Chapter 409: The Only Moment He Got Angry
Chapter 409: The Only Moment He Got Angry
I didn’t simply walk away from the Wind Valley.
I had gone through far too much trouble to get inside; why would I leave so easily?
First, I searched every nook and cranny of the valley’s interior. I had never seen a place so thoroughly isolated from the outside world. If I were to use this place as a safe house, it would be peerless. Setting aside its secrecy, even if an enemy knew I was here, they would never be able to breach it.
Of course, to bring someone here and protect them, I would need far more internal energy than I currently possessed. I resolved that once I reached a realm where I could traverse this place with ease, I would build a villa here.
But before leaving, there was something I absolutely had to do.
I immediately performed the Space-Time Displacement Technique.
I intended to practice the Nine Calamities Demonic Art one last time before departing. I had pushed my potential to its absolute limit while breaking through this valley. Realizations had sparked during that process, and I wanted to confirm my achievements.
Even though there was no one else around, I used the Space-Time Displacement Technique not only to protect the valley's interior but also to perform the Time Heaven Secret Technique. To me, internal energy was time, and time was the life of both myself and those around me.
Within the distorted space, I unleashed the Nine Calamities Demonic Art. I meticulously performed the forms, from the very first to the furthest I had mastered.
First Form: Annihilation Form.
Saaaaaaak!
To an enemy, the sight would be terrifying and ghastly. Four familiar evil ghosts appeared simultaneously in the four cardinal directions, their blades swinging in unison.
Slash! Slash! Slash! Slash!
Today’s Annihilation Form was different.
Previously, my progress meant the four ghosts had become faster and stronger. Today, the change manifested in a different aspect. Instead of vanishing immediately, they looked at one another. The hideous one looked at the handsome one, and the mysterious one exchanged glances with the clever one.
Until now, I had only sensed instinct from them. Today, for the first time, I felt they possessed reason and emotion. It was only for a fleeting instant, but it felt as if the four of them were whispering to each other!
The sensation was unmistakable.
The clever-looking ghost looked at me before vanishing. I could clearly see a hint of regret at our parting in his eyes. Just before the four ghosts disappeared completely, I spoke to them.
“It’s good to see you.”
They vanished silently, leaving me talking to myself, but it was the first time I had ever greeted them. It felt as if I had taken another step closer to the Heavenly Demon Soul.
Next, I performed the Second Form: Great Annihilation Form. This form alone made it clear that my mastery of the Nine Calamities Demonic Art had reached a new height.
Ssssssssss.
Originally, the hideous ghost would split into eight, but now two more were added, bringing the count to ten.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The ten ghosts swept forward, crushing everything in their path. The Great Annihilation Form was always exhilarating to perform.
Third Form: Great Demonic Wall.
The wall of Gang Qi followed suit. The Great Demonic Wall had shrunk again. By condensing its size, it seemed to congratulate me on my achievement.
And then, the Fourth Form.
Dark Flash.
Whoosh!
Darkness descended—a darkness deeper and heavier than ever before.
Swish.
A single streak of light cut through the gloom. It was faster and more powerful than any previous flash. The darkness was deeper, and the light was brighter.
I didn't attempt the Fifth Form yet. I instinctively felt that now was not the time to push forward, but to refine the achievements I had already gained. I considered this progress a gift from the old man—a reward for working hard even after my regression. Even the fact that I had made it through the wind to this point was thanks to his guidance.
“I will continue to strive.”
I would keep trying and trying, so that even if the result was wrong, I could say this: I did my best, so I have no regrets.
Only then can one dream of revenge. Such an attitude prevents one from being consumed by vengeance and allows one to live life fully.
Finally, when it was time to leave, I didn't struggle. I held my ground at the source of the wind with my extreme internal energy, and then—
“I’m leaving now!”
I released my resistance, surrendered my body to the mad winds, and flew toward the entrance. I soared through the air with pure exhilaration. If I ever missed the wind, I would return.
*
Han Seol was lost in thought.
The moment the name Elder Seo was mentioned, she became grave. He was the person her mother trusted most and the most respected figure in the Ice Palace.
The quick-witted Lee An guessed where Han Seol's worries ultimately lay.
‘She’s afraid the Ice Palace Master might be involved.’
In other words, she didn't trust her own mother. Thinking that, Lee An remembered someone she had forgotten for a while—a name that was painful whether they were present or not.
Lee An composed her emotions and spoke calmly. “If he’s such an important figure in the Ice Palace, we should approach him with caution.”
“I should go see Elder Seo first. I’ll go alone.”
“Do you visit him often?”
Han Seol shook her head.
“Then he’ll definitely be suspicious.”
“What if I say I’m out here investigating such-and-such?”
It would be fortunate if she found something out that way, but Lee An’s concern was different. “Would you be able to tell if he’s lying? I’m not confident I could. Especially since he’s an Elder.”
Han Seol wasn't particularly gifted at detecting lies either.
“If Elder Seo is involved in this, he will definitely lie. If we can’t catch that lie, we’ll only be revealing that we suspect him. Our hand will be exposed before the fight even begins.”
It was a valid point.
“Then what do you suggest?”
Lee An cautiously made a suggestion. “Let’s tell the Young Cult Leader.”
Han Seol’s expression stiffened slightly. They had managed to track it to Elder Seo on their own, and she was supposed to give up now? She wanted to uncover the whole truth by her own strength.
Sensing her feelings, Lee An became even more careful. “I think you’ve already played a huge role just by finding evidence that Elder Seo is involved, Young Palace Master.”
Normally, it was a suggestion Han Seol would never have accepted. “Do you believe your Young Cult Leader will have a clever solution?”
“Yes, I believe so.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“He’s shown me plenty so far.”
Han Seol pondered for a moment. “Fine. Let’s head back for now.”
Since it involved Elder Seo, it had to be handled with care. Besides, she also wanted to see for herself what kind of abilities the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult possessed.
They returned to their quarters in high spirits and asked the Drunken Demon where Geom Mu-geuk was.
“The Young Cult Leader went out.”
Of all the times for him not to be here. Lee An had just told Han Seol to trust him, and now he was gone. Lee An hid her inner thoughts and smiled. “He must have gone to handle something important.”
At that, the Drunken Demon felt mischievous and added something unnecessary. “He said something about preparing for the cold?”
“Pardon?”
“That’s all he said before he left.”
“Did he go to buy clothes or something?”
Even as she said it, Lee An felt her answer was pathetic. She sighed and turned to Han Seol. “Shall we go see Elder Seo right now?”
Han Seol laughed at Lee An’s joke.
“Oh? You just laughed.”
Han Seol straightened her face. “Does a sneer count as a laugh?”
Just then, someone spoke from behind.
“A sneer is still a laugh. In fact, I know the most magnificent sneer in the world.”
They turned to see Geom Mu-geuk walking inside.
Lee An cried out happily, “Young Cult Leader! Where have you been?”
“I went to get some air.”
He had truly gotten enough air to last a lifetime.
*
Half an hour later, there were visitors at Elder Seo’s residence.
“The Young Palace Master has arrived with the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult.”
Despite the unannounced visit, Seo Nak was not surprised. “Bring them in at once.”
A moment later, Geom Mu-geuk and Han Seol entered the main hall.
“It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Geom Mu-geuk.”
“I finally get to meet the protagonist of the rumors that have shaken the Central Plains.”
The two exchanged polite greetings. Seo Nak had a benevolent smile, and there was dignity in his words and actions. He possessed a warm aura that made it seem like he would forgive any mistake with kind words. Indeed, he was a man highly respected not only within the Ice Palace but by all martial artists of the North Sea.
“I hear you are investigating the death of the Master of White Liquor Snowy Plains?”
“Yes, I received permission from the Palace Master. Before I am a Young Cult Leader, I am a junior in the Murim, so please treat me comfortably.”
Geom Mu-geuk wore a relaxed smile, much like Seo Nak’s. The meeting started well.
“He was a man whose loss is deeply felt.”
“Have you ever shared a drink with the Institute Head?”
Han Seol grew tense at Geom Mu-geuk’s blunt question. Jo Myeong of White Liquor Snowy Plains had said the two had shared drinks several times. Would he tell the truth?
“We drank together a few times. But we mostly talked about the liquor itself, so I didn't know the Institute Head that well.”
Seo Nak did not hide the facts.
“What do you think about the Institute Head’s death?”
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
“Do you think there was anyone who held a grudge against him?”
Seo Nak hesitated for a moment before answering. “Are you, perhaps, here to investigate me?”
“Am I not allowed to?”
A sharp tension filled the air at the provocative retort. Soon, Geom Mu-geuk smiled and broke the tension.
“I’m joking. Just a joke. When I said I should start by investigating those close to the Institute Head, the Young Palace Master here said that the most trustworthy person among them was the Palace Master, and the next was Elder Seo. That’s why I came to see you first. I wanted to rule you out as a suspect as soon as possible.”
Seo Nak laughed good-naturedly and looked at Han Seol. “Thank you for thinking of me that way.”
“It was nothing.” Han Seol bowed her head slightly.
“By the way, you’ve decorated this hall quite well.”
Geom Mu-geuk walked over to one wall and began inspecting a display cabinet. Various ornaments were arranged upon it. Meanwhile, Seo Nak watched Han Seol with his usual benevolent smile.
She had grown up viewing him like an uncle. She had heard that her mother received much help from Elder Seo when she ascended to the position of Ice Palace Master. Seeing his face now, a thought occurred to her.
‘I shouldn't be doing this.’
They had only heard testimony that the Institute Head had shared drinks with Elder Seo; there was no proof that he had accepted the wine. Normally, she should have been standing by Seo Nak’s side, looking at Geom Mu-geuk. She should have been asking what these demonic cultists were doing here. Yet here she was, suspecting him alongside them. How did it come to this?
When she was just thinking about it, the Elder seemed suspicious, but seeing his smiling face in person made her feel unnecessarily guilty. A person’s heart is so different when facing someone directly versus not.
“Have you heard the news about the North Blood Sect?” Geom Mu-geuk asked while still browsing the items in the cabinet. Han Seol was about to reprimand him for his rude behavior, but Seo Nak raised a hand to stop her. He didn't lose his composure at all.
“What news?”
“Their second child lured people away to perform dangerous experiments.”
“I haven't heard.”
“I see.” After a brief pause, Geom Mu-geuk glanced back and asked, “You aren't going to ask what kind of experiments they were?”
“It’s obvious. That second child was always an eccentric person.”
“So it seems.”
Geom Mu-geuk didn't continue the conversation and instead began touching the ornaments on the cabinet. Han Seol couldn't see any of the "specialness" Lee An had mentioned in Geom Mu-geuk. Transcendent? His rudeness was certainly transcendent.
“Is there anything else you wish to discuss?”
“No, I just came to pay my respects today.”
“The Demonic Cult is the Demonic Cult, indeed. Even a simple greeting makes one feel so tense.”
“If you are innocent, why would you be tense?”
Han Seol hurried to bid farewell. “We shall take our leave now.”
“If you have more questions, come again. I will cooperate at any time.”
“Thank you.”
The two turned to leave. As Geom Mu-geuk walked toward the door with Han Seol, he turned back as if he had just remembered something and asked abruptly.
“By the way, what did you use the Fragrant Snow Ice Wine for? Did you go somewhere cold?”
Han Seol was the one who was shocked. She hadn't expected Geom Mu-geuk to ask such a question. Despite the suddenness, Seo Nak did not falter. He tilted his head and replied, “Fragrant Snow Ice Wine? Why ask me that?”
“Didn't you receive some from the Institute Head?”
“I never received any.”
He reacted so naturally that it didn't seem like a lie.
“I see.” Geom Mu-geuk bowed politely and turned to leave, but then he turned back one more time. “You didn't ask again. You didn't ask how I knew about the Fragrant Snow Ice Wine. Wouldn't one usually be curious? If someone said something about you that wasn't true?”
“What does that matter? What matters is that I didn't receive it.”
Seo Nak didn't ask, but Geom Mu-geuk told him anyway. “In the letter the Institute Head sent to the Drunken Demon, it was written that he gave the Fragrant Snow Ice Wine to Elder Seo.”
“I don't know why the Institute Head would write such a thing, but I never received any Fragrant Snow Ice Wine.”
“There must have been some misunderstanding.”
After bowing, the two left the hall. Once they were completely away from the residence, Han Seol asked, “Why did you do that?”
“I was poking around to see if he was lying.”
“You were the one lying.” The Institute Head had never mentioned Elder Seo to the Drunken Demon. “Did you manage to catch Elder Seo in a lie by lying yourself?”
Geom Mu-geuk shook his head. “I couldn't tell.”
“Because Elder Seo wasn't lying.”
“Perhaps.” Geom Mu-geuk’s ready admission was only a setup for his next words. “However, one thing was strange.”
“What?”
“During our meeting today, there was exactly one moment when Elder Seo got angry. Do you know when it was?”
“You were so rude so many times that I can't tell. So? When was it?”
An unexpected answer came from Geom Mu-geuk’s lips. “It was when I moved the items on the cabinet and messed up their arrangement.”
Han Seol hadn't even noticed that happened, let alone that Seo Nak had gotten angry. Only Geom Mu-geuk, who had been secretly emitting his Qi throughout the conversation to monitor Seo Nak’s emotions, could have known.
“Did you see that cabinet?”
“No.”
“There wasn't a speck of dust, and the items were lined up with surgical precision. It was enough to feel his obsession.”
“Maybe the maidservants clean it thoroughly.”
“That’s even more of a problem. How terrifying must the master be for them to clean it that perfectly?” The issue was that it wasn't just about the maidservants. “If Elder Seo had no interest in that cabinet, he wouldn't have reacted that way when I messed up the ornaments.”
Geom Mu-geuk had learned an important fact from that incident.
“He has two conflicting sides. The benevolent, kind-faced man with the good-natured smile, and a neurotic side that cannot tolerate even the slightest disorder.”
Han Seol was inwardly impressed. Geom Mu-geuk had grasped a fact in that short time that she hadn't realized despite knowing the man for years. She finally understood why Lee An had insisted on telling the Young Cult Leader. Even his rude behavior must have been calculated.
“Even so, that’s just a personality trait, isn't it?”
It was true. While a conflicting personality was surprising, it wasn't evidence that he was the mastermind.
“Correct. So, let’s find out a bit more.”
“How?”
Again, it was a method Han Seol hadn't considered.
“This time, instead of objects, we’re going to shake up the people around him.”
Han Seol was gripped by a strange tension. The person closest to Seo Nak was someone who had never shown a moment of weakness in her entire life.
‘Can you really shake my mother?’