Chapter 70: The Difference in Meticulousness
Chapter 70: The Difference in Meticulousness
After performing the Nine Bows Ceremony, Cheong-seon officially became the disciple of the Pungcheon Cult Leader.
The news spread in an instant, sending a ripple of excitement through the entire Cult, starting with the Seohwan Formation.
Surprisingly, support for her outweighed the criticism. Many deemed it a wise choice, believing it was more prudent for her to learn properly under the Pungcheon Cult Leader and eventually ascend as a Demon Lord than to cling to hollow prestige while her demonic arts remained weak. As expected of the Main Cult, the demonic practitioners prioritized practical gains over mere justification.
In particular, the ghost practitioners of the Seohwan Formation—who were expected to resist the most—stepped forward to voice their support.
This left the First Disciple, Yang Do, in a precarious position. His plan to sour public opinion by claiming Cheong-seon was seeking outside help had backfired completely. The situation had become unpredictable; now, no one could say for certain who would ultimately claim the succession.
“What do you think of her?”
The Pungcheon Cult Leader was curious about his new disciple.
“Don't you pride yourself on being a judge of character, Cult Leader? Trust your own eyes,” the Shackled Man replied.
“She seemed more resilient than she looks.”
“I saw her much the same way.”
“She might be worth raising, then.”
He hadn't taken her as a disciple out of genuine desire. It was originally a pretext to remain in the Central Plains, but upon actually meeting Cheong-seon, he found himself drawn to the peculiar malice she exuded.
“I suppose I can't help my nature. I’ve always been attracted to wicked women.”
“Be careful. I saw an ambition in her eyes that could devour even her master.”
“That’s exactly why I like her.”
As the Pungcheon Cult Leader smirked, the Shackled Man allowed a faint smile to touch his lips as well.
“You seem to be in a good mood lately.”
“Me?”
“You haven't been swearing as much.”
Most importantly, for several days now, the Cult Leader hadn't asked the Shackled Man to use the Space-Time Displacement Technique to open a new training space for him.
“If you’re bored, shall I curse at you a bit?”
“Heaven forbid! I like things exactly as they are.”
Yet, deep down, a part of the Shackled Man actually missed the man’s foul mouth.
“By the way, the Cult Leader here is being very quiet.”
It seemed the Pungcheon Cult Leader was still concerned about the Heavenly Demon.
“He will continue to be.”
“Why do you think so?”
“Because the Second Young Master likely finished his conversation with his father.”
“Would he have gone that far?”
“He would have. Success and failure are determined by the difference in meticulousness.”
“Why are you so favorable toward the Second Young Master? You’re quite generous with your praise. Did he bribe you?”
The Shackled Man raised his head and looked the Pungcheon Cult Leader in the eye. “Does that bother you?”
“It does.”
“Then let us return to the Outer Regions. If we go somewhere the Second Young Master isn't, I won't have any reason to show him favor, will I?”
The Pungcheon Cult Leader started to snap back but ended up merely sighing. As annoying as the man was, he wasn't wrong. After all, he was the one who had dragged this man all the way here, clanking in his shackles.
“I told you, didn't I? You aren't blessed enough to have everything, Cult Leader.”
“Damn it. Stop with that! Why do you keep telling me I’m ill-fated?”
“I say it because you keep trying to turn toward a truly ill-fated path.”
“You never let me have the last word.”
It was then that a subordinate arrived to report.
“Cooks have arrived at the Outer Court to prepare a meal for our warriors.”
“Cooks? From where?”
“They said they were sent by the Second Young Master. They served a feast made with the finest ingredients before departing.”
At those words, the Pungcheon Cult Leader looked at the Shackled Man. “Is this it? The 'difference in meticulousness' you mentioned?”
The Shackled Man nodded.
“He is truly remarkable for his age. I said it myself, but even I didn't expect him to take care of things to this extent. Perhaps…”
“Perhaps?”
“This might be the moment a peerless figure is born into the Demonic Cult—no, into the Murim. We are witnessing a turning point in history.”
“Just because he sent some cooks?”
“Yes. He sent a thief, he sent a disciple, and he sent cooks. I’m sure of it. This is a historical moment.”
Unlike the impassioned Shackled Man, the Pungcheon Cult Leader remained indifferent.
“And in that historical moment, I’m being stripped of all my Sacred Relics.”
As if he already knew that was the source of the bitterness, the Shackled Man calmly offered comfort.
“Try changing your perspective. Your Sacred Relics are being used effectively for a great cause.”
“As I’ve said before, I’m not the protagonist of that great cause. I have no desire to be a mere tool for someone else’s success.”
“If you want to be the protagonist, you must be as diligent as the Second Young Master. You must put in as much effort as he does.”
“I put in effort too!”
“The effort of asking me every single thing?”
The Pungcheon Cult Leader couldn't argue. Lately, he had been leaving almost every matter for the Shackled Man to handle.
Seeing the Cult Leader unable to escape his inner turmoil, the Shackled Man’s expression and tone shifted.
“Hey, Cult Leader.”
At this moment, the Pungcheon Cult Leader was incredibly glad to hear the man speak informally. He enjoyed the condescension so much that he had even worried the man might never speak to him that way again.
“I know you’re trying.”
“What effort do I even make? You were right.”
“No. Suppressing your greed to give up the Sacred Relics is your effort. Gathering those relics was your effort, and protecting them was your effort. I know well that even your greed is a form of effort. I know that your struggle is just as difficult as someone trying to escape a Heavenly Net while covered in blood.”
The Pungcheon Cult Leader felt a surge of emotion. He had only recently begun to realize how much comfort it brought to have someone truly understand his heart.
However, not wanting to show weakness, he hid his feelings and shouted.
“I hate it! I don't want to give up my relics! That damn Second Young Master... just wait until he gets here. I’m going to tell him to get lost immediately. Get lost, Second Young Master! My roar will burst your eardrums, so you’d better cover your ears. Got it?”
Just then, a subordinate spoke from outside.
“The Second Young Master has arrived.”
The Pungcheon Cult Leader shook his head, looking incredulous.
“That crazy Second Young Master! He really shows up at a moment like this?”
The Shackled Man laughed out loud for the first time in a long while. He covered his ears and said politely, “Well, I’m ready.”
* * *
“Welcome, Second Young Master.”
The Pungcheon Cult Leader greeted me with a pleasant face.
On the days he gave away a Sacred Relic, I could usually see his hands trembling, but today he looked quite relaxed. Had he realized the truth that letting go brings peace?
A moment later, a subordinate brought out a table with drinks.
“Let’s have a drink together today.”
“I would like that.”
“Have a glass.”
I accepted the drink.
“Now, let us drink.”
After a pleasant toast, I drank. Of course, I had a Poison-Repelling Pearl held in my mouth.
“It makes me happy to see you trust me,” he said.
I didn't bother spitting out the pearl and ruining his mood.
It was right then.
Are you perhaps holding a Poison-Repelling Pearl in your mouth?
I could tell. The Shackled Man had sent me a Voice Transmission to let me know he knew. He truly was no ordinary man.
“Yes, I am.”
I spat the Poison-Repelling Pearl out of my mouth.
“Good heavens! When did you put that in?” the Cult Leader asked, startled.
“I put it in when the table was being set.”
“I didn't notice at all.”
“I’ve practiced a lot.”
“Using a Poison-Repelling Pearl for a drink I gave you... you’re really too much.”
“Didn't I tell you before? There is no 'relationship' between us yet. The word 'relationship' between you and me is something that doesn't exist in this world.”
“You say that even though you’ve come today to take another of my precious Sacred Relics?”
“In this mess, whether a relationship forms won't be decided by how many relics I take.”
“As if only a Poison-Repelling Pearl stands between us right now?”
“A clear relationship where we give and take what is owed is better than a flimsy one that can change depending on the situation.”
“I really can't win against you with words. Just like a certain someone.”
“Pardon?”
“It’s nothing.”
I guessed that the "someone" he referred to was the Shackled Man.
The Pungcheon Cult Leader stood up.
“Well, the mood for drinks is ruined, so let’s just pick a relic. Go on, choose one.”
“Thank you.”
Before choosing a relic, I walked over to the Sound Thunder Bell.
“I’d like to see the Sound Thunder Bell one more time. It’s magnificent no matter how many times I look at it.”
In truth, it was because I wanted to see the Shackled Man up close again.
While looking at the bell, I stole a glance at him. The Shackled Man sat there like a statue, his head bowed.
Why are you helping me?
He could have sent me a Voice Transmission, but the fact that he didn't also pleased me. He was a man of depth.
Would the day ever come when I could have a conversation with this man? How far did the threads of fate between us stretch?
I turned away and walked toward where the Sacred Relics were kept.
Though I acted as if I were browsing through various items, I had already decided what I was going to take.
“I will choose this.”
The relic I chose this time was a thick roll of bandages.
The Pungcheon Cult Leader’s face hardened. His expression cursed me more effectively than any words could.
Damn it! To hell with this! How do you keep picking only the most precious things?
“Do you even know what that is?”
Of course, I knew very well.
“I don't. The way the cloth is wound just looked somewhat mysterious.”
“That is…”
The Pungcheon Cult Leader took a deep breath. After struggling to suppress his rising anger, he explained.
“It is the Supreme Heavenly Silkworm Thread. It is an ancient treasure known to be uncuttable even by a sword, and if wound in multiple layers, it is said to block even Sword Qi or Sword Force. You can wrap it around your arms or legs, or even your heart for protection. Not only that, it is fireproof and blocks out the cold. There are only a handful of weapons in the Murim that can cut this Supreme Heavenly Silkworm Thread without the use of Sword Qi or Sword Force.”
Among those few weapons was the Black Demonic Sword I wore at my waist.
“My knowledge is shallow, so I failed to recognize it was such a precious item.”
“If you didn't recognize it, why on earth did you pick this one? Why!”
“I apologize.”
The Pungcheon Cult Leader couldn't hide his regret. He sighed several times before handing it to me. His hands were trembling.
“Please... use it well.”
“Yes, thank you.”
I took it from him, almost as if I were prying it out of a grip that refused to let go.
I felt grateful to the Pungcheon Cult Leader. Though he must have been aching inside, he always kept his word and gave the relics generously.
It was a reward far greater than the work I had done for him, but the reason I accepted it so readily was that I intended to fulfill his dream.
“I will never forget your kindness, Cult Leader.”
One might have hoped he would show some magnanimity at a time like this, but the Pungcheon Cult Leader couldn't hide his lingering regret.
Over his shoulder, the Shackled Man was watching me. Given how much he cherished them, there was no way the Cult Leader would have surrendered the relics so easily on his own. Both the Blood God Pill from before and this Supreme Heavenly Silkworm Thread—it was certain that I had received them smoothly thanks to the Shackled Man.
The message I sent through my eyes was simple:
Thank you. I won't forget.
As if he understood, the Shackled Man slowly bowed his head and returned to being a statue.
* * *
Back at my quarters, I took out the Supreme Heavenly Silkworm Thread.
I unrolled a length long enough to wrap around my wrist about three times and cut it with the Black Demonic Sword.
It probably would have cut normally, but to ensure a clean edge, I infused the blade with internal energy and cut it with care.
In front of ancient divine swords like my father’s Heavenly Demon Sword or my Black Demonic Sword, it was just cloth, but against other weapons, it was a monster.
I wrapped it three times around my left wrist.
As long as I wore this, my hand would never be severed by an opponent's attack, no matter what happened. For now, wrapping it only around my left wrist was enough. My right hand would be protected by the Black Demonic Sword. The best thing about this thread, compared to any protective robe or guard, was that it could be used intensively on specific areas.
I wrapped the remaining Supreme Heavenly Silkworm Thread around the hilt of the Black Demonic Sword. I would use it when the need arose again.
I only hoped I would never have to wrap this all over my body and dive into the fray. Because if I did, it would mean hell was breaking loose.
Or perhaps, that the place was already hell to begin with.