The courtyard was in the midst of preparations for departure.
It had been decided that only Geom Mugeuk and Geom Muyang would remain, while everyone else returned to the main headquarters of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
After all, for so many masters of the Divine Cult to remain in Wuhan after the matter had been settled would not be proper courtesy toward the Murim Alliance.
Two people were watching the scene from a short distance away. They were none other than the siblings Gwak Yeong and Gwak Ju.
“We have to go back with those people?”
They were brave siblings who had thrown themselves into the Demonic Cult, but going back with those people frightened them even more.
“And without even the person who’s taking you with him, Sister?”
That was what Gwak Yeong found most disappointing. It would have been nice if Geom Muyang were going with them, but he had said he would come later because he had business to attend to.
When she thought about it, the First Young Master of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult was someone even more difficult and terrifying than those Demon Venerables, and yet she was relying on him.
She was grateful to Geom Muyang. Such a frightening person had become someone they could depend on.
Gwak Yeong and Gwak Ju had found out who all those madmen were. They had also found out that the person who had called them madmen was the Poison King.
The Poison King?
The Poison King, before whom even peerless masters trembled, had passed by while joking with them.
They were all of such exalted status that it was hard to believe. In an entire lifetime, would one ever have the chance to meet the former Cult Leader Pungcheon and the Demon Venerables even once? Yet four such people were now right before their eyes.
“They wouldn’t actually eat us, would they?”
At Gwak Ju’s words, someone suddenly spoke from behind him.
“They may not eat you, but they could use you as ingredients for making poison.”
Startled, Gwak Ju turned around and saw that Geom Mugeuk had arrived at some point.
“You’ve never been put in a vat full of poison, have you? Your whole body starts turning mushy, and you can’t tell whether that thing floating over there is your finger or your ear.”
Gwak Ju stared at Geom Mugeuk, swallowing his startled breath. It was not because he was afraid of the poison vat, but because of the status of the person before him.
The Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult!
He had not known yesterday, but now he did. A person of even higher status than those four terrifying people was speaking to him.
Was this a dream? Yes, this was all a dream. From the moment his sister, who had been a master artisan of the Murim Alliance’s iron workshop, said she would defect to the Demonic Cult, it had all sounded like a dream.
“Which carriage are you going to ride in?”
At Geom Mugeuk’s question, Gwak Ju, who had been standing in a daze, came back to his senses.
“Ah, ah. We…”
Gwak Ju looked at his sister. As if Gwak Yeong had decided which one to ride in either.
At that moment, two carriages were waiting in the courtyard.
The first carriage was the one in which Demon Buddha and the Poison King would ride. The second carriage was the one for Cult Leader Pungcheon and the Soul-Capturing Demon Venerable.
“Of the people over there, who looks the most amiable?”
At that, the four people who were about to get into the carriages pricked up their ears.
Geom Mugeuk had spoken as if whispering to the siblings, but could the hearing of those four masters be ordinary?
Moreover, Geom Mugeuk was whispering while looking at them as though plotting something.
Gwak Ju looked at them, then whispered softly.
“Judging only by appearance, the handsome one over there looks the nicest.”
He thought they would not hear, but they heard everything.
Cult Leader Pungcheon frowned. He was not shameless enough to expect to be chosen when the question was who was the most handsome.
But if it was about who looked amiable! That would be me, wouldn’t it? If he could not put this generous, kindly appearance to use at a time like this, then when could he?
“If you get in the first carriage just because someone looks nice, and then you make a mistake? You know, right? The poison vat!”
Gwak Ju nodded with a pale face.
“Then we’ll get in the second carriage.”
“Yes, that sort of thing won’t happen there.”
Just when it seemed he was reassuring him.
“However, if you make a mistake there, you’ll end up stabbing your sister to death and then killing yourself. See that person over there with the nasty expression and the protruding belly? You need to be especially careful of him.”
Cult Leader Pungcheon snapped his head toward them. I can hear you, you brat! Before he could shout, someone stopped him first.
“Stop playing around.”
When they turned around, Geom Muyang was standing there.
“The two of you will return in that carriage.”
A third carriage arrived there. The people escorting it were the Jidan warriors who had come with Geom Muyang at first. He had ordered them to escort the two siblings to the main headquarters and then return.
Gwak Yeong and Gwak Ju were relieved by the fact that they could travel separately from the Demon Venerables.
“I sent word ahead, so when you arrive, go to the iron workshop and meet Master Gwak.”
“Thank you for your consideration.”
Many emotions were contained in her gaze as she looked at Geom Muyang. It had been better when she had not known his status and had spoken to him recklessly. Then she could have conveyed this boiling gratitude more clearly. It was a shame.
Thus, Gwak Yeong and Gwak Ju walked toward the third carriage.
As the two passed by, Cult Leader Pungcheon said to the Soul-Capturing Demon Venerable,
“Usually, people choose the one who saved their life as number one.”
Just as Gwak Ju flinched.
The Soul-Capturing Demon Venerable kept pace with his master’s grudge.
“I do happen to need the blood of a young man as material for a great ritual.”
With a short shriek of “Goodness!” Gwak Ju scurried over to the third carriage. He knew it was a joke, but even knowing that, it was frightening.
Gwak Yeong followed after him with an awkward smile.
Geom Mugeuk and Geom Muyang watched the scene.
“Take good care of them from now on.”
“You’re the one bringing them in, so why should I take care of them?”
“You’re good at looking after people.”
“Seeing you this time, Brother, you seem to have a knack for it too.”
Geom Muyang gave no answer. Saving the Gwak siblings this time had been unlike his former self. It had also been something that allowed him to confirm his own change.
“I like the way you are these days, Brother. I like you more and more. So I’ll say it again—don’t even dream of going back to the way you were before.”
“…”
Just then, the carriages set off.
Geom Mugeuk ran over and bid farewell to Demon Buddha and the Poison King.
“I’ll see you at the main headquarters. And if you see the Chief Strategist, tell him not to worry about us and please get some rest!”
The two were discussing poisonous herbs and did not even look at him.
“Demon Buddha! I’m telling you, you’re just being used!”
Thus the first carriage departed.
For Cult Leader Pungcheon, he entrusted someone else to him.
“Cult Leader, please take care of our Strategist Go!”
Cult Leader Pungcheon slammed the window shut.
“As if you’re worried!”
Soon after, the door opened slightly, and the Soul-Capturing Demon Venerable gave him a nod with his eyes.
Thus the second carriage also departed.
When the third carriage passed by, the playfulness had vanished from Geom Mugeuk’s face.
“Welcome to our Cult.”
An atmosphere completely different from before.
Clear, deep eyes and an overwhelming presence that could not be put into words.
Gwak Yeong and Gwak Ju bowed respectfully.
“Thank you very much for accepting us.”
Thus, the three carriages departed for the main headquarters.
Geom Mugeuk walked straight out the gate.
“I’ll be going to the Murim Alliance for a bit.”
Geom Muyang shook his head and spoke loudly.
“Is the Murim Alliance your own living room, that you can come and go so freely?”
From beyond the wall came Geom Mugeuk’s reply.
“They told me to come!”
* * *
The streets of Wuhan were abuzz with two pieces of news.
The first piece of news was the death of the Cheonae Hermit, Hwa Yulcheong.
When it was revealed that he had been a villain who had infiltrated the Murim Alliance, the warriors of Wuhan were thrown into shock.
The Murim Alliance made its position clear.
They announced that the person who had personally executed the Cheonae Hermit was the Murim Alliance Leader, and that his evil deeds had been confirmed not only by the escort warriors of the Alliance Leader Hall, but also by all the warriors of the Demon Extermination Squad.
Hwa Yulcheong had mocked Jin Paecheon, saying, “Do you really think the martial artists will believe your words?” But the repercussions were not as great as he had expected.
Those who had followed him as if worshiping him raised objections, but far more people believed in the Murim Alliance Leader and the Murim Alliance.
It was not only Jin Paecheon’s martial prowess that Hwa Yulcheong had failed to properly understand. He had also failed to understand the true strength of Jin Paecheon, who had lived his whole life as an Alliance Leader without shame.
It would take time for this incident to be settled, but there was no chaos serious enough to become a problem.
There was also a second piece of news that overshadowed the first. It was the news that Jin Hagun had become the successor.
The warriors of the orthodox faction cheered at the news. Many had believed that the next Alliance Leader should be Jin Hagun.
That was how much the Demon Extermination Squad had devoted themselves to the justice and righteousness of the murim, disregarding even their own lives.
Through the marketplace, noisy everywhere with talk of Jin Hagun becoming the successor, passed Geom Mugeuk with his bamboo hat pulled low.
The place he arrived at was the main headquarters of the Murim Alliance. At the entrance, Jin Haryeong was waiting.
She watched as Geom Mugeuk walked toward her.
‘You saved us again.’
Whenever she saw him, she kept thinking back to the first time she had met him. The greater the meaning of the man named Geom Mugeuk became, the more so.
Geom Mugeuk arrived in front of her.
“It’s all over now, isn’t it?”
At her words, Geom Mugeuk shook his head.
“No! Our time starts now!”
Knowing that he meant they should now have fun together, Jin Haryeong smiled happily.
“Let’s go. Grandfather is waiting.”
The two entered the Murim Alliance. The place she led him to was not toward the Alliance Leader Hall.
Perhaps orders had been given in advance, for the guards they met let Geom Mugeuk pass without asking his identity.
The two conversed as they walked together.
“Aren’t you disappointed?”
“About what?”
“You could have become the successor too.”
“That’s something only someone with ambition would covet. I don’t have that kind of ambition. I’m already overwhelmed handling the two roles of being the Alliance Leader’s granddaughter, and in the future, the Alliance Leader’s younger sister.”
Geom Mugeuk knew she had a greater ambition than that, but he was certain it was not becoming the Murim Alliance Leader.
“What about Hagun?”
“My brother is in the training ground right now.”
Having received instruction in the Sovereign Sword Form from Jin Paecheon, Jin Hagun was training alone. Since it was important to properly digest what he had learned when he first received it, he would likely shut himself in the training ground for a while. For him, it was a more important moment than anything else right now.
“That’s good. In the meantime, we can prepare the celebration banquet.”
“You’re really going to do it?”
“Of course. A friend fulfilled his dream. Let’s keep it modest and invite only our friends.”
Though they were people to whom the word modest did not quite suit.
“I already called everyone who needs to come.”
“How diligent of you.”
This gathering would truly be a meeting of the official successors of the orthodox, unorthodox, and demonic factions.
Jin Haryeong was genuinely curious.
“Isn’t doing this bothersome?”
Among the friends gathering, whether in status, martial arts, or personality, he was truly the most outstanding.
It would have been natural for him to think, Do I really have to be the one to step forward and call everyone?
“If I go through just a little trouble, I can give your brother a celebration banquet he’ll never forget for the rest of his life. And I’m supposed to not do it because it’s bothersome?”
At that moment, Jin Haryeong had this thought.
Even someone this outstanding lives so diligently, so who am I to do less? I should live even more diligently!
Of course, he also made people flustered like this.
“When should we start practicing the dance?”
“What?”
Jin Haryeong stopped walking with a startled expression.
“We need to put on a congratulatory performance.”
“No! Absolutely not! I’ll die of embarrassment! Absolutely not!”
Of course, there was no way her refusal, now that she had become his prey, would work on Geom Mugeuk.
“Then it can’t be helped.”
This person was giving up that easily?
Of course, there was no way that was true.
“Still, it’s a shame. On a day that wasn’t anything special, you danced so earnestly. But this time is the most precious day of your brother’s life. And you can’t do it because you’re embarrassed? Back then, the place was even full of masters from the demonic, orthodox, and unorthodox factions. This time, it’s only us gathering together. Your brother is such a broad-minded person that he’ll understand. Someday, when you’re older and look back on today, you’ll think, Ah, it really wasn’t anything. Why was I like that back then? Why did I wound my brother’s heart? And you’ll shed tears of regret by Hagun’s grave, won’t you? It’s all right. Hagun will still understand.”
In the end, Jin Haryeong raised both hands and feet in surrender.
“Oh, honestly! I’ll dance, I’ll dance! Fine, I’ll dance until I collapse from exhaustion!”
But there was no way she would die alone.
“I have a condition. You have to dance too, and so does Young Alliance Leader Bi!”
Geom Mugeuk would surely jump right in and dance, but she thought Bi Sain would absolutely never dance. Just as hope surged within her that if he did not dance, she would not have to dance either.
As if he already had a way, Geom Mugeuk gave a meaningful smile.
“Of course. Sain will be at the center.”
* * *
Jin Paecheon was waiting deep within the inner garden.
Before arriving there, Jin Haryeong had returned first. She had said she could go no farther. It was clearly a place only the Alliance Leader could enter.
Jin Paecheon stood with his back turned, looking up at the sky.
“This time, Alliance Leader, you have taught me another great lesson.”
Without speaking, Jin Paecheon waited for Geom Mugeuk’s next words.
“If you have made up your mind, put it into action immediately.”
He was referring to how Jin Paecheon had immediately carried out the decision to make Jin Hagun his successor.
Still gazing at the sky, Jin Paecheon said calmly,
“The right time to do what must be done is now! I have lived my whole life believing that.”
Geom Mugeuk stood side by side with Jin Paecheon.
“I will be sure to keep that in mind as I live.”
Only then did Jin Paecheon’s gaze, which had been fixed on the sky, turn toward Geom Mugeuk.
“You should live while putting things off a little.”
At Jin Paecheon’s joke telling him not to grow any stronger, Geom Mugeuk smiled.
Jin Paecheon’s expression toward Geom Mugeuk was gentle.
“If it had not been for you, not only this Alliance, but Hagun and I as well, would have fallen into great trouble.”
“No one knows what might have happened. At the decisive moment, you surely would have realized everything, Alliance Leader.”
“Would I really have?”
He said it in a negative sense, but Geom Mugeuk believed he would have.
“Yes, you surely would have.”
“Why are you so certain?”
“Because your instinct for danger, Alliance Leader, surely would not have let it pass. When a true crisis came, it would definitely have activated.”
This was why. The reason he could not simply let it go. Because the other party was this sort of person. Even if his instinct for danger could let it pass, this could not.
“I am someone who is clear about gratitude and grudges. Since I owe a debt, I must repay it.”
Jin Paecheon began to walk, and Geom Mugeuk quietly followed behind him.
After they walked a little farther, they came to a place filled with thick fog.
Geom Mugeuk could tell. A formation had been deployed.
If it was a formation protecting a precious place, then there was no way the method to break it could be revealed to him.
Just as he wondered whether he should close his eyes and follow.
Sssss.
The fog made a path on its own. He did not know what principle it worked by, but the fog twisted and wound to form a path. It went forward, then sideways, then forward again. Perhaps it was a fog that opened a path only for Jin Paecheon.
There was no need to step in one place and skip another. All they had to do was walk as the fog guided them.
After they had passed through that long path of fog, a gigantic door appeared before their eyes.
Above it, in vigorous brushstrokes, was written the name of this place.
The Murim Treasury.