The Pungcheon Cult Leader came looking for me again.
He was waiting in the courtyard, just as he had when he first came.
"Will you come inside?"
"No need. Come to my place."
The surroundings darkened, then brightened again.
The created space was a desolate wasteland. My eyes saw the method to break out of this space. A bluish light hovered around the rock visible far in the distance.
"Desolate, isn't it? This is my homeland."
"The silence is pleasant. Please invite me here sometime."
"I shall."
The Pungcheon Cult Leader, who had been looking around at the scenery for a moment, spoke in a calm tone.
"I thought it over after returning, and you were right. I haven't yet done you any favors."
He took something from his bosom and showed it to me.
It was a secret manual.
Space-Time Shift Technique.
"It is a martial art that can create such a space. In this murim, it is a martial art that only those who have mastered the authentic demonic arts of the Blood Cult can execute."
"!"
"Since the Soul-Devouring Demon Lord is dead, I am likely the only one who can properly execute this demonic art."
Something truly unexpected had come out.
I personally disliked soul-devouring techniques or sorcery. But this martial art alone, I thought, was incredibly appealing.
"This space will save your life in an emergency. Because the moment you enter this space, you vanish from the original world."
As he said, the Space-Time Shift Technique could be used for various purposes. It could become a personal space, or serve as an evasion technique to escape a crisis at a decisive moment. If so, it would be like learning another Heavenly Demon Guardian Art.
From the moment I obtained the Yin Thunder Bell, the first ingredient for the Regression Grand Technique, followed by the Blood Essence, and now this Space-Time Shift Technique. I felt that I was fatefully bound to the Pungcheon Cult Leader by a deep connection.
"What do you think? Is this enough as a favor?"
"It is more than enough."
I reached out without hesitation. But the Pungcheon Cult Leader did not hand over the secret manual.
"If you want something in return, then it is not a favor, is it?"
When I showed my disappointment, he answered.
"Is showing my hand first not a favor in itself?"
Without weighing matters, the very act of presenting this excellent martial art was what he meant by a favor.
"What do you wish for?"
Then the Pungcheon Cult Leader's gaze turned back to the desolate land. Watching the wind kick up sand into the sky, he spoke.
"I no longer wish to breathe this dust."
That remark meant only one thing. As my father had said, his wish was indeed to advance into the Central Plains.
"If you help with that first step, the Space-Time Shift Technique is yours."
I was tempted for a moment, but I boldly withdrew my outstretched hand. Because the moment greed is detected, any negotiation becomes unfavorable.
"Unfortunately, that is not something I can decide."
"I know. It is something for the Cult Leader to decide."
"It is a matter that not only Father but also the Demon Lords will step into."
Because if it concerns the Pungcheon Cult, the Demon Lords will definitely intervene.
"That is why. That is why I am trying to give you this secret manual."
"What specifically do you wish?"
"In two days, I have an audience with the Cult Leader. I intend to settle the matter of our cult's advance into the Central Plains that day. Step in with me then and persuade the Cult Leader. If you promise to do that, I will give you this secret manual."
He was saying he would give the secret manual regardless of the outcome. It was truly an unconventional condition. It was closer to a gift than a condition.
Even so, I did not accept it at once, instead showing a thoughtful demeanor.
"The method is wrong."
"What do you mean?"
"No matter how much the Cult Leader and I try to persuade him, Father will never permit the Pungcheon Cult's advance into the Central Plains."
"Then what must be done?"
The Pungcheon Cult's advance into the Central Plains.
Unlike the main cult's policy, which had absolutely forbidden it until now, I did not think it was a bad idea.
Unless we were going to strike and annihilate the Pungcheon Cult, there was no need to keep at our backs an existence that could become an enemy at any moment. As the ancients advised, keep your enemies closer than your friends, so I judged it better to keep the Pungcheon Cult close and manage it.
I said nothing.
Then the Pungcheon Cult Leader extended the secret manual he was holding toward me.
"Can I hear the answer with this?"
"It is sufficient."
I accepted the secret manual.
I felt that the Pungcheon Cult Leader was no ordinary bold man. There was a clear difference between handing it over after hearing the content and expressing gratitude, and handing it over in advance like this.
'This man came determined to win my favor.'
Instead of pressing me for an answer, he explained about the secret manual. Since he was going to give me the secret manual anyway, he might as well give it when I was most agreeable; he knew how to make a deal.
"Of course, I created this space so quickly because I have trained for a long time. At first, even if you spent the whole day memorizing the incantation, you will not be able to create it. Even someone with outstanding talent in martial arts would take at least a few days, or more than ten days at most. Those with dull senses might take months, and some may never create it even once in their lifetime."
"How long did it take you to create it the first time, Cult Leader?"
"It took me three days."
Three days meant he had considerable talent.
"The time taken on the first attempt is important. The shorter that time, the more drastically it will decrease afterward. Unlike other martial arts, everything in this Space-Time Shift Technique depends entirely on the talent and comprehension of the one who executes the art."
Indeed, how long would it take me? With the body of the Heavenly Martial Body and my current level of martial attainment?
"How long can this space be maintained?"
"It depends on internal energy, but if forced while having reached grand mastery, about half a shichen? Even now, as I speak with you, my internal energy is rapidly depleting."
"Can this space be used permanently?"
At the word "permanent," the Pungcheon Cult Leader snorted. That hollow laugh carried the meaning that such a thing was impossible.
"If the amount of internal energy recovered here exceeds the amount required to maintain it, couldn't the space be kept open permanently?"
"That is indeed the dream of all who have mastered the Space-Time Shift Technique. Among the former Cult Leaders of the Blood Cult, not a single one has succeeded yet."
"So it is possible."
"If one possessed tremendous internal energy and was a heaven-sent martial arts prodigy, perhaps it would be possible."
That heaven-sent martial arts prodigy with the Heavenly Martial Body—that was me.
How long would it take me to create it for the first time? Could I truly maintain this space permanently someday?
"What if I take this secret manual and don't tell you the proper method?"
"Then you would become the Cult Leader with the worst relationship to the main cult and the Eight Demon Lords in history. Ah, you wouldn't become Cult Leader at all."
The Pungcheon Cult Leader handed the secret manual to me.
"Destroy it after you've learned it."
He had been trying hard to hide his reluctance, but he was clearly pained to part with it.
"I will do so. Instead, please interpret the formula for me just once."
"Interpret it?"
"This is not the original secret manual, is it?"
"Of course not."
"If a single character was copied incorrectly, there would be a problem."
"Surely you aren't doubting me? That would never happen!"
"If you interpret it, I will be able to grasp the true meaning."
For a moment, a displeased look flashed across the Pungcheon Cult Leader's face. But he soon readily accepted my request.
"Very well. I shall interpret the formula, so listen well. It is such a difficult martial art that you must listen with focus."
From his attitude, I could guess.
'This man thinks I won't be able to properly learn this martial art.'
Indeed, it was that difficult.
But as I listened to the Pungcheon Cult Leader's explanation of the formula, I came to perfectly comprehend the principles of the Space-Time Shift Technique. He could never imagine how deeply I understood it from a single explanation.
And so I received the transmission of the Space-Time Shift Technique. It was also the moment we became temporary allies.
"Now tell me the answer."
"If the Pungcheon Cult wishes to advance into the Central Plains..."
I looked at him and calmly added.
"Intervene in the succession struggle of Seohwanjin."
* * *
"Coming back after having my thing snatched away is exhausting."
The Pungcheon Cult Leader collapsed into his seat upon entering his quarters. He was mentally exhausted. Because he had to maintain the dignity of a Cult Leader while giving away something he did not want to give.
The shackled man was blankly staring at the Yin Thunder Bell alone, without even greeting him.
The Pungcheon Cult Leader glanced at him, gauging his mood.
"As you instructed, I passed down the Space-Time Shift Technique to the Second Young Lord. I don't know if this was the right thing to do."
The shackled man answered without turning around.
"You did well."
The Pungcheon Cult Leader flinched at the polite words. He usually started with curses; when he began this politely, it meant he was in a bad mood.
'I must be careful.'
On such days, curses always burst out all at once at the end. Since he was human too, listening to the torrent of abuse sometimes made him want to beat the man to death in a single strike.
Such a thing must never happen. He couldn't imagine himself without the shackled man. His role as a strategist was important, but more than that, if the conversation partner he was with every day disappeared, he wouldn't be able to endure the emptiness.
"Are you saying that knowing what proposal he made?"
He had thought the man obviously wouldn't know, but the words Geom Mugeuk had spoken were reproduced from the shackled man's mouth.
"He told you to intervene in the Seohwanjin succession struggle, didn't he?"
The Pungcheon Cult Leader was startled, as if the man had been present.
"How did you know?"
"Because right now, that is the best method."
"You knew? What, you knew. Damn it! If you knew the method, why did you give the Space-Time Shift Technique to the Second Young Lord for nothing?"
The Pungcheon Cult Leader recalled what Geom Mugeuk had said.
"If the disciples of the deceased Soul-Devouring Demon Lord had all inherited their master's true legacy, that would be one thing, but if not, they will surely need the Cult Leader's help. You must make someone who trusts the Cult Leader and is willing to learn martial arts from him into your successor. If you can become the master of the next Soul-Devouring Demon Lord, that can be considered the first step toward advancing into the Central Plains."
It had sounded plausible. He had marveled, 'Ah, so there was such a method.'
But if the shackled man had known this as well?
"Then why give away that precious secret manual!"
He had acted magnanimous in front of Geom Mugeuk, but he had been dying of regret.
"Speak! Hurry up and tell me!"
He went beside the shackled man and shouted.
Then the shackled man looked at the Pungcheon Cult Leader with an annoyed expression.
"What? What are you going to do about it? I'm the Cult Leader, the Cult Leader. You want to die today?"
Even as he shouted, the Pungcheon Cult Leader steeled himself internally. It was the moment for the curses to burst forth.
But the shackled man was calm.
"We didn't buy that method. And the Second Young Lord didn't sell it either."
"What?"
"What you bought was an opportunity."
"What opportunity?"
"The opportunity to bring the Second Young Lord to your side. Though I don't know how many more times we'll need to pay to become firm allies."
"Do you truly believe the Second Young Lord is such an amazing person? Do you truly believe he will become the next Heavenly Demon!"
"I don't know."
"What?"
"How can one know the future?"
"What kind of irresponsible talk is that?"
"You gave what needed to be given; what regret is there?"
"Because it's a waste! It's a waste, that's why!"
To the shackled man, he cast aside his dignity as a Cult Leader and laid bare his innermost thoughts. There were many times he wanted to kill him, but it also meant he had laid bare his heart to him just as much.
"What should I do now?"
"Become close with the Second Young Lord. Do as he says."
"I should do as you say. We don't know what sinister intentions the Second Young Lord harbors..."
"Enough!"
As the Pungcheon Cult Leader had feared, the shackled man finally exploded, and curses burst out all at once.
"You pathetic bastard! If you've clasped hands with someone riding high and even gave him a gift, you should think about riding that momentum. Why are you doubting and acting like a lunatic? It's because you harbor such idiotic thoughts that you end up dead. Do you know what those who die like dogs in the martial world have in common? They don't use their heads when they should, and use them when they shouldn't! They refuse to trust even if it kills them, and trust out of nowhere when they should be suspicious. That's why they die. Aren't you going to fold your fingers? Before I cut them off! Don't act tough today! No more questions! Unless you're really going to kill me, don't open that mouth!"
The Pungcheon Cult Leader pouted and folded all his fingers, and a new space opened.
Looking at the green field spread before his eyes and the clear sky without a single cloud, the shackled man spoke politely.
"Cult Leader, what do you wish to know? Please, just speak."