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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: Grand Strategist's Resignation
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Grand Strategist Sama Geuk.
He was the man who had effectively ruled as regent for the past thirty years while the previous Heavenly Demon vanished without a trace and the Cult Leader's seat remained vacant, overseeing all major and minor affairs of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
Though his martial prowess wasn't among the top in the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, his intellect, wisdom, and cunning were unparalleled, unmatched by anyone under heaven.
His only rival might be the distant Jeon-gak Clan of the Central Plains. In any case, there was currently no one in the Cult who could compare to him.
Hyeok Mulin lifted his chin toward this Sama Geuk, smirking faintly with half-lidded eyes.
"Go ahead and speak."
Sama Geuk met his gaze and, following proper etiquette, clasped his hands together and bowed his head respectfully.
"I wish to step down from my position in the Cult and return to my clan. I humbly request your permission."
Having submitted several letters of resignation only to be rejected each time, Sama Geuk now expressed his intent to resign directly before Hyeok Mulin's eyes.
Yet the response remained the same.
"Impossible. I cannot permit it."
"...!"
Even after pleading face-to-face, Sama Geuk was firmly refused. He paused for a moment before speaking again.
"May I ask the reason?"
"Who in the Cult could possibly replace you as Grand Strategist? You alone are suited for such a weighty role. That's why I cannot allow it."
"No, that's not true. Even Deputy Strategist Mo Seol possesses wisdom equal to mine and could fully carry out the duties."
"Even if we brought in a hundred Deputy Strategists, I wouldn't trade them for you. Don't say such things. It seems you severely underestimate your own abilities."
Sama Geuk had tried to slip away by praising the Deputy Strategist, but Hyeok Mulin dismissed it lightly, elevating the Grand Strategist in turn, equating him to worth more than a hundred men.
Nevertheless, Sama Geuk pressed on without giving up.
"Lately, my workload has increased, leaving me unable to sleep at night. If I could return to my clan for a short rest and restore proper sleep..."
"Why didn't you mention it sooner? I'll immediately approve additional personnel for the Demonic Scripture Pavilion."
"Recently, my body has grown weary, and I've been experiencing intermittent tremors in my limbs. It seems I require at least a year of extended recuperation..."
"Is that true? Then I'll open the Heavenly Demon Secret Vault right away and provide elixirs effective for recovery!"
No matter how wise and eloquent Sama Geuk was, in this situation where he sought to resign, the final authority rested with Hyeok Mulin.
With Hyeok Mulin holding the upper hand and Sama Geuk the lower, countering his words wasn't difficult.
'His expression is souring bit by bit.'
Hyeok Mulin watched Sama Geuk's face gradually redden through half-lidded eyes.
He had maintained a stiff expression throughout the inauguration ceremony, clearly disapproving of Hyeok Mulin from the start.
But Hyeok Mulin didn't particularly dislike him.
He hadn't received proper treatment as Cult Leader, but the emotions directed at him weren't jealousy or envy—they stemmed from concern for the Cult.
With the Heavenly Demon absent for thirty years, expectations for the next leader must have been high.
But lo and behold, a young Heavenly Demon ascended through political marriage, so his disappointment was understandable.
'Even so, I absolutely cannot let him resign.'
The position of Grand Strategist was like a pillar of the Cult.
Sama Geuk's influence, built over decades in that role, could not be ignored.
In his previous life, after Sama Geuk retired and returned to his clan, pressure and interference from the Seven Great Demonic Families had surged.
In truth, his departure marked the starting point of Hyeok Mulin losing power and becoming a puppet.
'His resignation request came much sooner this time.'
The first resignation letter arrived one or two months earlier than in his previous life.
This was undoubtedly a result of his own divorce announcement.
'The future is already changing.'
The information he knew might shift.
But Hyeok Mulin felt only pleasure at the situation.
Didn't it mean his actions could alter the path ahead?
It was proof that his steps since returning to the past had been correct.
"...Hah."
A battle of spear and shield.
Faced with an impenetrable shield, Sama Geuk let out a deep sigh.
Now he understood.
No matter what excuse he gave, the Cult Leader had no intention of releasing him.
Resigning without permission was impossible, leaving him no choice but to stay from the beginning.
Sama Geuk closed his eyes tightly and, with a voice laced with resignation, made one final plea.
"Then, as a last request."
"Speak."
"Please withdraw the divorce you declared."
Since escape through resignation seemed impossible, he needed to eliminate the root cause shaking the Cult.
"Proceeding with the divorce at this point is the worst choice. The Cheon Clan, your greatest backing, will withdraw, and your own Hyeok Clan will be unable to assert itself, pushed aside by other families' prestige. We might even be expelled from the Seven Great Demonic Families."
The current Cult Leader was young and inexperienced.
His bold declaration of divorce was admirable, but claims from the powerless were destined to be trampled.
He still didn't grasp how much upheaval a single action or order from him could cause.
Moreover, having ascended politically rather than through merit, the weight of "divorce" carried even greater implications.
Sama Geuk glanced briefly at Hyeok Mulin and continued his speech.
"That's not all. In time, with your allies gone, your freedom of action will narrow until you're isolated alone. This would be far from positive for the Cult or your clan, wouldn't it?"
This explanation should suffice for understanding.
Sama Geuk met his gaze.
Yet Hyeok Mulin merely stared back in silence.
As silence stretched and Sama Geuk moved to speak again...
"Have you said all you wanted?"
Hyeok Mulin spoke first.
"Yes."
As Sama Geuk nodded, Hyeok Mulin replied indifferently.
"I already know all that."
"...What do you mean?"
"Everything you're worried about. I have foreseen every situation the Cult will face ahead."
At those words, Sama Geuk's voice rose sharply.
"If you knew, then withdraw the divorce now...!"
"But I cannot."
"...!"
Sama Geuk's eyes wavered for a moment.
Hyeok Mulin, hands behind his back, began walking slowly.
"You can't understand it."
"That's correct."
"Didn't you just say it? If I divorce, the Cult and my clan will both falter."
"Yes. It's not mere speculation—it's a fact I stake my life and honor on."
"But you, more than anyone, know that withdrawing the divorce won't normalize things."
Sama Geuk clamped his mouth shut at Hyeok Mulin's blunt truth.
He was right.
With a political Heavenly Demon in place, it was only a matter of time before blind wolves turned the Cult into a bloodbath.
The Hyeok Clan, semi-subservient to the Cheon Clan, would erode and decline slowly.
'He already knew.'
Yet lingering doubts remained.
"Even so, proceeding with the divorce will hasten that timeline dramatically. They might try to forcibly seize your position within a month."
"But that will give me a chance."
Hyeok Mulin halted and turned to look at Sama Geuk.
"A final chance to restore everything to normal."
"...!"
"You said just now that the Cult and my clan will falter."
Hyeok Mulin shook his head faintly and clenched his fist.
"That statement is wrong. I will make both the Cult and my clan bloom gloriously with these hands."
Sama Geuk's eyes sharpened at Hyeok Mulin's declaration.
'I thought he was just an ordinary man.'
Sama Geuk was impressed by the insight and resolve Hyeok Mulin displayed in their conversation.
But precisely because of that, regret pierced his heart.
'What a pity.'
Hyeok Mulin was of the Hyeok Clan lineage.
From a clan that lost its patriarch in the Upright-Demonic Great War and forgot its heritage arts, it was obvious his skills lagged behind other Seven Great Demonic Families.
Even delving into the Heavenly Demon Secret Vault for training would take decades to master.
By then, his position in the Cult would be gone.
As Sama Geuk lamented inwardly, Hyeok Mulin spoke.
"Very well. I will permit your resignation."
"Is that true?"
"In exchange, summon one of your heirs to the Cult. The Grand Strategist position has always been one the Sama Clan earmarks, hasn't it?"
"Then I will not resign."
Sama Geuk firmly rejected the proposal.
With the Cult soon to become a battlefield without swords, what father would send his child into the inferno?
Better for him to bear it than have his inexperienced sons take the role.
"Hmm."
Hyeok Mulin stroked his chin thoughtfully before speaking.
"Then, a fortnight."
"...Pardon?"
"I'll lend you exactly a fortnight. In that time, return to your clan and recuperate. After that, both you and your heir will be free to go."
As Sama Geuk eyed him suspiciously, Hyeok Mulin said nonchalantly.
"As you know, I have a mountain of backlog and desperately need hands right now. The Sama Clan's bloodline has already proven its capabilities. I'll borrow your help for a fortnight to clear it."
Sama Geuk nodded slightly.
According to reports from his subordinates, documents were piled like mountains in Pure Heaven Pavilion.
From his perspective, it was a reasonable choice to overcome immediate obstacles.
'A fortnight.'
He promised freedom for both him and his child after exactly a fortnight.
There was no reason to refuse this opportunity.
"Understood. I will follow your words, Cult Leader."
"An excellent decision."
"Then, which of my sons shall I summon to the Cult?"
Sama Geuk pondered his sons as he asked.
'The eldest is most likely.'
He was closest to succeeding as the next patriarch of the Sama Clan, growing upright with the support of the household.
Considering future ties with the Sama Clan, building familiarity and bonds made him the top choice.
'If it's purely for handling affairs, perhaps the third.'
The third shared similarities with him.
Excelling in swift, concise processing with outstanding administrative skills.
'The fourth is clever but too young.'
The bright fourth, showing interest in ledgers and numbers, was a promising talent in the Sama Clan, but at under ten years old, unfit to handle duties yet.
'So, the eldest or the third.'
Sama Geuk glanced at Hyeok Mulin's mouth as he speculated.
And soon, it slowly curved into a smirk.
"The one I choose is."
But the answer that emerged was someone Sama Geuk hadn't even remotely anticipated.
"The second son."
"...!"
"Send the second son."
Sama Geuk's eyes widened as if they might tear, freezing in place.
For a stunned moment, he quickly responded.
"It seems you've chosen wrongly. My second son is dull by nature and ignorant of worldly affairs, unlikely to meet your expectations. Please select another..."
"No. The one I've chosen is indeed the Sama Clan's second young master, Sama Jin."
Interrupting him, Hyeok Mulin reaffirmed firmly.
His eyes held unmistakable conviction.