Chapter 676: Insults Should Be Done Behind Someone’s Back
Chapter 676: Insults Should Be Done Behind Someone’s Back
The celebration lasted until the break of dawn.
Everyone drank and talked as if they were people who might never see each other again once they parted ways. But just as time seems to fly when spent with good company, the heartless hours seemed to have mastered the Rapid Speed Step. The night passed in a flash, and soon it was time to say goodbye.
Han Seol was the first to bid her farewell.
“I’ll pay my respects to the Alliance Leader and stay for a few more days before returning to the North Sea.”
She had grown close to Jin Ha-ryeong after talking with her all night. They had decided to visit the Alliance Hall together to greet the Murim Alliance Leader, and Han Seol would stay a few more days before departing. Truly, on this trip, she had experienced meeting the heads of all three major factions: the Orthodox, the Unorthodox, and the Demonic.
Bi Sa-in promised her a future meeting.
“I shall see you again.”
It was a farewell as calm and composed as possible. Because of that, the lingering regret in his voice felt even more profound.
Han Seol bowed her head, expressing her gratitude.
“Thanks to you, I had a wonderful time seeing the Central Plains.”
He was blunt and a man of few words, but she knew very well that Bi Sa-in had put in a great deal of effort for her sake.
“Next time, I’ll make sure to show you around the North Sea.”
As if to show she wasn't just being polite, she mentioned the North Sea tour once more, which visibly brightened Bi Sa-in’s mood.
“I shall look forward to that day.”
Geom Mu-geuk, who had been eavesdropping, cut in.
“What about us? We want to see the North Sea too! We want to drink Ice Wine in the snowy mountains!”
He naturally expected Han Seol to say, I’ll invite all of you as well, but instead—
“Young Cult Leader, haven’t you been there before? You’ve already had the Ice Wine, too.”
With that, she gave a slight nod and turned away. She had shown a firm resolve to invite only Bi Sa-in.
A smile Bi Sa-in couldn't possibly hide leaked onto his lips. Unable to let this slide, Geom Mu-geuk dragged Jin Ha-gun into the conversation.
“Are you still going to help the Ice Palace after this?”
Jin Ha-gun nodded firmly and replied, “I have to. She said she’d invite me separately.”
“What? When?”
“Along with my sister.”
Geom Mu-geuk gave a mock shudder and whispered, “The Cult is attacking the Ice Palace!”
“I told you, we’re going to help them!”
The Unorthodox Path Alliance joined the Murim Alliance’s resolve.
“We’ll be going to help as well.”
“You guys are too much!” Geom Mu-geuk grumbled.
Jin Ha-gun and Bi Sa-in laughed together. Watching them, Geom Mu-yang suddenly had a thought.
Once these three become the Cult Leader and the Alliance Leaders, a Murim the previous generation could never have imagined might begin.
It would be a Murim that had never been seen before and would likely never be seen again. Surprisingly, Geom Mu-yang felt himself secretly looking forward to that world. He was curious to see it.
Jin Ha-ryeong said her goodbyes to Geom Mu-geuk.
“Travel safely.”
She turned away more briskly than ever because her heart felt heavy with regret. Perhaps it was because of the strange atmosphere flowing between Bi Sa-in and Han Seol, but parting with Geom Mu-geuk felt more bittersweet than usual.
Of course, Geom Mu-geuk didn't just let her go.
“Don’t reveal your hidden ambitions to your brother! If you ever get caught, run to us!”
A faint smile played on Jin Ha-ryeong’s lips at Geom Mu-geuk’s parting words.
“So you can catch me and hand me over to my brother?”
“Huh? How did you know?”
“The three of you are always plotting together; how could I not know?”
With that, Jin Ha-ryeong and Han Seol left first. As she walked away, Han Seol looked back at Bi Sa-in and slightly lifted the teddy bear he had given her.
A bright smile spread across Bi Sa-in’s face. For a while, he would likely hear the 1st Wolf—the head of the 13 Wolves of the Unorthodox Path—ask him quite often, “Did something good happen, sir?”
Now, the three successors bid each other farewell. At the end, they didn't forget the peace of the Murim.
“The enemy’s leadership is still intact,” Geom Mu-geuk warned. “So don’t forget that something similar could happen at any time.”
Jin Ha-gun and Bi Sa-in nodded. They had already experienced enough of what their enemies were capable of.
“If anything strange happens, make sure to contact us. You know, right? You must never try to handle it alone!”
In the past, these were words they might have brushed off, but this time, Jin Ha-gun and Bi Sa-in nodded sincerely.
“Then, until next time!”
After the three shared a final look, they each began walking in different directions. Walking some distance away, Geom Mu-geuk turned back and shouted.
“I want to meet again already! When shall we see each other next?”
Jin Ha-gun and Bi Sa-in laughed silently and continued on their way without looking back.
Geom Mu-yang saw it. He saw Geom Mu-geuk’s face as he turned back after playing the fool until the very end. The face, stripped of its playfulness, was calm and serious. This was his true nature, yet he was putting in such an effort to keep the mood light.
I could never live like you, even if I died.
The two brothers walked in silence for a while.
“Brother.”
When there was no response for a long time, Geom Mu-yang asked, “Why call me if you have nothing to say?”
“I just felt like calling you.”
After walking for a long while longer, Geom Mu-geuk spoke again.
“Brother, make me a promise. That you’ll definitely grant me one favor later.”
“No.”
“Without even hearing what it is?”
“It’s bound to be some ridiculous request anyway.”
“That’s why I’m asking you. Who else would listen to such a ridiculous request?”
“……”
The sun was rising over the distant horizon. Naturally, the two stopped and watched the sight.
Through this journey away from the Cult, Geom Mu-yang had seen a new side of life. He had originally only left to catch the one who made the fake hidden weapons—because he was furious that his brother had almost been killed.
Originally, his life was set in stone: Find the bastard and kill him. He had lived a life on a single, predetermined path, believing that was all there was to his existence.
But this time, he had encountered a different side of life. He had saved the sister of the man who made the forged hidden weapons, watched the rain from under a roof, peeked at someone, and played the short flute in front of people.
Geom Mu-yang looked at Geom Mu-geuk standing beside him. The light awakening the world was brightly illuminating his brother’s face. Come to think of it, his brother had been telling him all along to live a different life. To not engage in a battle for succession where they killed each other, but to have a different kind of competition for the throne.
When Geom Mu-geuk felt his gaze and looked back, Geom Mu-yang spoke.
“Shall we run?”
A smile brighter than the spreading sunlight bloomed on Geom Mu-geuk’s face. It was the first time his brother had ever suggested they run together.
“Sounds good.”
The two began to dash forward, utilizing their lightness skills. Running alongside his brother, Geom Mu-geuk shouted.
“Let’s go. Home!”
*
At the Main Cult, news they had been eagerly awaiting was ready for them.
“The Cult Leader has completed his closed-door training.”
At that news, Geom Mu-geuk headed straight for the Heavenly Demon Hall with his brother. In truth, he had expected the training to last much longer. It was training for the next stage of the Nine Calamities Demonic Art, which had already reached Great Achievement.
However, he had emerged sooner than expected. Then again, for someone of his father’s caliber, time probably held no meaning. Had there been progress in the Nine Calamities Demonic Art?
“Finally, my time as Acting Cult Leader is over!”
“Are you sad to see it go?”
“Sad? Ugh, Brother, you have no idea how much work there is in that position. Maybe Father used closed-door training as an excuse to run away because he didn't want to work.”
“Is Father like you?”
“How did you know? That I left the Cult because I didn't want to work.”
Geom Mu-yang shook his head with an expression that said his brother was hopeless.
“Ah, after seeing Father, I have so many people to meet! Now, now, everyone get in line!”
Geom Mu-yang thought he should check on the Gwak Yeong siblings first. Since he had brought them here, he had to look after them.
The two entered the Heavenly Demon Hall. Geom Mu-geuk and Geom Mu-yang slowly walked side by side down the Path of Blood. Their father sat in the Grand Tutor’s Chair, looking unchanged.
Father, thank you.
He knew now. He knew how precious and valuable it was to have someone remain unchanged by one's side. One day, that time would come—the day he would have to walk this Path of Blood alone and sit in that empty Grand Tutor’s Chair.
Walking to the base of the chair, Geom Mu-geuk greeted him loudly.
“Father, I have returned to the Cult after successfully finishing my work!”
Geom Mu-yang also greeted him with formal courtesy.
“I have returned, Cult Leader.”
Geom Wu-jin looked at the two of them in turn and spoke calmly.
“Have you returned safely?”
“Yes!”
Their thunderous response echoed through the Heavenly Demon Hall.
“Congratulations on completing your closed-door training.”
As he gave his greetings, Geom Mu-geuk stared intently at his father.
“Why do you look at me so?”
At his father’s question, Geom Mu-geuk shook his head.
“No matter how much I look, I can’t tell. How did the training go?”
“If I trained, that is enough. Why does the result matter?”
“It matters. It wasn't just anyone, but you, Father, who went into seclusion for the first time in a long while.”
Geom Mu-geuk felt a certain confidence in his father’s eyes. It was a change he would never have noticed in the past. He had never even looked at his father’s face like this before. But now he could tell. Because he had looked and looked again, he could see the minute difference. He knew what that confidence meant.
Father has achieved results!
The Eleventh-Star stage? No. Even before the seclusion, his father’s martial arts had been rising through continuous training. In that case... it was the Twelve-Star Great Achievement!
As his father’s life had changed recently, his martial arts must have changed as well. Geom Mu-geuk’s heart began to pound wildly.
The Twelve-Star Nine Calamities Demonic Art! Just what kind of power would it have? Have the ghosts changed as well? And what about the Heavenly Demon Soul?
Though there had been many changes since his regression, this was the moment of the most powerful change of all.
Congratulations, Father!
It seemed those emotions were reflected in Geom Mu-geuk’s eyes and expression. Geom Wu-jin sent a look that said, “Did you actually notice?” and Geom Mu-geuk replied with a look that said, “Don’t you want to brag about it?”
Please, brag to your sons to your heart’s content.
Of course, Geom Wu-jin was not the type of person to brag. Instead, a reprimand followed.
“You caused trouble while I was away! You should have known that both of you shouldn't leave the Cult at the same time.”
“We know. That’s why we went with the Demon Lords.”
His father must have received a full report from the Chief Strategist, who would have been anxious the entire time they were gone. A report that the Poison King and the Demon Buddha had accompanied them, and that the Pungcheon Cult Leader and the Soul-Seizing Demon Lord had joined as well.
But a report was just a report. Geom Mu-geuk reported what had happened while they were out. It was something he always did upon returning to the Cult—telling him the details that couldn't be understood through a report alone. It was another form of conversation between him and his father. He showed this side of himself in front of his brother.
Brother, maybe you’ll be better at this kind of conversation than me. So watch closely.
Of course, Geom Mu-geuk wasn't one to miss an opportunity to tease his brother. He dragged his brother into the end of the report.
“Brother saved Master Gwak’s younger brother. In the past, he’s the kind of person who would have ordered, ‘It’s a hassle, so just get rid of them all!’”
Geom Mu-yang looked incredulous, but their father did not stop the report.
“I believe bringing those siblings back alive is as meaningful in many ways as killing the mastermind this time. We’ve made a talented young blacksmith one of our people, but more importantly...” Geom Mu-geuk continued, looking at his brother standing beside him. “It was the event that showed me Brother has changed.”
A hint of fluster flashed in Geom Mu-yang’s eyes, but he didn't say anything in front of his father.
“Brother is becoming more impressive these days.”
“What has gotten into you, praising your brother?”
“Well, he’s right here, isn't he? Insults should be done behind someone’s back.”
A smirk appeared on Geom Wu-jin’s lips. That familiar smirk made Geom Mu-geuk feel at ease.
You have no idea how much I missed seeing that smile.
When the atmosphere was this good, it was time to give the gifts.
“Oh, and we have a gift prepared. It’s a gift Brother chose.”
Geom Wu-jin’s gaze turned toward Geom Mu-yang. Geom Mu-yang took a scroll from his robes and held it up with both hands. As Geom Wu-jin reached out—Swoosh. The scroll flew through the air and landed in his hand.
Slowly opening the scroll, Geom Wu-jin looked down at it in silence. He stared at the scroll for a long time. It was the first time Geom Mu-geuk had seen his father look at something for so long. His father’s face was hidden by the scroll, so he couldn't see it, but for some reason, Geom Mu-geuk felt he knew what his expression would be.
After finishing with the painting, Geom Wu-jin rolled up the scroll and set it down beside him.
“Hey, don't just set it down like that,” Mu-geuk teased. “That painter was something special. If you keep it well, you might be able to sell it for a high price later.”
Geom Wu-jin looked down at Geom Mu-yang without a word. It was the gaze of a father looking at his eldest son. In that gaze, Geom Mu-geuk felt his father’s long-held regret. In this moment, his father was feeling remorse.
It would have been good if I could have made him the successor without killing him.
Father, we will surely fulfill that unachieved wish. We will live our lives maintaining our brotherly bond.
Geom Mu-geuk pulled something thickly wrapped from his robes.
“There’s one more gift.”
Geom Mu-yang had seen his brother grab that from the carriage when they heard their father had emerged from seclusion. He had wondered what on earth he was taking.
Swoosh.
That, too, flew into Geom Wu-jin’s hand.
“It’s pajamas—Wuhan-brand floral pajamas. If I hadn't seen them, it would be one thing, but since I did, I couldn't just pass them by.”
Geom Mu-yang was dumbfounded. It seemed he had actually gone back and bought those floral pajamas.
You idiot, do you think Father would ever wear those?
He expected a thunderous scolding, but his father silently set that gift down beside him as well. Whether these two gifts were satisfactory, his father’s expression was soft.
“Go and rest.”
Geom Mu-geuk and Geom Mu-yang bowed politely and turned to leave. After walking a few steps, Geom Mu-geuk turned back as if he had just remembered something.
“Oh, Father. Why don't the three of us go hunting sometime with Brother?”
He could feel his brother beside him tensing up. Mu-yang was likely worried that their father wouldn't be interested. It was a completely unnecessary worry. His father’s decision was faster than fast.
“We depart tomorrow at dawn.”
Indeed, he was a father who never considered his children’s schedules.