Chapter 314: What Kind of Life Have You Lived?
Chapter 314: What Kind of Life Have You Lived?
Geom Mu-geuk witnessed a new side of the Pungcheon Cult Leader today—or rather, he witnessed the man’s world: the world within his illusions.
During their last use of the Space-Time Displacement Technique, the Pungcheon Cult Leader had remarked:
— Spending time here, I sometimes lose track of which world is real. I suppose it’s because of my own greed—the desire to remain in the space I’ve created.
Only now did Geom Mu-geuk understand the true weight behind those words.
It wasn't just a simple desire to linger, like the idle comfort of lying on a beach. Why would the Cult Leader ever want to return to the outside world when he reigned as such an omnipotent existence within this one?
"Cult Leader."
"What is it?"
"If I have ever offended you in the past, please forgive me."
"Then there would be far too much to forgive. Why? Are you afraid? Afraid you’ll be sucked into a place like that and vanish forever?"
"I don't even want to imagine it."
"I’m the one who doesn't want to imagine it—the thought of you tearing your way out of my world."
"You overrate me! I’d rather you just curse at me like usual."
Geom Mu-geuk and the Pungcheon Cult Leader conversed while staring down Hwan-yeo and Gwi Suk. Even amidst their banter, they did not lower their guard for a single second.
As a fellow martial artist, Geom Mu-geuk offered his sincere respect and admiration.
"You are truly magnificent, Cult Leader."
Being recognized is always a joy, but because the praise came from Geom Mu-geuk, it felt even more gratifying.
"Thank you."
The two exchanged a brief glance. Facing their enemies together, they felt a connection deeper than usual.
Meanwhile, Hwan-yeo and Gwi Suk refused to yield, even when faced with the Pungcheon Cult Leader’s overwhelming illusions. They still had cards left to play.
"It's my turn now."
As Geom Mu-geuk stepped forward, Hwan-yeo moved to intercept him.
While Gwi Suk was a master of Ghost Arts who commanded the dead, Hwan-yeo was a master of the Soul-Seizing Technique.
"Young Cult Leader, I tried to avoid a direct confrontation with you if possible."
Their goal had been to quietly plant their agents within the Demonic Cult. Had she known things would escalate like this, she would have targeted Geom Mu-geuk from the very beginning.
"Laying a hand on a Demon Lord is the same as laying a hand on me," Geom Mu-geuk replied coldly.
At that moment, a dark red light erupted from Hwan-yeo’s slanted eyes.
Swaaaaaaa.
The light surged into Geom Mu-geuk’s eyes in an instant.
Both of them froze. As if time had stopped, they stood perfectly still, eyes wide open.
Because interfering while the Soul-Seizing Technique was active could endanger both the caster and the victim, the Pungcheon Cult Leader and Gwi Suk simply watched.
"You must have known she would use the Soul-Seizing Technique on the Young Cult Leader," Gwi Suk remarked.
"I knew."
"Then why didn't you stop her? Aren't you worried he’s fallen under her spell?"
The Pungcheon Cult Leader replied leisurely.
"It’s not just me. Even if all eight Demon Lords of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult were here, they would all say the same thing."
The Pungcheon Cult Leader stared quietly at Geom Mu-geuk and added, "You wouldn't know, since you haven't experienced it."
*
The Soul-Seizing Technique Hwan-yeo chose was not an aggressive one intended to force suicide or a betrayal of the Pungcheon Cult Leader. She felt it instinctively—such crude methods wouldn't work on a man like him.
Thus, she chose a different path:
The Heart Demon Soul Control Technique.
It was a soul-seizing art that peered directly into the opponent’s heart.
It was a secret art that utilized an opponent's own heart demons to find their weakness. It was the ultimate technique, capable of delving into the subconscious to reach depths even the victim was unaware of.
Since this was a lost illusion art of the Blood Cult that only she could perform in this Murim, if she were to die, the art would vanish with her.
Whiiiiiing.
Hwan-yeo found herself standing in a vast snowfield where a blizzard raged.
‘This is his heart.’
There was no one there—only the footprints Geom Mu-geuk had left behind.
She walked slowly, following the tracks.
When the Heart Demon Soul Control Technique was cast, the manifestations varied from person to person. Some showed the moments they were most proud of; others showed secrets hidden for a lifetime out of shame. Some showed their greatest regrets, while others showed what they cherished most.
It didn't matter what appeared. She would take their joy, their pain, or their secrets and forge them into a heart demon to shatter their mind.
She would amplify the fear of loss until they were driven mad. She would nurture their pain until they took their own life. She would make them unable to sleep a wink, haunted by the fear that their secrets would be revealed.
This was the essence of the Heart Demon Soul Control Technique.
However, it could not be used frequently. Each activation consumed a massive amount of her Innate True Qi. Peering into the core of a human soul was a dangerous and exhausting task.
Hwan-yeo wondered what she would find at the end of these footprints. What state was Geom Mu-geuk’s soul in? What was his secret?
She followed the tracks through the snow. How long had she been walking? No matter how far she traveled, Geom Mu-geuk did not appear.
This was a first. Usually, the core of the heart was revealed after only a short walk.
Hwan-yeo quickened her pace. The blizzard grew increasingly violent, making every step a struggle.
Yet, no matter how far she went, there were only footprints in the snow. Geom Mu-geuk was nowhere to be found.
Had something gone wrong? No.
Standing alone in that empty, frozen wasteland, she realized the truth.
This was Geom Mu-geuk’s life.
It was a lonely existence spent walking an endless, distant path through a perpetual blizzard.
The emotions he had experienced were carried on the wind that drove the snow. The exhaustion, the desperation, the crushing solitude—everything was contained within these silent footprints.
‘Just what kind of life have you lived?’
Unable to expend any more Innate True Qi, she terminated the Heart Demon Soul Control Technique.
*
Hwan-yeo and Geom Mu-geuk regained consciousness at the same time.
She stared at him with a dazed expression.
"What are you? You’re the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult, aren't you? You’re so young. So why... why was it like that?"
Both the Pungcheon Cult Leader and Gwi Suk were curious about what she had seen.
"You hold a position that every person on the Demonic Path envies... so why are you so alone?"
Geom Mu-geuk did not answer.
The Pungcheon Cult Leader looked at him. It seemed the heart Geom Mu-geuk had shown Hwan-yeo was incredibly lonely—a stark contrast to the Young Cult Leader who was always busy joking and teasing him.
Amidst the silence, only Hwan-yeo spoke.
"I heard you’ve made all the Demon Lords your people. So why are you so alone?"
The Pungcheon Cult Leader, who had been listening, finally spoke up.
"It seems there is a pitch-black hole in your heart as well."
It was the very hole the Pungcheon Cult Leader had mentioned before—the void that inevitably formed in the hearts of those who mastered illusion arts.
"Why wouldn't I have one?" Geom Mu-geuk replied.
"Your hole must be different from ours. It’s likely the kind of hole one would want to enter just once, if only to carry a torch for you."
"You’ll be disappointed."
"I’m only going in to tease you, so it’s fine."
After giving the Pungcheon Cult Leader a faint smile, Geom Mu-geuk turned his gaze back to Hwan-yeo.
"While you were looking at me, I saw you too. I saw that pitch-black hole in your heart."
Hwan-yeo flinched. What did he mean? As she wondered, words she never expected to hear flowed from his lips.
"I saw your brother."
Hwan-yeo froze instantly. He had mentioned an existence he should have had no way of knowing about. Overwhelmed by shock, she looked at Gwi Suk, wondering if he had betrayed her. But that was impossible.
‘He really saw into my heart? How?’
In truth, Geom Mu-geuk hadn't seen into her heart. He had spoken as if he had because he already knew about her brother from his past life. Now that the brother had been mentioned, he might be able to gain some clues.
"He looks exactly like you."
The strength drained from her body.
‘He really saw him.’
She had never dreamed that someone would peer into her heart—and that it would be Geom Mu-geuk, not even the Pungcheon Cult Leader. Was the Nine Calamities Demonic Art truly such a formidable martial art?
"You hate your brother, don't you?"
Hwan-yeo’s pupils trembled.
In her life before the regression, Hwan-yeo had done everything for the Illusion King. However, the Illusion King was the one who claimed all the glory. The fact that he even had a twin sister was only revealed much later.
She had not been truly devoted to her brother. She knew that due to unavoidable circumstances, she had become the shadow while the Illusion King became the light.
Her reaction alone was enough to confirm that love-hate relationship.
"It seems I’ll have reason to hate him even more because of you, Young Cult Leader."
This mission had turned into a disaster. Even if she were lucky enough to survive, her brother would take over all her responsibilities as punishment for her failure.
At that moment, Gwi Suk sent her a Voice Transmission.
— Leave this place. Now.
— Gwi Suk, you can't handle them alone.
Gwi Suk judged that her presence wouldn't change the outcome. He had to at least save her.
— Once you’re out, ask your brother for help immediately.
The moment Hwan-yeo tried to reply, her figure vanished.
She hadn't left voluntarily; Gwi Suk had forcibly ejected her from the space.
Even though she had disappeared, Geom Mu-geuk and the Pungcheon Cult Leader remained unfazed.
"Do you know the counter-dispelling method for this place?"
To Geom Mu-geuk’s calm question, the Pungcheon Cult Leader replied, "What great counter-dispelling method could there be? If the cook dies and the innkeeper dies, the restaurant closes its doors."
Gwi Suk’s expression hardened. The Pungcheon Cult Leader knew the exact method. If the creators and the master of the space died, the illusion would vanish.
It was a crushing defeat, the likes of which he had never experienced. Surprisingly, his mind felt at ease. If his opponent was the Pungcheon Cult Leader, his death would not be in vain.
"However, I won't be going alone."
Gwi Suk’s aura shifted. As malice and murderous intent bloomed, his appearance warped. His eyes and ears stretched long, just as Hwan-yeo’s had earlier. Blue Ghost Flowers began to burn around his body.
Geom Mu-geuk was certain that, in terms of Ghost Arts alone, one would not easily find a master as strong as Gwi Suk.
Geom Mu-geuk took a step back.
"Fortunately, it's your turn to fight, Cult Leader."
"Isn't it your turn?"
"Didn't I just deal with the Soul-Seizing Technique?"
"You were just one-sidedly subjected to it. You didn't actually fight, did you?"
"There was a tremendous battle within my heart."
The conversation went no further.
Gwi Suk lunged toward them. The palm he thrust forward was wreathed in Ghost Flowers.
The Pungcheon Cult Leader did not dodge, striking back with his own palm.
Kwang!
As the forces collided, a thunderous roar erupted, and both men were pushed back.
Gwi Suk was sent flying significantly further. The Pungcheon Cult Leader casually blew on the Ghost Flowers that had transferred to his hand. The burning flames flickered out instantly.
Seeing this, Gwi Suk fell into despair. The fact that the "inextinguishable" Ghost Flowers could be blown out meant that he could never defeat the Pungcheon Cult Leader in a straight fight. He felt a clear difference in skill that no amount of struggling could overcome.
‘In the end, that is the only way.’
The Ghost Flowers rising from Gwi Suk’s body burned even more fiercely. It looked as though they might consume him at any moment.
Droplets of blood began to burst from his skin. Thousands of blood droplets sprayed out, filling the surroundings. They were no ordinary droplets; they were infused with resentful ghostly qi—the final essence of a master of illusions. It was a Mutual Destruction Technique that poured out all of his Innate True Qi, resulting in his own death.
"I will surely pierce at least one person's Body Protection Qi. Cult Leader, choose. Will you stand in front of the Young Cult Leader, or behind him?"
The Pungcheon Cult Leader did not hesitate. He intended to stand proudly in front of Geom Mu-geuk.
"Because this is my world."
However, Geom Mu-geuk was not the type to let the Pungcheon Cult Leader take the hit for him.
He was already unleashing his final move.
"I'm sorry, but it's my turn."
Nine Calamities Demonic Art, Second Form: Great Annihilation Form.
The evil ghost that appeared before him split into four.
Kwang!
With an ear-splitting explosion, the blood droplets were discharged. There was no space to dodge the thousands of droplets bursting in all directions.
At the same time, the four ghosts swept through everything as they surged forward.
Kwakwakwakwakwakwa!
The blood droplets flew toward the ghosts.
Pak-pak-pak-pak-pak!
Gwi Suk had been confident they would pierce even Body Protection Qi, but the droplets could not penetrate the ghosts. The four ghosts became a shield for Geom Mu-geuk and the Pungcheon Cult Leader as they charged toward Gwi Suk.
Kwakwakwakwakwak!
The room was stained entirely with blood, but the path where the Great Annihilation Form had passed remained clean.
In the wake of the ghosts, only a pool of blood remained where Gwi Suk had once stood.
Watching this, the Pungcheon Cult Leader returned the words Geom Mu-geuk had said to him earlier.
"If I’ve done anything wrong, please go easy on me."
*
Hwan-yeo was staggering through the space she had created.
It was the very place where she had previously had a nightmare. Perhaps this moment felt even more like one.
She reached out, and a bell descended from the ceiling, which was writhing as if alive.
Dang! Dang! Dang!
She rang the bell urgently.
She was signaling her brother’s side to pick up. Just as a sound would ring in her Flower Garden when someone contacted her, a signal would be going to the other side.
After ringing the bell, she waited in front of the wall.
‘Hurry! Quickly!’
As she waited for the person in charge of communications to respond...
She felt a presence behind her and spun around.
She gasped in horror.
Geom Mu-geuk and the Pungcheon Cult Leader were standing before her.
The fact that her space had been breached was no longer surprising. She knew then that even Gwi Suk had been defeated.
She had expected him to use a Mutual Destruction Technique when he forcibly sent her away. To think these two were so unscathed even after he had used such a move.
Then, the Pungcheon Cult Leader’s gaze turned toward the wall behind her. His expression turned cold.
"Is that a Ten Thousand Li Communication Wall? Thousands of lives must have been sacrificed to create that."
Truly, there was nothing the Pungcheon Cult Leader did not know when it came to illusions.
"If you come any closer, I’ll kill myself!" Hwan-yeo shrieked.
She knew they couldn't kill her because of the Soul-Seizing Demon Lord.
At that, the Pungcheon Cult Leader said coldly, "Then die."
"!"
"I can always find a new disciple."
When the opponent reacted with such indifference, she couldn't even bring herself to commit suicide.
As if he knew exactly how to use it, the Pungcheon Cult Leader strode forward and thrust his head into the Ten Thousand Li Communication Wall.
After peering inside for a moment, he pulled his head back out.
Then, in an instant, he lunged at Hwan-yeo, suppressed her internal energy, and grabbed her by the throat.
"Do you wish to die!"
It was the first time Geom Mu-geuk had seen him this enraged. It looked as though he might snap Hwan-yeo’s neck right then and there.
Geom Mu-geuk calmly took hold of his arm and asked softly, "What is it, Cult Leader?"
"Do you know where the other side is?"
A location Geom Mu-geuk never expected slipped from the Pungcheon Cult Leader’s lips.
"It’s the Pungcheon Cult."