Chapter 24 …
Thirty years ago, Magong (Demonic Arts) had disappeared from the world. So when news spread that Magong had reappeared, everyone wore looks of shock.
“Is that true?”
Uijemin asked again, unable to believe what he’d heard.
“Yes,” replied Sword Drinker Yoo Dong. “We don’t know if Hyun Jinmyeong actually learned Magong, or if he fell victim to a demon, but the phenomenon occurring in his body is clearly caused by Magong.”
At his words, people exchanged bewildered glances and whispered to those beside them.
“And there is something else I must report.”
“What is it?”
“It would be better to speak in a different place.”
“Then let’s do that.”
* * *
In the courtyard of the detached residence, Geomryeong was loosening his body with light exercises when Jeok Hwamyeong approached him.
He had just heard something unbelievable from Yoo Dong.
“Magong…?”
Muttering to himself, Jeok Hwamyeong approached, and Geomryeong stopped moving to ask,
“Why are you bringing up Magong?”
Since they had decided to travel together, Geomryeong spoke to Jeok Hwamyeong comfortably.
“They say Young Hero Hyun Jinmyeong fell victim to Magong.”
“Well, of course. He was devoured by it,” Geomryeong replied casually.
“Also, the Green Forest bandits of Bulsan Wall Village were found dead. Because of that, there’s information that the Green Forest Twenty-Four Strongholds have started to move.”
Geomryeong had already expected that the Green Forest would react after he slaughtered everyone at Bulsan Wall Village.
But that was all. Even if they moved, he was confident they wouldn’t be able to find him, so he wasn’t worried.
“Aren’t the Green Forest people bad?”
“They are. But if they were also killed by Magong, that’s a problem.”
Geomryeong narrowed his eyes.
“They were killed by Magong?”
He had never learned Magong himself. So the statement didn’t make sense.
“Yes. It depends on the nature of the Magong, but some types are known to roam around seeking blood.”
Jeok Hwamyeong relayed exactly what Yoo Dong had told him.
After hearing it, Geomryeong was speechless.
What he had done was being twisted into a rumor that a demonic cultivator was behind it.
“Couldn’t a hero have simply killed the evil Green Forest bandits?”
“No matter how heroic, one doesn’t usually wipe them out entirely. Usually, they leave a few alive as a warning…”
Geomryeong tilted his head at Jeok Hwamyeong’s words.
It was a little different from what Ghost Demon Emperor Gu Yeongcheol or the Medicine Devil Yakbing had taught him.
“But didn’t they say if they’re enemies, you should never show mercy? Did I misunderstand?”
“There are circumstances, aren’t there? If the opponent is no real threat…”
Jeok Hwamyeong explained again.
Still, that doesn’t seem right, Geomryeong thought.
He believed that if you spared an enemy, they wouldn’t feel grateful. Instead, they’d bide their time, and the moment you showed a weakness, they’d draw a hidden dagger and stab you in the heart.
Of course, this way of thinking came mostly from Cheon Namyeon, Gu Yeongcheol, and Yakbing’s influence—but he didn’t think they were wrong.
“But I didn’t learn Magong,” he said, deciding to clear up the misunderstanding.
“Who said you did?”
“Didn’t they say the one who slaughtered Bulsan Wall Village must have learned Magong?”
“They did.”
“That’s why I’m telling you—I didn’t learn Magong.”
Jeok Hwamyeong looked at him carefully. The way Geomryeong spoke sounded almost as if he were admitting that he was the one who’d wiped out Bulsan Wall Village.
“Was it you?” Jeok Hwamyeong asked, narrowing his eyes.
“Yes!”
“Why?”
“They were bad people and tried to kill me.”
“They tried to kill you? Why?”
“Well, at that time, I was working for Gangnam Escort Agency…”
Jeok Hwamyeong furrowed his brow, lines forming between his eyes.
Geomryeong told him everything that had happened with Wang Sanak Stronghold.
But Jeok Hwamyeong’s face only grew darker and more displeased.
“I didn’t think you were that kind of person. I’m very disappointed.”
Geomryeong couldn’t understand why he said that.
“Don’t you think you brag too much? There’s a time and place for tall tales. Right now, you’re talking about other people’s deeds as if they were your own…”
Jeok Hwamyeong lectured him.
Although Geomryeong claimed to be a master, to Jeok Hwamyeong he looked no different from some immature aristocrat’s son.
“Why won’t you believe me?”
“I want to, but don’t you think your claims are too outrageous?”
“What exactly do you mean?”
“You say you’re a master, but to me it’s unclear whether you’ve even practiced martial arts seriously. And claiming to be the joint disciple of three legendary figures? Would you believe it if the roles were reversed?”
Cheon Namyeon, Gu Yeongcheol, Yakbing! These three were representatives of the orthodox, unorthodox, and neutral factions—each a peerless martial artist of their time.
No one could believe someone was the disciple of not one, but all three of them.
“Over the years, many have falsely claimed to be their disciples, but not a single one was real. If you said you were the disciple of one, I might entertain the thought. But claiming all three is too much. And now someone has died from Magong. Don’t go around making such jokes again.”
Geomryeong felt a little hurt, but since Jeok Hwamyeong didn’t believe him, there was nothing he could do.
“If you don’t believe me, so be it.”
He turned away.
He had wanted to travel the world with Jeok Hwamyeong, but that desire evaporated.
He knew that once trust was gone, staying together became difficult.
Watching his back, Jeok Hwamyeong wondered if he’d been too harsh. But he thought if he didn’t fix Geomryeong’s “lying habit” now, it could cause serious trouble later. So he let him go without stopping him.
There was also something Jeok Hwamyeong didn’t realize: Geomryeong hadn’t heard that Hyun Jinmyeong had been killed by Magong, so he had no reason to know he’d been “devoured” by it.
Geomryeong returned to his room in the detached residence and packed his belongings.
There was no longer any reason for him to stay at the Sinchang Medical House.
He had realized it from Jeok Hwamyeong’s reaction earlier.
No matter what he said, no one would believe him.
“I was planning to travel alone anyway.”
After packing, he stepped outside.
Jeok Hwamyeong seemed to have gone to his room, as he was nowhere in sight. Geomryeong paused, wondering if he should at least say goodbye—but then shook his head.
“Forget it. Let’s just go.”
He turned and left the detached residence, and then the Sinchang Medical House altogether.
On his way out, he passed many people, but not a single one asked where he was going.
Of course, everyone was preoccupied with Hyun Jinmyeong’s situation—but still, after staying there for several days, not even one farewell or question made him feel a bit lonely.
“So this is what human warmth is like…”
He felt like he understood a little about human relationships.
“It doesn’t matter. I’ll meet plenty more people anyway.”
* * *
“It must have been him who learned Magong. He killed Hyun Jinmyeong and fled, fearing that his use of Magong would be exposed!”
Uidogun insisted that the vanished Geomryeong had learned Magong.
“Do-gun! Watch your tongue. Father is present.”
The eldest, Uido-cheon, tried to calm him.
“Otherwise, why would he have secretly left the main house?”
Despite being told to restrain himself, he seized the opportunity to frame Geomryeong as a demon to avenge his earlier humiliation.
“Enough.”
“Father!”
Uijemin narrowed his eyes. The youngest son he knew was proud of his family status, but not this narrow-minded.
“Do you see me as someone who can’t even distinguish between someone who has learned martial arts and someone who hasn’t?”
His voice grew stern.
“But he—”
“How many times must I say it? That was not martial skill but temperament!”
Uidogun bit his lip under his father’s rebuke.
“Do-gun!”
“……!”
“In my opinion, Young Lord Geomryeong hasn’t mastered internal martial arts—he’s simply practiced fighting techniques to some degree.”
Martial arts and fighting techniques are similar but different. Simply put, they’re like the difference between inner strength and outer strength.
“You resent him for defeating you and out of frustration accuse him of practicing demonic arts—but who here would believe that?”
“Why won’t you believe me?”
“If I did, everyone here would be a fool. Is there anyone present with weaker martial skill than you?”
This gathering included elders, the leaders of the Hyunryong and Biryong squads, and his two older brothers.
Not a single person had lower martial skills than him.
“Instead of accusing him, couldn’t you have approached him with an open mind and learned something from him?”
Uidogun had no response.
“Why do you keep insisting he’s evil and pushing that narrative?”
“Father…”
“There are rumors about you spreading in the marketplace. From their perspective, you’re the villain.”
He didn’t understand why his father was being so harsh.
“Do-gun. Broaden your perspective. See the world and people more openly. That will be for your own good—and for the good of our family. Do you understand?”
Uidogun replied quietly, but his expression still showed clear dissatisfaction.
When will he grow up… thought Uijemin.
