— Chapter 6 —
Grand Strategist Sima Geuk. For the past thirty years, while the previous Heavenly Demon had vanished and the position remained vacant, he had effectively governed the Heavenly Demon Cult, overseeing all matters great and small. Though his martial prowess wasn’t among the cult’s elite, his intellect, strategic mind, and wisdom were unparalleled. Perhaps only the Zhuge Clan of the distant Central Plains could rival him; within the cult, he had no equal.
Hyuk Murin raised his chin, looking down at Sima Geuk through half-lidded eyes.
“Let’s hear it.”
Meeting his gaze, Sima Geuk clasped his hands respectfully and bowed.
“I wish to resign from my position and return to my family. I beseech you to grant me permission.”
Having submitted several written requests, all denied, Sima Geuk now pleaded his case in person. However, the answer remained the same.
“Denied. I cannot grant your request.”
“…!”
Stunned by the unwavering refusal, even in person, Sima Geuk hesitated before asking,
“May I inquire as to the reason?”
“Who in the cult could possibly replace you as Grand Strategist? You alone are capable of shouldering such a heavy responsibility. Therefore, I cannot grant your request.”
“That’s not true. Even Deputy Strategist Mo Seol possesses wisdom comparable to my own. He is more than capable of fulfilling the duties.”
“A hundred Deputy Strategists couldn’t replace you. Don’t underestimate yourself, Grand Strategist. You seem to undervalue your own abilities.”
Sima Geuk attempted to deflect praise onto his deputy, hoping to create an opening for his resignation, but Hyuk Murin, claiming he was worth more than a hundred men, smoothly dismissed the argument. Undeterred, Sima Geuk pressed on.
“The recent increase in workload has deprived me of sleep. I wish to return to my family to rest and recover…”
“You should have said something sooner. I’ll authorize additional personnel for the Maseo Pavilion immediately.”
“Lately, my body has become overwhelmed with fatigue, and my hands and feet tremble intermittently. I require long-term recuperation, at least a year…”
“Is that true? I shall open the Heavenly Demon Vault and bestow upon you restorative elixirs!”
No matter how clever or eloquent Sima Geuk was, the final decision rested with Hyuk Murin. In this situation, Hyuk Murin held all the cards. Countering his arguments was proving remarkably easy.
His expression is souring.
Hyuk Murin observed Sima Geuk’s reddening face through half-lidded eyes. Even during the ascension ceremony, Sima Geuk had remained stoic, clearly disapproving of him from the start. But Hyuk Murin didn’t dislike him. The emotions he sensed from Sima Geuk weren’t jealousy or resentment, but genuine concern for the cult.
Thirty years without a Heavenly Demon must have raised expectations for a worthy successor. And then a young man ascended through a political marriage. Disappointment was understandable.
But I can’t let him resign.
The Grand Strategist was a pillar of the cult. Sima Geuk’s influence, cultivated over decades, couldn’t be ignored. In his past life, after Sima Geuk’s resignation, the pressure and interference from the Seven Demonic Houses had intensified dramatically. His departure had been the catalyst for Hyuk Murin’s loss of power, the moment he became a puppet.
His resignation has come much earlier this time.
The first resignation letter had arrived a month or two earlier than in his previous life. This was undoubtedly a consequence of his divorce announcement.
The future is already changing.
The information he possessed might no longer be reliable. But this was a welcome development. It meant his actions were altering the course of events, proof that his steps since returning to the past were correct.
“…Haah.”
Like a spear against a shield, Sima Geuk sighed, defeated. He understood now. The Heavenly Demon would use any excuse to keep him here. Resignation without his approval was impossible. From the start, he’d been given no choice.
Closing his eyes, Sima Geuk pleaded, his voice laced with resignation.
“Then I have one final request.”
“Speak.”
“Please reconsider your decision to divorce.”
If resignation was impossible, then he had to remove the root cause of the coming turmoil.
“Divorce is the worst possible choice at this juncture. The Cheon Clan, your primary backing, will withdraw their support. Your own clan, the Hyuk Clan, will be further suppressed by the other houses. They might even be expelled from the Seven Demonic Houses.”
The current Heavenly Demon was young and inexperienced. His boldness in declaring divorce was admirable, but the pronouncements of the powerless were easily ignored. He didn’t yet understand the repercussions of his actions. Furthermore, having ascended through political maneuvering, the weight of the word “divorce” carried even greater significance.
Glancing at Hyuk Murin, Sima Geuk continued his impassioned plea.
“Furthermore, as your allies abandon you, your sphere of influence will shrink, leaving you isolated. This is not a desirable outcome for the cult, nor for your clan.”
Surely, this explanation was sufficient. Sima Geuk met Hyuk Murin’s gaze. But Hyuk Murin remained silent, simply observing him. The silence stretched, and as Sima Geuk was about to speak again, Hyuk Murin broke the silence.
“Have you finished?”
“Yes.”
Sima Geuk nodded. Hyuk Murin replied in a calm voice,
“I am aware of all that.”
“…What do you mean?”
“The consequences you’re worried about. I’ve already foreseen the challenges the cult will face.”
Sima Geuk’s voice rose sharply.
“If you knew, then you must reconsider the divorce immediately…!”
“I cannot.”
“…!”
Sima Geuk’s eyes widened. Hyuk Murin clasped his hands behind his back and began to pace.
“You won’t understand.”
“Indeed, I don’t.”
“You said that both the cult and my clan will be thrown into disarray if I proceed with the divorce.”
“That is correct. It is not mere speculation, but a certainty I would stake my life and honor on.”
“But you know better than anyone that even if I retract the divorce, things will not return to normal.”
Sima Geuk fell silent, struck by the truth in Hyuk Murin’s words. He was right. With a politically appointed Heavenly Demon, the cult’s descent into chaos was only a matter of time, regardless of the divorce. The Hyuk Clan, already semi-subservient to the Cheon Clan, would be slowly eroded and eventually fall.
He knew all along.
Yet, a nagging question remained.
“Still, proceeding with the divorce will hasten the inevitable. They may even attempt to usurp your position within a month.”
“But that will create an opportunity.”
Hyuk Murin stopped pacing and turned to face Sima Geuk.
“A final opportunity to set things right.”
“…!”
“You said both the cult and my clan will fall into disarray.”
Hyuk Murin shook his head slightly and clenched his fists.
“You are wrong. I will rebuild both the cult and my clan with my own hands.”
Sima Geuk’s eyes sharpened at Hyuk Murin’s declaration.
I thought he was a mere figurehead.
He was impressed by the insight and resolve Hyuk Murin displayed. But this only intensified his regret.
What a waste.
Hyuk Murin was of the Hyuk Clan, a clan that had lost its leader and its ancestral martial arts techniques in the Righteous-Demonic War. Their martial prowess lagged behind the other six houses. Even with access to the Heavenly Demon Vault, mastering those techniques would take decades. By then, his position would likely be gone.
As Sima Geuk lamented his potential, Hyuk Murin spoke.
“Very well. I will accept your resignation.”
“Are you serious?”
“However, I will summon your son to the cult. The position of Grand Strategist has always been held by a member of the Sima Clan, has it not?”
“In that case, I withdraw my resignation.”
Sima Geuk immediately refused. The cult was about to become a battlefield without blades. He wouldn’t send his son into such a dangerous situation. It was better for him, with his experience and political savvy, to weather the storm.
“Hmm.”
Hyuk Murin stroked his chin, deep in thought.
“Then, a fortnight.”
“…?”
“I’ll borrow your services for a fortnight. During that time, you can return to your family and rest. After that, both you and your son will be free to go.”
Sima Geuk eyed him suspiciously. Hyuk Murin shrugged.
“As you know, I have a mountain of backlogged work. I’m desperately short-handed. The Sima Clan’s competence is well-established. I intend to borrow your expertise to clear the backlog.”
Sima Geuk reluctantly nodded. His subordinates had reported the mountain of paperwork piling up in the Jeongcheon Pavilion. From his perspective, this was a reasonable compromise to navigate the immediate obstacle.
A fortnight.
He’d promised freedom for both Sima Geuk and his son after just two weeks. There was no reason to refuse.
“Very well. I accept your terms.”
“Excellent.”
“Then which of my sons do you wish to summon?”
Sima Geuk considered his options.
It’s likely my eldest.
His eldest son was the frontrunner to become the next clan leader, a virtuous and well-respected young man. Considering future relations with the Sima Clan, Hyuk Murin would likely choose him to foster a connection.
If it’s purely for work, it might be my third son.
His third son shared some of his own traits, efficient and skilled in handling affairs.
My fourth is bright, but too young.
His youngest, though showing a keen interest in ledgers and numbers, was still under ten years old, too young to shoulder such responsibilities.
It must be either my first or third son.
Sima Geuk awaited Hyuk Murin’s answer.
“The one I choose…”
Hyuk Murin finally spoke. And his answer was completely unexpected.
“Your second son.”
“…!”
Sima Geuk froze, his eyes widening in disbelief. He quickly recovered, stammering,
“You must have made a mistake. My second son is… slow-witted and lacking in judgment. He won’t meet your expectations. Perhaps another…”
“No. I’ve chosen your second son, Sima Jin. That is my decision.”
Hyuk Murin cut him off, his voice firm, his eyes filled with unwavering conviction.
——
Translated by Sato
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