Geom Mugeuk and So Baek-ta stood in the Cult Master’s Hall.
The hellish world of illusion, once flooding with blood, had vanished in an instant.
So Baek-ta stared at Geom Mugeuk with a blank expression.
Just a moment ago, blood had been pouring into his nose and mouth.
He had despaired, believing he was truly about to die.
‘Are we dead?’
But the moment felt too vivid to be death.
So Baek-ta touched his own face, then looked around again.
He was not dead.
The man standing calmly before him, Geom Mugeuk, was clearly alive as well.
“…What in the world happened?”
Earlier, when he had dispelled the space created by So Baek-ta's Heaven-Gazing Blood Spirit Technique and returned to the Cult Master’s Hall, Geom Mugeuk had used the Space-Time Displacement Art to create a space nearly identical to the previous one.
Since So Baek-ta was unaware that Geom Mugeuk knew the Space-Time Displacement Art, he naturally assumed they had returned to the space he had created.
From the moment the Space-Time Displacement Art was cast, every word and action from Geom Mugeuk had been an act.
It was all to uncover a single truth, and now, he had discovered the identity of the Illusion King.
Unaware of these hidden details, So Baek-ta could not comprehend the situation.
“I’m asking what you did.”
The mission was not yet over.
Resolving the conflict between So Baek-ta and the Wind Heaven Sect Leader was just as important as killing the Illusion King.
No, to Geom Mugeuk, it was more important.
“I am the Young Cult Master of the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect.”
He did not mention that he had learned the Space-Time Displacement Art from the Wind Heaven Sect Leader.
So Baek-ta already harbored much resentment towards his master; saying such a thing would only worsen his feelings.
“You mean you dispelled it?”
Since So Baek-ta was unaware that Geom Mugeuk’s goal was to unveil the Illusion King’s identity, he paid no mind to the mention of the painter.
Right now, So Baek-ta was curious about how they had escaped that space.
“You said we’ve been complacent, relying only on the Nine Calamities Demon Art? Who on earth said that? The person who said such a thing has never met me or my father, and has never even set foot in the Main Sect. Why do you believe his words?”
The words hit their mark, and So Baek-ta could not answer.
“For now, come with me.”
“Where are we going?”
“Don’t you have things to resolve with your master?”
While submerged in blood, he had poured out his heart about his master.
But now, the thought of facing his master and saying those things made So Baek-ta’s chest feel tight.
He had spoken of his master because he was on the verge of death, but he lacked the confidence to reveal his feelings to his face.
“I have nothing to resolve with my master.”
Geom Mugeuk did not press him.
Once the two of them were face-to-face, his feelings might change again.
What mattered was getting him there, one way or another.
“I understand. It’s a matter between you two, so I won’t interfere. But let’s go anyway. I have something to say in front of everyone.”
So Baek-ta still had questions about how they had escaped the illusion, so he nodded.
“Very well.”
With that, he left the Cult Master’s Hall with So Baek-ta.
*
“These are the swords your Young Cult Master bought for you.”
The Wind Heaven Sect Leader distributed the swords he had purchased from the New Might Iron Workshop to the guards.
He did not take the credit.
For Geom Mugeuk, who had come all this way for his sake, he made it seem as though they were his purchase.
“Where is the Young Cult Master?”
“He stopped by the Cult Master’s Hall. He said to give these to you first.”
After inspecting the swords, the guards were overjoyed.
What could be a better gift for a martial artist than a weapon? Besides, the swords they received were better than the ones they currently owned.
“Famous swords and treasured swords are all fine, but the best weapon is one that’s familiar to your hand."
"The problem is, there will come a time in life when that best weapon breaks and you have to fight with another. So, until you become like your Young Cult Master, able to fight with a fallen tree branch, train with various swords. A martial artist is one who prepares in advance. A worried martial artist lives a long life.”
He spoke as if offering a blessing, but his words held the Wind Heaven Sect Leader’s own hard-won wisdom.
The guards all clasped their fists and expressed their gratitude.
Leaving them behind, the Wind Heaven Sect Leader entered his residence.
The Demon Buddha was sipping tea and looking at the drawings of poisonous herbs given to him by the Poison King.
“Are you seriously thinking of gathering those?”
“I plan to look for them when I return after finishing things here. Some of them can’t be gathered once the weather gets colder.”
The Wind Heaven Sect Leader, who knew the Demon Buddha well, found this new side of him hard to get used to.
“I didn’t realize you were this close with the Poison King.”
“That’s not why.”
The Demon Buddha said something unexpected.
“Have you ever done something new? I mean, not the repetitive tasks you did as the Wind Heaven Sect Leader, but something entirely new.”
Of course, he had.
He had personally hired people, bought secret maps.
Most of the things he did while traveling the Central Plains to create Go Wol and Silver Moon were new.
“For me, it was gathering herbs. The joy I felt upon finding the herb I was looking for was something I had never experienced in my life.”
Furthermore, the Poison King had been truly delighted by the poisonous herbs he had gathered.
Had his actions ever made someone so happy?
Surprisingly, it was the first time.
He had never seen it from his family, nor during his life as a martial artist.
It was the same when he became a Demon Sovereign.
Would anyone have had a reason to be so happy because of him?
“I’ve lived my whole life making others fear me…”
That was why he never knew.
He didn’t know what it felt like to make someone happy.
To feel greater joy from someone else’s happiness than from his own gains.
For a moment, the two men were lost in their own thoughts.
The Wind Heaven Sect Leader felt that he was probably the person who could understand the Demon Buddha’s feelings best.
“How did things go over there?”
The Wind Heaven Sect Leader told the Demon Buddha what had happened at the New Might Iron Workshop.
“Your disciple has been quite busy.”
“Who is there to blame?”
“Weren’t you always one to blame others?”
“That’s right. And you were always one to say such hateful things.”
The two men looked at each other and smiled.
Such biting remarks felt unfamiliar now.
If only one of them had changed, they wouldn’t be able to laugh like this.
But both had changed, and both were satisfied with that change.
The person who had a decisive influence on their change was the same person.
“The Young Cult Master?”
The Wind Heaven Sect Leader looked far out the window towards the Cult Master’s Hall and answered.
“He went to my disciple. He went with a firm resolve, so by now, he should be looking into the dark hole in my disciple’s heart.”
*
Geom Mugeuk and So Baek-ta entered the residence.
Seeing his disciple arrive with him, the Wind Heaven Sect Leader sensed that Geom Mugeuk had found something out.
“Master.”
“Welcome, Sect Master.”
Unlike their last meeting, So Baek-ta treated him awkwardly.
Sensing that something had definitely happened, the Wind Heaven Sect Leader sent a telepathic message to Geom Mugeuk.
—Did you figure out the card my disciple was hiding?
—I’ve found out who is behind him.
He is indeed the Young Cult Master, the Wind Heaven Sect Leader thought, filled with admiration.
After all, even he had been helpless against it, so how could his disciple handle it?
—Why did you bring my disciple here?
—It seems he has something to resolve with you.
But he won’t open his heart easily.
The Demon Buddha prepared to excuse himself.
“I’ll step out for a moment.”
Then, Geom Mugeuk spoke to him.
“Demon Buddha, please join us.”
Right now, So Baek-ta wanted someone to acknowledge the pain he had suffered.
He had already spoken to him, so now the Demon Buddha’s presence would help him open up.
Sometimes, a third party who can bear witness is more necessary than the parties directly involved.
And so, Geom Mugeuk, So Baek-ta, the Wind Heaven Sect Leader, and the Demon Buddha sat around the table.
“What exactly did you bring me here to talk about?”
“First, I think you need to say to your master what you said to me.”
So Baek-ta’s expression immediately hardened.
“I made it clear that I have nothing to resolve with my master.”
“Then your master will live his whole life without knowing what’s in your heart. Is that what you want?”
Of course, that was not what So Baek-ta wanted.
But he was reluctant to tell his master about his feelings from that time.
He didn’t want to seem like a child whining to his master, and he no longer had any desire to make a good impression.
Just then, the Wind Heaven Sect Leader spoke first.
“Did you resent me?”
“No. I don’t resent you. What is there to resent? If anything, I should be grateful that you chose me as the sect leader.”
Everyone could feel it.
A deep sense of resentment was embedded in So Baek-ta’s words.
He was now saying this:
I have resented you all along, Master.
Geom Mugeuk was curious.
How would the Wind Heaven Sect Leader react?
The Wind Heaven Sect Leader had resolved not to forgive his disciple if he had killed Elder Seong.
In the current situation, with Elder Seong’s fate unknown, could he really treat him gently?
After staring silently at So Baek-ta for a long time, the Wind Heaven Sect Leader spoke softly.
“I am sorry, my disciple.”
The Wind Heaven Sect Leader apologized sincerely.
This, in turn, flustered So Baek-ta.
He had not expected his master to apologize like this.
“Why are you apologizing? I told you I don’t resent you.”
The Wind Heaven Sect Leader looked at him without a word.
The moment their eyes met, So Baek-ta felt a surge of emotion.
That look, as if he knew everything in his heart! It was that kind of gaze that infuriated people.
“Don’t we all live our own lives?”
In the past, the Wind Heaven Sect Leader would have roared.
He would have shouted, what is this pathetic whining? The position you received is that of the Supreme Ruler of the Outlands! It’s not a position that can be obtained so easily, without any pain or sacrifice.
But the Wind Heaven Sect Leader apologized again.
“I am sorry.”
Geom Mugeuk could feel that the Wind Heaven Sect Leader had grown.
So Baek-ta did not know.
He did not know how difficult it was to offer such an apology at this moment.
Regardless of what happened to Elder Seong, an apology was due where an apology was due.
“Why do you keep saying you’re sorry? I’m telling you I’m fine!”
So Baek-ta shot up from his seat, intending to storm out.
Just then, the Wind Heaven Sect Leader said, “I had no intention of advancing into the Central Plains. I liked the Outlands.”
“Then why did you speak of advancing into the Central Plains like that?”
“Yes, I sang the song of advancing into the Central Plains. That’s because my true feelings and my words were at odds.”
The Wind Heaven Sect Leader let out a sigh.
“Like you, I lived my life hearing only those words. My master, and my master’s master, they all lived and breathed the aspiration of advancing into the Central Plains. So, it became an aspiration that was not an aspiration.”
“So that’s it? It’s always like this. You’ve always only thought of yourself, Master. You liked the Outlands after you left for the Central Plains? Do you really think that makes any sense right now?”
Geom Mugeuk sensed it.
In this moment, So Baek-ta was thinking of the Illusion King.
He was comparing his master to him.
It was time for him to step in.
Without knowing the truth about the Illusion King, this reconciliation could never happen.
“That painter approached the Sect Master with intent.”
At Geom Mugeuk’s words, So Baek-ta flinched.
But he quickly responded coldly.
“Don’t speak nonsense.”
Geom Mugeuk did not try to persuade him emotionally.
He stated the facts.
“It wasn’t just you. These people have also infiltrated our Main Sect and the Martial Alliance.”
“!”
It was a shocking revelation, and So Baek-ta was startled.
“This is a fact that has already happened, so it can be verified.”
“I can’t believe it.”
“On our side, they targeted the Soul-Devouring Demon Sovereign, and on the Martial Alliance’s side, they targeted the Alliance Leader’s grandson. I will have the Main Sect’s Heaven-Reaching Pavilion officially deliver the facts to you.”
As specific details were mentioned, So Baek-ta became flustered.
“Why do you think I came here? As you said, neither the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect’s Cult Master nor its Young Cult Master has ever officially visited the Wind Heaven Sect. Why would I come all this way in person?”
At the end of the continuing truths, Geom Mugeuk asked.
“Sect Master, have you ever once suspected him?”
Of course not.
For a moment, his heart sank.
Come to think of it, he had never once suspected that person.
He had come to know him naturally and had trusted him, and it had been that way until now.
So Baek-ta tried his best to deny Geom Mugeuk’s words.
“What kind of trick are you trying to pull now?”
He, who was always so quick to be suspicious, why had he not suspected him?
“The trick was pulled by that man. He exploited your resentment towards your master to win your heart. If my words are false, I will, by the authority of the Young Cult Master of the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect, permit your unification of the Outlands. No, we will support your unification of the Outlands.”
So Baek-ta was stunned.
“Are you serious?”
“I am.”
Geom Mugeuk revealed his honest feelings.
“Do you know why I’m making this so complicated? I could just press your vital points, put you to sleep, and take care of him.”
He was right.
His inner energy was still suppressed.
If he were put to sleep, the three of them here could easily overwhelm him.
“Why are you doing this?”
“Your master said so. That even if he could go back to the past, he would still make you his successor. That there was no one else but you.”
“!”
“This isn’t for your sake. I want to prove that this man chose his disciple well. I don’t want him to carry the scars of this incident for the rest of his life. For his sake, I am willing to go through even greater trouble.”
Geom Mugeuk’s words moved the Wind Heaven Sect Leader to tears.
Of all the things Geom Mugeuk had said to him, this was the most touching.
It was a moment when the distance between the two of them closed by another step.
So Baek-ta, for his part, looked at the Wind Heaven Sect Leader with a mixture of subtle and complex emotions.
“You said he told you how you should live, how great a person you are?”
Geom Mugeuk remembered word for word what he had said within the Space-Time Displacement Art.
“You shouldn’t compare that person and your master like that. It’s not hard to become a hero when someone needs a person to rely on."
"If you must compare, then compare what that person is willing to give up for you. Your master gave up his position as sect leader."
"He ran all the way here at a moment’s notice when he heard you were in danger. Now, go and test him yourself. See what he can offer, what he is willing to do for you.”
Only now did So Baek-ta understand Geom Mugeuk’s intention.
He meant for him to uncover the man’s true identity himself.
All out of a desire for him and his master to reconcile.
“What if I pretend to test him but tell him everything through a telepathic message?”
Then you will die by my hand, along with that villain.
Instead of conveying that cold reality, Geom Mugeuk looked at the Wind Heaven Sect Leader and calmly said, “My trust is not in you, but in your master."
"I believe he wouldn’t have passed on the position of sect leader to someone who is a fool to the very end.”