Chapter 251 - Now Is the Time for Everyone to Grow Stronger

Becoming young lord had changed nothing.

My path was set, and so was what I had to do.

Grow stronger and kill Hwa Mugi.

In practical terms, however, things had changed.

The first change to arrive stood in a line in the courtyard of my residence. I could tell who they were from the emblem on their chests.

A fiend depicted on a shield.

"We are from the Heavenly Demon Hall Guard."

Now that I was young lord, Heavenly Demon Hall had dispatched guards to protect me.

"I am Jeok Yeon, and from this day forward, I will be responsible for your safety, young lord."

He wore a patch over one eye. One-eyed guards were exceedingly rare, which made him seem quite unusual.

The guards standing behind him introduced themselves in turn. There were twelve in all. He explained that they would protect me in shifts of six, day and night.

I knew Jeok Yeon and the other guards well.

Jeok Yeon. His had been a fate that blazed like a flame before vanishing.

They had guarded my brother when he was young lord, and all of them had died with him on the day Hwa Mugi attacked. Not one had fled. They had pledged their loyalty with their lives.

'Thank you.'

I thanked them in my heart.

"We will protect you now, young lord."

That loyalty was now directed toward me. More fates I had to change.

The only problem was that I did not need them.

They would try not to leave my side for even a moment, but I had plenty of things to do that required moving quickly. Besides, much of what I did would make no sense to them.

Somehow, I had to get them to keep their distance.

To think I would face a problem like this on my very first day as young lord.

There was no need to tell them, "I have no use for you, so leave." They would not go back simply because I said so, and that was not how this problem should be solved.

I had to meet Hwi, the head of the Guard and Father's personal bodyguard, to settle it. Of course, it would not be easy.

Whether on the orthodox, unorthodox, or demonic path, guards were the most conservative of martial artists. Without that conservatism, they could not possibly protect their charges.

The more skilled martial artists were, the more they tended to overestimate themselves, and protecting such willful people was truly difficult. Wasn't I a perfect example? Here I was, trying to find some way to send them back.

"Rest here for a moment."

I intended to meet Hwi and have this out with him, but Jeok Yeon seemed to have read my mind.

"The Guard Commander told us this: 'The young lord may try to send you back. But there is nowhere for you to return to.' If you do send us back, we will have to leave the Guard."

Hwi had anticipated that I would send them back and made the first move. He understood my character that well, and he was making it clear that dismissing my guards was out of the question. Come what may, I was to keep them.

"Then are you now entirely my men?"

"We officially belong to the Heavenly Demon Hall Guard, but in practice, yes."

I said to Jeok Yeon, "Remove your eye patch."

He flinched at my command, but then removed the patch without hesitation. He had not been wearing it because of an injury. The eye it concealed was as red as blood.

I approached and peered into it.

"You've learned the Ghost Eye Art."

The Ghost Eye Art was an eye technique passed down among guards that allowed them to detect people in hiding. Learning it was excruciating, however, and it left them unable to use that eye in ordinary circumstances. They had to give up the use of one eye for life, all for a single moment of danger that might never come.

"Doesn't it hurt?"

"It's bearable."

"Hold still."

I placed my palm over his eye. A fine thread of internal energy flowed into it, gently soothing it.

When I withdrew my hand, Jeok Yeon bowed his head.

"Thank you."

Bewilderment filled his face as he looked at me. He could never have imagined that I would ease his pain like this.

"It's only a temporary measure."

It had been the same with Yi An, and now with Jeok Yeon.

Protecting someone demanded far too great a sacrifice. This was surely not a problem unique to the Cult, but the burden the Cult placed upon its guards was too cruel.

"As I understand it, once you achieve complete mastery of the Ghost Eye Art, you can use that eye normally as well."

"That is correct. But complete mastery is extraordinarily difficult to achieve."

"I'll help you."

His red eye widened in astonishment, as though he were looking at a ghost.

"How old are you?"

"Twenty-nine."

He was young. The guards with him were either younger or about his age.

"Though I am young, this is my twelfth year in the Guard."

That meant he had been accepted at seventeen. Ordinary skill could not get someone into the Heavenly Demon Hall Guard, which spoke to his exceptional talent.

"The juniors who came with me are young as well, but I can vouch for their abilities."

Of course he could. They had been sent to guard the young lord. Hwi would have sent me young experts who would shoulder the responsibility for the next generation—men with both skill and loyalty.

Uncle Hwi, you chose very well indeed.

They had already proved what sort of men they were through their deaths.

"How much do you know about me?"

"We are aware of nearly everything that has happened recently."

"Then you must have some idea of my character."

"I have an inkling."

"Let's hear it."

After briefly hesitating over his answer, Jeok Yeon spoke cautiously.

"I believe you will not be easy to serve."

I nodded.

"If you let go of just one thing, you'll get along with me better than anyone."

"What would that be?"

"Impatience. All you need to do is let go of your impatience to become my guards right this instant."

Jeok Yeon and the other guards looked puzzled. They had already been assigned to guard me. What was I talking about?

"I don't understand what you mean."

Instead of answering, I asked a question.

"What is your ultimate dream?"

"To become the finest guards."

"Then is your dream to guard the young lord, or to guard the Cult Leader?"

After a pause, Jeok Yeon replied.

"Naturally, our ultimate dream is to guard the Cult Leader."

The others would have the same goal.

"That's why I'm saying you must let go of your impatience."

They still looked as though they could not understand what I was getting at.

"Bring thirteen wooden swords."

Realizing that I intended to test their skills, Jeok Yeon immediately sent a subordinate to fetch them.

A short while later, each of us held a wooden sword. I coated the tip of mine with white powder.

"Now, imagine that man at the end is me, and protect him."

They immediately formed up around the man I had indicated. Every one of them was taut with tension.

"You needn't worry about hurting me. Do everything you can to stop me. Here I come."

I rushed them.

They tried everything they could to stop me, but how could they stop me when I was attacking in earnest?

I used the Wind God's Four Steps without restraint as I drove into their formation. They were shoved and pulled, their sword swings missing me. They left openings where there should have been none, tripped over legs, and lost sight of me for an instant.

By the time the thought What in the world is happening? had flashed through each of their minds, I had leaped clear and landed back where I started.

The twelve guards stared blankly at me.

What exactly had I done in there?

None of them had dropped a sword. None had been struck.

Then one of them gave a startled gasp.

"Ah!"

Only then did all of them start in shock. They were more horrified than if they had been stabbed in the arm or belly. At some point, white powder had appeared over every man's heart.

Their leader, Jeok Yeon, was no exception, nor was the comrade they had been trying to protect. More astonishing still, none of them knew when or how it had happened. In the blink of an eye, they had all died.

"Can you protect me with your current skills?"

Jeok Yeon and the others flushed. Whatever the difference in our abilities, being overcome so helplessly as guards must have been deeply humiliating.

"I'm not trying to humiliate you. I'm showing you the reality. You must be far stronger to protect me, because this is the caliber of expert I will be facing."

I approached them, meeting each man's eyes in turn.

"You couldn't stop me today, but next time, you must. You can't do it alone, but there are twelve of you. Together, you must stop me. Don't waste your time guarding me while I eat or sleep. Spend the time you would waste on such meaningless watches training your martial arts instead."

Nothing could have been more pointless right now than following me around to protect me.

"Are you telling us to do nothing but train?"

I shook my head at Jeok Yeon's question.

"You have obligations of your own, so I can't ask that of you. We'll attend official functions together, both inside and outside the Cult. But there's no need to waste time guarding me when I'm going about my daily life or spending time with the Demon Supremes."

In truth, this was a heaven-sent opportunity for them. Their guarding duties were so demanding that they cut back on sleep to make time for training.

"'Those are the Guard's rules.' 'That goes against our principles.' From now on, abandon such thinking. We will establish new rules and principles. When I tell you to withdraw and rest, obey my command without question. Unless I summon you separately, that time is for training. Train with the resolve to become the finest guards in Murim."

Uncertainty flickered in Jeok Yeon's eyes and those of his men at these unexpected words.

"Those are the guards I need."

I slowly approached Jeok Yeon and brushed the powder from over his heart. Beneath it lay the Guard's emblem.

"I need this shield depicted on your chests. A shield of ten-thousand-year cold iron that no one can pierce."

I could feel emotion welling up in Jeok Yeon. They were still young, and my words stirred them. Becoming the finest guards was their dream, too. Now they had their chance.

"If you keep your promise to me, I'll make you a promise as well. I will take you with me to the very end. When I become the Heavenly Demon, you will be my guards."

Jeok Yeon and his men were stunned. Upon becoming the Heavenly Demon, one normally received the martial artists who guarded the Heavenly Demon in place of one's former guards. But I had just declared that I would take them all with me.

"If this arrangement causes trouble and you are expelled from the Guard, I will take responsibility and take you in. But that won't happen."

Jeok Yeon could not decide whether this would really work.

"In exchange for giving you plenty of time, I will test your skills regularly. Anyone who slacks off will be dismissed immediately. This may prove harder than guarding me."

Now was the time for everyone to grow stronger. Above all, I had to make my guards stronger, no matter what.

Jeok Yeon looked around at his subordinates. Rather than decide on his own, he was asking their opinions. I sensed a rapid exchange of sound transmissions. I liked the way he handled things.

"I learned the Ghost Eye Art to see ghosts... but right now, I feel as though I've been bewitched by one."

His expression asked whether it was really all right to make such an important decision on emotion alone. Then he added,

"We have decided to follow your wishes, young lord."

The guards behind him shouted in unison.

"We will grow stronger. We entrust our futures to you, young lord."

I could feel their determination.

"Grow stronger. I hope that one day you will become the finest Heavenly Demon Protectors in Murim."

You can do it. I will help you.

And we must succeed, if only to survive.

"Where are your quarters?"

"They have been arranged nearby."

"I'll have them rebuilt with the finest facilities, including a training ground."

Gratitude filled all their faces.

"Well, since this is our first day, shall we all go together?"

* * *

I headed toward Heavenly Demon Hall with my guards.

Following proudly behind me, they regarded the demonic martial artists with cool, confident eyes, quite unlike the way they had looked at me.

They had the authority to cut down anyone to protect me. While on duty, they could even dispense with greeting the Demon Supremes. I had put them through their paces, but they were no pushovers anywhere else.

As we walked, the demonic martial artists parted like water.

Not only did they dare not block our path, even the way they looked at me had changed completely.

Before, they had shown their feelings, whether through supportive looks or disapproving ones. To some extent, I had been able to read their minds.

But now that I was young lord, they dared not reveal their feelings. At the sight of me, they greeted me politely with expressions of absolute respect. Whether they liked me was irrelevant. All they thought was that getting on the wrong side of the next Heavenly Demon meant death.

My guards waited at the entrance while I entered Heavenly Demon Hall alone.

Father sat in his grand armchair, as always.

I walked along the Path of Blood and stopped at the foot of the steps.

"Has your esteemed person remained in vigorous health? Have you been free of ailments since last we met, and is your noble body at ease this day?"

"Why are you behaving so unlike yourself?"

"Surely a young lord ought to offer at least this much of a greeting."

The corners of Father's mouth curled upward.

"Be yourself."

Smiling cheerfully, I asked him,

"Did you and my brother have a good long session of badmouthing me?"

"We couldn't. Unlike someone, your brother doesn't insult people behind their backs."

Father, seeing you take care of my brother yesterday was truly wonderful.

"I kept my promise to bring him here hand in hand. Please help me with what comes after that."

Father did not answer, but I trusted that he would help in some way when it came to my brother.

"You've gone on and on about becoming my successor, but you will have much to do from now on."

I knew that too. There was plenty to handle within the Cult, along with functions to attend. In particular, there was a whole string of events outside the Cult where I would have to represent Father.

"I'll show the world this handsome face I inherited from you."

In truth, I was counting on the Secret Art of Heavenly Time. My only option was to master it somehow and secure more time.

After gazing down at me in silence, Father abruptly asked,

"Are you ready?"

I knew instinctively.

The moment I had long awaited had finally come.

"I am ready."

At my calm answer, Father rose from his armchair.

"Follow me."

I followed him toward something that mattered more to me than the position of successor. Though I walked slowly, my heart began pounding as if I were running at full speed.