Chapter 310: Just Take Me to That Damned Woman

TL: FoodieMonster007

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's qi completely overwhelmed Geom Mugeuk.

He felt the Cult Leader's fury in the illusion of charging beasts.

If he had not activated the Heavenly Demon Defense Art, his blood would have boiled from the man's qi, and he would have had to resist drawing his sword.

This was the qi of a true master who had reached the pinnacle of a martial art.

I need to calm his anger.

Geom Mugeuk dodged the charging monsters, waving his hands and speaking playfully.

"I'm not the one who touched your disciple. Oh my, I'm going to die!"

At that, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader withdrew his qi.

The rampaging beasts vanished instantly. Dark clouds dissipated, and the surroundings brightened. A bell that tolled like a heartbeat opening hell's gates faded away. With its final, lingering chime, he could feel the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's emotions subsiding.

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's gaze returned to normal.

"Where is Cheong Seon now?"

His calm question was laced with concern for her.

This is why you have to look at people closely. No, even though I thought I was looking closely, I never knew the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader had this side to him.

It's a moment that makes me realize again how hard it is to truly know a person, to understand all their different, layered facets.

"The Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme is fine."

Only then did the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's face relax.

"She'll be very happy to know you were so worried, Cult Leader. Thanks to you, I almost died, though."

"Stop exaggerating! You held up just fine."

"I had to use the Heavenly Demon Defense Art!"

He deliberately mentioned the Heavenly Demon Defense Art to save the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's face. Sure enough, his mood instantly improved. After all, he acknowledged his father as the world's number one.

Go Wol, who stood behind the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader, chimed in.

"Cult Leader, do you really care about your disciple this much? You don't usually dote on her like this, do you?"

"I don't. What do you mean, dote on her?"

Perhaps feeling embarrassed, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader gave another reason.

"It's not because of Cheong Seon, it's because of my pride! How dare they touch my disciple? This is an insult to me. Surely they couldn't have been unaware she's my disciple, right? Ah, or were they? They must have been ignorant to do something like this, right?"

Geom Mugeuk firmly shook his head.

"Not a chance. The person who planned this definitely did their research."

"Who in the world is it?"

"It's a woman."

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader tilted his head. He could not think of any woman he knew who practiced soul-stealing arts and would commit such an act. The same went for men. Daring to touch a Demon Supreme of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult? Their entire clan would be annihilated if they were caught. Who could it be?

"Who is this woman?"

"She's a woman disguised as the owner of a flower garden in the Demon Village."

"I'll have to see for myself. Before that, let me see Cheong Seon first."

"I'll go and bring her. By the way, your disciple doesn't know she's been subjected to a soul-stealing art."

"I figured as much."

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's gaze deepened. He might be neglectful about other things, but he never took matters related to soul-stealing arts lightly.

As Geom Mugeuk left, Go Wol spoke to him.

"Cult Leader."

After calling his name, Go Wol said nothing more.

We're always together, so how could I not know what's on Go Wol's mind? It's a warning not to get swept up in emotions, since this concerns my disciple.

"What are you worried about? You know full well what a rotten person I am."

Go Wol nodded, his expression clearly saying, 'I know very well'.

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader shouted. He had temporarily hidden his dignity until his disciple arrived.

"You're supposed to deny it! You should say you're worried because the Cult Leader is surprisingly affectionate! You should at least say it, even if you don't mean it!"

Black energy rose from Cheong Seon's fingertips and wrapped around her arm.

The black smoke transformed into armor shaped like fish scales. The Illusion Armor Art seemed successful, perfectly protecting her arm, but then…

"……"

A sound like cracking metal echoed as the scales burst in all directions with a PUFF, scattering into smoke.

Cheong Seon clutched her arm, her face contorting in pain. She had recited the incantation incorrectly and nearly injured her arm severely.

After killing Sa Woojong, she could not focus on her martial arts training.

Is it because of guilt? Not a chance. I'm not that soft-hearted. With her venomous and harsh personality, the regret of not controlling her own emotions tormented her instead.

The events of that day replayed in her mind, and she imagined handling it calmly. I should have answered like this. I should have handled it this way. I should have held back.

Perhaps it's because of the Young Cult Leader. I should have shown him a more impressive side of myself.

I'm the only one who will be the next generation's Demon Supreme. Even if the other Demon Supremes grow old and die, I will live to serve Geom Mugeuk when he becomes the Cult Leader. I keep having lingering regrets, feeling as though I've ruined the start of such an important relationship.

Just then, a subordinate's voice came from outside.

"The Young Cult Leader has arrived."

"Show him in."

Since she had just been thinking of Geom Mugeuk, she was inwardly surprised. How timely.

A moment later, Geom Mugeuk entered.

"Young Cult Leader."

"Demon Supreme."

The two exchanged a clasped hands greeting. Cheong Seon worried inwardly that the issue with Sa Woojong had escalated.

However, Geom Mugeuk brought incredibly good news that belied her worries. Two pieces of it, in fact.

"The Flower Sword Supreme has decided to let this incident pass quietly."

Cheong Seon felt greatly relieved. She was so pleased she had to force a neutral expression, unable to rejoice openly.

"The Sword Supreme made a concession for you, Demon Supreme."

How could I not know? This result was only possible because Geom Mugeuk mediated so well.

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

Then, Geom Mugeuk delivered the other piece of good news.

"The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader has returned."

"Ah! Master has!"

"He looked for you first, Demon Supreme, as soon as he returned."

I want to tell her. I want to tell her how furious her Master was when he heard she was under a soul-stealing art. I want to tell her that even if he doesn't show it, he cares for her deeply. I'll tell her when all this is over, hoping their relationship will deepen.

"Where is he?"

"He's waiting for you at my residence now, Demon Supreme."

This time, Cheong Seon did not hide her joy.

Geom Mugeuk and Cheong Seon returned to the residence.

"Master."

Cheong Seon tried to appear confident, but a certain pressure always plagued her.

When will the Soul-Stealer grow strong enough to be like the other Demon Supremes?

Although no one dared to say such a thing, the question followed her like an obsession.

To her, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader was like a sturdy fence. She was even happier to see her Master after so long, perhaps because Sa Woojong's death had left her depressed.

"Did you have a good trip, Master?"

Cheong Seon knelt and paid her respects.

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader discerned the level of her martial arts just from Cheong Seon's qi.

"You've trained hard while I was away!"

Cheong Seon was delighted her Master recognized her achievements. She had trained harder than anyone to catch up to the other Demon Supremes. Now that her Master acknowledged her efforts, she felt all her past hardships were rewarded.

"Thank you, Master."

"Rise."

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader stared intently into her eyes. It was the first time her Master had looked at her like this, and Cheong Seon grew inwardly flustered. She tried to lower her head.

"Look me straight in the eye."

"Yes, Master."

Cheong Seon raised her head and met her Master's gaze.

Geom Mugeuk and Go Wol watched tensely. They could only hope the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader could break the soul-stealing art.

"Now, perform the Heart Soul Art."

As the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's examination continued, Geom Mugeuk and Go Wol excused themselves. It was not proper to watch a Demon Supreme perform her martial arts, even if they knew he was trying to identify the soul-stealing art.

Geom Mugeuk and Go Wol walked together in the inner garden.

"You've worked hard, haven't you?"

"Not at all. I enjoy working, so please don't worry about it."

"Don't say that. He'll think you really like to work and give you even more."

Go Wol smiled.

Geom Mugeuk decided to give Go Wol a little more information.

"Keep in mind that the ones behind this might be the same group that caused the Murim Alliance incident."

Go Wol was not as surprised as he had expected, even though the matter was serious.

"Did you anticipate this?"

"Both plots targeted the highest echelons, so I suspected they might have the same mastermind. If you're right, Young Cult Leader, I predict their schemes are also in the Evil Alliance."

As expected, Go Wol has a good grasp of the situation.

"There's no harm in being cautious, so gather information with that in mind."

"Understood."

"And for now, stay here at my and the Cult Leader's residence. I'll get Father's permission soon and create a small-scale Hidden Moon Headquarters for you."

At that, Go Wol carefully declined Geom Mugeuk's offer.

"I must ask you to postpone that."

"……"

"If that happens, the Hidden Moon will become an official organization of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. Please make the Hidden Moon official when you become the Cult Leader, Young Cult Leader."

He means that for now, he wants it to remain an organization just for me, carrying out only my orders.

Geom Mugeuk's bright smile expressed his joy at this loyalty. His eyes also said, 'Thank you, Go Wol'.

"Strategist Go."

"Yes, Young Cult Leader."

"As you know, we have a long road ahead. Pace yourself and get some rest. I'm worried you'll burn out from working too hard."

"Don't people collapse from exhaustion because the work is hard, but because no one recognizes their efforts? Since you recognize them so well, Young Cult Leader, I have no worries."

Go Wol added with a smile.

"Besides, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader exaggerates. I don't work hard enough to collapse."

Geom Mugeuk laughed out loud at the rare joke.

The two resumed their walk. This long-overdue stroll was precious, as they did not know when they would be busy again.

When he returned to the residence with Go Wol, Cheong Seon was gone.

"How did it go?"

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader had figured out exactly what afflicted Cheong Seon.

"She was hit with the Yin Yang Reverse Soul Art."

It was a martial art that neither Go Wol nor I had ever heard of. That was understandable, since the art was not from the Central Plains and had been lost long ago.

"It's a martial art from the Outer Regions, said to have been lost long ago."

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's expression was stiff because it was a martial art from a very particular place, even among the arts of the Outer Regions.

"It's a martial art of the now-defunct Blood Cult."

The Heavenly Wind Cult's predecessor was the Blood Cult. He seemed unsettled that a martial art lost long ago, one not passed down to the Heavenly Wind Cult, had suddenly appeared.

Rumors of the 'revival of the Blood Cult' floated like ghosts in every era. Naturally, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader was more sensitive to them.

But to state the conclusion first, Hwa Mugi has no connection to the Blood Cult. After Hwa Mugi closed off the three factions of the orthodox, unorthodox, and demonic, no incidents related to the Blood Cult's revival occurred, even when the Twelve Zodiac Kings ruled the Central Plains.

In any case, the important thing right now was this.

"Can you break the Yin Yang Reverse Soul Art cast on the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme?"

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader looked between Go Wol and me with a serious expression. He wanted to convey that he could not, but his desire to show off interfered. In the end, he could not hold back.

"Of course. I am the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader."

Go Wol and I cheered.

"As expected! You're the best, Cult Leader!"

"Amazing, Cult Leader!"

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader shrugged his puffed-up shoulders and continued to boast.

"The one who became the medium is dead, right?"

He knows about Sa Woojong's death.

"How did you know?"

"The Yin Yang Reverse Soul Art can be cast in reverse when the other party tries to use a soul-stealing art during intercourse. The conditions are very specific, but what reason would there be to use a soul-stealing art on someone you're sleeping with?"

"When you're trying to kill them, I suppose."

"If Cheong Seon tried to kill him, then he'd be dead. You said the mastermind is a woman, so she wouldn't have acted directly. She must have used some man as a medium, and she would have let Cheong Seon kill the man to tie up loose ends."

"You really seem like a different person! Who in the world is standing before me? Are you under a soul-stealing art, Cult Leader?"

"That's an insult, right? Not a compliment?"

I was not just flattering him. When the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader did his job, he truly felt like a different person.

"The dead man was merely a medium. The Soul-Controlling Mark is imprinted on the body of the woman who taught him the incantation. If I use a grand technique to extract and destroy it, the Cheokhon implanted in Cheong Seon will naturally disappear as well."

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's eyes grew cold, emanating a chilling blue aura.

"I'll take responsibility for my disciple's life and death. So just take me to that damned woman."

I trust the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader. I trust that he will subdue Hwan Yeo and succeed with the grand technique. When it comes to soul-stealing arts, who could I trust if not him? However, there's one problem.

"What will happen to the woman when the grand technique is performed?"

"She won't survive having the Soul-Controlling Mark forcibly extracted. If you're going to turn someone into a puppet, you should be prepared for that."

"There's something I need to find out before that woman is killed."

Namely, where the Illusion King is.

If Hwan Yeo is killed, the Illusion King will definitely seek revenge. I know very well how much those twins care for each other.

The Illusion King sharpening his blade of vengeance from the shadows, with the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader as his target?

That's not a situation I want at all. If we're going to kill Hwan Yeo, we have to kill the Illusion King with her.

"I'll let you know when it's time for the grand technique. Please bear with it until then."

The chilling blue light flowing from the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's eyes faded.

"Good, because putting so much force into my eyes was getting tiring."

After rubbing his eyes and making another playful comment, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader asked me.

"What on earth are you thinking?"

I'm thinking about how to save him. How to keep him from living a life targeted for revenge by someone like the Illusion King.

"I'm just thinking about how to make our Cult Leader's performance look as cool as possible."