"So, how was it?"
"What do you mean?"
"Haha, you know what I mean."
"...?"
"Are you pretending not to know? One of the countless virtues of the Master is being straightforward without any embellishment, but it seems you've decided to abandon that virtue."
So Yeon-shim sighed.
"I think I've mentioned this before. If you suddenly change the topic of conversation, it confuses the other person."
"Hmm?"
"Moreover, you don't even properly talk about the new topic you've switched to."
"Oh?"
"Anyway, I understand that you're tired of the usual greetings like 'How have you been?' So, what do you mean by 'how was it'?"
"Ah?"
"..."
"Well, now that I think about it, I was a bit abrupt."
It wasn't just a bit. So Yeon-shim sighed inwardly. On the surface, he seemed like a very neat person, but sometimes he could be quite difficult.
'Well, it's hard to say it's just sometimes.'
In the Heavenly Demon Cult, the Cult Leader is on par with a god. Naturally, it would be difficult. However, he is not someone to be picky with. The Cult Leader is not someone to be picky with but someone to believe in.
So Yeon-shim was currently facing the most difficult and perhaps the most feared person in the cult.
"Are you talking about the Third Young Master?"
"..."
"How was he? Haven't you met him quite often lately?"
So Yeon-shim's gaze sharpened.
"Did you know?"
"Hahaha. It just happened that way. Being in the position of the Chief Military Officer, it's hard to find something interesting, so I've been keeping my ears open to how the world is turning these days. I live by listening to this and letting that go. It's quite entertaining."
He laughed heartily without a care. It was hard to tell if he was genuinely enjoying it or just pretending.
So Yeon-shim, who was quietly watching the middle-aged scholar, sipped her tea.
"Do you like the tea?"
"I'm not picky about tea types. But I didn't know you drank Gulsong tea."
"I've recently acquired a taste for it. At first, I wondered why people drank it, but after drinking it, it's quite good."
"It's good to drink before bed."
"Unfortunately, I don't have much time to sleep."
The scholar, who was momentarily sullen, soon grinned.
"So, how was the Third Young Master?"
"You're persistent."
"Of course. The ruthless tyrant! The butcher counted among the fingers in the cult! You've shown a much different side lately."
"...You dare to speak such insolent words."
"What does it matter? They say it's not a crime to criticize royalty in their absence."
"That's a crime."
"Is it?"
"Yes, it is."
"What does it matter if it is or isn't? Anyway, how was the Third Young Master? It seems you enjoy talking with him?"
"I meet him often because I enjoy talking with him."
"Khaha! This is quite interesting."
"What do you find so interesting?"
"How can it not be interesting? The Master, who is famous for not opening her heart easily, has become close enough to make some kind of deal with the Third Young Master, hasn't she?"
"...!"
"Hmm, I'd like to meet him in private once."
So Yeon-shim's face noticeably hardened.
"How did you know?"
She didn't bother to deny the scholar's words. He was someone who could see through whether her words were true or false if he set his mind to it. No, he was someone who already knew everything.
The scholar chuckled.
"How I know is not important."
"It's important to me."
"Well, the truly important thing is how much support the neutral Hwanhee Institute will provide to the Third Young Master in the future, isn't it?"
"Let me make it clear, Hwanhee Institute will not get involved in the political strife among the successors."
"You leave room for the possibility that the Master might get involved personally."
So Yeon-shim's eyes narrowed. Even she, who was skilled at maintaining her composure, was quite angry.
"Even if that's the case, it doesn't seem like something you should be concerned about."
Hwanhee Institute is responsible for financial administration in the cult. As a group that wields the finances, its real power is known to be immense.
Then what about the Military Department?
The Military Department is responsible for security and defense, as the name suggests.
A group where the military power of an organization is concentrated naturally has to be strong.
Especially in the Heavenly Demon Cult, which values the survival of the fittest, the status of the Military Department was immense and more powerful than any other organization.
However, no matter how powerful the Military Department is, it cannot recklessly handle Hwanhee Institute. If it involves finances, everyone except the Cult Leader must get approval from Hwanhee Institute.
Therefore, the conversation between the head of the Military Department and the head of Hwanhee Institute was usually peaceful.
They both knew that attacking each other would only leave scars.
So, So Yeon-shim's reaction now could be considered quite unusual.
The middle-aged scholar, Ho Yo-seong, answered with a smile.
"It seems I've made the Master uncomfortable."
"Yes, quite uncomfortable."
"Haha, I apologize. You know, don't you? It's a bit awkward for me to say it myself, but I'm someone who can be unpredictable. Thanks to that, I sometimes get misunderstood."
Ho Yo-seong clasped his hands together. His relaxed smile remained, but there was a more serious tone than before.
"The Master is right. It's not really something I should be involved in. Even if I have the authority, I know how much the Master cares for the cult. I have trust in both public and private matters."
"Thank you for understanding."
"So, I'm curious."
"About what?"
"Why did the Master, who is so loyal and has clear principles, send the Third Young Master outside the cult without saying a word to me?"
For a moment, So Yeon-shim's hand holding the teacup tightened.
Ho Yo-seong shook his head.
"Please don't take it as a threat or sarcasm. Nor do I intend to send the Master to the Disciplinary Hall for ignoring the rules and structure of the cult. I believe there must be a reason."
If he had such intentions, So Yeon-shim would have been summoned to the Disciplinary Hall before they even had this conversation.
"So, it's pure curiosity."
"That's right. You've seen it correctly."
"Why are you so curious about the Third Young Master?"
Ho Yo-seong winked playfully with one eye.
"Curiosity. Truly."
So Yeon-shim examined Ho Yo-seong's face. She was trying to determine if he was sincere.
But no matter how much she looked, she couldn't tell.
Among other things, Ho Yo-seong was one of the few people whose true intentions she couldn't read, even with her keen eye for judging people.
"I don't have much to say."
"Hmm."
"It's hard to say anything about him without meeting him directly. Of course, that's true for everyone."
"Does that mean there's something indescribable?"
"..."
Ho Yo-seong chuckled. It was a mischievous smile, the same as when they first met, devoid of the slight seriousness he had shown earlier.
"Even more interesting. It's the first time I've seen the Master speak like that."
"Is that so?"
"Yes."
"You can see him whenever you want..."
"So, I plan to see him once. When the Third Young Master returns to the cult, I intend to offer him a cup of tea."
So Yeon-shim, who had been quietly watching him, stood up.
"I'll make sure to send the annual budget for the Information Unit before the date you mentioned."
"As expected, you're straightforward."
"I hope there won't be any conflicts with the Military Department in the future."
It was a mutual understanding to do their respective jobs properly in their own domains.
Ho Yo-seong shrugged his shoulders.
"Do you mean this? Why would I want to be at odds with Hwanhee Institute? I may look like this, but I'm a pacifist."
So Yeon-shim bowed her head.
"Then."
It was a somewhat abrupt conclusion. Ho Yo-seong waved his hand with a smile.
As So Yeon-shim left, he propped his chin on his hand.
"Hmm, this is really intriguing."
It was the first time he had seen such a reaction from So Yeon-shim. It was fortunate he hadn't mentioned the Chief Officer, thinking not to provoke her further.
Of course, it didn't matter whether he did or didn't. So Yeon-shim wasn't foolish enough to let personal displeasure affect her official duties.
"A successor candidate who has rapidly grown after escaping from the Mouth of the Horse and is showing a remarkable path?"
Ho Yo-seong's smile deepened.
No one except Lee Cheon-sang would know what kind of monster lurked behind that mischievous smile.
"This is why, despite grumbling, I keep doing the Chief Military Officer job. Whenever it feels boring, something fascinating always happens."
He finished the remaining tea.
"Well then, let's take care of all the remaining work before my source of interest arrives!"
His neck felt hot. After the conversation with So Yeon-shim, Ho Yo-seong found his life in the cult to be interesting again.
Crackle!
A streak of red lightning seemed to cut across the ground, then in an instant, it raced up the hill. The slope was so steep that it almost looked like it was flying over a cliff.
Bang!
So-ryang, who stepped off the edge of the hill, soared into the air.
The eyes of So-ryang, who was airborne, and Jeong Il-ryong, who stood on the hill, clashed fiercely.
"Hahaha!!"
So-ryang burst into wild laughter.
Seeing his opponent up close only fueled his anger, and the uncontrollable rage led to laughter. So-ryang's laughter was, therefore, chilling.
Jeong Il-ryong's eyebrows twitched.
'Where did such a demon come from?'
Whoosh!
There was no time to continue the thought. The speed of the young demon, who was slowly descending, suddenly accelerated.
Boom!
Jeong Il-ryong's eyes widened.
He exploded his inner energy in mid-air, creating an explosive speed in an instant. It was a rising technique that even a decent master couldn't imitate.
So-ryang swung his massive sword.
Boom! Crack!
A sword mark, several feet long, appeared on the ground. Around the gaping earth, cracks spread like a spider's web.
Jeong Il-ryong, who had evaded So-ryang's sword with exquisite footwork, showed pure astonishment on his face.
'This guy?'
How terrifyingly powerful must the swing have been to leave such a mark? Even in the Heavenly Alliance, it's hard to find someone who can display such sword power.
So-ryang's face twisted menacingly.
"Yeah, if you die in one strike, I'd be too disappointed!"
'Disappointed?'
What is this? Does he know me?
Boom!
There was no time to ask.
Despite delivering such a blow, he didn't even catch his breath and charged in, his whole body brimming with energy, and the imposing swing of his massive sword was truly terrifying.
Jeong Il-ryong reflexively swung his sword.
Clang! Boom! Crash!
With a merciless roar, Jeong Il-ryong stepped back.
He wasn't particularly shocked, but he needed time to observe his opponent.
And that time, So-ryang had no intention of giving.
Bang! Whoosh!
He approached by repeatedly stomping the ground and spinning, then swung his massive sword again.
It was a divine movement, full of intimidation.
It was surprising enough that he could swing such a large sword so quickly, but the footwork that had already become one with the sword was even more astonishing.
A white sword aura flickered on Jeong Il-ryong's treasured sword.
Boom!
So-ryang stepped back three or four steps. In contrast, Jeong Il-ryong only took a step back.
Considering that So-ryang was the one who attacked first, it was clear how skillfully Jeong Il-ryong had reacted. It was also evidence of his refined and solid internal energy.
Jeong Il-ryong spoke.
"With such murderous intent, there's no need for conversation. But I'm curious. Who are you?"
So-ryang grinned.
Even though he had suffered a setback, his fighting spirit didn't diminish. Instead, he exuded even more fiery murderous intent as if it were only natural.
"You'll find out who I am with that damned sword!"
Whoosh.
With a threatening sound, the dark shadow energy that had been emitting lightning quickly condensed within his body.
The flashy energy waves died down, but the atmosphere became even more ominous. He was about to unleash the Hell Gate Ghost Technique.
Jeong Il-ryong's eyes widened.
So-ryang shouted.
"Give me back my leg, you bastard!"
Crackle!
The complete opening of the first layer of the Dark Shadow True Demon Art.
The Hell Gate Ghost Technique was unleashed.