Chapter 223
Chapter 223
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 223
Chapter Title: The Long-Sought Target
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As the day swiftly passed and night fell, the Divine Demon Blood Death Squad's training finally drew to a close.
Once the daily routine ended, the squad members dispersed in their own directions, but Jeok Mugeun remained rooted in place.
And then he began moving again.
Even after the group training had wrapped up, he wasn't taking a break—he was continuing his personal training.
The squad members who witnessed this shook their heads in admiration at his sheer tenacity and determination.
"He's been training for how many hours already, and he's still going."
"You need to rest for your body to recover."
"I tried inviting him for drinks, but he brushed it off lightly."
"He handles the most missions of anyone, and now this."
"He's a real unstoppable beast."
Among the Divine Demon Blood Death Squad, a single word sufficed to describe Jeok Mugeun.
'Beast.'
He accepted any mission, no matter how grueling, without hesitation, completing it even if it meant getting hurt himself.
And when there were no missions, he devoted himself entirely to training. Even when other members invited him to meals to build camaraderie, he turned them all down, relentlessly honing his body without pause.
Occasionally, the squad leaders would deliberately arrange drinking sessions for him, but even that had its limits. Jeok Mugeun never fully engaged in conversation, and they fizzled out soon enough.
As a result, even though they were in the same squad, it felt like an enormous wall stood between him and the others—Jeok Mugeun moved alone.
With the squad members gone, only Jeok Mugeun remained in the training grounds.
"……."
Standing beyond him, Ji Wolhon silently watched.
In truth, the addition of a martial artist of Jeok Mugeun's caliber was a massive boost to the squad's strength—a cause for celebration.
He had, after all, single-handedly completed countless missions.
But that was only from an individual perspective. From the squad's standpoint, he posed a serious problem.
Trust.
Squad mates had to trust each other's backs, yet he hadn't earned the members' full trust.
And he didn't seem to place much importance on it either. He knew the distance existed but showed no interest in bridging it with the others.
'Tricky one.'
Like a sharp scythe that could reap anything, yet refused to fit into his pocket.
Those lacking skill could be trained, but there was no way to handle a member who rejected interaction altogether.
Forcing it would only backfire, if they were lucky.
"……Hoo. No idea."
Ji Wolhon had pondered long how to deal with this unprecedented type, only to eventually give up.
In the end, change had to come from within—external pressure wouldn't cut it.
At any rate, he performed missions impeccably and trained with utmost seriousness, leaving nothing to criticize.
Shaking his head slowly, Ji Wolhon turned and walked away.
Then approached Jeok Mugeun.
"Captain?"
Jeok Mugeun halted his training and looked up at him with puzzlement.
"Today's training ends here."
"Just a bit more. I still have energy left—if I stop now, it'll feel like a waste…."
"It's the Cult Leader's order. Head to the Heavenly Demon Hall at once."
"……!"
A flicker of anticipation pierced the deep regret in Jeok Mugeun's eyes.
"Am I going alone?"
"Yes. The Great Military Strategist said you were the only one from the squad summoned."
"May I ask why?"
"I don't know either. You'll find out when you get there."
Ji Wolhon didn't know the Cult Leader's intentions either.
But summoning him alone meant one of two things: assigning a covert solo mission, or rewarding his merits.
Either way, it was good for Jeok Mugeun, so Ji Wolhon gave him a push.
"So go on. You can't keep the Cult Leader waiting."
"Understood."
Jeok Mugeun nodded briskly and swiftly left the training grounds.
Watching his retreating figure, Ji Wolhon slowly looked up at the dark sky.
"…I hope something changes from his talk with the Cult Leader."
Of course, the Cult Leader wouldn't know about this situation.
But as always, in times like these, his faith rested solely in the Cult Leader.
Thus, seeing him head to the Heavenly Demon Hall stirred a small spark of hope in Ji Wolhon's heart.
'A summons from the Cult Leader.'
Jeok Mugeun, the one called by Hyeok Mulin, only truly grasped where he stood upon arriving at the Heavenly Demon Hall's entrance.
Crossing this threshold meant facing the Cult Leader.
It was what he'd longed for endlessly, but now that the moment was here, tension crept in bit by bit.
'Calm down. We don't even know why he's been called yet.'
Revealing his purpose too soon could make everything go up in smoke.
As he steadied himself, Jang Wi opened the door and said,
"Enter."
Stepping into the Heavenly Demon Hall, Jeok Mugeun slowly made his way to the center.
He stopped at a respectful distance from Hyeok Mulin, seated on the dais, and bowed.
"I pay my respects to the exalted sovereign of ten thousand demons, the Cult Leader."
"It's been a while. I hope you've been well."
"Yes. Thanks to your grace, Cult Leader, my days have been peaceful."
"I see."
Hyeok Mulin nodded lightly and continued.
"I've been hearing a lot about you lately. They say you're handling all the tough missions alone—must be hard work."
"I merely fulfilled my duties as assigned."
Jeok Mugeun humbly lowered his head at Hyeok Mulin's words.
Hyeok Mulin gazed at him for a moment, then spoke with a faint smile.
"One of our cult's most sacred principles is strict adherence to merit and punishment. You've racked up quite the achievements."
Gulp.
Jeok Mugeun swallowed, already anticipating what came next.
And Hyeok Mulin's following words fully matched his expectations.
"Thus, I shall reward you. Is there anything you desire?"
Thump. Thump.
His heart pounded like a drum.
"Well…."
Should he say it?
Had he earned enough merit? It might be seen as excessive and rejected.
Worse, his true goal could surface, leading to scrutiny.
But if there was even a sliver of possibility, shouldn't he seize it?
He had no more patience to wait.
After agonizing, Jeok Mugeun straightened resolutely and spoke.
"…I request permission to enter the Underground Thunder Prison."
"The Underground Thunder Prison."
"Yes. Half an hour—no, even a single incense stick's time would do. Please grant me brief access."
Hyeok Mulin regarded him with an intrigued look.
His reward wasn't gold, land, elixirs, martial arts, or rank—just a visit to the prison.
An unusual request, far from the ordinary, but Hyeok Mulin had anticipated it.
"Why do you wish to go there?"
"There's someone I must meet."
Hyeok Mulin sensed it.
The condensed killing intent woven into his restrained voice.
Gazing at him silently, Hyeok Mulin soon replied.
"Left Protector Jang."
"Yes, Cult Leader."
"Bring the roster of prisoners in the Underground Thunder Prison."
"Understood."
After a brief absence, Jang Wi returned with a stack of documents.
Taking them, Hyeok Mulin asked Jeok Mugeun again.
"What's the name of the one you seek?"
"Chu Yonggae. I believe he was imprisoned fifteen years ago for fraud."
"Chu Yonggae…."
Jeok Mugeun watched intently as Hyeok Mulin flipped through the pages, sweat beading on his brow.
Then, Hyeok Mulin's finger paused on something.
After staring at it, he spoke slowly.
"No need to go to the Underground Thunder Prison anymore."
"Pardon? What do you…."
Jeok Mugeun blinked in confusion, and Hyeok Mulin looked up at him.
With a subdued tone, he revealed the truth.
"The man you're looking for is already outside the prison."
"……!"
Jeok Mugeun's eyes widened.
A clear moonlit night without a single cloud.
Hyeok Mulin emerged from the Heavenly Demon Palace with Jeok Mugeun.
Following behind and gazing at his back, Jeok Mugeun's mind swirled with thoughts.
'I never imagined the Cult Leader would guide me personally.'
That the Cult Leader would walk him there and reveal Chu Yonggae's location was beyond gratitude.
Yet a tinge of emptiness mingled with it.
His primary reason for rejecting offers from the Seven Great Demon Clans and other families and factions to join the Heavenly Demon forces was to earn merits for prison access.
But the target he'd assumed was locked away was out here.
What had all his struggles been for?
Though disappointment surged, he resolved to stay positive.
'Either way, it means I can finally meet the one I've been searching for.'
Jeok Mugeun hurried after Hyeok Mulin.
They passed the inner fortress into the outer one, but Hyeok Mulin didn't stop.
Heading far beyond, to a remote village on the outskirts, Jeok Mugeun grew increasingly puzzled.
Then, Hyeok Mulin halted.
"Here."
Jeok Mugeun stopped and looked around in bewilderment.
It was a desolate street in a crumbling village.
'Nothing but beggars sprawled on the ground nearby—where could Chu Yonggae possibly be here?'
"You're thinking right."
"Pardon?"
Hyeok Mulin's response, as if reading his mind, startled him briefly.
Suddenly, something flashed in Jeok Mugeun's mind as he scanned the area.
His face hardened.
"……No way."
Sweat dripped from his scraggly beard as he whipped his head around.
He rushed to the beggars on the street, grabbing each one to check their faces.
"Wh-what the hell?!"
"What's with the hassle when I'm just minding my own?!"
"Get lost!"
"Thought you were giving alms—what's this?!"
The beggars reacted sharply to the sudden inspection, but Jeok Mugeun ignored them, focusing solely on their faces.
One by one, he checked—and reached the last.
And.
He froze.
Upon seeing the final beggar's face, Jeok Mugeun turned rigid as stone.
His hand trembled as he gripped the beggar's face.
Moments later, he slowly turned to look at Hyeok Mulin.
Hyeok Mulin nodded in response to his gaze.
"Yes. That's him."
A man no different from the roadside trash.
Looking down at him, Hyeok Mulin added coldly.
"The Chu Yonggae you've desperately hunted for all this time."