Chapter 718: If Cornered, Remove Your Mask
Chapter 718: If Cornered, Remove Your Mask
The carriage raced toward the headquarters of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
In the lead carriage sat Geom Mu-geuk, the Smiling Demon, Lee An—the Master of the Heavenly Flower Pavilion—and Cha Yi-ran. Normally, they would have occupied three separate carriages, but the high number of wounded forced them to share a single vehicle.
The Smiling Demon and the Pavilion Master sat side by side, while Lee An, Geom Mu-geuk, and Cha Yi-ran sat across from them.
During the journey, Cha Yi-ran witnessed an unexpected side of Geom Mu-geuk: his professional side.
Missives from Eun-wol arrived in a constant stream.
The flow of intelligence, which had paused while he was occupied with combat, surged back the moment he found leisure. Reports on regional events, which masters had been slain and by whom, and the movements of various merchant groups—Go Wol was sending him a meticulously curated flood of information.
Whoosh.
Every time he finished a missive, he would circulate his Heat Yang Energy, incinerating the paper with a touch. For matters requiring a response, he wrote back immediately.
At times, he exchanged Voice Transmissions with the Smiling Demon regarding the intelligence. It was Cha Yi-ran's first time seeing him work with such gravity, and she found it difficult to reconcile this image with his usual demeanor.
Furthermore, she realized that Geom Mu-geuk’s local knowledge was incredibly vast.
“There is a place called the Guan-ho Restaurant in that village. It’s run by two brothers, and their fish dishes are truly superb. You must visit if you get the chance. In the next village over, there’s a highly skilled physician named Doctor Gu. If you’re ever injured near here, head for that village.”
That wasn't all. He knew every twist and turn of the roads.
“Don’t take that path; veer left and take the lower road. It’s much faster,” he would instruct the Faceless Guest driving the carriage.
“I’m truly envious of your sense of direction. Mine is quite poor,” the Pavilion Master remarked.
Geom Mu-geuk smiled. “Does the Pavilion Master not see paths far more important than these?”
The Pavilion Master offered a pleasant smile in return. Indeed, there were people one simply wanted to talk to, even if only for a brief exchange.
Before the sun set, Geom Mu-geuk called for the carriage to halt.
“Alright, let’s rest here for the night.”
They traveled while avoiding villages as much as possible. Since their large numbers would easily draw unwanted attention, they chose to camp out despite the discomfort.
They arranged the carriages in a defensive circle, leaving a space in the center, and let the horses loose in the field to graze.
A large bonfire was lit in the middle, and sleeping areas were prepared. The Faceless Guests and the assassins were all highly capable; they moved with silent efficiency, requiring no orders.
“Now then, I shall show off my skills for dinner tonight.”
Geom Mu-geuk stepped forward, rolling up his sleeves. Cha Yi-ran whispered to Lee An, her expression skeptical that the Young Cult Leader could actually cook.
“We aren't about to be served something we have to eat out of pure loyalty, are we?”
In response to Cha Yi-ran’s concern, Lee An spoke highly of his culinary prowess.
“Once you taste it, a sense of loyalty you never knew you possessed will well up within you.”
Cha Yi-ran thought she was exaggerating. She knew Geom Mu-geuk was multi-talented, but she found it hard to believe he was a master of the kitchen as well.
The Faceless Guests and the female assassins who had gone to forage returned with a wild boar, fresh vegetables, and fruit.
Geom Mu-geuk looked for assistants.
“Alright, who here has experience slicing meat and vegetables instead of people?”
Everyone looked at one another, but no one stepped forward. It was no small thing to volunteer as an assistant to the Young Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
“Well, it can’t be helped. I’ll pick two assistants myself.”
Geom Mu-geuk chose one person from the Faceless Guests and one from the assassins. Naturally, they were the Crescent-Moon Faceless Guest and the 17th Gyo.
“You two, go wash and prep those vegetables over there.”
Since the three of them had met at the pavilion before, it was obvious Geom Mu-geuk had picked them on purpose.
Despite having chatted and laughed at the pavilion, the two set to work without even glancing at each other's faces.
Just then, a Voice Transmission from Cha Yi-ran reached him.
— You really are relentless.
— I must hear what they talk about!
Cha Yi-ran shook her head, looking at him as if he were beyond help.
However, Geom Mu-geuk’s obsession was only verbal; he focused entirely on the cooking. There were many mouths to feed.
He began to butcher the wild boar they had caught.
Slice, slice, slice!
His hands moved with incredible speed. In an instant, he had cleaned the hide, gutted the animal, and drained the blood. Geom Mu-geuk was showing off his true skills for the first time in a long while.
After prepping the meat, he began to mix a secret sauce.
Cha Yi-ran realized for the first time that there was no seasoning missing from the Young Cult Leader’s leather pouch.
He repeatedly brushed the sauce onto the meat.
“Ideally, it should be marinated for a while to taste best, but we’re short on time.”
Geom Mu-geuk extended his hand. Energy emitted from his palm, enveloping the meat.
“Ah! So that precious martial art is being used to force sauce into meat,” Lee An joked with a sigh.
Geom Mu-geuk replied, “It’s going into your mouths, so this is its most precious use.”
He picked up a log that had fallen nearby and addressed those around him.
“Now, everyone, get ready to applaud!”
Having drawn everyone's attention, he tossed the log into the air.
Whoosh.
The Black Demonic Sword was drawn with lightning speed.
In an instant, dozens of sword lights flashed, enveloping the wood. Immediately after, a shower of objects fell from the sky.
Clack, clack, clack, clack!
What landed in Geom Mu-geuk’s hand was, surprisingly, dozens of pairs of perfectly carved chopsticks.
It was a feat performed so effortlessly that one might think, I could do that too.
However, those watching were left with their mouths agape. They were experts who knew that this was a feat absolutely no one could replicate.
They had just witnessed someone use a realm of martial arts they might see once in a lifetime just to make chopsticks.
Geom Mu-geuk didn't stop there. He scattered the chopsticks in all directions.
Swish!
Flying like precisely aimed hidden weapons, the chopsticks landed accurately in everyone's hands.
Cha Yi-ran looked down at the chopsticks in her hand with a stunned expression.
The chopsticks were uniform in both length and thickness. They were so perfect one could believe he had simply used the sword light to dazzle their eyes before swapping them for store-bought ones.
The Faceless Guests burst into applause simultaneously. The assassins joined in.
At their sincere admiration, Geom Mu-geuk waved his hand boastfully, as if it were nothing.
And so, Geom Mu-geuk’s cooking—which had involved a flurry of secret techniques—was finished.
“Eat with a heavy heart. An opportunity like this doesn't come often.”
The Faceless Guests were one thing, but the assassins of the Beauty Cult truly agreed with those words. When else in their lives would they get to eat food cooked by the Young Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult?
Surprisingly, the food was delicious. Cha Yi-ran felt she had never tasted meat this good, even in a high-end inn.
But what truly surprised her wasn't the taste of the meat, nor the chopsticks he had made by hand.
Geom Mu-geuk distributed the food to each person individually. He served meat, rice, and vegetables on large, clean leaves. He spoke to everyone as he served them, like a cook who had come to support a battlefield. His words struck Cha Yi-ran.
“I figured you all were people who prefer your own company, so I prepared individual portions.”
It was his consideration, telling them to take their meals wherever they liked and eat in peace.
Cha Yi-ran imagined it. What if she had been camping with her subordinates?
She likely would have eaten food prepared by them. She would have eaten with the 1st or 2nd Gyo. She wouldn't have spared a thought for the other subordinates, assuming they would take care of themselves.
Yet Geom Mu-geuk was observing even the personalities of the Faceless Guests and the assassins. It was something she, who had been with them for so long, had never even considered.
“Keep those chopsticks safe. Once I become the Cult Leader, those chopsticks will sell for a fortune.”
After taking care of the Faceless Guests and the assassins, he provided food for Cha Yi-ran, the Pavilion Master, and Lee An. Finally, he prepared portions for himself and the Smiling Demon.
“Please enjoy your meal, you three. I shall eat separately with Lord Smiling Demon.”
With that, Geom Mu-geuk and the Smiling Demon flew to a distant hill and took their seats.
Once they were alone, the Smiling Demon slowly removed his mask and placed it on top of his head. He was imitating what Geom Mu-geuk usually did with his own mask.
How could Geom Mu-geuk forget to praise the Smiling Demon’s face?
“If you ever find yourself cornered by a female enemy, use the strength you’d save for a final strike to just whip off your mask. It’ll create an opening for a reversal.”
The Young Cult Leader’s praise always felt good to hear, so the Smiling Demon gave a bright smile.
The two ate together. Geom Mu-geuk was genuinely happy that the Smiling Demon had removed his mask in front of him. He cherished the simple joy of eating and drinking together.
When they finished their meal, the Smiling Demon voiced the words he hadn't been able to say.
“When I pierced the Young Cult Leader’s heart…”
He followed with his honest feelings.
“I was terrified.”
Geom Mu-geuk remained lost in thought for a moment before speaking.
“I’m sorry. I wasn't worried at all.”
“What if I had made a mistake?”
As he spoke, the Smiling Demon put the mask back on. At least for the moment he posed that hypothetical, he couldn't control his expression. He hadn't realized it when he struck, but the moment had been haunting him ever since.
Sensing the Smiling Demon’s heart, Geom Mu-geuk calmly shared his own feelings.
“I simply had this faith. I might die at any time, but I won't die by Lord Smiling Demon’s dagger. I don't know who will kill me, but it won't be you. It’s obvious! Thinking that way put my mind at ease.”
Darkness began to settle around them. They could have built a small fire, but they didn't.
They enjoyed the darkness and the silence. Geom Mu-geuk, who had been laughing and chatting cheerfully in front of the others, was incredibly calm and quiet when alone with the Smiling Demon.
The Smiling Demon knew. This was Geom Mu-geuk’s true self. He might even be a more taciturn person than himself.
That was why he wanted to let him rest in silence, at least when they were together.
The Smiling Demon didn't say another word until the end.
* * *
The carriage was now one day away from the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult headquarters.
Today, Geom Mu-geuk prepared the final meal.
“Now, it’s a shame, but this fantastic cooking of mine ends today.”
Everyone was disappointed, but one person was the most let down. It was the 17th Gyo, who had served as a cooking assistant alongside the Crescent-Moon Faceless Guest every day since the first.
Thanks to Geom Mu-geuk, she had been able to make memories of washing and prepping vegetables with the Crescent-Moon Faceless Guest.
Thank you, Young Cult Leader.
She was sincerely grateful for his consideration.
Just then, Cha Yi-ran approached Geom Mu-geuk.
“Don’t you get tired?”
At her words, everyone’s attention focused on her. She had spoken provocatively in front of everyone.
Throughout the journey, Geom Mu-geuk had treated everyone with vitality. He had cooked for them personally and lightened the atmosphere with jokes and banter.
The Faceless Guests already liked the Young Cult Leader, but it was clear the assassins now felt a deep sense of goodwill toward him as well.
“I’ve been too busy enjoying winning points with all of you to get tired.”
If that had been an act to win points, they were looking at the greatest actor in the Central Plains. No one there believed it was an act.
“Besides, my internal energy is overflowing. Why would I be tired?”
After a brief pause, she asked again.
“I mean, don't you get tired of people?”
It wasn't a question limited to this specific event.
She cherished her subordinates, but separately from that, she had no faith in people.
Would giving your all to feed them really change anything? If a situation arose where they had to betray him, they would simply do so with an apology.
“Isn't it because I'm cheating?”
“What do you mean?”
“‘Young Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.’ These seven syllables are a shield protecting me. There are no situations that are truly difficult or annoying for me.”
He was saying he didn't have to deal with the friction of people because of his status.
But Cha Yi-ran knew. Those seven syllables didn't just represent a shield.
They also held the blade of desire—the desire to rule, to show off, and to enjoy. It was the blade of the primal urge to reign through fear.
He did not wield that blade. Indeed, perhaps the reason she had come this far, standing here and having this conversation, was because he had never once swung that blade at them.
He had used that blade to make chopsticks instead.
Geom Mu-geuk returned the question with a deep gaze.
“Are you not tired?”
A soft sigh escaped Cha Yi-ran’s lips.
Soon, she straightened her back and looked up at the sky.
After staring at the sky in silence for a long time, she finally made her decision.
“The bridge we have crossed until now was a bridge of death. From now on, I will build a new bridge to cross.”
Cha Yi-ran bowed formally to Geom Mu-geuk.
“I, Cha Yi-ran, pledge my life and loyalty to the Young Cult Leader.”
The female assassins lined up behind her bowed in unison.
“We shall serve the Young Cult Leader with loyalty!”
During the journey here, they had already decided to follow Cha Yi-ran’s lead.
Geom Mu-geuk smiled brightly and helped Cha Yi-ran up. His face was full of genuine joy.
“Thank you. Truly, thank you.”
Cha Yi-ran looked at Lee An standing ahead. Her face was also filled with joy.
“Someone told me. When a hand is offered, grab it tight.”
* * *
The next day, the carriage arrived at the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult headquarters.
Cha Yi-ran and the assassins were stunned by the overwhelming scale of the headquarters.
The carriage entered the main grounds and came to a halt. Stepping out, Cha Yi-ran and the assassins were shocked by the sight before them.
The entire host of Faceless Guests from Villain Valley stood waiting. Having seen only ten Faceless Guests at a time, the sight of countless masks filling their vision overwhelmed them once again.
Oh no! Actually, the 17th Gyo was the most shocked. She felt as if she would never be able to find the Crescent-Moon Faceless Guest if he blended into that crowd.
Meanwhile, Cha Yi-ran was looking elsewhere. Among the massive demon statues erected around the area, one caught her eye.
One demon statue stood with its hand reached forward.
Looking up at that giant demon’s hand, Cha Yi-ran realized anew exactly whose hand she had grasped.
Geom Mu-geuk stood beside her, looking up at the statue with her.
“Cha Yi-ran, welcome home.”