Chapter 530: To Ordinary Days

TL: FoodieMonster007

A shiver ran through Kang Dal's entire body.

See you at Headquarters.

These were only six words, yet they were more profound than any others he had ever heard in his life.

Even if the wealthiest person in the world offered him their entire fortune, or an absolute master offered to take him as a disciple, he would not trade these six words for anything.

Kang Dal felt as if he were dreaming.

If this is a dream, may I never wake up!

But this was no dream. The Cult Leader, a man he never thought he would see in person, was standing right before him. A presence this powerful could not be conjured even in a dream.

Geom Woojin turned and began to walk away.

"Thank… you."

The words should have boomed out, but they emerged as a mumble. The moment he tried to speak, the thought that 'thank you' was utterly insufficient scrambled his mind.

"Cult Leader!"

The shout burst out unconsciously, born from his fluster at failing to give a proper unorthodox greeting.

Geom Woojin slowly turned back to face him.

With a flushed face, Kang Dal bowed respectfully. This was the only thing he could think to say.

"I will see you at Headquarters."

Kang Dal's voice, which had been so confident in front of Yeo Gwing, was now trembling.

Geom Woojin gave a slight nod before turning away once more.

The branch's demonic followers gathered around to congratulate Kang Dal.

"Congratulations, Branch Manager!"

"Congratulations."

His subordinates were happy for him, but they were also sad. Kang Dal had been a truly good leader. "Now that you're going to Headquarters, I guess we won't see you anymore." Parting with his subordinates was sad, but advancing to Headquarters was his long-held wish.

Any position would be fine. What did it matter if he had to clean horse dung? The Cult Leader himself had called for him.

Dan Ah approached Kang Dal to offer her gratitude.

"Thank you, Branch Manager. We're alive thanks to you."

Kang Dal shook his head and spoke to her. He now used a courteous tone, since she was the woman the Sanzu Hall Director had personally come to rescue.

"I should be the one saying that. Thank you for coming to me."

If he had not taken them in, they would have died. And if he had not taken them in, he would not have received this chance for promotion.

Both of them had fought to protect their beliefs, and in doing so, they had achieved the best possible outcome.

As Dan Ah returned from her greeting, Dan Yeon spoke.

"Move, I can't see."

When Dan Ah turned, she saw Geom Woojin in the distance.

"He's so cool."

Dan Yeon found him even cooler now that she knew he was the Heavenly Demon.

"If there was a man like that, I'd run to him right away!"

Perhaps she was excited. What she had meant to whisper only to her Unnie also reached Geom Mugeuk's ears.

Of course, Geom Mugeuk was not the type to let it slide.

"Youngest Young Lady."

"Yes, Young Cult Leader."

No matter how friendly his expression was, he was still the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult.

"Let's correct our wrong choice first."

As everyone wondered what he meant, Geom Mugeuk asked with a face full of lingering attachment.

"You sent a dish to my father that day. Whose idea was it? Was it all three of you?"

At those words, even Seo Daeryong tensed up and listened intently.

"No. It was my idea."

A bright smile spread across Seo Daeryong's lips at Dan Yeon's answer. He was happy just knowing that she was not the one who sent the dish.

A woman whose ideal type was the Cult Leader, ah! The very thought was daunting.

Geom Mugeuk brought his face close to Dan Yeon's.

"You must have seen wrong from a distance that day. Here, look at my face closely. Now, our youngest Young Lady. If you were to send a dish again, who would you send it to?"

However, Dan Yeon hesitated to answer. The hesitation itself was a 'not you'.

Geom Mugeuk made a disappointed face.

"Youngest Young Lady, you're too much."

Geom Mugeuk shouted to his father, who was talking with the Blood Heaven Blade Demon in front of the building.

"The youngest Young Lady says she'll send the dish to you until the end, Father! Here's one more person to take to Headquarters!"

It was a joke intended to please his father. He was grateful to his father for personally coming all this way to support Seo Daeryong. That, in turn, was also a way of supporting him.

Wasn't it like saying, 'He's your right-hand man, so I'll take care of him'?

At his son's jest, Geom Woojin said to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.

"I wonder when he'll ever grow up."

"You still like it, don't you?"

"Like it? It's chaotic."

Yes, 'chaotic' was the perfect word to describe being with Geom Mugeuk. However, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon knew. Just as he did, the Cult Leader was also enjoying and liking this chaos.

If he had not come out with his son, when would he ever experience something like this?

"Let's take a walk."

"Of course."

The two of them started walking toward the rear garden.

Cult Leader, you can show it now.

I cannot stand listening to others brag about their children, but I will listen to the Cult Leader brag about his.

Walking slowly like that, the two arrived at the rear garden.

They stood side by side, looking at the scenery beyond the wall.

A breeze rustled the leaves of a large tree standing by the wall, making a SASASASAK sound, and the birds perched on its branches took flight. Beyond the birds, white clouds drifted by very slowly, as if they had forgotten time.

"Do you really intend to win?"

It was a question without context, but the Cult Leader would have understood. He had once asked the Cult Leader if he could last five years against such a son. At that time, Geom Woojin had retorted.

Why don't you ask him? If he can last against me?

"Do you want me to lose to him?"

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon was, to the very end, on the Cult Leader's side. He was prepared to accept his wishes, his commands.

It had been that way before, and his feelings for the Cult Leader had deepened even more after they experienced the matter with his master together.

That was why. Because he was truly on the Cult Leader's side. That must be why he was saying this. Because he genuinely wished for the Cult Leader's happiness.

"The only person in this murim who can lose to the Young Cult Leader is you, Cult Leader."

To the look that asked what he meant, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon answered calmly.

"Because choosing to lose is something only the greater person can do."

"By the way, why were you targeted by the Seven Roads Pursuit Squad?"

Geom Mugeuk asked the women.

Since Dan Ah had formed a connection with Seo Daeryong, he had to be concerned for their safety.

At that, Cho Hwi stepped forward and spoke.

"They were trying to kill me. These three were trying to protect me."

Cho Hwi politely revealed her identity.

"I am a courtesan of the Thousand Flower Palace. I used to work at the Thousand Flower Palace in Fenghuang, Hunan province."

She had already revealed her identity to the three women.

The moment he heard her words, Geom Mugeuk was startled.

The Thousand Flower Palace.

The place where Yeo Jong, who liked the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon, was the master.

"I must go to the Thousand Flower Palace Headquarters in Guizhou. I have to go and meet the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman."

"May I ask the reason?"

To Geom Mugeuk's question, Cho Hwi answered cautiously.

"Since an esteemed person is asking, I should of course answer, but this is a matter I must report directly to the Pavilion Master. I ask for your generous understanding."

Cho Hwi bowed her head apologetically.

Geom Mugeuk did not press her.

"Everyone has their own unspeakable circumstances. There's no need to feel sorry at all."

Geom Mugeuk understood her. She would not know the relationship between the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman and the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon. Nor the relationship between the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon and himself.

However, he could not just tell her such secrets here and now.

Just then, Dan Yeon stepped forward and reassured her.

"We will bodyguard you all the way to your destination."

Because she was someone who took responsibility for a job until the very end.

Seo Daeryong looked at her with eyes full of worry. He did not know why Cho Hwi was being chased, but whoever was behind this had enough money and power to mobilize the Seven Roads Pursuit Squad.

If he let them go like this, the women would surely face another danger.

Seo Daeryong looked at Geom Mugeuk, seeking permission with his eyes.

There was no need to exchange telepathy, as he knew the meaning behind the look.

Geom Mugeuk nodded.

Seo Daeryong spoke cautiously to Dan Ah.

"I know how important this job is to you, Young Lady Dan. However, since all three of you are injured, how about you leave this matter to me?"

Seo Daeryong's face was filled with worry for her. Dan Ah could feel it. How could she not? He was so obviously worried about her with those innocent eyes.

"Still, I can't entrust my job to such an important person."

If this job was dangerous, wouldn't Seo Daeryong also be in danger? She could not let him get entangled in her problems and be put at risk.

"It's too much for your body. You need to rest."

"I may not look it, but I'm quite tough. Don't worry."

"I'll do it."

Geom Mugeuk, who had been watching the two bicker, stepped in.

"I will handle this matter."

At that, everyone stared at Geom Mugeuk in surprise. They could understand Seo Daeryong stepping up because of his relationship with Dan Ah, but they had never expected the Young Cult Leader to take on this job.

Since the Thousand Flower Palace was involved, Geom Mugeuk had to step in.

"I'm acquainted with the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman."

Cho Hwi was startled by his words. However, she did not dare ask the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult how they knew each other.

Geom Mugeuk said to Dan Ah.

"Will you trust me and leave it to me?"

Geom Mugeuk said he knew the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman and offered to handle it himself, so she could not say no. In truth, although she had insisted on going herself, she was secretly worried about her younger sisters.

But if it was the Young Cult Leader, she could be at ease.

Since he's the Young Cult Leader, the masters of the Demonic Cult will protect him, right?

Just thinking of that terrifying Demonic Army was reassuring.

Dan Ah looked at Cho Hwi and asked. After all, she was the client.

"Will that be alright with you?"

Cho Hwi nodded. If the Demonic Cult had not helped, she would already be dead anyway. She decided to follow the flow of this fate.

Geom Mugeuk looked at the youngest sister and said.

"Youngest Young Lady, once you've treated your internal injuries and see me again, you'll change your mind."

Dan Yeon smiled. As the youngest, she loved joking around the most among the three sisters. She knew Geom Mugeuk was teasing her now, but she did not dare respond with a joke.

Someday, if they became more comfortable with each other, she wanted to banter with him. It felt like they would get along really well. But a day like that would probably never come, right?

Geom Mugeuk said to Seo Daeryong.

"Director, please take the three ladies to our Cult's nearest safehouse and treat them."

"I will."

As Geom Mugeuk walked toward the rear garden to see his father, Seo Daeryong's desperate telepathy reached him.

[What should I do when I get there? I'm worried I'll ruin this good relationship! Should I recite another poem? Or not? Please don't leave me alone!]

Geom Mugeuk did not answer and just went to the rear garden. Of course, Seo Daeryong was worried.

When it comes to orthodox and unorthodox love, I don't trust you.

However, orthodox and unorthodox love was a two-way street. Geom Mugeuk trusted Dan Ah's bold personality.

Geom Mugeuk relayed to his father what he had heard from Cho Hwi.

"Since it's a matter concerning the Thousand Flower Palace, I think I should go."

His father also knew. He knew that the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman had a deep relationship with the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon. She was the woman who had once visited our Cult to see the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon.

Geom Mugeuk was disappointed. Genuinely disappointed. It was the moment his journey with his father, the one he had wanted to return from so slowly, was ending.

"Please go back first. I will handle this matter and then return."

No matter how much he enjoyed his time with his father, he could not ask him to bodyguard Cho Hwi with him. His father had been away from the cult for too long as it was.

"This journey was more precious than any other journey I have taken in my life."

Father might think of it as a journey of my youth.

But he meant it included all the journeys before his regression.

"The ordinary days I spent with you, Father, were so wonderful. Eating meals, drinking tea, walking together, fishing, eating miracle herbs, killing enemies, and improving my martial arts. More than all those moments, I loved those simple, ordinary moments."

After a brief pause, Geom Mugeuk bowed his head respectfully.

"Thank you for being with me, Father."

Geom Woojin watched his son in silence.

The solemnity was brief. Geom Mugeuk lifted his head and poured out his words.

"We still haven't been to the noodle shop we promised to visit, have we? The one that used to be a dumpling house. So this isn't the end, Father! This is just the first journey. The second, the third, even the hundredth journey are all planned!"

A smirk formed on Geom Woojin's lips. The end of this journey was marked by his father's smirk. Today, that smirk seemed to say.

I'll look forward to the next journey, too.

Geom Mugeuk did not forget to say goodbye to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, who was with them.

"I'll see you at the cult, Elder."

Yes, please look forward to it! I will fill it with more ordinary, more everyday, normal days.

With this journey, he would let go of his past as a disciple and live the rest of his life as a Master.

Elder, if it's Daeryong, that life will be meaningful.

At Geom Mugeuk's intense gaze, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon nodded.

"As soon as I get back, I'm going to pack my pajamas and come see you first, Elder, so you have to let me sleep over."

And finally, he said goodbye to Hwi.

"Uncle Hwi! Let's persuade Father to go on another trip next time! You worked hard driving the carriage!"

At that, Hwi revealed himself.

"Travel safely."

Geom Woojin and the Blood Heaven Blade Demon looked at Hwi with surprised expressions. He was not one to reveal himself just to say goodbye.

Although, Hwi actually wanted to say these words directly: "Thank you, Young Cult Leader."

This journey was one he would never forget. Thanks to it, his relationship with Geom Woojin had deepened.

Because it was precious time spent with an unhidden Hwi. Because this journey had taught him that even this moment of showing himself was part of his precious life.

"I really enjoyed my vacation with you, Uncle."