Chapter 262: If It’s Not Delicious, You Die
Chapter 262: If It’s Not Delicious, You Die
Hwa-sun’s hands trembled with uncontrollable fear.
“If it’s not delicious, you’re a dead woman!”
The words the martial artist had spat at her before storming out of the kitchen rang incessantly in her ears.
When she was first dragged to Pungsu Villa, she never dreamed the atmosphere would be this terrifying. They said the life of a merchant meant coming when a martial family called and leaving when they dismissed you, but she hadn't expected it to be this bloodthirsty.
And that threat was no mere intimidation.
“Be careful. Two people were carried out of this kitchen dead today,” a maidservant had whispered while delivering ingredients.
She was an acquaintance of Hwa-sun’s—a girl who would occasionally stop by the inn for noodles or dumplings when she went out to shop. Every time she did, Hwa-sun had made sure to give her extra portions.
“A terrifying master arrived at the villa. His palate is so picky that he pulled out our villa cook’s tongue and killed him. The cook from North Flower Village who was brought in afterward died even more horribly. Oh, what are we going to do!”
The sight of the maidservant stomping her feet in terror felt strangely distant, as if it were happening to someone else.
Hwa-sun kept making mistakes as she cooked. She added the wrong seasonings and dropped dishes because her hands wouldn't stop shaking. She knew how skilled the cook from North Flower Village was. If his talent hadn't been enough, hers certainly wouldn't be.
Had they really killed him? What if I die, too?
Her heart grew heavy, and her son’s face flashed through her mind. She missed him so much. It was about time for his visit.
It was then.
“Mother!”
Startled, she whipped her head around. Her son was standing at the kitchen entrance.
“Hyeon-ah! Is that you, Hyeon-ah? Hyeon-ah!”
She was so shocked she felt as if she might collapse. Sam-ho ran forward and threw his arms around his mother.
“Mother!”
“Hyeon-ah!”
Clutching her son, she was so overwhelmed with emotion that she couldn't find the words to speak. But soon, the reality of her situation set in, and she lowered her voice urgently.
“Why are you here? Go! Hurry! Go back to the inn and wait for me!”
“Mother, what’s wrong?”
“Just go! I’ll explain everything later, so please, just leave!”
Hwa-sun’s only thought was to get her son away from this death trap. Unlike his frantic mother, Sam-ho calmly took her hands.
“Why have you become so thin?”
In the three years since he’d seen her, his mother had aged significantly. He could feel how much she had suffered. As she held her son’s hands, tears began to stream down Hwa-sun’s face. Even amidst her terror, the joy of seeing him was so overwhelming that the tears wouldn't stop.
Seeing his mother’s tears, Sam-ho’s eyes grew moist as well. “I’m sorry I couldn't visit more often.”
“No, no. You must have been so busy with work. It’s alright, it’s fine. Now, you’ve said hello, so go and wait for me.”
Her heart raced. It would be a disaster if the people of the villa spotted him here.
“Go! I’ll cook you a meal later.”
Hwa-sun tried to push her son away. Seeing his face was enough. She knew her son had joined the Demonic Cult, but she had no idea what he actually did there. She simply assumed he was enduring hardships to establish himself.
Just then, more people entered the kitchen. It was Geom Mu-geuk and his companions. Hwa-sun gasped, thinking the villa’s martial artists had arrived.
“My son just stopped by for a moment! He’s leaving now. He’s going!”
However, Geom Mu-geuk strode forward and bowed politely to her.
“It is an honor to meet you, Mother.”
As Hwa-sun stood frozen in surprise, Sam-ho introduced him. “This is the person I serve.”
Hwa-sun was stunned. She immediately tried to bow deeply to Geom Mu-geuk, but he quickly stopped her, taking her hands.
“My name is Mu-geuk. Please, treat me comfortably, as you would your own son.”
The moment Hwa-sun looked into Geom Mu-geuk’s eyes, her heart, which had felt like a battlefield, grew calm. It was his gaze. In her years of business, she had seen countless people, but she had never met anyone with eyes so clear.
A sense of comfort and relief washed over her. She felt a sudden certainty that if this was the man her son served, she could trust him with her son’s life.
“I am meeting a truly noble person,” she whispered. Since she didn't know his true status, she assumed he was a young master her son worked for. “My son... please, I beg you to look after him.”
“I am doing well thanks to your son. You have raised a wonderful man.”
“It is only because you have taken such good care of him, Young Master. Thank you.”
Next, Sam-ho introduced his other colleagues. “These are my comrades.”
Jeok-yeon and the other guards bowed to her. Jeok-yeon spoke on their behalf. “Hyeon-ah is so capable that we all rely on him quite a bit.”
“Please look after my boy.”
She felt a pang of regret. If only they had met under different circumstances, she would have cooked them a delicious feast herself. This was the first time her son had ever brought friends home.
I have to get them out of here.
The thought struck her that if they were caught together, the trouble would only escalate. It wasn't just her son; she would be putting these other precious young men in danger as well. They were all so young, and Pungsu Villa had dozens of martial artists—not to mention the terrifying master who had just arrived.
“Take the Young Master and go down to the inn. There’s food in the kitchen you can take with you, so make sure they’re fed. Go! Hurry!”
At that moment, a man’s voice boomed from outside.
“Is the food ready? I told you clearly. If it’s not delicious, your life is—”
The martial artist entering the kitchen stopped mid-sentence. He found a line of men standing inside, staring back at him.
“Who... who the hell are you people?”
The man tried to draw his sword, but his arm wouldn't move. His acupoints had been sealed before he even realized it.
When did he—?
Geom Mu-geuk approached him and casually draped an arm over his shoulder.
“You said she has to die if the food isn't delicious? Why?”
Though the question was asked casually, Geom Mu-geuk’s eyes were deathly cold.
“T-that’s...”
“Never mind. I’ll find out for myself when I meet him.” Geom Mu-geuk turned back to Hwa-sun. “Mother, is the food ready?”
“Yes, but it’s gone cold. I should reheat it.”
“It’s fine. I have a bit of a talent for heating things up. I’m going to make it very hot today.”
Geom Mu-geuk placed the dishes she had prepared onto a tray and lifted it. Then, he issued an order to the guards.
“Your mission today is to escort Mother. Protect her as if you were protecting your own parents.”
The guards, including Sam-ho, lined up around Hwa-sun. It was a formal formation used by six people to protect one. Geom Mu-geuk kicked the backside of the paralyzed martial artist.
“Move.”
The man found his acupoints suddenly released. Terrified by Geom Mu-geuk’s incredible martial prowess, he led the way.
Just wait until we get to where the others are! the man thought, leading the procession.
Geom Mu-geuk followed, carrying the tray. Behind them, the six guards walked with Hwa-sun in their center. Though Hwa-sun was still anxious, her son’s reassuring expression at her side calmed her. She didn't understand what was happening, but she was simply happy to be with him. She prayed that everything would end safely.
Many of the villa’s martial artists were gathered in the wide front courtyard. The man leading the way shot them frantic looks.
What are you doing? Come and take these guys down!
But something incredible happened. The martial artists walking by, and even those running toward them, all froze like stone statues. Their movement and speech acupoints had been sealed in an instant.
The lead man was horrified. He’s neutralizing them while carrying a tray? How?
It was as if a poison was spreading through the air. The moment anyone made eye contact with Geom Mu-geuk, their acupoints were sealed. Whether they were far or near, masters or underlings—no one was exempt.
“Ah!”
Jeok-yeon and the other guards let out gasps of admiration. They had heard rumors that the Young Cult Leader’s martial arts had surpassed even the Demon Lords, but they hadn't realized it was to this extent.
They entered the building and headed toward the quarters of the Pungsu Villa Manor Lord. The martial artists guarding the door also froze instantly. One man was left with his mouth hanging open, caught mid-sentence, while the man next to him looked ridiculous with his eyes rolled up.
Inside the room, two men were talking.
Seated in the seat of honor was the Blood Hand Sword. A man who had committed countless atrocities, he was already listed as a Public Enemy of the Murim by the Murim Alliance. Sitting opposite him was Lee Eom, the Manor Lord of Pungsu Villa.
“Even so, your demands are far too excessive,” Lee Eom said.
“Not just the Hunan First Escort Agency, but every escort in the Central Plains probably wants my head. My share should be larger, shouldn't it?”
“Didn't we agree to split it three ways from the start?”
“I’ve been thinking, and it doesn't seem fair. You and that other fellow just sit in your rooms and take a third each, don't you?”
“I am the one who provided the information for this job.”
“Then reduce his share.”
“Do you say that knowing who he is?”
“And do you think I’m saying this because I don't?”
Lee Eom sighed inwardly. This was why one should never partner with such people. He had been strongly against it, but that person had insisted, and this was the result. Perhaps he had even anticipated this situation—knowing his own share wouldn't be touched and leaving Lee Eom to deal with the fallout.
Just then, the door opened and Geom Mu-geuk stepped inside. Since Geom Mu-geuk showed no aura whatsoever, the two men assumed he was merely an attendant bringing food.
Geom Mu-geuk set the dishes down on the table. The Blood Hand Sword spoke to him. “Wait a moment.”
The Blood Hand Sword picked up his chopsticks and took a bite.
“Pah!”
He immediately spat the food onto the floor. Lee Eom frowned. The reason the man had already brutally murdered two cooks wasn't because the food tasted bad. He was applying pressure—demonstrating that he could kill Lee Eom just as easily if things didn't go his way. He wanted more money.
Because the Blood Hand Sword was the superior martial artist, Lee Eom was forced to endure this humiliation. The only reason the man hadn't acted even more recklessly was because of that person.
Still, Lee Eom couldn't back down. If he gave in to the man’s demands, there would be nothing left for him. After all, he was the one who had discovered that this escort mission was a massive haul, the likes of which only came around once every few years.
“Who made this?” the Blood Hand Sword growled.
“Lady Hwa prepared it,” Mu-geuk replied calmly.
“Where is that bitch now?”
“She is outside the door.”
“Tell her to get in here right now!”
“Why is that?”
“She made such tasteless food, I’ll have to pull out her tongue. What use is a useless tongue like that?”
Geom Mu-geuk turned toward the door, and as if on cue, it swung open. Hwa-sun stood in the hallway, flanked by the guards. Jeok-yeon and Sam-ho stood at the front.
The Blood Hand Sword assumed they were Pungsu Villa’s martial artists. He glared at Lee Eom. “What is the meaning of this?”
Lee Eom was baffled. He hadn't given any orders to protect that woman. And upon closer inspection, those men weren't his. Then, Lee Eom spotted the emblem on Jeok-yeon’s chest.
That mark? Surely not...
Lee Eom grew tense. There was only one organization in the Murim that used a demon as its symbol. He had heard that ordinary cultists couldn't even wear it; it was reserved for the elite.
Did that person send them? But why are they protecting that woman?
Lee Eom’s mind was a whirlwind of confusion. But the real shock was yet to come. Geom Mu-geuk picked up a fresh pair of chopsticks and tasted the food.
“It’s delicious. I think the problem is your tongue.”
The Blood Hand Sword let out a hollow laugh, stunned by the sheer absurdity. Assuming a person wouldn't suddenly go insane, he figured this was also Lee Eom’s doing.
“I asked what the hell you’re doing!” the Blood Hand Sword roared at Lee Eom.
Lee Eom remained silent, watching Geom Mu-geuk’s reaction.
Geom Mu-geuk looked at the Blood Hand Sword and said coldly, “Eat it again.”
“Why, you crazy little brat...!”
Just as the Blood Hand Sword was about to strike Geom Mu-geuk down, the Young Cult Leader unleashed his demonic energy in earnest. A massive pressure crushed down on the room.
Ugh!
The Blood Hand Sword couldn't move a single finger.
What is this? Uuuuugh!
He had never felt such vicious demonic energy. The pressure was like Mount Tai crushing down on him, making it impossible to breathe. A wave of terror washed over him; he felt he might actually suffocate. A master of his caliber, dying from mere aura? It sounded impossible, yet it was happening.
He had lived his life without fear, but in this moment, he felt the true terror of death. Even against another demonic practitioner, he wouldn't have lost his nerve, but now, he didn't even dare to look this young opponent in the eye.
Then, the crushing energy receded slightly.
“I said, eat it again.”
Not daring to disobey, the Blood Hand Sword ate the food. “...It is delicious.”
“Why are you telling me? Tell the person who cooked it.”
The Blood Hand Sword turned his head toward Hwa-sun. “It was... delicious.”
“Again!” Mu-geuk commanded.
This time, the man spoke formally, his voice trembling. “It is delicious, Lady Hwa.”
Geom Mu-geuk smiled and said to Hwa-sun, “He says it’s delicious.”
Hwa-sun gave a trembling nod.
“Please wait a moment. I’ll be out after I have a quick word with these people.”
The door closed, and the guards led Hwa-sun to the end of the hallway. The very moment the door shut—
Thwack!
Geom Mu-geuk drove the chopsticks he was holding into the Blood Hand Sword’s forehead. The man collapsed onto the table and died instantly.
Lee Eom’s heart nearly leaped out of his chest. He hadn't known the man could be killed in a single move, or that anyone was capable of it. Geom Mu-geuk hadn't even looked at him when he struck. The Blood Hand Sword had survived countless evils, yet he had been killed with a pair of chopsticks without a single word.
“I hear you agreed to split the stolen goods three ways?”
“I’ll give it all up! Take my share too!” Lee Eom shrieked.
“Who is the third person?”
Lee Eom spoke in a trembling voice. “Didn't he send you? To take it all for yourself?”
“I asked who he is.”
When Lee Eom hesitated, Geom Mu-geuk picked up the remaining chopstick. Having seen the first one disappear into the Blood Hand Sword’s skull, Lee Eom couldn't hold out.
“It’s Unit Leader Yeo!”
Now Geom Mu-geuk understood why the man had mistaken him for an envoy.
“It is Yeo So-gwang, the Hunan Branch Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult!”