Chapter 71
Chapter 71
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 71
Chapter Title: Soul-Chasing Pavilion
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"Soul-Chasing Pavilion... you mean?"
I wiped the sweat from my brow as I continued my morning training.
"It's the first I've heard of such an organization..."
"Of course it is. It hasn't been around for long."
"What kind of group is it?"
"Simple enough."
The First Demon slid a document over to me.
"It's an organization that runs my errands. Officially, it's an intelligence outfit. If you want to get technical... it's something like the cult's 'Full Moon'."
"I see. How many members does it have?"
"Just you, for now."
"Pardon?"
"Take this too. And that. It's just paperwork for the moment, but it'll be officially registered in the demon archives. Which means there's a lot to fill out. Handle these as well. I've already taught you how to do the paperwork, so you should be able to manage on your own."
A stack of documents piled up in front of me. I sat down in the training yard and examined each one carefully.
There was a lot, but it wasn't actually much work. Just inserting my name in the right spots here and there.
"What will the Soul-Chasing Pavilion do?"
"Just like I said-run my errands. No different from usual. You just do what I tell you."
"I see... Is it for when we need to operate publicly?"
"That's part of it."
"If that's part of it... does that mean there are other reasons? Some arrangement by the Cult Leader, perhaps...?"
"It's not an organization set up by the Cult Leader. I proposed it myself."
The First Demon placed her hands on her hips.
"Once you process all these documents and submit them, it'll be as good as having your name officially entered in the demon archives. Red Cloud. Those two characters will remain in the cult."
"That means..."
"You won't have to worry about having no place to return to."
...Home.
It was as good as indirectly saying she wouldn't abandon me. I was at a loss for words for a moment.
She said it casually, but didn't that mean she'd created this organization for my sake?
It was an extraordinarily generous treatment I hadn't even dreamed of. Not just as a double agent, but welcoming me as family.
I looked down at the documents in my hand once more.
Issuer... First Demon.
I looked up at her, staring at the bold handwriting.
"Did you really propose this yourself, First Demon?"
"That's right."
"...Why...?"
"Why? So you'll work hard, of course. If you're going to do a job, better to push even harder and show solid results. A reward like this will give you some motivation too. And you won't get any funny ideas, right?"
"......"
"Plus... from now on, when you're out on missions, use the name Soul-Chasing Pavilion. And mention that I'm backing you. Of course, this is only for handling internal cult matters! Above all, don't misuse the name! Swing a sword too much, and the blade dulls."
I rolled my eyes. I thought it over.
My chest swelled, but I didn't know how to express it. Is this the feeling you get when someone suddenly gives you a gift?
So I bowed my head first. It felt like the right thing to do.
"Thank you, First Demon. I will repay this kindness."
"Good, then... Wait, what?! Are you crying?"
"N-no, I'm not."
I quickly wiped my eyes. Why is she so oblivious?
The First Demon stared at me intently. I hurriedly changed the subject.
"Um... do you need anything? If there's something you want, I'll get it somehow. As for money, I've saved every coin you've given me without spending a single one, so no need to worry."
"Why haven't you spent the money I gave you to spend?"
"Just being here means I eat my fill. The rest of my time goes to work and training, so I have no chance to spend it. Besides..."
I fidgeted with my hands.
"I didn't want to spend the money you'd given me carelessly."
"No. Ugh. What..."
The First Demon let out an exasperated sigh. She fiddled with her mask, then looked me up and down.
"Spend the money I told you to spend. It's not much, no need to pinch pennies. I'll refill it right away."
"Still, I want to save it."
"You think anyone will pat you on the back for that?"
"It's not for recognition. I just want to..."
My cheek was pinched. Stretched this way and that, literally manhandled.
"...Ugh."
It was clearly a sigh, but the sound was odd. Like she was desperately trying to force down a rising smile.
"What am I going to do with you? Hmm? You never listen. Really."
"...I'm sorry."
"Fine. Such a stubborn one."
My cheek was fondled for a good while. My hair was ruffled thoroughly too.
The First Demon combed my hair back with her hand, seemingly satisfied.
"I don't need anything right now. You've brought so much junk already that there's barely room left in my quarters."
"If it's that bad, I can take some off your hands..."
"It's my stuff. I'll manage it myself, so don't worry about it."
The First Demon grumbled, then chuckled.
"How's your sword progress?"
"The spirit sword is still resisting. It refuses any deep communion. I think it'll take quite some time..."
"The transforming sword is still far off, then. Well, I didn't think it'd be easy even with the spirit sword, so no helping it. What about the Nine Heavens Blood Demon Art?"
"I've internalized the variant of Phantom Flash, Nine-Headed Dragon Kill. Of course, it's not perfect yet."
"Good work. You've roughly reached the final stage of the early part, so it's time to move to the latter half... but..."
The First Demon rested her chin on her hand.
"Considering the side effects, we should delay it a bit longer."
"Side effects...?"
"The Nine Heavens Blood Demon Art is a demonic art, through and through. Demonic arts bring visible results quickly, but inevitably pit the user against the demonic influence. You can master the early part without issues if your foundation is solid. But the latter half is different. The savage blood energy erodes every corner of your body. That's why so many from the Blood Demon Squad abandon it when they switch organizations. Keep going, and before you know it, you become a bloodthirsty maniac. Plenty master the early part, but those who reach the latter half can be counted on one hand. That's the Nine Heavens Blood Demon Art."
"Then what should I...?"
"But you're different. You've already shown me your iron will that won't be swayed by blood energy. And you possess Heavenly Tribulation too. We've tempered your body to the limit together, so you're more than ready for the latter half. A sturdy foundation won't shake, no matter how vicious the plant that takes root."
The First Demon stroked my head.
"You already have the qualifications. The reason I'm delaying is that I want to add a few touches to the standard Nine Heavens Blood Demon Art. The basic version is fine, but weaving in my insights will fill its gaps. The art was never completed to begin with. The Cult Leader made it on a whim, so it has its rough edges."
"I didn't know."
"Of course, the Cult Leader's 'whim' isn't your average sort. Anyway, refining it a bit more won't hurt. Luckily, I have plenty of skill to rework the latter half without trouble. There are other concerns too... but with me by your side, it's all solvable."
The First Demon took the Nine Heavens Blood Demon Art manual from my robes.
"I'll revise this and give it back. For now, focus on strengthening your foundation more. Build a base strong enough to withstand any vicious roots. Just keep doing what you've been doing. Got it?"
"Understood."
"Good..."
The First Demon fiddled with my ear.
"Separately, I have something to ask."
"What...?"
"Aren't you curious about my face? I've never heard you say so. Why is that? Most people would be curious."
Her face.
Her face.
I glanced at her mask. The First Demon's face, which I'd never seen. Not just in official settings, but every time our paths crossed, she wore that talisman-sealed mask.
I was curious, sure. But I hadn't asked for a reason. She wore the mask deliberately, so there must be meaning behind it.
I said as much.
"I am curious... but I figured there's a reason it's hidden."
"Is that so? What if what's under here is grotesque and twisted?"
".......? Judging someone by their appearance alone would just show my own foolishness, wouldn't it?"
If the First Demon were ugly, and that changed my feelings, that would be the real surprise.
No matter how twisted or hideous, I was confident I could respect and cherish her sincerely.
"No matter what's behind the mask, my feelings remain the same. If you see even the slightest change in my attitude, punish me as you see fit."
"D-don't spout such embarrassing nonsense so casually! Idiot!"
"Ow ow."
"A guy with so much patience, pretending it hurts...!"
My ear, yanked hard, was released with a snap.
The First Demon whipped her head away.
"All smooth talk."
"I'll prove it."
"No need!"
The First Demon stomped off.
...
I cultivated my martial arts. Following the First Demon's advice, I solidified my foundation even further.
Controlling my inner energy was important too, but first I mapped out my body's structure. I built up unused muscles, swung the spirit sword White Night, and realigned everything within me.
Foundations were like endless darkness with no end in sight. But that's why I liked it.
I could see myself progressing bit by bit, and those small gains fueled me for tomorrow.
My sturdy body began cracking open. No longer just tempering-I was carving it down.
Effort never betrays. I inscribed that lesson hundreds of times into my body while honing my basic stamina.
The First Demon cut back on my assignments. She made allowances for me to devote more time to training.
I even crossed swords with the estate's warriors. Most were inferior to me, but sparring them yielded other gains.
You can find reflections of your own flaws in the swords of the deficient.
Ghost Hand One Demon, now streamlined even to my eyes, had fully entered the groove. The First Demon even praised my honed punches.
"Not bad."
If she was impressed, my efforts had paid off.
Pushing my movement techniques to the limit brought changes to my body too. Heavenly Tribulation had somewhat adapted to my energy flow and began moving as I willed, if only slightly.
When Heavenly Tribulation followed the cracks in my frame, I could reinforce my body without inner energy. That strengthened form surpassed rock-I could pulverize boulders with a simple punch.
The Heavenly Demon, bored and summoning me, stroked her chin with interest.
"So Heavenly Tribulation can mutate external arts like this. Improved through effort, like selective breeding... Your achievements are astonishing, pup. But you're still at stage two. Reverse Heaven Blood Flow Great Law stage three will have to wait."
"What exactly is Heavenly Tribulation?"
"You're not at a level to ask that yet. Work harder. Besides, even if you knew now, it wouldn't be useful to you."
The Heavenly Demon's words were often vague. But her occasional guidance was like rain in a drought.
The First Demon's teachings were excellent, but the Heavenly Demon's were on another level. Solving one problem she posed reshaped something fundamental inside me.
Nine Heavens Blood Demon Art. The one infamous for fast early progress only.
Yet something felt off. My progress seemed even faster than when I'd first started. The vessel had grown, so it wasn't obvious, but even I could tell the filling speed was extraordinary.
The Heavenly Demon grinned.
"Heavenly Tribulation aside, the Nine Heavens Blood Demon Art is amusing too. At this rate, it feels like a righteous sect art. Your blood energy is so pure it's comparable to their divine skills. Who knew the Nine Heavens Blood Demon Art could become this? I shaped it with my hands, but you're the one paving the path. Your excessive effort is showing me something strange again."
"The progress is faster than I expected, and it's disconcerting."
"Worried because it's too fast... Not wrong. But it won't apply to you. With the Reverse Heaven Blood Flow Great Law making your body resilient, and even your constitution and meridians twisted at my whim. Your foundation is already exceptional. Plus your own relentless polishing on top... It'd be weirder if mere blood energy swayed you."
The Heavenly Demon stroked my head.
"Still, just in case, I'll tell you. Be careful when cultivating the latter half of the Nine Heavens Blood Demon Art. The blood energy you've built so far is nothing to you now, but the stuff in the latter half is vicious on another level. If your body weakens, it'll pounce immediately. When do you think that happens?"
"...When Heavenly Tribulation regenerates my body?"
"Exactly. Heart demons seep in when mind and flesh waver. Every time your body takes a major hit and shatters, Heavenly Tribulation will regenerate it like always. That's when the latter half strikes. The new vicious blood energy piled on your foundation will shake your spirit."
The Heavenly Demon neatly braided one side of my hair.
"It's like doubling the weight of all the death lines you've crossed. If you grow numb to killing, doubt yourself. It's the precursor to madness. Pup. I don't want to own a dog that kills indiscriminately."
"I'll stay vigilant."
"Good boy. Mmm. Pretty. I have decent handiwork, don't I? Don't undo it-show the First Demon. That's an order."
"......"
I returned to the First Demon with the braid intact.
She burst into laughter.
"Ahaha! What is that?!"
"...The Cult Leader's orders."
"You look like such a fool."
After laughing for a while, she beckoned me over.
"She warned you to beware of going mad?"
"Yes."
"Not wrong. But no need to worry. I'll be watching you. That's why I didn't mention it. Whatever symptoms arise, I can cure them. No need to fret."
My hair swayed. I raised a hand to check the loosened braid.
"......."
Another braided section had been added.
"First Demon."
"What? It suits you. Mmm... cute."
"First Demon."
"Ah, right. Red Cloud. I've finished sorting the manual just in time. You can start the latter half now. So from here on..."
---Rumble.
A noise came from outside the door. The First Demon's laughter cut off abruptly.
She lowered her voice.
"What is it?"
"Blood Execution Squad Leader. It's Red Thread. A blood messenger pigeon has arrived."
"...Whose?"
"From Blood Execution Squad member Wolhyang."
"Wolhyang?"
The First Demon's demeanor hardened. I tried to excuse myself, but she pressed down firmly on my shoulder.
A chilling voice asked.
"Explain in detail."
"Squad member Wolhyang is currently missing. Only the blood messenger pigeon returned wounded and alive. At the same time, anomalies in Akmin. We've confirmed that Chilseong Sect, a key pill-making faction of the Raksha Clan, vanished overnight."
"Wolhyang...? Wait, what was that? Chilseong Sect? The Raksha Clan's core elixir production sect? Who had the guts to touch them?"
"We don't know. However..."
The warrior outside lowered his voice.
"Rumors are spreading that someone possesses the formula and elixirs of the Ghost Emissary Black Wild Pill. Word leaked that the last surviving heir of Chilseong Sect is wandering Akmin, and now countless fiends eyeing the elixirs and formula are flooding in. Akmin is like a horse with a broken bridle. With the Blood Execution Squad member handling security gone, order is collapsing rapidly."