Chapter 81: Let's Try Living a Different Life

TL: FoodieMonster007

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader was not surprised to see me and Go Wol.

"May we join you?"

He had clearly been waiting for us, yet he still made a sarcastic remark.

"Are you here to show off your new man?"

"Weren't you eating here so we could show him off?" Go Wol retorted.

Go Wol and I sat across from him.

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader glanced at Go Wol. He stared, as if he could not get used to the sight of Go Wol, who had gained some weight and looked healthier after a few days of rest.

"Looks like your new master is treating you well."

"I'm eating well and sleeping well," Go Wol replied.

"You don't think he's just fattening you up for the feast, do you?"

"If so, I hope it's a grand feast."

I believe time will also resolve the relationship between these two.

One day, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader will think to himself, 'Why was I so obsessed back then? Looking back now, it was no big deal.'

Or will this incident become an unforgettable scar, a source of lasting resentment?

Even though I've lived a full life, I can't be certain about things I haven't experienced myself, about the hearts of others.

I changed the subject before he could become gloomy.

"Did you meet with my father?"

"I did."

"Did you tell him? That you would raise the new Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme to be even stronger."

"I did. Just as you said, he was quite pleased."

"Did he say anything else?"

"He did. He asked how long Cheong Seon's martial arts training would take. It seemed he wanted me to return quickly."

"So what did you answer?"

"I told him we still need to find the divine object and that there's much to teach."

"Well done."

"What should I do now?" the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader asked.

"I'll look for a way."

"You won't demand another divine object as payment, will you?"

"I'll have to discuss that part with my Strategist."

For a moment, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's expression hardened.

"Is that something you should be saying to me right now?"

I spoke calmly to the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader.

"Cult Leader."

"I'm listening."

"You came to our Cult and lost one person, but didn't you gain another? If you keep living a life of looking back like this, you'll lose that person too."

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's expression stiffened even more, but he could not get angry. Cheong Seon, who had become the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme, was not someone to be treated lightly.

"The Young Lady Cheong you've taken as a disciple is a very ambitious person. You should focus on her."

My advice seemed to sour his mood. The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader took his frustration out on Go Wol.

"If this Second Young Lord is the peerless hero you claim he is, countless people will flock to his side. Many of them will be smarter than you. You'll just be relegated to being another face in the crowd. What was it again? Ah, 'that shackle from back then!' That's exactly what you'll become."

I sensed it. He isn't saying this to Go Wol, but to me. It's the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's warning not to treat Go Wol that way. This man genuinely cares for Go Wol.

Just then, Go Wol suddenly spoke.

"The Second Young Lord gave me a million taels."

I'm surprised. I never expected him to boast about receiving money from me in a situation like this.

"You said the Second Young Lord was putting on a pretense, didn't you? If you're going to pretend, you have to go this big."

Even I was surprised, so the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's shock was natural. That shock quickly turned to anger.

"Save your advice for your great new master!"

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader shot up from his seat and stormed out.

I knew Go Wol was not a rash person, so I asked him calmly, "Why did you do that?"

Indeed, his action had a purpose.

"As your Strategist, I'd like to make my first proposal."

"What is it?"

Go Wol stared at me and said, "I want to recruit the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader."

His unexpected words stunned me.

"You can't mean you want to bring the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader to our side?"

Go Wol nodded. "That's right."

"Is that possible?"

"I can't be certain, but there's a possibility."

"Then why did you piss him off?"

"I have a plan."

It was clearly a preliminary move to draw in the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader.

"May I ask why you want to bring him in?"

After a brief pause, Go Wol spoke. His reason was unexpected.

"Because I want to save the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader."

"Will he die if he doesn't join hands with me?"

"Yes, I predict that's what will happen."

"What's your reason for thinking so?"

"It's because of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's Cult Leader."

"Because of my father? Why?"

Since he was mentioning the Heavenly Demon, Go Wol lowered his voice.

"The difference in caliber between the two Cult Leaders is too great. The Young Lord's father possesses martial talent that ranks among the best of all the Heavenly Demons in history. He's also a man of great ambition. Eventually, the Heavenly Wind Cult will be devoured by the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult."

I agreed with Go Wol's opinion. Now that the Heavenly Wind Cult did not even have Go Wol, there was no telling what disaster it would face if it failed to recruit a proper new Strategist.

"So you want to save the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader?"

"Yes, that's right. If he becomes one of the Young Lord's people, he can avoid that disaster."

Gaining the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader? Many problems would arise, but it feels like a choice with as many gains as losses. Above all else…

"It's my Strategist's first proposal, so I have to accept it. Alright, let's try to bring the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader to our side."

"Thank you."

Go Wol bowed his head respectfully.

I intend to treat him as a proper Strategist, just like my father treats Sima Myeong.

"Aren't you worried I'll mess it up?" Go Wol asked.

"What?"

"You know that the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader and I are deeply entangled emotionally, don't you? If I handle him wrong, the Heavenly Wind Cult could become our enemy."

"Well, that could happen."

"Then why did you allow it?"

"Will ignoring each other make things better? I think hatred and resentment only grow when you don't see each other. I think it's better to hash it out with the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader and come to a decision. Whether we make him our ally or our enemy, let's reach a conclusion one way or another."

Like the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the Flower Sword Supreme.

At my words, Go Wol's expression brightened.

I extended my hand to him. "Let's shake on it."

Go Wol took my hand. "This is a hand stronger than any shackle."

"Do you mean a hand that can break millennium cold steel? Or a hand like a shackle that will hold you down?"

"Which is it?"

"To me, they're both the same."

"I'm fine with both."

We clasped hands firmly.

I finally have a Strategist.

The next day, I went to see the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader.

"This is a fine tea from the Central Plains."

Instead of thanking me, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader scoffed. "Did you come to brag about giving your Strategist a million taels? Must be nice to have so much money."

"I just came because I wanted to see you. Besides, don't you have a hundred times more money than I do, Cult Leader?"

"A hundred times? More like a thousand!"

"Of course. I'm someone who looks before he leaps. Would I really boast about money in front of you, Cult Leader?"

"Then why did you come?"

"I came to have a chat over a cup of tea."

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader shot me a suspicious look. It was a natural reaction. His sense of victimization from dealing with me was piled higher than the divine object behind him.

"Actually, I have a concern regarding Go Wol."

"What concern?"

"You saw it yesterday, didn't you? How he frivolously boasted about money in front of you, Cult Leader."

"Are you saying you're disappointed?"

I said nothing, but let a hint of disappointment show on my face. This was, of course, what Go Wol had instructed me to do. He had boasted about the money yesterday precisely to create this situation.

"I don't know Go Wol very well."

"Then why did you show such devotion to him?"

"So I thought about it carefully…"

"……"

"Perhaps he was just a stepping stone to connect you and me, Cult Leader."

"Does he know? That you're stabbing him in the back like this."

"It's not slander or betrayal. It's just the plain truth."

"So what is it you want to say?"

"I'm wondering if Go Wol is someone I can trust."

A look of displeasure crossed the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's face.

"Look here, Second Young Lord."

"……"

"I'm asking you nicely. Leave for today."

At his cold dismissal, I simply offered a farewell and stood up.

"Then I'll see you next time."

Getting kicked out like this was also part of Go Wol's prediction.

The next day, Go Wol went to see the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader.

"These bastards! What kind of game are you playing?"

Still, he felt more pleased to see Go Wol than when Geom Mugeuk had come.

"I've come as a guest, so please show some courtesy."

"Bullshit."

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader turned to the side.

Go Wol went to a nearby table and prepared tea with his own hands. The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader rarely allowed attendants into his quarters, so when it was just the two of them, the Cult Leader usually made the tea.

"Are you trying to poison me?"

"What would I gain by poisoning you, Cult Leader?"

"You could live happily with the Second Young Lord in a world without me, couldn't you?"

"I need you to be alive so I can boast, Cult Leader. Just like with the money yesterday."

"This crazy bastard."

Go Wol brought the tea. "Please drink. Come to think of it, this is the first time I've made tea for you with my own hands."

Though his expression was displeased, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader blew on the tea and drank it.

"How is it?"

"It's terrible."

"I'll leave after just one cup."

"Do whatever you want."

The two men drank their tea in silence. Then, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader suddenly spoke.

"The Second Young Lord doesn't fully trust you."

Normally, he would never have told him. His honest feeling was, Let Geom Mugeuk learn a harsh lesson, but seeing Go Wol face-to-face, he could not bring himself to do it.

"Are you trying to drive a wedge between us?" Go Wol asked.

What? After I went out of my way to tell you? The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader, who was about to flare up, just scoffed.

"Think what you will."

Only then did Go Wol smile. "I'm touched. That you would even tell me such a thing."

"Didn't you just call it driving a wedge?"

"I know it's not."

"……"

"Because it's a strategy."

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader was startled at the word 'strategy'.

"A strategy? What strategy?"

"A strategy to bring you in, Cult Leader. The Second Young Lord pretends to doubt me to drive me into a corner, and we use your soft heart to pull you to our side."

"What?"

After a moment of stunned silence, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader raised his voice. "You think I'd fall for such a pathetic strategy?"

"If I'm driven into a corner, are you just going to stand by and watch?"

"Of course! You've already left, what are you to me?"

"Then why are you so agitated right now?"

"I'm not agitated. I said I'm not!"

But the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader was clearly agitated.

"Then why are you telling me this?" he asked.

"Because I don't want to bring you over by deceiving you, Cult Leader."

"!"

Just as the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader hesitated, unsure of what to say, Go Wol spoke again.

"Even me telling you this is part of the strategy. It's a strategy to make you trust me even more."

"What in the world are you talking about? You damned ghost, you haunt me even after you've left! Shoo! Be gone!"

"Now you seem like your old self, Cult Leader."

"Shouting is what's like me? Are you mocking me? Is that it? I'll shout to my heart's content, so go ahead and ridicule me all you want!"

After shouting for a while, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader felt a sense of relief.

"What's the reason for going this far to bring me over?"

"Because at this rate, I believe you'll be defeated by the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's Cult Leader."

Go Wol was completely honest with the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader from beginning to end.

"I won't be defeated! I'll find a new Strategist as soon as I get back."

"I have a good idea of who in the Heavenly Wind Cult will take my place, don't I? They won't be enough."

"I'll just find one. Just like I found you."

"Do you think such good fortune will strike twice?"

"Damn it! Damn it! You arrogant bastard!"

"I've shown all my cards. Now it's your turn to show yours, Cult Leader."

"…As if you don't already know all my cards." The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader let out a long sigh.

"The Second Young Lord will strip me of everything I have."

"Then each time, you must obtain everything you desire, Cult Leader. If you lose one thing, gain another to fill its place."

"I can't do that with my own head, can I?"

"I will help you."

"Go help yourself. Don't end up broke and in shackles over there. Humans can pretend to be good and great, but they're all the same in the end."

"That's right. Since we're all the same, let's stick together."

"Can I really trust you?"

"Are you nervous?"

"Wouldn't you be nervous if you were me?"

Just then, Go Wol's expression changed, and he suddenly switched his tone.

"Cult Leader."

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader looked at him with an expression of both pleasure and surprise.

"Don't lie. You've never been nervous a day in your life, have you? Not once, right? Because nothing has ever threatened you, Cult Leader. You say you're nervous just thinking about advancing into the Central Plains? Don't lie. You sang the song of advancing into the Central Plains, but you never once thought about it seriously, did you? What it would mean, what consequences it would bring. Honestly, it was just a nuisance to you, wasn't it, Cult Leader?"

"!"

He could not deny it. It was his grandfather's lifelong wish, his father's lifelong wish, so it became his own. He only wanted to advance into the Central Plains because it felt like he would become a traitor to the Heavenly Wind Cult if he refused.

"A life where you can kill someone with a single word, embrace all sorts of beauties, and eat delicacies every day is good. It's the life everyone dreams of, but Cult Leader, you've lived that life to the fullest, haven't you? There's no excitement, no happiness left in that life for you, is there? Cult Leader, let's try living a different life. A life that's tense, thrilling, one that makes your heart drop. Your martial arts are rusting away in the desert wind, Cult Leader. You need to show the world what a real storm of blood is. A life where, if your luck runs out, you could just drop dead. Fortunately, we have each other to bring a flower to the other's grave, don't we?"

The two men's gazes locked in mid-air.

Finally, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader spoke softly. "Bring the Second Young Lord."