Rebirth of the Thunder God

"That's because. The Young Cult Leader is trying to give up the position of Young Cult Leader."

"You mean he's retiring from the front line? Well, considering that his son, the Great Prince, is not of a young age, it would be a bit strange for the Young Cult Leader to be an old man."

"Hahaha. That's not it. I must have made you misunderstand. In fact, the Young Cult Leader is thinking of giving up the position of Young Cult Leader and officially ascending to the position of Cult Leader."

"!?"

Namgung Hui, as if he couldn't have imagined this, looked at Bukgung Jinwu with a rather surprised face.

But he soon regained his composure and asked Bukgung Jinwu.

"Cult Leader. It's easy to say Cult Leader. Do you think someone who doesn't know the Heavenly Demon Divine Art can ascend to the position of Cult Leader? I'm not a member of the Divine Cult, but I think it would be hard to accept."

"That's a valid point. That's why we've been working so hard to find the sacred artifacts to secure our legitimacy. But doesn't that legitimacy also change with the times?"

"That's also true. Since the times are made by people. Then is this era going to be opened by the Young Cult Leader?"

The reason the Heavenly Demon Divine Art was so revered was not for any other reason.

Overwhelming power.

A destructive momentum.

It was so sacred and powerful that even the orthodox faction could not call it a demonic art.

Should one say that it clearly showed that the name Divine Art was not attached to just anything?

Because of such a Heavenly Demon Divine Art, the Cult Leader, the Heavenly Demon, possessed great authority and power.

It would be much faster and more convincing to show it with power rather than words.

If so, it meant that this Young Cult Leader would also convince the cult members with overwhelming martial power.

Namgung Hui, feeling an unknown sense of foreboding, narrowed his eyes and said.

"Then this Young Cult Leader must also be ready, so he's proceeding with the matter. Indeed..."

Namgung Hui became convinced that the martial artist who was strong enough for the Blood Qilin to warn him about was the Young Cult Leader.

If even the divine beast, the Blood Qilin, was paying attention, he might not be lacking in claiming to be the Cult Leader.

A martial artist of that level might have really reached the realm of Talma, which was said to be comparable to the Profound realm.

'If so, I might be in trouble if I really run into him.'

No matter how much Namgung Hui was on a different level from a normal Transformation master.

There was a difference with the Profound realm.

That would be the same for Beak Seolhwa.

Even if the two of them attacked together, it was difficult to face a master of the Profound realm.

'I'll have to reach the 11th stage of the Purple Thunder Divine Art to be able to face him. It's impossible since I'm only at the 10th stage.'

Hadn't he been focusing on the One Yang Divine Art and the Light-Splitting Sword Art instead of the Purple Thunder Divine Art recently?

He had been so busy learning the Phantom Shadow Steps that he had no time to take care of his original martial arts.

Anyway, even if he had devoted himself to his original martial arts, he could not have reached the Profound realm in an instant.

Hadn't he barely stepped on the threshold of the Profound realm at the end of his past life?

In his past life, only Sosu Mahu and the Heavenly Demon had reached the realm of Demon Shedding Realm.

'Then I should avoid meeting the Young Cult Leader as much as possible. I've already asked Bukgung Jinwu everything I needed to ask. So it doesn't matter.'

As Bukgung Jinwu said, if the inside of the radical faction was in chaos, it meant that there was some time for now.

The next Young Cult Leader had to be chosen.

The existence of a Saintess had also appeared.

And the deal with the Pungun Merchant Guild had to be carried out.

Besides that, there was also the Dugu family head who was said to be away because of the Hoicheon Association.

And the spies that might be there had to be rooted out.

And the Left and Right Emissaries, who belonged to the neutral faction, had to be persuaded.

But the worry was that those who belonged to the neutral faction might side with the radical faction.

If the Young Cult Leader, who lacked legitimacy, was officially recognized as the Cult Leader, it could not be said that he had no legitimacy at all.

The martial art created by the Young Cult Leader would take the place of the next Heavenly Demon Divine Art.

Since his title was said to be the Sword Demon, it was highly likely that it was a sword art.

"You don't have to worry so much. For now, that is."

"Why 'for now'?"

"I can't guarantee what will happen in the distant future, but I can guess what will happen in the near future."

"It seems you have another trick up your sleeve. This is your problem, so I won't interfere. Here. This is the Judge's Brush. I've also finished my business with the Divine Cult, so I'll return it now."

"Are you leaving already?"

"When the Great Elder sees me, I'm strictly the manager of the Pungun Merchant Guild. Such a manager can't stay for long. I need to return to the Pungun Merchant Guild and report the details of the deal."

"Actually, you're probably thinking of reporting our movements to the Martial Alliance, right? Well, that's fine. By that time, our situation will have changed a lot anyway."

As Bukgung Jinwu said, the Blood Cult was in a state where it was difficult to see even one step ahead.

He had no idea who the next Young Cult Leader would be.

And he didn't know how long the competition for the next Young Cult Leader would take.

He had vaguely heard from Sosu Mahu in his past life that the competition for the Young Cult Leader could take several years if it was long.

Since they were selecting a person who was no different from the next Cult Leader, they had to be extremely cautious.

"Do you have anything more to say? If not, I'll go back right away."

"I don't. Ah. The Red-Haired Monster has escaped safely. You don't have to worry."

"What worries? I don't even have a personal relationship with him, so I don't have any particular thoughts. If he had died here, that would have been his fate."

Bukgung Jinwu tilted his head and said.

"Is that so? The Red-Haired Monster said he had a personal relationship with you. Well, I must have been mistaken."

"The four seas are all brothers. Isn't it normal for orthodox faction members to pretend to know each other? That's why there's a ranking system. Anyway, Since you have nothing more to say, I'll be going."

Namgung Hui, thinking of Beak Seolhwa who would be waiting, hurriedly left Bukgung Jinwu's office.

And so, as Namgung Hui hurriedly disappeared from his seat, a voice was heard from behind Bukgung Jinwu.

"Military Strategist. Have you confirmed what the Left Emissary and the Vice Cult Leader said?"

"Yes. Look at this Judge's Brush. It's true that he has the sacred artifact of the Divine Cult. Then let's see how far this fate will continue."

***

Namgung Hui packed his belongings and returned to Beak Seolhwa's room.

Now, his business within the Blood Cult was all over.

No, there was still one thing left, and that was to hear Beak Seolhwa's answer.

Beak Seolhwa, seeing Namgung Hui pack his belongings and enter her room, shook her head.

"Are you already ready to leave?"

"Yeah. My business is over now. I got a spirit medicine here. I also digested the Hwaryeong Divine Pill. It wasn't a proper revenge on the Dugu family, but I've sorted out my feelings to some extent. The only business I have left is with the Dugu family head, that person."

"Since that person is in the Central Plains, you can finish it in the Central Plains. You're so lucky."

"And you. Not yet?"

"No. I've also sorted things out to some extent."

Namgung Hui put down his luggage and sat next to her.

He took a listening posture and waited for her to open her mouth again.

"What I have to say is, first of all, I have to stay here for a while."

"What? You're staying here? Why?"

"Do you think you can judge a person by seeing them for just a few days?"

"That's not it, but still, there's a rough feeling, isn't there? And there's a saying that if you see one thing, you know ten. Do you think a person who is mean to people is a good person? No. It's possible to judge sufficiently with just such fragmentary information."

"But there are many cases where I haven't even seen the fragmentary information yet. And most of all, I want to take the good people to the Moon Maiden Palace as much as possible."

"The moderate faction won't be happy about that. If the manpower leaves, their comfortable life will also be affected."

Beak Seolhwa's idea was dangerous.

Because it could shake the foundation of the Blood Cult.

If people disappeared, who would farm and who would hunt?

An organization is formed only when people gather.

If they leave one by one, the force will weaken and collapse.

Beak Seolhwa couldn't have not known that, so it was quite puzzling.

"I'm not going to take that many people. It will be limited to those who wish to. And such people will probably be only the elders."

"Why on earth are you going that far?"

Beak Seolhwa recalled a faint smile and continued.

"That's the only way I can sort out my feelings without any lingering attachment. I think I can rationalize it by saying that I, who was once the Vice Cult Leader, did my best for the cult members."

"..."

Since Beak Seolhwa had said that much, he had no choice but to understand, even if he didn't understand.

No. He understood to some extent.

Wasn't it Namgung Hui who had watched her more than anyone else in her past life?

Although her martial arts were extremely cold and chilling, her heart was a warm woman.

"Then how long are you going to stay?"

"I just need to confirm the Young Cult Leader and the Great Prince. If they are evil... I can let go of my lingering attachment right away. Until then, I'm going to sort out the people to take to the Moon Maiden Palace."

"Don't overdo it. Even if you've eaten the Yin Yang Immortal Fruit now. Unless you regain your martial power from your past life, you won't be able to face the Young Cult Leader."

"Why? Did you hear something about him?"

"Yeah."

Namgung Hui conveyed the story he had shared with Bukgung Jinwu a while ago, and added his own thoughts to the story.

"A master of Demon Shedding Realm. If it's really that much, it would be difficult."

"Don't do that. Come with me again later, or find another source of information."

Beak Seolhwa, as if her thoughts were firm, still shook her head and continued.

"No. I don't think my lingering attachment will disappear if I go through the eyes or mouths of others like that. Hui. Just trust me this once. If I get through this safely..."

Gulp.

Beak Seolhwa, as if she had made a big decision, opened her mouth with blazing eyes.

"I will be on your side for the rest of my life."

"For the rest of your life? Whether it snows or rains. Even when we're over sixty?"

"Not just this life, but also the next. I'll be on your side. Whether you become a cruel villain or a righteous hero. Whatever you become, I promise to be with you for the rest of my life."

"For the rest of my life..."

Was the word 'lifelong' so sweet?

The one word that Beak Seolhwa had uttered struck a chord in his heart.

"Alright. Then I'll wait a little longer. But if you think it's dangerous, you have to run away right away."

"Yeah. Don't worry. I don't plan on overdoing it either. And did you forget who I am?"

As Beak Seolhwa shook her necklace and said, Namgung Hui chuckled and answered.

"No. I can't forget. Never. If it's you, you can survive somehow."

"So. Don't worry about me and go finish your work outside. You have to do something about the Dugu family head to sort out your feelings, right?"

"That's right. I'll sort out my own affairs, and you'll sort out yours."

"Yeah."

Hwija-jeongri, geoja-pilban.

If there is a meeting, a parting is decided.

If there is a departure, there is always a return.

Although they might part like this.

A day will come when they will meet again.

It won't be a distant day.

And it won't be that long.

Beak Seolhwa got up from her seat and looked at Namgung Hui.

"Hui. Can you stand up for a moment?"

As she said, Namgung Hui immediately stood up and faced her.

"I'll teach you the greeting of the North Sea before we part. Let's use this as a farewell greeting."

"The greeting of the North Sea? Alright."

Beak Seolhwa slowly nodded and stood close in front of Namgung Hui.

It was a dizzying distance, as if their noses could touch.

Namgung Hui, surprised, was about to move his upper body back awkwardly.

Beak Seolhwa's two hands cupped his face, and her lips touched one of his cheeks.

Jjok.

Namgung Hui, feeling her moist lips on his cheek, blushed.

This was clearly a kiss.

Namgung Hui was not ignorant of this much.

But still, he couldn't believe the situation and had to ask.

"S-Seolhwa? What is this?"

"I told you it's the greeting of the North Sea. In the North Sea, where the weather is harsh, we greet each other by feeling each other's body temperature like this. Because this is also the moment to confirm the other person's life or death for the last time. Then it's your turn."

Beak Seolhwa held out one cheek.

Namgung Hui looked at her face, which was as clean as white jade, and had a blank expression for a moment.

Perhaps because it was too close, he could clearly see Beak Seolhwa's face gradually turning red.

"I think my neck is going to fall off."

Namgung Hui chuckled at Beak Seolhwa's grumbling and quietly kissed her on the lips.

This time, Beak Seolhwa, as if she were flustered, her body trembled.

But still, she did not put distance between herself and Namgung Hui and was feeling each other's body temperature.

A moment later. The two, who had shared enough body temperature, put some distance between them and faced each other.

"I clearly said cheek."

"Ah. That's the greeting of the Thunder Sect. Just as you did with the greeting of the North Sea, I also did it in the way of my sect."

"Really? Why am I hearing this for the first time? It's the first time I've heard of it."

"Why is it the first time you've heard of it? It was like that in our past life too. Anyway, You have to be safe so that I can feel this warmth next time too."

"Yeah. Okay. I promise. You take care of yourself too."

And so, Namgung Hui, who had finished his farewell greeting, packed his belongings and set off.

Although the passing wind was quite chilly, it was not cold at all because Beak Seolhwa's body temperature still remained.

As if jealous of such a Namgung Hui, the wind blew even more fiercely.

As if to warn of the things to come.

(End of Chapter)