Chapter 495: Your Demonic Path is Being Stained with Blood

TL: FoodieMonster007

"Which color do you think suits me better?"

Geom Mugeuk held a piece of treasured armor in each hand. In his left was the Secret Iron Armor, and in his right, the Grand Sun Armor. Both were pieces of treasured armor that jianghu martial artists would fight to the death to possess.

"Shouldn't you prioritize function over color?"

At Hwi's cautious reply, Geom Mugeuk firmly shook his head.

"You don't know what you're talking about! Style is the most important thing, after all. Just imagine. You're in a life-or-death battle, the hem of your clothes flutters open, and your treasured armor is revealed!"

Geom Mugeuk held up a piece of treasured armor he had tossed aside.

"Imagine wearing something drab like this underneath! Ah, I'd rather just get stabbed and die."

Geom Woojin stared at his son with a pathetic expression.

"It's all your fault that I can't choose."

Geom Woojin asked with a dumbfounded look, "Why is it my fault?"

"The Shocking Soul Armor you chose first is the coolest. I can't find anything cooler than that. With that in mind, do you have any intention of yielding it to your son?"

Of course, Geom Woojin's expression made it clear that was out of the question.

"I'll find it. A cooler, more amazing piece of treasured armor."

Geom Mugeuk began to choose a treasured armor again. After picking another one, he turned and asked, "Which of these is better?"

However, Geom Woojin was busy picking out a treasured armor for Hwi. He knew well that Hwi would never choose one if left to his own devices.

"Try this on."

"I'm fine, Cult Leader."

"Try it on."

"Yes."

While Hwi was putting on the treasured armor, Geom Mugeuk waved the clothes he was holding.

"There's a person here! Hello? Am I perhaps wearing a treasured armor that makes me automatically invisible?"

Geom Woojin pretended not to hear and focused only on Hwi.

The treasured armor Geom Woojin had chosen for Hwi was the Shadowless Armor. It was the lightest among all the treasured armor here and the most suitable for Hwi, who valued stealth and speed.

"It suits you well."

Hwi's eyes, gazing at his reflection, trembled. It wasn't because of his own appearance in the Shadowless Armor.

It was because the Cult Leader's reflection was visible. It was because of the satisfied look on the face of the man in the mirror watching him.

"I don't know if I'm worthy of receiving something so precious."

"Take it."

"Yes."

Of course, it was not just protective armor that he chose for Hwi.

Knowing that if he told Hwi to choose, he would pick the worst of the lot, Geom Woojin personally selected a weapon for him as well.

"Hold this."

What Geom Woojin handed him was a single throwing knife. Unknown phrases were engraved on the handle. The sharp edge of the cold blade looked like it could slice through not just flesh and bone, but a person's very heart.

"This is no ordinary throwing knife."

"It is the Soul Binder."

At the name Soul Binder, Hwi was startled. It was a throwing knife he had heard of. It was the greatest throwing knife known to all who used them.

It was a throwing knife known to be even better than the Horizon's Heart, which Geom Woojin had initially chosen.

"Why didn't you choose the Soul Binder? You should use it, Cult Leader."

"As you know, have you ever seen me use a throwing knife? But you use them, don't you?"

Hwi could tell. Geom Woojin had seen the Soul Binder first but had chosen the second-best, the Horizon's Heart, intending to give the best one to him.

Cult Leader!

Geom Woojin held out the Soul Binder, and Hwi accepted it respectfully with trembling hands.

"Now, infuse your inner arts into it. As you know, the first time is important."

Hwi carefully infused his inner arts into the Soul Binder.

WOOONG.

The Soul Binder vibrated in response to Hwi's inner arts. It was the moment of meeting its new master.

"Ah!"

Hwi, who rarely showed his emotions, could not hide his admiration at this moment.

Just by infusing his inner arts once, he could feel what an incredible throwing knife the Soul Binder was. He had never held such a fine throwing knife before. He felt a surge of confidence, as if he could fight anyone with this weapon and never lose.

Let's do well together from now on.

Hwi fastened his original leather belt over the Shadowless Armor. A few throwing knives and several items of unknown purpose were tucked into the belt. He pulled out one throwing knife and slid the Soul Binder into its place.

Then he turned to face Geom Woojin, respectfully performed a clasped hands greeting, and bowed his head.

"Thank you, Cult Leader."

He said nothing more. No words could possibly express his current feelings.

"It suits you well. Look around and take anything else you need."

"This is more than enough," Hwi said firmly.

He looked as if he would return what he was already given if pressed to take more, so Geom Woojin did not insist further.

Only after taking care of Hwi first did Geom Woojin look at his son. He had expected to find him sulking, wondering why he was not being helped.

"Well, what do you think?"

Geom Mugeuk was already fully dressed.

"I decided on the Flying Black Dragon Armor to match the color of your treasured armor, Father."

Among the treasured armors, the Flying Black Dragon Armor was an excellent choice. And that was not all. From wrist guards and a waist belt for pouches to knee pads, elbow pads, and even gauntlets for those who use fist techniques. He was wearing everything that could be worn on the body.

"You told me to dress properly."

Geom Woojin stared intently at Geom Mugeuk and said, "I didn't tell you to wear four layers, though."

Geom Mugeuk flinched for a moment.

"No way. Have you even mastered a demonic art that lets you talk to treasured armors?"

"Do you think I need to learn such a demonic art when I can tell just by looking in the mirror?"

Geom Mugeuk stood before the mirror. His body was thicker than usual. Anyone could see he was wearing multiple layers.

"It's a little obvious."

Geom Mugeuk was indeed wearing four layers of treasured armor.

"Who are you planning to give those to?"

"Who wouldn't I give these precious artifacts to? Ah, and as you said, Father, I was planning to wear this Flying Black Dragon Armor myself. I'll be wearing these Twin Wolves, too."

The black Flying Black Dragon Armor had a black dragon drawn on it if you looked closely, and the Twin Wolves wrist guards had a cool wolf picture on them.

"I even sacrificed my sense of style to wear these."

As Geom Mugeuk made a pitiful face and started to take off the treasured armor, Geom Woojin said, "That's enough. Since you've already put them on, just take them."

Geom Mugeuk's expression brightened instantly.

"As expected! Father is the best!"

Geom Mugeuk took off the layered treasured armors and protective gear. Looking at the armors that came out from underneath, it was clear he had picked out the best ones even in that situation. He put on the Flying Black Dragon Armor and Twin Wolves himself, and neatly folded and packed the rest.

Geom Woojin silently watched his son. He also pretended not to see him slyly hiding the Blood Wind Brilliant Sword among the treasured armors.

After packing the armors, Geom Mugeuk brought over a martial arts uniform he had set aside.

"Here, you should wear this martial arts uniform over your treasured armor."

Somehow, he had found martial arts uniforms made from the Heavenly Silk. While not as great a treasure as Top-Quality Heavenly Silk, they were of incomparably better quality than ordinary martial arts uniforms. They were lighter, incomparably more durable, and well-ventilated.

He gave the best one to his father and the next best to Hwi.

"I don't like that color."

Hwi thought to himself.

You don't have to do this. I've already lost to you, Young Cult Leader.

The three of them, now properly dressed, stood side-by-side in front of the mirror. Although the colors were different, they wore martial arts uniforms with the same pattern, making them look like they were from the same sect. Of course, Geom Mugeuk did not make his father his master.

"From now on, I'll call you Senior Brother. Since Father looks younger, you'll be second brother Senior Brother, and Uncle Hwi will be Eldest Senior Brother. Senior Brothers! Let's head out to the most bustling market street in Chongqing. The Young Ladies will be lining up for us."

Just then, Geom Mugeuk saw it. The two men were looking at him in the mirror, each with a different smile.

That's right, smile like that. Live your lives smiling like that. I'll keep making you laugh. Even if it's a lame joke, even if the banter is a stretch, I'll keep trying. Because even as we're smiling, time is passing. There's no time to be frowning.

His father strode toward the cave entrance and commanded Hwi, "Come back later and move everything left here to the Heavenly Demon Vault."

The smell of blood was present from the entrance.

Jin Hagun, the head of the Demon Slaying Brigade, hardened his expression as he entered the manor. A smell of blood this strong from the outside meant that many people had died.

The Murim Alliance martial artists guarding the entrance bowed their heads respectfully to Jin Hagun.

Jin Hagun led the Demon Slaying Brigade martial artists into the manor. A middle-aged martial artist waiting in the courtyard was Ju Gwol, the Murim Alliance Chongqing Branch Manager.

"Welcome, Commander Jin."

"Manager Ju, it's been a while."

Ju Gwol's attitude toward Jin Hagun was very respectful. Although he had not yet been officially appointed as the successor, it was a foregone conclusion that Jin Hagun would become the next Chairman of both the orthodox and unorthodox factions. As the head of the Demon Slaying Brigade, he was steadily building his reputation by continuing his heroic deeds.

"What in the world happened?"

"An incident occurred here at the Anonymous Manor, and we urgently summoned you, Manager, to request your help."

Normally, no matter what incident occurred, the Chongqing Branch would handle it first. To have been called from the very beginning meant the matter was that important and serious.

"Well then, let's go inside."

Ju Gwol led Jin Hagun toward the building. The smell of blood grew thicker as they approached.

"The Anonymous Manor is a renowned sect here in Chongqing. The Manor Lord was a man who valued righteousness, so he was held in high esteem by the martial artists of Chongqing."

Upon entering the building, the interior was truly a bloodbath. Blood was splattered everywhere.

"It seems they were ambushed by someone."

A trail of blood continued down the hallway.

Ju Gwol's handling of the situation was certainly different from usual. To say it was someone's ambush meant they still did not know who the culprit was.

Usually, the Demon Slaying Brigade was called for help when the culprit had been identified but was a master too difficult for the Branch's forces to handle. Yet now, he had been called without even knowing the culprit. Why?

He found out the reason as soon as he opened the door and entered the main hall. That place, too, was covered in blood.

Jin Hagun's gaze fixed on the back wall. Words were written there in blood.

Staring at it, Jin Hagun's eyes widened.

Demonic World.

If one were to ask what four words could most startle the head of the Demon Slaying Brigade, these four would be the answer.

Jin Hagun stared at the blood-written words and asked, "Where are the bodies of those from the Anonymous Manor?"

He needed to check immediately if they had been struck by demonic art.

"There are no bodies."

Jin Hagun, who had been looking at the words, quickly turned to Ju Gwol.

"No bodies?"

"Yes, not a single body was found. However, judging by the amount of blood left behind, it seems unlikely that they are still alive."

Jin Hagun's gaze returned to the wall.

"Who would do something as bizarre as taking the bodies of those they killed? It must be the work of those bastards from the Demonic Cult."

At Ju Gwol's assertion, Jin Hagun calmly asked back, "If I wrote your name there, Manager Ju, would that make it your doing?"

Ju Gwol was inwardly flustered. He had expected the head of the Demon Slaying Brigade to naturally assume it was the work of the Demonic Cult.

"But who would dare to impersonate the Demonic Cult?"

"There have been incidents in the past where people impersonated the Demonic Cult. So don't jump to conclusions."

Ju Gwol did not press his opinion any further.

"I was rash."

Whether it was the work of a true demon or someone framing the Demonic Cult, this case could not be overlooked.

Jin Hagun said to Ju Gwol, "Issue an emergency alert immediately and deploy all of the Branch's martial artists to this case. Request cooperation from all adjacent Branches and sub-branches, and thoroughly investigate anyone leaving Chongqing."

"I will implement it at once."

Having received his orders, Ju Gwol ran outside.

Jin Hagun let out a light sigh and looked again at the words etched on the wall.

Demonic World.

He naturally thought of one person. There was someone who always came to mind when he saw the words 'demonic path'.

Your demonic path is being stained with blood.

Where are you now?

The carriage continued south.

"Ah, so it's farewell to Chongqing."

A little further and the carriage would be outside of Chongqing.

"Are you really not going? Let's just hang out for three days. They say the women of Chongqing are that beautiful."

Then, Geom Woojin said softly, "Strategist Sama is waiting."

His father, who had ignored all his silly jokes, had finally responded. Geom Mugeuk was not one to miss this opportunity.

"Being below one person but above ten thousand is nice, but don't you sometimes want to just enjoy the 'above ten thousand' part without the 'below one person'? Every morning in the courtyard of the Heavenly Demon Hall… you don't understand the Strategist's heart. Strategist Sama is probably enjoying a rare moment of freedom."

"He's probably stretching and saying, 'It's so nice without the Cult Leader here! Cult Leader, please stay and play in Chongqing for three more days!' That's what he's doing!"

As if truly imagining such a Sama Myeong, a faint smile appeared on Geom Woojin's lips.

Just then, the carriage slowly came to a stop.

"Oh! Uncle Hwi is the only one who understands my heart! Are you turning the carriage around?"

Of course, would Hwi have stopped the carriage for that reason?

"Martial artists are blocking the road up ahead."

At Hwi's words, Geom Mugeuk stuck his head out and saw a line of carriages and people on the road. In the distance, Murim Alliance martial artists were inspecting travelers. Seeing that there were dozens of them, it was no ordinary checkpoint.

At that moment, a martial artist from the All-Knowing Hall, disguised as a traveler, passed by. He discreetly handed a folded piece of paper to Hwi before disappearing into the crowd.

Hwi passed the message to Geom Mugeuk.

Geom Mugeuk unfolded the paper and checked its contents. The playfulness vanished from his face in an instant.

"It says that all the members of the Anonymous Manor, an orthodox sect in Chongqing, have gone missing, and the words 'Demonic World' were left on a wall in blood."

Geom Woojin quietly closed his eyes and said softly, "Turn the carriage around."

At that moment, Geom Mugeuk saw it. A chilling energy flickered in his father's eyes. Whoever it was, they had left words that should never have been left.