Chapter 23: They Get Along Just Fine
Chapter 23: They Get Along Just Fine
‘Father had clearly reached the stage of Great Achievement. So why hadn’t his Heavenly Demon Body Protection Art triggered? Did he fall even after it activated? Or was the battle so fierce that he didn’t even have enough internal energy left to sustain it?’
The more I learned about the true extent of my father’s martial prowess, the more questions I had about his death. Had Hwa Mu-gi really managed to defeat a man like this?
I wanted to ask him.
What exactly happened that day?
But I couldn't. It was an event that hadn't happened yet. It was a question destined to remain unanswered for the rest of my life.
Because that day would never come.
I offered my father a faint smile.
“It looks like we have a secret between us now, Father. I’m happier about that than I am about learning the Heavenly Demon Body Protection Art.”
Father frowned, seemingly annoyed by the word ‘secret.’ I quickly fired off a parting shot before turning away.
“You can be as annoyed as you like, but there’s nothing you can do about it. I’m still more proficient in the Wind God Four Steps than you are.”
I unleashed the Rapid Speed Step and dashed out of the hall in an instant. Just as I reached the edge of the long red carpet—
Swoosh!
I felt something brush past me, accompanied by the sound of a cool breeze. In the next heartbeat, I skidded to a halt.
Father was already standing there, blocking my path.
Thwack!
He delivered a merciless flick to my forehead. It wasn't a strike I could have dodged; even if I had tried, his movement was so blindingly fast that evasion would have been impossible.
“Ow!”
I clutched my forehead. I wasn't exaggerating—it hurt so much that I saw stars for a second.
“You were acting so smug, I thought you were actually faster than me,” he remarked dryly.
In the blink of an eye, Father vanished again.
He used the Dark Shadow Step to disappear from my sight, then immediately followed up with the Rapid Speed Step to return to the Grand Tutor’s Chair. Watching those movements, I felt it once again—his interpretation of martial arts was on an entirely different level from mine.
I realized then that he hadn't come over just to flick my forehead for being cheeky. He was intentionally showing me: This is how I interpret the Wind God Four Steps.
“The footwork you used to return was the Wind God Four Steps... but what was that light body technique you used to intercept me?”
“The Heavenly Demon Flight Technique.”
It was Father’s unique, personal light body technique.
“Is it faster than the Rapid Speed Step?”
“Right now, obviously. I don't know how it will compare once your Wind God Four Steps reaches Great Achievement.”
“Let’s settle that on the day I reach Great Achievement, then.”
“I’ll reach it first, so I suppose I’ll already know the result.”
“You never know. I might reach it faster. After all, a young brain works much quicker, doesn't it?”
“That clever brain of yours is currently bleeding.”
A tiny trickle of blood was indeed running down from where he had flicked my forehead.
“Agh! I should have asked you to teach me the Vajra Indestructible Divine Art instead.”
I left the Heavenly Demon Hall with that wound—a badge of honor—on my forehead. It was a wound that money couldn't buy. I felt as though I had moved one step closer to my father.
Of course, I had to be careful when these thoughts crossed my mind. In human relationships, mistakes are often made the moment one lets their guard down out of a sense of closeness.
Regardless, through this exchange of martial arts, both Father and I had moved forward. The future where Hwa Mu-gi arrives was fixed, but the present was constantly changing.
*
“Who was it? Which arrogant bastard dared to lay a hand on the Young Master?”
Lee An grew agitated the moment she saw the bruise on my forehead. Right now, she was like a hot-blooded older sister whose younger brother had just come home after being bullied.
“If I tell you, what then? Are you going to get revenge for me?”
“Of course! Just give me the word! Who was it? I’ll go right now and—”
“Father hit me.”
“...”
“Why aren't you going?”
Lee An, suddenly calm, took a step back.
“I am a protector, not an attacker.”
I laughed at her blunt refusal. It was fun to trade jokes and banter like this, something I could never do in the past. It was also a joy to see her eyes disappear into crescents when she smiled, even if they were buried in the flesh of her cheeks.
“Oh, and I’ve been appointed as the Huangquan Pavilion Master. I’ll be moving there once the official appointment goes through.”
Lee An’s expression shifted from surprise to pure bewilderment.
“You’re telling me such auspicious news as if it’s nothing? You’re the Huangquan Pavilion Master!”
“Is it really that big of a deal?”
“Good heavens! Do you have any idea how much authority the Huangquan Pavilion holds? You’re the Pavilion Master! It’s the place where even the Demon Lords are dragged for punishment if they commit a crime!”
How could I not know? That was exactly why Father was sending me there. My appointment would likely cause another massive stir within the Cult.
“Congratulations. Truly, congratulations, Young Master.”
“Thanks.”
“But why did the Cult Leader suddenly appoint you to such a position?”
“Maybe he felt bad after hitting me.”
“Stop joking!”
“I told him. I told him the Cult needs to change. It needs to become a place where people don't have to learn martial arts that ruin their bodies just to protect someone.”
“!”
Lee An flinched, her voice trembling as she asked, “W-what do you mean by that?”
“I’m going to make this Cult a place where you don't have to live your whole life in a heavy body because of the side effects of the Full Body Petrification Art.”
Lee An looked stunned. She stood there dazed for a long moment.
“Did you... did you know?”
“I did.”
She soon gave a small smile and spoke dismissively. “It was the path I chose.”
“It was a choice forced upon you when you were too young.”
“No.” Lee An was firm. “I remember it clearly. They told me that day. They said if I learned the Full Body Petrification Art, there would be these side effects. They told me the choice was mine. And I chose it.”
That choice couldn't have been fair. They would have asked the young girl something like: You must learn this martial art to protect the Young Master. Can you endure the side effects?
The choice had been coerced.
But I didn't say that to her. I didn't want to undermine the pride she took in her own decision.
“I’ll fix those side effects for you. Not right now, but later.”
Lee An replied with a smile. “They can’t be fixed.”
“I can fix them. Trust me.”
“Yes, I trust you.”
She took my words as a joke. Whoever had passed the martial art down to her must have told her the side effects were permanent. Perhaps wanting to change the subject, Lee An spoke again.
“But if you become the Pavilion Master, won't the current one protest?”
“What can he do? It’s an order from the Cult Leader.”
In truth, I wasn't worried about the current Pavilion Master. Based on how the previous Demon Monarch incident was handled, it was clear he had either been recruited or was being blackmailed by them. He was in a position where he had to step down anyway, which is likely why Father appointed me. Strategist Sama Myeong would handle his resignation smoothly.
“I’m more worried about the pushback from the warriors who do the actual work. Won't they find it distasteful if the Heavenly Demon’s son just drops in out of nowhere as their leader?”
“The person dropping in is so handsome and wonderful that I’m sure no one will mind.”
“I appreciate the sentiment, at least.”
“Well, my opinion of the person who pays my monthly salary is already set.”
I smiled at her usual joke and brought up the matter I had been putting off.
“Speaking of salaries, Lee An, there’s something I need to take care of. Listen carefully to what I’m about to say.”
“Yes, anything.”
“Personal Bodyguard Lee An, as of this moment, you are fired from your position.”
Lee An’s massive frame jumped in surprise before landing with a heavy thud. She looked so shocked I actually felt bad.
“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
“I said you’re fired as my bodyguard.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yes.”
She looked at me as if her entire world had collapsed.
“I’ll ask one more time. Are you serious?”
Her voice trembled piteously, but I answered firmly.
“I am.”
“May I ask why?”
“Because you didn't get revenge on Father for me.”
Even at the joke, she didn't laugh.
Shring.
She drew her sword and held it to her own throat.
“I’d rather die. I will die as the Young Master’s personal bodyguard.”
Lee An, dying once was enough.
I spoke to her quickly. “I didn't say I was parting ways with you. You’re staying as a warrior under my command.”
“Phew! You should have said that first! I almost died! Look at my neck, is there a scratch?”
Only then did she let out a sigh of relief. But her worries hadn't vanished completely.
“But being a bodyguard is my calling. I’ve never thought about doing anything else. What kind of work are you planning to give me?”
“Warrior Lee An! I am now appointing you to a new position.”
“Yes!”
“I appoint you as the Squad Leader of the Ghost Shadow Squad.”
She was just as shocked as when I had fired her. “The Ghost Shadow Squad? Does such an organization exist in the Cult?”
“It doesn't.”
“You’re making me the leader of a squad that doesn't exist?”
“I’m going to create it. It will be an organization directly under my command, and your salary won't come from the Cult, but from me.”
“Ghost Shadow... does it mean the shadow of a ghost?”
“Yes. If I had to give it a meaning, it’s that I will become the ghost, and you all will be my shadows.”
I had intentionally included the character for ‘shadow’ in the name. Since she had lived her whole life as my shadow, I thought it would be a name that felt familiar to her.
“I like the name! But did you get permission from the Cult Leader?”
“Not yet.”
Creating a private organization within the Cult was strictly forbidden.
“But I will get it.”
“I’m sure you will, Young Master. The problem is me.”
“Why you?”
“What do you mean, why? First of all, I don't have the skills to lead such an important organization.”
“Don't worry about that. I’ll teach you martial arts befitting the position.”
“Even if I get stronger... would I really suit such a role? No one will follow me.”
They will.
They will follow you because they’ll be moved by your character.
And one day, they’ll realize that the leader they follow is the World’s Most Beautiful Woman. Yes, this Murim will witness the strongest organization in history, led by the greatest beauty under heaven.
“Lee An, can you become the Ghost Shadow Squad Leader for my sake?”
Our gazes locked. Her confidence was at rock bottom, but as long as the words ‘for my sake’ were involved, her answer was already decided.
“Yes. I accept your command.”
“Good. Right now, it’s just me and you, but later, it will become the strongest organization in the Murim. From now on, set aside your current martial arts and focus solely on refining your internal energy and building your physical strength. I will pass down a new technique to you when the time is right.”
“Understood.”
She answered energetically, but Lee An still looked dazed, caught between happiness and worry.
“Then who will protect the Young Master from now on?”
“Am I a child? A martial artist should protect their own body.”
Her small eyes, buried in flesh, were filled with nothing but concern. “I don't know what to say.”
“Just say ‘thank you.’ I’m going to give you the highest salary among all the squad leaders in the Cult.”
“But you don't have any money.”
“I’ll earn it.”
“Doing what?”
“I have my ways. If all else fails, I’ll just sweep the courtyard of the Heavenly Demon Hall.”
“Young Master, I don't need money. I’ve saved everything I’ve earned so far.”
“Money is always necessary. It represents your worth and your value. I’m giving it to you because you deserve it. So don't feel burdened.”
“...Yes.”
“And money disappears the moment you start spending it. Save even more aggressively. Life is long. If you’re unlucky, you might live to be a hundred. No, you might even achieve Rejuvenation and have to live another hundred years after that.”
Lee An laughed at my joke.
If I were my past self, I would have worried about her. Can she handle this change? Will there be problems?
But having lived a full lifetime, I knew those were all useless anxieties. I didn't need to worry. Everyone was more capable than I gave them credit for, and in the end, they all managed to get along just fine.