Chapter 364: This is the First Lie

TL: FoodieMonster007

Two men walked down a hallway. Bodyguard Captain In Gung led the way, with Geom Mugeuk following him.

As they neared the Chairman's Hall, Geom Mugeuk stopped and looked up at a steel wolf.

"So this is the famous wolf of the Evil Alliance," Geom Mugeuk said. "I heard it comes to life to stop intruders in an emergency. Is that true?"

In Gung didn't answer Geom Mugeuk's question. He hadn't said a single word while guiding Geom Mugeuk. In Gung rarely showed himself, but today was a special case.

"Hey wolf, if you come alive later, don't bite me." Geom Mugeuk then thrust his hand into the wolf's mouth.

Suddenly.

"Uwaaaaaah!"

Geom Mugeuk screamed in pain.

Despite the realistic acting, In Gung just stared silently at Geom Mugeuk.

Geom Mugeuk pulled his hand from the wolf's mouth and smacked his lips. "I just played a little prank since you're so quiet."

In Gung started walking again with a stoic expression, and Geom Mugeuk followed him.

Inside the wolf's mouth, Geom Mugeuk had felt a strange energy, one only a master of his level could perceive.

A large door opened, and the two men entered the Chairman's Hall. In Gung stepped behind Geom Mugeuk and vanished.

It was a high-level concealment technique, like the one Geom Mugeuk's father's bodyguard, Hwi, used.

Far in the distance, Evil Alliance Chairman Baek Jagang sat on the grand chair.

Geom Mugeuk spoke as he walked toward him. "A red carpet lies on the path to our Cult's Cult Leader. Everyone calls it the path of blood. I don't know why. Maybe because the path to becoming the Heavenly Demon is so dangerous, or because the one who walks it decides the fate of so many."

From the distance, Baek Jagang replied. "Have you ever looked beneath that carpet?"

"No."

"There are probably mechanisms hidden beneath it that even masters can't avoid."

Geom Mugeuk stopped, crouched, and examined the floor. "There are some here too!"

The floor was densely packed with small holes designed to launch poison needles. If they all fired at once, it seemed unlikely any master could survive. It was a poison meant to protect the Chairman's Hall, not one a single sip of antidote could cure.

"They're more trustworthy than people."

Right, it would be stranger if the Evil Alliance Chairman trusted people.

"When I return, I'll be sure to lift the carpet."

Geom Mugeuk stood and started walking again. He reached the grand chair's foot and bowed politely.

"I never thought I'd have a reason to enter the Evil Alliance's Chairman's Hall."

"Same here. I never thought I'd welcome you."

"Chairmen always look their best on the grand chair."

Geom Mugeuk acted as comfortable as if he were before the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's Cult Leader.

"Aren't you afraid of me?"

"Of course, I am. You're the most frightening person after my father."

"Then why do you act like you're not afraid?"

"In my experience, the people who seemed scary never actually harmed me. The ones who tried to hurt me were all smiling with pleasant faces."

Baek Jagang smiled to make a point. His eyes curved into short crescent moons.

"Did they smile like this?"

"That makes me feel even more relieved."

"……"

"Because you're even scarier when you smile, Chairman."

How could anyone beat Geom Mugeuk with words?

How could such a son be born to that quiet man, Geom Woojin?

After the greetings, Geom Mugeuk asked seriously, "Who did Hyeok Sagun point to?"

"He pointed to the person who follows me most loyally."

The betrayal of Ju Beoncheon of the Extreme Army was a greater shock than hearing Bi Sayin had been bewitched by Geom Mugeuk.

"All the evidence points to you as the masterminds. So why should I believe you?"

"Don't believe me. Believe your disciple."

Geom Mugeuk relayed Bi Sayin's words. "He said he'll live as you told him to. His eyes were swollen, probably from crying over your words. With his eyes swollen on that face… I had to force myself not to tease him for being ugly."

Baek Jagang stared into Geom Mugeuk's eyes. "I believe Sayin. It's you I can't trust."

"If I had plotted to take over the Evil Alliance, I wouldn't have chosen a scheme that divides a master and disciple."

"……"

Geom Mugeuk could have given many reasons, but he chose the most emotional one. "It's just not cool."

Baek Jagang had expected a strange answer, but because it wasn't cool? One corner of his mouth curled up.

Geom Mugeuk continued. "If it were me, I would've sent a duel request. I'd have suggested we fight like martial artists in that field where you summoned me. The winner takes the murim! That's my way. That's why I don't dream of unifying the murim. It's a dream that can never be achieved with such a naive heart."

After a brief pause, Baek Jagang asked, "Isn't that why it's a dream that can be achieved?"

Geom Mugeuk saw it. For a moment, a certain heat rose in Baek Jagang's small pupils.

Baek Jagang was thinking something similar. He was also the kind of man who believed the winner of a single fight should take all.

"I thought you viewed the murim coldly and realistically, Chairman, but you have an emotional side too."

Baek Jagang didn't answer. He had never considered it. No one had ever dared to speak of his duality.

"If that's the case, then you should give up on your dream of unifying the murim too, Chairman!"

A roar erupted from Baek Jagang. "You brat!"

Baek Jagang's shout echoed like thunder. "How dare you say such a thing in my Chairman's Hall!"

He appeared angry, but Baek Jagang wasn't. When would he ever hear someone tell him to give up his dream? It was something that had never been said before and would never be said again.

"I misspoke! Please forgive me."

More interesting was the relaxed look in Geom Mugeuk's eyes as he apologized. Just as Baek Jagang wasn't truly angry, Geom Mugeuk wasn't truly sorry.

Geom Mugeuk was reading his mind perfectly. It was only their second meeting, yet he acted like someone Baek Jagang had known for a long time.

"You probably find it hard to believe me for this reason. Someone really tried to swallow the Evil Alliance? Even pushing out the Head Strategist? Right?"

Now, Geom Mugeuk made his move.

"Did you know? Our Cult, the Murim Alliance, and even the Outer Regions' Heavenly Wind Cult have all experienced similar incidents."

Baek Jagang, who had been composed, shot up from the grand chair. This time, he couldn't hide his surprise. 'What is this nonsense?' was written all over his face.

"A shadowy force exists. An organization plotting against the entire murim at once."

Geom Mugeuk then revealed the bigger problem to the disbelieving Baek Jagang.

"Your problem, Chairman, isn't that such a shadowy force exists."

"Then what is the problem?"

"The bigger problem is that you haven't been briefed on it. Why wouldn't Hyeok Sagun report to you, Chairman?"

"!"

"Spies must have reported it, so you should be able to confirm the details. If they were meticulous enough to eliminate all reporting spies and subordinate strategists, then secretly request cooperation from our Cult and the Murim Alliance. They'll surely inform you of the facts officially."

If that was true, it would be irrefutable proof that Hyeok Sagun was behind this. For a strategist not to report something so important was a grave crime in itself.

Baek Jagang immediately summoned bodyguard Captain In Gung and gave a telepathic order. In Gung vanished instantly. The Evil Alliance Chairman handled matters without hesitation.

Although Baek Jagang ordered an investigation, he didn't completely trust Geom Mugeuk yet. This matter would decide not only his fate but that of the Evil Alliance.

"If we assume you're right, and Hyeok Sagun is the head, then who's the body?"

"It's the Evil Alliance Pass instructor, Hwang Seokgyeong."

Baek Jagang knew Hwang Seokgyeong. To know a mere instructor's name meant he performed his duties excellently.

"Then why didn't you say so when we first met?"

"Because this problem had to be unraveled one piece at a time."

"He's a very dangerous man. I believed it was better to inform you at the right time rather than provoke him rashly."

"And now is the time?"

"At least now, you're half-believing and half-doubting."

Their gazes met in mid-air.

"This is why I have to doubt you."

"This is why you must believe me. Would someone like me scheme so obviously?"

Though it was only their second meeting, Baek Jagang agreed with Geom Mugeuk. He thought that if Geom Mugeuk had plotted this, it would have been more meticulous.

"Strategist Hyeok will arrive soon."

The time for a three-way confrontation had come. The fact that Baek Jagang hadn't made them wait here from the start suggested his trust in Bi Sayin was significant.

"Ah! I'd like to call my strategist too! I might seem smart because I talk well, but I'm actually closer to this side."

He tapped the Black Demon Sword at his waist.

Baek Jagang considered it useless banter, but Geom Mugeuk genuinely thought of Go Wol. He now had to win a war of words against the Evil Alliance's deputy strategist.

A moment later, Hyeok Sagun entered.

Hyeok Sagun walked in calmly, paid his respects to Baek Jagang, and then greeted Geom Mugeuk.

"I am Hyeok Sagun, the deputy strategist."

"I am Geom Mugeuk from the Divine Cult."

Hyeok Sagun observed Geom Mugeuk carefully, but he couldn't discern anything from Geom Mugeuk, who had reached Origin Reversal.

"I've heard many rumors about the Young Cult Leader's outstanding talent."

"Rumors tend to be exaggerated."

"I don't think so. You have the nerve to visit our headquarters after orchestrating such a thing."

"What thing did I orchestrate?"

"Did you not bewitch the Young Alliance Chairman?"

Geom Mugeuk smiled and nodded. "I admit it. He's a person I quite like."

"Then are you admitting the Divine Cult was involved in this incident?"

"What if I was, and what if I wasn't? But if that were the case, wouldn't it be too unfair for the Young Alliance Chairman, who barely escaped death?"

"I know the raid on the safehouse was also staged by you."

"If, as you say, the Young Alliance Chairman and I joined hands, why would we do that? We would've quietly targeted the person sitting over there."

"You tell me. Why did you do it?"

Baek Jagang sat between them like a judge, watching their verbal battle.

"There is clear evidence of your involvement," Hyeok Sagun said.

"I have evidence too," Geom Mugeuk replied.

"What evidence?"

"The clear evidence you mentioned is my evidence."

"What on earth does that mean?"

"Because if we had orchestrated it, such clear evidence would never have been found."

Hyeok Sagun scoffed. "Do you think such ridiculous sophistry will work? Present your evidence."

"Fine, I'll present my evidence."

Hyeok Sagun grew inwardly tense.

Could he really have evidence?

After heightening the tension, Geom Mugeuk said abruptly, "I saw it."

"What?"

"I saw you plotting it."

Hyeok Sagun was inwardly shocked that Geom Mugeuk pointed at him. "Are you trying to frame me now?"

"I'm not framing you. I'm saying I saw you orchestrate this incident."

Hyeok Sagun smiled, looked at Baek Jagang, and said, "As you can see, the Young Cult Leader is being unreasonable."

Just then, Geom Mugeuk caught him off guard. "Why don't you ask? Shouldn't you ask when and what I saw you plotting? Doesn't an innocent person usually ask that first? Or did you skip it because you already know what it's about?"

Hyeok Sagun faltered. He should have done as Geom Mugeuk said, but he had been too hasty.

"Because it's not even worth mentioning."

Baek Jagang, who had been watching, said quietly, "Your testimony can't be considered evidence."

When Baek Jagang took his side, Hyeok Sagun smiled faintly, feeling triumphant. As long as there was clear evidence, Baek Jagang would have to believe him. The more this Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult displayed his dazzling eloquence, the more suspicion would grow.

"You should leave now," Hyeok Sagun said. "The only reason you're still alive is because you are the Young Cult Leader. If you go any further, not even the title of the Divine Cult's Young Cult Leader will protect you."

"Fine, I'll go."

Hyeok Sagun wondered why he was giving up so easily.

"I may be leaving," Geom Mugeuk said, "but I'll meet the people who are on their way before I go."

"Who is coming?" Hyeok Sagun asked.

Then, a surprising statement came from Geom Mugeuk. "Our Cult's Divine Physician and the Poison King are on their way."

Hyeok Sagun flinched. The Divine Physician was known to be more skilled than the divine doctors of the Evil Alliance or the Murim Alliance, and the Poison King was with him?

"They say your Head Strategist stepped down due to old age, but I believe he fell ill from poison. The Poison King and the Divine Physician will confirm it."

"!"

Hyeok Sagun was shaken. He had been struck from a completely unexpected angle.

"Those two are on your side. How can we trust them?"

"Of course, they're people of our Cult. However, they're individuals who value their own honor more than anyone."

"If they received an order from the Cult Leader, they might lie."

"That is for the Chairman to judge."

The gazes of both men turned to Baek Jagang.

The most surprised person in the room was not Hyeok Sagun, but Baek Jagang.

When Geom Mugeuk said the Poison King and the Divine Physician were coming, a chill ran down his spine. He had detected Geom Mugeuk's lie.

It turned out Geom Mugeuk was someone his senses could read. He could guess the reason for the lie. It was to corner Hyeok Sagun using the Divine Physician and the Poison King.

What shocked Baek Jagang was that this was his first lie. Which meant?

I think of the Young Alliance Chairman as a true friend. I hope that friend can safely inherit the Chairman's position. I will wake my father too. I will ask him to dream a different dream. Our murim will not fight or hate each other. We'll have fun flirting with the Young Lady Seos by the sea. There's a regular spot in front of our Cult. If I get the chance next time, I'd really like to take you there, Chairman.

The words Geom Mugeuk had spoken flashed through his mind.

So everything he's said until now was sincere?