Chapter 613: Can You Handle the Awakened Cult Leader?

TL: FoodieMonster007

While the Poison King was occupied looking up at a tree, the Demonic Buddha stood inside the main hall, gazing up at a fearsome golden Buddha statue.

A calm greeting then came from behind.

"It's been a while."

As Geom Mugeuk stepped into the hall, the Demonic Buddha asked a question without turning around.

"What brings you here?"

"I came because I wanted to see you, the Demonic Buddha. It's been a long time since I've seen your face."

It must have been a very long time, because just the sight of the Demonic Buddha's stubborn-looking head from behind filled him with such happiness.

"Have you been well?"

The Demonic Buddha finally turned from the statue to look at Geom Mugeuk. The short Demonic Buddha created a strange contrast with the giant golden statue behind him.

Whenever he saw the Demonic Buddha, he felt it. What you see is not all there is. Geom Mugeuk was well aware that the small giant, the Demonic Buddha, was a far greater man than that golden statue.

"How is the job of interim Cult Leader?"

"Ugh, don't even ask."

Geom Mugeuk whined, waving his hands dismissively.

"I thought my father wasn't very interested in the cult's internal affairs. That he would just make a decision or two on important matters. But that wasn't the case. He managed every single troop movement."

"The Cult Leader has always looked after the cult's affairs more meticulously than any other Cult Leader in history."

Geom Mugeuk could sense that the Demonic Buddha knew a great deal about his father's work. Since the Demonic Buddha had always been so interested in politics, he would have known the most about the situation before the Cult Leader's seclusion.

"Do you know why the Cult Leader is so meticulous? Because of his personality? Not a chance."

"Then why does he do it?"

A surprising answer then came from the Demonic Buddha.

"For the unification of murim."

"!"

"The Cult Leader believed that only when he could rule the cult with absolute certainty could he also rule the world."

He must have heard his father speak of this at some point.

His father revealed different sides of himself to each of the Demon Supremes. Because of this, he felt that the version of his father each Demon Supreme saw was different.

"In the end, five years from now, you will stand at the forefront of murim's unification."

He had said this before. That his father would not go easy on him.

There was a reason for the Demonic Buddha's assertion. It was a reason he had not shared back then.

"It's not because I'm ignoring your will."

If he were ignoring it, he would not be standing here face-to-face and saying such things.

"Then what makes you so certain?"

The reason he held Geom Mugeuk in such high regard, yet still believed he could not win, was…

"Because thanks to you, the Cult Leader is also awakening."

The Demonic Buddha stared intently at Geom Mugeuk and asked.

"Can you handle the awakened Cult Leader?"

Geom Mugeuk understood. The awakening the Demonic Buddha spoke of was not just about martial arts that would grow stronger through seclusion training.

It meant that the man named Geom Woojin was himself becoming stronger.

"Isn't that why there are nine of us?"

He joked that all of the Eight Demon Supremes were on his side.

"Last I checked, there were two."

On the day they made their promise for five years later, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon was the only Demon Supreme who remained with Geom Mugeuk until the end.

"Then I guess I'll have to try harder."

With an expression that seemed to say, 'As if trying harder will be enough,' the Demonic Buddha walked out of the hall.

Geom Mugeuk quietly followed, and they walked together through the temple grounds. Passing mad monks clasped their hands and bowed to them.

"Did you stop making the stone statues?"

"I stopped."

The statues he had been carving were still in a corner of the courtyard. Judging by the dust-covered tools, it seemed some time had passed since he last touched them.

He thought Geom Mugeuk would tease him for being weak-willed.

"It's good that you stopped."

"Good that I stopped?"

"To be honest, it didn't suit you, the Demonic Buddha. Calming your mind by carving statues? You're not that kind of person, are you?"

The Demonic Buddha stopped walking and asked.

"Then what kind of person am I?"

"You're the kind of person who moves among people, understands their hearts, persuades them with passion, and fights with all your might for a goal, aren't you? You're the kind who calms his mind only when taking a brief rest after fighting his heart out with people."

"Is that an insult? Or a compliment?"

"If you feel bad, it's an insult. If you feel good, it's a compliment."

Geom Mugeuk added with a smile.

"Right now, I'm just telling you the truth."

The Demonic Buddha started walking again with an expression that seemed to say, 'If only you couldn't talk so smoothly.'

"What brings you here? A busy person like you wouldn't just come to hang out. Do you have an order for me as the Cult Leader?"

"No. I came to report something I did without being ordered."

The Demonic Buddha looked at Geom Mugeuk with an expression that asked what he meant.

Geom Mugeuk knew. Giving an order not to do something was much harder than ordering someone to do something. Just as asking someone to leave was much harder than asking them to come.

That was why this meeting with the Demonic Buddha felt more delicate than his meeting with the Poison King.

"When my brother left the cult, I secretly asked the Poison King to watch over him."

The golden light emanating from the Demonic Buddha's body shone a little more intensely, as if revealing his emotional turmoil.

"Why are you reporting that to me?"

"I felt I had to let you know, the Demonic Buddha."

After a brief pause, the Demonic Buddha asked.

"Why the Poison King of all people?"

"The counterfeit hidden weapons my brother is investigating were coated with a deadly poison. I was worried there might be a poison user involved, so I asked the Poison King for help."

"And the reason you're telling me this is?"

"In case you misunderstand later. I was afraid you might think my brother asked to bring the Poison King along."

In other words, he was worried a misunderstanding would arise between Geom Muyang and the Demonic Buddha. Given his brother's personality, he was not the type to make excuses. And the Poison King was not the type to give a lengthy explanation either.

"So what if there's a little misunderstanding?"

"What do you mean? It would be upsetting. If it were me, I'd be so upset I'd probably curse him out. 'I cherished you so much, and you take the Poison King instead of me?'"

"A narrow-minded person like you would curse, but I wouldn't."

"You should. If you don't curse him out, this time my brother will be the one who's upset."

Finally, the Demonic Buddha burst out laughing.

"Do you really live your life worrying about every single trivial thing like that?"

"Because I believe it's those trivial things that make people grow distant and come to hate each other. Doesn't a grand dream like the unification of the world ultimately start from these small considerations?"

Geom Mugeuk's sincere words continued.

"So please, don't step back. Instead, step forward more actively. Even if it's not about the succession fight, aren't there one or two things in our Cult that require your help, the Demonic Buddha? Please make a move for the sake of our Cult."

A golden glint seemed to flash in the Demonic Buddha's eyes as he looked at Geom Mugeuk, and soon, the intense golden radiance softened.

Lately, the Demonic Buddha had been feeling a sense of listlessness for which he had no answer. That was also why he had been carving the statues.

However, he now considered Geom Mugeuk's words. Instead of retreating, he could advance and face things in his own way. He thought that perhaps this was the way to overcome his listlessness.

"I refuse. I'll just go back to carving my statues."

"Then even if you carve statues, sell them. Carve statues that you can sell. I'll be your first customer."

It meant that no matter what he did, he should not sink into despair. In that moment, the Demonic Buddha thought of something he wanted to say to Geom Woojin.

If you want to beat your son, you'll have to awaken properly.

Geom Mugeuk bowed politely and turned to leave.

"Sigh, I'm so busy, I don't know when I'll be able to visit again."

As Geom Mugeuk walked away, the Demonic Buddha spoke from behind him.

"Your brother is a strong man."

The Demonic Buddha was someone who believed in his brother more than anyone. He was also someone who had bet his own life on his brother.

"So you don't need to worry so much. The same blood that flows in your father and you also flows in the First Young Lord's body."

Seeing the brightly shining golden radiance, Geom Mugeuk bowed his head respectfully.

"Yes, I believe so too."

However, Geom Mugeuk's words and actions were different.

Believing was one thing. Worrying was another.

There are parts that worry me even more because we share the same blood.

After leaving the Demonic Buddha's residence, he spoke to his attendant, Cheokyeon.

"Contact the Hidden Moon and tell them to focus all available information networks on my brother and the Poison King. And one more thing."

Geom Mugeuk added a command for the Hidden Moon that he had been putting off.

Several days had passed since Geom Muyang left the cult.

During those few days, the speed at which Geom Mugeuk handled his work grew faster and faster.

And today, his speed was even faster.

It was not just because he had become more proficient at his work. He processed his tasks with unusual speed today, as if he had something urgent to attend to. Normally, Geom Mugeuk would make a silly joke after finishing a task, but today he did not say a single one.

"Is there something going on today?"

"It's good to finish early, isn't it? We get more time to rest."

However, there was another reason today.

Having finished his work earlier than usual, Geom Mugeuk followed Sama Myeong.

"Is there something you wish to discuss?"

"No, since work finished early, I was thinking of taking a look around the All-Knowing Hall for the first time in a while. Would that be alright?"

How could it not be alright, coming from him?

"Yes, let's go."

And so, Geom Mugeuk followed Sama Myeong into the All-Knowing Hall.

He passed through an area with even tighter security than the Heavenly Demon Hall and entered a wide space where numerous Strategists of the All-Knowing Hall could be seen.

The place was busy. It was so busy, in fact, that the best way to describe the word 'busy' would be to simply show someone this place.

SWOOSH, SHWIIK, SHUK!

Cylinders containing messenger pigeons kept arriving from a hole in one wall.

The Strategists sorted the arriving messenger pigeons according to their importance.

Depending on the contents of the messenger pigeon, flags on the map of the Central Plains were moved to different locations.

Sama Myeong could tell. Geom Mugeuk had come here because he was curious about news of Geom Muyang. Despite pretending to be calm on the outside, he was very worried about his brother.

"Since you're here, why don't you hear some news about your brother before you go?"

Sama Myeong said to a subordinate Strategist.

"Bring the latest information related to the First Young Lord."

The Strategist immediately brought a document and reported.

"The First Young Lord has now arrived at his destination, Changsha. Along the way, he stopped at only two inns and headed for his destination without rest, except to eat and sleep."

How could he not worry? Brother, I told you not to take almost killing me to heart! I wouldn't have died even if it hit me!

"If I stay here, I suppose I could even find out what my brother ate."

At that, the Strategist shuffled through the documents he had brought.

"It says here what he ate at the inn. Shall I tell you?"

"That's alright."

He could truly see how thoroughly the All-Knowing Hall was monitoring his brother. The collaborating Hidden Moon's role was likely significant as well.

"My brother might have a woman hidden away in the Central Plains. I guess we'll find out on this occasion."

At Geom Mugeuk's nonsensical remark, Sama Myeong asked subtly.

"Are you worried about your brother?"

Geom Mugeuk replied with a smile.

"My brother is such a wicked person. I'm more worried about murim."

However, contrary to his words, Geom Mugeuk's gaze was fixed on a flag labeled 'Muyang'. The flag was placed in the Changsha region, and next to his brother's flag was one for the Changsha Escort Agency.

A short distance from the two flags, a brilliant green flag was also planted.

Geom Muyang was striding through the marketplace of Changsha.

He passed by all the taverns and attractions he would have visited if he had come with Geom Mugeuk. He had rushed here with only his goal in mind.

Only by capturing the creator of those counterfeit hidden weapons, the one who almost made him kill his brother and commit an irreversible mistake, would he be able to enjoy the leisure of this long-awaited trip outside the cult.

Of course, that did not mean he acted recklessly.

Geom Muyang knew exactly how to handle such matters. He did not try to solve this by rashly revealing his identity as the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's First Young Lord or by using force. He was not the type of person to handle work hastily just because he felt impatient.

A middle-aged martial artist was waiting for him in front of the Changsha Escort Agency. He was Ho Myeong, the Changsha Branch Manager of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, who had been contacted in advance.

"It is an honor to meet you, esteemed First Young Lord."

"Manager Ho, thank you for coming out."

"The branch's elite are all on standby nearby."

Ho Myeong was truly surprised to receive the First Young Lord's message. Even if he had lost the succession battle, the man before him was the Heavenly Demon's eldest son. One wrong word and his head could fly.

"Just give the order, and we can bring everyone in the Changsha Escort Agency to their knees within one hour."

"There's no need for that. Let's just the two of us meet the Agency Director. Do not reveal my identity."

"Yes! Please wait a moment."

Ho Myeong said a few words to the martial artist guarding the entrance of the Changsha Escort Agency. The martial artist's face went pale as he ran inside, and another martial artist guided Geom Muyang and Ho Myeong in.

As they waited in the main hall, the escort agency's owner, Ji Daehyang, appeared, leading his Head Escorts. One of the Head Escorts recognized Ho Myeong's face and sent a telepathy message to Ji Daehyang, confirming that he was indeed the Branch Manager.

Geom Muyang had used the Changsha Branch Manager to meet the head of the escort agency as quickly as possible. It was not a case of a fox borrowing a tiger's prestige, but rather a tiger borrowing a fox's.

"What brings the Branch Manager of the Divine Cult to our escort agency?"

Ji Daehyang's eyes only saw Ho Myeong. A visit from the Changsha Branch Manager of the Demonic Cult, with whom they had no usual dealings, was a truly serious matter.

"I've come to ask about the escorted goods you delivered to the Black Hand Sect some time ago."

At Ho Myeong's words, Ji Daehyang's expression instantly stiffened.

"We do not disclose information about our escorted goods to outsiders."

At that, Branch Manager Ho Myeong revealed a cold demonic qi.

The Head Escorts, however, were not easily intimidated. They raised their inner arts, ready to draw their swords at any moment. This was what they believed in.

"Even for people like you, if you mess with us, the Central Plains Escort Agency Alliance won't just stand by."

They were one of the largest interest groups in murim, so even the orthodox, unorthodox, and demonic factions did not treat them carelessly. It was then that Geom Muyang, who had been silent, stepped forward.

"We did not come here to intimidate or trouble you."

The moment Geom Muyang opened his mouth, Ji Daehyang could feel it. He had naturally assumed this young man was just the Branch Manager's attendant martial artist.

This man didn't escort the Branch Manager here. The Branch Manager escorted him.

From the moment he spoke, the dignity and overwhelming presence emanating from Geom Muyang were extraordinary.

"The item you delivered was a counterfeit of our Cult's weaponry."

For a moment, Ji Daehyang was stunned. Judging by his expression, it seemed he had no idea about this fact.

"An escort agency as large as the Changsha Escort Agency would not have delivered goods to the Black Hand Sect without confirming their contents."

Geom Muyang looked around at the accompanying Head Escorts with cold eyes and asked.

"Who is the one who deceived the Agency Director?"