As the small boat carrying Geom Mugeuk approached the Ship of Wealth and Honor, a martial artist appeared on the deck.
“Do you have an invitation?”
Geom Mugeuk took something from his robe.
“Here, the invitation.”
Whoosh.
The paper Geom Mugeuk flicked flew toward the martial artist standing on the ship. When the man caught it and checked, it was a draft worth one hundred nyang.
By the time he finished confirming the draft, Geom Mugeuk and the two women were already standing before him. Just from the lightness skill with which they had flown up soundlessly in an instant, he could tell what level their abilities were.
“Guide us to the shipmaster.”
With such skill, they could have easily subdued him and threatened his life to make him guide them, yet they were giving him money and asking for guidance?
“I must inform the shipmaster in advance.”
“That is fine.”
“Please follow me.”
The three entered the ship under the martial artist’s guidance.
Seophon Majon and the Master of Cheonhwa Pavilion, who followed behind, found it unexpected. They had not thought Geom Mugeuk would try to meet the person in charge of operating this ship as soon as he boarded.
When they opened the first door and entered, a wave of heat washed over them.
The large hall-like space had been set up as a gambling den, and over a hundred people there were absorbed in gambling.
It was not something to look down on just because it was a gambling den built on a ship. On the contrary, its facilities were far better than most gambling dens on land.
Women carried trays of wine cups back and forth, and martial artists stood here and there, watching to see if anyone caused trouble.
Sighs of regret, shouts of joy, curses of anger came from every direction.
Even without seeing them directly, one could tell what situation each person was in and what they were feeling.
Geom Mugeuk’s party walked across the place, but no one paid them any mind. Their gazes were fixed solely on their own tiles, their opponent’s expression, and the rolling dice.
Though no one had asked, the martial artist displayed the power of one hundred nyang.
“There are seven more gambling dens like this on this ship. This is the lowest-grade one, and those with five hundred nyang may enter.”
Five hundred nyang was easy to say, but for ordinary people, it was an unimaginably large sum.
After walking down a narrow corridor, the martial artist knocked on an iron door. When he knocked according to the set signal, the thick iron door opened.
That place, too, was a gambling den.
The martial artist’s explanation continued. If the gambling den they had just passed through was a place one could enter with five hundred nyang, then this one required two thousand nyang to enter.
“If you win money here and make five thousand nyang, you can go up to the next room. Or you can come with five thousand nyang from the start.”
It meant one could continue ascending in that way. Naturally, the higher the grade of the gambling den, the larger the stakes became. It was a structure that exploited the desires of gamblers who wished to make great sums in great games.
I’ve gone that far!
Thus, it was making full use of the human desire to go all the way to the end.
The Master of Cheonhwa Pavilion once again felt puzzled. This was none other than the Divine Maiden.
‘Why did she insist on meeting in a place like this?’
No matter how much she thought about it, she could not understand.
She glanced at Geom Mugeuk. She believed that Geom Mugeuk surely had something in mind, and that made her feel somewhat at ease.
They passed through several rooms like that. The room they were passing through now required thirty thousand nyang for admission.
One might think that if there were many wealthy people, the atmosphere would be relaxed, but it was not at all. It was not as rowdy as the first room, but as the sums rose, the heat grew even more intense.
It was filled with a tension so thick it was suffocating. Regardless of the amount, gamblers were still gamblers.
In that way, the three entered the shipmaster’s office under the martial artist’s guidance.
The shipmaster responsible for the Ship of Wealth and Honor was Yang Dong.
A man with a sturdy build, he was one of the top three experts in the Water Dragon Gang and received the gang leader’s trust and favor all to himself.
Yang Dong examined Geom Mugeuk, the Master of Cheonhwa Pavilion, and Seophon Majon. At a single glance, he could tell they were not ordinary.
“Where have you come from?”
“What importance does origin have when coming to a gambling den? What matters is how much money one has.”
“To us, origin matters more. There are many who try to recover the money they lost through other means. If you do not reveal a definite identity, you will have to leave the ship.”
As if he had come intending to reveal his identity already, Geom Mugeuk answered without hesitation.
“We came from the Divine Cult.”
In that instant, Yang Dong was startled out of his wits. From that unfeigned reaction, one thing was certain. This man had nothing to do with the Dark Palace.
“How am I to believe that?”
Flash!
Before he knew it, Geom Mugeuk’s sword was aimed at Yang Dong’s throat. A faint demonic energy flowed from the tip of the blade.
Yang Dong had not even seen the opponent draw his sword. And he was supposed to be one of the top three experts in the Water Dragon Gang!
‘An unparalleled master!’
He was an expert beyond comparison with himself.
Click.
Since he had not seen the sword being drawn, he could not see it being withdrawn either.
Yang Dong cupped his fist respectfully and greeted him.
“What brings such honored guests to this place?”
“We did not come to ruin your business, so do not be nervous. Rather, you could say we came to catch those who are trying to ruin your business.”
Yang Dong was not only skilled in martial arts; he was quick-witted as well. That was why he had been entrusted with the most profitable operation, the Ship of Wealth and Honor. At the very least, he clearly realized that the expert from the Demon Cult before him had not come to harm him.
“Just say the word.”
“Guide us to the VIP room.”
For an instant, Yang Dong flinched.
“You wonder how I knew there was a VIP room? Have you already forgotten who we are?”
A faint smile formed at the corners of Seophon Majon’s mouth. Before boarding the Ship of Wealth and Honor, when Geom Mugeuk said he would show off, she had naturally thought he meant he would display his skill among the gamblers.
But that was not it. The opponent Geom Mugeuk intended to show off to was the owner of this ship. Geom Mugeuk’s actions continued to exceed her expectations.
If it had been her, she surely would have infiltrated quietly, started gambling in the lowest room, and observed the atmosphere from there.
Perhaps she would still be in the first room, finding out from another gambler that there was a second room.
But Geom Mugeuk was already trying to go to the room where only the wealthiest of the wealthy gathered.
Thinking about it, the Young Cult Leader’s choice was right. If they had asked to meet in a place like this, their intention was surely not to meet in some deserted corner. If that were the case, they would have met on some quiet boat.
If it was not a quiet meeting, then they had to go to the most central location. Even if the person was not there, it made sense to search downward from that point.
In this way, Seophon Majon was learning how Geom Mugeuk handled matters.
“Guide us there.”
“Why do you wish to go there?”
Even if he had to give up his own life, he could not give up the great magnates in that place.
That was why Yang Dong did not back down easily.
“Even if it is you, I cannot take you there…”
Geom Mugeuk cut him off and revealed his identity.
“I am the Young Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.”
Yang Dong’s eyes widened. A demonic practitioner would never dare impersonate the Young Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
He had known the man was a frightening opponent, but to think he was the Young Cult Leader of the Demon Cult!
“I hate gambling. I hate people who gamble, and I hate those who set up gambling dens like this even more. A murderer at least kills only one person, but you people drive that person’s family and acquaintances into misery as well.”
This was Geom Mugeuk’s usual view on gambling.
“So stop making me angry. I will quietly handle my business and leave.”
If the opponent was the Young Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, there was no room for choice.
“Please handle it quietly.”
If you cause trouble, we will not stand by either.
He could not bring himself to add those words. Because even so, he would have to endure it.
Yang Dong personally led Geom Mugeuk and the two women to the VIP room.
After winding through the complicated cabins and passing through even a secret door, the VIP room appeared.
“Now then, new guests have arrived.”
At that, the gazes of those inside turned toward Geom Mugeuk’s party.
There was a single large round table there, and seven people were seated around it.
There were old men, middle-aged men, and young men. All of them wore expensive clothes, and anyone could tell they were wealthy.
Among them was one woman.
The instant she saw the woman, the Master of Cheonhwa Pavilion knew. The other party was the Divine Maiden Palace Master. Though she had left the palace at a young age and was seeing the Divine Maiden Palace Master for the first time, she recognized her at a glance.
The Master of Cheonhwa Pavilion quietly informed Geom Mugeuk and Seophon Majon.
“That is her.”
Indeed, she was Gaye, the Divine Maiden Palace Master.
The very woman who had read the stars before the Dark Palace Master was sitting in the midst of this gambling table.
Gaye looked at the Master of Cheonhwa Pavilion and said,
“You came? You arrived faster than I expected.”
Her tone was unexpectedly calm and bright.
“Have you ever tried this? It’s more fun than you’d think. Come over and play a round.”
The Master of Cheonhwa Pavilion did not know how to take her proposal. She had never imagined she would be sitting at a gambling table.
Instead of the Master of Cheonhwa Pavilion, Geom Mugeuk strode forward and drew his sword.
“Anyone unrelated to this woman is to leave at once. If you remain, I will consider you on her side.”
Cold demonic energy burst from the sword.
“Even if you’re mad with gambling, you can grasp the mood this much, can’t you?”
The demonic energy Geom Mugeuk released was not something ordinary people could withstand.
Those seated at the round table rose, trembling, and Yang Dong gathered them up and took them outside.
Yang Dong thought this was better, if anything. If these precious people stayed there and were swept into a fight and killed, and if rumors spread because of it, the Ship of Wealth and Honor would be finished that very day.
‘I just need to keep them alive.’
The VIPs who came outside with Yang Dong finally began to vent their anger.
“Is this how you manage your guests?”
“I apologize. There are circumstances, so please understand just for today.”
“There’s another room, isn’t there?”
Even in this atmosphere, rather than thinking of going home, they wanted to continue gambling.
Yang Dong smiled and said,
“Of course. Now, this way.”
Yang Dong took them and left. More important than what was happening inside that room right now was keeping these wealthy men maddened by gambling.
Now the only person left in the room was Gaye. As though she truly had come alone, no one else remained.
Rather, Geom Mugeuk thought that was not good. Being alone meant she trusted in something unseen.
The Divine Maiden Palace Master’s gaze turned toward Geom Mugeuk.
“You are more handsome than I expected.”
By contrast, Geom Mugeuk’s appraisal was harsh.
“You are more shameless than I expected.”
“Shameless?”
“I heard you told our Pavilion Master to come alone.”
“I did.”
“Think of all the things you people have done until now. And yet you told her to come alone? If we invited you to come to our cult alone, would you really have come alone?”
Gaye did not refute him. Instead, she smiled.
The Master of Cheonhwa Pavilion walked over slowly and sat facing the Divine Maiden Palace Master. The two women gazed at each other. They were both divine maidens who received prophecies, yet they had lived utterly different lives.
At last, the Master of Cheonhwa Pavilion asked calmly,
“Why did you ask to see me?”
“You are as impatient as the Young Cult Leader.”
“After suffering several storms because of you people, I became this way.”
“‘You people’ is a bit strange. Shouldn’t the Pavilion Master and I be tied together by the word ‘we’?”
“I left when I was young because I hated that.”
The two women exchanged words politely, but an invisible momentum clashed tautly between them.
“You know that the Heavenly Killing Star has appeared, don’t you?”
When the Master of Cheonhwa Pavilion nodded, Gaye said something astonishing.
“I received a new prophecy.”
A shocking prophecy flowed from the Divine Maiden Palace Master’s lips.
“This world will be ruled by the person born under the Heavenly Killing Star. That is the newly descended prophecy.”
A heavy silence fell.
The one most shocked was, of course, the Master of Cheonhwa Pavilion. Since she had lived with the belief that prophecy was never wrong, her heart pounded violently.
Because that prophecy ultimately meant the Young Cult Leader and the Evil Soma would die.
“Why are you telling me that?”
“It is a prophecy of this palace. Even if no one else knows, shouldn’t you?”
At that moment, Geom Mugeuk slowly walked over and sat beside the Master of Cheonhwa Pavilion, saying,
“That prophecy is a lie.”
The Master of Cheonhwa Pavilion looked at Geom Mugeuk in surprise.
“A divine maiden cannot lie about a prophecy.”
“So it seems they’ve given up on the Divine Maiden.”
Geom Mugeuk spoke firmly.
“If a prophecy had descended under the present circumstances, it would have descended upon the Tower Lord.”
At that, Gaye asked with an expression of genuine curiosity.
“Why do you think so?”
Geom Mugeuk said, his gaze cold.
“Because your life has gone wrong.”
“!”
Gaye’s expression, which had remained composed all along, stiffened slightly.
“I think you’re a worse person than the Dark Palace Lord. The Dark Palace Lord is at least someone with a clear purpose from the start, but what about you? Was the role of the Divine Maiden Palace, from the very beginning, to help the Dark Palace conquer this world?”
“The Dark Palace inherited the will of Cheonui Palace.”
She meant that she followed not the Dark Palace, but Cheonui Palace.
“Do you truly think that?”
Geom Mugeuk stared straight into her eyes.
“If the Palace Lord of the Divine Maiden Palace from the days when she served the Lord of Cheonui Palace were to see you, what do you think she would say? Do you think she would say you were doing well?”
The corners of the Divine Maiden Palace Lord’s eyes trembled faintly. Geom Mugeuk provoked her further.
“If the Dark Palace Lord is trying to use the Tower Lord here to lure me in and kill me, shouldn’t you be against it? Isn’t it the Tower Lord you want dead more than me?”
“Why would I want to kill that person?”
“How would I know what’s in your heart? Perhaps it’s because you cannot receive prophecies, while the Tower Lord here can, and that enrages you.”
“Shut your mouth!”
Gaye’s composure shattered, and her expression turned cold.
Shrrrng.
Geom Mugeuk raised his sword and drew it halfway in front of her face.
“I believe the heavens would not bestow prophecy upon someone like this.”
Her distorted face was reflected on the blade.
Beyond that sword, Geom Mugeuk said,
“When you met the Tower Lord, you should not have spoken some false prophecy. You should have apologized. Said you were sorry for calling her into a trap like this. Said you had no choice either.”
Clack.
Geom Mugeuk sheathed the sword again and rose from his seat.
“Let us leave.”
The Cheonhwa Tower Lord glanced once at the Divine Maiden Palace Lord, who was still sitting quietly in her place, then asked Geom Mugeuk,
“Are we just leaving her here?”
“She has already left.”
“What?”
Shiiik.
The Black Demon Sword split the air. A streak of sword qi cut across her neck.
Slice.
Her severed head flew into the air. Neither the Cheonhwa Tower Lord nor the Soul-Seizing Demon Venerable had expected Geom Mugeuk to suddenly cut off the Divine Maiden Palace Lord’s head, and both were startled.
But no blood flowed from her neck.
Bang! Baang!
The Divine Maiden Palace Lord’s head and body turned into black smoke and vanished. The moment he had sheathed the half-drawn sword earlier, he had realized her aura had changed. Whoever it was, someone had extracted her with astonishing skill.
“Something has just been deployed around us!”
Sensing something, Geom Mugeuk walked backward and opened the door.
Indeed, the corridor outside the door was rippling with black energy. The floor was filled with black smoke like fog.
“Now I understand why they asked to meet on this ship.”
Geom Mugeuk recognized the dark demonic art spread out before his eyes.
“The Tamshim Daemyeolgong (貪心大滅功) has been deployed on this ship.”
The Tamshim Daemyeolgong was one of the representative dark demonic arts passed down in the Dark Palace.
The Soul-Seizing Demon Venerable also knew what kind of demonic art it was.
“It is a dark demonic art that manifests by feeding on humanity’s instinctive desires. The more primal the desire, such as appetite or lust, and the stronger that desire is, the greater the power it produces… Ah!”
At that moment, she too understood why they had wanted to meet here.
“On this ship, there is something that could even devour appetite or lust…”
Geom Mugeuk gazed down the corridor, which was filled with terror and an ominous air, and added quietly,
“It is filled with an even tougher desire.”