Chapter 786: No Matter How Busy, There's Always Time for a Word

TL: FoodieMonster007

DUNG! DUNG! DUUUNG!

Heavy drumbeats echoed as Demonic Flames blossomed throughout the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.

Seo Daeryong said to the people of Demon Village, "From now on, formations will be deployed outside the tents."

All the villagers tensed. They had never seen formations activated right before their eyes.

SHHHHH…

Everyone stared, mesmerized, as fog began to rise around the tents.

SWOOOOSH!

Pillars of mist shot up from various places. Tendrils of fog meandered across the ground like a spider's web. Something shimmered within the mist, seeming almost alive. A sound, like voices or the wind, echoed eerily as light burst from all directions.

"Woahhh!"

The mysterious and profound spectacle drew gasps of admiration from the crowd, including Seo Daeryong, who had never seen formations deployed before either.

SHHHHHH…

Once the formations were fully activated, only a faint, thin fog could be seen.

"The Illusory Fog Misdirection Formation has been deployed," Seo Daeryong announced. "Even if there are intruders outside, they won't be able to enter this place."

The villagers' emotions were conflicted. While they felt moved that the cult would protect them, they were also terrified by the danger that made implementing such measures necessary.

Furthermore, the Illusory Fog Misdirection Formation was not the only formation that was activated. All across the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, other formations with different properties activated. While the Illusory Fog Misdirection Formation was optimized for protection, some other formations were created purely for slaughter.

That wasn't all.

RUMMMBLE! CLANK, CLANK.

The ground opened, and mechanical devices rose from various locations within the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult Headquarters. There were stone lanterns, benches, metal railings, and statues shaped like animals. They all looked ordinary, but each was a deadly mechanical contraption.

All of this could be observed from one place. A giant brazier rose from the palm of a towering demonic statue, its Demonic Flames burning.

A swordsman stood beside the brazier, staring into the distance with a hardened expression, watching Geom Woojin and the four masters depart.

Geom Muyang trusted his father more than anyone, but he felt uneasy. He could not grasp the reality of a situation that required lighting the Demonic Flames.

At the same time, he felt powerless, unable to go with his father. He knew he should focus on his own duty, but his heart wouldn't let him.

At times like this, my little brother should be here.

That kid would probably say something silly, like who was worrying about whom, or he would hit the nail right on the head with some random witty comment.

Are you depressed because you're worried about Father? Or are you upset because he didn't ask you to go with him? Or are you angry that you're not skilled enough to go along?

His brother would have undoubtedly seen through his inner thoughts and said something infuriating like that.

Still, Geom Muyang wanted to hear them. He wanted to shake off the pathetic thoughts lingering in his heart.

Just then, a voice spoke from behind him. "So you were here."

Geom Muyang turned around, only to see someone he didn't expect. Hwi had ascended to the palm of the demonic statue without a sound.

His eyes widened in surprise. He had not expected Hwi to seek him out.

"Did Father send you?"

Did he ask Hwi to summon me? Geom Muyang held onto that hope.

"No, he didn't."

"Then why?"

Geom Muyang was bewildered. Hwi did not usually visit him, but more importantly, why was he here and not beside his father?

Hwi gave an unexpected answer. "I thought you, First Young Lord, would be feeling the most like me right now."

Before leaving the cult, Geom Woojin had given him a separate order.

"You'll remain at the cult. I think I'll fight while reminiscing about the old days for a change."

The old days meant the time Geom Woojin roamed the Central Plains with the Fist Demon. In other words, Hwi and the other bodyguards were not to follow him.

"But Cult Leader!"

"Hwi!"

Hwi could say no more after hearing his name. Geom Woojin's strong will was embedded in that single word.

This was a battle the Fist Demon, the Poison King, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader, and Ak Gunhak were heading into together. If a situation arose where he, a bodyguard, had to step in, then the battle would already be lost.

Geom Woojin knew this and left him behind. He even entrusted Geom Muyang to Hwi in the unlikely event his eldest son was targeted.

After a moment of thought, Hwi had replied politely.

"Fine, I'll wait at the cult."

In any other situation, he would have been stubborn. If it was any other fight, however, the Cult Leader would not have acted this way either.

He said to Geom Muyang, "The Cult Leader left me behind and departed."

Geom Muyang was truly taken aback. It wasn't his father's words that surprised him, but Hwi's obedience. The Hwi he knew was a bodyguard who would never accept an order to stay behind, even from his father.

"Isn't this the first time you've been separated from Father?" he asked.

Hwi replied calmly, "Yes, it's the first time."

Geom Muyang blinked at his composure. "Aren't you worried?"

"Of course I am. In fact, I've never been more worried in my entire life."

Hwi smiled faintly. How could he not be worried?

"Then why didn't you follow him? With your skills, you could have gone with him, couldn't you?" Geom Muyang asked. He knew that Hwi was the type of person who would defy an order and follow in secret.

Hwi thought for a while, then said, "I'm not sure myself."

If he had to give a reason, then it was probably because…

"I didn't think I should defy the Cult Leader's will before the fight even begins."

Geom Muyang nodded in understanding at Hwi's honest answer, because he felt the same way. The impending battle felt that significant.

"Right now, I honestly resent my younger brother. If I were the successor instead of him, I would've learned the Nine Calamities Demonic Art and gone with Father."

Hwi decisively cut off that regretful thought. "That wouldn't have been possible."

"Pardon?"

"Even if you learned the Nine Calamities Demonic Art, the Cult Leader would have left you behind."

"He would have if I'd learned it poorly, but if I had achieved complete mastery of the Nine Calamities Demonic Art, he would've taken me with him."

Hwi shook his head. "No. Even if you achieved Twelfth Star mastery, he wouldn't take you with him."

"?" Geom Muyang stared at Hwi in confusion. If that were the case, his father should not have taken the other four people either.

Hwi explained his reasoning coolly, "There's no parent in this world who would take their child to fight a formidable enemy when the outcome can't be guaranteed."

"!"

The two men's gazes locked.

"First Young Lord. I may not have raised a child myself, but I believe I know the Cult Leader's heart better than anyone. His leaving you behind has nothing to do with your martial prowess, so please don't be upset. It would've been no different even if the Young Cult Leader were here."

Geom Muyang was speechless. He never thought that Hwi would speak to him about a personal matter, much less comfort him.

Was Hwi always this kind of person? Probably not.

As far as he knew, Hwi was a man who would normally say only what was necessary and leave.

It seems that my younger brother has changed even this lonely man who lived his entire life in the shadows.

"Until the Cult Leader returns, the Heavenly Demon Hall bodyguards and I will serve you, First Young Lord."

The Cult Leader had not ordered Hwi to protect his son, but some things were understood without being said.

"Thank you, Martial Artist Hwi."

This was not a thank you for the promise of protection. It was for the comfort Hwi had just offered, which had been a great source of strength.

"You're most welcome."

Hwi bowed politely, then vanished.

Geom Muyang could not sense his presence nearby, but he knew the man was surely somewhere in the vicinity.

A moment after Hwi disappeared, someone spoke from far below the demonic statue. "My neck hurts. When are you coming down?"

The blacksmith Gwak Yeong looked up from below. "I can't get up there."

Geom Muyang leaped down, landing lightly in front of her.

"I came because I thought you'd be troubled," Gwak Yeong explained, "but it looks like someone else checked on you first."

Geom Muyang met her eyes. They had shared a celebratory drink when she received permission to make swords in the smithy. Drunk, she had excitedly shouted that they should be friends.

It was a drunken antic that could have cost her her life, but he had let it pass.

"Aren't you busy right now?" he asked.

The smithy had also gone on high alert when the Demonic Flames rose, as it provided weapons for all the demonic practitioners and created and maintained the mechanical contraptions.

Gwak Yeong shook her head. "Actually, I'm freer than usual."

The cultists still did not trust her because she came from the Murim Alliance, so she had no tasks in an emergency like this.

"Besides, no matter how busy I am, I should have enough time to say a word to the gracious person who changed my life. On that note, may I say something presumptuous?"

"Go ahead."

Gwak Yeong looked into Geom Muyang's eyes. "The Cult Leader will be safe, so please don't worry. I thought you, First Young Lord, would be the most worried. Do you think the enemy would even dare to come? They probably turned around and went somewhere else."

Geom Muyang stared at Gwak Yeong. "You must keep your promise," he said abruptly.

"What promise? Ah! I'll definitely buy you a drink on payday."

"That's a given. I'm talking about the other promise."

Gwak Yeong's eyes widened. "Huh? Did I make any other promise?"

"Didn't you say you'd personally forge me a legendary sword as magnificent as the Heavenly Demon Sword?"

"I did?"

Geom Muyang nodded.

Gwak Yeong was stunned. It seemed she had spouted all sorts of crazy things while drunk. "I'll keep it, I'll keep it!"

Geom Muyang gave Gwak Yeong a faint smile, then walked away with long strides.

When his figure grew distant, Gwak Yeong muttered softly, "Cheer up, friend. I'll cheer up too, and one day, I'll really keep that promise."

Countless boats floated on Dongting Lake.

The small boat carrying Geom Mugeuk, the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman, and the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme also moved slowly, cutting through the moonlit water.

The sound of a flute and women's laughter drifted from somewhere. Everyone was enjoying a late-night boat ride.

Geom Mugeuk sat in the middle, rowing. The two women sat on either side of him, searching for a boat with a white flag.

He looked far in the opposite direction, at the boat carrying the Drunken Demon and the Demonic Buddha. It was dark and far away, but he could see it clearly.

The Demonic Buddha had dimmed the light from his body as much as possible. He also hung several lanterns around himself to hide his glow.

The Drunken Demon was drinking while the Demonic Buddha tossed very small lotus flowers into the lake.

These were the blood lotuses used by the Demonic Buddha. They were connected to his senses, so as they floated to various parts of Dongting Lake, he could detect qi, auras or unusual energy beneath the water through them. This allowed him to find hidden assassins or unusual treasures underwater.

Meanwhile, the Drunken Demon kept drinking. Geom Mugeuk could tell from afar that the Drunken Demon was accumulating his alcohol qi for a fight. After all, a sober Drunken Demon was fearsome, but a dead-drunk Drunken Demon was truly terrifying.

He glanced at the lakeshore. The people there looked like small dots from so far away. It was too dark for even a master martial artist to make out their forms, but he could see everyone there.

Lee Ahn walked with the fourth Division Leader, Ji Han. They pretended to be lovers while checking the surroundings for anything suspicious.

On the opposite side, Cha Yiran walked with a few members of the third team, deliberately attracting attention. Local men gathered around, drawn by their beauty.

Meanwhile, the other team members thoroughly searched the area. If they found anything suspicious, they would immediately report it to the Demonic Army hidden in the forest behind them.

Everyone fulfilled their roles.

"Look over there!" the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman shouted.

Geom Mugeuk looked in the direction she pointed. A large ship, capable of carrying hundreds, was approaching them.

He recognized it at a glance.

"It's the Ship of Fortune."

The Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman and the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme nodded. They too had heard of the ship.

"There's a saying that if you board that ship, you can get off a rich person. Nowadays, only the wealthy can board, which is why it became the Ship of Fortune. In truth, it's a casino ship run by the Water Dragon Gang."

The Water Dragon Gang were one of the most renowned sects in Hunan, dominating the area around Dongting Lake. They were involved in various businesses around Dongting Lake, and the Ship of Fortune was the most profitable, making money by inviting wealthy people from the Central Plains onto the Ship of Fortune for all sorts of pleasures and gambling.

Just then, the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme spotted something. "Look up there!"

A white flag was tied to the top of the Ship of Fortune's mast.

Geom Mugeuk and the two women were surprised.

"They wanted to meet on the Ship of Fortune?"

It was an unexpected meeting place. They had expected the white flag on a gloomy, haunted-looking boat.

The Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman clammed up at the thought of finally meeting the Saintess.

On the other hand, Geom Mugeuk was relaxed.

"Isn't showing off the reason I came out all dressed up?" he remarked, rowing vigorously toward the Ship of Fortune. "And there's no better place to show off than a casino!"