Chapter 36: I Am Already Loyal

TL: FoodieMonster007

The Flower Sword Supreme was a beautiful woman. She looked to be in her twenties, but she was actually twice that age. This gave rise to a saying in our Cult.

The world may change, but the Sword Supreme never does.

In fact, she seemed to grow younger with each passing year.

However, anyone foolish enough to be deceived by her delicate appearance would have their tongue cut out before a cold iron sword plunged into their heart. The red camellia engraved on the scabbard of her unique weapon, the One Flower Sword, was as intense as blood.

"It has been a while, Elder."

"I never get used to hearing the word 'Elder'. How about calling me Senior?"

She treated me politely. She was famous for her respectful speech and impeccable manners, which she extended even to low-ranking martial artists.

"Considering the seniority between us, Elder, I can't do that."

"Respect someone just because they're old? I don't think so. Respect should be given to those who are respectable. Just as you should respect someone young if they're worthy of it."

"Very well. I'll follow your wishes, Senior. In return, please feel free to call me Second Young Lord."

"I will."

I introduced Seo Daeryong to her.

"This is the Special Investigator who looked into the recent incident. I brought him to explain what happened."

Seo Daeryong respectfully performed a clasped hands greeting to the Flower Sword Supreme.

"I am Special Investigator Seo Daeryong. I will now report on the incident."

The Flower Sword Supreme raised a hand to stop him.

"That's enough. If the Sanzu River Hall ruled that he committed a crime, then he must have. A man who would rape a young servant deserves to die, so my sword family won't take issue with what happened during the investigation."

I gestured for Seo Daeryong to withdraw. He quietly exited the thatched hut.

The Flower Sword Supreme looked at me with a faint smile. She had noticed I had come for another reason.

"I've heard that thanks to the Second Young Lord's hard work, a wind of change is blowing through our Cult."

"I'm just running around recklessly."

"If it helps our Cult develop, how could that be reckless?"

Among the Eight Demon Supremes, the Flower Sword Supreme was considered the one who least fit the Demonic Cult. This humble thatched hut proved it. It was decorated in a Dan Ah style, like the secluded home of an old master from a prestigious orthodox sect.

"You're doing excellent work."

"It's only possible because you're such a strong pillar of support, Senior."

The Flower Sword Supreme shook her head.

"Don't waste your flattery on this wrinkled old face."

This was clearly a deliberate statement meant to elicit a specific response.

"How can you say such a thing? You still look like you're in your twenties, Senior."

"My twenties! What an absurd thing to say!"

An irrepressible smile bloomed on her face as she waved her hands in dismissal.

"I'm someone who is content to step back and realize the principles of martial arts."

However, she lived a life contrary to her words.

After my father was killed by Hwa Mugi and our Cult was closed off, a full-blown power struggle erupted internally. The Eight Demon Supremes and other renowned masters of our Cult all vied for the position of Cult Leader.

So, who was the first Cult Leader?

Surprisingly, it was the woman standing before me. It was hard to believe, given her gentle smile and calm demeanor now, but the Flower Sword Supreme had been the first to make a move and seize the position.

A bloody storm raged in the process. She was merciless. That bloody storm continued throughout her short tenure as Cult Leader. It would have been better if she had at least been good at politics, but the Flower Sword Supreme's ability to rule could not keep up with her ambition.

She caused every tragedy that occurs when an incompetent person is overly ambitious. She lost her life to the next Cult Leader before even completing three years. That is why my assessment 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 clashes with the Southern Blade Sect recently."

I subtly mentioned the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the Southern Blade Sect. Among the Eight Demon Supremes, those two were known to have the worst relationship. For that reason, the blade demons and sword demons were also like cats and dogs.

"The Blood Heaven Blade Demon, the Elder, put me under severe pressure, and now, a conflict has arisen with the sword family…"

"I am a completely different person from the Blade Demon!"

The Flower Sword Supreme's voice rose, as if she found even the mention of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon unpleasant.

"Of course, you are completely different."

"Since we're on the topic, I heard that the Blade Demon recommended a man named Jang Ho from the Southern Blade Sect for the position of Demonic Army General. What happened?"

She might seem like she only trained alone in her thatched hut, but she was aware of all the affairs within the cult. She was proving that her future seizure of power would be no accident.

"Jang Ho is an outstanding and loyal man."

"What I'm asking is why the Blade Demon tried to make that man the Demonic Army General."

"To be perfectly honest, Jang Ho is my man."

The Flower Sword Supreme did not seem surprised, as if she already knew. What she was curious about was this.

"How did you persuade the Blade Demon?"

"I provoked the Elder's pride. I asked if he, a Demon Supreme, shouldn't make a choice for the good of the cult. That he should recommend someone with real ability, not because of personal connections or political power."

"The Blade Demon wouldn't be persuaded by a reason like that."

"You're right. It was probably because he didn't want to lose me. In any case, the Blade Demon said this. That among the Eight Demon Supremes, his heart for the cult is the greatest."

The Flower Sword Supreme's expression soured as if she found his words absurd, but I pretended not to notice and continued.

"However, it seems it won't be easy for even the Elder to install Jang Ho as the Demonic Army General. The Head Strategist suggested a method, but that too is difficult."

"What method did the Strategist suggest?"

"He said it would be possible if another Demon Supreme recommended him as well, but the problem is that there's no other Demon Supreme who would do so."

"Why do you think there isn't one?"

"Pardon?"

"Do you think the Blade Demon is the only Demon Supreme who cares for the cult?"

The Flower Sword Supreme asked me with a cold gaze.

"Isn't your purpose for visiting me today to provoke my pride and get me to recommend Jang Ho along with Senior Blade Demon?"

Now was the time to show honesty. A scheme only truly takes flavor when tricks and truths are mixed so thoroughly that you can no longer tell what its ingredients are.

"You noticed?"

"What is your reason for going this far?"

"To get the Demonic Army in my grasp. I want to use that influence to become the successor as quickly as possible."

The Flower Sword Supreme stared at me silently.

Why would that fastidious old man, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, choose me? Going so far as to abandon my brother. She must be having such doubts.

"Now I understand clearly why the Cult Leader appointed the Second Young Lord as the Sanzu Hall Director."

"Why is that? I still don't quite understand my father's intentions."

She came closer and stared into my eyes.

"The Second Young Lord has a strange way of swaying people's hearts."

She expressed her exact feelings at that moment, as if only someone overflowing with confidence could reveal such candid thoughts.

"I'll take that as a compliment."

After a moment of contemplation, she finally made a decision.

"Alright, I will also recommend Jang Ho."

"Are you serious?"

I put on a surprised expression, but inwardly, I had expected her to recommend him. It was precisely because of 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 who cares for the cult."

She turned away. Knowing it was a silent dismissal, I bowed to her politely.

"I will not forget the grace you have shown me."

She did not reply, but I knew the exact reason why.

Her involvement in this matter was entirely because of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.

She was worried that I might be a talent worthy of being the successor, and that the Blade Demon had recognized it first. If that were the case, she would not want the Blade Demon to have me all to himself. She would not even want to give the Blade Demon a piece of horse dung found on the road.

Why?

Because she truly, horribly despised the Blade Demon.

When she became the Cult Leader, the very first person she killed was the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.

The next day, the Flower Sword Supreme recommended Jang Ho for Demonic Army General.

The entire cult was stirred by this shocking news. Never before had a Captain of the Demonic Army been nominated, nor had two Demon Supremes ever joined forces to recommend a single person.

This was especially true since those two Demon Supremes were the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the Flower Sword Supreme, who were on bad terms. Naturally, Jang Ho became the center of attention.

In the Heavenly Demon Hall, Cult Leader Geom Woojin and Head Strategist Sama Myeong also discussed the matter.

"I never imagined the Second Young Lord would be able to bring the Sword Supreme into this."

"He must have used their discord."

"Everyone knows of their discord, but no one could have pulled this off so easily."

Neither the Blood Heaven Blade Demon nor the Flower Sword Supreme were easy people to deal with. Trying to use their well-known discord would likely have just backfired.

"What about this man, Jang Ho? Can he be entrusted with the Demonic Army?"

"His abilities themselves are outstanding. However, he's more of a pure martial artist, so his political standing is weak. Choosing Captain Jang was a very clever move from the start."

"He probably didn't scout Jang Ho from the beginning."

"What do you mean?"

"It was likely an emotional choice. He's a more emotional child than one might think."

Sama Myeong found Geom Woojin's words unfamiliar. The Cult Leader had never before shared his assessment of his children with him.

"It's both a strength and a weakness."

To Sama Myeong's words, Geom Woojin stated firmly.

"It's a weakness."

Sama Myeong held his tongue with a faint smile. Not just him, but everyone could feel that the Cult Leader had been opening his heart to Geom Mugeuk recently.

However, that did not mean he thought the Cult Leader would make Geom Mugeuk his successor. Geom Woojin often made decisions that were completely different from how things appeared. It was still too early to tell.

"How should we conclude the matter of the Demonic Army General?"

"If two of them recommended him, we must accept it. We have to consider their reputation."

Geom Woojin gave the order as if he had been waiting for this moment.

"Appoint Jang Ho as the Demonic Army General."

"I don't know how I can ever repay this favor."

Upon hearing the news that he had become the Demonic Army General, Jang Ho came to see me first. He felt both joy and worry at the fact that he was now the Demonic Army General.

"Knowing your personality, Captain Jang, you probably won't be able to repay the favor."

"Pardon? What do you mean by that?"

"There are two reasons I made you the Demonic Army General, Captain Jang. The first is that I believe you're the most suitable person for the position. I felt you were the right person not for your sake or mine, but for the Demonic Army and our Cult."

"I'm so overwhelmed by your high praise that I don't know what to do."

"The second reason is that I want the Demonic Army to become my strength, but don't the first and second reasons contradict each other? It won't be easy for an upright person like you, Captain Jang, to maintain a personal relationship. Oh, and let me say this in advance, I have no intention of forcing a friendship on you, so don't worry."

Then, Jang Ho said something unexpected.

"Do you remember when we first met? I submitted a petition because of my friend's death. It was to get revenge. I staked my life on it. As you can see, I'm an emotional person who values relationships with people above all else. If you saw me as someone who would abandon personal relationships for the organization, you've misjudged me. If you hadn't come then, Young Lord, I probably would have died."

And that was true. If I had not gone, he would have died in that incident.

"I want to be loyal to you, Young Lord. No, I am already loyal. Of course, I'll be loyal to the Cult Leader and the cult, and I'll work hard for the Demonic Army, but my greatest loyalty is to you, Young Lord."

He was speaking from the heart. I could tell. I had gained a far better subordinate than I had ever imagined.

"I want to become a person like you, Young Lord."

"What kind of person am I?"

"You're the kind of person who makes me feel like I can accomplish any difficult task as long as I'm with you."

"With flattery like that, I suppose I don't have to worry about you suffering disadvantages for being bad at politics."

"Haha, I'm not that clean-cut of a guy."

"I'll be in your care from now on."

"I should be the one saying that."

I firmly clasped his large hand. I liked the unexpected side of this big, rough man.