Chapter 719: It Must Be Because You Haven’t Tried My Cooking
Geom Mugeuk called her name for the first time.
Cha Iran looked at Geom Mugeuk with a surprised face. Geom Mugeuk, as if nothing had happened, addressed her again with formality, just as before.
“From now on, you must get used to those evil demon statues.”
Cha Iran recalled the words Geom Mugeuk had spoken a moment ago.
Cha Iran, welcome home.
Until now, she had never been protected by anyone.
From the moment she became old enough to understand the world, she had lived her life relying only on her own strength.
But when she heard Geom Mugeuk’s words just now, she felt a strange sensation. For some reason, it felt as if she was being protected by someone. It was like the feeling of a true adult patting her head and saying, “Well done, welcome home.”
“Since I’ve become a subordinate of the Young Cult Leader, you may speak comfortably.”
“Let’s not do that. Let’s continue as we always have.”
“Why is that?”
“At times, there must be subordinates who don’t make things easy, so that those called leaders do not grow complacent, don’t you think?”
Geom Mugeuk looked at Lee Ahn as he spoke.
“If there are subordinates who are unconditionally on my side, then there must also be subordinates like you.”
In truth, it was because of Ak Gunhak. One never knew what might happen in life, and there was even the possibility that she and Ak Gunhak might get along in the future. For his sake as well, he couldn’t speak too casually to her.
Making her his subordinate was also to ensure he could protect her in the most certain way.
“Do as you please.”
Cha Iran looked back at her subordinates.
Unlike usual, they looked tense and subdued. It was only natural. No matter how experienced they were as assassins, how could they not shrink under the oppressive aura of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult?
The endlessly towering buildings, the terrifying statues of evil demons standing in between them, the demonic practitioners with fierce appearances moving everywhere.
And even countless Faceless Swordsmen standing before their eyes.
“You all heard the Young Cult Leader’s words, didn’t you? From now on, this place is our home.”
“Yes!”
The assassins answered loudly.
She had come here trusting Geom Mugeuk, but her subordinates had followed trusting in her. The ones who had to protect them were none other than herself.
At that moment, Geom Mugeuk spoke to her.
“Since we’re home, we should first greet my father. Lady Cha, you should come along as well.”
At those words, Cha Iran flinched in surprise. Was he asking her to meet the Demon Cult Leader? The Heavenly Demon himself?
“Why me?”
“When I return after leaving the cult, the first thing I do is greet him. Since Lady Cha has now become my subordinate, shouldn’t you also greet him?”
It was reasonable, so Cha Iran could not refuse.
She left her subordinates waiting there and followed Geom Mugeuk, Evil Smiling Demon, and Lee Ahn toward the Heavenly Demon Pavilion.
The closer they got to the Heavenly Demon Pavilion, the more Cha Iran’s heart pounded. Even when she went on dangerous assassination missions, she had never trembled this much.
As they walked, Cha Iran carefully asked,
“What does the Cult Leader think of assassins?”
“He dislikes them.”
He had answered so firmly that she honestly thought she had misheard.
“How much does he dislike them?”
“He dislikes them very much.”
“Please be more specific.”
Then came an answer that made her think she should not have asked in the first place.
“I’d say, probably the second most in the world?”
The Heavenly Demon disliked her kind the second most in the entire world, and yet she was on her way to meet him? Even so, she couldn’t help but ask.
“Then who would be the first?”
“Martial artists who use poison. Our poor Poison King.”
Now that a concrete first place had been given, she realized it was indeed true that assassins were despised second.
As she was flustered, Geom Mugeuk pushed even further.
“Doesn’t that actually put your mind at ease?”
Even though she was anxious and uneasy, he was telling her it should be comforting?
“No matter how hard you try to look good in his eyes, he’ll dislike you anyway. So just let go and be at ease. There’s nothing harder than exhausting yourself trying to please someone, don’t you think?”
Cha Iran shook her head, speechless. At the same time, the words oddly convinced her.
“Actually, it’s Lee Ahn who should feel more uncomfortable. These days Father has been cherishing her.”
Ever since she had become the adopted daughter of the Fist Demon King, his attitude toward Lee Ahn had become much softer.
Hearing that, Lee Ahn let out a sigh.
“I didn’t feel anything until you said that, but now I do feel uncomfortable.”
After Cha Iran and Lee Ahn, Geom Mugeuk now dragged Evil Smiling Demon into it as well.
“Soma, you must be comfortable, right? Father has clearly marked you.”
He had stood alone on Geom Mugeuk’s side before Father, after all.
But Evil Smiling Demon unexpectedly spoke.
“I am not comfortable either.”
Evil Smiling Demon added sincerely,
“Regardless of being marked, I am always striving to stay in the Cult Leader’s good graces.”
Geom Mugeuk and Evil Smiling Demon smiled with their eyes.
Geom Mugeuk knew. His father liked people like Evil Smiling Demon, those with deep loyalty.
And he would never hate him just because that loyalty was not directed toward himself. That was why he could casually mention that he had been marked.
Knowing this, Evil Smiling Demon was all the more determined to keep trying.
In the meantime, they arrived at the Heavenly Demon Pavilion.
There was no one guarding the place. Only towering columns shaped like evil demons holding up the high ceiling stood in rows, and at the end was a massive door.
But Cha Iran instinctively felt it. This space was by no means empty. Countless deadly dangers lurked everywhere, ready to reveal themselves only when an intruder stepped in unpermitted.
Sure enough, as soon as the four of them arrived, the door opened on its own. A clear sign that someone’s eyes were watching.
The first thing Cha Iran saw as she stepped into the Heavenly Demon Pavilion was a crimson carpet. And at the end of that blood-red path, she saw a man seated on the throne.
‘So that is the Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.’
Even from a distance, his overwhelming presence could be felt. It was a force she had never once experienced in her entire life.
Usually, when martial skill reached its peak, one concealed one’s presence. But the Demon Cult Leader seemed to be declaring instead:
Why should I hide?
The four of them walked along the path of blood until they arrived beneath the throne mat.
Geom Mugeuk greeted his father loudly, who sat unmoving in his place as always.
“Father, have you been well? I have returned safely.”
The gazes of father and son met and clashed in the air.
Heavenly Demon Geom Woojin immediately recognized his son’s achievement.
“You have gained results.”
Geom Mugeuk glanced at Evil Smiling Demon as he replied.
“Thanks to Soma, I was able to obtain great fortune.”
He had not yet reported the matter concerning Flying Blood Serpent in detail. Even to his father, telling him that his own heart had been pierced would likely cause shock, so he intended to explain only after facing him directly.
When Geom Mugeuk attributed the merit of the encounter to him, Evil Smiling Demon calmly responded.
“I only helped briefly as instructed.”
After speaking with such humility, Evil Smiling Demon gave a polite, respectful bow.
“I have returned, Cult Leader.”
“You worked hard.”
Indeed, the look in Geom Woojin’s eyes toward Evil Smiling Demon was filled with trust. If he had not trusted him, he never would have sent him out with the Young Cult Leader alone.
Next, Lee Ahn offered her greeting.
“I return after leaving the cult.”
As Geom Mugeuk had said, Geom Woojin’s gaze upon Lee Ahn was gentle.
“Did you return safely?”
“Thanks to your concern, I have returned without incident.”
Finally, Geom Mugeuk introduced Cha Iran.
“This is someone who became my subordinate during this departure.”
Cha Iran gave a formal, respectful bow.
“My name is Cha Iran. It is truly an honor to meet such a distinguished person.”
Of course, Geom Woojin had already received reports about her from the Heavenly Communication Pavilion.
In a trembling voice, Cha Iran spoke.
“Though I was once an assassin, I intend to live a new life from here on.”
But Geom Woojin’s expression carried not the slightest trace of welcome. He did not even bother to hide the fact that he regarded her unfavorably.
At that cold gaze, Geom Mugeuk spoke to Cha Iran.
“Perhaps Father’s dislike places you not second, but first.”
As Geom Woojin looked at his son, the reason for his coldness was clear.
“What if her true purpose is to infiltrate our cult?”
Evil Smiling Demon turned to look at Geom Mugeuk, while from the other side, Lee Ahn also stared.
The instant she heard Geom Woojin’s words, Lee Ahn’s heart sank. What he had just said meant the assassination mission could still be ongoing even now. It was something Lee Ahn had never once considered nor could believe.
“If that woman dug into your cheap sentiment, ready to kill you, then what would you do?”
Lately, his father had stopped calling his sentiments “cheap.”
But now, once again, he described them that way as he questioned him. It was a rebuke.
Cha Iran turned her head to look at Geom Mugeuk.
She, on the contrary, agreed with Geom Woojin’s words. Assassins were people who would use any means necessary to kill their target.
If she had truly received a commission to kill Geom Woojin, she might have gained Geom Mugeuk’s trust and approached in exactly this way.
Everyone wondered how Geom Mugeuk would explain himself, but his answer came out irresponsibly.
“I didn’t think that far. If that’s the case, then Uncle Hui would protect you.”
In truth, he had thought about it. How could he not, when bringing an assassin into the cult?
But this time, he knew with certainty that her target was the Unorthodox Alliance Leader.
Because there had been a prophecy.
Even though he had reported every step of the matter to his father, for him to still say this was not about the present situation alone—it was a warning for the future.
It was concern that his son might fail if he acted without cold judgment. And because the one in question was an assassin, his father was seizing this opportunity to drive the point home.
Normally, even if he disliked Cha Iran, he would have just nodded once and said no more. That was how his father treated those he disapproved of.
The fact that he asked such a question was because of his concern for his son.
“What made you choose the Young Cult Leader?”
After a moment’s thought, she gave an unexpected answer.
“Because of chopsticks.”
At Geom Woojin’s look of curiosity, she explained.
“The Young Cult Leader once carved chopsticks out of a log for us while we camped outdoors. When I saw those chopsticks, I thought this was someone I could trust and follow.”
She did not avoid Geom Woojin’s gaze, which seemed to pierce straight into her heart.
“And the meal I ate with those chopsticks, the Young Cult Leader’s cooking, was so delicious.”
As if that was the entire reason, she said nothing more. Perhaps the lack of long-winded excuses was what pleased Geom Woojin.
For the first time, from the lips of the father who had been cold all along, came unexpected words.
“It must be because you haven’t tried my cooking.”
At those words, Cha Iran’s eyes widened in shock.
Geom Mugeuk smiled and spoke in place of his father.
“If you really came here as an assassin, you wouldn’t give such a ridiculous reason.”
And he added one more thing.
“You must never eat Father’s cooking. If you do, your loyalty will go to him, not me.”
At his son’s flattery, which he had not heard in a long while, one corner of Geom Woojin’s lips lifted. He spoke no lengthy words to Cha Iran.
“Welcome.”
* * *
When Geom Mugeuk and Evil Smiling Demon entered the Heavenly Demon Pavilion, the Faceless Swordsmen began to gather and mingle.
Those who had come out to greet them offered their respects to the ones returning. The ten Faceless Swordsmen who had gone out and returned were the top-ranked, from First to Tenth place, so naturally many others followed them.
Seventeenth Beauty cast a glance at the Crescent Moon Faceless Swordsman. Several others also approached Crescent Moon to greet him. At times, they seemed bizarre, almost uncanny in their strangeness, yet in moments like this, they looked like proper martial artists, maintaining senior-junior bonds.
Watching that, Seventeenth Beauty’s heart grew heavy.
Until she arrived here, she had carried a certain hope. Her feelings for him had deepened when they had washed vegetables together as assistants to the Young Cult Leader.
But now, seeing him standing among the other Faceless Swordsmen of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, she felt an ominous premonition—that her relationship with him might already be at its end.
Just then, someone beside her spoke softly.
“It’s just a coincidence.”
Turning her head, she saw Fifth Beauty. Having recovered somewhat from her injuries, she could now walk on her own.
“It’s just a passing feeling.”
She sighed as she recalled how Seventeenth Beauty had been chosen as Crescent Moon’s assistant. He was already someone she should have stayed far away from, and yet now she was entangled with him.
She did not know that Geom Mugeuk had deliberately paired the two together. But even if she had known, she likely would have said the same words.
“Getting involved with a man like that will only bring you misery.”
“What kind of grand fate do we have, anyway?”
“You are different.”
Fifth Beauty sincerely worried for Seventeenth Beauty. To call an assassin “pure” would normally sound strange, but in her eyes, Seventeenth Beauty truly fit that strange description.
And now that she was losing her heart to a demonic practitioner—one from the Valley of Wicked, no less—how could she not worry?
At that moment, Geom Mugeuk, Evil Smiling Demon, Cha Iran, and Lee Ahn returned. The Faceless Swordsmen who had been scattered about quickly straightened into orderly ranks.
“Then rest well, Young Cult Leader.”
“Yes, thank you, Soma.”
The two exchanged farewells.
As Soma walked away, all the Faceless Swordsmen followed behind him.
Geom Mugeuk then said to Lee Ahn,
“You guide Lady Cha to her quarters.”
“Yes, I’ll do that.”
Since arrangements had already been made on the way, accommodations were prepared. Each of her assassins was given a separate room to rest comfortably.
No sooner had Geom Mugeuk finished speaking than he suddenly leapt into the air and flew off somewhere.
“Who is he so eager to see that he’s in such a hurry?”
At Lee Ahn’s words, Cha Iran recalled what Geom Mugeuk had once told her—that he would be too busy to see her often. It seemed that abandonment was already beginning.
Lee Ahn led Cha Iran and the assassins to their quarters.
Seventeenth Beauty could not bring herself to leave, her eyes fixed on the Faceless Swordsmen walking off into the distance. When they briefly slipped out of sight, she could no longer tell where Crescent Moon was among them.
A sigh escaped her lips before she realized it. From behind her, Fifth Beauty spoke.
“Let’s go too. This place is so vast that if we’re not careful, we’ll lose our way.”
The thought of losing one’s way amidst demonic practitioners was something she didn’t even want to imagine.
Just as Seventeenth Beauty turned to follow Fifth Beauty, it happened.
From among the Faceless Swordsmen walking the other way, one suddenly pushed through his comrades.
To her shock, it was Crescent Moon.
He pulled out the dagger Seventeenth Beauty had given him as a gift. Her heart sank. Surely he was going to return it now that they were back in the cult, ending whatever bond they had.
But it wasn’t that.
Crescent Moon cut his own finger with the dagger, then drew a long diagonal slash across his mask with the blood.
A surge of emotion swept across Seventeenth Beauty’s face. She understood. He had marked his mask so she could recognize him at a glance.
The mask with this slash said, “This is me.”
After drawing the line, Crescent Moon turned back and ran toward the other Faceless Swordsmen.
Seventeenth Beauty, eyes trembling, watched him go. From behind her, Fifth Beauty cried out.
“Seventeenth, no! He’s truly insane!”
For some, it was the beginning of a new life. For others, it was the moment a new love truly began.