(1) Pasun Festival.
It refers to the ritual offered to Mara, the sole deity of the Heavenly Demon Cult and the ruler of the Sixth Heaven of the Desire Realm, also known as Pasun. In the past, human sacrifices were actually offered to Pasun. That was when the Heavenly Demon Cult was notorious as a demonic cult.
However, the current Pasun Festival is different. Although there are doctrines and scriptures, the Heavenly Demon Cult is not ignorant of worldly principles. Moreover, due to the recruitment of outsiders over hundreds of years, they naturally accepted the customs and common sense of the Central Plains.
Ultimately, the current Pasun Festival is both a ritual offered to the deity and a festival of the demonic martial world. People who hadn't met in a long time would share friendships, enjoy delicious food and drinks, and invite traveling troupes to watch performances.
At this point, the ritual is just a formality, and it should be seen as a banquet or a party. In fact, many people met at the Pasun Festival and started families, and it was not uncommon for separated family members to reunite.
"Hmm, the memories are coming back."
When Madongpil told him about the Pasun Festival in the past, Soryang was able to let go of many prejudices about the Heavenly Demon Cult. Just by listening, it didn't seem much different from any other festival in the Central Plains. But!
"Help you? Me?"
"Yes."
"I don't know why you're asking for help, but it's unexpected. As far as I remember, we weren't exactly on laughing and talking terms or cooperating with each other."
"What's wrong with our relationship?"
"Hmm?"
"Although there were conflicts, they were just due to differences in positions, not because of any emotional rift."
Oh, really?
"There's no emotional rift, but it's not like we're not awkward either."
"You're not wrong."
Oh, really?
"You're being honest, so I have nothing to say."
Gogu nodded.
"My thoughts haven't changed. The Third Young Master is a dangerous person."
"To you, he might be dangerous."
"At the same time, I also think this. A double-edged sword is dangerous anyway. If mishandled, I might get cut, but if wielded properly, it can cut down the enemy."
Soryang frowned.
"Are you saying you want to wield me?"
"That's not what I mean. I just thought that if a common enemy arises, I might receive help."
"You speak well. In the end, you're saying I'm a useful card to have?"
"Thoughts are free. I just convey my thoughts and will through words, and interpretation is up to the Third Young Master."
"Fine, then what do you mean by a common enemy? And why do you want my help? What is it that I need to help with?"
He poured out three questions at once, but they were essentially one topic. Gogu glanced at Madongpil. Madongpil was still in deep meditation. His previously calm expression was now furrowed, indicating extreme concentration.
"Before I answer, let me ask. What is it that the Third Young Master truly desires?"
Freedom!
Soryang coughed momentarily. He almost blurted out his inner thoughts without realizing it. This guy, his interrogation skills haven't gone anywhere. No wonder he became the head of the Criminal Law Hall.
"What do heirs want? The next great power, of course."
"Are you sure that's what the Third Young Master wants?"
"Why? Do you think otherwise?"
He answered nonchalantly, but the way he subtly rolled his eyes was awkward to anyone watching. Gogu, who was quietly observing Soryang, nodded.
"Whatever it is, it would be beneficial for the Third Young Master to win the succession battle."
"So what do you want me to do?"
"What I want is to imprison one of the heirs in the Criminal Law Hall's prison."
"……?"
This time, he was genuinely surprised. Soryang asked with a serious face.
"Are you serious?"
"Of course."
"Why on earth?"
"Of course, I have no intention of touching the current seven, no, six people. Unless they commit treason or interfere with the Criminal Law Hall's internal affairs, that is."
That makes sense.
"Is there another heir besides the remaining six?"
"There is. To be precise, someone designated as an heir will arrive at the main cult in time for the Pasun Festival."
"Who is it?"
Gogu's eyes flashed with a fierce light.
"The eldest son of the Magom family."
The Magom family is one of the Seven Great Families of the Demonic Path, representing the sword in the martial world. In terms of swordsmanship, they are considered the best in the demonic martial world. The Magom family is so prestigious that even masters who have learned the orthodox demonic arts of the cult sometimes go there to attend swordsmanship lectures.
'It's probably on par with the Namgung family of the righteous path.'
Soryang, who was nodding inwardly, scratched his head.
"The eldest son of the Magom family is entering as one of the heir candidates? Why haven't I heard about this?"
"It's normal not to know. Unless you're poking around everywhere like the Fourth Young Master, who was smashed by the Third Young Master."
He speaks quite cleverly. I'd like to tell Hongwimun, who is strict with etiquette, about this.
"Why do you want to imprison him? Did he commit some crime?"
"Yes."
"What crime?"
"If the Third Young Master accepts my proposal, I'll tell you then."
"You're talking nonsense. I need to know what crime he committed to decide whether to be moved or not."
"I came to the Third Young Master first, excluding the other heirs. But if the Third Young Master refuses this proposal, I'll go to another heir."
Soryang blinked.
"Then just go."
"……."
"Why? Is there a problem?"
"Doesn't it bother you at all?"
"Why should it? If I don't think it's right, you can just ask another heir, can't you? You should be more worried about your own feet having to do the legwork."
Gogu's eyebrows twitched.
'I can't figure him out.'
When they talked inside the Criminal Law Hall, he thought the Third Young Master was a very cunning person. But what is this now? Is he stupid or indifferent? He couldn't tell.
"Of course, even if you help with this, the Criminal Law Hall will handle matters as fairly and impartially as before."
"That's nonsense."
"But as an individual, I would owe a debt to someone who helps with this."
"Aha? So you're saying not to miss this golden opportunity?"
"It seems you're interpreting it in a somewhat sarcastic way, but yes, that's what I'm saying."
Soryang nodded.
"It's not a very enticing proposal."
He treats the opportunity to owe a debt to the head of the Criminal Law Hall as less valuable than a pebble on the roadside. Gogu was inwardly taken aback.
"You want help without explaining the reason or bringing proper goods for the deal? That's ridiculous."
"……."
"Go negotiate elsewhere. I'm not interested."
Soryang turned his body. It wasn't just an act; it was genuine. Gogu sensed Soryang's annoyance from his firm actions. Gogu, who was quietly watching Soryang's back, sighed.
"He is a criminal."
"Of course."
"He raped and murdered seven believers of the cult and framed an innocent demonic person for the crime."
Soryang's steps halted for a moment. Gogu's words continued slowly.
"In other words, the main hall made a big mistake. In the end, the major criminal is still alive and well, while the demonic person who dedicated their soul to the cult was unjustly executed."
"……."
"That demonic person prayed to the cult leader until the moment of death. Even now, when I think of that scene, my heart feels heavy."
Gogu's sincerity was felt. Regardless of his personality or inclination, he seemed to have a definite sense of responsibility as the head of the Criminal Law Hall.
"I don't want to reveal the cult's disgrace to outsiders. It's embarrassing. But even at the risk of embarrassment, I must catch that guy. I must catch him and bring him before the bereaved family of the unjustly killed demonic person."
"……."
"That's all I want."
"And?"
"……I don't understand what you mean."
"Is that it?"
"……?"
"Instead of a vague debt, show me something concrete. Then I'll move."
Gogu smiled coldly.
"You're similar after all."
"I don't know what you mean by similar, but I don't think there's a reason to be different. You were the one who proposed help in the first place."
"……I misspoke. Indeed, I also find transactions more comfortable than requests."
"So what's the deal?"
"If you accept the proposal, present the goods you want from the accepting side."
"That's good."
Soryang turned his body. Gogu, who was glaring at him, flinched momentarily.
"What I want in the deal is the dismissal of a few people."
"……."
"Why? Don't you like it?"
"Am I included among those few people?"
"Are you scared?"
"Before fear, it's impossible. It's not that I don't want to, but if I step down, the Criminal Law Hall's……."
"Don't worry. I don't want you to step down."
"Then?"
"The members who conducted the investigation at that time. Dismiss all those members."
"……."
"In my heart, I'd like to say to cut off all their heads, but I don't want to put human lives on the deal. Dismissing them should create a nice picture."
Gogu's eyes deepened.
'What is this?'
Is he serious? Is he really going to make this deal that only results in a loss?
Soryang snorted.
"Don't you like it? Wouldn't it be good for you to get rid of those incompetent guys and bring in enthusiastic newcomers for a more beautiful Criminal Law……."
"I've already dismissed them all."
"……?"
"Mistakes have limits. I'm stricter with the members of the main hall than with the demonic people within the cult."
"……."
"……."
"Ahem! Pretending to be cool is quite difficult."
"You were quite cool. And I know you were sincere."
"Damn, hearing that from you is just embarrassing."
Soryang scratched his head.
"Alright, whether it's a debt or whatever, I'll help with this matter."
"Thank you."
"Enough, so how are you going to catch that guy?"
"I don't know."
"……?"
"……."
"Did I hear wrong? You don't know?"
"That's right."
"Are you kidding me?"
"That's why I came to the Third Young Master first. With the courage to cause a scene even in front of the Criminal Law Hall and the cleverness to defy expectations, I thought you might come up with a way."
Soryang let out a deep sigh.
"You're bringing an unsolvable problem and asking for what? A debt? You live so comfortably, huh?"
"Is there any other way?"
Soryang shouted.
"Is there?"
"……."
"……Did you just curse me for being incompetent?"
"No."
"Look at your trembling voice."
"Don't make people unjustly accused with your unnecessary inferiority complex."
"Damn."
After grumbling to himself for a while, Soryang spoke.
"Do you have the law book with the criminal code?"
"Yes."
"Bring me a nice one."
"Why……?"
"I'm not going to use it as a pot stand, so bring it. I need to know something about the criminal law to entangle him or not."
"……Understood. Is there anything else you need?"
"If I need anything, I'll tell you then. When is the Pasun Festival?"
"Five days later."
"That's tight. Got it."
"Do you need manpower? Won't you need people?"
"Enough."
"Are you saying you can do it alone?"
"Alone? I'm not alone."
"Hmm?"
At that moment. A white mist rose slowly as Madongpil stood up. The patterns engraved all over his body had already left only scabs. Taking a deep breath, his face was filled with clear joy. Gogu's eyes shook. The demonic energy emanating from Madongpil was beyond imagination.
"How is it?"
He turned to Soryang. Soryang winked with one eye.
"The best manpower that wouldn't be exchanged for a hundred of your members has appeared."