Chapter 715: Are You Worried About Us the Moment You Open Your Eyes?
Chapter 715: Are You Worried About Us the Moment You Open Your Eyes?
Blood sprayed across the moonlit alleyway.
Cha Yi-ran stood behind a martial artist who was collapsing, his hands desperately clutching a shredded throat.
She closed her eyes, extending her senses. Using the specialized intuition of a trained assassin, she scanned the perimeter. No enemies remained.
A moment later, 1st Gyo approached to report.
“Everything has been cleared, Master.”
Behind her, the assassins of the Beauty Cult emerged from the shadows. Because Cha Yi-ran, 1st Gyo, and the remaining elite had returned to the alley in time, they had managed to minimize their losses. However, several Beauty Cult assassins still lay dead or wounded from the skirmish.
But the night’s work was far from over.
“We’re going back.”
Cha Yi-ran sent those with severe injuries to receive immediate treatment and led the remaining capable assassins back to the site where they had left the battle against Hwa Do-myeong.
She hadn't expected her fate to become so inextricably intertwined with the Demonic Cult.
Either they all died together, or they all lived together. Tonight’s battle was that kind of fight. She had placed her trust in the Extreme Evil Smiling Demon and come here to save her subordinates.
But their opponent was Hwa Do-myeong. Although he had revealed a pathetic side of his nature tonight, the fact remained that he was a powerhouse. The bamboo-hatted martial artists accompanying him were equally formidable.
Above all, Hwa Do-myeong had not fled even after seeing the Smiling Demon. That meant he had a trump card to rely on.
“Hurry.”
She took the lead, exerting her light body technique to its limit.
It was for Geom Mu-geuk’s sake, which ultimately meant it was for her own survival. She was already a traitor to her organization; if something happened to Geom Mu-geuk now, her sacrifice would be meaningless.
While Cha Yi-ran harbored such worries, 17th Gyo, following close behind, was thinking of someone else entirely.
She desperately hoped the Crescent-Moon Faceless Guest was still alive.
A dark premonition haunted her. She kept imagining herself discovering a mask with a crescent moon drawn on it discarded among a pile of unrecognizable, mangled corpses.
As they drew closer to the site, the scent of blood grew thick enough to taste, making her heart hammer against her ribs.
The moment Cha Yi-ran and the assassins emerged from the alley and arrived at the previous battlefield, they froze. The scene unfolding before them was entirely unexpected.
First, Geom Mu-geuk was still sitting exactly where they had left him, eyes closed in meditation. Cha Yi-ran felt a massive wave of relief wash over her.
The Young Cult Leader is alive.
The Extreme Evil Smiling Demon was also alive. He sat before Geom Mu-geuk with his eyes closed, seemingly recovering his internal energy through meditation.
And then there were the Faceless Guests surrounding the two.
They were efficiently disposing of the bodies. A large pit was already filled with corpses, and even as the women arrived, the Faceless Guests were still carrying more over. It was a grimly considerate gesture—ensuring that when the Young Cult Leader opened his eyes, he wouldn't have to wake up to a landscape littered with carnage.
17th Gyo immediately searched for the Crescent-Moon Faceless Guest. Usually, she could pick him out instantly, but perhaps because of her frantic state, she couldn't see him at first.
She began counting the Faceless Guests.
One, two, three... eight, nine, ten!
Fortunately, every single one of them was alive.
Just then, her eyes met those of a Faceless Guest moving a body nearby. Only then did she realize it was him. His clothes were drenched in blood, but he didn't appear to be seriously injured.
17th Gyo gave a slight, nearly imperceptible nod of greeting. The Crescent-Moon Faceless Guest, who had been staring intently at her, lowered his head slightly in acknowledgment.
Another Faceless Guest, carrying a body nearby, glanced at the two of them. They quickly looked away, pretending they didn't know each other.
Meanwhile, Cha Yi-ran was inwardly stunned.
They killed them all!
The first person she looked for was Hwa Do-myeong. At first, she couldn't find him. Judging by the three bamboo hats lying on the ground, the elite guards were certainly dead.
But Hwa Do-myeong’s corpse was nowhere to be seen.
Did he escape?
Then, an object caught her eye.
It was a fan.
A familiar fan was sticking out of the pit of corpses. The man who had died clutching it was unrecognizable, his face covered in numerous drawn lines. She didn't recognize him immediately because his makeup had been smeared by blood and dirt, but looking closely, it was indeed Hwa Do-myeong. The vibrant red lines that had crossed his face had all turned a dull, lifeless grey.
More surprising than his death was the fact that the Faceless Guests had tossed him into a mass grave with his subordinates so carelessly.
The Faceless Guests. And their leader, the Extreme Evil Smiling Demon.
Cha Yi-ran reminded herself not to let her guard down. She mustn't be fooled into thinking these people were "good" just because Geom Mu-geuk smiled and didn't act like a typical demonic practitioner.
These were the monsters of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. Specifically, those from Villain Valley.
As she watched the Faceless Guests begin to shovel dirt over the pit, Cha Yi-ran looked up at the night sky. There was no turning back now. Since Hwa Do-myeong, their kin, was dead, the organization behind him would surely hunt her to the ends of the earth.
Before she knew it, the moon had begun to set, and the twinkling stars had become the new masters of the night sky.
*
The energy of the Blood Snake had been completely refined into internal energy and stored within his Dantian.
Geom Mu-geuk could say with absolute certainty: in terms of pure internal energy alone, he was now the greatest in the Murim.
Of course, the world was full of hidden masters, but... no. At this level, he was the undisputed best.
The five energies that had been racing through his body had also settled into a quiet slumber within him. Now, only one energy remained.
Where could the last bead be hidden? And what would happen once he gathered all six energies?
With that final thought, Geom Mu-geuk slowly opened his eyes.
The Extreme Evil Smiling Demon was watching him. He had been there when Mu-geuk closed his eyes, and he was there when he opened them.
“Are you awake?”
The Smiling Demon’s eyes crinkled with a welcoming smile.
Staring quietly into those eyes, Geom Mu-geuk stretched grandly instead of offering a formal thanks.
“I slept well, thanks to you.”
Geom Mu-geuk stood up, and the Smiling Demon followed suit.
His body felt more refreshed than ever. It wasn't just because he had slept until dawn; the pure internal energy filling his Dantian was as vast and deep as the ocean. The sense of stability and confidence provided by this immense reserve—which felt as though it would never run dry no matter how much he used it—was beyond words.
What if he performed the Sixth Form of the Nine Calamities Demonic Art, the Heavenly Demon World Destruction, with this internal energy?
Even before this breakthrough, that technique had annihilated everything in sight. Now, the results would be unimaginable.
Furthermore, what if he could control the Heavenly Demon World Destruction as freely as his father? What if he could create a sword of light with this internal energy?
Geom Mu-geuk’s heart raced at the possibilities.
As soon as he stood, the Faceless Guests lined up and offered a respectful fist salute. Joy was evident in their eyes.
Geom Mu-geuk checked their condition. While his own body felt light, the Faceless Guests' robes were shredded and soaked in blood. Many were visibly injured. He could guess how fierce the battle had been.
“You worked hard to protect me, didn't you?”
At those words, the Faceless Guests beamed. This single sentence from the Young Cult Leader was enough. As long as he acknowledged them, they were willing to lay down their lives at a moment's notice.
Opposite the Faceless Guests were the assassins. Cha Yi-ran stood among the lined-up women. Geom Mu-geuk walked over to her.
“Was I not a heavy burden?”
“I certainly suffered because of how heavy a burden you are,” she replied dryly.
She had accomplished what he had asked.
“You kept your promise—the one that said the Smiling Demon must be here when I opened my eyes.”
“I tend to keep my promises.”
“Then let’s make one more.”
“Are you going to tell me to let that person go?”
She had expected him to ask her to go with him to save Ak Gun-hak. Geom Mu-geuk shook his head. His proposal was something entirely unexpected.
“Rest under the shadow of the Main Cult until we have dealt with all of them.”
He had phrased it politely, but the underlying message was clear: I will protect you.
Only the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult could offer such a sanctuary.
“Are you worried about us the moment you open your eyes?”
Geom Mu-geuk replied with a steady, deep gaze.
“Because you made it possible for me to open them.”
This was Geom Mu-geuk’s way of saying thank you.
Forming a full-fledged connection with the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult was a decision that required careful judgment. If anyone else had made the offer, Cha Yi-ran would have politely declined. But she didn't let pride or the honor of her organization interfere. When she thought of the lives of her subordinates, the answer was simple.
“Then I shall entrust our safety to you for a while.”
Cha Yi-ran offered a respectful fist salute. The female assassins behind her all bowed in unison. Among those women, one wore a mysterious, knowing smile.
Geom Mu-geuk returned the bow respectfully.
“Once those bastards are eliminated, you are free to leave whenever you wish. I promise this on the name of the Young Cult Leader.”
And so, it was decided that the Beauty Cult assassins would temporarily take refuge with the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
Geom Mu-geuk turned to the Smiling Demon. “What happened to the man with the makeup on his face?”
“He is dead.”
“Well done.”
The Smiling Demon nodded but added a note of caution. “Judging by the way he spoke, he seemed to be the kin of a major figure.”
Geom Mu-geuk recalled Cha Yi-ran’s warning—that it was better not to touch him. He was undoubtedly of the Hwa family bloodline.
“No matter who he is, could he possibly be as important a 'major figure's kin' as I am?”
The Smiling Demon laughed at the joke, and even Cha Yi-ran cracked a smile.
She felt it then—the atmosphere changed simply because Geom Mu-geuk was there. Expressions brightened, and vitality overflowed. It felt as though the Smiling Demon, the Faceless Guests, and even herself and her assassins were being drawn into his orbit.
The sun rose brightly, illuminating the world. The long night had finally ended.
*
Lee An stood by the window, watching the sunrise.
She knew Geom Mu-geuk would handle things well, and since the Smiling Demon had gone with him, it should be fine. But no matter how much she tried to stay positive, she couldn't help but worry.
Just then, the Heavenly Flower Pavilion Master spoke from behind her.
“I feel guilty for keeping you here.”
“Pardon?”
When Lee An turned around with a questioning look, the Pavilion Master explained.
“You wanted to go with the Young Cult Leader, didn't you?”
Lee An replied with a soft smile.
“Instead, the Smiling Demon is likely fighting with a peaceful heart. It’s better to have a focused Smiling Demon without me than an anxious one with me.”
It was a statement that held the Smiling Demon in high regard while humbly lowering herself. It was also an acknowledgment of the deep bond between the Smiling Demon and the Pavilion Master.
Gazing at Lee An with a soft look, the Pavilion Master asked, “Are you worried the prophecy might come true?”
To this, Lee An gave an unexpected answer.
“No, I actually hope the prophecy comes true.”
When the Pavilion Master looked at her, confused, Lee An revealed her honest feelings.
“Because the Young Cult Leader already knows what the prophecy is. He will have prepared for it properly. I’d rather face a known prophecy than have unknown variables arise.”
The Pavilion Master understood immediately. “You trust the Young Cult Leader more than you fear fate.”
Lee An did not deny it.
As Lee An looked out the window again, a joyful exclamation escaped her lips. People were walking into the courtyard.
Geom Mu-geuk was at the center, with the Smiling Demon and Cha Yi-ran on his left and right. Behind Cha Yi-ran were the assassins, and behind the Smiling Demon were the Faceless Guests.
Geom Mu-geuk saw Lee An at the window and waved. Lee An was so happy she felt like she might burst into tears, but she managed to compose herself and waved back vigorously.
Watching them enter the guest hall safely, the Pavilion Master thanked the heavens. Because she was the one who had made the prophecy, she had been terrified that it might actually spell his end.
Seeing her, the Smiling Demon gave her a bright smile. If there hadn't been anyone watching, she would have run straight into his arms.
Lee An noticed bandages wrapped around Geom Mu-geuk’s chest.
“Are you hurt?”
At Lee An’s startled question, Geom Mu-geuk clutched his chest dramatically.
“I was stabbed in the heart.”
At those words, both Lee An and the Pavilion Master were shocked.
“The Smiling Demon really did stab me.”
The Pavilion Master realized the prophecy had indeed come true. She had thought it was a false vision this time. But how had he survived?
“Are you okay?”
At Lee An’s concern, Geom Mu-geuk’s exaggeration began.
“Of course I'm not okay! Do you know how painfully the Smiling Demon stabbed me? Ugh, don't even get me started. I only survived because I have the strongest and most handsome heart in the world.”
Lee An whispered to the Smiling Demon, “You should have stabbed him harder. Or instead of his heart, you should have stabbed that mouth...”
Of course, it was a joke meant for everyone to hear.
“Not the mouth! I'd rather you stab my heart again!”
Everyone laughed as Geom Mu-geuk played along.
“By the way, Lee An, your prize money is gone.”
Since the Sinhwa Guild Master was dead and Hwa Do-myeong was also dead, it was impossible to continue the World’s Most Beautiful Woman tournament.
Lee An looked at Cha Yi-ran and said, “Miss Cha must be disappointed.”
“Are you serious?” Cha Yi-ran asked.
Lee An laughed pleasantly. “About half-serious.”
Cha Yi-ran smiled as well. If the final stage had actually taken place, what would the result have been?
Geom Mu-geuk said to Lee An, “Miss Cha will be staying with us for the time being. Lee An, you take responsibility for her.”
“Yes!”
Lee An looked at Cha Yi-ran. The emotion in her eyes was one of genuine welcome. Cha Yi-ran responded to that kindness.
“I suppose I should teach you a few things in the meantime.” Cha Yi-ran looked down at her blood-stained martial robes. “These are clothes you only wear occasionally on days like today.”
She meant she would teach her how to choose clothes, apply makeup, and how a woman should adorn herself.
Lee An giggled. “I do slightly miss the clothes I wore on stage.”
As the women shared such mundane conversation, everyone finally realized that this battle was over. However, one task remained for Geom Mu-geuk. Now that he was back, there was someone he had to meet—the person who had been the catalyst for all of this.
“I will go and see the Unorthodox Path Alliance Leader for a moment.”