on the first floor.
They all simultaneously released their energy and prepared to strike at any moment. What the Cult Leader had said moments ago was a clear provocation.
The unorthodox masters also made full preparations. They shared secret messages as they discussed strategies on how to move when a fight broke out between the Demonic Cult and the righteous factions.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon continued to stare at the righteous masters standing in front of him with his arms crossed. His expression was serious, as if he were pondering who to cut down first if a fight broke out.
But in truth, his mind was elsewhere. As long as Geom Woojin and Geom Mugeuk were up there, he believed no battle would erupt.
Right now, he was thinking of Seo Daeryong. After hearing the conversation from the second floor, he realized he had never once had a deep conversation with his own disciple. 2
‘I should find time to meet him separately soon.’
This thought surprised him. But he didn’t hate it. In the past, he would’ve been repulsed. Back then, he believed that such soft sentiments only hastened one’s demise.
Suddenly, he recalled something Geom Mugeuk had once said he’d heard from the Cult Leader.
What a perfectly cheap emotion to die to.
Right, that’s probably how he would’ve thought. He used to live thinking just like the Cult Leader. But lately, he often thought that perhaps that emotion might be the most valuable of all the ones he had.
Gu Cheonpa turned his head toward the heat he felt beside him.
So Yeonrang had already picked her target. If a chaotic fight broke out, she intended to kill the Supreme Sword of Great Principle.
And because Jin Gwang had already sensed her killing intent, he was even secretly hoping the battle would begin.
‘We must wipe out every last one of these Demonic Cult bastards.’
That had always been his unwavering belief.
As the tension thickened, the Great Drunken Demon popped open a bottle and took a deep swig.
The faint aroma of liquor intensified the pressure in the room.
Of course, even in this situation, there were people who remained composed.
The Poison King had opened the window and rested his chin on the sill, gazing outside.
If it was anybody else they might have sent a cold wave of energy his way for being so arrogant, but no one dared pick a fight with the Poison King. He could be killed, yes—but it would mean everyone else dying too. That was the kind of existence the Poison King had always been.
Just as the tension was about to reach its breaking point—
Geom Mugeuk sent a secret message to Baek Jagang.
―Please try to calm things down.
―Me?
It surprised him to be asked for help, but he couldn’t say he disliked it.
―Then who else is going to do it?
―If the righteous faction and the Demonic Cult fight, that’s perfect for us, no?
―What if they bond while fighting?
―Hmm, that would be a problem.
Among the three here, Baek Jagang was still the most flexible one.
“Sa-in, pour me a drink.”
“Yes, Master.”
Bih Sa-in filled Baek Jagang’s glass.
Both Geom Woojin and Jin Paecheon understood his intent. If they truly weren’t going to engage in a life-or-death battle here.
“Mugeuk, pour me a drink.”
“Yes, Father.”
Jin Paecheon, not to be outdone, also spoke.
“Hagun, pour me a drink.”
“Yes, Grandfather.”
And so, the three of them each drank a glass.
As he set his glass down, Jin Paecheon asked Geom Mugeuk,
“You say your Demonic Path is here?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Where is that Demonic Path of yours?”
At Jin Paecheon’s question, all eyes turned to Geom Mugeuk. Not only Jin Paecheon—Baek Jagang was also curious. Just where in this tavern was his Demonic Path hidden?
A completely unexpected answer came from Geom Mugeuk’s mouth.
“You’re looking at it right now.”
“What do you mean?”
Geom Mugeuk looked toward Jo Chunbae, who was standing awkwardly, unable to return downstairs. 3
Only then did Jin Paecheon realize—Geom Mugeuk’s Demonic Path was Jo Chunbae.
“That tavern owner is your Demonic Path?”
“Yes.”
The most shocked of all was Jo Chunbae himself. He had grown used to being surprised these days, but this time broke his personal record.
Have you ever been someone’s Demonic Path? This guy must be drunk. And in front of the Cult Leader, the Alliance Leader, and the Unorthodox Alliance Leader, no less. Good grief, he’s very drunk indeed.
This time, Jin Paecheon directed the question to Jo Chunbae.
“Are you the Young Cult Leader’s Demonic Path?”
“How could I dare…”
Jo Chunbae was so flustered he didn’t know what to say.
“I’d like to hear what you think. I want to hear the view of the person involved. I’m not threatening you, so feel free to answer at ease.”
But how could this be a situation where he could feel “at ease”? 4
Panicking, Jo Chunbae looked around in confusion, and then suddenly glanced at Geom Mugeuk.
Geom Mugeuk was looking at him with a smile. As always, Geom Mugeuk’s eyes spoke to him. ‘I’m here, so don’t be afraid.’
How could he ever repay the grace of someone who gave such meaning to someone as insignificant as himself? Repaying it with his life wouldn’t even come close to being enough.
“I…”
As he began to speak, the surroundings fell completely silent—even the sound of breathing disappeared. He could feel that everyone’s attention was focused on him.
‘Oh, heart—please stop pounding!’
Jin Paecheon smiled and said,
“Just speak like you did this morning, thinking of me as that person. You spoke well then, didn’t you?”
Spoke well? He didn’t just speak—he even scolded the Alliance Leader a little.
Jo Chunbae took a deep breath and began to speak. In truth, these were words he wanted to say not only to Jin Paecheon, but to the Heavenly Demon, Geom Woojin as well. And now was his only chance. So Jo Chunbae summoned his courage.
“The Young Cult Leader opened a branch of the Underworld Pavilion across from our tavern. He told us to go there and report any injustices. We’d spent our whole lives getting pushed around by martial artists, but now we’ve seen the Underworld Pavilion’s martial artists in person, and we’ve even filed reports with them. These days, we’ve gotten close to them. When we have some tasty food, we bring it over to the people in the branch so they can enjoy it too.”
His voice trembled so much that it only added to the sincerity of his words.
“The Young Cult Leader often came to my tavern and drank with us. And he said this to me: ‘My Demonic Path does not break tables’.”
The masters on the first floor, who were hearing this for the first time, looked at each other and exchanged glances. Did they mishear? Doesn’t break what?
“After that, the people who used to get drunk and cause trouble by beating others started disappearing. The martial artists who treated the merchants here like servants also stopped showing up. There were fewer accidental deaths, and fewer people went missing. I don’t know what a Demonic Path is, or what is the Righteous Path or the Unorthodox Path.”
Jo Chunbae was speaking with his eyes tightly shut. The only thing giving him strength to overcome his fear was his devotion to Geom Mugeuk.
“However, if I were given a choice to pick just one ‘path’ out of all the paths in the world, I would choose the Young Cult Leader’s Demonic Path without hesitation. Even if I don’t know what it is, I would still choose it. I dare say, everyone in Maga Village would do the same. When everyone else was far away, the Young Cult Leader stayed by our side.”
Having come this far, Jo Chunbae revealed a truth he had never once spoken aloud before.
“I hope the Young Cult Leader doesn’t go on to do anything too great. Because I know he’ll always care for those he meets and move for the sake of everyone. I worry that such things might be too hard on him. I worry he might get worn out.” 5
As if in a trance, Jo Chunbae lowered his head deeply after finishing his words.
“I, someone so lowly, have spoken far beyond my place. Please forgive me.”
His body trembled violently. Now that he had finished speaking, fear surged in. He couldn’t even remember exactly what he had said. Had he been disrespectful? Had he done something that should never have been done?
Geom Mugeuk approached him and spoke gently.
“Thank you, tavern keeper. What tavern keeper in the world would stand in this place and speak on my behalf?”
“It’s the other way around. What kind of Young Cult Leader would speak on behalf of a tavern keeper? If it’s for the Young Cult Leader, I have no regrets dying right here.”
Geom Woojin, Jin Paecheon, and Baek Jagang silently watched Jo Chunbae’s eyes, burning with sincerity. Geom Muyang, Bih Sa-in, Jin Hagun, and Jin Haryeong did the same. So did the Demon Supremes and the masters of the orthodox and unorthodox factions on the first floor.
Some deeply understood the relationship between the two. Some didn’t understand it at all. A few thought it was a trick, a performance. Others saw it as pathetic. 6
And then—
Ttorororong.
With a clear, ringing sound, Geom Woojin poured liquor into the glass before him.
“Tavern keeper, come and receive a drink from me.” *
“!”
Jo Chunbae turned pale at Geom Woojin’s words.
“How could I possibly!”
He trembled uncontrollably—but who could just ignore such an order?
Jo Chunbae rushed over and respectfully received the drink.
“Now drink it, and pour me one in return.”
After drinking it, Jo Chunbae poured a drink for Geom Woojin. His hands were trembling so much that the liquor spilled outside the cup.
But the spilled liquor flowed back into the glass as if by magic. Geom Woojin had used Void Telekinesis at an extreme level to return the overflowing liquor back into the cup. Not a single drop touched the floor.
At that moment, Jo Chunbae met Geom Woojin’s gaze for the first time.
It lasted only a brief second, but it was a look Jo Chunbae would never forget for the rest of his life.
Right then—
“Let me offer you a drink as well.”
Amazingly, the one who spoke was Jin Paecheon. His sincerity toward Geom Mugeuk had reached the heart of the Alliance Leader. That’s why these words too came from his heart.
“I still don’t fully understand the Young Cult Leader’s Demonic Path, but at the very least, I can clearly see why it is here.”
Jin Paecheon poured Jo Chunbae a drink.
Baek Jagang didn’t stay still either.
He gestured silently for Jo Chunbae to come closer.
Baek Jagang didn’t say a word. He simply poured Jo Chunbae a drink and lightly clinked his own glass against it. 7
Clink.
The clear sound of the glasses meeting echoed softly through the tavern.
That sound became the signal that released the tension hanging in the air.
Geom Mugeuk called out loudly.
“Father, Alliance Leader, we’ll have a drink as well!”
As Geom Woojin and the two Alliance Leaders nodded in approval, Geom Mugeuk took the four others with him and secured a corner on the second floor.
“Tavern keeper, bring us some drinks here!”
“Yes, coming!”
Jo Chunbae rushed over with liquor and cups.
Just as they were all about to sit down, have a drink, and greet each other—
Something flew through the air from the back and slowly floated toward their table.
Borne on Void Telekinesis, it was a dish of sautéed mushrooms that landed precisely in front of Bih Sa-in.
Then came Baek Jagang’s voice from behind.
“Mushrooms—Sa-in’s favorite.” 8
Bih Sa-in’s eyes widened. It was the most flustered expression he had ever shown since the start of the meeting.
Then, the duck dish on Jin Paecheon’s table couldn’t sit still any longer.
The dish Jin Paecheon had sent flew through the air and landed in front of Jin Hagun.
“Hagun, it’s duck—your favorite. Don’t drink on an empty stomach.”
Then something happened that no one ever expected—the dish from Geom Woojin’s table also floated into the air.
The dish that flew from Geom Woojin’s table landed in front of Geom Mugeuk.
“This is the one I hate, though?”
To that, Geom Woojin replied.
“That’s why I sent it. Because I hate it too.”
From Geom Mugeuk’s seat, only his father’s back was visible. It felt as if the Heavenly Demon Spirit engraved on that back was wearing the same smile as his Father.
“Of course! Blood doesn't lie. We have the same taste! But still, the dish my father sent is the best!”
At Geom Mugeuk’s shout, Jin Hagun called out loudly.
“No! The dish the Alliance Leader sent is the best!”
Bih Sa-in, not one to back down, shouted even louder.
“No! The dish my master sent is the best!”
Watching this new competition unfold, Jin Haryeong smiled with an expression that said, ‘What am I going to do with these guys?’ She recalled a saying—no matter how old men get, they’re still just boys. And to study men, you may as well study children. These men are the ones protecting the martial world.
“Why are you smiling like that?”
When Geom Mugeuk asked, she raised her glass and answered.
“Because I feel so reassured. Come on, let’s all have a drink!”
1 : Lol, so quick to turn coats XDXDXD
2 : It’s always the little ripples, accumulating over time that can change a person's heart for the best.
3 : Looool, I forgot he got stuck XDXDXD Missed his timing escaping ^^
4 : Yeaaah, it’s like having the president of USA suddenly coming to your house and asking you what is your view on life, of course you’re gonna be flustered XDXDXD
5 : He really is a friend. Even if they haven’t spent that much time together, he too senses that Mugeuk works himself too hard.
6 : Not everyone can understand or even care to do so. As long as the message reaches those it was meant to be, it’s all that matters.
7 : His grandkids will never believe his boasts XDXDXD Such a happy conundrum to have ^^
8 : Lol, still boasting even now, so petty XDXDXD
* : For eastern cultures, pouring a drink and receiving one in return is one of the highest marks of respect.
Whether it's between spouses at their wedding, negotiations between tribes over the division of pastures, a child honoring their ancestors, or welcoming a pilgrim to your home, it is one of their oldest social rituals.
Drinks vary from alcohol to tea, depending on the regions and availability of local resources (as an obvious example, water is more valuable in a desert than near a lake, duh. Also, getting drunk in a desert is such a baaaad idea XDXDXD).
This tradition ranges from Morocco to Japan, and goes back as far as a thousand years (historians debate if it first appeared in the 8th or 9th centuries. Not that important, really.)
There are even Chinese clay teapots from 400 years old who still conserve their patina from their repeated use to this day, though they do require constant maintenance to keep it (the tea ceremony scene in Sherlock season 1 ep 2 explain it well, go watch it).
So to resume, it kinda is a big deal for a humble tavern owner to receive a drink from one of the most powerful people in the world ^^