“Calm down first.”

Samsun soothed Geommuguk. Even if they were going to kill him, they had to cool his anger first.

“Could you have endured it?”

“I wouldn’t have been able to either. But if you lose control and mess things up, you can’t get your revenge, right? The target is…”

He couldn’t bring himself to say it. To say with his own mouth that the target was the cult demon.

Unaware or uncaring of this thought, Geommuguk clenched his fist tightly.

“You said you regarded me like your own child. You bastard!”

Samsun needed to stop Geommuguk from causing trouble before the other immortals arrived.

“That bastard deserves to die. I’ll help you.”

“Why would you?”

“Why? Because he’s a bastard who deserves to die.”

Geommuguk scoffed.

“That’s not it, is it? You’re just scared you’ll get involved too. Don’t worry. I’ll never tell anyone you bought the poison.”

Instead of saying “borrowed money,” he said “you bought the poison.” Saying he would never tell was even more dangerous. Geommuguk was deliberately rattling his nerves.

Samsun held back the urge to shout, ‘You want me to buy poison? Are you crazy?’

“How will you poison the cult demon?”

“I’ll put poison in his drink.”

“When will he come again?”

“In five days.”

Five days! Samsun’s heart raced. They had to get the immortals there by then somehow.

“If you get involved, you’ll die too. So stay out.”

“If we kill the cult demon, do you think the cult will leave your family alone? They’ll annihilate you.”

“Let them. My father couldn’t even utter a word when his son was treated like this. In this house, better to be annihilated.”

Samsun understood Geommuguk’s raging anger but thought,

‘I messed with a madman!’

Yet he couldn’t deal with him. Judging by the skill Geommuguk displayed in the guesthouse earlier, he was far stronger.

Geommuguk rose from his seat.

“Don’t ever look for me again. If you do, I’ll pour that poison on you.”

He left after threatening them.

Shortly after, from the rooftop of a building opposite the guesthouse, I watched Samsun leave with Gowol.

“I confirmed just now his subordinate sent a dispatch. Given the gravity of this, they must have called all core members of the Dark Realm. Investigation shows their leadership consists of four: Ilsun is the head.”

Gowol’s intelligence network was already proving its worth. He made me feel the investment was well worth it.

“So if we deal with those four, that’s it?”

“Yes. Ilsun is the ringleader. He’s suspicious and avoids showing himself. But now that the cult demon is involved, he won’t be able to stay hidden.”

“So that’s why everyone has military commanders. It’s so convenient.”

“Having a leader smarter than yourself is very hard.”

“That’s a misunderstanding. The only thing I’m good at is flattering.”

After a pause, Gowol said,

“Thanks to that, we resolved things well with the sect leader.”

Geommuguk looked at him. He seemed much more relaxed than when he first asked for the sect leader’s help.

Geommuguk thought Gowol was impressive. He managed so well with the sect leader who held him tight. Though unaware of any past ties, he could feel their deep bond.

“The sect leader worries about you. Says you’ve been struggling lately. Told me to look after Commander Go instead of himself.”

“I’m fine.”

“What kind of «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» fine is that? People who need help always say they’re fine first.”

Gowol looked at him as if to ask where he’d heard that. Geommuguk honestly confessed.

“Commander Go, I’m not fine. Dealing with the powerful martial lords, succession battles, and putting on an act in front of those worthless Sinsunchae scum — it’s all too hard and exhausting. But just saying it makes me feel a bit better. So, Commander Go, say it too. Say if you’re tired or struggling. I’m listening.”

Gowol smiled meaningfully. He had told the sect leader to do the same — to say when he was tired. Now Geommuguk was doing that for him.

Gowol looked up to the sky. Even without words, he felt better.

The hardest hit among us was the cult demon.

“...That’s why the cult demon became a villain. Sorry for not telling you sooner given the urgency.”

After I finished explaining, the cult demon exploded with anger.

“Not just a villain... but a shameless pervert!”

“To kill with poison, there has to be that much motive.”

“There are plenty of other reasons! Personal insults, killing trusted subordinates!”

“But I doubt anything more provocative than this.”

“Disgusting!”

The cult demon, who had never caused trouble with women before, was naturally furious.

He brought his face close to Geommuguk.

“Is that your idea? Or your commander’s?”

“Obviously my commander’s. Please don’t hold back and go…”

A growl came from the clenched fist of the cult demon. It sounded like a distant storm approaching.

“That was your doing. Your subordinate wouldn’t dare.”

“You’re smart. Of course it was my idea.”

“Why make me the pervert?”

“It’s one of the strongest motives to want to kill someone. That’s why they don’t doubt my murderous intent at all.”

“I hate being misunderstood.”

“Master, you said it to those about to die anyway. No need to worry. The story won’t leak elsewhere.”

Suddenly the cult demon wondered.

“But did he believe that?”

He expected the answer ‘There’s no way the cult demon would believe it.’

“Yes. He believed it very well.”

“You say he believed it at once? What’s his name? What is it?”

Angry at the villains, the cult demon shouted, but Geommuguk smiled and said,

“It’ll be over in a few days. Those few days will be the most precious in your life.”

“What do you mean?”

“Since the cult demon’s name was mentioned, their leadership will move. As a result, many youths trapped by their demonic influence will be freed from despair and death. Counting future victims, it will be hundreds or thousands. You, Master, will save them all.”

“I’m no saint. Why rejoice at saving people?”

“Then live as a pervert for a few days for the disciple who loves saving people.”

The cult demon glared at Geommuguk, still radiating darkness, then spun away.

“A few days is too long!”

Four days later, the first to arrive was Sasun.

“What’s all the fuss? Is there a war or something?”

Though Sasun was Samsun’s older brother, they were like friends.

Seeing Sasun, Samsun felt the tension he’d held ease.

He told Sasun everything in detail.

“So that madman plans to poison the cult demon? What’s the problem? If he kills him, then he kills him, right?”

“The problem is he bought the poison with money we lent.”

“Why is that a problem? Does the cult investigate who bought poison?”

“If it were an ordinary poison for an ordinary target, we wouldn’t worry. It would be just ‘Oh, that guy killed with poison.’ The problem is that he bought Formless Deadly Poison. How did he afford that expensive poison? And the victim is the cult demon. Naturally, they’ll suspect someone behind it. If they dig deeper, our existence will be exposed. Do you think the cult will just ignore us?”

Only then did Sasun realize the seriousness.

“When will the cult demon come?”

“Tomorrow.”

“Then we have only today. What about the Jeonggwonmun son?”

“He’s drinking in a tavern now.”

“Let’s go. Lead the way.”

As Sasun prepared to leave, Samsun stopped him.

“If you kill him outright at the tavern, his father will investigate. The cult will get involved, and we’ll be in more danger.”

“Then what should we do?”

Samsun proposed a plan.

“Kidnap him and make him disappear. Make it look like he left after being discouraged by his fiancée’s matter. Before melting him at Hwagolsan, leave a short note.”

Sasun agreed.

“Good idea.”

After waiting an hour in front of the tavern, Samsun and Sasun saw Geommuguk stagger out.

When he entered a deserted area, Samsun appeared before him. Drunk, Geommuguk slurred.

“You! Didn’t I tell you I’d kill you if you showed up again?”

“I came to talk.”

Geommuguk didn’t notice Sasun approaching from behind.

“What talk? You’re here to stop me again, coward. I’m not scared! Tomorrow…”

Sasun subdued Geommuguk’s vital and pressure points.

Geommuguk, speaking, was caught off guard and fell.

Samsun and Sasun grabbed his arms and ran.

They reached a deserted forest and released Geommuguk’s pressure points.

“What? You want to die?”

Drunk Geommuguk seemed oblivious to the situation.

Samsun handed him paper, a brush, and ink prepared beforehand.

“Write down exactly what I say.”

“What is this?”

“Father, I’ve left for a while. I will return.”

Geommuguk tried to write with drunk eyes but put down the brush.

“You bastard! You’re writing this so you can kill me, right?”

At that moment, a voice was heard from behind.

“Idiots!”

Samsun and Sasun’s faces brightened.

Ilsun and Isun were approaching. Ilsun had arrived earlier but was watching the situation unfold. Judging it safe, he revealed himself.

“You’re leaving angry at your father, so why leave a note? That’s stranger.”

Ilsun’s words made Samsun exclaim in admiration.

“As expected! You’re a true mastermind. You think differently from us!”

Ilsun approached Geommuguk. His wicked face showed all his temper, and his eyes were as cold as a snake’s.

“All this trouble because of this worthless whelp.”

He stood and said,

“Bury him alive.”

He meant to give the terror and pain of being buried alive.

Then Geommuguk smiled. The gloomy, dark act was gone, replaced by his usual expression.

Samsun, watching, was startled.

“This madman keeps surprising people until his death.”

Geommuguk asked Ilsun,

“Did this come from your mind? You don’t seem smart enough.”

Ilsun’s face hardened.

The other two just watched. They knew that the more Ilsun got angry, the more entertaining it was. Though sometimes it caused nightmares.

“Who’s behind this? Who funded it?”

Geommuguk looked at the others.

“Didn’t you tell them? Did you even trust them enough to include them?”

Suddenly Ilsun noticed Geommuguk’s slurred speech was gone.

“You? You’re sober now.”

“Completely awake. Hearing ‘bury alive’ woke me right up.”

Geommuguk’s relaxed words matched his expression.

Sensing something off, Ilsun looked around. He suspected an ambush but felt nothing.

Samsun stepped forward.

“Don’t worry. He was always crazy.”

He thought to finish this quickly. Lending 100,000 nyang to Geommuguk was his decision. It was wise to end things before this madman angered Ilsun further.

“I’ll take care of it and bury him.”

Seeing Samsun draw a dagger, Geommuguk said,

“You said you’re investing in my youth?”

“Must have misheard. I said investing in my youth.”

Samsun sneered openly. This moment was the best — the moment to cut the opponent’s throat, when the betrayed look appeared in his eyes. Though this madman wasn’t quite giving that expression yet.

“It was annoying, but a special experience. I’ll remember it for a long time.”

“I’m going to erase you all from my memory starting today.”

“Goodbye, madman!”

Just as he tried to slit Geommuguk’s throat, a cold chill spread and Samsun’s spine shivered. He wasn’t the only one who felt the cold — Sasun drew his sword and scanned the surroundings.

Someone was approaching.

A long shadow, larger and wider than a normal man, advanced, showing with an icy aura how he felt. It was the cult demon.

The four were startled. Compared to this man’s presence, ruthless Ilsun looked like a baby.

Then Geommuguk’s strange voice came from behind.

“You trusted everything without suspicion, so you’re very angry now.”

Geommuguk, thought to be subdued, stood and dusted himself off. Smiling, he asked the cult demon,

“A few days, right?”

With a pale, sleepless face, the cult demon stood before them.

“To me, it felt like an eternity!”