Chapter 394 : My Gathering Had Now Ended

Translator: FenrirTL

Editor/Quality Checker/Notes : Saphartlantis

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Chapter 394: My Gathering Had Now Ended

“Why did it get so quiet outside?”

At Songyi’s words, Jo Chunbae turned his head.

Stir-frying and boiling, grilling.

He was completely focused on wrestling with dishes in the kitchen. For fear he might be late, or the food might not taste good, he had been pouring all his effort into cooking.

Jo Chunbae cautiously poked his head out from the kitchen. The once bustling first floor had grown quiet, and everyone was looking up at the second floor.

Jo Chunbae also came out from the kitchen and looked up.

To his surprise, the Unorthodox Alliance Leader was leaving writing on the wall.

‘Gasp!’

Jo Chunbae covered his mouth.

He couldn’t see what had been written, but there was another message left above the writing by the Unorthodox Alliance Leader. It was undoubtedly left by the Martial Alliance Leader.

‘Ah!’

Jo Chunbae was so shocked and excited that his legs began to tremble. He had thought there was nothing more left to surprise him. Today, Jo Chunbae’s heart was growing stronger.

Meanwhile, after seeing the writing left by his master on the wall, Bih Sa-in lowered his head as if in embarrassment. But a smile formed on his lips.

The message had been left during the Three-Way Summit, so it was bound to become a hot topic in the entire martial world. It was something that might go down in history for a very long time.

There was no way his master didn’t understand that, and yet, he had still mentioned him. Even in this moment, his master had made him the protagonist instead of Geom Mugeuk or Jin Hagun.

After leaving the writing, Jin Paecheon and Baek Jagang came down. Behind them, the Heavenly Demon and the successors followed. The sight of them descending the stairs was deeply etched into Jo Chunbae’s heart. Every scene unfolding here was moving to him.

The masters on the lower floor didn’t know exactly what had been discussed upstairs. That was because Geom Woojin had prevented any sound from leaking outside during the conversation.

However, judging by the expressions of the three leaders and the fact that they had even left messages on the wall before descending, one could infer that this historic summit had ended in success.

As Jin Paecheon was about to step outside, he smiled and said to Jo Chunbae, who was standing in front of the kitchen.

“The drinks and the food were excellent.”

From Jo Chunbae’s mouth, the words “Oh my, thank you” came out on their own. Normally, he would have rushed over to bow, but he couldn’t do that in front of the Heavenly Demon. So instead, he bowed slightly in front of the kitchen to show his gratitude.

When Jin Paecheon walked out, Jin Hagun and Jin Haryeong followed behind him, and then the orthodox masters fanned out to the left and right, walking in line. It was so orderly and quiet, one would never guess they had been drinking and chatting just moments ago. 1

Before they left, there was one incident known only to the parties involved.

The Supreme Sword of the Great Principle took one last glance at the One-Slash Sword Supreme, and she, too did not avoid that gaze to the very end.

Gu Cheonpa beside them didn’t say “young, so young” to So Yeonrang. Instead, he sent a sound transmission to Jin Gwang.

―Stop glaring already.

The Supreme Sword of the Great Principle glared at Old man Blade. Far from being intimidated, a cold retort was fired back.

―Before I gouge out your eyeballs.

Jin Gwang was taken aback—he hadn’t expected the Blood Heaven Blade Demon to speak so crudely. He couldn’t even yell in response. Judging by the ferocity in that stare, reacting to it might’ve prompted him to shout “let’s take this outside” on the spot.

Regardless of whether he could win or lose in a fight with the Blade Demon, they couldn’t start a battle now—not after a successful summit where even the Cult Leader and the Alliance Leader had exchanged farewells.

‘He knows that and is doing this on purpose.’

The Supreme Sword of the Great Principle turned his head away with a sharp snap as he continued glaring at Gu Cheonpa.

‘Damn these cursed cult bastards!’

He was utterly fed up with this demonic path. 2

The One-Slash Sword Supreme asked the Blood Heaven Blade Demon via sound transmission.

―What did you say?

―I politely asked him to stop looking.

She didn’t believe that for a second. That reaction earlier was not to any kind of polite request.

―Thank you, my friend.

As Old man Blade looked at her with a dumbfounded expression, she replied.

―We’re the same age now, aren’t we?

Gu Cheonpa gave a faint smile. At least, the way he had dealt with Jin Gwang a moment ago fit the sentiment, “If I were ten years younger!” The actual curse he’d used, though, was something he’d last said forty years ago. If not for So Yeonrang, it was something he never would’ve said again.

Next, the unorthodox faction departed.

Before leaving, Baek Jagang glanced once at Geom Woojin and Geom Mugeuk.

‘Let’s see how the harvest turns out someday.’

It was the thought that if their “crop” was Bih Sa-in, this might be a fight worth having.

Baek Jagang also walked out. Behind him, the martial masters of the unorthodox faction lined up and followed.

Having seen off all the masters of the orthodox and unorthodox sides, Geom Woojin was the last to leave. Behind him, Geom Muyang and the eight Demonic Supremes spread into wings and followed.

And just like that, everyone left the place. The only ones left in the Flowing Wind Tavern were Jo Chunbae and Geom Mugeuk.

Ah, there was also one more person.

“Songyi. You worked hard today.”

He paid Songyi, who had been working in the kitchen, and sent her off. Since it had been an especially busy day, he gave her twice the usual wage and packed up a large portion of leftover food from the kitchen for her.

“Thank you! You should get some rest early too, sir.”

And with that, even Songyi left, and only Geom Mugeuk and Jo Chunbae remained.

Geom Mugeuk looked at Jo Chunbae with soft eyes.

“You really worked hard.”

“It... feels like a dream.”

Jo Chunbae plopped down on the floor. Then, suddenly stood back up.

“Um, may I go upstairs for a moment?”

“Let’s go together.”

Jo Chunbae stood in front of the second-floor wall, overwhelmed.

“I never imagined a day like this would come.”

The Heavenly Demon, the Leader of the Martial Alliance, and even the Unorthodox Alliance Leader had left behind their writings on the wall of his tavern. Likely, there wasn’t a single tavern in the world like this. There never had been until now, and there never would be again.

At the same time, Jo Chunbae felt a sudden fear.

“I’m scared.”

“What are you afraid of?”

“What if this wall gets damaged?”

The mere thought of it filled him with terror, and Jo Chunbae began to tremble. What if someone showed up in the morning and scribbled on the wall? What if someone destroyed it? What if they stole the entire wall?

Geom Mugeuk smiled as he spoke.

“That would make them the enemy of everyone in the Orthodox, Unorthodox, and Demonic factions. Who would dare? Even if someone were to take the wall, where would they be able to sell it?”

Geom Mugeuk knew that such words couldn’t completely ease Jo Chunbae’s mind. He would remain anxious and worried.

“Even if something like that did happen, in its own way, it would still carry meaning.”

“Pardon? What do you mean by that?”

“Someday, for some reason or another, someone damages the wall and disappears. That, too, would become a moment in history. Perhaps even a more interesting one.” 3

Jo Chunbae never expected Geom Mugeuk to say such things.

“As long as the owner remembers this moment, that’s all that matters. Then, this moment will remain forever. Look. Among those who left their writing on the wall—who would get angry if the wall was damaged? They’d likely come back and leave another message.”

It was the moment when the heavy stone weighing on Jo Chunbae’s chest was finally lifted.

“So let us remember this moment well in our hearts.”

“Yes, Young Cult Leader.”

How could someone so young be this thoughtful? No matter how much he pondered it, Jo Chunbae simply couldn’t understand.

“May I offer you a drink?”

“Of course. I’ll accept a drink from the tavern owner.”

Jo Chunbae politely poured Geom Mugeuk a drink.

“As expected! A drink from our tavern owner tastes the best.”

After drinking it down in one refreshing gulp, Geom Mugeuk lifted the bottle.

“Now have a drink from me as well.”

He poured a full cup for Jo Chunbae.

Jo Chunbae respectfully received it and emptied the glass.

As he drank, he could finally feel that the biggest event of his tavern life had come to an end.

And then, Jo Chunbae saw it. Geom Mugeuk, quietly seated, gazing out forlornly at the street beyond the tavern.

A side of him unlike when he was smiling and chatting all the time. Jo Chunbae now understood. That calm, lonely figure was the true self of the Young Cult Leader.

“Tavern owner, I’ll be on my way now.”

Jo Chunbae couldn’t think of what to say to bid farewell. How could he express this immense gratitude in words? So he said the same thing he always said to customers at the tavern.

“Please come again, sir!”

How could Geom Mugeuk not understand his feelings? Matching Jo Chunbae’s tone, Geom Mugeuk responded like a regular customer.

“May your business flourish, tavern owner.”

As Geom Mugeuk stepped out of the tavern, the townspeople who had been holding their breath outside began to enter. Tonight, Jo Chunbae would surely be boasting until late. No one would dare even cough near that wall. As long as these people lived, the wall would live on too.

*         *         *

Upon returning to the Cult, I headed straight to the Heavenly Demon Pavilion.

I went to see the true protagonist of today’s summit. But the one who had led the Three-Way Summit to success—my father—was not in the Cult Leader’s Hall.

“The Young Cult Leader is to be brought here when he arrives,” said Uncle Hui.

He guided me to the private hot spring behind my father’s residence, reserved only for the Cult Leader. Normally, I was not allowed back here, but for some reason today, he had permitted it.

Father was soaking in the hot spring, steam rising all around him.

“A bath with Father for the first time in ages! This is nice!”

Just as I was about to take off my clothes, Father raised his hand. My open robe was forced shut, and I was pushed back by Void Telekinesis. 4

“You’re being cruel! Please let me in too!”

Father firmly shook his head.

“You added a tonic to that water, didn’t you? The kind that makes your skin as tough as steel? That’s why you’re bathing alone, isn’t it?”

Father closed his eyes slowly and spoke.

“It’s just ordinary water. Passed down from long ago.”

“Then shouldn’t you at least add some kind of tonic? It’s the Heavenly Demon’s bath, after all.”

“Why don’t you go buy one and add it yourself?”

“Natural is best, after all.”

Yes, no matter how much my father had changed, he was not someone to share a bath. The very fact that he’d allowed me this close was already a major change.

“Then I’ll at least enjoy the steam from here.”

I sat in front of the hot spring.

“How was it, meeting the Alliance Leader and the Unorthodox Alliance Leader?”

“They’re the same as ever.”

Even if he didn’t say it, he must have seen things I couldn’t. To Father, those two must have carried a different weight.

As he quietly gazed at me, Father spoke softly.

“You look tired.”

With just that one sentence, the tightness that had gripped my heart all day seemed to melt away.

As expected! Father always noticed.

I was tired. Truly exhausted.

I had danced, laughed, and joked, but from the beginning of the summit to the very end, I had been on edge.

Just in case those people planned some scheme during the summit, I had been on full alert the entire time. Even with Father, Jin Paecheon and Baek Jagang present—no, precisely because they were present—I had to be even more cautious. Schemes always crept in during moments of carelessness.

Fortunately, the summit ended without incident.

I believe the reason the enemies didn’t make a clumsy attempt was actually because of their strength. They made the right decision. Plotting something in a gathering like this would only end up exposing their tail and harming themselves—an accurate calculation.

If they had caused trouble in a situation where the entire Orthodox, Unorthodox, and Demonic factions were assembled, it would have only brought this side closer together.

“It seems I was more nervous than I realized.”

Father nodded.

“Aren’t you going to tell me I did well?”

“You did well.”

“Even if I had to nudge my father’s side to get that compliment, it still feels good.”

I looked around the hot spring.

“I remember coming in here before.”

For a moment, the corners of Father’s eyes trembled slightly. The steam obscured my view, but through the New Eye Technique, I could clearly see Father’s expression beyond the steam.

“I remember crying because it was too hot. You carried me in. I remember my brother too. He was sitting up front pretending it wasn’t hot at all. Now that I think about it, even back then, he wanted to look good in front of you.” 5

“Even after becoming the successor, you still talk behind your brother behind his back.”

“You saw how cool he was earlier, didn’t you? He’s not someone you can afford to lower your guard around.”

It wasn’t meant to slander my brother. Father surely knew I brought it up to say how impressive my brother had been earlier.

After a brief pause, I spoke to Father politely.

“Thank you, Father.”

“For what?”

“For everything.”

My Demonic Path stands in stark contrast to my father's. He must have noticed that again today. It must bother him, must weigh down on his mind. But he never showed a hint of it.

After a moment of silence, Father said,

“You must be tired. Go and get some rest.”

“Yes, Father. Please rest well too.”

Of course, I didn’t leave just like that.

Splash.

I playfully flicked water at Father and ran off at full speed.

Of course, not a single drop would have actually touched him.

Next time, I’ll scrub your back for you, Father.

Though I don’t know if that day will ever come.

*         *         *

Back in my quarters, I used the Temporal and Spatial Transference Technique to create my second personal space.

If the first one had been a beach with blue skies and the sea, this time it was a snowy field with distant mountains where pure white snow covered everything. A small trail of footsteps led to the small hot spring I made there. Seeing Father’s hot spring had stirred my interest.

This place had only two things.

Snow and stars.

It was a place where only white snow and the stars of the night sky could be seen. 6

‘How is it, Father? Isn’t this place more atmospheric?’

I neatly folded my clothes and placed Wilson the Secret Box on top.

Then, I stepped into the steaming hot spring, steam rising all around me.

“Ah! This is great!”

Sitting there, gazing up at the night sky where stars poured down, I felt as though all my fatigue melted away.

Only now did it truly feel like the summit had ended. Others’ summit had ended earlier, but mine had just come to a close.

After speaking with Jo Chunbae, meeting Father, and confirming that everyone had made it through the day safely—only then did the summit truly end for me.

A pleasant wave of relief washed over me. The drowsiness that came with it mixed with the warmth of the water and actually made me feel even better.

Splash.

I sank deep into the water, submerging my head.

Above the water, the stars in the night sky shimmered as if they were dancing.

This time alone was so precious to me. If you truly respect someone, you must respect the time they spend alone. Right now, I was freely respecting myself.

Ah, I’m not alone right now, am I?

Raising my head above the water, I playfully spoke to the Secret Box.

“Are you cold Wilson? Want to come in too?”

Thanks to it, I had already absorbed Black Eye and Blue Purity. I don’t know how many more I needed to absorb to complete that mysterious energy lingering inside me.

Honestly, if it had been someone else, they would have spent all their energy trying to uncover the secrets of the Secret Box and the energy it had absorbed. But I was relaxed.

That’s how it all started, and I just left it to fate. I was simply moving forward like this, together like friends. Still, I sometimes got curious.

“How many more energies are left to absorb?”

Wilson, of course, gave no answer.

“You don’t know either, do you?”

As always, the Secret Box only responded with a bright smile. 7

1 : It’s a bit sad. They clearly need more chaos in their lives to be truly happy ^^

2 : He’ll probably end up being a traitor or something. In any case, I don’t see him surviving this new era of coexistence. But then again, I never imagined the Demon Supremes and Geom Muyang living too, so what do I know ? XDXDXD

3 : Everything flows and passes, this moment is indeed important but there’s no need to get overly shackled to it. The cycle of decay and rebirth continues endlessly.

….Plus if it really comes down to it, they can just rewrite it, no big deal.

4 : Lol “I allowed you to dance today, so leave me my relaxing bath, alone.”

5 : Yay, more lore~~ ^^

6 : This version is more relaxing than the endless blizzard ^^

7 : Amazing that a simple box holds more innocence than every character so far in this novel, except Iinja. Castaway has a great impact even overseas and decades after its release (though maybe that’s just me XDXDXD)