Chapter 293: Where Does a Man Named Geom Woojin Live

TL: FoodieMonster007

"Let's eat together before we part," Geom Mugeuk suggested.

Pyeon Jung stepped back, declining the offer. "It's alright."

"We've eaten together every day on the way here. Wouldn't it be strange not to eat on our last day?"

It was not particularly strange, but Geom Mugeuk was already pulling Pyeon Jung's sleeve.

"Which inn has the best food? Let's go there."

Geom Mugeuk led them through the marketplace. Pyeon Jung had found a good customer, a luxury for his palate until the very end.

As they walked, a fierce-looking man blocked Pyeon Jung's path and held out a hand. Pyeon Jung gave him two-thirds of the money he had just earned.

The man took the money and left without a word. He offered no greetings, curses, or threats. Geom Mugeuk found this even more heartless. The hard-earned money vanished before Pyeon Jung could feel anger, sadness, or anything at all.

After a few more steps, Pyeon Jung sighed. "At first, I protested and resisted. I told them it was unfair."

His difficult past continued to unfold.

"They even beat me up in front of my wife and child. I endured that, but I gave up on everything when that bastard held a knife to my son's throat."

Now, resigned to his fate, he simply tried to get by, saving and working more each day.

Pyeon Jung glanced at Geom Mugeuk, who said nothing.

"That's the place," Pyeon Jung said. "Their cooking is the best."

Inside the inn, Geom Mugeuk secured a room for his stay. He then joined Pyeon Jung on the first floor to eat, ordering the inn's best dishes for them to share.

He has so much money, so why did he borrow ten taels? He'll just get caught up in complicated matters for no reason.

Pyeon Jung spoke cautiously. "If you're thinking of doing something to the moneylender, please don't. They aren't ordinary thugs. Their organization is large, and they're everywhere in the Central Plains."

Geom Mugeuk filled his cup. "You don't have to worry about me."

As usual, Geom Mugeuk ate his food and drank his alcohol in silence. Pyeon Jung also ate quietly.

When they finished, Geom Mugeuk bid him farewell. "You must be tired, so go rest. Thank you for your hard work driving the carriage here."

Geom Mugeuk called the inn owner. He had another reason for insisting they come here. The owner brought out packaged food.

"I asked for dishes the children would enjoy," Geom Mugeuk said. "Take this and feed them."

Geom Mugeuk had noticed Pyeon Jung often got lost in thought while eating and realized he was thinking of his children.

Pyeon Jung felt a surge of emotion, touched that Geom Mugeuk even considered his children. "Why are you being so good to me?"

"It's a reward for bringing me here safely."

A lump formed in Pyeon Jung's throat. He knew people met good souls and had lucky days, but no one had ever shown him such kindness.

Pyeon Jung thanked him several times before heading home, his hands full of food. His steps quickened at the thought of his children's overjoyed faces.

Pyeon Jung might think their relationship as driver and customer had ended, but their connection was not yet over.

Geom Mugeuk watched him leave, then took the ten taels from his robes and stared down at it silently.

Deokchul was nervous. He had spent three months as a trainee investigator for the moneylender and was now heading out for his first official investigation.

Let's do a great job and get recognized.

An investigator's job was to visit a debtor's address and confirm their family lived there. This was more important than collecting the money itself, as the family served as a hostage to prevent the debtor from fleeing.

Deokchul grew more tense as he neared the address.

They said the Demonic Cult Headquarters is in this area. This place is truly a den of demons.

He had already lost count of the demonic practitioners he passed, each one reeking of demonic qi.

He was scared but could not back down. He had to do this job well to become an official investigator.

Deokchul checked the address on the paper and started walking again. He tried to act natural, walking at a leisurely pace like a frequent visitor. He knew a single mistake in demonic practitioner territory could get him killed.

Deokchul entered the Demon Village. Vendors sold various goods as he passed through the market.

"Lots of good items here, come take a look!"

The goat-bearded vendor's call drew Deokchul in. He felt he could not refuse. He feared that if he said no, the vendor would twist his cunning-looking goatee, and some retired demonic practitioner would pop out, shouting, 'Do you know who I am?'

All sorts of items filled the display stand, from dolls carved like the Heavenly Demon Soul to merchandise for the Demon Supremes. A white mask of the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon also hung there.

These Demonic Cult bastards are truly insane. To think they're selling all this stuff.

The Heavenly Demon Soul doll was terrifying. Deokchul thought he might have a seizure if he saw it in his sleep. Has the person who made this ever even seen the Heavenly Demon Soul? No, there's no way some doll maker has seen him, right?

Next to it stood dolls of the Eight Demon Supremes. The Fist Demon doll immediately caught his eye. It was twice the size of the others, with a face as imposing as the Heavenly Demon Soul's.

The goat-bearded vendor quickly explained, "That is the Fist Demon. It's very well made, true to his actual proportions."

His fist is the size of a person's head, and you're telling me it's real? Do you take me for a fool?

Deokchul put down the Fist Demon doll and examined the one next to it. It stood out for being the complete opposite of the Fist Demon.

"That one is the Poison King," the vendor said, spitting with excitement. "He's very handsome, isn't he? Look at the twelve poison pouches. We meticulously crafted every single wrinkle."

Deokchul was inwardly skeptical.

The Poison King is this young and handsome? I know I'll never see the real person, but is it okay to scam people like this?

Then there was the Flower Sword Supreme doll. It radiated the beauty of a middle-aged woman in a pure white martial arts uniform. Deokchul did not even know the Sword Supreme was a woman, so how could he believe this?

They just made these up as they went along.

The Demonic Buddha doll sealed Deokchul's disbelief. It was half the size of the other dolls and glowed with a golden color.

They made it half-sized to cut costs.

Besides, how could a human body emit a golden light?

Deokchul picked up the Blood Heaven Blade Demon doll. Its stubborn gaze was captured well. He tried to draw the Heaven Destroying Dao from its back. Oh, this one is cool.

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon doll, wearing a white mask with its arms crossed arrogantly, sent a chill down his spine. He found himself trying on the hanging mask for no reason.

The Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme doll controlling a puppet and the Drunken Demon doll lying on a rock drinking alcohol were also cool. They were just all arbitrarily made up.

"If you buy all Eight Demon Supremes at once, I'll give you a thirty percent discount."

"I'll buy them next time."

As Deokchul tried to leave, the goat-bearded vendor blocked his path. He had already identified Deokchul as a greenhorn from out of town.

The vendor's eyes seemed to say, You're just going to leave after looking at everything? You're not buying after drawing the Heaven Destroying Dao? After trying on the mask? Really?

Pressured into buying something, Deokchul picked up the Blood Heaven Blade Demon doll. "I'll buy this."

Only then did the goat-bearded vendor smile brightly.

Just as Deokchul turned to leave, having been strong-armed into buying the doll, a golden radiance approached from ahead.

Deokchul squeezed his eyes shut and opened them again. He was not seeing things. The real Demonic Buddha was walking toward him.

Deokchul looked back at the doll on the stall.

It's identical!

The Demonic Buddha glanced at Deokchul as he walked past. The Blood Heaven Blade Demon doll in Deokchul's hand trembled.

Should I have bought the Demonic Buddha doll?

His heart pounded. Surely he won't kill me for buying a different doll, right?

Just then, a voice came from the opposite direction. "Welcome."

Deokchul turned and saw a young man standing there. It was First Young Lord Geom Muyang.

"First Young Lord."

Deokchul held his breath.

First Young Lord? Am I really standing where the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's First Young Lord and the Demonic Buddha are meeting?

Geom Muyang spoke to the Demonic Buddha. "You paid last time, Demon Supreme, so I'll buy the drinks today."

"Excellent."

The Demonic Buddha smiled brightly and walked on. Their relationship had improved after Geom Mugeuk became the Young Cult Leader.

The Demonic Buddha had protected Geom Muyang to the end when he failed his bid for the position. Freed from the power struggle, the two had begun a new friendship.

The Demonic Buddha glanced at Deokchul as he passed. By then, the goat-bearded vendor had firmly pressed the Demonic Buddha doll into Deokchul's other hand.

Now holding two dolls, Deokchul hurriedly escaped the area.

Lingering near the Demonic Cult. I must have a death wish. Alright, let's hurry up, confirm it, and go back.

"Past the Demon Village, walk five hundred paces west, and around the corner of the rocky mountain…"

When he arrived, Deokchul's jaw dropped. He checked the paper in his hand again.

This is definitely the place, but…?

Deokchul lifted his head and stared at the scene before him. An endless stretch of magnificent buildings and colossal demonic statues stood tall. It was the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult Headquarters. This was his first time seeing it. He checked the address again. It was correct.

This is insane!

What kind of madman borrows money and writes this as his address?

Ah! No, wait. Could it be someone who works at the Demonic Cult Headquarters? If so, I have to go check if the person on the paper is here.

Should I go to the main gate and ask, 'Does a man named Geom Woojin live here?' What if they reply, 'How many people do you think live here?' and chop off my head with a single strike?

Ah, what should I do? This is my first official mission!

As Deokchul racked his brain beneath the massive wall, two people approached in the distance.

If they look friendly, I'll ask them.

But they were people he could never ask.

The two were the Fist Demon and Lee Ahn, just returning to the Headquarters.

As the massive figure drew closer, Deokchul realized he had seen the man before. Where have I seen that build? Then he remembered the doll the vendor was selling, the one with fists the size of a human head.

It's the Fist Demon!

Startled, Deokchul stepped aside and bowed his head low. The two continued their conversation as they walked.

"Father."

"What is it?"

They're father and daughter? No way! Ah! She must have been kidnapped. Damn demonic practitioner.

"I just felt like calling you."

"You're silly."

"Father!"

"Stop playing around!"

She can't be calling that scary man because she actually likes him. Is she sending me a request for help?

I'm sorry, Young Lady! Only a few people in the entire murim could save you from the Fist Demon!

He carelessly lifted his head for another look at the woman and met the Fist Demon's eyes. It was the most terrifying face he had ever seen. His knees went weak, and every hair on his body stood on end.

The scary doll had not properly depicted the real Fist Demon. The man was far more terrifying.

The dolls in his hands were of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the Demonic Buddha.

I should have bought the Fist Demon doll!

The two passed in front of Deokchul.

Just as he sighed in relief and turned away, an old man carrying a giant blade walked toward him.

Deokchul looked at the man, then back at the doll in his hand. They were identical.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon?

Deokchul honestly felt like screaming.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon stared at Deokchul with stubborn eyes and asked abruptly, "What are you doing there?"

Deokchul startled at the question.

He never imagined the Blood Heaven Blade Demon would speak to him. Unsure how to answer, Deokchul hesitated, then held up the Blood Heaven Blade Demon doll.

Please spare me! I bought this doll, too.

Just then, a voice came from above. "I'm waiting for my drinking companion to return."

Deokchul turned to see a man sitting on the high wall, drinking. He realized the question was not for him, but for the man on the wall. The man was the Drunken Demon.

"I rushed out when I heard you two had returned, but the person I wanted to see hasn't come," the Drunken Demon said.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon started walking again. "You know her. She's the type to meddle in all worldly affairs."

The Drunken Demon looked into the distance, in the direction the Blood Heaven Blade Demon had come from. "I know. Isn't that why I miss her more?"

"If you miss her that much, stop drinking and go look for her."

In the past, he would have told him to stop his drunken antics, but the Blood Heaven Blade Demon had grown more lenient toward the Drunken Demon as the three of them, including the Flower Sword Supreme, spent more time together.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon walked toward the main gate of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. The Drunken Demon started drinking again.

Deokchul did not know how he escaped. He ran and ran until he burst into a random tavern in the Demon Village.

"Give me some alcohol," he ordered the moment he sat down. His throat was dry and his legs trembled. Still, he could not just leave. If he returned without confirming his first official mission, his trainee period might be extended.

Jo Cheonbae brought the alcohol. The tavern Deokchul had stumbled into was the Alluring Inn.

"I served you because you seemed in a hurry," Jo Cheonbae said in a low voice. "But we have an important guest right now, so you must drink quietly."

Deokchul gulped down the alcohol. To hell with the guest, I have to save myself first. He really thought his heart would pound out of his chest.

As Jo Cheonbae turned to leave, Deokchul asked, "Innkeeper, do you know where a man named Geom Woojin lives around here?"

For a moment, the tavern fell silent. Everyone's gaze turned to Deokchul, then shifted to the second floor. A man sat there drinking with his back to them.

Reacting to the sudden shift, Deokchul quickly asked, "Is that him?"

Jo Cheonbae's voice trembled. "It is, but… he's probably not the person you're looking for."

"Everyone says it's not him."

During his training, all he ever heard were denials. 'I don't know such a person.' 'He's not my son.' 'We lost contact a long time ago.' What did he mean, it was not him?

Before anyone could stop him, Deokchul rushed up to the second floor.

So I'm not meant to die here.

He had found Geom Woojin.

It's the will of the heavens for me to become an official investigator!

Deokchul approached Geom Woojin, who drank alone on the second floor. He held out the paper and asked, "Are you the one who lives at this address?"