The next day, I opened a branch of the Hwangcheon Pavilion in Maga Village.
It was located across from the Pungnyu Tavern. It was a truly small branch, with only one novice investigator and a single enforcement martial artist assigned to it.
As he watched the necessary furnishings being brought in and the signboard being hung, Jo Chunbae, the owner of the Pungnyu Tavern, cautiously glanced at me before asking,
“Pavilion Master, why did you put the branch here?”
“Suppose you were wronged by martial artists of the Main Cult. What would you have done until now?”
“……What do you mean, what would I have done?”
Everything was contained in Jo Chunbae’s question. What could he have done? He would simply have remained wronged.
“If the matter involved martial artists of the Main Cult, you could come to the Hwangcheon Pavilion and report it. Do you know anyone nearby who has done that?”
“No. Not that I know of.”
There was no way there could be anyone. To reach the Hwangcheon Pavilion, one had to report the purpose of one’s visit from the very front gate of the Main Cult, undergo an identity check and even a body search. One could only arrive at the Hwangcheon Pavilion after going through such procedures several times.
So who would go there to make a complaint? In the end, the Hwangcheon Pavilion had done little more than abandon the residents of Maga Village.
“Spread the word for me. Tell them that if the residents of Maga Village suffer harm at the hands of martial artists from the Main Cult, they can come to this branch and report it.”
“But…… everyone will hesitate, fearing retaliation.”
“Of course they will. That is why I will make an announcement soon. Anyone who retaliates against a complainant in connection with an investigation by the Hwangcheon Pavilion will be sentenced to decapitation.”
“Decapitation? Ah, so you truly are opening this branch for our sake.”
Jo Chunbae was deeply moved.
Under normal circumstances, he would not have believed it, thinking it nothing more than a formal procedure. He would have assumed that it would eventually become an empty shell.
But this time, he had personally witnessed and heard of me dealing with Baekdo Ghost and his son, so Jo Chunbae was elated.
“Everyone, come over here and listen.”
He began telling the people in the marketplace about the existence of the branch.
I had no way of knowing how many people would come forward with their grievances in the future.
But regardless of the number, this attempt would play a major role in establishing discipline within the Main Cult. Now that people could make complaints so easily, the abuse of the weak would decrease.
After the branch was set in order, Seo Daeryong looked pleased as we returned.
“We should have done this long ago…… You did very well.”
“It’s a matter of where you place the center of gravity.”
“What do you mean?”
“Until now, the Hwangcheon Pavilion’s center of gravity has been in its head. We solved various problems within the Cult while watching the expressions of the Eight Demon Venerables. We strayed from our original purpose and became servants of power. From now on, I intend to place the Hwangcheon Pavilion’s center of gravity in its legs. We will begin by protecting the residents of Maga Village, low-ranking martial artists, and those who suffer injustice because they are relatively weak. We only need to remember one principle throughout this process.”
“What principle is that?”
“That the weight of a life is the same. A low-ranking martial artist and a Demon Venerable have lives of equal weight. Therefore, we will handle matters according to the same standards.”
Passion flashed across Seo Daeryong’s face.
“If someone else had said that, I would have considered it nonsense. A pathetic idealistic theory that ignores reality. But if it is you, Pavilion Master, I believe you.”
“Was that an insult or a compliment? You just insulted me, didn’t you?”
“If you come at me any more frighteningly, I’ll be the first person to file a complaint.”
Watching him hurry away, I chuckled.
And there was one thing I needed to do if I was going to maintain the momentum of the Hwangcheon Pavilion that I had spoken of to him.
* * *
I summoned all the enforcement martial artists.
“We pay our respects to the Pavilion Master!”
They greeted me at the top of their voices. After locking even Baekdo Ghost in the dungeon this time, my popularity had risen higher than when I had first taken office.
It was not only my popularity that had increased. My authority had grown as well. Even those who had quietly looked down on me because they believed I had lost to my elder brother in the succession struggle had changed their attitudes. Whenever they encountered me while walking, they lowered their eyes first.
“I thank all of you for your devotion to the Pavilion until now.”
I stepped beside the platform and expressed my gratitude with a cupped-fist salute. The enforcement martial artists likewise saluted in unison and received my greeting.
“This is the first time we have gathered without the investigators, isn’t it?”
“Yes!”
“On a good day like today, I should be telling you something pleasant. But today, I intend to tell you something somewhat uncomfortable.”
The enforcement martial artists tensed at my words.
“As you all know, there are those within the Main Cult who refuse to submit to and challenge the authority of our Pavilion. The Demon Army did so, and the Ghosts did as well. The reason is simple. They believe themselves stronger than you.”
It was something that would wound their pride, but I did not mince my words. There were things to say to investigators and things to say to enforcement martial artists. For these men, speaking directly would be more effective than beating around the bush.
“Take any one of the Eight Demon Venerables. Could you take my warrant, arrest a leader of Baekdo Ghost’s caliber, and bring him here?”
No one could answer with confidence. That was reality.
“Why can’t you? Because they believe their fists are stronger than the laws of our Pavilion. How can we change that? It’s simple. Your fists must become stronger than theirs. If they are afraid of you, they will not even dare think of defying you.”
Everyone’s expressions grew flushed. Each of them must have experienced at least once what it was like for their authority to be ignored.
“I want you to become stronger than you are now.”
The enforcement martial artists were certainly strong as they were. But they were not strong enough to overwhelm the martial artists of the elite organizations. They were comparable, or perhaps even slightly weaker.
“That is why, starting today, we will cancel all schedules and begin special training.”
The words special training elicited various reactions. Some looked pleased, while others hardened their expressions.
“If you believe this change does not suit you, it would be best to quit now. I will send you to another department, so step forward.”
After hesitating for a moment, two men stepped forward. They honestly said that they wished to go to other departments.
I promised to assign each of them to the department of their choice and sent them away.
“Don’t worry about what others think. Not everyone needs to fight in the Hwangcheon Pavilion. Each person need only support the Main Cult from the place that suits them. Anyone else?”
No one else stepped forward.
“Good.”
I beckoned to someone waiting in the distance.
It was Jangho, the Third Commander of the Demon Army—the strongest man among its commanders.
Ever since I had killed the Demon Army Lord and avenged my friend the last time, he had felt great fondness for me.
“Starting today, this man will be giving you special training.”
The Demon Army was currently on standby, as a new Demon Army Lord had yet to be chosen. That was why I had been able to make this request.
Jangho stepped before them. With his massive build and the scars across his face, he overwhelmed the enforcement martial artists.
“I am Jangho, and I will be in charge of your training for the time being. I personally respect the Pavilion Master here, which is why I agreed to take on this task. The training will be grueling. In return, I promise you one thing. Those who endure will undoubtedly be stronger than before. Understood?”
“Yes!”
The enforcement martial artists answered in loud voices.
“Training will begin in half a shichen. Prepare yourselves and gather here again. Dismissed.”
After all the enforcement martial artists dispersed, only Jangho and I remained.
“How is the atmosphere in the Demon Army these days?”
“It’s unsettled. Things should stabilize once the next Demon Army Lord is chosen.”
I had also heard various rumors about the next Demon Army Lord. I had heard that, because it was such an important position, Father and Sama Myeong were agonizing over the appointment. There were also rumors that the Demon Venerables had begun moving to establish their own connections.
“I’m sorry to ask for your help at a time like this.”
“Not at all. Call on me anytime. If it is your command, Young Master—no, Pavilion Master—I will come running whenever you call.”
“Thank you.”
Even after Jangho left, I was about to turn away when I heard a voice coming from somewhere.
“Only two days left now.”
I turned my head and saw the Blood Heaven Saber Demon sitting atop the wall behind me.
“You certainly have a lot of free time.”
“Once you reach the level of a Demon Venerable, time is something you have in abundance.”
“If I become the Cult Lord, the Demon Venerables will have more than enough work to do.”
“To make that happen, take my hand.”
The Blood Heaven Saber Demon was pressuring me, trying to force his wishes through by any means.
“If my elder brother finds out you’re acting like this, he’ll be hurt.”
“He’ll understand. Isn’t it only human nature to side with whoever does things better? Do you know why I hate those orthodox sect bastards? They dress up feelings like this in far too many layers. They could simply say, ‘I like that fellow because he has more money,’ or ‘I like that fellow because he’s stronger.’ Instead, they prattle on about consultation and morality. They act as if being honest would cause them to suffer qi deviation.”
“Wouldn’t I be the same?”
“What would?”
“That human nature to side with whoever does things better. Another Demon Venerable might want to join hands with me. Among them, there may even be someone who does things better than you.”
His answer ought to have been awkward, but the Blood Heaven Saber Demon responded with ease.
“Listen, Young Master Yi. Do you believe in your own abilities and potential?”
“Yes.”
“And do you have the confidence to become the Heavenly Demon?”
“I do.”
“I was the first person to recognize that. Just consider the ability to see someone’s true worth. Doesn’t that alone tell you who would do the best?”
“Even a silver-tongued man like me can’t compete with you, Elder.”
“Hahahaha. See you in two days.”
The Blood Heaven Saber Demon burst into laughter, then leaped away and vanished.
‘The old man certainly knows how to make anything sound convincing.’
At a glance, everything he said sounded right. But when I thought about it calmly, it was little more than sophistry.
It was only recently that I had begun attracting attention within the Cult. Everyone must have been watching my transformation.
The Blood Heaven Saber Demon had merely stepped forward first because he had become entangled with me. He was claiming me as his own just because he had spat a little.
Joining hands with the Blood Heaven Saber Demon was not unthinkable. If he truly became my ally, he would undoubtedly be a great source of strength.
But I could not join hands with him like this. He still held the initiative.
* * *
The next day, I watched the enforcement martial artists train from a hill overlooking the training grounds.
Jangho was merciless. It was truly training that ground down flesh and bone, yet the enforcement martial artists gritted their teeth and persevered.
Before they began, Jangho had provoked them with a single sentence.
―This is the training our Demon Army undergoes.
That one sentence was enough. If they could not endure the training undergone by the Demon Army, it would amount to admitting that they were allowing the Demon Army to make a mockery of the Hwangcheon Pavilion.
I thought Jangho was an exceptionally clever man. Nothing was more effective on martial artists than provoking their pride.
Jangho’s shout rang out from the distance.
“Endure! Your wives, your children, your friends—anyone can betray you. But this sweat you’re shedding now will never betray you!”
I chuckled as I listened to Jangho’s roar. It was amusing to hear him mention wives and children when he had never even married.
‘At any rate, they’ve found themselves a proper master.’
The thought briefly crossed my mind that having a martial artist like Jangho under my command would be extremely reassuring.
‘Ah!’
Then a good idea occurred to me regarding the Blood Heaven Saber Demon.
* * *
On the third day, the Blood Heaven Saber Demon was waiting for me at the place where he had first suggested joining hands.
As before, he had planted the Myeolcheon Great Saber into the ground and was drinking while leaning against its blade.
“Are you ready to drink my liquor now?”
I sat down across from him.
“I am ready.”
The Blood Heaven Saber Demon laughed heartily with satisfaction and poured me a drink.
We made an enthusiastic toast, but I did not drink. I set the cup down instead.
“Why aren’t you drinking?”
“I need a side dish.”
“A side dish? What kind of side dish does a true man need?”
Displeasure appeared on the Blood Heaven Saber Demon’s face. He had realized that the side dish I referred to was not actual food, but a condition I was demanding.
“What sort of side dish do you need?”
Amid the taut tension, I answered,
“The Demon Army.”
At my wholly unexpected words, the Blood Heaven Saber Demon’s eyes widened.
“Put the Demon Army into my mouth.”