Chapter 137 – Blurred, Suddenly (7)

After the day I took over, I began working under Hong Yeon.

I followed her around, learning the work and trying it myself. There were numerous issues with the place called Do-won, but I didn’t bring them up due to the unique characteristics of the location known as Moorim. Not only was there a shortage of funds, but there were so many aspects to fix that I had to carefully consider which one to address first.

Of course, collecting information about Do-won, as initially planned, was also a top priority.

“These are the requested materials.”

Starting with the oldest records, I absorbed everything into my mind. I sought to understand where Do-won originated from and how it came to represent the vast Moorim. Furthermore, I needed to uncover information about the Peach Tree’s family and the Heavenly Demon.

“Is this enough?”

Hong Yeon, who entered the office, handed me several more books.

“Ah, well done.”

“I can’t believe I’m receiving compliments from someone like you… Are you getting enough sleep? I’ve lost track of how many sleepless nights you’ve had.”

Why is she worried about me?
I smirked and brought the peach black tea to my lips.

Hong-Yeon, who initially treated me like a servant in the manner of Sejong addressing Hwang Hee and Jeongseung, had completely changed her attitude after a week.

“Uh, at some point, I didn’t need to sleep anymore.”
“Overexerting yourself like that can worsen your health… Not that it’s my place to tell you. But as a talented individual, I’d prefer if you didn’t fall behind.”

After the first day, there must have been a reason she set her gaze ablaze and diligently taught me my tasks.

However, it wasn’t as though I was pushing myself too hard; my body could truly endure without sleep. Should I say that my newfound motivation had banished any trace of drowsiness? During my training, I discussed this phenomenon with the Heavenly Demon, and I received a somewhat satisfactory answer.

“Even the Heavenly Demon mentioned it. The various powers I possessed became intertwined, and they changed.”

The World Tree of Healing’s power possesses the unique attribute of greatly enhancing the body’s immunity and regenerative abilities. I couldn’t help but wonder if this might have happened as the potency of its power increased.

“…Are you a monster?”
“Shut up. Even if I train to the point of death, I’m still exhausted afterward. I’m just enduring it through sheer willpower.”

Regardless, it was true that I was navigating an infernal schedule.

To describe my daily life in Do-won:
As soon as I wake up at dawn, I meet with the Heavenly Demon to engage in a sword dance and receive feedback on my reaction speed and judgment. When the sun begins to rise, I come here and follow Hong-Yeon to handle various tasks. My range of abilities is quite extensive, so if possible, I also assist with external matters.

Next, I join Hong-Yeon for a hearty meal at the guesthouse. Since we wouldn’t be in each other’s company for long anyway, I made sure to take full advantage of her generosity.

After eating, it’s back to work. Once finished, I train, and then it’s back to work again.

In the late evening, I purchase some snacks and barge into Heaven’s room.

When Cheondo is on the verge of sleep, I return here to attend to my affairs.

“Still, you should get some rest.”
“Why is the leader of the Demon Sect so meddlesome?”

At first, Hong-Yeon would tremble with each curse I directed at her, but now her courage has grown, and she’s started to push back little by little.

“It seems like you’re being chased.”

Lately, she’s been making pointed remarks like this quite often.

The leader has become quite influential. Removing his gaze from the documents, he looks at Hong-Yeon.

“Chased, indeed. By you, who clings to me all day long, demanding tasks, and now even into the early morning hours.”
“…It’s because there are so few talented individuals in Do-won.”

I’ve realized this as well during my time here, and I acknowledge it. The lack of proper education for the people here plays a part, but more importantly, the logic of power firmly dominates this place. When compared to modern civilization, it’s exceedingly barbaric.

“I suppose so. At least Hwangdo and Baekdo are receiving basic instruction from the women of Dowon. The other children can’t do that.”

Every now and then, there are quick-witted and perceptive individuals, but they will always be a minority. In this era, most prodigies perish without even realizing their own intellect.

“By the way, what will you do when I leave in two months?”

I asked her, closing the documents.

“…What?”

Hongyeon’s eyes widened in shock. She was so startled that she dropped the teapot she was holding.

– Clink.

“Ah! Oh, look at me. I apologize. What do you mean you’re leaving in two months?”
“Exactly as I said. My training with Heavenly Demon will be over in two months. From then on, I’ll go my own way.”
“What the hell…”

Hongyeon shuddered as if struck by a heavy blow.

“How could you raise such a talent?”
“Did you raise me?”

“Not exactly, but are you truly leaving? Everyone must know you’re the Little Heavenly Demon.”
“I will leave. I’ll be done with this in a few weeks.”

Upon hearing about quitting, Hong-Yeon’s eyes trembled intensely.
From her perspective, could it feel like a versatile and capable slave, easy to manage, suddenly slipping out of her grasp?

She was so astonished that her breath grew uneven.

“Ha, ha, ha.”

With a sardonic laugh, Hong-Yeon crouched down on the floor, picking up the fragments of the shattered teapot with her trembling hands as she muttered.

“…I’ll have to adjust my plans. The situation has become more complex.”
“A problem?”
“If it’s true that you’re leaving… there might be an issue with the succession.”

The matter of succession. Heaven’s story.
I immediately closed the book and set aside the quill as well.

“Go on.”
“There are two potential successors to Heavenly Demon, leaving room for dispute. I wouldn’t know if you hadn’t taken any action. But that’s not the case.”

“Do you mean I’ve gathered some favor while working? That issue could have been resolved by the old man’s single decisive word anyway, right?”
“Still, dissatisfaction can’t be entirely silenced.”

I was aware that I had gained recognition by assisting Hong-Yeon with her tasks.

During inspections or while patrolling security. If someone has committed a wrongdoing, there’s no leniency; I promptly correct flawed systems. Naturally, there are people who defend me among the warriors.

I don’t have anything to spend money on, so I buy food for the hungry children.
If a child seems somewhat competent, I bring them in and place them into a suitable family as an adoptee, nurturing them as a talent.

Furthermore, I’ve negotiated amicably with a few factions that frequently clash with the Demonic Cult, so my reputation isn’t too shabby among those groups in its own way.

‘Compared to the successor who has never revealed their name or face, it’s only natural that I stand out.’

However, Dowon is a place governed by the Heavenly Demon.
An absolute ruler.
Who could dare to oppose someone capable of single-handedly destroying the entire Dowon?

“I can’t comprehend it.”

Hong-Yeon was about to say something, but she shut her mouth.

“What are you hiding?”
“You don’t need to know.”
“Tell me. Haven’t you helped me a lot before?”
“How long will you maintain that attitude?… Fine, I’ll tell you. Your master, the Heavenly Demon, is trying to withdraw from Dowon.”

Withdraw from Dowon?

“What is that old man thinking?… He’s attempting to leave the place he built himself.”
“Explain in detail.”

From the previous investigation, I knew well how Dowon was created.

The family of the Copycat Tree. In the past, they had some reputation in the martial world and established a small village in the mountains. A man, who was their son, left the village and returned after achieving great success.

The man who couldn’t adapt to village life and grew disillusioned was none other than Heavenly Demon. For reasons unknown, he returned to the village from the outside.

Upon his return, he expelled the influential figures and secured power through his own martial prowess alone. The village, once comprised solely of the Peach Tree family, began to attract other warriors under Heavenly Demon’s guidance. Thus, the Do-won we know today was established.

The place called Do-won could be divided into two, depending on the time period.

A small Do-won composed of a single family, before the arrival of Heavenly Demon.
And a grand Do-won where Heavenly Demon appeared and gathered all the martial artists from the realm of Murim.

However, according to Hong-Yeon, Heavenly Demon sought to escape from the Do-won he had built.

“I don’t know the reason. I’m not sure where he plans to go, leaving his two daughters behind. In truth, even if he leaves, his remaining lifespan isn’t long. Heavenly Demon’s death is all but inevitable.”

Has he lived for two hundred years this year? Even taking into account that wooden people live longer than humans, he has indeed lived a very long time.

…Hold on, so did she give birth to three daughters at the age of 190?

Although it is said that the Wood People have other methods of reproduction, if they had daughters in the human way, it would be truly admirable.

“This is a question you should ask directly.”
“He didn’t tell me. If it’s you… well, who knows? For some reason, he seemed to treasure it.”
“Treasure? That human?”

The same person who stopped my heart just this morning?

I couldn’t help but laugh, but I held back since it wasn’t entirely incorrect, except for the training part.

Hong-Yeon murmured forlornly in a voice filled with regret.

“If Heavenly Demon had decided to interfere with internal affairs from the beginning… there wouldn’t have been any divided factions fighting each other now.”

It seems like he has completely withdrawn from Do-won’s affairs.

Well, that’s why the elders of each faction can meddle without knowing the full story.

“It’s like a fox running wild where there are no tigers.”

“…So, I thought that if you became the Heavenly Demon, you would be able to set things right in this place.”

That’s why she worried about me so much.
I had wondered if this rascal had developed some affection for me, but she was hiding her true intentions.

“But when it comes to choosing the successor, wouldn’t the Heavenly Demon step in?”

In response to my question, Hong-Yeon shook her head.

“Given his personality, he wouldn’t do that. It was already exceptional that he looked after you in the first place.”

She meant that he looked out for my interests in various ways.
That’s why I didn’t experience any inconvenience in my tasks.
The Heavenly Demon, who never interfered in Do-won’s matters, had made the request, so no one dared to bother me.

“Ah, so that’s why people regard me as a powerful figure. It’s because the nobleman, who never meddled in anything, singled me out and promoted me.”
“Yes, that’s right. You, who are producing results, are a better choice than an unknown successor. Moreover, you seem quite capable in my eyes.”

Hong Yeon didn’t hesitate to offer praise. It was clear she was worried I might change my mind.

Even if I wanted to stay here, I was meant to leave. And I, too, wanted to escape this place as soon as possible.

Se-Young, Azalea, and I had caused so much trouble.

“Anyway, that’s how it happened.”

Following Hong Yeon’s words, a silence settled in the office for a while.

After pondering for a long time, I picked up a quill and voiced the thought that had occurred to me.

“…If the original successor is more competent than me, isn’t that alright?”
“It would be if they could demonstrate their skills in front of others.”
“Then there’s no problem.”
“Do you know who it is?”

I nodded.

“They can do anything. Far more capable, talented, and less vulgar than someone like me.”
“If that’s true, I would be grateful. I don’t know who they are, but they probably know by now. That their position is in danger.”

I halted my actions there.

…His position as the successor of the Heavenly Demon is in danger.
Does Heaven truly think so?

I stopped pondering at that thought.
Worrying and agonizing only makes matters more complicated.
It’s always best to take action in order to set things right.

“I’ll need to meet both the old man and the successor.”

At my words, Hong-Yeon’s eyes widened.
Ah, the pieces of the teapot that I had barely collected fell back to the floor.

“If possible… please. I don’t want this place to fall to ruin.”
“Why?”
“When I was young, the old man found me and raised me here. This place is my hometown, and he is my benefactor. If you do this and things work out, I can apologize to you countless times for my earlier mistreatment.”

I approached Hong-Yeon.
As I stepped on the shards of the teapot with my shoes, they shattered completely.

– Crunch.

He seized Hong-Yeon’s bowed head and abruptly lifted it up. The pale yet resolute face of the woman came into view.

Although she still had gauze covering her nose, he had no intention of treating her, since it was her own fault.

“I’m planning to do it regardless.”

Hong-Yeon’s expression became intricately tinged with an indiscernible hue.

Nevertheless, he should grant her request. If he asked her to treat Heaven well before leaving, it seemed like she would dutifully comply.

Hong-Yeon was a kind person, even if she lacked manners.

Moreover, what he wanted to uncover could very well pertain to the old man’s current predicament.

He could feign ignorance and simply move on, but he had no intention of doing so. The truth he sought to unravel now might be the genuine reason he had been sent to the past.