Chapter 683: If the Heavens Were to Bestow a Prophecy

TL: FoodieMonster007

"Who is the message from?"

At the Fist Demon's question, Geom Mugeuk gave an honest answer.

"It's a message from the Smiling Demon. He's currently outside the cult handling a request for me."

The Fist Demon was well aware of the special relationship that existed between Geom Mugeuk and the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon.

He had initially found their connection quite surprising. He thought their personalities were completely incompatible with one another.

His opinion had changed now, however. The more he came to know Geom Mugeuk, the more he sensed an indescribable loneliness from him. He realized this loneliness was very similar to that of the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon.

"Do you have to go out again?"

"It seems I must."

"Be safe."

The Fist Demon's gruff farewell was clearly laced with concern.

"May I ask you for a favor?"

The Fist Demon nodded.

"Please pass a message to my father. Tell him I've quietly left the cult on business."

He felt he had to at least inform his father, even if no one else knew.

"Why not tell him yourself?"

"I have someone I need to meet."

The Fist Demon chided him for his priorities.

"Shouldn't you see the Cult Leader first and then go deliver your message to that person?"

"The person I have to meet is the Master's daughter."

"……"

"I understand. Please tell Lee Ahn that I left without being able to see her…"

Before Geom Mugeuk could finish his sentence, the Fist Demon turned and began walking away. He called back over his shoulder.

"I'll be sure to pass the message to the Cult Leader."

Lee Ahn was at her residence.

She stood in the courtyard looking up at the sky, her face filled with worry. Just as she was about to release a sigh she had been holding back!

WHOOSH!

A surprise attack launched from behind her.

Too late!

Realizing she was too late to dodge, she threw her body forward to lessen the impact and activated the Big Dipper Body.

THWACK!

A swift palm strike connected with her back. Thankfully, the Big Dipper Body protected her from harm.

Thrown forward by the force, she spun around as fast as lightning and drew the Sun Moon Sword.

SHIIIIIIK!

The Sun Moon Sword radiated a cold energy as it flew forward, stopping just short of slicing the opponent's neck.

"Young Master!"

The person standing there, smiling without any attempt to dodge, was Geom Mugeuk.

"Passed!"

He thought it was excellent how she had used the Big Dipper Body for protection and had stopped her sword instead of recklessly cutting down her opponent.

"What if I had accidentally cut you, Young Master!"

The sword she held with immense relief began to tremble in her hand.

"Once you reach that level, you shouldn't play pranks like surprise attacks."

This implied that with her current skill, she couldn't have killed him even by accident.

As Lee Ahn sheathed her sword, her face filled with delight. The person she had missed so dearly was standing right in front of her.

"You heard I was back, right?"

"……"

"And you didn't even come to see me. That's too much, Lee Ahn. Have you abandoned me now?"

"I went to see that 'abandoned' person's face three times! I went when you were out hunting, and I went two more times when you were away. What on earth kept you so busy!"

In the past, she would have simply waited for Geom Mugeuk to visit her, worried that she might be a disturbance if he was busy.

However, Lee Ahn did not do that this time.

"You could have at least left a letter saying you came by."

"What for? I could just visit again. And we were bound to meet like this eventually."

"What's this? Did you reach enlightenment while I was away?"

At his question, Lee Ahn sighed.

"If I had, I wouldn't be worrying."

"Is something wrong?"

She had been worrying a great deal about the Ghost Shadow Squad lately.

Once she started to manage the organization in earnest, many unexpected problems had surfaced.

A major issue had cropped up recently. A dispute had erupted between the first squad, led by Green Mask, and the second squad, led by Seo Jin. It began as a minor squabble between two regular members but had gradually escalated into a conflict between the squads themselves.

"I was thinking of intervening directly, but for now, I'm pretending not to know. But I also feel like I can't just leave it alone. It also makes me feel bad, like, what do they take me, their master, for?"

Lee Ahn revealed her honest feelings. It was something she would not have said to anyone except Geom Mugeuk.

Geom Mugeuk gently fanned the flames of her frustration.

"They see you as a pushover. Imagine if General Jang were the leader. Would they dare to split into factions and fight? They see you as easygoing because you're kind."

"Right? Ugh, maybe I should just beat them all up."

"Go ahead and beat them up. Why not?"

"Well… there are the Division Leaders. I also feel like it's not my place to step in. And it's not something that can be solved by beating them up."

Geom Mugeuk said with a smile, "You already know the answer, so what are you worrying about?"

Lee Ahn smiled along with him.

Why would I be worried? It is because I want to do a good job. How could I not care about an organization directly under the Young Cult Leader, an organization he entrusted me to lead as Commander?

Green Mask and Seo Jin must have their own thoughts, so they would probably resolve it well on their own. She knew she should think that way, but she was worried the situation would escalate and also ruin the relationship between the two of them.

Her habit of always considering the worst-case scenario was an occupational hazard from her time as a bodyguard.

Lee Ahn made a decision.

"Yes, I'll just pretend I don't know about this matter. There, worry over!"

"Then they'll think you don't know anything. You'll become a heartless and incompetent leader."

"Then what should I do?"

"You have to let them know that you know everything but are pretending not to. That way, you become a leader who gives her subordinates a chance to resolve things themselves. And you become a leader who isn't rash, who doesn't act carelessly despite knowing."

Lee Ahn shook her head.

"It's difficult, so difficult. I thought I'd do a great job once I became Commander. The times when I just followed you around without a thought were better, Young Master."

Geom Mugeuk, who had been gazing at Lee Ahn, made a surprising suggestion.

"Then let's do what was better."

"……"

"I'm leaving the cult right now. Let's go together."

Lee Ahn's eyes widened. She did not ask where they were going.

"How much time do I have to get ready?"

"Half a quarter-hour."

As soon as the words left his mouth, Lee Ahn dashed into her house and began to pack.

"You might only see me swinging a sword in the training grounds, but I'm a woman too! How can you show up half a quarter-hour before we leave!"

Despite her words, she moved like a flash of lightning, packing clothes and other necessary travel items into a leather pouch.

"If you just leave like this? What about your squad members?"

"What squad members? Did I have squad members?"

She finished her preparations in even less than half a quarter-hour.

"The rash leader who acts carelessly is ready to depart!"

She was so happy that he wondered what would have happened if he had not asked her to come along.

"Are you that happy?"

"Of course."

"You hate danger, don't you? What will you do if a terrifying danger is waiting for us?"

"Then please inform that terrifying foe. Tell them that an irritable woman, worn out by work and people, is coming along too. This time, they're the one who should run away, make sure you tell them."

The two of them faced each other and laughed.

"So, where are we going?"

"We're going to the Thousand Flower Palace."

Lee Ahn's expression brightened even more at the fact that their destination was the Thousand Flower Palace. Was it because Yeo Jong had said kind things to her? Or was it because of the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman's mysterious aura? For some reason, Lee Ahn always felt good when she met her.

And so, the two of them left the cult and began to run swiftly toward the Thousand Flower Palace.

The two of them ran and ran.

When it was time to rest from running, they would light a campfire and camp for the night.

While Lee Ahn restored her inner arts, Geom Mugeuk would hunt an animal and cook it for her. They would then sit side-by-side at the campfire, sharing stories.

Lately, he had been doing his best for his father, his brother, and the Demon Supremes. However, the person he truly needed to treat the best was Lee Ahn.

"Thank you."

"So suddenly?"

"Yes, I'm suddenly grateful."

"You don't have to say that. I was going to do the dishes and clean up anyway."

Geom Mugeuk smiled as he looked at Lee Ahn. Being with her was this comfortable and pleasant.

"Nothing has happened at the Thousand Flower Palace, has it?"

"The Smiling Demon is there."

That one sentence was enough. This business was probably related to the Saintess's Dream.

Was she truly a descendant of the Saintess Palace, as he suspected?

After restoring their inner arts and finishing their rest, the two began to run again.

It was a busy journey where they could not even properly enjoy the scenery, but Lee Ahn was still happy. As long as she was with Geom Mugeuk, she was happy to be busy.

Finally, Geom Mugeuk and Lee Ahn arrived at the Thousand Flower Palace.

In the inner courtyard of the Thousand Flower Palace, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon and the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman Yeo Jong were waiting for them, having already received the message.

"Welcome, Young Cult Leader."

After the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon's greeting, the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman Yeo Jong also greeted him.

"I should have been the one to visit you. I'm sorry for making you come all this way."

Just as he had expected, the reason he was summoned was definitely because of the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman.

"If my sister-in-law calls, I must come running."

Geom Mugeuk treated her as his sister-in-law, just as he always did. He probably did not know how much this small title moved Yeo Jong.

"This Commander has come along as well."

After first greeting the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon, Lee Ahn greeted Yeo Jong. She was worried that her presence might cause an awkward situation for Geom Mugeuk.

"I pestered him to bring me because I wanted to see you, Pavilion Master. It's been a long time, Pavilion Master."

The gazes of the two women were gentle as they looked at each other.

"This martial artist has become even more beautiful."

At that, Lee Ahn looked at Geom Mugeuk and said, "See? This is what you're supposed to say when you see someone after a long time. Not just beat them up out of nowhere."

Guessing what had happened, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon and Yeo Jong smiled.

"Well then, let's go inside."

And so, the four of them sat facing each other in the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman's residence.

"As you might have guessed, the reason I asked him to bring you here, Young Cult Leader, is because of this."

The Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman brought over a jade box.

When she carefully opened the lid, the Saintess's Dream was inside. She had been keeping it very preciously.

"I received what you sent and have kept it in here ever since."

Looking at the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman's gaze as she looked down at the Saintess's Dream, Geom Mugeuk could tell. She knew what this item was.

My intuition was right.

She was undoubtedly a descendant of the Saintess Palace.

"Young Cult Leader, do you know what this is?"

"It is the Saintess's Dream."

"So you did know what it was when you sent it."

She could not describe how surprised she had been when Geom Mugeuk sent the Saintess's Dream through the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon.

Geom Mugeuk added an explanation about the Saintess's Dream.

"I only know that it is a sacred treasure of the Saintess Palace, which was said to have been annihilated three hundred years ago along with the Heavenly Fate Palace. I do not know exactly how it is used."

The Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman asked Geom Mugeuk again.

"Then, Young Cult Leader, why did you send this to me?"

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon sat beside them, watching the two in silence. He thought about how his bond with Geom Mugeuk was so deep that it was now extending to Yeo Jong.

"I happened to find this sacred treasure in a report from the Murim Alliance. The moment I saw it, I felt that it belonged to you, sister-in-law."

"May I ask why?"

"I suddenly remembered that you could see people's fates."

Geom Mugeuk's gaze shifted to Lee Ahn beside him.

"You saw this Commander's fate back then. That's why I thought you might be a descendant of the Saintess Palace."

He had already heard the answer from the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman's expression. If it were not true, she would have denied it immediately. Yeo Jong said nothing.

Soon, a surprising secret was revealed.

"You saw correctly. I am a descendant of the Saintess Palace."

After speaking to Geom Mugeuk, Yeo Jong looked at the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon.

Geom Mugeuk could tell. This was the first time she was revealing this fact to the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon as well.

"I didn't intend to deceive you. I had resolved to live my life forever forgetting that I was a descendant of the Saintess Palace. I also only recently learned that the Dark Palace was behind this incident."

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon was completely unfazed. His eyes said that her identity did not matter at all.

The Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman's gaze turned to the Saintess's Dream.

"This Saintess's Dream is a sacred treasure passed down to a Saintess who can make prophecies. I thought it had been lost long ago, but it was with the Murim Alliance."

And then came a surprising statement.

"I can make a prophecy with this."

The Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman lifted her head and stared at Geom Mugeuk.

"That is, if I am a Saintess who can receive prophecies. I've heard that even among those of the Saintess bloodline, there are far more who cannot receive them."

Geom Mugeuk recalled the image of the Saintess from three hundred years ago. The image of her with her eyes covered by the Saintess's Dream.

Knowing the future, being a person who made prophecies, she had not looked happy at all.

"I didn't give this to you to make you receive a prophecy, sister-in-law. I simply returned it because it is yours. You can keep it in that box forever, or you can burn it right here and forget about the Saintess Palace forever. It doesn't matter to me."

The Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman looked at the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon. The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon gave a single nod, as if to say she should decide for herself.

The Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman slowly took out the Saintess's Dream.

"To be honest, I was curious. Whether or not I am someone who can receive prophecies."

In truth, that was not the reason. What if Geom Mugeuk sending her the Saintess's Dream was fate? She felt she should not avoid this destiny. If only for the sake of the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon.

"And if the heavens were to bestow a prophecy upon me, I wonder what kind of prophecy it would be."

As the Saintess's Dream entered her hands, the mysterious aura it exuded grew even stronger.

The Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman carefully covered her eyes with the Saintess's Dream.

Geom Mugeuk felt a mystical energy bloom around her body.

A suffocating silence fell. Geom Mugeuk, Lee Ahn, and the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon stared at her without even breathing.

How much time had passed?

The Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman removed the Saintess's Dream.

As she slowly opened her eyes, they were filled with astonishment.

"I saw a scene."

It meant a prophecy had been bestowed. Surprisingly, she was a Saintess who could receive prophecies.

The Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman's trembling gaze turned to Geom Mugeuk.

"I saw you there, Young Cult Leader."