Chapter 251: Now is the Time for Everyone to Become Stronger

TL: FoodieMonster007

Becoming the Young Cult Leader changed nothing. My path was set, and my tasks were decided. I had to become strong and kill Hwa Mugi.

But reality had changed in other ways.

The first change stood in a line in my residence's courtyard. A symbol engraved on their chests told me who they were. It was the image of a demon on a shield.

"We're from the Heavenly Demon Hall bodyguard unit."

Bodyguard martial artists were dispatched from the Heavenly Demon Hall as soon as I became the Young Cult Leader.

"I'm Cheokyeon, and I'll be responsible for the Young Cult Leader's safety from now on."

He wore an eyepatch over one eye. A one-eyed bodyguard was rare, which made him look very special. The bodyguards behind Cheokyeon each stated their names and greeted me. There were twelve of them in total. They explained they would protect me in shifts of six, day and night.

I knew Cheokyeon and the other bodyguards well.

Cheokyeon lived a fate that burned brightly like a flame before vanishing. They were my older brother's bodyguards when he was the Young Cult Leader. They all died with him the day Hwa Mugi attacked. Not one of them fled. They were men who offered their lives as a testament to their loyalty.

Thank you.

I thanked them in my heart.

"From now on, we'll protect you, Young Cult Leader."

That loyalty was now directed at me. These were more fates I had to change.

The only problem was that I didn't need them.

They would try to stay by my side constantly, but I had many things that required me to move quickly. I would also take many actions they couldn't understand. I had to make them keep their distance somehow.

I couldn't believe I had such a task on my first day as Young Cult Leader.

Telling them, 'I don't need you, so you may leave,' was pointless. They weren't the type to leave just because I said so. The problem couldn't be solved that way.

This was a problem for Hwi, the head of the bodyguard unit and Father's personal bodyguard. Of course, it wouldn't be easy.

Bodyguard martial artists are the most conservative people in the orthodox, unorthodox, and demonic factions. It's impossible to protect a target without being conservative. Stronger masters tend to overestimate their skills, making them difficult to protect. I was a prime example, already thinking of how to send my bodyguards away.

"Rest for a moment."

I was about to meet Hwi to settle things, but Cheokyeon seemed to have read my mind.

"The bodyguard Captain told us this. The Young Cult Leader might try to send you back, but you have nowhere to return to. If you send us back, we'll have to leave the bodyguard unit."

Hwi had anticipated my move and acted first. He understood my personality well and made it clear that dismissing the bodyguards was not an option. For better or worse, I had to keep them with me.

"Then are you all completely my men now?"

"Our official affiliation is with the Heavenly Demon Hall bodyguard unit, but in practice, yes."

I told Cheokyeon, "Take off your eyepatch."

Cheokyeon flinched but quickly removed the eyepatch. He wasn't wearing it because of an injury. The pupil hidden beneath it was blood-red.

I approached Cheokyeon, looked into his eye, and said, "You've learned the Ghost Eye Art."

The Ghost Eye Art is an ocular art passed down among bodyguards for finding hidden people. Learning it is extremely painful, and the user cannot normally use the eye. For a single moment of crisis that might never come, one had to give up an eye for life.

"Isn't it painful?"

"It's bearable."

"Stay still."

I placed my palm over his eye. A fine stream of qi flowed in and soothed his pupil. When I removed my hand, Cheokyeon bowed his head.

"Thank you."

Cheokyeon looked at me, bewildered. He probably never imagined I could manage his pain like this.

"It's just a temporary measure."

It was the same with Lee Ahn, and now with Cheokyeon. Protecting someone demanded too great a sacrifice. This might not be a problem unique to our Cult, but the burden our Cult placed on its bodyguards was too harsh.

"I understand that if you completely master the Ghost Eye Art, you can use this eye normally."

"That's correct, but achieving complete mastery is an incredibly difficult task."

"I'll help you."

Cheokyeon's red eye widened in surprise, as if he were seeing a ghost.

"How old are you?"

"I'm twenty-nine."

He was young. The bodyguards with him were also younger or a similar age.

"I may be young, but this is my twelfth year in the bodyguard unit."

This meant he passed the bodyguard unit's test at seventeen. Since ordinary skills weren't enough to enter the Heavenly Demon Hall bodyguard unit, Cheokyeon's talent had to be outstanding.

"The juniors with me are also young, but I can vouch for their skills."

Of course, they were. They were sent to bodyguard the Young Cult Leader. Hwi must have sent young masters who would lead the next generation, masters with both skill and loyalty.

Uncle Hwi, you've chosen really well.

After all, these men had already proven their character with their deaths.

"How much do you know about me?"

"We're aware of almost everything that's happened recently."

"Then you must have some idea of my personality."

"I have a very slight inkling."

"Tell me."

Cheokyeon hesitated for a moment, then spoke cautiously. "I think you're not an easy person to serve."

I nodded. "If you can let go of just one thing, you'll get along with me better than anyone."

"What is that?"

"Impatience. You just need to let go of the impatience to become my bodyguard right now."

Cheokyeon and the other bodyguards looked puzzled. They had already been assigned as my bodyguards, so my words were baffling.

"I don't understand what you mean."

Instead of answering, I asked a question. "What is your ultimate dream?"

"To become the best bodyguard."

"Then is your dream to be the Young Cult Leader's bodyguard? Or the Cult Leader's bodyguard?"

After a brief pause, Cheokyeon answered. "Of course, our final dream is to become the Cult Leader's bodyguard."

The other bodyguards would have the same goal.

"That's why I'm saying you need to let go of your impatience."

They still looked like they couldn't understand my intentions.

"Bring thirteen wooden swords."

Realizing I intended to test their skills, Cheokyeon immediately had a subordinate bring wooden swords. A moment later, we each held a wooden sword. I dipped my sword's tip in white powder.

"Alright, think of the man at the end over there as me. Protect him."

They immediately formed a protective formation around the man I indicated. They were tense.

"You don't need to worry about me getting hurt, so do your best to block me. Alright, here I come."

I rushed toward them.

They tried to block me, but they couldn't stop my determined attack. I unleashed the Four Strides of the Wind God and broke through their formation. They stumbled and collided as their swords swung at empty air. They exposed impenetrable openings, tripped over their own feet, and lost sight of me for an instant.

Just as they thought, What in the world is happening?, I leaped back to my original spot.

The twelve bodyguards stared at me, dazed.

What did he just do?

None of them had dropped their swords. No one had been struck.

Then, one of them gasped.

"……"

The others startled in shock. They looked more horrified than if they had been stabbed. Without realizing it, white powder had been dabbed on everyone's heart. Their leader, Cheokyeon, was no exception, and neither was the comrade they were protecting. More astonishingly, the powder had been applied without them knowing when or how. In the blink of an eye, they had all died.

"With your current skills, do you think you can bodyguard me?"

Cheokyeon's face turned red, as did the others'. Despite the skill difference, the helpless defeat was incredibly shameful for them as bodyguards.

"I'm not trying to humiliate you. I'm showing you reality. To protect me, you have to be much stronger. The masters I'll face from now on will be like this."

I approached them, meeting each person's eyes as I spoke.

"You couldn't stop me today, but you must stop me next time. You can't stop me alone, but twelve of you together must. Don't waste time guarding me while I eat or sleep. Use that meaningless time to train your martial arts."

Having them follow me around to bodyguard me right now was meaningless.

"Then are you saying we should only train in martial arts continuously?"

I shook my head at Cheokyeon's question. "You have your own positions, so I can't have you do that. We must move together for official events, but there's no need to waste time playing bodyguard during my daily life or when I'm with the Demon Supremes."

For them, this was a heaven-sent opportunity. They were the type to sacrifice sleep just to train amidst their difficult bodyguard duties.

"Discard thoughts like, 'These are the rules of the bodyguard unit,' or 'It goes against the principles.' We will establish new rules. When I tell you to stand down and rest, you will accept my command unconditionally. If I don't call for you, that time is for training. Train to become the number one bodyguard in murim."

At my unexpected words, the eyes of Cheokyeon and the other martial artists wavered.

"I need that kind of bodyguard."

I slowly approached and brushed the white powder from Cheokyeon's chest, revealing the bodyguard unit's symbol.

"I need the shield on your chests to be a shield of ten-thousand-year cold iron that no one can pierce."

I could feel Cheokyeon getting emotional. They were still young and moved by my words. Becoming the best bodyguards was their dream, and now they had an opportunity.

"If you keep your promise to me, I'll make one of my own. I'll take you all with me to the very end. When I become the Heavenly Demon, you will be my bodyguards."

Cheokyeon and the bodyguards were stunned. Usually, the Heavenly Demon's bodyguards are replaced upon succession, but I had just declared I would take all of them with me.

"If a problem arises and you get kicked out of the bodyguard unit, I'll take responsibility and accept you, but that won't happen."

Cheokyeon couldn't decide if this was the right way to proceed.

"Instead of giving you a lot of time, I'll check your skills frequently. Anyone who is lazy will be sent away immediately. This might be a more difficult task than bodyguarding me."

Now was the time for everyone to become stronger. I had to make my bodyguards strong, no matter what.

Cheokyeon looked at his subordinates, asking for their opinions instead of deciding alone. I felt telepathy flash between them. I liked his way of handling things.

"I learned the Ghost Eye Art to see ghosts… but right now, I feel like I'm possessed by one."

Cheokyeon's expression showed he was making an emotional decision. He then added, "We've decided to follow the Young Cult Leader's words."

The bodyguards behind Cheokyeon shouted in unison. "We will become stronger. We'll bet our futures on you, Young Cult Leader."

I could feel their determination.

"Become strong. So that in the future, you may become the greatest Heavenly Demon's Guard in all of murim."

They would be able to do it, because I would help them.

And we had to succeed, if only to kill Hwa Mugi.

"Where are your quarters?"

"They've been prepared nearby."

"I'll have them rebuilt with the best facilities, including an attached training ground."

They all looked deeply grateful.

"Well, since it's the first day, shall we all go together?"

I led the bodyguards toward the Heavenly Demon Hall.

The bodyguards followed gallantly behind me. Their gazes were cold and confident when dealing with the cultists, unlike how they were with me. They had the authority to cut down anyone to protect me. While on duty, they could even skip greeting a Demon Supreme. I was the only one who had scolded them. They were not lacking in any way.

As we walked, the cultists parted like water.

They didn't dare block our path. The way they looked at me had also completely changed. Before, they used to reveal their emotions, whether it was support or disapproval. I could read their minds to some extent.

But now that I was the Young Cult Leader, they didn't dare reveal their feelings. They showed absolute respect and greeted me politely. Whether they liked me or not didn't matter. They knew that getting on the bad side of the next Heavenly Demon meant death.

The bodyguards waited at the entrance, and I entered the Heavenly Demon Hall alone.

Father sat on the grandmaster's chair, as always.

I walked the path of blood and stood at the bottom of the stairs.

"I trust your health has been robust and your days peaceful?"

"Why are you doing something you never do?"

"Well, as the Young Cult Leader, I should at least offer this level of greeting."

The corners of Father's mouth curled up.

"Act as you usually do."

I smiled pleasantly and asked Father, "Did you get to talk badly about my brother and me to your heart's content?"

"I couldn't. Your brother isn't the type to badmouth people behind their backs."

Father, you looked really cool yesterday taking care of my brother.

"I kept my promise to bring him here holding his hand, so from now on, you need to help a little too, Father."

Father didn't answer, but I believed he would help with my brother's problem one way or another.

"You kept singing the song of 'successor, successor,' but you'll have many things to do from now on."

I knew that. I had many internal matters to handle and events to attend, especially external events in Father's place.

"I'll show off this handsome face I got from you to the world."

In truth, I was counting on the Heavenly Space Secret Art. I had to master it somehow to secure more time.

Father looked down at me in silence, then suddenly asked, "Are you ready?"

I knew instinctively.

The moment I had been waiting for had finally arrived.

"I am ready."

At my calm reply, Father rose from the grandmaster's chair.

"Follow me."

I followed Father toward something more important to me than the position of successor. Though I walked slowly, my heart began to pound as if it were sprinting.