Chapter 611: Aren't They Making More Money Than Us?
Chapter 611: Aren't They Making More Money Than Us?
A few days passed.
Geom Mu-geuk threw himself into his duties as the Acting Cult Leader. In the past, he would have headed straight to the Pungryu Tavern the moment his daily routine ended to drink and carouse with the Demon Lords.
But not this time. Realizing that his father had suffered and worried far more than he had ever imagined, he couldn't bring himself to play around. Besides, the weight of the responsibility he had taken on was immense.
And today, finally!
"What's the next item on the agenda?"
"There are no more, Young Cult Leader."
When Geom Mu-geuk looked up, Sama Myeong was staring at him with a look of genuine surprise.
"You have finished all your work exactly on schedule."
Sama Myeong had always known the Young Cult Leader was brilliant, but he hadn't expected him to adapt to the administrative burden this quickly. It wasn't just about being smart; the Young Cult Leader possessed a keen insight into human psychology and a precise understanding of how the organization functioned.
‘I suppose the bloodline doesn't lie.’
The Young Cult Leader’s deep insight made Sama Myeong feel as though he were working with the Cult Leader himself. Until now, Sama Myeong had mostly seen the results Geom Mu-geuk achieved from a distance. Now, he was experiencing firsthand exactly how those results were produced.
"You are truly remarkable."
"It’s not that I’m remarkable," Mu-geuk replied. "It’s just that I’m driven by the sheer will to get rid of this tedious work as quickly as possible."
"Even so, you handled it exceptionally well. I shall see you tomorrow, then."
As Sama Myeong gathered the documents and prepared to leave—
"I have one thing to ask."
"Please, go ahead."
"The Demon Lords all know I’m back, right?"
"Not just them; the entire Cult knows."
At that, Geom Mu-geuk couldn't hold back and shouted, "And yet, not a single one of them has come to visit? This is too much!"
Every time he finished work and stepped outside, he had expected to see the Blood Heaven Blade Demon with his great blade planted in the ground, drinking at the entrance of the Heavenly Demon Hall.
He had hoped to see the Extreme Evil Smiling Demon perched atop a giant ghost statue, looking down at him with that signature grin.
He thought the Drunken Demon would come stumbling in, reeking of alcohol, to tease him by asking if the work was hard and if his "big brother" should lend a hand.
"To think no one came!"
Sama Myeong comforted him in a gentle tone. "They are people who do not come unless summoned by the Cult Leader. They tend to keep their distance from the affairs of the Heavenly Demon Hall."
"That’s because Father is intimidating. How can you compare Father to me?"
Sama Myeong then asked meaningfully, "Are you truly different?"
Geom Mu-geuk looked at him in surprise. "Of course! Am I not much easier to be around than Father?"
Surprisingly, Sama Myeong thought the opposite. "I suspect the Demon Lords find the Young Cult Leader more difficult to deal with than the Cult Leader himself."
"Me?"
Geom Mu-geuk’s expression shifted from surprise to sheer absurdity. It was something he had never even considered. He naturally assumed it was a joke, but Sama Myeong’s serious expression suggested he was being entirely sincere.
"Didn't you see the day I returned? Fist Demon and the One Flower Sword Venerable just walked out without even listening to me finish. I’m probably the most easygoing Young Cult Leader in the history of this Cult. And yet, I’m difficult?"
Sama Myeong did not budge. "I believe they find you more intimidating."
"Even though I play so many pranks and joke around so much?"
The Demon Lords find me harder to deal with than Father? No way!
Then, with a sudden doubt, he asked, "What about you, Strategist?"
Instead of answering, Sama Myeong gave an inscrutable smile, bowed politely, and turned away.
"I shall see you tomorrow."
"Hey, you have to give me an answer before you go!"
But Sama Myeong simply walked out.
"How can he say I’m difficult while ignoring me like this?"
Left alone, Geom Mu-geuk spoke to the empty air. "Jeok-yeon, what do you think? Do you find me difficult too?"
A voice answered from the void. "……You are difficult, but not as difficult as the Cult Leader."
"Right?"
"Yes."
Then why did the clever Sama Myeong say such a thing?
After lingering in his seat for a moment, Geom Mu-geuk sprang up from the Grand Tutor's chair.
"Where are you going?"
"I need to check if that’s really true."
"Which Demon Lord are you going to see?" Jeok-yeon naturally assumed he would seek out one of the elders.
"I’m not going to a Demon Lord."
"Pardon?"
Geom Mu-geuk strode out along the Path of Blood as he spoke. "There’s someone who will tell me the truth without walking on eggshells around me."
*
About a dozen boxes were lined up on the floor. Each box contained different hidden weapons—some held three or four, others more than ten.
The man walking toward them was Geom Mu-geuk’s older brother, Geom Mu-yang.
"Are these the ones?"
"Yes, these are the counterfeit hidden weapons collected this time."
Geom Mu-yang held several important responsibilities within the Cult, one of which was managing the armaments produced in the iron workshops. His primary duty was distributing the weapons made in the workshops to the various regional branches and offices.
However, a new concern had recently arisen: the task of identifying counterfeit armaments being manufactured throughout the Central Plains.
Various weapons bearing the mark of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult were being forged and sold through the Murim's black market. Among these, hidden weapons made up the largest volume. In particular, mechanical launching devices were the main targets for forgery because they commanded high prices.
The mere fact that they were hidden weapons used by demonic practitioners made these fakes valuable. Even though possessing them could lead to being branded a heretic, many people sought out the lethal ingenuity of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
And recently, the number of those counterfeit hidden weapons had increased significantly.
Geom Mu-yang picked up a device from the first box. It was a cylindrical tube.
"It’s a Killing Net," his subordinate explained.
Listening to the explanation, Geom Mu-yang fired it at the wall.
Pwaaaaak!
Originally, this was a weapon designed to spray dozens of projectiles like a net to sweep an entire area. However, only about ten projectiles flew out, embedding themselves weakly in the wall.
"Crude."
Counterfeit hidden weapons were usually made this poorly. If the forgers had the technology to make them perfectly, they wouldn't be selling fakes in the first place. However, as the days went by, fakes that mimicked the originals with convincing accuracy were beginning to appear.
"They are mainly being circulated in Hunan, and we are currently tracking down the manufacturer."
Despite knowing they would be executed if caught, the fakes kept coming because the business was incredibly lucrative. Judging by the volume being released into the Central Plains, it was clear that they weren't being made by an individual, but by a highly organized group.
"The next one is an item that came in from Hubei."
Geom Mu-yang picked up the hidden weapon from the next box and fired it at the wall.
Shoooooo!
Pa-pa-pak!
"This one is more powerful than the one we recovered last time. Did they improve it in the meantime?"
"It seems so. Their technology is advancing by the day."
As Geom Mu-yang reached for the next box, the subordinate explaining the weapons suddenly bowed his head in a respectful greeting.
Geom Mu-geuk was walking toward them.
"If you fire that this way, it won't just be an attempted assassination of the Young Cult Leader, but an attempted assassination of the Acting Cult Leader. The crime would be twice as heavy, wouldn't it?"
Of course, despite those words, Geom Mu-yang fired it anyway.
Swish, swish, swish, swish!
Thud, thud, thud, thud!
The projectiles flew and embedded themselves in the wall right next to where Geom Mu-geuk was walking. That was his brother for you.
"It’s been a while, Brother."
At the sight of the two, the subordinate took the hint and withdrew to a respectful distance.
Geom Mu-geuk looked at the projectiles stuck in the wall. "Are you testing the power of the hidden weapons?"
"They are counterfeits made in imitation of our Cult's designs." Geom Mu-yang tossed the one he was holding to his brother.
Geom Mu-geuk examined the device. "This is a fake? It looks pretty convincing."
"They’re getting more sophisticated by the day."
"How much do these things sell for?"
"I heard they go for anywhere from dozens to hundreds of taels."
At that, Geom Mu-geuk flared up. "Aren't these guys making more money than us?"
A slight smile tugged at the corner of Geom Mu-yang’s mouth at the joke. He leaned down to pick up another weapon. "What brings you here?"
His tone was as blunt as ever, but Geom Mu-geuk could tell—the look in his brother's eyes was softer than before.
"I came to see you, Brother."
"Why?"
"Because I missed you."
Geom Mu-yang snorted and aimed the hidden weapon again. "Move. I’m busy."
"Could you possibly be as busy as I am?" Geom Mu-geuk let out a sigh. "If I had known there was this much work, I wouldn't have fought you for the succession. I would have yielded the position to the person I hated most. Ah, back then, that would have been you."
At those words, Geom Mu-yang finally let out a chuckle.
Swish, swish, swish!
Thud, thud, thud!
The hidden weapons flew again, grazing Geom Mu-geuk’s shoulder before embedding themselves in the wall.
"Stop, stop! Stop pretending to be busy and talk to me for a bit." Geom Mu-geuk blocked the wall and waved his hands dismissively.
"Talk about what?"
"Father is in closed-door training, and the brother you haven't seen in a while is now the Acting Cult Leader. If you still have nothing to say in this situation, why do you even have a mouth?"
Geom Mu-yang picked up a hidden weapon from the next box. "Father came to see me the day before he entered closed-door training."
"What did he say?" Geom Mu-geuk looked at him with expectant eyes.
"He told me to keep a close eye on you to make sure you don't cause any trouble."
Geom Mu-geuk raised his voice. "He said that to you too? Father, this is too much! What on earth does he think of his own son?"
Geom Mu-geuk’s resentment shifted targets. "If you heard that, you should have come to help your younger brother."
"As you can see, I have plenty of my own work."
In truth, Geom Mu-yang had visited Sama Myeong. He had gone to see if there was anything he could do to help, but upon hearing that Geom Mu-geuk was adapting to the work more and more each day, he simply turned back. He figured that his interference would actually be more of a hindrance than a help.
How could Geom Mu-yang not know? If Father had truly been worried about Geom Mu-geuk causing trouble, he wouldn't have made him the successor in the first place. This was training for the throne.
Father had come to see him not because of Geom Mu-geuk, but for his own sake—because he felt sorry for his eldest son.
‘Father, I am fine.’
Geom Mu-geuk understood his father better by becoming the successor, and Geom Mu-yang understood his father better by not becoming the successor.
"Why should I help you? It’s not like you’re particularly likable."
"Everyone is so mean."
"Everyone?"
"I heard something absurd from Strategist Sama today. He said the Demon Lords would find me more difficult to deal with than Father."
Geom Mu-yang let out a low "Hmm."
"What kind of reaction is that?" Geom Mu-geuk asked with a look of disbelief. "Surely you don't think so too, Brother?"
"To me, you’re just ridiculous."
"Right? That’s the normal reaction."
Then, Geom Mu-yang said something unexpected. "But for the Demon Lords, they might indeed find you more difficult."
Startled, Geom Mu-geuk pressed him. "The Demon Lords find me harder to deal with than Father? Are you serious?"
Geom Mu-yang nodded. "Because you stir people's hearts and drag them along. Even when they want to just stay still, being with you means they get pulled out onto the stage."
That was how Geom Mu-yang saw his brother.
"Because being with you creates a burden—a feeling that they have to do something well."
Geom Mu-yang believed the Demon Lords were no different from himself. Of course, for him, Father was naturally more difficult. He had truly wanted to impress his father, and that feeling hadn't changed much even now. But to the Demon Lords, both Father and his brother were outsiders; their perspective would definitely be different.
"Father is predictable, but you are unpredictable." Geom Mu-yang aimed the hidden weapon he was holding at Geom Mu-geuk. "I’ve said my piece, so move out of the way."
Geom Mu-geuk, who had been blocking the wall, expressed his gratitude. "Thanks. If it weren't for you, Brother, I wouldn't have heard this. You don't know how precious you are to me, do you? I’ll make sure to tell them to manufacture a doll of you when I go to Ma Clan Village. Of course, it won't turn out as handsome as my doll, but..."
"Ugh, just get hit!"
Swoooooosh!
Thud, thud, thud, thud!
A scream erupted from Geom Mu-geuk.
Geom Mu-yang, who had fired the hidden weapon, was startled. The weapon he had just fired had flown with incredible, unintended force.
"Are you okay?"
At Geom Mu-yang’s shout, Geom Mu-geuk, who had been leaning awkwardly against the wall, slid down into a sitting position.
"Whoa, that gave me a heart attack."
Steel needles were embedded in the wall just above his head. He had dodged them by a hair's breadth. The distance was short and the power was immense; if it hadn't been Geom Mu-geuk, he would have been killed. In fact, Geom Mu-yang was even more shocked than his brother.
"You really planned this out to kill me!"
Geom Mu-yang stared blankly at the hidden weapon in his hand. He had been so engrossed in the conversation that he had fired it without even looking at what it was. No, it would have been the same even if he had looked. There was no way his brother should have been hit by a fake.
Charge.
It was one of the representative hidden weapons of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. Its power was enough to pierce straight through shields and heavy armor, making it difficult for anyone but a top-tier master to block.
The Murim Alliance had designated Charge as one of the Ten Great Forbidden Hidden Weapons. This was not only because of its immense power but also because the steel needles were coated in extreme poison. Consequently, even within the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, the use of Charge was strictly controlled. Since poison and hidden weapons were the most common causes of conflict in the Murim, the use of Charge was forbidden within the Cult unless it was a state of war.
Sssssss.
The poison was so potent that the wall began to bubble and melt. A bluish light shimmered on the revealed steel needles.
"It’s even coated in extreme poison? This looks like the real thing."
"That’s impossible," Geom Mu-yang shook his head, his expression turning grim.
As one of the Ten Great Forbidden Hidden Weapons, Charge was under the strictest management.
Geom Mu-geuk walked over and took the device from his brother's hand, examining it. It was made too exquisitely to be called a fake.
"Instead of finding the person who made this and killing them," Mu-geuk muttered, "shouldn't we hire them?"