Mabul was heading toward Muhan.
When he heard the information sent from Tongcheongak, he judged that he had to go.
Han Wolgaek and Byeoksan Geom.
They were opponents not easily handled by the Great Young Master. Mabul knew all too well that Han Wolgaek’s grudge against the main cult was as deep as the sea.
Just then, someone shouted from far behind.
“Wait a momeeeeeent.”
At that familiar voice riding the wind, Mabul halted his lightness skill.
Whooooosh.
The one who rushed up from behind fast as light and landed was Geom Mugeuk.
“For someone with such short legs, you certainly are fast.”
“So now that you’re the acting cult leader, you openly resort to personal attacks.”
“Sitting on the throne naturally makes one arrogant. Everyone, kneel!”
Though their conversation was filled with negative words, the expressions of the two looking at each other were bright.
“What is it?”
“You gave me work, so I should at least come greet you.”
“You didn’t chase after me because I left without greeting the acting cult leader, did you?”
“As expected! You know the nature of power all too well! No matter how much you carve a stone statue, Lord Mabul, you are the very embodiment of lust for power.”
Mabul snorted. He could tell Geom Mugeuk was deliberately provoking him. Like the saying that one carves a stone statue to sell it, he was telling Mabul to return to those old days when he had tried to seize power again. Vividly, without settling down.
“I’ve come because I have a request.”
Geom Mugeuk unwound the Supreme Heavenly Silkworm Silk wrapped around the hilt of the Black Demon Sword. That which had been shared with Geukak the Lesser Demon, and shared with Chwima as well, was now being passed to a new person.
“Please wrap this around my brother’s heart.”
Mabul received the Supreme Heavenly Silkworm Silk. At first, he had not believed it—the words of Geom Mugeuk saying he would fight for succession while saving his brother. But now he believed.
Yes, perhaps even then, something like this had been wrapped around the Great Young Master’s heart. Though invisible to the eye, something that had protected his heart, something even more powerful than what he now held in his hand.
Mabul’s gaze turned to the Black Demon Sword. Some of the Supreme Heavenly Silkworm Silk still remained on the hilt.
Looking at it, Mabul abruptly spoke.
“What about me?”
As if he had heard a joke, Geom Mugeuk laughed aloud.
But Mabul did not laugh.
“Is only the Great Young Master’s heart a heart?”
“But Lord Mabul, someone like you doesn’t need something like this.”
“I’m a person who bleeds when cut by a blade too. Did you think gold powder would pour out of me instead of blood?”
“It wouldn’t look cool if a Demon Lord wrapped something like this around himself.”
“Have you never given this to another Demon Lord?”
“…….”
“As I thought. You just didn’t want to give it to me.”
In the end, Geom Mugeuk pretended he couldn’t win and unwound the rest, handing it all over.
“Why take it when you won’t even use it?”
“I will use it.”
“You absolutely won’t, Lord Mabul!”
“We’ll see.”
If Geom Mugeuk had given it all from the start, saying half was for his brother and half for Lord Mabul, Mabul would surely have said he didn’t need it.
That was why he had deliberately employed a contrarian ploy. Whether Mabul had guessed that intention and accepted it while pretending not to know, he could not tell.
Mabul looked at the leather bag hanging on Geom Mugeuk’s back and spoke.
“I suppose you brought that to give to me as well. Hand it over.”
How quick-witted he was. Inside the leather bag were three sets of protective armor taken from the Heavenly Demon Armory. Among them was a small-sized set of protective armor for Mabul.
“Why three sets?”
“If you happen to meet him, please give one to the Poison King as well.”
Mabul stared at Geom Mugeuk. With a look that said, ‘You must already know.’
“That man won’t wear it.”
“Yes, he would refuse.”
“Then why?”
“Anyone would think I sent Lord Mabul because you’re close to my brother, but that is not why I asked you.”
“Then what is the reason?”
The true value of Mabul in Geom Mugeuk’s eyes.
“To make the impossible possible. It’s what you do better than anyone else.”
Mabul, who had been looking at Geom Mugeuk for a moment, began slowly winding the Supreme Heavenly Silkworm Silk around both wrists.
“You aren’t sending me because of your brother, are you? And it wouldn’t be to make the Poison King wear protective armor either.”
He had accurately grasped Geom Mugeuk’s intention.
“You want me to stop that man, the Poison King?”
Instead of answering, Geom Mugeuk smiled a smile of affirmation.
If Han Wolgaek, who held a deep grudge against the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, went mad and ran amok, the Poison King would eventually have to step in.
The moment one let their guard down at his boyishly fresh appearance and started spouting nonsense, the principles everyone had to uphold would shatter.
The principle of not angering the Poison King.
Because if things unfortunately went awry, a war could break out.
“Because only Lord Mabul can stop the Poison King.”
“Why me?”
He had expected a grand reason, but.
“Isn’t Lord Mabul the King of Poisonous Herb Gathering?”
At the unexpected reason, Mabul laughed.
The playfulness vanished from Geom Mugeuk’s face. He bowed his head respectfully.
“I’m sorry for asking you to do something so difficult.”
Having wound all the Supreme Heavenly Silkworm Silk, Mabul strapped the leather bag onto his back. Because Mabul was short, strapping it on obscured almost his entire body.
“So now that you’re the cult leader, you start by handing me luggage.”
“It’s a burden that only a little giant can shoulder.”
“If you couldn’t even talk.”
Mabul turned and began running again.
Geom Mugeuk stood in that spot, watching until he completely disappeared. Honestly, watching was harder than going out to fight himself.
But even if anxiety made sleep impossible, there were times when one simply had to watch. Like a parent’s heart toward their child, because it was when we stood alone that we grew. The opponent, and even the one watching.
Geom Mugeuk turned in the opposite direction from where he had disappeared.
“Then shall I go read that book I left unfinished?”
In a flash, Geom Mugeuk’s figure shrank to a dot and vanished.
* * *
The carriage carrying Geom Muyang and her party slowly passed through the central streets of Muhan.
Disguised as construction workers, they sat clinging to the luggage compartment of the old carriage, looking around the streets.
A middle-aged martial artist walking with long strides, a long sword on his back and robe hem fluttering; an old man sitting in a tavern, stroking his white beard as he shared drinks; those young martial artists standing around laughing and chatting with such youthful faces; and the Murim Alliance martial artists in uniforms passing by with sharp gazes—in their eyes, everyone they saw was of the orthodox faction.
In the distance, the magnificent buildings of the Murim Alliance’s main compound and the giant martial artist statue symbolizing the chivalrous warrior could be seen.
Homyeong did not show it outwardly, but inside he was nervous.
He had only heard of it; it was his first time actually coming before the Murim Alliance’s main compound. And how could it be only him? The subordinates who had come with him were the same.
It was not just the people.
The countless sects, large and small, visible along the way were all orthodox sects that followed the Murim Alliance.
If a fight were to break out, orthodox martial artists would pour in from all directions.
Truly, they were passing through a Dragon Pool and Tiger’s Den.
The place they arrived at was a large manor.
It was not a secluded place far away, but slightly removed from the main street. Other houses were crammed right next to it, and a short walk away was the main street they had just passed.
A place where the magnificent buildings of the Murim Alliance’s main compound looked even larger. Truly, it was right at the throat of the Murim Alliance.
Everyone got down from the carriage and entered the manor. As they went inside, parts of the manor buildings were collapsed here and there, as if workers had been called for repair work.
“Welcome, come in quickly!”
The one who greeted them was the proprietor of the place.
“I intend to splendidly renovate this place.”
At the same time, he was a martial artist from Tongcheongak.
“Come, come. Rest inside today and we’ll start work tomorrow.”
Tongcheongak had purchased this manor and disguised it as if they were doing expansion work. It was so that Geom Muyang and the branch martial artists who had arrived in Muhan disguised as workers would not arouse any suspicion.
Truly, Tongcheongak had spared no support for Geom Muyang.
As soon as the manor gate closed, the branch martial artists surveyed their surroundings. Over the walls and up to the roofs. After confirming there were no watching eyes, they took out the swords and protective armor hidden beneath the carriage floor and went inside the building.
Once inside the building, a middle-aged man finally introduced himself.
“I am Hua Yin, from Tongcheongak. It is an honor to serve a precious guest.”
Normally, martial artists belonging to Tongcheongak revealed themselves by their operation names, but only this time did he reveal his real name. Although he had been pushed back in the succession struggle, his opponent was the flesh and blood of the Heavenly Demon. That was why he himself, the one in charge of Muhan, had stepped forward personally.
“I leave it in your hands.”
After Geom Muyang gave a brief greeting, Branch Leader Homyeong stepped forward.
“Did you say you lost track of Gwak Yeong?”
Then an unexpected answer came out.
“No.”
At the word no, Homyeong and the other martial artists were all surprised.
“Gwak Yeong returned to Cheolbang this morning.”
Geom Muyang’s expression stiffened slightly as she listened. It was a situation where she should be glad to have found her, but.
It bothered her that Gwak Yeong had returned so conspicuously on the very day she herself had entered Muhan.
Homyeong felt similarly.
“It could be a trap.”
At his words, Geom Muyang nodded.
“Perhaps.”
But even if it were a trap, it was not something she could retreat from.
That was not the only news being awaited.
“There is something you should know. Han Wolgaek is currently in Muhan.”
Geom Muyang flinched at the name Han Wolgaek. Before she could even react, more bad news followed.
“And Byeoksan Geom will arrive soon.”
Homyeong quickly asked Hua Yin.
“Did they come because of our operation this time?”
“We are currently checking.”
Gwak Yeong had returned of her own accord, and two famous experts of the orthodox faction were coming here?
Truly, the Dragon Pool was bubbling and boiling, and from the Tiger’s Den, the roar of a hungry tiger could be heard.
Homyeong looked at Geom Muyang. Even if they had come because of them, he knew Geom Muyang was not someone who would get scared and turn back.
As expected, Geom Muyang calmly asked Hua Yin.
“Where is Gwak Yeong’s house?”
“She has lodgings in the Inner Court of the Murim Alliance.”
As she is the artisan of Cheolbang, it seems they specially provided her with lodgings in the Inner Court.
If it was the Inner Court rather than the Outer Court? Entering was almost impossible.
“There is a teahouse that Gwak Yeong frequents. After finishing work, she would stop by to drink tea.”
“Where is it?”
“It is a teahouse called Xiang Xiang on the main street.”
Hua Yin had prepared more than just information. He opened the closet. Inside, it was full of various types of martial uniforms.
“In those clothes you cannot carry weapons, so please wear these. They are the martial uniforms most commonly seen here in Muhan.”
Along with that, he gave them new identities.
“If a situation arises where you must reveal your identity, say that you are disciples of Chongjianmen, an orthodox sect in Honam.”
Chongjianmen was also a disguised sect of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
“The disciples of Chongjianmen are currently out sightseeing at the Murim Alliance’s main compound with their eldest senior brother.”
Hua Yin brought a paper with names written on it and told each of them their names. If anyone checked with Chongjianmen, they would hear that these people had gone to tour the Murim Alliance’s main compound.
“Thank you for your consideration.”
Everyone began changing into martial uniforms.
“Don’t forget to wear the protective armor under your clothes, everyone.”
Homyeong, who was looking after his subordinates, was worried that only Geom Muyang lacked protective armor.
But he could not give her the one he was wearing either. He could not give the Great Young Master protective armor that was supplied to ordinary martial artists. Though he thought she would be fine since her martial arts were so profound, he still wished he could put something better on her if possible.
Shortly after, they quietly slipped out through the manor’s back gate.
* * *
Geom Muyang was drinking tea alone at Xiang Xiang.
The remaining martial artists were scattered here and there—across the tavern on the opposite side, the roadside, the alleyways, the building next door—keeping watch over the surroundings. One could only imagine how carefully they had taken their positions one by one.
In truth, today was closer to reconnaissance. She had wondered if she would really run into her from the very first day.
—It’s her!
At Homyeong’s telepathic message, she raised her head to see a woman entering the teahouse.
There was a large burn scar on the back of the woman’s hand. It could not be missed. She had no intention of hiding the scar, having even rolled up her sleeves.
Boldly displaying her wound, she was as beautiful of face and graceful of figure as rumored.
Having entered the teahouse like this, Gwak Yeong looked around inside to see where she should sit.
At that moment, her eyes met Geom Muyang’s.
Then Gwak Yeong smiled with her eyes and slightly bowed her head.
Geom Muyang could not tell. Whether she had smiled knowing who she was, or whether it was simply an eye greeting upon making accidental eye contact.
In any case, one thing was unexpected. Her atmosphere was brighter than Geom Muyang had imagined.
Then Homyeong sent a telepathic message to Geom Muyang from outside.
—There doesn’t appear to be any tailing or ambush.
Geom Muyang also raised her qi and surveyed, but neither the customers inside nor anyone else showed any particularly noticeable danger.
‘Did she really come alone to drink tea?’
If so, all that remained was to subdue her and take her out. Outside, a carriage to transport her was already prepared.
But Geom Muyang was cautious. Because things were unfolding too smoothly, she was even more careful.
Gwak Yeong was drinking tea, watching the pedestrians coming and going outside. Her gaze was deep, as if contemplating something.
Then a group of passing men spotted her and bowed politely.
She returned the greeting in a bright voice and waved her hand at them. Seeing that they were all muscular, they seemed to be men who worked at Cheolbang.
As she, who had been looking outside, turned her head again to drink her tea, Geom Muyang was already sitting across from her.
It was a situation that should have startled her, but she calmly asked.
“Why are you sitting down without asking permission?”
On the other hand, Geom Muyang went on the offensive.
“Then why did you make it without our permission?”
From the very first words, it was a declaration revealing her identity and a statement pressing Gwak Yeong.
If she tried to scream or flee, her acupoints would be sealed before she could even attempt it.
But Gwak Yeong showed an unexpected reaction.
She leaned her upper body forward, bringing her face close to Geom Muyang’s, and spoke with utter boldness.
“Are you stupid? Who asks permission to make a counterfeit?”