“Is this Maga Village?”
At the sight spread before her, Han Seol opened her eyes wide.
It was not the scene she had expected.
Clean streets lined with shops on both sides, and countless pedestrians were coming and going.
Neither those with wicked eyes seeking a quick score, nor those staggering drunk, could be found. In the alleyways where schemers would normally put their heads together, children were running and playing.
To her question of whether this was truly Maga Village, Geom Mugeuk had no need to answer.
“Young Cult Leader!”
The medicinal herb merchant at the entrance ran out and greeted Geom Mugeuk with a bright smile.
“Is business going well?”
“Thanks to you, it is.”
Honestly, Han Seol was surprised. He greeted the Young Cult Leader of the Divine Cult so casually? A mere street merchant?
Of course, she did not know. That in Maga Village, Geom Mugeuk’s popularity was even higher than the Heavenly Demon’s. That this place had become such a pleasant village to live in was all thanks to Geom Mugeuk’s efforts.
Among the Frigid Ice Twin Swords, Sobing quickly sent a telepathic message to Han Seol.
—Step back! They might be poisonous herbs.
—Surely they wouldn’t display and sell poisonous herbs like ordinary medicinal ingredients?
—That’s exactly why it’s the Demonic Cult.
Their hearts had been considerably relaxed during their culinary journey with Geom Mugeuk, but now that they had arrived at Maga Village, they tensed up again.
They were on edge, vigilant against even the slightest chance of someone targeting Han Seol.
“Young Cult Leader, it’s been a while!”
The merchant selling farming tools across the street also came out to greet Geom Mugik.
—Be careful. There might be concealed weapons disguised as farming tools.
They seemed ready to warn her to be careful of even the pebbles on the street from now on.
Then, Sahan, the husband of the Frigid Ice Twin Swords, sent a telepathic message to Han Seol.
—This street is staged because the Young Palace Lord is coming. They must have sent a letter in advance to arrange it.
Han Seol examined the merchants’ expressions and replied via telepathy.
—But these merchants seem genuinely happy to see the Young Cult Leader.
—They’re acting.
The Frigid Ice Twin Swords trusted Geom Mugeuk, but not the demonic followers.
They acknowledged that Geom Mugeuk had greatly helped the Northern Sea Ice Palace and that he possessed a disposition unbefitting a demonic follower.
But there was the Demonic Cult they knew. The one so savage and ruthless that even the fierce Sado Alliance had to back down.
If a single person does not change easily, would such a massive organization change easily?
So Sahan surmised:
—This place must be the first gate guarding the Demonic Cult’s main headquarters.
—A gate?
—Surely demonic followers are hidden everywhere. If a suspicious person appears, word will immediately reach the main headquarters.
Han Seol looked at Geom Mugeuk. The Geom Mugeuk she had experienced so far was not someone who would act friendly with merchants to deceive her. If it were such a place, he would have passed by without even getting off the carriage.
Still, she understood the Frigid Ice Twin Swords’ suspicion. Even she was greatly surprised by this unexpected atmosphere.
‘Even in front of the Murim Alliance, the atmosphere wouldn’t be this bright, would it? Is this really a staged street? Would they mobilize so many people to deceive us?’
Walking after Geom Mugeuk, she saw a shop selling dumplings. At the sight of steaming dumplings, she recalled the rumors about Maga Village.
‘Is there really human flesh inside those dumplings?’
Yet the middle-aged owner’s face was too kind, and the dumpling shop was packed with customers.
As she stared at the dumplings, Geom Mugeuk offered her some.
“They’re delicious here. Would you like to try some?”
“I’m fine.”
Fearing he might insist she eat some, Han Seol walked faster.
Those choosing clothes at the fabric store, and the owners and clerks of the fruit and grain shops, all recognized Geom Mugeuk and greeted him respectfully.
“May you sell well!”
Each time, Geom Mugeuk reciprocated their greetings one by one.
That sight struck Han Seol in a new light.
She had known Geom Mugeuk was a meddlesome person, but she had thought it was merely a kind of tactic deployed when dealing with her mother, the Ice Palace Lord, herself, or the successors of the Murim Alliance and Sado Alliance. Naturally, there must be hidden intentions behind that kindness. It was impressive because it was something ordinary people could not do even if they knew how.
But Geom Mugeuk treated the merchants exactly the same way.
‘How can this be?’
How could his manner toward the Young Palace Lord of the Northern Sea Ice Palace or other successors be the same as his manner toward shopkeepers? No, rather, he felt even more affectionate toward the merchants.
‘Is it really a disguised street, as the two elders said?’
What else could make her harbor such doubts?
Then, a peddler selling wooden dolls caught Han Seol’s eye.
‘They really exist! Someone selling Demon Lord dolls!’
He really had laid out a display stand and was selling Demon Lord dolls. When she had heard the rumors, she thought they were just scary-looking dolls called Demon Lord dolls.
They were truly modeled after the Demon Lords’ appearances. Having met Chwima in person, she could tell they looked exactly alike.
‘They even have a Heavenly Demon doll!’
She thought it was truly absurd. Selling a Murim Alliance Leader doll in front of the Murim Alliance headquarters would get you dragged away.
The goat-bearded merchant selling the dolls hawked to her.
“These are sold only here in the Central Plains! If you buy all the Demon Lords, I’ll give you a thirty percent discount!”
Then the peddler recognized Geom Mugeuk behind her.
“Ah, Young Cult Leader!”
“Have you been well?”
Han Seol saw the merchant’s expression brighten brilliantly.
‘That expression is acting?’
If so, then all the actors of the Central Plains must be gathered here.
Han Seol asked Geom Mugeuk.
“Did the Cult Leader really give permission to sell these?”
Geom Mugeuk nodded.
“Just by looking at this alone, you can see how broad my father’s magnanimity is.”
Sahan’s telepathic message flew in again.
—There is no way that is true. They might be cursed dolls, as the rumors say. In an emergency, those dolls might move on their own and attack the opponent.
Han Seol sent him a telepathic message.
—They are too cool and cute to be such dolls.
Because she thought they would look nice displayed on a shelf.
The goat-bearded merchant conveyed welcome news to Geom Mugeuk.
“I finally see you, Young Cult Leader. I was just meaning to tell you something.”
“What is it?”
“Your doll will be coming out soon too.”
“Oh! My doll is finally coming out too!”
Now that he had officially become the successor, they were planning to release a Geom Mugeuk doll as well.
“Do you happen to have a desired pose? I could not ask the others and made them arbitrarily, but I wanted to ask you before making yours.”
Han Seol could feel it. The very fact that he asked such a question showed how much the merchants here trusted Geom Mugeuk. How could anyone dare ask such a thing?
“Make it however you like. It just needs to be cool. Placed right there, it should be the first thing to reach for! You know?”
Geom Mugeuk lowered his voice deliberately, speaking as if whispering.
“Make it cooler than my father’s.”
The goat-bearded merchant smiled and nodded.
“Even if we make yours the worst, it will sell the most, Young Cult Leader.”
Geom Mugeuk turned to Han Seol and said.
“Would you like to buy a doll? Which one do you like?”
Then, surprising words flowed from Han Seol’s mouth.
“I’ll take them all.”
At the same time, the Frigid Ice Twin Swords sent simultaneous telepathic messages.
—You must not!
—It is dangerous!
Of course, if she were someone who listened to them, she would not have come here in the first place.
“You said you would give a thirty percent discount if I buy them all?”
At her words, the goat-bearded merchant began packaging them and said.
“Excellent choice! Display them and your home will truly shine brightly. Guests will all ask where you bought them.”
Seeing the Frigid Ice Twin Swords still shaking their heads, she smiled and said.
“We came to visit the Divine Cult, so should we not buy at least one souvenir?”
Items from other shops could be found anywhere. But these dolls were said to be sold only in Maga Village. And above all, she felt like buying them.
Then Sahan stepped forward.
“Before that, let us examine them.”
Sahan carefully examined the bundled dolls. No matter how he looked, they were ordinary dolls.
“These will do.”
The goat-bearded merchant began packaging again, and Geom Mugeuk asked her.
“Which one do you like best? You have seen Chwima before, so would he not feel the most familiar?”
But unexpectedly, she chose the Gwonma doll. She chose the one that was the biggest and scariest-looking among the dolls.
Geom Mugeuk smiled at her taste.
“I see our young lady likes scary faces. Ah, so it was also true that you like men of few words.”
Among the Eight Demon Lords, Gwonma was second to none when it came to being taciturn.
Meanwhile, the goat-bearded merchant wrapped them up well and handed them to her. Though Geom Mugeuk tried to buy them as a gift, she paid with her own money.
“Please patronize us again when the Young Cult Leader doll comes out!”
“I wonder if I will ever come back.”
At her words, Geom Mugeuk quickly said.
“Where is there a stronger reason than this?”
“You are telling me to come all the way here to buy a doll?”
“Why would only my doll be made? Yours might be made too, and perhaps even a Hwangcheon Pavilion Lord doll.”
Yes, this was someone who would even tell that goat-bearded peddler to make a doll of himself.
Would his pride not be hurt being sold alongside them? Would his honor not be tarnished?
Geom Mugeuk was not someone who would think that at all. Probably neither were the Heavenly Demon nor the Demon Lords. That must be why they kept selling like this.
It was she who thought that way. Because she would have hated being sold alongside dolls that did not match her level.
Through these dolls, she could look back at herself. She realized she possessed such pretension and useless authoritarianism that even those far stronger than her did not have.
‘They really must be cursed dolls. Seeing how they stab my heart like this.’
She had lived without ever caring about others. But when she was with this person, she kept being pulled out of her own solitary world.
Then, someone ran out shouting from the tavern across the street.
“Young Cult Leader!”
He was happier to see Geom Mugeuk than any merchant they had encountered so far.
He was none other than Jo Chunbae, the owner of Pungnyu Tavern. Having heard through customers that the Young Cult Leader was walking through Maga Village, he had come running out.
“Do not fall, come slowly.”
“Young Cult Leader! Have you come?”
Jo Chunbae was truly overjoyed.
She glanced at the Frigid Ice Twin Swords. No more telepathic messages claiming this was all an act came from them.
“Owner, have you been well?”
“Of course, of course. I have been well. Are you hurt anywhere?”
“I am fine.”
“Thank goodness, truly thank goodness.”
This departure from the cult had been quite long, so Jo Chunbae had been inwardly worried about Geom Mugeuk.
“You seem to have lost more weight, owner.”
Geom Mugeuk took his hand. Jo Chunbae exclaimed, “Oh my, please do not,” flustered.
Geom Mugeuk introduced Jo Chunbae to Han Seol.
“This is the owner of my regular tavern.”
In her life as the successor of the Ice Palace, she had never been introduced to a tavern owner, nor would she ever be again.
“This is the Young Palace Lord of the Northern Sea Ice Palace.”
At the words “Northern Sea Ice Palace,” Jo Chunbae jumped in surprise. The Northern Sea Ice Palace held a different meaning than the Murim Alliance or Sado Alliance. To drinkers, the Northern Sea Ice Palace was the most mysterious sect.
“Oh my, it is an honor to meet such a noble person.”
Jo Chunbae bowed his head respectfully.
“Owner, I must pay my respects to my father. I will see you later.”
“Please come anytime!”
As they were turning to leave, Jo Chunbae spoke to Geom Mugeuk.
“You have really returned safely, Young Cult Leader.”
Han Seol could feel it. That he was as happy as if his own son had returned.
Han Seol sent a telepathic message to the Frigid Ice Twin Swords as if declaring:
—Even after this?
But the Frigid Ice Twin Swords could not believe it until the end.
—They said the trilateral meeting was held at a tavern in Maga Village. Would such an important event be held at an ordinary tavern?
They still believed that some secret unknown to them was hidden here in Maga Village.
“Later, let us have a drink with friends there. There are also friends in the main cult I wish to introduce you to.”
To her, who had not a single friend, friends were truly pouring in.
The four who had left Maga Village set out toward the main headquarters of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
“How is it? Your impression after visiting Maga Village?”
At Geom Mugeuk’s question, Han Seol answered exactly as she felt.
“It was nice. Much brighter and cleaner than I’d imagined.”
Just then, Sahan cut in and threw out a pointed remark.
“As if it had been deliberately made that way.”
At that, Geom Mugeuk said something unexpected.
“It was deliberately made that way.”
For a moment, the startled gazes of the three turned toward Geom Mugeuk.
“At first, it wasn’t like this. It was so rough that anyone could tell at a glance it was Maga Village. There were plenty of bastards throwing their weight around just because they were martial artists, and plenty who got drunk and caused trouble. When I became the Hwangcheon Pavilion Master, I locked them all up. The ones who drank and beat people, the ones who stole money or threatened others, the ones who swindled and killed people—I caught and punished them all. If they caused trouble while drunk, I doubled the usual sentence. If a martial artist laid a hand on ordinary people, I punished them three times as severely. The truth is, this place was made.”
Han Seol stared silently at Geom Mugeuk, then asked calmly.
“Why did you go that far?”
After a brief pause, Geom Mugeuk spoke.
“Because it was something I could do. No—more precisely, because it was something I could do easily.”
Han Seol could feel it from the look in Geom Mugeuk’s eyes as he gazed at her. He meant it sincerely.
“It’s something you and I can do with ease. We’re in positions free from all sorts of conflicting interests. If we have the will, it can be done.”
Han Seol said nothing for a while. He was a successor, and so was she. Yet she had not once known what was happening in the villages near the North Sea Ice Palace. Because she had never once cared. Perhaps the truly cursed dolls were being sold there.
She had merely walked through the marketplace, and yet her thoughts had grown heavy.
In the meantime, they arrived at the main headquarters of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
The fortress walls were so high they seemed to pierce the sky, and on the enormous iron gate were carved the forms of evil spirits.
Han Seol grew tense. She had finally come to the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, a place she had only heard about since childhood. This was a place even her mother, the Ice Palace Mistress, had never visited, and she had come here first. It was also the first time the Hanbing Twin Swords had been to the main headquarters of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
The elite demonic practitioners guarding the main gate respectfully bowed to Geom Mugeuk.
“We greet the Young Cult Leader!”
The thunderous shout rang out in all directions. The gazes of the demonic practitioners were sharp, and their discipline was clearly firm. At the sight, the Hanbing Twin Swords exchanged looks, each telling the other to be even more cautious.
Grrrrrrng.
Ordinary demonic practitioners came and went through a small door beneath the massive iron gate, but as the Young Cult Leader returned from his long time away from the cult, the enormous iron gate began to open.
At the scene revealed beyond it, Han Seol and the Hanbing Twin Swords cried out in awe at the same time.
“Ah!”
The interior was so vast that its end could not be seen, and the buildings erected throughout were tall and magnificent. The North Sea Ice Palace was also large and imposing, but it could not compare to the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
A broad, expansive avenue led toward its center. On either side of that road stood rows of gigantic statues of evil spirits.
Set up like gatekeepers, they looked down arrogantly with terrifying eyes, as if to say that once one passed through here, there would be no turning back.
Han Seol was overwhelmed by the majesty of the main headquarters, and she had never seen stone statues so enormous before.
Geom Mugeuk stood before them, smiled, and said,
“Welcome to the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.”