Chapter 14: Nowadays, the Educated Are the Braver Ones

TL: FoodieMonster007

People blocked our way in front of the Demonic Army General's office.

"You can't see him without a prior appointment."

"We're here for an official investigation. Step aside."

"We can't do that."

Tired of the repetitive squabble between Seo Daeryong and the Demonic Army, I thrust the order Seo Daeryong held at the demonic practitioners.

"Do you see the symbol drawn on this order?"

Since it was an official document, the symbol of the Heavenly Demon was engraved in the background.

"Blocking this order isn't blocking us. It's blocking the Cult Leader."

The demonic practitioners flinched at the mention of the Heavenly Demon. I was probably the first person to mention the Heavenly Demon while showing them the background of an official document.

"You can look down on us, but you can't take this lightly, can you? Right? Why? Are you going to look down on the Cult Leader too? Should I report it that way?"

"N-no, sir!"

"Absolutely not."

Just then, a voice called from inside.

"Show them in."

The demonic practitioners opened the door with relief.

Seo Daeryong must have realized his mistake. He should have done this with the gatekeepers earlier. It might have been difficult for him to dare mention my father, but he needed to understand that the Heavenly Demon's authority is meant to be used at times like these.

"Second Young Lord, welcome."

The Demonic Army General, Gu Cheonyang, had an ordinary build, but his aura could overwhelm the larger members of the Demonic Army.

However, he paled in comparison to his older brother, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon. They had similar faces and gazes, but the fire I had seen in the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's eyes was absent.

"It seems it's harder to see you than my own father."

"It seems my boys have been rude. They're an ignorant bunch by nature, so I hope you'll understand."

"Seeing them swarm out just to pick a fight, it looks like they have nothing better to do. Perhaps you should have them read a book or two."

"Wouldn't you say the ignorant are the brave ones?"

"That's an old saying. Nowadays, the educated ones are braver. They plan better strategies and know exactly what needs to be done."

"I suppose I'm falling behind the times as I get older."

Even during our short exchange, we engaged in a battle of wills. The Demonic Army General, a veteran of the cult's internal politics, received my words without any emotional disturbance.

"But why has the Second Young Lord been put in charge of this investigation?"

"It seems my father intends to punish me."

"A punishment?"

"I made a bit of a mistake during the hunt."

"Ah!"

The Demonic Army General's expression showed he finally understood. He must have considered all sorts of ulterior motives when he heard I was the investigator.

"Then why was this investigation by the Sanzu River Hall initiated? Was it an anonymous letter, like before?"

He acted casual, but the Demonic Army General was surely tense. He might brush aside other organizations, but the Sanzu River Hall was not a place he could so easily dismiss. It was a place that would carry out a sentence according to the law once a crime was revealed.

"I can't disclose any details related to the investigation."

"Between us, couldn't you at least tell me that much?"

He used the phrase 'between us' so nonchalantly. You really needed this level of shamelessness to be at the center of the cult's factional strife.

"I'll be honest with you, General. That's right, an anonymous letter was received."

"I knew it."

As I spoke honestly, Seo Daeryong glanced at me. His eyes asked if I was really telling him everything. My own gaze assured him that it was fine.

The corners of the Demonic Army General's mouth lifted at our silent exchange. To him, our actions must have seemed clumsy, which actually made the situation more advantageous for me.

"I heard that whenever an anonymous letter arrives, the Sanzu River Hall must dispatch an investigator unconditionally. I only just learned of this myself."

The Demonic Army General naturally asserted his innocence.

"When you're in a position leading ignorant and rough men like the Demonic Army, you end up suffering from all sorts of slander."

"I thought there would be less of that, actually. Doesn't slander require some brainpower? As you said, would ignorant men even think of submitting an anonymous letter?"

"The greed of ignorant men is extraordinary. Even you should be careful. When ignorance and greed combine, things that should never happen can occur."

I did not lose my smile, even at his subtle threat.

"I'll finish the investigation as quickly as possible, so please bear with the inconvenience."

The Demonic Army General's slightly stiff expression relaxed.

"Inconvenience? Are we the kind of people who need to worry about that? I'm a bit hurt."

"Isn't it a well-known fact that the Blood Heaven Blade Demon supports my Hyung?"

"That may be so, but my Hyung is my Hyung, and I am me, am I not? I support our Second Young Lord."

I gave him a wide smile in response to his blatant lie.

"Haha. Your words alone are reassuring. Well then, I'll be in your care for the next few days."

"When you leave, my men will show you to a place to stay."

As I got up to leave, the Demonic Army General added a final remark.

"Be careful. I'm saying this because I'm genuinely worried about you."

"For instance, like the time the last investigator was murdered?"

"Surely the Cult Leader wouldn't have sent our Second Young Lord here to die, would he? I'll be mindful of you."

"Haha, just hearing you say that is reassuring. Then I will take my leave."

I left the office with Seo Daeryong. Feeling the heat on the back of my head, I could guess his expression was completely stiff.

Then you're the one who should be careful. It seems Father sent me here with the intention that one of us, you or I, would die.

Head Strategist Sama Myeong watched the Heavenly Demon, Geom Woojin, maintain his sword.

"It has been a while since you've taken out the Black Demon Sword."

The Black Demon Sword was one of the four treasured swords of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.

The Heavenly Demon Sword worn by the Heavenly Demon was the best sword, followed by the Black Demon Sword. The third was the Evil Spirit Sword, and the last was the White Flower Sword.

The treasured swords each had unique properties. The Black Demon Sword was rough and destructive, the Evil Spirit Sword held a dark and evil energy, and the White Flower Sword had a gentle and noble nature.

"Did you perhaps take it out to give to the Second Young Lord?"

Geom Woojin's hand paused for a moment before he resumed his work.

"If the boy is fortunate, he will receive it."

Sama Myeong could guess the meaning. If the Second Young Lord handled this matter properly, this sword would be his gift.

"It will not be easy for the Second Young Lord to deal with the Demonic Army General."

Sama Myeong did not understand the Cult Leader's decision. Although Geom Mugeuk's recent actions had been unexpected, he did not believe he was skilled enough to face the Demonic Army.

"A report has already come in about a clash with the Demonic Army. It's possible that passing through the Little Heaven Cave could actually be a poison to him."

That confidence could cause him to ruin things. He was still young. He was too young to deal with the shrewd and seasoned Demonic Army General. That was why Sama Myeong was certain that the Black Demon Sword would return to the depths of the treasure vault.

"I should have stepped in and handled this matter myself."

He knew this from the incident where the last investigator from the Sanzu River Hall was murdered.

The Demonic Army General had either won over the Sanzu Hall Director or seized one of his weaknesses. The Sanzu Hall Director had covered up his subordinate's death without a proper reinvestigation. Sama Myeong had intended to handle it through the All-Knowing Hall, which he led, instead of entrusting it to the Sanzu River Hall.

Then, Geom Woojin said something unexpected.

"That boy said it. That we have lost the demonic way."

Sama Myeong flinched. Those words were disrespectful not only to the Heavenly Demon but also to Sama Myeong himself, the Head Strategist of the cult.

More than displeasure, Sama Myeong felt unease.

"Is that why you sent him?"

In other words, this was no different from asking, 'Is that why you're trying to kill him?' Since Sama Myeong had not yet directly witnessed Geom Mugeuk's change, such a thought was natural.

"If he's going to talk that big, he needs to back it up with action."

To Sama Myeong, these words also sounded like this.

If you act arrogant, you have to take responsibility.

Sama Myeong fell silent for a moment, watching Geom Woojin's hands carefully wipe the blade. Despite having sent his own flesh and blood to a place of certain death, Geom Woojin showed not the slightest waver.

"So the lost demonic way… does he intend to find it himself?"

"It seems so."

"Given the Second Young Lord's recent actions, it might be worth looking forward to."

Geom Woojin silently focused on maintaining the sword. After watching for a moment, Sama Myeong bid his farewell.

"Well then, I have matters to attend to, so I will take my leave."

Sama Myeong bowed respectfully and left. As he walked out over the red carpet, he glanced back.

Geom Woojin seemed uninterested in Geom Mugeuk's life or death, but the care with which he tended to the sword was more meticulous than ever.

Could it be? Does he believe the Second Young Lord will take care of the Demonic Army General?

He rarely revealed his thoughts, but this time, it was even harder to know what the Cult Leader was thinking.

Sama Myeong started walking again.

When he reached the end of the red carpet, Sama Myeong came to a conclusion.

As expected… the Black Demon Sword would be returning to the treasure vault.

We stared dumbfounded at the room the Demonic Army members had guided us to.

"This is too much."

The room they gave us had not been cleaned at all. Dust was everywhere, and cobwebs hung from the ceiling.

"I don't understand. No matter how much the Demonic Army General follows the First Young Lord, the Second Young Lord still came here in person."

"In their eyes, I'm just someone who will be pushed out of the succession battle and disappear. It's not just any fight. Losing a succession battle means death, and if they get too friendly with me, they risk being purged along with me."

I pointed a finger at Seo Daeryong, then drew my hand across my neck. The gesture meant, Get friendly with me, and you'll get it too. Seo Daeryong did not seem to mind much.

"Even so… I don't think they could do this, even out of respect for the Cult Leader."

"They know my father doesn't care about these things. In fact, he probably finds it amusing, and this room isn't the Demonic Army General's handiwork. It was probably that bastard Go Dang's order."

"A petty man holding a grudge…"

"He's just shortening his own lifespan. Don't forget my prophecy."

"Anyway, I'm going to clean up a bit. You should wait outside."

"Let's do it together."

"I can't let you do that."

"Why not?"

I cleaned the place thoroughly with Seo Daeryong. He glanced at me several times, as if finding it strange that I was cleaning. If he knew how much I had suffered before regressing, he would realize this bit of cleaning was nothing.

After we finished, Seo Daeryong brought back clean bedding.

"Are you really going to sleep here?"

"……"

"May I ask why?"

"We need to find the person who sent the anonymous letter. We have to stay here as much as possible to give them a chance to approach us."

"In that case, I will stay. Second Young Lord, please return to your residence and rest."

"If you sleep here alone, some pervert might break in. What are you going to do if a pervert who goes crazy for small-bodied men shows up?"

I said it as a joke, but Seo Daeryong took it seriously.

"Let's sleep here together."

"What if I'm that kind of pervert?"

"Then I will reveal my own hidden feelings."

Hearing such a joke from this gloomy guy felt like a cold wind blew between us.

"I'm hungry. Let's go get something to eat."

When we left the room, Captain Go Dang was waiting at the entrance. His broken hand was wrapped in a bandage.

I pretended not to notice and greeted him cheerfully.

"Captain Go, have you eaten? If not, let's go together. Oh, you've injured your hand. How did that happen?"

Go Dang glared at me like an angry beast. He probably intended to give me a cold warning, but my annoying reaction made his anger surge, and his face flushed red.

"Second Young Lord, I will not forget your cowardly act."

He thought his hand broke because I launched a surprise attack. If he did not realize the outcome would have been the same regardless, then all his future schemes against me would become a precarious tightrope walk over death.

"What are you talking about?"

When I feigned ignorance, the man ground his teeth.

"Some people are mistaken. They think a knife can't enter the belly of someone with a noble status."

"Can you even hold a knife with that hand?"

"We'll see about that. Whether it's a knife that drops, or your guts."

Despite the curse that crossed the line, I smiled and waved as he stormed off.

"Aren't you provoking him too much?" Seo Daeryong asked.

"He's the one who provoked me."

"Pardon?"

"He's the one who waited to threaten me, and he's the one who said he'd stick a knife in my belly, isn't he?"

"Now that you mention it, that's true."

"We try to understand wicked people for all sorts of reasons. Because he's a villain, because that's just how he is. I think that's pathetic. Why should we understand villains? We should hold them to a stricter standard. Much harsher than ordinary people. That bastard should be walking around with his head bowed, but instead, he must be crazy to want to die."

Seo Daeryong nodded emphatically, as if in complete agreement.

"Seeing that guy ruined my appetite. Let's go eat the most expensive and delicious thing we can find."

"……"

"I'm offering to spend money. Can't you give me a more enthusiastic reaction?"

"I apologize. I don't particularly enjoy eating."

"What do you enjoy? Go on, just have some noodles."

"……"

Seo Daeryong really did have a small appetite.

Seeing him leave half of the expensive dish, I decided I really should just buy him noodles next time.

When we returned after our meal, we stared blankly at the bed.

A pair of dead crows had been thrown onto it.

Seo Daeryong's already gloomy eyes grew even more somber.

"I'll have to go get new bedding."

"Before that, grab those and follow me."

"Why these?"

I strode out of the room.

"Because we also have more use for dead crows than live ones."