Chapter 202: A Few Days Go By Fast, Right?
Chapter 202: A Few Days Go By Fast, Right?
“First, calm your anger.”
The 3rd Immortal tried to soothe Geom Mu-geuk. Even if he intended to kill the boy later, he needed to settle him down first.
“Would you be able to stay calm if you were in my shoes?”
“I probably couldn’t either. But if you ruin everything by getting worked up, you won’t even get your revenge, will you? Your opponent is…”
The words caught in his throat. He never imagined the day would come when he’d have to utter the name ‘Fist Demon’ with his own lips.
Whether he understood the 3rd Immortal’s inner turmoil or not, Geom Mu-geuk trembled, his fists clenched white-knuckled.
“He said he thought of me as a son. That bastard!”
The 3rd Immortal had to ensure Geom Mu-geuk didn’t do anything reckless before the other Immortals arrived.
“A bastard like that deserves to die. I’ll help you.”
“Why would you?”
“What do you mean why? Because he’s a man who deserves death.”
Geom Mu-geuk snorted derisively.
“That’s not it. You’re just scared you’ll get dragged into this, aren’t you? Don’t worry. I’ll never tell a soul that you’re the one who bought the poison for me.”
Instead of saying he had borrowed the money, he phrased it as if the 3rd Immortal had personally purchased the poison. The promise of silence sounded more like a blatant threat. Geom Mu-geuk was intentionally grating on his nerves.
The 3rd Immortal suppressed the urge to scream, ‘Me, buy the poison? Are you insane?’
“How do you plan to poison the Fist Demon?”
“I’ll spike his liquor.”
“When is he coming back?”
“He’ll be back here in five days.”
Five days! The 3rd Immortal’s heart began to race. He had to make sure the other Immortals arrived before then, no matter what.
“You’ll die if you meddle for no reason. So stay out of it.”
“If you kill the Fist Demon, do you think the Demonic Cult will leave your family alone? Your clan will be annihilated.”
“Let it be. My father couldn’t even utter a peep after what happened to his own child. A household like that is better off destroyed.”
While the 3rd Immortal understood Geom Mu-geuk’s reckless rage, a chilling thought crossed his mind.
‘I’ve messed with the wrong lunatic!’
Yet, there was nothing he could do personally. Judging by the skill the boy had displayed at the inn previously, he was a much greater master than the 3rd Immortal himself.
Geom Mu-geuk stood up.
“Don’t come looking for me again. If you do, I’ll splash that poison right in your face.”
Leaving behind that threatening remark, Geom Mu-geuk departed.
*
A short while later, I stood on the roof of a building across from the inn, watching the 3rd Immortal leave with Go Wol.
“I’ve confirmed that his subordinate sent out a missive just moments ago. Given the gravity of the situation, they’ve likely summoned all the core personnel of the World of Chivalry. According to my investigation, their leadership consists of four people, with a man called the 1st Immortal at the head.”
Go Wol’s information network was already proving its worth. He truly made me feel that every penny spent on him was an investment well-made.
“So that means we only need to deal with those four?”
“Yes. Among them, the 1st Immortal is the mastermind. He’s a suspicious man who doesn’t reveal himself easily, but since Lord Fist Demon is involved in this matter, he won’t be able to stay hidden.”
“This is why everyone wants a strategist. It’s so convenient and wonderful.”
“It’s very difficult for a strategist to serve a leader who is smarter than they are.”
“You misunderstand. The only thing I’m good at is the Flattery Divine Art.”
After a brief pause, Go Wol spoke again.
“Thanks to you, things have been settled well with the Cult Leader.”
Geom Mu-geuk looked at his face. He looked much more at ease than when he had first asked him to look after the Cult Leader.
Geom Mu-geuk thought Go Wol was truly remarkable. To be so devoted to the Pungcheon Cult Leader, who had kept him captive like that—he felt once again that the bond between the two was incredibly deep, whatever their connection in a past life might have been.
“The Cult Leader was worried about you. He said you’ve been having a hard time lately. He told me to look after Strategist Go instead of him.”
“I’m fine.”
“What do you mean, fine? I heard that people who need help are always the first to say they’re fine.”
When Go Wol looked at him as if wondering where he’d heard such a thing, Geom Mu-geuk revealed his honest feelings.
“Strategist Go, I’m not fine. Dealing with the Demon Lords, the succession struggle, acting in front of these Immortal’s Debt pieces of trash… it’s exhausting. But just saying it like this makes me feel a bit better. So you should say it too, Strategist Go. If it’s hard, say it’s hard. If you’re tired, say you’re tired. I’m listening.”
Go Wol gave a meaningful smile. He had said those same words to the Pungcheon Cult Leader—that it was hard, and that he should say so if he felt the same. Now, Geom Mu-geuk was saying them to him.
Go Wol looked up at the sky. Even without saying a word, his mood had brightened.
*
The person among us who was having the hardest time, however, was the Fist Demon.
“…And that is how you became a villain, Master. I apologize for not telling you in advance, as the situation was urgent.”
Once I finished explaining the situation, the Fist Demon exploded in anger.
“Not just a villain… but a shameless lecher?!”
“An act of this magnitude was necessary to provide a motive for killing you with poison.”
“There are plenty of other reasons! You could have said I insulted your character, or killed a precious subordinate!”
“I just didn't think those would be as provocative as this.”
“How vulgar!”
Since the Fist Demon had never once had a scandal involving women, it was only natural that he was outraged. He brought his face close to Geom Mu-geuk’s.
“Was this your idea? Or was it the idea of that strategist of yours who can’t play Go worth a damn?”
“It was my strategist’s idea, of course. Please don’t hold back, just go and—”
Grrrrr.
A low growl emanated from the Fist Demon’s clenched fist. It sounded like the distant approach of a typhoon.
“This was your doing. Your strategist wouldn’t dare do such a thing.”
“You’re as sharp as ever. It was my idea, naturally.”
“Why did you make me a lecher?”
“Because it’s one of the most powerful reasons to want someone dead. Thanks to that, those bastards haven’t doubted my killing intent for a second.”
“Still, I loathe being misunderstood.”
“Master. I only said it to men who will be dead soon anyway, so you don’t need to worry. The word won’t spread anywhere else.”
Then, a question occurred to the Fist Demon.
“But did that fellow actually believe it?”
The response he hoped for was likely, ‘How could he believe the Fist Demon would do such a thing?’ However…
“Yes. He believed it quite readily.”
“He believed it instantly? What’s that bastard’s name? Tell me his name!”
Geom Mu-geuk smiled at the Fist Demon, who was venting his frustration on the villains.
“It’ll all be over in a few days anyway. Those few days will be the most valuable days of your life, Master.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Because the name of the Fist Demon was mentioned, their leadership will move. As a result, countless young people caught in their clutches will be saved from despair and death. If you count those who would have suffered at their hands in the future, it’ll be hundreds, even thousands. You’re saving all those people, Master.”
“Am I some Great Divine Healer? You think I’ll be happy about saving people?”
“Then, for the sake of your disciple who does like saving people, please live as a lecher for just a few days.”
The Fist Demon glared intensely at Geom Mu-geuk before turning away sharply, still radiating an aura of darkness.
“Even a few days is too long!”
*
Four days later, the 4th Immortal was the first to arrive.
“What’s all the fuss about? Has a war broken out or something?”
Though the 3rd Immortal was the elder, the two treated each other like old friends.
Seeing the 4th Immortal, a master of martial arts, the 3rd Immortal felt the tension he’d been carrying finally begin to ease. He explained everything that had happened in detail.
“So that lunatic is going to poison the Fist Demon? What’s the problem? He’s the one doing the killing, isn’t he?”
“The problem is that he bought the poison with money borrowed from us.”
“So? Is the Demonic Cult going to investigate whose money was used to buy the poison?”
“If it were ordinary poison and an ordinary target, I wouldn’t worry. It would just end with people thinking he found some poison and killed him. The problem is that he bought Formless Poison. How did he afford that expensive Formless Poison? And the man who died is the Fist Demon. They’ll naturally suspect there’s a mastermind. If they dig into the background, our existence will eventually be revealed. Do you think the Demonic Cult will just let us be?”
Only then did the 4th Immortal understand the gravity of the situation.
“When is the Fist Demon coming?”
“Tomorrow.”
“Then today is our only chance. Where is the son of the Righteous Fist Sect?”
“He’s drinking at a tavern right now.”
“Let’s go. Lead the way.”
As the 4th Immortal moved to leave immediately, the 3rd Immortal stopped him.
“If we just kill him at the tavern, his father will investigate his death. Eventually, the Demonic Cult will get involved. That makes it even more dangerous for us.”
“Then what do you suggest?”
The 3rd Immortal proposed a plan.
“We kidnap him and make it look like a disappearance. We make it seem like he left for parts unknown, despondent over his fiancée. Before we kill him and dissolve him with Bone-Melting Acid, we’ll have him leave a short note.”
The 4th Immortal agreed. “Good idea.”
*
An hour after the 3rd and 4th Immortals began their stakeout in front of the tavern, Geom Mu-geuk stumbled out, swaying.
When he reached a secluded area, the 3rd Immortal appeared before him. A drunken Geom Mu-geuk slurred his words.
“You! Didn’t I say I’d kill you if you showed your face again?”
“Look, I came because I have something to say to you.”
Geom Mu-geuk didn’t even notice the 4th Immortal approaching from behind.
“Something to say, my foot! You’re here to stop me again, aren’t you? You coward. I’m not afraid! Tomorrow…”
The 4th Immortal struck, suppressing Geom Mu-geuk’s Demonic and Mute Acupoints.
Geom Mu-geuk, caught mid-sentence, couldn't even dodge and was instantly incapacitated.
The 3rd and 4th Immortals grabbed him by the arms on either side and sprinted away. They arrived in a deserted forest. Only then did they release his Mute Acupoint.
“What? You want to die?”
Drunk as he was, Geom Mu-geuk seemed completely oblivious to the danger he was in. The 3rd Immortal handed him paper, a brush, and ink he had prepared in advance.
“Write down exactly what I tell you.”
“What? What is this?”
“‘Father, your son is leaving for a while and will return.’”
Geom Mu-geuk tried to write with bleary eyes, but soon set the brush down.
“You bastard! You’re going to make me write this and then kill me, aren’t you?”
It was at that moment a voice spoke from behind them.
“Idiots!”
The expressions of the 3rd and 4th Immortals brightened instantly.
The 1st and 2nd Immortals walked into the clearing. The 1st Immortal had arrived earlier but had been watching the situation unfold. Having judged it to be perfectly safe, he finally revealed himself.
“Why would he leave a note if he’s leaving because he’s angry at his father? That’s even more suspicious.”
The 3rd Immortal gasped in admiration at the 1st Immortal’s words.
“As expected! You truly are our leader. Your thinking is on another level!”
The 1st Immortal approached Geom Mu-geuk. He had the face of a villain whose nature was written plainly on his features, and his eyes were as cold as a serpent’s.
“So this insignificant brat is the cause of all this fuss.”
He glared at Geom Mu-geuk, then stood up and spoke.
“Bury him alive.”
He intended to inflict the terror and agony of being buried alive.
At that, Geom Mu-geuk gave a thin smile. The melancholy, dark persona he had been acting out vanished, replaced by his original expression. The 3rd Immortal, watching the transformation, was startled by how much he looked like a different person.
‘Truly, this lunatic keeps surprising people until the very end.’
Then, Geom Mu-geuk asked the 1st Immortal.
“Did this plan come from your head? You don’t look like you’re quite that smart.”
The 1st Immortal’s face hardened.
The other three just watched the scene unfold. They knew well that the angrier the 1st Immortal got, the more of a spectacle there would be. Of course, sometimes things happened that were terrifying enough to haunt one’s dreams.
“Who’s behind you? Who provided the funding?”
Geom Mu-geuk looked at the other Immortals.
“Did he not tell you guys either? Are you all banded together without even that much trust?”
In an instant, the 1st Immortal realized something. Geom Mu-geuk’s slurred speech had completely disappeared.
“You… you’re not drunk.”
“I’m stone-cold sober. Hearing that I’m going to be buried alive really cleared my head.”
His words were as relaxed as his expression. Sensing an inexplicable sense of wrongness, the 1st Immortal scanned the surroundings. He suspected an ambush, but he felt nothing nearby.
The 3rd Immortal stepped forward instead.
“Don’t pay him any mind. He was always a lunatic.”
He thought he should just kill him quickly and be done with it. Since it was his own judgment that had led to lending Geom Mu-geuk a hundred thousand taels in the first place, it would be wise to finish this before the madman made the 1st Immortal even angrier.
“I’ll take care of him and bury him.”
As he pulled a dagger from his robes, Geom Mu-geuk asked, “Didn’t you say you were investing in my youth?”
“You must have misheard. I meant I was investing in my youth.”
The 3rd Immortal sneered openly. He loved this moment best—the moment he snuffed out an opponent’s life. The moment they realized they’d been betrayed and looked at him with eyes full of resentment. Though, of course, this lunatic wasn't giving him the expression he wanted.
“It was annoying, but it was a unique experience. I’ll remember it for a long time.”
“I’m going to wipe all memory of you lot after today.”
“Farewell, you madman!”
Just as he was about to slit Geom Mu-geuk’s throat with the dagger, a sudden, piercing chill swept through the air, sending shivers down the 3rd Immortal’s spine. He wasn't the only one who felt the frost seizing the area. The 4th Immortal drew his sword and scanned the perimeter.
A man was walking toward them.
His long shadow, cast by the moon, was larger and broader than that of an ordinary man. The person approaching, showing exactly how he felt through his razor-sharp aura, was none other than the Fist Demon.
The four men were stunned when they identified their opponent. Compared to the man who had appeared, even the merciless-looking 1st Immortal looked like a babe in arms.
Then, Geom Mu-geuk’s cryptic words drifted from behind them.
“He’s very angry right now because you all believed everything without a single doubt.”
Geom Mu-geuk, who they thought was incapacitated by his pressure points, stood up and brushed the dust off his clothes. He smiled and asked the Fist Demon.
“A few days go by fast, right?”
With a hollow-eyed face that suggested he hadn't slept a wink, the Fist Demon stood before them.
“To me, it felt as long as an eternity!”