When I returned to my dwelling after finishing my martial arts training, Gowol was reading a book in the room, while the Pungcheon Cult Leader stood in the yard, gazing up at the night sky.
He was quite different from when I had first seen him. He had definitely become somehow calmer.
“When did you arrive?”
“I came to see that precious military advisor of yours, so there’s no need to worry that I may have waited long.”
“Did you enjoy seeing that precious military advisor?”
“I only got scolded.”
“Dear me. That won’t do. How dare that military advisor scold the Cult Leader. I shall give that military advisor a thorough scolding.”
“Don’t say things you don’t mean. That remark of yours is even more annoying.”
I grinned, and he too smiled pleasantly.
“I waited on purpose to see you before I left.”
“What is it?”
“The Eldest Young Master came to see me. I waited because I wanted to tell you directly that I was absolutely unmoved.”
“Ah, I am truly moved.”
“Yes, you should be. Do you know how favorable the terms the Eldest Young Master offered were? I refused them all.”
“Thank you, Cult Leader.”
I didn’t ask what terms had been offered.
“Then I shall be off. They say one shouldn’t linger at times like this, or the emotion is halved.”
“Yes. You’re right. It would have been perfect if you hadn’t said even this much.”
“Is that so?”
The Pungcheon Cult Leader laughed awkwardly. I shared a truly deep bond with this person. I felt that we would forge an even deeper bond going forward.
Snap!
With a flick of my fingers, the Pungcheon Cult Leader and I were standing in the middle of a green plain.
The Pungcheon Cult Leader was startled.
“You’ve completed the Space-Time Transference Art!”
The Pungcheon Cult Leader looked around. The trees rising straight up, the grass swaying in the wind, and the winding country road leading to the mountains in the distance.
“Perfect.”
“It is thanks to you having imparted such an excellent martial art.”
“Since the martial art known as the Space-Time Transference Art came into existence, you are probably the first to complete it so quickly. You wouldn’t know. How many long years I trained to create this space…….”
“I was simply lucky.”
“Don’t be humble. Of all things, this is one for which there is truly no need for humility.”
The Pungcheon Cult Leader showed that he had grown through the recent tribulations.
He suddenly grabbed my hand.
“Congratulations.”
To his heartfelt congratulations, I too conveyed my sincerity.
“Thank you. At least within this space, Cult Leader, you are my teacher.”
“You really…….”
The Pungcheon Cult Leader could not continue.
“Ah, and there is one thing I would like to ask.”
“Speak.”
“Is it possible to make the time flowing within the Space-Time Transference Art different from real time? What I mean is, can you make it flow slower than outside time?”
The Pungcheon Cult Leader looked at me with wide eyes.
“Why do you look at me like that?”
“If it were before, I would have undoubtedly reacted like this: ‘Hey, you brat, does that even make sense?’”
“And now?”
“‘Hey, you brat, does that even make sense!’”
I laughed, and the Pungcheon Cult Leader laughed too before telling me about it.
“I actually had such thoughts before. I even researched it. But it was impossible. I only thought of it several years after completing the space, yet you think of it the moment you complete it.”
This meant there was no secret technique passed down for it. To accomplish this, I would have to research and contemplate it again when my martial realm had risen further.
“I understand. Now then, I shall dispel the space.”
“Before that, wait! Was what you said earlier sincere? That at least here, you consider me your teacher.”
“It was sincere.”
“Then open this space for me occasionally. When else in my life would I get the chance to play the role of your teacher?”
“Yes, I shall do that.”
Seeing the Pungcheon Cult Leader’s face brighten, I flicked my fingers with a snap! and we returned to reality.
“Then please take care on your way.”
The Pungcheon Cult Leader, who had been walking some distance away, suddenly turned back and shouted.
“I’m on the Second Young Master’s side to the end!”
Watching him disappear hurriedly into the darkness as if embarrassed, I snickered.
To think the Pungcheon Cult Leader had such a cute side? But then, it must be because he possessed such a heart that he was able to abandon everything and walk away.
* * *
Mabul was furious.
He could understand Geom Muyang going to see Hyeolcheon Doma earlier. After all, there was an unresolved matter between them.
But that he had gone to see even the Pungcheon Cult Leader was utterly intolerable. He had clearly seen Mabul and the Pungcheon Cult Leader locked in a battle of nerves, yet he had gone to see him anyway.
“Eldest Young Master.”
“Yes, Elder.”
“You met the Pungcheon Cult Leader?”
“Yes. I met him to draw him to our side.”
His answer was so composed that there was no atmosphere in which to get angry. Moreover, his reason was perfectly sound.
“If we draw in the Pungcheon Cult Leader, wouldn’t the Soul-Devouring Demon Lord naturally become our side as well? That is why I met him.”
“What did the Pungcheon Cult Leader say?”
“He said he would think about it.”
Geom Muyang said no more about it.
Mabul pondered how to broach the subject without offending Geom Muyang while conveying his own feelings. In the end, he took a step back and began with an apology.
“Calling the Yunnan Twin Monsters was my mistake.”
“What do you mean?”
“I suppose my thinking was too short-sighted. I should not have drawn such people into the Eldest Young Master’s affairs.”
“I am well aware it stemmed from a heart that cares for me.”
“Thank you for thinking so. As expected, the Young Master is broad-minded.”
“But one thing must be set straight.”
“What do you mean?”
“You said you drew the Yunnan Twin Monsters into my affairs, but strictly speaking, it is not my affair, but yours, Elder.”
Geom Muyang drew a clear line. He was walking the path to become the successor. He wanted nothing to do with trash like the Yunnan Twin Monsters, not even a hair’s breadth of connection.
Mabul wondered if it had to go this far, but he hid such sentiments.
“Ah, I misspoke for a moment. You’re right, the matter of the Yunnan Twin Monsters is solely my affair.”
“Of course, I know well that you called them for my sake. So please don’t worry too much about it.”
Geom Muyang smiled first, and Mabul smiled along.
The conversation ended with smiles, but Mabul’s heart was not refreshed. Something was wrong; not knowing whether it was his problem or Geom Muyang’s made it all the worse.
As Mabul left Geom Muyang’s quarters and returned to his own dwelling, someone was waiting for him.
Surprisingly, it was Geom Mugik.
“Second Young Master?”
“I was waiting because I wished to see you, Elder.”
“Me? Why?”
Mabul was inwardly tense. Wondering if Geom Mugik intended to kill him in a deserted place, he secretly circulated his internal energy. But Geom Mugik’s reason for coming was very unexpected.
“Would you have a drink with me at that tavern over there?”
“A drink with me? And at that tavern?”
On any other day, he would have refused outright, fearing rumors that the two of them were scheming together.
But today’s Mabul was not his usual self.
“Very well. There’s no harm in that.”
If Geom Muyang was going around meeting Hyeolcheon Doma and the Pungcheon Cult Leader, couldn’t he just as well meet Geom Mugik? He rather hoped this would reach Geom Muyang’s ears.
‘Second Young Master, you are truly a lucky person.’
To come looking for me even on a day like this.
“This is the first time I have walked side by side with you like this, Elder.”
“Don’t act like we’re close for no reason.”
A normal person would have walked quietly out of embarrassment, but Geom Mugik did not.
“There won’t be many chances to walk with you like this; if I don’t act close now, when will I? Please forgive my excited behavior just for today.”
“I suppose Doma was also won over like this.”
“Yes, that’s right. He knocked on the door endlessly.”
“The door?”
“The door to the heart, I mean.”
Mabul snorted, then suddenly wondered if Geom Muyang had ever knocked on his door. But he soon composed his mind with cold clarity.
‘Second Young Master, no matter what you do, I am not a monkey that falls from a tree just because it shakes, like Doma.’
The place the two arrived at was the Pungnyu Tavern in Magachon.
Even without Geom Mugik’s introduction, Jo Chunbae recognized Mabul at a glance.
He was not flustered. After receiving the Heavenly Demon as a guest, he had changed. He was confident that even if the Martial Alliance Leader and Vice Alliance Leader came together, he would receive them gladly, thinking it was no big deal.
“Welcome, Chief.”
“A precious guest has arrived, so I ask for your services again today.”
“Yes, I will serve you with all my heart.”
And so Geom Mugik and Mabul sat facing each other at a table on the upper floor.
“This is my regular establishment.”
“I don’t want to know. Why did you ask to see me?”
“There are many reasons, but you won’t believe them all. If I must give a believable one, it is a sort of check.”
“A check?”
“My brother has begun meeting my people. So I wanted to show that I too can meet his people. You, Elder, are the first.”
“What will change just because we meet?”
“I know your heart toward my brother is firm.”
“What do you know?”
“Did you not show it the day my brother returned? I felt deeply then the heart that cares for him.”
As Geom Mugik tried to pour the wine, Mabul snatched the bottle and poured for himself before drinking.
“Don’t speak carelessly, claiming to know me.”
Mabul emptied his cup, and Geom Mugik drank after him.
Again Geom Mugik tried to pour, but Mabul filled his own cup.
“There will be times when it is hard because my brother is selfish. Please look after him well, Demon Lord, and admonish him.”
“You are truly a hypocritical man. Did you think I would be moved by such words?”
“It’s not for that reason; I was cursing my brother behind his back. Calling him a selfish man.”
Mabul praised Geom Muyang as if to show that sowing discord would not work.
“Your brother is a brilliant man.”
“He lacks a bit of humanity.”
“That’s fine. One who will accomplish great things must not be swayed by petty emotions.”
“He will sometimes slight you as well.”
“That’s fine. He is one who will become the Heavenly Demon someday—what does it matter if he slights me?”
“He will break important promises as well.”
“The words and actions of the Heavenly Demon are the law itself. Important or unimportant, promise or not—all that is for the Heavenly Demon to decide.”
“You are truly impregnable. I envy my brother for having you on his side. I will drink this wine with a heart of respect for you, Elder.”
Geom Mugik emptied his cup.
Mabul curled one corner of his mouth and sneered.
“I acknowledge that the Second Young Master has a good hand for dealing with people. Still, you won’t be able to win me over. I am a different person from Doma or the Pungcheon Cult Leader.”
“I know. As I told you earlier, I never had any intention of making you my person.”
“Then why do this?”
“I wanted to know what kind of person you are. I was curious what kind of person is watching over my brother from beside him. And I have reached a conclusion.”
“And that is?”
Mabul was curious how the Second Young Master would evaluate him.
“If my brother hurts your feelings, he will be the biggest fool in our sect.”
Mabul snorted and emptied his cup.
Geom Mugik tried to pour again. This time, Mabul did not snatch the bottle.
As he poured, Geom Mugik spoke.
“When I see you, Elder, I think of a small giant. You are greater than anyone.”
The power of words is truly frightening. Even knowing full well it was flattery, he couldn’t stop himself from feeling pleased. Especially the expression “small giant” suited his fancy very well. He had thought of himself that way before, but no one had ever called him that.
Lest his inner thoughts be discovered, Mabul glared at Geom Mugik with an even more displeased expression.
Whether or not he knew that heart, Geom Mugik threw out an unexpected remark.
“Please take good care of my brother.”
“Entrusting the Eldest Young Master to me? What is that supposed to mean?”
“I intend to put an end to the killing of one another in the succession struggle in this generation. To do that, we must not treat each other emotionally, but my brother has strong pride, so that adjustment will be difficult. Please help him from beside him, Elder. If it’s you, you should be able to stop my brother even if he runs rampant.”
Mabul, who had been glaring at Geom Mugik, spoke coldly.
“You don’t know me at all. If the Eldest Young Master runs rampant, I will pour oil on the fire. One cannot become the successor with a small explosion, so I will urge him to blow everything away. So if you are looking for a path to survival through me, I tell you to wake from that dream.”
Mabul rose from his seat. As he was about to leave, he spoke one last time.
“If you believe the successor can be chosen peacefully, you are either a fool or a madman.”
“Seeing how all the elders who know me call me a madman, I am probably a madman.”
Mabul, gazing at Geom Mugik, spoke firmly.
“I hate madmen.”
Mabul went straight down to the first floor.
Geom Mugik looked down at Jo Chunbae sitting at the counter.
How much would he freak out later—Mabul passed right by him, yet he was dozing off, nodding away. But then, whether it was Mabul or even Old Man Mabul, being sleepy from fatigue was unavoidable.
Geom Mugik’s gaze, which had been on Jo Chunbae, turned toward outside the tavern.
Far away, a golden radiance was walking toward the horizon. His height was half that of ordinary people, but the shadow stretched out in the sunset glow was large and long.