Chapter 782: This Is Why You Shouldn’t Carelessly Accept Gifts |
Sima Myung was commanding the situation inside the operations room of the Heavenly Communication Pavilion.
Whenever the Young Cult Leader went out, the entire pavilion went on high alert.
However, this time was particularly special. It was the first time he had ever left while commanding not only the four Demon Supremes but also the Demonic Army. Alongside them, even the Tenebrous Ghosts Corps and all of his personal bodyguards had gone out—making it the grandest procession yet.
A soldier came in to report the Young Cult Leader’s movements.
“The Young Cult Leader has finally entered Honam.”
This time, the Young Cult Leader’s destination was Dongting Lake, located in the northern part of Honam.
On the map of the Central Plains, the flag of Geom Mugeuk had shifted from Guizhou to Honam.
Young Demon.
Next to the Young Cult Leader’s flag, which symbolized Geom Mugeuk, were the flags of the Demon Supremes.
The flags of the four Demon Supremes were gathered around Geom Mugeuk’s central flag, and beside them stood the banner of the Demonic Army. Slightly smaller in size, a flag marked with the shadow character ‘Shadow’ (영), representing the Tenebrous Ghosts Corps, was placed next to it.
Then, another soldier entered to report.
“The Martial Alliance has requested to know the purpose of this sortie.”
The Martial Alliance had reacted faster than the Unorthodox Alliance because the provinces of Hubei and Honam were relatively close.
Normally, they would have informed them that the Lord of Sky Flower Pavilion was going to meet the Priestess of the Priestess Palace.
“Do not respond.”
“Yes, Chief Strategist.”
Sima Myung understood the gravity of this operation.
Given how close Geom Mugeuk was to the Demon Supremes, it wasn’t strange for him to leave alongside them. However, taking even the Demonic Army with him implied that a major battle might be brewing.
Since it was a decision made by none other than Geom Mugeuk himself, it had to be treated as a serious and dangerous situation.
If, in such a situation, any information about this operation leaked to either the Martial Alliance or the Unorthodox Alliance, it could cause significant harm to Geom Mugeuk’s mission.
Their silence might strain relations with the Martial Alliance, but it was an unavoidable decision.
Just then, another soldier arrived to report.
“Senior Official Go of Silver Moon requests an audience.”
“Let him in.”
Go Wol’s visit in a time like this? It was a sign that something unusual was happening.
Shortly afterwards, guided by one of the pavilion soldiers, Go Wol entered.
Very few people within the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult were allowed to set foot into the operations room of the Heavenly Communication Pavilion, but Sima Myung had granted Go Wol special access.
Naturally, organisations of a similar nature tended to compete with one another.
However, Silver Moon had always taken the stance of thoroughly supporting the Heavenly Communication Pavilion. All credit obtained through intelligence was handed over to the pavilion—almost as if the Young Cult Leader’s Silver Moon existed solely to assist the Cult Leader’s Heavenly Communication Pavilion.
That was why, up until now, there had never been any conflict between the two organizations.
“I greet the Chief Strategist.”
“Come in, Military Officer Go.”
The two men exchanged a warm greeting. It was a meeting between the current Cult Leader’s Chief Strategist and the man who would become the next Cult Leader’s Chief Strategist.
Go Wol took a moment to look around, sensing the heated intensity of the soldiers of the Heavenly Communication Pavilion as they busied themselves with their duties.
“Come, let’s have a cup of tea inside.”
Sima Myung led Go Wol into his office. Personally brewing the tea himself, he asked,
“How have you been lately? I imagine things have been hectic.”
With the Young Cult Leader’s sortie, the mental burden on him must have been immense.
“I’ve decided not to worry about the Young Cult Leader anymore. If I treat him like an ordinary person, I’ll collapse under the pressure.”
At Go Wol’s words, Sima Myung smiled. How could he not understand that feeling? He himself had thought countless times that it was a blessing to serve under Geom Woojin and not under Geom Mugeuk.
The two sat across from each other, sipping their tea. After savouring a mouthful, Go Wol went straight to the point.
“You’re a busy man, so I’ll get right to it.”
His gaze turned toward the large map of the Central Plains visible through the office window. Countless flags were pinned across it.
Naturally, Sima Myung thought his gaze would turn toward the place where Geom Mugeuk was.
But Go Wol’s eyes were fixed on the main division of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
The largest and most ornate flag—the Cult Leader’s banner.
The character ‘Demon’ (마).
Beside it stood two flags of the Demon Supremes.
On the green flag was written the character ‘Poison’ (독), and on the black flag, the character ‘Fist’ (권) was painted in white.
The gray flag symbolizing the Leader of the Heavenly Wind Cult bore the character ‘Wind’ (풍), and next to it was a new flag.
‘Flock of Cranes’ (군학).
“What do you think when you see those flags?”
Sima Myung could not discern what Go Wol was implying.
As if not expecting an answer, Go Wol continued speaking on his own.
“When I look at those flags, one thought comes to mind.”
An unexpected statement came from Go Wol’s mouth.
“They are perfectly balanced.”
When Sima Myung looked again after hearing that, he found truth in the words.
Within the cult, though only two Demon Supremes remained, there were also the Leader of the Heavenly Wind Cult and Ak Gunhak. Both were experts of Demon Supreme level or higher—and the two remaining Demon Supremes happened to be the strongest of them all: the Fist Demon King and the Poison King.
Go Wol turned his gaze back to Sima Myung and asked,
“Why do you think the Young Cult Leader made such a balance?”
“Are you saying the Young Cult Leader intended this on purpose?”
If that were true, then there could only be one meaning behind it.
Sima Myung flinched, his expression turning stiff with realization as he asked with disbelief,
“Surely… he doesn’t think the cult itself might be under attack, does he?”
Then an astonishing answer flowed from Go Wol’s mouth.
“I believe so.”
Sima Myung’s expression hardened.
“It’s a conclusion I reached after seeing how the Young Cult Leader arranged the main division. Originally, their plan might have been to lure the Young Cult Leader and the Demon Supremes out and then strike the empty cult headquarters. The Young Cult Leader may have foreseen that and deliberately established this balance to prevent it. That’s what I thought.”
Sima Myung remained silent for a while.
He had certainly recognized how important this operation was.
But he had not, even for a moment, considered the possibility that the headquarters of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult might be attacked.
Just as absurd as the idea sounded, he now realized it might have been his own complacency.
“I felt I had to share this thought with you, Chief Strategist.”
Ordinarily, he would have replied with something simple like, “Thank you for telling me.”
But Sima Myung knew better than anyone how remarkably Go Wol had developed Silver Moon into a powerful and disciplined organization. And so, he asked,
“What would you do if it were you?”
Go Wol replied calmly,
“If it were me, I would ignite the Demonic Flame.”
“!”
At the mention of the Demonic Flame, Sima Myung was taken aback.
To ignite the Demonic Flame was a symbolic act—it meant declaring a full-scale state of emergency across the main division.
Once the Demonic Flame was lit, the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult would enter wartime status. Every demonic practitioner would be placed on high alert, and every mechanism and formation would begin operating at their maximum level.
The entire headquarters would transform into an impregnable fortress.
However, doing so required tremendous manpower and an enormous amount of resources.
“What makes you so concerned? I doubt it’s merely because of that balance.”
Indeed, it was not. The crucial reason lay with Geom Mugeuk himself.
“From long ago, whenever I saw the Young Cult Leader, he always seemed to be preparing and guarding himself excessively—as if he sensed a great danger approaching.”
That was something even Sima Myung had noticed.
He had often wondered why someone so gifted continued to work so hard, to grow ever stronger.
Especially when he lacked any lust for power or desire for recognition.
“I believe the Young Cult Leader has perceived a danger we cannot sense.”
“!”
“If I, as a strategist, must act according to my lord’s unspoken intent—then I believe that moment is now.”
A moment of silence lingered between them.
If Go Wol had gone so far as to come personally and speak in this manner, then it was not advice to be taken lightly.
“To ignite the Demonic Flame, I would need the Cult Leader’s permission. And he will never grant it.”
It could be done if all the Demon Supremes were present.
But with most of them gone, suggesting that the Demonic Flame be lit now would only insult the pride of the Cult Leader.
Go Wol had expected as much.
“So, that means you and I must persuade the Cult Leader. That’s our duty, isn’t it? I’ll help you.”
For someone not belonging to the Heavenly Communication Pavilion to stand before the Cult Leader regarding such a matter meant he would be putting his life on the line. That alone showed how seriously Go Wol regarded this issue.
Sima Myung shook his head.
“Save that courage for later—when it’s your own Cult Leader you’ll need to persuade.”
Sima Myung rose from his seat.
“I’ll persuade my Cult Leader myself.”
* * *
The Sword King silently gazed at the wall.
On it were the inscriptions of extraordinary figures.
The place was none other than the second floor of the Flowing Wind Tavern. Since he had mentioned being a friend of Geom Mugeuk, Jo Chunbae had offered him a seat on this floor. There were untouched drinks and dishes still set on the table.
Had one not known that this tavern was Geom Mugeuk’s regular spot, one would have thought the writings were merely a prank or forgery.
At that moment, someone walked up the stairs. Surprisingly, it was Geom Woojin.
“I greet the Cult Leader.”
The Sword King bowed respectfully to Geom Woojin.
Geom Woojin gave a slight nod in acknowledgment.
After greeting him, the Sword King bent down to put on his shoes.
“If it’s more comfortable, you may leave them off.”
“That won’t be necessary.”
The Sword King put on his shoes.
Geom Woojin slowly walked to stand beside him, his gaze fixed on the inscriptions left by the Martial Alliance Leader and the Unorthodox Alliance Leader.
“You accomplished something truly remarkable.”
“You know well that it wasn’t my doing.”
The Sword King smiled faintly before adding,
“You have an extraordinary son.”
It was thanks to that extraordinary son that he could even share such a conversation with the Cult Leader. It was also because of that son that he had received such a precious gift.
“The sword you granted me is exceptional.”
The Sword King now wore the White Flower Sword in place of his former iron blade.
“I’m glad it suits you.”
“May I ask why you bestowed such a precious sword upon me?”
Surely, a weapon of such caliber would not be given without purpose.
Perhaps, when conflict arose with his son, he wished for the Sword King to persuade him?
That seemed plausible. Even for the Cult Leader himself, dealing with that remarkable son could not be an easy task.
However, the Sword King’s assumption was completely off the mark.
“When the time comes, stand by that child’s side.”
“!”
The Sword King looked at Geom Woojin in surprise.
“That child will surely suffer.”
From those words, the Sword King understood.
The Cult Leader truly cared for his son—and also believed with certainty that one day, they would stand opposed to each other.
‘So the Cult Leader truly intends to unify the martial world…’
The Sword King hesitated to reply. Whether the Cult Leader unified the martial world or not was none of his concern. The real problem was Geom Mugeuk.
To agree to such words would be to make a promise directly to the Cult Leader himself.
Would he really stay by Geom Mugeuk’s side until then? If he made that promise, he would have to remain.
Geom Woojin did not press him for an answer. Instead, he felt a sense of approval toward the man’s cautious demeanor.
After what must have been a long moment of contemplation, the Sword King finally answered calmly.
“Yes, I will.”
It was a short reply, but a satisfied expression briefly crossed Geom Woojin’s face.
“Then, have a drink with me.”
Clink.
The Sword King respectfully accepted the offered drink and emptied it in one smooth motion.
Geom Woojin, too, drank the cup that the Sword King had poured. It was a toast of promise.
After sharing the drink, Geom Woojin left the place without another word.
Watching his departing figure, the Sword King let out a quiet sigh and looked down at the sword and the shoes he wore.
“This is why one shouldn’t carelessly accept gifts.”
Damn, this father and son pair!
* * *
When Geom Woojin returned to his quarters, Sima Myung was waiting for him.
“What brings you here?”
Sima Myung smiled as he answered.
“It has been a while since we last shared a game of Go, Cult Leader. I wished to play again.”
“Very well, come in.”
The two of them sat across from each other with a Go board between them. It was the very board Geom Mugeuk had handcrafted as a gift.
Tak. Tak.
After exchanging a few words about how fine the board and the stones were, only the sound of stones being placed filled the room.
Sima Myung seemed focused solely on the game, as if he had truly come for nothing more.
As the game progressed, Sima Myung launched a deep invasion into Geom Woojin’s territory.
“You’re playing rather boldly for once.”
The move was so deep that survival would not be easy.
“Do you think you can live after entering so deep into my territory?”
“If this move catches the Cult Leader off guard, I might yet find a way.”
As Geom Woojin quietly studied the board, he spoke words that Sima Myung had not expected.
“So, you are worried too.”
“!”
Sima Myung lifted his head to look at Geom Woojin. The Cult Leader had inferred his reason for visiting from that very move.
“Perhaps I’ve grown old and too prone to worry.”
Still studying the board, Geom Woojin spoke.
“That boy came to see me before leaving the cult. Since he said he was taking the Demon Supremes with him, I told him to take them all. Yet he made up excuses and left the Poison King and Fist Demon King behind.”
A faint sneer appeared on Geom Woojin’s lips. That smile clearly conveyed the sentiment—‘How arrogant of him to worry about his own father.’
Geom Woojin picked up a Go stone.
Sima Myung naturally thought he would respond to his daring move within the Cult Leader’s territory.
“But I will not respond to that move of yours. I will pass.”
He did not say it aloud, but the meaning was clear—it was equivalent to saying that he would not ignite the Demonic Flame.
Sima Myung quietly smiled.
“To accept such an unreasonable move would indeed wound your pride.”
Of course, Sima Myung had assumed it was because of pride.
“But that’s not the reason.”
Tak.
Geom Woojin placed a stone in the center of the board, joining the battle there.
“If I respond to that move and end up losing the exchange, wouldn’t the central fight become disadvantageous for me?”
“!”
Sima Myung immediately grasped the meaning behind that move.
If the headquarters of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult turned into an impregnable fortress, the enemy would inevitably concentrate all their efforts on the Young Cult Leader instead.
Geom Woojin was declaring his intent—to draw the enemies toward himself for the sake of his son. The Cult Leader was revealing his heart through the game of Go.
Don’t touch my son. Come for me instead.
Silently gazing at Geom Woojin, Sima Myung then lowered his eyes back to the board.
“Because I withdrew my hand and made a reckless move, the central fight has turned difficult.”
A heat rose in Sima Myung’s chest.
Yes, the Cult Leader was not someone who avoided battle.
What mattered was that he was not letting his guard down.
And Sima Myung knew better than anyone how terrifyingly strong a vigilant Cult Leader could be.
As Sima Myung made another move to try and save his stones, Geom Woojin struck back mercilessly, cutting between the two groups.
Tak!
“Our guests—shouldn’t we be the ones to welcome them?”
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