Chapter 495: Your Demonic Path is Being Stained with Blood
Chapter 495: Your Demonic Path is Being Stained with Blood
“Which color do you think suits me better?”
Geom Mu-geuk held a protective robe in each hand.
In his left was the Iron Secret Armor, and in his right was the Hwayang Armor. Both were the kind of treasures that martial artists in the Jianghu would trigger a bloodbath to claim.
“Shouldn't you prioritize function over color?”
At Hwi’s cautious reply, Geom Mu-geuk shook his head firmly.
“You don't understand! Above all else, a man must have style. Just imagine it: you’re in the middle of a life-or-death struggle, your robes flutter open, and your protective armor is revealed!”
Mu-geuk held up one of the robes he had tossed aside.
“Imagine wearing something this drab underneath! Ugh, I’d rather just get stabbed.”
Geom Wu-jin looked at his son with an expression of pure exasperation.
“The reason I can’t choose is all Father’s fault.”
Wu-jin asked, looking bewildered, “How is it my fault?”
“The Soul-Startling Armor you picked first is the coolest. I can’t find anything better than that. In that sense, wouldn't you consider handing it over to your son?”
Naturally, Wu-jin’s expression made it clear that wasn't going to happen.
“Fine, I’ll find one myself. Something even cooler and more amazing.”
Mu-geuk began browsing the armor again. He picked another set, turned around, and asked, “Which of these is better?”
However, Wu-jin was busy picking out armor for Hwi. He knew well that if left to his own devices, Hwi would never choose anything for himself.
“Try this on.”
“I am fine, Cult Leader.”
“Put it on.”
“Yes, sir.”
While Hwi was changing, Mu-geuk waved the clothes he was holding.
“Hello? There’s a person over here! Did I accidentally put on armor that makes me invisible?”
Wu-jin ignored him and focused entirely on Hwi.
The armor Wu-jin had chosen for Hwi was the Shadowless Armor. It was the lightest among all the protective gear here—the most suitable choice for Hwi, who prioritized stealth and speed.
“It suits you.”
Hwi’s eyes trembled as he looked into the bronze mirror. It wasn't because of how he looked in the Shadowless Armor, but because he saw the Cult Leader’s reflection in the mirror, looking satisfied as he watched him.
“I do not know if I deserve such a precious gift.”
“Take it.”
“Yes, sir.”
Of course, the armor wasn't the only thing Wu-jin chose for him. Knowing Hwi would likely pick the worst option if told to choose for himself, Wu-jin selected a weapon personally.
“Hold this.”
Wu-jin handed him a dagger. Its blade possessed a chilling sharpness that felt as if it could cut through flesh, bone, and even the human heart. Mysterious inscriptions were engraved upon the hilt.
“This is no ordinary dagger.”
“It is Soul Pacification.”
Hwi gasped at the name. It was a dagger he had heard of—the ultimate weapon known to every master of the blade. It was rumored to be even superior to the Heaven’s End Single Heart that Wu-jin had initially considered.
“Why didn't you take Soul Pacification for yourself? You should use it, Cult Leader.”
“As you know, have you ever seen me use a dagger? You, on the other hand, use them, don't you?”
Hwi realized the truth. Even though Wu-jin had seen Soul Pacification first, he had chosen the second-best, Heaven’s End Single Heart, for himself just so he could give the best one to Hwi.
‘Cult Leader!’
Wu-jin held out the dagger, and Hwi accepted it with trembling, respectful hands.
“Now, inject your internal energy. As you know, the first time is important.”
Hwi carefully channeled his energy into Soul Pacification.
Woooong.
The dagger vibrated in response to Hwi’s energy. It was the moment of meeting its new master.
“Ah!”
Hwi, who rarely showed his emotions, could not hide his admiration. With just one infusion of energy, he could feel how incredible this dagger truly was. He had never held such a magnificent weapon. It gave him a surge of confidence, making him feel as though he would never lose to anyone as long as he fought with this blade.
‘Let’s do our best together.’
Hwi strapped his original leather belt over the Shadowless Armor. The belt held several daggers and various items of unknown purpose. He pulled out one of his old daggers and slotted Soul Pacification into its place.
Then, he turned toward Wu-jin and bowed deeply with a respectful fist salute.
“Thank you, Cult Leader.”
He said nothing more. No words could possibly express his current emotions.
“It looks good on you. Look around and take anything else you need.”
“This is more than enough,” Hwi said firmly.
Wu-jin didn't push further, sensing that if he tried to give more, Hwi might try to return what he had already received.
Only after taking care of Hwi did Wu-jin look at his son. He expected Mu-geuk to be sulking, wondering why his father hadn't picked anything for him.
“Well, what do you think?”
Mu-geuk was already fully dressed.
“I decided on the Black Dragon Flying Armor to match the color of your armor, Father.”
Among the protective gear, the Black Dragon Flying Armor was an excellent choice. But that wasn't all. He was wearing wrist guards, a waist belt with pouches, knee pads, elbow pads, and even gauntlets used by martial artists who specialized in fist techniques. He was wearing every piece of equipment he could find.
“You told me to dress properly, Father.”
Wu-jin stared blankly at Mu-geuk before speaking.
“I didn't tell you to wear four layers of armor, did I?”
Mu-geuk flinched for a moment. “No way... Have you mastered a demonic art that allows you to communicate with armor?”
“I don't need a demonic art to see that in the mirror.”
Mu-geuk stood before the bronze mirror. His body looked much thicker than usual. Anyone could see he was bundled up.
“It does show a bit, doesn't it?”
Mu-geuk really was wearing four layers of protective armor on top of each other.
“Who are you planning to give those to?”
“With treasures this precious, surely there’s someone I can give them to? Oh, and as you said, Father, I intend to keep this Black Dragon Flying Armor for myself. I’ll be keeping these Twin Wolves bracers too.”
The black armor had a subtle dragon design, and the Twin Wolves wrist guards were engraved with a cool wolf motif.
“I even sacrificed my physique to wear all this.”
As Mu-geuk made a pitiful face and moved to take the armor off, Wu-jin spoke.
“Fine. Since you’re already wearing them, just take them.”
Mu-geuk’s face instantly brightened. “I knew it! You’re the best, Father!”
Mu-geuk stripped off the extra layers of armor and guards. Looking at the pieces coming off, it was clear he had picked the very best ones even in his greed. He kept the Black Dragon Flying Armor and the Twin Wolves on, then neatly folded the rest.
Wu-jin watched his son in silence. He even pretended not to notice when Mu-geuk slipped the Blood Wind Radiant Sword in among the armor.
Having packed the gear, Mu-geuk brought over some martial robes he had set aside.
“Here, wear these robes over your armor.”
He had found robes made of Heavenly Silkworm Thread. While not as legendary as Supreme Heavenly Silkworm Thread, they were of a quality incomparable to ordinary martial robes. They were lighter, infinitely tougher, and much more breathable.
He gave the best one to his father and the next to Hwi.
“I don't like that color,” Mu-geuk remarked.
Hwi thought to himself, ‘You don't have to do this. I’ve already lost to the Young Cult Leader.’
The three of them stood side-by-side in front of the bronze mirror, fully dressed. Though the colors differed, the matching patterns on their robes made them look like a master and his disciples from the same sect. Of course, Mu-geuk wasn't about to let his father be just a 'master.'
“From now on, I’ll call you Senior Brothers. Since Father looks younger, he’s the Second Senior Brother, and Uncle Hwi is the Eldest Senior Brother. Senior Brothers! Let’s head out to the busiest market street in Chongqing. The young ladies will be lining up!”
In that moment, Mu-geuk saw it. He saw the two of them looking at him in the mirror, each wearing a different kind of smile.
Yes, keep smiling like that. Live your lives with those smiles. I’ll keep making you laugh. Even if my jokes are lame, even if my antics are a bit much, I’ll keep trying. Because even as we smile, time is slipping away. We don't have time to be scowling.
Wu-jin strode toward the cave entrance and gave Hwi an order.
“Come back later and move everything left here to the Heavenly Demon Treasure Vault.”
*
The scent of blood wafted from the entrance.
Entering the manor, Demon Extermination Squad Leader Jin Ha-gun’s expression hardened. For the scent of blood to be this strong even outside meant many people had died.
The Murim Alliance warriors guarding the entrance bowed respectfully to Jin Ha-gun. He led the Demon Extermination Squad into the manor.
A middle-aged martial artist waiting in the courtyard was Ju Gwol, the Chongqing Branch Leader of the Murim Alliance.
“Welcome, Captain Jin.”
“Branch Leader Ju, it has been a while.”
Ju Gwol treated Jin Ha-gun with great respect. Although he hadn't been officially named the successor yet, it was a foregone conclusion that Jin Ha-gun would be the next Alliance Leader. He was steadily building his reputation through his chivalrous deeds as the leader of the Demon Extermination Squad.
“What exactly happened?”
“An incident occurred here at Yumyeong Manor, so I sent for you urgently to request your assistance.”
Normally, the Chongqing Branch would handle any incident that occurred within its jurisdiction first. Calling him from the start meant the matter was both important and grave.
“Please, come inside.”
Ju Gwol led Jin Ha-gun toward the main building. The scent of blood grew thicker with every step.
“Yumyeong Manor is a renowned sect here in Chongqing. Manor Lord Yang was a man who valued chivalry and was deeply respected by the martial artists of this city.”
As they entered the building, the interior was a literal bloodbath. Blood was splattered everywhere.
“It appears they were ambushed.”
A trail of blood stretched along the hallway.
Ju Gwol’s handling of the situation was definitely different from usual. By saying they were "ambushed," it meant they still didn't know who the culprit was.
Usually, the Demon Extermination Squad was called in when the culprit was known but was a master too powerful for the local branch to handle. But here, they had called him without even knowing the killer. Why?
The reason became clear the moment they opened the doors to the main hall. That room, too, was covered in blood.
Jin Ha-gun’s gaze fixed on the back wall. Words were written there in blood. As he stared at them, his eyes widened.
Demonic Path Under Heaven (魔道天下).
If someone were to ask what four words would shock the Demon Extermination Squad Leader the most, these four would be the answer.
Jin Ha-gun stared at the bloody script and asked, “Where are the bodies of the victims?”
He needed to check immediately if they had been killed by demonic arts.
“There are no bodies.”
Jin Ha-gun snapped his gaze toward Ju Gwol. “No bodies?”
“No, not a single corpse was found. However, judging by the amount of blood left behind, there is no possibility that they survived.”
Jin Ha-gun looked back at the wall.
“Who would do something as bizarre as taking the bodies of those they killed? This is undoubtedly the work of those Demonic Cult bastards.”
At Ju Gwol’s assertion, Jin Ha-gun asked in a calm tone, “If I wrote your name up there, would that make it your doing?”
Ju Gwol was inwardly flustered. He had expected the Demon Extermination Squad Leader to immediately blame the Demonic Cult as well.
“But who would dare to impersonate the Demonic Cult?”
“There have been cases of impersonation in the past. Do not jump to conclusions so hastily.”
Ju Gwol did not press his opinion further. “I was reckless.”
Whether it was the work of a true demonic practitioner or a frame-up, this was not an incident to be overlooked.
Jin Ha-gun said to Ju Gwol, “Issue an emergency alert immediately and commit every warrior in the branch to this case. Request cooperation from all neighboring branches and offices, and thoroughly investigate everyone leaving Chongqing.”
“I will see to it at once.”
Having received his orders, Ju Gwol hurried outside.
Jin Ha-gun let out a soft sigh and looked at the writing on the wall again.
Demonic Path Under Heaven.
Naturally, one person came to mind. There was someone who surfaced in his thoughts whenever the word 'Demonic Path' was mentioned.
Your demonic path is being stained with blood.
‘Where are you right now?’
*
The carriage continued its journey south.
“Ah, I guess this is goodbye to Chongqing.”
A little further, and the carriage would leave the city limits.
“Are you sure we can’t stay? Let’s just play for three days. I hear the women of Chongqing are quite beautiful.”
Wu-jin spoke quietly. “Strategist Sama is waiting.”
His father, who usually ignored all his nonsense, had actually responded. Mu-geuk wasn't about to miss this chance.
“That’s because you don't understand the Strategist’s heart. Strategist Sama is probably enjoying his long-awaited freedom. Being second-in-command is great, but wouldn't he want to enjoy being the top dog for a change? Every morning, he’s probably stretching in the courtyard of the Heavenly Demon Hall, thinking, ‘It’s so great without the Cult Leader here! Please, Cult Leader, stay in Chongqing for three more days!’”
A faint smile touched Wu-jin’s lips, as if he were actually imagining Sama Myeong doing exactly that. Just then, the carriage slowly came to a halt.
“Oh! Uncle Hwi is the only one who understands me! Are you turning the carriage around?”
Of course, that wasn't why Hwi had stopped.
“Martial artists are controlling the road ahead.”
At Hwi’s words, Mu-geuk poked his head out and saw a long line of carriages and people on the road. In the distance, Murim Alliance warriors were inspecting travelers. Judging by the fact that there were dozens of them rather than just three or four, it wasn't a routine inspection.
Just then, a Tongcheon Pavilion operative disguised as a traveler slipped a folded piece of paper to Hwi as he passed by, then vanished into the crowd.
Hwi passed the message to Mu-geuk. Mu-geuk unfolded the paper and checked the contents. The playfulness instantly vanished from his face.
“It says the entire household of Yumyeong Manor, an Orthodox sect in Chongqing, has gone missing, and the words ‘Demonic Path Under Heaven’ were left on the wall in blood.”
In that moment, Mu-geuk saw it—the chilling aura that flickered in his father’s eyes. Someone, whoever they were, had left words that should never have been written.
Wu-jin slowly closed his eyes and spoke in a low voice.
“Turn the carriage around.”