Chapter 41 - Stylish Yet Terrifying

For some time after that day, I focused solely on teaching Yi An, my work at Yellow Springs Pavilion, and my own training.

Yi An learned the Heaven-Soaring Sword Art at astonishing speed, soaking it up like cotton absorbing water. Her talent for martial arts exceeded my expectations. Combined with her painstaking efforts, it made her progress remarkably swift.

Teaching Yi An reminded me of something: teaching was also a form of learning.

Explaining what I already knew allowed me to examine myself objectively.

'Ah, so this is how I've been thinking about this move.'

It gave me a chance to reconsider things I had never thought about seriously.

Teaching is not merely ladling water out of a stagnant pool. Teach halfheartedly, without sincerity, and the water will dry up and run out. But teach with care and deep thought, and you enlarge the well itself.

That was why I was learning even as I taught Yi An. Having never taught anyone in my previous life, I found the process an extraordinary experience.

During a short break in training, she asked me earnestly,

"Young Master, you really are going to establish the Ghost Shadow Squad, aren't you?"

"Yes."

"Then could I design the uniforms? I'd like to make them stylish, rather than those drab black martial uniforms. We could have separate outfits for wearing inside the Cult and for missions, with different colors and designs."

For a moment, I nearly burst out laughing. Since deciding to establish the Ghost Shadow Squad, I had never once considered the color or design of its uniforms. Come to think of it, the same went for every martial uniform I had worn in my life.

"I'd also like different face coverings depending on how difficult the mission is. The ghosts embroidered on them should be stylish yet terrifying, enough to make people's knees tremble just looking at them... Why are you laughing?"

"I was wondering what a stylish yet terrifying ghost looks like."

"I'm actually rather good at drawing. I'll show you later."

"The people who join the Ghost Shadow Squad will certainly be well dressed."

"Don't tease me."

Yi An was a truly sensitive, thoughtful person. If she directed the care she devoted to me toward others, she would become an excellent squad leader who could soothe everyone's hearts.

"What matters most is your ability. The Ghost Shadow Squad will undertake the most dangerous missions in Murim. Both succeeding in those missions and minimizing losses among your subordinates will depend on your ability."

"Yes, I'll remember that."

"And one more thing. There's something even more important than ability."

"What is it?"

"The resolve to lose your subordinates. A steadfast heart that won't be wounded even when you lose them."

Yi An looked straight at me.

"You see me as a child, don't you, Young Master? Because I'm always here by your side."

"Aren't you?"

"No. I'm not a child, and I'm not as innocent or kind as you think. Losing a subordinate won't leave me heartbroken to the point of death. If anything, I'm worried you'll be disappointed in me later. You'll wonder whether I was always this coldhearted."

"That wouldn't disappoint me. Then we're fine."

Perhaps deciding she might as well speak now that the subject had come up, Yi An shared her true feelings.

"When you said you'd teach me the Heaven-Soaring Sword Art, I finally felt as though my feet were on the ground."

"What do you mean?"

"Honestly, before that, I felt like I was floating in midair. The Ghost Shadow Squad? Would an organization like that really be established? And I'd be its leader? Really? I thought you were doing all this because you'd been swept up in some burst of enthusiasm. But as I memorized the Heaven-Soaring Sword Art's mnemonic verses, I realized this was real. Will I be able to handle all of it? Oh, I'm sorry. Ah, I'd decided not to ask such insecure questions anymore."

"You can ask. No, you should. How could we walk a path that will change so many people's fates without asking such questions? Ask today, and ask tomorrow. You should still be asking ten years from now. This is a path we must walk while constantly questioning ourselves. I'll keep nagging you, too. We have to keep asking each other."

The people who never asked such questions were people like the Eight Demon Supremes.

They believed their decisions were right because they considered themselves superior to others. They had neither concern nor empathy for anyone else. They never asked.

"Yes, Young Master. Whenever I'm unsure whether I'm doing the right thing, I'll ask. I'll ask you, and I'll ask myself, too."

I gently stroked her head once.

"I'm proud of you."

Yi An blushed slightly and smiled shyly.

"All right, back to training!"

"Yes!"

As our training drew to a close, I brought her books on organizational management, military tactics, and a leader's self-cultivation.

"Read these whenever you have time during your breaks."

"Yes."

With all her time devoted to training lately, she had neglected learning the work of Yellow Springs Pavilion. She needed to learn how to run an organization, even if it had to be through books.

* * *

A few days later, I went to the Southern Saber Sect to meet the Blood Heaven Saber Demon.

As I entered, the Saber Fiends flocked out to get a look at me.

This, too, was a place where people lived. Some were scum, while others were decent. All sorts lived together here.

On the whole, I bore them no ill will. Thanks to them, I had successfully completed the Thousand-Meridian Strengthening Art.

The Saber Fiends were also friendly toward me, given my good relationship with the Blood Heaven Saber Demon. Many had admired my courage and spirit when I performed the Thousand-Meridian Strengthening Art, and some even regarded me with respect.

Several approached to greet me politely, while others clapped and cheered from a distance. Had they taken after their master? The Saber Fiends seemed like endearingly crazy bastards.

I waved to them.

A Saber Fiend guided me to the Blood Heaven Saber Demon's office.

He was surprised by my visit.

"Has something happened that warrants arresting me?"

"Have you committed a crime since we last met?"

"I've lived a life full of sins."

"Fortunately, that's not why I'm here today."

"Then why have you come?"

"To give you this."

I held out what I had brought.

"What's this? A box that sprays deadly poison when opened?"

"Where on earth can I buy a box like that? I'd like a few."

"I asked what it was."

"Open it."

He opened the box to find a poison-warding pearl inside. As it happened, it was the exact opposite of his joke.

"It's a poison-warding pearl of the highest quality."

"I can see that. But why give me this?"

"It's a gift."

"A gift? Why something so expensive, all of a sudden?"

"It's a birthday present."

The Blood Heaven Saber Demon froze in surprise.

"What?"

"Happy birthday. It is your birthday today, isn't it?"

"Today is my birthday?"

His voice trembled, as though the thought truly hadn't occurred to him.

"You didn't know?"

"It's been a long time since I paid attention to birthdays. But how did you know?"

"Who do you think I am? There's nothing Yellow Springs Pavilion doesn't have records of. I even know how many pairs of underwear you own."

"How many?"

"That part was an exaggeration. In any case, happy birthday."

It was an unmistakably deliberate gesture of goodwill, an effort to truly make him one of my people.

I bowed to him and turned to leave.

"Did you really come just to give me a present?"

"Yes. It's simply a birthday present, so please don't feel under any obligation."

"You're just leaving?"

"I'm a busy man. Let's have a drink at Merry Life Tavern tonight. I'll be waiting. Oh, and don't go smashing things today."

I left the office with him still standing there in a daze.

Before closing the door, I looked back inside. As the Blood Heaven Saber Demon gazed down at the poison-warding pearl, he wore an expression I had never seen before. I had never known he could look so deeply moved.

* * *

"By the way, is it really true?"

Walking down the corridor beside me, Seo Daeryong asked with a look of astonishment.

"Is what true?"

"That you gave the Saber Demon a birthday present."

"How did you know?"

"Good heavens. So it was true."

"I asked how you knew."

"How else? Word is going around. I assumed it was a baseless rumor."

I burst out laughing. If word had spread of something I had given him when we were alone, the Saber Demon must have boasted about his present to the Saber Fiends. He didn't seem the type, but he was surprisingly talkative.

"Why did you give it to him?"

"Because it was his birthday."

"I really don't understand the relationship between you two."

No doubt he didn't. Enough had happened to make us enemies several times over, yet the Saber Demon and I kept growing closer.

"Exchanging pleasant words isn't the only way people become close."

Seo Daeryong and I entered the main hall at the end of the corridor.

All of Yellow Springs Pavilion's investigators and enforcement martial artists were gathered there.

"It's been a while since we all gathered in one place, hasn't it?"

"Yes!"

Their answer rang out. Since their training, the enforcement martial artists' morale had been soaring. The investigators, too, were brimming with courage after successfully handling the Hundred-Saber Fiend case.

"I've come to pour a little oil on the fire of your morale today."

Everyone looked curious.

I handed Seo Daeryong the envelopes I had prepared, one for every martial artist in Yellow Springs Pavilion.

He checked inside an envelope and started in surprise.

"What's this money for?"

Inside was a banknote worth a thousand nyang.

"Give one to everyone."

"Yes."

Seo Daeryong distributed the contents to everyone.

"This money is a special gift from me to you."

At the word 'gift,' everyone cheered.

"Thank you, Pavilion Master!"

I addressed them all in a loud voice.

"I'm giving you this because Yellow Springs Pavilion must become an organization that allows no outside pressure whatsoever. In short, don't take bribes. If you suddenly need money, come to me. I'll advance your monthly pay. If that isn't enough, I'll lend you money out of my own pocket."

"Yes!"

Everyone looked delighted at their unexpected windfall.

Nagging them while they were in a good mood would only squander the goodwill I had worked so hard to earn.

"Dismissed."

As I left the hall, Seo Daeryong followed me.

"Pavilion Master, how did you know?"

"Know what?"

"That Ik Ho needed money. His younger sibling is getting married, so he's been trying to scrape some together lately. While his parents were alive, he spent everything caring for them through their illnesses. Now he's supporting his younger siblings, so his pockets are always empty."

"How would I know? I didn't."

"Please don't lie."

In truth, I had known. I'd learned of it by chance and planned to give money only to Ik Ho, but then decided I might as well give some to everyone.

"There's no need to be so moved. It's all an investment in myself."

"An investment in yourself, Young Master?"

"If word spreads that I'm generous with money, people will start getting their hopes up, won't they? They'll think I'll spend even more once I become the Heavenly Demon. Then they'll all want me to become the Heavenly Demon. That's how shallow I am."

"Did you really think that far ahead?"

"No. It only occurred to me because you asked. I suppose other people might think that way, too."

"So you did know about Ik Ho."

"I'm giving it to everyone for several reasons. They've all worked hard. Does it matter that much?"

"Of course it does. Do you think loyalty comes from nowhere?"

"Don't fall for things like this!"

Seo Daeryong looked straight at me and said,

"Because we live in a world where people work us to the bone without even bothering with tricks like this."

Then he bowed and went on his way.