Chapter 425 : Come Here and Have a Drink

Chapter 425: Come Here and Have a Drink

Lee Ahn and Han Seol were in the Northern Sea Ice Palace.

There was a particular reason behind their visit today.

“I’m sorry for the inconvenience.”

The person Lee Ahn bowed politely to was the Ice Palace Master.

“The Young Cult Leader gave strict orders that you must not leave the Palace Master's Hall.”

“The Young Cult Leader has already been here.”

On his way out of the palace, Geom Mugeuk had already made the request — to take care of Lee Ahn and Han Seol while they stayed for a while. If it had been another enemy, Geom Mugeuk would’ve let Lee Ahn accompany them to gain experience.

But not when it came to the Blood King. Even if Lee Ahn had mastered the Soaring Sword Art, she would’ve still been kept inside the Palace Master's Hall.

The Ice Palace Master didn’t feel troubled in the slightest. This was related to the safety of her daughter and the Ice Palace itself, and the request had been made because Geom Mugeuk trusted her.

However, there had been a small argument before she agreed to the request.

―Aren’t you underestimating the Ice Palace too much?

It sounded almost as if even she should hide in the Palace Master's Hall.

―If it were a normal enemy, I would’ve left things to the Palace Master and already departed from the Northern Sea. But these people wield the Self-Destruction Art without hesitation. There will be great sacrifices.

―Even so, they’ve targeted this palace, so we must handle them ourselves.

Of course, the Ice Palace had many experts besides the Ice Palace Master. If they stepped in, they could be a great help, but it would still require bearing heavy losses.

―They’re not enemies. They’re monsters. And we’re good at catching monsters.

Still hesitating, the Ice Palace Master heard Geom Mugeuk’s final persuading words.

―Leave the monsters to the demons to catch.

How could she refuse, when he even lowered himself to call himself a demon? She felt thankful—but also curious about just one thing.

―Why go this far to help us?

Because they’re subordinates of Hwa Moogi.

―Because I was served good liquor.

As Geom Mugeuk requested, the Ice Palace Master had all the martial artists stationed around the Drunken Demon’s residence withdraw. Since the Blood King was moving personally, it would’ve only led to needless sacrifice no matter who stayed to guard.

The Ice Palace Master, briefly recalling her conversation with Geom Mugeuk, looked at Lee Ahn. Lee Ahn was standing by the window, staring outside.

She had been a woman strangely captivating since the very first moment she laid eyes on her.

“You said your name was Lee Ahn, right?”

Lee Ahn, who had been looking out the window, turned to the Ice Palace Master and responded politely.

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“It seems the Young Cult Leader is quite fond of you.”

“He’s always been someone with a lot of affection.”

“A Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult who’s full of affection, huh.”

“He’s watching over the birth of a new Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.”

Lee Ahn said it like a joke, but the Ice Palace Master took it seriously. After all, he was the one who had helped mend her relationship with her daughter.

‘Years from now, this day might come to mind. I’ll remember that I saw the Heavenly Demon when he was still the Young Cult Leader.’

Han Seol asked Lee Ahn,

“What was the Young Cult Leader like when he was younger?”

The Ice Palace Master looked at her daughter. It was the first time she’d ever seen her show interest in someone. She’d never once been curious about another person before. Thanks to Geom Mugeuk, she was indeed going through many new experiences.

Lee Ahn hesitated briefly before answering Han Seol’s question.

He hadn’t been like that before. He was a good person, but not that good.

Everything changed that day — the day of the Demon War Tournament, the day he suddenly transformed, like a person hatching from an egg.

From the moment he returned from the match, Geom Mugeuk had changed.

That day, Geom Mugeuk said this:

―Starting today, I’ve decided to live a different life.

And he truly kept that promise. Geom Mugeuk changed, and that change transformed everyone around him — herself, the Demon Supremes, even the Heavenly Demon.

Lee Ahn shared with them what Geom Mugeuk had said that day.

“The Young Cult Leader said this: He doesn’t believe people change little by little. He said people change all at once, when something triggers it.”

That was why she too tried to change. To become an exception to the saying, ‘people never change.’

“He said he came to his senses and changed a lot.”

Just as she answered with a smile, something caught Lee Ahn’s eye.

Outside the window, far in the distance, red smoke was rising. It didn’t look like ordinary smoke. It was definitely a signal to someone.

“Ah! Smoke is rising over there too!”

As if answering that signal fire, more smoke began rising far off in the opposite direction.

*         *         *

“I’ll raise your monthly pay next month.”

At the tavern owner's words, the cook smiled faintly from the kitchen. The cook was a mute.

But having this cook was the greatest fortune in the tavern owner's life. The food tasted great. He had no major complaints about treatment. He never threw tantrums or said he would quit suddenly. He simply stayed in the kitchen and quietly cooked.

Then a customer spoke.

“Looks like there’s a fire? Look at that smoke over there.”

“Why is the smoke so red? Wouldn't it be black if there were a fire?”

The owner and the customer were both watching the smoke rising in the distance.

“Whoa, you startled me!”

The owner turned absentmindedly to the side and was startled. The cook, who had come out without a trace of presence, was staring at the smoke alongside him. He had never once left the kitchen during business hours before.

“Looks like there’s a fire somewhere over there.”

At the owner’s words, the cook spoke.

“That’s not a fire.”

Both the owner and the customer were shocked at the cook’s words. It was surprising enough that he had come out of the kitchen, but even more shocking to hear him speak.

“You… knew how to talk?”

The one who opened his mouth felt like a completely different person from usual.

“It’s a signal from the master calling us.”

“Me?”

Just as the owner widened his eyes in confusion, wondering what he meant—

Puhk!

The cook's hand pierced through the owner's heart.

“There’s no need to raise my monthly pay.”

The customer beside them screamed and tried to flee. As the cook waved his hand, the fleeing customer’s body was ripped apart, spewing blood as he collapsed.

The cook looked down at the blood flowing from his hand and arm with a smile.

He inhaled deeply, savoring the smell of blood, then walked outside with blood-dripping hands.

As he chanted an incantation, red smoke began to rise from the blood that had dripped onto the ground.

It was smoke meant to awaken someone else.

*         *         *

The Drunken Demon was sitting on a bench in the yard, drinking.

Dozens of bottles surrounded him, along with a large liquor jar. He was clearly drinking with full intent.

And it wasn’t just one type of liquor. He was drinking dozens of kinds of liquor from all over the Northern Sea.

The Drunken Demon took a sip of this liquor and that one. Each time, he gave his thoughts on the liquor.

This liquor is nice because it’s light.

This one is good because it’s strong.

This one is nice because it’s sweet.

This one is good because it’s bitter.

It wasn’t that he disliked any liquor — he found something good about each of them.

Then, looking up at the top of the wall, he asked,

“Care to join me for a drink?”

At some point, a man had come and was now standing atop the wall, looking this way.

The man was the Blood King. Once naked, he now wore a crimson martial robe. The thick stench of blood made it clear who he was.

From the outside to this very spot, he had faced no interference. No martial artists guarded the area. It meant they had anticipated his arrival and were waiting.

Behind the Blood King, red smoke was rising from various points in the distance. A tension, like the eve of war, could be felt in that red smoke.

The Drunken Demon took another sip.

“Come down and have a drink.”

The Blood King simply looked down at the Drunken Demon in silence.

“Suit yourself.”

The Drunken Demon drank deeply. Even as he drank, his gaze remained fixed on the Blood King.

Hot and cold.

Cold and hot.

Both of them had eyes that held both heat and cold.

The scent of liquor and the scent of blood.

In this space where the two faced each other, the two most primal heart-stirring smells were mixing.

Though the Drunken Demon acted completely relaxed, his body was reacting differently. His body tensed instinctively, preparing for an attack.

‘He came to kill me.’

Geom Mugeuk had been right. He said the one behind it all would surely come for him—and now, he had come directly.

And the Blood King wasn’t alone here today.

One by one, over a dozen martial artists climbed up onto the wall where the Blood King stood. The one who stood right beside him was none other than the Northern Blood Gate Master. Those with him were his trusted subordinates.

The Northern Blood Gate Master asked the Drunken Demon,

“Where did you hide the Extreme Cold Constitution?”

Instead of answering, the Drunken Demon scolded him.

“For someone like the Northern Blood Gate Master, what are you doing letting yourself be dragged around by this filthy stench of blood?”

It was a blow to his pride, but the Northern Blood Gate Master ignored it and repeated his question.

“I asked you, where is the Extreme Cold Constitution?”

The Drunken Demon answered as he drank.

“Why keep asking? Did you leave it with me?”

The Northern Blood Gate Master looked to the Blood King. Soon, the Blood King spoke in a low, resonant voice.

“He won’t speak willingly. Kill him.”

The Blood King had understood the kind of person the Drunken Demon was. He looked like a drunk fool laughing away, but that liquor was as thick as blood. He was by no means an easy man.

The Drunken Demon spoke to the Blood King.

“I’m curious about something. Mind if I ask?”

The Blood King looked at him in silence, as if to say, go ahead.

“That Self-Destruction Art you guys use—when you explode, does that bright red head of yours blow up too?”

It was a deliberate provocation. With the Northern Blood Gate Master present, he expected some sort of emotional reaction.

But the Blood King's gaze didn’t shift even slightly.

‘He’s calmer than he looks.’

The Drunken Demon, too, felt something about the Blood King. The man wasn’t just a mad, rampaging killer. He was the most troublesome kind of enemy—one who could be fiery when needed, and cold when required.

Sreureung!

The one who drew his sword was the Northern Blood Gate Master. Now that the Blood King had issued the order to kill, they had no choice but to act. Besides, with the Drunken Demon provoking the Blood King like that, doing nothing might get them killed by the Blood King himself.

As the Northern Blood Gate Master drew his sword, his subordinates all drew theirs in unison. Their momentum was no ordinary thing.

Even as they revealed their killing intent, the Drunken Demon's eyes remained fixed on the Blood King.

To knowingly send them out first, despite being aware they’d die—

‘You’re trying to gauge my strength?’

There was likely also the intention to force him to consume his inner energy. The man reeked of blood so strongly, yet he himself had no blood or tears.

‘And that smoke! It’s definitely a signal calling someone.’

In truth, the Northern Blood Gate Master was no less ruthless.

He had come here because of the Blood King, but he was fully aware of how dangerous his situation was. He was being thrown into a fight against a Demon Supreme.

‘Even if I have to sacrifice every one of my men—I must survive.’

First, the Northern Blood Gate Master ordered three of his subordinates to attack.

Three men leapt down from the wall. In any case, only a limited number could coordinate in an attack. A rotating battle, draining the opponent’s strength one by one, would be the optimal strategy.

The three martial artists approached the Drunken Demon from three directions.

The Drunken Demon remained seated, drinking.

Fuuuuush!

Suddenly, liquor qi surged around them, and in an instant, all three disappeared into the mist.

Within the mist, came the sharp slicing of swords. The sound of flesh and bone being cut, the snap of necks breaking, could be heard.

Seuseuseusut.

When the mist faded again, the Drunken Demon was still seated, drinking.

The three who had approached to kill him now lay dead around him. Because everything had taken place inside the mist, no one saw how they were killed.

“If you prefer the smell of blood over the smell of liquor, then I’ll let you breathe it all you want.”

The Northern Blood Gate Master’s face hardened. He’d expected the three to fall, but not so quickly.

Moreover, fighting within a mist that completely obstructed vision put them at an absolute disadvantage.

“Unleash your sword aura and sword force!”

At the Northern Blood Gate Master’s command, the remaining subordinates all released their sword energy. Once again, the liquor energy veiled their vision.

Shwik shwik shwik shwik shwik shwik shwik shwik shwik!

Only after a torrent of sword energy had been unleashed did the Northern Blood Gate Master order them to stop.

The mist cleared, revealing the devastated interior. The ground was torn up and shattered in every direction.

The Drunken Demon was sitting at the edge of the broken bench, drinking.

The astonishing part wasn’t that the Drunken Demon was unharmed—it was that not a single liquor bottle scattered around him had been broken.

In other words, he had protected the bottles from the flying sword aura.

‘Is that even possible?’

Not only the Northern Blood Gate Master, but the rest of the martial artists as well, were overwhelmed.

The Drunken Demon looked up at the Northern Blood Gate Master and spoke.

“I told you, come have a drink.”

When no one responded, he took a swig straight from the bottle.

Since the Blood King still hadn’t opened his mouth, the one dealing with the Drunken Demon remained the Northern Blood Gate Master.

“Seems you’re trying to buy time, but you’d best not count on help from the Young Cult Leader.”

“You’re the ones dragging this out.”

It was a rebuke—why were the Blood King and the Northern Blood Gate Master sacrificing their subordinates instead of stepping in themselves?

“Worried? That the Young Cult Leader might show up before you kill me?”

Of course, the Northern Blood Gate Master was worried.

He could sense that the Blood King held the Young Cult Leader’s martial ability in high regard. If they’d been confident about taking them both out together, they wouldn’t have sent Yang Seok to lure the Young Cult Leader away.

“The Young Cult Leader won’t be coming. He’s already in our hands.”

It was meant to shake the Drunken Demon’s composure—but it didn’t work.

“If that were true, you’d be trying to trade the Young Cult Leader for the Extreme Cold Constitution right here and now.”

The Drunken Demon was sharper than anyone—and he held absolute trust in Geom Mugeuk.

That’s why he even joked like this:

“Don’t worry. The Young Cult Leader always comes to me last.”

The Drunken Demon lifted the bottle and slowly rose to his feet. It was just a drunk man standing up—but his presence alone made everyone tense up.

“The one you should be worrying about isn’t the Young Cult Leader—it’s me.”

Even in this moment of taut tension, the Drunken Demon chugged straight from the bottle.

“Because none of you drink with me—you just wave your swords around. So I ended up drinking alone.”

The liquor energy swirling around his body began to shift in color.

“I’m very drunk right now.”