Absolute Regression - Chapter 842

Geom ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍Mugeuk stood there and looked up at the sky.

It ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍felt as though he had completed the greatest task life had given him. He felt light. He was so happy he could almost fly.

Because ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍this was the moment when all the time he had spent wandering in search of materials for the Great Regression Technique before his regression, and all the effort he had put in until now after regressing, bore fruit.

This ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍moment was valuable not because he had killed Hwa Moogi. It was because no one had died.

Geom ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Mugeuk slowly turned around.

Toward ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍the place where his true life awaited him.

Geom Mugeuk first greeted his father.

“It was thanks to you that I was able to finish this safely. Thank you.”

He truly meant it. Because his father had been there, he had been able to move freely without worry. He had been able to do everything he wanted with peace of mind.

Geom Woojin, who had been staring at his son, spoke calmly.

“Come closer.”

When Geom Mugeuk stepped forward, something completely unexpected happened.

Without a word, Geom Woojin embraced his son.

Everyone watching was startled and stared at them. No one had imagined Geom Woojin would hug his son like this in front of everyone.

The most surprised person was Geom Mugeuk himself. He was so shocked that he couldn’t even think of a single silly joke.

At that moment, Geom Woojin spoke.

“Your internal energy has increased.”

Geom Mugeuk made an incredulous expression.

“Don’t tell me… you hugged me to check exactly how much my internal energy has grown?”

“Did you think I hugged you because I like you?”

As his father stepped back as if finished with his business, Geom Mugeuk raised his voice.

“That’s too much!”

But Geom Mugeuk felt it. The emotions contained in his father’s touch when he embraced him.

I’m sorry for making you worry, Father.

Next, Geom Mugeuk greeted the Fist Demon King.

“Master.”

The Fist Demon King nodded once and replied.

“You’ve worked hard.”

It was as curt as always, but in truth, if the Cult Leader hadn’t hugged him, he would have done it himself. He wanted to tell him he had worked hard—at least for today.

Geom Mugeuk’s gaze turned to the two Alliance Leaders. First, he conveyed Joo Ga-shin’s words to Baek Jagang.

“Alliance Leader Joo asked me to pass along a message. He said you must achieve what you desire.”

“I understand.”

Geom Mugeuk knew exactly what that dream was, but he deliberately spoke as if it were something else.

“It won’t be easy. Spending the rest of your life traveling around and enjoying yourselves with my father and Alliance Leader Jin.”

At that, Jin Paecheon, who had been listening, casually interjected.

“I don’t mind, but I’m not sure whether Cult Leader Geom would want that.”

He said it jokingly, but there was meaning behind it.

Having clearly witnessed Geom Woojin’s strength through this battle, he worried whether the end of this fight might be the beginning of a new one.

He had come to help for the sake of his grandson, for Geom Mugeuk. But regardless of his good intentions, he couldn’t help but worry about what lay ahead.

Geom Mugeuk couldn’t confidently say, “My father will come along too!”

Because he still didn’t know what his father was thinking.

If his father had not abandoned his ambition, then stopping his unification of the martial world might prove far more difficult than stopping Hwa Moogi.

As expected, his father did not even offer a token reply like, “Let’s do that.” Perhaps he was giving a signal to the two Alliance Leaders at this very moment.

My mind hasn’t changed, so prepare yourselves.

As an inexplicable tension filled the air, the Cult Leader of the Heavenly Wind Cult stepped forward.

“Young Cult Leader, it seems you don’t know, so I’ll tell you. While you were trapped in there, do you happen to know who stepped forward to protect you? Among those cold-hearted people who tried to kill the Heavenly Killing Star even before you came out, there was one person who stepped up like a hero.”

He wore an expression that clearly said, “It was me, me!” but Geom Mugeuk looked at the Sword King instead.

“Of course it was my friend. He must have run out barefoot.”

The Sword King’s face was at ease. Through watching his own battle and the battles of others, he had gained a profound enlightenment in swordsmanship. And on top of that, Geom Mugeuk was safe? There was nothing more he could ask for.

The Cult Leader of the Heavenly Wind Cult waved his hand dismissively.

“Regrettably, your friend didn’t care at all about you being in danger, since he was busy thinking about the tavern he’d open.”

Seeing the smile deepen at the corner of the Sword King’s lips, Geom Mugeuk turned to the Poison King this time.

“The Poison King may look like that, but he’s actually quite warm-hearted.”

The Cult Leader of the Heavenly Wind Cult lowered his voice and whispered into Geom Mugeuk’s ear.

“In truth, the one who had it easiest in this fight was the Poison King. He didn’t lift a single finger.”

“Wouldn’t that have made it harder for him?”

Though spoken in a whisper, their conversation was heard by everyone.

“I’m telling you, there was someone else!”

“The one who would do that for me is the Evil Smiling Demon.”

“Stop looking for someone who isn’t here!”

“Then perhaps one of the two Alliance Leaders……”

As he kept joking until the end, the Cult Leader of the Heavenly Wind Cult pouted.

“So in the end, I’m just ‘that Cult Leader’ from back then.”

Only then did Geom Mugeuk look at him and speak calmly.

“So it was that Cult Leader from back then who protected me now.”

There was sincere gratitude in Geom Mugeuk’s gaze toward him.

“I mean the Cult Leader who gave everything for me without holding back back then.”

That’s right, he always complained about having his divine relics taken, but Geom Mugeuk had never once shown reluctance. That’s right, nothing he gave him was a waste.

“When are we going on that trip with Gowol?”

“We should go. We’ll go soon! But for now, there’s a mountain of things to take care of. Pack your bags first and wait!”

At that moment, something entered Geom Mugeuk’s sight.

“Ah. Look over there.”

Everyone’s gaze turned behind them.

Toward what was there, Geom Mugeuk’s delighted voice rang out.

“You survived too.”

Geom Muyang stood atop the palm of a giant demonic statue supporting the Demonic Flame, looking toward the direction of Maga Village.

Several days had passed, yet those who had left with his father had not returned.

As the Demonic Flame rose, the information network of the Heavenly Communication Pavilion moved even more swiftly.

He had heard that the Martial Alliance Leader and the Unorthodox Alliance Leader had come to help, and at the end, he had heard that Geom Mugeuk had also arrived.

“Is there still no news?”

At Geom Muyang’s words, Hui’s voice answered from the air.

“No, not yet.”

And still, the battle had not ended.

That made him even more anxious. Even with all of them there, they had not been able to kill the Heavenly Killing Star.

Forcing himself to shake off his unease, Geom Muyang joked.

“Maybe Mugeuk is talking too much, so the fight is being delayed.”

A quiet chuckle from Hui was heard.

Right at that moment.

Flash!

Geom Muyang was startled as he saw the entire world in the distance suddenly shine brightly.

Hui, who had revealed himself at some point, shouted from beside him.

“The Heavenly Demon World Annihilation has been unleashed!”

Geom Muyang’s expression instantly hardened. It meant a battle had occurred that forced the use of the final form of the Nine Calamities Demon Art—Heavenly Demon World Annihilation.

When the light faded, Geom Muyang spoke to Hui.

“Extinguish the Demonic Flame and come with me.”

Hui looked at him in shock.

“You mustn’t.”

In a situation where the life or death of the Cult Leader and the Young Cult Leader was unknown, he could not send out the last remaining bloodline of the Cult Leader.

“Now that Heavenly Demon World Annihilation has been unleashed, the fight is already over.”

If the worst-case scenario had happened—

“If we lost, do you think these mechanisms and formations could stop him?”

Hui agreed with his words.

The two immediately shot forward and left the main cult.

When they arrived at Maga Village, there was nothing there.

It was truly a void where everything had vanished.

And then, a shocking sight entered their eyes.

A single table.

There was one table there.

The very object Geom Mugeuk had looked at earlier and said, “You survived too,” was precisely that table.

Although everything had vanished due to Hwa Moogi’s Heavenly Demon World Annihilation, the table and chairs that had been behind the Great Demon Wall at the Flowing Wind Tavern remained intact.

It wasn’t that anyone had tried to protect them, but by coincidence, it had turned out that way. And of all things, it was the very table where they had once shared a meal together.

Geom Mugeuk walked over and gently stroked the table.

Perhaps the heavens were telling him something. That he should continue living while protecting his demonic path.

By the time Geom Muyang and Hui arrived, everyone was already seated at that table.

With Geom Woojin at the center, Jin Paecheon and Baek Jagang sat on either side of him. Next to them were the Fist Demon King and the Poison King, and at the ends sat Geom Mugeuk, the Cult Leader of the Heavenly Wind Cult, and the Sword King.

Sitting like that in an empty space, the scene looked like a single frame from a painting.

“Brother! Over here! Uncle Hui! Please come!”

Seeing Geom Mugeuk’s bright expression, Geom Muyang finally relaxed. No one would know what kind of heart he had carried all the way here. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Geom Muyang quickly walked over to his father.

Hui, who had been walking with him, silently disappeared. It was the moment he returned to his original duty.

Geom Muyang came forward and respectfully greeted Geom Woojin. He said nothing else.

“I greet the Cult Leader. Congratulations on defeating the Heavenly Killing Star.”

Geom Woojin nodded and attributed the credit to the two Alliance Leaders.

“We were able to win safely thanks to their help.”

Geom Muyang expressed his gratitude to the two Alliance Leaders.

After finishing his greetings even to the Cult Leader of the Heavenly Wind Cult and the Demon Supremes, Geom Muyang was pulled to a seat beside Geom Mugeuk.

“I missed you, brother.”

Had he truly missed him as much? For the first time, he had prayed to the heavens. That everyone would be safe. That his younger brother would greet him with his usual playful manner.

Geom Muyang looked around and said,

“We’ll have to rebuild from here.”

“We should build something grand for it. Bigger and taller. Let’s just use this chance to let everyone rest well.”

Geom Muyang looked at Geom Mugeuk. His eyes were softer than ever before.

“You look tired.”

It was the first time. The first time his brother had told him he looked tired.

Geom Mugeuk leaned back in his chair and stretched out his legs.

“I’m going to sleep all day tomorrow. Actually… on a day like this, even if I’m exhausted, I’d probably be too happy to fall asleep.”

At that moment, more people arrived.

Three figures rushed in like the wind and landed—it was the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, the One-Slash Sword Supreme, and the Evil Smiling Demon.

They had set out earlier, so they arrived first.

Due to their injuries, the Demonic Buddha, the Soul Reaper Demon Supreme, and the Drunken Demon were returning by carriage.

Just by looking at Maga Village, the three Demon Supremes could tell how intense and extraordinary this battle had been.

Geom Mugeuk shouted toward them.

“Elder! Sword Supreme! Soma-nim!”

Geom Mugeuk sprang up and ran toward them like a child, delighted to see them. The Blood Heaven Blade Demon evaded Geom Mugeuk, who tried to hug him, using footwork and walked toward Geom Woojin.

The One-Slash Sword Supreme followed behind and said to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon,

“Didn’t I tell you? Since the Young Cult Leader ran ahead first, it would be fine.”

Then, as if tattling, the One-Slash Sword Supreme said to Geom Mugeuk,

“You can’t imagine how much he urged us to hurry.”

Geom Mugeuk shouted toward the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s back.

“I want to hurry to your residence, pile books all over the bed, and lie down reading!”

“Is that your bed?!”

Lastly, the Evil Smiling Demon, who had walked over, smiled brightly behind his mask.

Geom Mugeuk smiled back. As always, that was enough for a reunion greeting.

The three Demon Supremes greeted Geom Woojin, and then also greeted the Alliance Leaders.

The two Alliance Leaders sensed something different from them compared to before.

Not only Geom Mugeuk, but even the Demon Supremes—they were growing every time they met.

After finishing the greetings, the One-Slash Sword Supreme spoke to Geom Woojin. Because everyone was safe, such a joke could be made.

“We should have finished touring the Central Plains before coming back.”

Geom Woojin smiled and asked,

“You went to many places, I hear?”

“We even went to Taihu Lake. Do you perhaps remember?”

As if he did remember, Geom Woojin nodded.

“When I went, it hadn’t changed as much as I expected.”

Listening, Geom Mugeuk spoke to his father.

“Since it came up, the four of you should go again.”

At that, Jin Paecheon, who had been listening, smiled and said,

“Then you must be sure to send word to us. Otherwise, there will be another emergency.”

Jin Paecheon and Baek Jagang rose from their seats.

“We’ll be on our way now.”

They truly came like the wind and were about to leave like the wind.

Geom Woojin did not try to stop them. It was already more than enough that they had come this far, and it was also something that must not be known to the outside world.

Geom Woojin respectfully cupped his fist and greeted them.

“I will not forget the help you have given this time.”

After exchanging farewells, Baek Jagang spoke one last time.

“Thank you for teaching me cooking.”

“There are still dishes I’ve saved.”

“I hope there will be another chance to learn.”

After exchanging their farewells, Geom Woojin turned and began walking first. Behind him followed his son and the five Demon Supremes, with the Cult Leader of the Heavenly Wind Cult and the Sword King walking after them.

Geom Mugeuk had told them to comfortably see off the two Alliance Leaders, so those two joined as well.

Their departing figures looked as if they had spread wings—so imposing, even though not all the Demon Supremes were present.

Watching their backs, Jin Paecheon’s gaze deepened. Throughout this battle, he had been more concerned about Geom Woojin and the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult than about Hwa Moogi.

Geom Woojin was strong. Far too strong.

He recalled the Heavenly Demon World Annihilation that Geom Woojin had unleashed earlier.

The sword of light that pierced through the radiance as it flew forward.

Of course, using Heavenly Demon World Annihilation would consume almost all of one’s internal energy, but even so, he had no confidence that he could block that attack.

In other words, if he fought Geom Woojin, he would die.

And on top of that, there was the Heavenly Demon Spirit.

‘No one in the current martial world can defeat Cult Leader Geom.’

And that wasn’t all. The Demon Supremes were strong as well. Stronger than any Demon Supremes of past generations.

Just like Jin Paecheon, Baek Jagang also sensed that Geom Woojin would not abandon his dream of unifying the martial world.

If he had such power, he would never give it up. Suddenly, he recalled the words Joo Ga-shin had left behind.

‘You told me to achieve the unification of the unorthodox sects? You’ve given me a task far too difficult.’

Geom Mugeuk bid farewell to Jin Paecheon.

“I’ll come visit Hagon and Haryeong soon.”

Jin Paecheon looked at Geom Mugeuk with a gentle smile. He felt that the future of the martial world rested on this Young Cult Leader.

But he did not show any sign of placing that burden on him.

“I’ll be waiting.”

He also exchanged farewells with Baek Jagang.

“I’ll come to eat the dishes you cook yourself.”

“I’ll make them spicy and bold.”

His father walked toward the main division, while the two Alliance Leaders headed in the opposite direction.

Geom Mugeuk stood in the middle.

Though they had exchanged farewells casually, he could feel the tension in the Alliance Leaders.

What’s with all of you? You can’t get this tense already!

There’s still plenty of time left for me to persuade my father!

Infusing his voice with internal energy so everyone could hear, Geom Mugeuk shouted loudly,

“From now on, I’m going to go around enjoying myself. If some dark force appears in the martial world again, contact my father or those two Alliance Leaders over there. Schemes, plots, conspiracies, strategies—I’m done with all that. From now on, my life will only have things like rest, hanging out with friends, traveling, cooking, drinking gatherings, dancing, and reading! And don’t complain that I’m playing around too much. ‘You’re playing again? If you keep that up, who’s going to protect the martial world?’ If you nag me like that, I’m leaving home!”