Chapter 874: Supreme Heavenly Demon.

“That….”

I start to speak, but my mouth keeps freezing up.

Tang Soyeol’s prior message felt like getting punched right in the gut.

How? How could he possibly know? No matter how bad my acting is, there’s no way I should have been found out like this.

I want to turn my gaze away to hide my trembling eyes, but it’s obvious that would make it even more apparent.

What should I do?

“…What… what are you talking about?”

“…”

Even with my barely managed denial, Tang Soyeol just stares at me calmly.

His indifferent gaze was actually terrifying.

What should I say? He doesn’t look like he’ll believe me even if I deny it, so what should I say now?

While I was agonizing over this endlessly.

“Daeju-nim!”

Someone calls out to me loudly from behind.

I quickly turned my head.

“Cheol Dae-won needs to move urgently…!”

“Ah, ah, right.”

At those words, I swallowed and turned my back.

I moved my feet as if something urgent had come up.

I wondered what would happen if he tried to stop me, but Tang Soyeol didn’t stop me.

“…First, let’s sort out the current situation. I understand it’s chaotic due to the attack. We’ve found the main base of the Gyecheon Gate.”

I blurt out the words I had prepared beforehand.

“…So, searching that place seems like the priority, but…”

I turned my gaze and surveyed the surroundings.

Not only was the place a mess in every direction, but although the Seongryong Unit reported no deaths, I saw a few injured people.

Observing that, I said to Tang Soyeol.

“…Let’s put the search aside for a moment. It would be better to move to sort out the situation first. You, the Bu Daeju, take charge of the work.”

“Understood.”

Despite my words, Tang Soyeol nodded without saying much. Honestly, that look was even scarier.

Why isn’t he asking anything? Did my denial perhaps work?

Just as a slight sense of relief started to rise thinking that.

-I won’t fall for it this time.

“…”

I had to swallow dryly at Tang Soyeol’s rather chilling voice.

This… it seems like… it’s not going to be easily overlooked.

---

I quickly tidied up the branch. We had to be wary of the Cheonma, who might reappear, so the speed wasn’t that fast.

Their expressions were the same. Everyone had crumpled faces, whether from exhaustion or shock, but ultimately, we managed to finish the cleanup.

The cleanup wasn’t much, really. It was just putting the culprits in jail and removing the bodies, as usual.

The traces of the demonic creatures had faded as if they were never there to begin with, so there was no need to handle them.

The problem was.

“Branch Manager.”

“…”

“Your expression isn’t great, is it?”

It was the new Branch Manager sitting before me.

His name was Seong Dogyeom. He was the man I personally appointed after killing Mok Ri-seon.

He seemed displeased with his sudden promotion, looking at me with an uncomfortable expression.

“…Seongryong Daeju.”

“Speak.”

“I don’t really understand why I have to become the Branch Manager.”

“Hmm?”

At Seong Dogyeom’s words, I tilted my head. Why he has to become one? Well, obviously.

“Because I told you to.”

“…”

“Why? Got a problem?”

“How could I not?”

“Oh?”

I openly admired his audacious remark.

“…I don’t think I’m qualified to be Branch Manager, nor do I believe this way of handling things is right for me.”

It was a firm and resolute statement. I chuckled at his words.

“Do you know that, Branch Manager Seong?”

“I am the Branch Manager….”

“Your words just made me even more certain.”

“…”

Seong Dogyeom’s brow furrowed.

To act like that right in front of me, the one who killed the previous Branch Manager. Is he fearless? No, that can’t be it.

‘He’s the kind of person whose personal beliefs are more important than emotions.’

That’s the kind of person he must be.

He was like that even in his past life.

‘The man who held out until the very last moment when Sichuan was occupied.’

If the end truly was Dokbi, then this Seong Dogyeom was the one who defended this branch.

Around the time the occupation began, there was no hope against the overwhelming onslaught of numbers.

Among the countless wars fought, the battle at Sichuan was the most overwhelming. The cause was the betrayal by that Mok Ri bastard, the Cheonma’s order, and my own unquestioning compliance with Cheon Yu-rang-a’s words.

At the time, other regions were also being raided simultaneously, so support from the main headquarters was impossible.

Shin-geom was under the command of Ma-geom-hu, making it impossible to move easily.

By the time I barely finished the battle and arrived at Sichuan, our scattered forces and the time elapsed meant we were far too late.

Moreover, Mok Ri-seon, who knew the terrain perfectly, had betrayed us.

It was literally a fight with no hope.

And even an idiot could see that, so the executives and members of the Sichuan branch were busy fleeing.

‘Can’t really blame them.’

Even if it was sordid and pathetic, I thought it was a choice any human might make.

But.

‘Why didn’t you run?’

Why didn’t this man in front of me, who doesn’t look like he has a good temper, run away?

Seong Dogyeom remained at the branch until the very end, defending his post, only to be killed by Muk-gwon.

Just a single warrior.

He wasn’t particularly strong, nor was his combat memorable, yet I remembered him.

-Hope? I don’t expect things like hope.

The man who gripped his sword even while being laughed at and scorned until the moment of his death.

-This was simply what I had to do.

I am the one who protects Sichuan and its people.

When I told him there was no one left to protect.

-That’s not true.

Seong Dogyeom pushed himself up, his left arm severed and his right eye missing.

-Someone must remain somewhere.

His tone lacked certainty. But.

-Rather than run away leaving behind that someone who might still be somewhere,

That person who might possibly exist. Seong Dogyeom valued that infinitesimally small chance more than his own life.

-It’s better to die right here.

“…”

“Seongryong Daeju?”

“…Ah, sorry. I got lost in thought.”

I snapped out of my reminiscence.

Seong Dogyeom, standing before me, came into view. His impression wasn’t much different from back then.

“As if you didn’t hear me the first time, I’ll say it again… I am not qualified for this seat. Nor do I desire it.”

“Why? You got promoted, isn’t that good?”

“Because I cannot yet confirm whether what Daeju-nim did was right or wrong.”

“Hmm.”

That was a very clear answer.

“So, until the answer is confirmed, you refuse to do the Branch Manager job?”

“It was already the case, but if Daeju-nim has committed a crime, then even more so.”

“You’re speaking strongly. What if I’m not a sinner? If you keep treating me like a sinner, I might just kill you like Mok Ri-seon.”

“Even so, it’s unacceptable to refrain from speaking what must be said.”

“Do you have like, two or three lives?”

“Though I only have one life, I will not bend my will for the sake of the branch.”

He really doesn’t back down an inch.

The problem is, if this were originally the case, I’d be annoyed and hit him, but instead, I couldn’t help but laugh.

It’s probably because he’s sincere. Because everything Seong Dogyeom shows me is genuine.

That’s why it’s more amusing than infuriating.

“That’s a fine statement.”

“…That is why I say it again… I….”

“Still, you have to do the Branch Manager job.”

“…”

I cut off Seong Dogyeom’s words.

“If we’re talking reasons, well, there are several. The biggest reason is just one.”

It was the reason I mentioned earlier.

“Because I told you to.”

“Seongryong Daeju…!”

“This is also the will of the main headquarters. Are you going to ignore even the main headquarters’ orders for the sake of your beliefs?”

“…”

“You don’t believe I’m a sinner. Fine.”

I feel like drinking some tea. There’s nothing to drink on the desk.

I was thirsty.

“Whether it’s right or wrong, you judge it as you see it. It won’t take long anyway.”

“That means….”

“There was clear evidence, and I acted in accordance with the sect’s will.”

Of course, the main headquarters didn’t approve of this, but it didn’t matter. Because that wasn’t the important thing.

“And it’s the same for your position. From my perspective, there’s no one better suited for this than you on this land.”

To be honest, I’d rather this guy went to the main headquarters, but…

‘He’d never do that, even if it meant death.’

Knowing this old man’s personality, he really wouldn’t listen if I told him to go to the main headquarters.

No, maybe it’s more beneficial to keep him here?

‘That place rotted away long ago.’

Perhaps it’s better to keep him here than force him over there.

Anyway.

“If you hate being Branch Manager right now, at least be the Acting Branch Manager. If you still hate it after doing that, I’ll hand it over to someone else.”

“…”

After going this far, there’s no way he can escape.

Besides.

‘Hand it over to someone else? Yeah, right.’

He’ll realize it once he tries. Ah, if this falls into someone else’s hands, it’ll be the end.

He’ll soon notice that they’re all filled with greed and desire, and then Seong Dogyeom will never be able to step down from the Branch Manager position.

“Just… why are you going this far for me?”

At this point, Seong Dogyeom seems intimidated, and I can feel him faltering.

He was a person who didn’t have much presence in the branch. Although his skills are outstanding, they aren’t enough to stand out in the prestigious Central Plains. Yet, he seemed unable to comprehend why I was holding onto him like this.

“Well…”

Since he’s so curious, I pondered it for a moment too.

Why Seong Dogyeom…?

Thinking, I recalled my words.

“The first reason is, I feel sorry.”

“Huh? Sorry for what….”

“The second is, being a strong person isn’t just about having outstanding skills.”

It’s one of the few things I’ve realized living this life. No matter how high a master is, the person themselves isn’t necessarily strong. Just because someone is one of the Three Vows doesn’t mean they’re an unshakeable iron man, and just because someone is third-rate doesn’t mean they’re all weaklings.

“So, you have to take charge here. This is an order.”

“…Daeju.”

“As I’ve said several times now, if what I’ve done becomes an issue, just watch.”

Screeeech.

I said, pulling my body away from the chair.

“There definitely won’t be any problems.”

To put it precisely, it also meant that I had worked day and night to make it that way.