Chapter 636: Even Though He Doesn’t Like Women
The Demon-Slaying Brigade charged ahead, followed by the martial artists of Wuhan, led by the One-Sword Gate Gate Master.
The One-Sword Gate Gate Master believed that the demonic practitioners they were chasing had attacked the Hermit of Heaven and Earth, so he pursued them with everything he had.
“We must not lose them!”
At the shout coming from behind, Jin Hagun’s expression hardened. If it were only Geom Muyang and the Demonic Buddha, they might have been able to shake off their pursuers—but they had branch martial artists and even Gwak Yeong with them.
Because of that, it wouldn’t be too hard for the pursuers to catch up.
At that moment, a fork in the road appeared up ahead. One of the Demon-Slaying Brigade martial artists running at the front examined the ground, the grass, and the nearby trees, then looked toward the left path. He was the most skilled tracker in the Demon-Slaying Brigade, and he had figured out where Geom Muyang’s group had gone.
Soon after, the One-Sword Gate Gate Master and the Wuhan martial artists arrived.
Jin Hagun urgently spoke to the One-Sword Gate Gate Master.
“Let’s split up and chase them from here! We’ll take the left path. Please take the right.”
“Leader Jin, be careful!”
Fortunately, the One-Sword Gate Gate Master immediately led his martial artists down the right path. It seemed he didn’t suspect that the leader of the Demon-Slaying Brigade was trying to shake him off.
Jin Hagun and the Demon-Slaying Brigade martial artists began to run even faster than before. They hadn’t been running at full speed until now.
As they picked up speed, they could see Geom Muyang’s group running in the distance. Just by watching their movement techniques, the difference in skill between the branch martial artists and the Demon-Slaying Brigade was clear.
While running, the Demonic Buddha turned around.
When he confirmed that only the Demon-Slaying Brigade was pursuing them, he slowed down, and the entire group came to a stop. The branch martial artists, who had been running nonstop, were gasping for breath.
Geom Muyang lowered Gwak Yeong from his back.
“Are you alright?”
“Yes, I’m fine. Are you okay?”
How uncomfortable could she possibly have been while just being carried? Instead, the one who had run with her on his back was the one to be concerned about.
Geom Muyang gave a curt nod. His breathing was steady.
To think she had been carried on the back of the Great Young Master of the Demonic Cult. Truly, no one would ever believe it.
Gwak Yeong sincerely offered her thanks.
“Thank you so much.”
Had the Demon-Slaying Brigade not arrived just then, she might have added a joke.
Thank you for not abandoning me to the orthodox factions.
No—maybe it wasn’t a joke. Strangely enough, she felt more at ease being with these demonic practitioners.
The Demon-Slaying Brigade, upon arrival, stood guard over the area, and Jin Hagun walked toward Geom Muyang.
Geom Muyang offered his thanks to him.
“Thank you.”
He clearly understood that Jin Hagun had adjusted the pursuit speed to shake off the others and come to meet him.
Jin Hagun also expressed his gratitude.
“Thank you for coming without killing anyone.”
They had escaped without taking the lives of any orthodox martial artists.
In truth, the one who deserved more gratitude in this situation was undoubtedly Geom Muyang. Geom Muyang was well aware that Jin Hagun was taking a considerable risk right now.
If word spread throughout the martial world that the two of them had exchanged even this brief conversation, it would spark massive controversy. After all, it would mean the leader of the Demon-Slaying Brigade had held a secret meeting with the Great Young Master of the Demonic Cult. It would mean he had deliberately let the demonic practitioners escape. He was putting his position as a successor on the line.
“But how did you know where to find our hideout?”
At Geom Muyang’s question, Jin Hagun shook his head.
“I don’t know either. A subordinate of the One-Sword Gate Gate Master gave me the location.”
The One-Sword Gate Gate Master had rushed off with his martial artists before Jin Hagun even had the chance to ask what was going on.
“Do you think the One-Sword Gate Gate is in league with them?”
That, too, couldn’t be said with certainty. The One-Sword Gate Gate was an old sect based in Wuhan.
The reason the One-Sword Gate Gate Master had taken such an active stance was likely because he had lost an arm to a demonic practitioner. Because of that, they couldn’t conclude that the gate itself was behind all this just from the current situation alone.
“The martial artists of Wuhan are in a frenzy right now. You’ll need to be careful.”
Jin Hagun hastily bid his farewell. He couldn’t afford to stand around chatting leisurely when the One-Sword Gate Gate Master might return at any moment.
“If you circle around that ridge, you’ll be able to return to Wuhan.”
Jin Hagun told him a route back to Wuhan that wouldn’t draw attention.
Geom Muyang and Jin Hagun exchanged clasped-fist salutes.
“Thank you.”
“Let’s meet again.”
Jin Hagun then gave a polite nod to the Demonic Buddha and finally looked at Gwak Yeong. He didn’t say anything to her. He just gave a single nod before leading the Demon-Slaying Brigade away from the area.
Gwak Yeong understood what it meant. It was his way of saying, Don’t worry—I haven’t forgotten about saving your younger sibling.
After Jin Hagun left, Geom Muyang looked at the Demonic Buddha. His gaze asked, What should we do now? The Demonic Buddha calmly responded.
“First, you should send that lady and the subordinates to a secure hideout.”
In a situation where the martial artists of Wuhan were scouring the area with fire in their eyes in search of demonic practitioners, moving around with Gwak Yeong and the subordinates was too dangerous—it would draw too much attention.
If they had been staying in an ordinary hideout in Wuhan up until now, it was time to relocate them to a more secure safehouse.
Geom Muyang spoke to Ho Myeong.
“Take Artisan Gwak to the safehouse.”
Had the Demonic Buddha not been present, Ho Myeong would probably have insisted on staying behind alone—but since the Demon Supreme was there to protect him, there was no need to worry.
Gwak Yeong felt deeply grateful to Geom Muyang for continuing to look out for her until the very end. She was even more thankful for being called “Artisan Gwak” rather than that woman.
Yes, she truly believed that this bond would turn out well in the end. It had begun on a day when good steel was forged—how could it not?
She didn’t say, Please take care of my younger sibling. Don’t leave it all to the Demon-Slaying Brigade.
Because she didn’t need to.
As she spent more time observing this man, she realized something—he was the kind of person to whom such words were unnecessary. He wasn’t the type to boast after saving someone, nor the type to show visible regret if he failed.
With someone like him, no more words were needed. She simply bowed her head politely and said,
“Please, stay safe.”
And with that, Ho Myeong and the branch martial artists took her away to the secure hideout.
Once Geom Muyang and the Demonic Buddha turned around the ridge and began heading toward Wuhan, a man appeared in front of them. He was the martial artist from the Heavenly Communication Pavilion who had been relaying information to Geom Muyang all along.
“There’s an urgent summons for the two of you.”
“From whom?”
“By the order of the acting Cult Leader.”
Geom Muyang replied to the martial artist,
“Tell him I can’t return right now.”
He had expected to be called back. But he had no intention of returning yet. He was determined to see this matter through.
“No, he didn’t say to meet at the main cult.”
“Then where?”
What came from the mouth of the Heavenly Communication Pavilion martial artist was a location he hadn’t even imagined.
“He said to meet at the tavern in Wuhan with the best liquor and scenery.”
Ah—this was unmistakably a message from his younger brother.
* * *
“See those lady warriors over there? Don’t look! No—actually, look at the opposite side. Do you see that woman in light pink martial robes? She’s been watching us—or rather, me—since earlier. See? This face works anywhere, regardless of region or age!”
At that, the Poison King, who had been staring out toward the tavern exterior, replied dully,
“She was probably looking at me.”
“If it were anyone else, I’d deny it. But in your case, I’ll concede—halfway.”
The Poison King continued to gaze out the window. The tavern, packed with noisy guests, was a chaotic place. If he hadn’t come here with Geom Mugeuk, he would never have set foot in such a place in his entire life.
“You don’t even like women.”
To that, Geom Mugeuk replied,
“What a terrible misunderstanding! I do like women.”
The Poison King scoffed.
“I’m telling the truth!”
Of course, Geom Mugeuk knew this wasn’t going to convince anyone. As long as he left someone like Lee Ahn alone, claiming to like women would never be believable.
Naturally, he shifted the topic.
“You’ve never been to Wuhan before, have you?”
The Poison King didn’t like going out. Geom Mugeuk assumed he had never come to the front of the Martial Alliance’s main division.
“I have.”
“When?”
“A long time ago.”
“With whom?”
The person he mentioned was truly unexpected.
“With the Cult Leader.”
“With my father?”
The Poison King nodded. His gaze remained fixed outside.
“When was that?”
“When I had just taken the seat of the Demon Supreme.”
He had come to Wuhan with Father back then? That was something Geom Mugeuk had never expected.
“Hard to believe, but my father’s actually surprisingly diligent. What was the reason? Come on, tell me what happened back then.”
But the Poison King didn’t answer.
Geom Mugeuk tried to picture his father and the Poison King walking through the streets of Wuhan together.
He had always thought Father didn’t think too highly of the Poison King, so the image felt like a mismatch—something that didn’t make sense.
Yet, when he actually pictured the two of them walking down that road together… oddly enough, it didn’t seem that out of place. After all, they were the same two people who once dug up poisonous herbs together.
Just then, a group of martial artists rushed past the inn.
“Out of the way!”
The people in the street quickly stepped aside to let them through.
“The Demonic Cult bastards have appeared!”
They seemed to be heading off to join the pursuit. Other martial artists on the street immediately started running after them. The city of Wuhan was heating up by the second.
Rumors were spreading with incredible speed—and the enemy was using those very rumors to pressure them. Rumors sharper than any blade.
At that moment, two people entered the tavern. Wearing bamboo hats that covered their faces, it was Geom Muyang and the Demonic Buddha. Since their faces were hidden, at a glance it looked as if they had simply accompanied Geom Mugeuk inside.
As they sat down, Geom Muyang bowed politely to the Poison King.
“You’re here.”
“It’s been a while.”
The Poison King nodded and accepted the greeting.
“On the way here, Lord Demonic Buddha told me about Han Wolgaek as well. Thank you for your concern.”
“Think nothing of it.”
After exchanging greetings, Geom Muyang poured a drink for the Demonic Buddha sitting beside him.
But he didn’t say a single word to Geom Mugeuk.
“Hey, I’m here too!”
Waving his hand in front of Geom Muyang’s face, Geom Mugeuk wore the expression of someone saying Don’t you see me standing right here?
“I’m literally right here. Is your bamboo hat blocking your view or something?”
But Geom Muyang emptied his glass without reacting—pretending not to see or hear anything.
Lowering his voice, Geom Mugeuk spoke to his brother.
“How insolent! The acting Cult Leader has arrived, you know!”
At that, Geom Muyang glanced around with an incredulous look, as if to say Are you serious? Clearly worried someone might have heard.
“Even if I shouted that I’m the Cult Leader, no one would care. It’s too loud in here for anyone to hear. And besides, who would ever expect us to be drinking at a place like this?”
“So that’s why you're just showing your face out in the open like that?”
“With all four of us here, if every one of us hid our faces, wouldn’t that look even more suspicious? Might as well let the two handsome ones show theirs.”
“Then you should’ve arranged a secret meeting instead!”
Even without asking, it was clear why his younger brother had come.
With the Hermit of Heaven and Earth having appeared, the cult must’ve been on high alert.
But the real question was this—
“Did you run away from the main cult or something?”
There was no way Strategist Sima would’ve just let him come here.
“Run away? What are you talking about? I came with Strategist Sima’s permission.”
There was no way he would’ve given permission so easily. Geom Mugeuk must have found some way to persuade him.
In any case, the fact that Sama Myung ultimately allowed him to go meant he also considered this matter gravely serious.
“What on earth is going on?”
At his younger brother’s question, Geom Muyang emptied his cup and calmly shared his thoughts.
“I think they deliberately lured us to Wuhan.”
It was the same thing he had told the Martial Alliance Leader. That chasing the one who forged the fake hidden weapon led him to the Alliance Leader’s presence—clearly not a coincidence. He believed it was all intentional.
Seeing that his brother was reading the situation properly, a faint smile appeared at the corner of Geom Mugeuk’s lips.
“Then this Wuhan has become one giant trap.”
The gazes of the other two Demon Supremes sharpened. There was a huge difference between being caught up in a situation after arriving and being drawn into it on purpose.
“Isn’t that why you came too?”
At Geom Muyang’s question, Geom Mugeuk glanced toward the Poison King.
“Nope. I came to see Lord Poison King. To grace the eyes of Wuhan’s ladies with our presence.”
At that, the Poison King cut in sharply.
“You came to keep me under watch, afraid I’d cause trouble.”
The Demonic Buddha, listening from the side, couldn’t refute that. That was clearly one of the purposes.
And Geom Mugeuk didn’t deny it either.
“You’re the final bastion of our cult—of course, I have to stay close and take care of you.”
He even emphasized it further.
“As you know, I’m the one trying to stop Father’s dream of unifying the martial world. Do you think I’d stand by and watch its destruction?”
At the words “destruction of the martial world,” the Poison King’s expression subtly shifted. It was a phrase that could easily offend, depending on how it was taken—but the Poison King didn’t seem displeased.
Geom Muyang, listening, could tell.
Even though the words were the same, they had lifted the Poison King’s mood far more than something like, “Lord Poison King can handle himself—why intervene?”
They were words that reined him in while making him feel good. They sounded casual, but they hadn’t been spoken carelessly.
“What do you plan to do now?”
“I only just got here. You’re the one who should be telling me what to do next, Brother.”
Right now, the situation was frustratingly deadlocked.
In the past, relying on someone else in a moment like this would have been a massive blow to his pride.
But Geom Muyang had changed—enough to now joke about such things.
“I await the solemn command of the acting Cult Leader.”
Geom Mugeuk smiled. Seeing this change in his brother genuinely pleased him. You can change even more, Brother. Keep changing as much as you like.
“Then I suppose it’s time for this acting Cult Leader to step in.”
Geom Mugeuk said quietly to his brother.
“The Hermit of Heaven and Earth has lived a frugal life his whole life. He doesn’t even keep personal subordinates. But… do you really think he’s alone? Someone playing such a critical role?”
At that, Geom Muyang shook his head.
“Of course not.”
There was no doubt someone was guarding the surroundings.
The Demonic Buddha cautiously offered his thoughts to Geom Muyang.
“If so, it’s likely one of the sects based in Wuhan.”
Then Geom Muyang pointed toward one place.
“The One-Sword Gate Gate knew the location of our hideout.”
“They even chased after us.”
Just as the Demonic Buddha was about to agree and conclude that it must have been them—
Geom Mugeuk shook his head.
“No, I don’t think so. They have free access to the righteous sects of Wuhan. Why would they expose their own sword to us? That’s something they’d only use at the final moment.”
Now that he said it, it made perfect sense. Geom Muyang and the Demonic Buddha both nodded in agreement.
“Then it must be a sect that follows the Hermit of Heaven and Earth but hasn’t been prominent.”
To Geom Muyang’s speculation, the Demonic Buddha added,
“A sect that established itself here in Wuhan around the same time as him.”
There wouldn’t be many sects that fit those conditions.
Geom Mugeuk looked at the two and spoke with admiration.
“As expected, my brother and Lord Demonic Buddha work in perfect harmony. Lord Poison King, let’s return. I think we can safely leave this to these two.”
Though he gave the credit to the others, Geom Muyang and the Demonic Buddha knew the truth. They were able to reach this conclusion because Geom Mugeuk had been here with them.
“I have a quick errand to run.”
Looking off toward the distant main building of the Martial Alliance, Geom Mugeuk added,
“When visiting a friend’s home, it’s only right to greet the elders first, don’t you think?”