Chapter 769: Are You Looking Down on Him Because He's a Martial Arts Instructor?

TL: FoodieMonster007

The Sword King remarked that he now understood how someone like the Young Cult Leader could be born.

However, Geom Woojin immediately retorted, "Did I give you a sword just for you to insult me?"

The Sword King panicked. Did he see through my inner thoughts despite my mild phrasing? I need to come up with an excuse right away!

"Please don't misunderstand. I meant that after meeting the Cult Leader, I now understand how such an excellent son could be born," he said earnestly.

Next to the Sword King, however, Geom Mugeuk chuckled. He knew his father was joking, and the fact that he was joking meant one thing.

He passed.

The Sword King had passed his father's test.

Well, which parent could dislike a man willing to lay down his life for their child?

"Of course, it's high praise, the highest praise," Geom Mugeuk added. "You've worked hard, Father, to raise such a magnificent son."

Geom Woojin made an expression that clearly said, 'How can you say such things about yourself so shamelessly?' If the Sword King had not been there, he surely would have said it aloud.

The Sword King bowed his head respectfully to show his gratitude. "I won't forget the grace you've shown me."

The sword's worth to him was not important. What mattered was the White Flower Sword's value to the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. He had received one of its four greatest legendary swords.

Geom Mugeuk also bid his father farewell. "Father, I'll come to see you again later. I have so much to tell you this time."

He always told his father what happened whenever he returned to the cult. This time, he especially could not skip the thrilling story about the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the Flower Sword Supreme.

Geom Woojin nodded. "Let's have dinner together."

Geom Mugeuk's eyes trembled. His father probably did not know how deeply those easy words moved his son.

He left the Heavenly Demon Hall with the Sword King.

While walking down the long corridor, the Sword King stopped for a moment, staring at the demonic statues supporting the pillars that lined the hallway.

He turned to Geom Mugeuk. "What is it you truly want from me?" he asked. "Do you want me to fight for you? Or do you want me to become your subordinate?"

Geom Mugeuk asked back, "If I said I want you to become my subordinate and fight for me, would you do it?"

The Sword King gave no answer. It was a question he could not answer easily, yet perhaps he could.

"Honestly, I want to insist that you do, because once we're bound by a master-subordinate relationship, you'll be with me for life." Geom Mugeuk paused briefly, then continued, "But I'd rather be friends with you, Ak-hyung. Even if you suddenly leave one day, and I have to spend every year wondering where you are and what you're doing, I'd still rather be your friend. I don't want to see you serving under anyone."

The Sword King's gaze deepened. This was why he thought he could answer the question easily. The chance to serve a man like this was an opportunity that required heavenly fortune. "Even so, this sword is too extravagant a gift for a friend," he muttered.

Geom Mugeuk relieved that burden. "It's a gift for me, not for you, Ak-hyung."

"For you?"

"Yes, for me. I want to live among cool and good people."

"What does that have to do with this sword?"

"That sword will make you an even stronger and cooler person!"

The Sword King had believed he would become truly cool and free only when he used an ordinary sword. However, Geom Mugeuk said the opposite, that he would become stronger, freer, and cooler by wielding a legendary sword.

"If I couldn't be among such cool people, I'd probably be living with the same dream as you, Ak-hyung."

The Sword King sighed lightly. "That dream… isn't a very good one."

If you know that, then why are you so intent on leaving? Wake up from that dream, and find yourself a new dream! Geom Mugeuk thought, but did not say the words aloud. Ak Gunhak would surely understand him.

His gaze shifted to the sword box. "Why don't you draw the sword? You have to give it a chance to show off."

The Sword King opened the sword box and took out the White Flower Sword. Its scabbard was elegant and luxurious.

SHIIING!

As he drew the sword, the surrounding air seemed to change instantly. The blade was brilliant but not blinding, radiating an elegant and gentle dignity.

Geom Mugeuk grinned in anticipation. Just imagining the Sword King attacking with that sword was enough to instill fear.

"It's the only one of our Cult's four legendary swords that doesn't contain demonic qi or ghostly energy," he explained.

The Sword King infused the blade with qi, and the sword hummed softly.

WOOONG!

A stream of energy flowed along the blade, communing with the Sword King's breath. He closed his eyes to feel the sword, then opened them with a joyful expression.

"This is a truly fine sword."

Of course it is. Geom Mugeuk smiled. The sword's character matched the Sword King's own, so he would feel an even greater connection to it.

The Sword King drew the iron sword he had been wearing and flicked a finger at it.

TWANG!

It snapped in half effortlessly.

Geom Mugeuk tilted his head in confusion. "Was that sword really so easy to break?"

"It's a sword I bought for one tael at the market."

Geom Mugeuk's jaw dropped in disbelief. "Still, how could you abandon it so heartlessly! It must've held all sorts of memories. My friend, this man has abandoned you!"

"What memories? If it breaks or I lose it, I can just buy a new sword." The Sword King fastened the White Flower Sword to his waist where the iron sword had been. "Oh, and it's my sword now. You can't ask for it back."

Geom Mugeuk stood for a moment, watching the Sword King's back as he strode away.

How could that old iron sword not hold memories? Breaking the old sword was the Sword King's answer to his gift. It was the swordmaster's way of saying he would use this sword in accordance with the goodwill shown him.

"Well, now that you've met my very ordinary and friendly father, it's time to go meet the person who's been waiting for you with bated breath! I'm sorry, Sword, but you'll have to wait a bit. We need to take care of the most urgent task first!"

On the training grounds where the Ghost Shadow Third Division (the former Beautiful Bridges assassins) were training, swords sliced through the air in unison.

"Straighten your backs!" Cha Yiran shouted. She was in charge of their training today.

SHWIIIIING!

The girls slashed, thrusted, and blocked. These were basic swordsmanship movements, but their swords held power and their actions were flawless. They built their stamina and mastered the fundamentals of swordsmanship without using inner arts.

Now that they had joined the Ghost Shadow Squad, they were no longer just assassins. On the contrary, their assassination techniques were a disadvantage in an all-out battle, so they needed to learn swordsmanship suitable for open combat.

The problem was the lack of a suitable style. Although Cha Yiran had learned some swordsmanship in her youth, it was not a martial art she could pass down, so for now, she had them repeat only basic sword training.

"Ahhh!"

Low murmurs of admiration rang out from the dozens of cultists who were watching them train. Some were just passing by, while others had come specifically to watch. The training of these beautiful women was the talk of the cult.

Meanwhile, one woman frequently stole glances at the crowd.

The Seventeenth Bridge scanned the onlookers, wondering if the Crescent Moon Faceless Warrior might be among them.

She had thought being in the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult together meant she would see the Crescent Moon Faceless Warrior more often. However, she had fewer opportunities. They had become members of the Ghost Shadow Squad, and he had entered the Valley of Evil.

As they each led busy lives, she had no chance to meet him. She tried taking pointless strolls and even went near the Valley of Evil, but she could not find him, and she could not just enter the Valley of Evil to see him.

"Stop looking, he's not there," the Fifth Bridge whispered while swinging her sword beside her. As the Seventeenth Bridge's closest friend, she knew about her crush on the Crescent Moon Faceless Warrior.

"I heard the Faceless Warriors rarely leave the Valley of Evil."

The Seventeenth Bridge sighed. Was that why she had never run into any of them?

"He might've taken off his mask and be watching me," she mumbled hopefully.

Could the Crescent Moon Faceless Warrior be among those people?

"Wake up!" the Fifth Bridge nagged, raising her voice without realizing it.

Cha Yiran heard her.

She made eye contact with Cha Yiran, then bowed her head in apology and focused on her training.

Soon, the arduous training session ended. A few onlookers clapped, and some even cheered. They only dared to do so because they did not know who these women were. Since they were only practicing basic swordsmanship, they might have looked like easy targets.

The girls could have taken offense at the underestimation, but none of them cared. In fact, they enjoyed the gazes and reactions.

After all, they were killers who could slay every last one of them. The one who clapped the loudest would probably die first.

As the women caught their breath and were about to disperse, Cha Yiran called out to the Seventeenth Bridge. "Can we talk?"

"Yes, Ma'am!"

The two walked out of the training grounds.

"Have you seen him again?" Cha Yiran asked.

Before coming to the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, she had sent the Seventeenth Bridge to meet the Faceless Warriors during the beauty pageant.

Of course, Geom Mugeuk had arranged their meeting, and Cha Yiran had merely sent her along. At that time, she learned of her surbordinate's relationship with the Crescent Moon Faceless Warrior.

"No, I haven't met him yet." the Seventeenth Bridge replied. "I don't think now is the time to be thinking about men."

She immediately regretted those words.

Cha Yiran smiled bitterly. How could she not know her subordinate's words were insincere? As time passed, feelings would cool and fade into memory, just like her own thoughts of Ak Gunhak.

"Go see him," she encouraged.

"What?"

"Go to the Valley of Evil and find him. You're under the Young Cult Leader's direct command, while they're under the Demon Supreme's. We have no reason to feel inferior."

The Seventeenth Bridge stared at Cha Yiran in surprise. Had the person changed with her position? She never imagined Cha Yiran would give such advice.

Cha Yiran teased, "Want me to go with you?"

"No. I can go alone," the Seventeenth Bridge said, summoning courage she did not know she had. Since Cha Yiran herself had given this advice, she could not do nothing. "I'll go right now."

Cha Yiran stopped her as she hurried off. "Go to my room and open the wardrobe. There's a blue gown in there. Wear that. It'll look good on you."

"B-But…!?"

"Why? Do you want me to go with you and dress you?"

"No!"

"Go on."

"Yes, Ma'am." The Seventeenth Bridge bowed politely and started running, then turned back from a distance. "Thank you so much."

After bowing deeply, she ran off again.

Cha Yiran looked up at the clear blue sky. Just looking at the Seventeenth Bridge, she could feel her excitement.

Yes, that's what it's like to truly love someone. Maybe I should have a drink with the First Bridge later?

Just then, someone spoke from behind her.

"People who play matchmaker for other lovers usually end up drinking alone."

Startled, she turned around. Geom Mugeuk stood there with a smile. No one could compare to this man when it came to surprising people.

"Says the one who can't even take care of his own affairs," she retorted, recalling a past event in response to Geom Mugeuk's provocation. "Do you remember? That day at the lakeside where that girl and the Faceless Warriors met, you said you'd help her elope and find my love for me too. Why haven't you found him? Please find my love."

Geom Mugeuk could feel her heart was at ease enough to joke like that. It meant she was adjusting well to the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. "And if I find him? You wouldn't even be able to confess that you liked him."

"Why do you think I can't? Our Young Cult Leader still doesn't know me very well."

Seeing her boast, Geom Mugeuk gave a playful yet meaningful smile.

"Hmm?" Cha Yiran tilted her head. "Did you do something to your skin?"

As a master of cosmetics, she immediately noticed Geom Mugeuk's skin had become clearer and more translucent.

"What did you put on? You smell nice too. Come to think of it, your shoulders seem a bit broader as well."

Geom Mugeuk grinned and dismissed the flattery. "Our Division Leader Cha will survive well in this organization."

Still, Cha Yiran felt that was not it. This man, something about him has changed.

Geom Mugeuk changed the subject. "I heard you've been teaching your subordinates swordsmanship lately."

"I'm only teaching the basics for now, but since my main martial art isn't swordsmanship, I'm worried about the future."

Geom Mugeuk nodded. "That works out perfectly. I know a good swordsmanship teacher."

Cha Yiran looked at him with anticipation.

"He's an instructor who taught swordsmanship at a martial arts academy," Geom Mugeuk added. "He's taught some very excellent students."

Disappointment flashed across Cha Yiran's face. "Even if my main martial art isn't swordsmanship, wouldn't I be better than a mere teacher from a martial arts academy?"

"Are you looking down on him because he's a martial arts instructor?"

Cha Yiran smiled. "When you're at my level, you're allowed to look down on others a little."

"That's too harsh. You'll hurt the poor teacher's feelings." Geom Mugeuk glanced behind him and spoke as if someone were there, behind the building. "Please be patient. I know you're a broad-minded teacher."

Cha Yiran assumed Geom Mugeuk was joking. He knew her skills and those of her subordinates. There was no way he would bring a martial arts academy teacher to instruct them.

Cha Yiran looked in the direction Geom Mugeuk was facing and called out. "Go back! We are women you can't handle, Instructor. As you can see, we're rude and have no potential."

"Don't say that. It was so difficult to get this teacher to come here!" Geom Mugeuk walked toward the building and peered behind it. "Please don't be too disappointed, Hyung-nim. It's not like students disrespecting their teachers is anything new these days."

Cha Yiran walked over as well. She would never have played along with such a prank for anyone other than Geom Mugeuk. "Just which martial arts academy is he from, and who did he teach… HIEEEEK!"

The moment she rounded the corner and saw where Geom Mugeuk was looking, a genuine shriek burst from her lips.

Standing there with his hair tied back tightly and his feet bare was Ak Gunhak. It was really Ak Gunhak, the very man she had longed to see.

"He was a swordsmanship instructor at the Yellow Dragon Academy. I learned from him, as did your Captain and the First Division Leader. Aren't we all excellent students?"

Geom Mugeuk's words did not even register in Cha Yiran's ears. Her heart pounded as if it would burst, and her cheeks and ears flushed red.

"…No, this, how, why?"

Translator's Note: Aaaaand, cliffhanger!