Chapter 88: Oblivion (1)

The old man across from him firmly rejected the proposal.

"That's impossible."

"...May I ask why?"

At the distrust lacing that voice, the old man suppressed a sigh with effort and opened his mouth.

"We've already crossed a river of no return. We attempted to assassinate the Eighth Young Master, remember?"

"...Couldn't we just hide that fact?"

This time, the old man failed to contain his exasperation. He sighed heavily before replying.

"Hoo... As you say, the Eighth Young Master possesses an absurdly keen intellect. Do you think such a mind would be easily fooled? He might fall for it at first, but he's bound to notice inconsistencies as we work together. Can you honestly say you're sure he'll still be on our side then?"

"......."

“If anything, joining hands with him now would only increase the risk of being betrayed at the most critical moment. It's especially dangerous because the Eighth Young Master has a strong bond with the Eldest Young Master.”

With nothing left to rebut, the elderly man across the table pondered for a moment before carefully opening his mouth.

"...If we can't make him an ally, then the best course of action is to eliminate him quickly."

"Indeed."

"So, is it ready? Are you sure we will be able to dispose of him without leaving any trace of our involvement?"

A faint white gleam appeared from across the table.

It was the reflection of moonlight on teeth revealed by a cruel smile.

"Word has arrived. We'll disguise it as a series of unfortunate incidents. Just because he is absurdly talented doesn’t mean he is immune to accidents.”

***

A few days later, in the evening, a disciple of the Hall of the Demonic Way came to the Hall Master's quarters.

"Disciple Baek Cheon of the Demonic Way, here to see the Hall Master."

It was Baek Cheon, who had spent the last month or so carrying out the punishment given by the Hall Master.

Looking at Baek Cheon, whose eyes were now clear unlike during the martial competition, Yeom Ga-hwi stroked his beard.

"You seem to have gained some insight."

"It's all thanks to the Hall Master  and Disciple Il-mok."

Yeom Ga-hwi had a peculiar feeling.

'Thanks to Disciple Il-mok, he says.’

Unaware that Baek Cheon and Il-mok had spoken separately, Yeom Ga-hwi couldn’t understand why the Eighth Young Master’s name had suddenly come up.

Of course, a peculiar rumor had been circulating within the Hall of the Demonic Way recently: that Baek Cheon would occasionally burst into maniacal laughter or break into strange smirks while undergoing his punishment.

This led to whispers that Baek Cheon had gone mad from his harsh treatment.

But just as with Il-mok before, Yeom Ga-hwi was not a man swayed by rumors.

'I see. So that's how it is.'

He was a man who formed his judgments based solely on what he saw and felt. Thus, Yeom Ga-hwi assessed the situation from his own perspective.

'He truly has broadened his vision. To the extent of feeling gratitude even toward Disciple Il-mok who caused him to receive such punishment.'

Looking at Baek Cheon's clear eyes filled with conviction and certainty, Yeom Ga-hwi nodded.

'It seems Disciple Il-mok's suggestion to spare him was a good one.'

Yeom Ga-hwi came to believe that a righteous and excellent member of the Demonic Cult had been born. All thanks to the Eighth Young Master.

"I will lift your restriction."

"Thank you, Hall Master."

As Baek Cheon bowed his head again in gratitude, Yeom Ga-hwi rose and approached Baek Cheon to release his pressure points.

"Huu."

With the powerful force that suppresses his internal energy and dantian vanished, Baek Cheon closed his eyes and began to control the demonic energy that threatened to run wild.

He managed to gather all his demonic energy with little difficulty.

This too was thanks to the insight he had gained while serving his punishment.

When Baek Cheon opened his eyes, a radiant light shone from them, making them appear even clearer than before.

Watching Baek Cheon, Yeom Ga-hwi offered words that mixed warning and advice.

"I'm lifting the restriction now not because I believe you've reflected sufficiently and come to your senses. It's merely a temporary release for tomorrow's expedition."

Disciples in their second year at the Hall of the Demonic Way regularly embark on expeditions. They join one of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's various armed groups or organizations to directly observe and experience their operations firsthand.

And as nearly a month had passed since their return from the last expedition, they were scheduled to depart on a new expedition tomorrow for further practical training.

"If any untoward incidents occur during this expedition, be warned that you will face an even greater punishment then.”

"I shall keep that firmly in mind."

Hearing Baek Cheon's response, Yeom Ga-hwi nodded once and dismissed him.

“Then, go and prepare for tomorrow’s expedition.”

Baek Cheon paid his final respects and then turned to leave the Hall Master’s quarters.

But his destination was not the Black Tiger Pavilion.

Unlike his peers who had spent the past month reviewing what they had learned from the previous expedition, addressing their shortcomings, and preparing for the next one, he had merely repeated his punishment for a month.

Given his lack of preparation, he should be getting ready for the expedition right away.

But Baek Cheon thought there was something far more important to do.

And this important matter was something he couldn't accomplish alone.

The place Baek Cheon headed after leaving the Hall Master’s quarters was to seek someone's help.

"Young Master Il-mok!"

The place he sought was a modest vacant lot located in a secluded corner of the Hall of the Demonic Way.

Startled by Baek Cheon's sudden appearance, Jeong Hyeon let out his characteristic strange shriek, while Il-mok, who had been enjoying an afternoon nap, turned his head with a scrunched face.

"Haah. What is it?"

Despite Il-mok's obvious annoyed expression, Baek Cheon didn't mind.

“I came here because I have something urgent to ask you, Young Master.”

"Me? Is it related to the expedition?"

Il-mok asked this because he knew that Baek Cheon's class would be departing the next day, but Baek Cheon shook his head.

"It's something far more important than that."

"???"

"I've been pondering continuously about the advice you gave me."

Il-mok, who had been wearing a puzzled expression, finally let out a soft, "Ah."

He recalled the advice he had given to Baek Cheon the other time.

'Career counseling? But why me of all people?'

He had indeed given advice then, but he was still a year younger than Baek Cheon. At least physically, if not mentally.

No matter what advice he had given back then, Il-mok wondered if it was really necessary for Baek Cheon to seek him out again like this.

But, uncaring of Il-mok’s bothered expression, Baek Cheon continued to speak with sparkling eyes.

"What I truly enjoy. What I consider most valuable. After contemplating while receiving punishment from the Hall Master, I finally realized it."

"I, I see."

"What I truly desire is just one thing! And that is! Attention!"

"...."

"I enjoy attention more than anything else in the world! I've realized that the gaze of others looking at me is what keeps me alive and breathing!"

Seeing Baek Cheon's eyes shining with conviction, Il-mok was certain.

‘This guy’s nuts.’

Realizing this was someone he shouldn't associate with, Il-mok said, "Congratulations. You've found your true self, and that's all that matters, isn't it? Now please leave."

He wanted to end the conversation quickly, but that didn't work with Baek Cheon.

"Didn't you tell me to set a grand ambition? So, I've set my own ambition. To become the most famous man in the world. A man who receives everyone's attention!"

"...Crazy."

Baek Cheon, who had been preaching with shining eyes, tilted his head at Il-mok's mutter that slipped out unconsciously.

"What did you say?"

"Ahem. Uh, nothing. Anyway, since you've even set a great ambition, so that's that, right? Good luck."

Il-mok even clenched his fist in encouragement, hoping the man would just leave, but the madman had no intention of departing.

"However, there's a problem that I haven't been able to solve even after agonizing over it for more than half a month since setting my grand ambition, so I came to you, Young Master."

Seeing the madman continuing to speak only what he wanted to say, Il-mok sighed.

He wanted to beat him up and drive him away, but he couldn't.

Thanks to being tormented by that damn perverted instructor during the last test, he was in a precarious state himself

"Haa... What's the problem?"

"I've set my great ambition, but I haven't found a way to achieve it. The only method that comes to mind right now is to become the Heavenly Demon in the future and receive the reverence of everyone, but that's too far in the future."

Jeong Hyeon, who was listening from behind, was shocked by Baek Cheon's bold declaration to become the Heavenly Demon, but Il-mok remained indifferent.

It was a waste to care about whatever the madman was saying. Besides, it was Il-mok himself who had urged him to have a grand ambition.

"That's why I've come to find the Young Master. Somehow, I thought a wise person like you might know a good method."

"So, you want to know a way to become famous and receive a lot of attention from people?"

"That's right."

Averting his gaze slightly to avoid the expectant look from the clear-eyed madman, Il-mok thought.

'To think that the Baek Family's wild dog would become an attention seeker.'

He let out a hollow laugh at the unexpected turn of events.

'Hm? Wild dog?'

A thought occurred to him.

'Isn't an executioner also a profession that receives a lot of attention from people?'

Not in a good way, perhaps, but didn’t people flock to see the showmanship of performing sword dances and spitting alcohol before cutting off a criminal’s head?

‘Hmm. Still, recommending the job of an executioner to someone who was called a good-for-nothing… doesn’t seem right.’

While pondering what profession might be similar to an executioner, Il-mok soon exclaimed, "Ah!" and said, "Have you ever heard of Bian Lian or Beijing Opera?"

(TL Note: Bian Lian, a traditional Chinese performance where the performer rapidly changes masks, creating the illusion of a person with an ever-changing face.)

Bian Lian is a famous mask-changing performance from Sichuan Province. Beijing opera is named for its development in Beijing. Both involve performing in front of an audience, much like an executioner’s performance.

In other words, they were a type of stage actor.

'No matter how I think about it, there's no better profession for an attention seeker than an entertainer.'

Not all entertainers were necessarily attention seekers, but for an attention seeker, there could be no better job.

"...I've heard of them, but are you suggesting I try Beijing Opera or Bian Lian?"

"That's right. Didn't you say receiving attention is the most enjoyable thing in the world for you? Imagine yourself performing in front of people. Picture people admiring and becoming immersed in your performance."

As if Il-mok’s words had sent him into a reverie, Baek Cheon, his eyes glazed over, suddenly shivered violently.

The sight was so creepy that Il-mok almost involuntarily shuddered.

But Baek Cheon, emerging from his imagination, wore a surprisingly negative expression.

“But how can I, as a martial artist of the Divine Cult, do such a thing? Though the gazes of others don’t matter to me, isn’t it something that doesn’t contribute to the great work of our Divine Cult?”

"What are you saying? Didn't you already memorize all the history and doctrines of our Divine Cult? Then, couldn't you perform the great records of the past Heavenly Demons in front of an audience?"

"!!!"

"It means you could become the vanguard in spreading the achievements of our Heavenly Demon Divine Cult and the past Heavenly Demons."

"In addition to gaining countless attention and fame! This is indeed the most suitable work for me!"

Baek Cheon's clear eyes flashed with radiance, and as if the mere imagination brought him joy, he shook his entire body again while shouting.

"It seems I made the right decision to come to Young Master Il-mok! Thank you so much!"

Baek Cheon took a step towards Il-mok to express his gratitude, but Il-mok quickly backed away.

Il-mok’s gaze was fixed on Baek Cheon’s lower abdomen.

'...He didn't wet himself, did he?'

Because of the constant shivering, Il-mok’s mysophobia was screaming alarms.

“Ahem. No need for thanks, just be on your way.”

Because he felt like he was going to smell piss.