Chapter 318: The Answer Is Not Here
Chapter 318: The Answer Is Not Here
Two days had passed since we left the Central Plains and crossed into the Outer Regions.
"Sandstorm incoming!"
At Jeok-yeon’s shout from outside, I quickly poked my head out of the carriage window.
Whirrrrrrrrrrr!
An enormous sandstorm was howling in the distance.
Like a massive tidal wave, a wall of red sand surged toward us. It was a terrifying sight, the kind of cataclysm one might expect to see at the end of the world.
"To the west! Full speed!"
At my command, the carriage veered sharply and began to race away.
The Pungcheon Cult Leader sat with a relaxed expression, as if this wasn't his first or even second time witnessing such a phenomenon. On the other hand, the Demon Buddha and I watched the wrath of Mother Nature with racing hearts, inwardly preparing for the moment we might be swept away.
While the Pungcheon Cult Leader, the Demon Buddha, and I could likely endure being caught in the storm, the horses, the carriage, and the guards would be easily obliterated. Even if we had to abandon our transport, we had to ensure the people remained unharmed.
Whirrrrrrrrrrr!
Watching the massive wall of sand draw closer, a sudden thought occurred to me.
I felt a strange urge to manifest the Third Form of the Nine Calamities Demonic Art, the Great Demonic Wall, and block that storm head-on.
It was said that as one's mastery of the Great Demonic Wall increased, the physical size of the wall actually decreased, concentrating its density. However, I found myself wishing my version would be different. I hoped that my wall, having surpassed the Ten-Star stage to reach the Twelve-Star Great Achievement, would be large enough to shield us from the entire storm.
I imagined the Ten-Star shield expanding further and further until it became a colossal barrier—a massive fortress wall that nothing could tear down.
Fortunately, the carriage narrowly escaped the storm's path. It was thanks to our quick judgment and the sheer speed of our flight.
The Pungcheon Cult Leader spoke to me, his voice calm. "How is it? Your first taste of the Outer Regions."
"It’s a bit spicy for a first impression."
We watched the sandstorm sweep past behind the carriage, obliterating everything in its wake.
I wondered how anyone could possibly live in such a desolate place, but after traveling a while longer, we spotted a father and son herding livestock. The young boy helped his father by driving the animals with a long stick. These were people who knew how to sense a coming storm and exactly where to move to avoid it.
We stopped the carriage for a moment to watch them pass.
The Pungcheon Cult Leader asked abruptly, "Did I ever tell you that I didn't want to leave the Outer Regions? I’ve been forgetful lately."
"What does it matter if you have or haven't? You can just tell me again."
"I’d rather not. Repeating the same story over and over... I’d sound like a senile old man."
"I’ll just take it as a sign of your humanity," I replied.
The Pungcheon Cult Leader’s gaze returned to the father and son herding their livestock in the distance.
"Go Wol once told me... that despite all my talk about advancing into the Central Plains, I never actually considered it seriously. I couldn't deny it back then. To be honest, I liked living here. There’s a charm to this place that you can't find in the Central Plains. Ah, of course, I admit it—it was likely because I lived without a care in the world. Sandstorms like that don't blow into the Cult Leader’s palace."
The Demon Buddha chimed in suddenly. "It’s because you’re a country bumpkin."
As the Pungcheon Cult Leader looked at him, the Demon Buddha continued. "Why does a country bumpkin need so many excuses for loving his hometown? It’s unsightly."
His rebuke was actually a form of consolation. He was asking why the other man felt the need to qualify his affection by saying he only liked it because he lived as a carefree leader. He should have just said it proudly: I like this place, and I didn't want to leave.
The two of them had been like this throughout the journey. They would go all day without saying a word, then engage in a war of nerves over something trivial, only to show concern for each other in this roundabout way.
Though he didn't express it outwardly, the Pungcheon Cult Leader was on edge. If I could feel it, the Demon Buddha certainly did as well. The reason the Demon Buddha picked fights was likely to ease the Pungcheon Cult Leader’s tension.
Someone who didn't know him might be surprised that the Demon Buddha possessed such consideration, but it wasn't unexpected. Among the Demon Lords, the Demon Buddha was a man of deep empathy who valued loyalty above all else. That was why I thought of him as a "Little Giant"—a man who remained fiercely loyal and devoted to his brother.
"Well, let’s get moving again."
The carriage began to pick up speed, heading toward the area where the sandstorm had just passed.
*
Many things happened on the way to the Pungcheon Cult.
A band of bandits attacked, relying on their numbers, only to lose their lives in an instant. A few of the escort warriors suffered from stomach pains due to the change in water.
The Pungcheon Cult Leader found herbs nearby and fed them to the warriors. As he did, he grumbled that the youth of today were too weak, claiming—rather unbelievably—that in his youth, he could drink water mixed with blood and poison and be perfectly fine.
The Demon Buddha, as always, threw in a comment. "Why all the nagging? They say when you get old, you should keep your mouth shut and your wallet open."
The Pungcheon Cult Leader wasn't one to stay quiet. "It’s because I’m lonely! What’s the point of knowing everything as you age? These youngsters never ask me anything. Like what this herb is, what effect it has, or how long I’ve known about it."
Knowing he wasn't entirely joking, I smiled at him.
The hardships of the journey didn't end there. Jeok-yeon got lost several times. There were many places where the map didn't match the actual terrain. Surprisingly, the Demon Buddha knew the way better than the Pungcheon Cult Leader.
"Isn't this your territory?" I asked.
"That’s exactly why I don't know it," the Pungcheon Cult Leader protested. "My subordinates always carried me around, so how would I know the roads?"
This was the defense of a man who was secretly terrible with directions.
Another problem of traveling through the Outer Regions was finding a place to sleep. As we ventured deeper, inns became scarce.
"We’ll have to camp here tonight," Jeok-yeon said, stepping down from the carriage to begin preparations.
The guards divided the tasks and moved with clockwork efficiency. While some kept watch, others started a fire and prepared dinner by dressing the game they had hunted.
I personally took care of the sleeping arrangements for the Pungcheon Cult Leader and the Demon Buddha. I spread soft grass on the ground and placed supple animal skins over it.
Seeing me fuss over their beds, the Demon Buddha said, "Don't worry about us; take care of your own bed."
"I’m young, aren't I? I’m fine sleeping on a bed of gravel. Here, please sit."
"You might look young on the outside, but sometimes you feel more like an elder than that directionally challenged man over there," the Demon Buddha teased.
The Pungcheon Cult Leader wiggled his hips like a child on purpose. "It’s comfortable. Very comfortable."
The Demon Buddha also looked pleased with the bed.
Then, I made myself a bed even softer than theirs. Watching this, the Pungcheon Cult Leader looked dumbfounded.
"Yours is made of plush tiger skin?"
"I am the Young Cult Leader, after all."
The Pungcheon Cult Leader shook his head in disbelief, while the Demon Buddha looked like he had expected as much. For once, the two of them were in total agreement.
"Did you see that? That shameless face?"
"And he said he could sleep on gravel!"
I laughed while lying on the soft fur and asked the Pungcheon Cult Leader, "What kind of person is the next Cult Leader?"
"He is someone I chose and raised as my successor from the beginning. He is a trustworthy man."
I was sure he was trustworthy. However, now that the Illusion King was involved, there was no telling if that trust remained intact. That bastard was surely somewhere near the new Cult Leader.
"Finding him depends on you, Cult Leader. You know the Pungcheon Cult better than anyone."
I trusted him. There weren't many people who would give up the position of Cult Leader for the sake of a friendship. I believed in his uniqueness.
"Don't trust me too much. As you know, I am an indecisive and emotional man."
"That’s why I like you. I don't particularly care for people whose resolve is too rigid."
The Pungcheon Cult Leader looked at me as if wondering what kind of sophistry I was about to spout now.
"I like people who can change according to the situation. People like you, Cult Leader. I like someone who can admit they lack confidence when they truly do. Isn't that better than causing a disaster by pretending to know everything or acting overconfident? Besides, you’ve already shown me. You’ve shown what kind of person you are in the fields you know well—what kind of man you are in your own world."
The Pungcheon Cult Leader shook his head as he looked at the Demon Buddha. "Being with the Young Cult Leader makes even having a weak resolve feel good!"
And so, the night in the Outer Regions deepened.
*
We finally arrived at the Pungcheon Cult.
A grand welcoming ceremony awaited us at the main gate. Hundreds of warriors stood in formation, and a long red carpet had been rolled out. It was an incredibly flamboyant display.
Standing before them was the new Pungcheon Cult Leader, So Baek-ta.
"Greetings, Cult Leader," Geom Mu-geuk greeted him with a fist salute.
"You have worked hard to travel such a long distance."
So Baek-ta was dressed in the colorful, unique attire of the Pungcheon Cult Leader. His face was painted with various patterns used in illusion arts, rendered in intense, primary colors.
Was that why? Looking at it positively, it felt like a thoroughness intended to hide his true self during a first meeting. Looking at it negatively, it felt somewhat sinister.
"I have heard many rumors that the Young Cult Leader of the Divine Cult possesses the greatest talent in history, so I have been looking forward to this."
"Rumors tend to be exaggerated."
"It seems the rumor of you being the most handsome man was not exaggerated at all."
Despite his appearance, he was a man who spoke skillfully. After greeting Geom Mu-geuk, he turned to the Demon Buddha.
"Greetings to the Demon Lord."
"My greetings to the Cult Leader."
"We met briefly during your last visit."
"I remember."
Back then, the Demon Buddha hadn't expected So Baek-ta to ascend to the position of Cult Leader so quickly. Finally, So Baek-ta greeted the former Pungcheon Cult Leader. He rushed forward and grasped his hands.
"Master, it has been a long time."
"Have you been well, Cult Leader?"
Since he was now the leader, the former Cult Leader showed him proper respect. As they say, the position makes the man. The disciple he hadn't seen in a while was far more confident and composed than before. So Baek-ta was one of the disciples he had raised since childhood; he was the most powerful in martial arts and had shown deep loyalty. That was why he had been tapped as the successor early on.
"I wanted to see you so badly that I couldn't wait in the Cult Leader’s palace and ran out here instead."
His words implied that if the former Cult Leader hadn't been with them, he would have received Geom Mu-geuk at the palace. After all, this was a visit from a Young Cult Leader, not the Heavenly Demon himself.
"Now, please, come inside."
The three of them walked together, following So Baek-ta. He introduced various buildings of the Pungcheon Cult to Geom Mu-geuk and the Demon Buddha as they walked. He displayed a cheerful and bright demeanor, but the former Cult Leader felt a strange sense of dissonance from it.
Was he always this type of person?
The So Baek-ta he remembered was a calm man of few words.
The three of them entered the Cult Leader’s palace. In an instant, the former Cult Leader was taken aback. The interior had changed significantly since his time. The Grand Tutor’s Chair was now positioned higher and had been replaced with a larger one. The walls had been repainted, and the statues, paintings, and decorations were all different.
"The interior has changed quite a bit."
"My subordinates suggested it would be best to change it, so I accepted their advice."
"You did well. New wine belongs in new wineskins."
The former Cult Leader didn't show it, but Geom Mu-geuk could feel it—the former leader was not in a good mood. His feelings were understandable. He had given up the position before it was truly time to step down. And yet, as soon as the successor took the seat, he had gone ahead and changed the palace to his liking. How could he feel good about that?
To make matters worse, So Baek-ta went a step further. Upon entering the palace, So Baek-ta went up and sat in the Grand Tutor’s Chair. This placed him in a position where he was looking down at the three of them.
Of course, his words remained polite. "For a long time, your Cult Leader's family has not visited our Cult. But for the Young Cult Leader to visit like this is truly a momentous occasion."
There was a barb in his words—a reminder that they hadn't visited until now.
"Isn't that all thanks to the former Cult Leader who is here with us?"
So Baek-ta’s gaze turned toward his master. "He is a treasure to our Cult."
The former Cult Leader smiled at him, but as Geom Mu-geuk expected, he was deeply displeased. The opponent was a Young Cult Leader, and So Baek-ta was a Cult Leader, so he could justify receiving them from the throne. But wasn't his own master also present today? He could have spoken with them from the guest seats below, yet he insisted on looking down from above.
A few formal words were exchanged. After expressing hopes for a long-lasting peaceful relationship between the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult and the Pungcheon Cult, So Baek-ta spoke.
"You must be exhausted from your journey. Please rest today, and we shall speak tomorrow. Tomorrow, I will hold a banquet to welcome the Young Cult Leader."
"Thank you for the welcome."
Geom Mu-geuk and the Demon Buddha left the palace first. Now, only the former Cult Leader and So Baek-ta remained. At that, So Baek-ta stepped down from the throne.
"Master, please do not be angry. I deliberately asserted my authority because the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult was present."
"Do you believe that authority is established simply by sitting in a high place and looking down?"
A moment of silence followed. Soon, So Baek-ta bowed his head. "Your disciple was short-sighted."
As he bowed, the former Cult Leader spoke. "No. I did not say that to rebuke our Cult Leader. Raise your head. The Leader of the Great Pungcheon Cult does not bow his head lightly."
So Baek-ta raised his head with a bright face. In moments like this, he looked like the disciple of old.
"I am so happy you have come, Master. Please, rest well."
The former Cult Leader slowly walked out of the palace. He couldn't easily adjust to the changed surroundings.
*
When the former Cult Leader returned to the guest hall, I could sense something was wrong from his expression.
"How was it?"
The former Cult Leader described the sense of dissonance he had been feeling. "Something is strangely different. I can't tell if he changed naturally after becoming Cult Leader, or if I’m thinking this way because I suspect something is going on behind the scenes."
I asked cautiously, "Could he have fallen victim to a Soul-Seizing Technique?"
The former Cult Leader shook his head firmly. "It’s not that."
If he said it wasn't, then it certainly wasn't.
"Then, from now on, there is one thing you must strictly observe." I told him my first principle since my regression. "Look at him clearly. Do not just glance; look at him properly. However, you must look at him without prejudice. Throw away all thoughts like 'my disciple used to be like this' or 'he was originally this kind of person.'"
If he could look at him properly like that, he would be able to find the truth.
"The answer is not within you, Cult Leader. Do not fall into the trap of trying to find something within your own heart. The answer lies in the person you are looking at."