Chapter 485: What Others See Is Who We Are

TL: FoodieMonster007

When they returned to their lodging, Hwi finally revealed himself. He appeared miraculously, as if he had been standing there all along.

Geom Mugeuk politely clasped his hands in a greeting, showing his respect. "Thank you for your hard work protecting me."

Hwi responded to Geom Mugeuk's greeting with a smile. "It's alright. In fact, it's more comfortable when I'm concealed."

How could that be true? It must be physically taxing and mentally draining to watch his target and his surroundings. He was just saying that so I wouldn't feel uncomfortable.

"What did you think of that man?" Geom Mugeuk asked Hwi about Myeongjin.

"He was a top-tier assassin."

Indeed, Hwi had gauged his level without even crossing blades with him. He had assessed the man's skill just by observing his gait and hand movements.

Hwi asked cautiously, "What do you plan to do now?"

Normally, he would not have asked. He did so now because he had seen Geom Mugeuk part on such good terms with Myeongjin.

Then Geom Mugeuk revealed his future plans. "I'm thinking of making him my ally."

Hwi knew Geom Mugeuk's capabilities better than anyone, but the problem was that the other man was an assassin.

"Assassins are not to be trusted." It was the first time he had seen Hwi so resolute.

Geom Mugeuk understood Hwi. Hwi and Myeongjin were polar opposites, existing on opposite ends of a spectrum. Hwi would not just distrust him, he would likely hate and despise him. He just did not show it in front of him.

Knowing this, his attempt to make Myeongjin an ally was because he knew about the man's life. However, he could not say such things.

"Yes, I won't trust him. However, this effort will be a meaningful one. Even if he doesn't become my ally, a moment of his hesitation at a critical juncture could save our lives."

Hwi sensed it. Just as he always had, the Young Cult Leader was seeing something he could not. However, he had to be clear about the matter of assassins.

"Assassins are not to be trusted. Please, do not forget that." It was the first time in his life Hwi had ever repeated the same words twice.

"Yes, I'll keep that in mind."

Only after confirming it again did Hwi's expression relax.

"I have a favor to ask of you too, Uncle."

"Please, tell me."

Geom Mugeuk unwound the Top-Quality Heavenly Silk from the hilt of the Black Demon Sword and handed it to him. "Wrap this around your heart and qi center."

"I'm fine. You should wear it, Young Cult Leader."

Then Geom Mugeuk pulled aside his robes to show the Top-Quality Heavenly Silk wrapped around his heart and stomach. "I'm already wearing some."

"Wear two layers."

"I'm wearing three layers. So you wear one, Uncle."

Hwi stared at Geom Mugeuk.

"This may not look like much, but it's a Top-Quality Heavenly Silk with a long history. The Demon Supremes have already worn it. Ah, of course, I washed it clean. And I'm not giving it to you for good. You have to return it later."

Because in the final battle, I will need to wrap my entire body in it. And I will be the one standing at the forefront of that battle.

Hwi could tell. No matter how much he refused, Geom Mugeuk would not back down. "I understand. Thank you, Young Cult Leader."

Hwi wrapped the Top-Quality Heavenly Silk around himself in front of Geom Mugeuk. Only then did Geom Mugeuk show a satisfied smile.

"It suits you well. Here, look." Geom Mugeuk drew his sword and showed him his reflection on the blade.

His own reflection on the blade felt unfamiliar. He had spent his entire life protecting others, but this was the first time he had ever felt protected like this.

"Thank you, Young Cult Leader."

Geom Mugeuk asked him suggestively, "You want me to go to my father quickly now, don't you?"

Because you left my father's side to follow me out and back. You must be curious if he is alright.

"No."

"Then can I go out right away to take care of other business?"

As he acted like he was about to leave again, Hwi spoke with an expression that said, "I give up."

"Still, you've just come back. Shouldn't you at least say hello before you leave again?"

Geom Mugeuk smiled and turned around. "Where would I be going?"

Geom Mugeuk shouted as he entered the building. "Your son is here, Father."

Hwi followed behind me with a pleasant look on his face.

Father was in his room. He was reading a message from a messenger pigeon sent by the All-Knowing Hall. He was grasping the situation clearly while entrusting the matter entirely to me.

Yes, only by having the patience to wait for a son to climb up a cliff on his own does that cliff become meaningful.

"I'm back, Father."

Father looked up at me. The moment our eyes met, I felt it.

He's gotten stronger!

It seems I am not the only one who has been training. Before, I could subtly tell my father had grown stronger, but now I could feel it with certainty. Perhaps I was just feeling it more clearly because I have grown stronger myself, but either way, it was a good result.

Father, become stronger. Become so strong that Hwa Mugi, the unification of murim, everything becomes trivial. I will fill the void of that emptiness for you.

Father's gaze turned to Hwi. Hwi respectfully bowed his head to my father. A sense of relief and gratitude bloomed on his face.

"This is the first time, isn't it? Leaving Father's side like this."

Hwi is only human, how could he have stayed by his side without a moment's rest? Eating, using the privy, washing up, and changing clothes. However, I can imagine how rushed that time must have been. How much Hwi must have hurried in those brief moments.

Hoping no incident would occur in the moment he was gone!

Hwi had said it. That dying before the person you must protect is the only blessing bestowed upon a bodyguard. However, there must be a curse as well. To never leave their side, only to have the person they must protect die in the one moment they are away.

And more than anyone, my father knew Hwi's heart well.

"I'll be at the safehouse for a while." It was my father's consideration, telling him not to worry in the slightest. Father had even packed all his belongings already.

When my father shouldered a large leather pack, Hwi cried out in surprise. "Give that to me, I will carry it."

Hwi was flustered. He had likely never once let my father carry his own luggage.

Then my father said to Hwi, "Aren't you in the middle of carrying out my orders?"

"Cult Leader!"

"I'm fine."

Hwi looked at me. His eyes were telling me to hurry up, take the bag, and lead the way.

"Father, I'll carry it."

"It's fine. You just focus on not dying."

Father left the room, carrying the leather pack.

"You look cool carrying that pack, Father." I meant it sincerely. More than anything, it was a new sight, so it felt fresh.

Watching Hwi fidget anxiously, I said loudly enough for my father to hear, "Stop staring! Those shoulders could carry Mount Tai without flinching, but they'll wear away under your gaze, Uncle!"

Myeongjin returned three days later. He had wanted to rush back immediately, but he deliberately took his time. He could not show that he was impatient.

"Care for a drink?"

"Sounds good."

Before they left, Myeongjin handed over a wooden box he had brought. Inside were daggers.

"To be honest, I can acknowledge your swords and other weapons, but I can't acknowledge your daggers. Will the Demonic Cult smithy still not try to kill me even after seeing these?"

It seemed his pride had been wounded when I said last time that the master of our Cult smithy would not be jealous enough to try and kill him.

Geom Mugeuk examined the daggers. "Ah, I can't show our Master Gwak these daggers, whatever else I might show him. It would be troublesome if he asked me to kill you."

At Geom Mugeuk's words, Myeongjin's face brightened.

"Well then, since I've received a gift of daggers, I should buy the drinks today. I chose the tavern poorly last time, so you choose today."

Myeongjin nodded with a nonchalant expression, but his heart began to pound.

Is today the day?

However, if they had to leave the marketplace, he might become suspicious. He had to make his decision carefully. And so, the two men once again started walking toward the marketplace.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Go ahead."

"These people from the Golden Dragon Clan, aren't they far beneath your level?"

Myeongjin answered nonchalantly. "You've lived a life of only giving orders, so you wouldn't know, but we live a life where we have to do as we're told. What other power do we have?"

"Coming from anyone else, maybe, but from you, it sounds like an excuse."

Myeongjin felt the hidden barb in Geom Mugeuk's words. "You've investigated me too, haven't you?"

The intelligence network of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult was known as the best in murim. Having mingled with him like this, it was impossible that he did not know about him.

"That's right," Geom Mugeuk answered honestly.

"In the report you investigated, what kind of person am I?"

The answer came immediately. "Myeongjin, the second-in-command of the Hell Mansion. His killings follow three principles. He does not kill children, he does not kill those who don't know martial arts, and he does not kill those who are not wicked."

He figured they could know that much. After all, they were the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. However, the next piece of information startled Myeongjin.

"And because of that, you've recently been in conflict with the head of the Hell Mansion."

For a moment, Myeongjin flinched in surprise.

That's a matter between just the two of us. How did he know?

Myeongjin feigned ignorance and asked Geom Mugeuk, "Conflict? Why do you think that?"

Geom Mugeuk, who had been walking, stopped. Myeongjin also stopped and waited for an answer.

Geom Mugeuk said calmly, "Because I've never seen an assassin like you."

His gaze toward him was incredibly sincere. "There are no assassins in this day and age who live by such principles. That's an assassin you'd only find in stories. If your leader were also such a person, there would be no problem, but he didn't seem to be."

The two men continued their conversation, standing on the side of the road.

"To be honest, I dislike assassins too. I'd rather be alone than befriend one, but I became curious because you're an assassin who abides by such principles."

After a brief pause, Geom Mugeuk added, "That must be why they sent you. They must have investigated and found out that I'm interested in people like you. If someone else had come a few days ago, I would have killed them on the spot. Eliminating one more enemy when I have the chance, that's the kind of person I am. From that perspective, the leader who sent you is quite a clever person."

Myeongjin had not known that Geom Mugeuk knew about him in such detail. "Why are you telling me all this? Is it because you're confident you can handle me even if you tell me?"

Then Geom Mugeuk shook his head and said, "What have you been hearing this whole time? I told you I'm interested in an assassin like you. That maybe it would be nice to be friends with an assassin like this. That's what I was thinking."

For a fleeting moment, Myeongjin felt the desire to draw a dagger and stab Geom Mugeuk in the neck. He had instinctively sensed that his opponent had let his guard down. And the fact that he felt such a desire also meant that his opponent might be speaking sincerely.

"You're not just trying to use me to wipe out the Hell Mansion, are you?"

Geom Mugeuk pretended to be surprised and laughed brightly. "You've already figured it out?"

Myeongjin could not discern Geom Mugeuk's true intentions. Just then, a flock of birds flew overhead. The gazes of the two men naturally turned to the sky.

"The Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult and an assassin as friends? Is such a thing even possible?" Myeongjin knew those words were true.

"The Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult can also become friends with a tavern owner."

"How can the circumstances of a tavern owner and an assassin be the same? A tavern owner can close his shop tomorrow, but we are people who cannot do that."

Then Geom Mugeuk said something unexpected. "I think it's harder for a tavern owner to close his shop."

Myeongjin's gaze, which had been on the sky, turned to Geom Mugeuk.

"You probably don't know how hard those people work. They are the kind of people who would only close their doors if their family was taken captive. Are you more diligent than that person? Are you really?"

Sensing he was asking with sincerity, Myeongjin held back his answer.

"If they take one day off, they'll lose customers. If I rest, a person who made a special trip will have to turn back. You, at least, don't have to worry about such things, do you? You don't worry, 'The person who is supposed to die by my hand will be waiting,' do you?"

One of Myeongjin's eyelids twitched slightly. He was trying his best to get along with Geom Mugeuk. Yet Geom Mugeuk kept poking at something deep inside his heart.

"This inability to leave, isn't it just a hassle? Is it because you can't bring yourself to make a change to your familiar life?"

Myeongjin's expression hardened slightly. "Don't speak so carelessly about other people's business. What do you know about me? All you're doing is judging me based on information collected by your spies, isn't it?"

"Isn't that you?"

Myeongjin flinched again.

"The me in your report, the you in my report. Isn't that who we are? Is there some 'real me' separate from how others see me? If so, that means we're living in a misunderstanding. Isn't that wrong?"

Myeongjin could not refute it.

"What others see is who we are. In fact, that's more accurate. We might wish to be grander, more valuable people in reality, but the you and me in those reports, isn't that who we are?"

Myeongjin wanted to say no. That he was a better person than how others saw him. And seeing himself think this, he realized.

Ah! So I wanted to be a better person.

He had never had a conversation like this with anyone before, so this was the first time he had discovered such a thought deep in his heart. Perhaps establishing his principles of killing had also stemmed from such a feeling.

"Why are you doing this to me? If you really want to be my friend, tell me honestly what you're thinking."

Because he had to take Geom Mugeuk to the Death King, he forced down the words that surged up.

You're just pulling a cheap trick to use me to blow away the Hell Mansion. How little must you think of me to try and dig into me like this?

The gazes of the two men standing on the road tangled in mid-air. A crucial conversation that could decide their fates was taking place on the street.

"To be frank, it's not for you, but to protect myself." Geom Mugeuk's eyes were clearer and deeper than ever before.

"Because I don't want to sweep away someone like you on the path I'm taking. Because I think it would be nice if somewhere in this world, there was at least one cool assassin who accepts a single coin from a kid who lost his parents unjustly as payment to kill a wicked person."

"!"

"I don't want to walk my path while killing even a person like that. That's right, this isn't for you, it's to protect myself."

Then Geom Mugeuk took a single coin from his robes and held it out to him.

"So this money is the payment to protect me."