Chapter 5: Test Taker (2)

Holding someone accountable only works on those who possess a sense of responsibility. Or at least, it worked on those who "didn't want to get fired" or "wanted to climb the corporate ladder.”

It's utterly useless against someone already determined to quit or one who has long given up on promotion.

That's just how the world works. The desperate ones always end up getting dragged along. Even in college group projects, the one frantic about grades ends up shouldering the entire burden. Ironically, those who've already resigned themselves to poor marks often get a free ride.

And let's be honest, in this situation, I'm the one who's desperate. Not her.

It's my neck on the line. And call me crazy, but I think my neck is pretty damn important.

Jin Hayeon, on the other hand, was a zealot willing to throw her life away for the Heavenly Demon and his teachings.

Nevertheless, I could make this bold gamble for two main reasons.

First, as a zealot, she valued the Heavenly Demon's reputation—and thus my acceptance into the Hall of the Demonic Way—more than her own survival.

Second, I am the Heavenly Demon's disciple.

'She can threaten to kill me all she wants, but that also means she can't touch me until I fail the Hall of the Demonic Way examination.'

Of course, this second reason was mere conjecture, not a certainty.

If I was wrong, there was a very real chance she'd just decide to torture me into studying.

The ominous thought sent a shiver down my spine, but I masked my fear.

No matter what, my life hung in the balance.

Entrusting my life to a lunatic? Unacceptable.

I managed to keep my poker face while we had a silent stare-down for a minute.

"Sigh... We will proceed with training according to your schedule, Young Master."

She finally yielded.

The downside was that now she seemed to look at me with even more ice in her eyes.

I spoke to her in a placating manner as if granting her a favor.

"Don't worry. This won't be the permanent schedule until the examination. I plan to make adjustments monthly. For example, if interview preparation is lacking, we'll adjust physical training time, and if combat preparation is insufficient, we'll adjust study time. If both are lacking, then we'll reduce the time from other areas."

I presented it as a compromise, but it was my intention all along.

That's how exam preparation works. Things never go exactly according to the initial plan. Some subjects inevitably progress faster than others.

Thus, adjustments are necessary.

Seemingly satisfied with my proposal, Jin Hayeon relented.

"Understood. Then, I would appreciate it if you would modify the schedule through 'consultation' with me after each month."

She particularly emphasized the word 'consultation.'

* * *

Following the nerve-wracking negotiation with Jin Hayeon, I finally began my rest as instructed by my Master.

Resting while being served by a fanatic who threatened my life a year from now was a surreal experience.

But my 'body' was comfortable, at least.

“I will prepare your meal.”

“Is the heat bothering you?”

From preparing meals to even fanning me, she attended to my every need. However, being the recipient of such service was agonizing. I couldn't shake the ominous feeling that she might be up to something.

"Before you retire for the night, would you like to bathe?"

"I would."

"Then, I shall prepare a warm bath."

With those words, she left and returned shortly.

"The bath is ready, Young Master."

I followed her to the bathing area.

Steam rose from the warm bath.

'Finally, some relief for my weary body.'

I'd been so tense all day my muscles were one giant knot. I figured a hot bath would help, but as I started to get undressed, I noticed something weird.

"What are you doing standing there for?"

She was just standing there, staring blankly at me.

"I'm here to assist with your bath."

"!!!"

Stunned by the unexpected turn of events, I half-mindedly followed her instructions.

"Please undress and enter the bath. I will apply the soap for you."

Maintaining a shred of composure, I removed my outer garments, leaving only my undergarments, and stepped into the bath.

She then began to carefully lather my body with soap.

Starting with my arms, I felt the gentle touch of both the soap and her fingers against my skin.

Through her now-dampened clothes, hints of flesh occasionally showed through as she went about washing me.

It was a situation that should have sent blood rushing to certain areas, but it didn't.

Gulp

I swallowed hard, but not from impure thoughts. It was from sheer terror.

After all, the assassin who had declared she would kill me in a year was now observing my bare body with detached eyes.

Each time she applied soap to my body, I imagined her saying:

'A strike here would paralyze your arm.'

'Stabbing here would kill you instantly, but I won't grant you such a swift death.'

Though I knew she wouldn't act before I fail the Hall of the Demonic Way entrance exam...

‘Could you at least try not to look like you're dissecting a frog?’

She continued applying soap while examining my body with the clinical detachment of a graduate student performing a dissection.

* * *

As planned, I went to bed at half past the Hour of the Pig (10:30 PM) and woke at the Hour of the Hare (5:00-7:00 AM). After light stretching and tidying my bed, I began my morning studies.

I hadn't learned any martial arts yet, so there was no need for meditative breathing exercises. After washing up, I ate the breakfast Jin Hayeon prepared and immediately started studying.

'It might not be the most efficient, but it's better than doing nothing.'

Just because one wakes up doesn't mean their brain is fully alert. Typically, it takes 2-3 hours after waking for the brain to become fully activated.

That's why examinees were advised to wake up around 7:00 AM, even if the exam was at 10:00 AM, to prepare and do some light review before the test, rather than sleeping in until 8:00 or 9:00 AM.

Thirty minutes of review wouldn't magically improve years of study. The real purpose was to jolt the brain awake.

As I was lightly exercising to wake up my still-drowsy mind, Jin Hayeon brought a book and placed it on the desk.

"Then, I shall now begin teaching you about the doctrines of our Heavenly Demon Divine Cult."

The time for my first religious study session had arrived. I almost gulped audibly.

'Stay focused.'

There's a saying that even in a tiger's den, one can survive if they keep their wits with them.

But this place was the headquarters of a cult, no less.

And if you know anything about modern cults, you know that "study sessions" are where the brainwashing happens.

One moment of carelessness, and I might end up becoming exactly like the woman teaching me.

Perhaps due to the tension, my drowsy mind snapped to attention.

Mistaking my apprehension for attentiveness, she nodded and handed me the scripture.

"Haven't you wondered, Young Master, why we call ourselves the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult?”

“Indeed, the inclusion of the character ma (Demon, 魔) does give it an ominous feel.”

"There's a reason for that."

I nodded.

What cult doesn't have its reasons? The problem lies in their twisted logic and sophistry.

Taking my nod as encouragement, she continued.

"All humans are inherently evil. Even the ancient Confucian scholar Xunzi said as much. And indeed, countless corrupt officials oppress innocent commoners. This is not someone's fault but the natural order."

Oh, for heaven’s sake. They’re even bringing up Xunzi?

"To protect the common people from such oppression, force is necessary. To save all sentient beings in the future, we need the power to destroy the existing order, and those who uphold that order will call this power 'Demonic.' Young Master, have you heard of Maitreya?"

"I have."

"The Maitreya we speak of is none other than the Heavenly Demon of our cult. However, the Buddhist monks deceive the masses with their sophistry. How can mere sermons reform those born evil?"

Now she's bringing in Buddhism and Maitreya as well?

'As expected, a cult is still a cult.'

Even modern cults mostly spread their doctrines using the Christian Bible as their foundation.

They mostly interpret the scripture according to their whims, creating absurd rules to deceive their followers.

“And that’s why the world needs the Heavenly Demon. He’s a Demon sent by Heaven itself to tear down the old system and keep the evil inside all of us in check. Indeed, the Heavenly Demon is a 'Demon' because he alone will bear the burden of the evil inherent in all of us."

They even incorporated Christian doctrine? It sounded like a twisted version of Jesus dying for humanity's sins.

I felt like my brain was going to melt if she kept talking, so I quickly cut in.

"So, the doctrine of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult is that the Heavenly Demon will overthrow the existing order and bring salvation to the masses?"

"You understand perfectly. Our Heavenly Demon Divine Cult originated from the belief that all humans are equal."

Her previously emotionless face lit up with apparent joy at my quick comprehension.

But my instincts were screaming.

This wasn't just a cult; it was a rebellious faction plotting treason.

Then, something clicked.

'This is eerily similar to Donghak...'

It resembled the ideology of the Donghak Peasant Movement, also known as the Donghak Peasant Revolution.

Not that I'm suggesting Donghak was a cult.

But the similarities were striking: the emphasis on human equality, much like Donghak's core tenet of "In-Nae-Cheon" (Humans are Heaven), and the founder Choe Je-u's mission to save the ignorant masses.

Not to mention their shared goal of eliminating corrupt officials, albeit through violence rather than sermons.

"By any chance, has the Imperial Court branded the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult as heretical rebels for deceiving the public?"

"...How did you know about events from over two hundred years ago?"

"..."

Uhh… because I had to memorize the entirety of Korean history to pass a government exam?

But that wasn't the main point right now.

‘I had my suspicions, but they were really branded as rebels.’

The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult wasn't just a cult; it was a cult of rebels.

And I had become the disciple of their leader.

'...If I plead that I was coerced at swordpoint, would I get a reduced sentence?'

Probably not.