Chapter 34: Rather Than Dealing with One Tiger
Chapter 34: Rather Than Dealing with One Tiger
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon entered the Heavenly Demon Hall.
Walking slowly along the Path of Blood, he came to a halt at the edge of the carpet.
“Have you been well?”
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon bowed politely, offering his greetings to Geom Wu-jin.
“I have, thanks to you. And you?”
“I’ve been quite busy lately, thanks to your son.”
A faint smile played on Geom Wu-jin’s lips.
“Now that the boy is all grown up, he doesn’t listen to a word I say.”
“Hahaha. Is there truly something even the Cult Leader cannot control?”
“They say children are the trials Heaven sends to show a man that life never goes according to his will. You would understand if you had children of your own.”
“Perhaps a child of mine is growing up somewhere out there as we speak.”
Geom Wu-jin laughed. He was softer and more approachable now than when he dealt with Geom Mu-geuk. Had Mu-geuk seen this, he surely would have grumbled, ‘You should smile like that at your own son once in a while!’
After their light exchange, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon casually brought up the Second Young Master.
“He may not follow your will, but the Second Young Master has been distinguishing himself within the Cult lately.”
“Is he not your handiwork?”
It was a fair assessment, considering Mu-geuk’s popularity had surged following his involvement with the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.
“The Second Young Master is your masterpiece, Cult Leader. I only recently realized what a fine piece of work he is.”
Geom Wu-jin did not deny it. Believing that he was the hidden hand behind his son’s success was, in any sense, not a bad feeling.
“He is still but a child.”
“I sometimes think back to when I was his age. If the Second Young Master is a child, then I must have been a mere insect.”
“You overstate the boy’s worth.”
“You were the first to do so, Cult Leader.”
He was referring to the appointment of Geom Mu-geuk as the Huangquan Pavilion Master. No matter the justification, it had been an unprecedented move.
“That is why I am asking—I would like to mold the Second Young Master into an even finer masterpiece.”
“If you are stepping up, it would be a fated encounter for my second son.”
“You flatter me.”
“Do as you wish.”
“Thank you.”
As the conversation wound down, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon cautiously revealed the true purpose of his visit.
“Since you are granting me your permission, would you be willing to give me your full support?”
“What do you mean?”
“Regarding the matter of the Demon Monarch... please allow me to proceed as I see fit.”
He was asking for Jang Ho to be appointed as a Demon Monarch, as he had previously recommended.
A brief silence followed. The two men stared at each other, their expressions devoid of emotion. It was Geom Wu-jin who finally broke the silence.
“The matter of the Demon Monarch is difficult.”
“This is also what the Second Young Master desires.”
“As you said, I have pushed the second son enough. I must consider the first son as well.”
“I have learned one thing while raising disciples. When you support someone, you must back one person unequivocally. I have faced much criticism for failing to do that.”
“I shall be fine. Unlike you, who are merciful, I simply kill anyone who dares to insult me.”
Their gazes locked in midair. They shared a long history, one where they could understand each other’s intentions with a single look. Yet, the longer that history, the more awkward such moments of silence became.
“Do you have anything else to say?”
At the Heavenly Demon’s silent dismissal, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon ceased his persistence. He knew well that Geom Wu-jin was not a man who changed his mind easily once a decision was made. He needed another way.
“I shall see you again.”
“Very well.”
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon turned and left. His expression remained grim as he walked back down the Path of Blood.
What is this belated balancing act? If you’ve backed one side, you should see it through to the end. Tsk!
*
“The Cult Leader seems to care more for the First Young Master than for you.”
The moment the Blood Heaven Blade Demon saw me, he began trying to drive a wedge between my father and me.
“It appeared he considers the First Young Master his true successor.”
When this old man senses a weakness, he tries to shake his opponent first. His political maneuvering was truly irritating.
“I think we were never meant to be.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“If I’m being pushed back by my brother, you should be the one to fill the gap, Elder... but...”
“Are you implying I am lacking?”
“I’m saying it’s a bit disappointing.”
Instead of getting angry, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon tried to placate me.
“Look here, Young Master. Making Jang Ho a Demon Monarch was impossible from the start.”
“Have you given up already?”
“There is no need to cling to what cannot be done.”
“Are you really this boastful despite being unable to achieve even this much?”
“Even this much? Boastful?”
I began to provoke the bristling old man even further.
“It was you, Elder, who suggested becoming my benefactor.”
“And it was you who demanded the impossible like a child.”
“Then you should have refused back then. You shouldn’t have recommended Jang Ho the next day. Weren’t you hoping for a miracle, Elder?”
I drew a long line on the ground at his feet.
“You said it before. That this line represented how much the Cult Leader valued you. I believed in that line...”
I drew another line, much shorter—less than half the length of the first.
“But wasn’t the actual line between you and my father actually here?”
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon could not refute me. What would have happened if I hadn’t gone to my father and asked him separately? Would my father have granted his request then?
“If my father refused, you should have asked again. If it were me, I would have made it happen no matter what.”
“Then you try it.”
“Pardon?”
“Didn’t you just mock me for being unable to do 'even this much'? Then it should be easy for you.”
“And if I ask my father and achieve it easily, what will you do?”
“Go ahead and try. It will likely only backfire.”
He seemed certain that because his request was rejected, there was no way my father would listen to his son. In moments like this, it was clear the Blood Heaven Blade Demon knew my father well.
“Are you suggesting a bet?”
“A bet? Fine. Let’s do it. If you fail as well, then from that moment on, stop your grumbling and follow my lead without a word. And stop complaining about the snacks.”
“And if I succeed?”
“I will grant you whatever you want.”
“Anything?”
“Is there something you desire?”
After a moment’s thought, I told him.
“Get me an elixir. At the very least, one better than the Demon Essence Pill.”
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon flinched. I knew exactly why he was surprised.
“Do you have any idea how difficult it is to find an elixir better than the Demon Essence Pill?”
“I’m making it a condition because I know. Since we’re in the same boat now, me getting stronger is the same as you getting stronger, isn’t it?”
There was a reason I demanded an elixir from him.
I knew he had one.
He possessed the Heavenly Outer Divine Pill, a legendary elixir that provided far more internal energy than a Demon Essence Pill.
In the past, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon had gifted the Heavenly Outer Divine Pill to my brother when they officially joined forces. It was revealed then that he had kept it for many years without consuming it himself.
The purpose of baiting him into this bet was specifically for that pill.
“You can’t make Jang Ho a Demon Monarch, and you can’t get me an elixir... I fail to see why I should join hands with you, Elder.”
“Fine. If you manage to seat Jang Ho as a Demon Monarch, I will get you that elixir.”
“You’re promising me.”
I drew the Black Demonic Sword and held it out. The Blood Heaven Blade Demon struck my blade with his Heaven Extermination Great Blade, a sharp flick.
Clang!
That clear sound was our vow. A promise made with one’s unique weapon carried far more weight than mere words.
As usual, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon leaped into the air and vanished into the distance.
If I won the bet, he would keep his word. The Heavenly Outer Divine Pill was something he had been saving for his successor.
If I could consume the Heavenly Outer Divine Pill on top of the Demon Essence Pill I had already taken, I would never lose a fight against a Demon Lord due to a lack of internal energy.
And I knew exactly how to win this bet.
*
The place I visited was the office of the Chief Strategist, Sama Myeong.
The Tongcheon Pavilion, where he resided, served as the brain of the Cult. All information from the Murim was gathered and categorized here. Only a tiny fraction of that information passed through Sama Myeong to reach my father.
Though I couldn't be sure, I suspected that a significant portion of the information currently flowing from Tongcheon Pavilion to the Heavenly Demon Hall concerned me.
From the entrance of Tongcheon Pavilion to Sama Myeong’s office, the security was even tighter than at the Heavenly Demon Hall. It reflected the pavilion’s vital role, and since it was a gathering place for the Cult’s intellectuals, it required absolute protection.
When I entered the Chief Strategist’s office, Sama Myeong was buried under a mountain of paperwork. The stacks on his desk were high enough to hide his face.
One might think his job was merely offering a few words of advice to my father, but in reality, the Chief Strategist’s work was a constant battle with documents. He spent his entire day reading hundreds of missives flying in from all over the Central Plains, deciding which information to discard and which to keep.
Knowing this, I could handle being the Huangquan Pavilion Master, but I could never be the Master of Tongcheon Pavilion.
Sama Myeong rose from his desk and greeted me warmly.
“What brings you here? Come, please have a seat.”
I sat across from him at a table. Almost immediately, an aide brought tea as if they had been waiting.
“I’m not sure if it will be to your taste. We only have one kind of tea here.”
“The aroma is excellent.”
I took a sip and looked around. As expected of the workplace of the Cult’s greatest mind, the walls were lined with books of every kind.
“I hear that whenever the Cult’s warriors gather these days, all they talk about is Huangquan Pavilion.”
“Aren’t they busy cursing me?”
“Not at all. I’ve heard nothing but praise.”
I knew the public sentiment regarding Huangquan Pavilion better than he did. For every person thrilled by the fair enforcement of the law, there were others who resented it.
Those who had lived as they pleased until now were likely feeling a sense of unease. What if I’m the next one dragged away? That would be their worry. I needed to firmly establish discipline before that atmosphere could spread.
“So, what brings you here?”
“I have something to ask you, Strategist.”
“Please, go ahead.”
“What do you think of Jang Ho?”
“I believe he is a fine warrior. He has the potential to lead the Demon Army magnificently.”
Sama Myeong likely already knew that I was the one behind the recommendation—that I was trying to place Jang Ho in the position of Demon Monarch.
“Then what are the chances of Jang Ho becoming a Demon Monarch?”
“To be honest, less than ten percent.”
“Even with the Blade Demon’s recommendation?”
“The Cult Leader has already rejected that recommendation.”
That was likely where the ten percent figure came from. The real answer was probably 'impossible,' but he had said ten percent out of politeness.
“What if my father changes his mind?”
“Then, of course, it would be possible. But it won’t be easy. As you know, the Cult Leader is not one to change a decision without a significant justification.”
“I am well aware of that.”
It was a decision made at my request in the first place. I had no intention of asking my father to change his mind without giving him a proper reason.
I had to create that justification for him. And this was what I had prepared.
“What if, following the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, another Demon Lord were to offer a recommendation?”
“Two Demon Lords recommending the same person simultaneously? It’s unprecedented... but if that were to happen, there would certainly be a chance for Jang Ho. It would give the Cult Leader the justification he needs to change his mind. But is such a thing possible?”
With the Blood Heaven Blade Demon already involved, getting another Demon Lord to step up and recommend Jang Ho was no easy task.
“I have to try. Sometimes, isn’t it easier to deal with two tigers at once than just one?”
“I would think it much more difficult.”
That was why a specific condition was necessary—to prevent the misfortune of being torn limb from limb.
“What if those two tigers absolutely loathe each other?”