Chapter 253: What is Harder Than Holding On Tight
Chapter 253: What is Harder Than Holding On Tight
Becoming the Young Cult Leader brought other changes as well.
I moved into a new residence located deep within the Inner Court. The house was grand, the training grounds were vast, and the estate was surrounded by beautiful flower gardens and winding walking paths. It was a world apart from my previous quarters. Even the number of maidservants attending to me had increased significantly.
The first thing I did in my new home was renovate the interior to suit my tastes.
In truth, having spent so much time camping before my regression, I could sleep just about anywhere. But now, my sleeping quarters had become important. As the Young Cult Leader, I would be busy, and I would be just as occupied with my training. That made this space even more precious—it was to be my sanctuary amidst a hectic life.
I replaced the bed with a massive one and laid out soft, cozy, snow-white bedding. I placed a desk by the window where the sunlight streamed in, along with a chair where I could sit comfortably and read.
I filled the bookshelves with volumes I had purchased on the recommendation of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon. My goal was to read them all within the year, though I wasn't sure if I’d even get through half.
I pulled a book from the shelf and sat in the chair by the window. After a moment, I took the book and threw myself onto the bed, rolling around on the plush, pleasant white blankets.
"Yeah, this is the life."
I lay there and read. Does reading a collection of poems and paintings help with martial arts training? Of course it does. Up to a certain level, focusing solely on martial arts is beneficial, but once you reach a level like mine...
Thwack!
"Ouch!"
I had dozed off, and the book had fallen squarely onto my face. Aye, I might be able to dodge a master's blade, but I couldn't dodge gravity.
I lay on the bed for a while, savoring the brief moment of peace. Once I left this bed, I would have to train like a madman and sprint toward the future. That was why I was so grateful for this moment. Being grateful for the obvious is the surest path to a happy life.
It wasn't just my residence that had changed.
As I had promised my guards, I tore down their old, cramped quarters and built them a spacious new dormitory equipped with its own training ground. When the guards all pitched in to help the workers, the building was finished in no time.
I made sure the beds and furniture inside were of the highest quality. Since I looked after even those small details, they were naturally delighted.
"Thank you very much," Jeok-yeon, their leader, thanked me on behalf of everyone. By keeping my word, I was showing them exactly what kind of person I was.
"I'll be immersing myself in training for a while, so don't look for me unless it's something important."
With that, I stepped into my private training ground.
I had two training grounds in total: a large one outside and a smaller, indoor private one. I chose to train in the latter. Though smaller than the outdoor area, it was larger than any other indoor training ground I'd seen. It was likely the largest and best-equipped one in the cult, second only to my father's.
As the saying goes, you can judge the whole by a part; the eighteen types of weapons lined against the wall were of far too high a quality to be mere training tools. The walls, ceiling, and floor were also built sturdily to ensure they wouldn't collapse under the impact of high-level techniques. Truly, everything changed once I became the Young Cult Leader.
Well then—new wine in new bottles, and new martial arts in a new training ground!
My heart fluttered at the thought of beginning my formal training in the Nine Calamities Demonic Art. It was an Absolute Demonic Art that no wicked energy or demonic influence could penetrate. Finally, the training I had yearned for even in my dreams had begun.
The Nine Calamities Demonic Art consisted of nine forms in total. Six forms were for human use, and three were for the Heavenly Demon Soul. Even if one only mastered the six human forms, reaching Great Achievement was possible. However, in that case, the Heavenly Demon Soul would be unable to manifest its specific forms.
The Heavenly Demon Soul was powerful on its own, but it was even stronger when using its dedicated techniques. Imagine that massive, demon-king-like entity executing forms as swiftly and precisely as a human!
Therefore, I had to master all nine forms to reach true Great Achievement.
The Nine Calamities Demonic Art was a completely different beast from the Flying Heaven Sword Technique. While the Flying Heaven Sword Technique was a sword art, the Nine Calamities Demonic Art was, quite literally, a demonic art. Executing each form consumed a massive amount of internal energy, and naturally, its power was incomparable.
I began my training calmly, starting with the Mental Method. This was the most critical moment. Since a single mistake here could lead to Qi Deviation, I moved my True Qi slowly and cautiously. This was the first time in my life I had practiced a Mental Method with such painstaking care.
Fortunately, I succeeded in completing one full circulation of True Qi according to the oral formula. If not for the essential principles my father had taught me, I would have been stuck at the Mental Method stage indefinitely.
I didn't start practicing the forms yet. I would begin the formal training only when I could circulate the Mental Method with ease.
One circulation, two circulations, three circulations...
I was so absorbed in the flow that when I finally snapped out of it, six hours had already flown by. I had been so immersed in the Mental Method of the Nine Calamities Demonic Art that I hadn't even realized I was hungry.
Each time I circulated the energy, the reaction of the internal energy in my Dantian felt different. I could feel the pure, grand internal energy beginning to heat up slowly. While I was happy to have found a martial art I could lose myself in, I also felt a sense of dread. I had a premonition that the road ahead was very, very long.
"I'm hungry, so let's eat first."
Today, I cooked for myself. I chopped wood, started a fire, and prepared the meat. I shouldn't just grab a quick bite and rush back to training. During such important cultivation, I had to make an effort to eat well and rest well to maintain my body and mind in peak condition.
I grilled a generous amount of meat and called the guards over to eat with me. They were surprised that I had cooked personally, and even more surprised that I had invited them to share the meal. They were most shocked, however, by the fact that the food was actually quite good.
"I'll cook for you again next time. Look forward to it."
Before they left, I called Jeok-yeon aside. "How is the training?"
"Everyone is doing their best."
"I'll check on your progress soon, so tell them to work harder."
"They will be pleased to hear that."
"Wait. Let me see your eyes."
"I am fine."
"Well, I'm not."
Jeok-yeon removed his eyepatch. His eyes were redder than when I had last seen them. The pain must have been considerable.
"If you keep suppressing your suffering, it'll ruin your personality."
I placed my palm over his eyes and injected my internal energy to soothe them. I could have taught him the method, but with his current level of martial arts, it would be difficult to achieve this effect. Since it involved the eyes, the energy had to be handled with extreme delicacy.
"It feels even more comfortable than when you did this before."
Perhaps it was. There might have been a subtle change in me, even if I didn't realize it, after starting the Nine Calamities Demonic Art.
Jeok-yeon bowed his head deeply. "Thank you, Young Cult Leader."
It was a simple gesture for me, but it meant the world to him.
"I used to tell my former guard—the one I kicked out—this: building affection with a guard is just racking up points so they'll die in your place. It's a despicable thing to do."
I said it because I was curious how he would respond.
Jeok-yeon spoke as he covered his eyes with the eyepatch again. "Whether there is affection or not, I simply fulfill my mission."
It sounded cold, but I could tell. He didn't protect someone because he liked them; he liked the version of himself that protected someone. Yes, that was right. Lee An had been the exception.
"The meat was delicious."
Jeok-yeon gave a short bow and turned away. He seemed like a blunt man devoted to his duty, but I still didn't know what kind of person he truly was. When looking at someone, you have to look closely. Closely enough to even make them take off their eyepatch.
*
In the evening, I practiced the Time Heaven Secret Technique.
The problem was the Time Heaven Secret Technique. While I felt like I was making progress step by step with the Nine Calamities Demonic Art, the Time Heaven Secret Technique remained a total mystery.
I tried this and that, making various attempts. Since it was this difficult for me, it was no wonder the Pungcheon Cult Leader had shaken his head and said it was impossible. If only someone could just say, "Ah, it's this!" Just that one sentence. Then again, it was likely because no one had ever heard that one sentence that no one had succeeded until now.
Still, I didn't give up. To reach the Twelve-Star Great Achievement of the Nine Calamities Demonic Art, I absolutely had to master the Time Heaven Secret Technique—and to a level where the time difference was distinct.
"Ugh, I give up for now!"
Snap!
I flicked my fingers and opened my favorite space. A transparent sea, a white sandy beach, a blue sky, broad-leaved trees, a comfortable chair beneath them, and even a crab crawling by.
"Nice, very nice!"
I sprawled out there. I didn't know why I loved this place so much. Lying here with my eyes closed felt wonderful. The gentle breeze made me feel drowsy.
One hopeful sign was that since I started learning the Nine Calamities Demonic Art, the daunting wall of the Time Heaven Secret Technique felt slightly easier to manage. Just as Jeok-yeon said his eyes felt more comfortable, was the Nine Calamities Demonic Art having some unconscious effect on me?
*
Jeok-yeon visited Geom Mu-geuk's residence.
"Young Cult Leader!"
Geom Mu-geuk's voice answered from inside the training ground. "Come in."
When Jeok-yeon entered, Geom Mu-geuk was nowhere to be seen. Instead, a stick of incense was burning in the center of the room.
I clearly heard his voice from inside?
Suddenly, Geom Mu-geuk appeared behind him. He was standing there, holding a stick of incense.
"Where were you?"
Jeok-yeon wondered if he had been practicing stealth, but Geom Mu-geuk gave a cryptic answer.
"I was hoping to be in a different time than you."
"Pardon?"
Geom Mu-geuk walked over and compared the incense in the room with the one he was holding. Seeing that they were the same length, he let out a sigh. The Time Heaven Secret Technique was a series of failures.
"What is it?"
Jeok-yeon, who had been staring at the incense in confusion, quickly reported. "Word has come from Villain Valley. The Heavenly Flower Pavilion Master is leaving today."
*
When I arrived at Villain Valley, the Faceless Guests who were to escort the Pavilion Master were preparing the carriage in the courtyard.
"I hope we didn't call you away while you were busy."
"The Pavilion Master is leaving; of course I had to come and say goodbye."
The Pavilion Master hadn't come out yet, and only the Smiling Demon was in the courtyard.
"Aren't you sad?"
"I am."
I was surprised. I had expected the Smiling Demon to say something like, "Now that she's recovered, we should each live our own lives."
"Then why are you letting her go? Why not ask her to stay longer?"
"She is a woman with big dreams. I believe watching over her from a step away is what's best for her."
I hadn't realized the Smiling Demon thought this way.
"That is truly impressive."
Just as the Smiling Demon was about to say something, the Pavilion Master emerged from the building. She had applied her makeup beautifully and wore an elegant dress, wanting to show her best self to the Smiling Demon one last time before leaving.
"I've been a burden to you all this time."
As she bid her farewells, I spoke with a look of regret. "The Main Cult was shining brightly because you were here, Pavilion Master. Now it will return to being a place of darkness."
The Pavilion Master laughed brightly at my words. "Even though I know you're just being kind, the fact that it makes me feel good must mean I'm getting old."
"Stay a little longer."
She glanced at the Smiling Demon and said, "My brother has fully recovered, and he must be busy with work. It's time for me to go."
Her eyes were searching for the Smiling Demon's response. This was another test! And the Smiling Demon avoided all the wrong answers and chose the right one.
"Stay a bit longer. The work can wait."
A smile spread across the Pavilion Master's face. "If you had said you were busy, I would have unpacked my bags again."
She gazed at the Smiling Demon, her eyes filled with the sorrow of parting. The two of them looked at each other in silence. That made the farewell all the more poignant.
She then bid me farewell as well. "You will make a fine Young Cult Leader, Second Young Master."
"Can you see my future as well?"
She shook her head.
"Is it because my future is too terrible to speak of?"
"If that were the case, I would have to tell you. You are my benefactor, after all."
The moment I saved the Smiling Demon, I had become her benefactor.
"I cannot see the fate of those who carry too great a destiny. You, Young Cult Leader, possess a destiny that I cannot fathom." She added one last thing. "Please take good care of my brother."
I replied with my usual greeting. "That's what I should be saying to you!"
And so, the Heavenly Flower Pavilion Master departed.
Since I was already there, I didn't want to leave immediately, so I walked through Villain Valley with the Smiling Demon. I vented my frustrations to him.
"My martial arts training has hit a wall lately."
"If it's enough to stop you, it must be a formidable technique."
He likely thought I was talking about the Nine Calamities Demonic Art, but the problem was the Time Heaven Secret Technique.
After walking in silence for a moment, the Smiling Demon suddenly brought up the Pavilion Master. "Earlier, you said my feelings for the Pavilion Master were impressive."
"Because watching over someone like that isn't an easy thing to do."
"It isn't that difficult. Because we aren't clinging to each other."
We naturally came to a halt. I didn't understand what he meant.
"I first met her for my own benefit. To gather information through her pavilion. It's the same now. If she takes control of all the pavilions in the world, I will have access to all that information. I have a selfish motive."
"If you put it that way, it's the same for the Pavilion Master."
She wouldn't have been able to achieve her goals so easily without the Smiling Demon's support. In a way, they had the ideal relationship. They cared for each other, yet their business goals were also perfectly aligned.
"The Pavilion Master and I are one step apart. That's why we can see each other better than if we were clinging to one another." The Smiling Demon looked at me with clear eyes. "You should also try taking a step back from that martial art. Just one step."
The moment I heard those words, I felt it. I had been clinging to the Time Heaven Secret Technique out of impatience. I had thought I could only obtain it by holding on so tight it took my breath away.
"Taking a step back might actually be harder than holding on tight."
Now, he and I stood facing each other, one step apart. That was why I could see him so clearly. Not just the clear eyes behind his mask, but even his sincere desire to help me.
With a face full of gratitude, I said to him, "See? I told you I'm the one who needs looking after."