Chapter 744: Great Righteous-Demonic War
The attendant led Geom Mugeuk’s group to their seats.
As they followed behind, Geom Mugeuk asked,
“This must be your first time in such a crowded inn, right?”
Blood Heaven Blade Demon and One-Slash Sword Supreme nodded. Truthfully, they were only ‘able’ to enter because they were with Geom Mugeuk. When would they ever have waited in line to enter such a packed tavern otherwise?
One-Slash Sword Supreme spoke words meant to lift Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s mood.
“Orabeoni wouldn’t stand in line even if it were for entering a treasure vault.”
Blood Heaven Blade Demon felt pleased to be called “Orabeoni,” and even more so because her words had seen through him so precisely.
Of course, Geom Mugeuk wasn’t going to let that pass so easily.
“If it were for that, call me instead! I’d stand in line all night! I’d even come three days early and spread a mat!”
One-Slash Sword Supreme laughed. Blood Heaven Blade Demon glanced at her. It had really been a long time since he had last seen her laugh so often.
“Coming through!”
The attendant, holding a tray with both hands, passed by them.
His movements were as agile as if he were performing light footwork. From all directions came shouts for more wine and more food. Amidst the chaos, the attendants responded swiftly and moved without missing a beat.
“Those people are the real heroes of this battlefield.”
Ji Han, walking behind them, was quietly observing Geom Mugeuk.
A man who saw everything and involved himself in everything — that was his master. Even passing attendants caught his attention.
Then, up ahead, the man and woman who had cut in line earlier came into view.
Four bodyguards stood watch around their seats. Ji Han thought it unnecessary to go that far, but the man clearly wished to show off, and the woman enjoyed being shown off.
Geom Mugeuk’s party was guided to a table a bit farther away from them.
“Now then, please leave the ordering to me.”
Geom Mugeuk ordered a large portion of five-spice braised pork.
“And just two bottles of the best wine you have.”
“As you can see, there are a lot of customers, so the dishes might take a bit of time.”
“Tell the kitchen to make it delicious! We’ve got important guests tonight!”
“Yes, understood!”
As Ji Han watched the attendant run off happily with the silver Geom Mugeuk had slipped him, he thought to himself.
How would the attendant know just how important these guests were? If he did, the innkeeper would have written it right next to the signboard: ‘The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult’s Young Cult Leader and the Demon Supremes once dined here.’ The waiting line would probably grow several times longer.
“At last, we’ll get to taste it!”
“It’s just five-spice braised pork — how good could it possibly be?”
“Once you try it, you won’t be able to say that. You might even suggest coming back again.”
It was Geom Mugeuk’s hopeful remark, wishing the two Demon Supremes would want to return again someday.
In the meantime, a few simple side dishes and the wine arrived first.
Geom Mugeuk poured drinks for Blood Heaven Blade Demon and One-Slash Sword Supreme in turn.
“Thank you very much.”
It was a heartfelt gesture of gratitude.
Throughout this journey, the two had followed Geom Mugeuk’s lead without complaint. There must have been moments of reluctance and discomfort, yet they continued on, showing what true adults looked like.
One-Slash Sword Supreme, who received the drink, returned that sincerity.
“Rather, I should be the one thanking you.”
Geom Mugeuk had brought her all the way here just so she could enjoy her favorite dish — five-spice braised pork.
She had experienced many emotions in her life — joy, sorrow, gratitude, emptiness, anger, and regret.
But among all those emotions, there was one she had never truly felt before.
Fun.
Had there ever been a time in her life when she thought something was purely fun?
“This journey is truly enjoyable.”
“I’m glad to hear that you’re enjoying yourself.”
This time, Blood Heaven Blade Demon poured a drink for Geom Mugeuk.
“Here, take it.”
Clink.
As always, the clear sound of the liquid falling into the cup carried Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s feelings — gratitude for arranging such a moment.
Thank you.
After receiving the drink, Geom Mugeuk then poured for Ji Han and Tae Soo.
“One for my subordinates, and another for the gentleman who stole my heart.”
At Geom Mugeuk’s teasing words, Tae Soo grinned, realizing suddenly that he had forgotten his situation.
He had worried that the moment he revealed the location of the Sword Tomb and they passed through the mechanism, he would be killed — but lately, such thoughts hadn’t even crossed his mind.
‘Have I gone mad, smiling when I should be preparing to die?’
It couldn’t be helped. His opponent was the kind of man who raised his cup and shouted things like that.
“Now then, for our five-spice braised pork!”
Ji Han and Tae Soo shouted along loudly.
“For the five-spice braised pork!”
Their voices were so loud that someone from across the inn barked out,
“Who’s making all that noise?”
It was a table full of rough-looking martial artists.
Before the man could even finish, Geom Mugeuk quickly called out,
“Apologies! We’ll drink quietly!”
Thanks to his swift apology, they didn’t pursue the matter further.
Geom Mugeuk lowered his voice and said,
“Until the five-spice braised pork comes out, we endure everything! No blood will be spilled! Now, cheers!”
After whispering their toast, everyone emptied their first cup.
“Ha! This wine’s amazing! Come out now, oh five-spice braised pork!”
But instead of the five-spice braised pork, something else appeared.
From the inn’s entrance came an irritated shout.
“Move it, you bastards!”
Geom Mugeuk’s gaze shifted toward the entrance.
A man with fierce eyes stood there, scanning the room before striding toward them.
Geom Mugeuk quickly turned his head back and spoke in a low voice.
“Don’t look that way! Do not, under any circumstances, make eye contact!”
Even if told to look, would they? Hardly. Blood Heaven Blade Demon and One-Slash Sword Supreme simply refilled each other’s cups, paying no attention at all to the man approaching their table.
Fortunately, the man wasn’t headed toward Geom Mugeuk’s table.
He walked straight toward the man and woman who had earlier cut the line.
The woman’s eyes widened in shock when she saw him approach. Then, her expression twisted into one of venomous anger — her glare as sharp and vicious as the man’s own.
“Why are you here?”
“You abandoned me, only to marry this cripple?”
At the man’s words, the face of the man sitting beside her hardened instantly.
His pride had been wounded — and the order he gave to his guards carried that same fury.
“What are you waiting for? Cut off his arms and legs and throw him out.”
The bodyguards immediately stepped forward, blocking the way.
“Typical coward. Hiding behind your lackeys to bark orders?”
“Because you’re not worth dirtying my hands on, you dogshit.”
It was clear that the two men knew each other.
The nearby customers stood up and hurried out of the inn. Food was good, but life was more important.
Geom Mugeuk let out a sigh. From the moment that man entered, he’d been trouble, and now he was about to cause chaos inside too.
“Of all days, why today?”
Blood Heaven Blade Demon seized the moment to tease Geom Mugeuk.
“With you around, when has it ever been easy to eat a single meal?”
It was another way of saying that wherever Geom Mugeuk went, blood and mayhem followed.
Either way, this needed to be stopped. The moment blades were drawn and bodies started dropping, today’s business would be finished.
While everyone else tensed, watching the standoff unfold—
“Excuse me for a moment!”
When Geom Mugeuk stepped forward, the raging man snapped coldly,
“And who the hell are you?”
“As you can see, just a customer at the next table.”
“Then why don’t you shut up and eat your damn food instead of meddling?”
The man, blinded by rage, saw nothing around him — not the overwhelming aura of Blood Heaven Blade Demon, nor the untouchable presence of One-Slash Sword Supreme.
“I just need a moment of your time. Quietly.”
As Geom Mugeuk approached, the man began to step back, reaching for his sword.
But in an instant, Geom Mugeuk was already beside him, whispering something into his ear. To the onlookers, it was as if an entire sequence of movements had simply vanished from sight.
Then both Geom Mugeuk and the man turned their gazes toward Blood Heaven Blade Demon. Anyone watching could tell what was being said — Geom Mugeuk was talking about him.
The man’s expression shifted rapidly.
Blood Heaven Blade Demon frowned, wondering what ridiculous nonsense Geom Mugeuk was feeding him this time.
By the time the whispering ended, the man who had seemed ready to flip the entire inn quietly turned and left. The woman didn’t even look at him once.
When Geom Mugeuk returned to his seat, Blood Heaven Blade Demon asked,
“You talked about me, didn’t you?”
“I did.”
“What did you say?”
“I told him that you were the Great Demon Blade who once turned the entire martial world into a sea of blood, and that you’ve recently come out of seclusion. I also mentioned that you’re the kind of man who tears off people’s limbs while they’re still alive.”
Blood Heaven Blade Demon asked with a baffled expression,
“He actually believed that?”
“He took one look at your face and just believed it.”
Should he laugh or be angry? Blood Heaven Blade Demon took a sip of his drink and said,
“You chased him off with a completely different excuse, and yet you had to use me as the scapegoat!”
“I also told him this — that you’ve been single for so long you can’t stand to see lovers quarrel, so you rip them apart instead! The moment he heard that, he left immediately.”
Hearing their conversation, One-Slash Sword Supreme laughed.
Geom Mugeuk could sense a change — or rather, an effort — in Blood Heaven Blade Demon.
Normally, when Geom Mugeuk visited him, he wouldn’t have entertained such jokes. But tonight, he was going along with every one of them. It had to be because of One-Slash Sword Supreme — just to see her smile like that, even one more time.
‘Yes, please keep smiling like that.’
Just then, the man who had been cut off earlier approached Geom Mugeuk.
“What did you say to that guy?”
Instead of thanking him for stepping in, he spoke with a tone of accusation.
Behind him stood the woman, watching. It was obvious — she must have been curious, and he volunteered to ask.
Even in this situation, Ji Han wondered whether the Young Cult Leader would respond kindly. If it had been him, he would have cursed the man out first — “You’re being rude to the one who just saved your meal!”
But this time, Geom Mugeuk didn’t bring up the “ripping limbs” story again.
“The gentleman and lady you see over there — they are my uncle and aunt. They’ve been married for thirty years.”
At that unexpected lie, both Blood Heaven Blade Demon and One-Slash Sword Supreme widened their eyes in shock.
“That very table,” Geom Mugeuk continued, “is where my uncle proposed to my aunt.”
At the word “proposal,” Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s eyes twitched ever so slightly.
“I told him that they had come here today to relive those memories — to once again eat the same five-spice braised pork they had back then. He said it reminded him of his own parents and decided to let it go, just for today.”
“He said that? I can’t believe that bastard would say such a thing.”
“Everyone has stories others don’t know about, don’t they?”
Then Geom Mugeuk smoothly changed the subject.
“I heard at the entrance that the two of you are getting married. Congratulations. You really do make a fine couple.”
It wasn’t the congratulations itself, but the ‘you make a fine couple’ part that softened the man’s expression.
“Someday, the two of you will come back here after many years, just like my uncle and aunt. Ah, I envy you.”
Who could pick a fight after hearing that? Especially when Geom Mugeuk had already helped them by driving the other man away.
The man returned to his seat, and Geom Mugeuk sat back down.
Blood Heaven Blade Demon demanded,
“Do I look like someone who’d propose in a noisy place like this?”
One-Slash Sword Supreme answered in his stead,
“Well, you did look like a demon who rips off people’s limbs.”
Geom Mugeuk laughed loudly, clearly amused.
But the pleasant atmosphere didn’t last long — soon, another fight broke out somewhere in the inn with a loud crash.
The rough-looking martial artists who had shouted earlier had now started a fight with the guests at the neighboring table.
Without even turning around, Geom Mugeuk covered his face with his hand and sighed.
“Ah! I’ve eaten with the Stalactite Immortal Moss and with the Immortal Peach Spirit Fruit, but is eating five-spice braised pork really this difficult?”
Then Geom Mugeuk suddenly stood up and rushed toward the brawl.
Since Geom Mugeuk had gone to stop the fight, it couldn’t possibly continue for long.
Those who were about to draw their swords frowned. No matter how hard they tried, the blades refused to come out, as if they were wedged tightly into their sheaths. Those who had already drawn them found themselves sheathing their swords again, entirely against their own will.
“What the hell is this!”
“What kind of trick did you just pull?!”
Amid the chaos, Geom Mugeuk went around, saying one thing to one man and something else to another — moving between them tirelessly, speaking words of calm.
Watching him, One-Slash Sword Supreme remarked,
“He looks like someone mediating between the Martial Alliance and the Unorthodox Alliance, trying to broker a truce during the Great Righteous-Demonic War.”
“Even during that war, he probably wouldn’t have worked this hard. What’s the point of pacifying people who’d turn to dust with a single slash?”
“He’s driven by a terrifying determination — the determination to make sure we eat that five-spice braised pork.”
The two of them laughed together. With just just some exaggeration it could be said that they had probably laughed more during this journey than in their entire lives combined.
Fortunately, the Great Righteous-Demonic War — this one, at least — ended right before it could break out. Whatever Geom Mugeuk had said, the fighters soon reconciled, laughing loudly and sharing drinks.
Geom Mugeuk helped the servant clean up the spilled food and shattered bottles beneath the tables before returning.
“I asked the servant if fights like this happen often.”
“And what did he say?”
“He’s been working here for seven years, and today’s the first time he’s seen such chaos.”
“See? It’s because of you!”
“Is it really because of me? Or maybe because of the terrifying demonic man over there?”
Geom Mugeuk and Blood Heaven Blade Demon argued, each blaming the other.
Meanwhile, new guests took the now-empty seats nearby. The moment they sat down, they began talking.
“Have you heard the rumor? Someone carrying the Treasure Map of the Sword Tomb is passing through Jiangxi, heading toward Zhejiang Province.”
“I heard the entire Honam region is in turmoil because of that Treasure Map.”
“People from all across the Central Plains are flocking in. Looks like Jiangxi will soon be caught up in the chaos too.”
Hearing their conversation, Ji Han’s eyes widened. He had definitely applied the Soul-Chasing Incense to the Man of Ten-Thousand Evils’ corpse properly. That body should have been moved to Shaanxi by now.
But the rumor wasn’t following the corpse — it was following them.
“How could this have happened?”
In response to Ji Han’s question, Geom Mugeuk answered,
“It seems someone wants the entire martial world to move because of that Treasure Map.”
Ji Han recalled the man in the bamboo hat who had approached him before — the one who had instructed him to apply the Soul-Chasing Incense to the Treasure Map. It might just be that very man.
Tae Soo was startled. All he had done was snatch the Treasure Map, yet the situation kept escalating beyond imagination.
Just then, the servant arrived with their food.
“It’s finally here! Even if a war breaks out right now, I’m eating this first!”
At last, the five-spice braised pork was set upon the table.
The freshly boiled meat was neatly sliced, steam rising in soft curls, and thinly chopped green onions were sprinkled on top. The five spices — star anise, cinnamon, fennel, clove, and Sichuan pepper — blended with the savory aroma of the pork, irresistibly whetting their appetites.
“Now then, you two go first.”
Blood Heaven Blade Demon courteously offered the first bite to One-Slash Sword Supreme.
“You should eat first.”
Just as One-Slash Sword Supreme lifted her chopsticks—
The atmosphere suddenly began to grow still.
From the entrance of the inn, a chilling aura spread inward, filling the entire room.
From that presence alone, it was clear — a master of immense power had arrived.
Then came a cold, heavy voice imbued with profound internal energy — a phrase even more unwelcome than a threat to kill everyone.
“Put down your chopsticks. All of you.”
As the steam continued to rise from the five-spice braised pork, Geom Mugeuk let out a long sigh.
“Ah… it really should be eaten before it cools.”