Chapter 575: Side Story 75

Chapter side_75

[Entering- Mount- Tian.]

When someone’s loud voice heard, people bowed their heads. From the entrance of the Demonic Cult to the entrance of Mount Tian leading there, not only the one hundred thousand demonic martial artists but also everyone in the vicinity had gathered.

As everyone bowed their heads, only then did the procession begin to move.

At the very front was Sa Do-hak, and beside him was the current Cult Leader, Gam Chun.

Behind them followed the elders and protectors, and at the very end, a coffin so magnificent and grand that it stole everyone’s gaze was being moved.

The procession, starting from the entrance of Mount Tian, went along the road toward the entrance entering the Demonic Cult.

It moved slowly.

As if to enjoy the scenery of Mount Tian that had changed over a thousand years, the steps of the procession were slow, allowing them to take in that much scenery.

It was the same for the people.

One of the Three Heavens.

Cheon Mun-gwang, called the legend of the Demonic Cult, had returned.

Among those watching the procession, there were countless people shedding tears of joy, and those who could not shout but cheered with their eyes and facial expressions alone.

The return of Cheon Mun-gwang was just that great of an event for the Demonic Cult.

“[First Bow of the Demonic Path-]”

“Those who walk the demonic path, bow.”

At the voice that soon heard, everyone prostrated themselves on the ground and made the first bow. The sight was so perfect and clean that it was hard to believe even when seeing it with one’s own eyes.

“[Second Bow of the Demonic Path-]”

It was the second bow toward the deceased.

As they bowed and lowered their heads once more, there were no words to express that grandeur. It was a disciplined movement filled with reverence directed toward Cheon Mun-gwang.

“[Demonic Cult- Entry]”

Soon, they took the path entering the Demonic Cult from the mid-slope of Mount Tian. Another loud announcement let them know that Cheon Mun-gwang had finally entered the Mount Tian Demonic Cult.

Woahhhhh!

The moment they entered the Mount Tian Demonic Cult, a thunderous roar heard. It was the cheering of the Demonic Cult members who had been waiting only for Cheon Mun-gwang’s entry.

If the path coming from Mount Tian to the entrance of the Cult served as a funeral to send him off, it now seemed to celebrate his return.

The massive roar felt as if it would tear their ears apart.

But the people did not care in the slightest.

They seemed only to think of welcoming his return with thunderous cheers.

* * *

“It is incredible.”

Watching that scene from afar, Dan Woo-hyun smirked without realizing it. Sa Do-hak, walking at the very front, also seemed very pleased with Cheon Mun-gwang’s return, though he did not openly show it.

“I can finally heave a sigh of relief.”

He had thought about sending him off since long ago, but it had not been easy. It was because of the anxiety that the connection between them and him might be severed.

Were they not the ones he had been with, even if it was in the past?

Was this what was commonly called affection?

‘Even if I die, I will be with Mount Tian forever. That is my destiny.’

‘Then you can just die on Mount Tian.’

‘Ayy! Does a dying person care if it’s Mount Tian or the street? If I happen to die first, please bury me on Mount Tian, Brother.’

‘Then if I die first, will you bury me?’

‘Uhahaha! Of course, isn’t it? Just say the word. I will bury you wherever you want.’

‘I see… where would be good…’

Dan Woo-hyun had not ended up answering at that time.

It was because no particular place came to mind.

In the first place, he had never thought deeply about death, and since it was a life that ended with death, what did it matter where he was buried?

But now, he did.

Dan Woo-hyun uttered the answer that he could not give back then.

“The Hunan Dan Family… On top of that cliff where I buried you guys would be nice.”

The place where the Hunan Dan Family could be seen and Dongting Lake came into view.

If he were buried there, he would have no regrets in his entire life.

Was it not a place where he could see Dan So-mi, or Dan So-mi’s descendants, living down through generations? There was a large pine tree said to be planted by an immortal, and a manor built with his own hands.

The place where he could see Jang Sam-tae cooking, two old men playing go, a woman dancing an elegant sword dance, and children running around.

There would be no burial plot in the world better than that place.

Dan Woo-hyun watched the figure of his friend departing far away. The sight of passing through the center of the Demonic Cult and heading toward the ancestors’ graveyard would be the final appearance of Cheon Mun-gwang.

Therefore, he also stood up from his seat.

He raised the cup in his hand and toasted to him.

“Go to a good place.”

Soon, he placed the bottle to his mouth, took a sip, and poured the remaining liquor onto the ground. The sight of it being absorbed and sucked into the earth in an instant made him feel as if Cheon Mun-gwang, who loved liquor, was gulping it down.

Watching that, Dan Woo-hyun smiled.

* * *

“Oh, my, I’m exhausted…”

“I’m… worn out…”

Jang Sam-tae, Dan So-mi, and Namgung So-hye lay sprawled with pale, exhausted faces.

They had already held a funeral that lasted for over seven days.

Jang Sam-tae had to enter the Demonic Cult every day to cook, and Namgung So-hye had to deliver the food while bearing the vigilance and glares of the Demonic Cult members.

Finally, Dan So-mi was led by Sa Do-hak’s hand to greet various high-ranking members of the Demonic Cult, so it was only natural that her mind and body were exhausted.

In particular, while Jang Sam-tae and Namgung So-hye could now rest leisurely, Dan So-mi, who had been dragged around by Sa Do-hak to meet various people, could not do so.

“Excuse… excuse me, young miss.”

“Yes?”

A man who suddenly appeared approached stealthily with an awkward expression. Soon, he quickly handed her a bouquet of flowers he had hidden behind his back.

“I am Shim Manseok, the son of Elder Shim!”

“Ah… yes, I’m Dan So-mi.”

“I fell in love with you at first sight from the moment I first saw you!”

“Is… is that so?”

Dan So-mi was breaking into a cold sweat, took a step back. Glancing back, she saw all kinds of expensive accessories, including a pile of flower bouquets, placed there.

Because the children of elders, protectors, and other prominent figures, or the individuals themselves, came to court her, Dan So-mi was having a harder time in her own way.

This was all because of Sa Do-hak.

Since he had introduced her as his granddaughter and whatnot, the groups wishing to gain that influence were trying to win Dan So-mi’s favor by any means.

Because if they wanted to aim for the next Cult Leader position, Sa Do-hak’s background was extremely important.

Smiling awkwardly, Dan So-mi had to break into a sweat again while dealing with that man for a short time. If it had been Namgung So-hye, she would have waved her hand and sent him away as if it were natural, but she was not of such a harsh personality.

“I… I want to go back…”

Once the man left, Dan So-mi collapsed onto the dining table and made a crying face. Having strangers come to court her and meeting unfamiliar people to laugh awkwardly was something Dan So-mi had grown completely tired of.

She wanted to leave this place right away.

Her mind was filled only with such thoughts.

“Prepare to leave soon.”

And in that instant, as if reading Dan So-mi’s mind, Dan Woo-hyun’s voice heard. Dan So-mi, who had been completely drained, sprang up from her seat, her eyes shining brightly.

The words to prepare could not make her feel any better.

“Really? Are we leaving now?”

“Yes. We cannot stay here forever, can we?”

In truth, they had stayed longer than expected.

Partly because the funeral had been prolonged, but also because they had waited a little for Sa Do-hak to clean up the remaining matters. Thus, time had been delayed much more than expected.

But the waiting ended here.

The journey they had to go on from now on was so far that it could not even compare to what they had done so far.

“I-I will pack my bags and be right back!”

“Sure.”

Dan So-mi dashed to her room. Although her luggage had increased several times compared to when she first came here, it wouldn’t be that much if she only packed what she needed.

“Hahaha. Are we finally leaving? I have waited a long time.”

Soon, as if he had already guessed, Namgung Cheon appeared with a bundle. A look of anticipation was written all over his face, because he had witnessed Cheon Mun-gwang’s funeral.

The Namgung Clan was also making no less preparation.

Also, since he had not seen his family for a long time, he was excited at the thought of seeing them.

It was the same for Namgung So-hye…

“Ah… so annoying… When are we going all the way there…”

Namgung So-hye sighed with a somewhat reluctant expression. Thinking about the journey from Hunan to Wudang, and from Wudang to Mount Tian, it was indeed utterly tiresome.

But if they had to go from Mount Tian to Anhui again?

Just thinking about it was enough to make her shudder.

What would happen again?

She was certain it would absolutely not be a path of flowers.

“Hahaha. Are you not happy to go home?”

“Home? It would be hell.”

“…S-Still, you have your father and elder brother.”

“I don’t need to see them. Let’s just return to Hunan…”

“…”

“…”

Namgung Cheon broke into a cold sweat.

Looking at his granddaughter’s vacant gaze, he felt as if her soul had been completely threshed. How could a person become like that in such a short time?

He felt like he knew how much mental suffering she had gone through in the meantime.

“Nothing will happen.”

Just then, Dan Woo-hyun’s voice heard.

Namgung So-hye flinched and trembled, but she glared at him with an untrusting expression and shook her head.

Rather than believing Dan Woo-hyun’s words ‘Nothing will happen,’ it would be more realistic to believe that a dog wouldn’t poop.

But of course, she could not not go.

Because it would be more comfortable to ride a carriage where incidents occurred than to stay on Mount Tian.

Letting out a hollow laugh, she stood up from her seat.

“Then… I will go pack my bags.”

“Sure.”

Watching her back as she walked away listlessly, Dan Woo-hyun swallowed a groan. Both Dan So-mi and Namgung So-hye looked just like people who had given up on everything.

“Hahaha. By the way, what do you plan to do?”

“About what?”

“About the final book.”

Dan Woo-hyun smirked.

One person who disappeared from the Mahyeong Squad, that was the Vice Leader. He had fled carrying the single book handed over by Gu Jagok.

Since a considerable amount of time had already passed, he had no idea how far he had gone. If he wanted to pursue, he could easily do so, but Dan Woo-hyun did not seem to care particularly.

“We will find him. Sooner or later.”

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