“I intend to assign the first mission to the Ghost Shadow Corps.”
At Geom Mugik’s words, Ian could not hide her excitement. The moment she had first taken the position of Ghost Shadow Corps Commander came to mind. The time she had fussed about how she would adorn her uniform felt like just yesterday.
“Every squad of the Ghost Shadow Corps is deploying.”
The squad members looked at one another. It was their first official mission since becoming the Ghost Shadow Corps. Until now, they had undergone training akin to actual combat numerous times, but it had been nothing more than training.
The four squad leaders standing before them.
The eyes behind the mask of First Squad Leader Cheongmyeon gleamed sharply, and the ghostly aura of Second Squad Leader Seojin grew denser. Third Squad Leader Chairan was serene, while Fourth Squad Leader Jihan stared at Geom Mugik with a rigid expression.
Their reactions differed, but their hearts were as one. They had to carry out this mission well.
“What is the mission?”
An unexpected answer came to Ian’s question.
“I don’t know either.”
As if it were no joke, Geom Mugik added with a solemn expression.
“The mission will be decided once we arrive. We might set out grandly and return after merely taking in the breeze, or most of the people here might return as corpses.”
Ian could tell that Geom Mugik was speaking from the heart. He was not one to easily use expressions like “you might return dead.”
Geom Mugik wanted to leave them behind if he could help it. But it is a law that a calm sea does not produce skilled sailors; now was the time to cross the waves.
“I believe you will pull through.”
“Leave it to us!”
The warriors of the Ghost Shadow Corps answered thunderously. They could not hide their thrill and excitement for their first mission.
“We will depart early tomorrow, so everyone prepare. All except the squad leaders are dismissed.”
The Ghost Shadow Corps warriors dispersed, leaving only Ian and the four squad leaders.
Geom Mugik looked at each of the four squad leaders one by one.
Cheongmyeon and Seojin, Chairan and Jihan.
Bound deeply by their respective karmic ties. Because they could guess one another’s hearts with just a glance, Geom Mugik did not speak at length.
“If I were worried about an organization whose leaders are the likes of you, I shouldn’t be leading it in the first place. Go and prepare for departure. The Commander will stay.”
The squad leaders left as well, and now only Ian remained.
Geom Mugik relaxed his serious expression, as if he had deliberately stoked the tension.
“You really took a beating keeping that frown on.”
But Ian did not relax her rigid expression.
“Do you know what I was just thinking?”
“What were you thinking?”
“It might be discouraging to hear before a mission, but is it alright?”
“By all means.”
Ian honestly revealed her feelings.
“Ah, this is a job that doesn’t suit my aptitude!”
She had truly thought that.
“The moment I heard that most of us might die, my heart sank and my vision went white.”
To her, who had lived a life protecting others, the death of her subordinates was an unbearable thing.
Even if they returned safely this time, what about next time? A life of losing subordinates one by one—could she truly accept that with composure?
She had pondered similar concerns before, but hearing those words with a real mission looming before her, the dimension of fear was different.
Geom Mugik spoke to her.
“Do you know what I was thinking while saying that?”
“What were you thinking?”
“Ah, this is a job that doesn’t suit my aptitude!”
Ian laughed at hearing the exact same words as her own.
I know. How could I not know? That the Young Master is happiest when he freely roams the Central Plains, punishing villains and laughing merrily with good people.
It was the same for Geom Mugik. How could he not know Ian’s heart?
“Ian.”
“Yes, Young Cult Leader.”
“I don’t tell you to live this life to the end. But you must live this life too, so that when you live the life you want, you will know how precious that life is.”
Even now, it was an incredibly precious life to Ian.
For it was a life serving the Young Cult Leader, who provided such a breathing hole in a world full of leaders who suffocated their subordinates. That was why she could hold her breath until her chest felt ready to burst.
“I’ll do my best until the end.”
“Prepare well, and see you tomorrow. Oh, there will be others accompanying us.”
“Who?”
“You’ll see tomorrow.”
Geom Mugik did not tell her specifically who it was.
“Pack everything, even things you think you might not need! Once you’re out there, you’ll regret not having anything.”
And so, even Ian left, and Geom Mugik remained alone. No, strictly speaking, he was not alone.
“Why don’t you ask me to go with you?”
The Sword King silently alighted beside Geom Mugik.
“Do you know where we’re going that you’d take Brother Ak?”
“Why?”
“What if the Dark Palace Lord appears? Could you kill her?”
“I could.”
The Sword King revealed the reason he had not left the organization.
“The reason I did not leave the organization was not because of the Dark Palace Lord, but because of you.”
He had stayed to protect Geom Mugik upon learning of the plan to call back the souls of the dead. Of course, that plan was something the Dark Palace Lord had intentionally leaked to draw him in.
“There is no need to go so far. You do not need to prove your heart, Brother Ak. I already know it all. Your very existence is more than I deserve.”
Look who’s talking! How could the Sword King not worry, when Geom Mugik was this kind of person?
“The Dark Palace Lord is strong. No, because we do not know how strong she is, she is all the more fearsome.”
That even the Sword King could not fathom her depth showed what level of martial prowess she possessed.
“We do not even know how old she is.”
That was not all.
“Aside from those you have killed until now, there are many experts leading directly under the Dark Palace Lord.”
It was only natural to think so. The Dark Palace was an organization that had spent a full three hundred years preparing.
“Aren’t you worried?”
“You need not worry.”
“Why?”
Geom Mugik’s gaze turned to the sky. Words he had spoken to his father long ago, he now spoke to the Sword King.
“Because my demonic path exists for this very moment.”
The reason Geom Mugik had worked himself to the brink of death was for moments like this, to say such words with conviction.
“How fearsome must an opponent be if she makes even Brother Ak nervous? A monstrous opponent whose age we do not know, whose strength we do not know. That is why no one would dare to even think of killing such an enemy.”
Geom Mugik’s gaze, which had been turned to the heavens, now faced the Sword King again.
“The conviction that I must strike down an absolute evil—a vicious, venomous wickedness that humanity cannot endure—that is my demonic path.”
Watching the Sword King gaze at him wordlessly, Geom Mugik calmly added.
“If we cannot kill her, who will? A demon must be devoured by a greater demon.”
* * *
And the next morning.
The warriors of the Ghost Shadow Corps were the first to assemble at the departure point. They wore black martial uniforms and masks, and on the black masks the characters for “Ghost Shadow” were embroidered in white.
Having donned the Ghost Shadow Corps’ formal attire and masks, there was nothing to fear when they gathered together.
Their shoulders squared with unwarranted strength, and they felt like showing themselves off, as if hoping to catch a glimpse of admiration somewhere.
Just then, the Escort Agency Chief personally emerged at the site.
The Escort Agency warriors brought horses matching the number of Ghost Shadow Corps members and distributed them.
“Branches of the Escort Agency are concealed throughout the Central Plains. You may change your horses for fresh ones whenever they tire.”
“Thank you, Chief.”
Ian expressed her gratitude politely to the Escort Agency Chief. Having launched such a large-scale operation for the first time, she had only now learned that the Escort Agency would provide such support.
The Ghost Shadow Corps warriors were secretly pleased. Hadn’t the Escort Agency Chief come out personally because they were setting out? Of course, that happiness was short-lived, and it was a misconception.
Other Escort Agency warriors arrived pulling carriages.
They were massive transport carriages. Not just one, but more than ten. The Escort Agency warriors lined them up without the slightest error.
The Ghost Shadow Corps warriors were bewildered.
They were riding horses; why had such massive carriages been brought? Were they to carry luggage? Even so, why carriages that large, and so many of them?
Then, a group of warriors arrived.
Even from afar, one could tell who they were at a glance. Warriors of enormous stature, they were the Demon Army—the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult’s elite organization. They appeared at the site exuding a terrifying pressure that was apparent at a mere glance.
At the appearance of the Demon Army, the Ghost Shadow Corps warriors’ eyes widened. They realized what the carriages were for. They were carriages for the Demon Army.
Could this be an operation with the Demon Army?
SCREECH.
They tore away the camouflaging paper attached to the carriage walls, revealing the Demon Army’s symbol and name written inside.
Demon Army.
The Demon Army usually moved in secret, but this operation was official. Just imagining these massive carriages racing in a line was magnificent in itself.
Demon Army Commander Jangho walked out from among the Demon Army.
“Commander Ian.”
“Lord Jang!”
Ian and Jangho exchanged glad greetings.
“It is the first time, is it not? Going on an operation together with you, Commander.”
“It is an honor, Lord. I still lack experience, so I ask for your guidance.”
“I am well aware that the Ghost Shadow Corps has been excellently trained. We ask for your cooperation as well.”
Jangho answered humbly.
The Ghost Shadow Corps was greatly surprised by the fact that this was a joint operation with the Demon Army, but their surprise was only beginning.
Demon Lord Seophon had arrived at the site.
As she strode in with a proud expression, the air around her seemed to change. She was one who exuded a chilling presence without even revealing her aura.
Everyone cupped their fists respectfully to Demon Lord Seophon.
Since they had not known this operation would be with Demon Lord Seophon, the Ghost Shadow Corps warriors grew even more tense. Only now could they understand why the Escort Agency Chief had come out personally.
An Escort Agency warrior brought a carriage. It was a carriage reserved for a Demon Lord—Demon Lord Seophon’s carriage. Its walls were painted with dizzyingly complex swirling patterns that made one’s head spin just by looking at them. Yet one thing was clear from those patterns alone: touch it carelessly, and your life would get complicated.
Then another Demon Lord walked over, yawning.
“Is there really a need to set out this early in the morning?”
The one who appeared with a face still flushed with drink was Chwima.
When Chwima appeared, the Ghost Shadow Corps warriors were even more surprised. This was an operation where not one, but two Demon Lords were deploying.
The Demon Army wasn’t enough, and now two Demon Lords were going out? What kind of operation was this?
The Escort Agency warrior brought Chwima’s carriage. It was a carriage modified to be much longer than the others.
“Due to my hangover, I shall rest a bit.”
Upon opening the carriage and entering, there was a bed inside, and the walls were lined with bottles of alcohol. Everyone’s eyes widened, for they had never seen such a carriage before.
Once again, Mabul walked in, radiating a golden glow.
The moment they saw him, the Ghost Shadow Corps warriors gasped.
Demon Lord Mabul is going too?
Not two, but three Demon Lords?
While politely greeting the appearing Demon Lords, the Ghost Shadow Corps warriors exchanged flustered glances.
Three Demon Lords, whom they had barely glimpsed once while in the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, were now appearing.
The carriage brought for Mabul was plated in gold. It was a carriage that would summon every bandit in the world.
Then, the fourth Demon Lord appeared.
Geugak Soma and the Thousand Flower Pavilion Lord had arrived. At the sight of that pure white mask, the Ghost Shadow Corps warriors froze.
Even Geugak Soma is going!
It was truly chaos itself, beyond mere bewilderment and surprise.
An Escort Agency warrior brought Geugak Soma’s carriage. It was a carriage made of pure white walls with nothing drawn on them.
The Ghost Shadow Corps warriors were all at a loss for words. The Young Cult Leader, four Demon Lords, and the elite Demon Army were all going? A single thought flashed through their minds.
Has a war broken out or something?
The Thousand Flower Pavilion Lord was surprised in a different way from the Ghost Shadow Corps warriors. She had heard that Geom Mugik would set out in full force, but she had not known he intended to muster to this extent.
She had actually considered going alone to meet the Holy Maiden Palace Lord.
However, the matter Geom Mugik had judged required this many people to deploy.
Then someone’s voice was heard.
“The Young Cult Leader emerges!”
The owner of the voice was Jeokyeon, head of the guards.
Clack, clack, clack, clack, clack, clack, clack.
The Young Cult Leader’s guards, wearing formal uniforms and masks, walked out and cleared a path. The guards who had devoted themselves to training did not lose in momentum to any of the warriors present. They naturally inspired the thought: if they are the Young Cult Leader’s guards, they ought to be at that level.
Geom Mugeuk walked in among them.
“The protagonist usually appears last, after all.”
The window of Chwima’s carriage opened, and Chwima came into view.
“So cool! We—”
Before Chwima could make a drunken scene, Geom Mugeuk lightly waved his hand.
He pulled the carriage window shut through the air.
“Your hangover must be severe, so please sleep a little longer.”
Judging by the fact that he still hadn’t sobered up, it seemed he had come straight from martial arts training that morning.
After formally paying his respects to the Demon Lords, Geom Mugeuk looked around at the other subordinates present. Spotting Jangho, he especially raised his hand to express his delight. Seeing this, the morale of the Demon Generals soared even higher.
“There are so many of you that if I said even a single word to each, the sun would probably set, wouldn’t it?”
Under normal circumstances, that ought to elicit a response of “Then keep it short!” But Geom Mugeuk was different.
“Even if the sun sets, say everything you wish to say.”
Smiles spread across everyone’s lips. Of course, no one here was tactless enough to actually speak up in such a situation.
Ah, though there was one among the outsiders.
“Why am I being left out!”
Somehow having found out, the Pungcheon Cult Leader strode in.
“I’m going too.”
“You cannot.”
“Why not?”
“Because I, too, would be uncomfortable. I am not taking Master with me.”
This meant that the Soul-Devouring Demon Lord, his disciple, would be uncomfortable if they went together. That they could even hold such a conversation in front of the Soul-Devouring Demon Lord was only possible because it was between Geom Mugeuk and the Pungcheon Cult Leader.
“It’s because you don’t know, but my disciple and I are incredibly close. They’ll be fine even if I’m there.”
“Being close is what Master thinks. Those above are always comfortable. We are not!”
“But I’m not your master, am I?”
Rather than replying to that irrefutable point, Geom Mugeuk flattered the Pungcheon Cult Leader.
“It is because the Cult Leader safeguards the main cult that I can depart so comfortably. That I can even take the Demon Generals with me is all thanks to the Cult Leader.”
“Is that so?”
Since it was a public place with many eyes watching, the Pungcheon Cult Leader squared his shoulders proudly for no particular reason.
“Then what about me!”
When he turned around, Hwangcheon Pavilion Master Seo Daeryong was there as well.
The martial artists of the Ghost Shadow Corps were once again surprised by the sight. The very person who had driven even the leader of that strict organization to come and beg to be taken along was the Young Cult Leader.
“Are you truly afraid the sun will set if I come along? I will keep my lips sealed tight.”
He wanted to follow Geom Mugeuk out on an operation like this, even if it meant throwing away his position as Hwangcheon Pavilion Master.
“No, you’d be an eyesore even to a newborn, so you can’t come.”
“I will endure it.”
“Not you, me. If I see you, I will constantly be reminded of a baby. You’re too pretty, so no.”
After rejecting him so pleasantly, Geom Mugeuk turned his gaze to those who would accompany him.
“Now then, since we are determined to properly show off this time, I am counting on all of you.”
The escort martial artists brought forth the Young Cult Leader’s personal carriage.
On the sturdy walls of the blade-proof carriage, the symbol of the Heavenly Demon Soul was drawn with fearsome grandeur.
“Have a safe journey!”
Leaving behind Seo Daeryong’s disappointment, everyone boarded their carriages.
The carriage carrying the Demon Generals took the lead, followed by Geom Mugeuk’s carriage, around which the escort martial artists rode on horseback as guards.
Behind them came the four Demon Lords’ carriages, and finally the Ghost Shadow Corps followed on horseback.
The escort martial artists, who had been giving hand signals to the coachmen to pull the carriages out in orderly fashion, all bowed their heads in unison as Geom Mugeuk’s carriage passed. Before them, the carriages and horses raced out in a long line.
It was the Young Cult Leader’s first departure from the cult, conducted with all due ceremony.