Chapter 137: This Is Why I Wanted to Come.
Chapter 137: This Is Why I Wanted to Come.
Amidst the lingering silence, the Drunken Demon realized a certain truth.
“Did you already know?”
“I suspected as much. The man I know isn’t the type to send you a broken wine bottle, Senior.”
“I thought you two didn't get along?”
“Don’t people usually end up knowing more about those they dislike than those they’re close to?”
The Drunken Demon, who had been staring at me, suddenly bolted upright.
“Ah, the liquor is going to my head.”
With that, he dove straight into the lake.
“You really need to fix that habit of swimming while drunk!”
Regardless of my concerns, the Drunken Demon was an excellent swimmer. It wasn't just skill; he truly knew how to enjoy the water. He submerged himself, floated while staring at the sky, accelerated to a distant point and back, and even leaped like a dolphin before splashing back down.
After a vigorous swim, he climbed back onto the rowboat.
“Now I feel a bit more sober.”
Then, he immediately started drinking again.
“You went through all that trouble to sober up just to drink more?”
“Didn't I sober up specifically so I could enjoy the next drink?”
I shouted toward Yeo-bin, who was standing on the distant shore.
“Please bring some snacks over here!”
As if she had been waiting, Yeo-bin rowed a small boat over with food. It seemed she had prepared them earlier, but the Drunken Demon had only brought the liquor. As she handed over the snacks and turned to leave, she gave me a slight bow of gratitude.
“Try to get into the habit of eating while you drink.”
“I’ve gone my whole life without doing it; do you think it’s that easy to change?”
“Does anyone live life doing only what they want? You have to do what’s necessary, even if you hate it.”
“Why are you so concerned about my health?”
I picked up a snack with my chopsticks. It was still warm. It seemed she had been keeping the food heated so she could bring it out at a moment's notice.
“Am I the only one looking out for you, Senior? Here, eat.”
The Drunken Demon reluctantly ate the snack.
After sharing a drink, we looked up at the night sky.
“Ah, this is wonderful!”
Just as he exclaimed, it truly was magnificent. Floating on a boat in the middle of a lake, drinking while gazing at the stars—I didn't envy the immortals one bit.
Lying back at an angle and staring at the stars, the Drunken Demon spoke.
“My dream is to just play and eat while drinking my life away. But if the Great Demonic-Orthodox War breaks out, this lake might turn into a pool of crimson blood. How would I sober up then?”
The unique weapon hanging at his waist was named Blood Tear. He was saying such things while carrying a weapon named after tears of blood.
“Are you serious?”
“I am. I want to live like this until the day I die.”
“Is that really why you want to join my side?”
“That’s right.”
“Then prove it.”
“How?”
“Reconcile with the Elder Blood Heaven Blade Demon.”
The Drunken Demon flinched, clearly caught off guard by the unexpected proposal.
“I am serious as well. From now on, you must make an effort to become one of my people. If you reconcile with the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and maintain a smooth relationship with the Extreme Evil Smiling Demon…”
I drained the rest of my drink in one refreshing gulp and looked at him.
“I will call you my brother.”
Silence fell once more.
After staring at me for a while, the Drunken Demon finally opened his mouth.
“You truly are an unpredictable man.”
“The unpredictable one is you, Senior. You’re a man surrounded by all sorts of prejudices. I, on the other hand, am quite rational. I’m simply proposing an exchange: what I want for what you want.”
I set the bottle down after a long drink and asked, “Was your offer to become sworn brothers a joke?”
“It was no joke.”
“It’s a matter of becoming brothers. You should show at least this much sincerity. I need to see that you’re willing to do something you hate for my sake—that you’ll do it even if you’re reluctant. Eating snacks, reconciling… anyone can say words. I could even talk the Murim Alliance Leader into joining my side if it was just talk.”
“Knowing you, you probably could.”
I let out a hollow laugh, and the Drunken Demon took another drink.
“It’s not that I don’t want to reconcile.”
“Then what is it?”
“Reconciliation with the Blood Heaven Blade Demon is fundamentally impossible. Have you ever seen oil and water mix?”
“They don’t need to mix. They just need to float together.”
“What if someone sets them on fire?”
“Then they burn. If you hate it that much, you be the water. Let the Blade Demon be the oil. He’s a fiery man anyway, so oil suits him.”
He usually laughed at most jokes, but he didn't smile this time. He seemed genuinely reluctant.
Given how he acted toward me, I thought he might at least put on a fake smile to humor the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, but the rift ran deeper than I thought.
I could understand why the Blood Heaven Blade Demon disliked the Drunken Demon. He had always despised those who acted out while drunk. But why did the Drunken Demon find this reconciliation so burdensome?
“You have another reason for approaching me, don't you? Drop the nonsense about Murim peace and tell me the real reason.”
Despite my bluntness, which might have provoked anger, the Drunken Demon merely continued to drink with glazed eyes.
“One brother like my actual older brother is enough for me.”
I leaped toward the rowboat I had arrived in.
He could have stopped me from leaving like this, but he remained silent until the end. As I docked the boat at the shore, I looked back. The Drunken Demon was drinking alone under the moonlight.
*
At dawn the next day, I quietly left the Cult.
I left a note for Seo Dae-ryong saying I would be away for a few days.
Ever since my Wind God Four Steps reached the eighth stage, my body had been itching for action. I had tossed and turned all night, wanting to fight someone strong, but an even more intense urge was the desire to run.
I knew I had to manage this desire carefully. High-level martial arts like the Wind God Four Steps required even more caution. There were many cases where failing to control such urges led to Qi Deviation or a reckless fight resulting in death. This often happened when someone learned a martial art that exceeded the capacity of their "vessel."
Once I was clear of the Cult, I began to run using Rapid Speed Step. I moved at a terrifying pace. There was no need for a mask; no one could recognize me at this speed anyway.
I was moving so fast that people wouldn't know who I was, or if the thing that just passed was a person, a bird, or just an illusion. I had been fast at the seventh stage, but this was on another level.
Normally, this kind of speed was only possible in wide-open areas like plains. However, the path I was running now had obstacles. There were moving carriages and passing travelers. There were trees and boulders.
Yet, thanks to my New Eye Technique, I could navigate any path at this speed. Furthermore, upon reaching the eighth stage, the amount of internal energy consumed actually decreased. I had become able to use the martial art much more efficiently.
I ran until my internal energy was depleted, then meditated to recover before running again. It was the first time in my life I had ever run with such exhilaration. Perhaps it was because my destination was where the people I wanted to see were located.
*
The Pungcheon Cult Leader and Go Wol were sitting in a bustling tavern. People arrived at their table at intervals to report something before leaving. There were men, women, young people, and the elderly.
Every time someone visited, Go Wol recorded something on a piece of paper.
“Why are you writing so meticulously? He’ll know we’re working even without these updates.”
At the Pungcheon Cult Leader’s words, Go Wol didn't even look up as he continued writing the missive. It was a report to be sent to Geom Mu-geuk.
Under Geom Mu-geuk’s orders, Go Wol was focused on establishing an information network in the Central Plains. Because the Pungcheon Cult Leader had accompanied him, the work was progressing smoothly.
In the process of working together, the Pungcheon Cult Leader was once again impressed by Go Wol’s abilities. He was organizing a network that operated differently from the existing Tongcheon Pavilion, making it so that it could eventually be merged with them. He was even keeping in mind the time when Geom Mu-geuk would become the Cult Leader.
That made the work harder, but the Pungcheon Cult Leader was the one who made the process easier. With the two of them working together, things moved forward with incredible speed. Of course, Go Wol had to endure the Pungcheon Cult Leader’s constant grumbling.
“Send those all day if you want; see if the Second Young Master ever sends a single reply.”
“This is a report. Who replies to a report?”
“Why not? If he cared, he would. Didn't I tell you? Our fate is to become 'that cult leader' and 'that shackled man' from back then. Just look at us now. We’re out in the middle of nowhere, suffering through all this hardship.”
“Eating delicacies from every region, sightseeing at famous spots whenever we have time... such 'hardship' indeed.”
“Leaving home is a hardship in itself!”
“And where exactly is your home, Cult Leader?”
The Pungcheon Cult Leader flinched. Go Wol shifted his gaze from his writing to the former leader.
“The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult isn't your home, is it? Your home is here in the Central Plains. Weren't you the one always singing about advancing into the Central Plains? Look around while we travel. You should build your home somewhere around here. Keep your eyes peeled!”
Having run out of things to say, the Pungcheon Cult Leader turned his arrows back toward Geom Mu-geuk.
“Hmph! I should build a house. The Second Young Master has probably forgotten all about us. He’ll probably be startled when he sees us back at the Cult later. He’ll think, 'Ah, right! Among my many subordinates, there was that dimwitted cult leader from the outer lands and that shackled fellow. Wait, what was that shackled guy's name again?' No matter how much people claim to be different, everyone’s heart is the same in the end.”
“Cult Leader.”
“What?”
“Everyone is just 'that cult leader' or 'that shackled man' to someone else. Only people like the Second Young Master are special to everyone; the rest of us live being moderately ignored like this. Besides, being a special person is exhausting. This way of living suits you better.”
“Ignoring me again? You’re ignoring me again!”
Go Wol ignored him and focused back on his writing.
“You used to move so slowly, staring blankly at that Sound Thunder Bell all day, and now look how diligent you’ve become. Just what do you like so much about the Second Young Master to go through all this trouble?”
“Then what about you, Cult Leader? What do you like so much about me that you followed me all the way here to suffer?”
The Pungcheon Cult Leader couldn't find an answer.
“It’s the same for me. Is there a specific reason I need to explain? I just like him. And you’re second after the Second Young Master, so don't feel too bad.”
“Hmph! You only have two people around you, and I’m second? Doesn't that make me last?”
“You noticed?”
“You crazy bastard!”
Go Wol laughed, and the Pungcheon Cult Leader followed suit.
Conversations like this were their only joy. Repeating the same stories over and over, badmouthing Geom Mu-geuk, talking about the past, and discussing what was to come. They said the same things every single day.
“This is proof of true friendship. Being able to listen comfortably even when someone says the same thing over and over. You can't talk like this with the Second Young Master, can you? It’s uncomfortable, right? That’s proof you aren't close to him. No, wait—the Second Young Master is too busy acting all high and mighty everywhere to have time to listen to you anyway.”
It was then that someone suddenly spoke from behind the Pungcheon Cult Leader.
“And here I thought you’d keep calling me 'Second Young Master' until the end.”
The Pungcheon Cult Leader spun around in shock to find me standing there, smiling.
“I see you intended to keep badmouthing me until the end.”
Both the Pungcheon Cult Leader and Go Wol jumped to their feet in surprise.
“Second Young Master!”
“Young Master!”
Still smiling, I spoke to the Pungcheon Cult Leader.
“This is why I wanted to come.”
“Hmph! Did I say anything that wasn't true? So what!”
Seeing him unchanged made me feel genuinely glad to see them.
The place I had run to so frantically was where the two of them were working. I was able to find them because they sent missives every time they moved, detailing their location and progress.
We caught up on everything that had happened. What was surprising was that Go Wol already knew about the incidents with the Extreme Evil Smiling Demon and the Drunken Demon, and even the fact that my brother was in contact with the Fist Demon and the Poison King.
It was clear he had already secured a proper information network within the Cult. The external network was also rapidly expanding throughout the Central Plains.
“How are the funds?”
“We’re almost out.”
Hiring talented people and establishing an organizational network required a massive amount of money. The 1.2 million taels Go Wol had taken with him was already nearing its end. The initial costs of building an organization were naturally high.
“I’ll send additional funds soon.”
“Yes, sir!”
For now, I had enough funds thanks to the money I received from the Golden Manor, but I would need to earn more to operate the Ghost Shadow Squad later.
Just then, my eyes met the Pungcheon Cult Leader’s. He flinched.
“Why are you looking at me while talking about running out of money?”
“I looked because I was happy to see you after so long. Why? Am I not allowed to look?”
“It feels like silent pressure to lend you money. That’s it, that’s the look! That same devious look you had when you were after my sacred relic. Not a chance. Absolutely not! My money is off-limits!”
I burst into laughter.
“That sacred relic saved my life.”
The Pungcheon Cult Leader was taken aback.
“Is that true?”
“Yes. I survived thanks to the Supreme Heavenly Silkworm Thread.”
“Ah!”
A flash of joy crossed his face. Though his words were gruff, the affection in his eyes was incomparable to before.
Cult Leader. Forget the money. Let’s just keep going like this. I know well what you sacrificed to come this far. Just being by Go Wol’s side is more than enough.
“Now that I’ve seen your faces, I should head back. I need to be back by the morning after tomorrow.”
“The morning after tomorrow? What are you talking about? Do you know how far it is from here?”
“It took me two days to get here. I’m planning to shorten that time on the way back.”
Looking dumbfounded, the Pungcheon Cult Leader saw an opportunity and spoke to Go Wol.
“See? This is your Second Young Master’s true nature. Didn't I tell you before that he’s a blowhard? Now do you see how well I read people? Are you still going to ignore me?”
Go Wol replied casually, “I wonder if it’s really a bluff.”
The look Go Wol gave me was one of unwavering faith.
The Pungcheon Cult Leader raised his voice.
“Of course it’s a bluff! Even if you ran without stopping, it would take ten days to get to the main headquarters from here. Even if I were the one running!”
“You’re slow because you’ve gained weight, Cult Leader.”
“What? You haven't seen me run! I am the Pungcheon Cult Leader!”
He provoked me.
“Two days? If you make it to the Demonic Cult headquarters within two days, I’ll give you a million taels. How about it? A million-tael bet. You can't do it, can you?”
The Pungcheon Cult Leader was brimming with confidence. He believed it was absolutely impossible.
“Let’s do it. The bet.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yes.”
“Are you… are you trying to give me money as a reward for saving your life with the Supreme Heavenly Silkworm Thread? You don't have to do that. I have plenty of money.”
“I appreciate the thought, but I’m not in a position to just give away money. As you know, I’m spending a lot right now.”
“Fine, then let’s do it! I’m telling you now, I won't give back a single penny. Don't come crying to me later!”
“I was going to say the same to you. Don't start talking about how it was your medicine money or your retirement fund.”
“I told you, I’m rich! I’m the former Pungcheon Cult Leader!”
“Very well. Once I arrive, I’ll have an official missive sent from the headquarters to this location. Since it’s an official missive, it will be timestamped, and you can verify when I arrived when you return to the Cult later.”
“Don't you worry. I have someone who can verify the date you arrive. Don't forget. It’s a million taels, Young Master.”
I smiled and stood up.
“I know how hard you both are working for me. I’m always grateful. I’ll see you later.”
As I turned to leave, Go Wol said softly, “Congratulations on the million taels in advance.”
“Thank you.”
I could hear the Pungcheon Cult Leader grumbling behind me.
“What are you saying? You should be rooting for me! If you’re going to be like this, I won't give you a single cent even after I take a million taels from him!”
After bidding them farewell, I began running toward the Cult once again.
The more I ran, the more I grew accustomed to the pace, and I pushed my speed even higher. I became faster with every stride, feeling a greater sense of freedom. I felt an intense desire to reach the stage of Great Achievement.
And two days later, I was writing a missive at the main headquarters.
[Pungcheon Cult Leader, I will put the million taels to good use. I am always grateful. Oh, and if you’re feeling regretful, how about we try again for a day and a half…]