Chapter 32 - I Need Something to Eat with My Drink

The next day, I opened a branch of Yellow Springs Pavilion in Demon Family Village.

We set it up across from the Merry Life Tavern. It was a very small branch, staffed by just one newly recruited investigator and one enforcement martial artist.

As he watched the necessary furnishings being carried in and the signboard being hung, Jo Chunbae, the owner of the Merry Life Tavern, cautiously asked, watching my reaction,

“Pavilion Master, why did you put the branch here?”

“Suppose a martial artist from the Cult wronged you. What would you have done about it until now?”

“... Done about it?”

Jo Chunbae’s question said it all. What could he have done? He would simply have had to swallow the injustice.

“If a martial artist from the Cult is involved, you can come to Yellow Springs Pavilion and report it. Do you know anyone who has done that?”

“No, not to my knowledge.”

Of course he didn’t. To reach Yellow Springs Pavilion, visitors had to state their business at the Cult’s main gate, have their identities checked, and even submit to a body search. They had to go through that process several times before they could reach the pavilion.

Who would go there to file a complaint under those circumstances? In effect, Yellow Springs Pavilion had abandoned the residents of Demon Family Village.

“Please spread the word for me. Tell the residents of Demon Family Village that if the Cult’s martial artists harm them, they can come to this branch and file a complaint.”

“But...everyone will hesitate for fear of retaliation.”

“They will. That’s why I’ll soon announce that anyone who retaliates against a complainant in connection with a Yellow Springs Pavilion investigation will be punished by beheading.”

“Beheading? Ah, so you really are opening this branch for our sake.”

Jo Chunbae was deeply moved.

Normally, he would have dismissed it as an empty gesture, convinced that the branch would eventually exist in name only.

But he had seen and heard firsthand how I dealt with the Hundred-Saber Fiend, Yang Tae, and his son. Now he was excited.

“Everyone, come over here and listen!”

He began telling the people in the marketplace about the branch.

I couldn’t know how many people would come forward to report the injustices they had suffered.

But whatever the number, this initiative would play a major role in restoring discipline within the Cult. Now that filing a complaint was so easy, fewer people would dare bully the weak.

Once we finished setting up the branch, Seo Daeryong seemed in good spirits on our way back.

“We should have done this long ago... You’ve done something truly admirable.”

“It’s a question of where you place your center of gravity.”

“What do you mean?”

“Until now, Yellow Springs Pavilion’s center of gravity has been in its head. It has dealt with problems in the Cult’s various organizations while watching the Eight Demon Supremes’ reactions. It strayed from its founding purpose and became a handmaiden to power. From now on, I’m placing its center of gravity in its legs. We’ll start by protecting the residents of Demon Family Village, low-ranking martial artists, and everyone who suffers injustice because they’re relatively weak. Throughout that process, there’s just one principle we must never forget.”

“What is it?”

“Every life carries the same weight. A low-ranking martial artist’s life weighs just as much as a Demon Supreme’s. That’s why we apply the same standards to everyone.”

A surge of emotion crossed Seo Daeryong’s face.

“If anyone else had said that, I’d have called it bullshit. Nothing but pathetic idealism that ignores reality. But coming from you, Pavilion Master, I believe it.”

“Was that an insult or a compliment? You just insulted me, didn’t you?”

“If you come any closer looking that frightening, I’ll be your first complainant.”

I chuckled as I watched him hurry away.

And there was one thing I needed to do to maintain the forcefulness I had promised him Yellow Springs Pavilion would have.

* * *

I summoned all the enforcement martial artists.

“Greetings, Pavilion Master!”

They greeted me at the tops of their voices. Now that I had put even the Hundred-Saber Fiend in prison, I was more popular than when I first took office.

My authority had grown as well. Those who had subtly looked down on me, believing I had lost ground to my brother in the succession struggle, had changed their attitudes. Whenever they encountered me, the first thing they did was lower their eyes.

“Thank you all for your dedication to this pavilion.”

I stepped to the side of the dais and cupped my fist in my palm to express my gratitude. The enforcement martial artists returned the salute in unison.

“This is the first time we’ve gathered without the investigators, isn’t it?”

“Yes!”

“On a fine day like this, I ought to have something pleasant to say. But today, I intend to discuss something a little uncomfortable.”

The enforcement martial artists tensed at my words.

“As you know, there are people within the Cult who defy and challenge this pavilion’s authority. The Demon Army did it, and so did the Saber Fiends. The reason is simple. They believe they’re stronger than you.”

It would hurt their pride, but I didn’t mince words. There were things to say to investigators and things to say to enforcement martial artists. With these men, speaking directly would work better than talking around the issue.

“Choose any of the Eight Demon Supremes. Could you take my written order to their organization and arrest a senior figure of the Hundred-Saber Fiend’s standing?”

No one could answer with confidence. That was the reality.

“Why can’t you? Because they believe their fists are stronger than this pavilion’s laws. How do we change that? Simple. Your fists must become stronger than theirs. If they fear you, they won’t even think of defying you.”

Their faces flushed. Every one of them must have experienced their authority being disregarded at least once.

“I want you to become stronger than you are now.”

Of course, the enforcement martial artists were already strong. But they weren’t strong enough to overwhelm the warriors of elite organizations. They were roughly on par with them, or even slightly weaker.

“So, starting today, all your scheduled duties are canceled. You’ll begin special training.”

The mention of special training drew a variety of reactions. Some looked pleased, while others’ expressions hardened.

“If you feel this change doesn’t suit you, you should leave now. I’ll transfer you to another department. Step forward.”

After a moment’s hesitation, two men stepped out. They admitted frankly that they wanted to move to other departments.

I promised to assign each of them to the department he wanted and sent them on their way.

“Don’t worry about what anyone thinks. Not everyone has to fight at Yellow Springs Pavilion. You can support the Cult from whatever position suits you. Anyone else?”

No one else stepped forward.

“Good.”

I beckoned to the man waiting some distance away.

It was Jang Ho, the Demon Army’s Third Squad Leader—the strongest of its squad leaders.

Ever since I had killed the Demon Army commander and avenged his friend, he had held me in high regard.

“This is the man who will be conducting your special training from today onward.”

A new Demon Army commander had yet to be appointed, so the entire Demon Army was on standby. That was why I could ask this favor.

Jang Ho stepped before them. With his enormous frame and the blade scar on his face, his presence overwhelmed the enforcement martial artists.

“I’m Jang Ho. I’ll be in charge of your training for the time being. I accepted this task out of my personal respect for the Pavilion Master here. The training will be brutal. But I promise you one thing: anyone who endures it will be stronger than before. Understood?”

“Yes!”

The enforcement martial artists answered loudly.

“Training begins in half a double-hour. Get ready and assemble again. Dismissed.”

The enforcement martial artists dispersed, leaving Jang Ho and me alone.

“How are things in the Demon Army these days?”

“Unsettled. Things should stabilize once the next commander is appointed.”

I had heard various rumors about the next Demon Army commander myself. It was such an important post that Father and Sima Myeong were reportedly deliberating carefully over the appointment. I had also heard that the Demon Supremes had begun maneuvering to put someone from their own faction in the position.

“I’m sorry to ask for your help at a time like this.”

“Not at all. Call on me anytime. If it’s your order, Second Young Master—no, Pavilion Master—I’ll come running whenever you need me.”

“Thank you.”

After Jang Ho left, I was about to turn away when a voice came from somewhere.

“Two days left now.”

I turned my head to find the Blood Heaven Saber Demon perched on the wall behind me.

“You really have nothing to do, do you?”

“Once you become a Demon Supreme, time is something you have in abundance.”

“When I become Cult Leader, the Demon Supremes will have more than enough work to do.”

“Then join hands with me.”

The Blood Heaven Saber Demon was pressuring me, determined to get his way.

“My brother will be hurt if he learns you’re doing this.”

“He’ll understand. Isn’t it human nature to side with whoever does better? Do you know why I dislike those bastards in the orthodox factions? They dress these feelings up far too much. They could simply say they like a man because he’s rich or because he’s stronger. Instead, they prattle on about chivalrous righteousness and moral duty. You’d think being honest would send them into qi deviation.”

“Wouldn’t the same apply to me?”

“What would?”

“That human nature you mentioned—siding with whoever does better. Another Demon Supreme might want to join hands with me. And one of them might do better than you.”

That should have left him struggling for an answer, but the Blood Heaven Saber Demon responded with ease.

“Tell me, Second Young Master. Do you believe in your own ability and potential?”

“Yes.”

“And you’re confident you can become the Heavenly Demon.”

“I am.”

“I was the first to recognize that in you. My ability to recognize someone’s true worth alone should tell you who will do best, shouldn’t it?”

“Even a smooth talker like me is no match for you.”

“Hahahaha! See you in two days.”

Laughing heartily, the Blood Heaven Saber Demon leaped away and vanished.

‘That old man certainly knows how to make his words sound convincing.’

At first hearing, everything he said sounded right. But considered coolly, his argument was little more than a stretch.

I had only recently begun drawing attention within the Cult. Everyone would be watching the changes in me.

The Blood Heaven Saber Demon had merely made the first move because of his entanglements with me. He was claiming me as his own just because he had spat on me a little.

Joining hands with the Blood Heaven Saber Demon? It wasn’t an absurd idea. If he truly took my side, he would certainly be a powerful asset.

But I couldn’t join hands with him as things stood. He still held the upper hand.

* * *

The next day, I watched the enforcement martial artists training from a hill overlooking the training grounds.

Jang Ho was merciless. The training truly ground them down to blood and bone, but the enforcement martial artists gritted their teeth and pressed on.

Before they began, Jang Ho had fired them all up with a single remark.

[“This is the training our Demon Army does.”]

That was all it took. If they couldn’t endure the Demon Army’s training, they would be admitting that its contempt for Yellow Springs Pavilion was justified.

I thought Jang Ho was a very clever man. Nothing worked better on martial artists than a challenge to their pride.

Jang Ho’s shout carried from the distance.

“Hold out! Your wife, your children, your friends—anyone can betray you. But the sweat you shed now will never betray you!”

I chuckled at his shouting. It was funny to hear Jang Ho, who had never even been married, talk about wives and children.

‘They’ve certainly met their match.’

Just as the thought crossed my mind that having a warrior like Jang Ho under my command would be truly reassuring—

‘Ah!’

A good idea concerning the Blood Heaven Saber Demon came to me.

* * *

On the third day, the Blood Heaven Saber Demon was waiting for me where he had first proposed our alliance.

As before, he had planted the Heaven-Destroying Great Saber in the ground and was drinking, leaning against its blade.

“Are you ready to drink my wine now?”

I sat opposite him.

“I’m ready.”

The Blood Heaven Saber Demon laughed heartily, looking satisfied, and poured me a drink.

I raised my cup with enthusiasm for the toast, but I didn’t drink.

“Why are you putting it down without drinking?”

“I need something to eat with my drink.”

“Something to eat? What kind of grown man makes a fuss about food with his wine?”

Displeasure appeared on the Blood Heaven Saber Demon’s face. He had realized that I wasn’t talking about actual food, but a condition I wanted met.

“What sort of food do you need?”

Amid the taut tension, I answered,

“The Demon Army.”

The Blood Heaven Saber Demon’s eyes widened at the wholly unexpected words.

“Put the Demon Army in my mouth.”