Chapter 622: What Are You Doing Squatting There?
Chapter 622: What Are You Doing Squatting There?
Geom Mu-yang stared out the window of his quarters.
He watched the branch warriors in the courtyard. To an untrained eye, they appeared to be lounging about as if taking a break from their labors, but in reality, they were maintaining an ironclad perimeter.
Geom Mu-yang suddenly recalled Gwak Yeong’s words from earlier.
— “You must have siblings too, don’t you? If you do, surely you can understand how I feel.”
He had replied that he was once someone who wished his younger brother were dead, but those feelings belonged to a distant past.
What if his brother were being held hostage?
The first thought that came to mind was: Please, someone just take him away.
Naturally, a second thought followed.
No one could take him even if they wanted to. And even if they did, they’d probably die of sheer frustration. After listening to that kid’s endless chatter, they’d start to wonder who the real hostage was. They’d end up begging him to leave.
A faint smile played on Geom Mu-yang’s lips at the thought.
It no longer surprised him that he could think of his brother this way. It was only the fact that he was no longer surprised that felt strange.
Just then, Ho-myeong’s voice drifted in from outside.
“The investigation is complete.”
The door opened, and Ho-myeong entered with Gwak Yeong. Ho-myeong handed Geom Mu-yang a sheet of paper containing the results.
Geom Mu-yang read through it carefully.
It detailed exactly when and how the culprits had approached her, and what they had said. It included descriptions of their appearances, speech patterns, and even distinct physical characteristics.
She had even noted how long the carriage ride had taken while she was being transported blindfolded to the forge, as well as the specific sounds she had heard along the way.
As he read, Geom Mu-yang looked up at Gwak Yeong. Sensing his unspoken question, she answered.
“I made a desperate effort to remember. I anticipated that a day like this might come. I just didn't expect it would be you people instead of the Murim Alliance.”
Geom Mu-yang returned his gaze to the paper.
It listed the people she had met at the site where the counterfeits were made and the specific process of forging the hidden weapons. It even specified the types of iron used and the tools employed in the crafting process.
She was certainly clever. It wasn't just that she had a good memory; she was intelligent enough to filter out the noise and memorize only the essential details.
Geom Mu-yang handed the paper back to Ho-myeong.
“Send this to Tongcheon Pavilion immediately.”
With such detailed information, Tongcheon Pavilion would surely be able to find clues regarding their targets.
Ho-myeong left, leaving only Geom Mu-yang and Gwak Yeong in the room.
She first expressed her gratitude for his promise to save her brother.
“I was so overwhelmed earlier that I couldn't thank you properly. Truly, thank you.”
Geom Mu-yang didn't respond. Instead, he turned his head back toward the window.
Now that the investigation was over, Gwak Yeong felt her tension rising. What would happen to her now? She was still guilty of forging Demonic Cult hidden weapons.
He had promised to save her brother, but he hadn't promised to forgive her.
“I suppose I’m of no use now,” she murmured.
She had told him everything she knew.
“Even if you kill me and bury me here, I won’t resent you. I won’t even come back to haunt you as a ghost.”
Of course, she didn't mean it.
She didn't want to die. Saving her brother was more important than her own life, but if this man actually succeeded in rescuing him...
She wanted to keep living with her brother. She wanted to see him get married and have children. She wanted to look after him until he could stand on his own, filling the void left by their parents who had passed away early.
If she died too, he would be left truly alone in the world.
Then, Geom Mu-yang spoke abruptly.
“Didn't you say you’d get me a promotion?”
Her eyes widened. She had said that while shouting at him in the torture chamber. She had promised to spend her life doing whatever he ordered and making whatever he asked. She had claimed that taking her in would lead to his promotion.
Of course, those were just words blurted out in a moment of desperation. She had never actually envisioned a life spent forging weapons for the Demonic Cult.
“That... do you really mean to take me with you? You’re joking, right?”
As she stammered, unsure of how to respond, Ho-myeong rushed back into the room. One look at his face was enough to tell how urgent the situation was.
“You must evacuate, my lord.”
Geom Mu-yang stood up instantly.
“An urgent message arrived from Tongcheon Pavilion. An emergency operation has been issued to the White Dragon Unit, and their target is this location.”
Outside the window, the branch warriors were already moving. They retrieved weapons hidden among timber and mounds of earth, taking positions on the walls and rooftops to begin a true defense.
It was surprising that the Murim Alliance knew this location, but their objective was even more shocking.
“They say it is a rescue operation for this woman.”
Because it was an official operation of the Alliance rather than a covert one, Tongcheon Pavilion had been able to detect it and send word quickly.
Despite the dire situation, Geom Mu-yang did not rush.
“How much time do we have?”
“We must leave within fifteen minutes.”
Geom Mu-yang now understood why the enemies had left Gwak Yeong alive.
Their intention was clearly to use her to spark a conflict between his group and the Murim Alliance. They could force the Cult to withdraw from Wuhan without even lifting a finger.
And the most important question at this point was how they had discovered this place. He had personally checked several times to ensure they weren't being followed or monitored on the way here.
Then, a thought flashed through his mind.
With a look of suspicion, Geom Mu-yang asked Gwak Yeong, “Did you receive anything from them?”
“No, nothing.”
Then, she flinched.
“There is one thing.”
She pulled a letter from her robes.
“It’s a letter my brother sent me.”
Geom Mu-yang didn't take the letter with his hand. Instead, he used Telekinesis to make it float in the air. Ho-myeong immediately realized what Geom Mu-yang was thinking.
Ho-myeong pulled a leather pouch from his robes. When unfolded, it revealed over a dozen small and large vials.
Ho-myeong took out one vial, opened the stopper, and let a single drop fall onto the letter.
The paper instantly turned blue.
“It’s Tracking Incense.”
Gwak Yeong gasped at the words.
“They likely applied it anticipating that we would find her. Or perhaps they put it there in case she tried to run away,” Ho-myeong explained.
Geom Mu-yang nodded. It was clear there was someone very clever among their enemies. Since it was a letter from her brother, she would always keep it close to her person.
Gwak Yeong was terrified. But more than the fear that this man might explode in anger at her, she was terrified that he might revoke his promise.
Then, the letter floated through the air back toward her.
Catching it reflexively, she asked Geom Mu-yang in confusion, “Why are you giving this back to me?”
Geom Mu-yang spoke with an indifferent gaze.
“This is the last time.”
Her heart sank the moment she heard those words. She took it to mean he intended to kill her.
But she was wrong.
She realized a moment later that he was telling her to read it one last time before he destroyed it. If they failed to save her brother, this letter would be his final testament to her.
A surge of emotion rose within her. She was truly grateful to Geom Mu-yang for thinking of her even in this desperate situation.
“I’ve read it dozens of times; I already know it by heart.”
She held the letter out again with trembling hands.
“Thank you.”
Whoosh!
The letter burst into flames in mid-air, consumed by Geom Mu-yang’s Heat Yang Energy.
Meanwhile, Ho-myeong took another vial from his pouch and splashed its contents over her body. Since she had been carrying the letter, the Tracking Incense would still be on her. He used the liquid to mask the scent with another.
Geom Mu-yang led the way out of the room, followed by Gwak Yeong and Ho-myeong.
The warriors moved in organized groups—scouts, the main body, and a rear guard. Two warriors flanked Gwak Yeong, protecting her in case any hidden weapons were fired her way.
And so, they slipped out of the manor just before the White Dragon Unit arrived.
*
In the Red Flower Pavilion, the most luxurious gisaeng house in Wuhan, a man was drinking alone.
He had white hair, a square jaw, and eyes like a cornered predator. In truth, he was a man with deep emotional scars.
The man sitting alone without any gisaeng was Hanwolgaek.
Having lost his family to demonic practitioners, he was someone who would spring up from sleep at the mere mention of the Demonic Cult. He killed any cultist he encountered without question. His hatred for the Cult was that profound.
The reason he had come to Wuhan was because of a request from a certain individual—someone he never thought would ask anyone for a favor. That made the request feel all the more heavy.
And that person knew better than anyone how deep Hanwolgaek's hatred for the Demonic Cult ran.
— “I will set the stage, so please provide the sword dance. A demonic practitioner is coming to Wuhan whom no one but you can stop.”
Hanwolgaek had not refused.
‘Fine. If the opponent is a cultist, I’ll dance as much as you like.’
Just then, a messenger arrived, bowed politely, and reported.
“The time has come.”
A powerful killing intent emanated from Hanwolgaek’s eyes.
He emptied his final cup and spoke coldly.
“Go and tell them. Not a single one of those Demonic Cult bastards who entered Wuhan today will return alive.”
*
Leaving the Red Flower Pavilion, Hanwolgaek walked briskly.
Then, someone caught his eye.
A young man was squatting by the wall of the pavilion, staring at a small weed that had sprouted through a crack in the stone.
Beside him sat a bamboo collection cage and a small herb pouch containing several roots. The cage was filled with various insects.
Hanwolgaek’s brow furrowed. His personality wouldn't allow him to ignore such a sight.
As he walked past, he barked at the youth.
“What’s a grown man doing squatting there like that?”
The youth looked up at him. He had a very boyish, handsome face.
“A fine-looking lad like you! You should be swinging a sword instead of wasting time. If you keep slacking off, the Demonic Cult will have your head.”
He was never one to hold back when he saw juniors acting in a way he disapproved of.
People said the youth of today hated the nagging of their elders, but that only made him do it more. If these youngsters crumbled, the Orthodox Murim would be finished.
After delivering his sincere scolding, Hanwolgaek strode past.
The youth watched his retreating back for a moment before turning his attention back to the plant.
Once Hanwolgaek was out of sight, an old man approached the youth.
“What kind of plant are you looking at so intently?”
The youth replied, “Look at this. Hidden Sedge Herb is growing in a place like this.”
The youth was none other than the Poison King, and the old man was Sangseon, his attendant.
The Poison King was wearing a long robe over his usual attire, so the poison pouches at his waist were not visible.
In a sense, this ordinary robe could be considered the most powerful weapon in the Murim.
The moment the Poison King threw off that robe and revealed the Twelve Zodiac signs embroidered on his twelve poison pouches, any opponent would flee in terror.
“It really is Hidden Sedge Herb.”
Sangseon sat down beside the Poison King with a look of surprise. He had already seen several rare poisonous herbs he hadn't encountered before. The Poison King had never had a reason to forage for herbs in Wuhan until now.
It was then.
Someone came running back from a distance. It was the very same Hanwolgaek who had just passed by.
He was running so desperately it looked as if he had left something incredibly important behind.
His previously dignified face was now frantic and pale.
“Out of the way!”
Hanwolgaek blew past the Poison King and Sangseon like a gust of wind. This time, he had no leisure to nag.
He sprinted straight back into the Red Flower Pavilion and headed for the latrine. Hanwolgaek was a master who could normally control his physiological functions, but today, his body refused to obey. He had never experienced such an urgent crisis in his life. Dignity and demonic practitioners were the least of his concerns now.
Watching him disappear into the pavilion, Sangseon smiled and said, “He’ll be stuck in that latrine for the rest of the day.”
The Poison King nodded. At the very moment the man had scolded him while passing by, the Poison King had administered a poison that caused severe stomach upset. He hadn't even lifted a finger; he had simply looked at the man and poisoned him in that brief window.
In a way, the most terrifying thing about the Poison King wasn't his poisons, but his youthful appearance that caused everyone to lower their guard the moment they saw him.
Regardless, Hanwolgaek should consider himself lucky it ended there. If the Poison King had truly intended it, the man would no longer be among the living.
“I brought out several interesting poisons this time.”
Even without the Poison King saying so, Sangseon knew the poisons used in this Wuhan trip would be unique.
Unless it was a matter of Geom Mu-yang’s life and death, the Poison King wouldn't kill anyone with his toxins. The Poison King knew better than anyone what his role in the Murim was—and what the consequences would be if he killed an Orthodox martial artist with poison in front of the Murim Alliance headquarters.
The two men began to walk side by side. Who would ever suspect that this youth, carrying an herb pouch and an insect cage, was the Poison King?
“Please rest at the inn for a while. I will inform you once the First Young Master’s new hideout is decided.”
Since his arrival, the Poison King had been watching Geom Mu-yang’s back without missing a single moment.
“When is that person coming?”
“Lord Demon Buddha is traveling as fast as he can, so he should arrive in Wuhan shortly.”
A strange sense of anticipation filled the Poison King’s face. Sangseon assumed he was happy because they could share the burden of protecting Geom Mu-yang.
However, the Poison King’s anticipation was for something Sangseon hadn't even considered.
“Go and pull up a list of rare poisonous herbs that only grow around Wuhan.”