Chapter 668: Our Time Starts Now
Chapter 668: Our Time Starts Now
The courtyard was a whirlwind of activity as the group prepared for departure.
It had been decided that everyone except Geom Mu-geuk and Geom Mu-yang would return to the Demonic Cult Headquarters. Now that the situation in Wuhan had been settled, it would have been a breach of etiquette toward the Murim Alliance for so many high-ranking experts of the Cult to remain within the city.
Two figures watched the bustling scene from a short distance away: the siblings, Gwak Yeong and Gwak Ju.
"You're saying we have to go back with them?" Gwak Ju whispered, his voice trembling.
Though they had been brave enough to defect to the Demonic Cult, the prospect of traveling with that particular group of monsters was terrifying.
"And without the person who’s actually taking us in, Sister?"
Gwak Yeong shared his apprehension. She wished Geom Mu-yang were coming with them, but he had business to attend to and promised to follow later.
Thinking back, the First Young Master of the Demonic Cult was an even more difficult and frightening person than the Demon Lords, yet she found herself relying on him. She felt a deep sense of gratitude toward Geom Mu-yang. Such a fearsome man had somehow become their pillar of support.
By now, Gwak Yeong and Gwak Ju had figured out exactly who those "crazy people" were. They had even learned that the man who had casually called them crazy was none other than the Poison King.
The Poison King?
The legendary master who made even peerless experts tremble had been cracking jokes as he walked past them.
Their statuses were so exalted that the situation felt surreal. A normal person wouldn't meet the former Pungcheon Cult Leader or the Demon Lords even once in a lifetime, yet here were four of them, gathered in one place.
"I mean... they wouldn't actually eat us, right?"
At Gwak Ju's nervous question, a voice suddenly chimed in from behind.
"They might not eat you, but they could certainly use you as ingredients for poison."
Startled, Gwak Ju spun around to find Geom Mu-geuk standing there with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"You've never been dunked in a vat of poison, have you? Your body starts turning into mush until you can't tell if that thing floating over there is your finger or your ear."
Gwak Ju stared at Geom Mu-geuk, his breath hitching. It wasn't just the gruesome description of a poison vat that paralyzed him, but the identity of the man speaking.
The Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult!
He hadn't known yesterday, but he knew now. A man of even higher status than those four terrifying masters was teasing him.
Is this a dream? It had to be. Everything—from his sister, a master blacksmith of the Murim Alliance's Iron Workshop, defecting to the Demonic Cult, to this moment—felt like a fever dream.
"Which carriage are you going to take?"
Geom Mu-geuk’s question snapped Gwak Ju out of his daze.
"Ah, uh... We..."
Gwak Ju looked at his sister. Gwak Yeong hadn't decided where to sit either.
Two carriages were waiting in the courtyard. The first was for the Demon Buddha and the Poison King. The second was for the Pungcheon Cult Leader and the Soul-Seizing Demon Lord.
"Who do you think looks the most kind-hearted over there?" Mu-geuk asked.
At that, the four masters about to board the carriages pricked up their ears. Geom Mu-geuk had spoken in a whisper, but the hearing of such experts was far from ordinary. Besides, Mu-geuk was "whispering" while looking right at them, clearly plotting something.
Gwak Ju looked them over and whispered back softly.
"Based on looks alone... that handsome gentleman over there seems the most kind-hearted."
He thought he was being quiet, but they heard every word.
The Pungcheon Cult Leader frowned. He wasn't shameless enough to hope he'd be picked as the most handsome, but if the criterion was "kind-hearted"... Isn't that me? When else am I going to use this generous, jolly face of mine if not now?
"If you hop into the first carriage just because someone looks kind and you make a mistake? You know what happens, right? The poison vat!"
Gwak Ju nodded, his face turning pale with horror.
"Then... we'll take the second carriage."
"Right, that won't happen there," Geom Mu-geuk said, seemingly reassuring him. Then he added, "However, if you mess up there, you'll end up butchering your sister before taking your own life. See that man over there with the bad attitude and the potbelly? You have to be especially careful of him."
The Pungcheon Cult Leader whipped his head around, his eyes blazing. I can hear you, you brat!
But before he could roar a protest, someone else intervened.
"Stop teasing them."
They turned to see Geom Mu-yang approaching.
"You two, take that carriage instead."
A third carriage arrived. The escorts for this one were the branch warriors who had originally accompanied Geom Mu-yang. He had ordered them to escort the siblings to the main headquarters before returning to their posts.
Gwak Yeong and Gwak Ju sighed in relief, grateful to travel separately from the Demon Lords.
"I've sent word ahead," Mu-yang said. "When you arrive, go to the Iron Workshop and meet Master Gwak."
"Thank you for your kindness, Young Master."
Gwak Yeong's eyes were filled with emotion as she looked at Geom Mu-yang. She almost missed the days when she didn't know his status and could speak freely; then, she could have expressed this burning gratitude more clearly.
With a final bow, Gwak Yeong and Gwak Ju walked toward the third carriage.
As they passed by, the Pungcheon Cult Leader remarked loudly to the Soul-Seizing Demon Lord, "Usually, people pick the person who saved their life as number one. Kids these days have no loyalty."
Gwak Ju flinched.
The Soul-Seizing Demon Lord played along with her master's pettiness. "Well, the blood of a young man is a necessary ingredient for the Great Regression Art."
"Eek!" With a short yelp, Gwak Ju scrambled into the third carriage. He knew it was likely a joke, but he wasn't about to take any chances. Gwak Yeong followed him with an awkward, apologetic smile.
Geom Mu-geuk and Geom Mu-yang watched them go.
"Take good care of them from now on," Mu-geuk said.
"You're the one who brought them in, so why should I?"
"You're better at taking care of people than I am."
"From what I saw this time, you have a talent for it too, Brother."
Geom Mu-yang didn't respond. Saving the Gwak siblings was a departure from his former self—an event that confirmed his own transformation.
"I like the way you are lately, Brother. I like it more and more," Mu-geuk said softly. "So I'll say it again: don't even dream of reverting to the way you were."
"..."
Just then, the carriages began to move. Geom Mu-geuk ran over to bid farewell to the occupants of the first carriage.
"I'll see you at the headquarters! And when you see the Chief Strategist, tell him not to worry about us and to please get some rest!"
The Demon Buddha and the Poison King were so busy discussing poisonous herbs that they didn't even look at him.
"Demon Buddha! You're just being used!" Mu-geuk yelled.
As the first carriage departed, Mu-geuk shouted a request toward the second.
"Cult Leader! Please look after our Strategist Go!"
The Pungcheon Cult Leader slammed the carriage window shut. "Acting like he's actually worried!"
A moment later, the door opened slightly, and the Soul-Seizing Demon Lord gave a small, elegant nod of farewell.
As the second carriage left and the third passed by, the playfulness vanished from Geom Mu-geuk's face.
"Welcome to the Divine Cult."
His aura shifted entirely. With clear, deep eyes and an indescribable, overwhelming presence, he acknowledged them as his own.
Gwak Yeong and Gwak Ju bowed deeply from the carriage window.
"Thank you so much for accepting us."
With that, the three carriages set off toward the headquarters.
Geom Mu-geuk turned and began walking toward the gate.
"I'm going to drop by the Murim Alliance for a bit."
Geom Mu-yang shook his head and called out, "Is the Murim Alliance your backyard? You go in and out like you own the place."
Geom Mu-geuk's voice drifted back from beyond the wall.
"They invited me!"
*
The streets of Wuhan were buzzing with two major pieces of news.
The first was the death of the Heaven’s End Recluse, Hwa Yul-cheong. When it was revealed that he was a villain who had infiltrated the Murim Alliance, the martial artists of Wuhan were plunged into shock.
The Murim Alliance made its position clear. They announced that the one who personally executed the Heaven’s End Recluse was the Alliance Leader himself, and that his villainy had been confirmed by the guards of the Leader's Palace and the warriors of the Demon Extermination Squad.
Hwa Yul-cheong had mocked Jin Pae-cheon, asking if the people of the Murim would ever believe his word, but the fallout wasn't nearly as catastrophic as he had predicted. While those who had followed him like a cult raised questions, far more people trusted the Murim Alliance Leader—a man whose life had been a testament to integrity. While it would take time for the situation to fully settle, there was no chaos significant enough to cause a problem.
The second piece of news, which largely overshadowed the first, was that Jin Ha-gun had been officially named the successor.
The warriors of the Orthodox Faction cheered at the news. Many had already believed that Jin Ha-gun should be the next Alliance Leader. The Demon Extermination Squad had long dedicated themselves to justice and chivalry, often at the cost of their own lives.
Geom Mu-geuk, his bamboo hat pulled low, walked through the marketplace that was loud with talk of the succession. He eventually arrived at the Murim Alliance headquarters, where Jin Ha-ryeong was waiting for him at the entrance.
She watched as Geom Mu-geuk approached.
You saved us again.
Whenever she saw him, she couldn't help but remember the first time they met. The more significant Geom Mu-geuk became to her, the more those memories surfaced.
Mu-geuk stopped in front of her.
"Is it all over now?" she asked.
Geom Mu-geuk shook his head.
"No. Our time starts now!"
Knowing he meant it was time for them to enjoy themselves, Jin Ha-ryeong smiled brightly.
"Let's go. Grandfather is waiting."
The two entered the Murim Alliance. She didn't lead him toward the Leader's Palace. Whether orders had been given in advance or not, the sentries they encountered didn't ask for Geom Mu-geuk's identity and let them pass without a word.
"Aren't you disappointed?" Mu-geuk asked as they walked.
"About what?"
"You could have been the successor too."
"That's only for people with ambition or greed. I have no such desires. Being the granddaughter of the Alliance Leader and the future sister of the Alliance Leader... handling those two roles is already more than enough for me."
Geom Mu-geuk knew she had an ambition greater than that, but he was certain it wasn't becoming the Murim Alliance Leader.
"Where's Ha-gun?"
"Brother is at the training ground."
Having received the Imperial Sword Arts from Jin Pae-cheon, Jin Ha-gun was training in seclusion. It was crucial to properly internalize the teachings immediately after receiving them, so he would likely be holed up for a while. This was the most important moment of his life.
"That's good. In the meantime, we can prepare the celebration."
"Are you really going to do it?"
"Of course. Our friend achieved his dream. Let's keep it modest and just invite our friends."
Though the word "modest" hardly applied to that particular group.
"I've already invited everyone," Mu-geuk added.
"You certainly are diligent."
This gathering would truly be a meeting of the official successors of the Orthodox, Unorthodox, and Demonic factions.
Jin Ha-ryeong was genuinely curious. "Don't you find all this troublesome?"
Among the friends gathering, he was the most outstanding in terms of status, martial arts, and personality. It wouldn't have been strange for him to think, Why do I have to be the one to organize this?
"If I put in just a little effort, I can give your brother a celebration he'll never forget for the rest of his life. Why would I skip that just because it's 'troublesome'?"
For a moment, Jin Ha-ryeong felt a surge of inspiration. If someone as brilliant as him works this hard, who am I to slack off? I need to live more diligently!
Of course, he immediately found a way to fluster her again.
"When should we start practicing the dance?"
"What?" Jin Ha-ryeong stopped in her tracks, looking shocked.
"We have to do a celebratory performance."
"No! Absolutely not! I'd die of embarrassment! Never!"
Of course, her refusal meant nothing to Geom Mu-geuk once he had picked his prey.
"Well, if you insist," he said with a sigh.
Is he giving up that easily?
Of course not.
"It's a shame, though. You danced so hard on just a regular day. This is the most precious day of your brother's life, and you won't do it because you're 'embarrassed'? Even back then, the place was full of experts from Majeongsa Temple. This time, it's just us. Your brother is a broad-minded man, so I'm sure he'll understand. But one day, when you're older and you look back on today, you'll think, 'Ah, it was really nothing. Why was I like that? Why did I hurt my brother's feelings?' You'll probably shed tears of regret at Ha-gun's graveside, right? It's okay, though. Ha-gun will understand."
In the end, Jin Ha-ryeong threw up her hands in defeat.
"Ugh, seriously! Fine, I'll dance! I'll dance until I collapse from exhaustion!"
But she wasn't going down alone.
"On one condition. You have to dance too, and so does Young Master Bi!"
She knew Geom Mu-geuk would jump at the chance to dance, but she was certain Bi Sa-in would never do it. Just as her hopes rose that she might get out of it if he refused...
Geom Mu-geuk gave a meaningful smile, as if he had planned for this all along.
"Of course. Sa-in will be the center of the formation."
*
Jin Pae-cheon was waiting deep within the inner court.
Before they arrived, Jin Ha-ryeong had turned back, explaining she wasn't allowed to go any further. It was clearly a place only the Alliance Leader could enter.
Jin Pae-cheon stood with his back turned, looking up at the sky.
"The Alliance Leader has given me another great lesson this time," Mu-geuk said as he approached.
Jin Pae-cheon waited in silence for Geom Mu-geuk's next words.
"Once you've made up your mind, act immediately."
He was referring to how Jin Pae-cheon had officially named his successor the moment he decided to do so.
Still gazing at the sky, Jin Pae-cheon spoke calmly. "The right time to do what must be done is now! I have lived my whole life believing that."
Geom Mu-geuk stood beside him. "I will be sure to keep that in mind."
At those words, Jin Pae-cheon finally turned his gaze toward the young man.
"You, however, should try procrastinating a bit."
Geom Mu-geuk smiled at the joke—Jin Pae-cheon's way of telling him not to get any stronger too quickly.
Jin Pae-cheon's expression was soft.
"If it weren't for you, not only this Alliance but also Ha-gun and I would have been in great trouble."
"One never knows what the future holds. I'm sure you would have realized everything at the critical moment, Alliance Leader."
"Would I have?"
He spoke with a hint of self-doubt, but Geom Mu-geuk believed he would have.
"Yes, I'm certain you would have."
"Why are you so sure?"
"Because your survival instinct would never have let it slide. When the real crisis arrived, it would have kicked in."
This was why Mu-geuk couldn't just let things be. Because the person he was dealing with was like this. Even if a survival instinct could be ignored, he couldn't ignore a man of such character.
"I am a man who settles his debts," Jin Pae-cheon said. "I have incurred a debt to you, so I must repay it."
Jin Pae-cheon began to walk, and Geom Mu-geuk followed quietly behind him.
After walking a bit further, they reached a place shrouded in thick mist. Geom Mu-geuk could tell immediately—a powerful formation had been laid out.
If it was a formation guarding a precious location, surely the method to bypass it couldn't be revealed to him. He was wondering if he should close his eyes and follow when...
Ssssh.
The mist parted on its own to create a path. He didn't know the principle behind it, but the mist formed a winding trail. It went forward, then to the side, then forward again. It was likely a mist that opened only for the Alliance Leader.
There was no need to worry about where to step or where to jump. He simply had to walk where the mist guided him.
When they finally emerged from the long, misty path, a massive gate stood before them.
Written upon it in a powerful, commanding script was the name of the place.
Murim Treasure Vault (武林寶庫).