Chapter 265: I'm a Demon, So What's Wrong With Killing a Few People?

TL: FoodieMonster007

Geom Mugeuk returned to the seat of honor and sat down. When Yeo Sogwang tried to take the seat beside him, Geom Mugeuk had Yakran sit there instead.

Yeo Sogwang did not feel bad about being pushed from his seat. He actually admired Geom Mugeuk.

Running to a room holding a woman while so many people are watching? And then seating her next to him so openly? I could never imagine doing that.

In any case, events were unfolding just as Yeo Sogwang intended.

He's completely fallen for it.

If Geom Mugeuk was this impulsive, perhaps Yeo Sogwang could seize the opportunity to advance to Headquarters. Filled with anticipation, Yeo Sogwang tried to flatter Geom Mugeuk even more.

"Look at the dancer's expression. She's completely lost in happiness. Then again, what woman wouldn't be captivated by our Young Cult Leader's manliness?"

Yeo Sogwang's gaze shifted to Yakran. Her expression was different than usual. She had always looked at him with fear, but now she seemed strangely confident.

Foolish wench. She must think she owns the Young Cult Leader just because she slept with him once.

She did not realize that getting involved with the Young Cult Leader had shortened her life. When the Young Cult Leader decided to end their relationship, he would not just leave her be. Even if it was not the Young Cult Leader, one of those bodyguards would take care of her.

Just then, Geom Mugeuk asked Yeo Sogwang a question.

"Our Commander Yeo, what do you hate the most?"

Yeo Sogwang racked his brain, wondering why the Young Cult Leader was asking such a thing. He could not guess his intention. The question seemed obvious, yet the Young Cult Leader had an unpredictable side.

"……"

Things he hated? Of course, there were. He hated everything that hindered his career advancement or got in the way of accumulating wealth. He especially hated when someone saw through his intermediate mastery, but he could not say any of those things out loud.

"I hate those bastards from the orthodox sects who are trying to bring down our Cult. I hate their hypocrisy."

"As expected! Having our Commander Yeo with us is reassuring. Now, on that note, have a drink from me."

"Thank you."

As Geom Mugeuk poured Yeo Sogwang a drink, he asked casually, "Commander Yeo, have you saved up a lot of money?"

Yeo Sogwang flinched inwardly but quickly feigned hardship.

"How I wish that were true. As you can see, I have more than a few subordinates to look after. It's like I have no fate with money. It all slips away as soon as it comes in."

"Commander Yeo, stop feigning poverty and lend me some money."

Suddenly asking to borrow money? Is he asking for a bribe? Or is this just a drinking game joke?

He tried to grasp the Young Cult Leader's true intentions, but he just could not figure out what he was thinking.

Yeo Sogwang smiled and took a wallet from his robes.

"If our Young Cult Leader needs money, I suppose I'll have to part with my pocket money."

He opened the wallet and said, "I have eighty taels. I can lend you this, at least."

Geom Mugeuk accepted the money, then shook his head.

"This isn't enough."

Does he really want a bribe?

Yeo Sogwang had climbed to his current position by offering many bribes. He could usually tell how much someone wanted just by listening, or even calculate the right amount without a word, but the Young Cult Leader wanted a bribe? Here, in such a public place? It was so far beyond common sense that no matter how hard Yeo Sogwang tried, he could not grasp the hidden motive.

Alright, let's see about this.

Yeo Sogwang smiled and rose from his seat.

"Please wait a moment."

Yeo Sogwang left the main hall.

Yakran, sitting beside Geom Mugeuk, looked at him with a puzzled expression, but he offered no explanation.

The bodyguards also exchanged glances, but none of them could guess Geom Mugeuk's intentions.

A moment later, Yeo Sogwang returned with a small box.

"Here it is."

On his way back, Yeo Sogwang had reached a conclusion. It was true when Geom Mugeuk ran off holding Yakran, and it was true now.

The Young Cult Leader is enjoying the attention. He's someone who likes to stand out far more than I thought.

What would a Young Cult Leader have to fear? He must think it is cool to say, 'Look, I take bribes this openly.'

This foolish Young Cult Leader. This is just leaving behind a weakness. If it becomes a problem later, is he planning to silence everyone here by killing them all?

Geom Mugeuk looked inside the box.

"Oh, you've saved up a lot of money."

"I'm giving you all the money I've saved."

Geom Mugeuk closed the box and spoke again.

"Commander Yeo."

"Yes, Young Cult Leader."

"Give me more."

For a moment, Yeo Sogwang's expression soured. He quickly replaced it with his usual good-natured smile, a true talent in itself.

"Didn't I tell you that's my entire fortune?"

"I know you have other assets saved up separately."

"I do not."

Yeo Sogwang was smiling and waving his hands in denial when Geom Mugeuk spoke.

"What about the money you earned by joining hands with the Heavenly Peace Sect Leader?"

Yeo Sogwang startled. He was so shocked that the words 'How did you know that?' almost slipped out.

Of course, the seasoned Yeo Sogwang handled it without showing any surprise.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Why be like this between us? I understand completely. With a meager salary, you have to earn some side income to take care of your subordinates. Isn't that right?"

The amount he had gained from the Heavenly Peace Sect affair was too large to agree with that. Moreover, he had killed over twenty people to bury the secret. It must never be revealed.

How much does he know?

For now, Yeo Sogwang flatly denied it.

"There seems to be a misunderstanding. I have certainly interacted with the Heavenly Peace Sect, but that was for handling Branch affairs."

He had a fake ledger prepared for such occasions, fabricated to show the incoming money was used for the Branch.

Then, Geom Mugeuk gestured for him to bring his face closer. Yeo Sogwang, inwardly tense, leaned in. He feared a fist might fly at him at any moment.

Fortunately, that did not happen. Something more terrifying than a fist flew at him instead.

"Then how much did you take from the Clean Night Gang Chief?"

"!"

"Don't you remember? Then do you recall the money you received from the Western Spear Sect's Vice Sect Leader?"

Several more names followed one after another.

Yakran, listening beside him, was inwardly surprised. Those were the names she had written down for him. When she gave him the paper, he had seemed to just glance at it, but he had memorized it all perfectly.

Yeo Sogwang's eyes wavered. He was a man who rarely got flustered, but this time, his composure shattered.

What? How on earth did he find out?

No, that was not important. The important thing was how to get out of this situation.

"Our Commander Yeo's expression has stiffened. I always liked your smiling face."

Yeo Sogwang forced a smile. The situation required improvisation, but with so many names mentioned, his mind became a jumble. He was unsure what to say. The greatest crisis of his life had suddenly ambushed him.

"Now I get it. I know what our Commander Yeo hates the most. Giving up his own money. Am I right?"

Yeo Sogwang's lost gaze turned toward Yakran, who sat next to Geom Mugeuk.

At that moment, their eyes met. The instant he saw her confident gaze, he knew.

Damn it! That damned wench told him everything!

She had followed his orders so well for so many years that he never dreamed a situation like this would occur.

"Did that dancer perhaps say something to slander me?"

"Why do you suddenly say such a thing? Could it be that Commander Yeo has some connection to this woman?"

In that moment, Yeo Sogwang realized he had misspoken. He should have denied everything unconditionally. He absolutely could not afford to be entangled with Yakran.

However, the pressure did not end there.

"Where is the cargo from the number one escort agency in Hunan?"

Yeo Sogwang's vision went dark. The Young Cult Leader knew all about his corruption.

"It's slander! It's a conspiracy by someone to bring me down!"

"……"

Yeo Sogwang's gaze turned to Yakran again.

"Is this that dancer's doing?"

He could not answer yes. If he did, everything about forcing her to entertain guests would be revealed. More importantly, he had introduced such a woman to the Young Cult Leader. He would have a better chance of survival by just being a corrupt martial artist.

He already knew when he came here. He came to get me. If so?

Yeo Sogwang dropped to his knees and bowed his head low.

The music that had filled the hall stopped. Everyone held their breath. The sight of Yeo Sogwang, who wielded absolute power in Hunan, on his knees was utterly unfamiliar.

"Please show me mercy and forgive me. I was momentarily blinded by greed."

He could only hope for the Young Cult Leader's impulsive and unique personality to emerge. He prayed Geom Mugeuk would laugh heartily and say something like, 'Something like that is nothing.' Isn't he someone who likes to stand out? Please! Stand out by forgiving me! Show off!

However, at the moment he was supposed to stand out, Geom Mugeuk instead became calm and cold.

"Where is the money you've saved up all this time?"

"…It's in the bank."

"Not that. Not the money you put aside for show in preparation for the Sanzu River Hall's audit. I'm talking about the money you scraped together so tenaciously."

Yeo Sogwang said nothing. He could not. To survive the killing intent, he had to give up the money immediately, but what kind of money was that?

Geom Mugeuk beckoned to Hwang Pyo, who stood far off.

Hwang Pyo ran over with a tense face and knelt beside Yeo Sogwang.

"You know where the money is hidden, don't you?"

Geom Mugeuk unleashed his killing intent on him. At once, all the hair on Hwang Pyo's body stood on end. He felt as if blood was draining from his body. A chilling fear that he could really die washed over him.

"Tell me the truth, and I'll let you live."

Hwang Pyo's heart pounded. He had always thought he could die for Yeo Sogwang. However, when faced with actual death, he was scared. Had Yeo Sogwang really treated him well enough to be worth dying for?

Geom Mugeuk read his wavering heart perfectly.

"You must have watched your master accumulate immense wealth. What did he give you?"

He gave him scraps, and he made a huge fuss about it, too.

Hwang Pyo looked at Yeo Sogwang kneeling beside him. Seeing him look so haggard and unlike his usual self, Hwang Pyo understood. His loyalty was only valid as long as Yeo Sogwang held power over his life and death.

"…The assets are hidden in a temple called Yanghosa."

Geom Mugeuk sent a telepathic message to Cheokyeon.

Contact the All-Knowing Hall right now and have them retrieve everything!

Yes, I understand.

Hwang Pyo pleaded desperately.

"I confessed honestly, so please let me live!"

At that very moment!

PUAAAK!

Yeo Sogwang drew his sword and sliced off Hwang Pyo's head. Gushing blood splattered onto Yeo Sogwang's body and face.

Yeo Sogwang wiped the blood from his face. More than resentment for Hwang Pyo, he felt regret. He should not have trusted him to the end. This bastard, that wench. He should have used them for a few years, then gotten rid of them and found new ones.

Yeo Sogwang spat on Hwang Pyo's corpse and said coldly, "Who do you take me for, a fucking idiot? Did you think you could live after spouting such nonsense next to me?"

His always-smiling expression vanished as if he had taken off a mask. This was his true face. He had not known his mask would be stripped away so easily, all because of that strange Young Cult Leader.

"Young Cult Leader, you never intended to let this man live from the beginning, did you?"

"You must have lived your whole life sucking up and worrying about what others think. Are you trying to read someone else's mind even at the very end?"

The sword in Yeo Sogwang's grip trembled. He spoke as if lamenting.

"It's unfair. I never even got to spend the money I saved my whole life."

"You were addicted to making money. You should have seen people and the world while spending money. You only ever saw the money."

Yeo Sogwang thought that might be true. He had felt a greater thrill when earning money than when spending it.

"……"

He wanted to refute it, but the words would not come. He, who was known for being eloquent, could not think of anything in front of the damned Young Cult Leader. Could the life he had built for so long really crumble in an instant like this? Was it really happening? It truly felt like a dream.

Yeo Sogwang screamed with all his might.

"It's possible! I'm a demon, so what's wrong with killing a few of those insignificant bastards?"

Normally, he would never have said such a thing. It was something only low-life thugs would say.

It would not have been so miserable if Geom Mugeuk had at least played along and said, 'Right, I'm a demon too. So what's wrong with killing a guy like you?' But Geom Mugeuk just stared at him with impassive eyes.

Yeo Sogwang screamed as if in his death throes.

"Uwaaaaaaah!"

Just as Yakran could not handle him, he could not handle Geom Mugeuk.

Yeo Sogwang lunged forward. His sword flew toward Geom Mugeuk, then suddenly changed direction. He aimed the blade at Yakran's heart, blaming her for everything.

PUUK!

A sword plunged into flesh with a tearing sound.

Yeo Sogwang's sword stopped just before Yakran's heart. Geom Mugeuk's Black Demon Sword was embedded in his chest instead.

Geom Mugeuk said to Yakran, "The ghost that tormented you now disappears from this world."

When he pulled out the sword, Yeo Sogwang fell backward, dead.

"Send away the ghost in your heart along with him now."

Yakran understood why Geom Mugeuk was saying this. He meant she should not suffer for the rest of her life from the scars she received because of Yeo Sogwang.

Gazing at Yeo Sogwang's corpse, she took a deep breath and said, "I will dance."

She had been waiting for this moment.

Just then, Geom Mugeuk said, "Don't dance here. Dance on a stage later. A dance shouldn't be performed in a place like this, where dirty blood flows, but on a stage."

"But you promised, didn't you?"

From Geom Mugeuk's clear, deep eyes that stared at her without a word, Yakran understood. Geom Mugeuk had made that promise just so he could say these words to her.

"There's no need to vent your grief. He's not even worth it. Perform your greatest dance on your stage."

Tears welled up in her eyes.

"Why are you being so good to someone as insignificant as me?"

Geom Mugeuk stood facing her.

"Because the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult has wronged you."

Geom Mugeuk gazed at her and said politely, "I will apologize on its behalf. I am sorry."

The tears Yakran had been holding back streamed down her face. The Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult was apologizing. To an insignificant life that could be snuffed out with a flick of his finger. How could she possibly cling to past wounds in the face of this?

She gave Geom Mugeuk a deep bow.

"I will never forget this kindness. Please come and see my dance someday."

The other dancers and musicians who were there also bowed their heads.

Watching this, Cheokyeon could feel it. Geom Mugeuk's demonic path, which had once lingered on the meal cooked by Samho's mother, had today lingered on that woman's dance.

And now, he felt he could see it, just a little. What it was they had to protect. The eyes that had ached so much they felt like they would fall out, hurt a little less.