Chapter 784: For I Already Have Countless Stars
Even at the late hour, Hidden Moon’s operation room was bustling with activity.
Since an emergency had been declared, the strategists paid close attention even to the smallest of reports that came flying in.
They were closely monitoring not only the movements of the Martial Alliance and the Unorthodox Alliance but also the movements of each sect across the Central Plains. In particular, they were tracking every movement along Geom Mugeuk’s route of travel.
And finally, the long-awaited report arrived.
“The Young Cult Leader has safely arrived at the designated location.”
The banners of the Young Cult Leader and the Demon Supremes were set down at Dongting Lake.
Young Heaven.
The Heavenly Communication Pavilion recorded Geom Mugeuk’s banner as Young Demon, but within Hidden Moon, it was Young Heaven. It was a name determined by Gowol — because to him, Geom Mugeuk was no different from the heavens themselves.
‘He has finally arrived.’
Although the Young Cult Leader had gone out countless times before, never had Gowol felt this tense. A ceaseless sense of unease gnawed at him, as though something great was about to occur. That was why he had gone to find Sima Myung.
And at that time, an unexpected visitor appeared.
“The Chief Strategist has arrived.”
“Bring him in quickly.”
Moments later, Sima Myung entered the room.
“Welcome, Chief Strategist.”
He truly had not expected that he would come here in person.
“I meant to come sooner, but it seems I’m a bit late.”
In Sima Myung’s hands were bundles of food prepared for the strategists. It was both surprising and uncharacteristic of him, and that was precisely why the Hidden Moon strategists were so deeply moved.
After all, the Chief Strategist of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult had personally brought them food.
“Thank you, Chief Strategist.”
When Gowol expressed gratitude on behalf of his men, Sima Myung smiled.
“Let me have a look around this place.”
“There might not be much to see, sir. This place was designed to mirror the Heavenly Communication Pavilion exactly. The Young Cult Leader has relocated the most complete intelligence operations room in all the martial world.”
At Gowol’s compliment, Sima Myung’s smile deepened. It wasn’t just empty flattery — the interior truly resembled the Heavenly Communication Pavilion as if it had been moved here in its entirety.
As Sima Myung looked around, his gaze fell upon the flags placed over the map of the Central Plains — the same flags that marked Dongting Lake. Those very flags would also be in the same positions at the Heavenly Communication Pavilion.
After the brief tour, Gowol was about to lead Sima Myung into his office.
“Please, come inside.”
“The night air feels pleasant on the way here. Let’s speak outside.”
“As you wish.”
The two men stepped out of the Hidden Moon building.
Walking through the inner compound of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, they breathed in the cool night air. After a long silence, Sima Myung was the first to speak.
“He won’t ignite the demonic fire.”
As if he had already expected that, Gowol showed no surprise.
“I thought as much. It’s not an easy choice.”
“It isn’t because of the Cult Leader’s pride.”
Sima Myung explained to him why Geom Woojin refused to ignite the demonic fire. When the explanation came to an end, Gowol asked quietly,
“Is that why you came here — to tell me this?”
“That’s right.”
Gowol looked at Sima Myung with a puzzled gaze. It was something that could have been handled by sending someone, or even known without leaving their place.
Sima Myung explained the reason.
“Even if others don’t know, you, at least, must understand precisely how the Cult Leader feels about the Young Cult Leader. I believe this is the most important thing for a Chief Strategist—to know exactly what kind of person the one you serve is. A sharp mind? Cool judgment? Those come later.”
Gowol bowed respectfully.
“Thank you very much for your precious guidance.”
He was also grateful for being addressed as Chief Strategist. It meant that Sima Myung acknowledged him as the successor to that position. It was, personally, a priceless moment.
“Don’t stay locked up in the operations room all the time. Come out like this once in a while, get some fresh air, and look up at the sky.”
When he heard those words, Gowol thought of Geom Mugeuk. Young Cult Leader, are you also looking at this night sky right now?
At that moment, as the two of them gazed at the starry heavens, among the countless twinkling stars, there was one that shone exceptionally bright.
Seeing that star, Sima Myung suddenly gasped in surprise.
“Huh!”
Startled by his reaction, Gowol asked,
“What is it?”
A look of disbelief spread across Sima Myung’s face. Wondering if he was simply too tired and seeing illusions, he closed his eyes and opened them again.
But the starlight remained unchanged.
With a trembling voice, Sima Myung conveyed a shocking truth.
“The Heavenly Killing Star has appeared.”
“!”
Gowol was equally astonished.
The Heavenly Killing Star,
It was the Great Ominous Star said to shine whenever a being of great slaughter appeared in the martial world. It wasn’t merely an unlucky omen; its appearance was believed to herald a bloodbath across the martial realm.
“That star… is the Heavenly Killing Star?”
Gowol’s voice trembled.
Sima Myung couldn’t answer immediately, unable to believe what he saw.
But there was no doubt. A man as well-versed in astronomy as he was could not possibly mistake the Heavenly Killing Star for anything else.
“Yes. Without a doubt, it is the Heavenly Killing Star.”
“This is my first time seeing it in person.”
Surprisingly, it was Sima Myung’s first time as well.
“The same goes for me.”
Until now, they had only read about it in books or heard about it in stories.
Then Sima Myung suddenly recalled his previous conversation with Gowol. Could it be that the danger the Young Cult Leader had sensed… was this?
“Could this be what the Young Cult Leader was worried about?”
Gowol felt as though the fog that had clouded his mind until now was finally lifting.
“It seems so.”
If that were true, then how had the Young Cult Leader known that the Heavenly Killing Star would appear? This went far beyond mere knowledge of astronomy—he had read the will of the heavens itself.
“I’ll report this to the Cult Leader. You must immediately inform the Young Cult Leader.”
“Yes, understood.”
Sima Myung suddenly realised that Gowol had already regained his composure.
“Are you not worried?”
“On the contrary, I feel reassured.”
The reason for that confidence was none other than Geom Mugeuk.
“The Young Cult Leader predicted this precisely, didn’t he?”
His words continued, born of absolute faith in Geom Mugeuk.
“With someone like the Young Cult Leader, I suddenly feel he might even be able to stop the one born under the Heavenly Killing Star.”
Sima Myung was the kind of man who believed there was no such thing as a purely optimistic strategist. A strategist was someone who always had to consider the worst outcome first.
But at least in this moment, he wanted to believe in Gowol’s optimistic heart.
Still, that was merely wishful thinking.
Until now, what had protected the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult was his own habit of preparing for the worst—
even if he never allowed the demonic flames to rise.
“We must evacuate Maga Village at once.”
* * *
“We’ve arrived at Dongting Lake.”
In the distance, a vast lake spread out like the sea. Since it was nighttime, the lanterns of the boats floating on the water shone beautifully.
“They said we’re to look for the boat with a white flag.”
The place where the Master of the Sky Flower Pavilion was to meet the Mistress of the Priestess Palace was one of the boats floating on Dongting Lake.
Geom Mugeuk called aside the Master of the Sky Flower Pavilion, the Demon Supremes, Lee Ahn, Jangho, and the Captains of the Tenebrous Ghosts Corps.
“This meeting will result in one of two outcomes. Either the true Mistress of the Priestess Palace has called the Pavilion Mistress to deliver a secret message, or the Dark Palace Master has set a trap together with her. If the Mistress of the Priestess Palace truly wanted to meet alone, there’s nothing to worry about—we’ll simply enjoy a boat ride on Dongting Lake and return.”
However, the Master of the Sky Flower Pavilion voiced one concern.
“The Mistress of the Priestess Palace told me to come alone. She said she would not meet me if I brought anyone else.”
To her concern, Geom Mugeuk smiled and said,
“To me, that sounds more like a plea to bring everyone along.”
There was a good reason he thought so.
“Even if the Mistress of the Priestess Palace acted independently to tell you something, I believe the Dark Palace Master would already know about it.”
They had confirmed in the underground tomb that the Dark Palace Master was someone who manipulated human psychology. He had used the Sword King’s emotions to summon the souls of the Twelve Zodiac Kings.
If he had been working with the Mistress of the Priestess Palace from the very beginning, he would know exactly what kind of person she was—and there’s no way he would overlook her deviation.
“Through our many battles, the Dark Palace Master has come to understand me well. Which means he also knows about my connection with Soma-nim.”
How could the Dark Palace Master not know? Those fierce battles fought alongside Evil Smiling Demon,
perhaps the Demon Supreme he despised most of all was that very same Evil Smiling Demon.
“That’s why both the Dark Palace Master and the Mistress of the Priestess Palace will already know that we would never let the Master of the Sky Flower Pavilion come here alone. In other words, whether this meeting is a trap or not, the enemy won’t even imagine that the Pavilion Mistress would come by herself.”
Those listening all nodded.
“Even if we make the greatest concession and assume that the Mistress of the Priestess Palace truly asked for a private meeting, and that the Dark Palace Master knows nothing about it, there is still no reason for you to go alone. The one in the weaker position is the Mistress of the Priestess Palace, since she was the one who reached out first. Even if you bring someone with you, she won’t be able to refuse the meeting.”
As always, Geom Mugeuk had seen right through the situation, and his conclusion was crystal clear.
The Master of the Sky Flower Pavilion asked Geom Mugeuk,
“Then will it just be you and me at the meeting, Young Cult Leader? Or…?”
“No, you’ll be going with one of the Demon Supremes.”
She had expected him to bring Evil Smiling Demon, of course.
But instead—
“Soul Reaper Demon Supreme, you’ll accompany her.”
The one Geom Mugeuk chose was the Soul Reaper Demon Supreme. It wasn’t an emotional decision.
“Our opponent practices the Dark Demonic Art. Among us, the ones most resistant to it are myself and the Soul Reaper Demon Supreme.”
Of course, the Demonic Buddha was also strong against the Dark Demonic Art, but he had important duties to handle outside.
Soul Reaper Demon Supreme was delighted—not only was she being brought along, but she was also being entrusted with a vital mission.
“Yes, I’ll go with you.”
Geom Mugeuk continued issuing instructions.
“Lord Jang.”
“Yes, Young Cult Leader.”
“Please stand by with the Demonic Army near the lakeshore. Assume the enemy already knows that the army has arrived, and act accordingly.”
Jangho’s eyes gleamed sharply.
“Yes, understood.”
With warriors as dependable as them, Geom Mugeuk had no worries about Jangho and the Demonic Army.
Next, he gave orders to Lee Ahn and the four captains.
“The Tenebrous Ghosts Corps and the Guard Unit will disguise themselves as couples or small groups of men and women enjoying a night outing. Search for any traces of ambush. If this place is a trap, there will definitely be signs of it somewhere. Once you find anything, report immediately to the Demonic Army and move together.”
“Yes, understood.”
Then he assigned roles to the remaining three Demon Supremes.
“Demonic Buddha, Drunken Demon—how about a boat ride after such a long time?”
It was a request for them to patrol around the meeting boat by water.
Drunken Demon was delighted at the thought of drinking on the lake.
“I knew this would happen, so I brought the perfect liquor for a boat ride.”
Finally, Geom Mugeuk turned to Evil Smiling Demon.
“Soma, you’ll command this operation.”
It was the most critical task—
to oversee the entire situation from outside and respond to any unforeseen developments as the tactical commander.
“Understood.”
Evil Smiling Demon understood this order as Geom Mugeuk’s way of saying:
“I will protect the Master of the Sky Flower Pavilion—so take good care of the Tenebrous Ghosts Corps and the Demonic Army.”
Geom Mugeuk spoke directly to the Tenebrous Ghosts Corps and the Guard Unit.
“Listen well. In my demonic path, there is no such thing as the sacrifice of one for the sake of all. Above all else, prioritize your own safety. It’s fine if you let the enemy escape, and it’s fine if you act cowardly. What I cannot forgive is any of you getting hurt or killed. And more than anything—don’t worry about me.”
It was Geom Mugeuk’s sincere heart, spoken openly for the sake of his subordinates.
At that, Drunken Demon interjected slyly,
“So, that applies to us too, right?”
Geom Mugeuk looked at the Demon Supremes and said,
“Of course not. You Demon Supremes must prioritize the mission over personal safety. You absolutely cannot let the enemy slip away. If you do, I’ll never stop teasing you about it. And above all—do worry about me! The Young Cult Leader comes before your own safety!”
Only the empty sockets of Evil Smiling Demon’s eyes curved in a grin, while the other three Demon Supremes turned their heads away as if they hadn’t heard.
Geom Mugeuk looked around at everyone and said firmly,
“Now then, let’s finish this without incident and go enjoy that boat ride!”
Just as they were about to begin the operation in earnest—
The Master of the Sky Flower Pavilion, who had been gazing up at the sky and silently praying for the mission’s success, suddenly cried out in shock.
“That star!”
Her eyes widened in disbelief. She was rarely startled like this, so everyone tensed and lifted their gaze toward the night sky.
“The Heavenly Killing Star has appeared!”
At those words, everyone froze. They all knew what it meant. The Heavenly Killing Star’s appearance signified the arrival of a Great Slayer—one who would drench the martial world in blood.
But the problem was this: the person symbolized by the Heavenly Killing Star wasn’t the Dark Palace Master. He was already someone who existed in this age.
A new villain had emerged.
The Demon Supremes exchanged grave looks, and the captains of the Tenebrous Ghosts Corps met Lee Ahn’s gaze. The warmth and calm that Geom Mugeuk had fostered before the operation instantly turned cold.
All eyes naturally turned to Geom Mugeuk.
He silently stared at the Heavenly Killing Star. Only he knew whom that star represented.
So, you’ve finally appeared.
He had hoped it would take longer.
He had yet to perfect the Twelve Star Greatness of the Nine Calamities Demon Art, and the final form still eluded him.
But Geom Mugeuk felt no fear.
Up to this very moment, he had lived without regret, giving his all. That was the beauty of living with every ounce of one’s strength—
even before such an overwhelming foe, he did not tremble.
Geom Mugeuk’s gaze shifted from the Heavenly Killing Star to his comrades who were looking at him.
“Stars don’t only exist in the heavens, so don’t worry. We have our own stars here—laughing stars, drunken stars, shining stars, strange stars, beautiful stars, and reliable stars. That star up there may be one, but we are many.”
At those words, Drunken Demon laughed through his tipsy eyes.
“Among them, there’s one star that shines the brightest.”
Then, Evil Smiling Demon suddenly spoke up.
“The Young Cult Leader is not a star.”
Everyone turned toward him, puzzled by what he meant.
“He is the sky itself—the very sky that allows those stars to shine.”
To Evil Smiling Demon, without Geom Mugeuk, none of them could have become stars in the first place.
Not even the Heavenly Killing Star could stop the drunken mischief of Drunken Demon.
“Not the sky—darkness,” he said with a grin. “It’s the darkness that makes the stars shine. That ever-late, pitch-black darkness.”
Whether sky or darkness, no one denied the truth behind their words—that it was Geom Mugeuk who had made them all shine. Everyone had changed because of him, and now they gleamed like stars themselves.
Seizing the moment, Geom Mugeuk couldn’t resist showing off.
“As expected! Only our Soma truly recognizes my worth. In that case, as the sky myself, I shall say a word to that Heavenly Killing Star.”
His gaze returned to the heavens.
“I already have countless stars of my own…”
The clear and profound light in Geom Mugeuk’s eyes shone even more fiercely than the Heavenly Killing Star itself.
“You may lose your light within my world.”