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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 3
Chapter Title: Pseudo-Religion
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I knew what the epithet of Heavenly Demon signified.
In most martial arts novels, it was the overwhelming symbol of martial prowess that appeared as the protagonist—or the final boss.
And above all, it was the leader of the group commonly called the "Demonic Cult" in those stories.
Well, depending on the work, the Demonic Cult went by various names like Sun and Moon Divine Cult, Ming Cult, Holy Fire Cult, or Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
In conclusion, it meant the leader of a pseudo-religion. And one that was ridiculously powerful at that.
'So in the end, that means I'm becoming the disciple of a pseudo-religion's leader?'
Perhaps in the future, it could even mean I'd inherit that leadership position.
'Is this… really for the best?'
For someone like me who sought a stable and peaceful life, it felt pretty ambiguous.
Naturally, images of the pseudo-religion leaders I'd often seen on the news back in the modern world came to mind.
'…It might not be so bad?'
The countless crimes they committed were obviously bad, but if you just avoided committing crimes, was there an easier life than that?
Once a week—on "Sabbath" or whatever—they'd step out, spout some nonsense, perform a bit of showmanship like firing off palm winds or making followers get possessed by spirits, and that was it.
Come to think of it, in the martial world, you could actually shoot palm winds, so there'd be no need for fake showmanship.
You could genuinely shoot palm winds and fly through the sky with lightness skill.
Even in the scientifically advanced modern world, people went crazy for such fake spectacles—what would it be like here?
'Ah, so that's why the martial arts of Heavenly Demons in martial arts novels are so profound?'
Lost in thoughts about the correlation between pseudo-religions and the Heavenly Demon's martial arts for a moment.
I belatedly realized that the pseudo-religion leader—no, my future master—who had just introduced his epithet, was gazing at me steadily.
"I apologize. I was caught off guard by the unexpected epithet and ended up being rude."
"Hahaha. What rudeness is there in something like this?"
My master, who smiled warmly, stroked his beard and suddenly brought up an unrelated topic.
"More than that, it's truly peculiar."
"…What do you mean?"
"I'm speaking of your reaction. When you first awoke, you seemed a bit startled, but you quickly calmed down. You could have been afraid or angry, yet instead, you tried to engage in logical conversation. And it's the same now. Upon hearing this old man's epithet, far from being afraid, you seem to be pondering something."
"I-It's just that these are events far beyond my expectations, so I haven't fully grasped the reality yet."
"Hahahaha. I'm not saying it to catch you out, so don't mind it. It means your mind is deep and calm beyond your years, and I'm very satisfied that this old man's eyes haven't failed him."
At first, he'd said my body pleased him.
The phrasing was a bit odd, but it probably didn't mean that(?).
Apparently, this body of mine was an excellent vessel for cultivating martial arts.
On top of that, he'd tested my temperament with that bizarre threat.
And now, he liked my mental fortitude and composure.
Well, the body might be fifteen, but the soul inside was thirty-four, so it was only natural….
'Why do I feel like he's becoming more and more smitten with me?'
Somehow, it seemed like it would get harder and harder to escape the Heavenly Demon's grasp as time went on.
But since the life of a pseudo-religion leader seemed pretty appealing, it wasn't so bad.
If I had to revive a pseudo-religion from scratch, that'd be different. But becoming the leader of an already established one promised a comfortable life in many ways.
My thoughts reached that point, and I hurriedly opened my mouth.
"Ah, come to think of it, I haven't introduced myself yet. My name is Il-mok."
It was basic etiquette to share your name after hearing theirs.
"Hmm. Il-mok… The surname Il—one—is unfamiliar to me."
"It's not really a surname. They used the character for 'one' because I was the firstborn son, and for the given name, the character for 'tree'—one of the few hanja they knew."
In this era with vast disparities in education, it was common for people to know few or no characters, so it wasn't anything special.
"Oh? Then what of your parents? You called the innkeeper 'a parental figure,' so it seems he wasn't your birth father."
"They passed away about a year ago. After that, he took me in, gave me food and a place to sleep in exchange for work, and even taught me characters."
"He even taught you characters…."
The Heavenly Demon looked at me with pity and said,
"When we return to the cult, I'll have an investigation launched into that matter. At the very least, we should find out who killed those parental figures, shouldn't we? If you wish, I'll give you the chance to take revenge yourself. Otherwise, I'll send the cult's warriors to avenge you."
"…That assassin was already killed at the inn, wasn't he?"
When I asked in a hesitant tone, the Heavenly Demon smiled warmly and replied,
"Hahaha. That man was merely following orders. Who claims revenge by merely breaking the sword? We must execute those who wielded it, no?"
"Those who wielded the sword…."
"Those who tracked this old man's footsteps. And those who ordered the massacre at that inn—we must find them all and kill them."
"…"
Gazing at the Heavenly Demon, who promised mass slaughter with a gentle expression, I thought,
'…Should I try to escape right now?'
As expected, the Demonic Cult was a Demonic Cult.
* * *
Of course, escape was impossible.
The carriage held an incredible master, kidnapper, and perhaps my future master—an old man.
Moreover, the man driving the carriage was also a considerable expert.
I learned later that the carriage driver was the very man who'd dealt with the Martial Alliance assassin at the inn.
In other words, attempting to flee recklessly could end up with me in that same state.
It wouldn't even make sense if the escorts traveling with the Heavenly Demon were weak.
In the end, with a mix of strange excitement and anxiety about becoming a pseudo-religion leader, I rode in the carriage for a while.
Before I knew it, we'd arrived at the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's main headquarters. Apparently, I'd been unconscious for quite a while.
In any case, the two gatekeepers guarding the entrance threw themselves flat on the ground in prostration the moment they spotted the Heavenly Demon descending from the carriage.
"We see the Lord of Ten Thousand Demons!"
Such fervent greetings didn't end with the two gatekeepers.
"We see the Lord of Ten Thousand Demons!"
"Please save us!"
"Heavenly Demon!!"
Somehow, every person we encountered prostrated themselves on the ground and offered prayers with utmost devotion.
And the Heavenly Demon, the subject of those prayers, accepted them all with a warm smile, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Following behind the Heavenly Demon and witnessing it all, I felt a profound sense of emotion in many ways.
'This is the life of a pseudo-religion leader?'
What could I say.
It was a bit overwhelming….
'But damn, it's awesome.'
It was a scene that made the term absolute power seem understated.
Even as they prostrated, they glanced curiously at me trailing behind the Heavenly Demon, yet not one dared to question him.
The vibe was just, "This must be some guy the great Heavenly Demon has a reason to keep around."
Walking through the compound while directly experiencing the Heavenly Demon's majesty for a short time, he stopped in front of a building inscribed with [Wind Rock Hall].
"Since you've traveled far without even knowing martial arts, you must be tired. Rest here for the day."
Moved by the Heavenly Demon's consideration, I made up my mind.
"Thank you, elder—no, from now on, I shall call you Master."
Was it because of the sudden change in address? My master stroked his beard and looked at me with intrigued eyes.
"You've finally made your decision."
"Yes. As you said, Master, if this is the only path left, isn't it right to give it my all here?"
"Hahahaha. Well thought."
Toward my smiling master, I drove in the wedge.
"Then, though it's late, may I offer my bows now?"
The typical bow to a master brought to mind the nine prostrations, and I thought the same—but that was mistaken common sense.
The nine prostrations literally referred to the etiquette of nine types of bows.
Among them, the bow for superiors like masters, parents, or sovereigns was the kisaebae—forehead to the ground.
I boldly knelt on the ground and offered the kisaebae to the Heavenly Demon, and my master burst into hearty laughter.
"Hahaha. It seems I've gained an excellent disciple in my old age."
After saying that, my master told me to rise and added one final remark.
"As I must handle the cult's major and minor affairs, even as my disciple, I can't stay with you for all twelve hours of the day. Thus, from today, I'll assign you a maidservant. She'll assist you and teach you what you need to know as a member of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult."
As expected of the top figure, his words were lengthy, but the content was far from boring.
'A maidservant….'
As a South Korean civil servant who'd endured all sorts of power trips from superiors, having a subordinate was a new experience.
Of course, I had no intention of abusing or tormenting her, but it was still a moment of profound emotion.
'Life really is all about connections.'
And among them, the best was networking. With the cult leader as my master, what better connection could there be?
Shortly after my busy master departed, a voice like jade beads rolling came from the entrance of the hall.
"Young Master Il-mok. By the Heavenly Demon's will, I, Jin Ha-yeon, have come to assist with your chores."
Her voice alone was enough to stir the heart, so I tried to respond in a calm tone.
"You may enter."
Since I wasn't yet used to authoritative speech, I replied politely to the maidservant first.
The woman who opened the door and entered had skin as white as snow, dark black hair and brows—unlike her name, Red Lotus.
She was like a doll.
'Damn….'
She was the most beautiful woman I'd ever laid eyes on.
More precisely, the kind of beauty you'd only see on TV. The type utterly unrelated to reality and me.
I wasn't a total stranger to romance even at thirty-four. I thought I had some immunity to women, but this was different.
She boasted such stunning looks that even striking up a conversation felt daunting, and now she was my maidservant?
'Master. What kind of life do you live?'
If a mere disciple of the cult leader got this, what kind of life did the leader himself lead?
Pink-tinted futures kept replaying endlessly in my mind.
Even as I desperately tried to calm down and hit pause, the mental movie resumed, soon showing scenes of me pondering names for our second child.
That was when she spoke with a composed expression.
"I heard from the Heavenly Demon that the Young Master turns fifteen this year."
Starting right off with age talk.
Well, age was an important barrier between men and women.
But my body was merely fifteen; my mind was mid-thirties. There shouldn't be any issues continuing encounters(?) ahead.
"That's correct."
To my confident reply, she answered,
"Then, next year, when you turn sixteen, you must enter the Demonic Path Academy."
"What is the Demonic Path Academy?"
"It's an educational institution that selects the most outstanding disciples and children among the cult members to train future warriors who will lead our Divine Cult. Children turn sixteen and enter each year."
In short, it was an elite training ground.
'Hmm… Since it's for learning martial arts, it's like a martial arts academy or something akin to the service academy?'
With that thought crossing my mind, I asked Jin Ha-yeon,
"Then, as the Master's disciple, can I just enter directly?"
"Even as the Heavenly Demon's disciple, you must take the exam and pass to enter."
"…If it's a place for only the most outstanding, don't the others prepare well in advance?"
"Yes."
"…And I have to get in after just one year?"
"Yes."
She replied in a perfectly businesslike tone.
"T-That seems a bit unreasonable, doesn't it?"
"Since you have only one year, I merely said to 'pass.' To date, not a single one of the Heavenly Demon's disciples has failed to enter as top scholar or graduate as top scholar."
Thanks to her cool-headed response, I realized one crucial fact.
I wasn't the only disciple of the Master. In other words, there was no guarantee I'd become the cult leader.
But more importantly, I asked her again,
"Then, if by chance I fail to enter the Demonic Path Academy, what happens?"
"You will die."
Even the disciple of a pseudo-religion leader wasn't an easy position.