Chapter 332: I Intend to Comfort Him in My Own Way
Chapter 332: I Intend to Comfort Him in My Own Way
Geom Mu-geuk had a gift for the Drunken Demon.
On his way back, he had stopped at a renowned brewery in the Outer Regions to procure a selection of fine spirits.
Jeok-yeon began unloading the crates from the carriage. It wasn't just a bottle or two; Mu-geuk had purchased several varieties so the Drunken Demon could enjoy them for a long time to come.
"You didn't buy all these for me, did you?" the Drunken Demon asked, eyes wide.
"I chose them based on your tastes, Brother, though I’m not sure if they’ll be to your liking. I intentionally left out the ones that were too potent—for the sake of your health."
The Drunken Demon was flustered by the unexpected gesture. He had originally come to give Geom Mu-geuk a piece of his mind for disappearing to the Outer Regions with only the Demon Buddha, leaving him behind. But a gift?
The Demon Buddha spoke up on Mu-geuk’s behalf.
"The Young Cult Leader stopped at several places in the Outer Regions specifically for you. He went quite out of his way to visit those distant breweries."
The Demon Buddha was laying on the praise, partly to alleviate his own guilt for not handing over the poisonous herbs to Mu-geuk sooner.
"Well then, I’ll leave you two to talk. I must head to the Heavenly Demon Hall first," the Demon Buddha said, taking his leave.
Once he was gone, the Drunken Demon inspected the liquor. His touched expression wasn't just because Mu-geuk had bought him alcohol; every single bottle was a variety he had mentioned liking while drinking with Mu-geuk in the past. Mu-geuk had remembered every word.
The Drunken Demon picked up a bottle, popped the cork, and took a long swig.
The taste was incredibly sweet.
"Give me a sip too."
Mu-geuk took the bottle and had a drink.
"The flavor is certainly different from the spirits in the Central Plains. I’ll be heading over to your place soon, so let’s have a proper drink then."
Just then, another figure appeared.
"Did you have a successful trip?"
It was none other than the One Flower Sword Venerable.
The Drunken Demon looked at her in surprise. "I thought you were busy training?"
She had come because she wanted to see Geom Mu-geuk. She wanted to show him that she was still training diligently, even foregoing her usual makeup. But she had another reason as well.
"I came to tell you to take our resident drunkard with you next time you head out... but it seems that won't be necessary." She glanced at the crates of liquor and asked, "You bought quite a lot. Is there no gift for me?"
"I'm sorry, but this time, the gifts are only for our Drunken Demon."
At that, the Drunken Demon asked Mu-geuk, "Even more than for the Cult Leader?"
When Mu-geuk nodded, the Drunken Demon felt inwardly flustered yet deeply pleased.
Normally, he would have broken into a round of playful banter, but he couldn't bring himself to do so in front of the One Flower Sword Venerable. She knew exactly why he was here—his presence was a silent protest against being left behind while the Demon Buddha went along.
The One Flower Sword Venerable turned back to Mu-geuk. "And the matter you went for?"
"It was handled well."
"I see. Since it was you who went, I expected nothing less."
"There were dangerous moments as well."
To that, she simply repeated herself. "I see. Since it was you who went."
She was implying that "wind and clouds"—great and turbulent events—always followed in his wake.
"Now that you're back, come by and visit."
"Yes, I will seek you out soon."
The One Flower Sword Venerable looked at the Drunken Demon. "Shall I help you carry these?"
The Drunken Demon nodded. If he used his internal energy, he could carry a hundred boxes, let alone ten. She wasn't asking because she thought he was weak; it was a gesture of companionship.
The Drunken Demon and the One Flower Sword Venerable walked away side by side, carrying the crates of liquor.
After walking for a while, she suddenly spoke.
"Lord Demon Lord, let us try to grow up a bit."
The Drunken Demon had no words to offer in response.
As they departed, another Demon Lord arrived. This time, it was the Soul-Seizing Demon Lord.
"Did you return safely?"
Since this trip to the Outer Regions had begun because of her request, she could hardly fail to greet him.
"I returned safely, thanks to your concern."
After exchanging greetings, she looked around for the Pungcheon Cult Leader.
"Where is my Master?"
"The Cult Leader remained at the Pungcheon Cult."
Seeing her startled expression, Mu-geuk quickly added, "He said he would come as soon as things were settled there, so it shouldn't take too long."
A flash of disappointment crossed the Soul-Seizing Demon Lord's face. It was clear she had been waiting for the Pungcheon Cult Leader more than anyone. These days, the Pungcheon Cult Leader’s popularity among the disciples was exploding.
Once she left, Seo Dae-ryong spoke up.
"Just how many Demon Lords have come out? Let's see. One, two... as many as four have shown up."
Mu-geuk replied, "No, it's five."
"Huh? Did I miscount?"
Mu-geuk’s gaze was fixed on a giant stone statue standing far in the distance.
"There is one over there as well."
"Who is it?"
To Seo Dae-ryong, the figure was so small it was unrecognizable.
However, through his New Eye Technique, Mu-geuk saw him clearly. It was a person he was happier to see than almost anyone.
The man wearing a white mask, standing with his arms crossed and looking their way, was the Extreme Evil Smiling Demon. He was atop the same statue where they had stood together before.
Lord Smiling Demon!
Even from that distance, he had been watching for Mu-geuk’s return.
Last time, the Smiling Demon had asked if Mu-geuk could be the one to find him first when returning to the Cult. He hadn't let those words and actions end with that single occasion; he had come out to greet him this time as well.
Thank you, Lord Smiling Demon. I will visit you later.
Though he didn't know if the other could see him, Mu-geuk bowed his head in that direction before turning toward the Heavenly Demon Hall.
Right now, he missed his father very much.
*
Inside the Heavenly Demon Hall, his father was with Chief Strategist Sama Myeong.
The Demon Buddha had already delivered his report and departed.
"I have returned, Father."
His father accepted the greeting with his usual blunt expression, but Mu-geuk was simply happy to see him. He hoped this emotion showed on his face. He hoped his father would recognize it.
"Strategist, I have returned."
"You have worked hard, Young Cult Leader."
Sama Myeong had already received reports of the events in the Outer Regions through Eun-wol.
"The main Cult had not detected any movements regarding the resurrection of the Blood Cult until now. It is entirely my oversight," the Strategist admitted.
"No. Before that man died, he told me his goal was the resurrection of the Blood Cult, but he had a change of heart. As if to prove it, he even tried to destroy the holy land left by the Blood Cult in his final moments. He was a man driven by personal desire."
Of course, Sama Myeong likely suspected the truth to some extent. Baek Cheon-gyeong, who had been acting covertly within the Murim Alliance, had no real connection to the Blood Cult whatsoever.
"Be careful, as there may be remnants left behind," Sama Myeong warned.
"They are the ones who should be careful. Whose son did they mess with?"
Sama Myeong smiled at Mu-geuk’s joke.
Then, his father, who had been silently listening, suddenly asked, "What kind of people are they?"
He cut straight to the point, asking for Mu-geuk’s intuition.
"They are very dangerous. More dangerous than any organization that has appeared in the Murim so far. No one else would have thought to provoke both Majeongsa Temple and the Outer Regions at the same time."
His father nodded slowly, as if in agreement.
He looked at Sama Myeong and said, "It seems you will become busy."
It was a statement carrying his intent for the Strategist to handle the matter with caution, as well as a sign of his absolute trust.
"I will report as soon as new information comes in. I shall leave you two to talk."
Sama Myeong bowed politely and excused himself.
His father stepped down from the Grand Tutor’s Chair.
"Let us walk."
"Yes."
Lately, his father enjoyed walking with him. Strolling through the Inner Court together was beneficial for Mu-geuk in many ways. Every time the members of the Cult saw this, his authority and their loyalty toward him grew.
"Oh, and Father. I have solved the secret of the Secret Casket."
His father stopped in his tracks, surprised.
Mu-geuk pulled the Secret Casket from his robes. He then explained how he had absorbed the energy of the Black Essence at the Pungcheon Cult.
"If you wish, I will return it to you."
"The object has found its fate with you. It is yours now."
His father’s attitude always moved him. At times like this, the phrase 'a father is a father' naturally came to mind.
His father reached out and took Mu-geuk’s wrist instead of the casket. A thread of energy flowed through his pulse. He was checking to see if there was anything wrong with Mu-geuk’s body.
"I feel as though some energy has entered you, but I cannot identify what it is. However, it does not feel like a bad omen."
Mu-geuk looked at the Secret Casket in his hand. As his father said, fate had connected them. He felt that this connection was by no means a bad one.
"If anything feels wrong with my body, I will tell you immediately."
He couldn't feel the energy of the Black Essence, but he could feel his father's worry. It was an energy more precious and empowering than any other in the world.
"Oh, and the Pungcheon Cult Leader remained at his cult. Through this incident, his relationship with the current Cult Leader has become quite close. Just like you and me, Father."
"Do you think our relationship has become close?"
"The word 'close' isn't enough. It's tight, thick, and warm. Ah! This feeling... I can't quite put it into words."
A smirk played on his father's lips. Seeing that smile gave Mu-geuk a pleasant sense of relief, making him feel like he had truly come home.
"Isn't there someone else you should be getting close with?"
Mu-geuk smiled. "Actually, I was planning to go see my brother right after paying my respects to you."
*
Tension was thick in the iron workshop of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
It was the moment of the final test for a newly developed weapon: a pair of gauntlets designed for those who practiced fist techniques.
"The gauntlets developed this time are made of a material so thin and soft that you can't even feel them on your hands. However, the durability has been vastly improved—enough to prevent them from being cut by swords or blades."
The person explaining was Master Gwak of the iron workshop. Standing before him was the First Young Master, Geom Mu-yang.
Geom Mu-yang was the one who had planned and pushed for the development of these gauntlets. He was currently in charge of several major administrative duties within the Cult.
At first, Mu-yang had naturally expected to be pushed into a minor, insignificant position. However, Geom Mu-geuk had shared his own important duties with him. Those tasks weren't limited to paperwork; he had entrusted Mu-yang with matters related to the Cult's elite organizations and even the Eight Demon Lords. He had truly shown that he trusted his older brother.
The durability test was a success. Even when struck with a sword, the gauntlets were not cut. The onlookers cheered in unison.
"Furthermore, the power of the fist is enhanced by more than ten percent."
"You have truly worked hard," Mu-yang said.
"It was the First Young Master who worked the hardest."
In truth, Master Gwak had shaken his head in disbelief several times during this project. He wasn't one to fall behind when it came to being meticulous, but compared to the First Young Master, he felt like a slacker.
Geom Mu-yang had visited several times a day to check on the progress, and if even the slightest thing seemed off, he demanded it be remade. It wasn't as if Mu-yang was just giving orders, either; he researched and investigated personally, leading by example. Thanks to that, they had succeeded in creating gauntlets superior to any before.
"For now, these are gauntlets for fifty people. Please deliver them to the Eastern Fist Sect yourself, First Young Master."
Master Gwak felt that with this much effort, Mu-yang deserved the right to take the credit personally.
"Thank you for your consideration."
"I believe the Fist Demon will be very pleased when he sees these."
"Someday, I must make gauntlets that even the Fist Demon would wear."
While the quality was excellent, these were still mass-produced versions.
"Please, have those gauntlets made at a different workshop," Master Gwak joked.
Geom Mu-yang gave a faint smile. Just then, someone spoke from behind.
"As expected! Blood is thicker than water."
The two turned to see Geom Mu-geuk walking in.
"You're developing things for the person who supported you first."
During the succession struggle, the Fist Demon had officially announced his support for Geom Mu-yang. Unlike in the past, Mu-yang accepted the remark smoothly.
"Is that not natural? From now on, I will only develop things for the Fist Demon and the Demon Buddha. If you don't like it, you can kick me out."
"I can't do that, because you're too good at your job, Brother."
Mu-geuk bowed politely to Master Gwak. "It has been a while, Master Gwak."
"I heard you had returned."
"May I try on the gauntlets?"
"Of course."
Mu-geuk slipped the gauntlets onto his hands. Master Gwak watched with a nervous heart. It was a well-known fact that Mu-geuk had inherited the Fist Demon's techniques. This was the moment a master of fist techniques would give them their first real test.
After throwing a few experimental punches, Mu-geuk laughed happily.
"These are excellent. May I keep these?"
Only then did Master Gwak relax. "Of course."
"Please leave your name here as a memento, Master. Wouldn't that increase their value tenfold?"
Master Gwak smiled and excused himself to let the brothers talk. As Mu-yang tried to carry all the boxes of gauntlets at once, Mu-geuk took half of them.
The two walked side by side.
"Lord Demon Buddha was a great help on this trip," Mu-geuk said.
"He is a good man. Do not be rude to him."
Mu-geuk looked at Mu-yang and smiled.
"Why are you laughing?"
"I've noticed you take good care of the people around you, Brother. Developing these gauntlets first, for instance."
"It's just mending the barn after the cow is lost."
"That cow didn't go far; it's right there by the barn."
Mu-yang let out a short laugh.
"Thank you, Brother."
At that, Mu-yang spoke somewhat coldly. "Do you know that I regret the past several times a day? Do you know that I fall asleep every night imagining myself as the successor? I am not someone you should be thankful to, so don't be."
"That's why I'm thankful."
"What?"
"I'm thankful that you can say that to me. In the future, if you're seething so much you can't stand it, come find me and say it. If I'm not around, go find Lord Demon Buddha. If that doesn't work, go to the Fist Demon. And if you really can't take it, go to Father."
"Why is Father the last resort? You should leave him out of it."
"I think talking to Father would be the most refreshing of all."
Mu-yang stopped walking and stared at him.
"You need to get closer to Father. Setting aside things like being the Young Cult Leader and all that. We are his sons, aren't we?"
I intend to comfort my brother in my own way.
"Father and Lord Demon Buddha are worried about you. But I'm not worried about you. I have no intention of comforting you, either. You'll figure it out. I, of all people, know how stubborn and tough you are."
Mu-yang gave a faint, self-mocking laugh.
Of course, I know. I know how quickly a person can crumble once they start to fall. When our hearts begin to whisper and tempt us, we realize that our will is not secured by a lock made of Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron. Sometimes, it is merely tied with a cloth knot that unravels with a gentle tug.
"Have you ever asked Father?"
"Asked what?"
"What he finds difficult."
Mu-yang flinched for a moment. "Have you asked him?"
"I haven't either. I felt like that was something the eldest son should do first."
My brother stared at me intently.
So, this was the method I chose to comfort him. Because if he fell into self-pity, he would sink into an endless abyss.
"I think it's time we started taking care of them. You start, Brother. Since you're the eldest."