Chapter 679: Only the Beginning of a Long Road

TL: FoodieMonster007

Upon his return from the hunt, the first person Geom Mugeuk met was Go Wol.

"Young Cult Leader!" Go Wol was humbled that Geom Mugeuk had come directly to his residence. "If you had sent word, I would have come to see you."

"I rushed here because I wanted to see you as soon as possible," Geom Mugeuk said.

"I'm glad you've returned to the cult safely."

Geom Mugeuk then expressed his sincere gratitude to Go Wol. "If it weren't for you, I couldn't have roamed such a vast distance so freely. Thank you."

The assistance from the Hidden Moon had been truly immense during this operation.

"You seem to have lost some weight since I last saw you," Go Wol observed. "Are you hurt anywhere?"

"I'm fine."

Just then, a gruff voice sounded from behind them. "It'd be strange if he didn't lose weight, working himself to the bone like that."

When Geom Mugeuk turned, he saw the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader standing there.

"Besides, when a leader asks if you're hurt, what subordinate says, 'Yes, I'm hurt!'? Where would you find someone like that? If it were you, you'd probably list every illness you have and some you don't."

"Of course, I'd whine and complain," Go Wol retorted. "I don't even know all the places my own body hurts, so how would anyone else know? They'd never know if I didn't tell them. But Cult Leader, how did you know I would come and time your arrival so perfectly?"

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader approached Geom Mugeuk, narrowing his eyes. "I was watching to see if you'd come to meet Strategist Go first after returning from the hunt."

"I knew it. My survival instincts must have guided my feet this way."

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader wanted to nag him more, but Go Wol's gaze said it all. That's enough!

Go Wol then asked Geom Mugeuk, "How was the hunt?"

Geom Mugeuk replied with a pleasant smile. "It was the most magnificent hunt of my entire life."

Go Wol knew just how difficult this hunt had been to achieve.

Geom Mugeuk had to win a bloodless succession battle and also open the heart of the First Young Lord who had been pushed aside. On top of that, he had to move the heart of the Demonic Cult Leader.

What if he had been asked to do it?

It felt like defeating the Murim Alliance in a direct assault would have been easier. Geom Mugeuk had accomplished that difficult task.

"Young Cult Leader, you must be busy, so please go about your business."

Was he the only one who needed to be seen? All eight Demon Supremes would want to see Geom Mugeuk. And then there were Lee Ahn, Seo Daeryong, and Jang Ho. The fact that Geom Mugeuk had come to see him first was deeply moving and something to be thankful for.

That was why there was something he absolutely had to say. "Young Cult Leader. From now on, you don't need to worry about me."

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader looked like he was about to step forward, wearing an expression that said, "He's talking nonsense again." But Go Wol subdued him with a glare. Cult Leader, stay out of it!

"I am not someone the Young Cult Leader needs to worry about," Go Wol continued. "Rather, my job is to solve the problems that the Young Cult Leader has to worry about. That is the job of a Strategist."

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader finally couldn't hold back and stepped forward. "Are you a slave? Saying you'll work hard even if no one pays you any mind."

Since Geom Mugeuk was present, Go Wol spoke politely to the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader. "I am being compensated sufficiently."

"What compensation?"

"Don't I receive a monthly salary?"

At those words, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader scoffed. "As if that paltry sum of money amounts to anything!"

"I receive a lot. As far as I know, it's just below the Head Strategist."

For a moment, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader flinched in surprise. "Really?"

"Of course. I'm not someone who works for free. I'm the type to secure the best treatment one way or another."

When the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader looked to Geom Mugeuk for confirmation, Geom Mugeuk nodded. "If it were up to me, I'd want to give him the most, but I can't do that with the Head Strategist around."

After blinking for a moment, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader asked Geom Mugeuk demandingly, "Why don't you give me one? I've suffered so much alongside Strategist Go."

"I know you've suffered, our dear Cult Leader."

"Then why won't you?"

"If you receive a monthly salary, you'd officially be my subordinate. How could I dare do such a thing?"

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader licked his lips and pondered for a moment. "I'll join, so give me one too."

Of course, he was half-joking. No matter how much he received, he was still wealthy enough to consider it a paltry sum.

"That would be difficult."

"Why? I'm swallowing my pride and saying I'll join, so why!"

"You're the Master of the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme, you can't receive a monthly salary under me. If anything, I should be receiving an allowance from you. 'Young Cult Leader, you've worked hard. It's not much, but use this.' Since we're on the topic, how about giving me some allowance?"

"Enough! Forget it!"

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader, who had almost ended up with more than he bargained for, spoke to Go Wol with a look of disbelief. "You saw that clearly, right? You heard him? Trying to squeeze even a single penny more out of me. The Young Cult Leader is this ruthless."

Geom Mugeuk and Go Wol looked at each other and laughed.

"Now, Strategist Go," Geom Mugeuk said. "There's a place you need to go with me. Cult Leader, you should come along as well."

Geom Mugeuk led the two of them into the inner court. A building had been constructed a short distance from the Young Cult Leader's residence. It was recently completed, and a black cloth was draped over the sign on its main gate.

"Where is this?" Go Wol asked.

At the question, Geom Mugeuk raised his hand and gave a slight flick.

"……"

The black cloth covering the sign was pulled away. Two characters were engraved on the sign.

The Hidden Moon.

The moment he saw it, Go Wol's eyes widened.

"It's the Hidden Moon Headquarters."

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader was also startled by those words. He had never expected a sign reading 'the Hidden Moon' to be hung within the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.

Geom Mugeuk had already resolved the most important issue. "Father has already given his permission, so the Hidden Moon has become an official organization of our Cult. It's my direct subordinate organization."

This was something Geom Mugeuk had been preparing since Go Wol and the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader were traveling through the Central Plains building the Hidden Moon organization.

Go Wol was moved. He had never dreamed that Geom Mugeuk had been making such preparations for him.

"Now, shall we take a look inside?"

The two followed Geom Mugeuk inside.

"It's not on the scale of the All-Knowing Hall, but it has everything it needs."

As they opened the door and entered the hallway, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader examined the walls on both sides and commented, "These walls… they're no ordinary walls."

"Yes, you have a good eye. Mechanisms have been installed. They aren't active yet, but once they are formally activated, no one will be able to enter recklessly. A place that handles information must have tight security."

These were not just ordinary mechanisms but ones for the highest level of security. This alone showed how much care Geom Mugeuk had put into it.

After passing through the long hallway where the mechanisms were installed, a large space appeared. "This is the operations room."

He hadn't just built a new building. The interior facilities were also perfect. One wall was designed to process information flying in from all over the Central Plains through a mechanical device.

"This is your office."

There was a fine desk, a comfortable chair, and a bookshelf. It was structured so that the entire situation in the operations room could be monitored from there.

Geom Mugeuk opened a door inside the office. "This is your room."

In the center of the rather spacious room, there was only one thing, a bed.

"In here, don't read books, don't sit and think, just sleep."

It was a room that contained Geom Mugeuk's concern for Go Wol's health. Go Wol was truly grateful for such detailed consideration.

"Thank you for your concern." Go Wol's voice trembled.

The facilities didn't end there. "I've also prepared a rest area for the martial artists who work here. Dedicated cooks will be stationed here to prepare meals."

Not only a workspace, but also places to eat, sleep, rest, and wash were perfectly prepared.

"Just in case, I've also created a secret space where you and the Strategists can hide. Of course, there's also an emergency escape route to exit the building."

If the Hidden Moon in the inner court were attacked, it would mean the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult had already been breached, but Geom Mugeuk had considered even that worst-case scenario. Go Wol had learned martial arts, but the Strategists would be people who did not know martial arts.

"From now on, if the Hidden Moon needs martial force, contact the Ghost Shadow Squad led by Lee Ahn. She will actively help you."

"I understand, Young Cult Leader."

Go Wol was truly moved. He now had his own place within the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. This was the moment he was seeing the fruits of his labor, having suffered to create the Hidden Moon's organization in the Central Plains.

Go Wol silently expressed his gratitude with a polite clasped hands greeting.

Geom Mugeuk also returned the greeting with a clasped hands greeting, as if to say he was counting on him.

Strategist Go, this is only the beginning of a long road.

Geom Mugeuk planned to make Go Wol the Head Strategist when he became the Cult Leader. He intended to let Sama Myeong, who had dedicated his life to their Cult, honorably step down to rest comfortably and spend the remainder of his life.

Of course, having worked his entire life, he wouldn't easily adapt to such a comfortable life, but if he played around, he would eventually feel the joy of playing.

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader, who had been bad-mouthing Geom Mugeuk just a moment ago, asked with an awkward expression, "Is there no room for me?"

After meeting Go Wol and the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader, Geom Mugeuk headed for the Valley of Evil. As he entered, the passing Faceless Warriors greeted him politely.

It wasn't a greeting made simply because he was the successor. The eyes behind their masks were smiling brightly. They were genuinely happy to see him. This was thanks to becoming friendly with the Faceless Warriors during the last fight with the Queen of Darkness.

Geom Mugeuk now even felt happy to see them. Receiving such a warm welcome, he entered the residence of the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon.

The moment he entered the room, Geom Mugeuk said nothing and just watched the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon, who was standing in the center of the room.

A single throwing knife floated in front of him. It was the ten-thousand-year cold steel throwing knife that Geom Mugeuk had given him before.

The moment the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon snatched the throwing knife.

CHAK! CHAKCHAKCHAKCHAK! CHAKCHAK! CHAAAAAK!

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon swung the throwing knife in a continuous motion. Stabbing, slashing, blocking, and stabbing again. Short sword lines created by the throwing knife were continuously formed in the empty air.

The image created by those continuous lines was truly unique.

It's a trajectory I've never seen before.

If a throwing knife flew in with such a trajectory, could one easily dodge it?

After unleashing a flurry with the throwing knife, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon slowly caught his breath and looked toward Geom Mugeuk. "You've come?"

At the polite greeting, as unchanging as ever, Geom Mugeuk smiled brightly and said, "Yes, I'm back."

Geom Mugeuk asked as he walked toward the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon, "That martial art just now, could it be?"

"Yes, that's right. It is the Laughing Fragrance Dagger Technique."

Geom Mugeuk could tell. He had deliberately demonstrated the Laughing Fragrance Dagger Technique upon hearing news of his visit.

"It's truly fantastic!"

"It's still lacking, but I'm gradually getting the hang of it."

If the incomplete Laughing Fragrance Dagger Technique was this powerful, the completed version would exert an indescribably formidable might.

"It is all thanks to you, Young Cult Leader, for giving me the manual for the Laughing Fragrance Dagger Technique." As he said that, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon lifted his mask to the top of his head.

In the past, when he wore a mask, he often wore it pushed up on his head like that, with the mask facing the sky. Now, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon had revealed his face by lifting his mask in that way.

"I think hiding this handsome face behind a mask is the same as keeping the Heavenly Demon Sword locked away in the treasury."

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon was slightly embarrassed by the overly generous comparison. To think that such expressions had been hidden behind the mask all this time.

"Even when I'm alone, I sometimes take it off like this. I'm trying to be as comfortable as possible."

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon was gradually changing. He, who used to take off his mask only in front of Geom Mugeuk, had started to take it off even when he was alone. In particular, completely removing the mask felt distinctly different from taking it off by pushing it up onto his head like this.

It felt freer.

"Smiling Demon. You've changed somehow since I last saw you." It wasn't just a change in the way he removed his mask. The aura felt from the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon was different.

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon's martial arts had improved through a two-day duel with him and real combat with enemies. However, the aura he was showing now had a different feel from back then.

At that, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon smiled. "As expected! You can tell, Young Cult Leader."

Even after Geom Mugeuk left the cult, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon had dedicated himself to his martial arts training. He was faithfully following Geom Mugeuk's request to become stronger.

As the Laughing Fragrance Dagger Technique newly harmonized with the Extremely Savage Demonic Palm and the Blood Calamity Finger, his level of martial arts had begun to move toward a new realm. If these three martial arts were to achieve harmony, he would truly be able to display a powerful divine might.

"This is all thanks to you, Young Cult Leader."

"Of course, it's because of me, whom our dear Smiling Demon has saved every time!"

"I think you've saved me more, haven't you?"

The two looked at each other and smiled brightly.

"By the way, is sister-in-law doing well?" Geom Mugeuk had already called the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman 'sister-in-law'. At the word 'sister-in-law', Yeo Jong had been greatly moved.

"She is doing well. As it happens, I was planning to go see her soon."

"Ah, that's perfect."

Geom Mugeuk took something out from his robes. "When you go, please give this to sister-in-law."

What Geom Mugeuk took out was one of the three items he had chosen from the Murim treasury, the Saintess's Dream. The moment he saw the Saintess's Dream, he felt he had to give it to the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman, Yeo Jong. He was trying to faithfully follow that instinct.

He had originally planned to meet the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman in person to give it to her, but he had been away from the cult for too long and couldn't stop by the Thousand Flower Palace. He couldn't entrust it to anyone else, but if the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon was going himself, he could be trusted with it.

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon's gaze turned to the Saintess's Dream. It was an ordinary cloth from which nothing could be felt. For that very reason, it was considered more important. If it wasn't an important item for her, Geom Mugeuk wouldn't have asked him to deliver it.

"Do I just need to deliver it?"

"Yes. If my intuition is correct," Geom Mugeuk said as he handed over the Saintess's Dream, "she will surely know what kind of item it is."