Chapter 878: Today Is the First and the Last Time

TL: FoodieMonster007

The leader of the Blood Shadow Sect, Geo Baek, immediately realized that the young man who had appeared was no ordinary person. He could tell just by the inner qi carried in his voice.

In the ensuing silence, Tae Su's trembling voice emerged. "Young Cult Leader? Is it really you?"

He was truly shocked. He had never dreamed he would see Geom Mugeuk here.

The words 'Young Cult Leader' shocked everyone. Tae Su had claimed to be a direct subordinate of the Young Cult Leader, but now he was calling this man by that title? The surrounding heroes murmured in surprise.

Geom Mugeuk greeted Tae Su warmly. "Tae Su, have you been well?"

The question made Tae Su's heart swell with emotion. The tears he had held back from the shock threatened to spill out again. "No, I haven't. As you can see, I haven't been well at all. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."

Even after hearing the words 'Young Cult Leader', Geo Baek didn't believe it. "Who might you be, young master?"

"How can a parent not recognize their own child?"

Geom Mugeuk's joke made Geo Baek's expression harden. It was the most unpleasant and unsettling joke in the world.

For some reason, Geom Mugeuk readily revealed his identity in front of the large crowd. "I am Geom Mugeuk, the Young Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult."

A silence born of shock and astonishment filled the air.

Geo Baek scanned Geom Mugeuk's surroundings. He saw no bodyguards, and the crowd stared at the young man with shocked faces.

He reached a conclusion. This had to be a plot hatched by the son to save his father, by having a young expert impersonate the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult. More importantly, there was a decisive reason why he didn't believe the man before him was the Young Cult Leader.

"These swindlers have used their heads a bit. Did you think if you acted like the Young Cult Leader here, I'd just say, 'Oh my, Young Cult Leader,' and let those bastards go? Besides, would the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult really travel alone like this? Do you take me for a fool?"

Everyone murmured in agreement.

Geom Mugeuk questioned Geo Baek's logic. "If I were planning a scam of this scale, wouldn't I have brought some subordinates along?"

That made sense, but Geo Baek still couldn't believe the man was the Young Cult Leader. "You probably couldn't find anyone daring enough to commit to such an act."

Many of the spectators felt a sense of pity, wishing the real Young Cult Leader would appear and save the father and son. However, even to them, it seemed unlikely. The Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult wouldn't come to save a thief, and he certainly wouldn't travel alone. If he were on the move, his entourage would be at least as large as the crowd gathered here.

Geom Mugeuk slowly walked onto the stage, prompting the Blood Shadow Sect martial artists to step forward, their hands on their swords.

"If you draw those swords, there will be no turning back," Geom Mugeuk warned. "Have your subordinates stand down."

Geo Baek misunderstood the warning. He's definitely a fake. The real Young Cult Leader would have displayed his overwhelming aura and skills.

Feeling confident, he ordered his subordinates to stand down as requested. "It's fine, don't do anything."

Once on stage, Geom Mugeuk ignored them and walked toward Tae Su and his father, who were kneeling together. He helped the two of them to their feet. "By the way, did my subordinate here wrong you somehow?"

Geo Baek was dumbfounded. "So you're going to play this Young Cult Leader game to the end?"

Fine, I'll play along, but you won't be leaving this place alive today either. After all, this is my stage. No matter how skilled you are, you won't be able to withstand our combined attack.

He answered, "Your subordinate committed the sin of being born to the wrong parent."

Geom Mugeuk's gaze turned to Tae Gon, who was staring at him in shock.

Tae Gon shuddered. The moment he saw Geom Mugeuk's clear, deep eyes up close, he knew.

This man is no ordinary person.

He glanced at his son. The boy's respect and awe for Geom Mugeuk were plain to see. His son wasn't a good enough actor to fake that expression.

He really is the Young Cult Leader! Did Tae Su really become a direct subordinate of the Demonic Cult's Young Cult Leader? What on earth happened between them? Even if it were true, why would the Young Cult Leader come to save us in person?

Everything was confusing, but one thing was certain. The Young Cult Leader's eyes held a hint of favor as he looked at him, probably because of Tae Su.

But Tae Gon had no idea how wrong he was.

Geom Mugeuk smiled. It's been a long time.

In his life before regression, he had been indebted to Tae Gon. He had been so focused on moving forward that he couldn't fully repay the kindness. Now, fate had brought them together again.

"Do you have the wrong parent?" he asked Tae Su.

Tae Su finally voiced the sincere feelings he had never told his father. "No. Father is my life's greatest blessing."

Deep emotion crossed Tae Gon's face. It was the first time he had heard such words from his son, and he knew he would never forget them.

Geom Mugeuk deliberately pouted. "And not me?"

Tense, Tae Su didn't realize Geom Mugeuk was joking and answered earnestly, "You're the second, Young Cult Leader."

"Hmm, I'll let it slide since he's your father." Geom Mugeuk turned back to Geo Baek, who had been listening with a ridiculous expression. "It doesn't seem like my subordinate was born to the wrong parent."

"What kind of parent teaches their child to steal? I don't think your subordinate has a good parent."

"Well, if I have a child, I'll also teach them to punish the bad guys harshly."

The corner of Geo Baek's eye twitched.

Before he could erupt in anger, Geom Mugeuk rebuked him, "Earlier, when you were about to kill my subordinate, you said it, didn't you? That watching your child die would be the most painful thing." He shook his head in disappointment. "Even for the unorthodox, that's going too far."

All the parents among the onlookers sympathized with his words.

Geo Baek's eyes filled with killing intent. I let things slide, but now this upstart dares to judge and scold me?

"Make that bastard kneel before me right now!" he commanded.

The Blood Shadow Sect martial artists drew their swords in unison.

The audience felt a pang of pity. The young man who spoke the truth was going to die as well.

"How dare you draw your swords against the Young Cult Leader!" a woman roared, flying out from the crowd and landing on the stage.

"Protect the Sect Leader!" one of the Blood Shadow Sect martial artists yelled.

The experts on stage rushed toward the woman.

FLASH!

A dozen streaks of sword light flashed blindingly, and the Blood Shadow Sect martial artists who had been rushing from all directions stopped in their tracks.

When the spectators recovered from their temporary blindness, they saw the woman standing among the martial artists, who were frozen like dolls.

Lee Ahn stood in their midst, her sword held loosely at her side. She had released her sword qi to seal all her opponents' paralysis acupoints, a feat much harder than doing it with one's hands or a finger qi bullet. The slightest mistake in control would cause the sword qi to pierce their flesh.

Geo Baek stared at Lee Ahn, shocked. The move she had just displayed was on a level he couldn't hope to imitate. It felt like a dream or an illusion.

…A Martial God!

The spectators erupted in cheers, astonished by her skill and captivated by her beauty.

Geo Baek froze. Lee Ahn's sword was pointed at his neck. It was the first time he had ever been so helpless. She had sealed his paralysis acupoints while subduing his subordinates.

Geom Mugeuk smiled. "Wouldn't it be a bigger problem if I weren't the Young Cult Leader? According to you, the experts of the Blood Shadow Sect were just taken down by mere swindlers, right?"

Geo Baek sighed. He knew from the woman's skill that Geom Mugeuk was telling the truth. She was not someone a mere thief could bring along for a scam. "You really are the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult."

"I can take my subordinate back now, right?"

Normally, Geo Baek would have had to let them go, but he couldn't back down in front of so many people. "You may take your subordinate, but you cannot take his father," he argued. "That man is an intruder who came to steal our sect's treasure. I cannot simply let him go."

They won't dare kill me, a member of the Evil Alliance. If they would, she wouldn't have just suppressed my subordinates' paralysis acupoints. She would have killed them.

"Surely the Young Cult Leader of the Divine Cult doesn't intend to forsake the laws of the jianghu, does he?"

"You want to clearly distinguish right from wrong?"

"That way, all these people will remember the Young Cult Leader of the Divine Cult as someone who knows the ways of the jianghu, wouldn't they?"

Geo Baek grinned, inwardly pleased with his argument. This incident would spread throughout the Central Plains, and everyone would hear how the leader of the Blood Shadow Sect stood up to the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult.

"Don't forget that our sect belongs to the Evil Alliance."

"Ah, as a matter of fact, I was just about to contact the Evil Alliance." Geom Mugeuk ordered Lee Ahn, "Send word to the Evil Alliance right now. Tell them that the leader of the Blood Shadow Sect has committed a grave sin against our Cult and is being punished."

Geo Baek was startled. "What are you talking about? What grave sin have I committed?"

Geom Mugeuk stared at him icily. "The sin of impersonating the great Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult!"

"!"

"For the crime of impersonating the Heavenly Demon, I will execute you!"

At the word 'execute', Geo Baek was utterly horrified. "Wait! That was only a joke!"

"A joke? You dare make the Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult the butt of a joke?"

Geo Baek couldn't refute it. If Geom Mugeuk pushed the matter, even the Evil Alliance would be helpless. It was, after all, related to the Heavenly Demon.

Damn it!

VWOOOSH!

Lee Ahn revealed her killing intent, looking ready to kill Geo Baek the moment the order was given.

Geo Baek trembled in fear. He truly hadn't expected to die like this.

Just then, a telepathic message from Geom Mugeuk reached him.

[Do you want to live?]

Geo Baek didn't dare act on his temper. He had a feeling they would really kill him if he resisted. He realized his paralysis acupoints had been released at some point, allowing him to move freely. These people handled his body like a toy, their actions completely imperceptible.

[I want to live.]

[Sell the item that legendary thief tried to steal and use the money to help people. Many have lost their homes to the floods in this area, so you can help them.]

From the moment he stepped forward, Geom Mugeuk had no intention of killing Geo Baek. If he had committed evil deeds that crossed the line, the Evil Alliance would have to punish him. That was a matter of courtesy to Bi Sayin.

Geom Mugeuk had Lee Ahn sheathe her sword. "Hehe, I was just kidding. How could I kill someone so renowned in the Evil Alliance?"

Geo Baek also forced a smile. "I was also joking. It's a request from none other than the Young Cult Leader, so of course, I must grant it. Please, take them both."

"Thank you."

The two of them laughed together as if they had just been playing a prank on each other.

Geo Baek addressed the crowd. "Since we've had such a precious meeting, I will put forth the item the legendary thief tried to steal to help the victims of the recent flood."

The onlookers exchanged glances. They knew exactly what was happening. Geo Baek was only performing a good deed because of the Young Cult Leader.

One person started clapping, and soon everyone was cheering. It looked like they were cheering for Geo Baek's good deed, but most were cheering because he had submitted to the Young Cult Leader. The scene revealed just how excessive the Blood Shadow Sect's usual evil deeds were.

Geom Mugeuk bid him farewell. "Well then, let's meet again next time."

"Please travel safely."

Even without looking back, Geom Mugeuk knew what kind of look Geo Baek was giving them. Now that he had overcome this crisis, he would continue his evil deeds and might even dream of revenge against Tae Gon and his son.

However, Geo Baek did not know that the real disaster had yet to begin. This incident would naturally reach Bi Sayin's ears, and Bi Sayin would not let the matter slide. If an investigation revealed evil deeds that crossed the line, Bi Sayin would not let them go unpunished.

This was also why Geom Mugeuk had intervened by revealing his real identity instead of acting as Geom Yeon.

Geom Mugeuk and Lee Ahn took Tae Su and Tae Gon to a nearby forest.

"Thank you, thank you so much."

The two of them thanked Geom Mugeuk several times.

After expressing their gratitude, Tae Gon suddenly embraced his son, holding him for a long time without a word.

Eventually, Tae Gon confessed his honest feelings to Geom Mugeuk. "Everyone calls me a legendary righteous thief, but in truth, I don't deserve such a title. I've set aside a portion of the stolen wealth for my son, storing it in a bank in the Central Plains under my son's name."

Tae Su was startled. He already knew his father didn't use all the stolen wealth to help the poor. That was why he had said such hurtful things to him. However, he never knew his father had saved that money for him.

"There's no need to make excuses to me. Everyone has their own life," Geom Mugeuk said, before turning to Tae Su. "So? Will you become my subordinate?"

As if he had already decided, Tae Su shook his head. "Today is the first and last time I'll be your subordinate, Young Cult Leader. I want to live with my father."

Geom Mugeuk smiled. "If you remember the moment you risked your life for your father, you'll be able to live well from now on," he said encouragingly.

"Why are you being so good to me?" Tae Su asked. No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn't understand why the Young Cult Leader had come to save him.

"I didn't save your father for your sake," Geom Mugeuk revealed.

"What?"

Geom Mugeuk turned back to Tae Gon. The reason he knew about what was happening here was that he had been keeping an eye on Tae Gon through the All-Knowing Hall. "A long time ago, I incurred a debt to you. With this, I'll consider it fully repaid," he said incomprehensibly.

Of course, Tae Gon was confused. The Young Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult owes me a debt? Since when? How?

Nevertheless, Geom Mugeuk did not elaborate.

"My former subordinate, live well!"

Leaving those words behind, he and Lee Ahn leaped away and vanished from the spot.

Tae Gon made a decision on the spot. "Son, I plan to stop stealing from now on."

"!?" Tae Su looked at his father in surprise.

"What you said before was right. Leaving money for you was, in the end, the same as leaving it for myself. I was just rationalizing my thievery."

Tae Gon smiled bitterly. That must have been why his son's words had hurt so much.

"Father."

"What is it?"

"Let's start stealing properly now."

"What?"

Tae Su snorted. Both he and his father had learned nothing but thievery their whole lives. What happiness would they find living any other way?

"Let's become real legendary thieves now. The kind that has no regrets and no shame. I believe what happened today was heaven's will, telling us to live that way."

Tae Gon didn't have to think for long.

Yes, I should have walked this path from the beginning.

He patted his son's shoulder and nodded.

They laughed together and looked toward the spot where Geom Mugeuk and Lee Ahn had vanished.

They were already gone, but Tae Su belatedly shouted, remembering his friend with the good sense of smell. "Please make sure to give this message to Ji Han! Tell him that the next time we meet, I'll definitely smell good!"