Seo Daeryong was watering the flowers in a pot placed in the Yellow Spring Division chief’s office.

“Iinja, when on earth will the chief return?”

He called the flowers left by the Sword Immortal Ilhwa “Iinja,” a nickname born from a joke that in the office he was the third most important thing.

“I wish they’d take me too. How much fun are you having without me that there’s been no news?”

Without Geom Muguk and Iian, life certainly felt half as interesting.

The regular drinking gatherings with Jang Ho had been suspended since last month, postponed until Iian’s return. Honestly, it was only fun with the three of them together. The three made it complete.

“Hmph! From now on, you’re the number one. From today, I’m the number two. Let’s the outcasts take it all!”

In truth, they had already taken it all. Seo Daeryong handled most of the major duties of the Yellow Spring Division. Though there were seniors, since Geom Muguk clearly favored Seo Daeryong, he naturally became the acting chief. And Seo Daeryong managed the work better than anyone else.

Geom Muguk’s absence was the time Seo Daeryong grew and was fully recognized.

Moreover, he never ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) missed a day learning the Dao techniques from Blood Heaven Butcher.

Blood Heaven Butcher never spoke of Geom Muguk. It seemed he feared that mentioning Muguk would reveal his longing for him.

When Seo Daeryong spoke of Muguk, the butcher pretended not to hear.

“Master, that’s stranger.”

Standing by the window, suppressing his longing for Geom Muguk and Iian, an Execution Martial Artist entered the room.

“Ready.”

“Let’s go.”

The slack-off chief, wherever he was, I was going to work again.

Outside the building, ten Execution Martial Artists were waiting. Normally, two guarded each investigator, so ten meant this mission was very important and dangerous.

“Have you all donned the White Tiger Armor?”

“Yes, we have.”

The White Tiger Armor was a standard supply armor given to the Execution Martial Artists. Not comparable to real armor, but still effective against ordinary swords.

“Let’s move. Stay alert, collisions may occur.”

The destination with the Execution Martial Artists was the Great Drunken Forest, home to the Great Drunken Demon.

The Great Drunken Demon.

Among the Eight Demon Lords, he was number one. Always drunk, he was called the Drunken Demon. Many rumors surrounded him.

Some said his constant drunkenness was due to a deep wound in his heart, others that his unique martial arts relied on intoxication. One certain fact was that the more drunk he got, the stronger he became.

His followers, called Drunkards, were likewise heavy drinkers.

The Great Drunken Forest gate was firmly closed.

An Execution Martial Artist knocked, and a Drunkard guarding the entrance opened the door.

“Who are you?”

“We’re from the Yellow Spring Division. Open the gate.”

“For what purpose?”

Seo Daeryong showed the documents he brought.

“We’re here to arrest Drunkard Doho.”

Doho had driven a carriage drunk through the marketplace, killing two and injuring over ten. Then he abandoned the carriage and fled.

The Drunkard answered without hesitation.

“Doho isn’t here. Go back.”

“How do you know? Doho could be anywhere in this vast forest.”

“If he’s not here, then believe me and leave.”

The Drunkard shut the door.

They had expected this reaction. The subordinates of the demon lords seemed weaker because they obeyed orders meekly. Since one disobeyed, the rest did as well.

Especially with Geom Muguk’s absence prolonged, the authority of the Yellow Spring Division warriors began to wane.

“Break the door after warning.”

“Yes.”

An Execution Martial Artist stepped forward, charging his inner energy to warn.

“If you don’t open before I count ten, we will break the door. One, two, three... nine, ten.”

Just as they were about to break the door—

Screeeech—

The door opened and someone appeared. It was a different Drunkard than before, Ho-yang, leader of the guards.

Ho-yang glared at Seo Daeryong.

“Do you think you can invade this forest and walk away unscathed?”

“Doho committed a crime. We won’t cover for him blindly. Hand him over and we’ll leave.”

“Doho’s not here.”

“Don’t ignore the division’s intelligence network. We have confirmed he returned here. If you hide him, you become an accomplice. Will you accept that?”

Ho-yang’s aura suddenly chilled.

As leader of today’s Drunkards, his presence was sharp enough to make Yellow Spring investigators step back. But Seo Daeryong stood firm.

Seo Daeryong’s own aura overwhelmed Ho-yang. It was the result of steady training and daily learning from Blood Heaven Butcher.

As Ho-yang involuntarily stepped back, a fierce-looking middle-aged man emerged from the Great Drunken Forest.

Smack!

The man slapped Ho-yang mercilessly.

“You idiot! You’re losing to a lousy investigator.”

Ho-yang scrambled up and bowed his head.

“Sorry!”

The man was Koo Ma-yeong, one of the three major Drunkards of the Great Drunken Forest, infamous for his foul temper. He was known for acting first and thinking later.

Seo Daeryong’s expression hardened as he recognized him.

‘Of all people...’

Koo Ma-yeong swaggered up, reeking of alcohol.

“Why ruin the taste of my drink with this fuss?”

“This Doho was drunk, drove a carriage, and caused an accident.”

“It’s natural for a Drunkard to be drunk, and accidents happen when driving. So why come here en masse to make such a fuss?”

“Even Drunkards aren’t allowed to drive when drunk.”

“You follow the law?”

“At least I don’t kill people driving drunk.”

Koo Ma-yeong pushed his face close, the strong smell making Seo Daeryong frown.

“Look me in the eye.”

Seo Daeryong did not look away.

“Go back and find someone to take the blame for the carriage. Look me in the eye. Understand?”

“Impossible.”

“What? Say that again.”

“Impossible. If you don’t step aside, you’ll be arrested too.”

Koo Ma-yeong’s face twisted as he pulled a liquor bottle from his waist.

He raised it to pour over Seo Daeryong’s head.

The Execution Martial Artists behind simultaneously gripped their sword hilts, ready to spring into action.

Koo Ma-yeong’s eyes shifted to them.

“Bring it on, draw your swords if you want to die.”

The Drunkards behind prepared their weapons.

In this tense moment, Seo Daeryong raised a hand to stop the Execution Martial Artists. A fight here would be disastrous.

Just then, a low warning voice rang out.

“If you pour that liquor, I’ll cut your wrist and fill the bottle with your blood to pour on your own head.”

Seo Daeryong’s expression brightened upon hearing the voice.

“The chief!”

Turning, Seo Daeryong saw Geom Muguk walking toward them.

“My boys, you’ve worked hard.”

His arrival brought great joy and cheers from Seo Daeryong and the Execution Martial Artists.

“Welcome back, chief!”

“Chief!”

“Good to see you again.”

No other leader was greeted with such warmth.

After greeting them, Geom Muguk approached Koo Ma-yeong.

“Did your demon lord teach you to pour liquor on someone’s head?”

Mentioning the Great Drunken Demon made a murderous look flash in Koo Ma-yeong’s eyes.

But Geom Muguk’s presence overwhelmed him. Without releasing demon energy, his aura alone gripped Koo Ma-yeong, making the hairs on his body stand on end with fear.

‘So this was the extent of Master Seo’s energy?’

Koo Ma-yeong felt sobered up. Though he’d only heard rumors about Master Seo, facing him directly was a totally different pressure.

“To think you’d pour liquor on a Yellow Spring investigator’s head. Were you training in seclusion? Didn’t you hear my reputation? Or did you think I’d never return since I was gone for a while?”

Koo Ma-yeong glared fiercely but dared not speak in defense. When rumors circulated that he had cut down the Demon Commander, Koo Ma-yeong thought it absurd, believing it was exaggerated because he was the successor. But it was true.

“Go inside...”

Geom Muguk asked Seo Daeryong.

“Who is it?”

“Doho.”

Geom Muguk addressed Koo Ma-yeong again.

“You heard me? Bring that Doho here. Now!”

Koo Ma-yeong’s face twisted but he did not move.

Geom Muguk drew his Black Demon Sword without hesitation. The eerie energy flowing from it chilled the hearts of the Drunkards present.

“You may be a drunkard, but I am mad.”

When Geom Muguk stepped forward, Koo Ma-yeong could no longer hold out.

“I’ll bring him out!”

Koo Ma-yeong entered.

I deliberately treated Koo Ma-yeong harshly to boost Seo Daeryong and the Execution Martial Artists’ morale. Today’s event would spread rumors throughout the sect, and no one would dare act like this with me around.

Seo Daeryong and the Execution Martial Artists gathered around me.

“When did you arrive?”

“Just now. I was about to change and visit my father, but I stopped by since you were here on the way to the Heavenly Demon Hall.”

Seo Daeryong was so moved he had tears in his eyes.

“That good?”

“I never thought I’d be so happy to see the chief return.”

“Better than being insulted by a drunkard?”

“The smell told me that was expensive liquor. With my low pay, when else would I get to taste such alcohol? At least I got the taste dripping down my face.”

Geom Muguk smiled at Seo Daeryong. He had grown since last seen—not just in martial skill and aura, but also in composure. That’s how you handle people like Koo Ma-yeong.

“We should send you out more often.”

“Please don’t! It was so boring without the chief.”

The Execution Martial Artists laughed. Geom Muguk felt good seeing them again. He hadn’t realized how much he missed them until now.

Meanwhile, the door opened again, and Koo Ma-yeong dragged Doho out, his face beaten and bleeding. It seemed Koo Ma-yeong vented his anger on him.

“Arrest him!”

The Execution Martial Artists took Doho into custody.

Koo Ma-yeong gave Geom Muguk one last fierce glare.

In contrast, Geom Muguk spoke softly.

“He’s a drunkard, so I won’t stop him drinking. But he mustn’t harm others while doing so. Thanks for cooperating.”

Beasts like him can’t just be pushed around. That only leads to harming others and self-destruction.

Having broken his pride in front of his subordinates, giving him some relief is a matter of diplomacy.

“Let’s have a drink next time. It’s on me.”

Koo Ma-yeong scoffed and went inside.

The Execution Martial Artists took Doho back to the Yellow Spring Division. Geom Muguk and Seo Daeryong slowly walked toward the Heavenly Demon Hall.

“Any injuries from this mission?”

“No.”

“Good. We were worried hearing that the Fierce Evil Demon returned alone.”

“Did you think I’d be killed and come back alone?”

“I really wanted to ask the Evil Valley about that.”

“Then there must have been other investigators here today.”

“So I didn’t go. Now that the chief has returned, I’ll take a few days off.”

“I’ll tell Master Doma. His beloved disciple took a vacation and finished hellish training.”

“...Vacation? What vacation? We have work to do.”

“Right? I’ve finally come back. I shouldn’t go anywhere.”

We laughed facing each other. Joking with him made it feel like I was truly back at the main sect.

“Ha!”

Suddenly Seo Daeryong stopped and whispered.

“To the northwest. Pretend you don’t see.”

There stood a woman who caught the eye immediately.

“Did the main sect have such a beauty? How can someone have such a figure? Ah! Must have come down from the heavens.”

“Do you like her?”

“Who wouldn’t?”

“Want to meet her?”

“Oh no, I don’t think I could even look her in the eye. What? Did you say meet her? How?”

“She came with me this time.”

“Huh? What?”

Seo Daeryong was surprised and looked at Geom Muguk, then shook his head.

“Come on, don’t lie.”

“It’s true. We’re close.”

“You know such a beauty? Close? What kind of bluff is that? Wow, now I see, even the chief is a man.”

Geom Muguk beckoned the woman.

She began walking gracefully toward the two men.