Chapter 20
Chapter 20
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: First Mission
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A few days after safely concluding the Divine Demon Blood Death Squad recruitment exam.
Hyeok Mulin, who had dropped by Pure Heaven Pavilion after quite some time, was immersed in paperwork, clutching documents in his hands.
'There's quite a bit of work.'
Judging by the stacks on his desk and Sima Jin's, it felt like twice the usual amount.
It seemed a massive backlog had built up from the recruitment of the Divine Demon Blood Death Squad and the pardon of Ji Wolhon.
Of course, if left alone, Sima Jin would eventually handle it all, but the man was only human.
To Hyeok Mulin's eyes, it looked like far too much for one person to manage alone, so he made a point of stopping by Pure Heaven Pavilion whenever he had a moment to sort documents and lend a hand with processing them.
Smoothly.
Hyeok Mulin stacked the signed document to the side and glanced at Sima Jin for a moment.
The man was processing work at an unbelievable speed, but what worried him was that he hadn't changed his posture once in half a day.
'He'll ruin his health like that.'
Watching him made Hyeok Mulin's own stiff neck ache, so he rolled it and stood from his seat.
"Take a short break. Come over here."
"Pardon? Ah, yes, understood."
No matter how exceptional the person, focus had its limits.
Sima Jin, who had worked nonstop for several hours, rose from his seat with a slightly dazed expression and perched on the edge of the table.
Perhaps quite fatigued, he closed his eyes as soon as he sat and drifted into a light sleep.
Hyeok Mulin chuckled softly at the sight and stepped away for a bit.
About an hour later, he returned carrying two teacups.
"C-Cult Leader! If you'd told me ahead of time, I would've prepared it myself...!"
Woken by the footsteps, Sima Jin bolted upright in astonishment at the scene.
But Hyeok Mulin calmly set one teacup in front of him.
"You looked exhausted, so I didn't wake you. It's done now, so no need for empty fuss."
Hyeok Mulin personally served tea to Sima Jin, who had been working so hard.
Sima Jin stared down at the teacup, his eyes brimming with emotion.
"...Thank you."
Hyeok Mulin took a sip after settling back into his seat, and Sima Jin slowly brought his cup to his lips.
'It's warm.'
The tea felt especially warm, not just from the rising steam.
A smile bloomed on Sima Jin's face as he drank.
"Tired?"
"I was a bit earlier, but I'm fine now."
"If you're tired, say so anytime. I'll save you a spot in the Divine Demon Blood Death Squad."
Sima Jin chuckled at Hyeok Mulin's jest and shot back slyly.
"Then who'll handle all this work? Will your ancestors step in?"
"What can be done? If the Deputy Military Strategist is too tired to work, it'll just go to the Great Military Strategist."
"...I can't be unfilial at my age. I'll work hard."
"Just keep doing what you're doing. But don't push yourself to the point of harming your health."
"Understood. I will."
Affirming Hyeok Mulin's words, Sima Jin took another sip of tea.
"The tea tastes especially sweet today."
"It is sweet. I added something good for the body."
"Pardon? Wasn't it just regular barley tea?"
Sima Jin tilted his head, and Hyeok Mulin replied indifferently.
"Century-Old Parasitic Vine essence is mixed in."
"What?!"
Startled, Sima Jin yanked the cup from his mouth.
He alternated glances between Hyeok Mulin and the tea, then raised his voice in disbelief.
"This would be more efficient for the Left Protector or the guard captain than me! Such luxury just to relieve fatigue...!"
"No."
Hyeok Mulin cut him off sharply.
"The role you're handling is in no way inferior to theirs. In fact, since there's no replacement, it might even be more crucial. So it's yours."
"Cult Leader...!"
Overwhelmed with gratitude, Sima Jin's eyes welled up.
After some light small talk, Hyeok Mulin got to the main point.
"Is the intelligence organization's setup progressing smoothly?"
"Yes. You'll see it launch soon. However..."
"However?"
"We haven't settled on a name for the new organization yet. Might I hear your thoughts?"
"A name."
Hyeok Mulin closed his eyes thoughtfully at Sima Jin's question.
A moment later, he opened them slowly.
"Call the new organization the Secret Affairs Hall."
"A group that handles hidden matters—perfectly fitting for us."
He nodded eagerly, delighted with the name Hyeok Mulin had given.
"I'll ensure the Secret Affairs Hall launches fully before long."
"Good. I'll wait patiently."
With the Secret Affairs Hall discussion wrapped up, they moved on.
Sima Jin brought up the petitions.
"Petitions that trickled in sporadically have surged lately. Likely because you've ascended to the vacant Heavenly Demon throne after thirty years and stepped to the forefront."
"Petitions. Most are probably tricky to intervene in."
"Exactly. Most can't be handled lightly with the cult's martial forces or administration."
"Tell me a few."
"For example, a request to judge the rivalry between two merchant groups in Taichang..."
Sima Jin cited two or three examples from the petitions.
A petition to mediate profit disputes between merchant groups sharing a trade route.
A petition from a disciple of a destroyed sect asking for aid to rebuild it.
All ambiguous to handle.
When he finally mentioned a petition requesting the extermination of bandits rising in the desert, Hyeok Mulin, who had listened quietly, interjected.
"Hold on. Is that bandit group called the Mad Wind Bandits by any chance?"
"Yes, that's right. How did you know?"
"I've heard of them before."
The Mad Wind Bandits were a bandit gang based in the Akan Desert in the southwest of the New Frontier.
But Hyeok Mulin remembered their name because of future events.
A few years later, they would spark a rebellion against the cult, using the desert as their base.
'Definitely... their leader was that guy.'
Hyeok Mulin pondered with his chin in hand, then nodded slowly.
"Good."
"Pardon?"
His eyes gleaming, Hyeok Mulin curled one corner of his mouth.
"Perfect opponent to test the Divine Demon Blood Death Squad's might has appeared."
One of the training grounds within Heavenly Demon Palace.
All members of the Divine Demon Blood Death Squad had assembled there.
However, since their captain, Ji Wolhon, hadn't arrived yet, they milled about in disarray.
A glance.
Amid it all, a few members eyed Man Hyobom, the second son of the Man Clan, with curiosity now that he was in the guard unit.
But he seemed unconcerned, scanning the surroundings with a bored expression.
Spotting a man who had fought alongside him during the recruitment exam, he approached.
"What's your name?"
"...Danri Hyang."
"Danri Hyang? No way—from the Central Plains?"
"And if I am?"
Danri Hyang snapped back sharply, used to such remarks.
But Man Hyobom didn't mind, replying with surprise.
"I've seen a few Central Plains folk, but first from the Danri Clan. How old were you when you left home for the New Frontier? You use a sword?"
Man Hyobom fired off questions.
But Danri Hyang sneered and gave a non-answer.
"No reason I should reply."
"If you're aboveboard, no reason not to."
"...You seeking death?"
Danri Hyang's voice turned icy.
Man Hyobom's words struck at his sore spot—always suspected due to his origins.
As the mood soured, members' gazes turned their way.
Meanwhile, Han Baek, watching from afar, retreated further back as tension built.
"Fighting on day one."
Shaking his head, he had no intention of getting involved in such foolishness.
As he planned to observe from a distance, he spotted an old man already there and lit up.
The very elder he'd spoken with during the exam.
"Elder, you passed too! Glad to see it!"
"Heh, I knew you would. Knew it."
The old man grinned toothlessly.
"Fled here for safety?"
"Yes. Atmosphere says a brawl's coming soon."
"Young blood gathered—bound to happen. Seeing them reminds me of old times."
"Old times?"
The elder nodded at Han Baek's question.
"Aye. Fifty years ago was worse. When I joined the Divine Demon Blood Death Squad as a rookie, the moment my fellow newbie and I locked eyes, we smashed each other's faces and kicked off a grand welcome..."
"W-Wait!"
Han Baek cut him off, eyes wide.
"Elder... you were in the Divine Demon Blood Death Squad before?"
"That's right. Didn't know?"
"No idea! If you'd said..."
"Heh heh! You didn't ask. So I stayed quiet."
Who could've guessed to ask?
No one would think former squad members would reapply after decades.
"Then... the few elders here are all former comrades?"
"Aye."
"Whoa..."
As Han Baek gaped in awe, the elder chuckled.
"No need to be so shocked. We're squadmates now anyway."
"Still surprising."
"Forget that—watch them. About to blow."
The elder pointed at Danri Hyang and Man Hyobom.
Han Baek nodded and followed his finger.
Then asked again.
"So how'd your welcome end back then?"
"Fought fiercely myself. But stopped before the end."
"'Stopped'—by someone else?"
"Aye. Not just me. They'd fight like enemies, but mediation came before conclusion."
Or.
Man Hyobom's hand went to his sword hilt—he drew.
Simultaneously, Danri Hyang unsheathed his sword.
As blade met blade midway.
"The captain appeared and halted us."
Ji Wolhon stepped between them, grabbing both wrists holding weapons.
Danri Hyang and Man Hyobom couldn't move an inch, as if their pressure points were sealed.
Ji Wolhon stared at them alternately, then spoke.
"I don't stop sparring among squad members."
"...?"
Man Hyobom frowned, as if asking why now.
But his eyes widened at Ji Wolhon's next words.
"But now's not the time. Cult Leader's orders."
"...!"
"...!"
All eyes locked on them.
Once calmed somewhat, Ji Wolhon released their wrists.
Danri Hyang sheathed his sword and asked.
"Cult Leader's orders...?"
"It'll be the revived Divine Demon Blood Death Squad's first mission."
"Whoa!"
"Finally, our debut!"
The squad erupted in excitement at the first mission news, the grounds turning into a frenzy.
Ji Wolhon let them be, watching silently until they quieted on their own, eyes on him.
They hadn't heard the key details yet.
"Destination: Akan Desert."
Announcing the heading, Ji Wolhon continued gravely with the objective.
"And you'll escort the Cult Leader there."
Their eyes bulged wide.