The moment Jin Geum-ryeon became aware of his own heart, he wanted to leave for the Demonic Cult immediately to get Ak Mujin back. Whether or not he could defeat the Demonic Cultists with his skills was not important.
However, one question arose in his mind.
‘Does Ak Mujin really want to come back to me?’
It wasn’t a question of whether Ak Mujin had feelings for him. That wasn’t important.
The moment he had that thought, Jin Geum-ryeon began to recall the time he had spent with Ak Mujin, one by one.
Because Ak Mujin’s physical condition wasn’t very good, Jin Geum-ryeon had given him at least minimal treatment. That didn’t mean Ak Mujin’s situation was good, though. Besides, wasn’t it because Jin Geum-ryeon had struck him that Ak Mujin had lost all his Inner Force and his health had deteriorated?
In addition, Jin Geum-ryeon had often said harsh things to Ak Mujin, regardless of the situation, in order to suppress his own emotions. He couldn’t show any more kindness to Ak Mujin, the enemy of his parents.
Jin Geum-ryeon was always tormented by the inappropriate feelings he felt for his parents’ enemy. Therefore, Jin Geum-ryeon’s attitude, which he maintained to reject those feelings, could be considered thorny, though not cold.
Jin Geum-ryeon’s eyes widened at that point.
He remembered something he had said to Ak Mujin once.
‘Why would you bring up something that only makes you feel disgusted when you think about it?’
Jin Geum-ryeon blankly looked up at the sky.
At the time, Jin Geum-ryeon was too embarrassed by the fact that he had been intimate with his parents’ enemy. The moment his body touched Ak Mujin’s was so sweet, and it was hard to accept that his flushed cries sounded beautiful. After that, he was only thinking about pushing away his emotions. Nevertheless, he kept remembering that day, and he was tormented by the feeling of the skin he had touched, the sensation of the lips that had touched his. Was it simply because they were Yang Person and Yin Person that his body became so heated?
Jin Geum-ryeon thought that Ak Mujin wasn’t the kind of person who would be hurt by such words. After all, wasn’t he also a Demonic Cultist? If he was going to become the Vice Leader of the Demonic Cult, he must have achieved great merit within it, even if he started as the Cult Leader’s disciple, and his reputation must be good for that to be possible. The ‘reputation’ among the Demonic Cultists would have a very different standard from what ordinary people think, which was obvious even without looking inside.
However, contrary to expectations, Ak Mujin’s face clearly showed that he was hurt when he heard Jin Geum-ryeon’s words. That appearance also caused Jin Geum-ryeon embarrassment, but at that time, he couldn’t say anything.
Ak Mujin had said that he didn’t want to be in the Demonic Cult.
But is that still the case now that he has heard Jin Geum-ryeon’s harsh words?
Jin Geum-ryeon remembered Ak Mujin calling him urgently and reaching out to him, but he thought that if he actually returned to the Demonic Cult, he might feel that his current situation, having returned to the Demonic Cult, was more comfortable than the time he spent with Jin Geum-ryeon.
He stood silently in the forest for a long time.
As if the grass was clutching at his ankles and wouldn’t let go, he couldn’t take a step in any direction.
\*
Ak Mujin felt that this whole situation of being caught by Elder Yeo was unreal. Is it really true that he is going back to the Demonic Cult like this? Really like this?
He had the burden of having to go to the Martial Alliance after being caught by Jin Geum-ryeon, but behind that, he was clearly relieved to have escaped the Demonic Cult. But now that he was in this situation so futilely, he was just confused.
He couldn’t tell whether it was better to be dragged to Illusion Valley or to return to the Demonic Cult. Therefore, Ak Mujin shouted at the top of his lungs as he watched Jin Geum-ryeon persistently chasing after them. He seemed to have cheered for Jin Geum-ryeon more sincerely and earnestly than ever before. Thanks to that, he was now sitting exhausted in a chair.
Elder Yeo, who found it strange, let Ak Mujin rest for a while and returned with a steaming cup of tea.
“Vice-Leader… no, Second Young Master. Are you hurt anywhere? What on earth did that bastard do to you?”
Elder Yeo said, looking at Ak Mujin with loyal eyes.
“……”
Ak Mujin, utterly exhausted, only raised his eyes to look up at Elder Yeo. And with a slightly trembling hand, he took the tea he offered and fiddled with the cup. The warmth from the small cup was certain, so it stabilized his body a little.
He quickly racked his brains. Now that he’s going back to the Demonic Cult, it’s obvious what will happen.
Ak Mujin’s body has become unable to handle Inner Force. Then, in the Demonic Cult, where all positions are determined solely by skill, what kind of treatment will he receive? Even First Young Master Kang Mu-hwi, whose presence was insignificant until just before he left the Demonic Cult, wouldn’t be this bad.
After much deliberation, he opened his mouth slightly. It was a voice feigned to sound frightened.
“…Second Young Master… What are you talking about…”
Yes. Let’s pretend to have lost my memory. If he did that, the situation would be somewhat simpler.
No sooner had Ak Mujin’s words fallen than Elder Yeo’s complexion darkened. He didn’t seem to have expected this.
“I, I don’t know why I’m here. Why did you kidnap me? I want to go back.”
Now that Ak Mujin had found his voice, his mind became even colder, and he began to play the role of a truly ‘innocent victim’.
“Kidnap? Second Young Master, you are just returning to where you originally belonged. The place for Second Young Master is not the Central Plains, but the Heavenly Mountain, the headquarters of the Demonic Cult. Do you really not remember anything?”
Elder Yeo now knelt on one knee in front of him, making eye contact. But Ak Mujin found that gaze very burdensome, so he tried to avoid it and tilted his head.
“I, I don’t know. Demonic Cult? I’m not that kind of person. So please release me quickly.”
Elder Yeo’s chest felt stuffy as he looked at Ak Mujin, who was frightened and cowering, unlike his usual dignified and confident self. He silently looked into Ak Mujin’s face. Ak Mujin felt as if he was scrutinizing his expression to see if there were any lies in it.
After staring at Ak Mujin silently for a long time, Elder Yeo finally got up from his seat and sighed softly.
“…Even if you have lost your memory, the fact that Heavenly Mountain is the only place for Second Young Master to go does not change. The journey ahead will be long, so get some sleep.”
With those words, Elder Yeo left the room.
Finally left alone, Ak Mujin groaned lowly and slumped in the chair, then quickly got up and began searching the room. But there was nothing that could be used as a weapon, and the only small window was blocked by a wooden board. Moreover, judging from the sound of someone politely greeting Elder Yeo as he left the room, it seemed that he was accompanied by guards. It seemed impossible to escape at this time.
This is… a complete disaster.
Ak Mujin himself must overcome this situation. He can’t hope for the luck of receiving Jin Geum-ryeon’s help this time either.
\*
The journey back to Heavenly Mountain was too far away.
The reason was Ak Mujin himself. It would have been different when he had strong Martial Arts, but now, with a body that has worse stamina than an ordinary person, it was quite exhausting to walk for even just one hour.
Elder Yeo seemed to find that somewhat frustrating as well. Ak Mujin had a vain hope that if he dragged on here, he might give up and let him go.
In any case, it was clear that they would be caught soon if they continued to linger in Hunan, where the Martial Alliance was stationed, so they moved as quickly as possible and arrived in Hubei.
Ak Mujin was staggering with parched lips because he was so tired. Elder Yeo, unable to watch any longer, snatched his waist and strode towards a magnificent building.
The place they arrived at was the Fragrant Flower Pavilion, a House of courtesans owned by the Demonic Cult.
Fragrant Flower Pavilion.
Ak Mujin’s eyes widened as he naturally thought that there might be someone who could help him. At the same time, he was reminded of his days in the Demonic Cult as he looked at the splendid palace and the red lanterns. It felt like a distant past, but when he thought about it, he was very embarrassed to realize that it had been less than three months. It felt like it had been more than three years since he left the Demonic Cult… That must mean that the time he spent away from the Demonic Cult was sweet.
“This is Elder Yeo Ilsan of the Demonic Cult.”
Elder Yeo parted the crowd and approached the door, showing his Jade Token to the guard. The guard checked it once, then bowed politely to him and immediately opened the door. Then he whispered to the clerk inside.
“Welcome, Elder Yeo.”
The guard seemed somewhat puzzled by the man draped over his shoulder, but he let him in without saying anything.
“Um, can you put me down now?”
All eyes in the House of courtesans were on him. To be exact, on his buttocks draped over Elder Yeo’s shoulder. Ak Mujin, feeling burdened by the attention, mustered his courage and asked, but Elder Yeo ignored him and followed the clerk’s guidance, walking deeper and deeper into the House of courtesans.