Chapter 141 - The Right Choice This Time

I chose the path I knew. Before my regression, I had chosen the mission on the right, and today I chose the envelope on the right again.

I can complete any mission now!

This was no time to flaunt that sort of confidence. It was an opportunity to humbly make up for my past failure.

Inside the envelope was a single sheet of paper bearing four characters:

Punish the False Demons.

It was the same order I had received before.

Sima Myeong explained through sound transmission so that neither of us would learn the other's mission.

“Recently, a mysterious organization called the Heavenly Mandate Society has begun operating in secret in Murim. They proclaim that they will create a new Murim under heaven's mandate, but they are pursuing their own private interests. Lately, they have caused several incidents while impersonating the Cult's Demon Supremes, and we can no longer leave them unchecked. Second Young Master, find and kill their leader, and destroy the Heavenly Mandate Society.”

In truth, when I heard this transmission before my regression, I had dismissed them. Rather than relying on their own abilities, they had been going around impersonating the Cult's Demon Supremes.

But now I saw it differently. Daring to impersonate Demon Supremes meant they were confident they could handle the consequences, or perhaps had some other scheme hidden away. These were no ordinary men.

“I will carry out your command.”

Once I accepted my mission, Geom Muyang took the remaining envelope. Of course, I knew very well what mission was written inside it.

After giving him the basic information through sound transmission as well, Sima Myeong addressed us both.

“You must resolve your missions on your own. However, while carrying them out, you may use the entire intelligence network of the Cult's Heaven-Reaching Pavilion. You may also call upon your choice of the Cult's Four Great Demonic Forces, including the Demon Army, or the Eight Demon Supremes, but only once.”

In other words, we had to handle the missions ourselves, but could receive the Cult's help when it came time to crush the enemy.

When Sima Myeong finished, Father spoke.

“Neither a frog in a well nor a flower sheltered in a greenhouse can lead the Cult. Settle this decisively before you return!”

Father was sending us on dangerous missions without so much as telling us to be careful. Smiling, I lightened the stiff atmosphere.

“Father, which of us would you prefer to come back successful?”

The corners of Father's mouth lifted slightly at my question. I could sense him forcibly holding back something he wanted to say.

In truth, his gaze as he looked down at us was impartial. He showed neither me nor my brother any personal affection.

Before my regression, I hadn't been looking at Father at this moment. My mind had been occupied with a single thought: I had to complete the mission, no matter what.

But now I was looking at him.

Don't worry, Father. I'll complete it safely and return.

I conveyed that assurance through my eyes. This, too, was part of my effort to become his successor. The more Father trusted me, the closer I would come to that position.

My gaze shifted from Father to Geom Muyang.

'Brother, do well and come back, just as you did before. I'll do the same. And stop looking at me so coldly when you have no idea how I feel.'

* * *

The next morning, Yi An came to see me while I was preparing to leave.

“You called for me?”

“I'll be leaving the Cult for a little while.”

“Where are you going?”

“I can't tell you.”

I pointed upward with a finger. Yi An realized I was leaving to carry out an order from Heavenly Demon Hall.

“Bring me back something delicious!”

“I'm not going on an outing. I'm going to handle something incredibly dangerous.”

“I'm busy training, so I'll be off now.”

“Terrifying enemies will be pouring out at me.”

“Have a good trip!”

Yi An ran all the way to the door, then sighed and turned around.

“Wouldn't it be nice if I could just leave like that? How dangerous is it? I'll come with you and help.”

The playful Yi An had become the Yi An who worried about me every waking moment.

“It's something I have to do alone. And I was joking too. You don't need to worry.”

“You mean that?”

“Don't worry needlessly. Just focus on your own work.”

“Speaking of which, Blue Face came to see me a little while ago.”

I had watched their meeting, but pretended not to know.

“Did he agree to become a team leader?”

“No, he's still thinking about it. He just asked a few questions and left.”

“What's your feeling?”

“It could go either way. Right now, I really hope he'll join, but if he actually does, I think I might worry even more. He'll be starting a new life because of me.”

“Worrying about what happens afterward disregards the thought Blue Face is putting into this. At first glance, you might feel you have to take responsibility for him, but that's not true at all.”

“It isn't?”

“No. If Blue Face joins, it'll be after careful consideration. He'll have weighed everything up and decided that joining you benefits him more. If he comes and finds it isn't right for him, he'll go back. So don't feel burdened.”

Yi An grinned at my words.

“Grow stronger, Yi An. Then nine out of the ten problems worrying you will resolve themselves.”

After saying goodbye to Yi An, I left my quarters.

I intended to visit each of the Demon Supremes before leaving. They hardly needed me to check on them, but this time I wanted to see them all before I went.

My first stop was the Wicked Laughing Demon's Villains' Valley.

He was always staring at the wall in that white room, but today Blue Face informed me he was absent.

“The Demon Supreme left the Cult several days ago.”

“Can you tell me where he went?”

“He left without telling me either.”

“When he returns, please tell him I stopped by.”

“Yes, I will.”

As I turned to leave, Blue Face spoke.

“I would like to ask you something.”

“Go ahead.”

“This may seem a strange question out of the blue, but what does the Ghost Shadow Squad mean to you, Second Young Master?”

I knew exactly why he was asking, so I answered honestly.

“It will be my main force in the future. It's also led by the person I cherish most. It will probably become the busiest organization in Murim. So busy that you'll find yourself saying you had it good under the Wicked Laughing Demon.”

I could see the smile in Blue Face's eyes behind his mask.

“Thank you for telling me.”

Blue Face bowed. I could have said a few more words on Yi An's behalf, but I didn't. Only by making his own judgment and decision would even his regrets become worthwhile.

Next, I visited the Single Flower Sword Supreme.

After hearing about the past from the Drunken Demon, I found myself reflecting on her life.

Would she have been happier than she was now if things had worked out with the Blood Heaven Saber Demon?

“You seem even younger lately.”

“Don't be absurd. I've been worried about all the wrinkles I've gained lately.”

Despite her words, her face brightened at the first compliment she had received on her appearance in a while.

“I hear you drank with the Drunken Demon?”

“How did you know?”

“He stopped by. Said he'd acquired some fine liquor and left some for me. Suddenly doing something he never used to do.”

“What did he say when he gave it to you?”

“He was so pleased, boasting endlessly that the two of you now call each other brothers.”

“I'm not sure that's a good thing. Calling me his brother tangles up all the generational seniority.”

“Then let's be friends too.”

“Please don't say that, even as a joke. I was only joking myself.”

The Drunken Demon probably hadn't come just to boast about our brotherhood. After confessing everything to me, he must have felt sorry toward her.

What he would actually do remained to be seen.

“As you know, the Drunken Demon doesn't get along with the Saber Demon. Will you be all right?”

“You'll have to help me, Senior.”

“How?”

“Even if you don't feel inclined to, please say some good things about the Saber Demon too. I know you aren't fond of him. Still, I'm asking you to do it for my sake.”

The Single Flower Sword Supreme said nothing. Apparently, even my sake wasn't enough to dispel her dislike of him yet.

Still, I hoped things would improve. If the Drunken Demon stopped maligning the Blood Heaven Saber Demon and spoke positively about him instead, her feelings toward him might gradually change as well.

Next, I stopped by to see the Drunken Demon.

But Yeo Bin gave me unexpected news.

“The Drunken Demon has entered closed-door training.”

The announcement was so sudden that I was startled.

“Closed-door training? All of a sudden?”

“He said he's been drinking too much lately and needs to expel some of the alcohol from his system.”

“That's a good thing, isn't it?”

“Yes. It's something I've truly been hoping for. Thank you, Second Young Master.”

“Don't mention it. He promised me he'd drink less and eat plenty of food while drinking, so please look after him, Martial Artist Yeo.”

“Yes, I will.”

I had sensed it for some time: Yeo Bin had feelings for the Drunken Demon. Did he know how she felt? I suspected that sly old fox knew perfectly well and merely pretended otherwise.

My last stop among the Demon Supremes was the Blood Heaven Saber Demon's residence.

“Your saber is growing fiercer, sir.”

He was utterly absorbed in training again today.

“The more you grow, the fiercer your enemies will become.”

“Are you really training to face my enemies? Do you intend to fight the Demon Supremes supporting my brother?”

“It's not just because of the succession struggle.”

“Then why?”

“Do you remember what I once told you? That when a dragon ascends to heaven, it brings wind and rain?”

“Of course. You said my people were being swept away in that storm.”

“That's right. You said you were merely a loach stirring up trouble in muddy water, but I believe that trouble will awaken Murim's sleeping dragons.”

“Aren't you overestimating me?”

“Judging by what you've shown so far, even that is an underestimate. Be careful out there. It may seem that the Cult, the Orthodox Martial Alliance, and the Unorthodox Alliance have divided Murim among themselves, but we account for only a tiny fraction of all its martial artists. There's no telling where someone stronger than us might emerge. Never forget: the martial world has as many extraordinary people as there are grains of sand.”

“I'll always judge carefully before I act.”

“And wait a moment.”

The Blood Heaven Saber Demon went into his room and returned with a small box. Inside was a single medicinal pill.

“It's a Rapid Recovery Pill. Use it if you find yourself in urgent need.”

Taken when one's internal energy was exhausted, a Rapid Recovery Pill restored it two or three times faster than usual.

Since it had no side effects, obtaining one cost a fortune. Even then, they were scarce and difficult to find.

“Save it for yourself, sir.”

“Do you intend to work this old man so hard he needs Rapid Recovery Pills? Take it and use it yourself.”

He forced the pill into my hand. Feeling his worry and the affection beneath his gruffness, I was overwhelmed.

Don't worry, sir. I'll be careful and return safely.

Since I was accepting it anyway, I did so cheerfully.

“Don't you have anything else for me? Why not go back inside and look?”

“No! There's nothing left!”

“Such a forceful denial tells me there is. I'll look forward to next time.”

I smiled and said goodbye, but as I turned to leave, the Blood Heaven Saber Demon asked,

“What happened with that scheming bastard?”

“We've agreed to call each other brothers from now on.”

His expression went from incredulous to admiring.

“If you were a mere loach, you could never have become brothers with that scheming bastard.”

He might dislike the Drunken Demon, but he meant that becoming brothers with him was no small achievement.

“I can do as I please because I know I can count on you, sir.”

“And isn't that why this old man is swinging this heavy saber?”

After leaving the Blood Heaven Saber Demon's residence, I left the Cult.

Once I reached a deserted stretch, I began running in earnest. Lately, Swift Step alone had made me prefer traveling by myself.

But whenever it was time to rest, I made sure to stop. All my movements on this journey would be reported to Heavenly Demon Hall. There was no need to let everyone know I could run at an unbelievable speed.

I ran with Swift Step pushed to its limits, then, upon reaching each designated point, spent the remaining time practicing the other forms of the Wind God's Four Steps.

Dark Shadow Step grew stealthier, Flicker Step faster, and Underworld King's Step more ferocious. I trained and trained, pouring in every ounce of effort and concentration. For the time being, my overriding martial goal was complete mastery of the Wind God's Four Steps.

According to the documents sent by Heaven-Reaching Pavilion, the Heavenly Mandate Society had caused several incidents throughout Hunan.

The two most recent locations were Yongxing and Dongkou.

In my previous life, I had gone to Yongxing to investigate the incident and track down the Heavenly Mandate Society. Ultimately, however, that incident proved not to be their work. It had been committed by imitators.

As a result, I wasted a great deal of time and only belatedly went to Dongkou to follow their trail. That delay made me impatient, causing me to miss clues I should have found, and in the end I failed the mission.

This time, of course, I made the right choice.

Upon arriving in Dongkou, I headed straight for the Moon Wind Sect, where the incident had taken place.