Chapter 866: We'll Wake Up Secretly At Night

TL: FoodieMonster007

Chu Jung glared at Geom Mugeuk, his gaze filled with a bone-chilling malice.

Unfortunately for him, his opponent was a man who had faced every kind of villain, from the Twelve Zodiac Kings to the Celestial Killer Star.

Geom Mugeuk met the malicious glare with contempt and said to Jin Hagun, "I'll not only find where the bodies are buried, I'll make him turn over a new leaf before sending him back."

He said it like a joke, but everyone knew it wasn't. The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult could certainly make this bastard beg for forgiveness and turn over a new leaf, just as they had turned the notorious Lascivious Demon into an obedient little puppy.

Still, Jin Hagun couldn't let personal feelings dictate how the Murim Alliance handled its affairs. "No, leave the rest to us. We may not be as effective as the Cult, but we have our own methods of dealing with trash, honed over many years of fighting evil."

Geom Mugeuk nodded, his expression showing he understood. "As you wish…"

Just then, Jin Hagun's telepathy reached him.

[If we fail, could you help us then?]

Geom Mugeuk knew how difficult that request was for this young man. The honor of the Murim Alliance was at stake. Jin Hagun had only asked because he was that determined to find the bodies of the dead women. [Why not? We occasionally dispatch those terrifying people in our dungeons on outside missions,] he replied.

[Thank you.] Jin Hagun hesitated, then added, [It's not something that should be handled that way, but…]

[It's fine.] Geom Mugeuk cut off Jin Hagun firmly. [A man who ruined nine innocent lives deserves to be treated a hundred times more harshly than this.]

Above all, the bodies had to be returned to their families.

Jin Hagun silently nodded. In the past, he would have been ashamed of his failure to capture them himself. He would have wasted his emotions on useless thoughts like 'the Demon Slaying Brigade should have caught them, yet not only had they failed, but now he was asking for help?'

Not anymore, though. While he would still adorn his sword with a tassel of honor, he would not let useless pride hinder his path.

"Take these men away," he commanded.

Several martial artists from the Demon Slaying Brigade subdued the Lascivious Demon and Chu Jung and led them away. Chu Yeom also staggered away, looking utterly devastated.

Jin Hagun started to say something but stopped. What could he possibly say in this situation? What words would even register? Chu Yeom would never escape this shock.

Instead, he thanked Geom Mugeuk. "Thank you. Many future sacrifices were prevented because of you two."

Geom Mugeuk gestured toward Lee Ahn with both hands, as if presenting an offering. "Thank you, Martial Artist Lee."

Lee Ahn waved her hands dismissively. "I didn't do anything but stand still."

Geom Mugeuk, still gesturing with reverence, replied, "Even when you just stand still, flowers bow their heads, the moon hides behind the clouds, and lechers run to you begging to be caught."

"Young Master! Please!"

Their playful banter lightened the mood, and they could finally share the joy of their reunion.

"Did you two leave the Cult by yourselves?" Jin Hagun asked.

Geom Mugeuk nodded. "We wanted to quietly and leisurely tour the Central Plains, just the two of us."

Jin Hagun smiled faintly. As if. Will fate, or the murim, ever leave this guy alone? The Lascivious Demon already approached him of his own accord, leading to the resolution of the Beauty Appreciation Sect incident.

Geom Mugeuk added, "Let's go grab a drink. We need to catch up after so long."

Jin Hagun shook his head. "Unfortunately, I don't think we can today. I have to clean up after this incident, and I have other things to do."

He was happy to see Geom Mugeuk, but that made him even more reluctant to go. If he was with Geom Mugeuk, he would end up laughing.

However, he sincerely wanted to save the kidnapped victims. He couldn't bring himself to laugh knowing they were all dead, at least not today.

The quick-witted Geom Mugeuk understood his friend's heart, but this was exactly why he tried to drag him along more forcefully. His friend was more precious than the dead. He narrowed his eyes. "You'd cast out a friend who walked forty thousand kilometers overnight just to see you?"

Jin Hagun rolled his eyes. "Everything you just said is wrong. Your original purpose wasn't to find me, you didn't walk all night, it certainly wasn't forty thousand kilometers, and I'm not casting you out."

Geom Mugeuk nudged Lee Ahn with his eyes, as if asking what she was doing.

Lee Ahn quickly put on a sorrowful pout. "Young Cult Leader, it's not polite to force a busy person to play with you." She let out a long sigh. "Let's just go. Let's walk the forty thousand kilometers home in tears."

Once Lee Ahn joined in, Jin Hagun grit his teeth, distressed. Finally, he nodded. "Alright, just for a little while…"

Before he could finish, Geom Mugeuk and Lee Ahn grabbed him from both sides.

"We're borrowing your commander!"

The Demon Slaying Brigade martial artists watched the spectacle with smiles. While the elders of the Murim Alliance might worry about this relationship, they accepted it. They knew this was the only time their commander truly relaxed.

Pretending to be dragged along, Jin Hagun issued various orders to his subordinates. "Report to the Alliance first, and get official statements from those two…"

Gwang Hyo, a martial artist of the Demon Slaying Brigade, chimed in cheerfully, "We know the drill! Leave the cleanup to us."

Geom Mugeuk and Lee Ahn, linking arms with Jin Hagun, also joked around.

"Commander of the Demon Slaying Brigade, you're under arrest. I think you're the one who really needs a taste of our Cult's dungeons."

"Even if you're taking me away, you should at least tell me the charges."

"The charge is workaholism! You damn workaholic!"

"You… How could you call your friend a workaholic!"

Watching them recede into the distance amidst loud clamors, Gwang Hyo remarked, "Now that the Young Cult Leader has left the Cult, this murim is going to get noisy again."

The three friends sat facing each other in a teahouse in the marketplace. Since Jin Hagun had adamantly refused alcohol, they decided to have tea.

Geom Mugeuk first asked about Jin Paecheon's well-being. "Is the Chairman doing well?"

Jin Hagun nodded. "He is."

After the fight with the Celestial Killer Star, his grandfather had been dedicating himself to martial arts training. It was the first time he had ever seen his grandfather so devoted to training. The battle had changed him.

"Grandfather believes a Great Orthodox-Demonic War might break out," he admitted honestly. His grandfather's unknown tension was also why he had been so engrossed in his work lately.

Geom Mugeuk responded with equal honesty. "Mmhmm. Father still hasn't given up." He paused briefly, then added, " But I haven't given up either."

Jin Hagun gave a slight nod, realizing that Geom Mugeuk still intended to stop his father.

A momentary silence ensued.

Lee Ahn broke the heavy atmosphere by savoring the aroma of her tea. "Try it, the scent is wonderful."

Jin Hagun could feel that she had become brighter than before. "Martial Artist Lee, I'm glad to see that you look much better now."

"Are you saying I've gotten prettier?"

"???" Jin Hagun's eyes widened as he panicked.

Lee Ahn instructed, "In times like this, you're supposed to answer, 'Yes, you have.'"

"Yes, you have," Jin Hagun repeated.

Finally, Lee Ahn smiled. "You might not know it, but I'm naturally this bold. I've just been hiding it while serving a certain someone. Don't be surprised! My hidden fox tails will start coming out one by one now!"

She knew that when Jin Hagun said she looked better, he meant that she seemed brighter. It was true, she had never been this cheerful before.

It was probably because she was out with just Geom Mugeuk. This journey must be making her happier.

Perhaps the fate of these two will be decided on this journey, Jin Hagun thought. He glanced at Geom Mugeuk. You! What are you hesitating for? You've got such a beautiful woman by your side, how dense can you be?

Geom Mugeuk took a sip of tea. "You look tired. You should take some breaks."

Jin Hagun sighed and stared blankly at his teacup. Lately, he had been in a constant state of tension, immersing himself even more in the work of the Demon Slaying Brigade. "I want to, but the number of cases requiring the Demon Slaying Brigade is increasing," he grumbled. "I don't know why, but I get the feeling that people are gradually going crazier. There are more and more brutal incidents that ordinary Murim Alliance martial artists can't handle recently."

He lifted his head. Geom Mugeuk and Lee Ahn were staring intently at him.

Realizing he was dampening the mood, he apologized, "I'm sorry, I've made the mood unnecessarily heavy."

Fortunately, an expert at lightening a heavy mood was sitting right in front of him. The kind of person who could make someone worrying about a world gone mad chuckle.

"Since you ruined the mood, you're paying for the tea," Geom Mugeuk said, staring at Jin Hagun. Suddenly, a hint of determination flickered in his eyes. "Hey, friend."

"Yes?"

"Come with us."

"Where are you going?"

"We're on a journey where we go wherever our feet take us. We see people we want to see. If the timing is off, we just pass by. It's a journey where absolutely nothing is decided."

Jin Hagun was bewildered, but how could he dislike a journey with Geom Mugeuk? He wanted to see Bi Sayin and Han Seol too. He couldn't even remember the last time he saw his sister Haryong!

In the end, though, he sighed, "I can't, I have too much work."

Geom Mugeuk insisted, "That's why you have to go. It looks like you're doing nothing but work."

Jin Hagun frowned. There was another reason he didn't want to go, no, in fact, this was the main reason. "You two came out to have a good time together, didn't you?" he asked.

Geom Mugeuk shrugged. "Who said you have to stay with us until the end? We travel together and part ways when the time comes. Also, who knows? You might meet a woman who likes you, right? Don't even dream of ditching us then! We'll follow you all the way to the Alliance Chairman's Hall and watch you two kiss!"

"……" Jin Hagun waved his hands with an incredulous expression.

However, Geom Mugeuk had already made up his mind. "You need a vacation!"

Jin Hagun argued back, "Since when does the Demon Slaying Brigade get vacations?"

"Are the members of the Demon Slaying Brigade not human?" Geom Mugeuk retorted.

"What about the incidents that happen in the meantime? Evil never rests. Don't you know that?"

"Announce it to the murim. 'The Demon Slaying Brigade is going on vacation. Anyone who causes trouble during this period will be sent to hell and punished twice as hard.' I'll send a messenger pigeon to our Cult too, telling them not to cause trouble. Let's declare a Murim Peace Week."

"Pfft!" Jin Hagun laughed out loud at the phrase 'Murim Peace Week'. He tried not to, but the joke was too funny. "If villains were the kind of people who wouldn't cause trouble just because we said so, we wouldn't have to worry in the first place."

Yes, if villains could be stopped that easily, the world would be peaceful by now. But somehow, as if there was a rule, the void left by one villain was always filled by another.

Nevertheless, Geom Mugeuk wasn't about to give up yet. "Didn't you say 'evil never rests'? You aren't evil, so you need to rest!"

"What?"

"Your job is to find where the bodies of innocent kidnapped women are buried and to watch over a father who found out his lecherous son murdered women. You endure these things solely through a sense of justice and loyalty."

"……" Jin Hagun smiled bitterly at the convincing persuasion.

Geom Mugeuk looked him in the eye. "It's one thing for you to overwork, but what about your subordinates?"

"!" Jin Hagun stared at Geom Mugeuk in shock.

Geom Mugeuk continued, "Are they really as mentally strong as you? I don't think so. They're likely struggling to keep up under extreme circumstances."

Jin Hagun was stunned speechless. Those words reminded him of a recent conversation with Jeong Hyeok, his subordinate in the Demon Slaying Brigade.

"How old is your son?"

"He's six."

"When was the last time you saw him?"

"Last autumn. I haven't seen him since."

"……"

"……"

"He must have grown a lot."

"I suppose so."

He and the Demon Slaying Brigade martial artists were willingly sacrificing their lives and working without rest to maintain the peace. Of course, there was an indescribable sense of fulfillment in punishing evil and saving innocent lives, but…

Geom Mugeuk stared out the window. After watching the people passing by for a moment, he said calmly, "If the world goes mad and we go mad with it, don't you think that ultimately makes us the losers?"

All of the Demon Slaying Brigade's martial artists assembled at their Commander's sudden summons.

Jin Hagun stood before them and regarded each member. Seeing his serious expression, everyone assumed something terrible had happened, but Jin Hagun simply wordlessly handed each of them an envelope.

The martial artists' expressions darkened. Surely, a life-threatening mission had been assigned to them. They were probably being told to write their last wills and testaments.

Still, although they always wrote wills before dangerous missions, what kind of dangerous mission required the entire force to be deployed?

They opened the envelopes anxiously, only to be taken aback by its contents. The envelopes were stuffed full of banknotes.

Jeong Hyeok asked on behalf of everyone else, "What is this money for?"

Jin Hagun grinned. They'll never imagine the reason they're getting this bonus.

"It's your vacation bonus," he said.

"What?"

"Starting today, you're on vacation for one month."

The martial artists' jaws dropped in shock. They were more surprised than if they had heard that the Great Orthodox-Demonic War had broken out.

Jin Hagun continued, "Take care of your families, visit your hometowns, go on a trip. Each of you should do the things you've been putting off."

Finally, the men's various confusing emotions coalesced into one feeling. Someone smiled brightly, and that smile spread throughout the group, followed by an eruption of cheers.

Jin Hagun hadn't realized his subordinates would be this happy. They were far more elated than he had expected. He thought at least one person would object, and he had even prepared a speech to persuade them, but no one did.

Geom Mugeuk was right. Though they didn't show it, they had all been struggling to persevere.

"May I ask the reason for this?" Jeong Hyeok asked.

"I thought it was time for us to get some rest too," Jin Hagun replied. He didn't want to pretend the reason was solely for them, so he added mischievously, "And actually, I once again fell for the Young Cult Leader's scam."

All the Demon Slaying Brigade martial artists laughed at their commander's honesty.

"We'll have to move busily for a while after you return," Jin Hagun added. "So rest well and come back."

The martial artists answered thunderously.

"Thank you, Commander!"

"You get some good rest too, Commander."

The Demon Slaying Brigade martial artists knew how hard Jin Hagun had worked. As the Young Alliance Chairman, he willingly took on tasks he could have avoided. That was why they had endured as well.

To them, this vacation was truly as welcome as rain in a drought.

After they all dispersed, Geom Mugeuk and Lee Ahn appeared.

Geom Mugeuk walked over, joking playfully with Lee Ahn. "Success! We've disbanded the Murim Alliance's most elite organization for a month."

"What's the next step?"

"We plunge the Young Alliance Chairman into a swamp of pleasure until he says, 'I don't ever want to go back to the Demon Slaying Brigade!'"

Lee Ahn agreed. "Understood. When one starts playing, it might feel burdensome at first, but there's nothing more fun than that."

Jin Hagun shook his head in exasperation. How could they be so perfectly in sync? They must have planned this behind my back.

Of course, he had a retort prepared, too.

"Now that there are three of us, the cozy atmosphere for you two is over," he said. In truth, he felt slightly worried about being a third wheel.

However, Geom Mugeuk spoke as if it were a good thing. "Not at all. Now that a common enemy has appeared, we'll become even more united. We'll wake up and meet up secretly at night, okay, Lee Ahn?"

"I don't know what you're talking about!" Lee Ahn screamed, blushing furiously. No matter how much of a joke it was, that was one line she found hard to accept.

Watching her, Jin Hagun laughed. Yes, if I'm with them… If I'm going to rest, I'm going to do it properly. This will be the first and last carefree journey of my life.

He strode forward. "Don't try to stop me anymore. For the duration of this vacation, I'm neither the Commander of the Demon Slaying Brigade or the Young Alliance Chairman."

Geom Mugeuk immediately asked, "Where are you going?"

"Didn't you say it's a journey where we go wherever our feet take us?" Jin Hagun shot back. "So just shut up and follow me."

Lee Ahn was delighted. The tired and weary Jin Hagun was already showing signs of vitality. You did well, Young Master!

Geom Mugeuk chased after Jin Hagun with Lee Ahn, shouting, "Everyone, make way! The Renegade Young Alliance Chairman is here!"