Chapter 557: Demonic Cultists Don't Break Up
Chapter 557: Demonic Cultists Don't Break Up
Seo Dae-ryong waited at the safe house alongside the Dan sisters.
Thanks to the continuous treatment they received, the sisters' injuries were almost entirely healed. Now, they were simply waiting for word from Geom Mu-geuk.
During their stay, Seo Dae-ryong spent a great deal of time with Dan-ah.
They spoke of many things—from the shadows of their pasts to the intricate depths of martial arts. Through these conversations, Seo Dae-ryong became certain of one thing.
She’s the one.
He had a premonition that if he let Dan-ah walk out of his life now, he would regret it until his dying breath.
However, he couldn't bring himself to confess. They were recovering in a Heavenly Demon Divine Cult safe house; he felt that professing his feelings in such a setting would be untoward. It felt too much like pressuring her while her life was effectively in his hands.
The problem was that even after she fully recovered, the dilemma remained. He was a Pavilion Master of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. How heavy a burden would that title be for her?
This realization made their relationship feel impossibly difficult. He found himself longing for the days when she didn't know his identity—when he could simply recite poetry to her without the weight of his status between them.
That afternoon, a warrior from the safe house delivered a missive.
After scanning the contents, Seo Dae-ryong sought out the Dan sisters, his expression bright.
"I’ve received word from the Young Cult Leader. He has taken care of those bastards."
The sisters were overjoyed. The youngest, Dan-yeon, even let out a small cheer.
"You are all safe now," Seo Dae-ryong added.
However, the light in Dan-ah’s eyes soon dimmed. This news meant that her parting with Seo Dae-ryong was imminent.
A heavy silence filled the room.
To be honest, Dan-ah had considered the possibility of following him.
He was the Huangquan Pavilion Master, yet he was a man who appreciated poetry and paintings. He was someone who spoke honestly about his dark, gloomy past and strove every day to rise above it.
The more she spoke with him, the more she realized how pure his soul truly was. She felt that with a man like him, she could build a happy life. No—she wanted to.
But she couldn't abandon her sisters. They had survived this long only because the three of them had stayed together. If she left, could her sisters survive alone in this brutal Murim? She would never know a moment's peace, worrying about them every single day.
At the same time, she couldn't force her sisters to become Demonic Cultists. That would be too drastic a change in their destinies.
"We will be leaving now," Dan-ah said softly. "Thank you so much for saving us."
Seo Dae-ryong was taken aback. He had inwardly harbored a faint hope that she might come to the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult with him. It seemed she had already made up her mind to leave. He hadn't expected the farewell to come so abruptly.
Dan-ah looked at Seo Dae-ryong with a poignant, lingering gaze.
I’m sorry. I have to protect my sisters.
Through their many conversations, he had come to understand the life she had led. He understood her heart and her fierce devotion to her family.
Feeling a surge of sharp regret, Seo Dae-ryong looked away as tears threatened to spill. Eventually, a few stray tears trickled down his face.
Seeing his grief, Dan-ah felt like crying as well. But she gritted her teeth and held it back. If her sisters saw her breaking down, it would only hurt them more.
"I was truly grateful for everything, Pavilion Master Seo."
She offered her farewell in a forced, cheerful voice.
Seo Dae-ryong knew that if he let her walk away now, it would be over forever. If they were meant to be, it had to happen now. He had to hold onto her—even if he had to beg, even if he had to be selfish.
Just then, the youngest sister, Dan-yeon, spoke up.
"We’ll go pack our things, Sister."
The two younger sisters immediately began gathering their belongings. They didn't have much, but they started stuffing their few possessions into leather pouches.
Seeing this, the last of Seo Dae-ryong's courage crumbled. A wave of profound disappointment washed over him.
He had thought he had become close to the two younger sisters as well. Perhaps he had only deluded himself. He had felt so happy when the youngest called him "Brother-in-law." He knew she was joking, but he had cherished it anyway. He must have been intoxicated by the jest and misread the entire situation.
Right. Who am I to think I could deserve a woman like her?
As his resolve weakened, the "Evil Ghost" immediately began whispering in his ear.
— Do you really think a wonderful woman like that would ever like you? She only played along because she had no choice. You're a Pavilion Master of the Cult; she was a prisoner of circumstance. Are you an idiot? Did you think reciting a few poems would change what you are? Look in a mirror! Look at yourself!
Dan-ah’s heart ached seeing Seo Dae-ryong in such visible agony. Unable to bear the sight any longer, she stepped out of the room first.
"I hope you achieve great things! I will be cheering for you from afar!"
Dan-ah hurried out the door.
Right. Who am I to think I could have a man like him?
She would simply continue as she always had, helping her sisters survive in this harsh Jianghu. She had lived well enough without a man until now.
She was just about to walk out the gate of the safe house when a voice stopped her.
"Where are you going?"
It was the youngest, Dan-yeon.
When Dan-ah turned around, she saw Dan-bi and Dan-yeon standing next to a carriage.
"We have to take this," Dan-yeon said.
"What?"
Dan-yeon turned to Seo Dae-ryong, who had followed them out and was standing there with a dazed expression.
"You're taking this carriage back to the Cult, right?"
When Seo Dae-ryong nodded, looking utterly bewildered, Dan-yeon dropped a bombshell.
"Second Sister and I want to join the Demonic Cult."
Not only Seo Dae-ryong, but even Dan-ah was stunned into silence.
"Can you take us in?"
A flustered Seo Dae-ryong looked back and forth between Dan-ah and the two younger sisters.
Dan-ah quickly interjected, "Please, don't mind her. She's just joking."
"I'm not joking, Sister."
"Stop it! Even as a joke, that’s disrespectful to Pavilion Master Seo."
Dan-yeon’s expression turned uncharacteristically serious. "We aren't joking."
Then, the second sister, Dan-bi, spoke up for the first time. "It’s not just because of you, Sister."
Everyone’s gaze shifted to Dan-bi.
"I’m tired. I'm exhausted from living as a ronin."
Dan-ah could feel the weight behind those words. Dan-bi wasn't the type to say things she didn't mean.
"I want to settle down. I want a stable life."
Dan-ah finally understood. How much had they endured? How much had they suffered to survive as three women wandering the wastes? Dan-ah hadn't even realized the extent of their hardship because her sense of duty had blinded her, but her sisters felt differently.
"Our goal was always to save money and settle down, wasn't it? That time has come."
A brief silence followed.
Dan-ah looked at the youngest. Seeing the silent question in her elder sister's eyes, Dan-yeon answered with a grin.
"Can you accept us?"
Seo Dae-ryong wanted to scream with joy. He felt pathetic for having harbored even a moment of resentment toward them.
"Youngest Miss... I might not look like much, but the Huangquan Pavilion Master is a fairly high-ranking position."
He said "fairly" out of modesty, but the Huangquan Pavilion Master sat at the very heart of the Cult's power.
Dan-yeon let out a cheer of delight. "Today is our first day as Demonic Cultists!"
Even Dan-bi, who rarely showed emotion, cracked a small smile.
Dan-ah knew the truth. While it was true they were exhausted, the decision to join the Cult was ultimately a gift to her.
"Are you really okay with this? You'll have to live as Demonic Cultists from now on."
To her quiet question, Dan-bi replied, "We survived as ronin at the very bottom of the world. Why couldn't we live as Demonic Cultists?"
Dan-yeon added with her usual optimism, "And if it gets too hard, the three of us can just run away in the middle of the night! We’re experts at running away, aren't we?"
It was a joke, but tears welled up in Dan-ah’s eyes. How could she not know her sisters' hearts?
Dan-bi added the finishing touch. "Too much sacrifice is a burden for us, Sister. Don't refuse this for our sake. We'll all figure out how to live well together."
After a moment of reflection, Dan-ah raised her head. Her expression was resolute.
Seo Dae-ryong watched her with a pleading gaze, terrified she might still say no.
Taking a deep breath, Dan-ah spoke firmly. "Pavilion Master Seo, the Three Dan Sisters will join the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult!"
In that instant, Seo Dae-ryong threw his arms up. He was so overwhelmed with joy he couldn't even find his voice.
This wasn't just the moment the Cult gained three new members. It was the moment a woman accepted him as a man—even going so far as to change her entire life for him.
He was a man who had never been chosen by anyone in his entire life. And now, such a wonderful woman had accepted his heart.
"I’ve already told you everything about my past," he stammered. "Are you really okay with someone like me?"
Dan-ah gave her characteristic, enigmatic smile. "You probably don't know everything about me yet. I likely have many hidden flaws. Are you okay with someone like me?"
Seo Dae-ryong nodded vigorously. "I am."
The youngest sister chimed in, "You can't take it back now, Brother-in-law!"
At the word "Brother-in-law," Seo Dae-ryong’s face turned beet red.
"I will never take it back, Sister-in-law."
Summoning all his courage, he used the title for the first time. His very ears turned crimson.
Then, Dan-bi said nonchalantly, "But what if they break up after being so lovey-dovey?"
The youngest answered, mimicking a deep, gruff voice. "We Demonic Cultists don't break up. We only kill!"
Seo Dae-ryong waved his hands frantically. "That’s a misunderstanding! The Cult isn't that kind of place!"
Dan-bi and Dan-yeon climbed into the carriage, giggling.
Seo Dae-ryong turned to Dan-ah, his voice thick with sincerity. "I will protect you for the rest of my life."
Dan-ah smiled. "Now, we should protect each other."
Seo Dae-ryong felt like he was walking on air. It felt like a dream. He wanted to find Geom Mu-geuk and brag to him immediately. He wanted to boast to Lee An and Jang Ho all night long.
As Dan-ah brushed past Seo Dae-ryong to enter the carriage, she whispered softly, "And I will kill you."
"Pardon?"
Startled, he turned around, only for the youngest to laugh from inside. "I clearly said no taking it back!"
The three women in the carriage looked at Seo Dae-ryong with bright smiles.
Seo Dae-ryong felt as though a new life had truly begun. When he first left the Cult to find his master, he was alone. Now, he was returning as four.
As he climbed onto the driver's seat, he muttered to himself, "I won't take it back—if only for my sister-in-law's sake."
*
Another carriage, carrying a different destiny, was also racing toward the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
Throughout the journey, the Twin Frost Swords, responsible for Han Seol’s protection, remained incredibly tense.
The Central Plains, rife with power struggles and conspiracies, was dangerous enough, but the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult! They had tried to stop her, arguing that the Cult was out of the question, but Han Seol had refused to listen.
The only reason the Twin Frost Swords hadn't forcibly stopped her was because of Geom Mu-geuk. They knew he was a great benefactor to the North Sea Ice Palace and held the Palace Master’s absolute trust.
— Will it be okay?
— We just have to protect her well.
The Twin Frost Swords were a married couple. The husband was Sa Han, and the wife was So-bing. Their title was derived from their names. They were masters who had been active in the North Sea as a duo for a long time.
The North Sea Ice Palace Master trusted them not just for their skill, but because of their long-standing devotion to one another. He believed that a couple who respected each other could be trusted with any task.
Though they were returning to the Cult as quickly as possible, Geom Mu-geuk made sure to stop the carriage at every scenic vista to show Han Seol the beauty of the land.
"It’s magnificent," Han Seol marveled, looking up at a sheer, mist-covered cliff. It was a breathtaking sight, unlike anything in the frozen north.
He didn't just show her natural wonders, though. He took her to historical sites where famous masters had once clashed and places where she could see things that simply didn't exist in the North Sea.
"I believe that hearing about something and actually seeing it are two very different things. I hope this trip to the Central Plains becomes a journey of discovery for you, Miss Han."
Han Seol found Geom Mu-geuk’s thoughtfulness exceptional. If she had invited someone to the North Sea Ice Palace, she would have hurried to show them the Palace itself—to boast of its grandeur and strength.
But Geom Mu-geuk placed more value on her experience of the Central Plains than on the fact that he was bringing her to his home. He sincerely wanted her to see the world before they reached their destination.
"Now, repeat after me! 'I will see many things!'"
When Han Seol hesitated, Geom Mu-geuk nudged her. "Thinking it and saying it out loud are different. Come on, repeat after me."
At his persistent urging, Han Seol finally gave in. "I will see many things!"
As they traveled, they also made sure to stop at inns and restaurants renowned for their cooks. On those occasions, he focused his attention on the Twin Frost Swords.
"You two will like this dish."
"You don't need to worry about us," they would say politely. "Please, order what suits the Young Cult Leader's and the Young Palace Master's tastes."
To their refusals, Geom Mu-geuk would simply laugh. "We’re young; we could digest stones if we had to."
Han Seol nodded at Geom Mu-geuk’s gaze, seeking her agreement. In that moment, the delicate woman with the small appetite became a youth who could supposedly digest stones.
The dishes Geom Mu-geuk selected were perfectly suited to the Twin Frost Swords' palates. They tried flavors they had never imagined in the North Sea. Thanks to him, they were slowly opening their eyes to the culinary delights of the Central Plains.
— Still, a Demonic Cultist is a Demonic Cultist. Let’s stay sharp.
— You’re right. We don't know when he might change, despite that kind face.
— Especially watch out for poison.
At first, they exchanged such warnings via voice transmission every meal. But the frequency gradually decreased. Now, they mostly exchanged messages wondering what today’s specialty would be.
And today, a cry of relief broke from Geom Mu-geuk’s lips.
"We’re finally back!"
The carriage had arrived at Ma Clan Village.
"This is Ma Clan Village. Shall we walk from here so you can see the town?"
Han Seol grew tense. She had heard rumors about Ma Clan Village since she was a child. It was the gateway to the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult headquarters.
It was said that no one who entered that place ever came out in one piece. Some said people had their limbs severed for a wrong look; others said they emerged as raving lunatics. There were rumors of dumplings made of human flesh and vendors selling cursed Demon Lord dolls. It was a place shrouded in terrifying legends.
She expected to see people with wicked glares prowling the streets and drunks watching them with sinister eyes. Of course, with the Young Cult Leader present, no one would dare pick a fight openly... right?
— No matter what happens, please endure it as much as possible!
After sending a final warning to the Twin Frost Swords, Han Seol followed Geom Mu-geuk out of the carriage. It was the moment she finally took her first step into the front yard of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.