Chapter 298: You Bastards! This Person Here Is

TL: FoodieMonster007

At the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's Jiangxi Branch, Hojyung examined the documents piled on his desk. His most frequent daily task was to meticulously review reports sent from each Branch.

Just then, the Demon Sword Commander, Jung Ak, entered his office.

"Are you busy?"

"Welcome. What brings you here without notice?"

"I just stopped by because I wanted to see you, Commander."

"I'm glad you came."

One man secretly investigated the other, and the other knew he was being watched, yet, they greeted each other more warmly than usual.

Jung Ak looked at the stack of documents on the desk.

"So this is why the complaints have been so widespread."

"What do you mean?"

"Because you handle your work so meticulously, Commander, people are complaining that it's hard to work for you. You should look after your subordinates' morale a bit."

Jung Ak smiled as if joking. Hojyung replied calmly.

"Isn't the failure to look after small details the reason for most disasters?"

"As long as our Commander is here, those bastards from the Evil Alliance wouldn't even dare provoke us."

"How could that be because of me? It's all thanks to our Captain and the Demonic Sword Squad."

Their gazes locked. Both men smiled with their lips, but not with their eyes.

"By the way, have you heard the rumors about someone impersonating our Cult lately?"

"I've heard them. I've already ordered an investigation."

"I had my own people look into it. It seems to be true, not just a rumor."

Hojyung's expression grew serious. Impersonating the Divine Cult was a matter Headquarters also considered extremely important.

"Do you happen to know who he is?"

"I don't know his identity, but I know someone who can approach him."

"If you give me the information, I'll send my subordinates to capture him."

"It's not something you should take so lightly. They say the man is a considerable master."

Hojyung looked confused.

"A master like that is impersonating our Cult? That's strange."

"We'll find out once we capture and interrogate him, but can the Branch handle it?"

Jung Ak's words were a clever prod at Hojyung's pride, implying his squad would step in if the Branch could not handle it.

"We will handle it."

Hojyung did not fall for the provocation. It was a matter for the master of the Jiangxi Branch to resolve. He should only ask for help from the Demonic Sword Squad if the Branch failed.

"Your subordinates could be in danger."

This was why Jung Ak had visited. He worried Hojyung might not act himself and would just send his subordinates.

"I will personally lead my subordinates."

"Ah, if you're moving personally, Commander, then I can rest assured."

Jung Ak thought to himself.

That's your weakness. That vain pride of yours.

He would have answered differently. He would have pointed out that the Demonic Sword Squad exists to handle such dangerous tasks.

"Then I will have my handler lure him in."

"I would be grateful if you did."

As Jung Ak was about to leave, he added with a smile.

"Let's have a drink after this is over."

"Sounds good."

Hojyung also parted with Jung Ak with a pleasant expression.

That drinking party will be your last.

He had information that Jung Ak was taking bribes. He might have turned a blind eye to one or two instances. The Demonic Sword Squad was a crucial elite organization, essential to the Jiangxi Branch.

However, Jung Ak periodically received tribute from too many places, and the amounts were too large. There was a limit to what Hojyung could overlook. It felt as if Jung Ak was taunting him, 'I've committed corruption. So what? What are you going to do? Fire me?'

I'll be the one to cut off your head.

Jung Ak, turning to leave, thought the same thing. The only difference was that he meant it literally.

"The Demonic Cult has finally decided to make a move."

Jo Yang flinched at Cheokpae's words. He should have felt relieved that Geom Mugeuk was going to die, but he did not.

"Tomorrow, you will bring him to the abandoned temple in the west. Can you do it?"

"I can, but… will I be alright?"

"I've already put in a good word for you. They'll take care of you when you get there."

"I understand."

"If you make a mistake, we all die. Keep that in mind!"

That night, Jo Yang had a dream. He dreamt he was floating happily in the sea under the warm sunlight.

The moment he imagined Geom Mugeuk being hacked to pieces by the demonic practitioners, his body tensed and began to sink. He flailed, fell off his bed, and could not fall back asleep until morning.

When Jo Yang went to find Geom Mugeuk, he was meeting someone at the inn. It was the first time Jo Yang had seen him with anyone there, so he observed them carefully. The other man handed Geom Mugeuk something like a letter.

Geom Mugeuk examined its contents, then said a few words to the man. At times like this, he looked so serious that he truly seemed like the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult.

The man who delivered the letter left the inn. Jo Yang, standing at the entrance, glanced at the man as he passed. He was an ordinary person, the kind you could see anywhere.

Jo Yang approached Geom Mugeuk.

"Who was that man?"

"He's from the All-Knowing Hall."

"The All-Knowing Hall?"

"The greatest intelligence organization of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult."

"You're bluffing again, the moment we meet!"

Jo Yang shook his head but could not help asking.

"So? What on earth did you talk about with that so-called top intelligence agent?"

"I was looking into the Jiangxi Branch. About the Branch Manager, and the Demon Sword Commander too."

Jo Yang flinched at the mention of the two men.

"If it's real, let me see that letter."

Geom Mugeuk extended the hand holding the letter. The moment Jo Yang reached for it.

FWOOSH.

Flames erupted from the letter in Geom Mugeuk's hand, burning it away.

"If you saw our Cult's secrets, you wouldn't survive."

Stunned, Jo Yang stared blankly as the paper turned to ash and scattered. He had heard that true masters could burn paper like this with True Samadhi Fire.

"Now do you believe my true identity?"

Geom Mugeuk expected an affirmative answer.

"If you're such a master, why are you crazy?"

Geom Mugeuk swirled the rising ashes with his hand and laughed.

"To make you believe me, I guess I'll have to line up the Demon Supremes behind me."

Jo Yang stared at Geom Mugeuk without a word.

You won't get the chance. Because today, you die.

Geom Mugeuk also stared intently at Jo Yang.

"You don't seem to have slept well. Is something troubling you?"

By now, Jo Yang was no longer surprised by Geom Mugeuk's uncanny ability to guess things.

"There's somewhere you need to go with me today."

"Let's go."

When Geom Mugeuk readily agreed, Jo Yang was taken aback.

"How can you agree without knowing where we're going?"

"I'll find out when we get there."

"What if I've set a trap? Are you looking down on me? Thinking a trap of mine is nothing?"

"That's not it. If you kill me, you can't collect my interest, can you? You're a man who collects money, not lives."

At the unexpected answer, Jo Yang could only shake his head.

"You and your words."

Jo Yang walked in front, and Geom Mugeuk followed.

Jo Yang's mind was a mess. His relationship with this strange man would end soon. He would never have to see this madman again.

Jo Yang glanced back at Geom Mugeuk. Unaware he was walking to his death, he followed leisurely, watching the merchants.

"That outfit over there would look good on you. Shall I buy you one?"

"Use that money to pay your interest. Damn it! Stop talking nonsense and just follow me."

Why was he so irritated? The reason was simple. He did not want to kill Geom Mugeuk. What was so pitiful about that guy with his silly smile?

Jo Yang suddenly thought of the coin Geom Mugeuk had placed on his palm. Yes, this feeling must stem from his gratitude for not having his hand crippled.

After leaving the marketplace, Jo Yang stopped at a fork in the road and sat on a rock.

"Let's rest for a bit."

"You need to work on your stamina. Your body is like this because you're always sitting around counting money."

Geom Mugeuk sat down next to him. After a moment of silence, Jo Yang suddenly asked.

"If you really are the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult… what on earth are you doing here?"

After a brief pause, Geom Mugeuk spoke.

"As you can see, I'm meeting people. I'm meeting the coachman trapped by you people his whole life over the ten taels he borrowed for his child's treatment. I'm meeting you, who sticks a straw in him and sucks his blood, and I'm meeting the nameless vigilante who jumped over the wall to save that man."

As Jo Yang listened, his heart began to tremble. They were not words that should make his heart tremble, yet he often experienced this sensation with Geom Mugeuk.

"Why would a demonic practitioner try to fix King Yama Loan? Even the orthodox sects are just watching. You're a demonic practitioner!"

"There can be beasts in human form among the orthodox sects, and there can be demonic practitioners who can't stand to see such things. Isn't that how it is? Besides, the matter of King Yama Loan is for you to carry on in the future, not me."

"How can a guy like me do something like that? Like you said, I've spent my whole life just counting money and enjoying others' misfortune. How could I possibly do something so grand?"

"It's not a grand task. It's a normal one."

Geom Mugeuk gazed at him calmly.

"If you've lived like a parasite, try living a life where you can soar freely. Even if you can't become a butterfly, can't you at least become a moth?"

In that moment, Jo Yang wished Geom Mugeuk really was the Young Cult Leader. He felt a desire to live a new life, even if that task was a punishment. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

That was why he grew even angrier. Because Geom Mugeuk was not the Young Cult Leader. The Young Cult Leader would not be sitting in front of a mere loan shark, talking about such things.

"I don't want to hear your crazy talk anymore! Take this road and leave!"

Jo Yang's voice trembled.

"Leave by this road and never come back to Jiangxi province. If you come back, you'll die."

Jo Yang had decided to save this crazy master. He had never once lived for someone else. His entire life had been selfish. He did not know why the target of his one and only act of kindness had to be such a madman, but what could he do when his heart was moved?

"The people who are going to kill you are waiting. So go. I'll tell them you realized it was a trap and ran far away. I don't know if they'll believe me, though."

Had he ever taken such a risk for someone else? Absolutely not.

"Why are you telling me this?"

"I think it's because I've never seen someone as strangely crazy as you."

Then, as if he knew the real reason, Geom Mugeuk spoke.

"That's probably not it."

Geom Mugeuk looked deep into Jo Yang's heart.

"It's because you are a truly selfish person with strong survival instincts. Your instincts know. This is the way to live."

"You really! Even when I'm showing you kindness! The real demonic practitioners are waiting!"

"I know."

"You know?"

"Didn't you see me receiving the report earlier? I have a clear view of the Jiangxi Branch's current movements."

Jo Yang threw up his hands in surrender.

"Right. This is what a real madman is like. You're perfect."

"And if you go alone, you'll die."

Geom Mugeuk stood up first and started walking. For some reason, those words sounded chilling, so Jo Yang followed without a word.

I don't know anymore.

This was already an unreasonable kindness on his part. Someday, he would look back on this day. That madman was the only person I ever wanted to save in my entire life. That is how the memory would begin.

And so, the two of them arrived at the temple.

As they entered the courtyard, dozens of ambushing demonic practitioners from the Jiangxi Branch revealed themselves. They all drew their swords at once, unleashing their demonic qi.

Branch Manager Hojyung walked out from among them.

"For what reason have you been impersonating a demonic practitioner?"

Hojyung did not recognize Geom Mugeuk. They had met long ago when Geom Mugeuk was a child. Since then, Hojyung had been rotating through various Branches and had not seen him again.

"I have never impersonated anyone."

Hojyung's expression turned cold.

"We already have a witness."

Hojyung looked at Jo Yang.

"Did that man impersonate our Cult?"

Jo Yang was flustered by the cold question. This was not what he expected. Cheokpae had said they would take care of him.

From the question and the demonic qi flying at him, he felt no consideration for himself. They were simply treating him as an accomplice.

Damn it!

His anger was directed at Cheokpae. He had not been taken care of. Perhaps Cheokpae, seeing him get too close to Geom Mugeuk, had hoped they would die together.

"Stay right behind me. It would be a shame to get hit by a stray blade."

Here, the only person who cared about him was Geom Mugeuk.

"I asked if that man is the one who impersonated our Cult!"

When Hojyung asked again, Jo Yang ignored him and spoke to Geom Mugeuk.

"The demonic practitioner who colluded with the moneylender is not that man."

At those words, even Hojyung tensed and waited for him to continue.

"The person who colluded with the moneylender is…"

At that very moment, someone leaped over the roof and landed in their midst.

It was the Demon Sword Commander, Jung Ak. On the roof and surrounding walls, the Demonic Sword Squad martial artists appeared. Even Hojyung was surprised by his sudden appearance, but Jung Ak focused on Jo Yang, exuding a cold demonic qi.

"Who is the demonic practitioner that colluded with the moneylender?"

Jo Yang knew he would die the moment he identified Jung Ak. No, he had a premonition that he would die eventually, even if he did not reveal it here.

As he was paralyzed with fear, Geom Mugeuk took two coins from his robes and held them out.

"Come to think of it, I haven't paid today's interest. Take it."

Two coins were placed on Jo Yang's palm.

Jo Yang stared down at them silently, then handed the coins back to Geom Mugeuk.

"The interest is too much. The interest I've already paid is more than enough to cover the principal."

Geom Mugeuk looked at him and smiled brightly.

Jo Yang summoned all the courage he had saved up his entire life, and even all the courage he would ever have until the day he died.

"The one who took a bribe from the head of the moneylenders, Cheokpae, and promised to kill you is that man right there, the Demon Sword Commander."

A cold demonic qi erupted from Jung Ak's body. Simultaneously, the demonic practitioners of the Demonic Sword Squad also unleashed their demonic qi.

He was going to die anyway! Like a runaway carriage, Jo Yang shouted at the top of his lungs.

"You bastards! This person here is the Young Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult! All of you, kneel and worship him!"

Ah, so I'm going to die as a madman.