Episode 845 That scary Thousand Horses also smiles
While Geommu-geuk went to get drinks, the Fengchun sect leader and the Sword King sat side by side, gazing up at the moon.
Having become quite close after their recent fight at the Pungryu Tavern, they felt completely comfortable being alone together.
“Hero’s Guest, what a wonderful name.”
The leader of the Fengchun sect looked pleased at the Sword King’s words. In fact, it was the name that came to mind the moment he heard the Sword Dancer’s words upon entering the place.
“I’ve been thinking a lot about you, Janelle.”
“Thank you. But I don’t know if I can live that kind of life.”
The proposal of the Sword Dance Theater was usually not something that could be done without determination.
“I’ve only lived for myself, so how can I live while taking care of others?”
Running a large-scale inn would require dozens of employees. Not only would these people work there, but would he be able to maintain a good relationship with Chai-ran?
Or would Chai-ran even want to live that kind of life with him?
Still, the reason he’s so troubled is because he’s been yearning to run such an inn. Especially since he’s lived his life with the sole intention of leaving for somewhere else.
“If you put your mind to it, what in the world can’t you do? It’s just that it’s hard to make up your mind.”
The Sword King knew why the leader of the Fengchun sect said such things. He knew the person who had made the biggest change in his life was the leader of the Fengchun sect.
Would he have been able to relinquish his position as leader? Even opening a single inn was a source of such worry.
“Doesn’t your leader regret what he has decided to do?”
A variety of emotions flashed across the leader of the Pungcheon sect’s face. It was something he could have simply smiled and ignored, but he revealed his honest feelings.
“Why wouldn’t you do it?”
The period of traveling around Gowol and Jungwon, building Eunwol’s branches and guilds, was particularly difficult. While protecting Gowol, who was immersed in her work, was meaningful, building Eunwol wasn’t something she’d always wanted to do.
“It’s embarrassing to say, but there were times when I fell asleep reminiscing about my days as the leader of the Pungcheon cult. I missed that rustling sandstorm.”
The Sword King nodded, understanding his feelings.
The Fengchun Sect Master was honest with the Sword King. Even if it weren’t for the added
bonus of thinking, “If someone likes Geommu-geuk so much, he must be a decent person,” the Sword King I’d gotten to know during this time had a certain charm to him.
He was the kind of person who, at least, gave me the confidence that he wouldn’t use candid conversations as a weakness.
“Now? Do you still regret it?”
“Now… I do it sometimes.”
At those words, the Sword King laughed, and the leader of the Pungcheon Sect also laughed.
“It’s all because of the cult leader. So you too, be careful. Every time you lie down and fall asleep in the inn, you might long for this moment. There’s no way you can avoid being ‘that ponytailed guy back then.’ Ah! I was captivated back then. Why was I captivated by that cult leader who never even visited the inn?”
Then a voice was heard from behind.
“As expected! Now you look like our leader.”
The swordsman who went to get alcohol had just arrived.
“Aren’t you the one who hides and waits for me to scold you and then comes out?”
“You deserve to be misunderstood!”
Geommugeuk smiled and sat between the two.
“On a day like this, we should have a drink. It’s a meaningful day, a day where we can talk freely with our evil brother, and it’s also the day we earned the wonderful name of the Hero’s Drink.”
“I haven’t decided yet.”
Although the Sword King took a step back, in Geommugeuk’s mind, the door to the guesthouse had already been opened.
“Why are you so worried? If things get complicated and you have a headache later, just write this in big letters at the entrance: The leader of the Demonic Cult is my friend. Ju In-baek.”
The Sword King smiled and shook his head.
“Then that headache will be ten times worse.”
“And it will be ten times more fun for us watching.”
The sword dance drama was meticulously prepared, even down to the last detail.
“Here, have a drink.”
He poured alcohol first for the leader of the Pungcheon sect, and then for the Sword King.
“Have a drink from me.”
The Sword King poured wine for the Sword Dancers.
They toasted and drank. This wine, enjoyed sitting on a wide rock in the courtyard, was a delight to the moonlight.
“Good.”
“Good.”
Everyone’s mouths naturally erupted with a “good” cheer.
Putting down his glass, Geommugeuk let out the words that had been buried deep within his heart.
“I’m glad everyone is safe.”
The Fengchun Cult Leader and the Sword King looked at Geommu-geuk. They knew how much Geommu-geuk had tried to save everyone.
The Fengchun Cult Leader spoke to Geommu-geuk.
“You saved them all.”
A smile crept onto Geommugeuk’s lips. He was always the type to tell others what they wanted to hear, but how could he not want to hear it himself?
He really wanted to hear these words.
Good job, you saved them all.
“I’ve worked so hard for so long to hear those words,”
Geommu-geuk said, looking at the leader of the Pungcheon sect with gentle eyes.
“The cult leader saved me. Thanks to him, I’m sitting here drinking.”
The leader of the Fengchun cult liked to show off, but at least not as much as in that last fight.
“You took advantage of the opportunity to step forward and make a show of it. Who in that room would have wanted you dead? Even if not killing him meant everyone would die… As long as you were in his body, your father wouldn’t have killed him. I’m sure of it.”
The sword dance suddenly brought to mind the old man’s words: the people you’ve made cool will make you even cooler.
“You said you were blocking my path and asking my father, ‘Are you crazy?’”
The leader of the Pungcheon Church waved his hand.
“I was crazy back then.”
Everyone laughed at those words.
The three of them drank happily.
After finishing all the alcohol and getting up, the sword dance was about to begin again.
“When Ian and Team Leader Cha get back, the four of us can have a drink.”
“Okay.”
The Sword King seemed slightly intimidated at the mention of Chai Ran. The Sword Master didn’t miss the change in his expression.
“That’s why the evil type definitely needs a car captain!”
The Sword Dancers and the Pungcheon Cult Leader left the Sword King’s residence.
As they walked together to the inner courtyard, the Pungcheon Cult Leader paused for a moment.
“Young Master.”
“Yes, Master.”
“Can I ask you something?”
“Go ahead.”
An unexpected worry escaped his lips.
“Would my presence next to Gowol be a burden to him?”
“A burden?”
“Exactly. He brought me here, so I’m assuming he feels he must take full responsibility for me.”
“You keep cursing the leader of the Cheonma Sect, but you still keep an eye on General Go.”
The sword dance gave strength to the awkwardly smiling leader of the Pungcheon sect.
“I persuaded you so hard back then to invite you, and now you’re feeling burdened! If that’s true, then just leave. You’ll only realize how precious a person is when you’re gone.”
“You’re so busy, you probably won’t even notice I’m gone.”
When you start worrying about someone, your fantasies can eat away at the relationship. The best thing to do in these situations is…
“While we’re on the subject, should we go see our old soldier? He’s probably still asleep, right?”
“He’s probably working.”
“Let’s go. Let’s just see what he looks like.”
Geommu-geuk and the Pungcheon sect leader walked toward Eunwol. Upon arriving, they asked the guard at the entrance to summon Gowol.
The long-awaited Geommu-geuk suddenly spoke. It was the answer to the question the leader of the Pungcheon sect had asked earlier.
“I think it’s the opposite.”
“What?”
“The military officer will be worried. Will the cult leader find me a burden? Will he be tied down to me and miss out on the chance to roam the Central Plains? What if the cult leader loses interest in me? Even if he doesn’t show it, he’s probably very concerned.”
“Is that really so?”
“I would have.”
The leader of the Pungcheon sect felt better at Geommu-geuk’s firm response. Even though he knew it was meant to comfort him, his words gave him strength.
At that moment, Gowol ran out of the building with a happy face.
“Little Master, I congratulate you for defeating the enemy.”
Gowol bowed politely and greeted him politely.
“It’s all thanks to you protecting me from behind.”
The leader of the Pungcheon sect was angry for no reason.
“I! I fought with my life on the line.”
Gowol looked at the leader of the Pungcheon sect.
“You’ve worked hard too, Pastor.”
His words were polite, but his eyes held a hint of mischief.
If he weren’t the cult leader, his gaze would have been like, “Cult leader! You’ve suffered more!” Seeing that look in his eyes, I realized I’d been worrying for nothing. Gowol, busy as he is, remained the same.
Gowol asked Geommugeuk.
“How do you feel?”
“It’s both refreshing and disappointing.”
It hadn’t even been a day since he’d killed Hwamugi.
Gowol had already accurately read Geommu-geuk’s mind.
“Are you more worried about the future?”
“You also think that your father wants to unify the martial arts world.”
Indeed, Gowol also had the same thoughts as Hyeolcheon Doma.
“Yes, the leader will definitely achieve unification of the martial arts world.”
If you see it that way until now, then at least that means it is reality.
“If you could give me some advice as a military officer?”
The Mazones were people who had to follow their father’s orders, even if they didn’t want to. The evil Soma and the Sub-Soul Mazone might follow him, but the rest of the Mazones would all follow their father.
However, Gowol was not yet a soldier of the Cheonmasin Church, but his own soldier.
“There is a surest way to prevent the unification of the martial arts world. But it’s probably not one you want, Young Master.”
“Tell me.”
It was an unexpected method, and as he said, it was also an unwanted method.
“Before the promised five years are up, the young leader will become the leader.”
“!”
But at the same time, it was also the most certain way. Only the cult leader could start a war.
The problem was that he had no intention of ascending to the position of cult leader while leaving his father, who was still in good health, behind.
“Is there a way to become a cult leader?”
Gowol didn’t answer. His expression suggested he knew something, but could never bring himself to say it out loud.
From his reaction, Geommugeuk could guess the solution.
To defeat the father in a duel.
If the son becomes stronger than him, the father will give up the position of leader to the son.
Geommugeuk said calmly.
“As you know, I served as temporary leader last time. I was held captive in the Cheonma Hall all day, working. It was truly frustrating and exhausting. But thanks to my father’s patience, I learned that so many of us in the church are able to survive.”
The gaze of the swordsman who was looking at the old moon turned towards the moon.
“The day you step down, Father, I will make it the most honorable day in the world. I will make it a day worthy of the dedication you have given your life to protect the Cheonmajeon.”
Gowol bowed his head respectfully. He was a smart man, so he knew exactly what he was talking about. He knew with certainty that he would never defeat his father and ascend to the position of cult leader.
The leader of the Pungcheon sect, who had been listening quietly, found another way.
“Look here, Young Master. I have an idea for stopping the unification of the martial arts world.”
With the attention of Geommu-geuk and Gowol focused on them, an unexpected method emerged.
“Get married and give me grandchildren.”
Geommugeuk laughed, thinking it was a joke. But the leader of the Pungcheon sect was serious.
“I’m not joking. If you hold a cute and handsome grandson who resembles you in your arms, all your desire for war will vanish. No, you’ve only raised sons, so give me a granddaughter. Trust me! Even the fearsome Thousand Demon Spirit will smile in front of a granddaughter!”
Unlike Geommu-geuk, who laughed it off as nonsense, Go-wol nodded seriously.
* * *
“Are you still asleep?”
When Geommu-geuk came to visit, Geom Woo-jin was standing in the inner courtyard of his residence, looking up at the night sky with his backpack on his back.
“Didn’t you know this would happen and come here?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
My father always went to bed early, but for some reason, I felt like he’d be awake today. So, even after a few drinks, I came back sober, having lost my sense of smell.
Geommu-geuk approached his father. It was the moon he’d seen in the Blood Heavenly Sword Room, with the Pungcheon Sect Leader and the Sword King, and with Gowol. Now, he and his father looked up at it.
I’d been watching without much thought, but when I looked up at the moon with my father, my heart swelled with emotion. Of all the people I’d ever wanted to save, I was standing next to the one I most wanted to save.
“How are you feeling?”
“Good. I’m so happy I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep tonight. Oh, and look at this.”
Geommu-geuk pulled a piece of paper from his pocket. It was the plan he’d previously drawn up in the Blood Heavenly Sword Room.
“There’s so much to do right now. Look here, not there. Don’t bother the Amazons by joining the group of handsome men.”
The corners of Geumwoojin’s mouth rose. It was the first time he’d seen his father’s welcoming smile since Hwamugi’s death.
“Here it is. Traveling with my father! I want to travel again with my father!”
I thought you would say you were busy.
“Prepare your fishing rod then too.”
He was a father waiting for revenge in the fishing competition.
And today, he was waiting for his son.
“Use the space-time transfer technique.”
Geommugeuk performed the space-time transfer technique as instructed.
“That too.”
After the sword dance was performed, the outside scenery was revealed.
Although I’d experienced the Sicheon Secret Art once, Geomwoojin was still astonishing even upon seeing it again. Time seemed to have stopped, flowing slowly. I could see the tiny fluttering of wings as insects flew towards the light hanging on the wall.
“I don’t know about anything else, but I won’t teach you the secret art of the Heavenly Sword. I’m sorry, Father.”
But my father didn’t ask me to open this place to teach him the secret art of the heavenly kingdom.
“Your Guhwamakong has gone up a level.”
“Yes, this fight was helpful.”
Now, the Nine Fire Demon Lord had reached the Eleventh Star. Now, there was only one step left to reach the Twelve Great Stars. Of course, if you were unlucky, that one step could be one you could never reach, even if it took you a lifetime.
Geom Woo-jin said as he pulled out the Cheonma Sword.
“You cannot leave until you have achieved the twelve great virtues.”
Geommu-geuk was astonished. He had let him use his secret arts like this to train him. He had even kept his sword at hand late at night because he anticipated his arrival.
Father must have known that if his son became stronger, it would be harder for him to achieve his dream.
But instead of asking him to teach him the secret arts of the Heavenly Realm, he wanted to help his son achieve the Twelve Great Stars. That’s the kind of father he was.
That’s why this fight is the hardest for me.
Geommugeuk smiled and said to his father.
“As you can see, I have a lot of work to do….”
Geommugeuk pulled out the black magic sword and spoke powerfully.
“I’ll be out before morning.”
