I entered the Northern Heaven Sword Clan.
As always, Sa Ujong guided me to the Ilhwa Sword Venerable.
“Welcome, Pavilion Master.”
“Master Sa, have you been well?”
“Thanks to your concern, I have been well.”
He greeted me with his usual expression. Although he had failed in his attempt to use the Soul-Seizing Demon Venerable to drive me away, he did not reveal his resentment.
Today, I intended to use Cheongseon as bait, luring him with his hidden ambitions.
“Welcome!”
The Ilhwa Sword Venerable greeted me warmly. She seemed somehow clearer and brighter than when I had last seen her.
“You look younger than ever.”
At my greeting, she led me toward the flower bed.
“Come here and look at this.”
There were sprouts emerging from the soil where she pointed.
“It’s the seed you gave me as a gift.”
“Oh! It’s already grown.”
“Yes. Life is truly mysterious.”
I felt the energy of Sa Ujong, standing behind us, sink even lower. Ever since I had entered this place, I had been secretly releasing my qi to observe him.
My mastery had improved to a degree incomparable to when I had first learned this technique from Father. I could now discern not only another person’s presence and appearance, but even their emotions.
I secretly sent a transmission to the Sword Venerable.
―Could you have Sa Ujong bring us some wine and side dishes? I need to let him overhear some information. I’ll explain why later.
―Understood.
The Ilhwa Sword Venerable had Sa Ujong bring wine. His emotions grew even more ferocious as he answered politely and turned away.
She did not usually drink, yet she was drinking now. She also spoke informally only to me.
Judging by the changes in his emotions, he seemed to think that I had taken the Ilhwa Sword Venerable away from him.
I suspected that his relationship with Cheongseon was not a normal one either. His end had told me everything.
When Sa Ujong returned with the wine and side dishes a short while later, I let one piece of information slip. I addressed the Sword Venerable, but in truth, I intended for Sa Ujong to hear it.
“At present, Yang Do, the first disciple, and Cheongseon, the third disciple, are the leading candidates to become the next Soul-Seizing Demon Venerable.”
I sensed Sa Ujong flinch at the mention of Cheongseon.
“I heard Yang Do was the stronger candidate.”
“That is true. However, it is not as if Cheongseon has no way forward.”
“What way is that?”
The Ilhwa Sword Venerable continued the conversation with me. She was probably wondering why we were having such a conversation in Sa Ujong’s presence, but she showed no sign of it and acted naturally.
“Isn’t the Pungcheon Cult Leader currently visiting our church? The martial arts he and the Soul-Seizing Demon Venerable learned share the same roots. Therefore, if Cheongseon could receive instruction from the Pungcheon Cult Leader, she would still have a chance.”
“Would the Pungcheon Cult Leader really accept her?”
“He will. As everyone knows, the Pungcheon Cult has long wished to advance into the Central Plains by any means necessary. If he takes Cheongseon as his disciple under these circumstances, he will gain an excuse to remain in the Central Plains. In fact, Cheongseon would be the one unwilling to accept.”
“Why is that?”
“It seems the Soul-Seizing Demon Venerable was very thorough in educating her disciples. She probably never had anything good to say about her old enemy, the Pungcheon Cult Leader.”
“I suppose not.”
“If things continue as they are, Yang Do will ultimately take the position of Soul-Seizing Demon Venerable. Unfortunately, Cheongseon will lose her chance to become a Demon Venerable.”
That was all Sa Ujong heard before leaving the wine and side dishes behind. I spoke quickly, while he placed the wine and side dishes on the table slowly. He took his time walking away, listening to as much of the conversation as possible before departing.
It was enough. I had conveyed everything important that he needed to hear.
I believed Sa Ujong would certainly persuade Cheongseon to become the Pungcheon Cult Leader’s disciple. A man as ambitious as him would never let his beloved miss the opportunity to become the Soul-Seizing Demon Venerable.
Once I confirmed that he had completely left, the Ilhwa Sword Venerable finally asked,
“Why did you ask me to do that?”
“Sa Ujong is in a relationship with Cheongseon. Did you know?”
“Sa Ujong? I had no idea.”
“You may or may not know this, but according to our Pavilion’s investigation, Sa Ujong is an extremely ambitious man. He is the kind of person who might try to manipulate you from behind the scenes.”
“I was vaguely aware of that.”
“While keeping an eye on him in case he caused you harm, I discovered that the two of them were involved. An opportunity arose to make use of that fact, which is why I asked this of you.”
“I see. Thank you for telling me.”
“I’m the one who should be grateful. Please remain wary of him in your heart, but for the time being, I would appreciate it if you continued handling matters involving Sa Ujong as usual.”
“I will.”
I intended to repay her for the help she had given me with what she desired most.
“Let’s have a sparring match sometime soon.”
“I look forward to it.”
To be honest, I was the one looking forward to it. I wanted to see how much the Divine Eye Technique would help me in actual combat.
But that would come after I dealt with this matter first.
As I left, I turned back. I saw her standing in the courtyard with her hands clasped behind her back, gazing up at the sky.
The little hut no longer seemed hypocritical to me.
* * *
For some reason, Sa Ujong was doing his utmost in bed tonight.
Thanks to that, Cheongseon experienced pleasure she had never felt before.
The two of them lay side by side on the bed, drenched in sweat.
“Is something going on today?”
“No. Why?”
“You’re not like usual.”
“And?”
“It felt so good.”
Sa Ujong was certainly different from usual. He embraced her first and asked,
“You’ve been busy lately, haven’t you?”
“There are people saying that I should become a Demon Venerable.”
“What do you think?”
“Who would dislike becoming a Demon Venerable? But I’m not confident I can defeat Senior Brother.”
“You must become a Demon Venerable.”
“Why?”
“If your Senior Brother becomes a Demon Venerable, he won’t leave you alive.”
“Senior Brother… isn’t that kind of person.”
“You hesitated just now, didn’t you? Do you know why? You hesitated because you know that he is exactly that kind of person.”
“……”
“The moment your name was raised as a candidate to succeed the next Demon Venerable, you stepped onto a dueling platform from which you could descend only after fighting a life-or-death battle.”
Sa Ujong sincerely wished for Cheongseon to become a Demon Venerable.
If that happened, he would be able to manipulate the enormous power of the Soul-Seizing Demon Venerable from behind the scenes. The mere thought made his heart race.
And at the end of this thirst for power still lurked his twisted desire. To become stronger, and stronger still.
‘Someday, I’ll make the Sword Venerable my woman.’
Cheongseon quietly watched Sa Ujong’s eyes as he stared blankly at the portrait of the Ilhwa Sword Venerable hanging on the wall.
“What are you thinking about so deeply?”
“How can I put you on the seat of Demon Venerable?”
“There’s no way at present.”
“There is. One way.”
“What way?”
“The Pungcheon Cult Leader is here right now. If you receive his instruction, you can defeat your Senior Brother.”
“That’s ridiculous! You know perfectly well that one’s martial arts don’t improve that quickly.”
“You were born with extraordinary talent, weren’t you? Besides, your opponent isn’t just anyone—it’s the Pungcheon Cult Leader. Even if he teaches you only a single secret technique, you should be able to defeat your Senior Brother.”
“If I become the Pungcheon Cult Leader’s disciple, the other Demon Venerables will hate me.”
“This is a matter of life and death. You have to survive first and think about the rest afterward.”
Sa Ujong pressed himself against her.
He did not stop until she finally answered that she understood.
* * *
“Those despicable bastards! I never imagined they could be this despicable.”
The Pungcheon Cult Leader could not contain his anger.
“And you’re not bothered by this?”
The man in shackles merely stared at Eumroe Jong without a word.
“Say something.”
“Didn’t you anticipate this? That they would try to send us back by any means necessary?”
“I did. Yes, I did. But I never thought they would use such a filthy method. Does this make any sense? Playing games with our food?”
According to the report that had just arrived, the meals and side dishes provided to his subordinates waiting in the Outer Court had changed. The portions had shrunk, and the quality had deteriorated. High-quality meat had been replaced with chunks of fat, and the liquor with cheap swill.
“Who would believe that the Heavenly Demon Divine Church would stoop to tampering with someone’s food? They might as well feed us poison!”
What made matters worse was that the people eating this food were none other than the Pungcheon Cult’s main forces: the Ten Great Demon Warriors and the hundred Blood Fury Army soldiers. He could not simply sit by and do nothing—not when he was too ashamed to face them.
“I should go confront the Cult Leader.”
“What are you going to say? That you want your food back?”
“Of course I should! I’ll shout that your damned subordinate stole all the food meant for my men. I’ll roll around on the floor of the Heavenly Demon Hall and complain that I’ve never seen anything so despicable in my life.”
“Then have a safe trip.”
Of course, the Pungcheon Cult Leader did not do that. Instead, his arrow of anger turned elsewhere.
“What is that blowhard, the Second Young Master, doing? Didn’t he say he’d find a way?”
“Wait patiently.”
“I’m saying this because I can’t be patient right now.”
“Those who respect the Cult Leader will respect him even if they go hungry. Those who dislike him will dislike him even if they are served a sumptuous feast for all three meals. So there’s no need to worry about it.”
“Things in this world don’t proceed as simply as that. Those who respect me will feel betrayed, saying, ‘Even though I respect him this much, he’s starving me?’ And those who dislike me will drive a wedge between everyone by saying, ‘I knew that pathetic fool would end up in a situation like this.’”
“Then retain only the people who can endure every storm.”
“Damn it! Damn!”
At that moment, word came from outside that Cheongseon had arrived.
The Pungcheon Cult Leader looked at the man in shackles in surprise.
The man in shackles wore an expression of complete understanding and gave a faint smile.
Cheongseon soon entered and offered a respectful greeting.
“It is an honor to meet the revered Supreme Lord Beyond the Passes. I am Cheongseon of Seohwanjin.”
“I’ve heard much about you. You’re said to be the greatest master of sorcery in Seohwanjin?”
“Your words are too generous. I apologize for not coming to see you sooner.”
“No need. I’m grateful that you came at all.”
“I once heard from my late master that the roots of the martial arts I learned lay in the Blood Cult.”
“That is correct. In that sense, we can call ourselves fellow disciples. So, have you received the full inheritance of martial arts from the Demon Venerable?”
“Unfortunately, I have not. That is why I have come to ask you this. Please accept me as your disciple!”
The Pungcheon Cult Leader glanced at the man in shackles and sent him a transmission.
―The Second Young Master is insane.
―This is why we have to remain the Second Young Master until the very end.
―Damn it! Just thinking about him coming to claim my divine artifact is already making my stomach churn.
―Let’s take this opportunity to broaden that narrow-mindedness of yours.
―Shut up!
Though such a conversation passed between them inwardly, the Pungcheon Cult Leader’s expression remained solemn beyond measure.
“Seeing the martial arts of the lands beyond the passes shine brightly in the Central Plains is something I sincerely wish for. However, I do not know whether your Cult Leader will permit this precious connection between us.”
“As far as I know, our church has no restrictions regarding the formation of a master-disciple relationship. Moreover, this will ultimately make Seohwanjin stronger, so the Cult Leader will not oppose it.”
“Are you certain? Your Senior Brother will make an issue of this.”
“Teach me. Teach me how to defeat my Senior Brother.”
The Pungcheon Cult Leader spoke quietly to her.
“Your Senior Brother may kill you.”
Cheongseon raised her head and looked at the Pungcheon Cult Leader.
The look in her eyes was not that of a passive woman being manipulated by a man. The innocent woman who had shared a bed with Sa Ujong and the woman standing here now were clearly different people.
Sa Ujong did not know.
He did not know that her docility in bed was merely a tiny part of who she was.
He thought that her feelings for him came from affection, when in truth they stemmed from her ferocious self-love—a self-love that would never yield what she considered hers. He did not know that she was a cruel woman who would destroy something if she could not possess it. Sa Ujong knew nothing.
Cheongseon smiled sweetly and said,
“But I can’t exactly let myself die, can I?”
Reading in her eyes the raw madness that only villains could possess, the Pungcheon Cult Leader smiled with satisfaction.
“I find myself looking forward to meeting the next Soul-Seizing Demon Venerable.”