Chapter 37: Follow Me
The middle-aged man spread his arms wide, as if he were about to embrace me.
Of course, I didn't move a muscle.
'Crazy bastard, you think I'm gonna hug you?'
The man wore an awkward expression, but I had good reason to stand my ground.
His name was Hwang So Gun.
He might act all friendly like that, but in truth, he was a mad dog who pillaged and murdered at the drop of a hat. If a subordinate didn't please him, he'd kick them straight into the rapids without a second thought.
...Now that I think about it, he's no different from a common bandit.
Anyway.
Since he was the one tasked with guiding ships coming up the Baekhoe River into the Divine Cult, we had to cross paths like this—but there was nothing good about getting close to a guy like him.
"Tch. Must be 'cause you're some fancy young master from a noble house. No guts at all."
Hwang So Gun tossed out a barbed joke.
This was a test of resolve. When two forces met, the first to seize the upper hand set the tone. The journey to the Ten Thousand Great Mountains via the guide ship usually took three days, so he was trying to establish the hierarchy early.
Anyone else would bend here. Without the guide ship, entering the Ten Thousand Great Mountains along the Baekhoe River was off the table.
But I was different.
'Can't back down.'
In the Divine Cult, Sado Hwan was branded as an arrogant genius. Yielding here would crack that image.
Cling! Cling! Cling!
Right on cue, the Black Shadow Corps lined up behind me drew their weapons in unison, as if reading my mind.
'Whoa...'
I was a little touched. I'd been walking a tightrope alone among monsters like Un Yeop Ja, Paeng So So, and Dang Si Hyeok—beasts who'd get me dismembered and hung as a public enemy if they caught on. And now, loyal subordinates who drew their blades for me without a word!
'I get why you obsess over the Black Shadow Corps.'
[...Obsession? Strong words.]
'Take it or leave it.'
Of course, we weren't the only ones drawing weapons.
Shing-!
In response, the guide ship's crew drew theirs as well.
Pointing weapons at your own side was unthinkable in normal factions. But this was the Divine Cult's domain, governed by its logic.
A world where the strong devoured the weak.
Even allies drawing blades over a bruised ego was commonplace—even within the same house.
"Wanna go at it?"
Hwang So Gun bared his gold-capped teeth in a sleazy grin.
The Black Shadow Corps was one of the Divine Cult's premier fighting forces. They'd shown some shortcomings lately, but if they got serious, they could wipe out most mid-to-small murim sects overnight.
Yet Hwang So Gun acted tough for a reason.
'The guide ship's captain is appointed by the Heavenly Demon.'
The guide ship served as gatekeeper, escorting Divine Cult members up the Baekhoe River's tributaries to the Ten Thousand Great Mountains. Outsiders? Straight to a watery grave.
Given its importance, the captain was personally appointed by the Heavenly Demon.
In other words, Hwang So Gun was banking on the Heavenly Demon's backing.
The Divine Cult was a meritocracy. It seemed fair and free at first glance, but flip that: as long as you had the skills, personality didn't matter one bit.
"Heh heh heh..."
That's why he could grin so sleazily. He was even leering openly at Sa Wol with lewd eyes. Her expression turned icy, naturally.
I stepped sideways, blocking his view.
"Sa Wol."
"Y-yes? Yes."
She stammered, uncharacteristically. The guy must've repulsed her that much.
"What's Hwang So Gun's rank in the Divine Cult?"
"Rank 355."
"I see. The nerve."
I continued in a chilling tone.
"This insolent wretch dares insult me with mere glances."
I channeled aristocratic arrogance—haughty, overbearing, cold as ice.
This was the true face of Sado Hwan in the Divine Cult.
"What?"
"Draw your weapon, Hwang So Gun."
I said, radiating frost.
"Do so, and I'll spare you with your right arm as penance."
Hwang So Gun looked utterly baffled at my words.
"You know who's behind me?"
"The Sovereign stands behind me. But you've forgotten something."
"What's that?"
"That my brother is the Sovereign's husband. Between you and me, who do you think she values more?"
"A cripple who can't even walk, her husb—"
That instant.
[How dare you!]
Pa Cheon burst from my grip and soared into the air. Hwang So Gun's jaw dropped at the sight.
"F-Flying Sword!"
Rumors about me probably hadn't spread in the Divine Cult yet. No one would've heard I was Super Peak, so he couldn't help but freak out.
I hadn't planned to reveal the fake Flying Sword yet, but now that it was out, time to lean in.
[How dare you insult my brother!]
'Calm down. Get too excited, and we'll blow it.'
I barely reined in Pa Cheon as it thrashed wildly. The sword trembled in midair as a result. Fear and panic flickered in Hwang So Gun's eyes.
It probably looked like I was losing emotional control, making the sword shake. Even better.
"Lower your weapons and kneel. Or die here."
"Without me, you won't make it back to the Cult safely!"
"Wanna bet?"
"Bet?"
"Whether I can return without you. Of course, you'll watch headless."
I pushed harder than ever. I had to. With the Black Shadow Corps, with Kwak Jeong—it was the same. Divine Cult folk saw mercy as weakness and pounced. Better to make them too scared to even glance back.
'Truth is, I've got nothing—but who needs to know?'
As long as they didn't.
Hwang So Gun trembled like a leaf.
"I-I'm sorry!"
He dropped to his knees at once. His crew, gauging the mood, sheathed their weapons and knelt too.
"Get lost. Looking at your filthy eyes makes me want to rip them out."
I had no real intention of chopping off his arm. Scaring him off was fine, but permanent grudges just bred more enemies.
"Th-thank you! What're you lot doing? Back to the ship! Move like you've got spines, you maggots!"
Hwang So Gun and his crew scrambled back to the guide ship like rats. Our ship's hooks stayed hooked. We'd sail safely to the Ten Thousand Great Mountains like this.
"Hear me, Black Shadow Corps."
I said, staring ahead.
"Remember this: when insulted, behind you stands I—and House Sado."
As my words ended, Pa Cheon slipped neatly back into its sheath. Acting was half in the theatrics. I felt the Black Shadow Corps' admiring gazes pricking my nape like needles.
Flutter!
I spun dramatically, robes billowing, and returned to my cabin.
[Not bad, you yokai. Didn't know you had lines like that in you. A leader needs dignity, after all.]
"Shut it for once."
[Why?]
"Nearly puked my guts out from seasickness mid-pose."
[...Take back what I said.]
"Gonna crash first. Sleep's the best cure for nausea."
[You'll mess up your night sleep. Warriors need deep rest to stay peak.]
"I can go a day without fine. Besides."
I pulled back the curtain over the cabin window. The river was widening.
Per Murim Returner's lore, the Divine Cult entrance along the Baekhoe River was shrouded in thick fog. That's why guide ships existed.
"Tonight's gonna be foggy as hell."
The Baekhoe River wasn't all rapids. It widened in spots, slowing the current.
Tormented by nausea, Sa Wol came topside for fresh air. A few Black Shadow Corps members bowed their heads and turned away upon seeing her. They knew she liked her solitude.
Sa Wol recalled the incident hours earlier.
Hwang So Gun's lecherous gaze on her.
And the one who'd blocked it.
'Sado Hwan...'
Back in the Divine Cult's domain, Sado Hwan had reverted to the arrogant version she knew.
A fake with nothing but hollow pride, really.
That had been Sa Wol's view of him.
She'd paid him little mind. His Sado blood still repulsed her, but she figured she could kill him anytime she wanted.
But.
'Why the change, Sado Hwan?'
It gnawed at her. His shifted actions, his new demeanor.
What bugged her most was that day he'd pulled her from devilish obsession in the fog.
A precious, unforgettable memory—tainted by him. The unease lingered.
'This won't do.'
She'd have to kill him. To shake off that filthy feeling, she'd eliminate its source: Sado Hwan. That's what she resolved.
Even if he'd hidden his power all this time, she trusted herself at close range. That's why she'd mastered assassination arts.
Just.
She'd postpone it.
'Can't help it with the Gu Poison.'
Without it, she'd strike now.
Then.
Pii-rii-rii—
A clumsy flute sound drifted from somewhere. The grating noise snapped Sa Wol from her thoughts, leaving her dismayed.
'Oh no!'
Fog had blanketed the deck unnoticed. She'd been too lost in reverie.
The Baekhoe River's fickle weather, plus the approach to the Ten Thousand Great Mountains—it was inevitable.
Visibility zero. She'd planned to hole up in her cabin for this!
"Hoo."
Sa Wol circulated her breathing technique for deep breaths. In the ruins, battle's urgency had dragged her into heart devilry, but now she could control it.
[Kill them all!]
[P-please, spare me!]
[Run, Hwa Yeon! At least you run!]
Yet her ears rang with that fog-choked day's screams, that nightmare's chatter. Her gentle, warm brother's voice brimmed with despair and grief.
Sa Wol paled. Cold sweat beaded despite the chill river wind.
She wanted to collapse right there. But she couldn't show weakness. Black Shadow Corps members patrolled sporadically. The Divine Cult was survival of the fittest—even comrades devoured the weak.
No. She'd clawed from sect extinction's depths through hellish battles. No room for foolish slips here.
'Just make it to my cabin.'
Once there, it'd pass.
Sa Wol steeled herself and shuffled forward. But.
"Haa..."
She crumpled after mere steps, slumping against the railing in a squat. Her mind drifted back fifteen years.
Then.
Swish.
Someone stood before her. Sa Wol looked up.
Tall stature.
Cold, stubborn features. Sado Hwan.
A lantern in his hand pierced the fog.
"Don't mope in the fog, Sa Wol. Would the Black Shadow vice-commander show such an unseemly sight?"
"S-sorry... sir."
She barely managed.
"Follow me. A cup of tea will settle you."
Sado Hwan turned and said.
Sa Wol stared blankly at his back.
So different, yet it evoked her brother—now lost to her.
"What're you waiting for? Follow."
"...Yes."
It's just the fog.
With that excuse, Sa Wol trailed after Sado Hwan.
Pretending to Be the Heavenly Demon