— Chapter 8 —
Dagadak— Dagadak—
The rhythmic beat of hooves echoed through the mountains. Inside the carriage, Sima Jin stared out the window, his expression a mixture of confusion and apprehension.
“What’s going on?”
He muttered to himself, trying to make sense of the summons. His father wouldn’t issue such an order from the Heavenly Demon Cult. Nor would anyone else dare to summon a member of the Sima Clan without his father’s consent. That left only one possibility.
The Heavenly Demon.
He must have personally requested Sima Jin’s presence.
…But why?
Even knowing who had summoned him, he couldn’t fathom the reason. Why would the Heavenly Demon summon a wastrel who spent his days drinking?
The question remained unanswered as they reached the Heavenly Demon Palace.
“Young Master, we’ve arrived.”
“Thank you.”
Sima Jin dismissed the driver at the palace gates. As he was about to enter, he saw an unexpected figure.
“Father?”
Sima Geuk stood waiting.
Sima Jin stared at him, surprised. His father never met him at the gates. Sima Geuk, without a word, turned and began walking.
“Follow me.”
Sima Jin hesitated for a moment, then quickly followed. As they walked in silence, Sima Jin asked,
“Did you have anything to do with this summons?”
Sima Geuk paused, then continued walking.
“It was the Heavenly Demon’s decision.”
“…!”
Sima Jin’s eyes widened. The last shred of hope vanished. Then…
“What kind of man is the Heavenly Demon?”
Hoping for some insight into the situation, Sima Jin asked. But Sima Geuk remained silent, continuing towards their destination. They didn’t exchange another word until they reached the Jeongcheon Pavilion. They were met at the entrance by the Left Guardian.
“My second son.”
“Confirmed.”
So, this was the Heavenly Demon’s office.
As Sima Jin took in the pavilion’s exterior, Sima Geuk suddenly spoke.
“What kind of man is the Heavenly Demon?”
Sima Jin’s eyes widened. He hadn’t expected his father to remember his earlier question.
“I don’t know.”
“…What?”
That was the Grand Strategist’s answer after considerable thought? Sima Jin stared at his father, bewildered. Sima Geuk placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Don’t overthink it. Just do your duty.”
“…Yes, Father.”
With that, Sima Geuk turned and left. Sima Jin stared at the door.
I have no idea why he summoned me or what he wants me to do. Well, I’ll just mess things up a few times, and he’ll send me back.
The Sima Clan’s heir hadn’t been chosen yet. Until then, he had to maintain his facade of incompetence.
My goal hasn’t changed. I won’t reveal my true abilities, no matter what.
He reaffirmed his resolve and waited behind the Left Guardian.
“Heavenly Demon, the second son of the Sima Clan has arrived.”
“Bring him in.”
Jang Wi bowed and opened the door, gesturing inside. Sima Jin briefly met his gaze, then stepped into the Jeongcheon Pavilion.
Knock, knock.
“Heavenly Demon, the second son of the Sima Clan has arrived.”
Hyuk Murin, skimming through documents, looked up at the welcome sound. He had been waiting.
“Bring him in.”
The door opened, and a figure entered. He looked around the room with a curious expression. Hyuk Murin addressed him,
“I’ll be finished with this shortly. Have a seat and wait.”
“Yes? Yes, of course.”
Hyuk Murin quickly finished reviewing the document. It wasn’t difficult; it was the same type of work he’d done even in his old age in his previous life. He set the document aside, rose, and walked over to Sima Jin, sitting opposite him. He offered a greeting to the gentle-faced young man.
“Greetings. I am Hyuk Murin, the Heavenly Demon.”
“It is an honor to meet you, Heavenly Demon. I am Sima Jin, second son of the Sima Clan.”
Sima Geuk, the current Grand Strategist, was one of the most brilliant minds in the history of the Heavenly Demon Cult. But Sima Jin, who would inherit his position decades later, possessed even greater potential. A true prodigy.
Yet, he hid his abilities out of love for his family.
Sima Jin had concealed his talents to allow his brother to become the heir, eventually leaving the clan. However, decades later, a sudden tragedy would force his return. An unforeseen event would wipe out the Sima Clan’s direct lineage. Sima Jin, the sole survivor, would return, heartbroken.
—If I hadn’t left… If I hadn’t abandoned my family…!
He had wept for three days and nights, consumed by regret and self-blame. Though he never officially assumed the role of Grand Strategist, he became the clan leader and led the Sima Clan to its greatest era of prosperity.
He is the one I need most right now.
Someone to handle the administrative duties of the Heavenly Demon swiftly, accurately, and impartially. A member of the Sima Clan, untouchable by outsiders, yet possessing unparalleled efficiency. Someone he could trust implicitly.
Freedom of movement.
That was what Hyuk Murin needed most.
“There’s your desk. Your duties will primarily involve…”
He had prepared a desk and chair in the Jeongcheon Pavilion specifically for Sima Jin. After explaining the tasks, Hyuk Murin asked,
“That’s all. Anything you’d like to ask?”
“Just one question, if I may.”
“Go ahead.”
Sima Jin asked without hesitation,
“Why did you choose me?”
“Why…”
Hyuk Murin stroked his chin and closed his eyes for a moment, then said softly,
“You and I are similar.”
“…What?”
Sima Jin stared at him, bewildered. Hyuk Murin chuckled and continued,
“It’s only a temporary position for a fortnight. Don’t feel pressured. Just do your best.”
“Yes, Heavenly Demon.”
Clap.
Hyuk Murin clapped his hands, drawing Sima Jin’s attention, and rose from his seat.
“Now, let’s get back to work.”
“What should I start with?”
“Take the documents on my desk and process them.”
Sima Jin nodded, gathered a few stacks of documents, and carried them to his desk. He sat down and began reviewing the topmost document.
This is the kind of work I’ll be doing. I understand.
It was a petition from Kuitun, reporting a severe drought and requesting aid for the starving populace. Sima Jin quickly grasped the gist and turned to the next page. His eyes widened in surprise.
The back of the document contained detailed instructions for handling the situation, along with the reasoning behind the decisions. It seemed Hyuk Murin had already reviewed this document.
This is… surprisingly thorough.
It wasn’t simply about distributing aid. It detailed the shortest routes to gather supplies from neighboring regions, accounted for potential discrepancies in quantities, outlined the support system, and even included a year-by-year analysis of past droughts, along with preventative measures for the future. It was remarkably meticulous for someone who had been Heavenly Demon for less than six months.
He’s not just a figurehead.
Sima Jin glanced at Hyuk Murin. Their eyes met. Sima Jin quickly looked away. Hyuk Murin spoke, his voice calm,
“Ah, I almost forgot. Use this for approvals.”
He tossed a small object towards Sima Jin. Catching it reflexively, Sima Jin looked down, puzzled. He froze as he recognized the object in his hand.
This… this is…!
It was the Heavenly Demon’s seal.
He stared at Hyuk Murin with wide eyes, but the Heavenly Demon had already returned to his work, seemingly unconcerned. Sima Jin looked back at the seal. It was surprisingly light, but the weight of its authority felt immense.
He gave the Heavenly Demon’s seal to a temporary Deputy Strategist?
With this seal, he could single-handedly destroy a prominent clan. He could declare war on the Martial Alliance and unleash chaos upon the Central Plains. Why would Hyuk Murin entrust such a powerful artifact to him, a man known for his debauchery? It was beyond comprehension, even for someone who considered himself a genius.
Gulp.
Sima Jin swallowed, forcing himself to calm down.
Stay calm. Don’t forget your purpose.
He had to abandon his plan to sabotage the work. A few misplaced stamps could cripple the entire cult.
Right. I’ll just do nothing.
If he proved incompetent, he’d be dismissed quickly.
Sima Jin nodded, settling on his new plan.
One day passed, then two.
Three, four, five days passed.
Seven days and nights passed, then ten.
Sima Jin stared at the Heavenly Demon’s empty chair, his expression grim. He turned his gaze to the mountain of documents, still untouched.
“I was wrong. Completely wrong.”
He had miscalculated. The Heavenly Demon didn’t care what he did. He was essentially being ignored. But it wasn’t deliberate neglect.
“Can a person truly work this hard?”
The Heavenly Demon he’d observed was the most diligent person in the entire cult. Aside from brief visits to the Jeongcheon Pavilion to review documents, he spent every waking hour cultivating in the Heavenly Martial Hall. He even ate simple, quick meals, prioritizing his training above all else.
“This is the current Heavenly Demon?”
Hyuk Murin.
He’d heard rumors, of course. A man of meager talent and weak martial arts, lazy and foolish enough to choose divorce. But Sima Jin could now confidently declare those rumors false.
“Who started those rumors? None of it is true.”
The techniques he’d witnessed Hyuk Murin practicing in the training hall were profound and complex. And the man was anything but lazy. Hyuk Murin wouldn’t make a decision as significant as divorce without a compelling reason.
“Could it be… he’s seen it too?”
The only way for the Heavenly Demon Cult, the Hyuk Clan, and himself to survive. He’d thought he was the only one who’d seen that path. It seemed he was mistaken.
“He’s certainly no ordinary man.”
Hyuk Murin possessed intelligence, courage, and an insight that rivaled his own. And Sima Jin was beginning to understand the weight of responsibility he carried.
After ten days of observing him, Sima Jin found himself increasingly impressed.
Perhaps he knew. Perhaps he, too, had seen that path…
Click.
The door opened, and Hyuk Murin entered. He’d finished his morning training and come to review documents during his break. He glanced at Sima Jin.
Still the same.
The stacks of documents remained untouched. He hadn’t done any work. Hyuk Murin turned away, sat down, and opened a document. As he was about to resume his work from the previous day, Sima Jin spoke.
“Heavenly Demon, may I ask you something?”
After ten days of silence, his voice made Hyuk Murin look up.
“Go ahead.”
He kept his gaze on his work. Sima Jin took a deep breath, his voice barely a whisper,
“What… what should I do?”
Hyuk Murin’s hand froze. A moment of silence hung in the air, then he spoke.
“I don’t know.”
“…I see.”
“However…”
He resumed writing, continuing,
“Don’t abandon yourself for the sake of others. Just… follow your heart.”
He meant it. Don’t sacrifice yourself for your clan. It wouldn’t lead to a good outcome for anyone. Sima Jin, like Hyuk Murin in his past life, had lived a life filled with regret. Setting aside his own needs, Hyuk Murin genuinely wanted Sima Jin to live a life without regrets.
“…!”
A spark ignited in Sima Jin’s eyes. A heavy silence descended. Sima Jin broke it.
“Heavenly Demon, one final question.”
He rose from his chair and slowly approached Hyuk Murin. The emptiness in his eyes had been replaced with a burning intensity.
“What is the extent of my authority?”
Hyuk Murin’s gaze slowly rose to meet his. He spoke, his voice clear and steady.
“Absolute.”
He declared, leaving no room for doubt.
“You have the full authority I possess.”
——
Translated by Sato
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