Chapter 722: I’ll Pick a Day That Suits Me
Chapter 722: I’ll Pick a Day That Suits Me
“I’m joking.”
With everyone’s eyes fixed on her, Cha Yi-ran spoke with a smile.
She had figured their first mission wouldn't be something as mundane as attending a wedding just to kill someone. On the other hand, sending them as actual wedding guests seemed equally absurd. She had assumed "guests" was some sort of code word used within the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
“I wasn't joking, though,” Geom Mu-geuk countered.
Cha Yi-ran stared at him for a moment before asking, just in case, “Are you truly telling us to go as guests?”
“I am.”
“And once we’re there?”
“Just congratulate them and come back.”
At that, Lee An asked with a look of surprise, “Wait, is Pavilion Master Seo getting married?”
When Geom Mu-geuk nodded, Lee An’s face lit up. She was well aware that the relationship between Seo Dae-ryong and Dan-ah had been blossoming, but she hadn't expected them to wed so soon.
Geom Mu-geuk turned back to Cha Yi-ran.
“Calling it a mission was a bit of a joke. There is a lady who lived as a ronin before coming to our Cult. She’s getting married now, but since she has no friends here, I was hoping you all could stand in as her guests.”
If they hadn't experienced the kind of person Geom Mu-geuk was, they never would have taken his words at face value. They would have assumed there was some hidden motive.
But they knew better now. This Young Cult Leader was the type of man who looked after even the guest list for his subordinate’s wedding.
Cha Yi-ran said with a smile, “You’ve never attended a wedding as a guest of the bride, have you?”
Geom Mu-geuk nodded. He had seen a few weddings in his past life, but he had never truly cared about the ceremonies. He had either been there to meet someone or simply to fulfill a social obligation.
“The bride should be the protagonist of the wedding,” Cha Yi-ran said, then glanced back at her squad. “What do you think? Do you think my girls look like they’ll let the bride remain the center of attention?”
Only then did Geom Mu-geuk realize what she was implying.
“I didn't think it through.”
He truly hadn't considered that far. He had simply thought it would be enough for these women to go as her friends, forgetting that a squad of elite, beautiful warriors might inadvertently upstage the bride.
Geom Mu-geuk walked over to Dan-yeon, who was standing with Ghost Shadow 2nd Team.
“Youngest Miss.”
As Geom Mu-geuk addressed her, everyone’s attention shifted.
“Yes, Young Cult Leader.”
In the past, they had exchanged jokes comfortably, but she couldn't do that now with so many eyes watching.
“Congratulations.”
“Young Cult Leader, thank you for looking after my sister’s wedding.”
She understood. She had once mentioned the lack of guests to her future brother-in-law, Seo Dae-ryong. He must have passed that story along to Geom Mu-geuk.
“Of course I should. The Cult has received great help thanks to Miss Dan.”
Geom Mu-geuk made sure to mention that this wasn't just born out of a personal favor. He’s looking after us because we’ve contributed to the Cult! It was a gesture of consideration for the Dan sisters as they navigated life within the organization.
Just then, Team Leader Seo Jin stepped forward and asked Dan-yeon, “Maknae, why didn't you say anything?”
“It was only decided yesterday.”
Seo Jin then spoke to Geom Mu-geuk. “Why worry about a lack of guests? You have us.”
Then came a surprising remark.
“If she’s our maknae’s family, she’s our family.”
She meant it. At the very least, Seo Jin viewed the Ghost Shadow Squad—especially the warriors of the 2nd Team she led—as family. Since becoming Team Leader, she had dedicated her life to this unit.
On the other hand, Dan-yeon didn't quite feel that way yet. Though she was doted on as the "maknae," she had only recently joined. To her, family still meant only her two older sisters.
Because of that, Seo Jin’s words were both surprising and touching. Of course, she suspected Seo Jin might only be saying that because the Young Cult Leader was present.
“Thank you, Team Leader.”
Seo Jin looked at Geom Mu-geuk and said, “Don't worry.”
Geom Mu-geuk was suddenly reminded of the Seo Jin from before his regression. During the darkest and most difficult times of his life, Seo Jin had always said those words.
Don't worry. Everything will be fine.
Yes, thanks to you, it did turn out fine. Thank you, my friend.
“With Team Leader Seo here…” Geom Mu-geuk added with a smile, “it seems there was never any need to worry in the first place.”
*
“I don't know if this was the right choice.”
A bouquet of flowers sat on the table in front of Dan-ah. A short while ago, Seo Dae-ryong had come by, given her the flowers, and officially proposed. When he had blurted it out while they were eating yesterday, she had been too flustered to give a proper answer, but today, she had said yes.
“Congratulations, Sister.”
“Oh, stop it.”
Dan-ah glanced at her younger sisters. She felt strangely guilty for getting married first and leaving them behind. Even though it was a natural progression, she felt apologetic.
Originally, she hadn't even planned on getting married, and even if she did, she had intended to see her sisters married off first. She had actually told them as much. But now, here she was, marrying first just because she’d found a good man. She felt like she couldn't look them in the eye.
“I feel bad for you two.”
At that, the blunt second sister, Dan-bi, spoke up. “We’re actually grateful you’re going.”
“What?”
“The thought of you being alone…”
The youngest, Dan-yeon, cut her off. “If you didn't get married, it would be great for us, of course.”
It was clear the second sister had been about to say that Dan-ah being alone would be a burden to them.
“But you have to go first so we can learn,” Dan-yeon continued. “How to hold a wedding, how to spend the honeymoon, how to raise children. You have to experience it first and then teach us.”
Dan-ah smiled. When had this little kid grown up enough to say something so thoughtful?
“We’re going to have so few guests on our side, though.”
To address her practical concern, Dan-yeon reassured her. “Some of my colleagues from the Ghost Shadow Squad will come.”
It felt like even more people than that would show up, but she didn't want to make promises in case her sister ended up disappointed later.
On the other hand, Dan-bi couldn't guarantee a single person. “The people from Huangquan Pavilion will all be Pavilion Master Seo’s guests.”
Dan-ah forced a smile. “It’s fine, don't worry about it.”
She said it was fine, but deep down, it bothered her. She didn't care for herself—she wasn't the type to worry about what others thought, nor did she have any desire to impress anyone. She didn't regret her life as a ronin, nor was she ashamed of it. She had saved many people doing that work, and it was that very job that had kept her and her sisters fed until now.
The only person she was worried about was Seo Dae-ryong.
She had no parents, and if she didn't even have guests, it would certainly stand out. Why is he marrying a woman like that? She didn't want Seo Dae-ryong to have to hear things like that.
“I’m worried I’ll be a burden to Pavilion Master Seo.”
“What are you talking about? You’re too good for him—even if he were the Young Cult Leader, not just a Pavilion Master! Well, maybe not the Cult Leader himself, but still.”
Dan-ah covered her sister’s mouth before she could go any further. Then again, Dan-ah herself had picked the Heavenly Demon as the most decent man when they first met at the inn.
Just then, Dan-bi pulled out an envelope she had prepared. “Take this.”
Dan-ah opened it to find a stack of banknotes for a considerable sum.
“You’ll have a lot to spend money on, so use this. The maknae and I chipped in equally.”
“It’s fine! I have plenty of money!”
Until now, they had split the money earned from their contracts equally among the three of them. But the two younger sisters knew the truth. No matter how equally they split the money and shared expenses, their eldest sister had always spent far more of her own share on them. They were old enough now to realize how much those hidden expenses added up over time.
“I have plenty of money. So take it back. Save it and use it when you two get married.”
Of course, the two sisters refused.
“We’re a long way off. And when we do get married, you’ll help us then, won't you?”
Dan-yeon followed up on Dan-bi’s words. “You need to get married and show us how well you can live so that we’ll even feel like getting married ourselves.”
The sisters she had spent her whole life caring for were now the ones looking after her.
“Sister, don't feel discouraged. Use this money to prepare!”
*
“I told you that you don't need to keep coming here.”
When Geom Mu-geuk visited the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s residence again, Seo Dae-ryong was just about to begin his training.
“I have to discuss strategy with Dae-ryong once he’s done.”
While Seo Dae-ryong trained, Geom Mu-geuk paced around restlessly—sitting down, standing up, pulling books off the shelf and putting them back. Finding the sight distracting, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon grabbed a practice great blade from the corner and tossed it to Geom Mu-geuk.
“Don't just sit there playing around. Swing this, at least.”
“Why is this so heavy?” Geom Mu-geuk caught the blade and complained that his arm was going to fall off, acting exaggeratedly weak. “But if I’m going to train, shouldn't I be practicing swordplay?”
“You think we’d train with those flimsy swords that snap if you tap them here in the Southern Blade Sect? Not a chance.”
“My father uses a sword, though.”
“The Cult Leader’s sword is heavy.”
Geom Mu-geuk looked down at the great blade. He could guess why the Blood Heaven Blade Demon had forced the blade into his hand.
Stay away. Stay away from reaching the Great Achievement of the Nine Calamities Demonic Art.
Geom Mu-geuk swung the blade in the corner until Seo Dae-ryong finished his training. He spent most of the time just staring at the blade; he only actually swung it a few times.
When the training ended, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon asked him, “Well?”
“It’s heavy. I was busy thinking about why it’s so heavy.”
The moment he heard Geom Mu-geuk’s answer, a strange smile played on the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s lips. Seo Dae-ryong knew exactly what that smile meant. He remembered what the Blade Demon had said on his own first day of training when he complained the blade was heavy.
— Understanding that weight is the beginning and the end of the blade technique I intend to pass on to you.
Geom Mu-geuk had understood the core of the blade technique in an instant. As Seo Dae-ryong looked at Geom Mu-geuk with eyes that said, I knew it!, Geom Mu-geuk showed an even more surprising side.
“You went to see Miss Dan before coming here, didn't you?”
“How did you know?”
“You gave her flowers, too?”
Seo Dae-ryong’s eyes widened in shock. “How on earth did you know that?”
“I am the Young Cult Leader. Your Young Cult Leader!”
Just then, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon picked up some flower petals from the ground. They were the ones that had been stuck to Seo Dae-ryong’s clothes before he started training. There were quite a few of them.
“Did you get into a fight with a flower bush?”
At the Blade Demon’s question, Seo Dae-ryong finally realized how Geom Mu-geuk had known.
Naturally, Geom Mu-geuk protested. “Hey! Why are you revealing the secret to my mystery and prestige!”
When the Blood Heaven Blade Demon tried to head inside as if he hadn't heard, Geom Mu-geuk quickly caught him.
“Now, Elder, please sit here for a moment. You should at least know what your disciple has been up to.”
The three of them sat side-by-side at the training ground.
“Before coming to train today, he picked a bouquet of flowers and went to see her. He officially asked Miss Dan to marry him.”
“And?”
“She accepted my proposal.”
Seo Dae-ryong’s face was full of emotion.
“Congratulations. Out of the three of us, you’re the first to get married.”
At the mention of "the three of us," the Blood Heaven Blade Demon looked incredulous for a moment before letting out a faint chuckle. True, there was a time when he, too, had thought of marriage. He hadn't known back then that he would live alone until this age.
“I’m sorry for going first!”
“Why are you sorry? I’m the one who should be sorry.”
“Pardon?”
“My right arm is about to open the gates of hell, and I’m not even trying to stop him.”
No matter what he said, to Seo Dae-ryong, it was the gate to happiness. “As long as I’m with Miss Dan, I’m not afraid of even that hell.”
“You’d better not complain later, asking why I didn't stop you!” Geom Mu-geuk teased. “You can't say, ‘Young Cult Leader, you knew it would turn out like this! You’re the man who knows everything in the world! You shouldn't have let this happen!’ You hear me?”
“I would never.” Seo Dae-ryong then asked cautiously, “But even after I’m married, I’m still your right arm, right? Nothing changes between us?”
Geom Mu-geuk stared at him. “Things will change. You’ll have to step down from being my right arm.”
“Aw, come on, you’re joking again.”
“You know better than anyone how dangerous it is to be my right arm.”
What Seo Dae-ryong actually knew was that the "right arm" was better protected from danger than anyone else. The right arm was supposed to protect the body, yet he was always the one being protected.
“You can't have both happiness and the position of right arm. Choose one.”
Seo Dae-ryong put on a miserable face and stood up. “I’ll go tell her right now. That our love will have to wait for the next life.”
“What are you doing? Go on.”
“I’m going. I’m really going.”
As Seo Dae-ryong shuffled away hesitantly, Geom Mu-geuk spoke to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon. “His footwork is as heavy as a great blade. He’s still in the same spot.”
“He took two steps.”
“And then he took one step back.”
Sure enough, Seo Dae-ryong, who had walked a short distance, came running back. “No! This is too much! I can't give up either!”
At that sight, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon shook his head, finding it pathetic. “What’s so great about being the right arm? Anyone watching would think it’s a position that pays a monthly salary.”
Geom Mu-geuk then remarked pointedly, “Come to think of it, there was someone once who agonized over whether they were the right wing or the left wing.”
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon pretended not to hear and stared at the distant sky.
To Seo Dae-ryong, this position of "right arm" was more important than any other. “I… I will work harder. So please, let me continue to be your right arm even after I marry.”
He wasn't joking. It held a special meaning for him. Since he was the Huangquan Pavilion Master, he couldn't travel the Central Plains with Geom Mu-geuk, and even if he could, he didn't yet have the strength to properly assist him. He feared that if he lost even this title—the one he insisted on despite not actually fulfilling the role—his connection to Geom Mu-geuk might be severed entirely.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon just kept staring up at the sky, his expression suggesting he understood exactly what was in his disciple’s heart.
The playfulness vanished from Geom Mu-geuk’s face. He spoke to Seo Dae-ryong with a calm gaze.
“Once you have a wife and children, you must put your strength there. I have no use for a right arm who can't even look after his own family. Take care of your family first, then take care of me. Can you do that?”
Seo Dae-ryong stared at Geom Mu-geuk in silence for a moment before letting out a sigh. “Isn't that a bit of a selfish right arm?”
“That’s only because you don't know.”
“Pardon?”
“An arm that carries the responsibility of a family is far stronger than one that stands alone. You’re going to become truly strong now. Because the blade you swing will carry a different kind of power. From now on, that blade will never break.”
“...!”
“If I were to cut off that right arm knowing this, then it would be the body that’s being selfish.”
Seo Dae-ryong spoke softly. “That works out then. A selfish body and a selfish right arm. I’m going to stick by you until the very end.”
Even if I get cut off, I’ll fulfill my role as the right arm before I go.
“Once a right arm, always a right arm.”
Someday, he would sit his grandchildren on his lap and tell them stories about this man. He had so many stories to tell.
Just then, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, who had been listening to their conversation, spoke up abruptly.
“I’ll officiate the wedding.”
Startled, Seo Dae-ryong jumped up and stood before the Blood Heaven Blade Demon. He bowed deeply. “Thank you so much, Master!”
Given his master’s personality, he was not the type to officiate anyone’s wedding. Seo Dae-ryong knew exactly how much of a concession this was.
“Have you set a date?”
“We haven't decided yet. Please, Master, pick an auspicious day for us.”
“I don't know much about that sort of thing. The Chief Strategist or the Pungcheon Cult Leader might know better.”
At that moment, Geom Mu-geuk reached out his hand, and a book that had been on the desk by the window floated into the air. The title was visible to everyone: Inquiring into the Will of Heaven. And below it was the subtitle: How to Choose an Auspicious Day.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon looked at Geom Mu-geuk with an expression that said he was hopeless. He must have peeked at it when he was wandering in and out before training.
“It’s a coincidence,” Geom Mu-geuk said.
As if. Seo Dae-ryong was truly moved. “I would really love for you to pick the day, Master. Just for that reason alone, we’ll live a good life. Please, I beg of you.”
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon stood up and began walking back into the building.
“I’ll pick a day that suits me.”