None dared to show contempt. Even if there were such a person, before Dokgo Seong could lay a hand on them, the Demon King Guard warriors would have already sent their heads flying…….
Dokgo Seong, who had been silently urging his horse forward, glanced back. The number of warriors silently following behind him was exactly one hundred and eighty-one. The Demon King Guard had started with five hundred men. But over ten years of grueling battles, their numbers had dwindled to this. Yet these were heroes tempered through fierce battles, each one worth a hundred ordinary men. Their power was such that even if they were to face the early five hundred of the Demon King Guard, they could effortlessly claim victory.
And now, Dokgo Seong had thoroughly become their idol. The warriors' loyalty was beyond doubt—so much so that if he ordered it, they would unhesitatingly bite down on their blades and take their own lives. Gazing at their ranks with pleased eyes, Dokgo Seong suddenly opened his mouth. From his lips emerged a voice that sounded much like the cawing of a crow.
"We are not far now. Fine liquor and delicacies from across the land await us. Press on."
"Hurrahhh!"
The Demon King Guard warriors let out cheers one after another. Their faces were all engraved with scars, as if showing the grueling fierce battles they had endured until now. They were glorious scars earned in the making of the Demon King Guard, the strongest organization in the martial world.
Though they had buried countless comrades on the battlefield, the joy of victory was enough to make them forget all such memories. Now, as the personal guard of Dokgo Seong, the newly appointed Cult Leader of Baegyo, they would write a new history. Harboring grand dreams, the Demon King Guard galloped toward the Baegyo headquarters.
The Demon King Guard, having entered the Baegyo headquarters in grand fashion, received a fervent welcome, as was only natural. It went without saying that not a single person was left out—from faction leaders to low-ranking warriors—in mobilizing to greet them. The very existence of the Demon King Guard had been the decisive driving force that elevated Baegyo to its current position……
"Welcome."
Seeing Chief Chancellor Sa Junhwan greet him with a respectful attitude, a faint smile rose to Dokgo Seong's face. No matter how many times he thought it over, the grace Sa Junhwan had shown him was beyond words. Had it not been for him, Dokgo Seong would still be living as a menial laborer at the Shaolin Temple…….
Due to his unique disposition, Dokgo Seong trusted Sa Junhwan wholeheartedly. He had already secretly resolved to hand over the position of Baegyo Cult Leader to Sa Junhwan. As Dokgo Seong dismounted, Sa Junhwan paid him respects once more.
"You have worked hard."
But Dokgo Seong was somewhat clumsy at expressing emotion, so he merely nodded. In that fleeting instant, Sa Junhwan's complexion trembled faintly. However, it passed by so quickly that Dokgo Seong failed to perceive the sign. Without wiping the smile from his face, Sa Junhwan guided Dokgo Seong inside.
"Please, come in. A grand banquet has been prepared."
Dokgo Seong, who had been worrying about what words of thanks to offer, hesitated for a moment. Seeing this, the smile on Sa Junhwan's face deepened.
"Do not worry. I have already made all preparations to transfer full authority to the Young Cult Leader. Now that the war with the Righteous Faction has ended, there should be nothing to hinder you. By tomorrow, all preparations for your inauguration as the nineteenth Cult Leader of our sect will be complete."
"Th-that's not what I meant……."
Sa Junhwan urged the faltering Dokgo Seong once more.
"Please, hurry. The food and drink will grow cold."
In the end, unable to voice what was in his heart, Dokgo Seong followed his words. Sa Junhwan glanced at the Demon King Guard lined up behind them and called over the standing Chief Protector to give an order.
"Chief Protector, it may be troublesome, but please guide the Demon King Guard to the separate seats prepared for them."
"As you command."
Sa Junhwan turned his head back to Dokgo Seong.
"I have prepared ample food, fine wine, and beautiful courtesans for them, so you need not worry. Everything has been perfectly arranged to console the warriors for their hardships."
"I wish to enter with them."
But Sa Junhwan shook his head firmly.
"Young Cult Leader, you are now soon to be inaugurated as the nineteenth Cult Leader of our sect. Though I am well aware that you and the Demon King Guard share an inseparable bond, from now on, you must strictly establish the sect's hierarchy. Do you understand?"
"A-ah, I understand."
In the end, Dokgo Seong had no choice but to comply with Sa Junhwan's words. Leaving his subordinates, who watched him with somehow anxious eyes, behind, Dokgo Seong headed toward the banquet hall. As they entered, the Chief Protector approached the warriors with a smiling face.
"You have all truly worked hard. Now then, everyone, follow this seat. Fine wine and delicacies enough to astonish your tongues await you."
The Demon King Guard warriors had no choice but to follow where the Chief Protector led. Although they were somewhat displeased at being separated from their commander, they figured there was little danger now that the Great War of Good and Evil had ended.
Inside the Great Hall, a boisterous banquet was in full swing. Dishes of delicacies from all across the Central Plains, prepared with utmost care by master chefs, were laid out until the tables groaned under their weight, and famous wines such as Bamboo Leaf Green and Daughter's Red—known to all by name alone—awaited them.
Alongside them were beautiful courtesans so delicate they seemed as though they might fly away on the wind. When Dokgo Seong and Sa Junhwan entered, the courtesans began their songs and dances as if they had been waiting. Sa Junhwan repeatedly offered food to Dokgo Seong.
"Please, eat, Young Cult Leader."
"S-splendid."
Having always prided himself as a gourmand, Dokgo Seong began to eat without hesitation. The Baegyo leadership, including Sa Junhwan who watched him, also began the feast. But for some reason, their attitudes were unbearably awkward, and they were clearly tense about something.
However, Dokgo Seong, lost in thought about how to express his gratitude to Sa Junhwan, failed to notice the atmosphere.
"Is... is that really true?"
A thick, truly manly voice reverberated through the room. The owner of the voice was none other than Jong Riyeong, the Supreme Commander of the Demon King Guard. He now stared fixedly ahead with an expression of disbelief. Before him, the Chief Protector nodded with a grin.
"That's right. It is an undeniable fact. The decision has already been made, and soon he will no longer be a man of this world."
As he continued, the Chief Protector gripped the sword hilt hidden beneath the table. He looked ready to sever a head with a single blow depending on the other's attitude. But Jong Riyeong calmed his excitement surprisingly quickly. An expression of resignation rose upon his face.
"It is a shame to waste such skill by killing him."
"But it cannot be helped. The Chief Chancellor is already firmly determined to eliminate him… No matter how strong he is, all of the sect's leadership is gathered in that hall. They are all confidants of the Supreme. That bastard has no chance of survival."
Jong Riyeong's expression returned to normal as he nodded. At that sight, some strength left the hand gripping the sword. Jong Riyeong continued with an ambiguous smile on his face.
"If the demonic nature of the Heavenly Blood Demon Art had run rampant, he could have been dealt with easily."
"Indeed. But regrettably, the Great War of Good and Evil ended before it could run rampant."
"But will no problems arise after eliminating the Young Cult Leader? After all, to the lower-ranking followers, he is practically a god……"
The Chief Protector flashed a grin.
"All preparations are already complete. After he is killed, it will likely be proclaimed thus: 'Cult Leader Dokgo Seong learned the Heavenly Blood Demon Art, a cursed demonic art prohibited for generations. Therefore, according to the sect's laws which dictate that even the Cult Leader is to be dethroned if they learn this martial art, Cult Leader Dokgo Seong was executed.' That is what they will say."
Jong Riyeong nodded as if it sounded plausible, then his expression suddenly turned serious.
"Then what do you plan to do with the Demon King Guard?"
"Well? I intend to subdue them for now. The food they are now eating has been laced with the Dream-Soul Drug, so by now they have likely all been poisoned. I simply cannot trust them. They have been with the Young Cult Leader for nearly ten years, so his shadow must lie heavily upon them. What do you think?"
"Would it not be a waste to eliminate such skilled warriors?"
Only then did the Chief Protector's suspicion of Jong Riyeong ease slightly, and he slowly removed his hand from the sword hilt. However, his internal energy remained fully gathered.
"Indeed, they are a group renowned throughout the martial world; it would be a shame to simply kill them. Are there any among them who might be open to persuasion?"
At Jong Riyeong's nodding reaction, the Chief Protector's face brightened considerably.
Dangerous though they were, the Demon King Guard warriors' skill was genuine. It truly would be a waste to simply kill such warriors.
"First, men like Gwak Sang, Do Ilryong, and Cheon Yeong-il are the Young Cult Leader's diehard confidants to the bone. However, there are a few among the ordinary warriors who are within my influence. Besides, if we apply our full efforts to persuasion, there will surely be others who will listen."
"Is that so? That is welcome news."
Now completely letting down his guard against Jong Riyeong, the Chief Protector nodded in satisfaction. He had been about to say something when, as if a thought had suddenly struck him, he casually broached another topic.
"By the way, do you not wish to see your family? Having returned after so long, you must want to see your wife, children, and elderly mother at least once?"
Jong Riyeong hesitated for a moment but then shook his head with a bitter expression.
"Well, I shall see them to my heart's content from now on. But there are more urgent matters at hand, so it can be put off."
At those words, the Chief Protector burst into hearty laughter.
"Kwahahaha. Truly a man worthy of the trust the Supreme has placed in you. You certainly deserve to be employed in high office. Well then, shall we go to where those bastards are sprawled out? You shall pick out those among them who can be persuaded. We must keep only them and dispose of the rest entirely……"
"Shall we?"
The two, who had been conversing in the secret room, rose without delay. In the nearby Great Hall, the Demon King Guard warriors should have been sprawled out, poisoned by the Dream-Soul Drug.
"What?"
The Chief Protector who opened the doors to the Great Hall was flabbergasted. The Demon King Guard warriors, who should have been sprawled out poisoned by the Dream-Soul Drug, were all sitting with wide-open eyes, waiting for them. Not a single one had touched the food. They simply sat in unmoving postures, keeping to their places.
Around them, the chefs and courtesans who had brought the food stood trembling with restless anxiety.
"What is the meaning of this?"
A cold voice erupted from behind the wide-eyed Chief Protector.
"Why? Is it strange? Our Demon King Guard has a tradition. That is, whenever we eat, we all eat together at the same table, at the same time. I daresay they did not even drink a sip of water before I arrived. I guarantee it on my name."
"Y-you?"
When the Chief Protector turned his head, he saw Jong Riyeong glaring with a cold expression and wide eyes. The Chief Protector, who stammered as if he could not believe the situation, suddenly drew his sword.
"H-how dare you betray the Chief Chancellor……."
Jong Riyeong had also reflexively drawn his sword. A voice like winter frost squeezed through his lips.
"The Chief Chancellor may be betrayed, but the Commander can never be betrayed under any circumstances. Had it not been for him, I would not be among the living. His life is worth trading for my own and my family's lives."
"Foolish. To throw away wealth, glory, and your family's lives for mere recklessness……."
Only then did the Demon King Guard warriors, realizing the situation, reflexively draw their weapons. They were men who held to the tradition of never letting their weapons leave their hands, even in sleep.