Chapter 721: Farther From Complete Mastery

TL: FoodieMonster007

It was getting dark by the time Geom Mugeuk and Seo Daeryong left the Southern Blade Sect.

Geom Mugeuk glanced at Seo Daeryong, who was walking lost in thought with a worried look on his face. "All sorts of worries pop up when you're about to get married, don't they?" he asked.

Seo Daeryong nodded. "My youngest sister-in-law mentioned something like that to me once."

He now called Dan Yeon his youngest sister-in-law, a title he used more comfortably than ever for the girl who had always followed him around calling him 'brother-in-law'.

"She said her Unnie feels burdened by the idea of a wedding ceremony."

Geom Mugeuk could understand how she felt, since she didn't know anyone here and her only family consisted of her two younger sisters.

"She wasn't ashamed of not having any guests," Seo Daeryong continued, "but she was worried it might reflect poorly on me. I just laughed it off at the time and said I didn't have any friends or family either."

Of course, that wasn't entirely true. Seo Daeryong still had Lee Ahn and Jang Ho, and the investigators and enforcement martial artists alone would be enough to fill the groom's side with guests.

"I'll take care of the guest issue for Young Lady Dan," Geom Mugeuk offered.

Seo Daeryong's face brightened instantly. "Will you really do that for me?"

As Geom Mugeuk nodded, he gave a final piece of advice. "Once the wedding talks start in earnest, feelings can get hurt over the smallest things. Be careful with your words, no matter what."

"Yes!"

"Well then, I'll see you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow!"

Geom Mugeuk smiled as he watched Seo Daeryong's retreating back, seeing him run off in excitement. Right, he thought, marriage is something you should do when you're happy and blissfully unaware like this.

He started walking again, his destination not his own residence but the Demon Village.

The lights of the Alluring Inn were out. Inside, Jo Cheonbae was cleaning the empty tavern by himself, long after the waiter had gone home.

Suddenly, a very welcome voice called from outside.

"Innkeeper!"

The moment he heard it, Jo Cheonbae shouted and ran for the door. "Young Cult Leader… WHOA!"

In his haste, he tripped on the doorstep.

Just as he was about to crash to the ground, however, he stopped in mid-air, supported by a gentle energy. Feeling as if he were riding a soft cloud, he floated through the air and landed safely in front of Geom Mugeuk.

"I was just so happy to see you! Thank you, Young Cult Leader!"

"Our dear innkeeper should be more careful of tripping than of flying swords now," Geom Mugeuk teased.

The two faced each other and laughed brightly.

Seeing how delighted Jo Cheonbae was, Geom Mugeuk felt a pang of guilt. He had been too busy to visit after his last trip, and it had been quite a while since they had met.

"Have you been well?"

"Thanks to you, I've been doing great. Our Young Cult Leader has become even more handsome and dashing."

"If only all the women in the world had eyes like our innkeeper's."

After exchanging greetings, the two went inside.

Although the inn was closed for the day, Jo Cheonbae rolled up his sleeves. "How many people are coming? I'll prepare the food in advance."

"I'm not meeting anyone. I just came because I wanted to have a drink with you, Innkeeper."

Jo Cheonbae's heart swelled with emotion. He was just an old tavern owner, and he was truly grateful that the Young Cult Leader would remember and visit him like this.

"No need for side dishes. Let's just have a drink."

Geom Mugeuk went up to the second floor, where his usual seat was spotless without a speck of dust. It was clear how much Jo Cheonbae cared for the spot, keeping it pristine even when not accepting customers.

Jo Cheonbae brought up some alcohol and simple snacks.

"Here, Innkeeper. Have a drink from me first."

As always, Jo Cheonbae accepted the drink with a look of humble gratitude and politely poured a drink for Geom Mugeuk in return.

"Alright, let's have a drink."

The two clinked their cups and drained them. Jo Cheonbae turned his body to the side and drank it all in one go.

"Did your business outside the cult go well?"

At Jo Cheonbae's question, Geom Mugeuk glanced at the writing on the wall. "I came back after rescuing one of the people who left their words there," he said.

"Goodness!" Jo Cheonbae shook his head with a look of astonishment, as if it were something he couldn't even imagine.

"Has anything been happening in the Demon Village?"

"When people live crowded together, there's always something going on."

"Tell me about it."

Jo Cheonbae shared various stories. A child was born to a merchant's family, someone else injured their leg, and another person moved away.

A conspiracy to kill the Evil Alliance Chairman was underway, yet the lives of these people continued. Even if another plot unfolded tomorrow, or a war with the Murim Alliance broke out, Jo Cheonbae would still open the doors of the Alluring Inn in the morning.

In this place, Geom Mugeuk finally felt like he was home. Once he cast aside the greed for complete mastery that had blinded him, he could see Jo Cheonbae's figure with perfect clarity.

"You know the person who sells dolls out front, right?"

"Of course I do."

"A new First Young Lord doll has come out."

"Ah! It's finally out."

Jo Cheonbae ran over to the counter and brought back a small box. "I bought it just in case you came, Young Cult Leader, so I could give it to you."

Geom Mugeuk opened the box. The stern face was unmistakably his older brother. He recalled the dolls displayed in his father's room and figured this one was probably already standing in his father's display case.

"Come to think of it, innkeeper, you only bought my brother's doll and not mine," Geom Mugeuk teased, as if he knew this was coming.

"I've already bought three of the Young Cult Leader's doll. I have one at home and sent two to my hometown."

After they chatted about this and that, Jo Cheonbae went down to the first floor, telling Geom Mugeuk to drink comfortably by himself. The innkeeper had declined to have more, saying he makes mistakes when he drinks on days like this, so he had only drunk that first cup.

And so, Geom Mugeuk drank alone, occasionally looking down at the first floor.

Jo Cheonbae was sitting at the moonlit counter, gazing out the window.

Suddenly, the image of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon reading a book overlapped with Jo Cheonbae's figure.

Geom Mugeuk understood. This was what the Blood Heaven Blade Demon had spoken of. No matter how happy he was to see him or how much he wanted to drink, Jo Cheonbae was a man who lived by his principles, unwavering and not swayed by momentary emotions. This sight was the teaching itself.

Innkeeper Jo has already achieved complete mastery of his art.

"Innkeeper," he called out.

Jo Cheonbae looked up to the second floor and asked, "Is there anything else you need?"

"Please pack up some good alcohol for me."

"It seems you're off to meet someone important."

Geom Mugeuk smiled and offered a cryptic reply. "I'm trying to run further away from the thought of complete mastery."

In the torch-lit training ground, twelve martial artists trained late into the night. They were Geom Mugeuk's bodyguards, all of them training together regardless of whether they were on the day or night shift.

Executing a sword formation, they formed a circle and thrust their swords outwards in unison. The formation was a protective one, designed to guard a single person at its center.

The lifeblood of a sword formation is harmony and coordination. They covered each other's weaknesses, moving as a single entity. The momentum behind their swords was extraordinary, and they displayed an incomparably sharper spirit than when they first came to Geom Mugeuk.

After a round of intense training ended, only the sound of panting echoed in the space.

A voice suddenly spoke. "You're all getting quite good."

Startled, the bodyguards spun around. Geom Mugeuk was sitting in the very center of the formation they had been protecting.

"Young Cult Leader!"

At Bodyguard Captain Cheokyeon's cry, Geom Mugeuk smiled. "Everyone, sit as you are."

The bodyguards sat down, facing the center of the circle. They all had shocked expressions, for though there were twelve of them, none had noticed the Young Cult Leader entering and sitting in their midst.

"Is everyone tired?"

"No, sir!"

At the resounding reply, Geom Mugeuk turned his attention to Cheokyeon first. "Cheokyeon, I know you're working the hardest."

Cheokyeon was delighted to hear that. While he wasn't enduring these hardships for recognition, he was truly grateful to be acknowledged.

"I also know it's not easy living as my bodyguard," Geom Mugeuk continued. "When you were first assigned as my bodyguard, you probably expected something different from this. You probably imagined traveling across the Central Plains with me, having all sorts of experiences."

"……"

"However, aside from one trip outside the cult and guarding me here when I was the Acting Cult Leader, you've spent most of your time training in martial arts."

"We trained with the single-minded goal of becoming stronger to protect you, Young Cult Leader. But…" Cheokyeon made an expression caught between laughing and crying. "You've returned even stronger."

Geom Mugeuk laughed. "Did you think I was the kind of person who would accept just anyone's protection?"

Geom Mugeuk opened the bundle he had brought with him. The items inside flew out to each of them.

SHWIK! SHWIK! SHWIIIIK!

What flew out at the same time were wine cups. He had decided to drink with them and brought twelve cups.

The cups didn't fly all the way to them. Instead, they hovered in the air right before their eyes.

The bodyguards stared, astonished, the same thought crossing all their minds. Is this even possible?

Geom Mugeuk was displaying the divine skill of moving twelve objects at once with telekinesis. With his own cup, that made thirteen. And soon, it became fourteen as a wine bottle slowly rose into the air. It drifted over and began to pour into the cup floating in front of Cheokyeon.

TRICKLE.

After filling the cup, the bottle moved toward another martial artist's cup. It did not go to the one right next to him but instead sought out the cup belonging to Number Two. After filling Number Two's cup, the bottle moved to the cup of Number Three, who was sitting a little farther away, and then to Number Four's cup.

They had previously revealed to Geom Mugeuk that they used code names from Number One to Number Twelve when they were on missions outside. It seemed that Geom Mugeuk remembered the order perfectly, from Number Two to the youngest, Number Twelve, just as he had heard it back then.

The bodyguards were inwardly moved, as they had thought the Young Cult Leader didn't know much about them.

"You remembered all of us," Cheokyeon muttered emotionally.

Geom Mugeuk felt a pang of guilt. How neglectful have I been for them to be moved by something like this?

"Get stronger. That's the only way you can protect me!" he declared.

He didn't apologize, knowing that saying something like, 'I just made you train so I could go around comfortably,' would only hurt their pride. He had made a firm resolution today not to be impatient himself, but he demanded it of them.

"Be impatient! Be more impatient than anyone else! You never know when I'll become the Cult Leader! Wake up in the middle of the night and swing your swords! Understand?"

"Yes!"

As Geom Mugeuk grabbed the cup floating before him, the twelve bodyguards also took theirs.

The Young Cult Leader they were meant to protect was someone who could say such things while keeping thirteen cups afloat in the air. They had to protect such a person, and when that person told them to get stronger, how could they not be motivated?

"I command you all. Continue to grow stronger."

Geom Mugeuk drank his alcohol, and the bodyguards drained their cups in unison.

"And tomorrow, we need to look imposing, so make sure your clothes are properly pressed!"

Cha Yiran looked out the window as her first day in the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult dawned. The accommodations Geom Mugeuk had arranged were truly excellent, not just for her, but for her subordinates as well.

Their rooms were clean and tidy, with special care taken to provide new beds and bedding. As they say, you can know ten things by seeing one. There was a reason she was here.

Just then, the First Bridge came to report. "We are ready."

"Let's go."

Geom Mugeuk had summoned all of them. They wore martial arts uniforms instead of their splendid clothes. A new life was about to begin.

When they arrived at the training ground a short distance from their residence, people were already waiting for them.

It was the Ghost Shadow Squad, led by Lee Ahn. The Ghost Shadows' First Division, led by Green Mask, and the Second Division, led by Seo Jin, stood with an extraordinary presence, the very picture of a well-disciplined organization.

Lee Ahn stood before them, and Cha Yiran felt that the sight of her was different from when they had met in Anhui. She wasn't revealing her true presence back then, she realized.

Lee Ahn introduced Green Mask and Seo Jin to Cha Yiran. Green Mask was someone who could have become the next Extremely Evil Smiling Demon, so his presence was anything but ordinary. Seo Jin's presence had also changed after her return from the Yellow Dragon Academy, thanks to her swordsmanship and mystic arts training.

Unlike Cha Yiran, who watched them calmly, the female assassins were feeling an unknown sense of rivalry. They had to live as martial artists now, not assassins. It was time to change their confidence in being able to assassinate anyone into the confidence of being able to fight and win against anyone.

Just then, Geom Mugeuk appeared with twelve bodyguards behind him, all wearing the formal uniform of the bodyguard unit. A symbol was embroidered on their chests, a demon drawn inside a shield. Furthermore, the single character for 'Demon' (魔) was embroidered in a powerful script on the black masks they wore.

Everyone present was formidable, but these bodyguards didn't fall behind in the slightest.

Seeing them, Cha Yiran and the female assassins were once again reminded that Geom Mugeuk was the Young Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.

When Geom Mugeuk arrived, everyone present bowed respectfully in unison.

"We greet the Young Cult Leader!"

Geom Mugeuk formally received their greeting with a light clasped hands salute. He also gave a nod to Dan Yeon, the youngest of the Ghost Shadow Squad, acknowledging her with the propriety the occasion demanded. After that, he asked Cha Yiran, "Did you sleep well?"

"Yes, thanks to your consideration, I slept very soundly."

The women standing behind her also bowed their heads in unison to express their gratitude. How could they not know? He had taken special care of them.

"I'm thinking of appointing you as one of our martial squad leaders, but I need the Cult Leader's permission, so you'll have to wait a bit. Come up with a name for your unit in the meantime."

Then, Cha Yiran said something unexpected. "If possible, we would like to join the Ghost Shadow Squad."

"Do you know what that means?" Geom Mugeuk asked.

"I do," she replied, her gaze steady. It meant she would be placed under Lee Ahn. Cha Yiran's gaze shifted to Green Mask and Seo Jin. "Those two don't seem like people who would remain as mere Captains either."

At that, Geom Mugeuk properly introduced the two. "The First Captain is someone who gave up becoming the next Extremely Evil Smiling Demon, and the Second Captain is a descendant of the Ghost Sect."

Cha Yiran nodded with an 'I knew it!' expression. "For us who have lived as assassins, it will take a lot of effort and time to live as martial artists. We will learn under Young Lady Lee, no, Commander Lee. And since we've decided to serve you, Young Cult Leader, I believe rank is not important."

Geom Mugeuk thought her choice was truly wise. However, he was not the one to make this decision. "Lee Ahn. Will you accept them as the Third Division?"

Lee Ahn looked at Cha Yiran, her mind weighing the reasons to accept against the reasons to refuse.

Her deliberation was not long. For Geom Mugeuk's sake, and for the sake of Green Mask and Seo Jin, she had to let them in.

Such burdensome Captains! she thought as she said, "I will accept you as the Third Captain of the Ghost Shadow Squad."

Cha Yiran also showed her respects to Lee Ahn politely. "I greet you, Captain."

"I look forward to working with you."

With Cha Yiran's addition, the Ghost Shadow Squad was finally complete. Geom Mugeuk looked at the three women with a heart full of emotion. Lee Ahn, Seo Jin, and Cha Yiran. The three women who had saved his life in his past life, and again in this one, were now gathered under the single name of the Ghost Shadow Squad.

Geom Mugeuk said to Cha Yiran, "Okay, Ghost Shadow Squad Third Division. Listen up, this is your first mission."

"Please give us your orders."

"You must become guests at a wedding ceremony."

Cha Yiran was startled for a moment, as Geom Mugeuk's mission was truly unexpected. However, her expression quickly turned cold and professional. "Is the assassination target the groom? Or the bride?"