Episode 36: Already Loyal
Ilhwa Geomjon was a beautiful woman.
He looked like he was in his twenties on the outside, but he was actually twice older. So, our school has a saying like this.
Even though the world changes, Geomzon does not change.
She is even getting younger with each passing year.
However, if you are fooled by that light and airy appearance and do something foolish, your tongue will be cut out and a cold iron sword will be driven into your heart. The red camellia flower engraved on the scabbard of her sword, Ilhwa Sword, is as intense as blood.
“It’s been a while, old man.”
“No matter how many times I hear the word ‘elderly,’ I can’t get used to it. “Why don’t I call you senior?”
She treated me respectfully. She was famous for always being respectful and polite not only to me but also to lower-ranking soldiers.
“That’s not possible considering the distribution to the elderly.”
“I have to respect you because you are older? I don’t think so. Respect can be given to someone worthy of respect. “Even if you are young, if you deserve respect, you should respect it.”
“great. I follow my senior’s wishes. “Instead, please feel free to call me Confucius.”
“Of course.”
I introduced Seo Dae-ryong to him.
“This is the special investigator who investigated this incident. “I brought you here to tell you what happened.”
Seo Dae-ryong politely handed Ilhwa Geomzon his hand.
“This is Special Investigator Seo Dae-ryong. “I will report this incident.”
Then Ilhwa Geomzon raised his hand and stopped him.
“That’s Okay. If Hwangcheongak determines that you committed a crime, you will have committed a crime. “Anyone who raped a young woman deserves to die, so this prosecutor’s office will not take issue with what happened during the investigation of this case.”
I gestured to Seo Dae-ryong to step aside. Seo Dae-ryong quietly left the prison.
Ilhwa Geomzon looked at me and smiled faintly. She realized that the reason for my visit was something else.
“I heard that a wind of change is blowing through our school these days thanks to the efforts of this Confucius.”
“They are running wild.”
“If our school can develop, what kind of nonsense would that be?”
Ilhwa Geomzon was the one who was evaluated as the most unsuited to the Demonic Cult among the Palmazons. Just look at this shabby house and you will see it. It is elegantly decorated as if it were a place where a veteran expert of a prestigious political faction had retired.
“You are doing a great job.”
“This is possible because my senior is a strong supporter.”
Ilhwa Geomzon shook his head.
“Please don’t use gold paint on this wrinkled face.”
This statement is clearly intended. To induce this saying.
“What are you saying? “You still look like you’re in your twenties.”
“You’re in your twenties! “This is absurd!”
A smile that couldn’t be hidden appeared on her face as she waved her hand.
“It is enough for this person to take a step back and realize the principles of martial arts.”
But she lived a life different from what she said.
After his father died at the hands of Hwamugi and the school was imprisoned, a full-scale power struggle broke out within. Not only Palmazon but also famous masters of our school each competed for the position of leader.
So who was the first religious leader?
Surprisingly, the woman in front of me is none other than Ilhwa Geomzon. It may be hard to believe, considering her gentle smile and calmness now, but she was the first to move and take the position of leader.
In the process, a bloody wind blew. She was relentless. Blood and wind blew throughout his short life as a religious leader. So, it would have been nice if he had been good at politics, but Ilhwa Geomzon’s ruling power could not keep up with his greed.
He caused all the tragedies that happen when an incompetent person is greedy, and he lost his life to the next religious leader before completing three years. Therefore, my evaluation of her cannot help but be low.
“To be honest, I felt very burdened when this incident occurred.”
“Why was it burdensome?”
“As you may have heard, there have been many conflicts with the Namdo Order recently.”
I secretly mentioned the Namdo branch of the Hyeolcheon Doma. Among the Palmazons, they are known to have the worst relationship with each other. For that reason, demons and magic swords were also dogs and guardians.
“Elder Hyeolcheondoma put a lot of pressure on me. But this time, a conflict has arisen with the Sword Family…”
“I am a completely different person from Thomas!”
Ilhwageomjon’s voice rose as if he was displeased at even being mentioned along with the Hyeolcheon Doma.
“Of course it’s different.”
“I’m asking because I heard that Thomas recommended a man named Jang Ho to be the demon lord from the Namdo sect. “What happened?”
Although she seemed to be training alone in her mother’s house, she was aware of all the happenings on campus. As if to show that future gains in power are not accidental.
“Jangho is a man of outstanding ability and loyalty.”
“What I ask is why did Thomas want to make him the demon lord?”
“To be honest, Jangho is my person.”
Ilhwa Geomzon probably already knew this and wasn’t surprised. This was exactly what she was curious about.
“How did you convince Thomas?”
“It stimulated the old man’s pride. He is a mazon in name and appearance, so shouldn’t he make a choice for the sake of his religion? “We should recommend people with real ability, not because of friendship or political power.”
“Thomas is not persuaded for that reason.”
“you’re right. It’s probably because they don’t want to miss me. Anyway, Thomas said this. “He says he is the best among the Palmazons when it comes to his heart for the church.”
Ilhwageomjon’s expression frowned, probably because he thought it was an absurd statement, but I pretended not to notice and continued talking.
“It seems that even Elder Hana would not find it easy to appoint Jangho as the demon lord. “The Commander-in-Chief suggested a way, but it wasn’t easy either.”
“What method did the soldier tell you?”
“You said it would be possible if another Mazon recommended it together, but the problem is that there is no Mazon who can do that together.”
“Why do you think there isn’t one?”
“yes?”
“Do you think the only mazon for teaching is chopping board?”
“That’s not it.”
Ilhwa Geomzon asked me with cold eyes.
“Isn’t the purpose of coming to see me today to touch my pride and ask you to recommend Jangho along with senior Doma?”
Now is the time to be honest. It is only when trickery and truth are mixed that it is unclear what the ingredients of the scheme are, and only then does the scheme become effective.
“Did you notice?”
“Why are you doing this?”
“It’s to get the demon army into my hands. “With that influence, I want to become a successor as soon as possible.”
Ilhwa Geomzon quietly stared at me.
Why did that strict old man choose me? Even writing about Kang-soo abandoning his brother. She must be thinking about these doubts.
“Now I clearly understand why the sect leader placed this Confucius on the Hwangcheon Pillar.”
“Why? “I still don’t know what my father wants.”
She came closer and looked into my eyes.
“This Confucius strangely moves people’s hearts.”
She revealed exactly what she was feeling, as if only a confident person could reveal such open emotions.
“I will take it as a compliment.”
After pondering for a while, she finally made a decision.
“Okay, I would also recommend Jangho.”
“Are you sure?”
I looked surprised, but deep down I had somewhat expected that she would recommend it. Because of the special relationship with Thomas.
“May I ask why?”
“Let’s just say it’s to show that Thomas is not the only mazon for teaching.”
She turned around. I knew it was an unspoken order to congratulate the guest, so I greeted her politely.
“I will not forget your help.”
She didn’t answer, but I knew exactly why.
The reason she is taking on this matter is entirely because of Hyeolcheon Doma.
I am afraid that I am a talented successor and that Thomas recognized it first. If that’s the case, it’s because I don’t want Thomas to have me all to himself. This is because Thomas does not want to give even horse manure that falls on the roadside.
Why?
Because she absolutely hates Thomas.
When she became the leader of the cult, the first person she killed was Hyeolcheondoma.
* * *
The next day, Ilhwa Geomzon recommended Jang Ho to the Demon Lord.
The school was shaken by this shocking news. The head of the Demon Lord has never appeared as a candidate, and two Demon Lords have never come together to recommend one person.
Especially since those two mazons were Hyeolcheondoma and Ilhwageomzon, who were not on good terms, wouldn’t it be terrible? Naturally, Jangho became the center of attention.
Even in the Battle of Heavenly Demon, the leader of the cult, Geom Woo-jin, and the commander-in-chief, Sima-myeong, were talking about this matter.
“I had no idea that this Confucius would attract Geomjon.”
“He must have taken advantage of the discord between the two.”
“Everyone knows their feud, but no one will get through this this easily.”
Because both Hyeolcheondoma and Ilhwageomjon were not easy people. If you try to take advantage of a discord that everyone knows, it will only backfire.
“What about a man named Jang-ho? “Can I entrust you with Demon Lord?”
“The ability itself is outstanding. However, because it is close to being purely unmanned, its political position is weak. “It was a very smart choice to choose Jang Daeju.”
“I guess Jangho wasn’t discovered in the first place.”
“What do you mean?”
“It must have been an emotional choice. “He’s a more emotional child than I thought.”
Sima Myeong felt that Geom Woojin’s words were unfamiliar. This is because he has never expressed his evaluation of his child to himself until now.
“It’s an advantage and a disadvantage.”
Geom Woo-jin spoke firmly in response to Sima-myeong’s words.
“It’s a disadvantage.”
Sima Ming remained silent with a faint smile. Recently, everyone, including myself, felt that the religious leader was opening his heart to sword dance.
However, I did not think that the sect leader would choose Geommugeuk as his successor. This is because Geom Woo-jin used to make decisions that were completely different from what was revealed. We don’t know yet.
“How will we end the Demon Lord problem?”
“If the two of you recommended it, I should accept it. “Those people have face.”
Geom Woojin gave an order as if he had been waiting.
“Let Jang Ho sit as the demon lord.”
* * *
“I don’t know how to repay this favor.”
Jangho was the first to come to me after hearing the news that he had become a demon lord. He felt both joy and worry at the fact that he had become a demon lord.
“Judging by Jang Daeju’s personality, he probably won’t be able to repay the favor.”
“yes? “What do you mean by that?”
“There are two reasons why I appointed Great Lord Zhang as Demon Lord. First, because I thought he was the most suitable person for the position. “I thought that Jang Daeju was the right person, not for Daeju Jang or for me, but for the Demon Lord and our school.”
“I don’t know what to do because I’m being treated too much.”
“The second reason is because I want Demon Lord to be my strength. But don’t the first and second reasons conflict? It won’t be easy for the upright Grand Lord Jang to maintain a personal relationship. Oh, and I’ll tell you in advance, I have no intention of forcing a friendship on you, so don’t worry.”
Then Jangho said something unexpected.
“Do you remember when you first met me? I wrote this letter because of the death of my friend. It was for revenge. I risked my life there too. As you can see, I am an emotional person who considers relationships with people to be the most important thing in life. If you see me as someone who throws away personal relationships for the sake of the organization, you are looking at me wrong. “If Confucius hadn’t come at that time, I probably would have died at that time.”
That was actually the case. If I hadn’t gone, he would have died in that incident.
“I want to be loyal to Confucius. No, I am already loyal. Of course, I will be loyal to my religious leader and the religious leader, and I will work hard for the demon army, but the person I am most loyal to is Confucius.”
He was speaking the truth. I could tell. That I got a much better person as a subordinate than I expected.
“I also want to become a person like Confucius.”
“What kind of person am I?”
“He is the kind of person who feels like we can accomplish any difficult task if we are together.”
“If you flatter me this much, I don’t have to worry about being disadvantaged because I can’t do politics.”
“Haha, I’m not that clean.”
“Please take care of me in the future.”
“Please take care of me.”
I held his large hand tightly. I like the unexpectedness of this big, rough man.