Chapter 558: If You Buy Them All, I'll Give You a 30% Discount!
Chapter 558: If You Buy Them All, I'll Give You a 30% Discount!
“This is Ma Clan Village?”
Han Seol’s eyes widened at the sight before her.
It wasn't at all what she had expected.
Clean streets were lined with shops on both sides, and countless pedestrians bustled to and fro. There were no predatory glints in people's eyes looking for a quick score, nor were there any drunks staggering about. In the narrow alleys where one might expect to find conspirators whispering in the shadows, children ran and played instead.
Geom Mu-geuk didn’t even need to answer her question about whether this was truly Ma Clan Village.
“Young Cult Leader!”
A merchant selling medicinal herbs at the entrance ran out and greeted Geom Mu-geuk warmly.
“Is business treating you well?”
“It’s going great, thanks to you, Young Cult Leader!”
Han Seol was genuinely shocked. To greet the Young Cult Leader of the Divine Cult so informally? A mere street merchant?
Of course, she didn't know that within Ma Clan Village, Geom Mu-geuk’s popularity was even higher than that of the Heavenly Demon himself. It was entirely thanks to his efforts that this place had become such a livable town.
So-bing, one of the Twin Frost Swords, quickly sent a voice transmission to Han Seol.
— Stay back, Young Palace Master! Those might be poisonous herbs.
— Surely they wouldn't put poison out in the open like that while claiming to sell medicine?
— That’s exactly why they’re the Demonic Cult. Never lower your guard.
Their hearts had softened considerably during the gourmet trip with Geom Mu-geuk, but now that they had arrived at Ma Clan Village, they were back on high alert. They focused all their senses, wary of anyone who might target Han Seol.
“Young Cult Leader, it’s been a while!”
A merchant selling farming tools across the street also came out to greet him.
— Be careful. There could be hidden weapons disguised as farming tools.
The guards seemed ready to warn her about the very pebbles on the street.
Then, Sa Han, the husband of the Twin Frost Swords, sent a voice transmission.
— This street has been staged for your arrival, Young Palace Master. They must have sent a missive ahead of time to tidy things up.
Han Seol replied via voice transmission while observing the merchants' expressions.
— If that’s the case, don't these merchants seem a bit too happy to see the Young Cult Leader?
— They’re acting.
The Twin Frost Swords trusted Geom Mu-geuk, but they did not trust the Demonic Cultists. They acknowledged that he had been a great help to the North Sea Ice Palace and that his character was unlike a typical cultist.
However, they knew the Demonic Cult for what it was—a place of such violence and ruthlessness that even the fierce Unorthodox Path Alliance bowed before it. A single person rarely changed easily; how could such a massive organization change so quickly?
Thus, Sa Han speculated:
— This must be the first checkpoint guarding the Demonic Cult Headquarters.
— A checkpoint?
— There are surely cultists lying in ambush everywhere. If anyone suspicious appears, word will be sent to the main headquarters immediately.
Han Seol looked at Geom Mu-geuk. From her experience so far, he wasn't the type of person to act friendly with merchants just to deceive her. If this were that kind of place, he was the type who would have just passed through without getting out of the carriage.
Still, she understood the Twin Frost Swords' suspicion. Even she was greatly surprised by this unexpected atmosphere.
‘I don’t think even the area in front of the Murim Alliance is this bright. Is it really a staged street? Did they mobilize all these people just to trick us?’
As she walked behind Geom Mu-geuk, they passed a shop selling dumplings. Seeing the steaming baskets, a certain rumor about Ma Clan Village came to mind.
‘Is there really human flesh inside those dumplings?’
The middle-aged owner looked far too kind for that, and the shop was bustling with customers.
As she stared at the dumplings, Geom Mu-geuk offered her some.
“The food here is delicious. Would you like to try a dumpling?”
“I’m fine.”
Han Seol quickened her pace, fearing he might insist.
People choosing clothes at the fabric shop, as well as the owners and clerks of the fruit and grain stores, all recognized Geom Mu-geuk and greeted him politely.
“May your business prosper!”
Each time, Geom Mu-geuk acknowledged their greetings individually.
This side of him felt new to Han Seol. She knew well that he was a meddlesome person, but she had assumed that was a tactic he used when dealing with her mother, the Ice Palace Master, or when dealing with her and the successors of the Murim Alliance and the Unorthodox Path Alliance. Naturally, she thought there was a hidden intention behind his kindness. It was impressive because it was something most people couldn't do even if they tried.
But Geom Mu-geuk was treating the merchants exactly the same way.
‘How can he be like this?’
How could his demeanor toward the Young Palace Master of the North Sea Ice Palace be the same as his demeanor toward a shopkeeper? No, if anything, he seemed even more affectionate toward the merchants.
‘Is it really a disguised street, just as the two elders said?’
She couldn't help but wonder.
Just then, a street vendor selling wooden dolls caught Han Seol’s eye.
‘They really exist! Someone selling Demon Lord dolls!’
There was actually a stall set up selling dolls of the Demon Lords. When she had heard the rumors, she thought they just called scary-looking dolls "Demon Lord dolls."
But these were dolls modeled exactly after the Demon Lords. Having met the Drunken Demon in person, she could tell the resemblance was uncanny.
‘There’s even a Heavenly Demon doll!’
She thought it was absolutely absurd. If someone tried to sell dolls of the Murim Alliance Leader in front of the Murim Alliance headquarters, they’d probably be dragged away.
The goat-bearded merchant selling the dolls called out to her.
“These are only sold here in the Central Plains! If you buy all the Demon Lords, I’ll give you a thirty percent discount!”
Then, the vendor recognized Geom Mu-geuk behind her.
“Ah, Young Cult Leader!”
“Have you been well?”
Han Seol saw the merchant’s face light up with genuine joy.
‘That expression is acting?’
If so, every great performer in the Central Plains must be gathered here.
Han Seol asked Geom Mu-geuk, “Did the Cult Leader really give permission to sell these?”
Geom Mu-geuk nodded.
“You can tell how broad my father’s magnanimity is just by looking at this one thing.”
Sa Han’s voice transmission came through again.
— There’s no way. They might be dolls planted with curses, like the rumors say. In an emergency, those dolls might move on their own to attack the enemy.
Han Seol sent a transmission back.
— They look far too cool and cute to be that kind of doll.
She was actually thinking it would be nice to buy them and put them on a display shelf.
The goat-bearded man shared some happy news with Geom Mu-geuk.
“I finally get to see you, Young Cult Leader. I’ve been meaning to tell you something.”
“What is it?”
“Your doll will be coming out soon, Young Cult Leader.”
“Oh! Finally, my doll is being released!”
Since he had officially become the successor, they were now planning to launch Geom Mu-geuk’s doll.
“Is there a specific pose you’d like? I couldn't ask the others and just made them as I saw fit, but I wanted to ask you before making yours.”
Han Seol could feel it. The very fact that he asked such a question showed how much the merchants here trusted Geom Mu-geuk. How could he even dare to ask such a thing?
“Just make it as you see fit. As long as it’s cool. Make it so that when it’s placed right there, people reach for it first! You know what I mean?”
Geom Mu-geuk lowered his voice and whispered conspiratorially.
“Make it even cooler than my father’s.”
The goat-bearded man laughed and nodded.
“Even if yours is the worst-made, Young Cult Leader, it will still be the best-seller.”
Geom Mu-geuk turned to Han Seol and asked, “Would you like to buy a doll? Which one do you like?”
Then, surprising words flowed from Han Seol’s mouth.
“Give me all of them.”
At the same time, the Twin Frost Swords sent simultaneous voice transmissions.
— You mustn't!
— It’s dangerous!
Of course, if she were the type to listen to them, she wouldn't have come this far in the first place.
“You said you’d give a thirty percent discount if I buy them all?”
At her words, the goat-bearded merchant began packing them up immediately.
“An excellent choice! Your home will truly shine once you set these up. Every guest will ask where you bought them.”
Looking at the Twin Frost Swords, who were still shaking their heads, she said with a smile, “I’ve come to visit the Divine Cult; I should at least buy one souvenir, shouldn't I?”
The goods in other shops could be found anywhere. But these dolls were said to be sold only in Ma Clan Village. And more than anything, she felt like buying them.
Sa Han stepped forward.
“Let us inspect them first.”
Sa Han carefully examined the dolls being packed. No matter how he looked at them, they were just ordinary dolls.
“Fine.”
The merchant resumed packing, and Geom Mu-geuk asked her, “Which one is your favorite? Since you’ve already met the Drunken Demon, don't you feel the most familiar with him?”
But surprisingly, she chose the doll of the Fist Demon. Out of all the dolls, she picked the largest and scariest-looking one.
Geom Mu-geuk smiled at her taste.
“I see you like scary faces, Miss. Ah, so it was true when you said you liked men of few words.”
Among the Eight Demon Lords, the Fist Demon was second to none when it came to being tight-lipped.
Meanwhile, the goat-bearded merchant finished packing and handed them to her. Geom Mu-geuk offered to buy them as a gift, but she paid for them herself.
“Please come again when the Young Cult Leader’s doll is released!”
“I’m not sure if I’ll have a reason to return.”
At her words, Geom Mu-geuk spoke up quickly.
“What could be a more powerful reason than that?”
“You want me to come all this way just to buy a doll?”
“It won't just be my doll. There might be a doll of you, or even one of the Huangquan Pavilion Master.”
Yes, this man was exactly the type to tell the goat-bearded vendor to make dolls of them too.
Wouldn't his pride be hurt if they were sold together? Wouldn't his honor be tarnished?
Geom Mu-geuk was not the type to think that way at all. And the Heavenly Demon and the Demon Lords were likely the same. That was why these were still being sold.
The one thinking such things was herself. She would have hated being sold alongside dolls that weren't of her rank.
Through these dolls, she was able to reflect on herself. She realized that she possessed a vanity and useless authoritarianism that even those far stronger than her did not have.
‘I guess it is a cursed doll. Seeing how it stabs my heart like this.’
She had always lived without ever considering others. But being with this man constantly pulled her out of her own little world.
Just then, someone ran out of a tavern across the street and shouted.
“Young Cult Leader!”
Out of all the merchants they had seen so far, this man seemed the most delighted to see Geom Mu-geuk.
It was Jo Chun-bae, the owner of the Pungryu Tavern. He had run out after hearing from a customer that the Young Cult Leader was walking through Ma Clan Village.
“You’ll trip! Take it slow.”
“Young Cult Leader! You’ve returned?”
Jo Chun-bae was truly overjoyed.
She glanced at the Twin Frost Swords. This time, no voice transmissions came from them claiming it was all an act.
“Owner, have you been well?”
“Of course, of course. I’ve been doing just fine. Are you hurt anywhere?”
“I’m fine.”
“That’s a relief, a real relief.”
Since this trip away from the Cult had been quite long, Jo Chun-bae had been inwardly worried about Geom Mu-geuk.
“You seem to have gotten thinner, Owner.”
Geom Mu-geuk took his hand. Jo Chun-bae flustered, saying, "Oh my, please don't do this," not knowing what to do with himself.
Geom Mu-geuk introduced Jo Chun-bae to Han Seol.
“This is the owner of my favorite tavern.”
In her life as the successor of the Ice Palace, she had never been introduced to a tavern owner, and she likely never would be again.
“And this is the Young Palace Master of the North Sea Ice Palace.”
At the mention of the North Sea Ice Palace, Jo Chun-bae was startled. To drinkers, the North Sea Ice Palace held a different meaning than the Murim Alliance or the Unorthodox Path Alliance—it was the most mysterious sect of all.
“Oh my, it’s an honor to meet such a distinguished person.”
Jo Chun-bae bowed politely.
“Owner, I have to go greet my father. I’ll see you later.”
“Please come by anytime!”
As they turned to leave, Jo Chun-bae said to Geom Mu-geuk, “It’s truly good to have you back, Young Cult Leader.”
Han Seol could feel it. He was as happy as if his own son had returned.
Han Seol sent a firm voice transmission to the Twin Frost Swords.
— Even after seeing that?
But the Twin Frost Swords remained skeptical to the end.
— They said the Three-Party Meeting was held at a tavern in Ma Clan Village. Would such an important event really be held at an ordinary tavern?
They still believed that some secret they didn't know about was hidden here in Ma Clan Village.
“Let’s have a drink there with friends later. I have friends in the Cult I’d like to introduce to you as well.”
To her, who hadn't had a single friend, friends were suddenly pouring in.
Leaving Ma Clan Village behind, the four of them walked toward the Demonic Cult Headquarters.
“How was it? Your impressions of Ma Clan Village?”
At Geom Mu-geuk’s question, Han Seol answered exactly as she felt.
“It was nice. It was much brighter and cleaner than I thought it would be.”
Then Sa Han chimed in with a pointed remark.
“Almost as if it were made that way on purpose.”
To their surprise, Geom Mu-geuk spoke up.
“It was made that way on purpose.”
The three of them turned to look at him in surprise.
“It wasn't like this at first. It was as grim as anyone would expect Ma Clan Village to be. There were many who acted like thugs just because they were martial artists, and many who caused trouble while drunk. When I became the Huangquan Pavilion Master, I rounded them all up. Those who hit people while drinking, those who stole money or threatened others, those who committed fraud or killed—I crushed them all. If someone caused trouble while drunk, they got double the usual sentence; if a martial artist messed with a commoner, they were punished three times as severely. I actually made all of this.”
Han Seol stared at Geom Mu-geuk in silence before asking calmly, “Why did you go that far?”
After a brief pause, Geom Mu-geuk said, “Because it was something I could do. No, more accurately, because it was something I could do easily.”
Han Seol could feel it in the way Geom Mu-geuk looked at her. He was speaking from the heart.
“It’s something you and I can do easily. We are in positions free from various conflicting interests. It’s something that can be done if one has the will.”
Han Seol said nothing for a moment. He was a successor, and so was she. But she had never once known what was happening in the villages near the North Sea Ice Palace. She had never cared. Perhaps the truly cursed dolls were being sold there.
Just by walking through a marketplace, she had gained much to think about.
In the meantime, they arrived at the Demonic Cult Headquarters.
The walls were high enough to pierce the heavens, and the massive iron gates were engraved with the images of evil ghosts.
Han Seol grew tense. She had finally arrived at the Demonic Cult, a place she had only heard about since she was a child. Even her mother, the Ice Palace Master, had never been here, yet she had arrived first. It was also the first time for the Twin Frost Swords to see the Demonic Cult Headquarters.
The elite cultists guarding the main gate bowed politely to Geom Mu-geuk.
“We greet the Young Cult Leader!”
Their thunderous shout echoed in all directions. The cultists' eyes were sharp, and their discipline was absolute. Seeing this, the Twin Frost Swords exchanged glances, signaling each other to be even more cautious.
Rumble, rumble.
Usually, cultists entered and exited through a small door beneath the massive iron gates, but as the Young Cult Leader returned from a long trip, the great iron gates began to open.
As the view inside was revealed, Han Seol and the Twin Frost Swords gasped in unison.
“Ah!”
The interior was so vast the end couldn't be seen, and the buildings erected throughout were tall and magnificent. The North Sea Ice Palace was also large and grand, but it was incomparable to the Demonic Cult.
A wide, grand road led toward the center. On both sides of the road stood massive statues of evil ghosts.
Standing like gatekeepers, they looked down arrogantly with terrifying eyes, as if warning that once you passed through, there was no turning back.
Han Seol was intimidated by the grandeur of the headquarters; she had never seen such massive stone statues before.
Geom Mu-geuk stood before them and said with a smile, “Welcome to the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.”