— Chapter 9 —
Sima Geuk returned to the Heavenly Demon Palace after his fortnight’s leave. A fortnight—a short time, yet long enough. While he’d enjoyed the respite, a familiar worry gnawed at him.
“The work must have piled up.”
Even if the Heavenly Demon honored his promise to accept his resignation, the process of selecting a successor and transferring duties would take at least ten days. He dreaded the mountain of paperwork awaiting him after his absence. He trudged towards the Maseo Pavilion, his steps heavy.
Huuu—
He sighed deeply before opening the door. Long nights were inevitable. He wouldn’t be seeing his own bed for a while. Resigned to the daunting task ahead, he reached for the handle.
Creak.
“Greetings, everyone. I trust everything has been…”
Sima Geuk froze, his words trailing off as he took in the sight before him.
“W-What… what in the world happened here?”
His workplace, the Maseo Pavilion, had originally housed three departments:
The Finance Department, managing the cult’s finances.
The Intelligence Department, gathering and analyzing information.
The Dharma Protectors’ Department, overseeing legal and disciplinary matters.
All three departments had shared a single, large space, with the Deputy Strategist and Grand Strategist overseeing them from a shared office at the far end. But what Sima Geuk saw now was drastically different.
“What is this…?”
Partitions now divided the hall, creating separate spaces for each department. The Deputy Strategist and Grand Strategist now had individual offices.
Bewildered, Sima Geuk cautiously entered. His subordinates greeted him cheerfully. He managed a weak smile and waved back.
Strange. Everyone looked… well-rested. Not their usual haggard selves. Sensing a deeper change, he headed straight for his office.
Click.
He opened the door. Documents lay on his desk. But there were fewer than before his leave. He quickly scanned them. Even a cursory glance revealed a significant decrease in unnecessary paperwork.
Rustle— Shuffle—
He flipped through a few documents, then set them down and looked around his new, private office, lost in thought.
It’s different. Completely different.
The Maseo Pavilion had always operated as a single, unified space. The reason was simple: to foster competition. But now, it was segmented by department. The same space, the same personnel, but organized differently.
“It’s about the nature of the stimulus.”
Judging by the reports, the reorganized space was far more efficient. Sima Geuk immediately grasped the key reason.
Competition was good. However, given the Maseo Pavilion’s structure, comparing performance across different departments with distinct specializations was inherently flawed. The previous setup had created a needlessly competitive environment where everyone watched each other, hindering productivity and creating unnecessary stress.
“So, he separated them.”
Under the scrutiny of other departments, the Deputy Strategist, and the Grand Strategist, the pressure must have been immense. Optimal efficiency required a balance of work and rest. But until now, they likely hadn’t felt comfortable taking breaks.
“At this rate, there’s no need for additional personnel.”
Sima Geuk was no ordinary strategist. He was the head of the Sima Clan, a prestigious family renowned for its military strategists and a core member of the Seven Demonic Houses. He was the reason the Martial Alliance hadn’t dared to attack during the thirty-year absence of the Heavenly Demon. He had fortified the border with illusion formations, effortlessly repelling the righteous factions’ provocations, earning him the moniker “Phantom Demon Lord” and effectively deterring any invasion attempts.
“The more I consider it, the more brilliant it seems.”
Yet, even he hadn’t thought of separating the departments. The Maseo Pavilion had always operated this way. He’d inherited the same structure from the previous Grand Strategist. But someone else had seen it differently. Someone with the wisdom to restructure and improve efficiency, and the decisiveness to implement the changes.
“Did Mo Seol have such talent hidden within him?”
He hadn’t recognized his deputy’s abilities, despite working alongside him for over a decade. He shook his head, chiding himself. He headed straight for Mo Seol’s office.
“Ah, Grand Strategist! Welcome back! I trust you enjoyed your leave?”
Mo Seol greeted him cheerfully. But Sima Geuk, instead of returning the pleasantries, began with an apology.
“My apologies.”
“What?”
Mo Seol tilted his head, confused by the sudden apology.
“You reorganized the Maseo Pavilion. I’ve confirmed that not only has efficiency improved, but morale has also risen significantly.”
“But…”
“I hadn’t realized you possessed such talent. To think I worked alongside you for so many years without recognizing your abilities… that was my mistake. Now I can finally step down without worry, knowing a capable individual like yourself will…”
“No.”
Mo Seol interrupted him, his voice firm.
“…What?”
“You seem to be mistaken. It wasn’t me who reorganized the Maseo Pavilion. It was Sima Jin.”
“My second son?!”
Sima Geuk’s voice rose sharply, a rare display of surprise.
“Yes. Four days ago, Sima Jin came to the Maseo Pavilion and gave the instructions. He personally oversaw every detail of the restructuring…”
Mo Seol calmly recounted Sima Jin’s accomplishments. Sima Geuk listened, his eyes widening with each word.
“Thank you for informing me. I have something I must attend to.”
“Of course. Take care.”
He left the Maseo Pavilion and headed straight for the Jeongcheon Pavilion. He practically ran, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he reached the entrance. He addressed Jang Wi,
“I’ve come to see the Heavenly Demon. Please inform him.”
Jang Wi nodded, knocked on the door, and spoke to Hyuk Murin. After receiving permission, he opened the door, and Sima Geuk entered, his heart pounding.
“A fortnight has passed. Welcome back.”
Hyuk Murin glanced up at him. Their eyes met. Sima Geuk slowly approached. This room, too, had changed. The mountain of documents was gone, and a new desk had been added. Sima Geuk’s gaze lingered on the empty desk. Hyuk Murin spoke,
“Your son has gone for his meal. If you have something to discuss, please wait.”
“…Has the Heavenly Demon eaten?”
“I’ve… managed.”
Dried jerky constituted a meal in his book. Hyuk Murin answered curtly, resuming his work. Seeing Sima Geuk standing there silently, he asked,
“Is there something you wanted to say?”
“The changes to the Jeongcheon Pavilion and the Maseo Pavilion… was it truly my second son who orchestrated them?”
“You already know the answer, don’t you?”
Hyuk Murin’s casual remark made Sima Geuk’s expression shift.
“How did you know? No, how did you do it?”
“Do it?”
Hyuk Murin’s brush paused. He looked up, his eyes half-lidded.
“I did nothing.”
“W-What do you…”
“I simply… acted as I normally would.”
He hadn’t gone out of his way to impress Sima Jin. He’d simply focused on his daily training and cultivation.
He just needed a catalyst.
This was the perfect environment for Sima Jin to showcase his abilities. By providing a vague direction and a purpose, Hyuk Murin had done his part.
Sima Geuk’s eyes widened. So, his son had seen it too.
This is a first.
The Heavenly Demon, Hyuk Murin… he seemed to understand him one moment, and be utterly unreadable the next. He had awakened a hidden dragon and unearthed its true potential. He’d accomplished effortlessly what Sima Geuk hadn’t been able to do in over a decade.
He’s truly unpredictable.
Sima Geuk shook his head. But strangely, he wasn’t displeased.
“He wants to continue as Deputy Strategist even after the fortnight is over. What will you do?”
Hyuk Murin brought the conversation back to the main point. He had promised Sima Geuk his resignation would be accepted. But people changed.
“I withdraw my resignation. I apologize for any inconvenience I may have caused.”
Now that his son had proven his abilities, he would inevitably attract the attention of the other clans. A father’s duty was to protect his children. And besides…
I, too, find myself drawn to him.
This frustrating, yet intriguing, Heavenly Demon. He wanted to see what Hyuk Murin would do next.
I never thought I’d postpone my own retirement.
A complex mix of emotions churned within Sima Geuk as he bowed his head. Hyuk Murin nodded nonchalantly.
“Then your resignation is denied.”
“I am eternally grateful for your generosity.”
Sima Geuk expressed his gratitude, then continued,
“I’ll take my leave now. I need some time to adjust to the changes.”
“Very well.”
Sima Geuk thanked him again and turned towards the door. As he reached for the handle, Hyuk Murin’s voice stopped him.
“Grand Strategist.”
“Yes?”
“Perhaps you should have a heart-to-heart with your son.”
Sima Geuk paused.
“I suggest you speak to Sima Jin, the man, not the second son of the Sima Clan.”
Sima Geuk stood silently for a moment, then replied quietly,
“I will. Thank you for your wise counsel.”
He turned and walked out of the Jeongcheon Pavilion, his steps steady. Hyuk Murin watched him go, then leaned back in his chair.
“It’s done.”
He could finally relax. Securing Sima Jin’s services and preventing Sima Geuk’s departure would prove invaluable in the days to come.
“Next is the Elders’ Council meeting.”
The biannual meeting where the heads of the Seven Demonic Houses gathered to discuss important matters was fast approaching. It would be his first such meeting in this life.
“I’ll be seeing some familiar faces.”
A chilling glint entered Hyuk Murin’s eyes as he thought of the attendees.
——
Translated by Sato
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