Chapter 286: When You Hear the Word Revenge
Chapter 286: When You Hear the Word Revenge
“This is where I parted ways with Miss Jin.”
Lee An pointed toward the end of the narrow path.
“And Miss Jin walked off in that direction.”
The ones listening to her were the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the Fist Demon. They had their bamboo hats pressed down low, wary of catching anyone’s eye. The Heaven Extermination Great Blade was also heavily wrapped in white cloth. Fortunately, the area was secluded, and they hadn't encountered a soul.
When Lee An had arrived at the safe house and reported what happened, the first thing the Blood Heaven Blade Demon said was this:
— Leaving that brat to his own devices is the best way to help him.
That was the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s assessment of Geom Mu-geuk. However, his actions told a different story.
— There’s likely nothing to help with, but we might as well go get some fresh air, just in case.
The Fist Demon, maintaining his usual stoic demeanor, followed the Blade Demon’s lead without a word.
The Fist Demon began to inspect the path, searching here and there. The Blood Heaven Blade Demon simply watched him. Lee An had wondered why he left the entire search to the other man, but there was a reason for it.
“It seems she was captured here.”
Lee An asked the Fist Demon, “How can you tell?”
Normally, he was someone she would be too terrified to even approach, but after their late-night training sessions, she had grown somewhat comfortable around him.
Ah! To think I’d pick the scariest-looking one as the most approachable among the Demon Lords!
“Look at the footprints here.”
There were tracks on the ground, but they were so faint that she wouldn't have even recognized them as footprints if he hadn't pointed them out.
“How did you even spot these?”
“I dabbled in tracking techniques in my youth.”
At that, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon offered a rare compliment.
“If he hadn't become a Demon Lord, he would have become the world’s greatest tracker.”
The thought of this massive, terrifying man practicing tracking felt like a mismatch, yet another thought crossed Lee An's mind.
Becoming a Demon Lord isn't something just anyone can do.
Come to think of it, these were the eight people who held the highest positions in the Demonic Cult, second only to the Heavenly Demon. Because Geom Mu-geuk was so extraordinary, the Demon Lords often seemed to be at his beck and call, but seeing them individually like this, it was clear each one was a master capable of shaking the Murim.
“Fortunately, the kidnapper was careless, assuming no one would follow. This way.”
“Lead the way.”
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon and Lee An followed close behind him.
Their pace slowed as they went. Even if he had mastered tracking in his youth, demonstrating that skill perfectly now was no easy feat. Just as they wondered if they should give up, the Fist Demon found a fresh trail.
He discovered traces of someone pushing through the dense forest.
“It’s Mu-geuk.”
It was a trail Geom Mu-geuk had left intentionally.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon shook his head and grumbled.
“Always finding a way to work an old man to the bone!”
Despite his words, a flicker of relief crossed his face. Lee An saw it clearly. He had said leaving him alone was helping, but he was truly worried about Geom Mu-geuk. Even the stoic Fist Demon was pushing his old skills to the limit just to find him.
Lee An felt heartened by their affection for Geom Mu-geuk, but she also felt a twinge of envy.
I want to have people like this in my life, too.
Geom Mu-geuk wasn't just teaching her martial arts; he was influencing the very direction of her life.
Lee An gave a faint smile and said to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, “Let’s hurry so you can scold him!”
With that, the three of them began to cut through the forest.
*
“How did you find this place?”
Though he maintained a calm facade, Baek Cheon-gyeong was deeply shocked by Geom Mu-geuk’s appearance. This was his personal hideout, undiscovered by anyone until now. Over the last ten years, a couple of herb gatherers had stumbled upon it and died for their curiosity, but he never imagined someone would find this place by design.
“I threw my shoe and performed a divination to see where it landed. It pointed right here.”
“Right. You were always one to spout nonsense.”
Geom Mu-geuk stared at him and asked, “And what kind of person are you? Someone who kidnaps women to plot schemes?”
“You saw correctly. I am a man who will achieve his goals by any means, even if it requires kidnapping a woman.”
The energy emanating from the thousands of dolls began to grow stronger. It was clear that Baek Cheon-gyeong’s emotions were heightening.
“Where is Miss Jin?”
“Ha-ryeong is fine.”
“Ha-ryeong? Do you have the right to call her by her name?”
“Right? I’ve never seen anyone who discusses 'rights' actually possess them. What about you? Do you have the right to ask me about mine?”
“I have more than enough rights. The Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult coming to rescue the granddaughter of the Murim Alliance Leader—how about that? Have you ever seen such a thing? With a title like that, what right could I possibly lack?”
A sneer formed on Baek Cheon-gyeong’s lips.
“I see. You must have escaped by bewitching the Alliance Leader with your silver tongue, just as you're doing now.”
He had expected the young man wouldn't fall into a trap easily. After all, this was the man who had forced him to move up his plans by several days.
“What is this all for? Surely you can tell me by now. Tell me. Why are you doing this?”
“Since you brought up the subject of rights, let’s see if you have the right to hear my story.”
As Baek Cheon-gyeong reached out his hand, a deep, lush green light poured from the eyes of the dolls nearest to Geom Mu-geuk.
Sssssssst!
Ten dolls grew in size.
They drew their weapons as if they were living people. The sight of wooden dolls moving so naturally was truly eerie. Their weapons were also made of wood, except for the edges. It was neither metal nor wood, yet it gleamed sharper than any blade.
This was the moment he faced the Wood Form Thousand Soul Technique he had only heard of in legends.
Of course, Geom Mu-geuk was neither surprised nor flustered. Baek Cheon-gyeong felt both curiosity and admiration at that reaction.
He isn't surprised at all.
How could he remain so composed while small wooden dolls grew to human size and moved? Was it because he had experienced all sorts of demonic arts since childhood?
Of course, that didn't mean he thought Geom Mu-geuk could overcome the Wood Form Thousand Soul Technique. No matter how successful a Young Cult Leader he was, the youth could not overcome his own years of experience.
Geom Mu-geuk knew the fastest and surest way to break this martial art: kill Baek Cheon-gyeong directly. While the man would surely protect himself in various ways, at the very least, Mu-geuk wouldn't have to deal with every single doll.
However, Geom Mu-geuk did not rush in for the kill. His primary goal was not to kill the man, but to rescue Jin Ha-ryeong and find out about Hwa Mu-gi.
Therefore, he received the first move with due respect.
The moment Geom Mu-geuk drew his sword, the ten wooden dolls lunged simultaneously.
As Geom Mu-geuk unfolded the Wind God Four Steps, even the fastest dolls could not keep up with his mysterious movements. Geom Mu-geuk cut them down decisively, not even needing to resort to the Flying Heaven Sword Technique. He treated them as humans and sliced through them with precision.
How could ten ordinary experts kill Geom Mu-geuk? Of course, they had terrifying traits that differed from humans. First, they had no emotions. They knew no fear and felt no mercy. No matter who the opponent was, they only followed orders.
Even more terrifying was the fact that they felt no pain. Furthermore, they possessed regenerative abilities. If one arm holding a sword was cut off, a blade would grow from the other arm to continue the attack. If both arms were severed, they would charge and headbutt with their torsos.
Ultimately, they only stopped moving when their torsos were bisected or their heads were removed. Once neutralized, the dolls returned to their original size.
While dealing with these ten dolls, Geom Mu-geuk gained a clear understanding of their characteristics and movements. Baek Cheon-gyeong was inwardly impressed, seeing that not a single move was wasted.
He really is extraordinary.
After eliminating all ten dolls, Geom Mu-geuk feigned distress.
“What would you do if I died like this?”
“If you die, you die. Why? Did you think I wouldn't kill you?”
“I’m the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult. The Young Cult Leader.”
“You might be a great figure in the Murim, but to me, you’re just an interloper who suddenly jumped into my life. Like a carriage that suddenly rushes at you when you turn a corner.”
“Not a carriage—the Cult. This could lead to war, you know. A real war.”
He tested the waters by mentioning war, but Baek Cheon-gyeong didn't waver in the slightest. Perhaps that was what he wanted. After all, clashing with the Alliance Leader was intended to spark a conflict between the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult and the Murim Alliance.
“I’ve shown you my worth, so answer my question.”
“Didn't I just answer? If you want to speak with me again, show me your worth once more.”
This time, twenty wooden dolls grew in size.
Twenty dolls out of thousands—it was a mere drop in the bucket. The fear wasn't the twenty dolls themselves, but the thousands that remained.
Of course, Geom Mu-geuk was not afraid. Using the Wood Form Thousand Soul Technique surely required immense internal energy. He wouldn't be able to move the dolls indefinitely, and Mu-geuk was confident in a battle of internal energy against anyone in the world.
And this time, Geom Mu-geuk dealt with them differently.
Swaaaaaaaak!
Before they could charge, Geom Mu-geuk’s sword qi swept through them first. It was the First Form of the Flying Heaven Sword Technique, the Balanced Heaven Form, reached at the Twelve-Star Great Achievement.
It wasn't a sword qi that could be avoided by dodging. Because it was so fast and powerful, the twenty dolls were sliced apart simultaneously.
“Ugh.”
Baek Cheon-gyeong let out a low groan. The shock had traveled to his body when the Wood Form Thousand Soul Technique he created was cut down all at once.
Twenty units in a single strike?
Baek Cheon-gyeong couldn't believe it. Since he had begun using the Wood Form Thousand Soul Technique, he had never been defeated so helplessly.
Despite showing such an incredible move, Geom Mu-geuk remained calm. He walked slowly and sat down where the dolls that had just attacked had been standing. Then, he picked up a nearby doll. He toyed with it fearlessly, even though it could grow and attack at any moment.
“What on earth happened to you?”
Stripped of his playfulness, Geom Mu-geuk gave off a different aura. His clear, deep eyes looked as if they could listen to any story. Even though he was an enemy, he seemed capable of offering a comfort that no ally ever had.
Was it because of that gaze? A scene surfaced in Baek Cheon-gyeong’s mind. That place on that day, filled only with corpses—the events of that day remained branded on his heart like a searing iron.
Then, Geom Mu-geuk asked abruptly.
“Are you seeking revenge?”
Baek Cheon-gyeong looked at him. He had intended never to tell his story, but looking at Geom Mu-geuk, a desire to speak arose. He wanted to hear what the man would say. He wanted to know what this silver-tongued, strange Geom Mu-geuk would have to say about it.
“And what are you trying to do? Are you aiming to become the Alliance Leader’s grandson-in-law? Or are you trying to kill him after getting on his good side?”
Geom Mu-geuk spoke while fiddling with the doll.
“I’m also seeking revenge.”
Baek Cheon-gyeong was startled. It was the most shocked he had been since meeting Geom Mu-geuk. He truly hadn't expected the word 'revenge' to come out of his mouth.
“Against whom?”
“See? When you hear the word revenge, aren't you immediately curious about who it's against?”
Geom Mu-geuk set the doll back down and said, “Shouldn't I be the one to listen first, in order of sequence?”
At that moment, four dolls around Geom Mu-geuk suddenly grew and attacked.
Shiiiiik!
The four dolls were sliced apart instantly.
Geom Mu-geuk reacted as if he had known the attack was coming. His martial arts level already overwhelmed the dolls' attacks. Baek Cheon-gyeong realized it then: he couldn't even graze Geom Mu-geuk with this method. He would have to use his trump card to decide the match.
Thud. Thud.
The dolls fell, severed, as they returned to their original size.
Even after the surprise attack, Geom Mu-geuk didn't curse him. Instead, he picked up the fallen pieces and placed them back where they belonged.
“Are you mocking me?”
“If I were mocking you, I would have trampled them or pissed on them. At least I know, don't I? How hard you worked to carve each and every one of these. I know because I’ve tried it myself. Carving these is no easy task.”
“No matter what you say, you won't leave here alive today.”
“Then can't you tell me? I’m a dead man anyway. And it’s the same if you die. You’ll be dead either way, so is there any reason you can't speak? What are you so worried about that you're carrying such a burden even after death?”
Those words struck Baek Cheon-gyeong’s heart. Yes, he was clinging to all sorts of regrets and worries, even though he didn't fear death itself.
“You certainly are good at sophistry.”
“Tell me. I want to know your story.”
Their gazes locked in the air. Baek Cheon-gyeong could feel that Geom Mu-geuk sincerely wanted to know, and that his reason wasn't to gain an advantage in this fight.
Finally, Baek Cheon-gyeong slowly reached out his hand.
Then, the dolls slightly further away from Geom Mu-geuk grew to human size. They didn't rush toward him. Instead, they began to fight among themselves in the center of the plaza.
Geom Mu-geuk understood. Baek Cheon-gyeong was showing what he had gone through. The plaza had become a stage to display his past.
A masked doll was cutting down the other dolls. Both male and female dolls fell to its sword. They were helpless. The Wood Form Thousand Soul Technique was demonstrated on the stage as well. Small dolls grew in size, showing how they tried to stop the intruder using the technique.
It’s the Mokcheon Family.
He was showing the annihilation of the Mokcheon Family. The sight of everyone in the clan being slaughtered. It was a scene that would make Geom Mu-geuk more furious than anyone else. Familiar faces overlapped with the falling dolls.
The masked doll cut down every last person. This revealed that the massacre that day had been carried out by a single person.
“You want to know why I’ve been carving these in the Murim Alliance for ten years? Why I don't care whether a war breaks out or not? Why I dared to kidnap the Alliance Leader’s granddaughter? Look closely at why I’ve waited only for the moment of perfect revenge!”
The moment he finished speaking, the doll that had committed the slaughter turned its head toward Geom Mu-geuk.
Geom Mu-geuk was stunned the moment he saw it. Though it wore a mask, he could recognize those sharp, intense eyes. It was someone he knew as well.
It was none other than the Murim Alliance Leader, Jin Pae-cheon.