Chapter 94 : The Great Recruitment of Bright Cult Martial Artists
Chapter 94: The Great Recruitment of Bright Cult Martial Artists
“I know it’s because of the survival rate. But we can’t lower the quality of training just to raise that.”
“Hm. Does the quality of training really only rise if you push them to the brink of death?”
“If we’re to conduct training no different from real combat, it can’t be helped.”
“The training is done among the children themselves, right?”
“Well, that is….”
“Putting swords into the hands of unskilled children, not feeding them, stripping away their clothes, and driving them mercilessly—that won’t result in high-quality training.”
“But unless they starve, they won’t develop the strength to overcome such crisis situations. The same goes for cold. If they don’t learn to fight by risking their lives from the very beginning, they’ll end up trying to back out when it truly matters.”
“Because they have nothing to protect.”
“I’m sorry, but Bright Cult martial artists do not fear death if it is for the pride and honor of the Bright Cult.”
“That’s exactly it. Because you want to train them to protect such things, you end up clinging to methods that are no different from brainwashing from early childhood.”
“Then what are they supposed to fight to protect?”
“My family. A beloved lover. My friends.”
“Who would stake their life for things like—.”
“I would stake my life without hesitation to protect the Lord of the Training Hall.”
At Yul Han’s words, the Lord of the Training Hall’s eyes widened.
“To me, the Lord of the Training Hall is a comrade I can trust with my back, my close friend, and my family.”
“F-family?”
“Of course.”
At Yul Han’s reply, the Lord of the Training Hall could not say anything.
The Lord of the Training Hall, too, was prepared to sacrifice his life at any time for the Cult Leader, or for the Vice Cult Leader.
But that was not because he thought of them as comrades, friends, or family.
It was simply because that was how he had been educated, because it had been planted deep in his mind.
As the Vice Cult Leader said, it was indoctrination.
To protect the cult and the Cult Leader even if it meant dying.
To throw away one’s trivial life like chaff for the sake of the Bright Cult.
He himself had been taught that way, and he was still teaching others that way now.
And yet—
“Family…”
“Of course. We eat together under the same roof, sleep together, and live our lives together. When enemies attack, we stand back to back and fight with our lives to protect our home. If we are not family, then who is?”
At Yul Han’s answer, the Lord of the Training Hall nodded after a long pause.
“I see. So it was because I was family that I could die for the Vice Cult Leader.”
“That’s right. Just as I am, so are you, Lord of the Training Hall. I want you to teach that to the children as well. If you do, won’t there be a way to train them without forcing them to disregard death entirely?”
As the Lord of the Training Hall sank into thought at Yul Han’s words, Yul Han continued.
“Let this be the test I set for you and the squad leaders under you. A survival rate of ten out of ten. If a hundred enter, all hundred must graduate. And yet, you must raise people who can offer their lives at any time for the families of the Bright Cult. That is the test I present to you and your squad leaders. It will be quite a long test.”
At Yul Han’s words, spoken with a gentle smile, the Lord of the Training Hall could not smile along.
Because he knew better than anyone how difficult it would be. Still, he did not say it could not be done.
‘Training where a hundred enter and a hundred graduate.’
It was the kind of training he had dreamed of. Unlike before, it no longer felt impossible.
‘For the sake of family.’
Just from those words alone, his heart surged, making him think it might truly be possible.
“Very well. I will take the test. But could you help me with one thing?”
At the Lord of the Training Hall’s request, Yul Han nodded readily.
“It’s a difficult test, so if possible, I’ll help with everything. What should I do?”
At Yul Han’s question, the Lord of the Training Hall spoke.
The day after the Vice Cult Leader visited the Training Hall and returned, the Cult Leader summoned the Guardian of the Faith.
It was the first time the Cult Leader had sought him out first since the previous Cult Leader had died from injuries sustained in the Maekbaek War thirty years ago.
With a fluttering heart, the Guardian of the Faith came to see the Cult Leader, who said,
“You’ve been busy lately.”
“Yes. The number of believers has increased greatly…”
“That must be why a lot of rice has been going out as well.”
“I am grateful for it.”
To the Guardian of the Faith, who bowed his head, the Cult Leader said,
“I didn’t summon you just to hear pleasantries like that.”
“Yes. Please issue your command.”
“We’re going to take some volunteers.”
“Volunteers…? What kind of volunteers do you need?”
“We need children to undergo basic training.”
At the Cult Leader’s answer, the Guardian of the Faith’s expression hardened.
He knew all too well the proportion of children who died during the Bright Cult’s basic training.
If he were to tell the believers to send their children to such a place, the Bright Cult would rapidly lose its followers.
As the Guardian of the Faith was about to say that, the Cult Leader cut in first.
“The survival rate will be different. We won’t be mindlessly driving them to death and devouring children like before.”
“How could that be possible?”
“The Vice Cult Leader says it is. He asked me to trust him with it, so I have no choice but to trust him.”
At the Cult Leader’s reply, the Guardian of the Faith asked with startled eyes,
“Is this something the Vice Cult Leader is pushing forward?”
“That’s right. And if you dare to take it lightly just because it’s something the Vice Cult Leader is 추진하는—.”
“Yes. I will do so. If it is something the Vice Cult Leader is undertaking, then he must already have a method in place.”
At the Guardian of the Faith’s words, the Cult Leader’s threatening tone scattered away weakly.
“Since when did the Guardian Division trust the Vice Cult Leader that much?”
“Expanding missionary work was also done according to the Vice Cult Leader’s suggestion. His words opened the darkened eyes of this humble one and the Guardian Division.”
“R-really?”
“Yes, Cult Leader. So please set your worries aside. The Guardian Division will give it our utmost sincerity.”
“V-very well. You may go.”
“Yes. Please preserve your august body. Heavenly Demon Immortal.”
After faithfully performing even the cult salutation, the Guardian of the Faith withdrew. The Cult Leader watched him go for a moment, then let out a soft chuckle.
It was because the Vice Cult Leader—whom he had always seen as young and in need of help—now felt as though he had grown up all at once.
“At this rate, should I hand over the cult and go traveling again like in the old days?”
The Cult Leader’s muttering lay low across the Grand Hall.
After leaving the Cult Leader’s residence, the Guardian of the Faith met Cold Blade Blood, who was waiting for him.
“The Vice Cult Leader wishes to see you.”
At Cold Blade Blood’s words, the Guardian of the Faith followed with a bright expression.
Once seated face to face with the Guardian of the Faith, I spoke first.
“I assume you’ve already heard from the Cult Leader.”
“Yes. He told me to recruit children who will undergo basic training.”
“I asked you to come because I thought you might be worried.”
“If it’s something the Vice Cult Leader is doing, there’s nothing to worry about. The Guardian Division will faithfully follow the Cult Leader’s command.”
At the Guardian of the Faith’s words, a faint smile brushed across my lips.
Seeing a smile on the Vice Cult Leader’s normally grim face startled the Guardian of the Faith, and I continued speaking.
“Thank you. I don’t know if it will be proper recompense, but I will reduce the dangers in the training process as much as possible. We will challenge a survival rate of ten out of ten at the Training Hall, but unavoidable sacrifices may still occur. Please state that honestly. Do not deceive the believers or give them only dreams and hope.”
“The rumors are already well known, so even if we speak only of dreams and hope, they won’t take it at face value. That is why I say this, but…”
I nodded at the Guardian of the Faith, who trailed off.
“Go on.”
“Please do not have great expectations.”
“You mean they will be frightened and refuse to send their children.”
“Yes. That’s correct. In some measure, we must even be prepared for apostasy.”
At the Guardian of the Faith’s words, I replied with a gentle smile.
“That will have to be borne. Instead, there will be a carrot as well.”
“A carrot…?”
“When a child passes the recruitment examination to become a training martial artist—”
“There’s an exam as well?”
At the Guardian of the Faith’s surprised question, I nodded.
“Of course. We are selecting children who will shoulder the future of the Bright Cult.”
“Most of the believers are people who are half-naked and starving. Shamefully, our expansion relied on the food we distributed.”
“We begin with those who are struggling. I don’t see that as something to be ashamed of. What matters now is how we help them live well.”
“Live… well?”
“Of course. The believers must live well—surely there is no such plan within the Guardian Division?”
At my question, I seemed more surprised than he was. The Guardian of the Faith felt oddly apologetic.
“T-that is… my apologies, Vice Cult Leader.”
At the Guardian of the Faith’s frank admission, I nodded.
“Good. It’s better than insisting something exists when it doesn’t. I hope you always remain truthful like this.”
Expecting a scolding, the Guardian of the Faith widened his eyes at the unexpected response.
To him, I continued.
“What doesn’t exist can be made from now on.”
“M-made?”
“Of course. How many things in this world are complete from the start? Everything is built step by step.”
Nodding at my words, the Guardian of the Faith murmured,
“Built step by step…”
“Yes. First, create associations.”
“Associations?”
“Divide the believers according to their work and have them join accordingly. Then have the Guardian Division assign tasks by association.”
“Tasks the Guardian Division could assign…”
“Guizhou is rich in medicinal herbs, isn’t it?”
At my sudden question about the resources of a missionary region, the Guardian of the Faith answered,
“Well, Guizhou has many mountains. Among our believers, there are quite a few herb gatherers.”
“Sichuan has many physicians, doesn’t it?”
“The skills of Sichuan’s physicians are renowned even in the Central Plains. Among our Sichuan believers, there are quite a number of physicians as well.”
“Cheonghae and Xinjiang are always short on medicinal supplies.”
“Yes. That’s been a concern—”
He stopped mid-sentence and widened his eyes. I smiled gently.
“That’s it. Supply Guizhou’s medicinal herbs to Sichuan’s physicians, who consume them in large quantities. Then sell part of the increased medicinal stock from Sichuan to Cheonghae and Xinjiang. Who does that? Our believers in Cheonghae and Xinjiang.”
Not only Cheonghae and Xinjiang—those gathering the herbs in Guizhou were believers, and the Sichuan physicians making medicine from them were also believers.
Realizing the ripple effect, the Guardian of the Faith’s eyes grew round.
To him, I said,
“It won’t stop at medicinal herbs. If you look, there will be many such paths where believers can help one another and thrive together. If you activate those paths by association, eventually the associations themselves will find ways to survive without the Guardian Division stepping in.”
“How did you come up with such an excellent idea?”
“I only hope it will be a small help. Ah! The supervision of the associations must be the Guardian Division’s responsibility. Wherever money flows, there is always room for corruption. Fairness and equity—those should become the philosophy of the Guardian Division.”
“Fairness and equity… Yes. I will do so.”
At the Guardian of the Faith’s unexpectedly compliant response, I looked considerably relieved.
With that, I continued speaking in a pleasant tone.
I mainly talked about the benefits one would receive upon becoming an internal martial artist of the cult, as well as the responsibilities that would follow.
The Guardian of the Faith listened with a solemn expression.
Several days later, through the Guardian Division, proclamations of the Bright Cult were posted across Xinjiang, Cheonghae, Sichuan, and Guizhou.
<Great Recruitment of Bright Cult Martial Artists>
Upon seeing the title, the Hundred Paths martial artists of Sichuan and the unorthodox martial artists of Guizhou scoffed.
Who, they said, would step forward to become a Bright Cult martial artist when nine out of ten died during training?
And yet…….