Chapter 651: I’ll Tell Father on You Then
Chapter 651: I’ll Tell Father on You Then
When Geom Mu-geuk and the Poison King returned to their quarters, they found Geom Mu-yang and the Demon Buddha drinking tea with the windows thrown wide open.
Mu-geuk paused at the entrance for a moment, watching them. He could see the clear sense of trust in their eyes as they looked at one another.
Mu-geuk loved that sight. The Demon Buddha was filling a void for his brother that Mu-geuk himself never could.
Thank you, Demon Buddha.
Of course, the words that actually left his mouth were the polar opposite of his thoughts.
“You people are too much! While I was out there engaged in a life-and-death struggle—a bloody battle of three hundred exchanges against those terrifying Old Demons—you two were just lounging around!”
Mu-yang and the Demon Buddha spared Mu-geuk only a brief glance before greeting the Poison King. As they exchanged pleasantries—asking if he had returned safely and praising his hard work—Mu-geuk raised his voice even higher.
“I’m the Young Cult Leader! I’m the Acting Cult Leader! If you keep treating me like this, I’m going to go back and round up every last one of the Demon Lords!”
Naturally, Mu-geuk didn't miss it—the flash of irrepressible relief in his brother’s eyes when Mu-yang had first glanced at him.
You were worried, weren't you? Well, I’m back, safe and sound.
Mu-geuk and the Poison King stepped into the room. As soon as they were inside, the Poison King opened his leather pouch and presented the poisonous herbs to the Demon Buddha.
“Take a look at these.”
“Oh, these are the very herbs you were looking for, Poison King.”
The Demon Buddha knew exactly which specimens the Poison King had been hunting.
“Those herbs changed the Poison King’s rankings,” Mu-geuk chimed in. “The top spot for his most treasured person has been permanently replaced.”
The Poison King corrected him immediately. “It was only replaced for a very short time.”
Mu-geuk pouted at the Demon Buddha. By that gesture alone, the Demon Buddha knew he had reclaimed the top spot.
You didn’t have to tell me that, Young Cult Leader.
Still, it felt good to hear someone say they treasured him most, even if it was just playful banter.
Mu-yang could tell for certain by the presence of those herbs: So Jeong-rak was dead. Judging by Mu-geuk’s exaggerated complaints about a life-and-death struggle, it seemed he had personally finished off the two Old Demons as well.
Just then, the Demon Buddha pulled something out of a small pocket on the front of the leather pouch. It was the Heavenly Yin Ten-Thousand-Poison Herb—half-eaten and tucked away. The very same one Mu-geuk had chewed on like a common bellflower root in front of So Jeong-rak!
Ah! Not that!
Mu-geuk shook his head vigorously at the Demon Buddha, signaling him to put it back. The Demon Buddha tried to slip it back into the pocket, but it was too late.
The Poison King’s eyes locked onto it, and he snatched it away.
“I knew it. I smelled the Heavenly Yin Ten-Thousand-Poison Herb the moment you walked in. So it was here.” A look of deep regret crossed the Poison King’s face. “Who ate this precious thing?”
“I have no idea,” Mu-geuk said, flatly denying everything.
The Poison King examined the bite marks closely. “I suppose I’ll have to check if these match your teeth.”
How could he possibly match that? Mu-geuk could have just insisted it was like that when he found it, but he wasn't the type to lie to the Poison King about such things.
“Well… So Jeong-rak didn’t believe I had a Body Immune to All Poisons. I just ate it to show him an example.”
“By eating this precious herb?”
“…Yes. You have to chew something potent for them to believe you. That’s how you look cool.”
Mu-geuk directed his resentment toward the innocent Demon Buddha.
“Honestly! It’s not enough that you’re good at finding herbs; how could you find something tucked away in a tiny front pocket?”
“I just had a feeling.”
“You felt the aura of a Young Cult Leader about to be scolded by the Poison King, didn't you?”
The Demon Buddha laughed, looking appropriately apologetic.
“Fine. I admit it. I yield the spot of the Poison King’s most treasured person to you, Demon Buddha!”
Mu-yang listened to their conversation in silence. Even when Mu-geuk made silly jokes, those jests contained a deliberate effort to bridge the gap between the Demon Buddha and the Poison King. Mu-yang could now see clearly the heart from which that effort stemmed.
I don’t need to be the closest to everyone.
Because Mu-geuk held that mindset, he didn’t distort the relationships others formed. He wasn't jealous. Mu-yang knew how difficult that was in human relationships. The closer one became to someone, the harder it was to let them have other bonds.
Only after the minor commotion subsided did Mu-geuk speak seriously.
“By the way, there’s something the Demon Buddha and my brother need to know.”
Mu-geuk recounted what had happened on his way back—the story of the woman he had met in the marketplace.
“The opponent is a master of the Soul-Seizing Technique.”
A brief silence fell at the mention of the technique.
“I don’t know what their intention is yet.”
Mu-geuk had judged that it wasn't a simple warning to turn back; there was a deeper motive. While that motive was important, something else took priority right now.
“We must prepare for the Soul-Seizing Technique. We absolutely cannot allow ourselves to fall victim to it.”
The person most knowledgeable about the Soul-Seizing Technique in the room was the Demon Buddha. He spoke to Mu-geuk.
“The Soul-Seizing Technique will hardly work on the Young Cult Leader, who has mastered the Nine Calamities Demonic Art.”
Furthermore, since he had also mastered the Heavenly Demon Body Protection Art, there was no chance of his mind being controlled.
“The possibility of me falling for it is also slim,” the Demon Buddha added. His own martial arts were inherently resistant to spiritual intrusion.
Mu-geuk’s gaze turned toward the Poison King. “What about you, Poison King?”
The Poison King also had a countermeasure. “I don’t need to worry about soul-seizing either. In the Thousand Poison Forest, from the moment one carries more than three poison pouches, they periodically consume the fruit of the Heart-Soul Herb. It clears the mind and blocks the intrusion of evil sorcery that attacks the spirit. Naturally, the longer one takes it, the more effective it becomes.”
Mu-geuk felt that even without the herb, it wouldn't be easy for an outsider to penetrate the mental world of a man as stubborn as the Poison King.
That left only Mu-yang.
“The problem is me, then,” Mu-yang said.
If it had been the Mu-yang of the past, his pride would have been wounded, and he would have become prickly. But now, he showed no such discomfort.
Mu-geuk spoke to the two Demon Lords. “Could you give us the room for a moment?”
At the sudden request, the Demon Buddha spoke to the Poison King. “I’ll help you organize the poisonous herbs.”
“Thank you.”
The two left without asking why. As he walked out, the Poison King waved the remaining half of the Heavenly Yin Ten-Thousand-Poison Herb at Mu-geuk one last time.
“Ugh, how persistent. He’s so tenacious when it comes to poison.”
With that, only Mu-geuk and Mu-yang remained.
“What is this about?”
Mu-geuk walked to the window. He saw the Poison King and the Demon Buddha walking into the courtyard, then he shut the window tight. Mu-yang was curious why his brother had suddenly sent the Demon Lords away. The reason was something he truly hadn't expected.
“Memorize the oral formula I’m about to tell you.”
“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
“It’s a martial art I learned in the Heavenly Demon Library. It’s a mental method to counter the Soul-Seizing Technique.”
Mu-yang was taken aback. He was suddenly being taught a martial art to counter soul-seizing?
“However, the oral formula is very difficult. You’ll have to hear it several times to memorize it.”
Mu-yang’s eyes grew intense. “Fine. Teach me.”
As things stood, he couldn't fight on the front lines. If he made a mistake, he could become a burden, and that was something Mu-yang never wanted.
“Alright, I’m starting.”
Mu-geuk released his aura, creating a barrier around the two of them to ensure nothing said inside would leak out. Since it was the first time his brother had been this cautious, Mu-yang grew even more curious.
Just what kind of martial art is it?
Just as Mu-yang was about to ask for the name of the technique, Mu-geuk began reciting the oral formula. The transmission began before he even knew the name of the art.
“From the Myeong-mun acupoint, you must move your internal energy smoothly through the Sin-yu, Ji-sil, and Wi-yu. At this time, the True Qi must be as light as snow landing on a blade of grass. The speed of moving the energy through the Bi-yu, Gan-yu, and Gyeok-yu is crucial…”
The oral formula was indeed difficult. Mu-yang was only able to memorize it all after hearing it repeated several times. He could tell by instinct: This is a martial art of an indescribably high level.
After Mu-yang had the formula down, Mu-geuk said, “Now, let’s try performing it together.”
Mu-geuk wasn't just passing on the words; he intended to guide the execution entirely.
“The situation is urgent,” Mu-geuk added.
Mu-yang understood. That was part of it, but Mu-geuk was also helping because the martial art itself was so complex. Even after memorizing the formula, there were parts he couldn't grasp. Moreover, because it was such a high-level art, a single mistake in moving his True Qi could result in severe internal injury.
In this moment, Mu-yang did not let his pride get in the way. When a man once defined by vain pride has a world-class humble brother, there is a truth he naturally comes to realize: a person falls because of pride and rises through humility.
“Yes, please.”
Mu-yang’s life was truly changing.
Mu-geuk injected a stream of internal energy through his brother’s back. Like a scout, it moved along the blood vessels, directly teaching him how to circulate his True Qi.
“I interpreted ‘light as snow’ like this. Here, feel it.”
Mu-geuk demonstrated the movement with his own True Qi first. At every difficult section, Mu-geuk gave a direct demonstration and explained it simply. Such a process could potentially ruin a recipient if the teacher was unskilled, but the one teaching was Mu-geuk.
Mu-yang followed Mu-geuk’s True Qi and completed the formula to the end. There were several dangerous moments, but he calmly trusted and followed his brother. It was something that could never be done without absolute trust.
After learning the entire technique, Mu-yang realized something. If Mu-geuk hadn't taught him so directly, it might have taken years to learn it on his own. No, he might never have mastered it at all.
“Brother, take a break.”
Mu-yang was drenched in sweat from the sheer intensity of his concentration. But he didn't rest.
“I’ll try it right now while the feeling is fresh.”
Mu-yang moved his True Qi according to the formula on his own. Mu-geuk watched his brother’s condition with bated breath, ready to inject his own energy immediately if a problem arose.
Mu-yang completed the cycle successfully.
“As expected! My brother is amazing. Then again, whose son are you? Of course you can do it.”
The joy that welled up in Mu-yang wasn't because of the praise. When he finished the formula, an overwhelming sensation of completeness washed over his entire body. Had he ever felt such a full sense of satisfaction upon learning a martial art? He didn't think he had felt this even when he learned the Flying Heaven Sword Technique.
Mu-yang asked, his heart full, “Just what martial art is this?”
Then, shocking words flowed from Mu-geuk’s mouth.
“It’s the Heavenly Demon Body Protection Art.”
Mu-yang’s expression froze instantly. His eyes widened. He was so shocked he couldn't speak.
Mu-geuk wasn't the type to joke about the Heavenly Demon Body Protection Art. Besides, the sensation in his body was already telling him the truth. If it wasn't the Heavenly Demon Body Protection Art, how could it feel like this?
Mu-yang jumped to his feet and shouted, “Are you crazy?!” He glared at Mu-geuk with a terrifying gaze. “Do you have any idea what you’ve just done?”
Mu-yang scolded his brother in earnest. The Heavenly Demon Body Protection Art was a martial art passed down only to the successor of the Cult.
“I gave my brother an extra life,” Mu-geuk replied simply.
It was often said that mastering the Heavenly Demon Body Protection Art was like gaining another life. Mu-geuk, who had achieved Great Achievement in the art, had already experienced it several times. It wasn't just one life; he had escaped death through the art more than once. He knew he would rely on it countless times more.
“Brother, this enemy is a master of soul-seizing. You can’t block it with ordinary martial arts.”
What weighed most on Mu-yang’s mind was their father. “If Father finds out, he won’t let this slide.”
Setting that aside, the fact that he had learned it was the problem. I learned it without knowing it was the Heavenly Demon Body Protection Art. That was the truth, but he didn't want to make such an excuse to his father.
“Father won’t know.”
“What?”
“You just have to keep quiet. The Heavenly Demon Body Protection Art isn't a martial art that shows on the outside. That’s why it’s so incredible.”
“You…!”
“With this, a secret has been created between you and me.”
Mu-yang was speechless. Then, the look in Mu-geuk’s eyes as he watched his brother deepened.
“I didn't teach it to you just because of this enemy.”
If the opponent used soul-seizing, Mu-yang could simply step back. He would be disappointed, but the current Mu-yang was more than capable of accepting that.
“Then why?”
Then, words even more shocking than the revelation of the art followed.
“I want you to stay by my side safely for a long time, Brother.”
“...!”
It was Mu-geuk’s sincere wish. In truth, he wanted to teach him the Nine Calamities Demonic Art as well, but that was something that could absolutely never happen.
Feeling his brother’s sincerity, Mu-yang couldn't say a word.
“Brother, you’ve finally got some real leverage on me. If you tell Father about this, I’ll be kicked out of the successor position.”
Of course, he wouldn't be kicked out. At least regarding the Heavenly Demon Body Protection Art, Father wasn't in a position to say much. He had taught Mu-geuk the art in exchange for the Wind God Four Steps before he even became the successor.
Mu-yang suddenly remembered something the Demon Buddha had said.
— The Young Cult Leader won’t want the First Young Master to live as his shadow.
Mu-yang spoke bluntly, his gaze deepening. “Fine. If I ever find you truly unbearable, I’ll tell Father on you then.”
“Then we’ll probably both be kicked out of the Cult.”
And in that very moment, his brother laughed.
It was the first time. It was the first time Mu-yang had seen his brother laugh so brightly. Had his brother always been capable of such an expression?
Mu-geuk could tell. That laugh was a greater expression of gratitude than if his brother had said "thank you" a thousand times. He knew that the moment he commented on it, the laugh would vanish, perhaps never to be seen again.
Instead of saying anything, Mu-geuk walked to the window and threw it wide open. The Poison King and the Demon Buddha were talking, with the poisonous herbs spread out in the courtyard.
Mu-geuk shouted toward them. “If my brother and I get kicked out by Father, you two will come with us, right?”
The Poison King and the Demon Buddha glanced at Mu-geuk, then without a word of response, they put their heads together again and continued their conversation.
“You’ll sell herbs to feed and support us brothers, right? Right?!”
Mu-yang silently stared at his younger brother’s back. Again, the words the Demon Buddha had spoken came to mind.
— It’s not easy being the older brother of such a brilliant younger brother, is it?
Mu-yang quietly closed his eyes and began to move his True Qi according to the formula of the Heavenly Demon Body Protection Art. Until now, he had vaguely thought he should protect Mu-geuk because he was the older brother.
Now, I should try being a proper older brother.