The Demon Slaying Branch led the charge, with the martial artists of Wuhan, led by the One Sword Sect Master, following close behind.
The One Sword Sect Master was desperate in his pursuit, believing that the demonic practitioners he was chasing were the ones who had attacked the Heavenly Wandering Hermit.
“We must not lose them!”
At the shout from behind, Jin Ha-gun’s expression hardened.
If it were just Geom Muyang and the Demon Buddha, they would not be able to keep up, but they also had the Division martial artists and Gwak Yeong with them.
Because of that, they would not be able to shake off the pursuit easily.
Just then, a fork in the road appeared ahead.
A martial artist from the Demon Slaying Branch, running at the front, examined the ground and the surrounding grass and trees, then looked toward the left path.
He, the most skilled in tracking techniques in the Demon Slaying Branch, had figured out where Geom Muyang’s group had gone.
Soon after, the One Sword Sect Master and the martial artists of Wuhan arrived.
Jin Ha-gun spoke urgently to the One Sword Sect Master.
“Let’s split up and pursue from here! We will take the left path. Please take the right.”
“Demon Slaying Branch Master Jin, be careful!”
Fortunately, the One Sword Sect Master immediately led his martial artists down the right path.
It seemed he didn't suspect that the Demon Slaying Branch Master was deliberately trying to shake him off.
Jin Ha-gun and the Demon Slaying Branch warriors ran faster than before.
They had not been chasing at full speed until now.
As they ran, they could see Geom Muyang’s group running ahead.
The clear difference in skill between the Division martial artists and the Demon Slaying Branch members was evident just from their lightness arts.
The Demon Buddha, who had been running, looked back.
Confirming that only the Demon Slaying Branch was pursuing them, he slowed down, and the entire group came to a halt.
The Division martial artists, who had been running without rest, panted for breath.
Geom Muyang gently lowered Gwak Yeong from his back.
"Are you alright?"
“Yes, I’m fine. Are you okay?”
How uncomfortable could she be, having been carried? She was more worried about Geom Muyang, who had run while carrying her.
Geom Muyang nodded with a stoic face.
His breathing was calm.
To be carried on the back of the Great Young Master of the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect.
It was something no one would ever believe.
Gwak Yeong expressed her sincere gratitude.
“Thank you so much.”
If the Demon Slaying Branch hadn’t arrived right after, she might have added a joke.
For running without abandoning me to the Righteous Path.
No, perhaps it wasn't a joke, but her true feelings.
Surprisingly, she felt more at ease with these demonic practitioners.
The arrived Demon Slaying Branch members stood guard around them, and Jin Ha-gun approached Geom Muyang.
Geom Muyang expressed his gratitude to him.
“Thank you.”
Geom Muyang knew well that Jin Ha-gun had controlled the pace of the pursuit and had now come to meet him after shaking off the other martial artists.
Jin Ha-gun also expressed his thanks.
“Thank you for coming without killing anyone.”
They had escaped without killing any members of the Righteous Path in the process.
In truth, in this situation, Geom Muyang was naturally the more grateful one.
He knew that Jin Ha-gun was taking a huge risk right now.
If it became known in the martial world that he was conversing with him like this, it would cause a huge scandal.
The Demon Slaying Branch Master was having a secret talk with the Great Young Master of the Demon Sect.
He had deliberately let the demonic practitioners he was chasing go.
He was staking his position as a successor.
“But how did you know to come to our residence?”
At Geom Muyang’s question, Jin Ha-gun shook his head.
“I don’t know either. A subordinate of the One Sword Sect Master informed us of the location.”
Before he had a chance to ask what had happened, the One Sword Sect Master had already led his men and dashed off.
“Do you think the One Sword Sect is in league with them?”
This, too, could not be said for certain.
The One Sword Sect was a Wuhan sect with a long history.
The reason the One Sword Sect Master was being so aggressive was that his arm had been cut off by a demonic practitioner, so this situation alone was not enough to conclude that they were the organization behind it all.
“The martial artists of Wuhan are in an agitated state right now. You’ll have to be careful.”
Jin Ha-gun quickly bid his farewell.
They couldn’t afford to stand around chatting when the One Sword Sect Master could return at any moment.
“If you go down around that ridge, you can get back to Wuhan.”
Jin Ha-gun showed them a path to return to Wuhan without being seen.
Geom Muyang and Jin Ha-gun cupped their fists to each other.
“Thank you.”
“Let’s see each other later.”
Jin Ha-gun also politely greeted the Demon Buddha and finally looked at Gwak Yeong.
He said nothing else to her.
He simply gave her a single nod before leading the Demon Slaying Branch away from there.
Gwak Yeong understood.
It was his way of saying he hadn't forgotten about saving her brother, so she shouldn't worry.
After he left, Geom Muyang looked at the Demon Buddha.
His eyes asked what they should do now, and the Demon Buddha spoke calmly.
“First, let’s send that woman and your subordinates to the safehouse.”
With the martial artists of Wuhan searching for demonic practitioners with fire in their eyes, moving with his subordinates and Gwak Yeong was too risky as it would attract attention.
If they had been in a regular hideout in Wuhan until now, he now intended to send them to a secure safehouse.
Geom Muyang spoke to Ho Myeong.
“Go to the safehouse with Master Craftsman Gwak and wait there.”
If the Demon Buddha hadn't come, Ho Myeong would have insisted on staying behind himself, but with a Demon Sovereign protecting him, there was no need to worry.
Gwak Yeong was grateful to Geom Muyang for taking care of her until the very end.
She was even more grateful for the title 'Master Craftsman Gwak' than being called 'that woman'.
Yes, she believed this connection would end well.
After all, it had begun on a day when good iron had come in.
She didn't tell him to take good care of her brother, instead of just leaving it to the Demon Slaying Branch Master.
As she observed this man, she realized he was someone for whom such words were unnecessary.
He was the type of person who wouldn't boast even if he saved someone, and wouldn't outwardly apologize even if he failed.
For a person like this, no other words were needed.
She bowed her head respectfully and said.
“Please be careful.”
And so, Ho Myeong and the Division martial artists left with her for the safehouse.
As Geom Muyang and the Demon Buddha rounded the ridge and entered the path to Wuhan, a man appeared before them.
It was the Heaven-Reaching Pavilion investigator who had been continuously passing information to Geom Muyang.
“A message has come for the two of you to meet immediately.”
“Who?”
“It is an order from the Acting Cult Master.”
Geom Muyang said to the martial artist.
“Tell him I can’t return right now.”
He knew he would be told to come back.
But he had no intention of returning now.
He was determined to resolve this matter.
“No, it was not a message to meet at the main sect.”
“Then?”
A truly unimaginable place flowed from the Heaven-Reaching Pavilion investigator’s lips.
“He said to meet at the liveliest tavern in Wuhan.”
Ah! It was definitely a message from his younger brother.
“Those female martial artists over there are looking at us. Don’t look. Ah, do you see the woman in the light pink martial robe on the opposite side? She’s been looking at us, no, at me to be precise, for a while now. Of course! This face works regardless of region! Regardless of age! It works on everyone.”
At that, the Poison King, who was looking outside the tavern, answered nonchalantly.
“She was probably looking at me.”
“If it were anyone else I might not know, but I can’t deny it. I’ll admit half of it.”
The Poison King was still looking outside.
The noisy tavern, filled with customers, was chaotic.
If he hadn't come with Geom Mugeuk, he would never have sat in a place like this in his entire life.
“Not even fond of them.”
At the Poison King's words, Geom Mugeuk said.
“What kind of misunderstanding is that! I like women.”
The Poison King snorted.
“I’m telling you I really like them!”
Of course, Geom Mugeuk knew this wouldn't work.
As long as he left the beautiful Lee Ahn alone, his claim of liking women would never be convincing.
Geom Mugeuk smoothly changed the subject.
“You’ve never been to Wuhan, have you?”
The Poison King was someone who disliked going outside.
He naturally assumed he had never been in front of the Martial Alliance headquarters.
“I have.”
“When?”
“A long time ago.”
“With whom?”
Then, a truly unexpected person was mentioned.
“With the Cult Master.”
“My father?”
The Poison King nodded.
His gaze was still directed outside.
“When?”
“When I had just ascended to the position of Demon Sovereign.”
He had come to Wuhan with his father back then? It was truly something he hadn't expected.
“He might not seem like it, but my father is surprisingly diligent. What for? Please tell me about that time.”
But the Poison King did not tell him.
Geom Mugeuk imagined his father and the Poison King walking the streets of Wuhan.
He had thought it was a truly unfitting image since he believed his father disliked the Poison King.
But when he actually imagined the two of them walking down that street, he thought that they might surprisingly suit each other.
Well, they were two people who had even dug for poisonous herbs together.
Just then, a group of martial artists ran past the front of the inn.
“Out of the way!”
The people on the road moved to either side.
“The Demon Sect bastards have appeared!”
They seemed to be joining the pursuit of his older brother.
The martial artists on the street blindly followed them.
Wuhan was gradually heating up.
Rumors spread incredibly fast, and the enemy was using them to pressure us.
Rumors were stronger than swords.
Just then, two people entered the tavern.
They came in with their bamboo hats pulled down low; it was Geom Muyang and the Demon Buddha.
Since they didn't reveal their faces, at a glance, they looked like a father who had come with his son.
As he sat down, Geom Muyang politely greeted the Poison King.
“You’ve come?”
“It’s been a while.”
The Poison King nodded, accepting his greeting.
“On the way here, I heard about Han Wol-gaek from the Demon Buddha. Thank you for your concern.”
“Don't mind it.”
After exchanging greetings, Geom Muyang poured a drink for the Demon Buddha next to him.
He didn't even greet Geom Mugeuk.
“Brother, I’m here too!”
Geom Mugeuk waved his hand in front of Geom Muyang with a look that said, 'Can't you see me?'
“I’m right here. Is your bamboo hat blocking the view in this direction?”
But Geom Muyang pretended not to see or hear and emptied his cup.
Geom Mugeuk lowered his voice and said to his brother.
“How insolent! The Acting Cult Master has arrived!”
At that, Geom Muyang looked around with a dumbfounded expression, worried someone might have heard.
“Even if I shout that I’m the Cult Master, no one will care. It’s too loud to be heard anyway. And who would ever imagine we’d be drinking here?”
“Is that why you’re showing your face so openly?”
“If all four of us are gathered, and all four of us cover our faces, wouldn't that be more conspicuous? If we’re going to do it, the two handsome ones should reveal their faces.”
“Then you should have asked to meet in a more secluded place!”
He didn’t need to ask why his younger brother had come; he already knew.
With the appearance of the Heavenly Wandering Hermit, the Sect would also be on high alert.
The question was this.
“Did you run away from home?”
Grand Strategist Sama Myeong would never have let him go.
“Run away? I came with the Grand Strategist’s permission.”
He couldn't have given permission easily.
Geom Mugeuk must have persuaded him somehow.
In any case, the fact that Sama Myeong had sent Geom Mugeuk meant that he, too, considered this matter to be that serious.
“What on earth is going on?”
At his brother's question, Geom Muyang emptied his cup and then shared his thoughts.
“It seems they deliberately lured us into Wuhan.”
It was what he had also told the Martial Alliance Leader.
When he chased the creator of the counterfeit weapons, he ended up in front of the Alliance Leader.
He was certain there was some intention behind it.
A faint smile formed on Geom Mugeuk’s lips at the thought that his brother was reading the situation correctly.
“Then this Wuhan has become a giant trap.”
The gazes of the other two Demon Sovereigns sharpened.
There was a big difference between getting swept up in a major incident after arriving and being deliberately lured in.
“Isn’t that why you came too?”
At Geom Muyang’s question, Geom Mugeuk’s gaze turned to the Poison King.
“No. I came to see the Poison King. To give the women of Wuhan a feast for their eyes, together with the Poison King.”
Then the Poison King struck a nerve.
“You probably came to watch me in case I cause trouble.”
The Demon Buddha, who was listening beside them, could not refute that statement.
There was certainly that purpose.
Geom Mugeuk didn't deny it either.
“You are the last bastion of our sect, so I have to be here to stop you.”
He even emphasized it further.
“As you know, I am a person who tries to stop even my father’s unification of the martial world. Do you think I would stand by and watch the destruction of the martial world?”
At the words ‘destruction of the martial world,’ the Poison King’s expression changed strangely.
Depending on how one heard it, the words could be offensive, but the Poison King did not take them unpleasantly.
Geom Muyang, who was listening, could tell.
Even if he said the same thing, the words he just spoke made the Poison King feel much better than saying, “The Poison King knows what he’s doing, why stop him?”
It was a statement that naturally restrained the Poison King while making him feel good.
It sounded as if he were speaking casually, but the words were by no means uttered carelessly.
“What are you going to do now?”
“I’m the one who just arrived. You should be the one telling me what to do from now on, brother.”
The situation was currently stiflingly deadlocked.
In the past, relying on someone in such a situation would have really hurt his pride.
But Geom Muyang had changed enough to make such jokes now.
“I am awaiting the solemn command of the Acting Cult Master.”
Geom Mugeuk smiled.
He was so happy about this change in his brother.
Brother, it’s okay to change more.
It's okay to keep changing.
“Then I suppose it’s time for this Acting Cult Master to step up.”
Geom Mugeuk spoke calmly to his brother.
“The Heavenly Wandering Hermit is a man who has lived a frugal life. He has never kept his own subordinates. But is he really alone? A person playing such an important role.”
At that, Geom Muyang shook his head.
“That can't be.”
Someone must be guarding the vicinity.
The Demon Buddha carefully spoke to Geom Muyang.
“If so, it would be one of the sects of Wuhan.”
Then, Geom Muyang pointed to one place.
“He said the One Sword Sect knew about our hideout.”
“They even pursued us.”
Just as the Demon Buddha was about to be convinced it was them!
Geom Mugeuk shook his head.
“It’s probably not them. They are in a situation where they can freely use the righteous sects of Wuhan, so there’s no reason for them to expose their own sword to us. They would use that sword at the very end.”
Hearing that, it made sense, so Geom Muyang and the Demon Buddha nodded.
“Then it must be a sect among those that follow the Heavenly Wandering Hermit that has not been prominent.”
To Geom Muyang’s speculation, the Demon Buddha added.
“It would be a sect that established itself here in Wuhan around the same time as him.”
There wouldn’t be many sects that fit this description.
Geom Mugeuk admired the two.
“As expected, my brother and the Demon Buddha work so well together. Poison King, let’s go back. It seems it would be more than enough to leave this to these two.”
He gave the credit to the two of them, but Geom Muyang and the Demon Buddha knew.
This conclusion had been reached because Geom Mugeuk was with them.
“I have a place I need to visit for a moment.”
Geom Mugeuk looked at the Martial Alliance headquarters building in the distance and added.
“If you’ve come to visit a friend’s house, you should greet the adults first.”