When Geom Mugeuk and the Poison King returned to their quarters, Geom Muyang and Mabul were drinking tea with the windows thrown wide open.
Geom Mugeuk stopped briefly at the entrance and looked at them.
He could sense trust in the gazes the two men exchanged.
Geom Mugeuk liked that sight very much. Mabul was filling the parts that he himself could not provide for his brother.
‘Thank you, Mabul.’
Of course, the words that came out of his mouth were entirely different from what was in his heart.
“How cruel of you all. While I was engaging in a terrifying, life-and-death blood battle of a full three hundred exchanges against those old demons, you two were relaxing!”
Geom Muyang and Mabul glanced at Geom Mugeuk, then greeted only the Poison King.
You’re back. Yes, we returned safely. You must have worked hard. As such greetings were exchanged, Geom Mugeuk raised his voice even more.
“I’m the Young Cult Leader, you know! I’m even the acting Cult Leader! If you keep this up, I’ll go back and assemble all the Demon Venerables!”
Of course, Geom Mugeuk had seen it. When his brother had glanced at him, an unconcealable relief had flickered across his expression.
You were worried, weren’t you? I made it back safely.
With that, Geom Mugeuk and the Poison King entered the room where the two were.
As soon as he stepped inside, the Poison King opened his leather satchel and showed Mabul the poisonous herbs first.
“Take a look at these.”
“Oh, those are the poisonous herbs you were searching for, Poison King.”
Mabul knew what poisonous herbs the Poison King had been looking for.
“Those herbs made the person the Poison King cherishes most change. First place has permanently changed hands.”
The Poison King corrected Geom Mugeuk’s words.
“It only changed for a very brief time.”
Geom Mugeuk pouted at Mabul. From that gesture, Mabul could tell. He had become first place again.
‘You need not tell me in such a way, Young Cult Leader.’
Still, even if it was only in words, it felt good to hear that someone cherished him most.
Geom Muyang could tell for certain from those poisonous herbs. So Jeongrak was already dead.
Seeing as he had exaggerated about fighting a life-and-death blood battle, it seemed he had personally killed the two old demons as well.
Just then, Mabul took something out of the small front pouch of the leather satchel.
The half-eaten thing he pulled out was none other than the Cheoneum Mandok Herb. The very thing Geom Mugeuk had been chewing like a bellflower root in front of So Jeongrak earlier!
‘Ah! Not that!’
Geom Mugeuk looked at Mabul and shook his head vigorously, telling him not to take it out.
Mabul tried to slip it back in, but it was already too late.
The Poison King saw it first and took it.
“I knew I smelled the Cheoneum Mandok Herb. So this was where it was.”
Regret flashed across the Poison King’s face.
“Who ate something this precious?”
“I know nothing about it.”
When Geom Mugeuk flatly denied it, the Poison King examined the bitten part closely.
“We can simply check whether it matches the shape of your teeth.”
But how could they really match it? He could have insisted it had been like that from the beginning, but was Geom Mugeuk the sort of person who would lie to the Poison King over something like this?
“Well… So Jeongrak wouldn’t believe that I was immune to all poisons. So I showed him as proof.”
“By eating something this precious?”
“…Yes. You have to chew something potent for people to believe you. That’s what makes it impressive.”
Geom Mugeuk blamed the innocent Mabul for no reason.
“No, really! It’s bad enough that you’re so good at finding poisonous herbs, but how could you even find what was in the front pocket of the satchel?”
“I just had a feeling.”
“You got a perfect feeling from that front pocket that the Young Cult Leader was going to be scolded by the Poison King, didn’t you? Right?”
Mabul smiled with an apologetic expression.
“Fine. I admit it. I concede the place of the Poison King’s most cherished person to you, Mabul!”
Geom Muyang listened to their conversation in silence.
Even when Geom Mugeuk made silly jokes, those jokes contained an effort to improve the relationship between Mabul and the Poison King.
Now he could clearly understand what sort of heart that came from.
There is no need for me to be the closest.
Because he had such a heart, he did not distort the relationships others formed with other people. Nor did he grow jealous.
Geom Muyang knew. Once one began forming relationships with people, just how difficult that was. The closer one became, the more difficult it became.
Only after that commotion that was not quite a commotion did Geom Mugeuk speak seriously.
“By the way, there is something Mabul and Brother need to know.”
Geom Mugeuk told the two of them what he had experienced on the way back. The story of the woman he had met in the marketplace.
“The other side has a master of the Soul-Capturing Art.”
At the mention of the Soul-Capturing Art, silence fell for a moment.
“I still do not know what their intentions are.”
Earlier, Geom Mugeuk had judged that it was not a simple warning for them to turn back, but that there must be some other intention.
That intention was important, but for now, this came first.
“We must prepare against the Soul-Capturing Art. We absolutely must not fall victim to it.”
The person here most versed in the Soul-Capturing Art was Mabul. Mabul said to Geom Mugeuk,
“The Young Cult Leader, who has learned the Nine Flowers Demonic Art, will hardly be affected by the Soul-Capturing Art.”
On top of that, he had also learned the Heavenly Demon Body-Protecting Art, so there was no chance his mind would be controlled through the Soul-Capturing Art.
“As for me, the possibility of being caught by the Soul-Capturing Art is slim as well.”
Mabul’s martial arts were also inherently strong against the Soul-Capturing Art.
Geom Mugeuk’s gaze turned toward the Poison King.
“What about you, Poison King?”
The Poison King also had a countermeasure.
“I do not need to worry about the Soul-Capturing Art either.”
If the Poison King, who used poison, were to be controlled by someone, it would be an emergency beyond anything serious. That was why he had been prepared from the start.
“In the Thousand Poisons Forest, from the moment one possesses three or more poison sacs, one regularly consumes the fruit of the Mind-Soul Grass. The Mind-Soul Grass has the effect of clearing a person’s mind and blocking the intrusion of sorcery that attacks the mind. Naturally, the longer one takes it, the better the effect.”
Geom Mugeuk thought that even without the Mind-Soul Grass, it would not be easy for an outside force to penetrate the mental world of a person like the Poison King.
The only one left now was Geom Muyang.
“So I’m the problem.”
If it had been his brother in the past, he would have become very sensitive in such a situation, his pride wounded. But now he did not show any such discomfort.
Geom Mugeuk said to the two Demon Venerables,
“Would you please give us the room for a moment?”
At the sudden request, Mabul said to the Poison King,
“I will help you sort the poisonous herbs.”
“Thank you.”
The two of them left without asking Geom Mugeuk why he wanted them to step aside.
As he left, the Poison King waved the half-remaining Cheoneum Mandok Herb at Geom Mugeuk once before going out.
“Whew, how persistent. When it comes to poison, he truly is relentless.”
And so only Geom Mugeuk and Geom Muyang remained there.
“What is this about?”
At that, Geom Mugeuk walked over to the window.
He could see the Poison King and Mabul, who had left the room, walking into the courtyard. Geom Mugeuk shut the window tightly.
Geom Muyang was curious as to why his younger brother had suddenly sent the two Demon Venerables out. And the reason was something he truly had never expected.
“From now on, memorize the mnemonic formula I tell you.”
“What are you saying all of a sudden?”
“It is a martial art I learned in the Heavenly Demon Library. A mental cultivation method that counters the Soul-Capturing Art.”
Geom Muyang was bewildered. He was suddenly going to transmit a martial art that countered the Soul-Capturing Art?
“But the formula is truly difficult. You will only be able to memorize it after hearing it repeated several times.”
Soon, however, Geom Muyang’s eyes grew intense.
“Very well. Transmit it to me.”
As things stood, he could not fight at the front. One wrong move, and he might become a burden. That was something Geom Muyang absolutely did not want.
“Then I’ll begin.”
Geom Mugeuk released his qi and formed a barrier around the two of them. It was to prevent the words spoken inside from leaking outside. Since it was the first time his younger brother had ever been this cautious, Geom Muyang grew even more curious.
‘Just what kind of martial art is it?’
Just as Geom Muyang was about to ask the name of the martial art, Geom Mugeuk began reciting the mental formula. The transmission began without him even knowing the martial art’s name.
For now, Geom Muyang memorized the formula first.
“From the Mingmen acupoint, move your inner force gently through Shenshu, Zhishi, and Weishu. At this time, the true qi must be as light as snow settling on blades of grass. Up to Pishu, Ganshu, and Geshu, the speed at which you move your inner force is important…”
The formula truly was difficult. Only after hearing it repeated several times was he able to memorize it all. He could tell by instinct.
‘This is a martial art of an indescribably high realm.’
After making his brother repeat the formula several times, Geom Mugeuk said,
“Now, this time, let us perform it together.”
Geom Mugeuk was not merely transmitting the formula; he intended to teach it outright.
“The situation is urgent.”
Geom Muyang could tell. That was one reason, but the martial art itself was so difficult that Geom Mugeuk was trying to teach him directly.
Even after memorizing the formula, there were parts where he could not grasp even the slightest sense of it. Moreover, since it was an extremely profound martial art, if he moved his true qi even slightly wrong, he could suffer severe internal injuries.
At this moment, Geom Muyang did not put his pride forward. When the embodiment of vain pride has the most humble younger brother in the world, there is a truth he naturally comes to understand.
People fall because of pride, and rise because of humility.
“Very well. I ask this of you.”
Geom Muyang’s life was truly changing.
Geom Mugeuk injected a strand of inner force through his brother’s back. Like an advance party, it moved along his blood vessels and directly taught him how to move his true qi.
“This is how I interpreted ‘as light as snow.’ Now, feel it.”
Geom Mugeuk first showed the movement with his own true qi.
At every difficult section, Geom Mugeuk personally demonstrated and explained it simply. Such a process could easily ruin the other person, but the one teaching was Geom Mugeuk.
In this way, Geom Muyang felt Geom Mugeuk’s true qi and completed the formula to the end. There were several dangerous moments in the process, but he calmly trusted and followed Geom Mugeuk.
Truly, it was something that could never be done without mutual trust.
After learning the entire martial art, Geom Muyang realized something.
If Geom Mugeuk had not taught it to him this easily, it might have taken him years to learn it on his own. No, he might not have been able to learn it properly at all.
“Brother, rest for a moment before you continue.”
Geom Muyang had concentrated so intensely that he was drenched in sweat. But he did not rest.
“I will try it right away while I still have the feeling.”
Geom Muyang moved his true qi according to the formula on his own.
Geom Mugeuk watched his brother’s condition with extreme tension. He was ready to inject true qi at once if a problem arose.
But Geom Muyang safely completed the formula.
“As expected! My brother is incredible. Then again, whose son are you? How could you not manage this?”
The joy that rose within him like a shudder was not because of his younger brother’s praise. When he completed the formula, there was an overwhelming emotion he felt throughout his entire body.
Had he ever felt such a complete satisfaction upon learning a martial art?
He did not think he had felt this way even when he learned the Flying Heaven Sword Art.
With his heart brimming, Geom Muyang asked,
“Just what martial art is this?”
Then astonishing words flowed from Geom Mugeuk’s mouth.
“It is the Heavenly Demon Body-Protecting Art.”
In that instant, Geom Muyang’s expression stiffened, and his eyes widened. He was so shocked that he could not say a word.
Because his younger brother was not someone who would joke about the Heavenly Demon Body-Protecting Art. No, the feeling already coursing through his body was telling him. If this were not the Heavenly Demon Body-Protecting Art, how could it give him such a feeling?
Geom Muyang sprang to his feet and shouted,
“You! Are you insane?”
Geom Muyang glared at Geom Mugeuk with frightening eyes.
“Do you know what you have just done?”
Geom Muyang scolded his younger brother from the heart. The Heavenly Demon Body-Protecting Art was a martial art transmitted only to the heir.
“I gave my brother one life.”
People often described the Heavenly Demon Body-Protecting Art as gaining another life.
But Geom Mugeuk, who had already achieved great mastery in the Heavenly Demon Body-Protecting Art, had experienced it many times.
It was not merely one life. He had overcome danger with the Heavenly Demon Body-Protecting Art more than once or twice. He knew it would help him countless times throughout his life.
“Brother, this enemy is a master of the Soul-Capturing Art. Ordinary martial arts can never block it.”
What weighed most heavily on Geom Muyang’s mind was their father.
“If Father finds out, he will not let this pass.”
Beyond that, the fact that he had learned it was the problem. I learned it without knowing it was the Heavenly Demon Body-Protecting Art. That was the truth, but he did not want to make such an excuse to their father.
“Father will not know.”
“What?”
“As long as you don’t tell him. The Heavenly Demon Body-Protecting Art is not a martial art that shows outwardly at all. That is also why it is such an extraordinary martial art.”
“You!”
“With this, there is now one secret between you and me.”
Geom Muyang did not know what to say.
At that moment, Geom Mugeuk’s gaze as he looked at his brother deepened.
“I did not teach it to you merely because of this enemy who uses the Soul-Capturing Art.”
If the opponent used the Soul-Capturing Art, his brother could simply stay back. He would regret it, but the brother he was now would accept it well enough.
“Then why?”
What came out next was even more astonishing than when he had said this martial art was the Heavenly Demon Body-Protecting Art.
“I want you to stay safely by my side for a long time.”
“!”
It was Geom Mugeuk’s sincerity. Truly, if he followed only his heart, he would have wanted to transmit the Nine Flowers Demonic Art to him as well. But that alone was something that absolutely could not happen.
Feeling his younger brother’s sincerity, Geom Muyang could not say anything.
“Brother, you have finally gotten a proper hold on my weakness. If you tell Father about this, I will be driven out of the heir’s position.”
Of course, he would not be driven out. At least when it came to the Heavenly Demon Body-Protecting Art, even their father was in no position to say anything. Before Geom Mugeuk became the heir, he had taught him the Heavenly Demon Body-Protecting Art in exchange for the Wind God Four Steps.
Suddenly, Geom Muyang recalled what Mabul had said.
—The Young Cult Leader will not want the Eldest Young Master to live as his shadow.
With deepened eyes, Geom Muyang spoke bluntly.
“Fine. If you ever become truly unbearable to look at, I will tell Father then.”
“Then we will probably both be driven out of the Cult.”
And at that very moment.
His brother laughed.
It was the first time. The first time he had seen his brother smile so brightly. Had his brother ever had such an expression?
Geom Mugeuk could tell. That smile was a greater expression of gratitude than his brother telling him thank you a thousand times.
Because he knew that the moment he said something about that smile, he would never see it again.
Instead of saying anything to his brother, Geom Mugeuk walked to the window and threw open the closed shutters.
The Poison King and Mabul had spread poisonous herbs out in the courtyard and were talking.
Geom Mugeuk shouted toward them,
“If we brothers get driven out by Father, you two will come with us, won’t you?”
The Poison King and Mabul glanced at Geom Mugeuk, then, without answering, put their heads back together and resumed their conversation.
“You’ll sell medicinal herbs and support us brothers, right? You will, won’t you?”
Geom Muyang silently stared at his younger brother’s back.
Once again, he recalled what Mabul had said.
—It is not easy being the older brother of such an outstanding younger brother, is it?
Geom Muyang quietly closed his eyes and began moving his true qi according to the formula of the Heavenly Demon Body-Protecting Art. Until now, he had only vaguely thought that since Geom Mugeuk was his younger brother, he should protect him.
‘Now I must truly play that role as his older brother properly.’
Absolute Regression, Chapter 652