Chapter 92 - The Frightening Power of Words

When I returned to my quarters after training, Go Wol was reading in his room, and the Wind Heaven Cult Leader stood in the courtyard, gazing up at the night sky.

There was something markedly different about him compared to when we first met. He had definitely grown calmer, though I couldn't quite put my finger on how.

"When did you arrive?"

"I came to see that precious, precious strategist of yours, so don't worry that I've been waiting long for you."

"Did you enjoy seeing my precious, precious strategist?"

"All I got was a scolding."

"Oh dear. That won't do. How dare he scold you, Cult Leader? I'll give that strategist a proper dressing-down."

"Don't say things you don't mean. That only makes you more irritating."

I grinned, and he smiled pleasantly in return.

"I stayed because I wanted to see you before leaving."

"What is it?"

"The First Young Master came to see me. I waited because I wanted to tell you in person that I never wavered."

"Ah, I'm truly moved."

"Yes, you should be. The First Young Master offered such excellent terms. I turned them all down."

"Thank you, Cult Leader."

I didn't ask what terms he had offered.

"Well, I'll be off. I'm told one shouldn't linger at a time like this. It diminishes the emotional impact."

"Yes, that's right. It would have been perfect if you hadn't said that last part."

"Would it?"

The Wind Heaven Cult Leader smiled sheepishly. The ties between this man and me ran deep. I had a feeling they would only grow deeper.

SNAP!

At a snap of my fingers, the Wind Heaven Cult Leader and I stood in the middle of a green field.

He was startled.

"You've perfected the Art of Space-Time Transposition!"

He looked around at the trees rising straight and tall, the grass swaying in the breeze, and even the winding country road that led toward the distant mountains.

"It's perfect."

"It's thanks to the excellent martial art you taught me."

"You're probably the first person to perfect it this quickly since the Art of Space-Time Transposition was created. You have no idea how many years I trained to create this space..."

"I was lucky."

"Don't be modest. You truly have no need for modesty in this matter."

The Wind Heaven Cult Leader showed how much he had grown through his recent trials.

He seized my hand.

"Congratulations."

His congratulations were sincere, and I answered with equal sincerity.

"Thank you. At least within this space, you are my master."

"You really are..."

He couldn't finish.

"Oh, there's one thing I'd like to ask you."

"Please, go ahead."

"Can time within the Art of Space-Time Transposition pass differently from time in the real world? I mean, can it flow more slowly than time outside?"

The Wind Heaven Cult Leader stared at me with wide eyes.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"In the past, I would definitely have said this: 'You little rascal, how could that possibly make sense?'"

"And now?"

"You little rascal, how could that possibly make sense!"

I laughed. The Wind Heaven Cult Leader joined in, then explained.

"Actually, I've had that thought myself. I even researched it, but it proved impossible. It was years after I perfected the space that the idea occurred to me, yet you've thought of it the moment you perfected it."

That meant there was no secret method handed down for it, at least. To accomplish this, I would have to research and ponder it again once my martial understanding reached a higher level.

"I understand. Now, I'll release the space."

"Wait, before you do! Did you mean what you said earlier? That you consider me your master, at least here?"

"I meant it."

"Then please open this space from time to time. When else in my life would I have the chance to act as your master?"

"Of course. I will."

Watching his face brighten, I snapped my fingers, and we returned to reality.

SNAP!

"Have a safe trip back."

The Wind Heaven Cult Leader had walked some distance away when he suddenly turned and shouted.

"I'm with the Second Young Master to the very end!"

Then he hurried off into the darkness as though embarrassed, and I chuckled as I watched him go.

Who knew the Wind Heaven Cult Leader had such an endearing side? Then again, it was probably that heart of his that had allowed him to leave everything behind.

* * *

The Demonic Buddha was furious.

He could understand Geom Muyang's earlier visit to the Blood Heaven Saber Demon. After all, there was unfinished business between them.

But visiting the Wind Heaven Cult Leader as well was more than he could bear. Muyang had gone to see him despite having clearly witnessed the hostility between the two of them.

"First Young Master."

"Yes, Elder?"

"I hear you met with the Wind Heaven Cult Leader?"

"Yes. I met him to bring him over to our side."

His answer was so composed that there was no opening to express anger. Besides, he had a clear reason.

"If we win over the Wind Heaven Cult Leader, won't the Soul-Seizing Demon naturally join us as well? That's why I met him."

"What did he say?"

"He said he would think about it."

Geom Muyang said nothing more on the subject.

The Demonic Buddha considered how to convey his feelings without offending Geom Muyang. In the end, he yielded a step and began with an apology.

"It was a mistake on my part to summon the Twin Fiends of Yunnan."

"What do you mean?"

"I believe I failed to think it through. I should never have involved men like that in your affairs."

"I'm well aware that you did it out of concern for me."

"Thank you for seeing it that way. You are generous indeed, Young Master."

"But there is one thing we should set straight."

"What is that?"

"You said you involved the Twin Fiends of Yunnan in my affairs, but strictly speaking, it was your affair, Elder, not mine."

Geom Muyang drew a clear line. He was walking the path toward becoming the successor. He wanted no connection, however slight, to scum like the Twin Fiends of Yunnan.

The Demonic Buddha wondered whether he really had to go this far, but concealed his reaction.

"Ah, I misspoke. You're right. The matter of the Twin Fiends of Yunnan was entirely my affair."

"Of course, I know very well that you summoned them for my sake. So please don't trouble yourself over it."

Geom Muyang smiled first, and the Demonic Buddha smiled with him.

Though their conversation ended in smiles, the Demonic Buddha felt unsettled. Something was wrong, and not knowing whether the problem lay with himself or Geom Muyang only made it worse.

When the Demonic Buddha left Geom Muyang's quarters and returned to his own, someone was waiting for him.

To his surprise, it was Geom Mugeuk.

"Second Young Master?"

"I've been waiting because I wanted to see you, Elder."

"Me? Why?"

The Demonic Buddha inwardly tensed. Wondering whether Mugeuk intended to kill him where no one else was around, he secretly gathered his internal energy. But the reason for the visit was entirely unexpected.

"Would you go into town and have a drink with me?"

"Drink with me? And in town, at that?"

On any other day, he would have refused outright. Why give people an excuse to spread rumors that the two of them were conspiring?

But today, the Demonic Buddha was not his usual self.

"Very well. There's no reason I can't."

If Geom Muyang could go around meeting the Blood Heaven Saber Demon and the Wind Heaven Cult Leader, couldn't he meet Geom Mugeuk whenever he pleased? In fact, he hoped word of this would reach Muyang.

'Second Young Master, you truly are a lucky man.'

Of all days to visit, he had chosen this one.

"I think this is the first time I've walked beside you like this, Elder."

"Don't pretend we're close."

Most people would have been embarrassed into silence, but not Geom Mugeuk.

"I rarely get a chance to walk with you like this. If I don't pretend we're close now, when will I? Please indulge me if I seem a little excited today."

"So this is how you coaxed the Saber Demon over."

"Yes, exactly. I knocked endlessly at his door."

"His door?"

"The door to his heart."

The Demonic Buddha snorted, then suddenly wondered whether Geom Muyang had ever knocked at his door. He promptly brought his feelings under cool control.

'Second Young Master, try all you like. Unlike the Saber Demon, I'm no monkey you can shake out of a tree.'

They arrived at the Merry Life Tavern in Demon Family Village.

Jo Chunbae recognized the Demonic Buddha at a glance, without needing an introduction from Geom Mugeuk.

He wasn't flustered. Hosting the Heavenly Demon had changed him. Even if the leaders of the Orthodox Martial Alliance and the Unorthodox Alliance arrived together, he was confident he could welcome them gladly, thinking this was nothing he couldn't handle.

"Welcome, Pavilion Master."

"I have a distinguished guest with me. I'll be counting on you again today."

"Of course. I'll serve you with the utmost care."

Geom Mugeuk and the Demonic Buddha sat facing each other on the second floor.

"I'm a regular here."

"I don't care. Why did you want to see me?"

"There are several reasons, but you wouldn't believe any of them. To give you one you might believe, it's a way of keeping my brother in check."

"Keeping him in check?"

"My brother has started meeting my people. I wanted to show him that I can meet his people too. You're the first, Elder."

"Will meeting me change anything?"

"I know your loyalty to my brother is unwavering."

"What do you know?"

"Didn't you show me on the day he returned? I could feel how deeply you cared for him then."

When Geom Mugeuk tried to pour him a drink, the Demonic Buddha took the bottle from him, poured his own, and drank.

"Don't presume to say you know me."

The Demonic Buddha emptied his cup, and Geom Mugeuk drank after him.

Mugeuk tried to pour for him again, but the Demonic Buddha filled his own cup.

"My brother's selfishness must make things difficult for you at times. Please guide him and look after him, Demon Supreme."

"You really are insincere. Did you think saying that would move me?"

"That wasn't why I said it. I was bad-mouthing my brother behind his back. Calling him selfish."

The Demonic Buddha praised Geom Muyang, as if to show that an attempt to drive a wedge between them wouldn't work.

"Your brother is a brilliant man."

"A little lacking in human warmth, though."

"That's fine. A man destined for great things mustn't be swayed by personal affection."

"Sometimes he may treat you with disrespect."

"That's fine. He will be the Heavenly Demon one day. What does it matter if he disrespects me?"

"He may break important promises, too."

"The Heavenly Demon's words and deeds are law. What matters and what doesn't, what is a promise and what isn't—all of that is for the Heavenly Demon to decide."

"You truly are impregnable. I envy my brother for having you on his side. I'll drink this cup out of respect for you, Elder."

Geom Mugeuk emptied his cup.

The Demonic Buddha curled one corner of his mouth into a sneer.

"I'll grant that you have a way with people, Second Young Master. But you won't win me over. I'm not like the Saber Demon or the Wind Heaven Cult Leader."

"I know. As I said earlier, I never intended to make you one of my people."

"Then why are you doing this?"

"I want to know what kind of person you are. I was curious about the man protecting my brother at his side. And I've reached a conclusion."

"What conclusion?"

The Demonic Buddha was curious how the Second Young Master would assess him.

"If my brother hurts your feelings, he'll be the greatest fool in the Cult."

The Demonic Buddha snorted and emptied his cup.

Geom Mugeuk tried to pour for him again. This time, he didn't take the bottle away.

As he poured, Mugeuk said,

"When I look at you, I think of a little giant. You stand taller than anyone."

The power of words was truly frightening. Even knowing full well that it was blatant flattery, he couldn't stop himself from feeling pleased. He especially liked the phrase "little giant." He had thought of himself that way before, but no one had ever called him that.

Afraid his true feelings might show, the Demonic Buddha glared at Geom Mugeuk with an even more displeased expression.

Whether Mugeuk understood those feelings or not, he said something unexpected.

"Please take good care of my brother."

"You're entrusting the First Young Master to me? Now what is that supposed to mean?"

"I intend to end the killing between rivals in succession struggles with our generation. To do that, we mustn't let emotion dictate how we treat each other, but my brother is proud, and he'll find that difficult to control. Please help him from his side. You should be able to stop him even if he runs wild."

Still glaring at Geom Mugeuk, the Demonic Buddha spoke coldly.

"You don't know me at all. If the First Young Master runs wild, I'll pour fuel on the fire. A small explosion won't make him the successor, so I'll urge him to blow everything away. If you're looking to me for a way to survive, I'd tell you to wake up from that dream."

The Demonic Buddha rose. Just as he was about to leave, he offered one last remark.

"If you believe a successor can be chosen peacefully, you're either a fool or a madman."

"All the elders who know me call me a madman, so I probably am one."

The Demonic Buddha stared at Geom Mugeuk, then said firmly,

"I don't like madmen."

He went straight downstairs.

Geom Mugeuk looked down at Jo Chunbae, who was sitting at the counter.

He was nodding off even as the Demonic Buddha passed beside him. How horrified would he be when he found out later? Then again, when you were tired enough to doze off, you couldn't help it even if the Demonic Buddha's grandfather showed up, let alone the man himself.

Geom Mugeuk's gaze shifted from Jo Chunbae to the world beyond the tavern.

In the distance, a golden radiance was walking toward the horizon. He was half the height of an ordinary man, but the shadow stretching behind him in the sunset was large and long.