Chapter 138
Chapter 138
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 138
>Chapter Title: Cleanup (3)
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The Heavenly Demon said calmly.
“If you ascend to the Cult Leader position in that manner, even if you become the Leader, it will create a serious issue with your legitimacy. It would mean you didn’t become Leader on your own merit, but that this old man made you Leader.”
The battle for the Cult Leader position after the previous Heavenly Demon’s ascension had been a tradition of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult spanning hundreds of years.
Even as the Heavenly Demon—no, precisely because he was the Heavenly Demon—he could not utterly disregard the Cult’s long-standing traditions.
Words and actions must align, leading by example, as the saying goes. As the head and object of faith, if he himself strictly followed the doctrines first and foremost, wouldn’t the followers adhere to them even more faithfully? So the Heavenly Demon thought.
Of course, the Cult’s doctrines contained contradictions or interpretations that could vary.
Such doctrines were determined by how the current Leader or Heavenly Demon interpreted them.
That was why the Heavenly Demon had reformed the Demonic Path Academy and accepted Il-mok’s various reform proposals.
Even before becoming the Heavenly Demon, he had felt deep regret.
Despite cultivating demonic arts to save the masses, far too many followers died pointlessly under the name of the Cult’s traditions.
Had they not died in vain like that, the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult could have grown its power even more, allowing them to punish even more evildoers and save even more of the masses.
However, even for such a Heavenly Demon, there were doctrines and traditions he dared not deny or violate.
Namely, the doctrine that the most outstanding must become the Leader, and the tradition of the Leader position struggle derived from it.
Thus, the Heavenly Demon had personally gone to the Elder Council Leader and announced his crimes and punishment in front of countless elders.
Even though, as the Heavenly Demon, he could have killed him without any questions or explanations.
It was to warn that he would not tolerate the folly of trying to kill future talents who would shape the Cult’s future, simply because they were future rivals.
And to emphasize that this incident was solely to protect those uninvolved in selecting the Leader, like Il-mok.
“Right now, many will think this old man is overly protective of his disciples. But in time, won’t they all realize? That what this old man protects is only Il-mok and the young acolytes. Thus, you must prepare for that moment.”
The Heavenly Demon said calmly.
He did not ask if his actions seemed heartless.
Because, above all as master and disciple, it was the most natural judgment as members of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
And to his master’s heartless explanation, Wi Jin-hak responded with a resolute expression, clasping his hands in respect.
“This disciple will absolutely not disappoint Master.”
He too, having devoted decades to the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult as a devout believer, fully understood his master’s intent.
Far from feeling it heartless, Wi Jin-hak was convinced it was a test given because his master trusted him.
At that confident demeanor, the Heavenly Demon stroked his beard with satisfied eyes.
Like a father gazing at his fully grown son.
As the Heavenly Demon, and as one Cult member, he had simply handled matters publicly in accordance with doctrine.
It wasn’t that the Heavenly Demon lacked emotions.
Deep down, he too hoped his disciple Wi Jin-hak would become the next Leader.
‘If Jin-hak succeeds this generation, and then Il-mok becomes Heavenly Demon afterward….’
With thirty years between Wi Jin-hak and Il-mok, it was entirely feasible.
The already mature Wi Jin-hak ascends to Leader and becomes Il-mok’s shield, while accepting Il-mok’s counsel to lead the Cult.
And later, after Wi Jin-hak ascends, the grown Il-mok takes over and leads the next generation.
The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, having solidified its foundations over three generations, would shine brightest in Il-mok’s era.
It would usher in an unprecedented era of great prosperity for the Cult boasting hundreds of years of history.
‘If I could watch that spectacle even from the heavens, I would have no regrets.’
Before he knew it, a warm smile graced the Heavenly Demon’s lips.
* * *
After the Elder Council Leader, who had held one pillar of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, departed the world so futilely.
The events in the Elder Council quickly spread throughout the Divine Cult.
Especially since the elders were all heavyweights of the Cult, they exchanged information through various connections.
Thanks to that, it gradually became known how the Elder Council Leader had tried to kill Il-mok, and how Il-mok had uncovered the trail from the Demonic Path Academy all the way to the head.
And that news reached the Protectorate Hall, which managed the Cult’s laws and executed apostates.
“Whew.”
In a grand hall deep within the Protectorate Hall, where he was reviewing duties, the Protectorate Hall Master let out a frustrated sigh and turned his gaze toward a certain place.
Toward the hall where he had often held secret talks with the Elder Council Leader, who had lost his life futilely yesterday, and the Defense Hall Master, who had died a year and some ago.
‘…Who would have thought the Elder Council Leader would die so futilely.’
It was the Elder Council Leader who had handled the previous Defense Hall Master as a suicide.
Even if it was a surprise attack, disguising it as suicide meant he hadn’t even resisted.
For the Elder Council Leader, who had dealt with the Defense Hall Master so easily, to not even resist meant the Heavenly Demon was indeed an absolute being impossible to defy.
But what the Protectorate Hall Master feared was not the Heavenly Demon’s martial prowess.
His goal was to become the next Leader after the current Heavenly Demon ascended, after all.
What shocked him was the fact itself that the Elder Council Leader’s identity had been exposed.
‘Getting that unheard-of Black Bean Carriage, and his connections to the Demonic Path Academy Vice Master. I thought he was ironclad.’
Thanks to the Elder Council Leader’s thoroughness, even after killing two of the Heavenly Demon’s disciples, they hadn’t been exposed.
‘…Come to think of it, it’s strange. To choose silence and suicide?’
The Defense Hall Master, Elder Council Leader, and the Protectorate Hall Master himself were merely temporary allies.
An alliance to push aside all rivals, including the Heavenly Demon’s eldest disciple and greatest competitor, Wi Jin-hak.
In other words, future rivals for a three-way battle after eliminating everyone else.
Thus, when the Defense Hall Master’s identity was at risk of exposure, the Elder Council Leader stepped in and killed him.
There was no loyalty to hide each other’s identities until the end.
‘…Not to hide me, but to save his underlings?’
Those who followed the Elder Council Leader—perhaps it was to protect them, the Protectorate Hall Master speculated.
And his reminiscence of the Elder Council Leader ended there.
Since it was a relationship of mutual exploitation, there were no special feelings.
‘The Black Bean Carriage incident, leaking info to the orthodox sects to kill the Fourth Young Master—truly a shady bastard.’
Reaching the conclusion that it was for the best, the Protectorate Hall Master’s thoughts turned elsewhere.
‘More importantly, if the rumors are true, His Supremacy seems to cherish the youngest Young Master quite a bit.’
Calling him the child who would illuminate the Cult’s future left no room for doubt.
On top of that.
‘In contrast, he showed no intent to protect the eldest Young Master, so opportunity remains for me still. Wait?’
As his thoughts continued toward the next Leader position, the Protectorate Hall Master’s eyes flashed.
‘Then why not pull the youngest Young Master to my side instead! Right, since the Elder Council Leader died without a word, he won’t know I was part of it!’
Come to think of it, he had even proposed it to the Elder Council Leader initially.
The youngest Young Master seems capable, so rather than kill him, let’s win him over.
It was just that shady Elder Council Leader bastard who rejected his proposal.
“Heh heh heh heh. I need to find out what the youngest Young Master likes. So after graduating the Demonic Path Academy, he can join our Protectorate Hall.”
Imagining a bright future, a sinister smile soon crept onto the Protectorate Hall Master’s lips.
* * *
While the main headquarters was abuzz with the Elder Council Leader’s death.
The Demonic Path Academy, where news was somewhat restricted, maintained a fairly peaceful atmosphere.
Of course, everyone was aware some incident involving the Vice Master and two instructors had occurred.
But thanks to the Academy Master Yeom Ga-hwi and the instructors keeping silent, it was gradually forgotten.
The only one who knew the full situation was a single observer: Il-mok.
And after hearing through Academy Master Yeom Ga-hwi that the Elder Council Leader was dead, Il-mok went to Instructor Eun-ryeo.
“I’d like to return to the Meditation Club, Instructor.”
It had been less than a month since joining the Drama Club, yet he was requesting to leave again, but Instructor Eun-ryeo couldn’t object.
Because she had heard the rough situation from the Academy Master.
That he had stirred through various clubs as bait, and hid in the Drama Club to avoid suspicion.
Of course, she understood rationally. It didn’t make her feel particularly good.
‘Using Observer Jeong-hyeon again.’
It was because the hideout happened to be the Drama Club where Jeong-hyeon belonged.
“Sigh. Do as you wish.”
She replied with an expression full of disappointment.
Of course, Il-mok didn’t care.
‘Definitely an old maid’s neurosis.’
He just chalked it up to her being an old maid and moved on.
Returning to the Meditation Club, Il-mok.
“Yawwwn.”
Yawned leisurely and took a nap.
‘The minions were dragged to headquarters, and the head’s dead too. Master gave a warning as well. No one’s targeting me now.’
Yu-geuk, Ma Do-yeong, and Jeong Gyu-seok were among the few executed alongside the Elder Council Leader.
Though others’ identities were buried with the Elder Council Leader’s suicide, they were caught red-handed.
Moreover, it carried a warning: those targeting Il-mok or young acolytes would not be spared.
Perhaps because the constant shadowy threat was gone. With his frayed nerves finally settling, his mind felt much more at ease.
Maybe it was thanks to going berserk once while performing Moonlit Sword Dance last time.
Though the problem was his realm advancing pointlessly again.
Even as Il-mok openly napped, no one disturbed him.
Not to mention the Three Musketeers, and even Ma Do-yeong, who always interrupted his rest, was gone.
However, there was a temporary Martial Arts Education Assistant in charge of the club in Ma Do-yeong’s place.
And that assistant merely stared at Il-mok with a sullen face, unable to reprimand him.
It wasn’t because Il-mok was the Heavenly Demon’s disciple or the genius who resolved this incident.
Simply.
‘…Wouldn’t scolding someone stronger than me be like smearing shit on my own face?’
The problem was that Il-mok had become stronger than the assistant instructor.
In the sparring at the start of enrollment, he had clearly subdued Il-mok, yet in just half a year, he’d been surpassed.
Even if it was assistant and observer relationship, in the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult that moved by the law of the strong, nagging the strong was somehow bizarre.
“Zzz. Snooore.”
Thus, peace came to Il-mok.
Exactly one day’s worth of peace.
The next day, around afternoon.
As always, arriving at the Meditation Club hall intending to sprawl out for a nap.
There, a man with a familiar face was waiting for Il-mok.
“Heh heh heh. Long time no see, Observer Il-mok.”
“…What brings you here, Instructor Chu?”
Chu Il-hwan, the former head instructor who had attacked Il-mok during the Black Thunder Demon General’s rampage.
“Thanks to your ingenuity, the real minions were caught, right? That cleared my suspicions. So I just returned to the Demonic Path Academy, and starting tomorrow morning, I’ll resume Martial Arts Education.”
“Ah….”
Undeterred by Il-mok’s lukewarm reaction, Chu Il-hwan continued.
“Thanks to you, I cleared my name, and staying in the Heart-Calming Hall let me compose my mind as well. Truly, all I can say is thank you.”
Even to his thanks, Il-mok wore a sullen expression.
‘Damn. Why of all people this guy?’
The misunderstanding that Chu Il-hwan was homosexual had long been cleared. Still, napping in front of someone plagued by murderous impulses was unsettling, even for Il-mok.
Unaware of Il-mok’s inner thoughts, Chu Il-hwan for some reason glanced around, then slyly approached Il-mok.
As Il-mok instinctively stepped back with a displeased look. Having closed the distance somewhat, Chu Il-hwan cautiously spoke.
“Forgive my impudence, but could I ask one favor?”
Wary of what unsettling request it might be, what came from Chu Il-hwan’s mouth was unexpected.
“You wouldn’t happen to be close with the Hyeok-ryeon Clan’s eldest granddaughter?”
“…You mean Seon-a?”
Il-mok asked with the sentiment of ‘Why does Seon-a come up here?’, and Chu Il-hwan nodded before saying.
“Then, after graduating the Demonic Path Academy, could you pass a message to her? That my attacking you wasn’t intentional, so please, just stop already.”
“…….”
Chu Il-hwan pleaded with the most earnest face in the world.