Chapter 563: I Went Through Hell to Get This, So You Better Take It

TL: FoodieMonster007

Lee Ahn made her way slowly to the second floor.

When seen up close, Lee Ahn's beauty was even more apparent than it had been from below. She also carried an unapproachable aura.

"Young Cult Leader!"

Lee Ahn came to a stop in front of Geom Mugeuk.

If no one else had been present, she would have called him Young Master instead of Young Cult Leader. She would have rushed toward him, shouting, "Young Master!" and thrown herself into his embrace. That was just how much she had missed Geom Mugeuk.

"You've worked hard."

Hearing that one phrase from Geom Mugeuk, Lee Ahn felt the tension in her heart magically dissolve.

I'm finally back!

Lee Ahn was experiencing the very same feeling that Geom Mugeuk had when he saw his father.

Lee Ahn's gaze then shifted naturally toward Han Seol.

The main reason Han Seol came to the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult was to meet Lee Ahn. She had worried she might have to leave without seeing her, but thankfully, Lee Ahn had returned.

Han Seol called out to Lee Ahn.

"Unnie."

This was their first meeting since they parted ways after agreeing to be like sisters. She had thought it would be very awkward and distant, but it was surprisingly not.

Everyone who was unaware of their relationship was startled by the word Unnie.

"I didn't expect to see you here."

"Didn't you say you'd show me around the next time I came to the Central Plains?"

She had remembered Lee Ahn's words perfectly.

"Yes, I did. Welcome."

As she looked at Lee Ahn smiling at her, Han Seol sensed something. Lee Ahn had changed in some way. However, she couldn't quite identify what that change was.

Seo Daeryong gave Lee Ahn a warm greeting.

"Martial Artist Lee, welcome back."

"Director, have you been well?"

Geom Mugeuk then cut in with a sly remark.

"He's been the best off among all of us."

As he spoke, he glanced over at Dan Ah. The quick-witted Lee Ahn's eyes widened in understanding.

"No way. It can't be, right? You traitor!"

Lee Ahn demonstrated their close friendship with a casual joke, and Seo Daeryong could only laugh awkwardly.

Lee Ahn spoke to Dan Ah with a bright smile.

"Congratulations."

"Thank you, Commander."

Dan Ah looked at her youngest sister and spoke.

"Thanks to the Young Cult Leader, my youngest sister will be joining the Ghost Shadow Squad. Go on, greet her."

Dan Yeon, who had been staring blankly at Lee Ahn, was belatedly jolted back to her senses.

"Ah, you're so beautiful. I'm Dan Yeon, a new recruit. The First Division Leader told me to start tomorrow."

Dan Yeon offered a polite greeting with clasped hands.

Lee Ahn stared at her for a moment and then suddenly posed a question.

"Have you heard what kind of organization we are?"

"Yes, I heard it's a place where we become the Young Cult Leader's shadow."

"Good, then I'll ask you this. If the Cult Leader's order and the Young Cult Leader's order conflict, what will you do?"

Dan Yeon replied without any hesitation.

"I suppose I'd have to follow the Young Cult Leader's command?"

"But that would be treason, wouldn't it?"

Although she flinched at the word treason, Dan Yeon's conviction was firm.

"A shadow disappears without its body anyway, doesn't it?"

Hearing Dan Yeon's answer, Lee Ahn looked at Geom Mugeuk and made a comment.

"She hasn't even started her first day, but her loyalty is already greater than mine."

A smile spread across Dan Yeon's face at those words. She liked interesting people. In fact, she was the brightest and wittiest of the three sisters. She liked Lee Ahn's earlier joke calling Seo Daeryong a traitor, and she liked this comment as well.

The great favor she felt for Geom Mugeuk wasn't just because he was the Young Cult Leader. It was because of the relaxed jokes he made at times like this.

"Still, I'll probably send the cooking to my father."

At Lee Ahn's questioning look, Geom Mugeuk just offered a mysterious smile.

Jang Ho greeted her next.

"Martial Artist Lee, welcome back."

"The Lord's body has gotten even bigger!"

Her reunion with Cheon Sohwi was also after a long time.

"We used to see each other every day, but now it's hard to see your face even once."

"The Young Cult Leader said he would definitely revive the late-night training sessions."

After finally greeting Kang Dal as well, they all sat down together.

Geom Mugeuk raised his cup high and shouted.

"My heart has returned!"

Lee Ahn thought, There he goes again, feeling embarrassed, but she still raised her cup high.

They all toasted cheerfully and drank.

Putting down her cup, Dan Yeon whispered to Seo Daeryong.

"Brother-in-law, that was too obvious a lie."

She was talking about when Seo Daeryong had said her Unnie was prettier.

As Seo Daeryong laughed awkwardly, Dan Yeon whispered in his ear again.

"In times like these, you're supposed to say, 'She's prettier in my eyes'."

"Ah!"

Seo Daeryong also whispered to Dan Yeon.

"From now on, you'll have to teach me well, sister-in-law."

"The quality of my advice will depend on the size of my brother-in-law's allowance, won't it?"

Seo Daeryong laughed at her words. A sudden thought crossed his mind.

Is it okay for me to be this happy?

He was afraid that the heavens might grow jealous of this happiness and send misfortune his way.

Then he found himself looking at Geom Mugeuk, who was drinking with Lee Ahn.

What he had only vaguely understood in his head, he now seemed to know for certain in his heart. He understood why Geom Mugeuk had moved with such diligence.

To Geom Mugeuk, Lee Ahn was his Dan Ah, Jang Ho was his Dan Bi, and he himself was his Dan Yeon. He must have moved so tirelessly to prevent misfortune from ever daring to approach. To prevent laziness from inviting unhappiness.

I, too, will protect them with diligence, Young Cult Leader.

Just then, his eyes met Geom Mugeuk's. The two men toasted in the air and emptied their cups.

Even though some people had just met for the first time, the atmosphere was great.

The pillar that was Geom Mugeuk allowed everyone to let their guard down.

Laughing and chatting. Everyone spoke their minds comfortably.

Toward the end of the drinking session, they broke off into smaller groups.

Dan Bi, who was set to become an executive martial artist of the Sanzu River Hall, had various conversations with Seo Daeryong and Kang Dal. Her second brother was usually a man of few words, but he wasn't so introverted as to miss an opportunity to build rapport with his direct superiors.

Seo Daeryong told his two subordinates.

"I think of our Sanzu River Hall as a guiding star. A role that helps people not lose their way on a dark night. Since everyone tries to find an easier path, I believe that even if every other organization in the cult wavers, we must not."

Dan Bi asked cautiously.

"How can we not waver?"

Seo Daeryong answered honestly.

"Each of us must find our own guiding star."

Kang Dal and Dan Bi fell into thought and quietly emptied their cups.

Seo Daeryong's gaze turned to Geom Mugeuk. He could say this because he had already found his.

Meanwhile, Dan Yeon was only looking at Lee Ahn.

She was completely smitten with Lee Ahn, the head of the organization she belonged to. She was beautiful, strong, and above all, witty. Lee Ahn was the very image of what she dreamed of becoming.

"Commander, do you have a dream?"

At Dan Yeon's courageous question, Lee Ahn answered.

"To survive for a long, long time."

Lee Ahn left out one important word.

Geom Mugeuk drank and chatted with Cheon Sohwi and Jang Ho. They talked about the Fist Demon, and about Jang Ho's drawing.

Cheon Sohwi felt like she could finally breathe for the first time in a long while. It felt so good to gather, talk, and drink like this. In the past, she used to drink comfortably with the iron fists of the Eastern Fist Garrison, but after becoming the successor, such occasions had disappeared.

"We'll be taking our leave now."

The Dan sisters were the first to get up, as they had to start their first day at their new organizations the next day.

Dan Ah had been quiet throughout the drinking session.

In truth, she was a good drinker and could be quite talkative if she wanted to, but today she held back on both the alcohol and her words. All so she wouldn't make any mistakes for the sake of Seo Daeryong and her sisters.

Before they left, Lee Ahn spoke quietly to Dan Ah.

"Director Seo is a really good person."

"Thank you."

When they stood up, Kang Dal also bid his farewell.

"When the subordinate leaves for tomorrow's work, the superior can't just keep playing, can he?"

He said that, but he knew it was time to leave them to their long-awaited reunion. He was a man who knew when to join in and when to make a clean exit.

Han Seol also stood up.

"The Elders seem tired, so I should get going too."

On the first floor, Sahan of the Cold Ice Dual Swords was asleep, his head resting on his wife's shoulder. He had gotten drunk from drinking after a long time.

Geom Mugeuk said to Han Seol.

"Young Lady Han, I have a favor to ask."

"Please, go ahead."

"Please leave a word on this wall here."

At those words, Jo Cheonbae's face on the first floor lit up. As expected, Geom Mugeuk knew his heart well and took care of him.

She immediately shook her head.

"I don't think I'm qualified."

"Then please leave it on this wall here. Let's leave the names of our young masters here. Our Princess will be the one to start it off."

With such a request, Han Seol finally left a message.

[I had a good time drinking with friends. Princess Han Seol of the North Sea Ice Palace.]

This was the moment the words of the successor to the North Sea Ice Palace were finally left on the wall of the Alluring Inn.

Seo Daeryong smiled warmly at the expression 'friends', and Jo Cheonbae was so happy he beamed.

"Thank you. Thank you so much."

After expressing his gratitude to Han Seol, Jo Cheonbae looked at Geom Mugeuk and smiled brightly. If it weren't for Geom Mugeuk, she would never have left that message.

After everyone else had gone, Geom Mugeuk, Cheon Sohwi, and the drinking trio remained in the Alluring Inn. Geom Mugeuk had deliberately made Cheon Sohwi stay when she was about to leave.

"Just drink for a little while. I have something to bring."

While Geom Mugeuk was briefly gone, the four of them chatted about various things.

Then Lee Ahn asked Seo Daeryong.

"How does it feel to have someone you like?"

To Seo Daeryong, Jang Ho and Lee Ahn were more than just simple drinking buddies.

"Honestly, even though I returned with Young Lady Dan, I'm scared. I've lived my whole life selfishly, thinking only of myself, and I wonder if I can do a good job. I'm also worried I might regret it later."

Since they were all unmarried, their feelings were not so different from Seo Daeryong's.

Just then, Geom Mugeuk's voice came from the first floor.

"You should ask an expert about such worries."

Geom Mugeuk came up to the second floor with Jo Cheonbae. In the meantime, Geom Mugeuk had gone somewhere and returned carrying a leather pouch and a long sword box.

"Innkeeper, do you regret your marriage?"

At Geom Mugeuk's question, Jo Cheonbae laughed and said.

"There were times I regretted it. After a big fight with the wife, phew, on those nights I'd fall asleep dreaming of the days I lived alone."

Everyone laughed at his honest confession.

"But I would have regretted it if I had lived alone too. No matter how disobedient my son is, it's terrifying to think what my life would have been without him. And maybe because we've been through thick and thin, as I get older, my wife is all I have."

Geom Mugeuk said to Seo Daeryong.

"When you're struggling with matters of love, orthodox and unorthodox, come to the Alluring Inn for counseling!"

"……"

Jo Cheonbae bowed, saying he was overwhelmed with gratitude, and went down to the first floor. He was smiling as he descended the stairs. To think he would now be giving love advice to the Sanzu Hall Director.

Seo Daeryong's gaze fell on the box and leather pouch Geom Mugeuk had brought.

"But what is that? It looks like a sword box."

Geom Mugeuk gave the sword box to Lee Ahn.

"Here, a gift."

Lee Ahn, taking the box, was startled. She had never imagined she would receive a gift here.

"A gift?"

The box was beautifully engraved with a sun and moon, and just by looking at the exquisitely crafted box, one could tell that its contents were no ordinary item.

Inside was a single sword.

Lee Ahn slowly drew the sword.

"Ah!"

A gasp of admiration escaped her lips.

SAAAAAA.

A chillingly sharp aura instantly spread in all directions. It was truly no ordinary treasured sword.

"It is the Sun Moon Sword."

At Geom Mugeuk's words, not only Lee Ahn but also Jang Ho, Seo Daeryong, and Cheon Sohwi were astonished. The Sun Moon Sword was a famed treasured sword in the murim.

It was the very same Sun Moon Sword he had received from the head of the Black Snake Society while resolving Bi Sayin's case in the past. Bi Sayin had given the sword back to Geom Mugeuk, and at that time, Geom Mugeuk had said he would give it to his heart. He had kept it safe since then, and now the moment had come to give it to Lee Ahn.

"Why are you giving me such a precious sword?"

"Because you have now reached a state where you can protect this sword. Congratulations, Lee Ahn."

"Ah, as expected! You knew."

She had achieved the complete mastery of the Soaring Sky Sword Art that she had dreamed of. It was a feat that even someone with a talent for martial arts couldn't have accomplished in such a short time, and it was all thanks to Geom Mugeuk's generous teachings.

"Are you really giving this to me?"

Geom Mugeuk nodded. To a martial artist, a sword is like their life, and the Sun Moon Sword would become another life for her.

And the sword suited her well.

"I won't refuse. I know I'll never get a sword like this again in my life. I'll take it."

"I even got the sword box because I thought you'd like it."

"Thank you so much, Young Master."

The burden was a burden, but she was so happy she felt like she could fly. She wanted to wield the Soaring Sky Sword Art with this sword as soon as possible.

At the same time, she felt too burdened receiving a gift all by herself and sorry towards the other three.

How could he not know her heart? Seo Daeryong said to Geom Mugeuk.

"Even if she is your heart, this is too much! What about us?"

He was deliberately being playful, but an unexpected response came from Geom Mugeuk.

"There's something for General Jang and you two as well."

He couldn't believe it, but Geom Mugeuk began to pull something out of the leather pouch.

Two sets of treasured armor emerged from the pouch.

He gave the Vajra Divine Armor to Jang Ho and the Grand Sun Armor to Cheon Sohwi.

This treasured armor was from the treasure vault of the head of the Milky Way Trading Company. It was the very armor that Geom Mugeuk had put on, four layers thick, to take with him.

Jang Ho and Cheon Sohwi were stunned. They never imagined he would give them such a precious gift.

"Something so valuable! I cannot accept it!"

At Cheon Sohwi's refusal, Geom Mugeuk moved to take the treasured armor back.

"Then I'll take it back?"

Cheon Sohwi smiled sweetly and did not let go of the Grand Sun Armor.

"Still, it's a gift from my Senior Brother. I have to accept it."

The treasured armor they had just received was so expensive they couldn't afford it even if they saved money their entire lives, and even if they had the money, they couldn't have obtained it.

Cheon Sohwi made a vow in her heart.

One day, I will wear this treasured armor and be sure to protect the Cult Leader.

Jang Ho wore a troubled expression. He had already become a Demonic Army General thanks to Geom Mugeuk, and now he had received such a precious gift.

"I don't know if I can accept something so valuable."

"You have to. I became a personification of greed right in front of my father and went through hell to get this for you."

Jang Ho looked at Seo Daeryong. Seo Daeryong smiled and said.

"I have already received mine. Why else would a right-hand man be called a right-hand man?"

This time, Lee Ahn looked out for Geom Mugeuk.

Seo Daeryong had already received the White Phosphorus Armor from Geom Mugeuk.

"What about yours, Young Cult Leader?"

Geom Mugeuk spread the hem of his clothes. The clothes he wore underneath were the Flying Black Dragon Armor.

"Of course, I took the best one, so you don't have to feel burdened."

He had deliberately worn it so they wouldn't refuse.

The three of them were more grateful for this consideration than for the treasured armor itself.

"Thank you so much, Young Cult Leader."

Geom Mugeuk looked at them with a pleased heart.

Yes, get stronger. Get so strong that no one would dare to touch us.

"This isn't a gift for you all. It's a gift for my heart, my right arm, my left arm, and my one and only junior sister, so it's a gift I'm giving to myself."

After the drinking party ended, Geom Mugeuk and Lee Ahn took a walk along a dawn path. Lee Ahn brought up something she hadn't mentioned when others were around.

"You're not asking about my mission?"

The mission was to bring Seo Jin, the younger sister of the Ghostly Sage, to be a Division Leader in the Ghost Shadow Squad.

Seo Jin.

His only friend from his life before regression.

He had hoped that in this life, she would have a connection with Lee Ahn instead of being a mercenary, and live a happier life without killing intent.

If he hadn't met her, his regression would not have happened.

"You failed, didn't you?"

If she had succeeded, she would have come with you.

"Did something else happen again this time?"

Previously, Lee Ahn had gotten entangled in another matter through a connection made by getting a drink of water from a woman.

"No, this time I met Young Lady Seo."

"You met her?"

"I even managed to persuade Young Lady Seo. It really wasn't easy."

"Then why didn't she come with you?"

"She said she would come as soon as she finished what she had to do. She has some business at the Yellow Dragon Academy."

The Yellow Dragon Academy.

It was, in name and reality, the largest martial arts academy in the murim, having produced countless masters.

"She said she'll come right after she's done… Young Cult Leader?"

Lee Ahn turned her head back. Geom Mugeuk had stopped in his tracks with a hardened expression.

"What's wrong?"

In his life before regression, the ones who had killed her were from the Yellow Dragon Academy. It seemed that ill-fated connection was beginning around this time. Or perhaps, fate had changed.

Geom Mugeuk could feel it. The sweet rest of the past few days was over, and the moment had come to go out into the jianghu again.

"Lee Ahn, you haven't unpacked yet, have you?"

"What on earth is going on?"