Chapter 315 : The Passage of Time (4)
Chapter 315: The Passage of Time (4)
A few days after asking Seo Jae-pil to run a psych evaluation on his brothers, Il-mok left the headquarters.
Packing the goods he'd hauled all the way from Gansu, he made his usual trip to Merv in the Western Regions to sell off his wares before heading back.
A little over a month had passed by the time he returned to the headquarters and tracked down Seo Jae-pil again.
"How is Sixth Brother's condition?"
For some reason, Seo Jae-pil's eyes lit up as he smiled at the question.
"There's no need to worry. I consulted with the sorcerers over his case and it's not ghosts."
"If it's not ghosts, then how is he learning foreign languages through hallucinations?"
"Based on my observations and research, I believe Sixth Young Master possesses an extraordinary memory."
"???"
Il-mok looked confused, so Seo Jae-pil continued his explanation.
"It looks like he subconsciously memorized all the chatter between the foreigners back at the Initiation Hall."
"Wait, so you're telling me he used his hallucinations to constantly replay the conversations those foreigners were having?"
"Exactly. On top of that, by conversing with those hallucinations, he was able to deduce the meanings embedded in the foreign languages and learn them that way."
"Huh..."
Il-mok let out a murmur of genuine amazement.
It was because a memory from his past life had surfaced.
It was said that the fastest way to learn a foreign language was to make a foreign friend.
In that sense, his Sixth Brother had essentially befriended imaginary foreigners and engaged in nonstop foreign language conversation with them.
"So that's why Sixth Brother picked up foreign languages so quickly."
"You could say it's the result of Sixth Young Master's innate memorization ability combined with the side effects of the Mad Soul Sword Art. Hahaha."
"...Sixth Brother's condition seems to fascinate you quite a bit." Il-mok said this while looking at Seo Jae-pil like he was staring at a madman, but Seo Jae-pil just nodded with an expression of pure delight.
"Hahaha. I've been seeing you so often over the years that I thought you were the only unusual one, Young Master Il-mok. But it turns out the other Young Masters are quite the characters as well."
Il-mok shook his head and rose from his seat.
"Even so, the frequency of his hallucinations seems to have spiked recently, so make sure you keep a close watch on him."
That was Il-mok's final word regarding his Sixth Brother's wellbeing.
The man was a lunatic, but his medical skills were beyond question.
Il-mok left the Pure Mind Hall for the Heavenly Demon Palace.
Learning about his Sixth Brother's unique talent had given him an idea.
It was a way to put that talent to good use while taking some of the heat off his Eldest Brother and the Demon-Teaching Pavilion.
"Master, I believe it would be best to establish a separate institution to propagate our doctrines and teach the foreign believers, and entrust the position of its head to Sixth Brother."
He was basically suggesting they create a Ministry of Foreign Affairs à la Demonic Cult style.
"Hmm. I did notice the Demon-Teaching Pavilion was getting swamped with work because of the new foreign devotees. But tell me, Il-mok, do you believe that your Sixth Brother has the capacity to lead such a new institution?"
"Sixth Brother is adept at learning foreign languages, and having worked alongside the Eldest Brother, he's well-versed in the Demon-Teaching Pavilion operations. He's honestly perfect for the job."
"In terms of work, perhaps. But if your Sixth Brother were to become the head and lose control to Qi Deviation, there would be no one capable of restraining him."
The Heavenly Demon wasn't worried about his Sixth Disciple’s administrative ability. He was talking about Jong-ri Chu's martial arts realm.
Jong-ri Chu was still miles away from Transcendence, drowning in the highly volatile stage of Extremity.
"In that case, it might be better to have Sixth Brother serve as the head of operations while appointing someone else as the institution's formal leader. However, the cult is running short on individuals who have achieved Transcendence or are close to it."
The Heavenly Demon stroked his beard in thought for a moment, then nodded once and answered.
"I shall see to that matter myself. We will establish the new institution and assign the Sixth as its head of operations."
"Thank you for granting my request, Master."
"Hohoho. There is nothing to thank me for. I am always moved by your thoughtfulness toward our Divine Cult. And the bond between you and your martial brothers warms my heart as your Master."
The Heavenly Demon completely assumed Il-mok was doing all this just to help out Wi Jin-hak and Jong-ri Chu.
"My only concern is that even if we split the institution, the new one may lack sufficient manpower."
"I think that issue should resolve itself within a year. A new devotee named James has an exceptional learning speed and should be able to assist Sixth Brother before long. Additionally, I was thinking we could have the quicker learners among the foreign devotees work at the new institution."
"Not a bad idea. Since the whole point of this department is to spread our faith overseas, it makes perfect sense to have people from those lands doing the heavy lifting."
Il-mok continued discussing the details of the new institution with the Heavenly Demon before taking his leave.
Letting out a light sigh, Il-mok finally allowed a sly grin to creep across his face.
'Phew. Got through that without getting caught.'
Establishing the new institution and recommending Jong-ri Chu as its head of operations wasn't purely for Jong-ri Chu and Wi Jin-hak's sake.
'If Sixth Brother becomes the foreign affairs officer, I won't need to travel back and forth between the Western Regions and Gansu anymore!'
The truth was, this had been groundwork to offload his own duties.
* * *
With his groundwork at the main headquarters complete, Il-mok set out for Gansu once more.
Gansu, where he returned once every two or three months while traveling between the western regions, had changed subtly each time he came back.
But the biggest change was in the people.
"Aww~!"
The sight of Dam Bin cradling a newborn and smiling was genuinely wondrous every time he saw it.
It was technically the exact same smile, but it had completely lost that heavy, seductive vibe she used to have.
Then again, the moment she smiled at Ouyang Mun, she'd turn that charm right back up to eleven, making Il-mok think baby number two was probably right around the corner.
Il-mok smiled warmly as he chatted with the newlyweds and their child.
"Waaah~!"
The baby in Dam Bin's arms suddenly burst into tears, prompting Dam Bin to flash a slightly flustered smile.
"Oh my. It looks like someone is hungry."
"Ahem. The child comes first. Please, go ahead."
Hearing Il-mok's words, Dam Bin gave a soft smile and excused herself from the room.
Since baby formula wasn't exactly a thing in this era, the only way to feed the little one was the old-fashioned way.
Once Dam Bin was gone, Il-mok handed over a piece of paper he'd brought along to Ouyang Mun.
"Please pass these to the craftsman who made the bow and arrows last time."
"What are these?"
"Specifications for baby arrows (片箭) to be used with that bow."
And for Jeong Hyeon to fire actual arrows from her monster of a bow when she runs out of those spear-like arrows, she needs an arrow tube.
"You still have leftover hide and bone from that Spirit Beast, don't you? Use those to make the arrow tube and the thumb ring."
Given the bow's immense draw strength, making the tube from bamboo or other materials commonly used for the arrow tube would likely result in it shattering on the spot.
On top of that, the tube used for those baby arrows had to be strapped to the fingers while shooting, so doing it barehanded with a bow that powerful was a guaranteed way to lose a finger.
'Who knew a random movie I watched in my past life would end up saving the day like this?'
He couldn't remember the exact plot of the movie since it had been so long, but recalling the baby arrow from that film was exactly what let him figure out this massive gear upgrade for Jeong Hyeon.
With the crafting request out of the way, Il-mok kicked back and kept chatting with Ouyang Mun.
They discussed the political situation in the Central Plains and simply talked about life.
"Hahaha. You really do look like a father now."
Il-mok laughed at how much more composed Ouyang Mun had become compared to the past.
Ouyang Mun smiled softly in return.
"Having a child just naturally does that to you, Young Master. In the past, all I thought about was martial arts, serving the cult, and Hayeon."
When the topic turned to Jin Hayeon, Ouyang Mun leaned in close and murmured as if sharing a secret.
"But nowadays, all I think about is how to protect my kid and how to make the world a slightly better place for them to grow up in. Hahaha."
"Do you not find it burdensome or difficult?"
"Not in the slightest, Young Master. Just seeing my child's and my wife's faces makes me happy. I'd recommend it to you as well. Now that you've overcome the side effect of your Demonic Art, don't you think it's about time you started looking into marriage, Young Master?"
Il-mok could only smile sheepishly at Ouyang Mun's words.
"Hahaha. Well, you kind of need a partner to get married."
"From where I'm standing, it looks like you have plenty of candidates right beside you. There's really no greater blessing in life than having a child, Young Master. I hope you tie the knot as soon as humanly possible! Hahaha."
Faced with Ouyang Mun's beaming face and relentless nagging about marriage, Il-mok awkwardly chuckled and stood up to leave.
The man who used to be a hopeless stalker was now acting like that nagging cousin at a family holiday gathering.
(TL Note: I feel you bro.)
* * *
Il-mok made two more round trips between the Western Regions and Gansu, then took a short break from the trade routes thanks to the harsh winter.
A full year had already slipped by since the day he first began trading.
Il-mok returned from the Western Regions as usual and stopped by the main headquarters for a day of restock.
"Young Master. The Lord Ten Thousand Demons has ordered you to report to the Heavenly Demon Palace immediately."
He received this unexpected message from the gatekeeper at the main headquarters entrance.
The fact that the Heavenly Demon had gone so far as to leave word with the gate guard suggested something rather urgent had come up.
Il-mok headed to the Heavenly Demon Palace without delay. The heads of each institution and the patriarchs of the Five Great Families were already assembled there.
Curiously enough, a single old man knelt alone like a criminal in the center of the hall between the two rows of seated figures.
When Il-mok entered the Heavenly Demon Palace, the Heavenly Demon spoke with an uncharacteristically stern expression.
"It seems everyone who needs to hear this is now present. Law Enforcement Hall Master, speak."
The old man kneeling alone in the center of the throne room is the very same Law Enforcement Hall Master who used to constantly visit Il-mok to suck up to him.
He began to speak cautiously at the Heavenly Demon's command.
"It was approximately fifteen years ago that I agreed to join cause with Deung Bi, the former Chief Elder."
The moment the Law Enforcement Hall Master opened his mouth, Il-mok grasped the situation.
'...The former Chief Elder. So they've uncovered those who were colluding with the Central Plains.'
Just as Il-mok suspected, the Law Enforcement Hall Master began confessing in full detail the conspiracies he had carried out alongside the former Chief Elder.
The plot to assassinate Il-mok.
The former Chief Elder's distribution of the Black Bean Demonic Tea through unknown channels.
And beyond that, everything they had done before Il-mok had even joined as the Eighth Disciple.
But something about the confession felt strange.
He didn't sound like a desperate man babbling to save his own skin or begging for a lighter sentence. If anything, the Law Enforcement Hall Master's face was utterly consumed by genuine guilt.
As the head of the Law Enforcement Hall, the institution responsible for disciplining criminals within the cult, the Law Enforcement Hall Master had recently detected suspicious movements within the cult.
He had noticed that members of the Hidden Guard Pavilion were covertly surveilling certain people within the cult.
Since the Law Enforcement Hall performed similar work, their paths naturally crossed, allowing him to connect the dots.
Furthermore, upon realizing that every person the Hidden Guard Pavilion was monitoring was connected to the former Chief Elder, the Law Enforcement Hall Master felt a sense of doubt.
Matters related to Deung Bi were supposed to have been buried with his death.
This was in accordance with the will directly proclaimed by the great Heavenly Demon himself.
For the Heavenly Demon to retract his own words and take action meant there had to be a significant underlying reason.
The Law Enforcement Hall Master quietly dug into the Hidden Guard Pavilion's movements and eventually obtained the information he sought.
He uncovered the explosive secret that the former Chief Elder might have actually been in collusion with a faction from the Central Plains.
When he learned this, the Law Enforcement Hall Master went to the Heavenly Demon without a moment's hesitation.
"I have something to tell you regarding the former Chief Elder, Deung Bi. O’ Lord of Ten Thousand Demons."
The Law Enforcement Hall Master was a greedy old man who would have gladly assassinated a rival if it allowed him to become the new Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
But before being a cunning and greedy old man, he was a devotee of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
He just wanted to become the god of the faith he'd devoted his entire life to. He had never intended to sell the cult out to someone in the Central Plains.
And so the Law Enforcement Hall Master went to the Heavenly Demon Palace of his own accord and began his confession.
"Blinded by my ambition for the Cult Leader's seat, I was deceived by a man who was colluding with the hypocrites of the Central Plains. I beg you to deliver heaven's punishment and put me to death."
When the Law Enforcement Hall Master's confession ended, a frigid silence descended upon the Heavenly Demon Palace.