Chapter 716: Can You Handle Me?
The Alliance Leader of the Unorthodox Alliance, Baek Jagang, was standing on the roof of a building that overlooked the entire Divine Transformation Gang.
Behind him, Bih Sa-in reported the results of the investigation.
“According to the results, not only did the Vice Gang Leader An Hu-pyeong, but even the other warriors of the Divine Transformation Gang seemed unaware of this incident.”
That was only natural. No one would have carelessly revealed such a tremendous plan as the assassination of the Alliance Leader of the Unorthodox Alliance. It must have been a secret known only to the Gang Leader of the Divine Transformation Gang, An Cheong-gwang, and the two who died alongside him—Serpent Sword and Iron Cold Blade.
“What shall we do with An Hu-pyeong?”
As he was the direct blood relative of the Divine Transformation Gang Leader who orchestrated this matter, they could hold him accountable. Even if he was not guilty, they could always create a charge.
But Baek Jagang did not bother with that.
“Leave him be. If he truly did not know, then there is no need to punish him.”
Bih Sa-in thought it was a wise decision.
An Hu-pyeong was not a man with the malice or boldness to seek revenge over this matter.
Rather than showing a ruthless side that punished even the kin of a great sinner, it was better in every way to display the broad generosity of the Alliance Leader of the Unorthodox Alliance.
In truth, An Hu-pyeong was the real problem from now on.
If he inherited the Divine Transformation Gang as it was…?
Could this immature wastrel, who had lived like a fallen aristocrat, truly protect the gang within the harsh world of the unorthodox martial realm? It would not be easy.
Just then, the voice of Ingung, the Captain of the Bodyguards, rang out from the air.
“The Young Cult Leader Geom Mugeuk has come to see you.”
“Let him in.”
Bih Sa-in bowed to Baek Jagang.
“Then, I shall take my leave.”
Bih Sa-in stepped aside, thinking his master would want to speak with Geom Mugeuk alone about this matter.
A moment later, Geom Mugeuk climbed up to the place where Baek Jagang waited alone.
“I greet the Alliance Leader.”
After bowing respectfully, Geom Mugeuk expressed his gratitude.
“Thank you for entrusting this matter to me.”
Since it was a plot to kill him, Baek Jagang could have personally handled it from start to finish. Moreover, this was the territory of the Unorthodox Alliance.
“Do you know why I entrusted this task to you?”
“What was the reason?”
It was not because he found it bothersome, nor solely because Geom Mugeuk had informed him of the assassination plan.
Baek Jagang, who had been gazing down at the Divine Transformation Gang, turned to look at Geom Mugeuk and said,
“Because I respect you.”
Feeling the sincerity in those words, Geom Mugeuk also bowed his head with sincerity.
“Thank you for holding me in such high regard despite my shortcomings. I too have always respected you, Alliance Leader.”
His ears did not tingle with false flattery.
Naturally, Baek Jagang’s gaze toward Geom Mugeuk was soft.
“You’ve worked hard.”
“It was Soma-nim who did everything. I merely came after sleeping soundly.”
Baek Jagang silently studied Geom Mugeuk.
“It seems you slept well.”
Astonishingly, Baek Jagang had perceived the change within him. Geom Mugeuk was growing stronger every time they met.
This Young Cult Leader before him was the kind of person who made those thinking of stepping down feel the urge to start anew. Baek Jagang was certain that the Martial Alliance Leader felt the same. Perhaps even the Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult was no different.
“Did you find out why they tried to kill me?”
“I’m sorry, but I could not.”
Baek Jagang thought that might be natural. From the moment he heard those prophetic words, this was no longer a simple assassination plot.
“What do you think of that nonsense?”
If the Alliance Leader of the Unorthodox Alliance did not die, the martial world would be destroyed.
By calling it nonsense, Baek Jagang made clear that he had no intention of destroying the martial world.
He could have expected Geom Mugeuk to say such a thing for his comfort:
“It is nonsense.”
But instead—
“It will not be nonsense.”
Baek Jagang’s small eyes shone sharply.
“I believe those words hold some kind of meaning.”
The Mistress of the Sky Flower Pavilion had said it sounded like a prophecy. That meant, in some way, the Alliance Leader of the Unorthodox Alliance was deeply entangled with what was to come.
“Then you mean you believe those words?”
“That you will destroy the martial world, Alliance Leader? No. That cannot be. If you truly did, then wouldn’t the martial world really be doomed?”
Though he knew it was said only to please him, Baek Jagang couldn’t help but feel good hearing the Young Cult Leader’s words.
“I don’t believe that claim at all.”
“Then why say those words have meaning?”
“They are people with misguided beliefs. Descendants of the Heavenly Will Palace, who think themselves the executors of heaven’s will. To be exact, they are descendants of the Dark Palace, known as the most evil among the three great palaces of the Heavenly Will Palace. You know that three hundred years ago they even started a war to conquer the martial world, do you not?”
Geom Mugeuk interpreted this prophecy from their perspective.
“If you live, Alliance Leader, it may mean they cannot achieve the dream they pursue. Perhaps they twisted it around—that you saving the martial world could instead be called its destruction.”
Baek Jagang chuckled faintly. So in the end, it wasn’t simple nonsense, but rather nonsense uttered with a kind of seriousness.
“I will neither destroy the martial world nor save it.”
“That remains to be seen.”
Even at those words, Baek Jagang felt no chill at his ears. Geom Mugeuk truly believed that he could one day save the martial world.
“Don’t be offended by that prophecy. It only means you stand at the very center of this affair. But I do believe one thing is certain. They sought to gain something by assassinating you. Since there is already a clear successor, it isn’t the power of the Unorthodox Alliance. It must be something else.”
As he looked intently at Baek Jagang, Geom Mugeuk asked,
“What do they want, Alliance Leader?”
Baek Jagang gave no answer.
“The answer surely lies with you.”
* * *
Bih Sa-in was gazing at the final stage of the tournament.
Just then, Geom Mugeuk descended onto the empty stage with light footwork.
“What a shame. I truly wanted to see Lee Ahn become the Greatest Beauty Under the Heavens on this very stage.”
Bih Sa-in had known that he would come looking for him. If he came to meet his master, then naturally, he would come to see him as well. Indeed, without even arranging a meeting place, Geom Mugeuk had managed to find him with ease.
“If you’re that regretful, then you should host it again.”
At Bih Sa-in’s words, Geom Mugeuk sat down on the edge of the stage.
“A Greatest Beauty Under the Heavens Tournament hosted by the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, huh? Do you think anyone would dare participate? Everyone would be too scared. With no participants, you could just put on some makeup and still make it to the finals.”
Bih Sa-in gave a wry laugh. Most of his laughter was of that sort—helpless amusement—but at least in front of Geom Mugeuk, he laughed freely now and then.
“Will you be returning to the cult now?”
“I must. Maybe it’s because I just saw the Alliance Leader, but I suddenly miss my father terribly.”
Though he had told Cha Iran that he would release Ak Gunhak and let him leave, he could not simply do so recklessly.
He did not even know where Ak Gunhak was, and even if he did, this was not something that could be handled so lightly.
If one believed in Ak Gunhak, then they had to wait for him. If their bond continued, there would surely be a call of destiny.
“By the way, do you know where the most scenic and pleasant place is around here?”
“Why do you ask that?”
Though this was the territory of the Unorthodox Alliance, Geom Mugeuk had traveled all over the Central Plains. He surely knew better than anyone. Yet the reason he asked must have been only to tease.
“I want to show you what you’re good at.”
“What I’m good at? And what would that be?”
Bih Sa-in began to feel a creeping unease. He would have preferred if Geom Mugeuk had answered with something like killing people.
“You know, the thing you secretly excel at with your friends not knowing.”
The sense of crisis only grew stronger. Then Geom Mugeuk leaned in and whispered as if sharing a secret.
“Your discreet and secret longing of the heart. A hidden love!”
In that instant, Bih Sa-in froze. He knew exactly who Geom Mugeuk was referring to—Han Seol, the Young Palace Master of the Northern Sea Ice Palace. Yet he denied it flatly.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Geom Mugeuk had promised he would tease him endlessly, and this was only the beginning.
“I’m too busy today, so I’ll let it go for now.”
With that, Geom Mugeuk leapt into the air, still throwing teasing words behind him as he went.
“Ah! If you don’t come along, how will I ever pass on that secret technique of yours?”
* * *
The Seventeenth Beauty was crossing a narrow wooden bridge.
The bridge stretched across the water, leading to a pavilion at the center of the lake.
The scenery around her was indescribably beautiful. Yet she could not enjoy the wildflowers swaying by the shore, nor the emerald waters glittering like jewels.
The one who had ordered her to go to this pavilion was Cha Iran. Without any explanation, she had singled her out and sent her here. Ah, but she had said one thing: to dress nicely before coming. It felt strangely as if she were being sent out for an execution.
And so, the Seventeenth Beauty arrived at the pavilion.
When the Seventeenth Beauty stepped onto the pavilion, she froze in place upon seeing who was waiting for her.
It was none other than the Crescent Moon Faceless Swordsman.
He too looked startled, as though he had not expected her to come.
For a moment, an awkward silence and atmosphere hung between them.
The Seventeenth Beauty realized it at once.
Cha Iran must have noticed that she had given her heart to this faceless swordsman.
Had the Fifth Beauty told her? Or perhaps someone who saw them exchange greetings while cleaning up corpses had reported it?
Either way, this was Cha Iran’s warning.
Do not give your heart to a man.
Taking a deep breath, the Seventeenth Beauty broke the silence.
Thinking she might never see him again, she conveyed her honest feelings.
“Thank you for saving me twice. When I saw that you were alive earlier, I was truly happy.”
She had been overjoyed when Cha Iran decided to rest in the shadow of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
But now, even if they remained in the same place, she would never again be able to acknowledge him.
She drew a dagger from her bosom and handed it to him.
“This dagger has great meaning to me. I wish to give it to you as a token of my gratitude.”
Though she spoke with dignity, her voice trembled. To think she could feel such emotions for someone whose face she had never even seen.
“And if I act as though I don’t know you from now on, please understand.”
The Crescent Moon Faceless Swordsman only listened in silence.
“Well then, I’ll be going now.”
She bowed her head in farewell—when suddenly, someone came flying across the lake like the wind, landing on the pavilion.
With a wine bottle in hand, it was Geom Mugeuk.
“I brought wine for the two of you. You can’t drink, so I picked a fragrant one instead. It helps lighten the mood when things feel awkward at a first meeting, right? You don’t know how far I ran just to buy this. But what’s with this atmosphere? Did you already start fighting?”
Both the Seventeenth Beauty and the Crescent Moon Faceless Swordsman were startled by Geom Mugeuk’s sudden arrival.
With a surprised face, the Seventeenth Beauty asked,
“Young Cult Leader, why are you here?”
“What do you mean why? I was the one who called you two here. I asked Lady Cha to summon you.”
As she looked at him in confusion, Geom Mugeuk explained,
“Have you forgotten already? I told you I’d arrange a chance for you to properly express your thanks. I said you should give him the dagger in person.”
“!”
How could the Seventeenth Beauty have forgotten? And yet, she had never imagined the Young Cult Leader would actually set up such a meeting. So she had not realized this gathering was his doing.
‘He truly arranged this meeting for my sake?’
Her face flushed red. Without realizing it, she had bared her heart too openly before him.
She could not bring herself to look at him.
“I misunderstood. I’m sorry.”
Her embarrassment was so overwhelming that she wanted to throw herself into the lake.
At that moment, the Crescent Moon Faceless Swordsman finally opened his mouth.
“Since the Young Cult Leader has even brought wine—”
The Seventeenth Beauty lifted her head to look at him.
“—you should at least have a drink before you go.”
A faint ripple of emotion spread through her eyes.
The Faceless Swordsman cupped his fist respectfully toward Geom Mugeuk and expressed his gratitude.
“Thank you for arranging this meeting, Young Cult Leader.”
In that instant, the Seventeenth Beauty was burning with curiosity. He appeared so composed—what kind of face could possibly be hidden beneath that mask?
“Then, I’ll leave the two of you to talk.”
Quietly, Geom Mugeuk withdrew, leaving them behind. In a flash, he crossed the lake and landed on the shore. There, Cha Iran was waiting. Just a moment ago, he had been the picture of dignity before the two of them. But now—
“Lady Cha, is there by chance a secret technique among assassins that lets them breathe underwater and eavesdrop on people? Ah! I’m dying of curiosity about what those two are saying! Come on, let’s sneak over and listen!”
When Geom Mugeuk first asked her to summon the Seventeenth Beauty, Cha Iran had been shocked. It had been surprising enough that he truly arranged for the two of them to meet, but what startled her even more was that he had not forgotten about such a matter. That the Young Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult would remember something about mere subordinates?
Cha Iran turned her gaze toward the pavilion.
“What if those two really do elope in the middle of the night?”
“That would be wonderful. But in reality, they’ll only keep each other in their hearts and spend their lives longing.”
“Wouldn’t that be even more tragic?”
At this, Geom Mugeuk suddenly fixed his gaze on her and asked bluntly,
“And are you more tragic because you’ve kept someone in your heart?”
“!”
It wasn’t true. In her life, the feelings she had for him took up quite a large part of what little happiness she possessed—even if it was one-sided.
“If you devoted yourself to the cult, then those two wouldn’t need to elope. They could live happily without hiding.”
“You’re telling me to become a demonic practitioner for their sake?”
From Geom Mugeuk’s lips came unexpected words.
“No, I’m telling you to become one for me.”
Cha Iran was startled. She had never imagined he would say such a thing.
“You would be part of the Young Cult Leader’s personal assassination squad. Think of it—the news would spread across the martial world: the Young Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult commands the finest assassins in all the land! And they’re said to be an astonishingly beautiful group of women!”
Cha Iran looked at him intently.
“Can you handle me?”
A brief silence followed. She thought he would laugh it off as a joke, but Geom Mugeuk stared back at her with a serious expression.
For the briefest moment, Cha Iran wondered what her life would be like if she chose such a path.
This Young Cult Leader was the kind of person who could make even an absurd proposal sound worth considering.
“You said if we got rid of those people, you’d let me leave freely.”
“It would be far too wasteful to simply let go of someone like you, don’t you think?”
She should have dismissed it as nonsense. Instead, Cha Iran asked again.
“That man fought in order to leave. Then what are you fighting for?”
After a brief pause, Geom Mugeuk answered.
“At the very least, it isn’t for the unification of the martial world, nor for its destruction.”
He revealed his honest heart to her.
“I want to go fishing with my father, drink with the Demon Supremes, read books, travel around, and just live like that.”
His gaze drifted across the shimmering lake toward the pavilion.
“And I want to help those two elope if they wish. And also…”
Finally, he turned back to Cha Iran and added,
“…to help you find your love.”
Cha Iran could not tell how much of it was sincere and how much of it was jest. But one thing was certain: if she stayed by this man’s side, her life would change in a profound way.
Geom Mugeuk let out a feigned sigh.
“To me, living such a life feels even harder than unifying the martial world.”
His gaze toward her deepened.
“Can you handle someone like me?”