Divorced Heavenly Demon - Chapter 9

Sama-geuk, who returned from vacation, arrived at the Cheonma Palace. A period of fifteen days. It can be short if short and long if long. Although he had returned from a sweet vacation, realistic worries soon began to dominate his thoughts.

“There must be a ton of work piled up.”

Even though the cult leader promised to allow his resignation, he was expected to work for at least another ten days to select a successor and go through the handover process. Sama-geuk hadn’t been at his post for fifteen days, leaving him with no idea of how much work had accumulated.

With trudging steps, he soon arrived at his workplace and stopped at the entrance.

“Ah—”

Before opening the door, he let out another deep sigh. Overtime was confirmed for him as he had taken a break. For the next few days, he probably wouldn’t even be able to go near his quarters. Feeling daunted by the mountain of work likely awaiting him, Sama-geuk feebly grasped the doorknob.

Creak.

“It’s been a while, everyone. I hope nothing much….”

However, upon seeing the inside, Sama-geuk froze on the spot.

“Ah… No… What’s happened here?”

Originally, his workplace, the Maseogak (Magic Books Pavilion), was a place where three halls converged:

The Financial Hall that manages finances. The Intelligence Hall that handles information. The Protection Hall that governs the law.

Originally, all three halls were housed in one location, with the Deputy Military Advisor and the Senior Military Advisor managing them at the end.

But now, what came into Sama-geuk’s eyes was strikingly different from before.

“What is that…?”

Each hall had been separated into distinct spaces, with partitions in between them. Additionally, separate rooms were created for the Deputy Military Advisor and the Senior Military Advisor’s offices.

Feeling bewildered, Sama-geuk walked inside hesitantly. Soon, his subordinates noticed him and greeted him brightly. Sama-geuk managed a slight smile and waved to them.

Strangely, everyone’s faces looked refreshed. They no longer had the exhausted, dying look they once had. Acknowledging that something more than just the physical environment had changed, Sama-geuk headed straight for the Senior Military Advisor’s office.

Thud.

As he opened the door, documents came into view. Surprisingly, the amount of paperwork on the desk was less than it had been fifteen days ago. Sama-geuk skimmed through them briefly.

A quick scan revealed the significant reduction in unnecessary documents compared to before.

Swish— Swish—

Sama-geuk flipped through a few pages before putting them down and looking toward the back. Silently staring at the interior, he delved into his thoughts alone.

‘It’s different. Remarkably different from before.’

Originally, Maseogak had a unified structure where everyone was in one space. The reasoning was simple. It was to provoke a sense of competition by cramming everyone into one place.

However, now it was subdivided by halls. The same space, the same personnel, but distinctly separated locations, unlike before.

“The key is the contrast in stimulation.”

When he reviewed the documents, it was immediately apparent that the new spatial arrangement was much more efficient. Sama-geuk immediately grasped the core reason.

Competition is good.

However, given the organizational structure of Maseogak, it was challenging to measure superiority by achievements due to the different fields of each hall. In this futile competition, the structure where everyone watched over one another made it difficult to approach work with a sense of stability.

“Is it that they overturned it by separating the space?”

The strain from the scrutiny of outside organizations and the eyes of the Deputy Military Advisor and the Senior Military Advisor was apparent. When work and rest were well-balanced, optimal efficiency could be exhibited. However, until now, even if someone wanted to take a break, putting down the brush wasn’t easy.

“At this rate, there won’t be a need to recruit more personnel either.”

Who is Sama-geuk?

He is the head of the Sama family, known for their brilliant military strategy and as one of the Seven Grand Families. Over decades, they have continuously produced the Cult’s Senior Military Advisors.

And despite the absence of the Heavenly Demon for the past thirty years, the main reason the Martial Alliance couldn’t provoke was because of Sama-geuk, who acted as a proxy administrator.

He stationed phantom formations along the borders near the Central Plains, effortlessly deflecting provocations from orthodox powers and earning the nickname Phantom Demon Lord, ultimately deterring the Martial Alliance’s invasion intentions.

“The more I ponder, the more impressive it is.”

Yet, even Sama-geuk, who achieved such daunting feats, hadn’t thought of the space separation idea. Because traditionally, the Heavenly Demon Sect had always operated in this structure.

It was the same composition he received during the handover from the former Senior Military Advisor. But someone was different.

Possessing the wisdom to reconfigure relationships to improve work efficiency, they also had the resolve to directly execute their thoughts.

“Did Mo Seol have that ability?”

Despite serving him for quite a long time as the Deputy Military Advisor, Sama-geuk admitted he hadn’t realized his capabilities.

Shaking his head, Sama-geuk reproached himself, then headed straight for the Deputy Military Advisor’s room.

“Ah, Senior Military Advisor. You’re here! How was your vacation? Peaceful, I hope?”

The Deputy Military Advisor, Mo Seol, greeted him brightly.

However, Sama-geuk first apologized instead of greeting back.

“I’m sorry.”

“Yes?”

Mo Seol tilted his head at the sudden apology.

“You’ve restructured the space at Maseogak, haven’t you? Not only has work efficiency improved, but the satisfaction of the cult members handling the tasks has also positively changed.”

“What are you….”

“I had no idea you had such talent. Having spent over a dozen years together yet failing to recognize the potential of my subordinate—this is undeniably my mistake. But it’s a relief to be able to step down from the Senior Military Advisor position without worries. Having someone with talent like you to succeed….”

“No, you misunderstand.”

Mo Seol interrupted Sama-geuk with a firm voice.

“…What did you say?”

“You seem to be mistaken, but it was Saman Jin-nim who reorganized the space at Maseogak, not me.”

“My second son!?”

For an ordinarily calm Sama-geuk, his voice rose spontaneously.

“Yes. Four days ago, Saman Jin-nim directly visited Maseogak and instructed the changes. He single-handedly revised and restructured Maseogak’s layout…”

Mo Seol calmly reported Saman Jin’s activities. Grasping the whole situation, Sama-geuk soon turned with trembling eyes.

“Thanks for letting me know. I’ll go take care of something.”

“Yes, please be careful.”

Having left Maseogak, he headed directly for Jeongcheon Pavilion.

Walking swiftly enough to be short of breath, he soon arrived at the entrance and spoke to Jang Wi.

“I’ve come to meet the cult leader, if you’d kindly inform him.”

Jang Wi nodded, knocked on the door, and communicated with Hyeok Mu-rin. Soon enough, having received permission, he opened the door, allowing Sama-geuk to enter with a trembling breath.

“It’s already been fifteen days. Welcome back in good health.”

Raising his head slightly, Hyeok Mu-rin looked at him.

Sama-geuk, meeting his gaze in midair, walked toward him slowly.

Many things had changed here as well. The stack of documents that once piled up like a mountain had mostly disappeared, and a new empty seat was created next to him.

As Sama-geuk’s gaze directed toward that spot, Hyeok Mu-rin commented.

“Your son went to have a meal. If you have something to say, you’ll have to wait a little.”

“…Have you eaten, cult leader?”

“Well, I managed adequately.”

Dried jerky counts as a decent meal, doesn’t it? Hyeok Mu-rin continued his tasks, providing a suitable answer. Yet, seeing Sama-geuk standing idly in front of him, Hyeok Mu-rin asked.

“Do you have something to say?”

“The changes at Jeongcheon and Maseogak, were they really led by my second son?”

“Isn’t it a question you already know the answer to?”

When Mu-rin replied nonchalantly, Sama-geuk’s face shifted subtly.

“How did you know? No, how did you accomplish it?”

“How did I accomplish it, you ask?”

At that question, Hyeok Mu-rin paused his brush stroke. With half-closed eyes turning upward, Hyeok Mu-rin slowly began to speak.

“I did nothing.”

“What, what do you mean….”

“I simply acted as I always do.”

Hyeok Mu-rin hadn’t engaged in false actions just to appear favorable to Sama Jin. He simply trained, practiced, and concentrated on every matter as he usually did every day.

‘He just needed a trigger.’

This place was optimal for Sama Jin to exercise his abilities. And by presenting him with a vague goal and position, Hyeok Mu-rin had completed his role.

His answer caused Sama-geuk’s eyes to widen.

Could it be? Has my son seen the same things as I did?

‘This is a first.’

Cult Leader, Hyeok Mu-rin.

Seeming comprehensible, yet at times showing an utterly unfathomable aspect.

Awakening the true potential of a deeply hidden dragon.

He effortlessly accomplished what Sama-geuk couldn’t achieve in over ten years, as if it were nothing.

‘He’s someone unfathomable.’

Sama-geuk shook his head slightly.

Yet, somehow the feeling wasn’t unpleasant.

“He says he’ll continue his Deputy Military Advisor role even after the fifteen days. What are your plans now?”

Hyeok Mu-rin skillfully shifted the focus.

Fifteen days ago, he had given his word to Sama-geuk to allow his resignation.

However, people are creatures that constantly transform depending on their environment.

“I’ll retract my resignation. I apologize for the trouble I caused.”

Having displayed capability upon entering the cult, his son couldn’t avoid the pressures from rival families. Therefore, shielding him from those attacks, even a little, was a father’s duty, wasn’t it?

And additionally.

‘Even I am drawn to this person.’

Though harsh, he’s a cult leader one couldn’t help but feel intrigued by.

Even aside from awakening his son’s abilities, the desire to continue observing his path closely emerged.

‘To think I’d delay my resignation myself.’

With a complex and subtle emotion, Sama-geuk lowered his head in affirmation toward Jeongcheon.

Observing him, Hyeok Mu-rin indifferently nodded.

“I’ll dismiss your resignation.”

“I am moved by the cult leader’s benevolence.”

After expressing gratitude, Sama-geuk continued.

“Then, I’ll take my leave. Having just returned, I seem to need time to adjust to the changes.”

“Please do so.”

After once again expressing gratitude for Hyeok Mu-rin’s approval, Sama-geuk turned his body toward the door.

As he grasped the doorknob to exit, he suddenly heard Hyeok Mu-rin’s voice from behind.

“Senior Military Advisor.”

“Yes?”

“Why not use this opportunity to listen to his true feelings?”

Sama-geuk paused momentarily at those words.

“I hope you would confront Saman Jin as a human being, not as the second son of the Sama family.”

Standing idly for a bit, Sama-geuk murmured quietly.

“Understood. Thank you for your kind advice.”

Finished with his words, Sama-geuk exited Jeongcheon with a steady gait.

Watching the direction in which Sama-geuk left, Hyeok Mu-rin slowly leaned back into his chair, tilting his head.

“It’s done.”

Now a breath, no, two or three breaths could be released.

Drawing Saman Jin in and preventing Sama-geuk’s departure would be monumental in aiding the future path.

“Next is the Elder Council’s regular meeting.”

Held semi-annually, it was an assembly where the heads of the Seven Grand Families, who supported the Cult, gathered to discuss significant matters.

And soon, the first such gathering of this lifetime was approaching.

“Time to meet some nostalgic faces.”

The anticipation of the attendees brought a cold edge to Hyeok Mu-rin’s eyes.