Until now, he hadn’t had the leisure or need to think about it, but there was something he suddenly realized.
The scenery of Ten Thousand Great Mountains[1], the Demonic Cult’s residence, was truly unparalleled under heaven.
The unobstructed view of dense trees, majestic mountain ridges, and the trees covering them looked like a landscape painting.
The air was incredibly clear too. It was impossible to believe this was the home of unimaginably vicious demons. He couldn’t understand how people living in such a breathtaking place could have such twisted personalities.
“Whew! This is nice!”
He meant it sincerely. Perhaps because he’d thought he’d never visit such a place in his life, it felt even more beautiful.
Cheon Hajin, flaring his nostrils, smiled broadly.
“The bamboo fragrance is nice too.”
As he turned around, countless bamboo trees standing in rows entered his vision.
Each bamboo was thick and tall as if it would pierce the heavens. Some were so abnormally thick they resembled tree trunks.
What a spectacular view.
They say upright bamboo symbolizes loyalty and integrity.
Now he understood why the ancient sages loved bamboo. Just looking at it made his heart pound and raised goosebumps all over his body.
His chest burned with emotion.
It burned so much he felt like setting it all on fire.
“…You bastard.”
Drip.
Blood dripped from beneath his chin. He’d bitten his lips so much they were covered in wounds.
“I just asked to go out for a bit, and you send me to exile instead? How can you call yourself human, you damned bastard!!”
Cheon Hajin’s scream echoed through the bamboo grove.
No, who said anything about cutting ties? I just said I wanted to go out and get some fresh air!
Just what the hell did I do so wrong that you’d stick me in a place like this?!
As Cheon Hajin clutched his head in despair, a shadow silently appeared behind him.
“Forgive my impertinence, Young Master, but those are dangerous words.”
Cheon Hajin turned his head. His murderous gaze was fiercer than that of a predator eyeing its prey.
But the middle-aged man looking down at him didn’t even twitch an eyebrow.
“What did you just say?”
The man bowed his head respectfully.
“Curses and violent words toward the Cult Leader are themselves grounds for immediate execution. This applies even to Young Masters and Young Ladies.”
“Hey, you!”
“Please speak.”
Cheon Hajin had been breathing heavily.
Eventually, as his breathing gradually calmed, he turned his head.
“I wasn’t cursing the Cult Leader.”
“…”
“Don’t misunderstand.”
“Is that so?”
Damn it! Damn it!
They say when someone’s absent, you can curse even the Emperor… well, maybe not Emperor, even King… might be pushing it, but cursing high-ranking officials isn’t wrong.
Thinking about it makes me even angrier. What is he, some royal family member? Are we not allowed to curse even behind his back?!
Fuck, to these gloomy bastards, he’s even higher than an Emperor.
He’s not just royalty, but a god incarnate, they say.
I understand, but honestly, it’s none of my business. He might be a god to you, but to me he’s just an incredibly huge martial artist.
Of course, the problem is that this huge martial artist is an unprecedented monster-level powerhouse.
While grumbling, Cheon Hajin glanced at Ma Dong-pil[2].
His stoicism rivaled thousand-year-old rocks. Even in this wind, not a single hair moved.
Is that a mask? If not, how can a human be like that?
“You’re from the Law Enforcement Court?”
Ma Dong-pil knelt on one knee.
“This subject is Ma Dong-pil, Third Captain[3] of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult’s Law Enforcement Court[4].”
“A Captain of the Law Enforcement Court is becoming my personal guard?”
“I am unworthy, Young Master. It is a three-lifetime honor to guard such an esteemed person of our cult.”
Cheon Hajin screamed internally.
Drop those fancy words like three lifetimes and honor! I don’t need any of that! Just stay away from me!
He looked into Ma Dong-pil’s eyes.
Though his face was expressionless, his blazing eyes were unbearably intense.
“I swear to Mara[5] that I will protect the Third Young Master with my life.”
Don’t dedicate… please…
These insufferable ones!
I hate the Demonic Cult. I really hate it so much. Besides despair, what have you ever given me?
You say at least the scenery is nice? Don’t talk nonsense! The beautiful scenery makes me feel even more manipulated!
“Young Master, the weather is quite cold. How about going inside to warm up?”
“I’m enjoying the bamboo view, don’t disturb me.”
“I receive your command!”
This guy, unnecessarily serious.
After snorting thrice in succession, Cheon Hajin turned back to look at the bamboo grove with a suddenly empty expression.
But damn it, what do I do about this?
The Solitary Bamboo Forest, they called it.
I don’t even want to know what this place means to the Demonic Cult. What’s important is that I can’t figure out the intentions of that Cult Leader bastard who sent me here instead of letting me stay in my perfectly fine quarters.
Moreover, the Solitary Bamboo Forest was even deeper than the Dragon Palace Hall[6] where the Cult Leader’s disciples resided.
At this point, being locked in a dungeon might be more comforting.
Should I just set it all on fire for real?
If there’s nowhere to live, wouldn’t they move me somewhere else? The weather seems dry too – one spark and it would all burn instantly.
Wait, come to think of it, that’s not a bad idea at all?
A sinister light appeared on Cheon Hajin’s face.
It’s even enticing.
Just imagining it is thrilling. I really want to burn down every single building of the Demonic Cult.
“….”
Cheon Hajin heaved a long sigh.
Get it together, you crazy bastard. What excuse would you give after setting the fire?
These aren’t people who’d buy excuses like “I was trying to grill meat but burned everything” or “sudden lightning struck.”
Let’s try to think more productively.
His wavering pupils steadied and color returned to his pale face.
His face, suddenly serious and deep in thought, resembled that of a seeker of truth.
Yeah, maybe I was wrong from the start.
So caught up in the thought of escaping immediately, I didn’t properly read the atmosphere of this place.
That alone is mind-boggling. If I was going to escape, I should have first understood what kind of place this was.
I took it too lightly.
The regret cut deep. Had the once meticulous assassin become a fool?
Maybe it was the prejudice against the Demonic Cult that created this obsession. Since it’s infamously vicious even in the martial world, I might have unconsciously judged them as such people.
I didn’t understand the position of Third Young Master, nor what I could do with that position.
Perhaps the Demonic Cult is just like any other sect where people live. There might be many timid and kind people like Aenghwa.
Being extremely generous, it might not be a bad place to live.
But! Even so!
Still, I can’t live here.
Just as four-legged animals have reasons to live on land, fish have reasons to live in the sea. Though they say this is that and that is this, the Demonic Cult just doesn’t seem right.
Crucially, having received a second life through unprecedented fortune, did he really need to be bound to an organization?
Cheon Hajin rolled his eyes around.
At this point, let’s avoid obvious ploys like asking for outings. It probably won’t work anyway.
Hmm…
Still, maybe I should check just in case?
“Hey, Mr. Ma.”
Confusion flashed across Ma Dong-pil’s face.
Mr. Ma? A strange form of address. He couldn’t remember ever being called that way by a superior.
Fearing his confused expression might show, he bowed his head deeper than usual.
“Yes, Young Master.”
Cheon Hajin’s expression immediately soured.
“Are you going to bow that deeply every time I call you? It makes me uncomfortable.”
“My apologies, Young Master. It is proper etiquette toward an esteemed person.”
“…”
“…”
“Fine. Well, whatever about that. I have something to ask.”
“Please inquire.”
“As you probably know, it’s been a little over three months since I recovered from qi deviation.”
“Yes.”
“I feel stifled. Very stifled and suffocated. So I’d like to go outside the compound for some fresh air.”
“…”
“Do I need some kind of exit permit or something?”
Ma Dong-pil slightly raised his head.
His face remained mask-like, but clearly showed puzzlement to anyone looking.
Cheon Hajin slightly furrowed his brow.
“What? Is the procedure complicated?”
“Well…”
“Ah, no need to be hesitant. Just tell me straight.”
When Cheon Hajin thrust forward his expectant face, Ma Dong-pil flinched.
After puzzlement came bewilderment. He couldn’t believe someone who had lived in the cult for over ten years wouldn’t know this.
But when a superior asks, a subordinate must naturally answer with utmost sincerity.
“Since you ask, this humble one dares to speak.”
“Yes, yes.”
“Basically, leaving the cult requires an official order issued from above.”
“Official order? Where does that come from?”
“The Internal Military Advisory Department[7] issues it.”
“Huh? Military Advisory Department?”
“Yes.”
“Good. So I just need to go to the Military Advisory Department?”
“Not exactly.”
“What? You said they issue it? Can’t I just go get permission?”
“That’s generally true.”
“Explain quickly.”
“Above even the Military Advisory Department are orders from the Divine Demon Palace. By custom, I understand disciples cannot leave for external areas without the Cult Leader’s permission.”
“…”
“If the Third Young Master wishes to leave, you must go to the Divine Demon Palace, not the Military Advisory Department. If you receive an audience with the Cult Leader and obtain his permission, you won’t need the Department’s approval.”
“I see…”
“That is correct.”
“Um… thanks for explaining.”
“Those words are too great for me to receive.”
After bowing and raising his head respectfully, Ma Dong-pil looked at Cheon Hajin with doubtful eyes.
In just a moment, Cheon Hajin’s face seemed to have aged ten years.
Is there some worry in his mind? After hesitating briefly, Ma Dong-pil carefully opened his mouth.
“My apologies, Young Master, but the weather is getting colder. I’m deeply concerned about your health…”
“Alright, alright, let’s go in.”
“I receive your command!”
Thus Cheon Hajin entered the Solitary Bamboo Forest under Ma Dong-pil’s guidance.
Perhaps because he was completely dumbfounded.
Cheon Hajin failed to notice the flash of tension crossing Ma Dong-pil’s stoic face.
The day he would learn why Ma Dong-pil kept mentioning the weather and urging them to go inside quickly.
On that day, Cheon Hajin would seriously consider whether or not to grab Lee Cheonsang by the collar.
Swoosh!
The bamboo leaves swayed in the wind.
It was an eerie night.
***
That night, Ma Dong-pil knelt before someone.
“…That concludes my report about the Third Young Master.”
“Good work.”
Shadows played across Mu-dam’s face as he stood by the window.
“Your duty is weighty. Continue serving with utmost dedication.”
“Yes.”
“You may go now.”
“…”
“Is there something else?”
After hesitating briefly, Ma Dong-pil gathered his courage and asked.
“Grand Guardian.”
“Yes.”
“I apologize in advance for my irreverent question. But as a guard, basic information about the protection target is essential, so I dare to ask.”
“Speak.”
“Might the Young Master have suffered memory damage after entering qi deviation?”
Puzzlement gathered on Mu-dam’s face.
“Why do you ask such a thing?”
Ma Dong-pil detailed their conversation in the Solitary Bamboo Forest.
After listening silently, Mu-dam answered.
“Third Captain, I understand why you asked such a question.”
“…”
“However, don’t worry too much about that aspect. The one you’re serving isn’t an ordinary leader, but one of the seven people who might grasp our cult’s supreme authority in the future.”
“…”
“Perhaps he just needed someone to joke with. Or maybe he really did lose his memories. But that’s as far as it goes. Don’t harbor any further doubts.”
Mu-dam smiled slightly.
“That’s also why guarding the successors is difficult. That’s why I specially dispatched you.”
“…Yes.”
“You may return now.”
Ma Dong-pil bowed briefly and vanished like a ghost.
A cold glint crossed Mu-dam’s smiling face.
Memories…
He pulled out a book that had been shelved in one corner.
It was a list of medicines prescribed to patients within the compound over the past three months from the Blood Soul Pavilion[8], the Internal Medicine Department[9].
Crunch.
As Mu-dam examined the list with calm eyes, thick veins suddenly bulged on his jaw.
Could it be?