Translator: FenrirTL
Editor/Quality Checker: Saphartlantis
Murim Term Consultant: Kopke
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Chapter 338: In a Place Where You Can’t Die Even If You Want To
"Three!"
After counting to three, Geom Mugeuk brought his sword down without hesitation.
Woo Sochu shouted urgently.
"It’s not a mole!"
Sshhhk.
The falling sword stopped in midair.
Flaaash.
His wrist was cut, and blood trickled down. Thankfully, it had only grazed the skin; the bone wasn’t severed.
‘This lunatic! He really tried to cut me!’
Woo Sochu felt a chill run through his gut. It was the first time in his life he had been this startled—one could say he had lived quite the comfortable life. 1
"Not a mole?"
"That thing on his forehead—it’s not a mole, it’s a tattoo."
"A tattoo? What kind of tattoo?"
Woo Sochu hesitated.
"One, two."
This time, the answer came at the count of two.
"A snake’s head."
"A snake?"
"There’s a snake’s head engraved on his forehead. It's black, so it must’ve been mistaken for a mole."
There was only one place in all of the martial world where lunatics roamed around with a snake’s head tattooed on their foreheads.
"Don’t tell me... the Black Snake Gang?"
At the mention of the Black Snake Gang, not only the escorts but also all the villagers jerked and turned pale. Especially Jonghak, whose whole body broke out in goosebumps at the realization that what he had seen was the symbol of the Black Snake Gang.
The Black Snake Gang belonged to the unorthodox faction—a group that committed all sorts of vile acts. Even among the villains of the unorthodox faction, they were notoriously infamous.
"You’re saying he bore the insignia of the Black Snake Gang?!"
Woo Sochu hung his head low and couldn't answer.
The escorts’ expressions completely froze. A middle-aged man among them could no longer hold back and shouted.
"Woo Sochu, is what he’s saying true?"
Woo Sochu raised his head and glared at him. From his eyes, the man’s true thoughts were crystal clear.
No matter what wrongs I’ve committed, who the hell do you think you are to question me, your leader? And by name at that!
He truly was beyond saving.
Not just the man who had asked the question—other escorts also stared at Woo Sochu with cold eyes. He agreed to deliver a package to none other than the Black Snake Gang?
In the end, unable to endure any longer, Woo Sochu burst out in anger.
"I did it all for the sake of the escort bureau! What the hell do you know to be making such a fuss?!"
Geom Mugeuk tapped his sword lightly against Woo Sochu’s wrist.
Woo Sochu, who had just been shouting at the escorts, flinched in shock.
"Don’t cut it! Please!"
Seeing him so terrified, the escorts sighed. It was truly shameful that someone like him had ever been their leader.
"What’s the traded item?"
"I don’t know."
"That’s impossible. No matter how blinded by money you were, there’s no way someone like you made a deal with the Black Snake Gang without knowing what kind of package it was."
Geom Mugeuk raised his hand.
"One, two……."
"I don’t know! I really don’t know!"
"Three."
Sshhhk.
Slice!
The sword passed through his wrist.
Thunk.
The moment his hand sloppily hit the ground, Woo Sochu’s eyes widened. He hadn’t really believed it would happen.
Pwaaah!
Blood gushed from his wrist as Woo Sochu let out a scream.
"Uwaaaaaaaah!"
Those watching turned their heads and closed their eyes while grimacing.
Jo Chunbae and Jonghak, however, kept their eyes open, watching everything. If Geom Mugeuk hadn’t intervened, the hand on the ground would have been Jonghak’s.
The spraying blood stopped. Geom Mugeuk had sent out a qi burst to press down on his pressure points.
Just as Woo Sochu was about to curse Geom Mugeuk out of spite—
Srrrrk.
His right hand suddenly floated into the air by itself.
Woo Sochu panicked in terror.
"No! Stop! You lunatic, I said stop!"
Geom Mugeuk began counting again.
"One, two!"
Woo Sochu shouted.
"Children!" 2
For a moment, silence fell. No one had expected that answer.
"You're saying children were in the package?"
"Yes. We put children to sleep using the Turtle Breath Technique and packed them into boxes, then transported them wherever they wanted."
With the Turtle Breath Technique, they would fall into a death-like sleep, allowing them to be transported like cargo for several days. The boxes containing children would be covered with other soft items for camouflage. That way, large numbers of children could be moved quickly without attracting attention.
"Please, take me to a physician."
Clutching his severed hand, he pleaded desperately. Though, only the Demon Doctor might be able to reattach something like that.
Geom Mugeuk’s response was cold.
"Why did they give that job to you? They could’ve used a delivery group from the unorthodox side. Or the Black Snake Gang could’ve moved them themselves. The faster you answer, the faster you’ll get there."
"I asked the same thing. They said the Martial Alliance had caught on and was monitoring them."
Geom Mugeuk remembered. In his past life he had heard rumors about the Black Snake Gang kidnapping talented children and selling them for huge sums, amassing great wealth. If he remembered correctly, it was an incident that happened much later than this point in time.
"They said the Demon-Slaying Brigade Chief of the Martial Alliance was investigating it himself. So they were trying to stay low."
The Demon-Slaying Brigade Chief of the Martial Alliance was Jin Hagun, the grandson of the Martial Alliance Leader. His meeting with Jin Hagun had shifted the young man’s path. And with his destiny changed, the fate of the martial world would also change.
"Please! Please take me there."
"There’s still one more question."
"I’ll answer at the physician’s place."
"No. Answer here."
Woo Sochu’s eyes were filled with hatred and resentment he couldn’t hide.
"How much extra did you get paid?"
"Ten times more than the usual amount."
After answering, Woo Sochu felt the glares directed at him.
When he turned his head, everyone was looking at him. The villagers, the escorts—all of them had families. They were fathers raising children, and sons of someone. So there was no way those gazes could be anything but cold and hateful.
"I thought... you all would be different……."
Before Woo Sochu could even finish his sentence—
Sshhhk.
Slice!
This time, without even counting to three, Geom Mugeuk cut off his right hand as well.
Woo Sochu screamed as he saw the blood spurting out. Having lost both hands, he was in a state of madness.
"This is what you were going to do to that man. At least you committed a crime."
Screaming, he tried desperately to stop the bleeding, using his chin to press down on the pressure points in his arms.
Just as he thrashed about like a madman—
Rumble! Bang!
The sound of thunder signaled divine punishment.
Thwack!
Geom Mugeuk’s fist slammed into his face. Woo Sochu, whose face caved in, collapsed backward, breath extinguished. Geom Mugeuk hadn’t even allowed him a final word.
Jo Chunbae and his family were startled and flustered—but also relieved.
Geom Mugeuk sent the villagers away first.
"You may return now. And since this matter involves the Black Snake Gang, it would be best to stay silent about today’s events for the time being."
Given it involved the Black Snake Gang, no one would dare spread the story—even if they were pushed to do so.
Once everyone had left, Geom Mugeuk turned to the escorts.
"Whom should I speak with now regarding the matters of the escort bureau?"
The escorts all turned their gaze toward one man. He was the one who had earlier asked Woo Sochu, “Is that true?”—a man acknowledged by everyone.
"Escort Head Hwang Won."
"You’ll serve as the temporary leader of the Yellow Dragon Escort Bureau for now."
"I’ll accept."
Originally, Geom Mugeuk had no intention of involving himself in the Yellow Dragon Escort Bureau’s affairs from this point onward. But because Jonghak was stationed there as a porter, he decided to keep an eye on their future movements as well.
"Please lend me about ten sets of your escort uniforms."
"May I ask why?"
"As you’ve already heard, a delivery was scheduled to take place at the Clear Sping Forest in three days. I plan to take some of our cult’s warriors there and at least try to save the children."
"Won’t what happened here reach their ears?"
"If they don’t show up, then there’s nothing we can do. But if luck is on our side and we reach the Clear Sping Forest before this news does, we may be able to save at least the children in this delivery."
Hwang Won stared directly at Geom Mugeuk and asked.
"Why do you want to save them? You are…"
The Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult. Aren’t your people more ruthless than the unorthodox ones?
That was the thought behind his question—but the answer shocked him.
"Because they’re children. Even if no one else, we should at least save the children, shouldn’t we?" 3
If Geom Mugeuk hadn’t shown what he did today, they never would’ve believed those words at face value. But the escorts had witnessed it all from start to finish.
"Would you allow us a moment to discuss amongst ourselves?"
"Go ahead."
After talking things over with the other escorts, Hwang Won made an unexpected decision.
"We’ll go to the Clear Sping Forest with you. If unfamiliar faces show up, the Black Snake Gang might grow suspicious. They might not even appear at all."
A few of the escorts stepped forward. Not all of them—just some who had volunteered, it seemed.
"It might be dangerous."
"We know."
"Then why are you insisting on going?"
"We are warriors of the orthodox faction. Though we may simply be people who carry other people's goods, we still belong to the orthodox side. This is a golden opportunity to save kidnapped children. We can't just pretend we didn’t see."
And though none of them said it aloud, they felt a strange sense of reassurance—believing that if they were with the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult, things might actually go well. 4
"Help restore the reputation of this escort bureau, which the former leader dragged through the dirt."
"The Black Snake Gang might come for revenge later."
They had thought of that, too.
"As soon as we rescue the children at the Clear Sping Forest, we’ll report the incident to the Martial Alliance and request assistance." 5
"Fine. Let's do that."
Geom Mugeuk accepted their request. Having them along would certainly make things easier in several ways.
He borrowed a uniform worn by the escort warriors from Hwang Won, changed into it, and promised to meet them in three days at the Clear Sping Forest.
Then, Geom Mugeuk borrowed a wagon from the escort bureau.
"Alright, get on. We’ve got somewhere to go."
He loaded Yoon, Yang In, Yang Seon, Jo Chunbae, and Jonghak onto the wagon. 6
"I’ll drive the wagon," said Jonghak, stepping forward as the bureau’s porter.
But Geom Mugeuk declined.
"Take care of your wounds. If you don’t manage them properly now, you’ll suffer for life."
He forced Jonghak into the wagon.
Jo Chunbae and his family sat across from one another inside. Only then, sitting together in one space, did the relief of having survived the crisis truly settle in.
The voice of the one who made this miracle possible came from the driver’s seat.
"Then let’s get going."
* * *
The wagon ran nonstop for half a day.
It turned onto a forest path, forging a way where there was none, and eventually came to a halt.
"You’ll need to walk for a bit from here."
Geom Mugeuk led them into the forest. After a long walk, a place covered in dense fog came into view.
"From here, please step exactly where I step."
The women didn’t know why, but Jo Chunbae and Jonghak, who had seen and experienced much, understood. They were about to pass through a formation. 7
Geom Mugeuk walked very slowly, mindful of the elderly Yoon. Following his lead, they passed through the formation and came upon a grand sight—an estate nestled at the foot of a snowy waterfall.
A middle-aged man greeted them with polite formality.
"Welcome."
Jo Chunbae could feel it—the man was a master of the Demonic Cult.
The snow-covered estate was breathtakingly beautiful.
"I’ve never seen a place this wonderful."
"Me neither, sister."
Yang In and Yang Seon gasped in awe.
Jo Chunbae asked Geom Mugeuk,
"What is this place?"
"This place is a hidden estate of our cult. Not just any hidden estate—only those ranked Demon Supreme or higher may use this special one. It’s a place where even if you want to die, you can’t."
Everyone was stunned at the mention that this was a hidden estate of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. None of them had expected Geom Mugeuk to bring them here. And not just any hidden estate, but a special one?
"Since the Black Snake Gang is involved, I thought it would be best to stay cautious. Please rest here comfortably until this matter is resolved."
Geom Mugeuk had taken absolute care in ensuring Jo Chunbae’s family’s safety. He didn’t just eliminate the ‘what if’—he eliminated every if.
"A place this precious—how can we possibly stay here?"
"Because you're a friend of the Young Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult."
"Just how far are you planning to go to move me like this?"
"I’ll be expecting free side dishes at the Flowing Wind Tavern."
Jo Chunbae didn’t know what to do from the overwhelming sense of guilt and gratitude. Even if he spent his whole life making free side dishes, it wouldn’t be enough to repay this kindness.
But the reason Geom Mugeuk brought them here wasn’t only for their safety.
"When was the last time you went on a trip?"
The unexpected question threw Jo Chunbae off. When was it? There wasn’t even a need to think.
He looked at his wife with a sheepish expression.
"Then, have you ever closed the tavern to rest?"
"Never."
There had been times when family matters forced a break, but not once had he closed the tavern for himself. He had opened it every single day. Even when he was sick, even when it was tough. There were days he really wanted to rest. He opened it on those days too. 8
"Young Cult Leader? Don’t tell me…"
"Yes. Think of this as a vacation. A trip, and your first proper break in a long while. Please, take it easy."
Jo Chunbae didn’t know what to say. When someone moved you this much, your mind just blanked out.
"For me, all I have to do is move my mouth a little. It’s nothing that great, so please don’t feel burdened. I’ll return as soon as everything’s taken care of."
Before leaving, Geom Mugeuk relayed a few matters through sound transmission to the middle-aged cultist. And then gave one final command.
“Treat these people as you would treat me.”
The middle-aged man bowed respectfully.
In a flash, Geom Mugeuk vanished into the distance, disappearing into a mere speck.
Jo Chunbae and his family stood in silence, watching that sight.
The middle-aged man who managed the estate welcomed them with a kind smile.
"Now, please come in."
"Oh, yes, of course."
Jo Chunbae and his family entered the estate. From the carpets laid across the floor, to the furniture arranged along the corridors, to each and every painting on the walls—everything was rare and luxurious.
"I’ve never been in a place like this in my whole life."
It wasn’t just Yang In who felt that way. Everyone there was experiencing such a place for the first time.
As they passed by, they glimpsed into the open kitchen, where the resident cook was preparing dishes—meals you’d only find at high-end restaurants.
The middle-aged cultist had prepared three separate rooms: one for Yoon, one for Jo Chunbae and his wife, and another for Jonghak and Yang Seon. Each room was even more elegantly decorated than the last.
"Are we really allowed to stay here?"
To Yang In’s question, Jo Chunbae shook his head.
"I don’t know either."
Yang Seon gently laid Jonghak onto a soft white bed.
"Now just rest, without a single worry."
As if instructed by Geom Mugeuk before he left, the cult’s physician arrived, checked Jonghak’s pulse, and left some medicine.
Seeing this, Yang Seon beamed and said with heartfelt joy,
"Brother-in-law was right. This really is a once-in-a-lifetime moment."
Jo Chunbae and Yang In returned to their room.
Yoon had insisted that the largest room go to her eldest son-in-law.
The two sat on the bed, gazing blankly out the window. What a whirlwind of a day. Jo Chunbae wondered if it had all been a dream.
Yang In felt the same.
"Who would’ve thought life would bring a day like this?"
"That’s for sure."
Far off, through the window, the sunset painted the sky in beautiful hues. Neither of them could remember the last time they had sat side by side and watched a sunset like this.
"You’ve been through so much, my dear."
Those words struck deeper than usual today. Yes, just that one line was enough. Failing to say even that simple sentence could turn all this hard-earned struggle into a living hell.
"You’ve worked hard too."
Jo Chunbae knew. He knew how his wife had endured everything, raising their children, working through every hardship with grit and tenacity.
Just then, a servant called from outside.
"Dinner is ready."
In this unreal reality, the couple sat still for a moment, dazed.
Then Jo Chunbae stood up first and held out his hand to his wife.
"My dear, shall we go eat?"
Yang In smiled and took her husband’s hand as she stood. It was the first real vacation of their lives.
"Shall we go eat a meal cooked by someone else for once? I’m going to eat a lot." 9
1 : Yeah, especially as a member of the Murim. This guy just stayed in his office while his members risked their lives, smh.
2 : Wooooww, you fucker. You really want to die, huh ? Guess Mugeuk found more work !!!
3 : Because we are demons, the last hope of those consumed by absolute evil.
4 : You have good instincts. And you are also good people. Much better than your leadership. Alas, it is a millennia-long problem we’ll never get rid off, whether in medias or IRL.
5 : The full incident ? It might make them lose some rep, but less than if they try to hide Woo Sochu’s actions.
6 : Lol, loaded make it seem like he grabbed them and stuffed them in the trunk XDXDXD
7 : Now that I think about it, getting through a formation is pretty much like an Indiana Jones or DnD trapped corridor.
8 : I know that. My dad is a doctor, he didn’t take vacations for decades. I’m around 30, and only now does he begin to go on trips with my mom, especially this year. He clearly need it, and I like having the house alone when they go ^^
9 : ^^