Chapter 504: The Arm That Defeats a Hundred
Chapter 504: The Arm That Defeats a Hundred
Much had changed since his regression.
He had been blindsided many times while navigating those events, but had he ever been truly this startled?
‘Elder, why on earth are you coming out of there?’
Normally, he would have led with a quip like that. But Geom Mu-geuk said nothing. The words refused to form. First, he had to wrap his head around the situation.
‘Stay calm.’
The first thing that happened was Geom Mu-geuk and the Blood Heaven Blade Demon locking eyes.
Though the Elder’s gaze was colder than usual, Geom Mu-geuk knew.
‘It’s the real Elder.’
It wasn't an impostor in a mask, nor was he under the influence of some foul sorcery. One could fake anything else, but not that stubborn, prickly glint in his eyes. Even without the visual confirmation, Geom Mu-geuk’s instincts screamed the truth: this was undoubtedly the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.
Jin Ha-gun looked at Geom Mu-geuk. He knew enough about the relationship between Mu-geuk and the Demon Lords.
He also knew that the Blood Heaven Blade Demon had no business appearing here.
‘Was the master you said would kill us all... the Blood Heaven Blade Demon?’
He didn't send the thought via Voice Transmission. He could feel that Geom Mu-geuk was even more shocked than he was. And with the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s appearance, a natural suspicion took root.
‘Could it be... was it the Blood Heaven Blade Demon who annihilated the Daejeong Sect?’
A moment later, something happened that all but confirmed that suspicion. Yu Beom pointed at Jin Ha-gun, identifying the target for execution.
“That man is the Demon Extermination Squad Leader, Jin Ha-gun.”
Even without the introduction, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and Jin Ha-gun were well-acquainted.
Jin Ha-gun offered a calm greeting to the Demon Lord.
“It has been a long time.”
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon merely stared with a blunt, heavy gaze, offering not a single word in return.
At that icy reaction, the warriors of the Demon Extermination Squad grew taut with tension. Though they held the advantage in numbers, their opponent was a Demon Lord.
Moreover, the aura radiating from Yu Beom—who had finally revealed his true colors—was formidable, and the warriors who had been disguised as patients were no longer hiding their killing intent.
But above all, what they feared was Geom Mu-geuk taking the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s side. They knew his bond with the Blade Demon was just as deep as his bond with Jin Ha-gun. No—blood was thicker than water, and the arm always bends inward.
If Geom Mu-geuk did not stand with them, Jin Ha-gun would die here today.
The Demon Extermination warriors exchanged sharp glances. A silent resolve passed between them: even if they all fell, they had to ensure Jin Ha-gun survived.
Yu Beom then turned his gaze toward Geom Mu-geuk. He was well aware that Mu-geuk was not a mere warrior of the Demon Extermination Squad, but the Young Cult Leader himself.
“I did not expect the Young Cult Leader to come here as well. It seems he saw right through our plan.”
Had it not been for the Young Cult Leader’s interference, Jin Ha-gun and the Demon Extermination Squad would already be cold corpses.
“Young Cult Leader.”
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon finally spoke as he walked toward Geom Mu-geuk.
“I believe I told you once. This old man has lived with misfortune his whole life, so it is best not to see me often.”
Geom Mu-geuk watched him approach in silence.
Jin Ha-gun watched the two of them, his body tensed under the terrifying pressure.
Ssssh.
The Heaven Extermination Great Blade was leveled at Geom Mu-geuk’s throat. A sharp, biting energy flowed along the edge; it felt as though the blade would sever his head with the slightest flick of a wrist.
Mu-geuk’s face was reflected in the cold steel.
For a moment, Geom Mu-geuk stared at his own reflection.
Suddenly, he remembered that day.
The day he first met the Blood Heaven Blade Demon after his regression—on that day, too, the Elder had pointed the Heaven Extermination Great Blade at his throat in exactly this manner.
Geom Mu-geuk’s gaze moved slowly along the edge of the blade. Past the hand gripping the hilt, his eyes finally reached the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s face.
Looking at that face, Geom Mu-geuk broke into a bright smile.
“I am so glad you are safe.”
The corner of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s eye twitched. His gaze remained frigid.
A suffocating tension hung between them, as if the blade might swing and claim a life at any second.
Yet, Geom Mu-geuk acted no different than he usually did.
“I was very worried!”
Though he hadn't shown it outwardly, he had been deeply concerned for the Blood Heaven Blade Demon. What if he had been defeated? What if he was being held captive?
“Still, it seems Father knows you best, Elder. He told me there was no need to worry about you, as you aren't the type to be bested by anyone.”
He intentionally mentioned his father to gauge the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s reaction. The Elder showed no response.
“And Elder, is it right to scare a person like this? My heart nearly stopped when I saw you walking through that door!”
Even in such a dire moment, Geom Mu-geuk was as talkative as ever.
In contrast, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon responded with utter frostiness.
“Do you not think I have come here to kill you?”
One person acted like a different man, while the other remained unchanged. The conversation continued.
“Of course I don't.”
“Why?”
“Because you aren't that kind of person, Elder.”
“What if I have been deceiving you until now? What if I am that kind of person?”
“That’s impossible.”
“How can you be so certain?”
“Because of this.”
Geom Mu-geuk slowly reached into his robes and pulled something out. It was the collection of poems and paintings he had received from Seo Dae-ryong.
“There are no evil people among those who love books.”
“I could have pretended to love books just to deceive you.”
“If that were the case, you were far too dedicated to the act.”
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon gave an overt snort of contempt.
“If you trust people as recklessly as you do, you will eventually be betrayed and killed. That is the way of the world, and the way of the Murim.”
A cold Demonic Energy erupted from the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s body. Goosebumps broke out over everyone—Jin Ha-gun, the Demon Extermination Squad, and even Yu Beom and his subordinates.
Only Geom Mu-geuk remained calm, looking at the Blood Heaven Blade Demon without a hint of agitation.
“It’s fine, even if I am betrayed by you, Elder.”
“Even if the result is death?”
“You’ve given me enough that I wouldn't mind dying. For that much affection, I can give you this life.”
Swish!
The Heaven Extermination Great Blade swept toward his throat, and Geom Mu-geuk twisted his body to narrowly avoid it. It wasn't a true killing blow, but a strike intended to graze him enough to draw blood.
“Why did you dodge?”
“Did I dodge? The blade was just so cold I shivered away from it.”
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon merely wore a look of disdain.
Yu Beom made a request to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.
“We must finish what we started. Please hold the Young Cult Leader for a moment.”
He naturally believed that the Blood Heaven Blade Demon would comply.
As soon as he finished speaking, both sides moved simultaneously. The Demon Extermination Squad immediately blocked the front and sides of Jin Ha-gun. The situation they had feared had finally arrived.
The warriors who had been on the beds also stepped forward, drawing their swords.
Yu Beom looked confident, so long as the Young Cult Leader didn't interfere. And that confidence didn't stem from his own skill.
Yu Beom touched a protruding mechanism on the bed right next to him.
Clang.
Several small doors opened behind Jin Ha-gun and the Demon Extermination Squad. From the holes within—
Sssssss!
The smoke drifting out carried the scent of the Herb of Unnatural Death. They had installed the device in the rear as a contingency in case the targets didn't approach the beds.
As the two scents merged, the internal energy flow of Jin Ha-gun and the Demon Extermination warriors was momentarily severed.
Yu Beom’s command fell.
“Kill them all!”
At the very moment they were about to pounce—!
Geom Mu-geuk drew his sword and pointed it at the empty space between the two groups. It was a silent warning not to approach the Demon Extermination Squad.
“Keep going!”
At Yu Beom’s command, the warriors in the lead lunged toward Jin Ha-gun and his men. They were certain the Blood Heaven Blade Demon would stop the Young Cult Leader.
Swoosh!
Slash!
A single line of Sword Qi erupted from Geom Mu-geuk’s blade.
The warriors in the lead were sliced apart by the Sword Qi and collapsed instantly. Those following behind skidded to a halt.
The scent of blood bloomed sharply in the room, and blood began to pool on the floor.
Yu Beom looked at the Blood Heaven Blade Demon with a shocked expression.
“Why did you not stop the Young Cult Leader?”
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon withdrew the blade from Geom Mu-geuk’s throat and walked toward Yu Beom.
Slap!
Yu Beom was sent flying into a corner by a backhanded slap. Fortunately, the Elder hadn't infused the strike with internal energy, so Yu Beom didn't lose his life.
Getting to his feet, Yu Beom glared at the Blood Heaven Blade Demon. Though his martial arts were far inferior, he boldly displayed his rage.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon looked at him and spoke coldly.
“He is the Young Cult Leader of our Cult. There is only one person who can countermand his will.”
No matter how special the circumstances, the Young Cult Leader was still the Young Cult Leader.
It was then.
From behind, Geom Mu-geuk spoke to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.
“I don't care if someone is controlling you with Gu poison. I’ll cure you. If you have a secret child being held hostage, I’ll definitely rescue them. Even if you’re just doing this because life suddenly got boring, it doesn't matter. I’ll visit you every day and keep you entertained.”
And then, it happened. The very thing Geom Mu-geuk had been hoping for since this encounter began.
A Voice Transmission from the Blood Heaven Blade Demon reached him. And it was in his usual, grumpy tone.
— My ears are bleeding, you brat!
That one sentence was enough. He didn't need a long explanation to understand. The Elder was currently on the other side against his will. He was still the same Blood Heaven Blade Demon.
— I knew it all along!
— How?
— Because you trust Father and me, Elder. Whatever unavoidable situation brought you here, you must believe that Father and I will resolve it. You once said that trusting someone is a sign of intelligence, and you have better judgment and more brains than anyone. You’re the world’s only book-reading Demon Lord, after all.
Because his back was turned, Geom Mu-geuk didn't see it. He didn't see the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s eyes soften at the rare compliment.
— Still, you must have been surprised by my appearance at first?
— You’ll probably say you were trying to show them you were drawing a line between us by acting cold, but I know the truth. You did it to tease me! You wanted to enjoy seeing me flustered and shocked. You’ve been influenced by me. You thought, ‘I have to tease him whenever I get the chance!’ Well, it won't work on me. Go tease your disciple instead!
A faint smile played on the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s lips. This was his true self.
But the momentary smile vanished instantly. When he turned back to Yu Beom, his expression was colder than ever.
“We are leaving!”
Yu Beom flinched.
“We must complete the mission.”
“Then stay here and die.”
Leaving Yu Beom and the warriors behind, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon walked toward the door he had entered through.
Geom Mu-geuk sent one last Voice Transmission.
— I’ll move in my own way. I’ll see you again soon, Elder!
As the Blood Heaven Blade Demon left, Yu Beom looked at Jin Ha-gun, torn.
There were still traps left in this space. This place had been designed to be the grave of Jin Ha-gun and the Demon Extermination Squad.
But there was the variable known as Geom Mu-geuk. Everything had gone wrong because he had come with them. Even the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s departure was ultimately because of this Young Cult Leader.
Yu Beom’s hesitation didn't last long. If he was going to leave, he had to get out before the Blood Heaven Blade Demon got too far away.
“We’re leaving too!”
Yu Beom and his warriors retreated toward the door the Blade Demon had used, their swords still drawn.
The temporary effect of the Energy-Scattering Poison had already vanished, so the Demon Extermination warriors waited for Jin Ha-gun’s order to attack. Since the Blood Heaven Blade Demon had already left, they could annihilate the enemies if they struck now.
Jin Ha-gun felt it instinctively. He shouldn't kill them now.
If they had to be killed, Geom Mu-geuk would have done it first. The reason Mu-geuk was letting them go was likely because of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.
Even in this situation, Geom Mu-geuk was leaving the decision to him. Since they had tried to kill him and his squad, Mu-geuk was signaling that he would follow Jin Ha-gun's lead. If a fight broke out, Geom Mu-geuk would certainly help them.
Sensing that consideration, Jin Ha-gun made a decision for Geom Mu-geuk’s sake.
“Let them go.”
At Jin Ha-gun’s command, the Demon Extermination Squad withdrew their killing intent. In the meantime, Yu Beom and his warriors all escaped.
“Thank you.”
Geom Mu-geuk expressed his gratitude to Jin Ha-gun.
“Don't mention it. If not for you, we would all be dead already.”
Earlier, they had almost carried the 'patients' out without even knowing they were enemies.
No matter how careful one was, crises like this still happened. Dealing with those who possessed only vicious malice and evil intent instead of a warrior’s honor was never easy.
The Demon Extermination warriors standing behind them all performed a fist salute in unison, showing respect to Geom Mu-geuk. It was a gesture of gratitude for saving their lives.
Though they hadn't fought a single person today, Geom Mu-geuk saw the true worth of the Demon Extermination Squad.
None of them showed any dissatisfaction. They could have easily been frustrated about letting go of those who had tried to kill them.
Furthermore, even though he was the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult, they were clear about their debts and grudges. This was why elites were called elites.
Geom Mu-geuk said to Jin Ha-gun, “Even if I hadn't been here, the Blade Demon would never have let you die.”
Jin Ha-gun might find it hard to believe, but Geom Mu-geuk was certain.
“If I hadn't been here, the Blade Demon would have found some way to save you. That is likely the reason he was here today in the first place.”
“Why would the Blade Demon save us?”
Could that be true? If he had to find a reason, was it because Jin Ha-gun was the man who would become the next Alliance Leader?
But the reason Geom Mu-geuk had in mind was different.
“Because he knows you are my friend.”
Jin Ha-gun knew what kind of moment this was.
It was the moment one sees the absolute limit of trust.
Geom Mu-geuk was showing him now—what it truly meant to believe in someone.
‘You said we should only trust each other as much as our arms can reach without burden? You’re a liar.’
Geom Mu-geuk’s trust in the Blood Heaven Blade Demon seemed to be ten—no, a hundred—times that. It was an arm that could defeat a hundred.
“Come, let us head out as well.”
Geom Mu-geuk took the lead and stepped outside.
He believed that in this world, nothing could bind the Blood Heaven Blade Demon except for his father.
And yet, he was entangled in something. There was a reason he had to help the enemy despite his obvious reluctance.
He couldn't know the reason from his life before the regression. After all, the Blade Demon had been the first of the Demon Lords to die.
‘In this life, I will change that fate.’