Chapter 518: I Have Only One Master-Disciple Relationship
Chapter 518: I Have Only One Master-Disciple Relationship
Gyo Cheon felt a chill run down his spine under Geom Mu-geuk’s frigid gaze. This was the Young Cult Leader—someone who should have been a mere laughingstock to him. Perhaps it was because the boy’s words had struck a raw nerve.
‘I should have come here even more insane?’
Looking at those who had already become corpses and then at the vividly alive Geom Wu-jin, Gyo Cheon thought that perhaps he really should have.
Just as the Geom Wu-jin he had investigated was different from the man standing before him, this Young Cult Leader felt nothing like the reports suggested. Though he knew the blood on the boy's face had been smeared there almost playfully, the sight of him staring back with a gore-stained face made a cold wind howl through Gyo Cheon's heart.
Gyo Cheon’s gaze naturally shifted to Geom Wu-jin standing beside the boy.
‘Like father, like son, I suppose?’
Geom Wu-jin, on the other hand, was looking at his blood-smeared son with a look of exasperated disappointment. Having only ever seen the solemn side of Geom Wu-jin, seeing him like this felt strangely foreign.
Gyo Cheon did not know that this very change was the primary reason Geom Wu-jin had become so powerful. Because he did not understand the process, only the result astonished him.
‘He is far stronger than the Former Cult Leader.’
But how? He knew better than anyone how difficult it was for masters of a Cult Leader's caliber to further refine their martial arts.
Gyo Cheon suppressed his doubts and looked at the remaining experts. Of the twelve, five were dead, leaving seven.
“Who is next?”
It was a declaration of his will to push forward with the original plan: to kill Geom Wu-jin by exhausting his internal energy at any cost.
At that sight, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon sighed inwardly.
His master was rigid. When the situation changed, the plan should change with it. But his master's frozen mind could only think of forcing his way through.
‘Do you really think these men can achieve what the previous five could not?’
In a moment where anyone else would have hesitated, one man stepped forward with long strides.
It was the Mad Heaven Killer. He was the one who had felt fear for the first time earlier when the Heavenly Demon Sword wailed. Now, however, his eyes overflowed with confidence. He had spent his entire life killing like a madman starved for blood. He realized that in this moment, only that madness could save him.
‘Fear is for the rest of you, not for me.’
Another man stepped out beside him. It was the Ghost Swordsman, who had been flustered earlier when his Ghost Sword cried out in terror.
The Mad Heaven Killer and the Ghost Swordsman—both were symbols of terror in their respective domains.
Since his son had arrived, one might have expected Geom Wu-jin to tell him to take one of them. Instead, Geom Wu-jin walked forward as if to handle them both himself.
Geom Mu-geuk could feel it. This fight was important for his father as well. His father was settling the accounts of that day, and he was doing so while being mindful of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s feelings.
In fact, this was a great opportunity for Geom Mu-geuk. He intended to burn every detail of this fight into his mind. Like reviewing a game of Go, he would chew over it again and again to add to his own martial prowess.
The Mad Heaven Killer donned steel gloves on both fists—his favorite weapon, the Wolf Fang Iron Fist. True to its name, sharp blades like a wolf’s fangs protruded from every knuckle. Judging by the sharp energy flowing from them, they were not made of ordinary metal.
“With these fists, I have beaten to death everyone who offended my eyes!”
His voice, infused with internal energy, rang out like thunder. Once he donned the Wolf Fang Iron Fists, he changed. His fists remembered—they remembered the countless people he had slaughtered.
‘I can win! I’ll kill the Demonic Cult Leader and swallow him whole!’
Madness erupted from his eyes.
Geom Wu-jin, who had been watching him quietly, sheathed the Heavenly Demon Sword. Then, he gestured for the man to come closer. It was a sign to fight with bare hands.
The Mad Heaven Killer smiled triumphantly. He was confident that with his Wolf Fang Iron Fists against bare hands, he could stand a chance even against the Demonic Cult Leader.
Whooooosh!
His steel fist flew toward Geom Wu-jin with immense power. The Madman's Killing Strike—it was the move he was most confident in.
Geom Wu-jin also surged forward, throwing a punch.
Fist against fist.
The Mad Heaven Killer poured all of his internal energy into this one strike.
‘It’s your fist that will be shattered!’
Gyo Cheon watched with anticipation. Even if that single move couldn't kill Geom Wu-jin, he hoped it would at least inflict an internal injury and exhaust as much of his internal energy as possible.
However, Geom Wu-jin never fought the way his opponents predicted.
Just before the fists collided—at the very last moment—Geom Wu-jin twisted his body. As the fist carrying immense power grazed his face, Geom Wu-jin had already slipped into the Mad Heaven Killer’s guard.
‘Damn it!’
The Mad Heaven Killer never imagined the Heavenly Demon would avoid a head-on confrontation. Geom Wu-jin’s movement to evade and penetrate was too fast, too exquisite. He surged his Body Protection Qi to its limit, bracing for a strike.
But no powerful blow came.
In that split second when their eyes met—
Tap.
Geom Wu-jin lightly tapped the Mad Heaven Killer’s head. It was an action that seemed to say, ‘Wake up, you fool.’
The Mad Heaven Killer’s face contorted hideously.
‘You dare look down on me?’
Even if his head had been struck hard, he shouldn't have fallen. His Body Protection Qi was perfectly shielding his head. Or so he thought.
“Aaaagh!”
The Mad Heaven Killer, who was about to launch a second attack, let out a bizarre scream and collapsed backward. His eyes rolled back, showing only the whites; he was already dead. His exterior was perfectly fine. There were no wounds, no blood.
Even in death, he did not know. He did not know that Geom Wu-jin was not the type of person to just 'tap' an opponent's head. If he struck, there was always a clear reason.
That light tap had softly penetrated the opponent’s Body Protection Qi, only to become a massive vibration a moment later, completely scrambling the inside of his head. It was Geom Wu-jin’s Inner Family Heavy Hand Technique—a martial art that struck the outside to destroy the inside, reached to its ultimate principle.
Shock filled the faces of the Ghost Swordsman, Gyo Cheon, and the other experts. They would have been less surprised if Geom Wu-jin’s fist had simply crushed the steel glove.
As he had done when killing the previous five, Geom Wu-jin did not flaunt his strength. He focused solely on how to kill the enemy most efficiently. He was an Absolute Master who never let down his guard, an Absolute Master who used his head.
He used the Nine Calamities Demonic Art boldly when necessary, yet killed with minimal internal energy like this. While fully immersed in his own battle, it was as if he was also teaching his son.
My son, if you must fight twelve absolute masters in a battle of attrition, this is how you fight.
The Ghost Sword in the Ghost Swordsman’s hand began to wail like a spirit. It was a sorrowful, eerie cry, as if foreseeing its master's fate.
He hadn't just been watching while the Mad Heaven Killer died. He had been gathering his internal energy, preparing to unleash his greatest secret technique. He had seen that if he didn't succeed with his first move, he would never get to use it at all.
Shraaaaaang!
Black ghostly qi erupted from his sword and poured toward Geom Wu-jin.
Ghost Sword Primordial Slash!
The ghostly qi swirled around Geom Wu-jin like a whirlwind. It looked as if a giant black snake was coiling around his body to crush him.
‘It worked!’
When the first move connected, the Ghost Swordsman pushed his internal energy to the limit.
‘Demonic Cult Leader! Burst and die!’
The swirling black energy tightened its grip on Geom Wu-jin, and his figure vanished from sight. A glimmer of hope flashed in the eyes of Gyo Cheon and the other experts.
‘Even if it doesn't kill him, he’ll suffer a massive internal injury!’
It was then.
Sliiiice!
Light leaked through the black whirlwind. Like the sea parting, the black energy split open, and something thrust out.
It was the Heavenly Demon Sword, shimmering with pure white demonic energy.
At that sight, the Ghost Sword wailed even louder. It was a cry of horror and shock, reflecting its master’s heart. In the next moment, a rain of sword qi poured from the sky.
Nine Calamities Demonic Art, Fifth Form: Soul-Severing Demonic Strike.
Because the attack came as if announcing its intent, the Ghost Swordsman instinctively threw his body to avoid the sword qi falling toward his crown.
‘I dodged it!’
But his joy was short-lived. The falling sword qi was not just one bolt.
Puchak!
Another bolt of sword qi falling from the sky pierced his shoulder.
Puchak!
The following sword qi skewered the crown of his head.
As his body collapsed from instant death, more sword qi continued to fall at intervals.
Thud! Thud!
Originally, the Soul-Severing Demonic Strike was an attack that struck the crowns of multiple people simultaneously. Geom Mu-geuk had even practiced it with his father while rescuing hostages.
This time, the attack was concentrated only around the Ghost Swordsman. It was delivered with time delays to ensure it was absolutely unavoidable.
Geom Mu-geuk could see it. The decisive difference between his own Soul-Severing Demonic Strike and his father’s was neither the number of sword qi bolts nor their power.
It was the timing.
His father’s Soul-Severing Demonic Strike fell with staggered intervals, predicting exactly where the opponent might dodge. Geom Mu-geuk knew better than anyone how difficult a realm this was to reach.
‘Could I ever dodge my father’s Soul-Severing Demonic Strike?’
Geom Mu-geuk did not dare to guarantee he could.
‘This is a realm I must achieve. No, I must reach an even higher realm.’
Because if he rose, his father would rise as well.
As the Ghost Swordsman fell in a mangled heap, the black whirlwind that had been circling Geom Wu-jin vanished instantly.
Gyo Cheon’s face hardened further. No matter how strong he was, this was too much. The Mad Heaven Killer and the Ghost Swordsman killed in a single move? What kind of plan could he possibly make against such an opponent? The phrase that came to his mind now was not 'Unrivaled Under Heaven,' but 'Unrivaled Across All Time.'
Geom Wu-jin asked him, “Will you step forward yourself now?”
Geom Wu-jin was still treating him with courtesy. This was because the Blood Heaven Blade Demon still regarded him as his master.
As the Blood Heaven Blade Demon watched his master glare at Geom Wu-jin in silence, he spoke.
“It is still not too late.”
At that, Gyo Cheon looked at the corpses and scoffed. “You can say that even after seeing them?”
“The dead are dead, but the living must go on living. Even now, beg the Cult Leader for forgiveness.”
Gyo Cheon felt it. Unlike the Cult Leader or the Young Cult Leader, his disciple truly wished for him to survive. Even though he felt it, no kind words came out.
“A traitor like you pretends to care for me in front of the Cult Leader.”
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon did not make excuses for himself. Geom Wu-jin simply watched him in silence.
The one who spoke up for the Blood Heaven Blade Demon was Geom Mu-geuk.
“That’s enough.”
Everyone’s eyes turned to Geom Mu-geuk. At first, they thought he was speaking to Gyo Cheon, telling him to stop. But those words were directed at the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.
“That is enough, Elder.”
Because the Cult Leader was present, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon replied formally. “Young Cult Leader, do not interfere.”
“No, this is a problem the parties involved cannot solve.”
Geom Mu-geuk knew. If Gyo Cheon were to die again today, it would remain a deep wound in the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s heart. It would be like seeing his master die twice before his eyes.
“Your master will pretend not to know your heart until the very end. Only then can he justify the things he has done.”
Gyo Cheon roared, “Shut up! What do you know!”
Compared to the agitated Gyo Cheon, Geom Mu-geuk was calm.
“You keep talking about betrayal, but by that logic, haven't you also betrayed the Cult? If your disciple betrayed you, you should have summoned only him for your revenge. Why did you drag my father into this? Why did you tarnish the Cult’s honor and try to start a war with the Orthodox Faction? Why did you drag in the Elder’s own disciple?”
Gyo Cheon could not immediately refute the pouring rebukes, and Geom Mu-geuk’s offensive continued.
“Honestly, your disciple’s betrayal isn't what's important to you, is it? You thought, ‘This is perfect; since it’s come to this, let’s take over the entire Murim.’ Isn't that why you've been building your forces?”
Geom Mu-geuk’s gaze shifted to the remaining experts.
“What did you promise them? What did you say you would give them after swallowing both the Orthodox and Unorthodox Factions through your schemes?”
Hearing those words, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon felt it. His master might truly have harbored such intentions. The plot against the Orthodox Faction might not have been just for revenge. He might have gathered the ambitions of these old villains to fulfill a dream he had never achieved.
“So stop using betrayal as an excuse.”
Geom Mu-geuk didn't actually know what was in the man's heart. Nor did he want to. Nevertheless, the reason he pushed him was not to attack him. It was for the Blood Heaven Blade Demon. He was telling him not to find meaning in the past—that his master was not a person worth such consideration.
Geom Mu-geuk looked at the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and said, “Do you feel sorry for your master? No, Elder, the person you should feel sorry for is not your master, but your own disciple.”
“...!”
“Because of this worthless master-disciple relationship, he took risks all on his own. For the sake of such a master, your disciple came all the way here by himself. That cowardly and timid disciple of yours.”
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s eyes trembled. Between his master and the Cult Leader, he realized he hadn't been able to give Seo Dae-ryong a single thought.
“Are you still standing here because of a master-disciple relationship that deserves meaning?”
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon turned his head to look at Gyo Cheon. Gyo Cheon stared back coldly, but the gaze the Blood Heaven Blade Demon returned was still burning with emotion.
After staring like that for a long time, he finally conveyed his final thoughts.
“You are right. It wasn't for you, Master; it was likely to ease my own guilt. That is why I wanted to save you. And that is why... I am even more sorry.”
Gyo Cheon’s eyes twitched.
“I will be the one to see you off on your final journey. I will carry that guilt for the rest of my life. The problem arose because I tried to discard what I was meant to carry.”
As if it were his final farewell to the one who had been his master, he bowed with deep respect. Only then did he answer Geom Mu-geuk’s question.
“The place where I must find meaning is not here.”
His voice had trembled before, but his following words were firm.
“From this moment on, I have only one master-disciple relationship.”
Geom Mu-geuk smiled brightly at the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.
‘Elder!’
There was a reason he had pushed so hard. He needed Gyo Cheon to hear those words before he died. Once Gyo Cheon was dead, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon would never have been able to say what he just did. Fighting with the dead was the hardest battle in the world.
Even a person as smart and wise as him could not easily escape once entangled in the wounds of the past. Past wounds have nothing to do with present intelligence. In fact, the smarter one is, the harder it might be to break free.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon also gave a faint smile toward Geom Mu-geuk.
‘Thank you.’
‘Elder, let’s hurry back and sit side-by-side by that sunny window to read books.’
Geom Wu-jin looked at Geom Mu-geuk and gave a slight nod. His expression made it clear—his father was praising him for a job well done. His father also hadn't wanted the Blood Heaven Blade Demon to be left with a wounded heart.
Now, with a lightened expression, Geom Wu-jin turned toward the enemy. He locked eyes with a white-haired old man among the five remaining experts.
“It has been a long time.”
The old man asked with a surprised face, “You remember me?”
Geom Wu-jin nodded.
“What a remarkable memory. I saw you when you were very young.”
Surprisingly, he was a demonic practitioner of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
Honma.
The old man was a retired demonic practitioner of the Cult. A man of great skill, he had held various key positions within the Cult. He was also someone who had been close friends with Gyo Cheon at the time.
“He asked me a personal favor, so I had no choice.”
Geom Wu-jin asked bluntly, “Did you know this was a plot against me?”
After a brief pause, Honma replied, “I knew.”
Geom Wu-jin did not attempt to converse with him any further. This betrayal was of a far worse quality than Gyo Cheon’s.
“Then there is no need for you to step forward.”
Now that the Blood Heaven Blade Demon had settled his heart, Geom Wu-jin began the final cleanup in earnest.
A single evil ghost silently manifested before Geom Wu-jin. It was an evil ghost far more terrifying and intense than the one from the Annihilation Form he had used earlier.
Sssssssssss.
The evil ghost began to multiply. This was the reason he said there was no need to step forward.
“Die right where you stand.”