Chapter 863 ·Because He Wanted to Remember What They Were Like at This Moment

An unexpected person stood at the door with his back turned.

“Young Cult Leader!”

Geom Mugeuk, who had been looking up at the sky, turned toward Jangho and smiled brightly.

“Commander Jang, I came because I wanted to have a cup of tea.”

At this early morning? And all the way to his residence? Thinking something must have happened, Jangho inwardly tensed as he welcomed Geom Mugeuk.

“Please come in.”

“Then I’ll take you up on that.”

Geom Mugeuk stepped inside. The interior of the house was neatly organized, just like Jangho’s personality.

“Is it okay for a man living alone to keep his house this clean?”

“I’m rarely home, so I don’t even have time to make a mess.”

While Geom Mugeuk looked around, Jangho brewed some tea.

“I’m not sure if it will suit your taste.”

“It’s perfect.”

“Is there something you needed?”

He didn’t think Geom Mugeuk had come early in the morning just to drink tea. As expected, there was a reason.

“I came to ask Commander Jang for a favor.”

“Please, go ahead.”

Was it just one favor? He could grant ten—no, even a hundred.

He would offer his life if asked.

“Draw my face.”

“…Pardon?”

“I want to leave a painting of how I look at this moment.”

Jangho asked with a puzzled expression.

“Aren’t there skilled painters in the Main Cult?”

“I want it to be a painting drawn by you, Commander Jang.”

Jangho looked troubled.

“You already drew my back, so now you should draw my front.”

In the past, Jangho had drawn Geom Mugeuk’s back as he stood on a cliff and gifted it to him. He had said that once his skill improved, he would draw his front as well. Geom Mugeuk hadn’t forgotten those words and had come like this.

From the look in Geom Mugeuk’s eyes, Jangho could tell this was a sincere request.

“My skills are lacking, but I will do my best.”

Jangho led Geom Mugeuk to another room. It was his studio. Several paintings lay on the table, each one far beyond the level of a mere hobby.

Among them were paintings of Lee Ahn that he had yet to give, and one of Seo Daeryong as well.

“Why didn’t you give these to them?”

“They were just practice pieces.”

“That’s too good to call practice. It’s a waste to leave them here.”

In truth, Jangho had wanted to give them as commemorative gifts. But when the moment came, he felt embarrassed. He didn’t think they were worthy enough to be given as presents.

“Please sit there.”

Geom Mugeuk sat on the chair, and Jangho began painting from a short distance away.

As he painted with Geom Mugeuk sitting before him, his thoughts naturally drifted back to that day. Whenever he painted, the memory would sometimes resurface: Geom Mugeuk extending a brush, paints, and paper toward him.

Since that day, painting had greatly influenced his life.

Living as a Demonic Army Commander, where danger and missions never ceased, the moments he spent painting became his only time of rest.

At first, he consciously drew only things far removed from the martial world. Because when he painted, it was a time to briefly escape from it.

But now, he painted freely.

He painted the subordinates of the Demonic Army, the demonic statues of the Main Division, and the martial artists training in the training grounds. He even painted those who had died in battle. What had once begun as a hobby had become a source of comfort.

Before long, Jangho completed the painting.

“This is way too idealized!”

“That’s because you’re handsome, Young Cult Leader.”

Geom Mugeuk looked at the painting and grinned.

“Don’t ever draw my older brother!”

“May I ask why you wanted this painting?”

“Won’t this sell for an enormous price? It’s a painting of the Young Cult Leader drawn by a Demonic Army Commander of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. It’ll be worth whatever people are willing to pay.”

Jangho laughed at the joke.

Of course, that wasn’t the real reason.

“I killed the Heavenly Killing Star, and now I’m going to live my own life. I wanted to leave behind what kind of expression I had at this moment, what kind of gaze I used when looking at people.”

The meaning behind the painting was heavier than Jangho had expected.

“You entrusted something so important to me?”

“That’s exactly why I entrusted it to you.”

Geom Mugeuk looked at the painting again, delighted.

“I really like it.”

“I’ll wrap it for you.”

Jangho carefully wrapped the painting in thin leather cloth so it wouldn’t be damaged, folded it neatly, and handed it to him.

Geom Mugeuk tucked it into his arms.

“I’m going. No need to see me out. Thanks for the painting!”

As he left the studio, Geom Mugeuk added one last thing.

“Later, when I take the position of Cult Leader, draw me again. Sitting perfectly on the Throne Mat.”

“Yes! I’ll draw you even more magnificently then!”

After Geom Mugeuk left, Jangho casually turned his head, then flinched before breaking into a helpless smile.

At some point, the paintings of Lee Ahn and Seo Daeryong had disappeared.

---

“Are my eyes really this droopy? They aren’t, right?”

At Seo Daeryong’s words, Geom Mugeuk drew his sword and reflected his face on the blade.

“They are, probably.”

Seeing his reflection, Seo Daeryong let out a self-deprecating sigh.

“When did I get this old?”

Clack. The blade returned to its sheath.

“If you don’t like the painting, I’ll take it back.”

Afraid it might be taken, Seo Daeryong quickly pulled the painting toward himself.

“I like it. I really like it.”

It was a painting drawn by none other than Jangho. And thanks to the goodwill of a drinking companion, he had been drawn far more handsome than in reality.

“Commander Jang’s painting skills are incredible.”

“Keep it safe and pass it down as a family heirloom to your son. It’ll sell for an enormous price later.”

“As expected! The only one who looks out for my wallet is our Young Cult Leader!”

Geom Mugeuk glanced at the desk in the Underworld Pavilion office, piled high with documents. Just by looking at them, it was clear Seo Daeryong was still burdened with excessive work.

“How have things been lately?”

“I work, train in martial arts, and when I go home, I play with my child. It’s frighteningly repetitive. Yesterday is today, and today is tomorrow. It feels like I’m trapped in a formation.”

Seo Daeryong stretched out his hand desperately, as if from within a formation.

“Won’t you leave the cult? Or at least go out for a trip?”

“Why?”

“So you can take me with you when you go!”

It was meant as a joke, but Geom Mugeuk readily agreed.

“Alright, let’s go.”

“Really?”

“Go greet your son first. Tell him to grow well while his father goes off to have fun. And tell Miss Dan to keep raising the child well on her own. If you’re abandoning your wife and child to go out, you might as well enjoy it without regrets.”

Seo Daeryong let out a sigh and shouted.

“When do I ever get to have fun!”

“Look forward to your next life.”

Though he said that, Seo Daeryong’s face was filled with joy.

“To be honest, I’ve been really happy these days. So much that I wonder if I even deserve it. That’s why… sometimes I get scared that this happiness might disappear in an instant.”

Having a child made that fear even stronger. It wasn’t that work was hard.

It was the fear that misfortune might come, that something might happen to his child or wife.

A gloomy nature doesn’t just disappear. His growing happiness fed on his anxiety, tearing at him from within.

No one understood Seo Daeryong better than Geom Mugeuk.

“You’ve forgotten who you are, haven’t you?”

“Who am I?”

Geom Mugeuk cleared his throat as if preparing to give a speech.

“Though he was cold by nature and driven by power, he was a man who loved only one woman. A rebel who alone raised his hand when everyone else remained silent, yet also a man of peace. An impulsive fool who changed the course of his life over a single drink at an inn. The victor of a martial arts tournament with a discerning eye. The next Blade Demon who opened the Ren-Du Meridians. A man with a pure soul. And now, a father.

My right-hand man.”

The moment he heard those words, Seo Daeryong felt a lump rise in his throat.

“You still remember all of that?”

“Of course.”

There were even a few additional phrases now. In particular, the part about having a pure soul had been something the Sky Flower Pavilion Mistress had once said, and he had remembered that as well and added it.

“You were there at my beginning, so you will be there at my end as well. You’ll stand with me to decorate the finale, so don’t be anxious.”

Seo Daeryong smiled brightly.

“Hearing that truly makes me happy.”

“Your anxiety’s all gone now, right?”

“No. The happier I get, the more anxious I become.”

Geom Mugeuk laughed at Seo Daeryong’s joke, and Seo Daeryong laughed along.

“I’m going.”

As Geom Mugeuk moved to leave the room, Seo Daeryong suddenly asked from behind.

“Why did you come today?”

“I came to give you the painting.”

“Was that really all?”

For some reason, it didn’t feel like he had come just to deliver the painting.

Geom Mugeuk’s gaze toward Seo Daeryong was gentle.

“I wanted to remember what you all were like at this moment.”

Leaving behind those cryptic words, Geom Mugeuk exited the room.

“What do you mean, remember?”

When Seo Daeryong called out, Geom Mugeuk’s answer came from far outside.

“Your droopy eyes!”

---

As Geom Mugeuk exited the Underworld Pavilion, someone was waiting.

Surprisingly, it was the Crescent Moon Faceless Swordsman.

“I came because there is something I wish to ask the Young Cult Leader.”

Through the mask, his trembling eyes revealed the great courage it had taken for him to come.

“Speak.”

“I heard that the assassins of the Tenebrous Ghosts Corps will all be leaving soon.”

With Cha Iran's departure, the subordinate assassins had also decided to leave. Cha Iran had allowed them to choose freely whether to leave her and begin new lives, or to follow her to the very end.

The problem was the Seventeenth Beauty, with whom he shared a romantic bond.

“I wish to continue living as a Faceless Swordsman. If I confess this feeling, I fear it may force her into making a choice.”

“Are you afraid she will leave?”

The Crescent Moon Faceless Swordsman shook his head.

“No. If that happens, I intend to send her off respectfully.”

What he feared was not rejection, but acceptance.

“What if we live here together as Faceless Swordsmen, and later she becomes unhappy?”

Seeing that he was already worrying about such things, it was clear he truly cared for the Seventeenth Beauty.

“Why are you asking me this?”

“For some reason, I felt that if it were you, Young Cult Leader, you would know what I should do.”

During the operation at the Greatest Beauty Under the Heavens Selection Tournament, he had witnessed just how exceptional and outstanding Geom Mugeuk was.

Moreover, back then, the Young Cult Leader had even arranged a separate opportunity for him and the Seventeenth Beauty.

“If you hadn’t let us meet that day, we wouldn’t have come this far.”

“So you’re asking me to take responsibility?”

“N-No!”

The Crescent Moon Faceless Swordsman panicked, and Geom Mugeuk enjoyed the reaction.

Well, since he had come this far with such courage, it would be best to give him the most helpful advice possible. Though, Crescent Moon, when it comes to women, you and I aren’t so different.

“You said you’re afraid of forcing her into a choice?”

“Yes.”

“Then this time, force the choice.”

The Crescent Moon Faceless Swordsman stared at Geom Mugeuk with wide eyes.

“Say this: ‘I can't give up either, so now only your choice remains.’ Force the matter like that. But tell her beforehand that right now, I'm the one forcing the choice. Later, however, you must be the one to force a choice on me.”

“What kind of choice do you mean?”

It was a choice the Crescent Moon Faceless Swordsman had never considered.

“Let’s run away together!”

“…!”

“Don’t endure a difficult life endlessly until it reaches a point of no return. Tell her to say it before that happens. That you’ve grown tired of the Faceless Swordsman life and decided to run away, so now only her choice remains. You made the choice before, so this time, she should choose.”

Geom Mugeuk said with a smile.

“I made it sound complicated, but what I mean is this: live your life as the Faceless Swordsman without regrets, and when you've done that, run away together.”

The Faceless Swordsman’s eyes curved like a crescent moon. Now it was clear why he bore that symbol.

He bowed deeply in gratitude.

“Thank you very much, Young Cult Leader.”

Geom Mugeuk watched him walk away.

Right. It wasn’t simply that people couldn’t endure parting. What left regret behind was not even getting the chance to speak, to choose, to truly try anything before it all ended.

---

Lee Ahn sat in her room, lost in thought.

She recalled Cha Iran, who had come earlier.

She had come to say goodbye, telling her that she would be leaving with the Sword King.

—Next time, I’ll come visit your inn.

—It’s an expensive inn, so make sure you earn plenty of money.

As she was about to leave, Cha Iran turned back and spoke.

—May I say something, not as your subordinate, but as a fellow woman?

The last thing Cha Iran said was this:

—Isn’t it time that heart of yours truly started beating?

Lee Ahn knew exactly what she meant.

‘Easy for you to say. When it’s obvious whose heart it is.’

The rest slipped out of her mouth aloud.

“Knowing how many lives depend on the owner of that heart.”

At that moment, a voice came from behind.

“Who depends on it?”

Startled, she turned around to find Geom Mugeuk already there.

“Young Cult Leader!”

“You wouldn’t even notice if your house got robbed. What are you so deep in thought about?”

Flustered, she blurted out whatever came to mind.

“You don’t know that a leader has more work than the Young Cult Leader, do you? There’s a mountain of things to handle. Oh, right—Ak Gunhak and Unit Leader Cha are leaving soon.”

“I heard from Brother Ak.”

“Oh, you met him?”

Geom Mugeuk nodded.

“He said he’d contact me when the inn opens. Normally, I’d go along, help find a location, and assist with building the inn, but since Miss Cha is going with him, there’s no need to worry.”

Thinking of the Sword King and Cha Iran, Lee Ahn felt that human relationships were truly unpredictable.

They had once been enemies, then met as master and disciple, participated together in the Greatest Beauty Under the Heavens Tournament, became friends and subordinates, and now were leaving as strangers.

“Let’s go.”

“Where?”

“To find the real Lee Ahn.”

“Oh, you mean the Flowing Wind Tavern just reopened? I’ll need a drink before I take off my mask again.”

“No, somewhere farther.”

For a moment, Lee Ahn’s eyes sparkled with a sudden realization.

“Let’s go get some fresh air in the Central Plains.”

“Just the two of us?”

“Yes, just the two of us.”

Her expression brightened instantly. It was an unmistakable joy that doubled the happiness of the one who had invited her.

“Pack your things.”

Lee Ahn ran over and opened the wardrobe.

Srrrk.

Inside was a small leather pouch she had already prepared in advance.

“You already packed?”

“You always suddenly tell me to go somewhere. So now I keep everything ready.”

“Let’s go. Hand me your bag.”

For some reason, Lee Ahn asked for some time.

“How much time can you give me?”

“Half a shijin?”

“Please wait outside!”

Leaving her moving like a flash, Geom Mugeuk stepped outside.

After half a shijin, Lee Ahn emerged from the room.

Dressed in the splendid clothes she had bought during the tournament, with makeup to match, she was truly beautiful and captivating.

“It’s been a while since I went out, so I dressed up a bit.”

Under Geom Mugeuk’s fixed gaze, she asked carefully.

“Is it too much? Should I change and wear a bamboo hat?”

“No. I told you to live with that face. You’ve been hiding it too much until now. This time, let’s make proper use of it.”

Lee Ahn shrugged slightly, speaking playfully.

“Are you sure? This is the face from the finals of the Greatest Beauty Tournament. No getting jealous later.”

“When the heroines line up saying they like me, don’t you get jealous instead.”

The two looked at each other and burst into laughter.

As they walked out together, Geom Mugeuk spoke energetically.

“Let's go. To the Jianghu.”