[Chapter 23]
'Father surely must have achieved great completion, so why didn't the Heavenly Demon Body Protection Technique activate? Was he defeated even though it activated? Or did he fight so fiercely that he didn't even have the internal energy to activate it?'
The more I understood how incredible my father's martial arts were, the more questions I had about his death. Did Hwa Moogi really defeat such a father?
I wanted to ask my father.
What exactly happened that day?
But I couldn't ask. It was an event that hadn't happened yet.
And in the future, I would never know.
Because that event would never happen.
I would make sure of it.
I smiled and said to my father.
"We have a secret between us now. I'm more pleased about that than mastering the Heavenly Demon Body Protection Technique."
Father frowned at the word 'secret'. I quickly added and turned away.
"Even if you're annoyed, you can't do anything to me. I'm still more familiar with the Wind God's Four Steps."
I used Star Light Step and quickly dashed out of the place.
Just as my body reached the end of the red carpet.
Whoosh!
I felt something brush past me along with the sound of a cool breeze.
In the next moment, I stopped using Star Light Step.
Before I knew it, Father was blocking my path.
Smack!
He flicked my forehead hard with his finger. It wasn't a situation I could avoid, and even if I had tried, his movement was too fast to dodge.
"Ouch!"
I clasped my forehead. It wasn't an exaggeration; it hurt so much that stars danced before my eyes.
"You acted all superior, so I thought you were faster than me."
The next moment, Father disappeared.
Using Dark Shadow Step, he vanished from my sight, and then used Rapid Step to return to the Celestial Zenith's Throne where he had been sitting. Watching his movements, I realized once again that his understanding of martial arts greatly differed from mine.
I could tell. He didn't come to flick my forehead just because he was annoyed with me.
Father was intentionally showing me. This is how he interpreted the Wind God's Four Steps.
"The step you used to return is the Wind God's Four Steps. What was that lightness technique you used to fly at the start?"
"It's the Heavenly Demon Flight Technique."
The Heavenly Demon Flight Technique was Father's unique lightness skill.
"Is it faster than Rapid Step?"
"Of course, it's faster now. Who knows what will happen once the Wind God's Four Steps is fully mastered."
"On the day I master it, we'll settle it."
"I'll master it first, so I already know the result."
"That's not certain. I might achieve greatness faster. After all, doesn't a young mind work more efficiently?"
"That smart head of yours is bleeding."
Blood trickled from my forehead, which had been flicked.
"Ahhh! I should have asked you to teach me the Invincible Vajra Technique instead."
With the mark of honor on my forehead, I left the Heavenly Demon Pavilion.
It was a wound money couldn't buy.
I felt like I had taken another step closer to my father.
Of course, it's at times like these that one must be careful.
In human relationships, mistakes are often made when you get complacent because you think you're close.
Anyway, with this exchange of martial arts, both my father and I took a step forward. The future where Hwa Moogi would come was set, but the present kept changing.
* * *
"What kind of bastard was it? Who dared to lay a hand on you, Young Master?"
Lee Ahn was absolutely furious when she saw the bruise on my forehead. Right now, she was like a passionate older sister who had seen her younger brother beaten up.
"And if you knew? Would you avenge me?"
"Of course. Just tell me! Who was it? I'll go right away and…."
"My father hit me."
"..."
"Why aren't you going?"
Lee Ahn suddenly calmed down and took a step back.
"I'm a protector, not an attacker."
I laughed as I watched her speak so decisively. It was fun to exchange jokes and banter like this, something I couldn't do before. It was also enjoyable to see her smile, where her eyes sank into her cheeks.
"Oh, and I've become the Head of the Underworld Pavilion. I'll move into the Underworld Pavilion once the official appointment arrives."
Lee Ahn looked more than surprised; she was dumbfounded.
"You're talking about becoming the Head of Underworld Pavilion as if it's no big deal?"
"What's so special about it?"
"My goodness! Do you not realize how prestigious the Underworld Pavilion is? You're talking about being its head! Even the Demonic Elders get dragged to the Underworld Pavilion to be punished if they commit a crime!"
How could I not know? That's exactly why my father is sending me there.
This news of my appointment as the Head of Underworld Pavilion would cause a significant stir within the cult once again.
"Congratulations, truly, congratulations."
"Thank you."
"But why did the Cult Leader suddenly appoint you as the Head of the Underworld Pavilion?"
"Maybe he felt sorry for hitting me."
"Stop joking!"
"I told him. Our cult needs to change. It should be a place where one doesn't have to learn martial arts that destroy the body to protect someone."
Lee Ahn asked in a trembling voice, flinching.
"W-What do you mean?"
"You won't have to live with an obese body for the rest of your life because of the side effects of the All-Body Petrification Technique. Our cult can cure it."
Lee Ahn had a dazed expression. How long had she been in that state of shock?
"Could it be… did you know?"
"Yes."
She soon smiled as if it were nothing significant.
"It's the path I chose."
"You were forced to choose it when you were young."
"No."
Lee Ahn was firm.
"I remember clearly. They told me that day. If I mastered the All-Body Petrification Technique, it would have these side effects. They said it was my choice. So, I chose."
That choice couldn't have been fair. They must have asked the young girl something like this:
To protect the young master, you need to learn this martial art. Can you endure the side effects?
So, the choice was coerced.
But I didn't say that to her. I didn't want to diminish her pride in her own choice.
"I will fix those side effects for you. Not now, but someday, I swear it."
Lee Ahn responded with a smile.
"You can't fix it."
"I can. Trust me."
"I will."
She took my words as a joke. Perhaps the one who taught her martial arts had said it. That the side effects could never be recovered from.
Lee Ahn seemed to want to change the subject, not wanting to discuss it further.
"But if you become the Lord of Underworld Pavilion, won't the current Lord of Underworld Pavilion oppose it?"
"What can he do? It's an order from the Cult Leader."
In fact, I wasn't too worried about the current Lord of Underworld Pavilion. Considering how he handled the previous Demonic Army incident, it was clear that he had been either recruited or threatened by the Demonic Army. Since he had to step down anyway, my father appointed me. Sima Myung would handle his resignation well.
"I'm more worried about the opposition from the martial artists handling practical affairs. If the son of the Heavenly Demon suddenly drops in as the Pavilion Lord, won't they be upset?"
"No one will be upset since the person who suddenly drops in is so handsome and excellent."
"Thanks for saying that."
"The evaluation of the person giving out monthly wages is already decided."
Smiling at her usual joke, I brought up the topic I had postponed.
"Speaking of monthly wages, Lee Ahn, there's something I need to address. Listen carefully to what I'm about to say."
"Yes, please go ahead."
"Lee Ahn, from this moment on, you are dismissed from your position as my personal guard."
Lee Ahn's large frame jumped up and then landed with a thud. She was so shocked that I felt a bit sorry for her.
"What do you mean all of a sudden?"
"You are dismissed from being my bodyguard."
"Are you serious?"
"Yes."
She looked at me with a face as if she had lost everything.
"I'll ask you again. Are you serious?"
Her voice trembled pitifully, but I answered firmly.
"I'm serious."
"Can I ask why?"
"Because you didn't avenge my father."
She didn't laugh at my joke.
Swish.
She drew her sword and aimed it at her own neck.
"I'd rather die. I will die as your bodyguard."
Lee Ahn, dying once is enough.
I quickly spoke to her.
"It doesn't mean we are parting ways. You will remain my subordinate warrior."
"Oh! You should have said that from the beginning. I almost died! Please check my neck, did I get nicked?"
Only then did she sigh with relief. But that didn't mean all her worries were gone.
"But being your bodyguard is my true calling. I've never thought about doing anything else. What exactly do you want me to do?"
"Warrior, Lee Ahn! From now on, I assign you a new position."
"Yes!"
"I appoint you as the leader of the Haunted Shade Corps."
She was as surprised as when I said she was dismissed from being my bodyguard.
"Haunted Shade Corps? Was there such an organization in the sect?"
"No."
"You are appointing me as the leader of an organization that doesn't exist?"
"I will create it from now on. It will be my direct organization, and you will receive your salary from me, not the sect."
"Haunted Shade Corps… Does it mean the shadow of a ghost?"
"Yes. If I am to attach a meaning, I will become the ghost, and you all will be my shadows."
I intentionally included the character for shadow in the name. She had lived as my shadow all her life, so it would feel like a closer name to her.
"I like the name! But have you received the cult leader's permission?"
"Not yet."
Creating a private organization within the sect was strictly prohibited.
"I will definitely get permission."
"You will manage it, young master. The problem is me."
"Why you?"
"What do you mean why? First of all, I don't have the skills to lead such an organization."
"Don't worry about that. I will teach you a martial arts suitable for the position."
"Even if I become stronger… Will I fit such a position? No one would follow me."
They will follow.
Everyone will follow, captivated by your character.
And someday, they would realize that the leader they followed was the greatest in the world. Yes, this martial world would witness the strongest organization led by the greatest under the heavens. (EN : Lol, it's true but so arrogant XDXDXD)
"Lee Ahn, can you become the leader of the Haunted Shade Corps for me?"
Our eyes met in the air.
Even though her confidence was at its lowest, since I had already said that it was 'for me,' her answer was predetermined.
"Yes, I will follow your command."
"Good. For now, I am the only leader, but eventually, we will become the strongest organization in the martial world. From now on, abandon your existing martial arts and focus solely on internal energy cultivation and physical strength training. When the time comes, I will teach you new martial arts."
"I understand."
She answered energetically, but Lee Ahn had a bewildered expression, not knowing whether to be happy or worried.
"Then, who will protect you, Young Master?"
"Do you think me as a child? I'll protect myself. A warrior should defend their own body."
Her eyes, buried in her flesh, were filled with nothing but worry.
"I don't know what to say."
"Just thank me. I will also give you the highest salary among the leaders of our sect."
"But you don't have any money?"
"I will earn it."
"How?"
"There are plenty of ways to make money. If all else fails, I can sweep the Heavenly Demon Pavilion courtyard."
"Young Master, I don't need money. I've saved up all the money I've earned so far."
"You always need money. It's your value and worth. I'm giving it because you deserve it. So don't feel burdened."
"…Okay."
"And once you start spending money, it goes quickly. Save as much as you can. Life is long. If you're unlucky, you might live to be a hundred. No, with the technique of rejuvenation, you might have to live another hundred years."
Lee Ahn laughed at my half-joking words.
In the past, I would have worried about her.
Could she accept this change? Would there be any problems?
But after living a lifetime, I realized those worries were all in vain.
There was no need to worry. Everyone turned out to be smarter, more self-centered, and better at living than I had thought.