Chapter 300: Forget Everything Today
Chapter 300: Forget Everything Today
Have you ever had an experience like this while living in the Jianghu?
Walking with the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult by your side, a Branch Leader at your back, the Demon Sword Squad—the Cult’s finest elite—following them, and the rest of the branch’s demonic practitioners bringing up the rear.
I’m asking if you’ve ever marched anywhere with a retinue like that.
Ju Yang felt as if he were dreaming. A strange sense of pride swelled within him, accompanied by a flutter of excitement.
Then, suddenly, he was struck by fear. Any single person in this group was someone capable of causing a massive stir among ordinary martial artists.
As the terrifying reality set in, Ju Yang stole a glance at Geom Mu-geuk, who was walking beside him. Whether it was when he first came to borrow money or now, revealed as the Young Cult Leader, the man remained the same. He didn't put on airs, nor did he act intimidating. How could a person be like that?
Even so, Ju Yang didn't dare strike up a conversation.
He missed the times when they could talk comfortably. He missed the days when Geom Mu-geuk was just a debtor.
Lost in these idle thoughts, they soon arrived at Jeokpae’s manor. Ju Yang lowered his voice and whispered urgently.
“I will have them open the gates.”
Before he could even finish his sentence—
CRASH!
A member of the Demon Sword Squad stepped forward and shattered the gate. The demonic practitioners swarmed inside like a black tide.
Swordsmen sprang out from all directions, only to freeze in shock. The members of the Demon Sword Squad unleashed their demonic energy, making their identity terrifyingly clear.
“Leave now if you don't want to die.”
As the swordsmen hesitated, looking at each other—
The Demon Sword Squad member who had issued the warning swung his blade. A streak of sword qi flashed past the swordsmen, slicing clean through a stone pagoda standing in the garden.
That single stone pagoda saved everyone’s life. The demonic practitioners kicked the retreating swordsmen in the rear, chasing them out toward the entrance. They fled, clutching their heads in terror.
The Demon Sword Squad was relentless. As they smashed through the second gate, hidden weapons rained down from the rooftops. The practitioners at the front lightly swung their swords, parrying the projectiles with effortless grace.
“From this moment on, anyone who throws even one more hidden weapon dies.”
The men on the roof froze mid-throw. Only then did they realize their opponents were from the Demonic Cult.
“You fools, you should at least check who you’re throwing at before you toss those things,” Geom Mu-geuk remarked as he walked past. Those who had been perched on the roofs scrambled away in the opposite direction.
Watching this, Ju Yang was bewildered by the unfamiliar sight.
He had always known that demonic practitioners were terrifying, but he hadn't realized it was to this extent. He used to be so frightened every time he passed this place; now, Jeokpae’s fortress had become nothing more than a stroll in the park.
Beyond the next gate, about a dozen martial artists blocked their path.
These were the men Jeokpae had bragged about so much—masters of combined attack techniques. Ju Yang remembered Jeokpae lamenting—or perhaps boasting—that their monthly retention cost hundreds of taels. Jeokpae was a man who squeezed the lifeblood out of others to hoard wealth, yet spent it without hesitation to protect his own skin.
As they took up a sword formation to resist, the Demon Sword Squad marched forward as one.
“Shall we show you what a real combined attack looks like?”
The Demon Sword Squad didn't even need to form a formation to intimidate them. The group that had been huddled together scattered in all directions. Seeing this, Ju Yang shook his head.
Why on earth did he spend hundreds of taels a month on them?
Of course, he understood. He could imagine the sheer terror of having the Demon Sword Squad bear down on you.
Though they seemed to be pushing forward with reckless intimidation, the demonic practitioners were perfectly orderly. They appeared to be simply walking, but they were thoroughly scanning their surroundings. When one person moved, another filled the gap, maintaining their formation. Their movements changed according to the terrain and the opponent—a skillful dance born of long years of training.
At the final gate, three men stood their ground—masters who looked like they cost thousands of taels, not hundreds.
“We are the Jiangxi Three Ghosts! Who dares—!”
Suddenly, the eldest of the Three Ghosts recognized Branch Leader Ho-gyeong.
“Why are you here...?”
Ho-gyeong made a shushing gesture and shook his head with an expression that said, Now is not the time for you to step forward. That gesture alone was warning enough.
“Thank you for letting us pass.”
Even if there were a hundred ghosts instead of three, they were in no position to fight. Grateful to be spared, the Three Ghosts fled the scene.
Thus, without shedding a single drop of blood, they reached the depths of the inner court. The final door was open, and Jeokpae was waiting in the courtyard. He bowed his head, his face as calm as he could manage.
“I am honored to meet such distinguished guests.”
The reason Jeokpae hadn't fled was that he had completely misunderstood the situation. He thought that the real demonic practitioners had arrived to deal with the person who had been impersonating one. Since Ju Yang was with them, it was the only logical conclusion he could draw.
“If you had sent word in advance, such a mistake would not have happened. My subordinates have committed a great discourtesy. I apologize.”
Jeokpae cautiously observed the visitors. He confirmed that Branch Leader Ho-gyeong was present. He also noted that the Demon Sword Squad Leader was nowhere to be seen. When he had asked Jung Ak to handle this matter last time, it seemed Jung Ak intended to use the Branch Leader. It appeared he had indeed used him for today’s task.
While keeping all the money for himself!
Jeokpae found the situation a bit strange. From what he knew of Ho-gyeong, the man wasn't one to take bribes. Why was he here?
Jeokpae stole a glance at Ju Yang. Inwardly, he had sent the man to die with the other.
He’s a persistent one. Fine, just keep working until you drop dead.
Jeokpae’s eyes asked what was going on. Ju Yang simply turned his head away, avoiding the man's gaze.
At that moment, Geom Mu-geuk held out a coin to Jeokpae.
“Here, take this.”
“What is this?”
“It’s the interest.”
In an instant, Jeokpae’s heart sank. The memory of the two coins placed on his subordinates' corpses flashed through his mind, and a whirlwind of ill omens surged within him.
“I said, take it.”
The moment Jeokpae reflexively caught it—
Whoosh!
Slam!
His hand was slammed into the ground by the sheer weight of the coin.
“Aaaargh!”
He screamed in agony, but no one came to his rescue.
“Now, there’s one more left. Take this one too.”
Jeokpae looked up at Geom Mu-geuk, his face contorted in pain.
“Why... why are you doing this?”
“Why? You borrowed money, so you’re paying back the interest.”
“I... I don't need to receive it!”
“I heard you have an Ephemeral Palace? You need to receive interest to maintain it, don't you?”
“Please forgive me! Spare me!”
But it wasn't a matter of whether he wanted to receive it or not. His other hand was forced open by an invisible power.
Whoosh!
Slam!
In the end, his other hand was crushed as well.
Prostrate with his palms pinned upward, he looked as if he were bowing to the heavens. Having lived a life devoid of pain, he thrashed about, screaming in agony.
Ju Yang understood. Geom Mu-geuk hadn't killed Jeokpae instantly; he had made him receive the coins to show Ju Yang something. He was showing him that the weight of the stories behind the interest he would collect in the future was this heavy.
Ju Yang bowed his head in understanding.
Then, Geom Mu-geuk lightly thrust out a palm.
Thwack!
Jeokpae’s head was crushed, and he died instantly. It was the end of a life spent ruining countless others for the sake of gold. Despite amassing so much wealth, it was a lonely death that left nothing behind.
Geom Mu-geuk ordered all the subordinates from the Message Center to be brought forward. After lining them all up, he introduced Ju Yang.
“From this day forward, Ju Yang is the master of the Message Center. Anyone with a complaint may leave right now. I will let you leave with your lives.”
A few individuals who were on bad terms with Ju Yang left immediately. Others, who had been looking for an excuse to quit, took the opportunity to flee as well. Those who wanted to leave, left.
Geom Mu-geuk gave a stern warning to those who remained.
“Follow your new leader well from now on.”
“Yes, sir!”
And so, the master of the Message Center changed overnight.
Ho-gyeong was inwardly impressed by Geom Mu-geuk’s decisive actions. Such things weren't possible simply because one’s martial arts were high. It was the path of someone who knew exactly what they were doing and what they needed to do next.
“Now, let us all have a drink together.”
It was a good day for Ho-gyeong as well. However, he couldn't hide his concern.
“The core members of the Jiangxi Branch are all gathered here today. Shouldn't we send at least some of the troops back?”
“Are you worried the Unorthodox Path Alliance might try something?”
“I wouldn't be if we hadn't sent them a separate notice, but... this is the first time something like this has happened.”
Since he had likely spent every day since his appointment worrying about the Unorthodox Path Alliance, it was only natural for him to be tense.
“You don't need to worry. The Unorthodox Path Alliance isn't what it used to be.”
Geom Mu-geuk’s confidence came from his trust in Bi Sa-in. If Bi Sa-in heard this news, he would be the type to rush to the tavern with his own subordinates, not someone who would open the armory.
A large drinking party was set up in the training ground. They brought out all the fine liquor Jeokpae had hoarded and ordered delicacies from the most famous inns in the marketplace.
It was rare for everyone to gather and drink like this. In particular, it was the first time the branch’s demonic practitioners and the Demon Sword Squad had mingled together.
Once everyone’s cups were filled, Geom Mu-geuk raised his glass high and shouted.
“Now, let’s forget everything today and drink our fill!”
Everyone drank heartily.
The Demon Sword Squad members looked at Geom Mu-geuk with nothing but favor. It was because of the comfort he had offered them earlier, as well as his overwhelming martial prowess. Geom Mu-geuk mingled with them comfortably.
He told them stories of the Main Cult and the Demon Lords. Everyone’s eyes sparkled, especially when he talked about the Demon Army, whom the Demon Sword Squad considered their rivals.
And that wasn't all. With his vast experience across the Central Plains and the Outer Lands, combined with his unique banter, the demonic practitioners lost track of time as they were drawn into Geom Mu-geuk’s stories.
Throughout it all, Ju Yang sat beside Geom Mu-geuk without moving an inch. Even when he had to urinate, he didn't go. What if someone else took his seat while he was gone, and he had to sit among the other demonic practitioners? He’d rather wet himself! He desperately guarded his spot next to Geom Mu-geuk.
After chatting with the practitioners for a long while, Geom Mu-geuk approached Ho-gyeong, who was drinking quietly by himself. When he left Ju Yang behind, the man looked as if he had been abandoned in hell.
“Playing with the kids is exhausting.”
When Ho-gyeong laughed at that, Geom Mu-geuk smiled and added, “I’m saying this even though I’m the youngest one here by age, aren't I?”
“From the way you speak, I thought you were the eldest. When on earth did you gain all that experience?”
“Just things I’ve picked up here and there.”
The two men emptied their glasses. Ho-gyeong poured more for Geom Mu-geuk and asked, “But how did you remember my past?”
“The moment I saw you, Branch Leader, I remembered that day at the banquet hall. Your words were impressive, and your face is exactly the same as it was then.”
“What are you talking about? I’ve aged quite a bit.”
This time, Geom Mu-geuk filled Ho-gyeong’s glass.
“It must be hard, trying to take care of everything so meticulously.”
“It’s my personality, so what can I do? I can't sleep if I just leave things be.”
There must be a sorrow that he, a man of principle, felt. The hardship of being the one who gets criticized by others even though he does everything for the common good. How could he not wish to live a comfortable life?
Geom Mu-geuk emptied his glass and said, “If you endure a burden for a long time, doesn't that hardship eventually become your strength?”
It was a feeling he had experienced while gathering materials for the Great Regression Art before his regression. At first, it was so difficult and lonely. Back then, he would fall asleep with this hope: Tomorrow will be better.
As time passed, he thought: Tomorrow will be hard too. It’s harder because I’m trying to avoid the hardship. Tomorrow will be hard, and the day after will be hard too. It’s not just me; everyone is having a hard time.
When even more years had passed, he realized that in the end, it was that very hardship that had made him grow the most. It had been a loathsome enemy and his only friend.
“That’s why you look strong, Branch Leader.”
Looking into Geom Mu-geuk’s deep eyes, which didn't match his age, Ho-gyeong felt that he too had undergone many trials. Yes, he must have gone through all sorts of things during the struggle for succession to become the Young Cult Leader.
“Hang in there, Young Cult Leader!”
“Let’s both hang in there!”
The two of them talked about the affairs of the Jiangxi Branch until late. Geom Mu-geuk silently listened to everything he had to say.
*
He found Ju Yang in the backyard. Having avoided the demonic practitioners, he was sitting alone in front of a campfire.
“What are you doing?”
“Ah, I was just sitting here.”
Geom Mu-geuk sat down beside him.
“Everyone drinks well.”
“That’s because you haven't seen the Drunken Demon.”
The Drunken Demon and those demonic practitioners who drank tirelessly were people from another world. But he felt like he would miss this man before him. Even in that other world, he was the person furthest away.
“Will I be able to see you again, Young Cult Leader?”
“I don't know. I might see you often, or I might not see you until the day I die.”
“I’ll be working hard, so please make sure to stop by if you come to Jiangxi. I’ll make sure to send all the reports related to work without fail.”
“Ju Yang.”
“Yes.”
Whether it was because of the firelight or his nerves, Ju Yang’s face was flushed red.
“A crisis will come one day. That crisis will tempt you by saying, ‘Hey, you only live once, right?’ Ju Yang, your past sins are already great, so I can't forgive you if you do something foolish. So, if you feel such a temptation, come find me.”
“Do you mean I should come to the Demonic Cult Headquarters?”
“Yes. Just come and find me at the main gate.”
Ju Yang imagined the scene for a moment. Standing at the main gate of the Demonic Cult Headquarters and saying, ‘I’m here to see the Young Cult Leader.’ Then the practitioners at the gate would ask, ‘Who are you?’ No, since he’s the Young Cult Leader’s guest, they’d ask, ‘Who might you be?’ Then he’d say, ‘I’m a debt collector from the far-off land of Jiangxi.’ Ah, he didn't really want to imagine what happened next.
“I’ll have to work like a dog so I can live without ever having to find you.”
Geom Mu-geuk laughed at Ju Yang’s joke. A Young Cult Leader who laughed like this.
“Now, this is my last gift.”
Geom Mu-geuk handed him two taels. Ju Yang accepted the money respectfully. They were the same two coins he had been receiving since he met Geom Mu-geuk. This was the last time he would receive them.
Clutching the coins tightly, Ju Yang asked, “Why are you being so kind to someone who’s nothing more than a debt collector?”
“I hear that often.”
Geom Mu-geuk stared into the campfire and said, “I suppose that’s just the kind of person I am.”
Ju Yang jumped to his feet and gave Geom Mu-geuk a deep bow.
“I will never forget the grace of being given a new life. I don't know if I’m a maggot or a larva, but whatever I am, I’ll make sure to spread my wings at least once.”
Geom Mu-geuk silently watched the sparks from the campfire dance and fly upward.
*
Two days later, Geom Mu-geuk bid farewell to Ho-gyeong and the other practitioners of the Jiangxi Branch.
“Are you returning to the Headquarters?”
“Staying any longer would only interfere with your work.”
When Ho-gyeong remained silent, Geom Mu-geuk teased him.
“You must really think so.”
“You’re not exactly someone I can order around.”
The two of them looked at each other and laughed.
“The Headquarters will decide on a new Demon Sword Squad Leader soon.”
“I suppose I’ll have to fight another hard battle.”
The day will come when that hardship becomes your strength.
Geom Mu-geuk conveyed the words he had said that day with his eyes. As long as Ho-gyeong was there, there would be no need to worry about the Jiangxi Branch.
With that, the inspection of the Jiangxi Branch was complete.
*
After parting ways with the Jiangxi Branch, Geom Mu-geuk went to the house of the coachman, Pyeon Jung.
“I’m looking for a skilled coachman.”
Pyeon Jung had just received news from the Message Center that he no longer had to pay back his debt. They said that the money he had paid over the principal would be returned to him after calculating a fair interest rate.
At the unbelievable news, he and his wife had hugged each other and sobbed. Not knowing what was happening, the children had cried along with them.
With his eyes swollen, Pyeon Jung could tell. He didn't know how it had happened, but he knew the man before him was the one who had done it. Pyeon Jung bowed his head, conveying his deep gratitude from the bottom of his heart.
“Where shall I take you?”
Then, the most perilous destination in Pyeon Jung’s career as a coachman escaped the man's lips.
“The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult Headquarters.”
When Geom Mu-geuk had first asked to go to the Jiangxi Branch of the Demonic Cult, Pyeon Jung’s heart had skipped a beat. But now, he wasn't afraid. Instead, he smiled broadly and repaid the favor with what he did best.
“I will see you safely to your destination.”