“Three!”
After counting to three, Geom Mugeuk swung his sword down without hesitation.
Wu So-chu shouted urgently.
“It’s not a mole!”
Shhhhk.
The descending sword stopped in mid-air.
Paaat.
His wrist was cut, and blood flowed out.
Fortunately, only the skin was sliced, not the bone.
‘This madman! He was really going to cut it off!’
Wu So-chu felt a chill down his spine.
It was the first time in his life he had been so startled; one could say he had lived a truly comfortable life.
“It’s not a mole?”
“That thing on his forehead, it’s not a mole, it’s a tattoo.”
“A tattoo? What kind of tattoo?”
Wu So-chu hesitated.
“One, two.”
This time, the answer came when he counted to two.
“A snake’s head.”
“A snake?”
“A snake’s head is tattooed on his forehead. It seems you mistook it for a mole because it’s black.”
There was only one place in the Martial World where madmen who tattooed snake heads on their foreheads gathered.
“Don’t tell me it’s the Black Snake Gang?”
At the mention of the Black Snake Gang, not only the escort warriors but also the residents turned pale.
Jong Hak, in particular, felt goosebumps all over his body at the realization that what he had seen was the symbol of the Black Snake Gang.
The Black Snake Gang was a group belonging to the Unorthodox Faction, individuals who committed all sorts of evil deeds.
They were truly notorious even among the villains of the Unorthodox Faction.
“Did you accept escorted goods from the Black Snake Gang?!”
Wu So-chu hung his head low, unable to answer.
The expressions of the escort warriors completely hardened.
A middle-aged man among them couldn't hold back and shouted.
“Escort Master, is what he said true?”
Wu So-chu looked up and glared at him.
His innermost thoughts could be read in his eyes.
No matter what I did wrong, how dare a whelp like you question the Escort Master?
He truly was a hopeless case.
Besides the man who had just asked, other escort warriors also glared at Wu So-chu with cold eyes.
Accepting escorted goods from the Black Snake Gang of all places?
Finally, unable to hold back, Wu So-chu burst out shouting.
“It was all for the sake of the escort agency! What do you know to be making such a fuss?”
Geom Mugeuk tapped his wrist with his sword.
Wu So-chu, who had been shouting at the escort warriors, was startled.
“Don’t cut it! Please!”
At his frightened appearance, the escort warriors sighed.
They were ashamed to have served such a man as their Escort Master.
“What are the escorted goods?”
“I don’t know.”
“That can’t be. No matter how blinded by money you are, a man like you wouldn't have joined hands with the Black Snake Gang without even knowing what the escorted goods were.”
Geom Mugeuk raised his hand high.
“One, two…”
“I don’t know, I really don’t know.”
“Three.”
Shhhhk.
Slice!
The sword passed through his wrist.
Thud.
The moment he saw his hand fall to the ground, Wu So-chu’s eyes widened.
He had still held onto a sliver of hope that it wouldn't happen.
Fwoooosh!
As blood spurted from his wrist, Wu So-chu let out a scream.
“Aaaaargh!”
The people watching turned their heads and closed their eyes.
Jo Chun-bae and Jong Hak kept their eyes wide open and watched the scene.
If Geom Mugeuk hadn't come, the hand lying on the ground would have been Jong Hak's.
The gushing blood stopped.
Geom Mugeuk had flicked his finger and pressed his pressure points.
Just as Wu So-chu was about to spit out curses of resentment at Geom Mugeuk.
Swoosh.
His right hand was lifted into the air on its own.
Wu So-chu was scared out of his wits.
“No! Stop! You madman, stop!”
Geom Mugeuk began to count again.
“One, two!”
Wu So-chu shouted.
“It’s children!”
A momentary silence fell.
An unexpected answer had come out.
“The escorted goods are children?”
“Yes. I put the children to sleep with the Great Turtle Breath Technique, packed them in boxes, and transported them to where they wanted.”
Using the Great Turtle Breath Technique would make them sleep as if they were dead, so they could be transported like objects for several days.
The boxes with the children would have been disguised by filling the top with other soft items.
This way, they could transport many children quickly without attracting attention.
“Please take me to a Doctor.”
He picked up his fallen hand and pleaded.
Only a Demon Doctor would be able to reattach it.
Geom Mugeuk’s reaction was cold.
“Why did they entrust this job to you? They could have used an escort agency from the Unorthodox Faction, couldn't they? Or the Black Snake Gang could have transported them themselves. The faster you answer, the faster you can go.”
“I asked the same thing. They said the Martial Alliance had noticed this and was monitoring them.”
Geom Mugeuk remembered.
He had heard a story about the Black Snake Gang kidnapping children with outstanding martial talent and selling them for a huge amount of money to accumulate wealth.
He remembered it as an event that happened much later than now.
“They said the Demon Slaying Branch Master of the Martial Alliance had personally started an investigation. So they were lying low.”
The Demon Slaying Branch Master was Jin Ha-gun, the grandson of the Martial Alliance Leader.
His meeting with Geom Mugeuk had changed the course of Jin Ha-gun’s actions.
As his fate changed, the fate of the Martial World was changing as a result.
“Please! Please take me there.”
“I still have questions.”
“I’ll answer them at the doctor’s.”
“No! Answer here.”
Wu So-chu’s eyes were filled with undisguised hatred and resentment.
“How much more money did you receive?”
“I received ten times the usual amount.”
After answering, Wu So-chu felt gazes on him.
When he turned his head, everyone was looking at him.
The residents and the escort warriors were all people with families.
They were fathers raising children, and someone's child themselves.
For that reason, their gazes could not be kind.
“You think you’re so different…”
Before Wu So-chu could finish his words.
Shhhhk.
Slice!
This time, Geom Mugeuk cut off his right hand without even counting to three.
Watching the blood spurt out, he screamed.
With both hands cut off, he was in a state of madness.
“This is what you were going to do to that man. And at least you're guilty of a crime.”
He screamed and tried to use his chin to press the pressure points on his arms to stop the bleeding.
As he was thrashing about like a madman!
Rumble! Crash!
The sound of thunder, heralding divine punishment, was heard.
Whack!
Geom Mugeuk’s fist slammed into his face.
His face caved in, and Wu So-chu fell backward, his breathing ceased.
Geom Mugeuk didn't even allow him a final word.
Jo Chun-bae and his family were surprised, bewildered, and also relieved.
Geom Mugeuk sent the residents away first.
“I think you can all go back now. And since this matter is related to the Black Snake Gang, it would be best if you kept quiet about today’s events for the time being.”
As long as the Black Snake Gang was involved, no one would dare spread rumors even if pushed to do so.
After they all left, Geom Mugeuk asked the escort warriors.
“Now, who should I speak with regarding the escort agency’s affairs?”
At that, the gazes of the escort warriors turned to one person.
The man everyone acknowledged was the very person who had earlier asked Wu So-chu if it was true.
“Escort Leader Hwang Won.”
“For the time being, you will act as the temporary Escort Master.”
“I will do so.”
Normally, he would not have interfered in the affairs of the Yellow Dragon Escort Agency from now on, but since Jong Hak was working here as a porter, he decided to take an interest in their future course of action.
“Please lend me about ten sets of Yellow Dragon Escort Agency escort warrior uniforms.”
“May I ask why?”
“As you all heard, we are supposed to receive the escorted goods in Clear Water Forest in three days. I intend to take my Main Sect’s branch warriors and at least rescue those children.”
“Won’t what happened here reach their ears?”
“If they don’t show up because of that, then there’s nothing we can do. But if we are lucky and get to Clear Water Forest before this news does, we can at least save the children in this shipment.”
Hwang Won stared intently at Geom Mugeuk and asked.
“Why are you trying to save them? You are…”
*The Young Cult Master of the Demon Sect.
Aren’t you people more ruthless than those from the Unorthodox Faction?*
He asked with that thought in mind, but a surprising answer came back.
“Because they're children. I might not care about others, but shouldn't we at least save the children?”
If it weren't for the side of himself Geom Mugeuk had shown today, he would never have taken these words at face value.
But the escort warriors had seen everything from beginning to end.
“Can we discuss this among ourselves for a moment?”
“Go ahead.”
Hwang Won talked with the escort warriors and came to an unexpected conclusion.
“We will go to Clear Water Forest together. If unfamiliar faces go, the enemy will become suspicious. They might not even show themselves in the first place.”
A few of the escort warriors stepped forward.
It seemed a few of them had volunteered, not all.
“It could be dangerous.”
“We know.”
“But why do you want to go?”
“We are martial artists of the Righteous Path. Although we are people who just carry other people’s goods, we are still righteous men. This is a golden opportunity to save kidnapped children; we cannot pretend not to know.”
And though they didn't say it, they felt a sense of trust that if this Young Cult Master of the Demon Sect was with them, they could handle this matter well.
“Please help us restore the reputation of our escort agency that the Escort Master has dragged through the mud.”
“The Black Snake Gang might retaliate later.”
It seemed they had thought about that part as well.
“As soon as we rescue the children in Clear Water Forest, we will inform the Martial Alliance of this matter and ask for help.”
“Very well. Let’s do that.”
Geom Mugeuk accepted their request.
With them along, the work would certainly be advantageous in many ways.
After getting a set of escort warrior clothes from Hwang Won and changing, they promised to meet in Clear Water Forest in three days.
Geom Mugeuk borrowed a carriage from the escort agency.
“Come, please get in. We have a place to go.”
He had Madam Yun, Yang In, Yang Seon, Jo Chun-bae, and Jong Hak all get into the carriage.
“I will drive the carriage.”
Jong Hak, the porter, stepped forward, but Geom Mugeuk declined.
“Take care of your wounds. If you don’t manage them well now, you will suffer for the rest of your life.”
He forced him into the carriage.
Jo Chun-bae and his family sat facing each other in the carriage.
Sitting together in one space like this, they finally felt a sense of relief that their family had safely overcome the crisis.
The voice of the person who had made this miraculous event possible came from the driver's seat.
“Then let’s depart.”
*
The carriage ran for half a day without stopping.
Entering a forest path, the carriage made its own way where there was none and then came to a stop somewhere.
“You’ll have to get out and walk for a bit.”
Geom Mugeuk led them into the forest.
After walking for a while, a place thick with fog appeared.
“From now on, could you please follow by stepping where I step?”
The women didn't know why, but Jo Chun-bae and Jong Hak, who had seen and heard much, understood.
They were about to pass through a formation.
Geom Mugeuk, considerate of the elderly Madam Yun, walked very slowly.
Following his guidance through the formation, a manor appeared in a place where the magnificent view of a winter waterfall unfolded.
A middle-aged man greeted them with a polite bow.
“Welcome.”
Jo Chun-bae could feel that he was a master of the Demon Sect.
The scenery of the snow-covered manor was breathtakingly beautiful.
“I’ve never seen such a wonderful manor before.”
“Me too, sister.”
Yang In and Yang Seon exclaimed in admiration.
Jo Chun-bae asked Geom Mugeuk.
“Where is this place?”
“This is a safehouse of our Main Sect. Not just any safehouse, but a special safehouse that only Demon Sovereigns and above can use. It's a place where you can't die even if you want to.”
At the words that it was a safehouse of the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect, everyone was astonished.
They never imagined Geom Mugeuk would bring them to a safehouse.
And a special safehouse at that?
“Since the Black Snake Gang is involved, I thought it would be better to be careful. Please rest comfortably here until this matter is resolved.”
Geom Mugeuk took absolute care of the Jo Chun-bae family’s safety.
He eliminated even the one in a million chance of danger.
“How can we stay in such a precious place?”
“Because you are a friend of the Young Cult Master of the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect.”
“Just how deeply do you intend to move me?”
“I will look forward to the free side dishes at the Flowing Wine Tavern.”
Jo Chun-bae didn't know what to do, feeling so indebted.
It was a debt he could not repay even if he made free side dishes for the rest of his life.
The reason Geom Mugeuk brought them here was not just for safety.
“When was the last time you went on a trip?”
At the unexpected question, Jo Chun-bae was flustered.
When was it? There was no need to even think about it.
Jo Chun-bae looked apologetically at his wife.
“Then has there ever been a time when the owner closed the tavern to rest?”
“Never.”
There were times he had closed due to family matters, but never for his own sake.
He opened the doors every single day without fail.
He opened them when he was sick, and he opened them when he was tired.
There were days he really wanted to rest.
He opened them on those days too.
“Young Cult Master? Surely you don’t mean?”
“Yes. Please think of this as a trip, and also as a long-overdue vacation, and rest well.”
Jo Chun-bae didn't know what to say.
When a person is too moved, they become dazed.
“For me, it's an easy matter that only requires me to move my mouth. It's not such a great deed, so please don't feel burdened. Then I will come to get you as soon as the work is done.”
Before leaving, Geom Mugeuk conveyed a few matters to the middle-aged demonic practitioner via a telepathic message.
And finally, he commanded.
“Serve these people as you would serve me.”
The middle-aged demonic practitioner bowed his head respectfully.
In a flash, Geom Mugeuk disappeared, becoming a dot in the distance.
Jo Chun-bae and his family stood still and watched him go.
The middle-aged demonic practitioner managing the place guided them with a kind smile.
“Now, please come inside.”
“Oh my, yes.”
Jo Chun-bae and his family entered the manor.
The carpets on the floor, the furniture in the hallways, and every single painting on the walls.
Each and every item was precious and luxurious.
“This is the first time I’ve been in a place like this in my life.”
Was it only Yang In? It was a first for everyone.
As they passed by, they could see a chef preparing food in an open kitchen, dishes that could only be eaten at high-end restaurants.
The middle-aged demonic practitioner had prepared three separate rooms for them: Madam Yun's room, Jo Chun-bae and his wife’s room, and Jong Hak and his wife’s room.
The rooms were even more luxuriously decorated.
“Is it okay for us to be like this?”
At Yang In’s question, Jo Chun-bae shook his head.
“I don’t know either.”
Yang Seon laid Jong Hak down on a bed with a pristine white, fluffy comforter.
“Now, don’t worry about anything and rest.”
Perhaps Geom Mugeuk had requested it when he left, for a doctor from the safehouse came, checked his pulse, and gave him medicine.
Moved by this, Yang Seon smiled brightly and said.
“Brother-in-law is right. This is a moment that will never come again.”
Jo Chun-bae and Yang In entered their room.
Madam Yun had her eldest son-in-law given the largest room.
The two sat on the bed and stared blankly out the window.
A truly stormy day had passed.
Jo Chun-bae wondered if he had been dreaming.
Yang In felt the same.
“To think a day like this would come in our lifetime.”
“Indeed.”
The sunset was setting beautifully outside the window far away.
He couldn't even remember the last time they had sat side by side like this, watching the sunset.
“You've worked so hard all this time, dear.”
Today, those words resonated deeper in his heart.
Yes, this one phrase was enough.
It is because of the failure to say this one simple phrase that this precious hardship becomes a living hell.
“You’ve worked hard too.”
Jo Chun-bae knew.
He knew how his wife had lived so tenaciously, doing all sorts of hard work while raising the children.
Just then, a maid came from outside and said.
“Dinner is ready.”
In this surreal reality, the two sat blankly for a moment.
Then, Jo Chun-bae stood up first and extended his hand to his wife.
“My dear, let us go to dinner.”
Yang In smiled, took her husband’s hand, and stood up.
It was the first vacation of their lives.
“Then shall we go and try some food made by someone else? I’m going to eat a lot.”