Chapter 780: How Could Anyone Resist a Golden Carriage?

TL: FoodieMonster007

"We will rest here for today," Cheokyeon announced upon receiving Geom Mugeuk's command. Geom Mugeuk knew the roads well and was highly experienced in camping. He knew exactly where a group this large should rest.

The transport carriages leading the procession slowed and halted, then pulled off the road and stopped in a wide field. The group was too large to stop in a town.

The Demonic Army's carriages formed a defensive line like an outer wall. Though they had the largest numbers, as veterans of every kind of field activity, they moved quietly and swiftly.

In the center, Geom Mugeuk's carriage and the Demon Supremes' carriages arranged themselves in a circle.

Lee Ahn, who had been watching them set up while feigning disinterest, gave an order to her subordinates in the Ghost Shadow Squad. "We'll set up over here."

Jang Ho secretly watched them out of the corner of his eye. Since Lee Ahn had no experience managing such a large force on the move, he had expected her to struggle and planned to advise her through telepathy, but to his surprise, she managed the deployment of her subordinates excellently.

No, she was better than excellent.

Lee Ahn sought out Ji Han. "Fourth Division Leader."

"Yes, Commander?"

"Honestly, I've learned more from books than experience. As the former Soul Chasing Commander, I believe you're more skilled at this than I am. Is this formation correct?"

"Yes, you did great. However, I think we could put a little more distance between the teams. If we're ambushed from the outside…"

Lee Ahn listened intently to Ji Han's explanation.

Watching them, Jang Ho thought she was doing a fine job. She did not pretend to know what she did not. She showed a willingness to learn and was not ashamed to ask for help.

Well done, Commander Lee.

Just like that, the Demonic Army and the Ghost Shadow Squad set up a perimeter on the outside, while Geom Mugeuk and the Demon Supremes settled in the middle. Soon, bonfires were lit up all over the camp.

Geom Mugeuk and the Demon Supremes gathered around a central bonfire.

Behind Geom Mugeuk, his bodyguard unit took their positions. They flawlessly applied their training to a real-world situation, leaving no gaps in their master's protection.

Geom Mugeuk called out, "Cheokyeon."

"Yes, Young Cult Leader?"

"Be honest. You're secretly hoping someone attacks us, aren't you?"

Cheokyeon visibly panicked, though he denied it, saying, "No, I'm not."

"Yes, you are. All of you trained so hard for this day. Someone has to attack us for you to show off your skills, right?"

"As long as we're here, they won't touch a single hair on your head, Young Cult Leader."

Geom Mugeuk glanced at the Demonic Army and the Ghost Shadow Squad on the perimeter. "What kind of enemy can break through all those people? Do you think you're stronger than them? If so, I should tell the Demonic Army to step up their game."

"That's not what I meant…"

"Young Cult Leader, why are you teasing an innocent man?" the Drunken Demon interjected, saving the flustered Cheokyeon.

He retrieved a bottle of liquor from his carriage and approached them. In front of everyone else, he did not address Geom Mugeuk as a brother, but respectfully called him the Young Cult Leader.

Geom Mugeuk pouted. "When you speak so politely, it makes me sound like I'm actually bullying him, doesn't it?"

The Drunken Demon looked at the other three Demon Supremes sitting by the fire. "Shall we all share a drink before bed?"

He first poured a drink for Geom Mugeuk, then for the Demonic Buddha, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon, and finally the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme. This was the first time the four of them had shared drinks together in a field camp like this.

Ever since leaving the cult, the Drunken Demon had been constantly drunk. By now, everyone could tell that he was in the middle of his martial arts training. To continue training while traveling meant he was undergoing a very important regimen.

"This liquor is delicious too, Sir Drunken Demon!" Geom Mugeuk commended.

The Drunken Demon held up the bottle proudly. "This is a lucky battle wine I've been saving for an occasion just like this."

"This departure isn't grand enough to warrant such a name."

The Drunken Demon looked around. His action seemed to say, You say that, even though you've brought out enough forces to wage a war?

The Demonic Buddha pointed at the Ghost Shadow Squad. "When did you raise such a fine organization?"

"It wasn't me who did that. Lee Ahn raised them." Geom Mugeuk's gaze turned to Lee Ahn. With her subordinates beside her, she looked every bit a fine Commander. Although she frequently complained that the role did not suit her, she was doing well. "They're the ones who will lead our Cult in the future, after we retire."

The Demonic Buddha was dumbfounded. "You're already thinking about retirement?"

"I can't live like my father."

"What do you mean, you can't?" the Demonic Buddha pressed, his gaze sharp.

However, Geom Mugeuk did not elaborate. Instead, he said simply, "I'm going to live while enjoying myself. Now, how about another drink?"

This time, he refilled everyone's cup personally.

As he poured the last one for the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme, the Demonic Buddha abruptly asked, "Are you not interested in conquering the murim at all?"

All eyes turned to Geom Mugeuk. Not long ago, when the Demonic Buddha had visited the Drunken Demon, the Drunken Demon had wondered about the very same thing. With the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's power growing recently, the topic of conquering the murim kept coming up.

Sensing an opportunity, the Drunken Demon joined in to probe Geom Mugeuk. "I admit I'm curious about a murim led by our Young Cult Leader."

Geom Mugeuk paused for a moment, then shot back, "What is there to look forward to in a murim built upon the deaths of my friends?"

Everyone was well aware of his relationships with Bi Sayin and Jin Hagun.

The Demonic Buddha replied, "Just as you succeeded in the succession war with your brother, couldn't you also conquer the murim without shedding a single drop of blood?"

Everyone waited for his answer. If it was anyone other than Geom Mugeuk, they would have dismissed it as nonsense. However, if it was Geom Mugeuk, wasn't such a ridiculous feat possible?

Geom Mugeuk shook his head. "You're overestimating me. Even on the off chance that impossibility were to be achieved, do you think that fragile peace could be maintained?"

The Dark Palace had built its strength in the shadows for three hundred years to seize control of the murim. The orthodox and unorthodox sects would do the same. No, they would be even more relentless.

"The fallen orthodox sects will rebuild and the unorthodox will recover. In the end, as much blood will be shed as if a war had broken out," Geom Mugeuk added calmly. "This murim has been divided between demonic, orthodox, and unorthodox for far too long. Unification is nothing more than an impossible ideal."

The Demonic Buddha stared at Geom Mugeuk. "Depending on whose ideal it is, it could become a reality."

Geom Mugeuk knew the Demonic Buddha was referring to his father.

"A moment will come when I'll have to persuade you all on this matter." He raised his cup. "I'll be counting on you then."

A brief silence fell.

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon was the first person to raise his cup. This toast was a declaration of his will to follow Geom Mugeuk, even if it meant defying his father's orders.

Until now, he was the only one to defy the Cult Leader, but this time, the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme also raised her cup. She had been unable to defy Geom Woojin's will last time, but now she intended to follow the Young Cult Leader's command. He was worthy of it.

The Demonic Buddha did not raise his cup, and the Drunken Demon drank his liquor alone without toasting.

"The day will come when I can toast with you two as well!" Geom Mugeuk exclaimed.

The Demonic Buddha drained his cup. His expression suggested the unfolding situation already filled him with excitement. "That would be your impossible ideal."

Makchung, the Boss of the Big Tiger Fortress, had a dream. He dreamed of a giant golden whale swimming toward him. The dream was so vivid that he remembered the scene clearly even after waking up.

Now, he was looking at that golden whale. No, to be precise…

"It really is a golden carriage!"

Standing atop the canyon, Makchung was mesmerized by the golden carriage approaching from the distance. When he first received the report from his subordinate on patrol, he had assumed it was just a carriage painted yellow. After all, what kind of madman would travel in an actual golden carriage?

However, the way that carriage reflected the sunlight proved it was undoubtedly plated with real gold.

Makchung recalled his dream. He felt that the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that comes to every man in the Viridian Forest had found him.

"How much money must they have to ride in a carriage made of gold?"

It was time to risk his life. However, one thing bothered him.

"They're not from the Demonic Cult, are they?"

Gongbae, his right-hand man and the one leading the patrol, replied, "Boss, I've never once heard of demonic practitioners riding in golden carriages."

"What about the possibility of a famous martial family?"

"Look at the carriages at the front. Those are transport carriages, not the kind used by martial families. It must be a trading company moving expensive goods, or some tycoon relocating."

"How many bodyguards are there?"

"A lot."

Makchung felt relieved. Murim organizations with real martial masters never traveled in such a large crowd. It was certainly a rich person who had hired a horde of mercenaries to show off their affluence.

"Besides, their formation is a mess," Gongbae added. "Look over there. There are no martial artists guarding the carriages, and the riders are just following behind. They're scared and just trying to fill the numbers."

Makchung hesitated. "Still, there must be one or two real masters there."

Gongbae reassured him. "Don't worry. If we ambush them in the canyon, even those guys will be helpless."

Makchung nodded. His hesitation was brief. They had lived their entire lives as bandits of the Viridian Forest.

"No matter how dangerous it is, how could anyone resist a golden carriage?"

The line of carriages racing through the narrow canyon slowed and came to a stop.

Jang Ho dismounted from his carriage and walked back toward Geom Mugeuk's. "It's the Viridian Forest."

"Finally!" A cheer erupted from Geom Mugeuk, who had complained a hundred times about how boring it was to ride in his own carriage.

He scrambled out of the carriage as if he had been waiting for something to happen all along.

Ahead, a group of Viridian Forest bandits blocked the road. On both sides of the canyon above, dozens of them aimed arrows down at them.

The arrows were not the real problem, though. The bandits had propped about ten massive boulders up with levers, ready to be rolled down at any moment. Dodging the boulders was easy, but the carriages would be in trouble.

Geom Mugeuk grinned eagerly. "I finally met them! I've been in and out of the cult so many times but never once ran into these guys. I was so bored I kept praying to meet them, but it never happened. Now that I'm leading everyone out, they show up? Are these Viridian Forest bandits blind?"

Jang Ho smiled. "They probably saw the transport carriages and thought some merchant was moving cargo."

Moreover, the large number of followers likely made them underestimate the group.

"This is all the Demonic Buddha's fault. With a glittering golden carriage like that on the road, how could the Viridian Forest resist? Even I couldn't. Seriously, what is a religious man doing with a golden carriage!" Geom Mugeuk teased. There was no way he could pass up a chance to poke fun at the Demonic Buddha.

"Ahem!" The sound of the Demonic Buddha's awkward throat-clearing rang out from inside the carriage.

Geom Mugeuk chuckled. "What are you going to do? Are you going to send all those men to nirvana? Take responsibility."

"It wouldn't be impossible," the Demonic Buddha said, opening his carriage door as if he really intended to kill all the bandits.

Geom Mugeuk used telekinesis to shut the door. "Oh no, I think our dear Bloody Buddha should remain on standby for a moment. General Jang, if those guys see you, they'll run in the blink of an eye. Go hide. Bodyguards, you all fall back too! Nobody stand out! Not a single one!"

Jang Ho climbed onto a carriage with a smile. Geom Mugeuk's bodyguards retreated with expressions that seemed to ask, Are we really hiding?

In the meantime, the men of the Viridian Forest approached.

Makchung led the group, with Gongbae following closely by his side. Behind them were the most skilled members of the Big Tiger Fortress.

He first assessed his opponents, trying to gauge who they were and how skilled they might be.

The coachmen are nothing special.

The martial artists who had emerged from the convoy looked just like coachmen. In reality, they were expert coachmen who could maneuver carriages along the narrowest of roads..

It really is a tycoon's procession.

Was it because he wanted it to be true? Or was it because of his dream of the golden whale? He jumped to a hasty conclusion.

After passing about ten carriages, he found Geom Mugeuk waiting for them.

Unfortunately, he did not get close enough to Geom Mugeuk's carriage to see the emblem painted on it.

Geom Mugeuk greeted happily, "Welcome, gentlemen of the Viridian Forest! This is my first time seeing you all!"

Makchung's jaw dropped. What is with this cheerful greeting? I've never met such a naive simpleton!

"I'm Makchung, the Boss of the Big Tiger Fortress," he introduced himself.

"Oh! So you're the Great Hero Mak!" Geom Mugeuk echoed excitedly.

Makchung was stunned. Why is he so happy? We're the Viridian Forest, you fool!

He lowered his voice into a dignified tone. "This canyon is quite dangerous and treacherous, making it easy to be attacked. We'll protect you until you pass through."

"I know, I know. You'll protect us, and we pay you a protection fee in return, right? Right? I know all about it."

Ah, what a simpleton! Makchung truly thought he might be about to score the biggest haul of his life. From what he could see, the young man's martial arts skills looked pathetic.

"Young Master is well-informed," he said.

Usually, the Viridian Forest did not kill their targets after taking their goods. Doing so would invite attacks from the merchant the escort agency guilds. The unwritten rule of the jianghu was to accept a toll and let each other pass amicably.

Of course, today's glittering procession made him want to take everything. Even now, Makchung's gaze was fixed on the sparkling golden carriage in the back.

He was so engrossed in it that he completely missed the characters 'Demonic Army (魔军)' written on the side of the carriages. Even if he had seen them, he would never have dreamed that this Demonic Army was that Demonic Army.

Geom Mugeuk asked, "How much should I give you for the toll?"

"We usually take ten percent of the goods' value," Makchung replied.

Of course, they did not normally take that much. He threw out a high number, planning to negotiate down if needed.

Geom Mugeuk nodded. "Oh, ten percent! It's a bit on the pricey side, but since it's my first time, I should pay it!"

Makchung's eyes widened in disbelief. Damn it. If I'd known, I would've asked for thirty percent.

Geom Mugeuk sighed at the disappointed Makchung. "But what should I do? I didn't bring that much money with me."

"We normally only accept money, but I'll make a special exception today," Makchung said magnanimously. "Since you have over ten carriages loaded with goods, why don't you just hand over one of them?"

Geom Mugeuk readily agreed. "Ah, is that really okay?"

Makchung inwardly cheered. Greed was added to his excitement. "On second thought, I'll have to pick two. I counted, and you have well over ten carriages, don't you? Besides, I'm making a special concession by accepting goods, so you should make a concession too, Young Master."

This time too, Geom Mugeuk readily agreed.

Smiling brightly and happily, he said, "Fine. Pick two. There are the large carriages up front, and there are several other carriages back here. Take your time, look around, and pick just two. But you must take the carriages you choose with you!"