Chapter 679: It’s Only the Beginning of a Long Road
Chapter 679: It’s Only the Beginning of a Long Road
The first person Geom Mu-geuk sought out upon returning from his hunt was Go Wol.
"Young Cult Leader!"
Go Wol was visibly moved that Geom Mu-geuk had come to his quarters personally. "If you had sent word, I would have come to see you myself."
"I came as quickly as I could; I was anxious to see you," Mu-geuk replied.
"I am simply glad you returned to the Cult safely."
Geom Mu-geuk offered Go Wol a look of sincere gratitude. "If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have been able to move through the streets of Wuhan so freely. Thank you."
Indeed, the assistance provided by the Eun-wol network had been the backbone of the operation in Wuhan.
"You look like you’ve lost weight since I last saw you," Mu-geuk noted, his brow furrowing. "Are you feeling unwell?"
"I am fine, I assure you."
Just then, a blunt, grumbling voice drifted in from behind them.
"It would be a miracle if he hadn't lost weight, considering how much you overwork him."
Geom Mu-geuk turned to find the Pungcheon Cult Leader standing there, arms crossed.
"And besides," the elder continued, "if a leader asks a subordinate if they’re sick, who’s going to say, 'Yes, I’m miserable!'? Any subordinate worth their salt would say they're fine. Now, if it were you, you would have listed every ache and pain you had—and probably invented a few more for sympathy."
Mu-geuk chuckled. "Of course. If it were me, I would have made a massive scene. I barely know where my own body hurts half the time, so how could anyone else? If you don't speak up, no one will ever know. But Cult Leader, how did you know I was coming? Your timing is impeccable."
The Pungcheon Cult Leader approached, narrowing his eyes into a mock glare. "I was watching to see whether or not you’d have the decency to visit Strategist Go first after returning from your hunt."
"No wonder. My survival instincts must have guided my steps here."
The Pungcheon Cult Leader looked ready to deliver another lecture, but a sharp look from Go Wol silenced him. That’s enough!
Go Wol turned back to Geom Mu-geuk, his expression softening. "How was the hunt?"
Geom Mu-geuk smiled broadly. "It was the finest hunt of my life."
Go Wol knew exactly how much effort that "hunt" had required. Mu-geuk had navigated a succession struggle without shedding unnecessary blood, won the heart of the marginalized First Young Master, and even managed to sway the Great Cult Leader himself.
If Go Wol had been tasked with the same mission? He felt it would have been easier to simply march out and crush the Murim Alliance in open combat. Geom Mu-geuk had accomplished the impossible.
"Young Cult Leader, you must be exhausted and busy. Please, do not let me keep you."
Go Wol knew he wasn't the only one Mu-geuk needed to see. The Eight Demon Lords would be waiting, not to mention Lee An, Seo Dae-ryong, and Jang Ho. The fact that Mu-geuk had come to him first was already a gesture he deeply appreciated.
Because of that, Go Wol felt he had to make one thing clear.
"Young Cult Leader. From now on, you do not need to worry about me."
The Pungcheon Cult Leader stepped forward to protest such nonsense, but Go Wol suppressed him with a warning glance. Cult Leader, stay out of this!
"I am not someone you should be spending your precious concern on," Go Wol continued. "Rather, my role is to resolve the matters that concern you. That is the duty of a strategist."
Ultimately, the Pungcheon Cult Leader couldn't hold his tongue. "Are you a slave? Telling him you'll work yourself to the bone even if he ignores you?"
Since Geom Mu-geuk was present, Go Wol maintained a polite tone with the elder. "I am being sufficiently compensated."
"What compensation?"
"Do I not receive a monthly salary?"
The Pungcheon Cult Leader snorted. "As if that pittance counts for anything!"
"I receive quite a lot, actually. As far as I know, my pay grade is ranked right below the Chief Strategist."
The Pungcheon Cult Leader flinched in surprise. "Really?"
"Of course. I am not someone who works for free. I am the type of person who ensures I receive the best possible treatment by any means necessary."
When the Pungcheon Cult Leader looked at him skeptically, Geom Mu-geuk nodded in confirmation. "In my heart, I want to give him the most, but I can't exactly do that while Chief Strategist Sama Myeong is still active."
The Pungcheon Cult Leader blinked, then turned an accusing gaze on Mu-geuk. "Then why don't you give me anything? Do you have any idea how much I’ve suffered by Strategist Go’s side?"
"I know, I know. I am well aware of your hardships, Cult Leader."
"Then why don't you pay me?"
"If you were on the payroll, you would officially become my subordinate. How could I dare treat a senior like that?"
The Pungcheon Cult Leader smacked his lips, pondering the logic. "I’ll join. Give me the money."
He was half-joking, of course. No matter the salary, he already possessed enough wealth to consider it mere pocket change.
"That would be difficult," Mu-geuk said.
"Why? I’m saying I’ll swallow my pride and join you, so why not!"
"You are the master of the Soul-Seizing Demon Lord. You cannot be a mere salaried employee under me. If anything, I should be the one receiving an allowance from you. 'Young Cult Leader, you're working hard. It's not much, but take this.' Since we're on the subject, why don't you give me some pocket money?"
"Enough! Forget I said anything!"
The Pungcheon Cult Leader, realizing he was about to lose money rather than gain it, looked at Go Wol with an exasperated expression. "Did you see that? Did you hear him? He’s trying to squeeze every last penny out of me. The Young Cult Leader is a truly merciless man."
Geom Mu-geuk and Go Wol shared a laugh.
"Now, Strategist Go. There is somewhere I need you to go with me. Cult Leader, you should come along as well."
Geom Mu-geuk led them into the Inner Court. They stopped before a building standing a short distance from the Young Cult Leader’s residence. It was a recently completed structure, and the plaque above the main gate was draped in black cloth.
"What is this place?" Go Wol asked.
In response, Geom Mu-geuk raised his hand and gave a slight flick of his fingers.
Sshhh.
The black cloth slid away, revealing two characters engraved on the plaque.
Eun-wol.
Go Wol’s eyes widened. "It’s... the Eun-wol headquarters."
The Pungcheon Cult Leader was equally shocked. He hadn't expected a plaque with the name 'Eun-wol' to be hung so boldly within the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
Geom Mu-geuk had already cleared the political hurdles. "Father has granted his permission. Eun-wol is now an official organization of the Main Cult, operating directly under my command."
This was the project Mu-geuk had been preparing since Go Wol and the Pungcheon Cult Leader first began building the Eun-wol network across the Central Plains. Go Wol was speechless; he had never dreamed that Mu-geuk had been making such grand preparations for him.
"Now, shall we take a look inside?"
The two followed Mu-geuk into the building.
"It’s not on the scale of the Tongcheon Pavilion, but it has everything you need."
As they entered the hallway, the Pungcheon Cult Leader inspected the walls. "These walls... they aren't ordinary."
"You have a sharp eye. Hidden mechanisms have been installed throughout. They aren't active yet, but once we are operational, no one will be able to enter without authorization. Since this place handles sensitive information, security must be airtight."
These weren't just standard traps; they were top-tier security measures. It was a testament to the care Mu-geuk had put into the design. After passing through the long, trapped hallway, they reached a massive open space.
"This is the operations room."
The internal facilities were state-of-the-art. One wall was designed to process information flowing in from across the Central Plains via mechanical transmission devices.
"And this is your office."
It contained a fine desk, comfortable chairs, and floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, all arranged so the entire operations room could be monitored from within. Geom Mu-geuk then opened a door at the back of the office.
"And this is your private room."
In the center of the spacious room sat a single, high-quality bed.
"No reading books here, no sitting and brooding—this room is for sleep and sleep alone."
It was a room that reflected Mu-geuk’s genuine concern for Go Wol’s health.
"Thank you for your thoughtfulness," Go Wol said, his voice trembling slightly.
The facilities didn't end there.
"I’ve also prepared a rest area for the warriors stationed here. Dedicated cooks will reside on-site to provide meals."
Beyond the workspace, there were perfect facilities for eating, resting, and bathing.
"Just in case, there’s a reinforced safe room where you and the strategists can take cover. And, of course, there’s an emergency escape route."
If Eun-wol, located deep within the Inner Court, were to be attacked, it would mean the Cult had already fallen. Even so, Mu-geuk had planned for the worst. While Go Wol was a martial artist, the other strategists likely were not.
"In the future, if Eun-wol requires martial force, contact the Ghost Shadow Squad led by Lee An. They will provide immediate support."
"I understand, Young Cult Leader."
Go Wol was overcome with emotion. He finally had a home of his own within the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. This was the moment his labor in building the Eun-wol network finally bore fruit. He performed a solemn fist salute to express his gratitude.
Geom Mu-geuk returned the salute.
Strategist Go, this is only the beginning of a long road.
Mu-geuk intended to appoint Go Wol as the Chief Strategist once he ascended to the position of Cult Leader. He planned to let Sama Myeong, who had dedicated his life to the Cult, retire honorably.
The Pungcheon Cult Leader, who had been grumbling just moments ago, asked with an awkward, hopeful face, "Is there... no room for me?"
*
After leaving Go Wol, Geom Mu-geuk headed toward Villain Valley.
As he entered the valley, the Faceless Guests passing by greeted him with deep respect. It wasn't a greeting given out of mere obligation to the successor; the crinkle of their eyes behind their masks betrayed genuine smiles. They were truly happy to see him.
This was the bond forged during the battle against the Dark King. Geom Mu-geuk found himself equally glad to see them.
Amidst the hospitality of the Faceless Guests, Mu-geuk entered the residence of the Extreme Evil Smiling Demon. He found the Smiling Demon standing in the center of the room, focused.
A single dagger floated in the air before him—the Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron dagger Mu-geuk had gifted him.
The moment the Smiling Demon snatched the dagger—
Chak! Chak-chak-chak-chak! Chaaaaak!
The blade became a continuous blur. Stabbing, slashing, parrying, and lunging in a seamless flow. Short, sharp lines of sword-qi traced unique trajectories through the air.
I’ve never seen paths like those before.
Mu-geuk watched, mesmerized. If a dagger followed those erratic, lethal paths, dodging would be nearly impossible. After the flurry of strikes, the Smiling Demon slowly exhaled and looked toward Mu-geuk.
"You have arrived?"
At the familiar, polite greeting, Mu-geuk smiled. "Yes, I’m back."
He walked toward the Smiling Demon and asked, "Was that martial art just now...?"
"Yes. It is the So-hyang-bi-sul."
Mu-geuk realized the Smiling Demon had intentionally demonstrated the technique upon hearing of his arrival.
"It is truly spectacular!"
"It is still unrefined, but it is gradually becoming familiar to my hands."
If the incomplete So-hyang-bi-sul was already this impressive, the completed version would be terrifying.
"It is all thanks to you, Young Cult Leader, for providing the manual."
As he spoke, the Smiling Demon pushed his mask up onto his forehead. In the past, when Mu-geuk wore a mask, he often wore it that way. Now, the Smiling Demon had adopted the habit.
"I believe hiding this handsome face behind a mask is no different from locking the Heavenly Demon Sword away in a dusty vault," Mu-geuk teased.
The Smiling Demon looked slightly embarrassed. Previously, such expressions would have been hidden. "I occasionally take it off like this even when I am alone. I am trying to become more comfortable."
The Smiling Demon was changing. He, who used to only reveal his face to Mu-geuk, was beginning to embrace his own identity.
"Lord Smiling Demon. You seem different from when I last saw you."
It wasn't just the mask. The aura emanating from him had shifted. His martial arts had already improved through their previous sparring and actual combat, but this was something more.
The Smiling Demon smiled. "As expected, you noticed."
He had devoted himself to training in Mu-geuk’s absence, faithfully following the request to become stronger. As the So-hyang-bi-sul began to harmonize with the Demon Extreme Wild Rage Palm and the Blood Calamity Finger, his martial realm was reaching for a new horizon.
"This is all thanks to you, Young Cult Leader."
"Of course it is! You have to keep saving my life, after all," Mu-geuk joked.
"I believe you have saved mine more often."
The two laughed heartily.
"By the way, how is my sister-in-law doing?"
Mu-geuk had begun calling the Heavenly Flower Pavilion Master his sister-in-law, a title that had deeply moved Yeo-jeong.
"She is well. In fact, I was planning to visit her soon."
"Ah, perfect." Mu-geuk pulled an item from his robe. "When you go, please give this to her."
It was one of the three treasures he had taken from the Murim Treasure Vault: the Dream of the Divine Maiden. The moment he had seen it, he knew it belonged to Yeo-jeong.
He had intended to deliver it personally, but his schedule was packed. He couldn't entrust such a treasure to just anyone, but he trusted the Smiling Demon implicitly.
The Smiling Demon looked at the cloth. It appeared ordinary, emitting no energy, which only made it seem more significant.
"Do I simply need to deliver it?"
"Yes. If my hunch is correct..." Mu-geuk said as he handed it over, "she will know exactly what it is."