Chapter 530: To Ordinary Days
Chapter 530: To Ordinary Days
A shiver of excitement raced through Gang Dal’s entire body.
“See you at the Main Cult.”
It was a mere six words, yet they carried more weight than anything he had ever heard in his life.
Even if the wealthiest man under heaven had approached him and said, “I shall give you my entire fortune,” or if an absolute master had appeared and said, “Become my disciple,” no other words could ever replace these.
Gang Dal felt as if he were dreaming.
‘If this is a dream, please, never let me wake up!’
But it was no dream. The Cult Leader, a man he thought he would never see in the flesh in his entire lifetime, was standing right there, looking at him. A person with such an overwhelming, suffocating presence could never be a mere figment of a dream.
Geom Wu-jin turned and began to walk away.
“Thank… you.”
It was a greeting that should have rung out loud and clear, but it came out as a mere mumble. The moment he tried to speak, the realization that a simple "thank you" was woefully insufficient made his mind a jumbled mess.
“Cult Leader!”
In his fluster at failing to give a proper farewell, the shout burst out of him involuntarily.
Geom Wu-jin slowly turned back toward him.
With a flushed face, Gang Dal bowed deeply, his forehead nearly touching the ground. These were the only words he could muster.
“I shall see you at the Main Cult!”
Gang Dal’s voice, which had remained steady even when facing death before Yo Goeng, was now trembling with raw emotion.
Geom Wu-jin gave a slight, almost imperceptible nod before turning away once more.
The demonic practitioners of the branch immediately swarmed Gang Dal to offer their congratulations.
“Congratulations, Branch Leader!”
“Our deepest congratulations, sir!”
While his subordinates were genuinely happy for him, a sense of bittersweet regret lingered in the air. Gang Dal had been a truly exceptional leader.
“Now that you’re going to the Main Cult, we won't be able to see you anymore.”
Though parting with his men was difficult, advancing to the Main Cult had been his life's ambition.
He didn't care what position he held there. What did it matter if he had to shovel horse dung? It was a task personally assigned to him by the Cult Leader himself.
Dan-ah approached Gang Dal to express her gratitude.
“Thank you, Branch Leader. We survived because of you.”
Gang Dal shook his head, speaking to her with newfound courtesy. Since she was the woman the Huangquan Pavilion Master himself had come to rescue, he treated her with the utmost respect.
“I should be the one saying that. Thank you for coming to find me.”
If he hadn't taken them in, they would have died; but if he hadn't taken them in, this opportunity for promotion would never have come. Both had stayed true to their convictions, and both had achieved the best possible result.
After Dan-ah finished her greetings and stepped back, Dan-yeon spoke up.
“Move aside, I can’t see.”
When Dan-ah looked back, she saw Geom Wu-jin’s figure receding into the distance.
“He’s so magnificent.”
Now that Dan-yeon knew he was the Heavenly Demon, he seemed even more awe-inspiring than before.
“If there’s a man like that out there, I’d run to him in a heartbeat!”
Perhaps she was too excited? Though she meant to whisper only to her sister, her words reached Geom Mu-geuk’s ears.
Of course, Geom Mu-geuk wasn't about to let that slide.
“Youngest Miss.”
“Yes, Young Cult Leader!”
No matter how friendly his face appeared, he was still the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult. Dan-yeon straightened up instantly.
“Let’s correct our mistaken choices first.”
As everyone wondered what he meant, Geom Mu-geuk asked with a face full of mock regret.
“You sent a dish to my father that day. Whose idea was it? Was it the opinion of all three of you?”
At those words, even Seo Dae-ryong grew tense and pricked up his ears.
“No. It was my idea,” Dan-yeon answered.
A bright smile spread across Seo Dae-ryong’s lips. He was relieved just knowing that the dish hadn't been sent by Dan-ah. A woman who considered the Cult Leader her ideal type—ah, just thinking about the competition made his head ache.
Geom Mu-geuk leaned in close to Dan-yeon.
“You must have seen me wrong because you were looking from a distance that day. Here, take a good, long look at my face up close. Now, our Youngest Miss—if you were to send a dish again, who would you send it to?”
However, Dan-yeon hesitated. That hesitation was a clear "not you."
Geom Mu-geuk put on a wounded expression.
“Youngest Miss, you’re too much.”
Geom Mu-geuk then called out loudly to his father, who was speaking with the Blood Heaven Blade Demon in front of the building.
“Father! The Youngest Miss says she’ll keep sending dishes to you until the very end! There’s one more person we need to take to the Main Cult!”
It was a bit of playful banter intended to brighten his father’s mood. He was grateful to his father for personally coming here to lend strength to Seo Dae-ryong. That, in turn, was a way of supporting Mu-geuk as well.
It was as if the Cult Leader were saying, “He is your right hand, so I shall look after him.”
At his son’s antics, Geom Wu-jin turned to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.
“I wonder when he’ll ever grow up.”
“But you like it, don't you?”
“Like it? It’s exhausting.”
Indeed, "exhausting" was the perfect word for dealing with Geom Mu-geuk. But the Blood Heaven Blade Demon knew the truth. Just as he did, the Cult Leader was enjoying and cherishing every bit of that exhaustion.
If he hadn't come out with his son, when would he ever have experienced such things?
“Let’s walk for a bit.”
“As you wish.”
The two men moved toward the rear garden.
‘Cult Leader, you can show it now,’ the Blade Demon thought. ‘I might not be able to stand others bragging about their children, but I’ll tolerate you.’
Walking slowly, the two arrived at the garden. They stood side by side, looking at the scenery beyond the wall. The leaves of a giant tree rustled in the breeze, and birds perched on the branches took flight. Beyond the birds, white clouds drifted by so slowly it felt as if time itself had been forgotten.
“Do you truly intend to let him win?”
It was an abrupt question, but the Cult Leader understood. The Blade Demon had asked him before if he could endure five years with a son like that. At the time, Geom Wu-jin had countered: ‘Why don’t you ask him? If he can endure me?’
“Do you want me to let him win?”
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon was on the Cult Leader’s side, through and through. He was prepared to follow his will and accept his orders, whatever they might be. It had always been that way, and after facing the matter of his former master together, his loyalty had deepened even further.
That was why he spoke now. Because he sincerely wished for the Cult Leader’s happiness.
“The only person in this Murim who can afford to lose to the Young Cult Leader is you, Cult Leader.”
At the questioning look in Wu-jin's eyes, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon answered calmly.
“Because losing is something only a greater person can do.”
*
“By the way, why did you ladies become targets of the Seven-Road Pursuit Squad?” Geom Mu-geuk asked the women.
Since Dan-ah had formed a connection with Seo Dae-ryong, he had to ensure their safety.
Cho-hui stepped forward.
“They were trying to kill me. These three were trying to protect me.”
Cho-hui politely revealed her identity.
“I am a courtesan of the Heavenly Flower Pavilion. I worked at the branch in Phoenix, Hunan Province.”
She had already revealed her identity to the three sisters. The moment he heard her words, Geom Mu-geuk was startled.
The Heavenly Flower Pavilion. The organization owned by Yeo-jeong, the woman who loved the Extreme Evil Smiling Demon.
“I must reach the Heavenly Flower Pavilion headquarters in Guizhou. I must meet the Pavilion Master in person.”
“May I ask the reason?”
At Geom Mu-geuk’s question, Cho-hui answered cautiously.
“Since an exalted personage is asking, I should naturally answer, but this is a matter I must speak of only after meeting the Pavilion Master directly. I beg for your generous understanding.”
Cho-hui bowed her head apologetically. Geom Mu-geuk did not press her.
“Everyone has their own unspeakable circumstances. There is no need to feel sorry at all.”
Geom Mu-geuk understood. She likely didn't know about the relationship between the Heavenly Flower Pavilion Master and the Smiling Demon. Nor did she know his own relationship with the man. However, he couldn't exactly reveal such secrets here.
Then Dan-yeon stepped forward to reassure her.
“We will escort you all the way to your destination.”
She was someone who took responsibility for her tasks until the very end.
Seo Dae-ryong looked at her with eyes full of worry. He didn't know why Cho-hui was being pursued, but the person behind this was someone with enough money and power to mobilize the Seven-Road Pursuit Squad. If they were sent off like this, they would surely face another danger.
Seo Dae-ryong looked at Geom Mu-geuk, seeking permission with his eyes. Knowing exactly what he wanted, there was no need for voice transmission.
Geom Mu-geuk nodded.
Seo Dae-ryong spoke cautiously to Dan-ah.
“I know how important you consider this task, Miss Dan. However, since all three of you are injured, why not leave this matter to me?”
Seo Dae-ryong’s face was filled with genuine concern. Dan-ah could feel it. How could she not? He was worrying about her so obviously with those pure, earnest eyes.
“Still, I cannot leave my task to such a noble person.”
If this matter was dangerous, wouldn't Seo Dae-ryong be in danger as well? She couldn't let him get involved in her problems and put him at risk.
“It’s impossible with those injuries. You must rest.”
“I’m quite sturdy, despite how I look. Don’t worry.”
“I will do it.”
Watching the two bicker, Geom Mu-geuk stepped in.
“I will handle this matter.”
Everyone looked at Geom Mu-geuk in surprise. They could understand Seo Dae-ryong stepping in because of his feelings for Dan-ah, but they never expected the Young Cult Leader to take on this task himself.
But since the Heavenly Flower Pavilion was involved, Geom Mu-geuk had to intervene.
“I have a personal acquaintance with the Heavenly Flower Pavilion Master.”
Cho-hui was shocked by those words. However, she didn't dare ask the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult how they knew each other.
Geom Mu-geuk said to Dan-ah, “Will you trust me and leave it to me?”
Since Geom Mu-geuk said he knew the Pavilion Master and would handle it personally, she couldn't say no. In truth, though she had insisted on going herself, she was inwardly worried about her sisters. But if it was the Young Cult Leader, she could be at ease.
‘He’s the Young Cult Leader, so the experts of the Demonic Cult will protect them, right?’ Just thinking of those terrifying Demon Army warriors made her feel safe.
Dan-ah looked at Cho-hui and asked, since she was the client after all.
“Would that be alright with you?”
Cho-hui nodded. She would have been dead already if the Demonic Cult hadn't helped. She decided to follow the flow of this destiny.
Geom Mu-geuk looked at the youngest sister and said, “Youngest Miss, once you treat your internal injuries and see me again, you’ll change your mind about that dish.”
Dan-yeon smiled. As the youngest, she was the most playful of the three sisters. She knew Geom Mu-geuk was joking now, but she didn't dare respond with a joke of her own. She wanted to banter with him someday when they became more comfortable. She felt they would get along really well. But such a day would probably never come, right?
Geom Mu-geuk said to Seo Dae-ryong, “Pavilion Master, please take the three of them to a nearby safe house of our Cult and treat them.”
“I shall do so.”
As Geom Mu-geuk walked toward the rear garden to see his father, an anxious voice transmission from Seo Dae-ryong reached him.
— What do I do once I get there? I’m worried I’ll ruin this! Should I recite more poetry? Or not? Please don’t leave me alone!
Geom Mu-geuk didn't answer and continued to the garden. Of course, he was worried about Seo Dae-ryong.
‘I don’t trust you for a second when it comes to matters of the heart.’
But love was ultimately a two-way street. Geom Mu-geuk trusted the bold personality of Dan-ah.
*
Geom Mu-geuk relayed what he had heard from Cho-hui to his father.
“Since it involves the Heavenly Flower Pavilion, I believe I should go.”
His father also knew that the Pavilion Master had a deep relationship with the Smiling Demon. She had even visited the Main Cult in the past to see him.
Geom Mu-geuk felt a pang of regret. Sincere regret. This was the moment the journey with his father—a journey he had wanted to take as slowly as possible—was coming to an end.
“Please return first. I will follow after I have handled this matter.”
No matter how much he enjoyed the time with his father, he couldn't bring him along to escort Cho-hui. His father had also been away from the Cult for too long.
“This journey was more precious than any other I have ever taken in my life.”
His father might think of it as just a journey in his young life. But those words included all his journeys before his regression.
“The ordinary days I spent with you, Father, were so good. Eating, drinking tea, walking together, fishing. More than the moments of consuming spirit medicines, killing enemies, or improving my martial arts—those ordinary moments were better.”
After a brief pause, Geom Mu-geuk bowed respectfully.
“Thank you for being with me, Father.”
Geom Wu-jin looked at his son in silence. The solemnity lasted only a moment before Geom Mu-geuk, raising his head, began to chatter away.
“We haven't even gone to that noodle shop we promised to visit, have we? The one that used to be a dumpling shop. So this isn't the end, Father! This is only the first journey! I have a second, a third, even a hundredth journey prepared!”
A smirk played on Geom Wu-jin’s lips. The end of this journey was marked by his father’s smirk. Today, that smirk seemed to say: ‘I shall look forward to the next one.’
Yes, please do! I will fill them with even more ordinary, even more mundane, everyday days.
Geom Mu-geuk didn't forget to bid farewell to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.
“I shall see you at the Cult, Elder.”
Through this journey, the Blade Demon would let go of his past as a disciple and live the rest of his life as a master.
‘Elder, if it’s Dae-ryong, that life will be meaningful.’
At Geom Mu-geuk’s warm gaze, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon nodded.
“As soon as I return, I’m going to pack my pajamas and visit you first, Elder, so you must let me stay over.”
And finally, he said goodbye to Hwi.
“Uncle Hwi! Let’s persuade Father to go out and play again next time! Thank you for all your hard work driving the carriage!”
Then, Hwi revealed himself.
“Have a safe trip.”
Geom Wu-jin and the Blood Heaven Blade Demon looked at Hwi with surprised expressions. He wasn't the type to reveal himself just to say goodbye. But Hwi wanted to say these words personally.
“Thank you, Young Cult Leader.”
This journey was one he would never forget. Thanks to it, his relationship with Geom Wu-jin had deepened even further. It was a precious time spent with Hwi without him being hidden. This journey had taught him that even this moment of showing himself was a valuable part of his life.
“It was wonderful walking with you, Uncle.”