By Zephyria Third Young Master (1)
“Ah, Fourth.”
Seong Mu-geuk, as if he were out for a stroll, ran his finger along the edge of the round table in the middle of the room, observing it as he spoke.
“Fourth was truly a useful ingredient. He grew up eating the precious spirit pills the Cult provided since he was young, and he was born with a good constitution. Just like Namgung Cheon-chu, whom you stole before.”
…Namgung Cheon-chu!
Seong Mu-yeon’s pupils constricted.
“Were you planning to kill Namgung Cheon-chu and turn him into a Spirit Pill like Fourth Brother?”
“It seems Sixth has found out more than I thought. Yes. If you hadn’t killed Heo Ji-myeong and ransacked the branch, he would be in my hands by now.”
“……”
“But if you’re scared because of that, there’s no need to be. I’m not so petty as to get angry over a little prank from my youngest brother.”
Seong Mu-geuk was feigning a friendly brotherly demeanor, but his eyes and expression were anything but friendly. It felt awkward, like wearing ill-fitting clothes, but it was more chilling than funny.
In the end, Seong Mu-jae’s guess was correct. Seong Mu-geuk intended to forcibly take the inner force of others to become stronger. That was how he surpassed his brothers and took the position of Cult Leader in the original story.
“You must have seen that Spirit Pill. Wasn’t it beautiful? Everything Fourth dedicated his life to was melted into it. It’s hard to find such a good ingredient. But Sixth ran away with it…”
Seong Mu-geuk clicked his tongue.
“That’s why I came all the way here myself. I was going to step in personally if the Demon Slayer Unit failed to recover the Spirit Pill. But when I arrived, there you were, my youngest.”
His smile deepened.
“I’ve come to see you today, Seong Mu-yeon.”
Only then could Seong Mu-yeon understand the Demon Slayer Unit’s actions. They weren’t trying to retrieve the Spirit Pill right now, but were fighting a pointless battle to buy time. To allow Seong Mu-geuk to meet him without any interference.
But why?
“Are you going to kill me? …As you know, even if you make a Spirit Pill out of me, it won’t be worth much.”
Compared to Fourth Young Master and Namgung Cheon-chu, no, compared to anyone, Seong Mu-yeon was not a valuable existence. Wasn’t his life hanging by a thread right now?
“Kill you? Of course not.”
Seong Mu-geuk slowly shook his head. He offered his hand with a faint smile.
“Let’s go together. And together, we shall rule the Demonic Cult, and furthermore, this Central Plains.”
…What?
“Only you are qualified to share that glory with me.”
Seong Mu-yeon became even more confused. He didn’t understand what he was saying at all. He doubted whether he had heard correctly.
“Are you surprised? I would be too. I understand. I would have been the same.”
Seong Mu-geuk slowly strolled around the room.
“You must be wondering why I’m making such an offer to you, who are sickly and useless, whom no one cares about.”
“……”
“Let me ask you a question. We are seven brothers, but have you ever felt that even one of them is a true family member?”
“……What do you mean?”
“I have. Big Brother, Second Brother… none of them were good enough to stand shoulder to shoulder with me. Except for one person. You, Seong Mu-yeon.”
“……”
“That night, the night you appeared in the banquet hall covered in blood, I realized. That you are the same kind as me.”
The trembling stopped for a moment.
Seong Mu-geuk stared at him with satisfaction as Seong Mu-yeon’s expression changed.
Seong Mu-yeon blinked slowly.
It was a strange day indeed, that two people brought up that story.
“I’ve been keeping an eye on you since then. Becoming the leader of a group, whether it’s the Demonic Cult, Wudang, or the Jegal Clan, comes with great responsibility. Furthermore, leading the entire Central Plains is almost impossible alone. It would be much more efficient if I had a brother to help me and combine our strength.”
“……”
“But Seong Mu-yeon, your actions after that were nothing but disappointing.”
Seong Mu-geuk frowned slightly, as if recalling that time.
“When your illness was revealed, you were busy hiding. You did nothing and let those insignificant people mock you as much as they wanted. It was truly disappointing. But, who would have known?”
Seong Mu-geuk wore something akin to a smile on his lips.
“How could I have known that you, who suddenly disappeared one day, would ruin my plans? Not stopping there, you killed Branch Leader Heo Ji-myeong. With that weak body, without a shred of hesitation. And the Wirim Captain was your doing too, wasn’t it?”
Seong Mu-yeon glared at him.
“I can’t achieve great things with someone who ruins things with clumsy hypocrisy by my side. But you… indeed, I wasn’t wrong about you. Let’s go together. Become a reliable assistant and create a Demonic world with me.”
After hearing all this, Seong Mu-yeon let out a burst of laughter without realizing it.
“You came all the way here just for that?”
“‘Just’?”
“Whether you squeeze Fourth Brother to make a Spirit Pill or whatever, I’m not in a position to say anything since I’ve also done things. I can’t even take care of myself, let alone rule the world. You’ve come to the wrong person.”
If Seong Mu-geuk hadn’t interfered, he would be on his way back to Mount Hua with the Spirit Pill that Yak Seon had requested. Seong Mu-geuk was the one who decisively interfered when the cure was right before his eyes.
“You didn’t think I’d try to accomplish great things with you in your condition, did you? Do you think I haven’t prepared a way to cure your illness?”
Seong Mu-geuk let out a low chuckle.
“If you’re talking about something like the Demon Soul Divine Pill…”
“Eat the Spirit Pill.”
“……Pardon?”
“In the end, your body is the problem. Eat the Spirit Pill, reach the transcendent realm, abandon your weak body, and be reborn.”
“……”
So, he was saying he would help him achieve Rebirth Through Marrow Cleansing?
“Brother, I’m sorry, but I know that Fourth Brother’s training wasn’t that great. Even if the Spirit Pill contains Fourth Brother’s inner force as it was, reaching the transcendent realm is an impossible dream.”
“Then how about Big Brother?”
Seong Mu-yeon flinched.
“If Big Brother isn’t enough, then Second Brother? Or… Father? Would that still not be enough?”
“……What are you talking about?”
“Oh, wait, there’s an easier and faster way. How about those guys fighting over there right now?”
Seong Mu-geuk stared out the window.
“Wudang Elder… the young master of the Jegal Clan… especially the Heartless Sword of Mount Hua will be helpful.”
When Baek Ryeo-il was mentioned from Seong Mu-geuk’s mouth, Seong Mu-yeon clenched his fist without realizing it. His pupils constricted and his jaw tightened.
“I heard you’ve been close to him lately. How much trust have you gained? If you can lure out the Heartless Sword, it will be very easy.”
“I refuse. I don’t eat Spirit Pills made from people. It’s disgusting.”
Seong Mu-yeon gritted his teeth and said each word with force.
“Really? If you had made Spirit Pills out of the number of people you killed, you would have reached not just the transcendent realm by now. You might have even reached the profound realm. Can you say you’re a better person than me?”
“……”
Seong Mu-yeon was so angry that his whole body trembled.
If he only had the strength, he would have twisted Seong Mu-geuk’s neck right here and now…
Seong Mu-geuk smiled nonchalantly, even though he read the murderous intent in his eyes.
“You’ll need time to think, too. Think carefully. I’ll be going now.”
“……Where are you going? Are you going to take the Spirit Pill?”
As Seong Mu-geuk showed signs of leaving, Seong Mu-yeon’s heart sank at the thought of the people fighting outside, especially Baek Ryeo-il.
“Didn’t I say I came to see you today? I’ll leave the Spirit Pill as a gift. It would be best to have made a decision when we meet again next time.”
“……What if I refuse?”
“There are people working for me hidden here, so they can recover it then. But I don’t recommend it.”
“I understand. I understand, so please just go back today.”
He was worried that Seong Mu-geuk and Baek Ryeo-il might clash. He hadn’t rested, and he couldn’t gauge Seong Mu-geuk’s martial prowess well.
The overwhelming martial prowess he showed in the original story was likely due to the Spirit Pill, but since Baek Ryeo-il wasn’t fully mature either, he couldn’t guarantee victory.
“But… those who dare to covet what is mine must pay the price.”
“Brother!”
“Remember one last thing.”
Seong Mu-geuk left one last word before disappearing as silently as he had come.
“You are destined to come to me anyway.”