Chapter 721: Farther from Great Achievement
Chapter 721: Farther from Great Achievement
By the time Geom Mu-geuk and Seo Dae-ryong left the Southern Blade Sect, darkness had already settled over the surroundings.
Seo Dae-ryong walked in deep thought, looking as though something was weighing heavily on his mind.
“Now that the wedding is actually happening, are all sorts of worries cropping up?”
“The youngest sister-in-law mentioned something to me a while back.”
Seo Dae-ryong now called Dan-yeon his ‘youngest sister-in-law’ with even more ease than when he had followed her as his brother-in-law.
“She said her older sister was feeling burdened by the idea of holding a wedding ceremony.”
Geom Mu-geuk could understand that sentiment. Dan So-jin had no acquaintances here, and her only family were her two younger siblings.
“She said she isn’t ashamed of having no guests of her own, but she’s worried it might reflect poorly on me. At the time, I just laughed it off, saying I didn’t have any friends or family either.”
However, Seo Dae-ryong still had Lee An and Jang Ho, as well as the investigators and enforcement martial artists. They alone would be enough to fill the groom’s side of the hall.
“I will take care of Miss Dan’s guest problem.”
“Would you really do that for us?”
As Geom Mu-geuk nodded, Seo Dae-ryong’s face brightened instantly.
“Once wedding talk begins in earnest, it’s easy to get your feelings hurt over the smallest things. Be absolutely careful with your words.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Then, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“See you tomorrow!”
Geom Mu-geuk smiled as he watched the younger man’s excited figure run off into the distance.
Yes, a wedding should be done like that—recklessly, while things are this good.
Geom Mu-geuk began walking again. His destination was not his own quarters, but Ma Clan Village.
*
The lights of the Pungryu Tavern had been extinguished.
Jo Chun-bae was cleaning up the empty tavern alone; the waiter had already headed home for the night.
It was then that a deeply welcomed voice drifted in from outside.
“Innkeeper.”
The moment he heard that voice, Jo Chun-bae shouted and came running out.
“Young Cult Leader!”
But in his haste, his foot caught on the threshold.
“Whoops!”
Just as he was about to go flying forward and slam into the ground, he stopped mid-air.
A gentle energy had buoyed him up.
Feeling as though he were traveling on a soft cloud, he drifted through the air and landed gently in front of Geom Mu-geuk.
“I was just so glad to see you that I—! Thank you, Young Cult Leader!”
“Our innkeeper needs to be more careful about tripping than dodging flying swords these days.”
The two men looked at each other and laughed brightly.
Jo Chun-bae was so genuinely happy that Mu-geuk wondered what the man would have done had he not come. Since Mu-geuk had been too busy to see him during his brief return to the Cult previously, this was their first true reunion in quite some time.
“Have you been well?”
“I’ve been well, thanks to you. You’ve grown even taller and more handsome, Young Cult Leader.”
“If only the women of the world shared your eyes, Innkeeper.”
After exchanging greetings, the two went inside. Although the tavern was closed for the night, Jo Chun-bae rolled up his sleeves.
“How many people are coming? I’ll prepare the food in advance.”
“There’s no one else. I just came because I wanted to have a drink with you.”
For a moment, Jo Chun-bae felt a lump in his throat. Who was he but a mere old man running a tavern? He was truly grateful to Geom Mu-geuk for not forgetting him and seeking him out like this.
“No need for snacks. Let’s just have a drink.”
Geom Mu-geuk went up to the second floor. His usual seat was spotless, without a speck of dust. It was clear how much care Jo Chun-bae put into maintaining that spot, even when he wasn’t expecting customers.
Jo Chun-bae brought out some liquor and simple refreshments.
“Now, Innkeeper. Take a drink from me first.”
As always, Jo Chun-bae accepted the cup with overwhelming gratitude and then politely poured a return drink.
“Well then, cheers.”
The two clinked glasses and emptied them. Jo Chun-bae turned his head slightly as he downed his drink.
“Did things go well while you were away?”
At the question, Geom Mu-geuk looked back at the calligraphy on the wall.
“I went and rescued one of the people who left their writing there.”
“Oh my!”
Jo Chun-bae’s face filled with shock, and he shook his head, saying it was something he couldn’t even imagine.
“Has anything happened in Ma Clan Village?”
“When people live crowded together, there’s always something happening.”
“Tell me about it.”
Jo Chun-bae shared various stories. A child was born to a certain merchant’s family, someone else had injured their leg, and another person had moved away.
Even while a conspiracy to kill the Unorthodox Path Alliance Leader was underway, their lives continued. Even if another conspiracy unfolded tomorrow, or even if the Great Demonic-Orthodox War broke out, Jo Chun-bae would likely open the doors of the Pungryu Tavern in the morning.
Geom Mu-geuk finally felt like he had truly come home. As he brushed aside the greed for Great Achievement that had clouded his vision, Jo Chun-bae’s figure became clear to him.
“You know the man who sells dolls out front, right?”
“Of course I do.”
“I heard a new doll of the First Young Master was released.”
“Ah! It’s finally out.”
Jo Chun-bae ran toward the counter and brought back a small box.
“I bought it just in case you stopped by, Young Cult Leader.”
Geom Mu-geuk opened the box. The blunt, stoic face was the spitting image of his older brother.
Mu-geuk thought of the dolls displayed in his father’s room. Perhaps this doll was already standing in his father’s display case.
“Come to think of it, Innkeeper, you didn’t buy my doll and only bought my brother’s.”
As if he had expected such a reaction, Jo Chun-bae replied.
“I’ve already bought three of yours. I have one at home and sent the others to my hometown.”
After chatting for a while longer, Jo Chun-bae went down to the first floor, telling Mu-geuk to drink comfortably on his own. He had declined further drinks, saying he would make mistakes if he drank too much on a day like this, so Mu-geuk didn't force him. He had only taken that first, single cup.
Geom Mu-geuk drank alone and looked down at the first floor.
Jo Chun-bae was sitting at the counter where the moonlight hit, staring out the window.
Suddenly, the image of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon reading a book overlapped with the innkeeper’s silhouette.
Geom Mu-geuk realized it then.
What the Blood Heaven Blade Demon had spoken of was exactly what Jo Chun-bae was showing now.
No matter how glad he was, no matter how much he wanted to drink together, Jo Chun-bae was a man who maintained his life according to his principles—unchanging and unswayed by momentary emotions.
That very image was the teaching of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon itself. Innkeeper, you have already reached Great Achievement.
“Innkeeper.”
When Geom Mu-geuk called out, Jo Chun-bae looked up at the second floor.
“Do you need anything else?”
“Please pack some good liquor for me.”
“It seems you’re going to meet someone special.”
Geom Mu-geuk smiled and spoke words with a hidden meaning.
“I’m planning to run even farther away from Great Achievement.”
*
In the training ground lit by torches, martial artists were practicing late into the night.
Twelve martial artists.
Thrusting their swords in unison while unfolding a single sword formation, they were none other than Geom Mu-geuk’s personal guards.
Regardless of whether they were on the day or night shift, they were all training together.
Forming a circle, they thrust their swords simultaneously toward all directions.
The formation they were performing was the Guardian Sword Wall, designed to protect a single person.
The lifeblood of a sword formation is harmony and coordination. They moved as one body, compensating for each other’s weaknesses.
The momentum carried by their swords was no ordinary feat. They displayed a sharp aura that was incomparable to when they first came to Geom Mu-geuk.
As the session came to an end, only the sound of labored breathing echoed through the grounds.
Then, a voice suddenly spoke.
“You’ve become quite decent now.”
The guards spun around in shock.
Geom Mu-geuk was sitting right in the center of the space their formation had been protecting.
“Young Cult Leader!”
At the shout from Jeok-yeon, the head of the guards, Geom Mu-geuk said with a smile.
“Everyone, stay seated as you are.”
The guards sat down where they were, facing the center of the circle. Their faces were filled with astonishment. There were twelve of them, yet not a single one had noticed the Young Cult Leader entering and sitting in their midst.
“It’s tough for everyone, isn’t it?”
“Not at all!”
At the thunderous response, Geom Mu-geuk addressed Jeok-yeon first.
“Guard Jeok, I know you’re working the hardest.”
Jeok-yeon felt a surge of joy at those words. He wasn't doing this for recognition, but hearing it acknowledged made him truly grateful.
“I also know that living as my guard isn’t easy.”
When they were first assigned as the Young Cult Leader’s guards, they likely expected something different—imagining themselves traveling across the Central Plains with him and gaining all sorts of experiences.
However, aside from one trip outside and guarding him within the Cult during his time as Acting Cult Leader, they had spent most of their time practicing martial arts.
Jeok-yeon spoke to Geom Mu-geuk.
“We have trained with the sole thought that we must become stronger to protect you, Young Cult Leader. However…”
With an expression that hovered between a smile and a sigh, Jeok-yeon continued.
“You’ve returned even stronger than before.”
Geom Mu-geuk laughed as he looked at Jeok-yeon.
“Am I the kind of person who would easily accept just anyone’s protection?”
Geom Mu-geuk opened the bundle he had brought. The items inside flew out toward everyone.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
What flew out simultaneously were wine cups.
He had brought twelve cups, intending to drink with them.
The cups did not fly all the way but stopped and hovered in the air before them.
The guards stared at the cups floating in front of them with shocked faces. A single thought rose in everyone’s mind.
Is this even possible?
Geom Mu-geuk was currently demonstrating the divine power of moving twelve objects simultaneously through Telekinesis.
Including his own cup, there were thirteen—and soon, there were fourteen.
A wine bottle slowly rose into the air and began to pour liquor into the cup floating before Jeok-yeon.
Glug, glug.
Once finished, the bottle moved toward another martial artist’s cup. It didn’t go to the person right next to him. The cup the bottle sought out belonged to No. 2.
Previously, when they had gone outside, they had informed Geom Mu-geuk that they were called by code names from No. 1 to No. 12.
The bottle, having filled No. 2’s cup, moved to No. 3 sitting a bit further away, and then to No. 4.
Geom Mu-geuk remembered exactly who was who, from No. 2 to the youngest, No. 12.
The guards were inwardly moved, as they had assumed the Young Cult Leader didn’t know much about them.
“You remembered all of us.”
At Jeok-yeon’s emotional remark, Geom Mu-geuk showed a regretful expression. How indifferent must he have been for them to be touched by something like this?
“Get stronger. Only then can you protect me!”
Geom Mu-geuk did not apologize to them. He didn't say, ‘I only made you train so I could travel comfortably.’ Such an apology would only wound their pride further.
Though he had made a grand resolution today not to be impatient, he told them:
“Be impatient. Be more impatient than anyone else. You never know when your Young Cult Leader might become the Cult Leader! Wake up in the middle of the night and swing your swords! Do you understand?”
“Yes!”
As Geom Mu-geuk grabbed the cup floating before him, the twelve guards grabbed theirs as well.
The Young Cult Leader they were to protect was a man who said such things while keeping thirteen cups suspended in the air. How could they not be motivated when such a man told them to get stronger?
“I give you my permission. Keep getting stronger.”
After speaking, Geom Mu-geuk drank, and the guards emptied their cups in unison.
“And tomorrow, we need to look dignified, so make sure your clothes are pressed properly!”
*
Cha Yi-ran was looking out the window.
Her first day at the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult had dawned. The quarters Geom Mu-geuk had provided were truly excellent.
It wasn’t just her room that was good. The rooms provided for her subordinates were also clean and tidy. He had paid special attention to the beds and bedding, ensuring they were new.
One can judge the whole by a part. There was a reason she had come here.
Just then, 1st Gyo arrived and reported.
“We are ready.”
“Let’s go.”
Geom Mu-geuk had summoned them all. Instead of elaborate clothing, they wore martial robes.
A new life was beginning.
When they arrived at the training ground a short distance from their quarters, there were others already waiting.
It was the Ghost Shadow Squad led by Lee An.
The 1st Team led by Blue Face and the 2nd Team led by Seo Jin stood with an extraordinary aura. They were the very picture of a disciplined organization.
Lee An stood at their front.
Cha Yi-ran felt that Lee An’s presence at the head of her subordinates was different from when she had seen her in Anhui.
She wasn’t revealing her true aura back then.
Lee An introduced Blue Face and Seo Jin to Cha Yi-ran.
Blue Face was someone who could have originally become the next Extreme Evil Smiling Demon, so his aura was no ordinary thing. Seo Jin’s aura had also transformed through grueling martial arts and ghost art training since her return from the Yellow Dragon Martial Arts Hall.
Unlike Cha Yi-ran, who watched them calmly, the female assassins felt an unspoken sense of competition.
Now they had to live as martial artists, not assassins. It was time to change their confidence in being able to assassinate anyone into the confidence that they could defeat anyone in a fight.
At that moment, Geom Mu-geuk appeared.
Twelve guards followed behind him, wearing the official uniforms of the guard unit.
The symbol of the Heavenly Demon Hall Guard was engraved on their chests: an evil ghost depicted within a shield.
Furthermore, the single character for ‘Demon’ (魔) was embroidered in powerful brushwork on their black masks.
Everyone present was formidable, but the guards did not pale in comparison at all.
Seeing them, Cha Yi-ran and the female assassins finally felt anew that Geom Mu-geuk was indeed the Young Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
Upon his arrival, everyone present bowed respectfully in unison.
“We greet the Young Cult Leader!”
Geom Mu-geuk formally accepted their greeting with a light fist salute. Since the occasion called for it, he also gave a nod of acknowledgment to the youngest member of the Ghost Shadow Squad, Dan-yeon.
Then, he asked Cha Yi-ran.
“Did you sleep well?”
“Yes, I slept very well thanks to your consideration.”
The women standing behind her also bowed their heads in unison to express their gratitude. How could they not know? He had taken special care of them.
“I intend to give you the position of a Squad Leader. However, I need the Cult Leader’s permission, so you’ll have to wait a bit. In the meantime, think of a name for your squad.”
Then, Cha Yi-ran spoke unexpectedly.
“If possible, we would like to join the Ghost Shadow Squad.”
It was truly an unforeseen request.
“Do you know what that implies?”
“I do.”
It meant she would be serving under Lee An.
Cha Yi-ran’s gaze turned toward Blue Face and Seo Jin.
“Those two also do not seem like people who would remain as mere team leaders.”
Geom Mu-geuk then properly introduced the two.
“The 1st Team Leader is someone who gave up becoming the next Smiling Demon, and the 2nd Team Leader is a descendant of the Ghost Gate.”
Cha Yi-ran nodded with an ‘I thought so’ expression.
“For those of us who have lived as assassins to live as martial artists, it will require much effort and time. I will learn under Miss Lee—no, under Squad Leader Lee. And since I have resolved to serve the Young Cult Leader, I don’t believe rank is important.”
Geom Mu-geuk thought her choice was incredibly wise. However, he was not the one to make this decision.
“Lee An. Will you accept them as the 3rd Team?”
Lee An looked at Cha Yi-ran. There were reasons to accept them and reasons to refuse. Her deliberation didn't last long. For the sake of Geom Mu-geuk, and for Blue Face and Seo Jin, she had to accept them. What a group of burdensome team leaders!
“I will accept you as the 3rd Team Leader of the Ghost Shadow Squad.”
Cha Yi-ran bowed politely to Lee An as well.
“I greet the Squad Leader.”
“I look forward to working with you.”
With Cha Yi-ran’s joining, the Ghost Shadow Squad was finally complete.
Geom Mu-geuk looked at the three women with inward emotion.
Lee An, Seo Jin, and Cha Yi-ran.
The three women who had saved his life—both in his previous life and in this one—had gathered under the name of the Ghost Shadow Squad.
Geom Mu-geuk spoke to Cha Yi-ran.
“I have a first mission to personally assign to the Ghost Shadow 3rd Team.”
“Please, tell us.”
Geom Mu-geuk’s mission was truly something they hadn't imagined.
“I need you to be guests at a wedding.”
Startled for a moment, Cha Yi-ran soon asked with a cold glint in her eyes.
“Is the person we need to kill the groom? Or the bride?”