[Chapter 36]
The One-Slash Sword Supreme was a beautiful woman.
She appeared to be in her twenties on the surface, but in reality, she was more than twice that age. Hence, there was a saying within the cult:
*The world changes, but the Sword Supreme does not.*
She even seemed to grow younger with each passing year.
However, anyone deceived by her delicate appearance who acted foolishly would find their tongue cut off and a cold steel sword piercing their heart. The red camellia flower engraved on the scabbard of her unique weapon, the One-Slash Sword (一花劍), was as vivid as fresh blood.
"It has been a long time, Elder."
"No matter how often I hear it, I never get used to being called Elder. How about addressing me as Senior instead?"
She treated me with utmost respect. She was well-known for always showing courtesy and maintaining her manners not only to me but also to the lower-ranking martial artists.
"Considering our seniority, I cannot do that."
"Respecting someone just because they are older? I don't believe in that. Respect should be given to those who are worthy of it. Just as even a young person should be respected if they deserve it."
"Very well. I will follow your wishes, Senior. In return, please feel free to call me 'Second Young Master'."
"Of course."
I introduced Seo Daeryong to her.
"This is the Special Investigator who looked into the recent incident. I brought him to inform you of what happened."
Seo Daeryong respectfully cupped his hands in greeting to the One-Slash Sword Supreme.
"I am Seo Daeryong, the Special Investigator. I will report on the recent incident."
The One-Slash Sword Supreme raised her hand to stop him.
"That won't be necessary. If the Underworld Pavilion has judged someone guilty, then they are guilty. Anyone who assaults a young maid deserves to die. Our Sword Family will not question the investigation process of this incident."
I gestured for Seo Daeryong to withdraw. He quietly exited the humble dwelling.
The One-Slash Sword Supreme smiled faintly at me. She had sensed that my visit had another purpose.
"I have heard that thanks to your hard work, Second Young Master, our cult is experiencing a wind of change."
"I am merely running wild."
"If it leads to the development of our cult, how can that be considered running wild?"
Among the Eight Demon Supremes, she was often regarded as the least fitting for the demonic cult. Just looking at this humble cottage, which was elegantly decorated like a reclusive hermit's abode from a prestigious orthodox faction, was proof enough.
"You are doing an excellent job."
"It is only possible because you, Senior, provide a strong pillar of support."
The One-Slash Sword Supreme shook her head.
"Don't flatter this wrinkled face unnecessarily."
Those words were clearly intentional. They were meant to provoke this exact response.
"What are you saying? You look like you are in your twenties, Senior."
"My twenties! That's nonsense!"
Despite her dismissive gesture, an undeniable smile spread across her face.
Flattery can even make whales dance after all.
"This person is content to step back and understand the principles of martial arts."
But she lived a life contrary to her words.
After Hwa Moogi killed my father and the sect closed its gates, a full-scale power struggle erupted within. Not only the Eight Demon Supremes but also the renowned masters of the sect vied for the position of the cult leader.
So, who was the first cult leader?
Surprisingly, it was this very woman before me, the One-Slash Sword Supreme. Considering her current gentle smile and calm demeanor, it was hard to believe, but she was the first to act and seize the position.
During that time, a storm of blood raged. She showed no mercy. Throughout her brief reign as cult leader, bloodshed was constant. She would have been better off if she had excelled in politics, but her ruling ability did not match her ambition.
She incited every tragedy that befalls a greedy yet incapable leader and did not last even three years before losing her life to the next cult leader. Therefore, my evaluation of her could not help but be harsh.
"To be honest, when this incident occurred, I felt a great deal of pressure."
"Why did you feel pressured?"
"As you may have heard, there have been many conflicts with the Southern Heavens Blade Family recently."
I subtly mentioned the Blood Heaven Blade Demon from the Southern Heavens Blade Family. Among the Eight Demon Supremes, the two were known to have the worst relationship. For this reason, the Blade Ghosts and the Demonic Swordsmen were also at odds.
"The Blood Heaven Blade Demon severely pressured me. And now, there was a conflict with the Sword Family…"
"I am a completely different person from the Blade Demon!"
Apparently, even being mentioned alongside the Blood Heaven Blade Demon was unpleasant for her, as her voice rose.
"Of course, you are entirely different."
"Since we're on the topic, I heard that the Blade Demon recommended someone named Jangho from the Demonic Army as the Demonic Army Commander. What happened?"
Though it seemed like she was only practicing alone in this humble abode, she was well-informed about the internal affairs of the cult. It was as if she was demonstrating that her past pursuit of power was no coincidence.
"Jangho is capable and loyal."
"What I am asking is why the Blade Demon tried to make him the Demonic Army Commander."
"To be honest, Jangho is my man."
The One-Slash Sword Supreme didn't seem surprised, as if she already knew. What she was truly curious about was this:
"How did you persuade the Blade Demon?"
"I challenged his pride. I told him that as a Demon Supreme, he should make choices for the cult, not for personal connections or political power, but for real ability."
"The Blade Demon wouldn't be persuaded by such reasons."
"That's true. He probably didn't want to lose me. Anyway, this is what the Blade Demon said. He claimed that among the Eight Demon Supremes, he had the greatest dedication to the sect."
The One-Slash Sword Supreme's face twisted, seemingly finding his words ridiculous, but I pretended not to notice and continued.
"However, it seems that even for you, Senior, it's not easy to place Jangho as the Demonic Army Commander. The Strategist Advisor suggested a method, but even that isn't easy."
"What method did the Strategist Advisor suggest?"
"He said it would be possible if another Demon Supreme jointly recommended it, but the problem is that there isn't another Demon Supreme willing to do so."
"Why do you think there isn't?"
"Excuse me?"
"Do you think the Blade Demon is the only Demon Supreme dedicated to the sect?"
"Not at all, but…"
With cold eyes, the One-Slash Sword Supreme asked me.
"Isn't your purpose in visiting me today to provoke my pride and ask me to recommend Jangho together with the Blade Demon?"
It was time to show honesty. When trickery and truth are mixed so thoroughly that it's impossible to distinguish the ingredients, only then does the scheme truly taste its best.
"Did you catch on?"
"What's your reason for going this far?"
"To gain control of the Demonic Army Commander. With that influence, I want to become the successor as soon as possible."
The One-Slash Sword Supreme quietly stared at me.
She must be wondering why that meticulous old Blade Demon chose me, even going so far as to abandon his brother. Such doubts must be crossing her mind.
"Now I understand why the Cult Leader appointed you as the leader of the Underworld Pavilion."
"Why is that? I still don't fully understand my father's intentions."
She came closer, looking into my eyes as if peering into my soul.
"There's something about you that stirs people's hearts."
She expressed her feelings openly, as if only those brimming with confidence could reveal such candid emotions.
"I'll take that as a compliment."
After a moment of contemplation, she finally made a decision.
"Alright, I'll recommend Jangho as well."
"Really?"
I feigned a surprised expression, but I had somewhat anticipated that she would support the recommendation due to her special relationship with the Blade Demon.
"May I ask why?"
"Let's just say it's to show that the Blade Demon isn't the only Demon Supreme dedicated to the sect."
She turned away. Recognizing it as a silent dismissal, I bowed respectfully to her.
"I won't forget your help."
She said nothing in response, but I knew exactly why.
Her involvement in this matter was entirely due to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.
She might suspect that I was a promising candidate for successor, and the Blade Demon had recognized it first. If that were the case, she wouldn't want the Blade Demon to monopolize me. She wouldn't even want to give him a piece of dung from the roadside.
Why?
Because she absolutely detested the Blade Demon.
When she became the cult leader, the first person she killed was the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.
—
The next day, the One-Slash Sword Supreme recommended Jangho as the Demonic Army Commander.
This sudden news stirred the sect. There had never been a precedent for a candidate for the head of the Demonic Army being recommended, nor for two Demon Supremes to jointly recommend a single person.
Especially since those two Demon Supremes were the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the One-Slash Sword Supreme, known for their mutual dislike. Naturally, Jangho became the center of attention.
In the Heavenly Demon Pavilion, Cult Leader Geom Woojin and Strategist Advisor Sima Myung were discussing the matter.
"I never expected that the Second Young Master would involve the Sword Supreme."
"He must have leveraged their discord."
"Everyone knows about their discord, but no one else could have managed this so easily."
Neither the Blood Heaven Blade Demon nor the One-Slash Sword Supreme were to be taken lightly. Trying to exploit their known enmity would normally backfire.
"What about this Jangho? Can he be trusted with the Demonic Army?"
"His abilities are exceptional. However, he is purely a martial artist with little political clout. Choosing such a candidate was a very shrewd move."
"He mustn't have chosen him for this reason."
"What do you mean?"
"It was likely an emotional choice. Mugeuk is more emotional than I thought."
Sima Myung found Geom Woojin's remark unusual. He had never commented on his son's character before.
"It's both a strength and a weakness."
Geom Woojin spoke firmly to Sima Myung's words.
"It's a weakness."
Sima Myung remained silent, with a faint smile. Everyone had sensed that the Cult Leader had recently begun to open up to his son.
However, he did not think the Cult Leader would choose Geom Mugeuk as his successor. Geom Woojin often made decisions that contradicted his outward behavior. It was still uncertain.
"How should we finalize the matter of the Demonic Army Commander?"
"If the two of them recommended him, we should accept it. We have to consider their dignity as well."
Geom Woojin gave his command as if he had been waiting for this moment.
"Appoint Jangho as the Demonic Army Commander."
—
"I don't know how to repay this kindness."
Jangho was the first to visit me upon hearing the news that he had become the Demonic Army Commander. He was both joyful and worried about his new position.
"Knowing your character, Leader Jang, you probably won't be able to repay the favor."
"Pardon? What do you mean by that?"
"There are two reasons why I appointed you as Demonic Army Commander. First, I thought you were the most suitable person for the position. Not for you or me, but because I believed you were the right person for the Demonic Army and our cult."
"I am overwhelmed by your high regard."
"The second reason is that I hope the Demonic Army will support me. However, don't the first and second reasons conflict? With your upright nature, it won't be easy for you to maintain a personal relationship. And let me assure you in advance, I have no intention of forcing any kind of personal loyalty on you, so don't worry about that."
Then Jangho said something unexpected.
"Do you remember when we first met? I submitted a letter of accusation because of my friend's death. It was for revenge. I was willing to risk my life. As you can see, I am an emotional person who values relationships the most in life. If you see me as someone who would abandon personal relationships for the organization, you have misunderstood me. If you hadn't come at that time, I would probably have died then."
This was true. Had I not intervened, he would have died because of that incident.
"I want to be loyal to you. No, I am already loyal to you. Of course, I am loyal to the Cult Leader and the sect, and I will work hard for the Demonic Army, but my highest loyalty is to you."
He was speaking from the heart. I could tell. I had gained someone far better than I had initially thought.
"I want to be a person like you, Second Young Master."
"What kind of person do you think I am?"
"Someone who, when with you, feels like any difficult task can be accomplished."
"With flattery like that, I don't think you need to worry about not getting ahead in politics."
"Haha, I'm not that clean of a person."
"Looking forward to working with you."
"I am also looking forward to it."
We firmly shook hands. I liked the unexpected nature of this big, rough man.