[Chapter 32]
The next day, we opened a branch of the Underworld Pavilion in Maga Village.
The location was set up across from the Flowing Wind Tavern. It was such a small branch that it was staffed with only one new investigator and one enforcement martial artist.
As the necessary furnishings were moved in and the signboard was put up, Jo Chunbae, the owner of the Flowing Wind Tavern, cautiously asked me, while watching my reaction.
"Pavilion Leader, why did you set up the branch here?"
"Suppose you had been wronged by the martial artists of our Cult. What would you have done until now?"
"…What do you mean, what would I have done?"
Jo Chunbae's question contained everything. What would he have done? He would have just felt wronged and let it go.
"If it's an issue related to our Cult's martial artists, you can come to the Underworld Pavilion and report it. Have you seen anyone around here who has done that?"
"No, as far as I know, no one has."
It's only natural. To reach the Underworld Pavilion, one would need to report their purpose of visit from the main gate of the Cult, undergo identity verification, and even a body search. Only after all those processes, they could finally arrive at the Underworld Pavilion.
So who would bother to go and report? In the end, the Underworld Pavilion had essentially abandoned the residents of Maga Village.
"Please spread the word, tavern owner. If the residents of Maga Village are harmed by our Cult's martial artists, they can come here to the branch and report it."
"But… everyone will hesitate because they fear retaliation."
"That's true. That's why we will announce soon that anyone who retaliates against a whistleblower in connection with an investigation by the Underworld Pavilion will be executed."
"Executed? Oh, you really are opening this branch for our sake."
Jo Chunbae was deeply moved.
Normally, he wouldn't have believed it, thinking it was just a formal procedure. He would have thought that it would become ineffective over time.
But having seen and heard about how I dealt with Yang Ho and his father directly, Jo Chunbae was elated.
"Hey everyone, come here and listen."
He began to inform the people in the marketplace about the existence of the branch.
How many people would come to report their grievances in the future was unknown.
But regardless of the number, this initiative would play a significant role in establishing discipline within the Cult. Now that reporting was made easy, the instances of recklessly bullying the weak would decrease.
As we finished setting up the branch and returned, Seo Daeryong seemed in high spirits.
"We should have done this sooner… You've really done well."
"It's a matter of where to place the center of gravity."
"What do you mean?"
"Until now, the Underworld Pavilion's focus was on the top. We have been solving the various issues within the Cult, mindful of the Eight Demon Supremes. We've strayed from our original founding purpose and have become the maidservants of power. From now on, I'm placing the center of the Underworld Pavilion at the bottom. We'll start by protecting the residents of Maga Village, the lower-level martial artists, and those who suffer injustice because they are relatively weak. There's just one principle we must not forget in this process."
"And what is that?"
"That the weight of life is the same. Whether it's a lower-level martial artist or a Demon Supreme, the weight of life is the same. Therefore, we will handle matters with the same standards."
A surge of emotion crossed Seo Daeryong's face.
"If someone else had said this, I would have thought it was nonsense. Just an unrealistic idealism that ignores reality. But if it's you, Pavilion Leader, I believe it."
"Is that an insult or a compliment? You just insulted me, didn't you?"
"If you come closer in that scary way, I'll be the first to report you."
Watching his retreating figure, I couldn't help but chuckle.
And to maintain the might of the Underworld Pavilion as I had told him, there was something I needed to do.
* * *
I summoned all the enforcement martial artists.
"Greetings to the Pavilion Leader!"
They greeted me in unison. With a Hundred Demonic Blade imprisoned, my popularity had grown even more compared to when I first took office.
Not only my popularity but also my authority had increased. Those who subtly disregarded me, thinking I was overshadowed by my older brother in the succession race, had changed their attitudes. When we crossed paths, they averted their gaze first.
"Thank you for your dedication to our pavilion."
I stepped out from beside the platform and offered them a respectful gesture. The enforcement martial artists responded in kind.
"This is the first time we've gathered without the investigators, isn't it?"
"Yes!"
"On a day as good as today, we should be sharing good news, but I need to discuss something a bit uncomfortable with you all."
At my words, the enforcement martial artists tensed.
"As you know, within our Cult, there are those who defy and challenge the authority of our pavilion. The Demonic Army has done so, and so have the Blade Ghosts. The reason is simple. They believe they are stronger than you."
It was a statement that could hurt their pride, but I didn't sugarcoat it. There were things you could say to an investigator, and there were things you could say to enforcement martial artists. It would be more effective to speak directly to them rather than beating around the bush.
"Any one of the Eight Demon Supremes would suffice. Can any of you take my warrant and arrest a high-ranking official of Hundred Demonic Blade's level?"
No one could confidently answer. This was the reality.
"Why not? Because they believe their fists are stronger than our pavilion's law. How can we change this? It's simple. Your fists need to become stronger than theirs. If they fear you, they won't dare defy you."
Everyone's expressions brightened. They had all experienced times when their authority had been ignored.
"I want you all 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 elite organization's martial artists. They were either on par with them or slightly weaker.
"Therefore, starting today, we are canceling all schedules and beginning special training."
There were mixed reactions to the mention of special training. Some were pleased, while others frowned.
"If you think this change doesn't suit you, it's better to quit now. I'll transfer you to another department. Step forward if you wish."
After a moment of hesitation, two people stepped forward. They honestly expressed their desire to move to a different department.
I promised to assign them to the departments they wanted and sent them back.
"Don't worry about what others think. Not everyone needs to fight for the Underworld Pavilion. Each of you can support our Cult from a position that suits you. Anyone else?"
No one else stepped forward.
"Good."
I gestured to someone waiting in the distance.
It was Jangho, the third division leader of the Demonic Army, and the strongest man among the division leaders of the Demonic Army.
Since I avenged my friend by killing the Demonic Army Commander last time, he had taken a liking to me.
"He will be in charge of your special training from today."
Since a new Demonic Army Commander had not been appointed yet, all members of the Demonic Army were on standby. This allowed me to make such a request.
Jangho stepped in front of them. His massive build and the scars on his face intimidated the enforcement martial artists.
"I am Jangho, who will be in charge of your training for the time being. I respect your Pavilion Leader personally, which is why I accepted this task. The training will be harsh. But I promise one thing: those who endure it will undoubtedly become stronger than before. Understood?"
"Yes!"
The enforcement martial artists responded loudly.
"Training starts in an hour. Prepare and gather again. Dismissed."
The enforcement martial artists dispersed, leaving only Jangho and me.
"How's the atmosphere in the Demonic Army these days?"
"It's uneasy. We need to decide on the next Demonic Army Commander soon to stabilize things."
I had heard various rumors about the next Demonic Army Commander. Since it was such an important position, there were talks that my father and Sima Myung were having a hard time deciding, and rumors that the Demon Supremes were starting to rally their supporters were starting to go around too.
"Sorry for asking for your help at a time like this."
"It's nothing. Call on me anytime. If it's your command, no, Pavilion Leader's command, I will come running anytime."
"Thank you."
As Jangho departed and I was about to turn around, I heard a voice from somewhere.
"Only two days left."
Turning my head, I saw the Blood Heaven Blade Demon sitting on the back wall.
"You have a lot of free time."
"When you're a Demon Supreme, time is something you have in abundance."
"When I become the Cult Leader, there will be plenty of work for the Demon Supremes."
"Then you'd better join hands with me."
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon was pressuring me to align with his intentions.
"My brother would be disappointed to know about this."
"He'll understand. It's human nature to want to go with the better choice, isn't it? Do you know why I dislike those righteous sect guys? They dress up these desires too much. They should just say, 'I like him because he's rich,' or 'I prefer him because he's stronger,' instead of going on about agreements and morality. Being honest seems to make them fear they're courting inner demons."
"Aren't I the same?"
"In what way?"
"That same human nature of wanting to go with the better choice. Another Demon Supreme might want to ally with me. There could be someone better than you."
While my response could have left him at a loss for words, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon handled it with ease.
"Second Young Master, do you believe in your own abilities and potential?"
"Yes."
"And are you confident you can become the Heavenly Demon?"
"I am."
"I'm the first one who recognized that. Just the ability to recognize someone's worth should tell you who the best is, shouldn't it?"
"Even a smooth talker like me can't beat you, elder."
"Hahaha. See you in two days."
With a burst of laughter, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon leaped away.
'The old man is remarkably persuasive.'
At first glance, everything he said seemed reasonable. But if you thought about it critically, it was closer to sophistry.
My rise to prominence within the cult had only begun recently. Everyone would be paying attention to my changes.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon was merely the first to step forward and get involved with me. It's as if he claimed ownership just because he was the first to show some spittle.
Joining hands with the Blood Heaven Blade Demon? It wasn't an absurd notion. If he truly became my ally, he would undoubtedly be a great asset.
But aligning with him as things stood was not an option. The Blood Heaven Blade Demon still held the upper hand.
* * *
The next day, I stood on a hill overlooking the training ground, watching the enforcement martial artists undergo their training.
Jangho was relentless. It was truly grueling training, meant to break both flesh and bone, but the enforcement martial artists gritted their teeth and persevered.
Before starting, Jangho had provoked them with a single sentence.
"This is the training of the Demonic Army."
That one line was enough. Failing to endure the Demonic Army's training would mean admitting that the Underworld Pavilion was weak.
I realized how shrewd Jangho was. Nothing was more effective than provoking the pride of martial artists.
From afar, I heard Jangho shouting.
"Endure! Your wife, your children, your friends—anyone can betray you. But the sweat you shed now will never betray you!"
I chuckled at Jangho's words. It was amusing to hear him talk about wives and children when he had never been married.
'He's certainly a good match for this task.'
Just as I was thinking how reassuring it was to have someone like Jangho on my side, an idea about the Blood Heaven Blade Demon struck me.
* * *
On the third day, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon was waiting for me at the same place where he had first proposed an alliance.
As before, he had the Heaven-Extinguishing Saber planted in the ground, leaning against the blade as he drank.
"Are you ready to drink with me now?"
I sat down opposite him.
"I am ready."
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon laughed heartily and poured me a drink, clearly pleased.
Though we clinked glasses vigorously, I did not drink.
"Why do you set it down without drinking?"
"I need appetizers."
"Appetizers? What kind of man needs appetizers to drink?"
His face showed displeasure. He realized that by appetizers, I meant some sort of condition or demand.
"What kind of appetizers do you need?"
In the tense atmosphere, I answered.
"The Demonic Army."
The unexpected response made the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's eyes widen.
"Give me the Demonic Army."