Chapter 263: A Meal Cooked by Mother

TL: FoodieMonster007

"The Branch Manager of the Demonic Cult is behind the escort robbery?"

Geom Mugeuk's aura turned cold when he heard the name that should not have been spoken.

"Commander Yeo agreed to handle the cleanup so this incident won't escalate."

As the master of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's Hunan Branch, he wielded enough power in the region to make such a promise.

"What's the evidence of his involvement?"

"There's… no evidence. He's not the type to leave any behind. I'm the witness."

The moment Lee Yeom uttered Yeo Sogwang's name, he crossed a bridge of no return. He had to abandon Yeo Sogwang to survive.

"What if you're framing the Branch Manager?"

"Then you can kill me."

Judging by his attitude and desperate eyes, Lee Yeom was telling the truth. In fact, it was not shocking or surprising.

It's easy to understand when I think back to the Demonic Army General from my first regression. He used the Demonic Army for personal gain. If I've been policing the inside until now, it's time to start policing the outside too.

"How did you find out about the Hunan First Escort Agency's escort mission?"

"I have a man among their Head Escorts."

"Who is it?"

"It's Yang Daenam."

Once Lee Yeom started talking, he showed no hesitation.

"First, let's see what you plundered from this escort mission."

"This way. Please follow me."

Lee Yeom rose from his seat, his body feeling heavy. He realized his inner arts had been suppressed at some point.

I was suppressed without even realizing it.

Lee Yeom realized his opponent's martial arts far surpassed an ordinary master's. Killing the Bloodhand Sword with a single chopstick wasn't because the Bloodhand Sword had let his guard down. This man probably could have killed the Bloodhand Sword with a small wooden toothpick.

He's a master far stronger than even Commander Yeo.

His skills were one thing, but he also showed no fear of Yeo Sogwang. A Branch Manager of the Demonic Cult was a person of great power. Who on earth was this man?

Lee Yeom activated a hidden device on the bookshelf. A wall rotated, revealing a secret space.

Inside were three large boxes, filled to the brim with gold ornaments.

Geom Mugeuk grew angry at Lee Yeom and Yeo Sogwang when he saw the plundered wealth. This was worse than desperate men committing a crime for a big score.

Both men likely possessed great wealth already, and there were plenty of ways to make money without resorting to this. Yeo Sogwang especially would have received considerable tribute money from various places.

And yet they commit an act like this?

Geom Mugeuk suppressed his surging anger and asked calmly.

"Did the Bloodhand Sword accomplish this alone?"

"The job was easy because Head Escort Yang leaked the travel route in advance. We set a trap and launched a surprise attack."

"Even your methods were cheap."

Lee Yeom, who had been tattling enthusiastically, shut his mouth. He cautiously observed Geom Mugeuk's expression.

"You have plenty of money, so why did you do this?"

"……"

"Aren't you going to answer?"

"Isn't it… better to have more money?"

"That'd be true if it were money you earned."

Lee Yeom couldn't say anything and hung his head. He wanted to be honest. He wanted to scream that in the murim's dog-eat-dog world, the one who gets robbed is the fool.

You think the same way, don't you? You damn hypocrite!

Geom Mugeuk left the room and ordered Cheokyeon, who waited in the hallway.

"Tell the heads of the local Sanzu River Hall and the All-Knowing Hall to come here at once!"

"Yes, I understand!"

Lee Yeom was startled. Through his dealings with Yeo Sogwang, he had heard that the Sanzu River Hall and the All-Knowing Hall were core organizations of the Demonic Cult. To summon the heads of such core organizations so casually?

Then Lee Yeom's gaze fell on Cheokyeon's chest. He had only seen the demon at first, but now he also saw the shield surrounding it.

Could it be?

He had once vaguely heard about this symbol during a drinking session.

The Heavenly Demon Hall bodyguard unit?

Lee Yeom's gaze shifted to Geom Mugeuk.

Then this man is? N-no way… the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult? Gasp!

Lee Yeom's heart sank. He had truly messed with the wrong person.

His legs gave out, and he prostrated himself on the floor.

"Please spare me! I failed to recognize someone of your high stature."

No matter how Lee Yeom begged, Geom Mugeuk's gaze remained cold.

As if to prove Lee Yeom's guess, the local heads of the Sanzu River Hall and the All-Knowing Hall rushed over like the wind.

Geom Mugeuk handled the matter swiftly and decisively.

First, Geom Mugeuk explained the incident to the heads. He informed them that since the Hunan Branch Commander was involved, they couldn't use demons from that branch. The Sanzu River Hall and the All-Knowing Hall had to step in instead.

After his explanation, Geom Mugeuk ordered the Special Investigator of the Sanzu River Hall.

"First, return the plundered goods and the Bloodhand Sword's body to the Hunan First Escort Agency and explain the situation. Also, tell them to deal with the Head Escort, Yang Daenam, who leaked the mission information."

"Understood."

Lee Yeom watched nervously. Then Geom Mugeuk turned to him.

"And send that man to our Cult and lock him in the prison."

Locked in the prison of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult? Lee Yeom's vision went dark.

"No! Please spare me!"

Geom Mugeuk asked nonchalantly.

"Did you really think you could get away with something this big?"

"That's why I confessed everything, isn't it?"

"And that's why I haven't killed you, right?"

Lee Yeom was speechless. This was a time for a bribe. However, since Geom Mugeuk had ordered the goods returned, that wouldn't work either.

Geom Mugeuk gave him a choice.

"Fine, then choose. Do you want to go to our prison? Or do you want to go to the Hunan First Escort Agency?"

Lee Yeom knew that both choices meant death.

"Please spare me! I only made the plan!"

"This isn't your first time doing something like this, is it?"

"It is the first time."

Lee Yeom's voice trembled, and he couldn't meet Geom Mugeuk's gaze.

How could it be his first time? I just watched the Bloodhand Sword brutally kill the cooks he brought. That alone is enough to guess what kind of life he's lived.

"In my eyes, you're the most vicious of the three."

Geom Mugeuk punched without hesitation.

PWAAAK! KWAAJIK!

Lee Yeom's chest caved in, and he died instantly.

KURURURUNG!

A sound like thunder erupted from the fist, startling everyone. It was as if heaven itself had delivered punishment.

Geom Mugeuk continued his orders.

"Dismantle the Wind and Water Mountain Villa, and distribute all the money from it to the families of those who died in this incident!"

"Understood."

While Geom Mugeuk cared for the victims' families, there was another reason to handle it this way.

"The Hunan First Escort Agency is one of the orthodox sects, right?"

"Yes, that's correct."

Each region had places where the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's influence was strong, and others where the Murim Alliance's or the Evil Alliance's was strong. Naturally, influence was stronger closer to a faction's Headquarters and weaker farther away.

Hunan Province was a place where the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's power was strong.

However, not all sects here followed and supported the Demonic Cult.

There were relatively fewer, but many sects still followed the orthodox or unorthodox factions. Hunan Province clearly had branches of the Murim Alliance and the Evil Alliance.

"Notify the Murim Alliance so there are no misunderstandings. Tell them we'll deal with Yeo Sogwang ourselves."

The All-Knowing Hall interacts frequently with the Murim Alliance, so they'll handle it well.

"For the time being, place this village under special management. It's where my bodyguard's mother lives."

Cheokyeon watched from the side as Geom Mugeuk handled things decisively yet meticulously.

Being the Young Cult Leader really isn't a job for just anyone, he thought.

Having finished his work, Geom Mugeuk went to Hwa Sun, who rested in a guest room.

"It's all over. Let's go back now. I'd like to eat a meal cooked by mother."

Hwa Sun felt relieved. She could tell from Geom Mugeuk's bright expression that things were resolved well. Her anxiously pounding heart finally calmed.

"Of course, I should cook for you."

"I told you to speak comfortably."

"I can't do that. This is more comfortable for me, Young Lord."

Outside, the bodyguards moved in a formation that protected Hwa Sun.

When they arrived at the carriage, Geom Mugeuk spoke to Samho and Hwa Sun.

"Only the two of you should ride in the carriage."

Hwa Sun looked bewildered.

"So you can have a nice chat with your son after so long. Now, get in. We're leaving."

Geom Mugeuk climbed into the driver's seat. Samho protested, but Geom Mugeuk settled it with a single phrase. "It's an order."

The carriage carrying Hwa Sun and Samho raced toward the village.

After they had been riding for some time, Hwa Sun's laughter drifted from the carriage.

It's the most pleasant sound I've heard since leaving the Cult.

Geom Mugeuk had no memory of his own mother, who passed away when he was very young. On days like this, he sometimes missed her.

Mother, your sons are living well without fighting.

The bloodless succession battle with his brother had also been for his late mother's sake.

The carriage arrived at Hwa Sun's inn.

Hwa Sun got out of the carriage and finally felt safe upon seeing her inn.

Geom Mugeuk treated her warmly, like her own son.

"Mother, we're hungry!"

Hwa Sun rolled up her sleeves and went into the kitchen.

For the first time in a long while, Geom Mugeuk and the bodyguards ate a home-cooked meal filled with a mother's care. Her cooking was truly delicious.

Hwa Sun felt so happy watching her son eat with his colleagues.

The scene overlapped with the image of him as a child, flocking to the house with his neighborhood friends to eat.

When did he grow up so much.

The little boy her son once was had become a grown man eating with his colleagues. Her heart swelled with pride and emotion.

Geom Mugeuk cleaned his bowl and spoke to her.

"I want to bring you to our Cult and eat your food every day."

She felt relieved.

With my son serving such a good superior, I won't have to worry about him.

She brought out more rice and side dishes.

"Young Lord, have another bowl! I added extra meat for you."

Geom Mugeuk smiled brightly at her words.

"I'll cherish your son more than any of the other guys!"

She laughed at Geom Mugeuk's joke, and the bodyguards laughed along.

Hwa Sun was sincerely grateful to Geom Mugeuk. Although she didn't know the details of what happened at the mountain villa, she could feel he had resolved it.

Thank you, Young Lord.

Geom Mugeuk's party stayed there for four more days.

They normally would have left the next day, but Geom Mugeuk wanted to give more time to Hwa Sun and Samho, who had reunited after three years.

Samho made up for his filial duties to his heart's content.

On the third day, Samho took his mother to a nearby temple. They ate delicious food and admired the beautiful scenery on the way. When his mother's legs hurt, Samho carried her on his back.

When Samho asked if she would live in the Demon Village, she shook her head. She didn't want to be a burden to her son or leave the hometown where she had lived her entire life.

Four days later, Geom Mugeuk's party reluctantly bid Hwa Sun farewell and set off toward the Hunan Branch.

During a short break, Samho approached Geom Mugeuk.

"I heard you ordered my hometown to be placed under special management."

Cheokyeon must have told him.

"Of course. From now on, visit your mother more often. That's an order, too."

Samho realized then that he had been too neglectful of his mother, using his busy schedule as an excuse.

"Thank you so much. I won't forget the grace you've shown me."

"Thanks to you, I ate my fill of your mother's delicious cooking. I should be the one thanking you."

When the break ended, Cheokyeon took the driver's seat, saying he would drive.

"I'll drive as fast as possible."

"Let's go slowly. We're not in a hurry."

Cheokyeon asked, puzzled.

"Don't we need to go quickly?"

"……"

"What if the bastard realizes his corruption has been exposed and runs away?"

There's no chance of that. The Sanzu River Hall and the All-Knowing Hall aren't that sloppy. They'll ensure he knows nothing until we arrive.

"Resign as Branch Manager because of this? That's unlikely. If he did, that would be its own punishment. He'd live his whole life in regret, but that won't happen."

Lee Yeom said Yeo Sogwang left no evidence. There's no way he'd get scared and run away preemptively.

"They're all humans full of greed, so they can't distance themselves from this lump of avarice."

And so, the carriage made its way leisurely toward the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's Hunan Branch.

Yeo Sogwang looked out the window.

His comfortable, kind-looking appearance made him look nothing like a demon.

"Is there still no word from Chairman Lee?"

His right-hand man, Hwang Pyo, answered Yeo Sogwang's question.

"Not yet."

Word should have come that the goods were sent, but there was no news from Lee Yeom.

"Could it be… that bastard has other ideas?"

Yeo Sogwang shook his head firmly.

"He's not that kind of person."

Besides, the blade used this time was the Bloodhand Sword. Yeo Sogwang used that greedy bastard precisely to prevent unforeseen issues. The Bloodhand Sword wouldn't dare have other ideas, as he wasn't easy to deal with.

"What about the Young Cult Leader?"

"He's later than scheduled."

"He's trying to have a battle of wills. He learned bad things at a young age."

"Have you heard the rumors? They say the Second Young Lord, the new successor, is truly extraordinary."

"Of course he's extraordinary."

Nevertheless, Yeo Sogwang was relaxed.

"Even so…"

He's still just a hot-blooded youth. No matter how he tries to hide it, there's an unavoidable childishness that comes with age. I plan to melt him with sweet words.

I'll show him exactly how I climbed from an ordinary martial artist to a Branch Manager.

"So come quickly, Young Cult Leader."