Chapter 293 - Where a Man Named Geom Ujin Lives

“Let's have a meal together before we part.”

At Geom Mugeuk's invitation, Pyeon Jung stepped back, insisting there was no need.

“I'm all right.”

“We've eaten together every day on the way here. Wouldn't it be strange not to on the last day?”

Strange was a bit much. But Geom Mugeuk was already tugging at his sleeve.

“Which inn here serves good food? Let's go there.”

With Geom Mugeuk leading him along, the two walked through the marketplace. Thanks to meeting such a good passenger, Pyeon Jung would be eating well right up to the last day.

As they walked, a fierce-looking man blocked Pyeon Jung's path and held out his hand.

Pyeon Jung handed him two-thirds of the money he had earned on this trip.

The man took the money and simply left. No greeting, no curses or threats. To Geom Mugeuk, that felt even more heartless. The hard-earned money was gone before Pyeon Jung could even feel anger, sorrow, or anything else.

After walking a few more steps, Pyeon Jung sighed.

“At first, I protested that it was unfair. I resisted, too.”

He went on to recount his painful past.

“They even beat me in front of my wife and children. I endured that much. But when that bastard put a blade to my son's throat, I gave up on everything.”

Now, resigned to his fate, he survived each day by spending less and working more.

Pyeon Jung glanced at Geom Mugeuk, who said nothing.

“There it is. They have the best cook.”

Upon entering the inn, Geom Mugeuk booked a room for an extended stay, then ate with Pyeon Jung on the ground floor. He ordered the inn's best dishes for them to share.

'Why did he borrow ten taels when he has so much money? He's only going to get himself into trouble.'

Pyeon Jung spoke cautiously.

“If you're thinking of doing something about the Money Exchange, please don't. They're not ordinary thugs. Their organization is enormous, too. There's nowhere in the Central Plains they haven't spread.”

Geom Mugeuk filled his cup.

“You needn't worry about me.”

As always, Geom Mugeuk ate and drank without speaking, and Pyeon Jung ate quietly as well.

When they finished their meal, Geom Mugeuk said goodbye.

“You must be tired. Go home and rest. Thank you for driving me all this way.”

Geom Mugeuk called over the innkeeper. He had another reason for bringing Pyeon Jung here. The innkeeper brought over some wrapped dishes.

“I asked for food the children would enjoy. Take it home for them.”

Seeing Pyeon Jung grow thoughtful whenever he ate a dish, Geom Mugeuk had realized he was thinking of his children.

That he had even looked after the children brought a surge of emotion to Pyeon Jung's heart.

“Why are you being so good to me?”

“To thank you for bringing me here safely.”

Pyeon Jung choked up. People said life had its good people and lucky days, but no one had ever shown him kindness like this.

After thanking him over and over, Pyeon Jung headed home with both hands full of food. His steps quickened of their own accord as he imagined how delighted the children would be.

Pyeon Jung might believe that this relationship, which had begun between driver and passenger, had ended upon reaching their destination. But their connection was not over yet.

Watching him leave, Geom Mugeuk took the ten taels from inside his robe and silently looked down at them.

* * *

Deok Chul was nervous.

After three months as a trainee investigator for the Money Exchange, he had finally set out on his first official investigation.

'I'll do a splendid job and earn their recognition.'

An investigator's job was to visit a debtor's address and confirm that their parents or family really lived there. This was more important than collecting the money. Only with their family held hostage could a debtor be prevented from fleeing.

The closer he came to the address, the more tense Deok Chul grew.

'They said the Demonic Cult's headquarters were in this region. This really is a demons' den.'

He had lost count of how many demonic martial artists he had encountered on the way, all reeking of demonic qi.

He was frightened, but he could not back down. He had to succeed at this assignment to become a full-fledged investigator.

Deok Chul checked the address on the paper, then continued on his way. He behaved as naturally as possible. It was obvious that one wrong move in demonic martial artists' territory could cost him his life, so he walked at a leisurely pace, as though he came here often.

And so Deok Chul entered Demon Family Village. As he passed through the market, peddlers were selling all manner of goods.

“Plenty of fine wares here! Come take a look!”

Unable to refuse the goateed peddler's sales pitch, Deok Chul found himself drawn over. If he said no, he felt sure the man would suddenly twirl that crafty-looking goatee, demand, “Do you know who I am?” and reveal himself to be a retired demonic martial artist.

The display held all sorts of items, from carved Heavenly Demon's Soul figurines to merchandise associated with the Demon Supremes. The Wicked Laughing Demon's white mask hung there as well.

'These Demonic Cult bastards really are mad. Selling things like this.'

The Heavenly Demon's Soul figurine was truly frightening. He thought seeing it half-asleep might send him into a fit. But had its maker ever even seen the Heavenly Demon's Soul? Come to think of it, how could someone who made and sold figurines have seen it?

Beside it stood figurines of the Eight Demon Supremes.

The first to catch his eye was, without question, the Fist Demon. Twice the size of the others, its face was as fearsome as the Heavenly Demon's Soul.

The goateed peddler quickly explained.

“This is the esteemed Fist Demon. Beautifully made, with his actual proportions.”

Its fists were the size of a human head, and those were his actual proportions? Did he take Deok Chul for a fool?

Deok Chul set the Fist Demon down and examined another figurine beside it. Its appearance had caught his eye because it was the complete opposite of the Fist Demon's.

“That is the esteemed Poison King. Quite handsome, isn't he? Look at those twelve poison pouches. Every crease has been painstakingly reproduced.”

The goateed peddler sprayed spittle as he introduced it, but Deok Chul was privately skeptical.

'The Poison King is this young and handsome? Sure, I'll never see him in person, but can they really get away with a swindle like this?'

And what about the Single Flower Sword Supreme figurine? In snow-white martial robes, it exuded all the beauty of a middle-aged woman. Deok Chul did not even know the Sword Supreme was a woman. How could he believe this was her?

'They just made these up however they pleased.'

The figurine that decisively fueled Deok Chul's disbelief was the Demonic Buddha. It was roughly half the size of the others and shone golden.

'They made him half-size to cut costs.'

Besides, how could a person's body give off a golden glow like that?

Next, Deok Chul picked up the Blood Heaven Saber Demon, whose stern gaze had been captured beautifully, and drew the Heaven-Destroying Great Saber from its back. Oh, this was impressive.

The sight of the Wicked Laughing Demon standing with arms haughtily folded and a white mask on its face sent a chill through him. For no particular reason, he tried on the mask hanging there.

The Soul-Seizing Demon figurine manipulating a puppet and the Drunken Demon reclining against a rock with a drink were rather stylish, too. If only they hadn't all been made up at whim.

“Buy all Eight Demon Supremes together, and I'll give you thirty percent off.”

“I'll buy them next time.”

He tried to leave, but the goateed peddler blocked him. The man had already recognized him as a greenhorn from out of town.

His eyes were saying: You're leaving after looking at everything? You even drew the Heaven-Destroying Great Saber, and you're not buying it? After trying on the mask, too? Really?

Under the pressure that seemed to demand he buy something, Deok Chul picked up the Blood Heaven Saber Demon figurine.

“I'll take this.”

Only then did the goateed peddler break into a broad smile.

Just as Deok Chul turned away after being pressured into buying the Blood Heaven Saber Demon figurine, a golden radiance approached from up ahead.

Deok Chul squeezed his eyes shut and opened them again. He was not seeing things. The real Demonic Buddha was walking toward him.

Deok Chul looked back at the figurine on the stall.

'They're identical!'

As he approached, the Demonic Buddha glanced at Deok Chul. The Blood Heaven Saber Demon figurine trembled in Deok Chul's hand.

'Should I have bought the Demonic Buddha instead?'

His heart pounded. Surely he wouldn't kill him for buying someone else's figurine?

Then a voice came from the other direction.

“Welcome.”

Deok Chul turned to see a young man standing there.

It was none other than the First Young Master, Geom Muyang.

“First Young Master.”

Deok Chul stopped breathing.

'First Young Master? Am I really standing here while the Divine Cult of the Heavenly Demon's First Young Master meets the Demonic Buddha?'

Geom Muyang addressed the Demonic Buddha.

“You treated me last time, Demon Supreme, so today's drinks are on me.”

“Very well.”

The Demonic Buddha walked on with a radiant smile. If anything, their relationship had improved after Geom Mugeuk became young lord.

The Demonic Buddha had stood by Geom Muyang to the very end, even though he had failed to become young lord. Freed from the struggle for power, the two had begun a new friendship.

As he passed Deok Chul, the Demonic Buddha glanced at him. By then, Deok Chul was also holding a Demonic Buddha figurine, which the goateed peddler had pressed firmly into his hand.

Having bought that figurine as well, Deok Chul hurried away.

Loitering near the Demonic Cult? He must have a death wish. Right, time to verify the address and get back.

“Past Demon Family Village, five hundred paces west, then around the corner of the rocky hill...”

When he arrived, Deok Chul's jaw dropped. He checked the paper in his hand again.

'It's definitely here, though?'

He raised his head and looked at the sight before him.

Magnificent buildings stretched endlessly before him, with enormous statues of evil spirits towering over them. This was the headquarters of the Divine Cult of the Heavenly Demon. He had never been here before. He checked the written address once more, but it still pointed to this place.

'This is fucking insane!'

What lunatic would borrow money and put this down as his address?

'Ah! Wait. Could he work at the Demonic Cult's headquarters?'

If so, he would have to go and confirm whether the person listed here was present.

Should he go to the main gate and ask, “Does a man named Geom Ujin live here?” What if they replied, “Do you have any idea how many people live here? How dare you ask such a thing?” and lopped his head off with one stroke?

'Ah, what do I do? This is my first official assignment!'

As Deok Chul stood beneath the enormous wall of the Divine Cult of the Heavenly Demon, clutching his head in distress, two people approached from the distance.

'If they look friendly, I'll ask them.'

But the approaching man was someone he could never bring himself to ask.

The two were the Fist Demon and Yi An, who had just returned to headquarters.

As that immense figure drew closer, Deok Chul realized he had seen the man somewhere before. Where had he seen that bulk? Then he remembered the figurine the peddler had been selling—the one with fists the size of a human head.

'It's the Fist Demon!'

Startled out of his wits, he stepped aside and bowed his head low. The pair continued talking as they approached.

“Father.”

“What is it?”

Those two were father and daughter? Impossible! Ah! She had been abducted. That damned demonic martial artist.

“I just wanted to call you that.”

“You silly girl.”

“Father!”

“Enough teasing!”

Surely she wasn't calling that terrifying man Father because she actually liked him. Was she asking Deok Chul to rescue her?

I'm sorry, miss! There are only a handful of people in all Murim who could save you from the Fist Demon!

He unconsciously raised his head to look at the woman once more, only to meet the Fist Demon's eyes.

He had never seen such a terrifying face in his life. His knees weakened, and every hair on his body stood on end.

The frightening figurine the peddler sold had failed to depict the Fist Demon properly. The real man was far more terrifying.

The figurines in his hands were the Blood Heaven Saber Demon and the Demonic Buddha.

'I should have bought the Fist Demon!'

Meanwhile, the pair walked past him.

Just as Deok Chul turned with a sigh of relief, an old man carrying an enormous saber approached him.

Deok Chul looked at him, then at the figurine in his hand. They were identical.

'The Blood Heaven Saber Demon?'

He truly felt like screaming.

The Blood Heaven Saber Demon looked at Deok Chul with his stern eyes and abruptly spoke.

“What are you doing there?”

Deok Chul jumped at the question.

He had never imagined the Blood Heaven Saber Demon would speak to him. Hesitating, unsure how to answer, he held up the Blood Heaven Saber Demon figurine in his hand.

'Please spare me! I even bought your figurine.'

Then a voice came from overhead.

“I'm waiting for my drinking companion to return.”

Turning, he saw a man sitting atop the high wall, drinking. Deok Chul realized the Blood Heaven Saber Demon had not been speaking to him, but to the man on the wall.

The man up on the roof was the Drunken Demon.

“I came rushing out when I heard you two had returned, but the one I wanted to see isn't here.”

The Blood Heaven Saber Demon resumed walking.

“You know what he's like. He sticks his nose into every affair under the sun.”

The Drunken Demon gazed into the distance, toward the direction the Blood Heaven Saber Demon had come from.

“I do. Isn't that why we miss him all the more?”

“If you miss him so much, stop drinking and go look for him.”

In the past, he would have told him to stop acting like a drunkard. But as the two of them spent more time together with the Single Flower Sword Supreme, the Blood Heaven Saber Demon had become much more lenient toward the Drunken Demon.

The Blood Heaven Saber Demon walked toward the Divine Cult of the Heavenly Demon's main gate, while the Drunken Demon returned to his drink.

Deok Chul had no idea how he escaped from that place. He ran and ran, then dashed into the first tavern he found in Demon Family Village.

“Some wine, please.”

He ordered wine the moment he sat down. His throat was dry and his legs were shaking. Yet he could not simply leave. If he returned without verifying anything on his first official assignment, his probation might be extended.

The man who brought his wine was Jo Chunbae. The tavern he had rushed into was the Merry Life Tavern.

Setting down the wine, Jo Chunbae spoke quietly.

“I let you in because you seemed to be in urgent need, but we have an honored guest here right now. You'll have to drink quietly.”

Deok Chul gulped down the wine. To hell with honored guests—he had to survive first. His heart had been pounding so hard he had genuinely thought he might die.

As Jo Chunbae turned to leave, Deok Chul asked him a question.

“Proprietor, do you know where a man named Geom Ujin lives around here?”

Silence fell over the tavern.

Every gaze turned toward Deok Chul, then back to the second floor. A man sat there drinking with his back to them.

At the reaction around him, Deok Chul quickly asked,

“Is that him?”

Jo Chunbae answered in a trembling voice.

“It is, but... he can't be the person you're looking for.”

“Everyone says that.”

Denials were all he had seen and heard throughout his probation. I don't know anyone like that. He's not my son. We lost touch long ago. What did they mean, no?

Before anyone could stop him, Deok Chul hurried upstairs.

'There's always a way out.'

To think he would meet Geom Ujin here.

'Heaven wants me to become a full-fledged investigator!'

Deok Chul held out the paper to Geom Ujin, who was drinking alone on the second floor, and asked,

“Are you the person who lives at this address?”