Chapter 12
Cheon Ha-seong thought the Cult Leader had done the right thing. For someone in the position of Captain of the Honor Guard, being treated like this could be more damaging to their pride than hearing many words.
After the Captain of the Honor Guard left, the Cult Leader looked at Cheon Ha-seong.
“Head Instructor Cheon, if it weren't for you, I would not have known that those around me had betrayed me. No one ever told me such a thing. I, who stole the hearts of people to get to this position, had thought that at least my own people would not betray my trust.”
The Cult Leader spoke as if filled with regret.
Cheon Ha-seong also felt it was a shame. He had hoped that such a thing wouldn't happen, at least not in the Divine Cult, but it seemed to have been a vain hope.
It was all caused by greed. The Cult Leader's weakness must have come into someone's sight, and they must have thought his reign would not be eternal. It was possible they knew the Cult Leader had become weaker than before. The greed must have sprouted from the thought that now, perhaps they themselves, or the person they were backing, could seize that position.
“I thought they were all people I could surely trust.”
Even if that were clearly the case at first, the situation must have changed in the meantime.
Then the Cult Leader quietly opened his mouth.
“Head Instructor Cheon, is there anyone that you can trust and command?”
However, Cheon Ha-seong shook his head without a second thought.
“There is no one. You are not just looking for a good-natured person, but a trustworthy person among those with skill, and among those I know, there are no skilled people themselves.”
At that, Seo Hyo-eun made an expression as if she felt wronged.
“Head Instructor Cheon, what about me?”
“My words included you, Head Instructor Seo.”
Cheon Ha-seong spoke as if he had forgotten the Cult Leader was right next to them. Then he belatedly noticed the Cult Leader's gaze, but he didn't think he had said anything wrong.
The Cult Leader, realizing that this man was truly someone who said everything he had to say even in his presence, let out a hollow laugh.
“Still, Head Instructor Cheon, since you have been a Head Instructor at the Martial Arts Academy for a long time, you must have had many opportunities to see talented people.”
At those words, Cheon Ha-seong's eyes lit up. It was a point he hadn't thought much about until then, but it seemed a method might now be possible.
“If you're talking about people like that, there are many. Most of them were from common follower backgrounds. You cannot imagine how incredible the will of those from common follower backgrounds who challenge the Martial Arts Academy is.”
The Cult Leader did not refute his words either. In reality, it was bound to be so.
As the history of the Divine Cult grew longer, various factions had emerged within it. During several important wars, rewards were given to subordinates who performed distinguished services and to their families. And factions formed around them, and they had served as the pillars of the Divine Cult.
When there were difficult tasks, they each took charge and handled them, but as power was given to them, vices eventually emerged. It was perhaps only natural that those with power would become greedy, trying not to have it taken away.
“Head Instructor Cheon, if I were to entrust the Martial Arts Academy to you, could you do a good job? I am telling you to become the Principal of the Martial Arts Academy and rule it as you see fit.”
However, Cheon Ha-seong immediately shook his head.
“Right now, I believe the more important task is not to develop the Martial Arts Academy, but to discover martial artists that you, Cult Leader, can trust and command. If that is the case, I do not think I will have the capacity to lead the Martial Arts Academy as well. I wish to first complete the task you have given me.”
The Cult Leader had not thought Cheon Ha-seong would say such a thing. Even people who acted as if they had no greed couldn't hold back their emotion when actually offered a position. Until now, the Cult Leader had never once seen a person refuse a position.
“It is fine. I am saying this because I believe you can do it, Head Instructor Cheon.”
“Yes, Cult Leader. I know that as well. I believe I could do it. But I am saying I cannot because I have a more urgent task to do right now.”
The Cult Leader, at a loss for words, looked at his daughter. Seo Hyo-eun looked back at the Cult Leader with a smug expression.
It was a face that wanted to boastfully show off what kind of person she had brought. And yet, he thought that if one had brought Cheon Ha-seong, it was probably okay to make such an expression.
“I will now return to the Martial Arts Academy, Cult Leader. And I will prepare people whom you can trust and entrust with tasks.”
Cheon Ha-seong spoke to the Cult Leader, then looked at Seo Hyo-eun and nodded. Seo Hyo-eun wanted to see him off, but felt she shouldn't, so they just exchanged farewells with their eyes from where they stood.
When Cheon Ha-seong went outside, the number of people in the hallway had decreased significantly.
It meant that among those who didn't necessarily need to be there, there had been some who were there to grasp the Cult Leader's movements.
Cheon Ha-seong headed straight for the Martial Arts Academy.
The Principal, who had been having a dream-like time at a Cheon Ha-seong-less Martial Arts Academy for the first time in a while, suddenly felt sick to his stomach when he learned he had returned.
“Head Instructor Cheon, why are you back? Even after I told you not to worry about this place and just rest comfortably, coming only when there's something to do.”
“I am grateful for your consideration, but it wouldn't be right for me alone to do so.”
It wasn't that he was being considerate, but that he was begging him to do so, but Cheon Ha-seong, in any case, didn't understand the other's feelings.
‘No. Maybe he knows and is doing it on purpose.’
After finishing his report, Cheon Ha-seong returned to his post.
At that, the candidates who spotted him couldn't hide their happy expressions. It seemed that as time passed, they too had learned which Head Instructor was a trustworthy person.
“Head Instructor, may I ask you a few things? I know that the Martial Arts Academy is not a place that teaches martial arts, but if it is possible…”
When a candidate approached hesitantly and spoke carefully, Cheon Ha-seong immediately nodded his head.
“Do not be ashamed of seeking knowledge. Who can say anything about being greedy for knowledge? If it doesn't work out, the worst that can happen is you don't receive help, right? But if you get lucky and gain knowledge, that is a great reward. So next time you have such an opportunity, do not hesitate and just ask.”
“Thank you, Head Instructor.”
The candidate asked about something he had been struggling with, and Cheon Ha-seong listened with satisfaction.
It was because as he listened to the question, he knew how diligently the candidate usually trained and how deeply he had pondered.
“Some things are better explained with actions than with words. I think answering your question will be like that too.”
After speaking, Cheon Ha-seong lifted his sword, scabbard and all, and demonstrated a move. When Cheon Ha-seong attacked as if to spar with the candidate, the candidate was flustered by the unexpected event. Then, as the level of Cheon Ha-seong's attacks gradually increased, he had no choice but to do something.
From then on, Cheon Ha-seong relentlessly pushed him without going easy. By then, many other candidates had gathered around to watch the spectacle.
The candidates thought he had asked a question for nothing and was just getting beaten one-sidedly. However, Cheon Ha-seong was guiding the candidate who had asked the question in a set direction so that he could find the answer himself.
The candidate who was receiving his attacks had to take several hits, but in the process, he executed a move he normally couldn't.
It was a situation akin to someone who normally wouldn't even attempt to climb a high wall in front of him, but seeing someone chasing him from behind as if to kill him, had no choice but to at least try.
Cheon Ha-seong had merely created the situation, thinking that if the candidate just trusted himself and tried, he would be able to do it.
When he finally began to counterattack Cheon Ha-seong, a look of ecstasy appeared on the candidate's face.
Even if the others didn't know what it meant, the candidate who had asked the question realized that he had finally become able to do it.
Cheon Ha-seong, also knowing this fact, gave a nod.
“Head Instructor, thank you. Thank you so much!”
“No need for that. You've only just barely touched it with your fingertips. Keep working hard until you can grasp it firmly with your own hand. Something you have not mastered can never be called your own.”
“Yes, Head Instructor!”
Just as Cheon Ha-seong had said, the candidate immediately left the spot. From now on, he would recall the sensation he felt at his fingertips and do his best to make it his own.
“Head Instructor, may I perhaps ask a favor as well?”
Another candidate hurriedly approached.
When Cheon Ha-seong stared at him intently, the candidate, not knowing what it meant, hesitated.
“Do you intend to keep taking up my time?”
“No, sir. That's not it, but…”
“It seems you don't know what you want to ask. Opportunity doesn't come just anytime. You must always be prepared.”
In truth, that candidate had nothing he wanted to ask Cheon Ha-seong. He had only asked because it seemed the other candidate had learned something from Cheon Ha-seong, and he wondered if he could too.
Cheon Ha-seong, thinking there was no need for him to remain in that spot any longer, went to the place where the records of the candidates who had passed through the Martial Arts Academy were kept. And he compiled a list of those who clearly had talent but had not gotten an opportunity and failed to pass through the Martial Arts Academy.
‘I wonder what they're like now.’
In the places known as the prestigious Demonic Clans, they each intensively educated the people of their clans from a young age in order to grow their own power.
However, the common followers did not receive such benefits.
Therefore, one should not look down on them just because their level was far below that of those from the prestigious Demonic Clans when they came to the Martial Arts Academy.
Among those Cheon Ha-seong remembered, the ones who had passed the Martial Arts Academy were extremely rare. Among those from common follower backgrounds who had caught Cheon Ha-seong's attention, only about one in a hundred had passed the Martial Arts Academy.
Cheon Ha-seong decided to first look for them one by one and copied down all of their addresses.
The reason Cheon Ha-seong was so passionate about this task was not solely for the Cult Leader. In just a few days, he had learned that the positions of the Cult Leader and the Young Supreme One were not as absolute as he had thought. Therefore, the work he was doing now was more for the Young Supreme One than for the Cult Leader.
‘Because now, I have to take responsibility.’
A bit of warmth spread across Cheon Ha-seong's normally blunt face. If those who knew him had seen that sight, they would have been startled by the unfamiliar expression.
As he went outside, the candidates and Head Instructors were leaving the Martial Arts Academy.
After a little more time, everyone except those guarding the Martial Arts Academy would leave, and after that, it would be firmly locked from the outside.
If he didn't leave now, Cheon Ha-seong too would be trapped here, so he also hurried.
As Cheon Ha-seong was leaving, the candidates greeted him politely. There were those who exchanged glances among themselves, wanting to approach and talk to him, but Cheon Ha-seong gave them no opening and quickly moved away.