Chapter 251: Now is the Time for Everyone to Become Stronger.
Chapter 251: Now is the Time for Everyone to Become Stronger.
Becoming the Young Cult Leader didn't change a thing.
The path I must walk is set, and the tasks I must perform are already decided. I must grow stronger and kill Hwa Mu-gi.
However, in reality, changes were already taking place.
The first change arrived in the form of a line of men standing in the courtyard of my residence. I could tell who they were by the symbol engraved on their chests: a demon’s face emblazoned on a shield.
“We are from the Heavenly Demon Hall Guard.”
Now that I had officially become the Young Cult Leader, guards had been dispatched from the Heavenly Demon Hall.
“I am Jeok-yeon, the one responsible for the Young Cult Leader’s safety from this day forward.”
He wore an eyepatch over one eye. It was rare for an escort warrior to be one-eyed, which gave him a distinctive, sharp appearance. The warriors standing behind him each announced their names and bowed. There were twelve in total.
He explained that they would protect me in two shifts of six, rotating day and night.
I knew Jeok-yeon and the rest of these guards well.
Jeok-yeon. He was a man whose destiny was to flare up like a brilliant flame before flickering out.
They had been my older brother’s guards when he was the Young Cult Leader, and they had all died alongside him on the day Hwa Mu-gi attacked. Not a single one of them had fled; they were men who had offered their loyalty with their very lives.
‘Thank you.’
I offered them my silent gratitude.
“From now on, we shall protect the Young Cult Leader.”
That loyalty was now directed toward me. They were more destinies I had to change.
The only problem was that I didn't actually need them. They would likely try to stay by my side every single moment, but I had many tasks that required me to move swiftly. Moreover, I would be taking actions they wouldn't be able to understand.
I had to find a way to keep them at arm's length. To think I’d be given such a headache on my very first day as the Young Cult Leader.
There was no point in telling them, "I don't need you, so leave." They weren't the type to just go back because I said so, and this wasn't a problem that could be solved with words alone.
This was an issue I had to resolve by meeting Hwi, the head of the guards and my father’s personal bodyguard. Of course, it wouldn't be easy. Whether in the Orthodox, Unorthodox, or Demonic paths, escort warriors are the most conservative by nature. It is impossible to protect a target if one isn't rigid about protocol.
The stronger a master is, the more they tend to overestimate their own abilities, and protecting warriors with such self-centered personalities is a truly difficult task. Take me, for instance—I was already thinking of ways to send them packing.
“Take a rest for a moment.”
I was about to go settle things with Hwi, but Jeok-yeon seemed to have read my mind.
“The Captain of the Guard said this: 'The Young Cult Leader may try to send you back. However, there is no place for you to return to. If you are sent back, you must leave the Guard entirely.'”
Hwi had anticipated I would try to dismiss them and made the first move. He understood my personality that well and was expressing his firm will that the escort could not be called off. It meant that for better or worse, I had to keep them.
“Does that mean you are now completely my people?”
“Our official affiliation is with the Heavenly Demon Hall Guard, but in practice, that is the case.”
I looked at Jeok-yeon and commanded, “Remove your eyepatch.”
Jeok-yeon flinched, but he removed the patch without hesitation. He wasn't wearing it because his eye was injured. The pupil that had been hidden was as red as blood.
I stepped closer, staring into that eye. “You’ve learned the Ghost Eye Technique.”
The Ghost Eye Technique is an eye art passed down among elite escort warriors to find those who are hiding. However, the process of learning it is incredibly painful, and normally, one cannot use that eye for sight. One must sacrifice the use of an eye for a lifetime for the sake of that single moment of crisis that might only come once.
“Does it not hurt?”
“It is bearable.”
“Stay still.”
I placed my palm over his eye. A thin stream of internal energy flowed in, soothing his inflamed pupil. When I pulled my hand away, Jeok-yeon bowed his head.
“Thank you.”
Confusion was etched on Jeok-yeon’s face. He probably never imagined I would soothe his pain like this.
“It’s only a temporary measure.”
It was the same for Lee An, and now for Jeok-yeon. The act of protecting someone demands too great a sacrifice. This likely wasn't a problem unique to our Cult, but the burden the Cult placed on its escort warriors was too cruel.
“I understand that if one achieves Great Achievement in the Ghost Eye Technique, they can use the eye normally.”
“That is correct. However, achieving Great Achievement is an incredibly difficult task.”
“I will help you.”
Jeok-yeon’s red eye widened in shock, as if he were looking at a ghost.
“How old are you?”
“I am twenty-nine.”
He was young. The guards who came with him were either younger or of a similar age.
“Though I am young, I have been in the Guard for twelve years.”
That meant he had been accepted into the Guard at seventeen. Since one cannot enter the Heavenly Demon Hall Guard with average skills, it meant Jeok-yeon’s talent was exceptional.
“The juniors who came with me are also young, but I can vouch for their skills.”
Of course they would be. They were the ones sent to guard the Young Cult Leader. Hwi must have sent me the young masters who would be responsible for the next generation—warriors who possessed both skill and loyalty.
Uncle Hwi, you chose very well.
These were men who had already proven their worth through their deaths in another life.
“How much do you know about me?”
“I am aware of almost everything that has happened recently.”
“Then you must have some idea of my personality.”
“I can guess a little bit.”
“Speak.”
After hesitating for a moment, Jeok-yeon spoke cautiously. “I believe you are not an easy person to serve.”
I nodded. “If you can let go of just one thing, you can get along with me better than anyone.”
“What would that be?”
“Impatience. I’m saying you just need to let go of the impatience to be my guard right this second.”
Jeok-yeon and the other guards looked puzzled. They had already been assigned as guards, so they didn't understand what I was getting at.
“I do not understand what you mean.”
Instead of answering, I asked a question. “What is your ultimate dream?”
“To become the greatest escort.”
“Then is your dream to be the guard of the Young Cult Leader? Or the guard of the Cult Leader?”
After a brief pause, Jeok-yeon answered. “Naturally, my final dream is to become the guard of the Cult Leader.”
Not just him, but the other guards likely had the same goal.
“That is why I said you must let go of your impatience.”
They still looked like they couldn't grasp my intention.
“Bring thirteen wooden swords.”
Realizing I intended to test their skills, Jeok-yeon immediately had a subordinate bring the swords. A moment later, we each held a wooden sword. I applied white powder to the tips of the blades.
“Now, imagine that man at the end there is me, and protect him from this moment on.”
With the person I pointed to at the center, they immediately snapped into a formation. They were incredibly tense.
“There’s no need to worry about me getting hurt. So, do your best to block me. Here I come.”
I charged.
They tried to block me by any means necessary, but how could they stop me when I was coming at them with full intent? I unleashed the Wind God Four Steps without restraint, weaving through them like a phantom. They were pushed and pulled; their swinging swords met only air. I slipped through gaps that should have been impenetrable. They tripped over their own feet, and for a split second, they lost sight of me entirely.
Just as the thought 'What on earth is happening?' flashed through their minds, I leaped away and landed back in my original spot.
The twelve guards stared at me with blank expressions. What did you just do?
None of them had dropped their swords. No one had been struck down. Then, one of them gasped in surprise.
“Ah!”
Only then did they all realize. They were more shocked than if they had been stabbed. Without them knowing, white powder had been smeared over everyone’s hearts.
It was the same for their leader, Jeok-yeon, and the same for the comrade they were trying to protect. It was even more shocking that it had happened without them knowing when or how. In the blink of an eye, they were all "dead."
“Can you protect me with this level of skill?”
Jeok-yeon’s face, as well as the others', turned bright red. Setting aside the difference in skill, it was humiliating to be defeated so helplessly as escort warriors.
“I’m not trying to insult you. I’m showing you reality. To protect me, you must be much stronger. Because from now on, the people I face will be masters of this caliber.”
I walked up to them, making eye contact with each person as I spoke.
“You couldn't block me today, but you must block me next time. You can't do it alone, but there are twelve of you, so you must succeed. Don't waste time standing sentry while I eat or sleep. Use the time you’d spend on such meaningless duty to train your martial arts.”
There was nothing more meaningless than them following me around to "protect" me right now.
“Are you saying we should just keep training our martial arts then?”
At Jeok-yeon’s question, I shook my head.
“I can't do that, considering your position. You must accompany me to official internal or external events. But there’s no need to waste time guarding me when I’m going about my daily life or spending time with the Demon Lords.”
In fact, this was a godsend for them. These were people who usually cut back on sleep just to find time to train amidst their grueling escort duties.
“Forget the idea that 'the Guard's rules are like this' or 'it goes against principle.' From now on, we establish new rules and principles. If I tell you to go rest, accept my command unconditionally. Unless I call for you specifically, that time is for training. Train with the mindset of becoming the greatest escort warriors in the Murim.”
At these unexpected words, the eyes of Jeok-yeon and the warriors wavered.
“I need that kind of escort warrior.”
I slowly stepped forward and brushed the powder off Jeok-yeon’s heart. Beneath it was the symbol of the Guard.
“I need this shield drawn on your chests to be real. A Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron shield that no one can pierce.”
I could feel Jeok-yeon getting choked up. They were still young, and they were moved by my words. Becoming the greatest escort warriors was their dream, and I had just handed them the opportunity.
“If you keep your promise to me, I will promise you one thing in return. I will take you with me to the very end. When I become the Heavenly Demon, you will be my guards.”
Jeok-yeon and the guards were stunned. Usually, when one becomes the Heavenly Demon, their personal guards are replaced by the established elite. But I had just declared that I would take all of them with me to the top.
“If this method causes problems and you are kicked out of the Guard, I will take responsibility and accept you. But that won't happen.”
Jeok-yeon struggled to process the weight of the decision.
“In exchange for giving you so much time, I will check your skills frequently. Anyone who slacks off will be sent away immediately. This might end up being harder than actually guarding me.”
Now is the time for everyone to become stronger. Especially my guards—I had to make them strong no matter what.
Jeok-yeon looked around at his subordinates. He wasn't making a decision unilaterally; he was asking for their opinions. I felt voice transmissions moving rapidly between them. I liked their cohesion.
“I learned the Ghost Eye Technique to see ghosts... but right now, I feel like I’ve been bewitched by one.”
With an expression that asked 'Is it really okay to make such a big decision so emotionally?' Jeok-yeon added, “We have decided to follow the Young Cult Leader’s words.”
The guards behind him shouted in unison.
“We will become stronger! We will stake our futures on the Young Cult Leader!”
I could feel their resolve.
“Become strong. I hope that one day, you will become the greatest Heavenly Demon Guardian Squad in the Murim.”
They could do it. Because I would help them. And we had to succeed, if only to survive.
“Where are your quarters?”
“They are prepared nearby.”
“I’ll have them rebuilt with the best facilities. A place with a training ground attached.”
They all looked deeply moved.
“Well, it’s the first day, so shall we all go together?”
* * *
I headed toward the Heavenly Demon Hall, leading my guards.
The guards following gallantly behind me treated the other cultists with cold, dignified gazes, unlike how they treated me. They were men who had the authority to cut down anyone to protect me. During escort duty, they even had the right to skip greetings to the Demon Lords. They had only been scolded by me; they weren't lacking anywhere else.
As we walked, the cultists parted like water. Far from daring to block our path, even the way they looked at me had completely changed.
Before, they had shown their emotions—whether it was a supportive gaze or a look of disapproval, I could read their hearts. But they didn't dare show their emotions to me now that I was the Young Cult Leader. When they saw me, they bowed politely, showing absolute respect. Whether they liked me or not didn't matter. Their only thought was that being marked by the next Heavenly Demon meant death.
The guards waited at the entrance, and I entered the Heavenly Demon Hall alone.
My father was sitting in the Grand Tutor's chair as always. I walked the path of blood and stood at the bottom of the stairs.
“I trust you have been in good health, Father? Is your precious body at peace?”
“Why are you doing things you never used to do?”
“As the Young Cult Leader, I should at least offer this much of a greeting.”
The corners of my father’s mouth curled up. “Do as you usually do.”
I laughed pleasantly and asked him, “Did you and my brother get your fill of badmouthing me?”
“I couldn't. Your brother isn't the type to talk behind someone's back like a certain someone.”
Father, the way you took care of my brother yesterday was truly cool.
“I kept my promise to bring him back holding his hand, so please help him out a bit from now on.”
My father didn't give an answer, but I believed he would help with my brother’s issue in some way.
“You kept singing about being the successor, but from now on, there will be much to do.”
I knew that as well. There were many internal matters to handle, ceremonies to attend, and especially events where I had to participate in my father’s stead externally.
“I’ll go show off this handsome face I inherited from you to the world.”
In truth, what I relied on was the Time Heaven Secret Technique. I had no choice but to master it somehow to secure more time.
My father, who had been looking down at me silently, suddenly asked, “Are you ready?”
I had an intuition. The moment I had long awaited had finally come.
“I am ready.”
At my calm reply, my father rose from the Grand Tutor's chair.
“Follow me.”
I followed my father for the sake of something more important than the position of successor. Though I was walking slowly, my heart began to race as if it were sprinting.