Have you ever had an experience like this while living in the martial world?
The Demonic Cult’s Young Cult Leader was right beside him, the Demonic Cult’s Branch Altar Lord was behind him, behind them was the Demonic Sword Squad said to be the cult’s ultimate elite, and then the Demonic Warriors of the branch altar as well.
Had he ever walked while leading them?
Juyang felt as if he were dreaming. For no reason, he felt both proud and pleased.
Then he was suddenly frightened. Any one of them, if singled out, would be someone who would cause an uproar among ordinary martial artists.
When such frightening thoughts entered his mind, Juyang glanced at Geom Mugeuk, who was walking alongside him. Whether when he had first come to borrow money, or now that he had been revealed as the Young Cult Leader, he was exactly the same. He didn’t put on airs, nor did he act intimidating. How could a person be like that?
But even so, he did not dare speak to him.
He missed the days when they could chat comfortably. He missed the days when Geom Mugeuk had been a debtor.
While having such silly thoughts, before he knew it, they had arrived at Jeokpae’s manor.
Juyang lowered his voice and spoke in a whisper.
“I will have them open the door.”
Before those words had even finished.
Bang!
A Demonic Sword Squad warrior stepped forward and smashed the door, and the warriors poured inside.
Bladesmen popped out from all directions, then flinched in surprise. The Demonic Sword Squad warriors unleashed demonic qi, revealing who they were.
“If you don’t wish to die, all of you, leave.”
As the bladesmen looked at one another and hesitated.
The Demonic Sword Squad warrior who had warned them swung his sword. A streak of sword qi passed between the bladesmen and cut through the stone pagoda standing in front of the rear garden.
That single stone pagoda saved them all. As they fled rumbling toward the entrance, the warriors kicked their backsides and chased them all out. They ran, clutching their heads.
The Demonic Sword Squad warriors did not hesitate. When they smashed the second door and entered, hidden weapons poured down from the rooftops all around.
The warriors in the lead lightly swung their swords and knocked away the hidden weapons.
“From now on, throw even one more hidden weapon, and you die.”
Those who had thrown hidden weapons from the rooftops froze. Only then did they confirm that their opponents were Demonic Warriors.
“You fools, you ought to see who you’re throwing at.”
Geom Mugeuk passed by with a word, and the warriors followed after him. Those who had thrown the hidden weapons fled in the opposite direction.
Juyang, who had been watching, was bewildered by this unfamiliar sight.
He had known well that the Demonic Warriors were fearsome people, but to this extent? How terrifying it had been every time he passed this place. Jeokpae’s fortress was a walking path for the Demonic Warriors.
Beyond the next door, over ten martial artists blocked the way.
They were the ones Jeokpae had so boastfully claimed were masters of combined assault techniques. Juyang remembered Jeokpae saying something that was either a sigh or a boast—that they cost hundreds of taels a month. Jeokpae was a man who had spared no expense to protect his own life with money squeezed from blood.
As they formed a sword formation to confront them, the Demonic Sword Squad surged forward.
“Shall I show you what a real combined assault is?”
The Demonic Sword Squad did not even need to form a sword formation to intimidate them. The clustered martial artists scattered in all directions. Watching that sight, Juyang shook his head.
‘What exactly were those hundreds of taels a month spent on?’
Of course, he understood. What kind of fear it must be when the Demonic Sword Squad pushes in as intruders.
They seemed to push forward haphazardly to instill fear, but the Demonic Warriors had order. They seemed to simply walk, yet they thoroughly surveyed their surroundings. When one person moved, another filled that spot, maintaining formation. Their formations and responses differed depending on the terrain and the opponent. It was a skilled movement born of long training.
The three men at the final gate were experts who looked as though they must have cost not hundreds, but thousands of taels.
“We are the Jiangxi Three Ghosts. Who dares!”
In that moment, the eldest of the Three Ghosts recognized Branch Altar Lord Ho Gyeong.
“Why are you…?”
Then Ho Gyeong made a shushing gesture at him, and shook his head with an expression that said it was not their time to step in now. That alone was sufficient warning.
“Thank you for letting us pass.”
It was a situation where even if there had been a hundred ghosts rather than three, they could not have opposed them. Grateful to be spared, the Three Ghosts also left that place.
Thus they arrived deep inside the inner courtyard without spilling a single drop of blood.
The final door was open, and Jeokpae was waiting in the courtyard.
He bowed at the waist with as composed a face as possible.
“I greet you, distinguished guests.”
The reason Jeokpae had not fled was that he had misunderstood the current situation.
He thought that after punishing those who impersonated Demonic Warriors, the real Demonic Warriors had come. Since Juyang had come with them, it was only natural he would think so.
“If you had sent word beforehand, such mistakes would not have happened. My subordinates have committed a grave discourtesy. I apologize.”
Jeokpae carefully observed the visitors. He confirmed that Branch Altar Lord Ho Gyeong had come. He also confirmed that the captain of the Demonic Sword Squad was nowhere to be seen.
When he had entrusted the handling of this matter to Jungak previously, it had seemed likely he would make use of the Branch Altar Lord. Indeed, it appeared he had used the Branch Altar Lord for today’s affair.
‘And he pockets all the money alone!’
Jeokpae found the current situation a bit strange. The Ho Gyeong he knew was not one to take bribes. Why had this man come here?
Jeokpae glanced at Juyang. He had sent him to die along with them in his heart.
‘What a tenacious lifeline. Yes, you just work until you die.’
Jeokpae asked with his eyes—just what was this situation now? What could Juyang say? He simply turned his head, avoiding his gaze.
Then Geom Mugeuk held out a coin to Jeokpae.
“Here, take it.”
“What is this?”
“It’s interest.”
In that instant, Jeokpae’s heart plummeted. Two coins placed atop the corpses of his subordinates came to mind, and an ominous premonition swept over him.
“I told you to take it.”
The moment Jeokpae unwittingly received it.
Whoosh.
Bang!
His hand was slammed into the ground by the coin’s weight.
“Aaaaack!”
He shrieked, but no one came to save him.
“Now, one more left. Take this too.”
Jeokpae looked up at Geom Mugeuk with an expression of agony.
“W-why are you doing this?”
“Why? You borrowed money, so you’re paying interest.”
“You don’t have to.”
“Don’t you have Abanggung too? You have to collect interest to maintain it, don’t you?”
“Please forgive me! Please spare me!”
But it was not something he could refuse simply because he did not want to take it. Due to an invisible force, his other hand spread open.
Whoosh!
Bang!
In the end, his other hand was crushed as well.
His prostrated appearance, palms facing upward, looked almost like he was bowing to the heavens. Having lived his entire life without knowing pain, he made a terrible fuss about it hurting.
Juyang understood.
That Geom Mugeuk did not kill Jeokpae right away, but made him receive the coins like this, was to show him. That the individual stories contained in the interest he would collect from now on were this heavy.
Juyang lowered his head with an expression showing that he understood.
Then Geom Mugeuk lightly struck out with one palm.
Smack!
Jeokpae’s head burst, and he died instantly. It was the moment his life ended, having led countless people’s lives to ruin while living solely for money. Though he had earned so much money, it was also a lonely death where nothing remained.
Geom Mugeuk had all the subordinates from Tongjeonso called over.
After lining them all up, he introduced Juyang.
“From now on, the master of Tongjeonso is Juyang here. Those who are dissatisfied, leave right now. You will be allowed to leave alive.”
A few among those gathered who did not get along with Juyang left that place. Those who had wanted to quit this work but thought this was their opportunity also left together. Thus those who would leave, left.
Geom Mugeuk sternly warned those who remained.
“From now on, follow the new leader’s words well.”
“Yes!”
And so the master of Tongjeonso changed overnight.
Ho Gyeong inwardly admired Geom Mugeuk’s unstoppable stride. These were not things possible merely because one’s martial arts were high. It was a stride that only someone who clearly knew what he was doing and what he had to do from now on could take.
“Now, let us all drink together today.”
It was a pleasant and good day for Ho Gyeong too. But he could not hide his worry.
“Today, the core of the Jiangxi Branch is all gathered here. Shouldn’t we send back even some of the troops?”
“Are you worried that the Four Ways Alliance might pull something?”
“We sent separate word, so that shouldn’t be the case… but still, this is the first time something like this has happened.”
Having lived concerned about the Four Ways Alliance every day since his appointment, it was only natural that he would be tense and sensitive in this situation.
“You don’t need to worry. The Four Ways Alliance isn’t the old Four Ways Alliance anymore.”
Geom Mugeuk’s confidence came from trusting Bisain. Upon hearing this news, he might rush to a tavern with his subordinates, but he was not someone who would open the armory.
Thus a large drinking party was prepared at the training ground.
They brought all the good liquor Jeokpae had collected, and had all kinds of dishes bought from the famous inns and taverns of that area.
They had almost never gathered like this to drink together. Especially for the Demonic Warriors of the branch altar and the Demonic Sword Squad to mingle together was truly a first.
When everyone’s cups were filled, Geom Mugeuk raised his cup high in a loud voice.
“Now, today let us forget all worldly affairs and drink to our hearts’ content!”
Everyone drank refreshingly.
The gazes of the Demonic Sword Squad warriors toward Geom Mugeuk were exceedingly favorable. Both the comfort he had given them earlier, and his martial arts prowess that overwhelmed everyone.
Geom Mugeuk mingled with them comfortably.
He talked about the main altar and about the Demon Lords. Especially when he spoke of the Demon Army, which the Demonic Sword Squad considered a rival, everyone’s eyes sparkled.
And that wasn’t all. From the Central Plains to the lands beyond the frontiers, with his broad experience and his unique gift of gab, the Demonic Warriors lost track of time, immersed in Geom Mugeuk’s stories.
Even amidst that, Juyang sat motionless beside Geom Mugeuk. Even when he needed to urinate, he did not go. What if someone else sat there while he was away, and he had to sit among the Demonic Warriors? He’d rather fight them all! He desperately defended the seat next to Geom Mugeuk.
Geom Mugeuk, who had been chatting and playing with the warriors for a long while, came over to Ho Gyeong, who had been drinking quietly alone. As he left behind Juyang, who had tried to follow, Juyang made an expression like he had been abandoned alone in hell.
“It’s tiring playing with the kids.”
At those words, Ho Gyeong smiled, and Geom Mugeuk also smiled and added.
“I’m the youngest by age, yet I say such things, don’t I?”
“Just hearing you talk, you sounded like the eldest of them all. When in the world did you have such experiences?”
“Words picked up here and there.”
The two emptied their cups. Ho Gyeong poured alcohol for Geom Mugeuk and asked.
“But how do you remember my past affairs?”
“The moment I saw the Branch Altar Lord, I remembered that day at the banquet hall. It was an impressive remark, and your face is exactly the same as it was then.”
“What remark. I have aged greatly.”
This time, Geom Mugeuk filled his cup.
“It must be hard trying to take care of everything so meticulously?”
“It’s my personality, what can I do? If I leave it be, I cannot sleep.”
There must be the sorrow felt by a man of principle like him. The hardship unique to the one who is criticized by others despite doing everything for the best. And how could he not wish to live comfortably?
Geom Mugeuk said, emptying his cup.
“If you do difficult things for a long time, doesn’t that hardship sometimes become strength?”
It was the feeling he had felt when gathering materials for the great technique before his regression.
At first, it had been so hard and lonely. Back then, he had fallen asleep with this expectation—that tomorrow would be better.
As time passed, he had thought like this. Tomorrow will be hard too. It is harder because I try to avoid hardship. Tomorrow will be hard, and the day after will be hard too. It is not just me; everyone is struggling.
When even more years had passed, he realized. That in the end, what had made him grow the most was that hardship. That it was both a tiresome enemy and his only friend.
“That is why the Branch Altar Lord looks strong.”
Ho Gyeong looked at Geom Mugeuk’s deep eyes, which did not match his age, and felt that he too had been through many trials. Yes, he must have gone through all sorts of things fighting for succession until he became the Young Cult Leader.
“Cheer up, Young Cult Leader!”
“Let us both be strong!”
And so the two talked about the affairs of the Jiangxi Branch until late. Geom Mugeuk silently listened to everything Ho Gyeong said.
* * *
He found Juyang in the backyard.
Having been avoiding the Demonic Warriors, he was sitting alone in front of a bonfire.
“What are you doing?”
“Ah, I was just here.”
Geom Mugeuk sat down beside him.
“Everyone drinks well.”
“That’s because you haven’t seen Drunken Horse.”
Even Chwima, and those demonic cultists who drank without ever tiring, were people from another world.
But he felt he would miss the man before him. Though he was the one furthest away, even within that other world.
“Will I be able to see you again, Young Cult Leader?”
“I don’t know either. We might see each other often, or we might never meet again until the day we die.”
“I’ll be working diligently, so if you come to Jiangxi, please be sure to stop by. I’ll send reports related to the work without fail.”
“Juyang.”
“Yes.”
Perhaps because of the firelight, or because he was nervous, Juyang’s face was flushed red.
“One day, a crisis will come for you. That crisis will tempt you with these words: ‘Ah, what the hell, you only live once anyway, don’t you?’ Juyang, the sins you’ve already committed are great, so if you do something foolish, I won’t be able to forgive you. So if that temptation comes to you, come find me.”
“You mean I should come to the Demonic Cult’s main headquarters?”
“Yes. Come, stand at the main gate, and ask for me.”
Juyang imagined the scene for a moment. Himself standing at the main gate of the Demonic Cult’s headquarters, saying, “I have come to see the Young Cult Leader.” Then the demonic cultists at the gate would ask, “Who are you?” No, that wasn’t right. Since he was a guest of the Young Cult Leader, it would be, “And who might you be?” Then he would say, “I’m a loan shark from faraway Jiangxi.” Ah, he did not particularly want to imagine what came next.
“I’ll work desperately hard and live so I never have to come find you.”
At Juyang’s joke, Geom Mugeuk laughed with him. A Young Cult Leader who would laugh with him like this.
“Now, this is my final gift.”
Geom Mugeuk handed him two nyang.
Juyang respectfully accepted the money. They were the two coins he had kept receiving ever since he met Geom Mugeuk. So now he was receiving them for the last time.
Clutching the coins tightly, Juyang asked,
“Why are you being so good to someone like me, who is nothing more than a mere loan shark?”
“I hear that question often.”
Geom Mugeuk spoke while gazing into the campfire.
“Perhaps I’m simply that kind of person.”
Juyang sprang to his feet and performed a deep bow to Geom Mugeuk.
“I will never forget the grace of being given a new life. I don’t know whether I’m a pine caterpillar, a maggot, a larva, or whatever else, but whatever I am, I’ll make sure to spread my wings at least once.”
Without a word, Geom Mugeuk merely watched the sparks leap from the campfire and dance upward through the air.
* * *
Two days later, Geom Mugeuk bid farewell to Hogyeong and the other demonic cultists of the Jiangxi Branch.
“Are you returning to the main headquarters?”
“If I stay any longer, I’ll only get in the way of your work.”
When Hogyeong said nothing, Geom Mugeuk spoke playfully.
“You really must think so.”
“You are not someone I can order around, after all.”
The two looked at each other and laughed.
“The main headquarters will appoint a new Demon Sword Unit Leader before long.”
“I suppose I’ll have to fight another difficult battle.”
A day will come when hardship becomes strength.
Geom Mugeuk conveyed the words he had spoken that day with his gaze.
As long as Hogyeong was here, there would be no need to worry about the Jiangxi Branch.
Then, the inspection of the Jiangxi Branch was complete.
* * *
After parting with the Jiangxi Branch, the place Geom Mugeuk visited was the home of the coachman, Pyeonjung.
“I’m looking for a skilled coachman.”
Pyeonjung had just received news from the Tongjeonso that he no longer had to repay his debt. They said that, after calculating an appropriate interest rate, they would return the money he had paid in excess of the principal.
At the unbelievable news, he had clung to his wife and sobbed. Not knowing what was happening, the children had cried along with them.
With his eyes swollen, Pyeonjung could tell. He did not know exactly what had happened, but the man before him was the one who had accomplished it.
Pyeonjung lowered his head and conveyed his deep gratitude in his heart.
“Where shall I take you?”
Then came the most perilous destination in Pyeonjung’s entire history as a coachman.
“The headquarters of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.”
When he had first been told to go to the Jiangxi Branch of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, Pyeonjung’s heart had dropped.
But now, he was not afraid. Instead, he smiled brightly and repaid him with the thing he did best.
“I will take you safely to your destination.”