Chapter 560: The Wind Has Already Blown

TL: FoodieMonster007

The Dan sisters were both surprised and flustered. They genuinely had not anticipated that the Young Cult Leader would arrange positions for them personally.

Dan Ah stared at Seo Daeryong with a dazed expression.

His face was full of emotion as he conveyed his gratitude to Geom Mugeuk.

"Young Cult Leader, thank you."

It was entirely because of Geom Mugeuk that he had managed to come this far. Now, Geom Mugeuk was even taking action for the woman he liked, and for her sisters as well.

"Don't get emotional just yet! It could be a job shoveling horse manure in the stables!"

At that, Dan Ah spoke with energy.

"I'll do anything the Young Cult Leader asks. Even if it's not horse manure, I'll clean up corpses every day if he tells me to."

Her two younger sisters shouted in agreement with her.

"Just leave it to us."

They were being sincere. The mere fact that the Young Cult Leader of the Divine Cult was personally taking care of them filled them with incredible gratitude.

"Then follow me."

The first place Geom Mugeuk led them to was the Ghost Shadow Squad, which was under the command of Lee Ahn.

First Division Leader Green Mask greeted Geom Mugeuk.

"Young Cult Leader! I heard you had returned."

All the martial artists of the Ghost Shadow Squad emerged and paid their respects politely. Their auras were sharper than when he had last seen them, which was a sign they had been dedicating themselves to their training.

After observing them for a moment, Geom Mugeuk's gaze returned to Green Mask.

He did not ask how he had been. Instead, he posed a different question.

"Are you happy?"

He was the man who had chosen the path of a simple Division Leader over being a disciple of the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon. Behind the mask, his eyes smiled pleasantly.

"……"

The short answer was sufficient. He could sense that he was living a satisfying life.

"I fought alongside the Smiling Demon this time."

Geom Mugeuk intentionally brought up the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon. He believed that avoiding the topic would not help him forget the man. Talking about him naturally was the better way to treat him.

"I survived thanks to the Smiling Demon."

An unconcealable longing flickered within Green Mask's eyes.

"Thank you for sharing the news."

After their long-awaited reunion concluded, Geom Mugeuk stated the reason for his visit.

"I came today to recommend a new recruit for the Ghost Shadow Squad."

Since this was the first recommendation Geom Mugeuk had ever made, Green Mask looked at the three women accompanying him with a surprised expression.

The person Geom Mugeuk selected was Dan Yeon.

"Youngest Young Lady!"

Dan Yeon was startled, not having expected to be called.

"Me?"

"Youngest Young Lady, the Ghost Shadow Squad is my direct subordinate unit, and it's the place where my heart serves as Commander. It's also where Green Mask, whom I trust, is the First Division Leader."

"Are you trying to place me in such an important unit?"

Geom Mugeuk nodded.

"I thought the Ghost Shadow Squad would be a good fit for your lively personality, Youngest Young Lady. In the future, the Ghost Shadow Squad will be striding across the Central Plains to carry out missions. What do you think? Will you give it a try?"

Dan Yeon was surprised that Geom Mugeuk had so accurately perceived her personality.

Her gaze moved from Geom Mugeuk to the martial artists of the Ghost Shadow Squad. Green Mask, with his green mask, and the warriors lined up behind him all possessed extraordinary auras. She would no longer be a mercenary but an elite martial artist of the Demonic Cult.

"Can I do it?"

"That's something neither I nor the First Division Leader over there knows. Only you would know, Youngest Young Lady. Can you do it, Youngest Young Lady?"

Her deliberation was not long, considering the importance of the matter. What sealed her decision wasn't a vague hope of wanting to do well or a vague confidence that she could. It was the path she had walked. Her past, having overcome that difficult life as a mercenary, slammed down the gavel on her decision.

Dan Yeon politely performed a clasped hands greeting to Green Mask and bowed her head.

"If you'll have me, I will do my best."

Geom Mugeuk thought the youngest was smart. Since he had brought her, Green Mask had to accept her unconditionally, yet she was asking for his permission.

"It may be the Young Cult Leader's recommendation, but there will be no special treatment."

"That's what I want."

Green Mask accepted her with a pleasant expression.

"Report here starting tomorrow."

"Thank you!"

"Give your thanks to the Young Cult Leader. We are shadows that exist only for him."

Dan Yeon performed a clasped hands greeting to Geom Mugeuk and said energetically.

"Young Cult Leader, thank you."

Dan Ah and Dan Bi bowed their heads at the same time.

"Thank you so much for taking care of our younger sister."

A playful look appeared on Geom Mugeuk's face.

"It wasn't for you two, it was for our Youngest Young Lady. Now, Youngest Young Lady, are you still going to send food to my father?"

Dan Yeon gave a bashful smile, her expression showing that was the one thing she could not give up.

"You're too much! Youngest Young Lady!"

Dan Yeon's heart pounded. It did not feel real. She was chatting so informally with the Young Cult Leader of the Divine Cult and was about to join the Ghost Shadow Squad.

She knew a new life would begin, but she had not expected it to change so suddenly on her very first day at the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. She had not even finished unpacking her belongings.

How could Geom Mugeuk not know her complicated feelings? He added a warm word of encouragement.

"The wind has already blown, so you must steer the sails well, our Youngest Young Lady."

"Thank you. I'm alive thanks to you."

Jonghwa, an investigator from the Sanzu River Hall, bowed politely.

During the arrest of a corrupt cult member, the man had suddenly swung his sword and tried to take an investigator hostage, placing them in grave danger.

Fortunately, the newly appointed Third Commander of the Execution Squad had reacted quickly and saved his life.

"This is excessive force, you bastards! You're all going to lose your heads!"

The cult member, who had been stabbed in the process, screamed. He was terrified and drunk and did not know what he was doing.

"This is nothing. We'll be dealing with all sorts of scoundrels from now on."

The Third Commander nodded at Jonghwa's words.

After Jonghwa and the execution martial artists arrested the criminal and left, the Third Commander, now alone, let out a sigh.

Just then, a voice spoke from behind him.

"Do you miss the Zheng'an Branch already?"

He turned in surprise to see Geom Mugeuk, Seo Daeryong, and the Dan sisters approaching.

"Young Cult Leader?"

"It's been a while, Branch Chief Kang. No, Commander Kang."

He was none other than Kang Dal, the chief of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's Zheng'an Branch. He had been appointed as the Third Commander of the Execution Squad after performing the great service of rescuing the Dan sisters and catching Geom Woojin's eye.

There were three Commanders under the Chief Commander, and he had been assigned as the Commander of the Third Squad. To go from a regional branch chief to an Execution Commander of the Sanzu River Hall was a truly unconventional promotion. It was a reward from Geom Woojin, who highly valued his judgment and work ethic.

He had been very worried when he first received the appointment and came to the Headquarters. Unconventional promotions always invited gossip and complaints.

However, this time, there was no such gossip or complaint.

On the day of his appointment, Geom Woojin himself had visited the Sanzu River Hall. In front of all the assembled execution martial artists, he had praised him for his great service and personally appointed him as Commander.

The sight of the Cult Leader walking through the opened doors into the place of his new assignment… Kang Dal would never forget that moment for as long as he lived.

After politely greeting Geom Mugeuk, Kang Dal also formally paid his respects to Seo Daeryong.

"I will serve you with utmost loyalty from now on."

Seo Daeryong was now his direct superior.

This was just the first time they had met in person. Seo Daeryong had already received a report that he had been appointed as an Execution Commander.

"I trust you will do well, Commander Kang."

"I will do my best not to disappoint you."

Once the two had exchanged their greetings, Geom Mugeuk stated his business with Kang Dal.

"Please accept a new recruit into the Third Execution Squad."

"As it happens, I was just about to request new personnel."

Geom Mugeuk looked at the second sister, Dan Bi.

"The second Young Lady is calm and rational, so I believe she has the aptitude for the Execution Squad. What do you think? Will you give it a try?"

She had been prepared for menial chores, let alone a low-ranking martial artist position, but an execution martial artist of the Sanzu River Hall? How could she not be pleased?

"Thank you so much."

Dan Bi's martial arts skills were also more than sufficient to be an execution martial artist.

The Dan sisters were grateful for being entrusted with important roles, but they were truly moved by Geom Mugeuk's consideration for their individual personalities. In fact, that was a very important part.

What if the position arranged by the Young Cult Leader did not suit their aptitude? It would be truly agonizing, as they could not just quit.

Dan Bi greeted Kang Dal politely.

"I look forward to working with you, Commander!"

"It's even better to see a familiar face."

Kang Dal smiled. In truth, his own success was because these Dan sisters had visited his branch.

The Young Cult Leader, the Sanzu Hall Director, the Dan sisters.

That connection continued even after coming to the Headquarters.

And so, Geom Mugeuk had made places for the second and third sisters.

"There is no position for the eldest Young Lady."

Naturally, Geom Mugeuk had his reasons for this decision.

"First, I want the two of you to have plenty of time together."

The two of them liked each other, which was why they had come to the Headquarters together. However, if Dan Ah took on a new job, she would be busy and preoccupied with adjusting to it.

"For the time being, take your time and enjoy yourselves. Go on outings together, eat delicious food. Get used to our Cult, and look after your sisters."

Seo Daeryong's whole body trembled at Geom Mugeuk's thoughtfulness. I can't possibly be any more moved by you, Young Cult Leader. I've already used up all the emotion of my life on you, haven't I? What am I to do if you keep being like this?

He genuinely felt this way. That was why this question naturally came out.

"What are you going to do later in life?"

"What about it?"

"You're so cool in your youth, what are you going to do later?"

"If I'm shabby, boring, and uncool then, you can tell people this. Our Young Cult Leader used up all his coolness in his twenties! So let's all be understanding."

Seo Daeryong, as well as Kang Dal and the Dan sisters, all laughed.

Geom Mugeuk sincerely wished for Seo Daeryong and Dan Ah to work out. However, he knew it was not a matter he could interfere in.

"If your life is one where you lived as a mercenary and then followed the Sanzu Hall Director all the way to our Cult, I believe you have a destiny of your own. Follow where that destiny leads."

Dan Ah bowed her head respectfully.

"I will never forget the grace you have shown me."

She could finally understand why this Seo Daeryong only ever talked about the Young Cult Leader whenever he opened his mouth. It was because this was the kind of person Geom Mugeuk was.

"Well then, let's all meet at the Alluring Inn this evening! You come too, Commander Kang!"

Geom Mugeuk then went to find the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.

"Elder!"

When he ran into the yard, someone else was there.

"Young Cult Leader, you always come here first when you return from outside the cult."

The woman tending the flower garden straightened up and rose. It was the Flower Sword Supreme, whose makeup-free face and pure white hair now suited her perfectly.

"It's because I like you the most, Elder. Have you been well, Sword Supreme?"

The Flower Sword Supreme smiled brightly and nodded. Judging by how her aura had grown even gentler, it seemed her training never stopped.

Just then, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon walked out of the warehouse building and said.

"Words you don't even mean!"

Despite his words, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon could not hide his pleased expression.

"Elder!"

Geom Mugeuk ran to embrace him, but as always, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon used his movement arts to evade him.

He took the hoe he had brought from the warehouse, squatted down next to the Flower Sword Supreme, and began to dig at the ground.

Geom Mugeuk watched the two of them tend the flower garden for a moment.

What did they feel for each other?

He could sense at least one thing. They were not forcing themselves to get closer. They were watching each other from that exact distance. He thought that perhaps that distance was what was protecting the space between them.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon asked as he hoed.

"How did your trip go?"

"I barely made it back alive. If it weren't for the Bi Young Alliance Chairman and the head of the Demon Slaying Brigade, and especially if the Smiling Demon hadn't been there, I would have died."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon's hands paused for a moment before moving again.

"It will only get harder. The more you kill, the more viciously and strongly they will retaliate."

"You have to protect me, Elder."

"Instead of thinking about working an old man to the bone, just focus on your training."

He planned to train really hard from now on. It was not just the Heavenly Demon Soul in his dreams whose pride was wounded because the Nine Calamities Demonic Art of the Seven Stars had not worked.

"Sword Supreme. I think we need to reactivate our duel friendship."

The Flower Sword Supreme smiled.

"I welcome it anytime."

Just then, two people entered the area.

They were Seo Daeryong and Dan Ah. He had come to greet his master after returning from his trip. He had brought Dan Ah along to introduce her as well.

"Master, I have returned."

At that, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon stood up and walked over to Seo Daeryong.

His worried gaze swept over his disciple's body.

"Are you injured anywhere?"

"No, I'm fine."

"Then that's all that matters."

Geom Mugeuk was not one to just watch this happen.

"Hey, I know he's your disciple, but isn't this a bit too much favoritism? I was in more danger!"

Pretending not to hear, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's gaze turned to Dan Ah.

"Who is this Young Lady?"

"This is Young Lady Dan Ah. She came to our Cult with me this time."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon looked at Seo Daeryong with an expression that asked what he meant. Not knowing how to explain, Seo Daeryong just blushed.

Dan Ah was nervous. She really wanted to make a good impression on the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, Seo Daeryong's Master. Her heart was pounding even more than when she had been surrounded by enemies.

Just then, the Flower Sword Supreme stood up and walked over to them.

"Why even ask that?"

She looked at Seo Daeryong and Dan Ah. A smile naturally formed at the sight of their budding romance, unable to even look each other in the face properly.

I had a time like that, too.

Seo Daeryong introduced the Flower Sword Supreme to Dan Ah.

"This is the Flower Sword Supreme, a Demon Supreme of our Cult."

At his words, Dan Ah looked at her in shock. There was not a single sword user who did not know of her.

The woman who had risen to the rank of Demon Supreme with a single sword. To Dan Ah, the Flower Sword Supreme was someone special. On her way here, the Demon Supreme she had wanted to see most, after Seo Daeryong's Master, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, was her.

"It is an honor to meet you."

Dan Ah's voice trembled. The admiration she felt for the Flower Sword Supreme was clearly written on her face, so her first impression was a success.

"It couldn't have been easy for a woman to decide to become a God of War in our Cult, could it?"

Was it because she was in a relationship with Seo Daeryong, who wore a giant dao? It reminded her of her own youth.

"What did you like so much about him?"

Since it was none other than the Flower Sword Supreme asking, she answered honestly.

"I liked his pure side, which is so unlike a martial artist."

The Flower Sword Supreme nodded and turned back to the flower garden. Then, at the sight of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and Seo Daeryong standing side-by-side with giant daos on their backs, she suddenly turned back and asked.

"Could it be that Director Seo…"

Did he guess what she was about to ask? The Blood Heaven Blade Demon quickly cut her off.

"Let's not do this out here. Let's go inside. I happen to have some good tea."

As the Blood Heaven Blade Demon led Dan Ah inside, Seo Daeryong followed behind them.

The Flower Sword Supreme smiled, recalling that day long ago.

"Like master, like disciple!"