Chapter 255: You Decide.
Chapter 255: You Decide.
"I did it!"
I cheered, my heart racing with genuine joy. I was so ecstatic that I practically bounced on the spot.
I had finally taken the first successful step in the Time Heaven Secret Technique.
The time dilation wasn't significant yet, but the mere fact that I had succeeded at all was what mattered.
What if I continued to hone the Time Heaven Secret Technique until I could double the time difference? I would have twice as much training time as anyone else. Three times, four times... what would happen if the Time Heaven Secret Technique reached its absolute peak?
The key, however, was internal energy. The greater the time dilation, the more internal energy the technique consumed.
I needed to amass more power and elevate the realm of the Time Heaven Secret Technique. It all came down to my own effort.
*
The next day, I emptied my bank accounts. I even liquidated every last night-shining pearl I had left.
With a heavy purse in hand, I headed toward the Thousand Poison Forest.
"I greet the Young Cult Leader."
Today, Sangseon came out personally to guide me. It seemed he felt the need to pay proper respects now that my position as the Young Cult Leader was official.
"Please, treat me as you always have," I said.
"I cannot do that, My Lord."
It wasn't just him. Unlike before, the poison humans I passed along the way bowed their heads respectfully as I walked by.
"It was truly a wise decision not to engage in a bloody conflict with the First Young Master," Sangseon remarked.
"Thank you for saying so."
We arrived at the Poison King’s residence, and Sangseon withdrew.
The Poison King wasn't in the house. Looking around, I found him in the nearby woods, practicing his poison arts. The moment I saw him, a smile spread across my face.
Two venomous snakes were coiled up beside the Poison King, watching him train. They were the same snakes he had named before.
Black smoke puffed from the Poison King’s fingertips, coalescing into a shape. Surprisingly, the smoke took the form of a rabbit. As the smoke-rabbit hopped forward, the snakes lunged after it, chasing it like puppies excitedly pursuing a ball thrown by their master.
When the snakes pounced, the black smoke vanished with a soft pop.
New smoke rose from the Poison King’s fingertips. This time, a butterfly fluttered away. Again, the snakes slithered after it with excitement, showing speed and agility far beyond that of ordinary serpents. Again, the smoke vanished.
The snakes raised their heads and flicked their tongues, looking expectant, wondering what he would send next.
Then, a massive cloud of smoke erupted from the Poison King’s hand. A smoke-tiger lunged at the snakes, startling the creatures so badly they vanished into the forest.
I thought he had chased them away because he noticed my arrival, but I was wrong. The Poison King was pacing back and forth, lost in thought. Even when he trained, he remained entirely within his own world.
Then he spotted me and looked startled. "When did you get here?"
"Since the rabbit started hopping. Is that actually real poison?"
"If it were, those kids would be dead."
He meant that even spirit-creature snakes couldn't withstand his extreme poison if he actually used it.
"It’s harmless smoke I use for practice. If I used real poison every time I trained, what would happen to this forest?"
He wasn't being stingy; he was protecting the Thousand Poison Forest.
"But even you still train, Poison King?"
"Didn't you say the people of the Murim fear me the most?"
Whether it was the Blood Heaven Blade Demon or the Extreme Evil Smiling Demon who trained while staring at a wall, the Demon Lords were all training in their own ways. A swan’s feet are always busy beneath the surface of the water.
The Poison King sat on a rock and wiped his sweat. "What brings you here?"
"I came because I missed you."
"If you missed me, you would have come sooner."
"I’ve been busy."
"Busy enough to have time for a drink with the Drunken Demon?"
"Has that rumor spread already? People really can't keep a secret."
I sat down beside him.
"How does it feel to be the Young Cult Leader?" he asked.
"It’s exciting. New martial arts, a new house. People are polite, and I don't have to stay on edge fighting with my brother anymore. Isn't it obvious?"
"That’s unexpected. For some reason, I didn't think you’d be the type to get excited about it."
"I like being the center of attention. Why else would I talk so much?"
As we talked, the Poison King drifted back into his own thoughts. I couldn't tell if he was thinking about me, the poison arts he had just performed, or the snakes that had disappeared. These moments didn't bother me anymore; it seemed I had finally begun to understand his world.
After a moment, the Poison King glanced at the small leather pouch I was holding. "What’s that?"
I handed him the pouch, which was stuffed with bank notes. The Poison King looked surprised after checking the amount.
"This is quite a lot."
"Please use this money to find me some highly toxic spirit medicines."
Spirit medicines sold on the open market were too expensive. They were so overpriced that the effects rarely justified the cost. However, elixirs made from poisonous herbs or creatures were relatively cheap because they were mostly used for very specific medical treatments or niche arts.
Fortunately, for someone like me who was immune to all poisons, it was an opportunity to obtain high-grade spirit medicine at a bargain. I already had plenty of internal energy, so I hadn't planned on spending money to buy elixirs, but the Time Heaven Secret Technique had changed my mind.
"Why spirit medicine? You already have plenty of internal energy."
"I’m greedy when it comes to power."
After a brief pause, the Poison King asked, "Are you planning to conquer the Murim or something?"
"Yes, I am."
He surely knew I wasn't that kind of person.
"Give this money to me. I’ll kill everyone for you."
A smile naturally formed on my lips. "Just hearing you say that makes me feel reassured."
"Then I’m keeping the money."
"The spirit medicine would make me feel even more reassured."
A dragon made of smoke formed at the Poison King’s fingertips. It let out a silent roar in the air and then lunged toward me.
Poof!
Behind the smoke that vanished upon colliding with my face, the Poison King spoke. "Come back in twenty days."
The Poison King would spend the money much more economically and effectively than I ever could. Of course, I didn't forget to double-check.
"Don't get lost in thought and forget to buy the medicine. Look at me—look me straight in the eye. If you forget, I won't help you with your poison experiments anymore."
The Poison King didn't answer and resumed his training.
Looking back from a distance, I saw smoke-crows taking flight in all directions. Watching the black smoke burst everywhere, I wondered what would happen if that were real poison. It was no wonder everyone feared the Poison King the most.
*
I reorganized my training schedule.
I spent fifty percent of my time on the Time Heaven Secret Technique, forty percent on the Nine Calamities Demonic Art, and the remaining ten percent rotating between the Heavenly Demon Body Protection Art and the Fist Demon’s martial arts.
While the core martial art is vital, the supporting techniques are also crucial. The Wind God Four Steps would harmonize with the Nine Calamities Demonic Art, the Thunder Asura Fist would serve me in emergencies if my sword was knocked away, and the Heavenly Demon Body Protection Art would protect me in the final moment. The balance of these martial arts was what mattered.
It had already been ten days since I began training the Nine Calamities Demonic Art in earnest.
The mental method was now quite familiar to my body. The amount of Innate True Qi accumulated through the Nine Calamities mental method was incomparable to my previous one, and the speed at which I recovered spent internal energy was also much faster.
I was sitting by the window having a cup of tea after finishing my training when a message arrived: I was being summoned to the Heavenly Demon Hall.
*
When I arrived at the Heavenly Demon Hall, my father and Sama Myeong were waiting. Whenever Sama Myeong was present, it usually meant a mission was being assigned.
I walked slowly into the room, where tension hung in the air. After greeting my father and Sama Myeong, I spoke up boldly.
"Has the time finally come to show this handsome face, which I inherited from you, Father, to the world?"
The corner of my father’s mouth twitched slightly. "Your glibness never tires."
"I might as well try to be funny. No matter how serious the world is, one should live with a smile. Where is it? I’ll go and take care of everything."
Sama Myeong smiled and spoke. "It seems we’ll have to show the Young Cult Leader’s handsome face another time. We called you here today for a different reason."
The reason I had been summoned was something I hadn't expected.
"Since you have become the Young Cult Leader, you must step down from your position as the Huangquan Pavilion Master, and a new Master must be chosen."
Lately, I had left most of the Pavilion Master’s duties to Seo Dae-ryong. I had been busy, and I had other intentions as well.
"Who do you intend to appoint as the new Pavilion Master?" I asked.
At my question, Sama Myeong looked at my father. Unexpected words flowed from my father’s lips.
"You decide."
I was stunned. I truly hadn't expected him to let me choose the next Huangquan Pavilion Master.
"Since you have become the Young Cult Leader, you should have that much authority."
It was a truly moving statement. My father wasn't looking at me as just a father right now. The Heavenly Demon was looking at his successor. The Cult Leader was looking at the Young Cult Leader.
And regarding the Huangquan Pavilion Master, my mind was already made up.
"I don't know about other positions, but Huangquan Pavilion is the most important organization for maintaining the discipline of our Cult. Therefore, the right person must sit in that seat."
And so, the person I recommend is...!
"I wish to appoint the Special Investigator of Huangquan Pavilion, Seo Dae-ryong, as the next Pavilion Master."
Neither my father nor Sama Myeong seemed particularly surprised, as if they had expected this to some extent.
"He works well. He’s highly responsible. He even has a good background, being the top disciple of the Blade Demon. Oh, and he entered Huangquan Pavilion at the top of his class."
Sama Myeong cut in cautiously. "As you said, Investigator Seo is a good man. However, he seems to lack the experience to be entrusted with the position of Pavilion Master just yet."
"That lack of experience won't be much of an issue within Huangquan Pavilion itself. He has already sufficiently proven his ability while handling my duties in my stead."
That was also why I had entrusted my work to Seo Dae-ryong—to show that he was fully capable of acting as the Pavilion Master.
"The character of a leader is more important than their experience. Look at the Demon Army of the past and the Demon Army of now. Didn't it become a completely different organization once Jang Ho became the leader?"
That was something neither my father nor Sama Myeong could deny. I spoke to them with all my heart.
"I recommend Seo Dae-ryong! I give my personal guarantee."
My father, who had been quietly looking down at me, spoke. "Don't give guarantees so recklessly."
Even as the Heavenly Demon, he was still a father.
*
That afternoon, while I was in the middle of training, Seo Dae-ryong came to see me. He was incredibly flushed.
"I’m on my way back from the Heavenly Demon Hall."
It seemed my father and Sama Myeong felt the need to interview Seo Dae-ryong personally.
"I thought I was going to faint. I still can't breathe properly." Seo Dae-ryong staggered over and leaned against a wooden dummy in the corner. "I heard from the Chief Strategist. That you, Young Cult Leader, recommended me for the position of the next Huangquan Pavilion Master."
Seo Dae-ryong clutched his head. "Me, a Pavilion Master? And the Huangquan Pavilion Master, of all things! Ah, just thinking about it makes me lose my breath again."
Seo Dae-ryong gasped for air like someone who had just fought their way out of a Heavenly Net.
"If it’s that hard for you, you don't have to do it. You can do it next time."
"Right? Exactly. No! No, it’s not! When will an opportunity like this ever come again? Ah! Me, a Pavilion Master!"
Seo Dae-ryong paced around the training ground like a madman. Then, he tripped over a weapon rack, tumbled, and sat on the floor with his head bowed.
"So, did you go and tell them you couldn't do it?"
Seo Dae-ryong pulled something from his robe. His back was turned, so I couldn't see what it was.
"What is that?"
"The new second-in-command."
"What do you mean?"
"Until now, the second-in-command of the Huangquan Pavilion office was the flowerpot the One Flower Sword Venerable gave as a gift. Now, this is the new second-in-command."
He stood up, walked over to me, and held out what was in his hand. It was an identification plaque. On the ornate plaque engraved with the symbol of the Heavenly Demon Hall, four characters were written in a powerful script:
Huangquan Pavilion Master (黃泉閣主).
"They said the formal appointment ceremony will be held later."
The position of Huangquan Pavilion Master had been granted to Seo Dae-ryong. My father and Sama Myeong had honored my first decision as the Young Cult Leader.
Seo Dae-ryong’s eyes trembled as he looked at me. "How could I possibly refuse? You pushed for me, even giving your personal guarantee... who am I to decline? I shouted at the top of my lungs that I would work hard even if it cost me my life. I don't really remember what happened after I shouted. I don't even know how I walked out of the Heavenly Demon Hall. Ah! I wonder if I even greeted the Cult Leader properly before leaving. I only came to my senses after I left and found this plaque in my hand."
I gave Seo Dae-ryong a firm hug. "Congratulations, my right hand. Congratulations, Lord Pavilion Master."
Seo Dae-ryong’s face was filled with intense emotion. A mere investigator had become the top disciple of the Blade Demon, and now the Huangquan Pavilion Master. I could hardly imagine what he must be feeling.
"Later, when you’re facing a terrifying enemy, you might resent me. You might think, 'He should have just let me live as an ordinary investigator!'"
"Will you listen to that resentment if I do?"
"Anytime."
"Then I’ll give it a try."
"It’ll be even harder to learn martial arts while serving as the Pavilion Master. But work yourself to death. When you get older, even if you want to work yourself to death, your body won't follow, and it’ll be hard."
"You speak as if you’ve actually experienced it."
"I’m the Young Cult Leader who knows everything, aren't I?"
We looked at each other and laughed heartily.
"I have another story to tell my grandson now," he said.
"I didn't recommend you for your sake, or for mine."
"Then why?"
"It’s for the people that the Huangquan Pavilion under your leadership will protect. For those who have to endure injustice just because they lack power."
Seo Dae-ryong’s eyes sparkled. The dark and gloomy man of the past was gone. In his place stood the man of the present, who looked as if he could handle anything entrusted to him.
Gazing at me with a burning look in his eyes, Seo Dae-ryong gave a wide grin. "Did you know? The second—no, third-in-command flowerpot I’ve been growing has finally borne fruit."
Yes, Dae-ryong. Just like that flowerpot, grow the Huangquan Pavilion well.
*
On the day I had promised the Poison King, I headed toward the Thousand Poison Forest with an expectant heart.
In the meantime, I had focused entirely on my martial arts training. I did nothing but eat and train. Sleep and train, eat and train. I slept soundly in my new bed, and I cooked one meal a day for myself. Sometimes, I even brought my guards along to eat with me.
And I trained all day long. I worked hard, as if this were my final training session. At the very least, I wanted to ensure that if I failed, it wouldn't be because I hadn't worked hard enough.
"Has the Poison King been well?"
Sangseon answered my question. "He has been busy lately. This was the first time he has been away for such a long period."
I felt a pang of guilt and emotion. I knew how much he hated going outside.
And so, I arrived at the Poison King’s residence. As I opened the door and stepped inside, a scent different from the usual one stung my nose.