“The Demon Sect’s Division Lord is behind the escort mission robbery?”
As a name that should not have been mentioned came out, Geom Mugeuk’s aura grew cold.
“Division Lord Yeo has agreed to handle the cleanup so this matter doesn't escalate.”
As the Hunan Division Lord of the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect, he was a man of great power in this region, enough to make such a promise.
“Is there proof that he was involved?”
“There is… no proof. He is not a man who leaves evidence in matters like this. I am the witness.”
The moment he uttered Yeo So-gwang’s name, Lee Eom had crossed a bridge he could not return from.
He had to abandon Yeo So-gwang and find a way to survive.
“What if you are framing the Division Lord?”
“Then you may kill me.”
Judging by his attitude so far and the desperate look in his eyes, he was telling the truth.
In fact, it wasn't that shocking or surprising.
Thinking of the Demon Army Lord when he first regressed made it an easy thing to understand.
He had privately used the Demon Army to amass wealth.
If he had been policing the inside until now, it was time to start policing the outside as well.
“How did you know about Hunan’s Number One Escort Agency’s mission this time?”
“One of their Escort Leaders is my man.”
“Who is it?”
“Yang Dae-nam.”
Once opened, Lee Eom's mouth spoke without hesitation.
“Let’s see what you stole from this mission first.”
“Please, follow me.”
Lee Eom rose from his seat.
His body was heavy.
He realized that the inner energy in his energy core had been suppressed at some point.
‘I was subdued without even realizing it.’
Lee Eom recognized that his opponent’s martial arts far surpassed the level of mastery of an ordinary master.
Killing Blood Hand Sword in one strike with a chopstick was by no means because Blood Hand Sword had been careless.
He probably could have killed Blood Hand Sword with a small wooden skewer meant for picking one’s teeth.
‘He’s a master far stronger than even Division Lord Yeo.’
Aside from his skill, he showed no sign of fearing Yeo So-gwang.
A Division Lord of the Demon Sect was a person of great power, so who in the world was this man?
Lee Eom activated a hidden mechanism on a bookshelf, and the wall rotated to reveal a secret space.
Inside were three rather large boxes, filled to the brim with gold ornaments.
Seeing the riches they had plundered, Geom Mugeuk grew angry at Lee Eom and Yeo So-gwang.
This case was worse than if men with no money had committed this act, hoping for a big score.
Both of them likely already possessed great wealth, and there were plenty of ways to earn money without resorting to such acts.
Especially someone like Yeo So-gwang, who would receive a considerable amount of tribute from various places.
And yet they commit such an act?
Geom Mugeuk hid his surging anger and asked calmly.
“Did Blood Hand Sword accomplish this alone?”
“The job was easy because Escort Leader Yang leaked the travel route in advance. We were able to set a trap beforehand and launch a surprise attack.”
“Even your methods were cheap.”
Lee Eom, who had been eagerly tattling, shut his mouth and watched Geom Mugeuk’s expression.
“You have plenty of money, so why did you do this?”
“……”
“Won’t you answer?”
“Money… isn’t it better to have more of it?”
“That would be true if it was money you earned.”
Lee Eom couldn’t say anything and lowered his head deeply.
He wanted to be honest.
He wanted to scream, ‘In a martial world where it’s eat or be eaten, isn’t the one who gets robbed the fool? You think the same way, don’t you? You hypocrite!’
Geom Mugeuk came out and ordered Jeok-yeon, who was waiting in the hallway.
“Tell the heads of the Underworld Pavilion and Heaven-Reaching Pavilion in this area to come here at once!”
“Yes, I understand!”
Hearing this, Lee Eom was startled.
Through his association with Yeo So-gwang, he had heard that the Underworld Pavilion and Heaven-Reaching Pavilion were core organizations of the Demon Sect.
To summon the heads of such core organizations so casually?
Then, Lee Eom’s gaze fell upon Jeok-yeon’s chest.
The first time he saw him, he only saw the evil spirit.
But now he also saw the shield surrounding the evil spirit.
‘Could it be?’
He had vaguely heard of this symbol once at a drinking party.
‘The Heavenly Demon Hall Guards?’
Lee Eom’s gaze turned to Geom Mugeuk.
‘Then this man is? N-no way… the Young Cult Master of the Demon Sect? Ugh!’
Lee Eom’s heart sank.
He had truly picked the wrong person to cross.
His legs gave out, and he prostrated himself on the floor.
“Please spare my life! I failed to recognize a person of your great stature.”
No matter how much he begged, Geom Mugeuk’s gaze towards him remained cold.
As if to prove Lee Eom’s suspicions correct, the demonic practitioners in charge of the Underworld Pavilion and Heaven-Reaching Pavilion here truly came running like the wind.
Geom Mugeuk’s handling of the matter was swift.
First, he explained the incident to the leaders.
Then he informed them that since the Hunan Division Lord was involved, he couldn’t use the demonic practitioners from there, so the Underworld Pavilion and Heaven-Reaching Pavilion had to step in.
After finishing his explanation, Geom Mugeuk first gave an order to the Underworld Pavilion’s special investigator.
“First, return the plundered goods and Blood Hand Sword’s body to Hunan’s Number One Escort Agency and explain the situation. Tell them to also deal with the escort leader named Yang Dae-nam, who leaked the information about this mission.”
“Understood.”
As Lee Eom watched the process with a nervous heart, Geom Mugeuk turned to him and said.
“And send that man to the Main Sect and lock him in the Thunder Prison.”
To be locked in the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect’s Thunder Prison? Lee Eom’s vision went dark.
“No! Please spare me!”
Geom Mugeuk asked nonchalantly.
“Did you really think you could commit such a grave crime and get away with it?”
“That’s why I confessed everything, isn’t it?”
“And that’s why I didn’t kill you.”
Lee Eom was at a loss for words.
A bribe was what was needed at a time like this.
But seeing as he ordered the return of the goods, that didn't seem likely to work either.
Geom Mugeuk gave him a choice.
“Fine, then choose! Will you go to our Thunder Prison? Or will you go to Hunan’s Number One Escort Agency?”
Lee Eom knew that both choices meant death.
“Please, spare me! I only made the plan!”
“This isn’t your first time doing something like this, is it?”
“It is my first time.”
Lee Eom’s voice trembled, and he couldn’t meet Geom Mugeuk’s gaze.
How could it be his first time? He just watched as Blood Hand Sword cruelly killed the abducted chefs.
That alone gave a glimpse into the kind of life he had lived.
“From what I can see, you are the most wicked of the three.”
Without hesitation, Geom Mugeuk threw a punch.
Pow! Crack!
Lee Eom’s chest was crushed, and he died instantly.
Rumble!
Everyone there was startled by the sound of thunder that came from his fist.
It was as if judgment had been delivered from the heavens.
Geom Mugeuk continued his orders.
“Dismantle the Wind Water Mountain Villa, and distribute all the money from it to the families of those who died this time!”
“Understood.”
While he felt for the victims' families, there was another reason why it had to be handled this way.
“Hunan’s Number One Escort Agency is a Righteous Faction sect, isn’t it?”
“Yes, that is correct.”
In each region, there were places where the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect’s influence was strong, and places where the Martial Alliance’s or the Unorthodox Alliance’s influence was strong.
Naturally, the closer to the Main Sect, the stronger the influence, and the farther away, the weaker.
Hunan Province was a place where the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect’s power was strong.
However, that didn’t mean that all the sects here followed and supported the Demon Sect.
Though relatively few in number, there were many sects that followed the Righteous Faction or the Unorthodox Faction.
Here in Hunan Province, there were clearly Martial Alliance divisions and branches, and the same was true for the Unorthodox Alliance.
“Inform the Martial Alliance so there are no misunderstandings. And tell them that we will deal with Yeo So-gwang internally.”
Since the Heaven-Reaching Pavilion had many dealings with the Martial Alliance, they would handle it well.
“This village is to be specially managed for the time being. The mother of one of my guards lives here.”
Jeok-yeon stood by and watched Geom Mugeuk’s swift yet meticulous handling of the matter.
Seeing this, a thought came to him.
The position of Young Cult Master truly wasn't for just anyone.
After finishing his work, Geom Mugeuk went to Hwa-soon, who was resting and waiting in a guest room.
“It’s all over. Let’s go back now. I’d like to have a meal cooked by mother.”
At those words, Hwa-soon was relieved.
She could tell from Geom Mugeuk’s bright expression that the matter had been resolved well.
Her heart, which had been pounding until the very end, finally calmed down.
“Of course, I’ll cook for you. Of course, I must.”
“I told you to speak comfortably.”
“I cannot do that. This is more comfortable for me, Young Master.”
Even as they came outside, the escort warriors formed a formation to protect Hwa-soon.
When they reached the carriage, Geom Mugeuk said to Number Three and Hwa-soon.
“Only the two of you should ride in the carriage.”
Hwa-soon wore a puzzled expression.
“So you can have a nice chat with your son after such a long time. Now, get in. We’re leaving.”
Geom Mugeuk climbed into the driver’s seat.
Number Three protested, but it was resolved with the single phrase, ‘It’s an order.’
The carriage carrying Hwa-soon and Number Three began to race toward the village.
How long had they been running?
Hwa-soon’s laughter could be heard from the carriage’s cabin.
It was the most pleasant sound he had heard since leaving the sect.
Geom Mugeuk had no memory of his mother.
It was because she had passed away when he was very young.
So, on days like this, he would miss his mother.
‘Mother, your sons are getting along well and not fighting.’
The succession battle where he and his brother did not shed blood was also for the sake of their deceased mother.
The carriage arrived at Hwa-soon’s inn.
Getting out of the carriage, Hwa-soon saw her inn and finally felt that she had returned safely.
Geom Mugeuk treated her as warmly as a son.
“Mother, we are hungry!”
Hwa-soon rolled up her sleeves and entered the kitchen.
Geom Mugeuk and the escort warriors were able to eat a home-cooked meal filled with a mother’s care for the first time in a long while.
Her cooking was truly delicious.
Hwa-soon was so happy to see her son eating with his colleagues.
The image of him as a child, flocking to the house with his neighborhood friends to eat, overlapped with the current scene.
‘When did he grow up so much.’
Her son, who was once a little boy, had become a young man and was now eating with his colleagues.
Her heart swelled with pride and emotion.
Geom Mugeuk, who had cleanly emptied a bowl of rice, said to her.
“I want to bring you to the Main Sect and eat the meals you cook every day.”
She was relieved.
With such a good superior to serve, she felt she wouldn’t have to worry about her son.
She brought out a new bowl of rice and more side dishes.
“Young Master, you get an extra bowl! I added more meat too.”
At her words, Geom Mugeuk smiled brightly.
“I will cherish your son more than any of the other lads!”
She laughed at Geom Mugeuk’s joke, and the escorts laughed along with them.
Hwa-soon was truly grateful to Geom Mugeuk.
She didn’t know the details of how the incident at the mountain villa was handled, but she could feel that it was resolved because of him.
‘Thank you, Young Master.’
*
Geom Mugeuk’s party stayed there for four more days.
Normally, they should have left the next day, but he wanted to give Hwa-soon and Number Three, who had reunited after three years, more time together.
Number Three fulfilled his long-overdue filial duties to his heart’s content.
On the third day, he took his mother to a nearby temple.
They ate delicious food and enjoyed the beautiful scenery on the way.
When his mother’s legs hurt, Number Three carried her on his back and walked.
When her son asked if she would come live in Demon Family Village, she shook her head.
She didn’t want to be a burden to her son, and she didn’t want to leave the hometown she had lived in her whole life.
Four days later, Geom Mugeuk’s party bid a reluctant farewell to Hwa-soon and rode the carriage toward the Hunan Division.
During a short break, Number Three came to Geom Mugeuk.
“I heard you gave an order to specially manage my hometown.”
It seemed Jeok-yeon had told him.
“Of course, that’s what I should do. From now on, visit your mother more often. This is also an order.”
Number Three realized it this time.
He had been too indifferent to his mother, using the excuse of being busy.
“Thank you very much. I will not forget the grace you have shown me this time.”
“Thanks to you, I got to eat my fill of the delicious food your mother made. I should be the one thanking you more.”
When the break ended, Jeok-yeon sat in the driver’s seat, saying he would drive the carriage himself.
“I will drive as fast as possible.”
“Let’s go slowly. We’re not in a hurry.”
Jeok-yeon asked with a puzzled expression.
“Shouldn’t we go quickly?”
“Why?”
“If that scoundrel realizes his corruption has been exposed, wouldn’t he run away?”
That was unlikely.
The work of the Underworld Pavilion and Heaven-Reaching Pavilion was not that sloppy.
At least until we arrived, things would be handled so that he would know nothing.
“He’s going to step down as Division Lord because of this? Unlikely, but if so, that would be a punishment in itself. He’d live his whole life in regret and lament. But that’s unlikely.”
Lee Eom had said that Yeo So-gwang left no evidence of his involvement in this matter.
So it was unlikely he would get scared and run away.
“They are all people full of greed, so they cannot distance themselves from this lump of avarice.”
And so, the carriage leisurely made its way towards the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect’s Hunan Division.
*
Yeo So-gwang was looking out the window.
He had a comfortable and kind-hearted appearance, so he did not look like a demonic practitioner at all.
“Is there still no word from Lord Lee?”
At Yeo So-gwang’s question, his right-hand man, Hwang Pyo, answered.
“Not yet.”
He was supposed to have received word that the goods had been sent, but there was no news from Lee Eom.
“Could it be that he has other intentions?”
Yeo So-gwang shook his head firmly.
“He is not a man of such caliber.”
Besides, the blade used this time was Blood Hand Sword.
The reason he used that greedy fellow was to guard against any unforeseen circumstances.
He wouldn’t dare to have other intentions, as dealing with him was not easy.
“What about the Young Cult Master?”
“He is later than scheduled.”
“He wants a battle of wills. He learned the nasty things from a young age.”
“Have you heard the rumors? The Second Young Master who became the successor this time is rumored to be truly extraordinary.”
“Of course, he would be extraordinary.”
Despite that, Yeo So-gwang was relaxed.
“Even so…”
He was still just a young man full of vigor.
No matter how much he tried to hide it, there was an unavoidable childishness that came with age.
He planned to slowly melt him with sweet words.
He would show him clearly how he had risen from a common martial artist to a Division Lord.
“So please, come quickly, Young Cult Master.”