NOTICE: Many of the novels have been removed because they might cause violations, which we were not aware of earlier.
Episode 41: Sophisticated yet scary.
For a while after that day, I focused solely on teaching Ian, the Hwangcheon Pavilion, and my own training.
Ian quickly mastered the art of the Bicheon Sword, just like cotton absorbs water. She was more talented in martial arts than I had thought. Add to that her hard work, and her accomplishments were surprisingly fast.
One thing I realized while teaching Ian.
The point is that teaching is also learning.
You made me objective by explaining what I already knew.
‘Ah, so that’s what I was thinking about this vegetarian.’
It gave me a chance to rethink something I had never seriously thought about.
Teaching is not just about scooping out stagnant water. If you teach without sincerity and in a sloppy manner, the water will dry up and become exhausted, but if you teach with sincerity and deep thought, it will become a matter of expanding the size of the well.
So I was teaching Ian and learning at the same time. I had never taught anyone in my life, so this was an incredible experience for me.
During a short break in the middle of training, she asked me seriously.
“Your Majesty, are you really going to make a ghost stand?”
“huh.”
“Then can I make the uniform? I want to make it stylish, not a dull black uniform. I want to make it with different colors and shapes for school wear and separate uniforms for military use.”
At that moment, I almost burst out laughing. Since I decided to make a guiyeongdae, I never once thought about the color or shape of the uniform. Now that I think about it, all the uniforms I’ve worn in my life were the same.
“I also want to divide the masks that cover the face into groups based on the difficulty of the operation. The ghosts on the masks should be drawn in a sophisticated yet scary way, so that just looking at them makes your stomach churn… … Why are you laughing?”
“I wonder what a sophisticated yet scary ghost looks like.”
“I can draw a little too. I’ll show you later.”
“The guys who will be joining the royal family in the future will wear nice clothes.”
“Don’t tease me.”
Ian is a very sensitive person. If his mind, which was focused on me, were to turn to others, he would become a great lord who would comfort everyone’s hearts.
“The most important thing is your skills. The Guiyingdae will carry out the most dangerous mission in the martial arts world. The success of the operation and minimizing the damage to your subordinates all depend on your skills.”
“Yes, I will keep that in mind.”
“And one more thing. There is something more important than skill.”
“what is that?”
“The determination to lose your subordinates. The determination to not be hurt even if you lose your subordinates.”
Ian stared at me intently.
“You see me as a child. I am always like this when I am next to you.”
“Isn’t it?”
“No. He’s not a child, and he’s not as innocent and kind as you think. He doesn’t die from heartache over losing his subordinates. I’m more worried that he’ll be disappointed in me later. I wonder if he was really this cold-hearted.”
“I won’t be disappointed by that. Then that’s okay.”
Ian, perhaps thinking that the subject had already been brought up, poured out his heart.
“When the master said he would teach me the art of the Bicheon Sword, I finally felt like my feet were on the ground.”
“what do you mean?”
“Honestly, up until then, I felt like I was floating in the air. A ghost company? Will such an organization really be formed? Am I supposed to be the one to lead it? Really? The young master is caught up in some kind of passion right now. I had these thoughts. But when I memorized the secrets of the Bicheon Sword Technique, I felt that this was real. Can I handle all of this? Oh, I’m sorry. Oh, I tried not to ask such insecure questions anymore.”
“You can do it. No, you have to do it. How can you walk down a path that will change the fate of countless people without asking these questions? You have to do it today, tomorrow, and ten years from now. You have to keep asking these questions. I will keep nagging you. We have to keep asking each other.”
People who don’t ask these questions are people like Palmazone.
They believe that their decisions are right because they believe that they are better than others. They have no concern or empathy for others. They do not ask.
“Yes, Master. Whenever I’m confused about whether this is right, I’ll ask you. I’ll ask you, and I’ll ask myself.”
I gave Ian a quick pat on the head.
“It’s long.”
Ian blushed slightly and smiled bashfully.
“Okay, let’s start training again!”
“yes!”
When she was finished with her training, I brought her books on organizational management, the art of mercenaries, and the reception of the chieftain.
“Read it whenever you have time.”
“yes.”
These days, she’s been neglecting learning about the Hwangcheon Pavilion because she’s been training continuously. She needs to learn how to run an organization, even through books like this.
* * *
A few days later, I went to Namdojong to meet Hyeolcheondoma.
As I entered the Namdo Temple, demons came out and looked at me.
Since this is a place where people live, some people are trash, some are good, and all kinds of people live together.
Basically, I don’t have any bad feelings towards them. Thanks to them, I was able to successfully complete the Heavenly Vein Strengthening Technique.
The demons also showed favor towards me because of my good relationship with the Blood Vessel Demon. Also, when I used the Heavenly Vein Strengthening Technique, many were impressed by my courage and spirit, so some even looked at me with respect.
Some of the demons came to me and greeted me politely, and some even applauded and cheered from afar. Is it because they resemble their master? The demons seem like cute crazy people.
I waved at them.
I arrived at the office of the Bloodthirsty Demon King under the guidance of the Demon Lord.
The one who was surprised by my visit was Hyeolcheondoma.
“Is there something that needs to catch me?”
“Have you committed a sin in the meantime?”
“I am a sinful person.”
“Fortunately, not today.”
“Then why are you here?”
“I came to give you this.”
I handed over what I had brought to Hyeolcheondoma.
“What is this? Is this a box that spews out poison when opened?”
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“Where can I buy boxes like that? I’d like to buy a few.”
“What is it?”
“Open it.”
When he opened the box, he found a bottle of poison inside. Coincidentally, it was the exact opposite of his joke.
“This is the best quality liquor.”
“I know because I see it. But why this?”
“It’s a gift.”
“A gift? Why this expensive thing all of a sudden?”
“It’s a birthday present.”
For a moment, Hyeolcheon Doma was startled and froze.
“what?”
“Happy birthday. Is it your birthday today?”
“Is today my birthday?”
Hyeolcheondoma’s voice trembled as if he had never thought of it before.
“Didn’t you know?”
“It’s been so long since I forgot about my birthday. How did you know?”
“Who am I? There is no information that is not in the Hwangcheon Pavilion. I also know how many pairs of underwear you have.”
“How many sets?”
“That was an exaggeration. Anyway, congratulations.”
It was clearly a deliberate favor and an effort to make him a real person.
I bowed to him and turned around.
“Are you really here just to give me a gift?”
“Yes. It’s just a birthday present, so don’t feel pressured at all.”
“Are we just going to keep going like this?”
“I’m busy. Let’s have a drink at the Pungryu Bar later tonight. I’ll be waiting. Oh, and don’t think about getting all worked up today.”
I left the office, leaving him still standing there in a daze.
Before closing the door, I looked inside. The blood-curdling dragon was looking down at the poisonous liquor with an expression I had never seen before. For the first time, I realized that there was emotion in his expression.
* * *
“By the way, is that true?”
Seo Dae-ryong, who was walking down the hallway with them, asked with a surprised face.
“what?”
“I gave Doma a birthday present.”
“how did you know?”
“Oh my god. It really was.”
“How did you know?”
“How would I know? I knew because of the rumors. Of course, I thought it was just a rumor.”
I burst out laughing. If the gift given in a private setting spread, then Thomas would have bragged to the demons about the gift he received. It seems unlikely, but he secretly talks a lot.
“Why did you give it to me?”
“I gave it to you because it was your birthday.”
“I really don’t understand the relationship between the two of you.”
That’s right. There have been several incidents where we could have become enemies, but Thomas and I are becoming closer and closer.
“You don’t become close just by exchanging nice words with each other.”
I went into the main hall at the end of the hallway with Seo Dae-ryong.
All the investigators and executors of the Hwangcheon Pavilion were gathered there.
“Has it been a long time since we all gathered in one place like this?”
“yes.”
A loud answer was heard. After the training, the morale of the enforcers was sky-high. The investigators also had a lot of courage as they handled the Baekdogwi case well.
“I came today to pour some fuel on your burning spirit.”
Everyone looked curious.
I handed the envelopes I had prepared to Seo Dae-ryong. The envelopes were numbered according to the number of Hwangcheon-gak soldiers.
Seo Dae-ryong was shocked when he checked the inside of the envelope.
“What kind of money is it?”
Inside was a thousand nyang note.
“Give one to everyone.”
“yes.”
Seo Dae-ryong distributed what was inside to everyone.
“This money is a special gift from me to you.”
Everyone cheered at the word gift.
“Thank you, sir!”
I said it loudly to everyone.
“This is the money I am giving you because our Hwangcheon-gak must be an organization that does not tolerate any external pressure. In short, I am telling you not to take bribes. If you suddenly need money, come to me. I will give you a raise. If the salary doesn’t work out, I will lend you money out of my own pocket.”
“yes!”
Everyone’s expressions brightened when they received unexpected money.
Nagging when you’re in a good mood only serves to diminish the points you worked so hard to earn.
“dissolution.”
As I was leaving the main hall, Seodaeryong followed me.
“Your Majesty, how did you know?”
“what?”
“Ik-ho needs money. He’s been looking for money lately because his younger sibling is getting married. When his parents were alive, he spent all the money on sick parents. Now, he’s taking care of his younger siblings, so he doesn’t have a single day when his pockets are empty.”
“How would I know? I didn’t know.”
“Don’t lie.”
Actually, I found out. I found out by chance and was going to give it to Ikho, but I ended up giving it to everyone while I was at it.
“There’s no need to be so touched. It’s all an investment for me.”
“An investment for Confucius?”
“If it gets rumored that I spend money lavishly, wouldn’t people secretly expect it? Thinking that I’ll spend more if I become a great man. Then everyone will want me to become a great man. I’m such a shallow person.”
“Did you really think that far?”
“No. I thought that way because you asked. I guess other people might think that way too.”
“As expected, you know about Ikho.”
“I’m giving it to you all in small amounts. Because everyone has worked hard. Is that really that important?”
“It’s important, isn’t loyalty something that just happens?”
“Don’t be fooled by this!”
Seo Dae-ryong looked at me intently and said.
“Because in this world, people are exploited without even resorting to tricks like this.”
Then, after bowing my head in greeting, I went on my way.