“Clearly Father had attained the Great Completion, so why did the Heavenly Demon Guardian Spirit Art not activate? Could it have activated and he was still defeated? Or did he fight such a fierce battle that not even enough internal energy remained to activate the Heavenly Demon Guardian Spirit Art?”
The more I came to know of Father’s overwhelming martial prowess, the more questions I had about his death. Did Hwamugi truly defeat a father like this?
I wanted to ask Father.
What on earth happened that day?
But I could not ask. For it was something that had not yet happened.
And I would never know, going forward.
Because that event would never come to pass.
I smiled brightly and spoke to Father.
“A secret has formed between Father and me. That makes me happier than having learned the Heavenly Demon Guardian Spirit Art.”
Perhaps the word “secret” grated on him, for Father furrowed his brow. I quickly added and turned away.
“Even if you are annoyed, you cannot do anything to me. For now, I am still more familiar with the Wind God Steps.”
Using the Swift Steps, I dashed out of there in an instant.
It was precisely at the moment my figure reached the end of the red carpet.
Swish!
Along with a refreshing sound of wind, I felt something brush past my side.
In the next instant, I halted my Swift Steps.
Before I knew it, Father was blocking my way.
Thwack!
And he ruthlessly flicked my forehead with his finger. It was not a situation where I could dodge, and had I tried, Father’s movement was too fast to avoid.
“Ow!”
I clutched my forehead. It was no exaggeration. It hurt so much that stars flashed before my eyes.
“You were acting so cocky, I actually thought you were faster than me.”
In the next instant, Father vanished.
He disappeared from my sight using the Shadow Stealth Step, and immediately returned to Taesa’s side using the Swift Steps. Watching that movement, I felt once more that his interpretation of martial arts was certainly different from mine.
I could tell. That he had not come merely because he found me annoying and wanted to strike my forehead.
Father was showing me intentionally. That the Wind God Steps as I had interpreted them were something like this.
“The footwork you used to return was the Wind God Steps, but what on earth was that movement technique you flew in with at first?”
“It is the Heavenly Demon Flying Art (天魔飛行術).”
The Heavenly Demon Flying Art was Father’s exclusive movement technique.
“Is it faster than the Swift Steps?”
“Of course it is, for now. I cannot say what will happen once the Wind God Steps attain the Great Completion.”
“The day I attain the Great Completion, let us settle this.”
“I will reach the Great Completion first, so surely you already know the result.”
“That remains to be seen. I might reach the Great Completion faster. After all, a young mind is sharper, is it not?”
“You will bleed from that clever head of yours.”
Blood was trickling from my forehead where it had been flicked.
“Aaaah! I should have just asked you to teach me the Diamond Indestructible Divine Art (金剛不壞神功) instead.”
Bearing this glorious wound upon my forehead, I departed the Heavenly Demon Hall.
A wound that could not be bought even with money.
I felt that I had grown one step closer to Father once more.
Of course, when such thoughts arise, one must be careful.
Because in human relationships, mistakes are always committed the moment you let your guard down, believing you are close.
In any case, through this martial exchange, both Father and I had taken a step forward. The future in which Hwamugi arrives was predetermined, but the present was ever-changing.
* * *
“Who on earth is he? Which arrogant bastard laid his hands on the young master?”
Ian grew agitated upon seeing my bruised forehead. In that moment, she was a fiercely protective older sister whose little brother had come home beaten.
“If you knew? Would you avenge me?”
“Of course I must. Just say the word! Who is it? I shall go at once and—”
“Father hit me.”
“…….”
“Why are you not going?”
Suddenly composed, Ian took a step back.
“I am one who protects, not one who attacks.”
Watching her speak so decisively, I laughed. Joking and teasing like this—something I could not do in the past—was enjoyable. It was also enjoyable to see her eye-smile vanish as if her eyes were sinking into her flesh.
“Oh, and I became the Hwangcheongakju. Once the official appointment comes down, I shall be entering the Hwangcheongak.”
Ian’s expression became absurd, beyond mere surprise.
“You speak of the joyous occasion of becoming the Hwangcheongakju so casually?”
“What is so special about that?”
“Good heavens! Do you speak without knowing how authoritative the Hwangcheongak is? You are speaking of none other than the Hwangcheongakju! It is a place where even the Demon Lords are dragged off to be punished should they commit crimes!”
As if I did not know? It was precisely why Father was sending me there.
The news of me becoming the Hwangcheongakju would probably cause another great stir within the sect.
“Congratulations, truly, congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
“But why did the Sect Leader suddenly appoint the young master as the Hwangcheongakju?”
“Perhaps he felt sorry after hitting me.”
“Please, no jokes!”
“I told him. That the main sect must change. Into a place where one need not learn martial arts that ruin one’s body merely to protect someone.”
“!”
Ian flinched and asked with a trembling voice.
“W-what do you mean by that?”
“I will make it a sect where one does not have to live with an obese body for life due to the side effects of the Full Body Petrification Art.”
Ian’s face went blank. How long did she stand there in a daze?
“Surely… you knew?”
“Yes.”
Soon, she smirked and spoke nonchalantly.
“This is the path I chose.”
“You were merely forced to choose it when you were young.”
“No.”
Ian was resolute.
“I remember clearly. That day, you told me. That learning the Full Body Petrification Art carried such side effects. Therefore, you said the choice was mine. That is why I chose it.”
That choice could not have been just. Because one would have asked a young girl thus:
You must learn this martial art to protect the young master, but can you endure the side effects?
Therefore, the choice was coerced.
But I did not say that to her. Because I did not wish to diminish her pride that it had been her own choice.
“I shall fix that side effect. Not now, but later.”
Ian answered with a smile.
“You cannot fix it.”
“I can fix it. Believe me.”
“Yes, I shall believe you.”
She took my words as a joke. The one who had passed down the martial art had likely said so. That the side effects could never be removed.
Perhaps no longer wishing to discuss it, Ian changed the subject.
“But if the young master becomes the Hwangcheongakju, will the current Hwangcheongakju not object?”
“What can be done? It is an order from the Sect Leader.”
In truth, the current Hwangcheongakju was not much of a concern. Judging from the process of handling the previous Demon King incident, he had clearly either been recruited by the Demon King or was under duress. Since he would have had to step down anyway, that must be why Father appointed me. Sima Myeong would handle his resignation properly.
“Rather, I am worried about the martial artists handling the actual work. If the son of the Heavenly Demon drops in out of nowhere as the Pavilion Lord, would they not resent it?”
“The one who dropped in so suddenly is such a magnificent and wonderful person, so no one shall be displeased.”
“Thank you for saying so, at least.”
“After all, the evaluation of the one who pays the monthly salary is always predetermined.”
Smiling at her recurring joke, I brought up the matter I had been putting off.
“Since talk of wages has come up—Ian, there is something I need to settle this time. Listen carefully to what I am about to say.”
“Yes, please speak.”
“Bodyguard Ian, from this moment, I dismiss you from your position as my bodyguard.”
Ian’s large frame jumped with a start and landed with a thud. She was so surprised that I felt almost sorry.
“Wh-what do you mean, all of a sudden?”
“I am dismissing you from your position as bodyguard.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yes.”
She looked at me with an expression as if she had lost the entire world.
“Let me ask once more. Are you serious?”
Her voice shook pathetically, but I answered resolutely.
“I am.”
“May I ask the reason?”
“Because you refused to avenge me against Father.”
She did not laugh even at the joke.
Srrrng.
She drew her sword and pointed it at her own throat.
“I would rather die. I shall die as the young master’s bodyguard.”
Ian, once is enough to die.
I quickly spoke to her.
“I do not mean to part with you. You must remain as a martial artist under my command.”
“Oh my! You should have said so sooner. I nearly died! Please look at my neck; is there no wound?”
Only then did she let out a sigh of relief. But that did not mean all her worries had vanished.
“But being a bodyguard is my calling. I have never once considered doing anything else. What in the world are you planning to make me do?”
“Martial artist, Ian! I hereby bestow upon you a new position.”
“Yes!”
“I appoint you as the Commander of the Ghost Shadow Squad (鬼影隊).”
She was just as surprised as when she had heard she was dismissed as my bodyguard.
“The Ghost Shadow Squad? Was there such an organization in the main sect?”
“There is not.”
“You would have me command an organization that does not exist?”
“I shall create it henceforth. As my direct organization, you will receive your salary not from the sect, but from me.”
“Ghost Shadow Squad… does it mean the shadow of a ghost?”
“Yes. If I must ascribe a meaning, I shall become the ghost, and you all shall become my shadow.”
I had deliberately included the character for “shadow” (影) when naming it. Since she had lived her entire life as my shadow, it would be a name that felt that much closer to her.
“I like the name! But have you received the Sect Leader’s permission?”
“Not yet.”
Forming a private organization within the main sect was strictly forbidden.
“I shall certainly obtain permission.”
“The young master will accomplish it. The problem is me.”
“Why you?”
“What do you mean, why? First of all, I do not possess the skill to take charge of such a grand organization, do I?”
“Do not worry about that. I shall teach you martial arts befitting that position.”
“Even if I grow stronger… would I suit such a position? No one will follow me.”
They will follow.
They will all follow, having fallen for your character.
And someday, they shall learn that the commander they followed is the greatest beauty under heaven. Yes, this martial world shall witness the strongest organization in history led by the world’s greatest beauty.
“Ian, can you become the Commander of the Ghost Shadow Squad for me?”
Our gazes met and intertwined in the air.
Her confidence was at rock bottom, but because the words “for me” were included, her answer was predetermined.
“Yes, I shall accept the command.”
“Good. For now, I am the sole commander, but it shall become the strongest organization in the martial world. And from now on, discard your existing martial arts and unconditionally train in cultivating internal energy and building stamina. When the time comes, I shall teach you new martial arts.”
“Understood.”
She answered spiritedly, but Ian wore a dazed expression, not knowing whether to rejoice or worry.
“Then who shall protect the young master from now on?”
“Am I a child? I shall protect myself. A martial artist must protect their own body.”
In her two eyes, small and buried in flesh, there was nothing but worry.
“I do not know what I should say.”
“Simply say ‘Thank you.’ I shall pay you the highest salary among all the commanders of the main sect.”
“But do you not lack funds?”
“I shall earn them.”
“By doing what?”
“There are ways to earn money. If it truly comes to it, I shall sweep the courtyard of the Heavenly Demon Hall if necessary.”
“Young master, I do not need money. I have saved all that I have earned until now.”
“Money is always necessary. It is your worth, your very value. You receive it because you are worth it. So do not feel burdened.”
“……Yes.”
“And once you begin spending, it goes quickly. Save even more fiercely. Life is long. If you are unlucky, you will live to a hundred. Nay, you may achieve the Returning to Youth (返老還童) and have to live another hundred years.”
Ian laughed at my jesting words.
The me of the past would have worried about her.
Could she accept this change? Might a problem not arise?
But having lived a lifetime, I realized that all those worries had been in vain.
It turned out I did not need to worry. Everyone was smarter than I had thought, better at looking out for themselves, and lived just fine.