Chapter 64
Chapter 64
Chapter 64
Seventeen-Year-Old Spring (1)
When the harvest is done in autumn, winter is spent preparing for the next spring.
The Heavenly Demon Cult was no different.
As winter set in, everyone had time to themselves.
The Witch, So Iryeon, Cheong Ak-sal, and I began training at the Ice Castle in the Antarctic, while the Hundred White Blood Corps continued their hellish training under Hundred Tiger Ghost's command.
The construction of the Heavenly Demon Cult headquarters proceeded as scheduled, and the two craftsmen buried in the mountains were still engaged in their work of learning and competitive creation.
Among them, the one who stood out was undoubtedly Hundred Tiger Ghost.
-Would you give this sword a name?
-Since it's Hundred Tiger Ghost's sword, let's call it the Hundred White Tiger Sword.
It wasn't because I was lazy.
Hundred White Tiger Demon Sword sounded awkward, so I just went with Hundred White Tiger Sword.
In any case, Hundred Tiger Ghost, who received the Hundred White Tiger Sword, didn't neglect his training even while leading the Hundred White Blood Corps. He was the one who slept the latest and woke up the earliest.
Having received such a great gift, Hundred Tiger Ghost's growth was dazzling, and with the magic of the Hundred White Tiger Sword added, he seemed to have almost regained the power of his previous life.
The famous sword had completely transformed Hundred Tiger Ghost.
During the winter.
The two craftsmen completed the Witch's dress and moved on to another project.
So Iryeon's gloves and Cheong Ak-sal's dagger.
So Iryeon doesn't use weapons. So I told Torto and Cheollu this:
-Weapons for So Iryeon and Cheong Ak-sal.
I said only that, and they began their work.
And so winter passed.
Seventeen-year-old spring.
The reason we emerged from the Ice Castle after finishing our long training was because the Heavenly Demon Cult headquarters had been completed.
The result was satisfying.
Although there was one design change midway through, the Heavenly Demon Cult headquarters was built perfectly.
A 2-meter-high wall surrounded the headquarters, and inside, dormitories and convenience facilities were appropriately divided.
Most of all, I liked the small lake park in the center.
In the middle of the lake, a dragon that appeared to have just risen from the water looked down from a height of 20 meters.
The four training grounds installed around the lake were already soaked with the sweat of the Hundred White Blood Corps, and the entrance to the headquarters, rough but solid-feeling, was built in a form that passed under a structure without a special gate.
One thousand people attended the headquarters completion ceremony.
Our family and the Heavenly Demon Cult, government officials, Kim Mu-jin and Hanjeong Group executives, Hanjeong Construction executives, and all the workers who participated in the construction.
Having even day laborers attend the ceremony was Jimun Seo-saeng's directive.
He judged it would greatly help the Heavenly Demon Cult's image.
The ceremony proceeded simply.
Since I never liked this kind of formality anyway, it ended with introductions of executives followed by a word from me.
"This is just the beginning. The name of the Heavenly Demon Cult will surpass its previous life."
That was it. Next was eating the prepared food and touring the headquarters.
"Congratulations."
Fairy also participated in this ceremony.
Jang So-yeon slipped next to me and said,
"This is something to be congratulated for. You've got a home."
"But isn't it too big? It'll be desolate."
"It also means there are many places to hide and date."
"Wake up from your dream. It won't be as much as you want."
"You sound like you're getting revenge somehow."
"Look at the atmosphere here."
Jang So-yeon looked at the young women who came with the executives.
Since I didn't bother limiting even companions for the executives, surprisingly many young women came.
"Tsk, good luck."
"With what?"
Jang So-yeon pouted her lips and went where So Iryeon and the members were.
'She's definitely pretty.'
When Fairy gathered in one place, gazes naturally went that way.
Their refined suits and neat hair gave them a different atmosphere than usual, creating a peculiar feeling.
"Cult Leader."
I finally understood why Jang So-yeon had given me space.
"Hello."
Major figures from the political and business worlds brought women and had them greet me.
They seemed to have put quite a bit of effort into their clothes and makeup, and they were all beautiful without exception.
Nine women came to greet me directly. I greeted them courteously.
I didn't refuse handshakes, and I maintained a smile. Then I felt a blade-like gaze.
It was Jang So-yeon.
Still, I continued greeting the ladies.
'It's not because of their beauty. This is politics.'
I had a very rational reason. This is why being a cult leader is good.
I glanced at the Witch.
'I'm popular, you know.'
When I sent that look, the Witch curled up the corners of her mouth.
The Witch also had a busy time in her own way.
Several men went to greet her directly as she was watching from a corner. They too were all handsome and showed impeccable manners.
One man offered flowers to the Witch. The Witch surprisingly accepted the flowers docilely.
Chaeng.
The flowers turned to ice and crumbled to powder.
The man made a surprised face and turned away.
Another man confidently tried to embrace the Witch but froze with his arms spread out.
The Witch imprisoned him in ice for one minute.
After that incident, no one approached the Witch.
'That outfit is fascinating every time I see it.'
The Witch was wearing the dress that Torto and Cheollu made for her.
It was clearly metal but very thin and transparent. Moreover, the color and shape changed according to the Witch's intention.
From a lively short dress that clearly revealed her thighs to a tight one-piece that emphasized her figure—everything was possible.
Currently, the Witch's dress was a subtle blue with a white blouse worn as undergarment slightly showing through.
Only one shoulder was exposed, and the skirt came down above the knee. The light subtly reflected on the white underskirt emitted different colors with each movement.
"Where is that dress from?"
"It's pretty. I should take some pictures."
"How tacky to wear a dress to such an occasion."
Actually, it wasn't a dress that stood out enough to be criticized. Nevertheless, the women began using the most sophisticated insults they knew.
'They say a dress is like life itself.'
The problem was that I could hear everything.
This meant it also reached the Witch's ears.
Sure enough, suddenly a fierce wind swept over the bodies of the women who had been criticizing.
And shortly after.
All the suits they had dressed up in were stripped off.
Everyone gathered there was shocked.
Because three women were standing in only their underwear in an instant.
The men couldn't take their eyes off the colorful underwear.
At that moment, Hundred Tiger Ghost appeared like the wind and took off his suit jacket and shirt to cover the women.
After covering two of them, he scooped up the remaining one and escaped the scene using lightness skill.
I clearly saw it.
The eyes of the women watching this.
Those eyes were filled with deep affection.
'Hundred Tiger Ghost. That guy is the dark horse.'
The Witch nodded while watching Hundred Tiger Ghost, despite having caused the incident herself. And as she passed behind me, she said.
"Learn something."
Hundred Tiger Ghost had become a man even the Witch acknowledged.
Once the brief commotion was settled, an even more boring time began.
Through Jimun Seo-saeng's introductions, I exchanged greetings with many people.
From ministers to broadcasting station directors and newspaper company presidents. At least no businessmen were invited, so there was no risk of my patience exploding.
When all the boring time ended, alcohol and food were arranged around the park.
I wanted a party with laughter and chatter.
Having a drink, sparring, laughing and chatting, singing songs, and composing poems with clumsy skill.
That's the party I wanted and what suited the Heavenly Demon Cult headquarters.
But from the moment I arrived at the lake park, I knew it wasn't that.
What I heard was subtle classical melodies, and red carpet was laid on the floor.
There were wine and simple refreshments on white tables, while on one side, chefs were carefully grilling bite-sized meat.
"Jimun Seo-saeng, what is this?"
"It's a place prepared for high-ranking officials."
This was the part I disliked the most.
About 100 people were guided to this place. The remaining 900 were guided to another location.
"Why did you do this?"
When I asked aggressively, Jimun Seo-saeng answered leisurely.
"The remaining 900 people don't need to be bored, do they?"
"Ah, right?"
Before my retort even ended, cheers poured out from the distant gymnasium.
"Fairy said they wanted to sing. I arranged them there."
I was about to say something, thinking it worked out well, when Jimun Seo-saeng opened his mouth first.
"The Cult Leader will stay here."
At those words, I looked at Jimun Seo-saeng resentfully with an expression like a scolded child.
"I want to have fun too."
Jimun Seo-saeng didn't even answer and just watched me, then lowered his voice and said.
"It's the Cult Leader's duty."
I barely held back the curse that was about to burst out.
Unavoidably, I spent time on the red carpet with the so-called high-ranking officials, smiling smiles I didn't mean.
At least my only consolation once the sun set was watching the ladies who had changed into dresses.
"Excuse me……."
A beautiful woman with an innocent expression approached me holding a wine glass.
When I greeted her with a look, the woman said shyly.
"What's the name of that person from earlier?"
"Which person do you mean?"
"The one who took off his clothes for us."
"Ah……."
It wasn't just that woman.
Still, 2-3 people showed interest only in me, but most just gave formal greetings while looking around. They were searching for someone.
"Where did Hundred Tiger Ghost go?"
I called Plante, who was nearby for security.
"Except for me, everyone went to the gymnasium."
"Hundred Tiger Ghost too?"
"You gave orders to guard Fairy."
I had given that order.
"What about the other guys?"
"They all went to the gymnasium, saying it's safe here since the Cult Leader is present."
I discreetly gauged the situation.
Jimun Seo-saeng was busy greeting officials.
"Guard Jimun Seo-saeng well."
"Understood."
I immediately ran to the gymnasium.
The gymnasium was at the western end.
It was built in the form of a gymnasium for indoor training needs. Though shaped like a gymnasium, the floor was marble, and there was no special stage.
As I approached closer, the cheers grew louder. The gymnasium's soundproofing was rendered useless.
When I entered inside, the first thing I saw was Fairy's exciting dance and the audience cheering for it. The audience was all smiling and dancing together without distinction.
Inside were my parents, Yuna, and the Witch—everyone. Everyone was here except me.
"Why do I feel excluded?"
The party I wanted was here.
With many people and a hot atmosphere, eight members of the Hundred White Blood Corps were standing guard inside.
"Hundred Tiger Ghost."
Despite calling quietly, Hundred Tiger Ghost immediately understood and came to my side.
"Go to the lake park right now. Many people are looking for you."
Hundred Tiger Ghost left the gymnasium without even asking why.
'The person who wants it should be where they want to be.'
I took Hundred Tiger Ghost's place and enjoyed the festival scene.
But before even 3 minutes passed, Plante came looking for me.
"Jimun Seo-saeng asked me to deliver a message."
"What is it?"
"Cult Leader, where did you go?"
"What?"
"So he told me to go to the Cult Leader and ask where the Cult Leader went."
It meant he already knew where I was. And hidden in it was the question of why I was there.
"Got it."
I had no choice but to leave the gymnasium.
When I arrived back next to the lake park, the first thing I saw was Hundred Tiger Ghost. He was surrounded by three women.
As soon as Hundred Tiger Ghost saw me, he immediately bowed in greeting. I raised my hand and passed by him, speaking through telepathy.
-At least you enjoy it, my share too.
The boring time began again.
But not long after, Jimun Seo-saeng approached with a serious expression.
"There seems to be a disturbance at the entrance."
"Press?"
"I think it's a Returnee."
"I'll go myself."
This time, Jimun Seo-saeng didn't stop me either.
Without telling others, I went straight to the entrance.
Two members of the Hundred White Blood Corps were standing guard at the entrance.
Outside the entrance, the press was stamping their feet in frustration at not being able to enter. The press was prohibited from this event.
But an old man pushed past the Hundred White Blood Corps and entered inside.
The two Hundred White Blood Corps members who had joined latest blocked him again, but the old man easily slipped through.
"If a feast is being held, there should naturally be food to share with beggars!"
The old man was wearing homeless-like clothes.
Starting from the crown of his head, his hair was gone, making it look like a standing egg, and white hair that started from the edges hung messily to his shoulders.
Though he had a hunched back and carried a staff, only his eyes were as sharp as a wildcat's.
Looking at his posture holding the staff and his eyes, I thought of one person.
'Gu Ak-chil.'
Beggar's Sect Leader Gu Ak-chil.
The most difficult opponent among the Ten Great Masters.
The Ten Great Master who wasn't seen at the Ten Alliance had finally appeared now.
"If you're stingy with beggars, the fortune coming in will leave too!"
He boldly threw an empty bowl at me.