Geom Mugeuk lay there for a moment, staring at the falling snow.
Except for the time he took to replenish his inner energy, he had run all the way here without a single moment's rest.
Thanks to that, his Swift Step had broken through the limits of Ten-Star Great Mastery and entered the eleventh star.
He had taken the first step toward Twelve-Star Great Mastery.
How fast would the Swift Step be once it reached Twelve-Star Great Mastery?
Of course, the happier news was that he had arrived before it was too late.
Geom Mugeuk thanked the heavens.
Thank you so much.
He also thanked Jo Chun-bae.
Thank you for holding out.
As if in response to his gratitude, the falling snow settled gently on Geom Mugeuk’s face, hands, and body.
After lying there for a moment looking up at the snow, Geom Mugeuk pushed himself up.
Until that moment, everyone present was still staring at Geom Mugeuk, who had fallen from the sky out of nowhere.
Geom Mugeuk straightened his disheveled hair.
Everyone wore a surprised expression at his unexpectedly young face.
Geom Mugeuk looked at Jo Chun-bae.
Tears streamed down his face, past his cheeks, and dripped below.
‘That man is the standard of my Demonic Path.
When tears no longer fall from his face, my Demonic Path will be properly established.’
Jo Chun-bae couldn’t form proper words.
“How… how.”
He truly couldn’t have imagined that Geom Mugeuk would appear here.
Geom Mugeuk looked at him, smiled, and said, “I came to see the owner.”
The moment he heard those words, Jo Chun-bae was once again overcome with emotion.
“I went for a drink, but you were closed.”
Jo Chun-bae was moved by the fact that the Young Cult Master of the Demon Sect had rushed all the way here for him.
‘Young Cult Master!’
He couldn’t think of what to say.
He was just grateful, and grateful again.
He didn't need to say anything.
His tears and his expression were already a sufficient answer.
Escort Leader Gong Chan, who had been about to cut out his tongue, stepped forward.
“Who might you be, young hero?”
If he was an acquaintance of the tavern owner, he couldn't be anyone significant.
Yet, this young man's appearance had been too dramatic.
At first, he thought he had fallen from the sky.
The impact should have severely injured even a master, but he looked perfectly fine on the outside.
How on earth?
The problem was that the opponent didn't look like he had learned any martial arts at all.
There was no way he could have reached the state of Return to Simplicity at such a young age.
Geom Mugeuk didn't answer Gong Chan’s question and instead walked over to Jo Chun-bae’s mother-in-law, Madam Yun, who was prostrate on the ground.
“Please get up, Mother. Your sons-in-law will be alright now.”
Geom Mugeuk helped Madam Yun to her feet, and then helped Yang In and Yang Seon up as well.
“Let me introduce myself properly. I am Geom Mugeuk, the Young Cult Master of the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect.”
A silence fell over the place.
The moment he heard those words, Gong Chan was so shocked he could barely breathe.
The surrounding escort warriors were also too stunned to say anything.
Clang.
One of the escort warriors, in his shock, dropped his sword, but no one paid him any mind.
If Jo Chun-bae hadn't mentioned earlier that the Young Cult Master of the Demon Sect wouldn't let this go, everyone would have thought they had misheard or that the man was crazy.
But the Young Cult Master of the Demon Sect that Jo Chun-bae had spoken of had really just dropped from the sky.
Naturally, Gong Chan didn't believe it.
“That’s a lie! There’s no way the Young Cult Master of the Demon Sect would come here alone looking like that!”
His clothes were dirty with dust, his whole body was drenched in sweat, and his hair was a mess.
No one would believe he was the Young Cult Master of the Demon Sect.
Geom Mugeuk offered his explanation to the three women.
“Please understand my unsightly appearance. I heard that the family of someone I like and respect was in danger, and I ended up like this from rushing over.”
He looked at Jo Chun-bae, as if to say that the person he liked and respected was that very man.
Normally, he would have handled the matter without revealing his identity.
But he revealed his identity today for Jo Chun-bae's sake.
He wanted to show his family.
That the Young Cult Master of the Demon Sect had rushed here like this to save him.
He wanted to show his wife, his mother-in-law, his sister-in-law, his brother-in-law.
He wanted to show everyone.
This was Geom Mugeuk’s consideration and courtesy for Jo Chun-bae, who had always greeted him with an unchanging demeanor.
Because that sentiment was conveyed, Jo Chun-bae once again clenched his teeth, suppressing the surging emotions.
“Mother, I love the food and wine your son-in-law makes more than anything."
"My father, the Heavenly Demon of our Main Sect, also goes to eat your son’s food and drink his wine. He is a very precious person to me, and to our Main Sect.”
Madam Yun was so surprised and moved that she didn’t know what to do.
She glanced at her son-in-law, then at Geom Mugeuk.
Then at her daughter, then back at her son-in-law.
Not knowing what to say, she just kept repeating, “Such a noble person, such a noble person.” In truth, she didn't know what the title of Young Cult Master of the Demon Sect meant.
She just felt that he must be someone important.
On the other hand, Jo Chun-bae’s wife, Yang In, was truly astonished.
She had heard many stories about the Young Cult Master from her husband.
But deep down, she had thought they were exaggerations.
He might have come to the tavern, but was he really that close to her husband?
Her husband had said the Young Cult Master treated him like a friend.
No way, surely not? That “surely not” was now unfolding as reality before her eyes.
“I greet the Young Cult Master.”
Yang In tried to prostrate herself again, but an unseen force lifted her back to her feet.
Her younger sister, Yang Seon, pleaded.
“Please save them. My husband and my brother-in-law, please, please save them.”
Geom Mugeuk smiled, reassuring the three women, then turned back toward Jo Chun-bae.
Even while talking to them, he was emitting several streams of energy, allowing him to be fully aware of even the slightest movement behind his back.
Until then, two escort warriors had been holding Jo Chun-bae’s arms, and Gong Chan held a dagger in his hand.
They were thrown into confusion, wondering if he was the real Young Cult Master.
“He’s a fake Young Cult Master!”
Gong Chan had come to his own conclusion.
It must be a trick concocted by Jo Chun-bae and this young man to save Jong Hak.
His clumsy fall into the Training Grounds earlier must have been due to his lack of skill.
Thinking that way, it all made sense.
“It was supposed to end with just your tongue and hands being cut off, but now it looks like your head will be cut off.”
The three women screamed, as it looked like he would stab Jo Chun-bae in the neck with the dagger at any moment.
Geom Mugeuk thrust out both hands simultaneously.
First, the astonishing result created by his left hand.
Whoooosh!
The two escort warriors holding Jo Chun-bae flew backward.
An unseen, violent force had sent them flying.
It might have looked like they were simply flung away, but it was a move that displayed the ultimate state of martial arts.
In that brief moment, their hands gripping Jo Chun-bae were forcibly opened, and only the two of them were sent flying, leaving Jo Chun-bae in place.
Moreover, the two escort warriors who were sent flying got up without any injuries.
His right hand displayed an even more astonishing move than his left.
Ting!
A sharp metallic sound was heard.
Everyone’s gaze turned to the dagger Gong Chan was holding.
The dagger was broken.
Gong Chan, startled, threw the broken dagger he was holding to the ground.
Yes, one could send escort warriors flying by emitting a palm strike.
But breaking a dagger with telekinesis?
Others might think he had broken it by throwing a hidden weapon, but Gong Chan alone knew.
Nothing had flown toward him.
The dagger had simply broken.
When Gong Chan, who had been distracted by the broken dagger, lifted his head, Geom Mugeuk was already right in front of him.
The moment their eyes met, an unknown fear enveloped him, and Gong Chan’s body froze.
Only then did he realize.
‘He’s the real Young Cult Master of the Demon Sect!’
Yet, he still couldn’t understand.
The Young Cult Master of the Demon Sect came in person to save a tavern owner? Looking like this? Alone? Why on earth?
As Geom Mugeuk took another step closer, Gong Chan shrieked in terror.
“Aargh!”
Geom Mugeuk simply and lightly sealed his paralyzing point.
He didn’t beat him up or threaten him.
In the end, when the truth of this incident was revealed, there would only be those who would die and those who would live.
He already had a feeling which side this one belonged to.
“Did you not hear me? I am the Young Cult Master of the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect.”
Geom Mugeuk’s attitude was calm and polite.
It wasn't out of consideration for Gong Chan.
It was for Jo Chun-bae’s mother-in-law, Madam Yun, his wife, Yang In, and his sister-in-law, Yang Seon.
Geom Mugeuk looked around.
Even though he hadn’t released any demonic energy, his overwhelming presence made the escort warriors’ hearts shrink.
The escort warriors threw the swords they were holding to the ground.
Then, they bowed their heads, not daring to meet his gaze.
It didn't matter if he was a fake Young Cult Master.
They had no intention of daring to fight such a skilled person.
Only then did Madam Yun, Yang In, and Yang Seon truly realize that the Young Cult Master of the Demon Sect had arrived.
Geom Mugeuk spoke to the nearby escort warriors.
“Please bring five comfortable chairs.”
Without a word, the escort warriors ran to get the chairs.
Geom Mugeuk released Jong Hak’s mute point and paralyzing point.
“Thank you, thank you so much.”
Geom Mugeuk smiled at the emotional Jong Hak.
“You should thank your older brother-in-law.”
Jong Hak’s ardent gaze turned to Jo Chun-bae.
It was Jo Chun-bae who had stepped forward to save him even before the Young Cult Master arrived.
“I truly made a good marriage.”
Jong Hak’s words made Jo Chun-bae and his family smile.
After speaking, Jong Hak coughed painfully.
Geom Mugeuk quickly had Jong Hak sit down, placed a palm on his chest, and infused a stream of inner energy into him.
His body was severely damaged from the harsh beating, but thankfully, the injuries were not crippling.
He would be healthy again after a period of recovery.
After Geom Mugeuk soothed his internal injuries, he led him to where his wife was standing.
“Honey!”
“I thought you were going to die!”
“I’m sorry.”
“No, it’s alright. I’m so glad you’re alright.”
The family gathered in one place, embracing Jong Hak and shedding tears.
The villagers all watched the scene.
He deliberately didn't send them away.
He had to show them that Jong Hak was cleared of the false charges.
Even if he left, these people had to continue living here.
That was why Geom Mugeuk handled this matter with caution.
Calmly, composedly, and decisively, without letting emotions take over.
Among the watching escort warriors were some who knew of Jong Hak’s character as a porter.
They had thought it was strange.
It was strange that Jong Hak had touched the escorted goods, and they also felt that the punishment of cutting off both his hands was too excessive.
In the meantime, the escort warriors brought the chairs.
After placing the chairs side by side, he had Jo Chun-bae and his family sit down.
“Please sit here comfortably.”
“I’m fine.”
“No, you can sit comfortably.”
He seated Madam Yun in the most comfortable chair and had the rest of the family sit as well.
As Jo Chun-bae sat in the chair, his heart pounded with a different kind of tension.
Just then, his wife, Yang In, who was sitting next to him, gently took his hand.
Her hand was also trembling.
Jo Chun-bae tried his best to calm his fearful heart.
The person he had to protect was right beside him.
Yang In mouthed her words.
‘You were amazing.’
Jo Chun-bae squeezed her hand tighter.
He was glad his own life was spared, but he was even happier that he could protect his family.
He was also very happy to be acknowledged by his wife and her family.
‘Thank you, Young Cult Master.’
Geom Mugeuk said to Jo Chun-bae, “Now, let’s hear what happened.”
Jo Chun-bae calmly explained the situation.
“My younger brother-in-law is a porter at this Yellow Dragon Escort Agency. He was accused of being a thief on this escort mission and was about to have both his hands cut off.”
Jo Chun-bae even recounted what he had heard when he met Jong Hak.
Since Geom Mugeuk could predict ten things from hearing one, he grasped the core of the issue even with a rough explanation.
“So it wasn't because he touched the escorted goods, but because my brother-in-law saw something that this whole mess started.”
Geom Mugeuk asked Jong Hak, “What did you see?”
Jong Hak looked at Gong Chan and said, “I happened to see that Escort Leader Gong secretly meeting a certain man. The look in Escort Leader Gong’s eyes when he saw me then was so sharp that I got scared."
"I thought that incident had passed, but when I returned from the escort mission, I had become a thief. No matter how I think about it, that’s the only reason I can think of for being framed.”
“Was the person that Escort Leader Gong met someone you knew?”
“No, it was the first time I had seen him. But that man had a large mole on his forehead.”
That mole must have been the root of the problem.
It wouldn’t have been just that he met someone, but that he met someone with a mole.
Everyone’s gaze turned to Gong Chan.
He was just glaring at Jong Hak with a stiff expression.
He was regretting it.
‘I should have disguised it as an accident and killed him there.’
The reason he couldn't was that he had to report to someone within the escort agency.
He had been told to report any matter, no matter how trivial, and never to handle it alone.
The subsequent handling of the matter was also a problem.
He had suggested making it look like a group of thieves had invaded and killing off the entire family.
But the other person had said that if they were going to kill him anyway, they should do it in a way that benefits the escort agency.
If they cut off his hands and didn't stop the bleeding, he would die soon enough.
They thought it was killing two birds with one stone, establishing the escort agency’s discipline and killing the man.
Geom Mugeuk approached Gong Chan and asked, “Why did the fact that you met someone become a reason to cut off that man’s hands? Who was it? If you tell me the truth, I’ll spare your life.”
Though I’ll still cut off your hands and tongue.
Not knowing what words were omitted, Gong Chan’s eyes wavered.
It was at that moment.
A door in the escort agency building opened, and someone walked out.
“Stop right there.”
The middle-aged man who appeared had a magnificent build and an intense gaze.
He was none other than Wu So-chu, the Escort Master of the Yellow Dragon Escort Agency.
For the master of a mere escort agency, he possessed a formidable aura.
“I am the Escort Master, Wu So-chu.”
He had not shown himself until now, only appearing at the critical moment.
“A distinguished guest has arrived, so I shall escort you inside. Please come in.”
Geom Mugeuk politely refused.
“My people are here, so that would be difficult. Let’s talk here. The snow is falling, and the atmosphere is nice.”
Wu So-chu took Geom Mugeuk’s refusal as oppression.
“No matter if you are the Young Cult Master of the Demon Sect, is it right to oppress an escort agency of the Righteous Path like this?”
“Ah, so the Yellow Dragon Escort Agency was part of the Righteous Path? Seeing as you were about to cut off a man's hands after framing him, I thought you were part of the Unorthodox Faction.”
Wu So-chu’s expression hardened slightly.
“If you touch us, the Martial Alliance Leader will not forgive you.”
Geom Mugeuk looked up at him and smiled.
“Have you ever met the Martial Alliance Leader?”
Wu So-chu couldn't answer.
He had seen him from a distance at large events.
But he had never had a private audience with the Alliance Leader.
“I thought so. You probably say that because you haven't. If the Martial Alliance Leader knew you were about to cut off an innocent man’s hands and tongue, your heads would have already been smashed by his hands. Now, stop with the empty threats and come down here.”
Geom Mugeuk crunched through the freshly fallen snow and walked over to Jo Chun-bae’s family.
He lightly brushed the snow off Jong Hak’s shoulder and said, “You defend your person, and I will defend mine. So let’s determine who was right and who was wrong on this pure white snow.”
Wu So-chu still stood in his place, looking down at Geom Mugeuk.
“I am treating you with courtesy, so it seems you haven't grasped the situation, but the person standing before you is the Young Cult Master of the Demon Sect who almost lost a friend. Therefore…”
Geom Mugeuk, who had been polite all along, added in a low, cold voice, “Come down while I’m still asking nicely, Wu So-chu.”