Chapter 565: Take My Daughter and Return Safely
Chapter 565: Take My Daughter and Return Safely
"You are no different from my own daughter."
The moment she heard those words, Lee An was struck by a wave of shock and bewilderment.
She had never dreamed she would hear such a thing from the Cult Leader, of all people. It was beyond her imagination that the Heavenly Demon regarded her in such a light.
Lee An stared blankly at Geom Wu-jin for a moment before quickly bowing her head. Her mind went white, leaving her at a total loss for words.
"Thank you... Thank you so much."
The only thing she could offer in return was a humble, heartfelt expression of gratitude.
As she walked away across the red carpet after paying her respects, her legs felt weak, and a bout of dizziness washed over her.
I was once nothing more than a lowly guard.
Yet, she had overcome the side effects of the Full Body Petrification Art, inherited the Flying Heaven Sword Technique, become the adoptive daughter of the Fist Demon, and discovered her true lineage. And today, she had been told by the Cult Leader himself that she was like a daughter to him.
The man who had made all of this possible was waiting for her at the entrance of the Heavenly Demon Hall.
The Young Cult Leader.
What was he saying so earnestly to the Twin Frost Swords?
As she drew closer, Geom Mu-geuk’s voice reached her ears.
"…This noodle shop here is truly delicious. I heard it used to be a mandu restaurant. And if you go thirty li east from here, there’s an inn. It might look shabby on the outside, but their boiled pork is exquisite. Also, if you head straight north from there…"
He was busy recommending the best places to eat along their route. He knew the roads well, and his memory was sharp enough to recall exactly which dishes were the best at each establishment.
Among the Twin Frost Swords, Sa Han stood a step back, feigning indifference while secretly listening intently, while So-bing listened with visible enthusiasm.
"The places I’ve mentioned should all suit your palates, so please make sure to stop by."
Sa Han glanced briefly at Han Seol before speaking up.
"They should suit the Young Palace Master’s palate more than ours."
Geom Mu-geuk’s gaze also shifted toward Han Seol.
"The Young Palace Master will have plenty of opportunities to eat. You’ll be visiting the Central Plains often from now on, won’t you?"
Han Seol could tell. Geom Mu-geuk was subtly encouraging her to visit more frequently in the future.
Geom Mu-geuk turned back to the two guardians.
"So, please, the two of you should eat your fill."
So-bing replied with a smile. "We shall do just that."
"Even if the two of you happen to visit the Central Plains alone later, please send word to me. I’ll treat you to even better delicacies then."
Even if it was just a polite gesture, the words were appreciated. Besides, hadn't he taken excellent care of them during last night’s drinking session?
Only after he had successfully earned points with the two North Sea masters did Geom Mu-geuk turn his gaze toward Lee An, who was standing a short distance away, watching him.
"What kind of secret conversation took so long?"
Lee An, who had regained her composure in the meantime, replied.
"He was earnestly asking me to take good care of his son."
Geom Mu-geuk laughed at her joke. He could tell that his father had bestowed an elixir upon her. The fragrant scent of the Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng still lingered around her—a scent he knew well from personal experience.
Congratulations, Lee An.
After offering his silent congratulations, he spoke to Han Seol.
"Well then, shall we?"
Geom Mu-geuk and Lee An escorted Han Seol and the Twin Frost Swords to the main gate of the headquarters.
Han Seol felt a pang of regret at parting with Lee An, though she didn't put it into words.
"See you next time."
"Safe travels."
Lee An watched the carriage pull away until it was out of sight, then looked at Geom Mu-geuk.
Standing there in silence, his face was so stoic that it was hard to believe he had just been such a chatterbox. Most people didn't know that this silent, composed expression was actually closer to the Young Cult Leader’s true nature.
Geom Mu-geuk smiled at Lee An.
"Let’s go see Master."
*
The Fist Demon was conducting morning training with the Iron Fists.
Below the platform where the Fist Demon was throwing punches, Cheon So-hui was doing the same, and in front of her, the Black Fists in their dark martial robes were mirroring the movements in unison.
Pa-ang!
As the elite masters of the Eastern Fist Sect, every one of their movements contained a level of discipline and power that no ordinary person could easily replicate.
From the Fist Demon down to the Black Fists, everyone put their heart and soul into every single motion, even though they were just the basic movements of the fist technique.
No matter how complex or flashy a technique might be, it was always built upon these fundamental movements. The Fist Demon placed immense importance on these basics.
The reason he personally taught the Iron Fists was to ensure these fundamentals were completely ingrained in their bodies.
As the training session came to an end, Geom Mu-geuk and Lee An entered the grounds.
"Father!"
The gazes of the Iron Fists split. The hot-blooded younger warriors looked toward Lee An, while the older ones mostly looked toward the Fist Demon.
They knew this was a rare chance to see an expression the Fist Demon usually never showed. He was not a man who wore his emotions on his sleeve, but this moment was an exception.
"You’ve come?"
The Fist Demon’s expression softened. It was always surprising to see that pleasant, comfortable look hidden beneath such a fearsome face.
The Iron Fists who had been watching him exchanged glances, sharing the wonder of the moment.
Geom Mu-geuk, following behind Lee An, spoke up.
"The unfilial daughter has arrived."
"Unfilial?"
When Lee An asked in surprise, Geom Mu-geuk playfully tattled on her.
"Your daughter went straight to drinking with me after arriving at the headquarters without even greeting you, Master."
Lee An protested as if it were unfair. "It was so late!"
"Even though you know Master barely sleeps at night."
Lee An glared at Geom Mu-geuk. Are you really going to be like this?
Geom Mu-geuk laughed and gave a respectful fist salute to the Fist Demon.
"Master, have you been well?"
The Fist Demon nodded, welcoming Geom Mu-geuk with a pleased expression. It had been a long time since he had seen both his daughter and his disciple.
Then, a greeting like a thunderous roar erupted.
"We greet the Young Cult Leader!"
The Iron Fists greeted him boisterously. They felt a great sense of pride in the fact that the Young Cult Leader was the Fist Demon’s disciple.
"Have you all been well?"
Having trained with them before, Geom Mu-geuk greeted the Iron Fists warmly.
Cheon So-hui, her face still showing signs of a hangover, gave a silent nod of greeting to Geom Mu-geuk and Lee An.
After leaving the training in her hands, the Fist Demon walked away with Geom Mu-geuk and Lee An.
Once they were clear of the training ground, Lee An spoke with an apologetic face.
"I’m afraid I have some unfortunate news. Something has come up, and I have to leave the Cult immediately with the Young Cult Leader."
Knowing that showing his disappointment would only weigh on Lee An’s heart, the Fist Demon simply nodded without asking for the reason.
"And there’s something else I need to tell you."
Lee An informed the Fist Demon that she had received the Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng from Geom Wu-jin. She also relayed the reason exactly as she had heard it.
"The Cult Leader said that?"
"Yes."
Knowing the relationship between his father and the Fist Demon better than anyone, Geom Mu-geuk could see it—the irrepressible surge of emotion that flickered across the Fist Demon’s fearsome face. To the Fist Demon, those words from his father were likely far more precious than any Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng.
In moments like this, an image always came to Geom Mu-geuk’s mind: the sight of those two steel-like men roaming the Central Plains in their youth.
Meanwhile, the three of them arrived at the entrance of the Eastern Fist Sect.
"Be careful on your journey."
"Yes, Father."
Lee An, who was about to turn and leave, spoke to the Fist Demon once more.
"The overwhelming gift I received from the Cult Leader today is all thanks to you, Father."
The Fist Demon shook his head.
"It is thanks to you."
After a brief pause, he added.
"None of this would have happened if you hadn't become my daughter."
The moment she heard those words, tears began to stream down Lee An’s face.
She had held them back in front of the Heavenly Demon, and she had held them back in front of Geom Mu-geuk. But the tears she had been suppressing finally burst forth in front of her father.
She was so grateful to everyone. She had been nothing more than an abandoned child in the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. Was it really alright for her to receive such undeserved love from these incredible people?
"I... I’ll be back."
Embarrassed by her unstoppable tears, Lee An hurriedly rushed out.
The Fist Demon looked at Geom Mu-geuk. His gaze was stoic, but Geom Mu-geuk could read his heart within it.
—Take my daughter and return safely.
Don't worry, Master. Your daughter will take good care of the Young Cult Leader and return. You know, don't you? Just how strong your daughter is.
After bidding farewell to the Fist Demon, Geom Mu-geuk also left.
Outside, Lee An spoke as if nothing had happened.
"You said we were busy, so why are you dawdling?"
Geom Mu-geuk smiled at her.
Hey, you haven't even wiped away the tear stains yet.
He didn't tease her for crying. He knew that for her, no tears could be more precious than these.
"Are you ready?"
"Yes!"
Geom Mu-geuk leaped forward first.
"Let’s go, Lee An!"
*
Seo Jin was looking up at a signboard.
She had never seen such a massive signboard in her life.
Yellow Dragon Martial Arts Hall
As if the size of the plaque was meant to display the hall's prestige, the four characters were written in brilliant gold.
There wasn't a single warrior guarding the entrance, and the gates were wide open. It felt like a display of confidence, as if asking who would dare enter the Yellow Dragon Martial Arts Hall with ill intent.
Inside, a massive training ground was visible. It was so large that she couldn't see the end of it, and countless people were moving back and forth.
Just then, a passing martial artist noticed her and walked over.
"What business brings you here?"
Seo Jin looked at the man.
"I’ve come to see Instructor Im."
"There’s more than one Instructor Im. Which one are you referring to?"
"Instructor Im Hyeon."
"Wait a moment."
The man went inside and returned shortly after.
"Follow me."
Seo Jin followed him inside.
As she walked, she took in the interior. It was so vast that she couldn't tell if she was in the Murim Alliance or a martial arts hall.
Everywhere she looked, students were practicing their martial arts. Some were in groups of dozens, while others trained in small clusters. She could feel their burning passion to grow stronger.
"This place is truly incredible."
At Seo Jin’s remark, the guide replied proudly.
"Haven't you heard of the Yellow Dragon Martial Arts Hall, the foremost hall in the Central Plains? We don't just accept anyone who pays like ordinary halls. You have to pass an exam to get in."
That was why it was so famous. It was also known that leaving was even harder than entering. If you didn't pass the graduation exam, you couldn't claim to be an alumnus of this place.
The man led Seo Jin to an office in a large building.
"Welcome. I am Gi Seok, a Master of the Yellow Dragon Martial Arts Hall."
The hierarchy of the Yellow Dragon Martial Arts Hall was divided into the Hall Master, Great Masters, Masters, and Instructors. While there were over a hundred instructors, there were only seven Masters, known as the Seven Masters.
He was one of those Seven Masters.
Seo Jin was inwardly puzzled, as she had expected to be taken directly to Im Hyeon.
"My name is Seo Jin."
"You came looking for Instructor Im?"
"That’s right."
"What is your relationship with him?"
Seo Jin felt a sudden, inexplicable sense of foreboding.
"We’re from the same hometown. He’s like an older brother to me."
Im Hyeon had been a childhood friend of her older brother, Gwi Ryeongja, but he had been closer to her. He had spent more time playing with her than with her brother, who was always cooped up in his research room.
She had come today to pick up an item Im Hyeon was supposed to deliver to her brother.
"I see."
Gi Seok’s expression darkened as he delivered a bolt from the blue.
"Instructor Im passed away not long ago."
Seo Jin gasped in shock. She was so stunned that she didn't know what to say.
"…He’s dead?"
Her voice trembled.
Gi Seok brought her a cup of cooled tea.
"Drink this and try to calm down first."
Seo Jin asked him, the teacup still shaking in her hand.
"How did it happen?"
"There was an accident during training."
"What kind of accident?"
Had he died while sparring with students? What kind of accident could it have been?
"I cannot give detailed information to someone who isn't immediate family."
"I’m as good as family."
"But you aren't actually family, are you?"
He was a man who had no family left after his mother, who had been living alone, passed away ten years ago.
"It’s the hall’s policy, so please understand."
Seo Jin sighed. What was the point of knowing the reason now? He was already dead. He had died all alone in this far-off land.
"What about the body?"
She thought she should at least collect Im Hyeon’s remains. She had intended to bury him in their hometown.
"We cannot release it to anyone who isn't immediate family. We’ve already buried him, so you don't need to worry."
They had already buried him? Without even trying to contact her or her brother?
"Instructor Im didn't leave any emergency contact information."
Suspicion began to bloom in Seo Jin’s heart.
That can't be right.
Im Hyeon had told her before. He said he had made sure they would be contacted in case of an emergency. He had said they were his only family now.
They won't tell me the cause of death, they won't give me the body, and they’re lying to my face?
She instinctively felt that they were hiding something regarding Im Hyeon’s death.
Gi Seok asked her.
"By the way, what business did you have with Instructor Im?"
Seo Jin stared at Gi Seok for a moment before letting out a long sigh.
"I came to enroll in the Yellow Dragon Martial Arts Hall."