Chapter 276: Give That Mouth a Rest
Chapter 276: Give That Mouth a Rest
The three men looked at one another.
To be precise, Jin Ha-gun and Bi Sa-in were staring at Geom Mu-geuk.
The look in Jin Ha-gun’s eyes as he watched Geom Mu-geuk was far different from when they had first exchanged greetings. Suddenly, he recalled something his younger sister had told him before he left.
— When you deal with him, you must cast aside your prejudices. Don’t just think, "He’s a demonic practitioner, so he must be like this." He isn't the kind of person you imagine him to be.
He finally understood why his sister had said those words. The man was nothing like the person he had envisioned. Jin Ha-gun felt a surge of curiosity toward the man standing before him—a man who might very well become his lifelong nemesis.
Right then, someone spoke.
"…It’s not fair."
Every eye in the room turned toward the speaker.
Seo Cheong was slumped on the floor, staring back at them. Though the blood pooling from Seo Baek-jung’s body was soaking into his clothes, he looked half-insane.
"I said, it’s not fair!"
It had felt good when he was screaming earlier. It was a relief to vent. You hypocrites! Have you never killed anyone?!
But that was all. Once that moment passed, a crushing sense of futility rushed in. No one was paying him any attention. It felt as if his outburst had never even happened.
He had always lived as the protagonist of his own life. Yet now, not a single person in this banquet hall cared about him.
At a moment when he should have been enraged by his father’s death and terrified of spending the rest of his life in a dungeon, he was instead writhing in a sense of victimhood—the feeling of being ignored and discarded.
"So… please, spare me."
Geom Mu-geuk gazed at him with eyes devoid of emotion. Had the boy been clutching his father’s corpse while hurling curses, Geom Mu-geuk might have felt a shred of pity. But even in his final moments, Seo Cheong thought only of himself.
At Geom Mu-geuk’s slight nod, two escort warriors suppressed the boy’s internal energy and dragged him out. They had even sealed his mute acupoint to prevent him from screaming, so he was hauled away helplessly. He would soon be taken by the Hunan Branch warriors to that hellish dungeon at the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult’s headquarters.
Geom Mu-geuk didn't offer Seo Cheong a single word, nor did he acknowledge his pleas. He didn't grant him even a speck of interest.
To cast someone into hell without attaching any meaning to the act—this was Geom Mu-geuk’s consistent way of dealing with villains who deserved death.
From that display, Jin Ha-gun caught a glimpse of Geom Mu-geuk’s true character. Had it been him, he surely would have said something—told the boy to spend his life in atonement since his father died because of him. But Geom Mu-geuk ignored him completely, not even granting him a cold glare. That felt far more terrifying and cruel.
Jin Ha-gun felt as though he had truly tasted the flavor of the Murim today. It was an incredibly spicy taste, yet not an unpleasant one. It was a flavor he wanted to experience again. At the same time, a desire welled up within him: next time, he wanted to be the one doing the cooking and show Geom Mu-geuk a real taste of his own.
"I will not forget today."
It might have sounded like a vow of revenge, but he was expressing his gratitude. Had it not been for Geom Mu-geuk, he would have fallen out of his grandfather’s favor.
Geom Mu-geuk replied with a gentle gaze and a smile.
"Be a good Alliance Leader."
Jin Ha-gun decided to believe only half of the sincerity in those eyes. He had never heard of a successor to the Demonic Cult advising someone to be a "good" Alliance Leader.
Behind them, the Demon Extermination Squad, the Heavenly Demon Hall guards, and the 13 Wolves of the Unorthodox Path were all staring at one another. They sensed that this meeting was not the end. When and where would they meet again?
At the final moment of parting, Geom Mu-geuk couldn't resist a bit of banter.
"It’s a shame to say goodbye like this. Let’s all go grab a drink."
Jin Ha-gun pretended not to hear and bid farewell to Bi Sa-in instead. The single cup of wine Bi Sa-in had silently poured for him earlier had been a great comfort.
"Next time, I shall be the one to pour you a drink."
Bi Sa-in gave a slight nod. Would the day ever come when he would receive a drink from the successor of the Orthodox faction? Perhaps it would. Ever since meeting Geom Mu-geuk, things he could never have imagined were happening one after another.
"Until we meet again."
Jin Ha-gun strode out first. As the Demon Extermination Squad prepared to follow, Geom Mu-geuk called out to them.
"Now then, since your captain is leaving, why don't the rest of us have a drink? You can chat with our guards. How much is your monthly salary? Does it come in on time? What’s the working environment like? Aren't you all curious about each other?"
The members of the Demon Extermination Squad wore bewildered expressions as they followed Jin Ha-gun. One of them let out an involuntary chuckle before quickly turning solemn again. The Demon Extermination Squad, the 13 Wolves, and the Heavenly Demon Hall guards drinking together in one place? Was such a thing even possible?
The last person from the Orthodox side to leave was the Sword Line.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon was the first to greet him.
"Until next time. Take care of yourself."
"Don't you worry. I’ve found a reason to live a long life."
"I told you, the juniors hate it when you meddle in their business."
"And you, try putting on some weight."
The Sword Line glanced at his "reason to live a long life" before departing.
Geom Mu-geuk turned to Bi Sa-in.
"Now that all the stuffy Orthodox people are gone, let’s have a drink among us men!"
But Bi Sa-in also pretended not to hear and walked away.
Bi Sa-in knew. He knew that Geom Mu-geuk had intended to give him the Heavenly Flower Sect—if Seo Cheong hadn't acted out at the last second. Indeed, how can one beat a lucky bastard?
Still, by coming out this time and gaining fifteen sects in the Hunan region, he had performed a great service for the Alliance.
"I said let’s have a drink! How heartless!"
Despite Geom Mu-geuk’s shouting from behind, Bi Sa-in kept walking with long strides. There was no need for words of thanks. Geom Mu-geuk would surely appear before him again someday. He would be sitting on some cliff, showing that back he wanted to kick so badly, and surprise him once more. Bi Sa-in found himself looking forward to that moment. I’ll repay this debt then.
The 13 Wolves of the Unorthodox Path followed him, and Goe Ak and Gwang Seom walked out as well. Those two masters also took a long look at Geom Mu-geuk, rather than the Blood Heaven Blade Demon or the Fist Demon, before they left. Everyone could feel it—Geom Mu-geuk was the one who had orchestrated today’s outcome.
Once they were gone, Geom Mu-geuk laughed heartily.
"As expected! I only have my Demon Lords!"
However, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the Fist Demon were no longer standing there. They were already walking toward the door.
"Where are you going?"
"The work is done, so we’re leaving."
"Wait, did you all plan this? Why are you doing this to me?"
Geom Mu-geuk dashed over and blocked their path.
The guards moved in unison to form a perimeter. No. 3 looked at Jeok-yeon and sent a message with his eyes, repeating what he had said before.
— He really isn't easy to serve.
Jeok-yeon replied with his eyes.
— Isn't that why it’s fun?
One moment, Geom Mu-geuk displayed a dignity that even the other successors and the Sword Line couldn't trifle with, and the next, he was acting like a playful rogue. He felt like a completely different person.
Geom Mu-geuk said to the two Demon Lords, "Phew, I talked so much I thought my jaw was going to fall off."
It truly was a Demonic-Orthodox meeting that began and ended with words.
The Fist Demon curled his hand into a fist.
"Thanks to that mouth of yours, I didn't have to use this."
Despite his bluntness, the Fist Demon’s eyes held a hint of praise that said, 'You handled it well.'
"I only babbled so much because I trusted in that fist."
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon tried to head out the door.
"Now, give that mouth a rest. We’re leaving."
"Wait, you’re the most leisure-loving person in the world, why are you in such a hurry?"
"I have to teach Dae-ryong, and I have books to read. I’m a busy man."
The Fist Demon added his own reason.
"I have to attend my late-night training."
Geom Mu-geuk grabbed them both.
"How can you be so cold? You’ve come a long way, so stay a bit longer. Who knows? An occasion to use those fists might arise."
At those meaningful words, the Fist Demon asked, "Is something happening?"
"Let’s go. I’ll tell you as we walk."
Geom Mu-geuk wedged himself between the two men to prevent them from leaving, linking arms with them as they walked out together.
"You should travel diligently while you’re even a year younger! How can you already prefer staying at home? Later on, you won't be able to travel even if you want to!"
The guards followed them out, witnessing the rare sight of the two terrifying Demon Lords being led away by the young man between them.
*
We returned to the Hunan Branch.
I immediately dismissed all the guards to let them rest. If I were to die while staying with the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the Fist Demon at the Hunan Branch, I would have died even if the guards were there.
The guards withdrew to enjoy some rare free time. Those who wanted to sleep, slept; those who wanted to drink, drank; and those who wanted to train, trained.
I held a modest drinking session with the two Demon Lords.
Though the two of them seemed like an odd pair, they actually got along quite well. While the Blood Heaven Blade Demon appeared to be a fastidious old man, he had a rugged, manly temperament that meshed well with the Fist Demon’s personality.
I drained my first cup with the two of them.
"Thank you for coming. Thanks to you both, things went smoothly."
Truly, their mere presence was a source of strength. They had become people I could tell anything to and rely on completely.
"So, what do you plan to do now?" the Blood Heaven Blade Demon asked as he set down his cup.
"I have to go to the Jiangxi Branch."
Meeting the Hunan and Jiangxi Branch Leaders had been the purpose of this excursion.
"The Jiangxi Branch Leader’s heart must be racing right about now."
After all, the Hunan Branch Leader was dead, and the leader of the region’s representative sect, the Heavenly Flower Sect, was also dead.
"If he hasn't committed any crimes, he has no reason to be anxious."
"He’ll be anxious regardless. He’s heard that a certain someone who brings a bloodbath wherever he goes is coming to visit."
"That’s unfair. Where else could you find someone who loves peace as much as I do?"
I poured them more wine as I spoke.
"However, there is something I must handle before I go. That’s why I wanted you two to stay."
I informed them about the mastermind behind this incident.
"There is someone who connected the late Heavenly Flower Sect Leader with Jin Ha-gun. The Sect Leader asked him for help, and he immediately moved the Murim Alliance."
"Then he must be someone with significant power."
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s eyes gleamed with interest, instinctively sensing a hidden predator. This meant the incident might not have been a simple case of corruption starting with the Hunan Branch Leader.
"When I tested Jin Ha-gun earlier, I noticed they are very close."
"Then it’s highly likely he’s an internal figure of the Murim Alliance."
"Yes, that’s very probable."
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon immediately grasped my intention.
"You plan to catch him."
"At the very least, I need to find out who he is. It’s not just because he’s a threat to me. It bothers me that such a person is close to Jin Ha-gun. In other words, it means he could manipulate the man who will one day become the Murim Alliance Leader."
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the Fist Demon nodded simultaneously.
"How do you plan to find out?"
"You should be the one to tell me that, Elder. Why do you think I brought you all this way? I brought you here to hear what I should do in a situation like this."
"Using an old man for your chores. You’re quite something."
Despite his words, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon looked pleased. Isn't it always enjoyable to be recognized and confirmed as a necessary presence?
After a moment of thought, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon raised a question.
"But why did he go this far?"
"What do you mean?"
"Why did he go so far as to involve Jin Ha-gun in this? Was he really that close to the Heavenly Flower Sect Leader?"
"According to the Tongcheon Pavilion’s investigation, there was no one in the Murim Alliance that close to him."
"Then why? The credit would go to Jin Ha-gun, not him. The Murim Alliance would reap all the benefits."
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s point was sharp. While I was focusing on who, he was focusing on why.
"Either he’s someone trying to help Jin Ha-gun build his reputation… or…"
"Or it means he absolutely needed the Heavenly Flower Sect Leader for something."
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon nodded at my words.
"If that’s the case, he will surely show some reaction to this outcome. You can use that reaction as an opportunity to catch him."
"As expected! You’re the best, Elder. How would I live without you?"
"Mask-wearer, poison-user, drunkard, duel-maniac…"
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon glanced at the Fist Demon sitting next to him.
I said with a laugh, "You should call him the fist-maniac."
"You’ll live just fine with your master."
Even so, he showed courtesy to the Fist Demon since he was right there.
"If he weren't here, you would have called him a fist-maniac, wouldn't you?"
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon drank instead of answering, and the rarely-smiling Fist Demon let out a small grin.
"I’ll notify the Tongcheon Pavilion and tell my own information network to focus all their resources on this matter."
The Fist Demon, who had been listening to the conversation, finally spoke.
"I will return after seeing how they react."
It seemed the Fist Demon had decided there might be a need for his help.
"As expected! How would I live without my master?"
I wanted to hear "book-maniac" come out of the Fist Demon’s mouth, but he simply tilted his cup in silence. I emptied my cup along with them. I was curious to see how the opponent would move.
*
When Jin Ha-gun visited his master’s house, Baek Cheon-gyeong was carving a wooden figure.
"I have returned, Master."
Baek Cheon-gyeong didn't acknowledge the greeting and focused solely on carving the wood.
Scrape, scrape.
Jin Ha-gun watched his master’s reaction. He couldn't tell if his master hadn't heard the news from Hunan yet, or if he had already been informed. After returning and seeing his grandfather, he had come straight to see his master.
His grandfather’s reaction had been better than expected. When he told him that he couldn't forgive the atrocities of the Heavenly Flower Sect’s successor and had ultimately given up on them, the expression on his grandfather’s face was clearly one of joy.
It was chilling to think what kind of emotion would have crossed that face had he returned after securing the Heavenly Flower Sect. Once again, he felt grateful to Geom Mu-geuk.
'I will surely repay this someday.'
The problem was his master. In the end, he had failed the task his master had suggested.
'But surely he’ll understand?'
After all, the purpose of recommending this task must have been to help him become the successor.
Scrape, scrape.
As he watched his master’s back, the words Geom Mu-geuk had spoken suddenly came to mind.
— Have you ever looked your grandfather straight in the eye?
It wasn't just his grandfather. He hadn't been looking at his master straight, either. Because he was his master. Because he was his grandfather.
Now, he would look at them properly. Straight on, without any prejudice.
Since his master was still focused on his carving, Jin Ha-gun looked around the workshop as usual and went to the display stand where the dolls were lined up. In front of the hero doll that led the battle, a small doll lay fallen. It was a doll he hadn't seen when he left.
Just as Jin Ha-gun was about to pick up the collapsed doll and set it upright, his master spoke from behind.
"Leave it lying down."