“This is Demon Family Village?”
Han Seol’s eyes widened at the scene unfolding before her.
It was not what she had expected.
Shops lined both sides of a clean street, and countless pedestrians walked to and fro.
There were no men with sinister eyes looking for a score, nor were there any staggering drunkards.
In the alleys where she expected to see conspirators putting their heads together, children were playing.
Geom Mugeuk didn't need to answer her question about whether this was truly Demon Family Village.
“Young Cult Master!”
A merchant selling herbs at the entrance ran out and greeted Geom Mugeuk warmly.
“Is business going well?”
“Thanks to you, it’s going great.”
Han Seol was honestly surprised.
A mere merchant on the street greeting the Young Cult Master of the Divine Sect so casually?
Of course, she did not know.
In terms of popularity here in Demon Family Village, Geom Mugeuk surpassed even the Heavenly Demon.
It was all thanks to Geom Mugeuk's efforts that this place had become such a good village to live in.
So Bing of the Ice Cold Twin Blades quickly sent a telepathic message to Han Seol.
-Step back! They might be poisonous herbs.
-Surely they wouldn't sell poisonous herbs openly like medicinal herbs, would they?
-That's why it's the Demon Sect.
Her heart had softened considerably after the culinary journey with Geom Mugeuk, but now that they had arrived at Demon Family Village, they were tense once again.
They were on high alert, wondering if there was anyone targeting Han Seol, even if the chance was one in ten thousand.
“Young Cult Master, it’s been a while!”
A merchant selling farming tools across the street also came out and greeted Geom Mugeuk.
-Be careful.
There could be hidden weapons disguised as farming tools.
At this rate, they would tell her to be careful of the pebbles on the street.
Just then, Sa Han, the husband of the Ice Cold Twin Blades, sent a telepathic message to Han Seol.
-This street was staged for your arrival, Young Palace Master.
They must have sent a dispatch ahead to tidy things up.
Han Seol observed the merchants' expressions and replied via telepathic message.
-But for that to be the case, these merchants seem too happy to see the Young Cult Master.
-It's an act.
The Ice Cold Twin Blades might trust Geom Mugeuk, but they did not trust demonic practitioners.
They acknowledged that Geom Mugeuk had been a great help to the Northern Sea Ice Palace and that he possessed a character unlike that of a demonic practitioner.
But they knew the Demon Sect.
The same Demon Sect whose ferocity and ruthlessness made even the savage Unorthodox Alliance take a step back.
If a single person doesn't change easily, how could such a large organization change so readily?
Thus, Sa Han speculated as such.
-This place is likely the first gate protecting the Demon Sect’s main division.
-A gate?
-Demonic practitioners are surely hiding in various places.
If a suspicious person appears, they will immediately contact the main division.
Han Seol glanced at Geom Mugeuk.
From her experience with him so far, Geom Mugeuk was not the kind of person to act friendly with a merchant to deceive her.
If this were such a place, he would have passed through without even getting out of the carriage.
Nevertheless, she understood the suspicions of the Ice Cold Twin Blades.
Even she was very surprised by this unexpected atmosphere.
'Even the street in front of the Martial Alliance headquarters probably isn't this bright.
Is it really a staged street? Are they mobilizing all these people to deceive us?'
As she walked along with Geom Mugeuk, she saw a shop selling dumplings.
Seeing the steaming dumplings, she recalled the rumors about Demon Family Village.
'Could there really be human flesh in those dumplings?'
But the middle-aged owner had a very kind face, and the dumpling shop was bustling with customers.
As she stared at the dumplings, Geom Mugeuk offered her one.
“This place is delicious. Would you like to try a dumpling?”
“I’m fine.”
Han Seol quickened her pace, worried he might insist she try one.
The people choosing clothes at the draper's, and the owners and clerks at the fruit and grain shops, all recognized Geom Mugeuk and greeted him politely.
“Sell well!”
Each time, Geom Mugeuk returned their greetings one by one.
That side of him was new to Han Seol.
She was well aware that Geom Mugeuk was a meddlesome person, but she had considered it a kind of tactic he used when dealing with her mother, the Ice Palace Master, with herself, or with the successors of the Martial Alliance or the Unorthodox Alliance.
Naturally, there must be a hidden intention behind his kindness.
It was something most people would find difficult to do even if they knew, so it was impressive.
But Geom Mugeuk was treating the merchants in the exact same way.
'How can this be?'
How could his demeanor when dealing with the Young Palace Master of the Northern Sea Ice Palace or other successors be the same as when dealing with a shop owner? No, if anything, he seemed even kinder when dealing with the merchants.
'Is it really a disguised street, just as the two Elders said?'
This suspicion arose out of sheer disbelief.
Just then, a street vendor selling wooden dolls caught Han Seol's eye.
'So it's true! There's someone selling Demon Sovereign Dolls!'
He was really selling Demon Sovereign Dolls from a spread-out stall.
When she had heard the rumors, she thought they were just scary-looking dolls that people called Demon Sovereign Dolls.
But they were dolls modeled exactly after the Demon Sovereigns.
Having met the Drunken Demon in person, she could tell they looked identical.
'There's even a Heavenly Demon doll!'
She thought it was truly ridiculous.
It seemed like you would be dragged away even for selling a Martial Alliance Leader doll in front of the Martial Alliance headquarters.
The goat-bearded merchant selling the dolls called out to her.
“We only sell these here in the Central Plains! If you buy all the Demon Sovereigns, I'll give you a thirty percent discount!”
Just then, the vendor recognized Geom Mugeuk behind her.
“Ah, Young Cult Master!”
“Have you been well?”
Han Seol saw the merchant's expression brighten.
'Is that expression an act?'
If so, then all the actors in the Central Plains must be gathered here.
Han Seol asked Geom Mugeuk.
“Did the Cult Master really give permission to sell these?”
Geom Mugeuk nodded.
“Just by looking at this one thing, you can tell how broad my father’s generosity is.”
Sa Han’s telepathic message came again.
-That can’t be.
Like the rumors say, they might be dolls with curses embedded in them.
In a critical situation, those dolls might move on their own to attack the opponent.
Han Seol sent a telepathic message back to him.
-For cursed dolls, they look too cool and cute.
She had the thought that they would look nice on her display cabinet if she bought them.
The goat-bearded man shared some good news with Geom Mugeuk.
“I finally get to see you, Young Cult Master. I had something to tell you.”
“What is it?”
“A doll of you, Young Cult Master, will be coming out soon.”
“Oh! So my doll is finally coming out!”
Now that he had officially become the successor, they were planning to release Geom Mugeuk's doll.
“Do you have a preferred pose? For the others, I couldn't ask and made them arbitrarily, but for you, Young Cult Master, I wanted to ask before making it.”
Han Seol could feel it.
The very fact that he could ask such a question showed how much the merchants here trusted Geom Mugeuk.
Who would dare to ask such a thing?
“Just make it however you see fit. As long as it’s cool. So that when you place it right there, people’s hands will go to it first! You know what I mean?”
Geom Mugeuk deliberately lowered his voice and spoke in a whisper.
“Even cooler than my father.”
The goat-bearded man smiled and nodded.
“Young Cult Master, even if yours is made the worst, it will sell the most.”
Geom Mugeuk turned to Han Seol and said.
“Would you like to buy a doll? Which one do you like?”
Then, surprising words flowed from Han Seol’s lips.
“I’ll take all of them.”
At the same time, the Ice Cold Twin Blades sent a telepathic message.
-No!
-It’s dangerous!
Of course, if she were one to listen to them, she wouldn't have come this far in the first place.
“You said you'd give a thirty percent discount if I buy them all?”
At her words, the goat-bearded merchant began to pack them up.
“You’ve made a fine choice! When you line them up, your house will truly shine. Your guests will all ask where you bought them.”
Watching the still-shaking heads of the Ice Cold Twin Blades, she smiled and said.
“I came to visit the Divine Sect, so I should buy a souvenir, right?”
The goods in the other shops could be found anywhere.
But these dolls were said to be sold only in Demon Family Village.
And above all, she felt the desire to buy them.
Just then, Sa Han stepped forward.
“Before that, we will take a look.”
Sa Han carefully examined the wrapped dolls.
No matter how he looked, they were ordinary dolls.
“They're fine.”
The goat-bearded man started packing again, and Geom Mugeuk asked her.
“Which one do you like best? You’ve already met the Drunken Demon, so doesn't he feel the most familiar?”
But the one she chose was, unexpectedly, the Fist Demon's doll.
Among all the dolls, she chose the one that was the largest and had the scariest face.
Geom Mugeuk smiled at her taste.
“I see our Miss likes scary faces. Ah, so it was true when you said you liked quiet men.”
Among the Eight Demon Sovereigns, the Fist Demon was second to none when it came to being a man of few words.
In the meantime, the goat-bearded merchant neatly packed the dolls and handed them to her.
She paid for them herself, turning down Geom Mugeuk's offer to buy them as a gift.
“When the Young Cult Master’s doll comes out, please come again!”
“I don’t know if I’ll have a reason to come back.”
At her words, Geom Mugeuk quickly said.
“What more powerful reason could there be than that?”
“You want me to come all this way just to buy a doll?”
“Will it only be my doll? Your doll might be made, or even a doll of the Underworld Pavilion Lord.”
Yes, this man was the type of person who would tell this goat-bearded vendor to make a doll of him too.
Wouldn't his pride be hurt if they were sold together? Wouldn't his honor be tarnished?
Geom Mugeuk was someone who would never think such things.
It was probably the same for the Heavenly Demon and the Demon Sovereigns, right? That's why they continued to be sold like this.
She was the one who thought that way.
She would have hated being sold alongside a doll that wasn't of her class.
Through these dolls, she was able to reflect on herself.
She possessed a vanity and a useless sense of authority that even those much stronger than her did not.
'I guess they are cursed dolls after all, seeing how they pierce my heart with pain.'
She had lived her life without ever thinking about others, but being with this man kept pulling her out of her own world.
Just then, someone from a tavern across the street came running out, shouting.
“Young Cult Master!”
Of all the merchants she had seen so far, he was the most pleased to see Geom Mugeuk.
He was none other than Jo Chun-bae, the owner of the Flowing Wine Tavern.
He had heard from a customer that the Young Cult Master was walking through Demon Family Village and had rushed out.
“You'll fall, come slowly.”
“Young Cult Master! You’ve come?”
Jo Chun-bae was truly overjoyed.
She glanced at the Ice Cold Twin Blades.
No telepathic message claiming this was all an act came from them now.
“Have you been well, innkeeper?”
“Of course, of course. I’ve been well. Are you hurt anywhere?”
“I am fine.”
“That’s a relief, a real relief.”
This trip out of the sect had been quite long, so Jo Chun-bae had been secretly worried about Geom Mugeuk.
“You seem to have gotten thinner, innkeeper.”
Geom Mugeuk took his hand.
Jo Chun-bae, flustered, said, "Oh my, please don't do this."
Geom Mugeuk introduced Jo Chun-bae to Han Seol.
“This is the owner of my regular tavern.”
In her life as the successor of the Ice Palace, she had never been introduced to a tavern owner, and likely never would be again.
“This is the Young Palace Master of the Northern Sea Ice Palace.”
At the words Northern Sea Ice Palace, Jo Chun-bae was startled.
The Northern Sea Ice Palace held a different meaning from the Martial Alliance and the Unorthodox Alliance.
To drinkers, the Northern Sea Ice Palace was the most mysterious sect.
“My, it is an honor to meet such a distinguished person.”
Jo Chun-bae bowed his head respectfully.
“Innkeeper, I have to go pay my respects to my father, so I’ll see you later.”
“Please come anytime!”
As he was about to turn and leave, Jo Chun-bae said to Geom Mugeuk.
“It is truly good to have you back, Young Cult Master.”
Han Seol could feel it.
He was genuinely happy, as if his own son had returned.
Han Seol sent a telepathic message to the Ice Cold Twin Blades, as if to declare.
-And this?
But the Ice Cold Twin Blades still couldn't believe it.
-They said the three-party meeting was held at a tavern in Demon Family Village.
Would such an important event be held in an ordinary tavern?
They still thought that some secret they didn't know was hidden here in Demon Family Village.
“Let’s have a drink with some friends there later. I have friends in the Main Sect I’d like to introduce you to as well.”
For her, who had never had a single friend, friends were suddenly pouring in.
Leaving Demon Family Village, the four of them made their way toward the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect's main division.
“How was it? Your impression of Demon Family Village?”
At Geom Mugeuk's question, Han Seol answered just as she felt.
“It was nice. It was much brighter and cleaner than I expected.”
Just then, Sa Han cut in, throwing a pointed remark.
“Almost as if it was intentionally made that way.”
Then, Geom Mugeuk said something unexpected.
“It was intentionally made.”
For a moment, the three of them stared at Geom Mugeuk in surprise.
“It wasn't like this at first. It was rough enough for anyone to recognize it as Demon Family Village."
"There were many who acted rowdy just because they were martial artists, and many who got drunk and caused trouble."
"When I became the Underworld Pavilion Lord, I threw them all in jail."
"The ones who hit people while drunk, the ones who extorted money or threatened people, the ones who scammed and killed people, I beat them all down."
"Those who caused trouble while drunk got double the existing sentence, and martial artists who bothered ordinary people got triple. In truth, this place was all made.”
Han Seol stared at Geom Mugeuk in silence for a moment before asking calmly.
“Why did you go to such lengths?”
After a brief pause, Geom Mugeuk spoke.
“Because it was something I could do. No, to be more precise, it was something I could do easily.”
Han Seol could feel from Geom Mugeuk's eyes as he looked at her that he was speaking from the heart.
“It’s something you and I can do easily. We are in positions free from various interests. It's something we can do if we have the will.”
Han Seol was silent for a moment.
He was a successor, and she was a successor too.
But she had never once known what was happening in the villages near the Northern Sea Ice Palace.
Because she had never once cared.
Perhaps the truly cursed dolls were being sold there.
She had only walked through a marketplace, yet her thoughts had become complicated.
In the meantime, they arrived at the main division of the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect.
The castle walls were so high they seemed to pierce the sky, and the massive iron gate was carved with the image of an evil spirit.
Han Seol became tense.
She was finally here, at the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect she had only heard about since she was young.
This was a place even her mother, the Ice Palace Master, had never visited, yet she had come here first.
It was also the first time for the Ice Cold Twin Blades at the main division of the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect.
The elite demonic practitioners guarding the main gate greeted Geom Mugeuk with formal respect.
“We greet the Young Cult Master!”
The resounding shout echoed in all directions.
The demonic practitioners' eyes were sharp, and their discipline was clearly established.
Seeing this, the Ice Cold Twin Blades exchanged glances, reinforcing their decision to be even more careful.
Creeeak.
Normally, the demonic practitioners used a small door at the bottom of the massive iron gate to enter and exit, but as the Young Cult Master returned from a long trip, the massive iron gate began to open.
The scene that was revealed made Han Seol and the Ice Cold Twin Blades gasp in unison.
“Ah!”
The interior was so vast that its end couldn't be seen, and the buildings erected throughout were tall and magnificent.
The Northern Sea Ice Palace was also large and majestic, but it couldn't compare to the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect.
A large, wide road led toward the center.
On both sides of that road stood giant statues of evil spirits in a row.
Erected like gatekeepers, they looked down arrogantly with fearsome eyes, as if to say that once you passed through here, you could not return.
Han Seol was intimidated by the grandeur of the main division, and it was the first time she had ever seen such massive stone statues.
Geom Mugeuk stood before them, smiled, and said.
“Welcome to the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect.”