The first person Geom Mugeuk met upon his return from the hunt was Go Wol.
“Young Cult Master!”
Go Wol was overwhelmed with gratitude that Geom Mugeuk had come to his residence.
“If you had sent word, I would have gone to see you.”
“I rushed here because I wanted to see you as soon as possible.”
“I am glad you have returned to the sect safely.”
Geom Mugeuk expressed his sincere gratitude to Go Wol.
“If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have been able to roam so freely through Wuhan. Thank you.”
Silver Moon's help had been truly immense in the Wuhan operation.
“You seem to have lost some weight since I last saw you. Are you feeling unwell anywhere?”
“I am fine.”
Just then, a gruff voice came from behind.
“It’d be strange if he didn't lose weight, being worked to the bone like that.”
Geom Mugeuk turned to see the Wind Heaven Sect Leader standing there.
“Besides, when a superior asks if you’re unwell, what subordinate is going to say, ‘Yes, I’m sick!’? Someone like you might list every ailment you have and some you don’t.”
“Of course, I would have feigned illness. I barely know what’s wrong with my own body, so how could anyone else? They’d never know if I didn't tell them. But Cult Master, how did you know I would be here and time your arrival so perfectly?”
The Wind Heaven Sect Leader approached Geom Mugeuk, narrowed his eyes, and glared.
“I was watching to see if you would come to see Grand Strategist Go first after returning from your hunt.”
“I knew it. My survival instincts must have guided my feet this way.”
The Wind Heaven Sect Leader wanted to nag him further, but Go Wol’s eyes said it all.
That’s enough!
Go Wol asked Geom Mugeuk.
“How was the hunt?”
Geom Mugeuk replied with a pleasant smile.
“It was the most magnificent hunt of my entire life.”
Go Wol knew well how difficult this hunt had been to arrange.
He had to win a succession battle without shedding blood, and then open the heart of the First Young Master who had been pushed aside in that conflict.
On top of that, he had to move the heart of the Demon Cult Master as well.
What if he himself had been asked to accomplish it?
It felt like conquering the Martial Alliance would have been easier.
Yet, Geom Mugeuk had accomplished that difficult feat.
“Young Cult Master, you must be busy, so please tend to your other matters.”
He couldn't be the only one who needed to be seen.
All Eight Demon Sovereigns would want to see Geom Mugeuk.
And then there were Lee Ahn, Seo Daeryong, and Jang Ho.
Just the fact that he had come to see him first was deeply moving and something to be thankful for.
That was why there was something he absolutely had to say.
“Young Cult Master. From now on, you do not need to worry about me.”
The Wind Heaven Sect Leader looked as if he was about to step in, thinking Go Wol was speaking nonsense again, but Go Wol suppressed him with a glare.
Cult Master, stay out of it!
“I am not someone the Young Cult Master needs to worry about. Rather, it is my job to resolve the matters that you worry about. That is the job of a strategist.”
In the end, the Wind Heaven Sect Leader couldn’t hold back and stepped forward.
“Are you a slave? Pledging to work hard even if no one cares for you.”
Because Geom Mugeuk was present, Go Wol spoke politely to the Wind Heaven Sect Leader.
“I am compensated sufficiently.”
“What compensation?”
“Do I not receive a monthly salary?”
At those words, the Wind Heaven Sect Leader scoffed.
“As if that paltry sum is anything!”
“I receive a large amount. As far as I know, my salary is just below the Grand Strategist’s.”
For a moment, the Wind Heaven Sect Leader was taken aback.
“Really?”
“Of course. I am not a person who works for free. I am someone who will secure the best treatment one way or another.”
When the Wind Heaven Sect Leader asked with a look of reconfirmation, Geom Mugeuk nodded.
“If I had my way, I’d give him the most, but I can’t do that with the Grand Strategist here.”
After blinking for a moment, the Wind Heaven Sect Leader asked Geom Mugeuk, almost accusingly.
“Why don’t you give me any? I worked so hard next to Grand Strategist Go.”
“I know, our Cult Master has suffered greatly.”
“Then why won’t you give me any?”
“If you receive a salary, you officially come under my command. How could I dare do such a thing?”
The Wind Heaven Sect Leader licked his lips and pondered for a moment.
“I’ll join, so give me one too.”
Of course, he was half-joking.
No matter how much he received, he was still wealthy enough to consider it a paltry sum.
“That would be difficult.”
“Why? I’m swallowing my pride and offering to join, so why not!”
“You are the master of the Soul-Devouring Demon Sovereign; you cannot receive a salary under me. If anything, I should be receiving an allowance from you. ‘Young Cult Master, you’re doing well. This isn’t much, but use it.’ Now that we’re on the topic, please give me some allowance.”
“Enough! Forget it!”
The Wind Heaven Sect Leader, who had nearly gotten more than he bargained for, looked at Go Wol with an expression of disbelief.
“You saw that, right? You heard him? He’s trying to squeeze every last coin out of me. This is the kind of merciless person the Young Cult Master is.”
Geom Mugeuk and Go Wol looked at each other and laughed.
“Now, Grand Strategist Go. There’s a place you must come with me. Cult Master, you should come as well.”
Geom Mugeuk led the two men into the inner courtyard.
A building had been constructed a short distance from the Young Cult Master’s residence.
It was a recently completed building, with a black cloth covering the sign above the main entrance.
“Where are we?”
At Go Wol’s question, Geom Mugeuk raised a hand and flicked his finger slightly.
Swoosh.
The black cloth covering the sign was pulled away.
Two characters were engraved on the sign.
Silver Moon (Silver Moon)
The moment he saw it, Go Wol’s eyes widened.
“It’s the Silver Moon Main Division.”
At those words, the Wind Heaven Sect Leader was also startled.
He had never imagined a sign with the name Silver Moon would be hung within the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect.
Geom Mugeuk had already resolved the most crucial issue.
“My father has already given his permission. Silver Moon has become an official organization of the Main Sect. An organization directly under my command.”
This was something Geom Mugeuk had been preparing ever since Go Wol and the Wind Heaven Sect Leader had traveled the Central Plains building the Silver Moon organization.
Go Wol was moved.
He had never dreamed that Geom Mugeuk had been making such preparations for him.
“Well, shall we have a look inside?”
The two followed Geom Mugeuk inside.
“It’s not on the scale of the Heaven-Reaching Pavilion, but it has everything it needs.”
As they opened the door and entered the corridor, the Wind Heaven Sect Leader examined the walls on both sides and spoke.
“These walls… they’re no ordinary walls.”
“Yes, you have a good eye. Mechanisms have been installed. They are not active yet, but once they are officially operational, no one will be able to enter recklessly. It must have tight security, as it’s a place that handles information.”
These were not just ordinary mechanisms.
They were for the highest level of security.
This alone showed how much care Geom Mugeuk had put into it.
After passing through the long corridor with its installed mechanisms, they arrived at a large space.
“This is the operations room.”
It wasn’t just a new building.
The interior facilities were also perfect.
One wall was designed to process information flying in from all over the Central Plains through a mechanical device.
“This is your office.”
There was a fine desk, a comfortable chair, and a bookshelf, all arranged in a way that allowed one to oversee the entire situation in the operations room.
Geom Mugeuk opened a door inside the office.
“This is your room.”
In the rather spacious area, there was only a single bed.
“In here, don’t read books, don’t sit and think, just sleep.”
The room was filled with Geom Mugeuk’s concern for Go Wol’s health.
Go Wol was truly grateful for such detailed consideration.
“Thank you for your thoughtfulness.”
Go Wol’s voice trembled.
The facilities didn’t end there.
“I’ve also prepared a resting area for the martial artists who will work here. Dedicated chefs will be stationed to cook for them.”
Not only the workspace but also places for eating, sleeping, resting, and washing were perfectly provided.
“Just in case, a secret space has been created for you and the strategists to hide. Of course, there’s also an emergency escape route to exit the building.”
If Silver Moon, located in the inner courtyard, were to be attacked, it would mean the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect had already been breached.
But Geom Mugeuk had considered even that worst-case scenario.
Although Go Wol had learned martial arts, the strategists would be people who did not.
“From now on, if Silver Moon needs martial support, contact the Ghost Shadow Branch led by Lee Ahn. They will actively assist you.”
“I understand, Young Cult Master.”
Go Wol was truly moved.
Now, he had his own place within the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect.
It was the moment he saw the fruit of his labor, of creating the Silver Moon organization in the Central Plains through so much hardship.
Go Wol silently expressed his gratitude with a respectful fist-in-palm salute.
Geom Mugeuk received the greeting with a salute of his own, as if to say he was counting on him.
‘Grand Strategist Go, this is only the beginning of a long road.’
Geom Mugeuk planned to appoint Go Wol as the Grand Strategist once he became the Cult Master.
He intended to let Sama Myeong, who had dedicated his life to the Main Sect, retire honorably from the position of Grand Strategist and spend the rest of his life in comfort.
Of course, a man who had only worked his entire life would not easily adapt to such a comfortable life, but as he played, he might come to feel the joy of playing.
The Wind Heaven Sect Leader, who had been bad-mouthing Geom Mugeuk just a moment ago, asked with an awkward expression.
“Is there no room for me?”
After meeting Go Wol and the Wind Heaven Sect Leader, Geom Mugeuk headed to the Valley of the Wicked.
As he entered the Valley of the Wicked, passing Faceless Ones greeted him politely.
It was not a greeting given simply because he was the successor.
The eyes behind the masks were smiling brightly.
They were genuinely happy to see him.
It was thanks to having grown closer to the Faceless Ones during the last fight against the King of Darkness.
Geom Mugeuk now even felt happy to see them.
Receiving the welcome of the Faceless Ones, Geom Mugeuk entered the residence of the Evil Heart Laughing Demon.
The moment he stepped into the room, Geom Mugeuk said nothing and watched the Evil Heart Laughing Demon.
The Evil Heart Laughing Demon stood in the center of the room.
A single dagger floated before him.
It was the ten-thousand-year cold iron dagger Geom Mugeuk had given him earlier.
The moment the Evil Heart Laughing Demon snatched the dagger.
Chak! Chakchakchakchakchak! Chakchak! Chaaaaak!
The Evil Heart Laughing Demon brandished the dagger in a continuous motion.
Stabbing, slashing, blocking, and stabbing again.
Short sword lines created by the dagger appeared one after another in the air.
The image formed by these continuous lines was truly unique.
‘A trajectory I’ve never seen before.’
If a dagger flew in with such a trajectory, could he easily dodge it?
After a flurry of dagger strikes, the Evil Heart Laughing Demon slowly caught his breath and looked towards Geom Mugeuk.
“You’ve come?”
At the usual, unchanging polite greeting, Geom Mugeuk smiled brightly and said.
“Yes, I’ve returned.”
Geom Mugeuk walked towards the Evil Heart Laughing Demon and asked.
“That martial art just now, could it be?”
“Yes, that is correct. It is the Laughing Fragrance Secret Art.”
Geom Mugeuk could tell.
Hearing the news of his visit, he had intentionally demonstrated the Laughing Fragrance Secret Art.
“It’s truly fantastic!”
“It is still lacking, but I am gradually getting the hang of it.”
If the unfinished Laughing Fragrance Secret Art was this powerful, the completed version would undoubtedly display an unspeakably formidable might.
“It is all thanks to the Young Cult Master giving me the secret manual for the Laughing Fragrance Secret Art.”
As he said this, the Evil Heart Laughing Demon lifted his mask to the top of his head.
In the past, when he wore a mask himself, he would often lift it to the top of his head so it faced the sky.
Now, the Evil Heart Laughing Demon had done just that, revealing his face.
“I believe keeping this handsome face hidden behind a mask is the same as keeping the Heavenly Demon Sword in the treasury.”
The Evil Heart Laughing Demon seemed slightly embarrassed by the overly generous comparison.
To think all those expressions had been hidden behind a mask until now.
“Even when I am alone, I sometimes take it off like this. I am trying to be as comfortable as possible.”
The Evil Heart Laughing Demon was gradually changing.
He, who had only taken off his mask in front of Geom Mugeuk, had begun to take it off even when he was alone.
In particular, completely removing the mask and lifting it onto his head like this felt distinctly different.
It felt freer.
“Laughing Demon Sovereign. You seem somehow different from when I last saw you.”
It wasn’t just a change in how he removed his mask.
The aura felt from the Evil Heart Laughing Demon was different.
His martial arts had improved through two days of sparring with him and real combat against an enemy.
But the aura he exuded now had a different feel from back then.
At that, the Evil Heart Laughing Demon smiled.
“As expected! The Young Cult Master recognizes it.”
Even after Geom Mugeuk left the sect, the Evil Heart Laughing Demon had devoted himself to martial arts training.
He was faithfully upholding Geom Mugeuk’s request to become stronger.
As the Laughing Fragrance Secret Art newly blended with the Extreme Demon Raging Palm and the Blood Calamity Finger, his martial arts mastery began to move towards a new level.
If these three martial arts were harmoniously combined, they would truly be able to display a powerful Divine Might.
“This is all thanks to the Young Cult Master.”
“Of course, it’s because of me, whom our Laughing Demon Sovereign has saved every time!”
“I think you’ve saved me more often, haven’t you?”
The two looked at each other and laughed brightly.
“By the way, is my sister-in-law doing well?”
Geom Mugeuk had already called the Heavenly Flower Pavilion Mistress his sister-in-law before.
The word ‘sister-in-law’ had greatly moved Yeo-jeong.
“She is doing well. As a matter of fact, I was planning to go see her soon.”
“Ah, that’s great.”
Geom Mugeuk took something out from his robes.
“When you go, please give this to my sister-in-law.”
What Geom Mugeuk took out was one of the three items he had chosen from the Martial Alliance Treasury, the Heavenly Maiden’s Dream.
The moment he saw the Heavenly Maiden’s Dream, he felt that he should give it to the Heavenly Flower Pavilion Mistress, Yeo-jeong.
He was going to faithfully follow that instinct.
He had originally intended to meet the Heavenly Flower Pavilion Mistress in person to give it to her, but he had been away from the sect for too long and had returned without stopping by the Heavenly Flower Pavilion.
He couldn't entrust it to anyone else, but if the Evil Heart Laughing Demon went himself, he could be trusted with it.
The Evil Heart Laughing Demon’s gaze turned to the Heavenly Maiden’s Dream.
An ordinary piece of cloth from which he felt nothing.
That was why it seemed even more important.
If it wasn't an important item to her, Geom Mugeuk wouldn't have asked him to deliver it.
“Do I just need to give it to her?”
“Yes. If my intuition is correct.”
Geom Mugeuk said as he handed over the Heavenly Maiden’s Dream.
“She will surely know what kind of item it is.”