Chapter 871: Why Would People Like You Come Here?

TL: FoodieMonster007

Six ropes descended from the heavens, lowering a lifeline to Jo Dang who was being mauled by the Insect Physician's poisonous insects. That was because when she saw Geom Mugeuk, she quickly withdrew the poisonous insects that were biting him.

Sensing an opportunity, Jo Dang mustered his strength. Though half out of his mind, his desire to live was immense. Shooting to his feet, he sprinted toward the main gate, shouting, "Please save me!"

He assumed the six were guests and that they wouldn't kill everyone just to silence witnesses.

As he'd hoped, the Insect Physician didn't stop him as he approached the group.

He expected them to ask what was happening. He even had a well-crafted answer ready. He would claim he came to buy land, but the money-grubber demanded three times the market price. When he refused, she tried to kill them.

However, one of the men standing in a line said something completely unexpected.

"If you want to live, you have to choose well," Geom Mugeuk remarked. His gaze fell on Hwang Chun, who was clinging to Bi Sayin's leg. "That man's choice can't be considered a very good one."

Bi Sayin smiled, thoroughly enjoying Geom Mugeuk's teasing.

Unfortunately, to Jo Dang, Bi Sayin's happy expression felt as terrifying as the grim reaper's.

Geom Mugeuk asked Jo Dang, "Now, will you be able to choose correctly?"

Jo Dang stood in the middle of the courtyard and stared at the six. What in the world is this situation? Aren't these people together? Are they trying to play a prank on me? Are they a gang of murim eccentrics?

He had no other choice. If he didn't do anything, he was fated to be torn apart by poisonous insects anyway.

His gaze scanned the six people. None of them were ordinary. Each had an appearance that would make anyone look twice. The one who stood out the most was undoubtedly Geom Mugeuk, who stood in the center.

When their eyes met, Geom Mugeuk spread his arms wide. "Pick me! I'm the best choice!"

Jo Dang quickly looked away. He wasn't so far gone as to choose that talkative, strange man.

Next to Geom Mugeuk was the fearsome-looking Bi Sayin. Hwang Chun, still clinging to his foot, was motionless and seemed to have fainted again.

How could he choose someone like that? Then again, based on looks alone, that man does seem to be the strongest.

Still, with six people to pick from, he didn't want to choose someone with that face.

His gaze turned to Jin Hagun. He could feel a righteous, chivalrous energy from that man's eyes. It seemed like he would definitely help if asked…and for that very reason, his instincts rejected Jin Hagun.

Not that person. Asking for help from such an upright person after committing evil deeds could bring another disaster.

This time, he looked at the women. The first was Lee Ahn, a woman so beautiful he wondered if she was an illusion.

The other two women were the same. Jin Haryong and Han Seol each had their own unique brand of beauty.

Jo Dang excluded all of them. In this murim, the more beautiful the woman, the more careful you had to be.

His gaze naturally returned to Geom Mugeuk.

Geom Mugeuk smiled. "See? There's no one but me, right?"

Jo Dang nodded. "Please help me."

There was only one reason for his choice. He sensed that Geom Mugeuk was the center of the group, the one controlling the atmosphere.

Geom Mugeuk exclaimed gleefully, "Did you see that? Did you see him choose me? This dependability, this trust that you all will never have! This strength that seems like it could save you from any crisis!"

Jo Dang wanted to scream. That's not why! I only chose you because you're the only one talking!

After boasting to his heart's content, Geom Mugeuk addressed his friends. "Since he chose me, I'll give my greetings last. Now, everyone else, go ahead and introduce yourselves."

The first to move was Bi Sayin, who swiftly detached the fainted Hwang Chun from his foot. Stepping forward, he greeted the Insect Physician, "I am Bi Sayin, the Young Alliance Chairman of the Evil Alliance. I have heard much about you, Elder."

He revealed his identity out of respect for her.

The Insect Physician wasn't surprised at all to hear he was the Evil Alliance Young Alliance Chairman. She simply massaged her arm and asked, "My only reputation is that of a money-grubber, isn't it?"

"Aren't there some insects that are more helpful to the world than humans?"

This one's quite clever, the Insect Physician thought. She suddenly asked, "So? Do you have a lot of money?"

"I do."

"Then buy a few bottles of Flower Worm Wine from me on your way out."

"Okay."

The Insect Physician's face brightened. "Buy five bottles, and don't complain that it's expensive."

In that moment, she truly looked like a money-grubber.

Meanwhile, Jo Dang was horrified as he listened to the conversation. That man is the Young Alliance Chairman of the Evil Alliance?

To think he would meet the Evil Alliance Young Alliance Chairman in a place like this, and without any subordinates.

Could the talkative man and the others be his subordinates? No wonder he's traveling with three beauties! If that's the case… I'm doomed! I should have chosen him!

Just then, Jin Hagun stepped forward and clasped his hands together politely. "I am Jin Hagun, Commander of the Murim Alliance's Demon Slaying Brigade. It is an honor to meet you."

The Insect Physician's expression grew pleased at the mention of the Demon Slaying Brigade. As someone who walked the path of righteousness, she had a basic fondness for the Young Alliance Chairman of the Murim Alliance. Even with a disciple from the Evil Alliance and such a deep connection to the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult Young Cult Leader, she was a good person to the bone.

"I have heard of your excellent character many times," she commended. "Please continue to be a pillar of the murim."

"You are too kind. I will buy some wine as well," Jin Hagun offered, having guessed why she was trying to sell wine.

"You don't have to. It's too expensive." The Insect Physician shook her head, openly admitting that the price was a rip-off.

Still, Jin Hagun insisted, "I have a lot of money too."

"Then you just buy one bottle. Use the rest of your money for other good deeds," the Insect Physician said, certain that Jin Hagun's money would be used for good deeds anyway.

Of course, there was no way Geom Mugeuk would let this blatant favoritism slide.

"Aren't you discriminating too much? It's bad enough that my friend here has a scary face, but now he has to get ripped off too!"

"It's most satisfying to fleece villains. You, ten bottles."

"That's too much!"

Meanwhile, Jo Dang's eyes widened, startled by the title 'Demon Slaying Brigade Commander'. He knew very well that the commander of the Demon Slaying Brigade was next in line to become the Murim Alliance Chairman.

That man is the Young Alliance Chairman of the Murim Alliance?

He was so shocked that he no longer felt the pain from the insect bites.

Soon, however, he realized how absurd the situation was. The Murim Alliance Young Alliance Chairman and the Evil Alliance Young Alliance Chairman should never be together, especially without their subordinates.

Just who are these people? They must be imposters! So why is the Insect Physician accepting this ridiculous situation? Why is she believing them so readily? Are they working together to deceive me? But what's the point of doing that when they can easily overpower me…?

This time, Jin Haryong greeted, "I'm this guy's younger sister, Jin Haryong. It's a great honor to meet you."

"You and your brother seem to get along well, traveling together like this."

"We do."

Geom Mugeuk slyly interjected, teasing Jin Haryong, "She lost the succession battle, you see. What power does the loser have? If he says let's go, she has to go."

Jin Haryong scowled. This guy, he has no idea why I joined this trip, doesn't he? How could he make such a joke without knowing how I feel!?

She screamed, "Please lend me some of those poisonous insects you're holding! I'll shut that mouth right up!"

The Insect Physician offered her the poisonous insects.

Jin Haryong flinched back in surprise. Up close, they were truly disgusting and terrifying.

Next, Han Seol stepped forward, but the Insect Physician recognized her origins before she even introduced herself. "You've come from a cold place."

"I am Han Seol of the Ice Palace."

"Is your mother the Empress?"

"Yes, she is."

"Then you should buy a bottle too. It will chase away all the cold."

"Okay."

Finally, Lee Ahn offered her greeting. "I have heard about you from the Young Cult Leader. I am Lee Ahn."

The Insect Physician remembered Geom Mugeuk mentioning a Lee Ahn. "Right, he said he had a subordinate he cherished like his own heart. That must be you."

The Insect Physician gazed silently at Lee Ahn's face. Geom Mugeuk had told her about Lee Ahn in the past, and she had not forgotten their conversation. The undisguisable goodness emanating from this girl was the kind of disposition she liked most.

Therefore, she remarked, "You're too good for the Young Cult Leader."

Lee Ahn felt an overwhelming wave of emotion. It was the first time in her life she had heard such words. She had never even thought that about herself, always considering herself far too lacking for the Young Cult Leader. She had never once seen herself as his equal.

Although she knew it was just a compliment, the words moved her deeply, so she swallowed her emotions and replied calmly, "I am receiving such undeserved praise thanks to having served the Young Cult Leader for a long time. I will buy some wine as well."

"No! Don't buy it!" Geom Mugeuk shouted. "If you do, our Cult will be getting ripped off for eleven bottles!"

Jo Dang heard nothing else. The words 'Young Cult Leader' shook his very soul.

Young Cult Leader? The Young Cult Leader of where?

The Evil Alliance Young Alliance Chairman had appeared, and the Murim Alliance Young Alliance Chairman had appeared. There was only one place left.

Jo Dang slowly turned his head to look at Geom Mugeuk. It can't be. Surely, it can't be?

"Young Cult Leader!" Pyo Jigwang shouted, emerging from the backyard with a container of poisonous insects. He set it down and ran to Geom Mugeuk. "It's been a long time, Young Cult Leader."

Geom Mugeuk could tell from the sword at Pyo Jigwang's waist that he had even recovered his martial arts. "You look well."

"Thanks to you, Young Cult Leader, I am living well."

Pyo Jigwang couldn't hide his emotion. He wouldn't have resented Geom Mugeuk at all even if he had been killed back then, but Geom Mugeuk had given him a second chance. The life he lived now was a gift from the Young Cult Leader before him.

Naturally, Geom Mugeuk's wasn't the only familiar face to him. He quickly spotted Bi Sayin among the group.

"Young Alliance Chairman!" he greeted.

"Good to see you."

"Have you been well?" Pyo Jigwang's eyes filled with the deepest gratitude as he looked at Bi Sayin, who had saved his life in the past.

By the time everyone had finished their greetings, Jo Dang was lost in shock and confusion. With a trembling heart, he asked Geom Mugeuk, "Why do they call you the Young Cult Leader?"

"Because I am the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult Young Cult Leader."

"!" The reply made Jo Dang wish he had never asked. The moment he saw those clear, deep eyes, he knew instinctively that the man before him truly was the Young Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. Feeling like he was going crazy, he shrieked, "Why on earth would people like you come to meet a mere physician?"

No matter how skilled this Insect Physician is, they surely have more distinguished physicians at their disposal, right?

Geom Mugeuk stared at him intently. "You're wrong. This Elder here is an amazing person who sacrificed her entire life for the sake of orphans, even bearing the stigma of a money-grubber. She is the one meeting with mere brats like us." His eyes grew cold, laced with demonic qi. "The Insect Physician is someone even we respect greatly. What about you? What have you done?"

The Insect Physician closed her eyes as she listened. Geom Mugeuk's words were comforting, soothing the hardships of her difficult past.

Yes, if I can receive such an evaluation from the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult Young Cult Leader, how could I have any regrets about this life?

Jo Dang trembled at Geom Mugeuk's rebuke, unable to say a word. He had lived a life that was the complete opposite of his sect's name, harmony. Living harmoniously? No, he had lived only for himself, committing all sorts of evil deeds with Hwang Chun to satisfy his own greed, and he had gotten away with it until now.

Today, though, he was well and truly caught by the orthodox, unorthodox, and demonic murim.

Geom Mugeuk grinned. "Since you chose me, let's go to the Divine Cult together!"

Jo Dang's face turned deathly pale, and he staggered backward. It was clear what would happen to him if he were dragged to the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.

He looked at Jin Hagun and Bi Sayin, who stared back stoically. If they were the type to help him, they wouldn't have come here with Geom Mugeuk in the first place.

He staggered back toward the Insect Physician. As he did so, his gaze fell on the poisonous insect she was holding.

He slowly reached out, grabbed the Insect Physician's wrist, and pulled it toward himself. The poisonous insect in her hand touched his chest.

CHOMP!

"Aaaaaargh!"

Geom Mugeuk nodded. Jo Dang had chosen the pain of being bitten to death by a poisonous insect over being dragged to the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. "That choice might just be the best one," he said.

The Insect Physician nodded to Pyo Jigwang, who came over, sealed Jo Dang's and Hwang Chun's vital and blood points, and dragged them to the backyard.

Only now did Geom Mugeuk have a proper reunion with her.

"Elder! Divine Physician!" Geom Mugeuk ran over happily and lifted the Insect Physician into a hug. "My Noonim has gotten even more beautiful!"

He used to hug her impulsively like this in the past and had also playfully called her 'Noonim'.

The Insect Physician welcomed Geom Mugeuk with a bright smile. She rarely showed her emotions, but now she couldn't hide her delight. "I thought I would die without seeing you again, but you came. Did you finish what you had to do?"

"Yes." Geom Mugeuk nodded.

The Insect Physician smiled pleasantly and patted Geom Mugeuk's shoulder. "You've worked hard."

"This is all thanks to you, Elder," Geom Mugeuk said sincerely. It was thanks to the Insect Physician that he had achieved Myriad Poison Immunity, which in turn had allowed him to easily escape many dangers. "By the way, who were those people from before?"

The Insect Physician's eyes widened. "You're asking now?"

Pyo Jigwang answered as he walked out from the backyard. "They were scoundrels who tried to take away the home of the children the Elder sponsors."

Not just Geom Mugeuk, but his friends' expressions soured. This was a crime that would earn the same punishment whether they were dragged to the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, the Murim Alliance, or the Evil Alliance.

Geom Mugeuk offered to handle the cleanup. "If you leave them in the backyard, people from our Cult will come and take care of them soon."

Since this was related to the Insect Physician, he would have his people thoroughly investigate the scoundrels' deeds and ensure there were no loose ends.

"But what brings you here?" the Insect Physician asked.

Geom Mugeuk pointed to his friends. "I brought my friends to introduce them to you."

Everyone once again performed a clasped hands greeting to show their respect. They all knew why Geom Mugeuk had brought them here. He wanted to show them firsthand that a life like this existed—a life that leaves behind truth rather than fame, where fame is nothing more than an insect's shed skin.

Geom Mugeuk also had one more reason.

"Didn't I make you a promise?" he said.

"What promise?"

"That I would definitely cure your illness, Elder."

"!" A look of utter shock bloomed on the Insect Physician's face. She never imagined Geom Mugeuk would have come for such a reason. It was a promise she herself had forgotten.

Geom Mugeuk smiled. "I think I can finally give it a try now."