Chapter 718: If Cornered, Take Off Your Mask

TL: FoodieMonster007

The carriage sped powerfully toward the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult Headquarters.

Geom Mugeuk, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon, the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman, Lee Ahn, and Cha Yiran rode in the lead carriage.

Normally, they would have taken three separate carriages. They all rode in one because of the large number of injured people.

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon and the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman sat side by side. Across from them sat Lee Ahn, Geom Mugeuk, and Cha Yiran.

During the carriage ride, Cha Yiran saw an unexpected side of Geom Mugeuk. It was the sight of him working.

Messenger pigeons from the Hidden Moon flew to him continuously.

The messenger pigeons had stopped while he fought his enemies. Now that he had free time, a backlog of information was being reported.

The reports detailed what was happening in each region and which master had been killed by whom. They also covered deals being made at the Trading Company. Go Wol was carefully selecting and sending the information.

WHOOSH.

Each time he read a messenger pigeon, he summoned his Yeolyang-gigi to burn it. For matters that required a reply, he immediately wrote one and sent it back.

At times, he also exchanged voice transmissions with the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon about the information.

It was the first time Cha Yiran had seen him work so seriously, and it was hard to get used to.

She also realized that Geom Mugeuk's knowledge was truly vast.

"In that village, there's a place called Gwanho restaurant. It's a restaurant run by brothers, and their fish dishes are absolutely incredible. You should definitely go if you get the chance. In the next village, there's a very skilled physician named Physician Gu. If you get injured around here, run to that village."

Was that all? He also knew every nook and cranny of the roads.

"Instead of that road, if you take the left path and go down the lower road, you can get there much faster."

He would even give directions like this to the Faceless Warriors driving the carriage.

"I'm so envious of your good sense of direction. I'm terrible with directions."

As the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman expressed her envy, Geom Mugeuk smiled and replied.

"Don't you see a much more important path than I do, Pavilion Master?"

The Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman gave a pleasant smile.

She thought that yes, there were people like him. He made you want to talk to them even if it was just for a single word.

Before the sun set, Geom Mugeuk had the carriages stop.

"Alright, let's rest here for today."

They were traveling without stopping in villages as much as possible. Their large numbers made them conspicuous, so they planned to return by camping out, even if it was inconvenient.

After arranging the carriages in a circle with a space in the middle, they let the horses loose in the field to rest.

They built a large bonfire in the center and prepared places to sleep. The Faceless Warriors and the assassins were skilled at everything, so they moved efficiently without anyone needing to give orders.

"Alright, I'll show off my skills for dinner tonight."

Geom Mugeuk rolled up his sleeves and stepped forward.

Cha Yiran had an expression that doubted the Young Cult Leader could possibly be good at cooking. She whispered to Lee Ahn.

"We're not about to be served a dish that we have to eat out of loyalty, are we?"

In response to Cha Yiran's worry, Lee Ahn praised Geom Mugeuk's cooking skills.

"Once you taste it, you'll find loyalty you never knew you had."

Cha Yiran thought it was an exaggeration. She knew Geom Mugeuk was multi-talented, but she doubted he could possibly be good at cooking too.

The Faceless Warriors and female assassins who had gone to find food returned. They had hunted a wild boar and gathered vegetables and fruits.

Geom Mugeuk looked for people to help with the cooking.

"Alright, anyone who's chopped meat and vegetables, not just people!"

Everyone just looked at each other, not stepping forward. It wasn't easy to dare volunteer as an assistant to the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's Young Cult Leader.

"Well, if there are no volunteers, I'll just pick two people to assist me."

Geom Mugeuk chose one person from the Faceless Warriors and one from the assassins. Of course, those two were the Crescent Moon Faceless Warrior and the Seventeenth Bridge.

"Alright, you two, go wash and trim those vegetables over there."

Since the three of them had met at the pavilion, they knew Geom Mugeuk had chosen them on purpose.

They had laughed and talked at the pavilion, but now they started working without even looking at each other.

Just then, a voice transmission from Cha Yiran arrived.

[You're so persistent.]

[I have to hear what they're talking about!]

Cha Yiran shook her head with an expression that said he was hopeless.

However, Geom Mugeuk was only persistent in words. He focused on his cooking. There were more than just one or two mouths to feed.

Geom Mugeuk began to butcher the wild boar they had caught.

SHUK SHUK SHUK!

His hand movements were incredibly fast. In an instant, he had dressed the fur, slit the belly, removed the organs, and drained the blood. Geom Mugeuk was properly balHwi-ing his skills for the first time in a while.

After butchering the meat, he began to make his secret marinade.

Cha Yiran realized for the first time that there wasn't a single spice the Young Cult Leader didn't have in his leather pouch.

He repeatedly slathered the marinade he made onto the meat.

"It would taste better if it were aged for a while, but we don't have time."

Geom Mugeuk held out his hand. An energy emitted from his hand enveloped the meat.

"Ah! So that precious martial arts is being used to make the marinade seep into the meat."

Lee Ahn's sigh-like joke was met with a reply from Geom Mugeuk.

"It's going into your mouths, so this is its most precious use."

Geom Mugeuk picked up a log lying on the ground and addressed those around him.

"Come on, everyone get ready to applaud!"

After drawing everyone's attention to himself, he threw the log into the air.

HWEEK.

Like a flash of light, the Black Demon Sword was drawn.

In an instant, dozens of sword glints flashed and enveloped the wood. Soon after, something poured down.

CHAKCHAKCHAKCHAKCHAKCHAK!

What fell into Geom Mugeuk's hands were, surprisingly, dozens of chopsticks.

It was a move he performed so effortlessly that it made one think, 'I could do that too'.

However, those who witnessed it firsthand were left with their jaws agape. They were skilled enough to know that this was a move absolutely no one could replicate.

They had just witnessed chopsticks being made with a level of skill they might see only once in a lifetime.

Geom Mugeuk didn't stop there. He scattered the chopsticks in all directions.

CHWAAAAAAK.

The chopsticks flew out like scattered hidden weapons, landing precisely in everyone's hands.

Cha Yiran looked down at the chopsticks in her hand with a shocked expression.

The chopsticks were uniform in size and thickness. They were so perfect that one would believe it if he'd said he dazzled their eyes with sword glints and then swapped them with ones he'd bought.

The Faceless Warriors applauded in unison. The assassins applauded along with them.

In response to their sincere admiration, Geom Mugeuk waved his hand with a swagger, as if it were nothing.

And so, Geom Mugeuk's cooking, a flurry of all sorts of secret techniques, was complete.

"Make sure you appreciate it. An opportunity like this doesn't come often."

The Faceless Warriors were one thing, but the Beautiful Bridges assassins truly agreed with his words. When in their lives would they ever get to eat a meal cooked by the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's Young Cult Leader?

Surprisingly, the food was truly delicious. Cha Yiran thought she had never eaten meat this tasty, not even at an inn.

However, what truly surprised her wasn't that the meat was so delicious, nor was it because of the chopsticks he had made by hand.

Geom Mugeuk distributed the food he made to each person individually. He placed meat, rice, and vegetables on large, clean leaves and handed them out. He spoke as he served everyone, like a cook who had come to support a battlefield. Cha Yiran was surprised by his words.

"I figured you're all people who like to be alone, so I prepared it separately."

It was his consideration, telling them to take their food and go eat quietly wherever they pleased.

Cha Yiran imagined it. What if she were camping and eating with her subordinates?

She probably would have eaten the food her subordinates prepared for her. She would have eaten with people like the First Bridge or Yi Gyo. She wouldn't have paid any mind to her other subordinates, assuming they would take care of themselves.

And yet, Geom Mugeuk was seeing what kind of people the Faceless Warriors and assassins were. It was something she, who had been with them for so long, had never even considered.

"Keep the chopsticks safe. When I become the Cult Leader, they'll sell for a fortune."

After taking care of the Faceless Warriors and assassins, he prepared food for Cha Yiran, the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman, and Lee Ahn. He finally packed the food for himself and the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon.

"Please, you three, go ahead and eat. I'll eat separately with the Smiling Demon."

With that, Geom Mugeuk and the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon flew to a distant hill and settled down.

Once they were alone, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon slowly took off his mask and rested it on top of his head. He was copying what Geom Mugeuk often did with his mask.

How could Geom Mugeuk forget to praise the Smiling Demon's face?

"If you're ever cornered by a female enemy, use the strength you'd use for a final blow to take off your mask instead. It will create an opportunity for a comeback."

The Young Cult Leader's compliments always felt good to hear, so the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon smiled brightly.

The two ate together. Geom Mugeuk was so happy that the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon took off his mask in front of him. He was so happy to share the joy of eating and drinking together with him.

When they finished eating, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon said something he hadn't been able to say before.

"When I stabbed the Young Cult Leader's heart…"

His honest feelings followed.

"I was scared."

Geom Mugeuk was lost in thought for a moment, silent.

"I'm sorry. I wasn't worried at all."

"What if I had made a mistake?"

After speaking, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon put the mask he had rested on his head back on. At least in the moment of making that assumption, he couldn't control his expression. He hadn't realized it when he did the stabbing, but afterward, he kept thinking about that moment.

Sensing the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon's feelings, Geom Mugeuk calmly conveyed his own.

"I just had this belief. I might die at any time, but I wouldn't die from the Smiling Demon's dagger. I don't know who will kill me, but at least it won't be the Smiling Demon. It's obvious, isn't it! Thinking that put my mind at ease."

Darkness began to settle around them. They could have made a small bonfire, but they didn't.

They enjoyed the darkness and the silence. Geom Mugeuk, who laughed and chatted cheerfully in front of others, became incredibly calm and quiet when he was alone with the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon.

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon knew. This was Geom Mugeuk's true self. He might even be a more taciturn person than he himself was.

That's why he wanted to let him rest quietly, at least when they were together.

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon didn't say a word until it was time to leave.

The carriage was now one day away from the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult Headquarters.

Today, Geom Mugeuk cooked his last meal for them.

"Well, it's a shame, but my fantastic cooking ends today."

Everyone was disappointed, but one person was the most disappointed of all. It was the Seventeenth Bridge, who had been assisting with the cooking alongside the Crescent Moon Faceless Warrior since the first day.

Thanks to Geom Mugeuk, she was able to make memories of washing and trimming vegetables with the Crescent Moon Faceless Warrior.

Thank you, Young Cult Leader.

She was sincerely grateful for the Young Cult Leader's consideration.

Just then, Cha Yiran came up to Geom Mugeuk and asked a question.

"Aren't you tired?"

At her words, everyone's gaze focused on her. She had spoken provocatively in front of everyone.

Throughout the journey, Geom Mugeuk had treated everyone with energy. He cooked for them himself and lightened the mood with jokes and banter.

The Faceless Warriors already liked the Young Cult Leader. Now, Cha Yiran could see that the assassins were also starting to feel favorable toward him.

"I haven't had a moment to be tired. I've been having too much fun scoring points with you all."

If that was an act just to score points, then they were looking at the greatest actor in the Central Plains. No one thought it was an act.

"Besides, with my inner qi overflowing, how could I get tired?"

After a brief pause, she asked.

"I mean, aren't you tired of people?"

It wasn't a question about this trip alone.

She cared for her subordinates, but separate from that, she had no faith in people.

What would change just because he put so much effort into feeding them? If a situation arose where they had to betray him, they would probably do it while feeling sorry.

"Aren't I cheating?"

"What do you mean?"

"The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult Young Cult Leader. I'm saying these seven words are a shield that protects me. There are no situations that are difficult or annoying for me."

He was saying that he never had to suffer because of people.

But Cha Yiran knew. Those seven words weren't just a shield.

They also held the blade of desire, the desire to dominate, to show off, and to enjoy power. It was also the blade of a primal desire to reign through fear.

He didn't wield it.

Yes, perhaps the reason she had come this far, the reason she was standing here having this conversation, was because he had never once wielded that blade.

He used that blade to make chopsticks.

Geom Mugeuk returned the question with a deep gaze.

"Aren't you tired?"

A small sigh escaped Cha Yiran's lips.

Soon, she straightened her back and looked up at the sky.

As she gazed silently at the sky, she finally made a decision.

"The bridges we've crossed until now were bridges of death. From now on, I will build new bridges."

Cha Yiran bowed respectfully to Geom Mugeuk.

"I, Cha Yiran, will devote my life to serving the Young Cult Leader with loyalty."

The female assassins lined up behind her and all bowed in unison.

"We will serve the Young Cult Leader with loyalty."

During the journey here, they had already decided to follow Cha Yiran's will.

Geom Mugeuk smiled brightly and helped Cha Yiran to her feet. His face was full of joy.

"Thank you, thank you so much."

Cha Yiran looked at Lee Ahn, who was standing before her. Her face was also full of joy.

"Someone once told me. When a hand reaches out, you should grab it tight."

The next day, the carriage arrived at the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult Headquarters.

Cha Yiran and the assassins were astonished by the overwhelming scale of the Headquarters.

The carriage that entered the Headquarters came to a stop.

Cha Yiran and the assassins disembarked from the carriage and were surprised by the sight that unfolded before their eyes.

All the Faceless Warriors from the Valley of Evil were there, waiting for them.

After only seeing ten Faceless Warriors, the sight of countless masks filling their vision overwhelmed them once again.

Oh no! In truth, the Seventeenth Bridge was the most surprised. She felt that if he mixed into that crowd, she would never be able to find the Crescent Moon Faceless Warrior again.

Just then, Cha Yiran was looking elsewhere. Among the giant demonic statues erected around them, one caught her eye.

One of the demonic statues was standing with its hand outstretched.

Looking up at the giant demon's hand, Cha Yiran truly realized what kind of hand she had taken.

Geom Mugeuk stood beside her, also looking up at the demonic statue.

"Cha Yiran, welcome home."