I walked the inner garden with Cheongseon.
“I have told you before, but I consider my becoming a Demon Lord to be thanks to you, Young Cult Lord.”
“I am grateful for your words, but Seophon, your ascension to the Demon Lord seat is due to your own ability.”
“That must be why. Why I have come to find you like this today. Because you are someone who trusts me so.”
After arriving at a deserted place, I asked her,
“What is it?”
Cheongseon could not easily open her mouth. Though she had worked up the courage to come, she seemed unable to get the words out.
Was it because of martial arts?
Though the Heavenly Wind Cult Lord had taught her, since he was currently absent, there must have been many parts where she was stuck.
Or? Perhaps?
The name of one person connected to her came to mind.
After hesitating for a long while, she finally opened her mouth. I had hoped it was the former, but her worry was the latter.
“Before becoming a Demon Lord, there was a man with whom I was involved. He is Saujong of the Northern Heaven Sword Family.”
I already knew that the two had been involved. I had even used that fact in the past to make her go to the Heavenly Wind Cult Lord.
In my previous life before the regression, Saujong, under the effects of the Soul-Seizing Technique, had tried to kill the Ilhwa Sword Venerable and died instead. After his death, it was revealed that he had harbored romantic feelings for her, and at the time, the person who had cast the Soul-Seizing Technique on him was never revealed. Of course, the current me knows that person was Cheongseon.
“After ascending to the Demon Lord seat, I declared our separation to him. Yet he could not let go and lingered around me. As time passed, I thought he had forgotten me and was living well, but recently he suddenly came to me. He said that if I did not see him again, he would expose what had transpired between us.”
Saujong, a pitiful wretch who did not think to succeed on his own but resorted to blackmail using exposure as leverage.
“Was that not before you became a Demon Lord? Does it matter?”
The blackmail was not limited to that.
“There was a time in the past when I stole my senior’s folding fan at his request. He is threatening to expose that as well.”
At that time, the Soul-Seizing Demon Lord had been periodically performing the Heart-Soul Great Technique, extracting people’s hearts and absorbing their vitality.
The one who had informed me of that fact was none other than Saujong. Of course, it was not with good intentions. His purpose was to use the Soul-Seizing Demon Lord to keep me in check.
A corpse sacrificed by the Heart-Soul Great Technique was discovered, and together with the corpse, a folding fan belonging to a disciple of the Soul-Seizing Demon Lord appeared. The one who had stolen it was Cheongseon, at Saujong’s request.
Regardless of intent, thanks to Saujong the evil deeds of the Soul-Seizing Demon Lord were stopped, and I had spared her because she could not be killed merely for having drawn him in. But now this had resurfaced.
“If that matter is revealed as well, my reputation will be tarnished.”
Had she been a Demon Lord who had completely solidified her position, she would not have such worries. But because she was in the midst of seizing control of the organization and growing, she regarded this matter seriously.
“To speak honestly……”
Ghostly aura flowed from her two eyes. She did not hide her killing intent.
“I even considered eliminating him.”
“Why did you not eliminate him?”
Saujong’s swordsmanship was no ordinary skill, but even so, he could not withstand her Soul-Seizing Technique now that she had become a Demon Lord. She could have lured him separately and killed him without a soul knowing.
“There are two reasons. First, a doubt arose. This person is by nature suspicious and cautious, so why would he make such a reckless threat against me? He could end up being killed to silence me.”
It was certainly a questionable matter. The Saujong I had seen was also a cautious person who did not reveal his inner thoughts. When such a person suddenly acted recklessly, there had to be a reason.
“The second reason was something he said carelessly. Everyone has weaknesses. Could the Sword Venerable be without them? The moment I heard those words, I felt it. Ah, this person holds the Ilhwa Sword Venerable’s weakness as well. Having served the Sword Venerable for so long, he is someone who could very well do so. Then I thought this was not something I should handle alone. That I must not simply kill him, and the person who came to mind then was you, Young Cult Lord.”
I smiled as I looked at her. She passes. Just earlier, while conversing with Gwonma, I had thought that the Demon Lords each possessed their own extraordinariness and meticulousness. This was exactly it.
She must have known instinctively. That she should not handle this unilaterally, but inform me. Both the first and second reasons she spoke of were warnings not to be swayed by momentary emotions.
Her instinct must have told her something else as well. That this would draw her closer to me. Her instinct was functioning well.
“You judged very well. I shall handle the rest.”
Cheongseon’s stiff expression loosened. Considering the results I had shown until now, she would be able to sleep soundly from here on. Yes, as a reward for a smart choice, she deserved at least that much.
Before parting with her, I gave her a word.
“You know that the Demon Lords the Orthodox and Unorthodox factions fear most are the Soul-Seizing Demon Lord and the Poison King. I hope that tradition of fear continues.”
Cheongseon silently bowed her head in respect and left that place. That very pride would become her greatest motivation to strive.
After parting with her, I moved my steps in the opposite direction.
Had it been a simple blackmail? Or did he truly know the Sword Venerable’s weakness? If there was a weakness, what could it be?
My heart naturally grew cold. Those who held another’s weakness and tried to gain something through blackmail were the worst of the worst.
Straight away, the place I headed to was the Northern Heaven Sword Family.
* * *
“These days, the Sword Venerable does not meet anyone.”
At my visit, the demonic guard watching the entrance spoke cautiously. As the Hyeolcheon Demon had said, she seemed to be devoted solely to martial arts training.
“Just let her know I am here.”
“Yes, please wait a moment.”
The demonic guard hurriedly ran inside.
I stood there briefly, and at that moment, Saujong was walking across the training ground.
Upon seeing me, he courteously bowed his head in greeting.
“My greetings are late. Congratulations on becoming the Young Cult Lord.”
“It has been a while, Warrior Sa.”
He showed the exact same appearance as usual. Originally, dealing with visitors to the Ilhwa Sword Venerable had been his role. But now, having been pushed down from the position of second-in-command, he had become an ordinary demonic guard.
After bowing respectfully once more, he walked on his way. Who would have known? That while treating people so nonchalantly like that, behind the scenes he was threatening the Soul-Seizing Demon Lord. I had let it pass last time, but this time would be different.
Just then, the demonic guard who had gone to report to the Ilhwa Sword Venerable returned.
“She asks you to enter.”
If you want to know how hard someone is working, look at how they use their spare time. A person who truly works hard never neglects that time we carelessly let slip by.
Just as I trained in the Heavenly Demon Guardian Spirit Art whenever I had the chance, the Ilhwa Sword Venerable was the same.
She was wielding her sword in the front yard of her residence. Having received her subordinate’s report, she had been practicing swordsmanship even in that short time until I arrived, loathe to waste it.
The momentum of her sword swings was clearly different from before.
‘Truly, everyone is getting stronger.’
But what truly surprised me was not a martial achievement.
There was not a trace of makeup on her face. I had heard as much from the Hyeolcheon Demon, but to think she would have a bare face like this.
She truly seemed like a different person. Not that she was ugly without makeup, but her atmosphere was completely different.
Sensing my surprise, she made a slightly embarrassed expression.
“This is the first time. Showing my face without makeup to another person.”
I could tell.
She was not showing me her face without makeup right now.
She was showing me her will right now. That she had changed. That she was no longer the Sword Venerable who only obsessed over that former beauty. Look, at my will. My will to see you with my makeup wiped away.
“To think I see your bare face, Senior! It is an honor.”
When I exclaimed in a deliberately excited tone, the Ilhwa Sword Venerable formed a faint smile.
“What honor. It is shabby and old.”
“Rather, you are more beautiful.”
“Do not speak nonsense.”
“It is not empty flattery. You are truly more beautiful. To the point where I wonder why you wore such heavy makeup until now.”
When I spoke to that extent, she asked quietly,
“Do you speak from the heart?”
“Has no one told you that?”
“Because I have shown no one.”
It seemed she had lived for a very long time believing that wearing makeup was naturally beautiful.
“Your current appearance is far more charming. Clean and elegant.”
“What about these wrinkles?”
“They are as beautiful as the sword lines your blade created just now.”
The Sword Venerable smiled a pleasant smile.
“As expected! The only one who lifts my mood is the Young Cult Lord.”
“I merely spoke my heart.”
No matter how much she dressed up and adorned herself, could she ever match the beauty of Ian or Jin Haryeong? But at least compared to other middle-aged women, the Sword Venerable was overwhelmingly beautiful even without makeup. In her world, the Sword Venerable had been Ian and Jin Haryeong.
“I have felt it before, but you truly never tire. Even someone like you must tire from looking after people. How is it you speak such pleasant words?”
“It is because I am a flatterer.”
She shook her head and stared at me intently.
“Only those with high self-esteem can truly praise another. I envy your self-esteem.”
Judging by her appearance and atmosphere alone, she was someone who seemed to possess the highest self-esteem among the Demon Lords. But seeing her like this, her self-esteem was at rock bottom.
“I believe that getting close to the Demon Lords is the very path to my becoming stronger. I think each and every word of mine is like swinging a sword once or twice. We train until our arms fall off, so compared to that, this is easy.”
“Is dealing with people not harder?”
“Perhaps you are training too easily, Senior?”
“Ah! It seems my training intensity has been weak.”
We looked at each other and laughed. That is right—dealing with people is ten times harder.
“I have something to tell you, Senior.”
“Speak.”
“Saujong is……”
When his name was mentioned, slight discomfort flashed across her face.
“He is causing problems.”
No matter how I handled Saujong, I had to report to her beforehand. I did not speak about her weakness, nor did I mention the Soul-Seizing Demon Lord’s involvement.
“Please do not ask for the details, and leave it to me.”
The Ilhwa Sword Venerable nodded silently.
In my heart, I wanted to just handle Saujong without telling her.
But that could not be done. Because Saujong was a despicable man, but not a foolish one.
‘Saujong, just what are you staking your life on?’
* * *
“Third disciple, if you wish to bloom, endure until spring comes.”
Seo Daeryong sighed as he looked at the flowerpot that had gone from second disciple to third disciple.
“No, spring will never come for us.”
Since becoming the Hwangcheon Pavilion Lord, he had been spending busy days every day.
His desk was piled high with work. Now that he was the Pavilion Lord, there was much to do and many people to meet. He had thought that by becoming the Hwangcheon Pavilion Lord, he could change the world with his own hands. Surprisingly, the world flowed on unchanged.
“Ah! I hate working so much.”
You know those days, right? Days when you just don’t feel like working for no reason. Days when you keep staring out the window.
He thumped his head against the desk.
Even when Geom Mugeuk was the Hwangcheon Pavilion Lord and helped from the side, the workload was similar. Even then, Seo Daeryong had essentially handled almost everything himself.
But when that work had been given full-blown as his own, the feeling and pressure were different. The same work felt harder.
“I miss the days I left the sect with the Young Cult Lord.”
Especially that moment when he fought in the Little Dragon Tournament and won—it was truly unforgettable. Those cheers coming from the dueling stage! That glorious moment he could no longer bring up to Ian or Jang Ho because he had boasted too much to them!
“Ah! I want to go back! To that time!”
Just then, the door clicked open.
Seo Daeryong, who had been lying on the desk, sprang up as fast as lightning and straightened his back, asking in a low voice,
“What brings you in here in such a hurry?”
Then, a welcome voice.
“If you go back to that time, who will change the main sect, Pavilion Lord?”
Seo Daeryong jumped up and shouted brightly,
“Young Cult Lord!”
Geom Mugeuk stood smiling in front of the door.
“Is it hard?”
Seo Daeryong said deliberately, putting on a tearful expression.
“It is hard.”
He had uttered words admitting it was hard, spoken so comfortably, for the first time since becoming the Hwangcheon Pavilion Lord. Who would have known that the recipient would be the person who stood directly below the Heavenly Demon?
“It is hard, which is why I left it to you. Otherwise, I would have kept doing it myself.”
“How could you!”
Shouting like this after a long time, Seo Daeryong felt joy. And he realized. He had truly missed Geom Mugeuk. Being the Hwangcheon Pavilion Lord was good, being the disciple of the Hyeolcheon Demon was good—all of it was good, but still, he had missed Geom Mugeuk the most.
“If it is that hard, let us switch jobs.”
“With you, Young Cult Lord?”
“Here, let me tell you what you would have to do. Go meet Choema and listen to his worries, check if your older brother and the Demon Buddha are doing well, meet the Poison King and harvest poisonous herbs, play baduk with Father, and train in martial arts all night.”
How much he had missed Geom Mugeuk, who would run his mouth like this regardless of his status.
“Suddenly my work feels too easy? I will endure while receiving my monthly salary until I die. I have put down roots here.”
Geom Mugeuk’s comfort did not end with banter. He spoke while quietly gazing into Seo Daeryong’s eyes.
“You have worked hard, my right arm.”
At the words “right arm,” which he was hearing after so long, Seo Daeryong choked up. He had been so busy that he had forgotten that he was Geom Mugeuk’s right arm. Yes, that one phrase saying he had worked hard was enough. With someone who recognized his hard work, how could he not work harder?
Yes, one must be recognized. Because if no one recognizes you, even picking up trash fallen on the street becomes hard. Seo Daeryong was learning through experience how he should treat his subordinates.
“Hard work—my life might be someone else’s dream. I must work hard. I will work to the death! Spring has come with you, Young Cult Lord. I will make flowers bloom in my heart!”
After shouting cheerfully for a moment, Seo Daeryong asked,
“But what brings you to Hwangcheon Pavilion?”
In the past, Geom Mugeuk would have said, “Let us hang out,” but today he properly established Seo Daeryong’s authority.
Geom Mugeuk spoke with a more serious face than ever before.
“Pavilion Lord Seo, there is something I must ask of you. Let us catch one nasty villain together.”