RM-Bab 619

Chapter 619 Why did you make it without our permission?

Ma Bul was running toward Wuhan.

When he heard the information sent from Clear Heaven Pavilion, he decided that he had to go.

Han Wol-gaek and Byeoksan-geom.

They were opponents that the Grand Prince would find hard to handle.

Especially since Ma Bul knew well that Han Wol-gaek’s resentment toward their sect was as deep as the sea.

At that moment, someone shouted from far behind him.

“Wait a momentttttt.”

Ma Bul stopped his movement technique at the familiar voice carried on the wind.

Whoosh.

The person who came running like light from behind and landed was Geom Mugeuk.

“How can someone with such short legs be so fast?”

“Becoming the Acting Cult Master, are you now openly making personal attacks?”

“Sitting on the throne makes one naturally arrogant. Everyone, kneel!”

Though their conversation was full of negative words, the expressions on their faces, as they looked at each other, were bright.

“What is it?”

“I was given a task, so I should at least greet you.”

“You didn’t come chasing me because you were leaving without greeting the Acting Cult Master, did you?”

“Indeed! You know too much about the nature of power! No matter how much you carve stone statues, Master Ma Bul, you are the Incarnation of Greed itself.”

Ma Bul snorted.

He felt that Geom Mugeuk was deliberately trying to provoke him.

It was like saying, “Carve statues to sell them,” meaning to go back to the old days when he tried to seize power again.

To be vivid, not to sink.

“I came with a request.”

Geom Mugeuk untied the Supreme Heavenly Silkworm Cloth wrapped around the hilt of the Black Demon Sword.

That which he had shared with Extreme Evil Demon and Drunken Demon, was now being handed to a new person.

“Please wrap this around my brother’s heart.”

Ma Bul received the Supreme Heavenly Silkworm Cloth.

At first, he hadn’t believed Geom Mugeuk’s words about wanting to save his brother while also fighting for the successor position, but now he believed him.

Yes, perhaps something like this was wrapped around the Grand Prince’s heart even back then.

Something unseen, yet more powerful than this in his hand, something that had protected his heart.

Ma Bul’s gaze turned to the Black Demon Sword.

There was still Supreme Heavenly Silkworm Cloth left on the hilt.

Looking at it, Ma Bul suddenly said,

“What about me?”

Geom Mugeuk laughed out loud, as if he thought it was a joke.

But Ma Bul did not laugh.

“Is only the Grand Prince’s heart a heart?”

“Master Ma Bul, you don’t need something like this, do you?”

“I’m also someone who bleeds when cut by a sword. Do you think gold dust will pour out instead of blood?”

“It’s not cool for a Demon Lord to wear something like this.”

“Haven’t you given it to other Demon Lords?”

“…”

“As expected, you don’t want to give it to me.”

Finally, Geom Mugeuk, pretending to be unable to resist, untied all the rest and handed it to him.

“You won’t even use it, so why are you taking it?”

“I will use it.”

“You absolutely won’t use it, Master Ma Bul!”

“We’ll see.”

If he had given all of it from the start, saying, “Give half to your brother and half to Master Ma Bul,” Ma Bul would have surely said he didn’t need it.

So, he deliberately employed a reverse psychology tactic.

It was unknown if Ma Bul guessed his intention and accepted it, pretending not to know, but…

Ma Bul looked at the leather pouch on Geom Mugeuk’s back and said,

“It seems you brought that to give me as well. Hand it over.”

How perceptive he was.

Inside the leather pouch were three Protective Armors taken from the Heavenly Demon Hall.

One of them was a small Protective Armor for Ma Bul.

“Why three sets?”

“If you happen to meet him, please give one to Poison King as well.”

Ma Bul stared at Geom Mugeuk and said, with a look that implied, ‘You couldn’t possibly not know this,’

“He won’t wear it.”

“Yes, he’ll say he doesn’t want it.”

“Then why?”

“Some might think I’m sending you because you’re close to my brother, but that’s not why I asked you, Master Ma Bul.”

“Then for what reason?”

Geom Mugeuk’s true assessment of Ma Bul’s value.

“To make the impossible possible. You’re better at that than anyone else.”

Ma Bul looked at Geom Mugeuk for a moment, then slowly began to wrap the Supreme Heavenly Silkworm Cloth around both his wrists.

“You’re not sending me because of your brother, are you? Nor are you sending me to make Poison King wear the Protective Armor.”

He accurately grasped Geom Mugeuk’s intentions.

“You mean to stop Poison King, that person, right?”

Instead of answering, Geom Mugeuk offered a positive smile.

If Han Wol-gaek, whose resentment toward the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect was deep, went mad, Poison King would eventually have to step in.

The moment someone, misled by his youthful, innocent appearance, spoke nonsense, the rule that everyone had to uphold would be broken.

The rule to not anger Poison King.

If things went badly, it could even lead to war.

“Only Master Ma Bul will be able to stop Poison King.”

“Why me?”

He had expected a grand reason, but,

“Master Ma Bul is the king of collecting poisonous herbs, aren’t you?”

Ma Bul laughed at the unexpected reason.

The playfulness disappeared from Geom Mugeuk’s face.

He respectfully bowed his head.

“I am sorry for asking you such a difficult task.”

Ma Bul, having finished wrapping the Supreme Heavenly Silkworm Cloth, put the leather pouch on his back.

When the short Ma Bul carried it, his body was almost entirely covered.

“Becoming a Cult Master, you start by entrusting me with burdens.”

“It’s a burden that only a small giant can carry.”

“If only you couldn’t talk.”

Ma Bul turned and started running again.

Geom Mugeuk stood there watching until he completely disappeared.

To be honest, watching was harder than going out and fighting himself.

But even if anxiety kept him from sleeping, when it was time to watch, he had to watch.

Like a parent’s heart for their child, it was when they stood alone that they would grow.

The opponent, and even himself, who had watched.

Geom Mugeuk turned in the opposite direction from where he had disappeared.

“Then, shall I go read the book I left unfinished?”

In a flash, Geom Mugeuk’s figure became a dot and vanished.

+++

The carriage carrying Geom Muyang’s group slowly passed through the main street of Wuhan.

Disguised as construction workers, they sat tightly packed in the carriage’s cargo area, observing the surrounding streets.

Every person they saw seemed to be from the Righteous Sect: the middle-aged martial artist walking briskly with a long sword on his back and his robe fluttering, the old man sitting in a tavern, stroking his white beard and sharing a wine cup, the young martial artists with their youthful faces, laughing and chatting, looking so happy, and the Martial Alliance martial artists in uniform, passing by with sharp eyes.

In the distance, the grand buildings of the Martial Alliance Headquarters and a giant stone statue symbolizing wandering heroes were visible.

Ho Myeong did not show it outwardly, but he was inwardly nervous.

He had only heard about it, but this was his first time actually coming to the Martial Alliance Headquarters.

And it wasn’t just him; his subordinates who came with him felt the same way.

It wasn’t just the people.

The countless large and small sects visible along the way were all Righteous Sects following the Martial Alliance.

If a fight broke out, Righteous Sect martial artists would pour out from all directions.

They were truly passing through a dragon’s pond, tiger’s den.

The place they arrived at was a Manor.

It was not a secluded place far away, but a short distance from the marketplace.

Other houses were tightly packed next to it, and the marketplace they had just passed was only a short walk away.

It was a place where the magnificent buildings of the Martial Alliance Headquarters looked even larger.

It was truly right under the Martial Alliance’s nose.

Everyone got out of the carriage and entered the Manor.

Inside, parts of the Manor buildings were collapsed, as if they had called workers for repair.

“Welcome, everyone!”

The person who greeted them was the Innkeeper of this place.

“We intend to wonderfully redecorate this place.”

At the same time, he was a martial artist from Clear Heaven Pavilion.

“Come, come, today, go in and rest. Let’s start work tomorrow.”

Clear Heaven Pavilion had bought this Manor and made it appear as if they were doing expansion work.

This was to ensure that Geom Muyang and the Branch martial artists, who had arrived in Wuhan disguised as workers, would not be suspected.

Clear Heaven Pavilion truly spared no support for Geom Muyang.

As the Manor gate closed, the Branch martial artists surveyed their surroundings.

Over the wall and even on the roof.

After confirming that there were no monitoring eyes, they took out their swords and Protective Armors, hidden beneath the carriage floor, and entered the building.

Once inside the building, the middle-aged man finally introduced himself.

“I am Hwain from Clear Heaven Pavilion. It is an honor to escort such a distinguished person.”

Normally, martial artists belonging to Clear Heaven Pavilion would identify themselves with a code name for missions, but this time, he revealed his real name.

Although he had been pushed out in the succession struggle, his opponent was a blood relative of the Heavenly Demon.

That was why he, who was in charge of Wuhan, had personally stepped forward.

“I look forward to your assistance.”

As Geom Muyang briefly greeted him, Branch Leader Ho Myeong stepped forward.

“You lost track of Guo Yong’s whereabouts?”

Then, an unexpected answer came out.

“No.”

At the word “no,” Ho Myeong, as well as the other martial artists, were all surprised.

“Guo Yong returned to the Iron Workshop this morning.”

Geom Muyang’s expression, listening, hardened slightly.

It was a situation where he should be happy to have found her, but,

It bothered him that she had returned conspicuously on the very day he entered Wuhan.

Ho Myeong felt similarly.

“It might be a trap.”

Geom Muyang nodded at his words.

“Perhaps.”

But even if it was a trap, there was no turning back.

That wasn’t the only news they were waiting for.

“There’s something you need to know. Han Wol-gaek is currently in Wuhan.”

At the mention of Han Wol-gaek, Geom Muyang flinched in surprise.

Before he could react, more bad news came.

“And Byeoksan-geom will arrive soon.”

Ho Myeong quickly asked Hwain,

“Are they here because of our operation?”

“We are currently confirming that.”

Guo Yong returned on her own, and two renowned masters of the Righteous Sect are coming here?

It was as if the dragon’s pond was bubbling and boiling, and in the tiger’s den, the cry of a hungry tiger could be heard.

Ho Myeong looked back at Geom Muyang.

He knew that even if they came because of them, Geom Muyang was not someone who would get scared and turn back.

Indeed, Geom Muyang calmly asked Hwain,

“Where is Guo Yong’s house?”

“She has a residence in the inner section of the Martial Alliance.”

Since she was a master craftsman of the Iron Workshop, it seemed they had specially prepared a residence for her in the inner section.

Not the outer section, but the inner section?

It was almost impossible to get in.

“There’s a tavern Guo Yong often goes to. She often stops there for tea after work.”

“Where is that?”

“It’s a tavern called Fragrant Grace in the marketplace.”

What Hwain had prepared was not just information.

He opened a closet.

It was filled with various types of martial robes.

“You cannot wear weapons in those clothes, so please wear these. These are the most common martial robes you can see in Wuhan.”

He also gave them new identities.

“If you ever need to reveal your identity, say you are a disciple of Sword-Revering Sect, a Righteous Sect in Hunan.”

Sword-Revering Sect was also a disguised sect of the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect.

“The disciples of Sword-Revering Sect are currently here with their Senior Disciple Brother to visit the Martial Alliance Headquarters.”

Hwain brought a paper with names written on it and told each of them their names.

If someone were to check with Sword-Revering Sect, they would hear that these people had gone to visit the Martial Alliance Headquarters.

“Thank you for your consideration.”

Everyone began to change into their martial robes.

“Don’t forget to wear your Protective Armor under your clothes.”

Ho Myeong, having taken care of his subordinates, was concerned that Geom Muyang did not have Protective Armor.

But he couldn’t give him the one he was wearing either.

He couldn’t give the Grand Prince the Protective Armor supplied to ordinary martial artists.

Although he thought it was probably fine since his martial arts were so strong, he still wished he could give him something better to wear.

A moment later, they quietly exited through the back door of the Manor.

+++

Geom Muyang was alone, drinking tea at Fragrant Grace.

The rest of the martial artists were scattered at the tavern across the street, on the roadside, in the alleyways, and in the adjacent buildings, monitoring the surroundings.

They had taken their positions one by one with such caution.

To be honest, today was more like reconnaissance.

He hadn’t expected to meet her on the very first day.

-It’s her!

At Ho Myeong’s telepathic message, he raised his head and saw a woman entering the tavern.

There was a large burn scar on the back of the woman’s hand.

He couldn’t mistake it.

She wasn’t trying to hide the scar; she had even rolled up her sleeves.

She, who proudly displayed her wound, was as beautiful in face and figure as he had heard.

Guo Yong, having entered the tavern, looked around to see where to sit.

At that moment, her eyes met Geom Muyang’s.

Then Guo Yong smiled with her eyes and bowed slightly.

Geom Muyang couldn’t tell.

Did she smile because she recognized him, or was it just a casual greeting after their eyes met by chance?

At any rate, one thing was unexpected.

Her demeanor was brighter than he had imagined.

At that moment, Ho Myeong sent a telepathic message to Geom Muyang from outside.

-There seem to be no tailing or ambushes.

Geom Muyang also circulated his energy and observed, but there were no particular noticeable dangers, either from the customers inside or outside.

‘She really came alone to drink tea?’

If so, all that was left was to subdue her and take her away.

A carriage was also ready outside to transport her.

But Geom Muyang was cautious.

The way things were going too smoothly made him even more careful.

Guo Yong drank her tea, looking at the pedestrians coming and going outside.

Her eyes were deep, lost in thought.

Then, a group of men passing by bowed to her.

She greeted them with a bright voice and waved her hand.

Seeing that they were all muscular, they were probably men who worked at the Iron Workshop.

When she, who had been looking outside, turned her head back to drink her tea, Geom Muyang had already taken a seat across from her.

It was a surprising situation, but she calmly asked,

“Why are you sitting without asking permission?”

In contrast, Geom Muyang went on the offensive.

“Then why did you make it without our permission?”

His first words revealed his identity and were an accusation against her.

If she screamed or tried to run away, her demonic points and mute points would be subdued before she could even try.

But Guo Yong showed an unexpected reaction.

She leaned her upper body forward, approached Geom Muyang’s face, and spoke with great confidence,

“Are you stupid? Who asks for permission to make counterfeit goods?”