Chapter 266: No Matter What Anyone Says, the Young Cult Leader Is...
Chapter 266: No Matter What Anyone Says, the Young Cult Leader Is...
Only Geom Mu-geuk and his personal guards remained in the banquet hall after the festivities had wound down.
After having the bodies cleared away, he had intentionally dismissed everyone else. He wanted to share a drink with his men.
Mu-geuk perched on the edge of a table and picked up a bottle of liquor.
"Your shift is almost over, right? Here, everyone have a drink."
Jeok-yeon and the guards silently accepted the wine. They no longer offered protests like, "We cannot drink while on duty." A unique bond was beginning to form between them.
"You’ve all worked hard."
As Mu-geuk raised his glass high, the others followed suit and drained theirs.
Drinking wine in an empty banquet hall where a storm had just swept through held a peculiar charm.
You guys should rest at times like this.
Some might say being a guard was a glamorous job, but without a deep sense of duty, it was incredibly grueling. They weren't the protagonists, the supporting cast, or even the extras. Their job was to be the background.
"Do you ever drink before going to sleep?" Mu-geuk asked.
Jeok-yeon replied, "I do, occasionally. On a day like today, I certainly would have."
"A day like today?"
Instead of answering directly, Jeok-yeon posed a question of his own. "Punishing evil... do you never grow weary of it?"
"That’s why people lose. Because they get tired. The other side is like weeds that sprout the moment you turn your back, while we are the farmers who must pull every last one."
Jeok-yeon’s eyes wavered slightly. His gaze drifted toward the faint bloodstains remaining where Yeo So-gwang’s body had been.
"When I first saw Unit Leader Yeo, I didn't realize he was that kind of man."
"You shouldn't be fooled by first impressions. Petty men are experts at disguising themselves. If someone gives off an excessively pleasant vibe the moment you meet them, that's exactly when you should be on your guard."
"In that sense, I suppose I’m fortunate."
With his single eye, Jeok-yeon left a striking first impression. He couldn't be compared to the Fist Demon, but he was like a milder, more approachable version of Jang Ho.
"You’re actually quite handsome once you take off that eyepatch, aren't you? Very rugged."
"Me? That’s the first I’ve heard of it."
Just as Jeok-yeon’s mood was starting to lift, Mu-geuk quickly added, "See? This is what you have to watch out for. People making you feel good for no reason!"
Jeok-yeon and the guards shared a rare laugh.
"Will you be leaving for the Jiangxi Branch tomorrow?"
"I’d like to, but... I have to wrap things up here first."
Cutting someone down and erasing them was the easy part. It was always the aftermath that was difficult. One had to clean up the mess left behind and find a suitable replacement.
"There’s no rush. Let’s take it slow."
Would it be any different there? It’ll just be another mix of good people and bastards.
*
The next morning, rumors of the Branch Leader’s death spread through the Hunan Branch like wildfire.
Since so many people had witnessed Yeo So-gwang’s end, the details of why he was executed were also widely known. For now, it remained an internal rumor within the branch, but within a few days, it would spread across the entire Hunan region.
Now, every Branch Leader and Manager in the Central Plains would fear him. Mu-geuk didn't think that was a bad thing. Discipline could only be properly established when there was a healthy amount of tension and fear.
That afternoon, the Hunan regional manager of Tongcheon Pavilion visited again.
"We have recovered all the assets Yeo So-gwang hid at Yangho Temple. How should we handle the funds?"
"Send it all to the Main Headquarters."
"Understood."
Father, your son is out here working hard to fill the coffers! I’ll have to brag to him about this later.
"The Young Cult Leader must remain at this branch for the time being, at least until the higher-ups appoint a temporary Branch Leader."
Since he had executed the Branch Leader without appointing a successor, it couldn't be helped. Even without the Tongcheon Pavilion martial artist's reminder, Mu-geuk had intended to stay and settle the aftermath.
Just as they had left the selection of the Huangquan Pavilion Master to him, there was a high possibility they would accept his recommendation for the successor here as well.
"As soon as you return, send me information on the executive-level personnel under the Branch Leader. I want every scrap of data you have."
"Understood."
After receiving the files from Tongcheon Pavilion, Mu-geuk immediately began interviewing the martial artists who were potential candidates for the next Branch Leader.
He couldn't fully grasp a person's nature through a single interview, but their past actions allowed him to gauge their character.
After recording his impressions of each individual, he sent the report to Tongcheon Pavilion. Whether they sent a new person down or chose from those he interviewed, the rest was up to his father and the Pavilion.
Once his administrative work was done, he practiced the Heavenly Demon Body Protection Art at the training ground. Recently, whenever he practiced the art, he felt an instinctive tingling sensation—a signal that it was time to move to the next stage.
As expected, his intuition was correct. On the third day of training, the Heavenly Demon Body Protection Art reached the next level. He was now only one step away from Great Achievement. Once he crossed that final threshold, he would essentially possess two lives.
Usually, it was difficult to pinpoint the reason for such a profound advancement in martial arts, but this time, he knew exactly why.
It was because of the Nine Calamities Demonic Art. Learning it had undoubtedly influenced his progress in the Heavenly Demon Body Protection Art.
He immediately performed the First Form of the Nine Calamities Demonic Art. He was curious to see how the advancement of his protection art had, in turn, affected his offensive technique.
First Form: Annihilation Form.
The East, West, South, and North Demons appeared simultaneously, tearing through the fabric of space.
The terrifying one, the handsome one, the mysterious one, and the clever-looking one. All four were the same as before.
However, something had changed.
The duration they remained manifested was slightly longer than before. The advancement of the Heavenly Demon Body Protection Art had indeed bolstered the Nine Calamities Demonic Art.
Of course, that didn't mean he was having emotional exchanges with them yet. It was still the stage of his one-sided courtship.
East, West, South, North—I’ll be in your care from now on!
Would the moment ever come when those evil ghosts responded to his feelings?
Though it was already different, that would be the day his Nine Calamities Demonic Art became something entirely distinct from his father's.
*
On the day he finished his training and left the grounds, two men came looking for Geom Mu-geuk. One of them introduced himself first.
"My name is Chung-sik. I have a desperate favor to ask of the Young Cult Leader, so I have taken the liberty of seeking you out despite my rudeness."
Chung-sik’s voice trembled, likely from nerves.
Geom Mu-geuk recognized him.
"You’re the one who was performing at the banquet that day."
Chung-sik was startled that Mu-geuk remembered him.
"You... you remember me?"
"I do. I don't easily forget a face I’ve seen. What brings a musician here?"
Chung-sik turned to the middle-aged man who had accompanied him.
"This man is my friend."
The man introduced himself. "I am Hae-song, and I sell vegetables at the marketplace here."
Hae-song was even more nervous than Chung-sik.
"It’s a pleasure. I am Geom Mu-geuk."
"It is an honor to meet such an esteemed person."
"What business brings you to me?"
Hae-song couldn't bring himself to speak. Even though he had practiced what to say, his heart hammered so hard that the words died in his throat.
Unable to watch any longer, Chung-sik spoke for him.
"Before the Young Cult Leader arrived here, this friend's son was the victim of a wrongful assault. He was so severely injured that the physician said he might be crippled for life."
Hae-song bit his lip hard. This was the reason he couldn't speak. Just thinking of his son made his blood boil, and he felt like he was going to burst into tears.
"Who did this?"
"There is an organization made up of young martial artists in the Hunan region. They call themselves the Martial God Society."
"Who led the assault?"
"The son of the Heavenly Flower Sect Leader and the son of the Soya Guild Master."
The Heavenly Flower Sect and the Soya Guild. These were the very sects that had joined hands with the late Yeo So-gwang. They were already under investigation, and now they had revealed their true colors through this unexpected matter.
Seeing that the heavens would not let these sects slip through the net, Mu-geuk thought their misdeeds might be even greater than they appeared.
"We know how insolent it is for lowly people like us to seek out the Young Cult Leader with such a request. However, we saw the Young Cult Leader step forward for Yak-ran that day. We believed that if it were you, you would resolve this friend's grievance as well."
Chung-sik’s gaze turned toward Hae-song.
"I am a man who has lived my whole life only playing music. This friend is the one who bought me my instrument and helped me learn to play when I was poor. I want to repay that kindness even if it costs me my life."
Hae-song lowered his head. Though he was merely a vegetable seller, he knew how burdensome and dangerous it was to approach the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult. His friend had risked his life for him. In truth, he had risked his own life as well. He would never have come for any other reason.
Hae-song spoke in a trembling voice.
"To be honest, I had given up. How could a mere merchant like me face the Heavenly Flower Sect and the Soya Guild? But my friend said that the Young Cult Leader coming here at this time was an opportunity granted by the heavens for my sake."
Hae-song looked at Geom Mu-geuk.
"I want them to pay for their crimes."
He had been trembling the entire time, but in this moment, his eyes were those of a father.
*
Hae-song’s wife was stunned. When the musician had come and told her husband to go meet the Young Cult Leader, she had thought it was a fool's errand. She didn't believe the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult would ever meet a lowly musician. She had worried they would only be beaten for their trouble.
But when the Young Cult Leader arrived in person and his guards stood watch around the house, she was so shocked she nearly lost her senses.
Entering the room, they found Hae-song’s son, Hae-jin, lying down and groaning in pain.
Even at a glance, his injuries were severe. A physician had treated him, but he still couldn't move. In his current state, it looked like he would struggle to live a normal life, let alone become a martial artist.
At the sound of the door opening, Hae-jin spoke, struggling to endure the agony.
"Mother, I’m okay. I feel much better."
Hae-jin was trying to hide his pain so his mother wouldn't worry. Hae-song’s wife sat beside her son, fighting back tears.
"Jin, an esteemed guest has come to see you."
Only then did Hae-jin open his eyes. But he was in too much pain to see clearly.
"Let me take a look for a moment."
Geom Mu-geuk turned Hae-jin onto his side and placed his palm on the boy's back.
As he injected True Qi to regulate the boy's internal energy and blood flow, Hae-jin’s ragged breathing began to steady.
Seeing this, Chung-sik, Hae-song, and his wife were overcome with relief. This was the most peaceful the boy had looked since being injured.
Geom Mu-geuk cleared the blocked acupoints and properly reset the broken bones. He performed the difficult treatment in an instant with minimal pain. If not for the sounds of bones snapping back into place, they wouldn't have even known what he was doing.
"What happened?"
With a much more comfortable expression, Hae-jin answered.
"I went to work at a banquet. If you serve wine and food at a noble family's banquet, you can earn more money than working at an inn."
Hae-song let out a heavy sigh. His son had used the money he earned from such hard work to attend a martial arts hall. If he had been wealthy, his son wouldn't have had to do such things. Chung-sik told him not to blame himself, but as a parent, how could he not?
"My dream is to become a martial artist."
"You have a good natural constitution, so you’ll be able to become a fine martial artist. You should thank your parents."
"Really?"
Hae-jin looked at his parents, finally clear-headed. The couple smiled, hiding their heartache.
Geom Mu-geuk asked again, "What happened there?"
"I was carrying wine for the banquet, and during a break, I practiced the footwork I had learned. I shouldn't have practiced..."
Hae-jin let out a sigh full of regret before continuing.
"Young Master Seo was passing by and saw me. He asked if I had learned martial arts. When I told him I attended a martial arts hall, he told me to spar with Young Master Seok, who was with him. I refused repeatedly, but..."
Hae-jin’s expression turned from resentment to fear. It seemed he couldn't bear the memory. The terror of being beaten nearly to death had left a deep scar on his soul.
Mu-geuk could see exactly what had happened. Since they had used a "sparring match" as an excuse for the assault, it was hard to hold them accountable legally. This likely wasn't the first time they had done this.
"How is my body?"
"Fortunately, no vital meridians were damaged. I just cleared the meridians that were blocked by the injury. You don't have to give up on your dream."
"Thank you so much."
Tears rolled down Hae-jin’s cheeks.
Chung-sik, Hae-song, and his wife were also overjoyed. They had only hoped he wouldn't be a cripple, but now their son could dream of being a martial artist again. They were even happier than the boy himself.
"Are these banquets held often?"
"They’re held every three or four days."
"Now, get some sleep."
Geom Mu-geuk pressed an acupoint, and Hae-jin fell into a peaceful slumber.
"Leave the rest to me and focus on your son's recovery."
The three of them bowed deeply to Geom Mu-geuk. They had never imagined the Young Cult Leader would help them so readily. It felt like a dream.
Before leaving, Geom Mu-geuk said to Hae-song, "I came because of the look in your eyes. You are the one who saved your son."
As Mu-geuk stepped outside, he heard Hae-song’s muffled sobs from within. His wife's weeping and his friend's cries joined in.
Geom Mu-geuk spoke to the waiting Jeok-yeon.
"Contact Tongcheon Pavilion again. Tell them to send data on the Heavenly Flower Sect and the Soya Guild, and find out when the next banquet is."
"Yes, understood."
As they walked toward the carriage together, Jeok-yeon added, "You are truly amazing."
"What is?"
"The way you personally take care of things like this."
"I came here in a carriage you guys drove, treated him with a bit of True Qi, and now I’m going to go to a banquet in a carriage you guys drive to punish some fools who don't know their place. Now, tell me, what part of that is amazing? What’s amazing is that musician's courage to seek out the Young Cult Leader for his friend. It’s the father's courage to demand justice from the children of great sects for his son. It’s the son's endurance, pretending not to be in pain for his mother. That is where the word 'amazing' belongs."
However, Jeok-yeon shook his head firmly.
"No. No matter what anyone says, the Young Cult Leader is more amazing."
Jeok-yeon opened the carriage door. As Mu-geuk climbed in, he said, "You’ve become quite stubborn. You’re changing. You’re getting a bit rebellious."
Jeok-yeon replied as he closed the door, "And whose fault do you think that is?"
Looking at Jeok-yeon through the window, Geom Mu-geuk smiled. He felt that color was slowly filling the lives of those who had once been nothing but a gray background.
And so, the carriage began to roll, heading off to handle a matter that was both amazing and not amazing at all.