After finishing their meal, he walked along the riverbank with his father.
He had tagged along when his father went out for a walk alone.
The two stopped for a moment and watched a small boat passing in the distance. Reflected in the glow of the sunset, there was no distinction between the river and the sky. The sunset and sky were split together by the oar that the fisherman standing on the boat rowed.
“I have a few things I would like to ask Father regarding martial arts.”
“What is it?”
“I’m referring to when you fought the twelve experts last time.”
That day’s battle was etched intact in Geommugeuk’s mind. Simply watching that fight had brought him great enlightenment and learning.
And if he could resolve a few things he had wondered about from that fight, it would be of greater help than training alone for several years.
Of course, he was certain it would also serve as a great stimulus to his father. To make the martial arts of an absolute master like his father advance, he had to ask him endlessly. Is this right? Is that right?
Because the learning gained while teaching would have the greatest effect in moving his father’s martial studies.
“When you fought Giryeon Yosa, you unfolded your footwork like this.”
Geommugeuk unfolded the footwork his father had used that day right there on the spot.
When he accurately reproduced that day’s footwork, Geomujin made a surprised expression.
“You memorized all of this?”
“Not just this. I memorized everything from beginning to end.”
Of course, he added a jesting remark as well.
“I have surpassed the limits of my memory, so I must hurry to ask you and empty it out.”
Geommugeuk threw the questions he had prepared one by one.
“At this moment, why did you dodge to the left rather than the right?”
“It was because Heukje, another enemy, seemed likely to attack from the left.”
“Then shouldn’t you have dodged even further to the right?”
“If he sent forth sword qi, I intended to deflect that sword qi toward Giryeon Yosa and seize the opportunity.”
Geommugeuk recalled his father’s appearance deflecting the incoming sword qi toward Giryeon Yosa and charging at her.
“That certainly seems like it would have been more efficient.”
Because at that time, his father was fighting to achieve maximum effect with minimum internal energy. Moreover, he had been trying to impart a lesson to his son as well.
“Then if someone else had broken in at that time, how should one respond? With the remaining ones putting two here, and there as well…”
Thus, conversation begetting conversation, the two’s dialogue created new battles, and the imagined battles of the two absolute experts became a gateway entering once again into the lofty world of martial studies.
When speaking, Geommugeuk did not miss his father’s gestures, gaze, and reactions. Those reactions were just as important as the content.
His father did not speak of things he was not certain about as if he knew them. When he didn’t know something, he slightly shook his head.
He did not pretend to know what he didn’t know just because he was before his son. Only a truly strong person can say they don’t know what they don’t know. Yes, when we are inexperienced, we insist stubbornly. His father was personally showing him what the self-esteem of true experts was like.
There were those looking down at the two from the riverbank.
They were none other than Hyeolcheondoma and Seodaeryong.
The one who spoke first was Seodaeryong.
“The Young Cult Leader worries that a war between the demonic and orthodox sects will break out, yet the Cult Leader and Young Cult Leader themselves seem to keep growing stronger.”
Seodaeryong conveyed his honest thoughts to his master. Because he felt he had grown one step closer to his master this time.
“The Young Cult Leader must know well that if one becomes so strong that the balance of power collapses, the possibility of war breaking out also increases. Why would he strive so hard to become stronger?”
Hyeolcheondoma said abruptly.
“He might be harboring a dream of unifying the martial world.”
Thinking his master was joking, Seodaeryong laughed.
“How could that be?”
“How can you know what lies inside a person? Moreover, how can you know what lies inside an extraordinary person like him?”
But Seodaeryong spoke as if certain.
“I may not know the Young Cult Leader’s inner thoughts, but I am certain of this one thing. There is absolutely no war in that unfathomable heart of his.”
Hyeolcheondoma turned his head and looked at Seodaeryong. Though his master was fearsome and difficult, in this moment alone, he was dignified.
“There are many things I don’t know, but I can be certain of that. Had he been such a person, he would never have kept someone like me as his right-hand man.”
The words *“So what about you?”* almost left Hyeolcheondoma’s mouth.
Yes, how could his own thoughts be any different from Seodaeryong’s? It was just that he knew well that when the bastard called fate pushes, humans are helplessly pushed back.
After watching the two in the distance discuss martial studies for a moment, he asked Seodaeryong.
“Have you been training well?”
Seodaeryong was flustered by the sudden question.
“Show me your skills.”
Seodaeryong hadn’t expected his master to ask him to demonstrate martial arts here. He had wondered if he was going to be scolded for being stubborn for no reason, but that wasn’t it.
“They are racing ahead so fearlessly; we must work ourselves to death just to follow even halfway.”
Hyeolcheondoma corrected his disciple’s posture and began to transmit anew the essence of the Heavenly Annihilation Demon Blade Art.
By the river were Geommugeuk and Geomujin; on the riverbank were Hyeolcheondoma and Seodaeryong.
And Hwi, leaning against the carriage, was looking up at the sunset-stained sky.
Their training continued until the sunset became dawn.
* * *
The journey continued.
The return journey was far more free and leisurely than the journey out.
Is it really okay to be so leisurely while escorting the Demon Cult Leader back? Hwi had thought this many times.
But no one hurried.
They all surely knew. That this journey was not one that would come again easily.
Geommugeuk especially got involved in all sorts of things. If another carriage was stuck in a rut along the way, he naturally got down to help, and if there was a family with children carrying heavy loads, he gave them a ride in the carriage.
At scenic spots, he had the carriage stop and everyone got out to sightsee.
Today, something caught Geommugeuk’s eye again.
“Uncle Hwi, please wait a moment.”
As the carriage stopped, Geommugeuk got down and approached an old couple working in the field.
“We’ll help you with the work, so would you make us a bowl of noodles as a midday snack?”
Having someone work for a bowl of noodles would normally be a grateful and welcome thing, but the other party was martial artists wearing swords.
When the old couple made guarded expressions, Geommugeuk spoke to them with a smile.
“We’re not bad people, so don’t worry. We’re just feeling a bit peckish while traveling.”
“If you wish, we will simply treat you to noodles.”
This was how common people normally treated martial artists.
“No, we couldn’t do that. We will help you with the work.”
The old couple wondered what was going on, but they felt courtesy and dignity in Geommugeuk’s attitude toward them.
“Then please do so.”
“Thank you.”
As Geommugeuk went out to work, Seodaeryong followed.
The old couple explained to the two what work they should help with.
The two began working as instructed.
He could have done it in an instant using martial arts, but Geommugeuk did not. He simply worked up a sweat like an ordinary person.
Geomujin and Hyeolcheondoma watched the scene from the carriage.
“It seems the Young Cult Leader wants to create memories of farming with the Cult Leader.”
He simply could not bring himself to ask his father to farm.
“Can you endure five years against such a son?”
To the words spoken like a joke, Geomujin’s reaction was unexpected.
Geomujin silently watched his son working and then asked Hyeolcheondoma.
“Why don’t you ask him?”
“What do you mean?”
“Whether he can endure me?”
Geomujin got down from the carriage and rolled up his sleeves.
And as he walked toward Geommugeuk and Seodaeryong, he said.
“Working so clumsily, when do you plan to finish?”
Only then did Hyeolcheondoma understand the meaning of the Cult Leader’s words.
It meant that as they grew closer, it would become difficult for Geommugeuk to refuse his intentions as well.
With a father who had indulged his son’s wishes to this extent, could the son really go against that intention?
*The Cult Leader has no intention of losing.*
Hyeolcheondoma was curious about that day. Who would have their will broken that day, five years from now?
Hyeolcheondoma sent a telepathic message to Seodaeryong.
*—Daeryong, quietly withdraw.*
Like the movement of a master angler’s line, Seodaeryong inconspicuously left the spot.
Geommugeuk and Geomujin took up hoes and began farming in earnest.
The other three watched the scene with reverent hearts.
For a Heavenly Demon to be farming was a sight they would never see again in their lifetimes.
It was likely the first time since the founding of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
They shouldn’t just stand by while the Cult Leader worked, but how could the three not know?
Geommugeuk’s reason for stepping forward might have included consideration for the old couple, but more than that, he wanted to have the memory of farming with his father.
In the past, Hyeolcheondoma might have thought this way.
Can you call it a memory if you force a situation like this? Stop this nonsense!
But now he knew. Memories are like that.
Those transparent acts Geommugeuk had done for him, and for other demonic followers, had all remained as memories.
If one waits for memories to come naturally, the years will slip away.
If someone doesn’t move, there are no memories.
“Daeryong.”
“Yes, Master.”
“You must definitely get married.”
Feeling his master’s regret, Seodaeryong was startled. It was the first time he had heard his master tell him to marry since becoming his disciple.
“Yes, Master!”
He answered energetically, but honestly added.
“I’m not popular with women, so I’m not sure I can do it well.”
Hyeolcheondoma turned his head sharply and shouted.
“What’s wrong with you!”
At those words, Seodaeryong felt his heart grow hot. He was so grateful to his master for saying that.
Meanwhile, Geommugeuk and Geomujin’s farming continued.
Without speaking, the two naturally divided the work.
They pulled weeds, picked out stones, dug the earth, and planted seedlings. The sound of hoes cutting through the earth was pleasant to hear.
“How are you so good even at farming? Truly, the only thing I can beat you at is…”
Swoosh.
A stone Geomujin was sorting grazed past Geommugeuk’s face.
“My hand slipped. There are many stones here.”
Just as a fishing story was about to come out, he had thrown a stone pretending it was a mistake.
“This handsome face nearly got another hole.”
“If you dragged this father out to the fields, you should be prepared for that much.”
Geommugeuk smiled brightly.
“When I meet the successors of the orthodox and unorthodox factions, I’ll start with these words. Hey, you lot. Have you ever plowed a field with your grandfather, with your master?”
Knowing that Geommugeuk was truly someone who would do that, Seodaeryong laughed as he listened. His mouth itched to speak. He wanted to quickly tell everything about what had happened at the pleasure house in front of Jangho and Ian.
Once the two seriously worked, it was truly in the blink of an eye.
Though they didn’t use martial arts, they were no ordinary people.
Shortly after, the old couple brought noodles. They also brought a bottle of liquor. They were astonished to see that the work had already been finished.
“Are you already finished?”
It was work that would have taken the couple several days of hardship.
“I’m starving to death. Please hurry with the midday snack!”
Geommugeuk looked around at the three and said.
“Those who didn’t work don’t get a snack!”
Of course, the old couple had also prepared noodles for the three who had been watching.
“Come here, everyone. Please eat.”
Thus, they all sat around together and ate noodles with the old couple.
At ease, the old couple proudly shared the news that their first grandchild would marry in a few months. They said they had worked here their whole lives raising their children.
And when the carriage carrying Geommugeuk’s party departed, a banknote was placed under Geomujin’s noodle bowl.
It was enough money to hold a grand wedding for the grandchild and have plenty left over. They had been working even harder to add even a penny to their grandchild’s wedding expenses.
The old couple bowed their heads toward where the carriage had left, expressing their gratitude. It felt as if wedding gift money—no, noodle payment—had suddenly fallen from the sky.
The carriage once again sped toward the main compound of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
Thus, while Geommugeuk usually created these new experiences, there were times when Hyeolcheondoma stepped up, as he did today.
“Since we’re passing by, could we stop there for a moment?”
The carriage stopped at an old bookstore.
The shop owner recognized Hyeolcheondoma and greeted him. Seeing how comfortably the shop owner treated him, it seemed he only knew him as a martial artist who liked orthodox sect books, and had no idea in his dreams that he was a demonic practitioner.
Everyone scattered through the small bookshop, browsing the books. It was a shop that dealt in ordinary books rather than martial arts manuals or treatises on martial theory.
Geom Ujin looked around the bookstore with his hands clasped behind his back.
“This is your first time in a bookstore like this, isn’t it?”
At Geom Mugeuk’s question, Geom Ujin nodded.
“Thanks to the elder, I learned that the smell of books is a pleasant thing. There probably isn’t a book here he hasn’t read.”
From beyond the bookshelf came the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s reply.
“You only say that because you don’t know how many books there are in the world.”
Geom Mugeuk looked at his father and said,
“Father, among all the Demon Venerables throughout history, you have under you the most cultured one.”
His father nodded as if acknowledging it. Geom Mugeuk called out toward the bookshelf on the other side.
“Father says he agrees too!”
“You rascal, you’re too loud in a bookstore!”
As if embarrassed, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon went off somewhere else.
After poking his nose into everything as they browsed the store, Geom Mugeuk also bought a book. It was a book no one had expected.
A Culinary Tour of the Central Plains (中原美食探訪).
“It says a hundred places are introduced here. Whenever you have time, Father, I’ll take you to one place at a time. My new goal is to visit every one of them with you.”
Would he really be able to visit all one hundred famous eateries with his father before he died? Perhaps it was a goal more difficult than unifying the murim.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon bought three or four books, and he also bought one for Seo Daeryong. It was a collection of poems and paintings.
This time, Seo Daeryong had come looking for him in Chongqing after seeing his own poetry-and-painting collection.
That was why he bought him one as a gift, even leaving his signature in it.
The next time you find yourself in danger, send this to me. Then I will be sure to come and save you.
Whether he knew that sentiment or not, Seo Daeryong said loudly,
“I’ll recite these poems impressively in front of women.”
And succeed in getting married! He shouted those words only in his heart.
Geom Mugeuk shook his head and said to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon,
“Now you understand, don’t you? Why your disciple still has no woman.”
At those words, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon flinched.
There was no way the quick-witted Geom Mugeuk would miss that reaction. With an expression that seemed to say, Surely you didn’t recite poems in front of women too, Elder? Geom Mugeuk shook his head.
At the master and disciple’s gazes that seemed to ask, Why on earth not! What’s wrong with that? Geom Mugeuk looked at his father and said,
“Father, before we return to the cult, I think you and I will have to demonstrate how one should seduce a woman.”
The corners of Geom Ujin’s mouth, turned toward the bookshelf, curved into a smile. He had lived his whole life without knowing laughter, yet lately he had been smiling like this from time to time. And the only one who saw that precious smile was Hwi.
Their journey back was not over yet.