Chapter 683: If Heaven Bestows a Prophecy
Chapter 683: If Heaven Bestows a Prophecy
“Who is the message from?”
At the Fist Demon’s question, Geom Mu-geuk answered honestly.
“It’s a word from the Smiling Demon. He’s currently away from the Cult doing me a favor.”
The Fist Demon was well aware of the special bond between Geom Mu-geuk and the Extreme Evil Smiling Demon. At first, he had found their relationship unexpected; he hadn’t thought their personalities would mesh at all.
But his perspective had shifted. The more he learned about Geom Mu-geuk, the more he sensed an indescribable loneliness within him—a loneliness that bore a striking resemblance to that of the Extreme Evil Smiling Demon.
“Do you have to head out again?”
“It seems so.”
“Safe travels.”
The Fist Demon’s blunt farewell carried a note of genuine concern.
“May I ask a favor?” Mu-geuk asked.
The Fist Demon nodded.
“Please pass word to my father. Tell him I’ve left the Cult quietly on business.”
Mu-geuk felt he should at least let his father know before departing, even if he didn't tell anyone else.
“Why not tell him yourself?”
“I have someone I need to meet first.”
The Fist Demon spoke as if scolding him. “Shouldn’t you see the Cult Leader before delivering a message to someone else?”
“The person I’m meeting is my Master’s daughter.”
“……”
“I understand. Please tell Lee An that I couldn't see her before I left—”
Before he could finish, the Fist Demon turned and began walking away.
“I’ll make sure the Cult Leader hears it from me.”
*
Lee An was at her quarters.
Standing in the courtyard and looking up at the sky, her face was clouded with worry. Just as she let out a long-suppressed sigh—
Whoosh!
A sudden strike lunged at her from behind.
Too late!
Realizing she couldn't dodge in time, she channeled her Heavenly Dipper Body and threw herself forward to minimize the impact.
Thwack!
A swift palm strike landed on her back, but fortunately, the Heavenly Dipper Body protected her. Springing forward from the impact, she spun around with lightning speed and drew the Sun and Moon Sword.
Shieeeek!
The Sun and Moon Sword, radiating a frigid chill, stopped just inches from the attacker’s throat.
“Young Master!”
The person standing there, smiling without even trying to dodge, was Geom Mu-geuk.
“You pass!”
Protecting herself with the Heavenly Dipper Body and stopping her blade instead of blindly striking her opponent were both excellent displays of skill.
“What if I had cut you by mistake, Young Master!” Her sword trembled as relief washed over her. “Once you reach a certain level of mastery, you shouldn't be playing pranks like surprise attacks.”
He chuckled, knowing that with her current skill, she couldn't kill him even by accident. As Lee An sheathed her sword, her face lit up with joy. The person she had missed so dearly was standing right in front of her.
“You heard the news that I returned, didn't you?”
“Yes.”
“And yet you didn't even come to see me. That’s cold, Lee An. Have you abandoned me now?”
“I went three times just to see the face of the person who supposedly ‘abandoned’ me! I went when you were out hunting, and I went twice more when you were away on business. Just what were you so busy with?”
In the past, she would have waited until Geom Mu-geuk came to find her, worrying about disturbing him while he was busy. But Lee An was different now.
“You should have at least left a note saying you’d stopped by.”
“For what? I could just come back again. I knew we’d meet like this eventually.”
“What’s this? Did you achieve enlightenment while I wasn't looking?”
Lee An let out a heavy sigh. “If I had, I wouldn't be so worried.”
“Is something wrong?”
Lately, she had been troubled by matters concerning the Ghost Shadow Squad. Once she actually began managing the organization in earnest, various unexpected problems had cropped up. A particularly big issue had arisen recently: a conflict between the First Division led by Blue Face and the Second Division led by Seo Jin.
It had started as a minor squabble between two rank-and-file members, but it had gradually escalated into a full-blown feud between the two teams.
“I thought about stepping in directly, but for now, I’m feigning ignorance. Still, I don't think I can just leave it be. It makes me feel bad, like they don't respect me as their Captain,” Lee An admitted. These were things she would never say to anyone but Geom Mu-geuk.
Geom Mu-geuk proceeded to fan the flames of her frustration. “They see you as a pushover. Imagine if Commander Jang were the leader. Would they dare split into factions and fight? They think you’re an easy target because you’re kind.”
“Right? Ugh, I should just beat them all senseless.”
“Then do it. Why haven't you?”
“Well… there are the Team Leaders to consider. And I felt like it wasn't my place to step in yet. Besides, violence won't solve everything.”
Geom Mu-geuk chuckled. “You already know the answer, so why are you worrying?”
Lee An laughed along with him. Why do you think I’m worrying? It’s because I want to do a good job. This is the Young Cult Leader’s personal organization, the one he entrusted to me as Captain. How could I not care?
She wanted to believe that Blue Face and Seo Jin had their reasons and would resolve it themselves, but she couldn't help worrying that the situation would worsen and ruin the relationship between the two leaders. Her habit of always imagining the worst-case scenario was a professional hazard from her days as a bodyguard.
Lee An made her decision. “Fine. I’ll keep feigning ignorance for this one. There, no more worrying!”
“But then they’ll think you don't know anything. You’ll become an indifferent and incompetent leader.”
“Then what should I do?”
“You have to let them know that you’re aware of everything but are choosing to look the other way. That way, you become a leader who gives her subordinates the chance to solve things themselves—a weighty leader who doesn't move recklessly despite knowing the truth.”
Lee An shook her head. “It’s hard, so hard. I thought I’d be a cool and capable Captain. I liked it better when I just followed you around without a care in the world, Young Master.”
Geom Mu-geuk stared at Lee An for a moment before making a surprising proposal. “Then let’s do what you liked.”
“Pardon?”
“I’m leaving the Cult right now. Come with me.”
Lee An’s eyes widened. She didn't even ask where they were going. “How much time do I have to get ready?”
“Fifteen minutes.”
The moment the words left his mouth, Lee An dashed into her house and began packing.
“Just because I’m always swinging a sword at the training ground doesn't mean I’m not a woman! How can you come to me only fifteen minutes before leaving!”
Despite her complaints, she moved with lightning speed, stuffing clothes and travel essentials into a leather pouch.
“If you leave like this, what about your squad members?”
“What squad members? Did I have squad members?”
She finished her preparations in less than fifteen minutes.
“The reckless and flighty Captain is ready to depart!”
She looked so happy that Mu-geuk wondered what he would have done if he hadn't invited her.
“Are you really that happy?”
“Of course.”
“You hate danger, don't you? What if a terrifying peril is waiting for us?”
“Then tell that terrifying thing this: a neurotic woman, exhausted by work and people, is coming along. Tell it that this time, it’s the one that should run away.”
The two of them looked at each other and laughed.
“By the way, where are we going?”
“To the Heavenly Flower Pavilion.”
Lee An’s expression brightened even further at the mention of their destination. Was it because the Pavilion Master had always been kind to her? Or was it because of the woman’s mysterious aura? For some reason, meeting her always put Lee An in a good mood.
With that, the two of them left the Cult and began racing toward the Heavenly Flower Pavilion.
*
The two of them ran and ran. When it was time to rest, they built a campfire and camped out.
While Lee An recovered her internal energy, Geom Mu-geuk caught and cooked game for her. They sat side-by-side by the fire, talking about this and that. Lately, Mu-geuk had been doing his best for his father, his brother, and the Demon Lords, but the person he needed to treat best was Lee An.
“Thank you.”
“So suddenly?”
“Yeah, I just felt like saying it.”
“You didn't have to say that for me to do the dishes and clean up.”
Geom Mu-geuk smiled at her. Being with her felt so comfortable and right.
“Nothing happened at the Heavenly Flower Pavilion, right?”
“The Smiling Demon is there.”
That one sentence was enough. This errand was likely related to the Dream of the Divine Maiden.
Is she truly a descendant of the Divine Maiden Palace, as I suspected?
After recovering their energy and finishing their rest, the two began running again. It was a busy journey without a single chance to properly sightsee, but Lee An didn't mind. As long as she was with Geom Mu-geuk, even being busy was a joy.
*
Finally, Geom Mu-geuk and Lee An arrived at the Heavenly Flower Pavilion.
Waiting in the inner court were the Extreme Evil Smiling Demon and the Heavenly Flower Pavilion Master, Yeo-jeong, who had come out after receiving word of their arrival.
“Welcome, Young Cult Leader.”
Following the Smiling Demon’s greeting, Yeo-jeong also bowed. “I should have been the one to visit you. I apologize for making you come all this way.”
As expected, the reason he had been called was definitely because of the Pavilion Master.
“If my sister-in-law asks me to come, I must come at once.”
Geom Mu-geuk continued to treat her as his sister-in-law. He likely didn't realize how much that small title moved Yeo-jeong.
“Captain Lee has come along as well.”
After greeting the Smiling Demon first, Lee An bowed to Yeo-jeong. She had worried that her presence might be an inconvenience to Geom Mu-geuk.
“I missed the Pavilion Master so much that I begged the Young Master to bring me along. It’s been a long time, Pavilion Master.”
The gaze the two women shared was warm.
“You’ve become even more beautiful, Captain.”
Lee An turned to Geom Mu-geuk. “See? This is what you’re supposed to say when you haven't seen someone in a while. Not just launch a surprise attack.”
Guessing the situation, the Smiling Demon and Yeo-jeong both smiled.
“Please, come inside.”
The four of them sat down together in the Pavilion Master’s quarters.
“As you might have guessed, the reason I asked my brother to bring you here is because of this.”
The Pavilion Master brought out a jade box. When she carefully opened the lid, the Dream of the Divine Maiden lay inside. She had been keeping it with great care.
“I have kept it exactly as it was since I received it from you.”
Looking at the way she gazed down at the artifact, Geom Mu-geuk could tell she knew exactly what this object was.
My hunch was right.
She was undoubtedly a descendant of the Divine Maiden Palace.
“Do you know what this is, Young Cult Leader?”
“It is the Dream of the Divine Maiden.”
“So you knew when you sent it.”
She couldn't describe how shocked she had been when Geom Mu-geuk sent the artifact through the Smiling Demon.
Mu-geuk added an explanation. “I only know that it is a sacred relic of the Divine Maiden Palace, which was said to have been destroyed along with the Heavenly Will Palace three hundred years ago. I do not know exactly how it is used.”
Yeo-jeong asked him again, “Then why did you send this to me?”
The Smiling Demon sat beside her, silently watching the two. He marveled at how his deep bond with Geom Mu-geuk had now extended to Yeo-jeong.
“I happened to find this relic in the Murim Alliance’s treasure vault. The moment I saw it, I felt it belonged to you, Sister-in-law.”
“May I ask why?”
“I suddenly remembered how you used to read people’s fates.” Geom Mu-geuk’s gaze shifted to Lee An. “You read Captain Lee’s fate back then. That made me wonder if you might be a descendant of the Divine Maiden Palace.”
He already had his answer from her expression. If he had been wrong, she would have denied it immediately. But Yeo-jeong remained silent. Finally, a startling secret was revealed.
“Your intuition was correct. I am a descendant of the Divine Maiden Palace.”
After speaking to Mu-geuk, Yeo-jeong looked at the Smiling Demon. Mu-geuk could tell this was the first time she was revealing this fact to him as well.
“I didn't intend to deceive you. I had resolved to live my life forgetting that I was a descendant of the Divine Maiden Palace forever. It was only recently that I learned the Dark Palace was behind the tragedy that befell my lineage.”
The Smiling Demon didn't waver, his gaze showing that her identity changed nothing for him. The Pavilion Master turned her attention back to the Dream of the Divine Maiden.
“This artifact is passed down to the Divine Maidens who possess the power of prophecy. I believed it had been lost long ago, but to think it was in the Murim Alliance all this time.”
Then came a stunning revelation.
“With this, one can make a prophecy.” Yeo-jeong looked up and met Geom Mu-geuk’s eyes. “That is, if I am a Divine Maiden capable of receiving them. I know that even among those of the bloodline, many never receive a prophecy.”
Geom Mu-geuk recalled the image of the Divine Maiden from three hundred years ago—the way she had covered her eyes with the Dream of the Divine Maiden. Knowing the future and delivering prophecies had not seemed to bring her happiness.
“I didn't give this to you so that you would receive prophecies, Sister-in-law. I simply returned it because it belongs to you. You may keep it in that box forever, or you may burn it here and now and forget about the Divine Maiden Palace for good. It doesn't matter to me.”
Yeo-jeong looked at the Smiling Demon. He gave her a small nod, as if telling her to make the decision for herself. Slowly, she took out the Dream of the Divine Maiden.
“To be honest, I was curious. I wanted to know if I was someone who could receive a prophecy or not.”
But that wasn't the real reason. If it was fate that Geom Mu-geuk had sent this to her, she felt she shouldn't run away from it—if only for the Smiling Demon’s sake.
“And if Heaven were to bestow a prophecy upon me, I wondered what kind of prophecy it would be.”
As the artifact touched her hands, the mysterious, ethereal aura emanating from it grew even stronger. Yeo-jeong carefully covered her eyes with the Dream of the Divine Maiden.
Geom Mu-geuk felt the mystical energy blooming intensely around her body. A suffocating silence fell. Mu-geuk, Lee An, and the Smiling Demon watched her, not even daring to breathe.
After some time had passed, Yeo-jeong removed the artifact. As she slowly opened her eyes, they were filled with astonishment.
“I saw a vision.”
It meant a prophecy had been given. Remarkably, she was indeed a Divine Maiden of prophecy. Yeo-jeong’s trembling gaze turned toward Geom Mu-geuk.
“I saw you there, Young Cult Leader.”