Chapter 8
“...What did you say?!”
What kind of nonsense was this? The shock slammed into the back of his skull like a hammer blow, then rushed through his entire body.
Jesus. The Demonic Cult is marching into the Central Plains?
The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult had kept its gates shut for nearly half a century, maintaining a strict policy of seclusion.
Even the fact that the Demonic Cult had reduced its outward activity and chosen to lie low had struck many as strange, and now they were saying it had decided to enter the Central Plains out of nowhere?
And now of all times?!
His mind reeled, but he needed to understand the situation first.
“W-what do you mean? Entering the Central Plains?”
Even his voice came out rough and broken.
Sama Ryang’s eyes darted around as he studied Sohyeon’s expression.
“Please calm yourself first, Young Master. I know this must be a great shock—”
“What are you talking about? Is this confirmed? Why now, all of a sudden? And exactly when is it supposed to happen?”
He snapped the questions out sharply, and after a brief pause, Sama Ryang answered.
“That is... the exact timing hasn’t been finalized yet. It was only discussed by the Military Council a few months ago, so it hasn’t even been announced publicly.”
“Then what triggered the decision? There has to be a reason.”
Sama Ryang lowered his head as he replied.
“Forgive me, but I only overheard it when I visited the family estate. I don’t know the details myself. The reason is probably known only to the higher-ups.”
“...So the decision has been made, then? That much is certain?”
“Yes. That much is definite.”
“Then when?”
“They said it was scheduled for the end of next year, so there are less than two years left. It seems they’re moving early because the timing, the terrain, and the human element are all in place.”
“...!”
The three things Sama Ryang mentioned were the essential factors that decided whether a grand undertaking would succeed or fail.
The timing granted by heaven, the advantages of the land, and the harmony between people.
The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult of the present age had grown unbelievably powerful by preserving its strength through decades of seclusion. On top of that, he’d heard they had already finished scouting the Central Plains and setting up formations throughout the Hundred Thousand Mountains, fortifying the place until it could fairly be called a natural fortress.
In other words, the timing and the terrain were in their favor. As for the human element, the Cult’s damned fanatics would drink poison if the Cult Leader ordered them to, so there was no need to even question it.
Then... they really are moving into the Central Plains?
The news came so suddenly he felt as if his soul were about to leave his body.
The Demonic Cult is going into the Central Plains...
The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult entering the Central Plains meant invasion, plain and simple. If he thought back on their old history of drawing swords on the world in pursuit of universal dominance, then there was no doubt that all manner of bloodshed would erupt across the land.
The Demonic Cult wouldn’t break its long seclusion just to have a polite conversation.
Once they opened their gates, they would unleash the strength they had hoarded under the banner of tyranny, and in the end not only martial artists but ordinary people would be swept up in the ensuing catastrophe.
Damn it.
Of course, there would be those who cried out in the name of righteousness and rushed about trying to stop the disaster, but warding off every attack would be close to impossible.
No one would see the sudden rise coming, and even if they prepared, the Demonic Cult’s power far exceeded anything the world imagined.
He felt gooseflesh race down his spine. His breathing quickened, and his heart began to pound.
No matter what defenses they raise... this will arrive like a natural disaster.
He hoped it was only needless fear, but was there anyone else besides him who knew the Central Plains well and had even briefly examined the Demonic Cult’s situation?
Damn it! Of course not.
Even if he searched the whole world, there probably wasn’t a single person who could say with certainty what he could. If the Demonic Cult moved, blood would spill not only in Shaolin but all across the world.
Especially since I’m not there...
The damage would spiral beyond control.
He gathered the scattered threads of his thoughts and came to a single conclusion.
I have to stop it. No matter what, I have to stop it.
No matter the cost, he had to halt their grand design.
Just as he was steeling his resolve, Yeon Hong opened the door and came in.
“Young Master, please eat first.”
“...”
Sama Ryang rose from his seat. “I will take my leave now. I prepared the medicine stronger than before, so please drink it after your meal. May your health be preserved. Heavenly Dem...”
His head was pounding, so he just waved a hand dismissively.
“Quit fussing and get out already.”
“Yes!”
Even as Sama Ryang left, Sohyeon’s mind was fixed entirely elsewhere.
How the hell do I stop this?
If this had been his previous life, he would have charged in alone and overturned the entire board, but in his current state, that was impossible.
Should he send a letter to the Murim Alliance and have them prepare? Select experts, send them as scouts, and have them monitor the situation...?
No, still impossible.
It was hopeless. Just getting the message across would be difficult, and there was no chance the Murim Alliance would believe it.
They’d probably curse him out for spouting nonsense and burn the letter without a second thought. Even if they did believe him, it still wouldn’t be a solution. It might reduce the damage, but it couldn’t stop the invasion itself.
...That won’t work either.
His thoughts naturally shifted in another direction. In truth, there was still a way.
Should he call it fortunate or not, he wasn’t some bald Shaolin monk right now—he was the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult’s Third Young Master, a son of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult itself.
Right.
His body, which had felt nothing but stifling before, suddenly seemed almost welcome. If he wanted to stop the suffering of the people, he absolutely had to find a method.
“Yeon Hong, have you heard that the Cult has been discussing entering the Central Plains?”
Yeon Hong’s eyes went wide in alarm.
“E-entering the Central Plains?!”
“Yeah. I heard it’s scheduled for next year. You didn’t know?”
Yeon Hong shook her head. “No, this is the first I’ve heard of it. I never imagined the Cult had such a grand design... Even when I stopped by Hyeon Yu Won a few days ago, I didn’t hear anything about it.”
“Nothing at Hyeon Yu Won either?”
“Yes. There really wasn’t any sign of it... I’m sorry I can’t be of more help, Young Master.”
Hyeon Yu Won was the organization responsible for managing the Demonic Cult’s finances, as well as the supplies and personnel passed on to the heirs. In other words, it handled the Cult’s household affairs, so it would naturally be more sensitive to matters like this.
And yet they hadn’t heard anything, which meant this was still confidential, just as Sama Ryang had said.
Then maybe it would be easier to suppress?
Seeing a sliver of hope, Sohyeon waved a hand.
“No need to apologize. You’re not on the Military Council, so you wouldn’t necessarily know.”
Yeon Hong couldn’t possibly know everything, so there were limits to the information she could gather.
In the end, this was the point where he would have to start moving on his own.
Best to begin with the Military Council.
As he turned the problem over in his mind, Yeon Hong spoke up again.
“Then why not speak with the physician who comes and goes here?”
“Huh? That insane doctor? Why?”
“Well, the Sama family has long made service in the Military Council their family trade. I’m sure he could help you.”
“Oh? Really?”
So that was what he had meant when he said he had overheard it back at the family estate.
“What a sharp suggestion. We’ve got the world’s finest maid right here. Thanks, Yeon Hong.”
“Th-that’s far too much praise. I’m honored, Young Master. I’ll take it as encouragement to strive even harder.”
“Yeah, you should strive harder. I’ll have the rice gruel later. I’m stepping out for a bit.”
“Please be careful.”
He headed outside at once.
To steady his troubled mind, he walked briskly while quietly reciting Buddhist chants under his breath. Until now, his only goal had been to return to Shaolin, but that was no longer possible.
I’ll stop them. I will.
His Buddhist path was a long way from passive indifference.
He intended to find out exactly why the Demonic Cult had made such a decision in the first place.
...Is there really no other way?
Sama Ryang let out a deep sigh. He was leaving his quarters at a slow pace. After mulling over his worries, he had nearly given up on the matter, and with a hardened expression, he walked on for some time.
Then—
“Sama Ryang!”
Cheon Sohyeon came rushing out of the quarters after him.
Sama Ryang softened his expression and turned. As always, he greeted him with a bow.
“Young Master, what brings you out this far? Is there something you wish to ask? If you’re curious about the herbs in the medicine decoction...”
“What medicine decoction? Forget that.”
Cheon Sohyeon waved him off and stepped closer.
“I heard the Sama family’s trade is working in the Military Council. Is that right?”
“Pardon? Ah, yes, that’s correct. Those whose abilities have been recognized usually end up attached to the Military Council.”
“Then you must have people you’re close with.”
“Well... we did grow up under the same roof, so yes, I suppose so. Though, may I ask why you’re asking?”
“Nothing much. I was hoping you could introduce me to someone.”
“An introduction?”
“Yeah. I’ve got a few things I want to ask.”
All at once, Sama Ryang fell silent. His pupils trembled violently as he stared at Cheon Sohyeon.
With an expression that said he was thinking hard about something, Cheon Sohyeon tilted his head, puzzled.
What the hell is wrong with this guy now?
He had no idea what Sama Ryang was thinking, and the sudden silence naturally turned into a staring contest. Just as his mouth was beginning to twitch with the urge to speak again—
Ah...
Cheon Sohyeon suddenly realized why.
He’d been too hasty and not nearly considerate enough. You had to stretch your legs only after checking where you planned to lie down.
So this crazy physician probably...
...didn’t have anyone in the family close enough to introduce.
Given how he always went on and on with great excitement about things no one else cared about, it was easy enough to guess.
“If you don’t know anyone, then just...”
“Are you planning to oppose the Cult’s entry into the Central Plains?”
At that moment, Sama Ryang’s voice turned cold as frost. His eyes were sharp in a way Cheon Sohyeon had never seen before.
Cheon Sohyeon’s brow furrowed deeply.
“...?”
Sama Ryang’s whole demeanor changed in an instant.
He no longer looked like the amiable physician who brewed bizarre medicinal decoctions with a smile. He felt more like a martial artist standing before him, one who carried a perfectly honed killing intent in his chest.
Was opposing the Central Plains venture such a sensitive matter?
Was it an ambition the madmen of the Cult had cherished for generations?
Even so, that wasn’t the topic he’d just brought up, so all he could feel was bafflement.
“Why are you asking that?”
“Because it is a grave matter.”
“Grave? In what way?”
“In every way. It would affect not only your own future, but the fate of the Cult as well, would it not?”
“...”
“Please answer me.”
Woooooong!
A gray light gleamed in Sama Ryang’s eyes. The pulse of demonic energy rolled out from him at close range, and if Sohyeon made a wrong move, it looked as if the man might strike at any moment.
Looking at him, Cheon Sohyeon gave a dry laugh.
“And what if I said yes?”
“Then I would stop you here. Your intentions would amount to insubordination and treason... and you would soon find yourself on the way to the Law Enforcement Hall.”
As Sama Ryang’s killing intent sharpened, a gust of sand whipped up around him. Cheon Sohyeon watched the sight and let out another incredulous laugh.
“This is ridiculous.”
Who would’ve thought the first collision he had after falling into the Demonic Cult would be with the physician who had supported him in every possible way? This was chaos beyond chaos. Then again, becoming the Cult’s Third Young Master had been chaos from the start, so by now it hardly mattered.
“Looks like you’ve been possessed by a demon after all. Fine. Let’s see what you’ve got first.”
He had never been one to ignore a damned soul that clearly needed discipline.
Cheon Sohyeon smirked and thrust out a palm.