The first person Geom Mugeuk met upon returning from the hunt was Go Wol.
“Young Cult Leader!”
Go Wol felt humbled that Geom Mugeuk had come to see him at his quarters.
“If you had sent word, I would have come to see you.”
“I rushed over because I wanted to see you as soon as possible.”
“I’m relieved you returned safely.”
Geom Mugeuk expressed his sincere gratitude to Go Wol.
“If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have been able to roam the streets of Muhan so freely. Thank you.”
Because Eunwol’s help had been immense in this Muhan operation.
“You seem to have lost some weight since I last saw you. Are you ill anywhere?”
“I’m fine.”
Then, a gruff voice came from behind.
When Geom Mugeuk turned, the Pungcheon Sect Leader was standing there.
“And when the leader asks if you’re hurt, you say no? I’m hurt! Where is a healer? If it were you, you would have listed every ailment, real or imagined.”
“Of course, I would have made a fuss. I don’t even know what’s hurting on my own body; how could anyone else know? If you don’t speak up, no one will ever know. But Sect Leader, how did you know I was coming and arrive at just the right time?”
At that, the Pungcheon Sect Leader approached Geom Mugeuk, narrowed his eyes, and glared at him.
“I was watching to see whether you would come to meet Commander Go first after returning from the hunt.”
“No wonder. My survival instincts led my steps this way.”
The Pungcheon Sect Leader wanted to nag more, but Go Wol spoke with his eyes. That’s enough!
Go Wol asked Geom Mugeuk.
“How was the hunt?”
Geom Mugeuk answered with a pleasant smile.
“It was the most splendid hunt of my life.”
Go Wol knew full well how difficult this hunt had been to accomplish.
He had to win a bloodless succession struggle, open the heart of the Eldest Young Master who had been pushed aside in that conflict, and move the Cult Leader’s heart as well.
If he had been told to accomplish it himself?
He felt it would be easier to strike and defeat the Murim Alliance.
Yet Geom Mugeuk had accomplished that difficult task.
“Young Cult Leader, you must be busy, so please attend to your affairs.”
Was he the only one who wished to see him? All Eight Demon Lords would be eager to see Geom Mugeuk. Not to mention Ian, Seo Daeryong, and Jang Ho.
The mere fact that Geom Mugeuk had come to see him first was already deeply moving and appreciated.
That was why there was something Go Wol wished to say.
“Young Cult Leader. From now on, you need not concern yourself with me.”
The Pungcheon Sect Leader tried to step forward with an expression calling it nonsense, but Go Wol suppressed him with a look. Sect Leader, stay out of this!
“I am not someone the Young Cult Leader needs to worry about. Rather, my role is to resolve the matters that concern you. That is what a strategist does.”
In the end, the Pungcheon Sect Leader couldn’t hold back and stepped forward.
“Are you a slave? Saying you’ll work hard even if he doesn’t look after you.”
Since Geom Mugeuk was right there, Go Wol spoke politely to the Pungcheon Sect Leader.
“I am receiving sufficient compensation.”
“What compensation?”
“My monthly salary, is it not?”
At those words, the Pungcheon Sect Leader snorted.
“What are a few measly coins worth?”
“I receive a great deal. As far as I know, it is second only to the Chief Strategist.”
For a moment, the Pungcheon Sect Leader flinched in surprise.
“Truly?”
“Of course. I am not one to work for free. I am someone who secures the best possible treatment, by whatever means.”
When the Pungcheon Sect Leader asked with eyes seeking confirmation, Geom Mugeuk nodded.
“I would like to pay you the most, but I cannot do so while the Chief Strategist serves.”
After blinking for a moment, the Pungcheon Sect Leader demanded of Geom Mugeuk.
“Why don’t I receive one? Haven’t I suffered greatly by Commander Go’s side?”
“I know how hard our Sect Leader has worked.”
“Then why won’t you give me one?”
“If you receive a salary, it means you are officially coming under my command. How could I dare do such a thing?”
The Pungcheon Sect Leader smacked his lips and pondered briefly.
“I’ll join, so give me one too.”
Of course, he said it half in jest. No matter how much the salary was, it was merely pocket change to someone of his vast wealth.
“That would be difficult.”
“Why? I’m swallowing my pride to join!”
“Since you are the master of the Seophyeon Demon Lord, you cannot receive a salary under me. Rather, it is I who should receive an allowance. Young Cult Leader, my thanks. This isn’t much, but please use it. Speaking of which, please give me some spending money.”
“Enough! That’s it!”
The Pungcheon Sect Leader, who had tried to shake it off only to nearly get further entangled, said to Go Wol with a dumbfounded expression.
“Did you see? Did you hear? He was trying to squeeze even a single penny from me. The Young Cult Leader is such a ruthless man.”
Geom Mugeuk and Go Wol looked at each other and laughed.
“Come, Commander Go. There is somewhere we need to go together. Sect Leader, you should come too.”
Geom Mugeuk led the two inside the inner courtyard.
A short distance from the Young Cult Leader’s quarters, a building had been erected.
It had been completed only recently, but the plaque above the main gate was covered with a black cloth.
“What is this place?”
At Go Wol’s question, Geom Mugeuk raised his hand and flicked it slightly.
Swish.
The black cloth covering the plaque was pulled away.
Two characters were engraved on the plaque.
Eunwol.
The moment he saw them, Go Wol’s eyes went wide.
“It’s the Eunwol Main Hall.”
At those words, the Pungcheon Sect Leader was also startled, for he had never expected a plaque bearing the name Eunwol to be hung within the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
Geom Mugeuk had already resolved the most important issue as well.
“Father has already granted permission, so Eunwol has become an official organization of the main cult. My direct organization.”
Ever since Go Wol and the Pungcheon Sect Leader had traveled the Central Plains building the Eunwol organization, this was what Geom Mugeuk had been preparing.
Go Wol was deeply moved. He had never dreamed that Geom Mugeuk had been making such preparations for him.
“Come, shall we take a look inside?”
Following Geom Mugeuk, the two entered.
“It cannot compare to the Tongcheon Hall in scale, but it has everything it needs.”
As they opened the door and entered the hallway, the Pungcheon Sect Leader observed the walls on both sides and spoke.
“These walls are no ordinary walls.”
“Yes, you have a keen eye. Traps have been installed. They are not yet active, but once operational, no one will be able to enter recklessly. Since this is a place that handles information, security must be thorough.”
They were no ordinary traps. They were mechanisms for the highest level of security.
Just by looking at this alone, one could see how much effort Geom Mugeuk had put in.
After passing through the long hallway lined with mechanisms, a large space opened up.
“This is the operations room.”
It was not merely a newly erected building. The interior facilities were perfect as well.
One wall was designed to process information flying in from all over the Central Plains through mechanical devices.
“This is your office.”
There was a fine desk, a comfortable chair, and bookshelves, and it was structured so that the entire operations room situation could be observed from there.
Geom Mugeuk opened the door leading inside the office.
“This is your room.”
In the fairly spacious room, there was only one thing: a bed.
“Here, do not read books, do not sit and think—just sleep.”
It was a room that contained Geom Mugeuk’s heart, thinking of Go Wol’s health.
Go Wol was truly grateful for such meticulous consideration.
“Thank you for your consideration.”
Go Wol’s voice trembled.
The facilities were not the only things.
“Rest spaces have also been prepared for the martial artists working here. Dedicated chefs will be on hand to cook.”
Not only workspaces, but places to eat, sleep, rest, and wash were all perfectly prepared.
“As a precaution, secret spaces have been created where you and your strategists can hide. Of course, there is also an emergency escape route to exit the building.”
If Eunwol in the inner courtyard were attacked, it would already mean the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult had been breached, but Geom Mugeuk had considered even such a worst-case scenario. Though Go Wol knew martial arts, the strategists were likely people who knew none.
“If there is ever need for force in Eunwol going forward, contact the Ghost Shadow Corps led by Ian. They will assist actively.”
“Understood, Young Cult Leader.”
Go Wol was truly moved. Now, his own place had been established within the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. It was the moment he saw the fruits of the hardships endured to build the Eunwol organization in the Central Plains.
Without a word, Go Wol expressed his gratitude with a respectful martial salute.
Geom Mugeuk also received the greeting with cupped hands, as if to say he was counting on him.
‘Commander Go, this is only the beginning of a long road.’
Geom Mugeuk intended to make Go Wol the Chief Strategist when he became Cult Leader.
He intended to let Sama Myeong, who had devoted his life to the main cult, step down honorably from the position of Chief Strategist and spend his remaining years in comfort.
Of course, having worked his entire life, Sama Myeong would not easily adapt to such a comfortable life, but surely he would find the joys of leisure in time.
The Pungcheon Sect Leader, who had been speaking ill of Geom Mugeuk until moments ago, now asked with an awkward expression.
“Is there no room for me?”
* * *
After meeting Go Wol and the Pungcheon Sect Leader, Geom Mugeuk headed to the Valley of Villains.
Upon entering the Valley of Villains, the Faceless Guests passing by greeted him respectfully.
It was not a greeting given merely because he was the successor. The eyes behind their masks were smiling brightly. They were truly delighted to see him.
It was thanks to having grown close to the Faceless Guests during the last battle with the Dark King. Geom Mugeuk was now glad to see them as well.
Receiving such a warm welcome from the Faceless Guests, Geom Mugeuk entered Geukak Soma’s quarters.
The moment he entered the room, Geom Mugeuk said nothing and watched Geukak Soma.
Geukak Soma stood in the center of the room.
Before him floated a dagger. It was the ten-thousand-year cold iron dagger that Geom Mugeuk had previously given him.
The moment Geukak Soma snatched the dagger.
Chak! Chakchakchakchakchak! Chakchak! Chaaaaak!
Geukak Soma swung the dagger in continuous strikes. Thrusting, slashing, blocking, then thrusting again.
Short blade lines created by the dagger in the air appeared in succession.
The form created by those continuous lines was truly unique.
‘A trajectory I have never seen before.’
If the dagger were to fly along such a trajectory, could one truly evade it easily?
After unleashing that barrage with the dagger, Geukak Soma slowly caught his breath and turned to look at Geom Mugeuk.
“You have come?”
At the unchanged, ever-polite greeting, Geom Mugeuk smiled brightly and said.
“Yes, I have returned.”
Geom Mugeuk walked toward Geukak Soma and asked.
“Was that martial art from just now, perhaps…?”
“Yes, that is correct. It is the Sohyang Bisul.”
Geom Mugeuk could tell. That Geukak Soma had deliberately shown him the Sohyang Bisul upon hearing of his visit.
“Truly fantastic!”
“It is still lacking, but I am gradually growing accustomed to it.”
If the incomplete Sohyang Bisul was already this impressive, the completed Sohyang Bisul would display unimaginable power.
“It is thanks to the Young Cult Leader granting me the secret manual of the Sohyang Bisul.”
As he spoke, Geukak Soma lifted his mask onto the top of his head.
In the past, when he wore a mask, he had often worn it raised to the top of his head like that, facing the heavens.
Now, Geukak Soma had revealed his face with his mask raised like that.
“I think hiding this handsome face behind a mask is the same as storing the Heavenly Demon Sword in a vault.”
At such an excessive comparison, Geukak Soma was slightly embarrassed.
Until now, such expressions had surely all been hidden behind his mask.
“I sometimes take it off like this even when alone. I try to be as comfortable as possible.”
Geukak Soma was gradually changing. Having taken off his mask only before Geom Mugeuk, he had now begun to remove it even when alone.
Especially, completely removing the mask and removing it by lifting it atop his head felt distinctly different. It felt freer.
“Lord Soma. You seem somewhat different from when I last saw you.”
It was not merely a change in how he removed his mask.
The aura emanating from Geukak Soma was different.
Geukak Soma had risen in martial prowess through two days of sparring with him and real combat against enemies.
Yet the aura visible now felt different from that time as well.
Then Geukak Soma smiled.
“As expected! The Young Cult Leader sees right through me.”
Even after Geom Mugeuk had left the cult, Geukak Soma devoted himself to martial arts training.
He faithfully upheld Geom Mugeuk’s request to grow stronger.
As the Sohyang Bisul newly harmonized with Magik Gwangpokjang and Hyeolangji, his martial realm began to move toward a new level once again.
If these three martial arts were achieved in harmony, he would truly be able to display formidable divine might.
“All of this is thanks to the Young Cult Leader.”
“Of course, it’s all thanks to me, whom Lord Soma saves every time!”
“I believe you have saved me far more often?”
The two looked at each other and smiled brightly.
“By the way, how is my sister-in-law?”
She was doing well. In fact, he had been thinking of meeting her soon.
“Ah, that’s good.”
Geom Mugeuk took something from his bosom.
“If you go, please deliver this to my sister-in-law.”
What Geom Mugeuk took out was one of the three items he had selected from the Murim Treasury: the Sinnyeo Jimong.
The moment he saw the Sinnyeo Jimong, he had felt he should give it to Cheonhwa Pavilion Master Yeojeong. He was simply following that instinct.
He had intended to meet the Cheonhwa Pavilion Master directly to deliver it, but he had been away from the cult for too long and had been unable to stop by the Cheonhwa Pavilion. He could not entrust it to just anyone, but if Geukak Soma went himself, he could trust him with it.
Geukak Soma’s gaze turned toward the Sinnyeo Jimong.
An ordinary cloth from which nothing could be felt. Because of that, it seemed even more important. If it were not something significant to her, Geom Mugeuk would not have asked him to deliver it.
“Is simply delivering it enough?”
“Yes. If my intuition is correct.”
Geom Mugeuk handed over the Sinnyeo Jimong and said.
“You will surely know what kind of item it is.”