Geommugeuk was completely intoxicated by the Pungcheon Cult Leader's aura.
He felt the Cult Leader's rage in the illusions of the flying beasts.
If the Cheonma Guardian Divine Art had not activated, his blood would have boiled in response to that aura, and he would have had to suppress the urge to draw his sword.
This was the true aura of a master. The true aura of a master who had reached the pinnacle of a martial art.
Now was the time to quell his rage.
Geommugeuk dodged the charging monstrous beasts this way and that, waving his hands and spouting nonsense.
"I didn't lay a hand on your disciple. Argh, I'm dying!"
At that, the Pungcheon Cult Leader withdrew his aura.
The rampaging monsters vanished in an instant. The dark clouds dispersed and the surroundings brightened. The bell tolls that had beat like a heart and opened the gates of hell faded into the distance. As the lingering echoes of the bells trailed off, one could feel the Pungcheon Cult Leader's emotions subsiding.
The Pungcheon Cult Leader's gaze returned to normal.
"Where is Cheongseon now?"
Beneath that calm question lay a heart worried for her.
This was why one had to look closely at people. No, even though he had looked closely, he had never known the Pungcheon Cult Leader had this side to him.
It was a moment that made him realize yet again how difficult it was for a person to know another—to understand and recognize all those layered, different facets.
"The Soul-Seizing Demon Lord is well."
Only then did the Pungcheon Cult Leader's face relax.
"If she knew you were this worried, she would be overjoyed. Though thanks to that, I nearly died."
"Nonsense! You stood your ground perfectly fine."
"I even had to use the Cheonma Guardian Divine Art!"
He had mentioned the Cheonma Guardian Divine Art on purpose to save the Pungcheon Cult Leader's face. And indeed, at those words, the Cult Leader's mood immediately brightened—after all, he acknowledged the latter's father as the strongest under heaven.
Gowol, who had been standing behind the Pungcheon Cult Leader, spoke up.
"Cult Leader, did you care this much about your disciple? You don't usually cherish her so much, do you?"
"I don't cherish her. What do you mean, cherish?"
As if somewhat flustered, the Pungcheon Cult Leader gave a different excuse.
"It's not because of Cheongseon, but my pride! How dare someone lay a hand on my disciple? This is a slight against me. Surely they couldn't have not known she was my disciple? Ah, perhaps they didn't? If they didn't know, that would be why they did it?"
Geommugeuk shook his head firmly.
"There's no way. Someone who orchestrated something like this couldn't have failed to investigate that much."
"Just who is this person?"
"A woman."
The Pungcheon Cult Leader tilted his head. Among the women he knew who had mastered the Soul-Seizing Art, no one came to mind who would do something like this. In fact, it was the same for men. To dare touch a Demon Lord of the Cheonma Divine Cult? If found out, their entire clan would be annihilated. Just who?
"Who is this woman?"
"The woman disguised as the owner of a flower garden in Maga Village."
"I must see her myself to know. Before that, let me see Cheongseon first."
"I will go and bring her. Oh, your disciple does not know she has fallen victim to the Soul-Seizing Art."
"I suppose not."
The Pungcheon Cult Leader's eyes grew deeper. He was one who never neglected matters related to the Soul-Seizing Art, whatever else he might disregard.
As Geommugeuk was leaving, Gowol spoke to him.
"Cult Leader."
Having called out to him, Gowol said nothing.
They were always together; how could he not know Gowol's heart? She was worried that because it concerned his disciple, he might get swept up in his emotions.
"What worry? You know full well what a terrible human being I am."
With a face that said 'I know very well,' Gowol nodded.
The Pungcheon Cult Leader shouted. Until his disciple arrived, he had temporarily hidden his dignity.
"You're supposed to say that's not true! You should say you're worried because the Cult Leader is secretly soft-hearted! At least say it's not true!"
* * *
Black energy rising from Cheongseon's fingertips coiled around her arm.
The black smoke transformed into an armor resembling fish scales.
It seemed the Phantom Armor Art would succeed, perfectly protecting her arm, but then:
Clang!
Just as a sound like splitting metal was heard, the scales burst in all directions with a dull pop, scattering as smoke.
Cheongseon clutched her arm, her face twisting in pain.
She had nearly injured her arm severely because she recited the mnemonic formula incorrectly.
After killing Saujong, she had been unable to focus on her martial arts training.
Because of guilt? Absolutely not. She was not such a weak-hearted person.
It was her cruel and stubborn nature that tormented her—regret that she had been unable to control her own emotions.
She kept recalling that day's events, imagining how she should have handled them calmly.
'I should have answered like this. I should have handled it like this. I should have endured.'
Perhaps it was because of the Young Cult Leader. She should have shown him a more impressive sight.
She was the only Demon Lord of the next generation.
Even if all the other Demon Lords died of old age, she would be the one to survive and serve Geommugeuk when he became the Cult Leader.
Because it felt as though she had ruined the beginning of such an important relationship, lingering regrets remained.
Then, a subordinate's voice came from outside.
"The Young Cult Leader has arrived."
"Bring him in."
She had just been thinking of Geommugeuk, so she was inwardly surprised. How timely his appearance was.
Shortly after, Geommugeuk entered.
"Young Cult Leader."
"Demon Lord."
The two cupped their fists and exchanged greetings. Cheongseon was inwardly worried that the Saujong matter might have grown more serious.
But contrary to her worries, Geommugeuk had come bearing extremely good news.
And two pieces at that.
"The Ilhwa Sword Lord has decided to overlook this matter quietly."
Cheongseon was greatly relieved. She was so delighted that she had to force herself to maintain her composure, unable to openly rejoice.
"The Sword Lord yielded for the Demon Lord's sake."
How could Cheongseon not know?
That this outcome was only possible because Geommugeuk had mediated well.
"I will not forget the grace of your help."
And then another piece of good news was delivered.
"The Pungcheon Cult Leader has returned."
"Ah! Master!"
"The moment he returned, he asked for the Demon Lord first."
He wanted to tell her. How furious her master had been upon hearing that someone had cast a Soul-Seizing Art on her.
He wanted to tell her that even if he didn't show it on the outside, he cherished her deeply.
He would tell her once everything was over. Hoping that the relationship between the two would deepen even further.
"Where is he?"
"He is waiting for the Demon Lord at my residence right now."
This time, Cheongseon did not hide her joy.
* * *
Geommugeuk and Cheongseon returned to the residence.
"Master."
Cheongseon always tried to show a dignified face to everyone, but she constantly suffered from this burden.
When would she become strong enough in the Soul-Seizing Art to be like the other Demon Lords?
No one dared say such a thing to her, but it was a question that haunted her like an obsession.
To her, the Pungcheon Cult Leader was like a sturdy fence—a reliable protector.
Perhaps because she had been depressed over Saujong lately, seeing her master after so long was even more welcome.
"Did you have a safe journey? Master."
Cheongseon knelt and paid her respects.
The Pungcheon Cult Leader could discern her martial accomplishments from her aura alone.
"You have trained diligently during my absence!"
Cheongseon was overjoyed that her master recognized her achievements.
She had trained harder than anyone to catch up to the other Demon Lords.
With her master acknowledging that effort, it felt as though all her past hardships had been rewarded.
"Thank you, Master."
"Rise."
The Pungcheon Cult Leader stared intently into her eyes.
It was the first time her master had looked at her like this, so Cheongseon was inwardly flustered.
As she tried to lower her head,
"Look straight into my eyes."
"Yes, Master."
Cheongseon raised her head and met her master's gaze.
Geommugeuk and Gowol watched the scene with tense hearts.
Please, let it be a Soul-Seizing Art that the Pungcheon Cult Leader could unravel.
"Now, unfold the Mind Soul Art."
Due to the Pungcheon Cult Leader's continuous testing, Geommugeuk stepped aside with Gowol for a moment.
They knew this was to find out what kind of Soul-Seizing Art she had fallen victim to, but it was also improper to remain while the Demon Lord displayed her martial arts.
Geommugeuk and Gowol took a stroll through the inner courtyard.
"You've had a hard time?"
"Not at all. I enjoy working. So please do not concern yourself."
"Don't say such things yourself. If I think you truly enjoy work, I'll make you do even more."
Gowol smiled.
Geommugeuk felt he should give Gowol a bit more information.
"Keep in mind the possibility that those who orchestrated this incident are the same group that caused trouble in the Martial Alliance previously."
Even if true, it would be a serious matter, yet Gowol was less surprised than expected.
"Did you suspect as much?"
"Given that both schemes targeted the highest echelons, I had suspected they might share the same mastermind. If the Young Cult Leader's conjecture is correct, I expect their conspiracy extends to the Heretical Alliance as well."
Indeed, Gowol had a firm grasp of the situation.
"It never hurts to be careful, so collect information with that possibility in mind."
"Understood."
"Also, stay at the Cult Leader's residence and mine for the time being. Soon, I shall obtain my father's permission and establish a main branch for Hidden Moon, even if on a small scale."
At that, Gowol carefully refused Geommugeuk's goodwill.
"I ask that you postpone that matter."
"Why?"
"If that happens, Hidden Moon becomes an official organization of the Cheonma Divine Cult. Please make Hidden Moon an official organization only when the Young Cult Leader becomes the Cult Leader."
It meant that for now, she wished Hidden Moon to remain an organization solely for Geommugeuk, carrying out only his orders.
At this show of loyalty, Geommugeuk expressed his delight with a bright smile.
His smile said, 'Your loyalty brings me such joy.' And with his eyes, he also said, 'Thank you, Gowol.'
"Military Advisor Go."
"Yes, Young Cult Leader."
"As you know, we have a long road ahead. Rest moderately as you go. I worry you'll wear yourself out working too hard."
"Do people not collapse from exhaustion not because the work is hard, but because no one recognizes their toil? Since the Young Cult Leader recognizes my efforts so well, I have no worries at all."
Gowol added with a smile.
"Besides, the Pungcheon Cult Leader was exaggerating—I don't work so hard that I would collapse."
At this rare joke, Geommugeuk laughed aloud.
The two resumed their steps.
Not knowing when they would get busy again, this stroll after so long was an exceedingly precious time.
* * *
When they returned to the residence with Gowol, Cheongseon had already left.
"How did it go?"
The Pungcheon Cult Leader had found out exactly what Cheongseon had fallen victim to.
"She has been afflicted by the Yin-Yang Soul Reversal Art."
It was a martial art neither I nor Gowol had heard of. And with good reason—it was not a martial art of the Central Plains, and one that had been lost long ago.
"It is a frontier martial art said to have been lost long ago."
The reason the Pungcheon Cult Leader's expression had hardened was that it was a martial art from a particularly special place even among frontier arts.
"It is a martial art of the Blood Cult, which has now vanished."
The predecessor of the Pungcheon Cult was the Blood Cult. It was troubling that a martial art lost long ago, one that had failed to be passed down to the Pungcheon Cult, had suddenly appeared.
In every era, there were ghostly rumors floating about of the 'Blood Cult's revival.'
Naturally, the Pungcheon Cult Leader would be even more sensitive to such rumors.
But to state the result first, Hwamugi had nothing whatsoever to do with the Blood Cult.
After Hwamugi sealed the three orthodox-demonic sites, even when the Twelve Earthly Branch Kings dominated the Central Plains, there had been no incidents related to the Blood Cult's revival.
In any case, what mattered now was this:
"Can the Yin-Yang Soul Reversal Art afflicting the Soul-Seizing Demon Lord be undone?"
The Pungcheon Cult Leader alternated his gaze between me and Gowol with a grave expression.
He had wanted to put on a grave act as though it were impossible, but his desire to show off ruined his performance.
In the end, he couldn't hold back and said,
"Of course. I am the Pungcheon Cult Leader, after all."
Gowol and I cheered.
"As expected! The Cult Leader is the best!"
"Amazing, Cult Leader!"
The Pungcheon Cult Leader shrugged his raised shoulders and continued showing off.
"The one who served as the medium is dead?"
He knew of Saujong's death.
"How did you know?"
"The Yin-Yang Soul Reversal Art can be cast in reverse upon the opponent when they cast a Soul-Seizing Art during intimate relations. The conditions are extremely intricate. But what reason is there to cast a Soul-Seizing Art during such a moment?"
"When trying to kill the opponent, I suppose."
"If Cheongseon had tried to kill him, he would be dead. Since the mastermind is a woman, she wouldn't have appeared personally but used a man as a medium. The one she used would have been left to die by Cheongseon's hand to avoid future trouble."
"You seem like a completely different person! Just who is the person before me? Could it be that the Cult Leader has fallen victim to a Soul-Seizing Art?"
"This is an insult, isn't it? Not praise?"
It wasn't empty flattery meant to lift his spirits. The Pungcheon Cult Leader truly felt like a different person when doing what he was meant to do.
"The dead man was merely a medium. The woman who taught him the mnemonic formula will have a Spirit-Control Seal branded on her body. If we extract and destroy it with the great technique, the implanted soul within Cheongseon will naturally disappear as well."
The Pungcheon Cult Leader's eyes sank coldly, and an icy chill flowed out.
"I shall take responsibility for my disciple's life and death. So just bring me before that damned woman."
I trust the Pungcheon Cult Leader. That he will subdue the Phantom Woman and succeed in the great technique. If I cannot trust him in matters of the Soul-Seizing Art, whom else could I trust? However, there was one problem.
"What happens to that woman when the great technique is performed?"
"If the Spirit-Control Seal is forcibly extracted, she cannot survive. If she intended to make another her puppet, she ought to have been prepared for that much."
"There is something we must find out before killing that woman."
Namely, where the Phantom King is.
If we kill the Phantom Woman, the Phantom King will surely seek revenge. I know well how much those twins care for each other.
For the Phantom King to hone his blade of revenge from the shadows, and for the target of that revenge to be the Pungcheon Cult Leader?
That was absolutely not a situation I wished for. If we kill the Phantom Woman, we must kill the Phantom King as well.
"I will inform you of the timing for the great technique. Until then, please be patient."
The frigid light that had flowed in the Pungcheon Cult Leader's eyes returned to normal.
"I was straining my eyes too hard anyway, so it's tiring."
After rubbing his eyes and joking around, the Pungcheon Cult Leader asked me,
"What in the world are you thinking?"
I'm thinking of saving you. So that you won't have to live a life being targeted for revenge by the likes of the Phantom King.
"I'm contemplating how to let our Cult Leader make a glorious appearance."