Chapter 580: You Showed Your Back Twice

TL: FoodieMonster007

Yeom Baekjin had never imagined he would meet the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult. The three people before him now looked entirely different.

The first question that came to his mind was delivered with a newfound politeness in his words and attitude. "The Demonic Cult's… no, the Divine Cult's Young Cult Leader, why have you come here?"

Because of you. To stop you from living out the fate of killing Seo Jin.

"As Master Yeom knows, I came because of our Division Leader Seo's matter."

The Young Cult Leader was moving personally for a mere Division Leader?

Seeing the obvious doubt on Yeom Baekjin's face, Geom Mugeuk looked at Seo Jin and remarked, "Division Leader Seo is a special person to me."

Seo Jin politely bowed her head at Geom Mugeuk's words.

She felt it from time to time. The Young Cult Leader showed her more affection than she deserved, though it clearly wasn't the kind one has for the opposite sex. Was it because he cared so much for Lee Ahn?

Yeom Baekjin looked at Seo Jin.

In that case, his brother had killed the hometown friend of a Division Leader from the Demonic Cult's Ghost Shadow Squad. The closeness of their relationship didn't matter. The crucial fact was that the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult had come here because of it.

The Young Cult Leader's arrival was the same as the entire Demonic Cult arriving. The Yellow Dragon Academy could be annihilated overnight with a single word from him.

Yeom Baekjin's body trembled. He had always considered himself to have a lot of nerve, but he could not hide the fear washing over him.

Yeom Baekjin asked cautiously, "What should I do?"

Geom Mugeuk threw a question back instead of an answer. "What do you plan to do about your brother?"

For a moment, Yeom Baekjin's expression hardened.

Since his brother had tried to kill him, the answer was already clear. He wasn't the type to meekly let himself be killed just because the attacker was his brother.

"I can't just let myself be killed, can I?"

He had no choice but to become ruthless himself.

At Yeom Baekjin's answer, Lee Ahn recalled the matter between Geom Mugeuk and the First Young Lord. Even a small martial arts academy could not avoid such a bloodbath between relatives, yet he had peacefully ended the succession dispute of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. She could feel anew just how much effort Geom Mugeuk had put in.

Yeom Baekjin remembered that Geom Mugeuk knew about the place he was trying to find.

"By any chance, are you also trying to find that place, Young Cult Leader?" He asked the question because he couldn't believe Geom Mugeuk had come all this way purely for a mere Division Leader.

"That's right. I plan to resolve that matter as well."

Yeom Baekjin's fear grew even greater. The Demonic Cult was also coveting that place where his brother was possessed by something. Would they really let them live? The Demonic Cult he knew was not like that. Every story he had heard about the Demonic Cult since he was young was stained with blood. Monsters must be hiding beneath those handsome and pretty faces.

However, the corpses of the White Snake Society scattered on the floor changed his mind.

If it weren't for them, my corpse would be lying there anyway.

His fear subsided as he considered it a life that was already lost. His gaze turned to Geom Mugeuk.

"What must I do for you to become a Young Cult Leader who vanishes like smoke, rather than a vicious one?"

"Two things will suffice."

"What are they?"

"Be honest. And trust us."

Yeom Baekjin was silent for a moment. Now that he knew their identities, neither of those two things was easy.

"I can't trust you yet, but I will speak honestly."

This honesty stemmed half from gratitude for them saving his life, and half from fear.

"My brother is possessed by something right now. It must be related to the secret construction. And what he was promised in return is…"

He had grasped the situation accurately.

"It must be a martial arts manual."

"Why do you think it's a manual?"

"My brother couldn't stand it when martial artists looked down on the martial arts academy's martial arts. He wouldn't have been able to resist the temptation of an ultimate martial arts."

Geom Mugeuk synthesized the information so far and came to a conclusion. "There's a vault under the Yellow Dragon Academy where an ultimate martial arts is stored, and academy members who were skilled enough but left without graduating are digging it up?"

The one managing that place is the Sword King.

Given the Sword King's martial arts skill, she wouldn't be putting in this much effort just for a martial arts manual.

What is it that you want?

Geom Mugeuk's gaze deepened. The Sword King was clearly trying to use him to do something.

Even if he had to move according to her intentions, he had to stay one step ahead. If only he could sneak into that place.

"Besides your brother, is there anyone else who might know about that place?"

"There is one person. He's a subordinate of Gi Seok, one of the Seven Instructors. He would know something. However, his martial arts is…"

He was about to say that Gi Seok was much stronger than the other Masters, but he stopped. Just by looking at the martial arts of the woman with Geom Mugeuk, he could guess what the Young Cult Leader's skill was like.

"His loyalty to my brother is deep, so he will never open his mouth."

"So it was Gi Seok who brought in the White Snake Society?"

"My brother wouldn't have contacted them directly, so that must be it."

Although he obediently answered the questions, there was a part Yeom Baekjin could not concede.

"My brother… I'll take care of my brother's problem myself."

He did not want him to die at the hands of the Demonic Cult. He resolved to kill him himself. He did not want his brother to be miserably used and then killed by these people.

If he couldn't kill him, he was prepared to take them down with him.

Geom Mugeuk, who had been staring at him silently, said something unexpected. "Go meet your brother again."

Yeom Baekjin was startled. "Didn't you see? He called the White Snake Society to kill me. And the top-ranked master at that! If it weren't for you, I would have died here today."

"That's why I'm telling you to meet him."

Yeom Baekjin guessed the reason.

"You want me to use my brother's guilt! If I go now, he'll think it's before the White Snake Society has carried out the contract. Since I'm a brother who's going to die soon anyway, he might tell me something."

At that, Geom Mugeuk shook his head. "That's not it. If he were the type to leak information out of guilt, he wouldn't have called the White Snake Society in the first place."

"If not, then why?"

"Go and say everything you want to say. That way, you won't have any regrets as you live on."

Yeom Baekjin wore a dazed expression for a moment.

What? For my sake?

Yeom Baekjin could not believe it. No, he could not understand it.

"You expect me to believe you're looking out for me in a situation like this? Who do you think I am?"

Then, Geom Mugeuk brought up something Yeom Baekjin had forgotten. "You showed your back twice. Once towards us, and once towards the enemy. Both times were to protect Seo Jin."

The first time was when he stood in front of Seo Jin. The next was to block the hidden weapons.

"Who do I think you are? You're someone who would risk his life to protect my subordinate."

It was a gesture made purely for his sake.

"If this ends without you saying what you need to, you'll think of your brother for the rest of your life. Even if you live as the Principal of the Yellow Dragon, a shadow will be cast over your heart forever."

Of course, there was another reason. If Yeom Baekjin lived a bright life, that would be a good thing for Seo Jin too. Geom Mugeuk was trying his best until the end, because to him, Seo Jin was worth that much.

"In a relationship like yours, you'll have regrets whether you speak or not, but this time, the regret of not speaking will be greater. So go and say everything, not for your brother's sake, but for your own."

Yeom Baekyin stood by his office window, looking at the night view. Although it was late, lights were on throughout the martial arts academy, and the figures of those training could be seen.

"They're arriving today?"

Gi Seok, who was standing behind him, answered politely to Yeom Baekyin's question. "Yes, they should have arrived already."

Yeom Baekyin did not ask any more, but Gi Seok spoke for him.

"Master Yeom will have a hard time seeing tomorrow's morning sun."

Yeom Baekyin's expression reflexively hardened, then he suddenly recalled the Sword King's words.

A villain walks a single path while being cursed.

Right, there is no need to be ashamed. Trying not to be cursed is an even more shameful sight.

"Seeing all the stars, it looks like tomorrow will be a clear day."

A smile formed on Gi Seok's lips. He considered a leader like this to be much better than an indecisive one who pretended to be good.

"Is that person still attending the White Dragon Class training these days?"

"He has been attending every day recently. I heard he taught a completely different version of the Yellow Dragon Sword Technique."

Gi Seok added cautiously, "I don't know what on earth he's thinking."

He had said it to ask if Yeom Baekyin knew what the man was thinking, but Yeom Baekyin said nothing. He did not tell Gi Seok about the demon he had heard about from the man.

Just then, a subordinate's voice was heard from outside. "Your younger brother has come to see you."

Yeom Baekyin and Gi Seok looked at each other. It was a late and unexpected visit.

"Should I stay?"

Yeom Baekyin shook his head at Gi Seok's question. "Show him in."

The door opened, and Yeom Baekjin entered. A strong smell of alcohol wafted out as he came inside, holding a bottle of liquor.

He started acting like a drunkard as soon as he saw Gi Seok, forgoing a greeting. "Our Master Gi must have wagged his tail so much it's worn away."

They were rude words, but Gi Seok showed no sign of displeasure. Instead, he smiled and said, "I wish my loyalty were truly that great. Please, have your talk."

After bowing, Gi Seok excused himself.

Yeom Baekyin might have normally said a word about being rude to Gi Seok, but he treated his brother more gently than usual.

"What brings you here so late?"

Yeom Baekjin's anger flared the moment he saw that. He's trying to kill me by calling the White Snake Society, and he's making a face like that?

If he were human, shouldn't he at least look a little flustered out of guilt? Shouldn't he at least be as cold as usual?

Yeom Baekjin perched on the reception table and drank straight from the bottle, calming his surging anger.

"I can't sleep, and I have something to say."

Geom Mugeuk was the one who had advised him to have a drink before going. It would help him relax. He was really glad he brought it. If he hadn't, he might have yelled just a moment ago.

Yeom Baekjin offered the liquor bottle. "Want some?"

Yeom Baekyin shook his head.

Yeom Baekjin drank alone again.

"Alright, what is it you wanted to say?"

Yeom Baekjin, who had been sitting dazedly on the table, brought up what he had been thinking on his way over. They were words he had kept in his heart for a long time, words he was saying not for his brother, but for himself.

"To be honest, I thought I had yielded the Principal's position to you."

Yeom Baekyin listened to his words silently.

"Since we were young, I heard a lot that I had more martial talent. I thought I could become the Principal if I set my mind to it."

Yeom Baekjin continued speaking, looking down at the liquor bottle in his hand instead of at his brother. "Of course, you're much stronger now, but I even thought of that as me yielding. I deliberately stopped trying so I wouldn't become stronger than you."

Yeom Baekyin had no idea his younger brother had been thinking this way. A thought occurred to him. Is he crazy?

"It was all my delusion. This martial arts academy was never mine, not even once."

At his brother's confession, Yeom Baekyin replied with a pleasant face. "I was only thinking of myself and failed to consider your feelings. From now on…"

"From now on?"

"Let's get along well. Aren't we the only brothers we have?"

Was his brother always this shameless and heartless?

"Thanks, brother."

For leaving me with this final image of you.

Yeom Baekyin felt for himself that his heart was incredibly cold. He felt like he could say any kind words. You should have been like this from the start. You should have lived on pretending not to know, like you have until now, or helped me with loyalty like Gi Seok's. Then this wouldn't have been necessary, would it? However, he knew his brother was not the type of person who could ever do that. Once he sobered up, he would start investigating him again.

"Let's have a meal together tomorrow."

What meal? My memorial meal?

At those words, Yeom Baekjin's anger crossed its limit. That is why he actually smiled as he asked, "What kind of martial arts is it?"

Yeom Baekyin flinched in surprise.

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm asking what kind of martial arts has you so possessed."

Yeom Baekjin asked with a smile, but his eyes were cold.

The smile vanished from Yeom Baekyin's face.

Yeom Baekjin could tell. This martial arts was like a taboo to his brother. Well, he must have bet everything on it.

"You haven't received that martial arts manual yet, have you? They must have said they'll give it to you once you've dug up that entire vault, right?"

Although Yeom Baekyin's expression grew increasingly stiff, Yeom Baekjin kept pushing. "Who in the world would just give away an ultimate martial arts? You believe them when they say they will? Brother, are you an idiot?"

Yeom Baekyin did not get angry, even at the end. After all, once his brother left this room, they would never see each other again. It was actually for the best. Even the slightest guilt he felt for his brother vanished with this.

Yeom Baekjin was truly furious. Deceived by such a person, calling the White Snake Society to kill his own brother. You're going to die by my hand in the end, brother, are you really such a fool!

Yeom Baekjin stood up from his seat and threw open the office window out of frustration. He stood by the window for a long while, staring outside.

"If you're done talking, go."

Yeom Baekjin glanced at his brother once, then left the place without a word.

Left alone, Yeom Baekyin opened a wall cabinet and took out a bottle of liquor. It was an expensive kind he usually savored. He filled a pure white cup to the brim and drank it down.

"Now get out of my life."

When Yeom Baekjin met Geom Mugeuk again, he was excited. "This is just my feeling, but I think I've found the entrance."

A little while ago, when he stood by his brother's office window and looked outside, he saw the night view of the Yellow Dragon Academy. There were brightly lit areas and less bright ones. While lights were on here and there, one place was unusually dark. He had never had a chance to stand there at night and look outside, so he had forgotten about that place's existence. It was a place that all the academy members usually forgot about.

It was a place located right below the office, used only once a year. It was considered sacred in the martial arts academy, so no one could approach it normally. Above all, it was the place his brother considered most important.

"It's the duel stage where the graduation exams are held."