Chapter 299: You Won't Come, and We Won't Wait

TL: FoodieMonster007

Laughter, not worship, filled the air. The source was Jung Ak. He wasn't flustered at all, even though they had accused him of taking a bribe.

"Don't tell me you've been impersonating the Young Cult Leader?" Hojyung asked, letting out a dry laugh despite listening seriously.

However, Hojyung had clearly heard what Jo Yang said earlier.

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

If those words were true, then Jo Yang was now someone Hojyung had to protect.

Hojyung asked Jung Ak, "What brings you here, Captain?"

"I thought you might need support, since the opponent is a master."

Hojyung didn't believe him. If that was Jung Ak's intention, he would have led the Demonic Sword Squad himself from the start. He had only appeared the moment his name was about to leave Jo Yang's lips. It was clear he had shown up to pressure Jo Yang into silence.

"As you heard, Captain, that man has pointed you out. It would be best for you to step back for now."

"Surely, you don't believe that man's words, do you?"

"Of course not. However, since he testified in front of everyone, we must conduct a formal investigation."

"That man is a King Yama Loan lender."

At that, Hojyung asked Jo Yang, "Is that true?"

Jo Yang flinched at the cold question. "It is, but what I told you is the truth."

Hojyung did not trust those who ran King Yama Loan.

Watching Hojyung's expression harden, Jo Yang remembered just how formidable Geom Mugeuk was. Everyone scowled and ignored him like this, but no one dared to step forward and try to eliminate him.

Just then, Geom Mugeuk casually interjected. "When you can't refute the content, you attack the messenger."

Jung Ak's eyes turned fierce at those words.

Hojyung placated Jung Ak. "If it's not true, I will punish him severely for false accusation. Don't worry."

Outwardly, Jung Ak was composed. Inside, he was looking for any opportunity to get rid of Jo Yang. If they returned to the Branch and a full-scale interrogation began, the fact that he took a bribe would become public knowledge. If his other bribes were also revealed, he would not only have to step down from his position as Captain but would also be thrown in prison.

Jung Ak's gaze turned to Geom Mugeuk. "And what are you going to do with our Young Cult Leader?"

"I will deal with him myself as well."

"Isn't that treason?"

No one laughed at his joke.

Meanwhile, Jo Yang looked at Geom Mugeuk. Even though everyone else was sneering, Jo Yang did not. He had already resolved himself to die anyway.

"Young Cult Leader, what do you plan to do now?"

Right, since it's already started, I'll be the Young Cult Leader until the very end.

As if he had been waiting, Jung Ak drew his sword. "How dare you speak the name of the Young Cult Leader!"

He was about to charge forward and cut down Jo Yang.

Hojyung blocked his path. "Stop."

"Step aside. I can't stand by and watch someone so insolently impersonate the Young Cult Leader."

"I can't do that."

The two men glared at each other, the hidden rift between them now deeply revealed. In truth, Jung Ak had expected Hojyung to block him.

[Kill that bastard!]

A telepathic message flew to his subordinate, Chahwi. This was his chance, while Hojyung was blocking him.

Chahwi launched a surprise attack with his sword qi.

SHIIIIIIK!

A single, fierce stream of sword qi flew toward Jo Yang. It was a powerful attack, meant to sweep away both him and Geom Mugeuk.

"……"

Startled by the explosion, Jo Yang fell onto his backside. He saw Geom Mugeuk's back. Geom Mugeuk had stood his ground and lightly dispelled the incoming sword qi with a swing of his sword.

"Attack together and kill them!"

At Division Leader Chahwi's command, the members of the Demonic Sword Squad all drew their swords in unison.

At the same time, Hojyung shouted, "Block them!"

The members belonging to the Branch also drew their swords. A tense atmosphere filled the air between the two groups, their blades aimed at each other. If they fought, the Branch martial artists could not handle the elite Demonic Sword Squad.

It was at that moment.

Geom Mugeuk stepped forward and released his aura.

SWAAAAAAAAAAK!

Geom Mugeuk's aura spread out in all directions. A massive wave crashed down upon them. There was nowhere to run and no way to escape.

All the cultists were plunged into water. An abyss pulled them endlessly downward. They resisted, struggling with all their might not to be dragged down. However, Geom Mugeuk's aura allowed no resistance. Their bodies felt like they would explode, and they couldn't breathe.

Uwaaaaaaaah!

They screamed, but no sound came out.

At the bottom of that abyss, they saw it. They saw the figure of Geom Mugeuk, standing alone and emitting light in the pitch-black darkness.

In that moment, Geom Mugeuk's aura vanished. The Geom Mugeuk of the abyss transformed into the Geom Mugeuk of reality, standing before them.

Gasping for breath, everyone was horrified. They didn't need to see him draw his sword to know. They knew that Geom Mugeuk's martial arts were overwhelmingly superior to their own. They also knew that the thing that had suffocated them was demonic qi.

Geom Mugeuk said to Hojyung, "It's been a while. At the celebration for your appointment as Branch Manager, you greeted everyone like that, didn't you? You said you would meticulously examine the small things to prevent great disasters."

Hojyung remembered it vividly. It was the greeting he had given at the celebration after being appointed as Branch Manager for the first time. How could he forget that moment?

"Were you there at that time?"

Geom Mugeuk nodded.

"Who is your Master?"

Just then, a person appeared. Hojyung was startled to see who it was.

"Branch Manager Lim!"

It was Lim Jeong, the head of the All-Knowing Hall's Jiangxi Branch. She, who never showed herself unless it was for an important matter, had revealed herself here.

"What brings you here?"

Before coming here, Geom Mugeuk had met a martial artist from the All-Knowing Hall and, through him, had asked Lim Jeong for this favor.

"I am here to deliver the order that all martial artists belonging to the Jiangxi Branch are to serve the Young Cult Leader with all their hearts."

Everyone was shocked at the mention of the Young Cult Leader. Weren't they the very ones who had been mocking the fake Young Cult Leader just moments ago?

"No way!"

Everyone's gaze turned to Geom Mugeuk, and Lim Jeong said in a loud voice, "That's right. This person is the Young Cult Leader."

A silence of shock and astonishment fell.

The first person to recover was Hojyung. He showed his respect by prostrating himself on the ground. "Greetings to the Young Cult Leader!"

At that, not only the cultists of the Branch, but also Jung Ak and the Demonic Sword Squad all showed their respects in unison. Under any circumstances, respect for the Cult Leader and the Young Cult Leader was absolute.

"Greetings to the Young Cult Leader!"

The voices of the cultists echoed thunderously. In truth, even if Lim Jeong hadn't confirmed it, his magnificent aura alone was enough to prove he was the Young Cult Leader.

Now, the only person left standing there blankly was Jo Yang.

Geom Mugeuk looked at him and smiled faintly. "You believe me now, even without the Demon Supremes standing behind me, right?"

Belatedly coming to his senses, Jo Yang cried out and prostrated himself flat on the ground. "I failed to recognize a person of your stature and have committed a grave discourtesy."

"Discourtesy? You were the only one who believed I was the Young Cult Leader."

Jo Yang was overcome with emotion. He couldn't believe it. Did this mean that all this time he had been meeting, collecting interest from, and conversing with the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult? He had even called him a madman.

"You're going to have to work hard from now on."

Now he finally understood the source of that absurd confidence. It was an order from the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult, so how could he neglect his moneylender duties?

"I will work with a repentant heart for the rest of my life."

His life had been saved, what more could he ask for? Just moments ago, he had been flailing in the sea, but now he was beginning to float comfortably again. A warm sunlight shone down on him.

Conversely, a great wave was crashing in Jung Ak's heart.

Why on earth is the Young Cult Leader here? The one targeting me was Hojyung, wasn't it? Could he have joined hands with Hojyung to target me?

However, judging by Hojyung's surprised reaction, it was certain that he hadn't anticipated the Young Cult Leader's appearance either.

"Now, everyone rise!"

All the cultists there rose from their positions. They still stared at Geom Mugeuk with eyes of surprise and awe. This was the man who would become the next Cult Leader. If he ordered them, 'Die!', they had to die instantly.

Geom Mugeuk walked toward Jung Ak. "Captain Jung, you've taken quite a lot of bribes."

Before Jung Ak could make an excuse, Lim Jeong spoke first. "We have confirmed that gold from the moneylender was stored in various affiliate banks under Captain Jung's name. The investigation is ongoing, so we expect other evidence to emerge soon. Furthermore, investigations have begun into places other than the moneylender."

If someone else had said it, he could have insisted it was a fabrication, but these were the words of the All-Knowing Hall's Branch Manager.

Nevertheless, Jung Ak held his head high and spoke as if it were nothing. "I didn't extort it from them. They offered it voluntarily."

"Would they have given you money if you weren't the Demon Sword Commander?"

"It was their choice."

He was defiant because his subordinates were watching. The moment he showed a servile attitude, their respect for him would vanish.

"Did you share that money with your subordinates?"

A momentary silence fell. The only person he had shared the money with was his right-hand man, Chahwi.

"I was planning to share it."

He would have been better off not saying that. At his pathetic excuse, the gazes of the Demonic Sword Squad's subordinates turned cold.

"I believe the authority of the Demonic Sword Squad should not be damaged by such a trivial matter." Jung Ak tried to somehow escape the situation.

However, his opponent was Geom Mugeuk. "That's why."

Geom Mugeuk looked at the members of the Demonic Sword Squad. "Because you are the Demonic Sword Squad. Even if we were pushed back to Headquarters by the Murim Alliance or the Evil Alliance, as long as we hear news that you are alive, we will not lose hope. We have faith that you will break through the enemy lines and come to save us. That is the faith our Cult has in you, the Demonic Sword Squad."

Pride bloomed on the faces of the Demonic Sword Squad members.

"That is why you must be different from others. You can't just snatch up a bribe when it's offered. 'This much should be fine,' you think? It's not fine. If you were the kind of people who would take a bribe and think nothing of it, then we wouldn't wait for the Demonic Sword Squad. We would think that instead of choosing to break through the enemy, you compromised for an easier path. You won't come, and we won't wait."

Jung Ak's expression twisted, but the members of the Demonic Sword Squad were sympathizing with Geom Mugeuk's words.

Jung Ak shouted in protest, "Why are you worrying in advance about something that hasn't even happened?"

"Because I am the one who will be your Cult Leader. Others might not, but I have to, I have to worry about that."

Jung Ak couldn't refute him.

And another crime was added to his list. "The reason I can't forgive you is not because of the bribe. You hoped that Branch Manager Ho would die or be injured here today."

A stir went through the surroundings at those words.

"That's not true. If that were the case, why would I have come here?"

"Because the mission to find the one who harmed the Branch Manager would have fallen to you anyway. You probably intended to wrap everything up here. Kill Branch Manager Ho and get your revenge."

"Why would I do that?"

The one who answered was Hojyung. "Because you found out I was investigating you."

Now, Hojyung could be certain. "So that's why you came to me and induced me to go on the mission myself."

Just as Jung Ak was about to scream that he was being framed, he met the eyes of his subordinates. Those eyes, which used to fear him, were now filled with distrust and disappointment. Their respect was vanishing.

"If you lose me, it will be a great blow to our Cult's military strength."

"Considering the possibility that your sword might be aimed at us for money, it might actually be a gain."

"That would never have happened."

"You never know. What would happen if you were offered too much money to refuse?"

To the resentful Jung Ak, Geom Mugeuk spoke calmly. "This is why. This is why you shouldn't have accepted it in the first place. Whether what you say is true or not, everything ends up a mess like this. You become the kind of person who looks like they'd sell me out for a few coins."

Geom Mugeuk said with sincerity, "Pay for your crimes and start over. I will give you another chance then."

Jung Ak let out a long sigh for the first time.

How many years will I have to live in prison? Five years? Ten years?

"I don't want to do that."

The choice Jung Ak made was to kill Hojyung and then die himself. He had to resent someone, and the target of that resentment was not himself.

This is all your fault!

He threw himself at Hojyung and drew his sword.

"……"

His swift sword was about to slice through Hojyung's body. Then, his sword, which could slice through massive boulders, was blocked by something and then shattered.

JJAENGGANG!

The moment he identified his opponent, Jung Ak's eyes widened.

PUAIIIAK!

The opponent who broke his sword and then slashed his chest was a terrifying demon.

SEOGEOK! SEOGEOK! SEOGEOK!

From the left, the right, and from behind, the swords of demons flew in. His entire body was sliced apart, and Jung Ak died.

Those who watched were so shocked they couldn't even breathe properly. They knew that the only demonic art of the Young Cult Leader that summoned demons was the Nine Calamities Demonic Art, so they all bowed their heads. This time, it was not out of respect for Geom Mugeuk, but for the Nine Calamities Demonic Art itself.

Taking that opportunity, Chahwi, who had been Jung Ak's subordinate, tried to fulfill his dead leader's will. He was struck down and killed by Hojyung's sword.

The Branch martial artists were surprised by Hojyung's skill. They had only ever seen him at his desk, meticulously shuffling through documents, but Hojyung was a much greater master than they had thought. Because he had never once shown off his skills, their admiration was even greater. If they had known, they would have grumbled less about the increased workload.

Unlike the morale-boosted Branch martial artists, only gloom hung over the Demonic Sword Squad. Although their leaders had been corrupt, they had still lost their commander and a Division Leader.

Geom Mugeuk soothed their hearts. "Around this time, at the tavern I frequent in the Demon Village, everyone will be drinking. They'll be worrying about money, children, work, and people. They'll have all sorts of worries, but at least they won't be worrying that martial artists from the Evil Alliance will burst through the tavern door and kill them. Why? Because you all are protecting this Jiangxi Branch."

Geom Mugeuk conveyed his sincere and honest feelings. "I know we give you the best treatment, but it's still not enough. With your skills, you could go out and earn ten times more, but in exchange, you wouldn't get the honor of being the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's most elite, the Demonic Sword Squad. You might ask if honor puts food on the table, but you must live on honor. Because you are the ones who use that honor to let others eat in peace."

After a brief pause, Geom Mugeuk added one last thing. "Even if no one else recognizes you, I will."

Pride and determination filled the eyes of the Demonic Sword Squad martial artists. What did it matter if it was just words of comfort? It was comfort from none other than the man who would become the Cult Leader.

"We will pledge our lives and our loyalty."

The comfort for them was not the end, but just the beginning.

"Now, everyone, follow me."

Both the Demonic Sword Squad and the Branch martial artists followed Geom Mugeuk.

Geom Mugeuk also spoke to Jo Yang. "Lead the way."

"Me?"

"This is the stage where you're the main character. You have to go."

Jo Yang understood. Geom Mugeuk intended to take all of them to Cheokpae's manor. It wasn't because he thought highly of Cheokpae.

It was because Geom Mugeuk had said this to Lim Jeong of the All-Knowing Hall.

"Send word to the Evil Alliance. Tell them it's the Jiangxi Branch's unity rally day, so they are not to touch us for today."