Chapter 41: Sophisticated yet Terrifying
Chapter 41: Sophisticated yet Terrifying
In the days that followed, I focused entirely on three things: training Lee An, managing the affairs of the Huangquan Pavilion, and my own cultivation.
Lee An absorbed the Flying Heaven Sword Technique like a sponge. She possessed far more talent for the martial arts than I had initially anticipated. Combined with her blood-sweating effort, her progress was nothing short of startling.
Teaching her brought me to a renewed realization.
To teach is, in itself, a form of learning.
By explaining concepts I already knew, I was forced to view my own skills objectively.
Ah, so this is how I perceived this particular formation.
It gave me the opportunity to reconsider aspects of my martial arts that I had never thought about deeply before.
Teaching is not merely scooping water out of a stagnant pool. If one teaches half-heartedly, the water eventually dries up. However, if one teaches with devotion and deep reflection, the act itself expands the very size of the well.
Thus, I was learning even as I taught. Since I had never taken a disciple in my previous life, this process became an incredible experience for me.
During a brief rest in the middle of training, Lee An looked at me seriously. "Young Master, are you truly going to establish the Ghost Shadow Squad?"
"Yes."
"Then, may I design the uniforms? I want to make something sophisticated, not just those drab black clothes. I’d like to vary the colors and styles to distinguish between the attire worn within the Cult and the gear used for missions."
For a moment, I almost burst out laughing. Since deciding to form the Ghost Shadow Squad, I hadn't given a single thought to the color or design of the uniforms. Come to think of it, the same applied to every martial uniform I had ever worn in my life.
"I also want to categorize the masks we use to hide our faces based on the difficulty of the mission," she continued, her eyes sparkling. "I’ll draw demons on the masks to look sophisticated yet terrifying, so that just looking at them will make people's knees tremble... Why are you laughing?"
"I was just wondering what a 'sophisticated yet terrifying' demon looks like."
"I’m actually quite good at drawing. I’ll show you later."
"The recruits joining the Ghost Shadow Squad are certainly going to be wearing some stylish clothes, then."
"Please don't tease me."
Lee An was a truly delicate person. If the devotion she currently focused on me were directed toward others, she would become an excellent Squad Leader—one who could soothe the hearts of everyone under her command.
"The most important thing is your skill," I said, my tone shifting to one of gravity. "The Ghost Shadow Squad will carry out the most dangerous missions in the Murim. Succeeding in those operations and minimizing the casualties of your subordinates—all of that depends on your ability."
"Yes, I will keep that in mind."
"And one more thing. There is something even more important than skill."
"What is it?"
"The resolve to lose your subordinates. The steadfast heart to remain unbroken even when you lose them."
Lee An stared at me intently. "Young Master, you see me as a child, don't you? Because I'm always by your side like this."
"Are you not?"
"I'm not. I'm not a child, and I'm not as naive or kind as you think I am. I won't be so heartbroken that I'll want to die just because I lose a subordinate. I'm actually worried that you'll be disappointed in me later—thinking, 'Was she always this cold-hearted?'"
"I won't be disappointed by something like that. If you feel that way, then it's fine."
Perhaps thinking that since the topic had come up, she might as well share her inner thoughts, Lee An continued. "When you said you would pass down the Flying Heaven Sword Technique to me, I finally felt like my feet were touching the ground."
"What do you mean?"
"To be honest, before that, I felt like I was floating in mid-air. The Ghost Shadow Squad? Will such an organization really be created? Me, a Squad Leader? Really? I thought you were just swept up in some temporary fervor. But as I memorized the oral formulas of the Flying Heaven Sword Technique, I realized this was reality. Can I really handle all of this? Oh... I'm sorry. I told myself I wouldn't ask such insecure questions anymore."
"You can ask. No, you should," I countered. "How can anyone walk a path that will change the fates of countless people without asking such questions? Ask it today, ask it tomorrow. You should still be asking it ten years from now. It’s a path you must walk while constantly questioning yourself. I’ll keep nagging you, too. We must continue to ask each other."
The people who never ask such questions are exactly like the Eight Demon Lords.
Because they believe they are superior to all others, they are convinced their decisions are always right. They have no concern or empathy for those beneath them. They do not ask.
"Yes, Young Master. Whenever I'm confused about whether I'm doing the right thing, I'll ask. I'll ask you, and I'll ask myself."
I reached out and gave Lee An’s head a gentle pat. "Good girl."
Lee An’s face flushed slightly as she gave a bashful smile.
"Alright, back to training!"
"Yes!"
As we finished the session, I handed her several books on organizational management, mercenary tactics, and the self-cultivation of a leader. "Read these in your spare time."
"I will."
Lately, she had been so focused on her martial training that she had neglected the administrative work of the Huangquan Pavilion. She needed to learn how to run an organization, even if it was just through books for now.
*
A few days later, I went to the Southern Blade Sect to meet the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.
As I entered the sect grounds, the Blade Ghosts swarmed out to catch a glimpse of me.
This place was a community like any other; some were trash, while others were decent. All sorts of individuals lived here together. Fundamentally, I held no ill will toward them. It was thanks to them that I had been able to successfully complete the Thousand Meridian Strengthening Technique.
The Blade Ghosts also showed me goodwill, seeing as I maintained a good relationship with their master. Furthermore, many had been impressed by my courage and spirit during the ritual, and some even looked at me with eyes full of respect.
A few Blade Ghosts approached me to offer polite greetings, while others cheered and clapped from a distance. Was it because they took after their master? The Blade Ghosts seemed like a bunch of delightfully crazy bastards.
I waved back at them.
Guided by a Blade Ghost, I arrived at the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s office. The man himself looked surprised by my visit.
"Has something happened that requires you to drag me away?" he grunted.
"Have you committed a crime in the meantime?" I shot back.
"My life is full of sins."
"Fortunately, that's not why I'm here today."
"Then what brings you here?"
"I came to give you this." I held out the box I had brought.
"What is this? A box that sprays deadly poison when opened?"
"Where on earth can I buy a box like that? I’d like to get a few myself."
"I asked what it is."
"Open it."
When he opened the box, he found a Poison-Repelling Pearl inside. Coincidentally, it was the exact opposite of what he had joked about.
"It’s a top-quality Poison-Repelling Pearl," he noted.
"I can see that. But why give me this?"
"It’s a gift."
"A gift? Why so suddenly? And something this expensive?"
"It’s a birthday present."
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon froze in shock. "What?"
"Happy birthday. It is your birthday today, isn't it?"
"Is today... my birthday?" His voice trembled as if the thought hadn't even crossed his mind.
"You didn't know?"
"I forgot about birthdays a long time ago. But how did you know?"
"Who do you think I am? There’s no data the Huangquan Pavilion doesn't have. I even know how many pairs of underwear you own, Elder."
"How many?"
"That was an exaggeration. Anyway, congratulations."
It was a calculated gesture of goodwill—an effort to truly make him one of my people. I gave him a polite bow and turned to leave.
"Did you really come just to give me a gift?"
"Yes. It’s purely a birthday present, so don't feel burdened at all."
"You're just leaving like this?"
"I'm a busy man. Let's have a drink at the Pungryu Tavern tonight. I'll be waiting. Oh, and don't think about smashing the place up today."
I left the office, leaving him standing there dazed.
Before closing the door, I stole a glance inside. The Blood Heaven Blade Demon, looking down at the Poison-Repelling Pearl, wore an expression I had never seen before. I hadn't realized that 'deeply moved' was an expression he was even capable of making.
*
"By the way, is it true?" Seo Dae-ryong asked with a look of surprise as we walked down the hallway together.
"What is?"
"That you gave the Blade Demon a birthday present."
"How did you know?"
"Good heavens. It really was true."
"I asked how you knew."
"How else? Rumors are flying. I naturally assumed it was just nonsense."
I burst out laughing. If the news had spread after I gave it to him in private, it meant the Blade Demon had been bragging about the gift to his Blade Ghosts. He really didn't seem the type, but he was surprisingly talkative.
"Why did you give it to him?"
"Because it was his birthday."
"I truly don't understand the relationship between you two," Seo Dae-ryong muttered.
I suppose so. Events had occurred that could have made us mortal enemies several times over, yet the Blade Demon and I were becoming closer by the day.
"You don't become close just by exchanging pleasantries," I said.
I entered the main hall at the end of the hallway with Seo Dae-ryong. All the investigators and enforcement martial artists of the Huangquan Pavilion were gathered there.
"It’s been a while since we’ve all gathered in one place like this, hasn't it?"
"Yes!" a thunderous response echoed.
Since their training, the morale of the enforcement martial artists had been piercing the heavens. The investigators were also full of courage after successfully handling the White Blade Ghost case.
"I came here today to pour some oil on your burning morale."
Everyone looked curious. I handed the envelopes I had prepared to Seo Dae-ryong. There was one for every member of the Huangquan Pavilion.
Seo Dae-ryong was startled when he checked the contents. "What is all this money?"
Inside were bank notes worth a thousand taels each.
"Distribute one to everyone."
"Yes, sir."
As Seo Dae-ryong handed them out, I spoke loudly to the crowd. "This money is a special gift from me to all of you."
At the word 'gift,' the hall erupted in cheers. "Thank you, Pavilion Master!"
"I am giving you this money because our Huangquan Pavilion must be an organization that does not yield to external pressure. In short: don't take bribes. If you suddenly need money for something, come to me. I’ll give you an advance on your salary. If that’s not enough, I’ll lend it to you from my personal funds."
"Yes, sir!"
With the unexpected windfall, every face in the room brightened. Nagging when people are in a good mood only serves to lose the points you worked so hard to gain.
"Dismissed."
As I left the main hall, Seo Dae-ryong followed me. "Pavilion Master. How did you know?"
"Know what?"
"That Ik Ho needed money. His younger sister is getting married, so he’s been running around trying to find funds. He spent everything he had taking care of his parents before they passed, and now his pockets are never full because he’s supporting his siblings."
"How would I know that? I didn't."
"Don't lie to me."
In truth, I did know. I had found out by chance and initially intended to give it only to Ik Ho, but then I decided to just give it to everyone while I was at it.
"There’s no need to be so moved. It’s all an investment for my sake," I said dismissively.
"An investment for your sake, Young Master?"
"If word gets out that I spend money freely, won't people start expecting things? They’ll think I’ll spend even more once I become the Heavenly Demon. Then everyone will want me to become the Heavenly Demon. That’s how shallow a person I am."
"Did you really think that far ahead?"
"No. But since you asked, the thought occurred to me. I suppose others might think that way."
"You definitely knew about Ik Ho, didn't you?"
"I’m giving it for many reasons. Everyone has worked hard. Is it really that important?"
"It is important," Seo Dae-ryong said, looking at me intently. "Does loyalty just appear out of thin air? Don't be fooled by tricks like this!"
He paused, then added softly, "We live in a world where people work others to the bone without even bothering with such 'tricks.'"
He then gave a deep bow and went on his way.