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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: The Great Strategist's Resignation
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Great Military Strategist Sima Geuk.
He was the man who had effectively ruled the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult as regent over the past thirty years, ever since the previous Heavenly Demon vanished without a trace and the Cult Leader position remained vacant.
Though his martial prowess wasn't among the top echelons of the Cult, his intellect, wisdom, and cunning were unparalleled in the world, incomparable to anyone else.
If he had a rival, it might be the distant Jeon Valley Clan of the Central Plains. In any case, there was currently no one in the Cult who could match him.
Hyeok Mulin lifted his chin toward this very Sima Geuk, smirking lazily with half-lidded eyes.
"Go ahead and speak."
Sima 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 here in the Cult and return to my clan. I humbly request your permission."
Having had his multiple letters of resignation rejected, Sima Geuk was now personally voicing his intent to resign right before Hyeok Mulin's eyes.
Yet the response remained the same.
"Impossible. I cannot allow it."
"...!"
Even after facing him directly and making his plea, Sima Geuk faltered momentarily upon the firm refusal before speaking again.
"May I ask the reason?"
"Who in the Cult could possibly replace you as Great Military Strategist? You're the only one suited for such a vital role, so I cannot permit it."
"That's not true. Even Deputy Military Strategist Mo Seol possesses wisdom equal to mine and could fully handle the duties."
"Even if we brought in a hundred deputy strategists, I wouldn't trade them for you. Don't say such things. You seem to severely underestimate your own abilities."
Sima Geuk tried to slip away by praising the deputy strategist, but Hyeok Mulin brushed it off lightly, elevating the Great Military Strategist in the process—implying he was worth far more than a mere hundred men.
Undeterred, Sima Geuk pressed on.
"Lately, the workload has increased so much that I can't get any sleep at night. If I could just return to my clan for a short rest and restore proper sleep..."
"Why didn't you mention that sooner? I'll immediately approve additional personnel for the Demon Scripture Pavilion."
"Recently, my body has grown weary, and I've been experiencing intermittent tremors in my limbs. It seems I'll need at least a year of extended recuperation..."
"Is that true? Then I'll open the Heavenly Demon Secret Vault right away and provide you with spirit elixirs proven to aid recovery!"
No matter how wise and eloquent Sima Geuk was, in this situation where he sought to resign, the final authority rested with Hyeok Mulin.
With Hyeok Mulin holding the upper hand, countering his words wasn't difficult at all.
'His expression is souring bit by bit.'
Hyeok Mulin watched Sima Geuk's face gradually flush red through his half-lidded eyes.
Even during the inauguration ceremony, he had kept a stony expression throughout, clearly disapproving of Hyeok Mulin from the start.
But Hyeok Mulin didn't particularly dislike him for it.
He hadn't received proper treatment as Cult Leader, but the emotions Sima Geuk harbored 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 sky-high.
Yet here he was, a young Heavenly Demon thrust into the role through a political marriage. It was understandable to feel disappointed.
'But even so, I can't let him resign.'
The position of Great Military Strategist was like a pillar of the Cult.
Sima Geuk's influence, built over decades in that role, could not be ignored.
In his previous life, pressure and interference from the Seven Great Demon Clans had surged after Sima Geuk retired and returned to his clan.
In truth, his departure marked the starting point where Hyeok Mulin lost power and became a puppet.
'And his resignation request came much sooner this time.'
He had received the first letter of resignation a month or two earlier than in his previous life.
It was undoubtedly a result of his divorce announcement.
'The future is already changing.'
The information he knew from before might shift.
But Hyeok Mulin felt only delight at the prospect.
Didn't that mean his actions could alter the course ahead?
It was proof that his path since returning to the past had been the right one.
"...Hah."
A clash of spear and shield.
Facing an impenetrable shield, Sima Geuk let out a deep sigh.
Now he understood.
No matter what excuse he offered, the Cult Leader had no intention of letting him go.
Resigning without permission was impossible, leaving him no choice but to stay from the beginning.
Clenching his eyes shut, Sima Geuk soon made one final, earnest plea in a voice laced with resignation.
"Then, as a last request..."
"Speak."
"Please withdraw the divorce you declared."
He couldn't escape resignation being blocked, so 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, leaving your Hyeok Clan unable to stand tall and pushed aside by other families' prestige. We might even be expelled from the Seven Great Demon Clans."
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 unleash.
Moreover, having ascended politically rather than through merit, the weight of "divorce" carried even greater gravity for him.
Glancing briefly at Hyeok Mulin, Sima Geuk continued his speech.
"That's not all. In time, with your allies gone, your freedom of movement will shrink until you're isolated. This can hardly be a positive outcome for the Cult or your clan."
This explanation should suffice for understanding.
Sima Geuk met his gaze.
Yet Hyeok Mulin merely stared back in silence.
As silence stretched and Sima Geuk moved to speak again...
"Have you said all you wanted?"
Hyeok Mulin spoke first.
"Yes."
As Sima Geuk nodded, Hyeok Mulin replied in an indifferent tone.
"I already know that."
"...What do you mean?"
"All the concerns you're voicing. I foresaw every crisis the Cult will face ahead."
Sima Geuk's voice rose sharply at those words.
"If you knew, then withdraw the divorce now...!"
"But I can't."
"...!"
Sima Geuk's eyes wavered for a moment.
With hands clasped behind his back, Hyeok Mulin began walking slowly.
"You can't understand it."
"That's correct."
"Didn't you just say it yourself? If I divorce, both the Cult and my clan will fall into chaos."
"Yes. It's not mere speculation—it's a certainty I stake my life and honor on."
"But you, more than anyone, know that withdrawing the divorce won't normalize things."
Sima Geuk clamped his mouth shut at Hyeok Mulin's blunt truth.
He was right.
With a political Heavenly Demon in place, the Cult becoming a bloodbath at the hands of blind wolves was only a matter of time.
The Hyeok Clan, half-subservient to the Cheon Clan, would slowly erode and collapse.
'He already knew.'
Yet lingering doubts remained.
"Even so, pushing the divorce will hasten that timeline dramatically. They might forcibly seize your position within a month."
"But won't that give me a chance?"
Stopping his steps, Hyeok Mulin turned to look at Sima Geuk.
"The last chance to set everything right."
"...!"
"You said just now that both the Cult and my clan would crumble."
Shaking his head faintly, Hyeok Mulin clenched his fist tightly.
"That statement is wrong. I will make both the Cult and my clan flourish with these very hands."
Sima Geuk's eyes sharpened at Hyeok Mulin's declaration.
'I thought he was just some ordinary man.'
Sima Geuk was impressed by the insight and resolve Hyeok Mulin had revealed in their exchange.
But precisely because of that, regret pierced his heart.
'What a pity.'
Hyeok Mulin was of the Hyeok Clan lineage.
From a clan that had lost its patriarch in the Upright-Righteous Great War and forgotten its signature martial arts, his skills were undoubtedly inferior compared to other Seven Great Demon Clans.
Even delving into the Heavenly Demon Secret Vault to train would take decades just to comprehend.
By then, his position in the Cult would be long gone.
As Sima Geuk sighed inwardly in pity, Hyeok Mulin spoke.
"Very well. I permit your resignation."
"Is that truly so?"
"In exchange, summon one of your heirs to the Cult. The Great Military Strategist position has always been one the Sima Clan earmarks, hasn't it?"
"Then I won't resign."
Sima Geuk firmly rejected the proposal.
The Cult would soon become a battlefield without swords drawn—clear as day. What father would send his child into that inferno?
Better for him to bear the burden than let his inexperienced sons take it on.
"Hmm."
Rubbing his chin thoughtfully, Hyeok Mulin spoke.
"Then, a fortnight."
"...Pardon?"
"I'll lend you exactly a fortnight. Use that time to return to your clan and recuperate. After that, you and your heir will both be free to go."
As Sima Geuk eyed him suspiciously, Hyeok Mulin said casually.
"As you know, I have a mountain of backlog, desperately short on hands right now. Sima Clan blood has already proven its capabilities. I'll borrow yours for a fortnight to clear it."
Sima 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 hurdles.
'A fortnight.'
He promised freedom for both him and his child after just a fortnight.
There was no reason to refuse.
"Understood. I shall obey, Cult Leader."
"An excellent decision."
"Then, which of my sons shall I summon to the Cult?"
Posing the question, Sima Geuk thought of his boys.
'Likely the eldest.'
He was closest to succeeding as the next clan patriarch, praised for his upright growth and support from the elders.
Considering future ties with the Sima Clan, the chances of selecting him to build rapport were highest.
'If it's purely for handling affairs, maybe the third.'
The third shared similarities with him—swift, concise processing with exceptional administrative skills.
'The fourth is clever but too young.'
Bright-eyed with a knack for ledgers and numbers, the fourth was a promising talent in the clan, but at under ten years old, unsuited for duties yet.
'So, the eldest or third, probably.'
Speculating on the chosen son, Sima Geuk watched Hyeok Mulin's mouth.
And soon, it slowly curved into a smile.
"The one I've chosen is..."
But the name that emerged was one Sima Geuk hadn't even remotely anticipated.
"The second son."
"...!"
"Send the second son."
Sima Geuk's eyes widened as if they might tear, freezing in place.
Shaking off the shock momentarily, he quickly responded.
"I believe you've chosen wrongly. My second son is dull by nature and ignorant of worldly affairs; he won't meet your expectations. Please select another..."
"No. The one I've chosen is indeed Sima Clan's second young master, Sima Jin."
Interrupting, Hyeok Mulin reaffirmed firmly.
His eyes held unmistakable conviction.