Chapter 72: Must Be Nice to Be the Following Waves
Chapter 72: Must Be Nice to Be the Following Waves
The Pungcheon Cult Leader stared at the empty space where his sacred relics had once been. He looked again and again, blinking his eyes as if they were deceiving him, but the pedestals that once held the Blood God Pill and the Supreme Heavenly Silkworm Thread remained agonizingly bare.
"I hate looking at it," the Cult Leader lamented. "It’s like a peerless beauty missing her two front teeth."
At his mournful sigh, the shackled man glanced toward the Sound Thunder Bell and spoke softly.
"You still have your canines and molars. You can use the canines to bite your enemies, or grit your molars to steel your resolve."
"You enjoy yourself every time a relic disappears, don't you?"
"How did you know? If you’d only unlock these chains, I’d probably dance for you."
The Pungcheon Cult Leader let out a long, weary sigh. "To be honest... I’m afraid."
"Of what?"
"That all of this will turn out to be a hollow dream. That I’ll wake up and find nothing left. If that happens, I’ll be left with one crushing regret: what on earth possessed me to give everything away like this?"
The Pungcheon Cult Leader turned his gaze toward the shackled man. In response, the man lifted his head and brushed back his long, matted hair, revealing his face for the first time in a long while.
"Why the sudden look?"
"I’m showing you the man who possessed you," the man replied. "The one who made you give it all away."
"You crazy bastard."
The man was right. It wasn't the Second Young Master who had bewitched him. It was this shackled man—this man who dared to claim he had enchanted him, smiling all the while as he promised to lead him to ruin.
"How do I make Cheong-seon a Demon Lord?" the Cult Leader asked, shifting back to business.
"You must pick off the other Demon Lords one by one and bring them to our side. Coax them, persuade them, recruit them. It will cost at least two sacred relics. If luck isn't on our side, it might take a third."
The shackled man seemed to have finished his calculations already, but the Pungcheon Cult Leader’s face twisted into a deep scowl.
"That’s just a roundabout way of telling me to invest in the Second Young Master, isn't it? You’re loyal to him to the very end."
"How long are you going to lean on the Second Young Master? Act like a man and handle it yourself. I will tell you the most advantageous way to target each Demon Lord."
"I told you to stop being sarcastic!"
"Fine. Then do nothing. Just stay still."
"Is that any way for a strategist to speak?"
As soon as the Cult Leader spoke, the heavy clatter of chains rang out through the room.
It was a silent protest—a pointed question of what kind of strategist in the world was forced to wear such shackles. The Pungcheon Cult Leader found himself unable to find a retort.
"I say this because you consider me your strategist," the man continued. "Just stay still. Sometimes, the greatest results are achieved by doing absolutely nothing."
After a brief silence, the Pungcheon Cult Leader asked, "Is it really okay to do that?"
"The Second Young Master will come to us."
"And then?"
"He will demand a sacred relic in exchange for placing Cheong-seon in the seat of a Demon Lord."
"Is even the Second Young Master capable of that?"
"We have to believe he is. We’ve already crossed the bridge of no return."
Just then, Cheong-seon, who had been training in the courtyard, brought news.
"The Second Young Master has arrived."
The Pungcheon Cult Leader was startled and, simultaneously, impressed. Because everything was moving exactly as the shackled man had predicted, he felt a false, fleeting sense of being in control.
"Speak of the devil."
"It’s because we’re always thinking of him and talking about him."
"Stop talking about him! Stop taking his side!" the Cult Leader snapped. "I am your master! Me!"
"Then why did you choose to be the front wave of the Yangtze River?"
The mention of the "front wave" made the Cult Leader’s heart sink. The shackled man had likely said it in passing, but it struck a raw nerve. Lately, he had felt as if he were being pushed by an irresistible current, drifting toward a destination he hadn't chosen.
"Fine. Must be nice for you lot, being the following waves."
When he had first decided to enter the Central Plains, he never dreamed he would be having such a conversation with a prisoner.
Life truly is unpredictable.
For the first time, the Pungcheon Cult Leader felt the strange tension that comes with an uncertain future. Conversely, it only highlighted just how predictable and smooth his life had been until now.
* * *
When I went to see the Pungcheon Cult Leader, Cheong-seon was there as well.
She had been in the middle of training in the courtyard, but she recognized me and gave a polite bow.
"Greetings, Second Young Master."
When the Soul-Seizing Demon Lord was alive, we had been indifferent to each other, like a dog and a chicken. But the situation had changed. She needed outside supporters to back her claim, and she needed to stay in the good graces of the Second Young Master—the Huangquan Pavilion Master.
"I heard the news that you’ve become the Pungcheon Cult Leader’s disciple, Miss Cho. Congratulations."
"Thank you, Second Young Master."
She likely had no idea that this entire chain of events had started with me leaking information to Sa U-jong.
"I’ve come to share some news with the Cult Leader. You should listen as well, Miss Cho."
As we stepped inside, the shackled man slightly lifted his head. Our eyes met for a fleeting second. Since our last encounter, we had developed our own silent way of greeting one another.
"What is it?" the Cult Leader asked.
"The Demon Buddha is moving."
"The Demon Buddha? How?"
"He is persuading the other Demon Lords to appoint his first disciple, Yang Do, as the next Soul-Seizing Demon Lord."
"Dammit! That 'friend' of mine is going too far."
"Now that the Demon Buddha has begun moving in earnest, it will be difficult for Miss Cho to secure the position."
Cheong-seon bit her lip. She had taken a massive risk to secure this chance. If she failed to become a Demon Lord even after becoming the Pungcheon Cult Leader’s disciple, she might be forced to follow him back to the Outer Lands in disgrace.
"Second Young Master. Is there no way to put this child in that seat?" the Cult Leader asked. "As you know, I cannot move freely here within the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult."
"There is a way, but it won't be easy."
"What is it?"
"We must move the other Demon Lords. Fortunately, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the One Flower Sword Venerable are well-disposed toward me. If I ask them, perhaps..."
"Please, help us."
"Please help me, Second Young Master," Cheong-seon added, her voice just as desperate as her master's.
"It’s not as easy as it sounds."
I played up the difficulty, feigning a touch of reluctance.
"I don't know what the Demon Lords will demand in exchange for their votes. Even if things go well, I’ll end up owing a great debt to Lord Blade Demon and the Sword Venerable."
"Is it not my disciple and I who are receiving the help? I will never forget this favor."
"I understand. I’ll see what I can do."
"Thank you. Wait here for a moment."
The Pungcheon Cult Leader dismissed Cheong-seon, clearly having something private to discuss.
"Go outside and continue your training."
"Yes, Master."
Cheong-seon bowed to me and left, her eyes filled with a desperate, lingering hope.
Once she was gone, the Pungcheon Cult Leader leaned in. "What do you want this time? Another sacred relic, I assume?"
"No."
"No?" The Cult Leader looked genuinely stunned. "The only thing I have left that's more important than a relic is my life."
He said it like a joke, but the underlying sincerity was clear. To him, the words that came out of my mouth next were like a divine blessing.
"I want nothing this time."
"Nothing?"
"Yes, nothing."
"Are you serious?"
I nodded firmly, and the Pungcheon Cult Leader’s expression brightened instantly.
"Once the results are in, I’ll treat you to a drink," he declared.
"A drink on top of that?"
"You’ve already given me two precious relics, haven't you? Win or lose, let’s have a drink."
"Where?"
"It should be here. If you leave your post while the relics are missing, people will find it suspicious. I’ll bring the wine and food myself."
Of course, that wasn't the real reason. I wanted to drink in the presence of the shackled man.
"I’ll do my best to make sure it’s a wine of victory, not defeat."
With that, I stood up to leave. The Pungcheon Cult Leader was clearly delighted, yet also visibly bewildered by my lack of greed.
"Just in case, make sure to train your disciple well," I added. "Miss Cho might have to face the first disciple, Yang Do, in a duel."
"I have that in mind."
"Then, I’ll take my leave."
I started to walk out, then paused and turned back to the Cult Leader.
"Oh, there is one thing I wanted to ask."
"What is it?"
"I’m trying to create a sky within the space created by the Space-Time Displacement Technique, but the oral formula isn't flowing smoothly. Could I ask for your interpretation one more time?"
The Pungcheon Cult Leader froze. Even the shackled man, who rarely showed emotion, flinched in surprise.
"To fill a space, you have to succeed in creating it within half an hour, though?"
"I’ve already succeeded in creating it within half an hour."
"What?"
The Cult Leader was aghast. He hadn't even believed me when I said I could open it in two hours. I had told him I’d show him eventually, but to hear I’d already cut the time down to thirty minutes was staggering.
"Show me. Then I will tell you."
"Are you willing to wait half an hour?"
"I’ll wait."
"Very well."
I immediately began chanting the formula and manifesting the Space-Time Displacement Technique.
Half an hour later, we were standing inside the pocket dimension I had created. I intentionally brought the shackled man along with us.
Both the Pungcheon Cult Leader and the shackled man were speechless. A sky had indeed unfolded above us, but it was a fractured one, riddled with holes and inconsistencies.
After looking around for a moment, the Pungcheon Cult Leader asked, "Why did you choose to make a sky first?"
"I like looking at the sky. It feels like it clears away the congestion in my chest. Now, your interpretation, please."
"I promised, so I shall teach you."
The Pungcheon Cult Leader gave a detailed explanation of the section of the Space-Time Displacement formula that dealt with filling the void.
In truth, I was already capable of creating a perfect sky. I had only pretended to struggle to naturally demonstrate my "progress" in front of them.
Half an hour after hearing his explanation, I opened a new space. This time, a vast, clear blue sky stretched out to the horizon, leaving the two of them even more stunned.
This wasn't a show for the Pungcheon Cult Leader. It was to show the shackled man exactly what kind of talent I possessed.
Was I bragging? Yes. It was intentional.
In my past life, I realized that the most important quality of a leader was strength. Above all else, it was power—a person strong enough that you could entrust them with your entire existence.
And I saw it. I saw the shackled man’s face as he looked up at the artificial sky. I saw the clear yet lonely look in his eyes.
I still didn't know who he really was. But one thing was certain.
Though I called him the shackled man, his appearance and aura didn't suit those chains at all.
* * *
After Geom Mu-geuk left, the Pungcheon Cult Leader and the shackled man remained silent for a long time.
The Cult Leader was the first to break the quiet. "I have seen a true genius of martial arts today."
"He undoubtedly possesses the Heavenly Martial Physique," the man replied.
"Heavenly Martial Physique? Yes, he must, to master the Space-Time Displacement Technique so quickly."
"Do you still feel it was a waste?"
"What? Giving him the technique? Of course it was a waste. That feeling has nothing to do with the recipient's ability, does it?"
"Who knows what kind of legend he might forge with the martial arts you passed down."
"As I always say, what use is a legend if it isn't mine?"
"My Cult Leader, you really are a man who doesn't know how to give up."
"Sarcasm again, I see."
"No. I think it’s good that you’re honest."
"It’s because it’s you! I’m only honest in front of you. I’m not this soft anywhere else."
The Cult Leader often revealed his inner thoughts like this, but the shackled man never once shared his own. The Pungcheon Cult Leader knew the reason better than anyone. As long as those shackles remained, he would never truly know the man’s heart.
But by the same token, he would never, ever remove those shackles.
I won't let anyone take you from me.
Whether he knew the Cult Leader’s heart or not, the shackled man simply stared at the demons engraved on the Sound Thunder Bell.
"Are the demons talking to you again?"
"They’re asking me why I live like this again."
"Tell them everyone lives like this," the Cult Leader grunted. "Tell those demons, 'Everyone lives like this, so what makes you so special that you have to ask?'"
But the Pungcheon Cult Leader did not know. In that moment, the man was saying something entirely different to the demons.
He was talking about the person who had told him to stop taking sides and stop talking about him. And the demons, whose mouths seemed as tightly sealed as the bell itself, simply listened to his words in silence.