Chapter 293: Where the Man Named Geom Wu-jin Lives
Chapter 293: Where the Man Named Geom Wu-jin Lives
“Let’s have a meal together before we part ways.”
At Geom Mu-geuk’s suggestion, Pyeon Jung recoiled, waving his hands in frantic refusal.
“That’s quite alright, Young Master.”
“We’ve eaten together every day on our way here. Wouldn’t it be strange to skip our last meal?”
It wasn't necessarily strange, but Geom Mu-geuk was already tugging at his sleeve.
“Which inn around here has the best food? Let’s go there.”
Led by Geom Mu-geuk, the two men walked through the marketplace. Pyeon Jung felt a flicker of gratitude; he had met a good customer and was getting a chance to treat his palate one last time.
As they walked, a fierce-looking man suddenly blocked Pyeon Jung’s path and held out a hand.
Without a word, Pyeon Jung reached into his robes and handed over two-thirds of the money he had earned from this trip.
The man took the silver and vanished immediately. There was no greeting, no insults, and no threats. To Geom Mu-geuk, the transaction felt chillingly cold-blooded. The hard-earned money had disappeared before the driver could even process anger or sadness.
After walking a few more steps, Pyeon Jung let out a heavy, ragged sigh.
“At first, I protested. I called it unfair and tried to resist.”
He began to recount his painful past, his voice low.
“I’ve been beaten half to death in front of my wife and children. I endured even that. But when that man put a knife to my son’s throat… I gave up on everything.”
Now, in a state of quiet desperation, he survived each day by working harder and saving even more, only to have it bled away.
Pyeon Jung stole a glance at Geom Mu-geuk. The young man said nothing, his expression unreadable.
“It’s over there. That place has the best cook in the village.”
Upon entering the inn, Geom Mu-geuk secured a room for his stay and then sat down with Pyeon Jung on the first floor. He ordered the inn’s specialty dishes for them to share.
If he has this much money, why did he borrow ten taels? It’s only going to cause him trouble, Pyeon Jung thought, his brow furrowed.
He spoke up cautiously. “If you’re planning to do something about the Message Center, please don’t. They aren’t just common thugs. Their organization is massive. They have branches everywhere in the Central Plains.”
Geom Mu-geuk quietly filled the man’s cup.
“You don’t need to worry about me.”
As usual, Geom Mu-geuk ate and drank in silence, and Pyeon Jung followed suit. Once the meal was finished, Geom Mu-geuk bid him farewell.
“You must be exhausted. Go home and rest. You worked hard driving the carriage all the way here.”
Geom Mu-geuk then called for the innkeeper. There was a reason he had brought Pyeon Jung to this specific place. The innkeeper brought out several parcels of food.
“I asked for dishes that children would enjoy. Take these home to them.”
Geom Mu-geuk had noticed Pyeon Jung falling into deep thought whenever he ate, realizing the man was thinking of his children. Pyeon Jung felt a lump form in his throat at the gesture.
“Why are you being so kind to me?”
“It’s a reward for bringing me here safely.”
Pyeon Jung’s voice choked up. One might meet good people or have lucky days in life, but he had never encountered someone who showed such genuine, selfless kindness. After bowing and thanking him several times, Pyeon Jung headed home with his hands full of food. His pace quickened at the thought of his children's happy faces.
Pyeon Jung likely believed this relationship, which began as driver and passenger, had ended upon reaching their destination. However, their fate was far from over.
Watching the man walk away, Geom Mu-geuk pulled the ten-tael debt note from his robe and looked down at the paper in silence.
*
Deok-chul was incredibly nervous.
After spending three months as a probationary investigator for the Message Center, he was finally on his first official investigation.
I have to do a great job and get recognized.
An investigator’s job was to visit a debtor’s registered address and verify if their family actually lived there. This task was often more important than the actual collection of money; holding family members as collateral ensured the debtor wouldn't flee.
As he neared the address, Deok-chul’s tension spiked.
I heard the Demonic Cult’s main headquarters was in this region, but this place is a literal den of demons.
He had already passed several demonic cultists radiating thick, suffocating energy. He was terrified, but he couldn't back down. He had to succeed here to become a full-fledged investigator.
Deok-chul checked the address on his paper and kept moving, trying to act as natural as possible. It was obvious he wouldn't leave alive if he offended anyone in the cultists' territory, so he forced himself to walk with the leisurely gait of a frequent visitor.
Eventually, Deok-chul entered the Ma Clan Village. As he passed through the market, street vendors were hawking various goods.
“We have many fine items! Come and take a look!”
Deok-chul couldn't refuse the goat-bearded merchant’s solicitation and was pulled toward the stall. He feared that if he said no, the shifty-looking man would stroke his beard and reveal himself as a retired demonic cultist, demanding, "Do you know who I am?"
The display was filled with all sorts of items, ranging from dolls carved in the likeness of the Heavenly Demon Soul to merchandise related to the Demon Lords. Even the white mask of the Extreme Evil Smiling Demon was hanging there.
These Demonic Cult bastards are insane. I can’t believe they sell stuff like this.
The Heavenly Demon Soul doll was truly terrifying. He felt like he might have a seizure if he saw it in his sleep. For that matter, had the person who made this even seen the Heavenly Demon? There was no way a mere doll-maker would have survived such an encounter.
Next to it stood dolls of the Eight Demon Lords.
The one that caught his eye first was, without a doubt, the Fist Demon doll. It was twice the size of the others, with a face just as intimidating as the Heavenly Demon Soul.
The goat-bearded merchant quickly began his pitch.
“That is the Lord Fist Demon. It was crafted perfectly to his actual proportions.”
His fists are the size of a human head, and you’re telling me this is his actual size? Who are you trying to fool?
Deok-chul put down the Fist Demon doll and examined another one. It stood out because its appearance was the polar opposite of the Fist Demon.
“That one is the Poison King. He’s quite handsome, isn't he? Look at those twelve poison pouches. Every single wrinkle was meticulously crafted.”
The merchant spoke with such fervor that spit flew from his mouth, but Deok-chul remained skeptical.
The Poison King is this young and handsome? I know people rarely see his actual face, but isn't this scamming a bit too much?
And what about the One Flower Sword Venerable doll? It radiated middle-aged elegance in a snow-white martial robe. Since Deok-chul didn't even know the Sword Venerable was a woman, he found it impossible to believe this was the legendary figure.
These guys are just making things up as they go.
The final blow to Deok-chul’s belief was the Demon Buddha doll. It was about half the size of the other dolls and glowed with a golden hue.
They made it half-sized to save on material costs.
Besides, how could a human body glow with such golden light?
Next, Deok-chul picked up the Blood Heaven Blade Demon doll, which captured a stern, stubborn gaze. He tried drawing the miniature Heaven Extermination Great Blade from its back. Oh, this one is actually cool.
When he saw the doll of the Extreme Evil Smiling Demon, standing arrogantly with its arms crossed behind a white mask, a chill ran down his spine. He found himself instinctively trying on the mask hanging nearby.
The Soul-Seizing Demon Lord doll, shown controlling puppets, and the Drunken Demon doll, shown leaning against a rock while drinking, were also quite stylish—even if they were all products of the merchant's imagination.
“If you buy all of the Eight Demon Lords at once, I’ll give you a thirty percent discount.”
“I’ll buy them next time.”
As he tried to leave, the goat-bearded merchant blocked his path. The man had already realized Deok-chul was a greenhorn from out of town. The merchant’s eyes seemed to say: You’re leaving after looking at everything? You even drew the Heaven Extermination Great Blade and you’re not buying? You even tried on the mask! Really?
Feeling like he wouldn't be allowed to leave without buying something, Deok-chul picked up the Blood Heaven Blade Demon doll.
“I’ll take this one.”
Only then did the merchant break into a wide grin.
It was right as Deok-chul turned away, having been forced into buying the doll, that a golden radiance began walking toward him from up ahead.
Deok-chul blinked hard and opened his eyes again. It wasn't a hallucination. The real Demon Buddha was walking right toward him.
Deok-chul looked back at the doll on the stall.
They’re identical!
As the Demon Buddha walked past, he spared a glance at Deok-chul. The Blood Heaven Blade Demon doll in Deok-chul’s hand trembled violently.
Should I have bought the Demon Buddha doll instead?
His heart hammered against his ribs. Surely the man wouldn't kill him just for buying a different doll, right?
Just then, a voice called out from the other side.
“Welcome.”
Deok-chul turned to see a young man standing there. It was the First Young Master, Geom Mu-yang.
“First Young Master.”
Deok-chul held his breath.
First Young Master? Am I seriously standing in the middle of a meeting between the First Young Master of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult and the Demon Buddha?
Geom Mu-yang spoke to the Demon Buddha.
“Since you paid last time, Demon Lord, the drinks are on me today.”
“Very well.”
The Demon Buddha smiled brightly as they walked away. Their relationship had actually improved after Geom Mu-geuk became the Young Cult Leader. The Demon Buddha had protected Geom Mu-yang to the end when he failed to become the successor. Once they were removed from the struggle for power, a new friendship had blossomed between the two.
As the Demon Buddha passed Deok-chul, he glanced at him again. Before he knew it, Deok-chul was also holding a Demon Buddha doll that the goat-bearded merchant had shoved into his hand.
Having bought the second doll, Deok-chul scrambled away from the area.
Loitering near the Demonic Cult… I must have a death wish. Right, let’s just verify this and get out of here.
“Pass through the Ma Clan Village, walk five hundred paces west, then turn the corner at the rocky mountain…”
When he arrived at the destination, Deok-chul’s jaw dropped. He checked the paper in his hand again.
This is definitely the place, but…
Deok-chul looked up at the sight before him.
Grand buildings stretched out endlessly, and massive statues of evil spirits stood tall. This was the main headquarters of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. It was his first time seeing it in person. He checked the address on the paper once more, but it was unmistakably this location.
This is insane!
What kind of lunatic borrows money and then lists this as their home address?
Wait! No. Could it be someone who works at the headquarters?
If so, he had to go in and check if the person listed was there. Should he go to the main gate and ask, “Does a man named Geom Wu-jin live here?” What if they replied, “Do you have any idea how many people live here?” and cut his head off on the spot?
Argh, what do I do? This is my first official mission!
As Deok-chul clutched his head in agony beneath the massive walls of the cult’s headquarters, two people approached from a distance.
If they look kind, I’ll ask them.
But these were people he could never bring himself to approach. The two were the Fist Demon and Lee An, who had just returned to the headquarters.
As the massive figure drew closer, Deok-chul realized the man looked familiar. Where had he seen that physique? Then, he remembered the doll the merchant was selling—the one with fists the size of a human head.
It’s the Fist Demon!
Terrified, he scrambled to the side and bowed his head low. The two continued their conversation as they walked.
“Father.”
“What is it?”
They’re father and daughter? No way! Ah! She must be kidnapped. That damn demonic bastard.
“I just wanted to call you.”
“Don't be silly.”
“Father!”
“Stop playing around!”
There’s no way she’s calling that scary man 'Father' because she wants to. Is she trying to send me a rescue signal? I’m sorry, Miss! There are probably only a handful of people in the entire Murim who could save you from the Fist Demon!
He reflexively looked up to catch another glimpse of the woman, only to lock eyes with the Fist Demon.
Truly, it was the most terrifying face he had ever seen in his life. His knees buckled, and every hair on his body stood on end. The scary doll the merchant sold didn't even come close to capturing the real Fist Demon. The real man was far more terrifying than the doll.
In his hands, Deok-chul clutched the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and Demon Buddha dolls.
I should have bought the Fist Demon doll!
While he was panicking, the two passed by him. Just as Deok-chul let out a sigh of relief and turned to leave, an old man carrying a massive blade walked toward him.
Deok-chul looked at him, then back at the doll in his hand. They were identical.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon?
Deok-chul felt like screaming at the top of his lungs. The Blood Heaven Blade Demon stared at Deok-chul with his sharp, stubborn eyes and suddenly spoke.
“What are you doing there?”
Deok-chul jumped at the question. He never imagined the Blood Heaven Blade Demon would actually speak to him. Not knowing how to respond, Deok-chul hesitantly held up the Blood Heaven Blade Demon doll.
Please spare me! I even bought your doll!
Just then, a voice drifted down from above.
“He’s waiting for his drinking buddy to return.”
Deok-chul looked up to see a man sitting on top of the high wall, drinking. He realized the Blade Demon hadn't been talking to him, but to the man on the wall. The man on the roof was the Drunken Demon.
“I rushed out when I heard you two had returned, but the person I wanted to see hasn't arrived.”
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon resumed his walk.
“You know how he is. He has to stick his nose into every affair in the world.”
The Drunken Demon looked toward the direction the Blade Demon had come from.
“I know. That’s why I miss him even more.”
“If you miss him that much, stop drinking and go find him.”
In the past, the Blade Demon would have told him to stop his drunken antics, but after spending so much time with the Drunken Demon and the One Flower Sword Venerable, he had become much more tolerant.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon walked toward the main gate of the headquarters, and the Drunken Demon went back to his drink.
Deok-chul had no idea how he managed to escape that spot. He ran and ran until he burst into a random tavern in the Ma Clan Village.
“Give me some liquor!”
He ordered a drink the moment he sat down. His throat was parched, and his legs were shaking. But he couldn't just leave. If he returned without completing his first official mission, his probationary period might be extended.
The person who brought the liquor was Jo Chun-bae. The place Deok-chul had run into was the Pungryu Tavern.
As Jo Chun-bae set down the drink, he whispered, “I served you because you seemed to be in a hurry, but we have a very important guest right now, so please drink quietly.”
Deok-chul gulped down the liquor. He didn't care about any "important guest"; he just needed to survive. He felt like his heart was going to explode.
As Jo Chun-bae turned to leave, Deok-chul asked, “Innkeeper, do you know where a man named Geom Wu-jin lives around here?”
Instantly, a heavy silence fell over the tavern.
Everyone’s gaze shifted to Deok-chul, then toward the second floor. A man was sitting there with his back turned, drinking alone.
Seeing the reaction, Deok-chul quickly asked, “Is it that man?”
Jo Chun-bae replied in a trembling voice, “He is… but he’s probably not the person you’re looking for.”
“Everyone always says that.”
During his probationary period, Deok-chul had heard it every day. I don't know that person. He’s not my son. We lost contact long ago. Yeah, right.
Before anyone could stop him, Deok-chul dashed up to the second floor.
The heavens haven't abandoned me!
To think he would find Geom Wu-jin here.
It’s a sign from above that I’m meant to be a regular investigator!
Deok-chul thrust the paper toward the man drinking alone on the second floor.
“Are you the person who lives at this address?”