When I arrived at the Pungcheon Cult Leader's residence, his first question was this.
"If I join hands with you, what would change from now?"
In his blunt question, I sensed sincerity rather than haste. He was serious. I could tell that Gowol had nearly convinced him. So while I would have liked to give him words full of conviction, I told him the truth.
"Nothing will change."
"Nothing will change?"
"Of course. What could possibly change? I haven't even received my father's permission—could I open a Pungcheon Cult branch? Would we publicly announce that we've joined hands? It's simply a promise between us."
"Only that?"
The Pungcheon Cult Leader made a bewildered expression. He looked at Gowol. With eyes that said, *What is this? You dragged me all the way here for this?* But Gowol quietly waited for me to continue.
"However, there is this much. If I truly come to think of the Cult Leader as one of my own, the moment you fall into danger, I will cast everything aside and rush to save you."
"I've never been in a crisis. Falling into crisis in one's life—that doesn't happen often, does it?"
"Then you've lived quite a smooth life."
The Pungcheon Cult Leader glanced at Gowol. Much of that smooth life had likely been possible because Gowol was there.
"On the other hand, if you join hands with me, you *will* fall into crisis. *What? The Second Young Master and the Pungcheon Cult Leader have joined hands? Eliminate the Pungcheon Cult Leader first!* There's no guarantee that enemies like that won't appear."
"Then why in my right mind would I join hands with you?"
"Joining hands with the Cult Leader was not my desire. To be honest, I find the Cult Leader burdensome."
"Don't confuse me with difficult words. Speak simply."
"You know that my father does not think well of the Cult Leader or the Pungcheon Cult, yes?"
"Of course."
"Even in such circumstances, I have associated with the Cult Leader. And now this person, Gowol, has become one of my own. Do you think my father truly doesn't know that?"
"He must know."
"It means I chose this relationship even while going against my father's will. Of course, I also coveted the divine artifact, but…"
I extended my left hand before him. A supreme-grade heavenly silkworm silk was wrapped around my wrist.
"No matter how rare this scrap of fabric is, it is not worth risking my father's displeasure."
The Pungcheon Cult Leader could not refute this. He, too, surely knew well that once one became the Heavenly Demon, one would possess everything they desired.
"Then why all this fuss? Why take turns coming to find me and shaking my heart?"
"Did I not tell you? It is not my idea. It is Military Advisor Go's idea."
Gowol was lost in thought, his eyes half-closed.
"The idea of bringing the Cult Leader to a place beside my own people was entirely Military Advisor Go's idea. So I will ask Military Advisor Go."
I asked Gowol seriously.
"Why must I take the Cult Leader into my fold, even at the cost of conflict with my father?"
The Pungcheon Cult Leader waited for his answer with an even more curious expression than mine.
Eventually, Gowol spoke calmly.
"I am ashamed to say this decision was not made for the Young Master. It was a decision made for my former master."
Gowol gazed at the Pungcheon Cult Leader.
"I wish to gift the Cult Leader a new life. I wish to share a new life with you. Leave the position of Cult Leader to your successor and come."
"You want me to abandon the position of Cult Leader?"
"Yes. I do not want the Pungcheon Cult. I want the Cult Leader himself."
The Pungcheon Cult Leader's pupils shook.
In truth, he was someone ill-suited to leading a group. His selfishness and greed were not the vicious kind that deceived everyone. The ruler of the frontier, content with the status quo, now stood upon a tightrope—a precarious tightrope beneath which countless spears and sword blades surged like bamboo poles.
Yet the man himself did not know how dangerous his situation was.
Would he truly abandon the position of Pungcheon Cult Leader and come to me because of his relationship with one person? Could such a relationship truly exist in this world?
"If I am gone, the main cult will…"
"It will run even better. Please come without worry."
"Let me think! Just a bit! Please!"
At that, I told one of the Pungcheon Cult Leader's subordinates outside to go to Hwacheon Pavilion and bring Seo Daeryong. At my actions, both the Pungcheon Cult Leader and Gowol showed puzzled expressions.
Shortly after, Seo Daeryong arrived like the wind.
"Did you call for me?"
Having rushed to the Pungcheon Cult Leader's residence due to the sudden summons, he was extremely tense. Omitting all playful greetings, I asked him seriously.
"Where did you make the recent decision that changed your life?"
Given the atmosphere, Seo Daeryong also answered honestly and seriously.
"At a tavern."
"How long did it take to make the decision?"
"It couldn't have taken even a quarter of an hour."
"Do you regret that decision?"
"No."
"If you had not made that decision there that day?"
"I would never have been able to do it."
"Tell me about that time in detail."
Seo Daeryong was someone who normally hated being in the spotlight. But once he stepped forward, he was a smart man who knew better than anyone what words to say.
"In my experience, life-changing decisions are made in an instant. When I left home, and when I entered Hwacheon Pavilion. I didn't agonize over them for long. I spend days worrying over buying a set of clothes, but I changed my life in just a quarter of an hour. If I delay? I cannot decide. I wake up as a different person the next day."
I looked at the Pungcheon Cult Leader.
"What do you think?"
The Pungcheon Cult Leader said to me with an incredulous expression.
"You planned this, didn't you? You rehearsed all the lines and came here to do this. Practiced all night yesterday, right?"
Then Seo Daeryong cautiously added one last thing.
"If I may dare speak to the Cult Leader, after meeting the Second Young Master, I have had similar experiences countless times. Situations where it feels like everything is staged to make a fool of me. I wonder what this is, what that is, and before I know it the situation is already over. Going this way and that, running around senselessly doing as told, and again the situation is over. It is the same now. Answering like this before the Pungcheon Cult Leader? Why? Even now it feels like everything is staged to make a fool of me."
Seo Daeryong looked at me and asked as if arguing.
"Right? You're doing this to tease me, aren't you? I may seem like this, but I am the top-ranked inductee of Hwacheon Pavilion. I can see through everything at a glance!"
I smiled broadly at him.
"As expected of my right-hand man! I like everything from beginning to end. A right-hand man is someone you don't need to script. That's why he is the right-hand man."
Seo Daeryong laughed along with me.
"The number of people eyeing the right-hand man position has grown sharply these days, so I am relieved to have scored some points. Since I have confirmed that the right-hand man is still securely attached for now, I will take my leave."
"Wait a moment. This may be a historic moment."
"It is not a place where a blood battle is breaking out, is it? I have yet to escape the basics of martial arts training."
"A blood battle may be breaking out in the Cult Leader's heart."
Everyone's gaze focused on the Pungcheon Cult Leader.
"What? You really want me to decide now? Decide to give up the position of Pungcheon Cult Leader in just a quarter of an hour? And it is not just any position—it is the Pungcheon Cult Leader's position?"
At that moment, Seo Daeryong jumped in surprise and let out a gasp. He had explained excitedly, never dreaming that this was the decision the Pungcheon Cult Leader was being asked to make.
"Good heavens! I would have agonized for a hundred years. Please do not decide now!"
His honest words instead became a stimulus to the Pungcheon Cult Leader.
"Do you truly not regret it?"
"You will regret it, Cult Leader. Go back and worry for a year! At least a hundred days!"
"Impertinent wretch! Answer only what you are asked."
"Yes, I do not regret it. Though my lifespan may have shortened after meeting my lord, I am extremely happy right now."
The Pungcheon Cult Leader rose from his seat. He slowly walked and looked at the divine artifacts displayed in the room.
And then, for some reason, he began to strike the yin-thunder bell.
*Bong!*
A deep sound spread in all directions.
As the sound faded, he struck the bell again. And again, and again.
Listening to the bell, he was deep in thought. Was the evil ghost engraved upon the yin-thunder bell offering him some advice?
How many times did the bell ring? Suddenly the Pungcheon Cult Leader turned to me and asked.
"If I go, will you give me the right-hand man position?"
Seo Daeryong was so surprised he covered his mouth with his hand. Not because he coveted the right-hand man position, but because the Pungcheon Cult Leader was truly willing to abandon the position of Cult Leader.
I spoke provocatively to the man who was prepared to give up even the position of Pungcheon Cult Leader.
"That will not do. My right-hand man is Examiner Seo here. Please get in line behind Commander Jang and fight to win it."
Seo Daeryong shook his head pathetically, his eyes wide.
* * *
Only the Pungcheon Cult Leader and Gowol remained in the residence after Geom Mugyeok and Seo Daeryong left.
The Pungcheon Cult Leader and Gowol sat side by side before the yin-thunder bell.
"What does the evil ghost say?"
"It calls me a madman."
"I think so too. Are you really coming?"
"Aren't you the madman? You persuaded me all this time, and now you say that?"
"I didn't think you would really come. I didn't think you would say such firm and cool words to the Second Young Master about going together."
"I might change my mind tomorrow. Or the day after. Or next year. I am a spineless man by nature, am I not? Since it has come to this, let me ask one thing."
"Yes."
"Why do you want to be with me? Is it simply out of affection?"
Gowol stared at the yin-thunder bell for a long while before suddenly speaking.
"I suppose I was afraid to go alone."
The Pungcheon Cult Leader was startled by words he had never imagined.
Gowol still kept his gaze on the yin-thunder bell.
"I suppose I am afraid of doing foolish things if I go alone. I am afraid of being looked down upon by his people when I go to the Second Young Master. But if the Cult Leader is with me, I think I would find strength. Was I not always the smartest man alive in front of the Cult Leader?"
Gowol slowly looked at the Pungcheon Cult Leader.
"I am the one who is narrow-minded and selfish. I am the one making you lay down the position of Cult Leader for my sake."
It was the first time Gowol had revealed his true feelings since they met. Because of that, the Pungcheon Cult Leader did not get angry. Rather, a smile formed at his lips.
"This is better than any other reason."
"Why is it good?"
"Because it means I am going to protect you, does it not?"
This time, Gowol let out a chuckle.
"You may think on it more. The Second Young Master is a fate that brings storms; we do not know how our lives will be swept away. You might truly end up as that former Cult Leader, that former title, shoved into a corner. You might end up utterly ruined, selling medicine by the roadside."
"As long as we survive. And if we sell that medicine together? Then it is fine."
The Pungcheon Cult Leader also laid bare his true feelings.
"Do you think I am not selfish? Would I go just because someone tells me to? I have turned things over in my mind as much as needed, finished all my calculations, and that is why I am going. I will establish a new Cult Leader and come saying I will work on advancing the main cult into the Central Plains. I will leave not as someone simply retiring, but in the guise of sacrificing myself for the cult's great cause. So that if I change my mind, I may return. How long will it take to properly establish the Pungcheon Cult in the Central Plains? Quite a long time, will it not? While the next Pungcheon Cult Leader suffers in the frontier with sandstorms, I will be enjoying the fun in the Central Plains. The kind of fun that is nerve-wracking, thrilling, and makes your liver drop."
"You thought all that in such a short time? The Cult Leader is truly clever."
"You may be honest. You can say I am quite selfish as well."
"Cult Leader."
"Yes?"
"Let us do well together."
"I am nervous."
"What is the Ruler of the Frontier nervous about?"
Then the Pungcheon Cult Leader made a joke he had never thought he'd make.
"That I will not be able to become the right-hand man."
"What?"
"You know how obsessive I am once I set my sights on something. I will definitely take that spot."
Judging by his eyes, it did not seem to be entirely a joke.
The two looked at each other and laughed wholeheartedly.
"You said it. That if I put down the position of Cult Leader, I would be quite a cool person. Let us see if your words hold true. Ah, I suppose I will not have cause to see this yin-thunder bell anymore."
The Pungcheon Cult Leader, who had been fondly stroking the bell, suddenly shouted.
"Shut up, you evil ghost bastard!"
The evil ghost must have said something like this: *A breathtaking showdown against a mere Hwacheon Pavilion examiner over the right-hand man position? I truly look forward to it.*