Chapter 14: These Days, the Learned Are Braver
Chapter 14: These Days, the Learned Are Braver
Even in front of the Demon Monarch’s office, there were those who dared to block our path.
“You cannot see him without a prior appointment.”
“We are here on an official investigation,” Seo Dae-ryong countered. “Move.”
“I cannot do that.”
I didn't have the patience to watch the repetitive bickering between Seo Dae-ryong and the Demon Army warriors any longer. I reached out, snatched the order Seo Dae-ryong was holding, and thrust it directly into the cultists’ faces.
“Do you see the crest engraved on this order?”
As an official document of the cult, the symbol of the Heavenly Demon was etched into the background.
“Obstructing this order isn't just an insult to us. It’s an insult to the Cult Leader himself.”
At the mention of the Heavenly Demon, the cultists flinched. I was likely the first person in the history of the sect to invoke the Heavenly Demon’s name while pointing out the background watermark of a document.
“You can look down on us all you want, but you wouldn't dare look down on this, would you? Or what? Are you planning to disrespect the Cult Leader as well? Shall I report it that way?”
“N-No, sir!”
“Absolutely not!”
Then, a voice drifted out from inside the office.
“Bring them in.”
The cultists opened the door, looking visibly relieved.
Seo Dae-ryong seemed to realize it then—that he should have handled the gatekeepers this way from the start. It might have been difficult for him to invoke his father’s name, but he needed to learn that the Heavenly Demon’s authority existed precisely for moments like this.
“Welcome, Young Master Lee.”
Demon Monarch Gu Cheon-yang was a man of average build, yet he possessed an aura capable of overwhelming even the massive warriors of the Demon Army.
However, he paled in comparison to his older brother, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon. They shared similar faces and eyes, but the fire I had seen in the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s pupils was absent here.
“It’s harder to see you than it is to see my own father,” I remarked.
“It seems my boys have been rude. They’re an ignorant lot by nature, so I hope you can be understanding.”
“Seeing them swarm out just to pick a fight makes it seem like they have too much time on their hands. Perhaps you should have them read a few books.”
“Doesn't the old saying go that one has to be ignorant to be brave?”
“That’s an old saying,” I countered. “These days, the learned are the brave ones. They plan better, and they know exactly what needs to be done.”
“I suppose I’m falling behind the times as I get older.”
Even during this brief exchange, we were locked in a battle of wills. The Demon Monarch, a man weathered by the cult’s internal politics, parried my words without a hint of emotional disturbance.
“But tell me, Young Master Lee, what brings you to take charge of this investigation?”
“It seems my father intends to punish me.”
“Punish you?”
“I made a bit of a mistake during the hunt.”
“Ah!”
The Demon Monarch finally wore an expression of understanding. He must have been racking his brain, wondering what hidden motive lay behind sending me as an investigator.
“Then why has this investigation by the Huangquan Pavilion begun? Did another anonymous tip fly in, as before?”
Though he acted as if it were trivial, the Demon Monarch was likely feeling tense deep down. Other organizations might be one thing, but the Huangquan Pavilion wasn't a place one could simply brush aside. It was a place that, once a crime was uncovered, would carry out the execution according to the established laws.
“I cannot disclose details related to the investigation.”
“Surely you can tell me that much, between the two of us?”
To use the phrase 'between the two of us' so nonchalantly... one really needed this level of brazenness to survive at the center of the cult’s factional struggles.
“I’ll be honest with you, Monarch. You’re right; an anonymous tip was submitted.”
“I thought as much.”
When I spoke the truth, Seo Dae-ryong stared at me from the side. His eyes screamed, You’re just going to tell him everything? My eyes replied, It’s fine, let him know.
Seeing this exchange of glances, the corners of the Demon Monarch’s mouth curled up. Since these actions looked clumsy in his eyes, the situation was actually working in my favor.
“I was told that whenever a tip comes in, the Huangquan Pavilion must dispatch an investigator. I only learned that for the first time recently,” I added.
The Demon Monarch, naturally, maintained his mask of innocence.
“When you’re in a position leading ignorant and rough men like the Demon Army, you end up suffering from all sorts of slander.”
“I actually thought such things wouldn't happen. Doesn't slander require one to use their head? Would ignorant men, as you described them, even think to submit a tip?”
“Ignorant fools have no end to their greed. Even you should be careful, Young Master. When ignorance and greed combine, things that should never happen tend to occur.”
Despite the subtle threat, I didn't lose my smile.
“I’ll finish the investigation as quickly as possible, so please be understanding even if it’s inconvenient.”
The Demon Monarch’s slightly stiffened expression softened.
“Inconvenient? Are we not closer than that? I’m hurt.”
“Isn't it a fact known to everyone that the Blood Heaven Blade Demon supports my older brother?”
“That may be so, but my brother is my brother, and I am myself, am I not? I am supporting our Young Master Lee.”
I gave him a broad smile in response to the blatant lie.
“Haha. Just hearing you say that is reassuring. Well then, I look forward to your cooperation for the next few days.”
“My men will show you to your quarters on your way out.”
As I stood up to leave, the Demon Monarch added a final remark.
“Be careful. I’m saying this because I’m truly worried about you.”
“Like how the previous investigator was murdered, for instance?”
“Surely the Cult Leader didn't send our Young Master Lee here just to die? I’ll keep an eye out.”
“Haha, just hearing that makes me feel secure. I shall take my leave then.”
I walked out of the office with Seo Dae-ryong. I could feel a burning gaze on the back of my head; the Monarch's expression was likely twisted into a grimace.
Then you’re the one who should be careful. It seems my father sent me here so that either you or I would end up dead.
*
Chief Strategist Sama Myeong was watching Heavenly Demon Geom Wu-jin maintain his sword.
“It has been a long time since you took out the Black Demonic Sword.”
The Black Demonic Sword was one of the Four Great Treasured Swords of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
The Heavenly Demon Sword worn by the Cult Leader was the finest, followed by this Black Demonic Sword. The third was the Death Spirit Sword, and the last was the White Flower Sword.
Each of these treasured swords possessed unique properties: the Black Demonic Sword was rough and destructive, the Death Spirit Sword held a dark and evil energy, and the White Flower Sword was gentle and noble.
“Did you perhaps take it out to give to Young Master Lee?”
Geom Wu-jin’s hands paused for a moment before resuming their task.
“If the boy has the luck for it, he will claim it.”
Sama Myeong could guess the intent. If Young Master Lee handled this matter properly, the Cult Leader intended to bestow this sword upon him as a gift.
“It will not be easy for Young Master Lee to deal with the Demon Monarch.”
Sama Myeong did not understand the Cult Leader’s decision. Although Geom Mu-geuk’s recent actions had defied expectations, he didn't believe the boy was at a level where he could face the Demon Army.
“A report has already come in that there was a clash with the Demon Army. Perhaps passing through the Small Heaven Cave has actually become a poison.”
That newfound confidence might lead him to ruin. He was still young—far too young to handle a man as seasoned as the Demon Monarch. Therefore, Sama Myeong was certain that this Black Demonic Sword would eventually return to the depths of the treasure vault.
“I should have stepped forward to handle this matter myself.”
The murder of the previous Huangquan Pavilion investigator had made one thing clear: the Demon Monarch had either recruited the Huangquan Pavilion Master or held some weakness over him. The Pavilion Master had covered up the death of his subordinate without a proper re-investigation. Thus, Sama Myeong had intended to resolve it through the Tongcheon Pavilion, which he led, rather than leaving it to the Huangquan Pavilion.
Then, Geom Wu-jin spoke unexpectedly.
“The boy said it. That we have lost the Demonic Path.”
Sama Myeong flinched. Those words were an insult not only to the Heavenly Demon but also to Sama Myeong, who served as the Chief Strategist of the Cult.
Anxiety preceded his offense.
“Is that why you sent him?”
In other words, he was asking: Is that why you’re trying to kill him? Since Sama Myeong had not yet directly witnessed the change in Geom Mu-geuk, such a thought was only natural.
“If he’s going to talk that big, he should show it through his actions.”
To Sama Myeong, this sounded like: If he’s going to act arrogant, he must take responsibility.
Sama Myeong remained silent for a moment, watching Geom Wu-jin’s hands as they meticulously wiped the blade. Even though he had sent his own flesh and blood into a death trap, Geom Wu-jin showed not a flicker of agitation.
“So... does he intend to find the lost Demonic Path himself?”
“It seems so.”
“Given Young Master Lee’s recent behavior, it might be worth looking forward to.”
Geom Wu-jin focused on maintaining the sword without a word. After standing there for a moment, Sama Myeong bid his farewell.
“Then, I shall take my leave as I have matters to attend to.”
Sama Myeong bowed politely and left. As he walked across the red carpet, he stole a glance back.
Geom Wu-jin seemed indifferent to Geom Mu-geuk’s life or death, yet his hands maintaining the sword were more devoted than ever.
Could it be? Does he actually believe Young Master Lee will take care of the Demon Monarch?
The Cult Leader rarely revealed his heart, but this time, it was even more impossible to tell what he was thinking.
Sama Myeong resumed his pace. By the time he reached the end of the red carpet, he had reached a conclusion.
As expected... the Black Demonic Sword would surely return to the treasure vault.
*
In the room the Demon Army had guided us to, we stood with looks of disbelief.
“This is too much.”
The room they had given us hadn't been cleaned at all. Dust was everywhere, and cobwebs hung from the ceiling.
“I don't understand,” Seo Dae-ryong muttered. “No matter how much the Demon Monarch follows the First Young Master, you came here in person, Young Master Lee.”
“In their eyes, I’m just someone who will disappear after losing the succession struggle anyway. What does it mean to lose a succession struggle? It means death. Not only that, but if they get too close to me, they risk being purged along with me.”
I pointed a finger at Seo Dae-ryong and then made a slicing motion across my throat. It meant if you stay close to me, you’re dead too, but Seo Dae-ryong didn't seem to care.
“Even so... considering the Cult Leader, I didn't think they could go this far.”
“They know. They know my father doesn't care about things like this. If anything, he’s watching with interest. And this room isn't the Demon Monarch’s work; it’s likely Go Dang’s orders.”
“A narrow-minded man nursing a grudge...”
“He’s just shortening his own life. Don't forget my prophecy.”
“Anyway, I’ll do some cleaning. Please wait outside.”
“Let’s do it together.”
“I cannot allow that.”
“Why not?”
I cleaned the place thoroughly alongside Seo Dae-ryong. He looked at me several times, clearly finding it strange for a Young Master to be cleaning personally. If he knew how much I had suffered and how I had lived in my life before the regression, he would realize that this level of cleaning was nothing to me.
After we finished, Seo Dae-ryong went and brought back clean blankets.
“Are you really going to sleep here?”
“Yes.”
“May I ask why?”
“We have to find the person who sent the tip. Staying here as much as possible will give them a chance to approach us.”
“In that case, I will stay. You should return to your residence to sleep, Young Master Lee.”
“If you sleep alone, some pervert might break in at night. What if a creep who's obsessed with small men shows up? What will you do then?”
I said it as a joke, but Seo Dae-ryong took it seriously.
“Let’s sleep together.”
“What if I’m that pervert?”
“Then I shall reveal my hidden feelings as well.”
When a gloomy guy like him made a joke like that, it felt like a cold wind was blowing between us.
“I’m hungry. Let’s go get some food.”
When we left the room and exited the building, the First Division Leader, Go Dang, was waiting at the entrance. His broken hand was wrapped in thick bandages.
I greeted him brightly, feigning ignorance.
“Captain Go, have you eaten? If not, let’s go together. Oh! You’ve injured your hand. How did that happen?”
Go Dang glared at me like a cornered beast. Even a mortal enemy wouldn't look at someone with such pure hatred. He had probably intended to give me a cold warning, but my obnoxious reaction made his face flush red with rising anger.
“Young Master Lee, I will not forget your cowardly act.”
He believed I had broken his hand through a surprise attack. Even if it hadn't been a surprise attack, nothing would have changed, but if he didn't realize that, every trick he tried to pull on me from now on would be a dangerous tightrope walk over his own grave.
“Whatever do you mean?”
When I played dumb, he ground his teeth.
“Sometimes people are mistaken. They think a blade won't enter the belly of someone of noble birth.”
“Can you even hold a blade with that hand?”
“We shall see. Whether you drop your blade, or your guts.”
Despite the blatant malice, I smiled and waved at him. He stomped away in a huff.
“Aren't you provoking him too much?”
“He’s the one who provoked me.”
“Pardon?”
“He’s the one who waited to threaten me, and he’s the one who said he’d shove a blade into my belly, right?”
“Now that you mention it, that’s true.”
“Because he’s a villain, because that’s just how he is—we tend to make excuses for evil people. I think that’s pathetic. Why should we understand a villain? We should hold them to a stricter standard. Much more harshly than an ordinary person. He should be walking around with his head bowed, yet this bastard is acting like he’s dying for a chance to be killed.”
Seo Dae-ryong nodded vigorously, as if in complete agreement.
“Now that we’ve seen someone who ruined our appetite, let’s go buy the most expensive and delicious thing we can find.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I’m saying I’ll spend money; can’t you give me a more enthusiastic reaction?”
“My apologies. I don't particularly enjoy eating.”
“Is there anything you do enjoy? Fine, go eat some noodles then.”
“Yes, sir.”
Seo Dae-ryong really had a small appetite. Seeing him leave half of that expensive dish behind, I decided I really should just buy him noodles next time.
When we returned from our meal, we stood staring blankly at the bed for a moment.
A pair of dead crows had been tossed onto the bedding.
Seo Dae-ryong’s eyes, already melancholy, grew even darker.
“I’ll have to go get new blankets.”
“Before that, pick those up and follow me.”
“Why these?”
I strode out of the room, my voice cold.
“Because right now, a dead crow is more useful to us than a living one.”
