Chapter 470 : Founding the Nation (4)

A ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍few days later.

Grand ‍​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Marshal Dokgo Ryong and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Baek Un-hak led their people northward.

Since ‍​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍he had no particular interest in their procession, Il-mok was busy exchanging farewells with someone else.

"You ‍​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍already know this, Sixth Brother, but this trade mission carries a lot more weight than our old trading runs.”

"Considering ‍​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍the sheer number of masses we have to feed now, I promise to rake in as much cash as humanly possible, Grand Preceptor. Hahaha."

"Making ‍​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍a profit is important indeed, but gaining a clear picture of developments in the Western Regions is no less so, Sixth Brother."

"I will make sure to carefully observe the situation every time I travel to the West.”

Seeing Jong-ri Chu nod with such a serious expression, Il-mok reined in his nagging and offered a clasped-fist salute.

"Then, safe travels."

"Take care of yourself here, Grand Preceptor."

Jong-ri Chu returned the gesture and departed the capital with his retinue.

Il-mok stood for a moment as he watched their receding figures.

The Hong Dynasty was still in its infancy and it is currently navigating a highly volatile transition period. The men leaving today might very well be the ones holding the fate of the entire empire in their hands.

He could not help but worry, yet neither could he go in their stead.

"Guess I just have to trust them to handle it."

With a light click of his tongue, Il-mok at last turned and headed toward the Forbidden City.

There remained a mountain of work still to be done.

***

Two months or so had passed since the heavens over the Central Plains had changed.

Xi'an, in Shaanxi Province, had been selected as the new empire's capital.

Even though the official transfer of the capital had not yet taken place, the city radiated a vibrant and bustling atmosphere day after day.

And the greatest reason for this was the children.

“Through the dark of the night, through the pitch-black of night, we journey onward to the dawn!”

As the sun began to set in the late evening, children gathered in groups on street corners. They played and ran around as they sang the hymns.

"O’ Heavenly Demon, we shall thank you. For giving us light."

No one had made the children sing. They did it because the new academies springing up across Xi'an taught them to.

The academies followed the educational system that the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult had first established in Xinjiang, though the curriculum had recently undergone a subtle change.

Back in the day, the academies only covered the Thousand Character Classic, basic Divine Cult doctrines, and a bit of light gymnastics and playtime.

But now, they had officially added a brand-new subject.

Music Class.

The previous Heavenly Demon had been fascinated by them ever since Il-mok’s days when he was running the Maitreya Luminous Cult. It was just that Il-mok couldn't risk making it a core subject back then without blowing his cover. But now that all the façade has been torn down, there is no longer any reason to exclude it from the curriculum.

During the day, the kids studied the Thousand Character Classic in their academies and received instruction in basic-level doctrine, which basically taught them that stealing and hitting people would get them in huge trouble.

Afterwards, they sang together before pouring back into the streets to play tag or kick around the ancient version of a soccer ball until sunset.

As the adults listened to the kids’ voices, they couldn’t help but smile.

"Man, it is so much easier to get to work now that the academies are basically babysitting the kids.”

"Tell me about it. I used to force my oldest to watch the little ones every day, but can you really trust a twelve-year-old with that?"

For the kids, the academies would be places to meet friends. But for the parents, the appeal was the simple fact that the academies took care of their children while they worked.

And they did so for a staggering six hours a day since the classes lasted for nearly six hours. And the fact that the academies provided lunch for the children makes them more satisfied than they already are.

Even after the bell rang, the kids would clump together in the streets to sing, scribble characters in the dirt with sticks, or play the games they'd just learned.

Thanks to that, a bright and energetic vibe naturally infected the entirety of Xi'an.

With the massive burden of childcare lifted off their shoulders, the adults could finally focus entirely on making a living.

Meanwhile, over in another noisy district of Xi'an, a large-scale construction project was in full swing.

Laborers crowded the site from dawn to dusk. Some had once begged for scraps on these very streets. Others had been driven into poverty by the war. Now they sweated together beneath the scaffolding, raising the palace stone by stone.

"I've got peace~ like a river!"

"I've got peace~ like a river!"

They sang hymns as they worked.

Not because anyone had ordered them to, but because the songs had become a natural part of their lives.

The trend was started by the senior beggars.

They were the ones from Gansu, the men the Maitreya Luminous Cult had hired years ago.

By now, they had become some of its most devoted believers.

As they sang hymns to keep time with their work, the newer laborers gradually picked up the songs as well. Before long, even those who had only recently been recruited into the work were singing along without a second thought.

Soon, the hymns were everywhere.

Throughout Xi'an, young and old alike could be heard singing the praises of the Heavenly Demon. And as time passed, the hymns began to spread beyond Xi'an, reaching far beyond the city limits and even beyond that.

The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult didn’t even make any extra proselytizing efforts during this time.

The credit belonged instead to Hyeokryeon Cheon-gang.

After his victory over the Minister of Welfare, the Ministry of Education secured the largest share of the imperial budget and wasted no time putting it to use.

Starting from Xi'an, academies began appearing across every corner of Shaanxi.

"Now, repeat after me! Heaven is black and Earth is yellow!”

"Heaven is black, and Earth is yellow!”

Before long, the voices of children reciting the Thousand Character Classic and praising the Heavenly Demon began echoing from every village in Shaanxi.

Whether it counted as indoctrination, moral instruction, or simply a literacy lesson was anyone's guess.

The instructors certainly didn't seem interested in drawing a distinction.

"Whenever life weighs you down, bow to the heavens and offer this prayer. Everything will work itself out. Now, repeat after me. The Heavenly Demon Descends.”

And the children happily parroting those words without hesitation.

"The Heavenly Demon Descends!!"

"Ten Thousand Demons Obeys."

"Ten Thousand Demons Obeys~!"

The same chants also echoed across Gansu and Qinghai, territories that had long since become Heavenly Demon Cult country in all but name.

In particular, Gansu—alongside Xinjiang, which had been the Cult's original territory—served as the true cradle of the Cult's educational system.

Those who had received the Divine Cult's grace since the Maitreya Luminous Cult days scrambled to volunteer when word spread that instructors were being sought.

"We're still short of the numbers the Ministry of Education requested! Find more recruits, and get them trained!"

With the war over, Ouyang Mun had been rewarded for his service with the post of Left Commissioner of Gansu, placing all of Gansu under his authority.

Since taking office, he had scarcely stopped issuing orders to his subordinates.

"Stop just looking inside Lanzhou! Branch out and start recruiting teachers from the neighboring towns as well!"

Gone entirely was the bumbling appearance of the youth who had once followed Jin Hayeon around like a puppy.

But that was only the face he wore when directing his subordinates.

Whenever he finished work and headed home, a goofy grin always found its way onto his face.

And who could blame him? 

He got to come home to two adorable kids and his foxlike wife, Dam Bin.

"Hubby."

Her voice was as gentle as ever, yet there was a teasing allure in the way she greeted him.

At this rate, it wouldn't be surprising if they saw a third child in the near future.

***

Meanwhile, after establishing enough schools throughout Qinghai, Shaanxi, and Gansu, the Ministry of Education is finally ready to move on to the next phase of its plans.

While they prepared the land and began construction for the Elementary Demon Halls—the next tier of educational facilities—in those three provinces, they also slowly began laying the groundwork to open schools in Sichuan as well.

However, there was one minor issue holding them back.

Namely, the existence of the Qingcheng Sect, the old power of Sichuan.

To resolve this matter, Il-mok paid a personal visit to the Qingcheng Sect.

This was not simply a matter for the Ministry of Education alone. Since Qingcheng Sect is also a major contributor to the founding of the Hong Dynasty, he also came in his capacity as the Holy Emperor's envoy.

"It has been a long time, Sect Leader, Taoist Master Cheongmok."

When Il-mok cupped his fist in a respectful greeting to the Sect Leader and Taoist Master Cheongmok, the two men returned the gesture in kind.

"A pleasure to meet again like this."

"We have heard the news that you have become the Grand Preceptor of the new empire."

"Hahaha. It simply turned out that way."

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Il-mok took a sip of tea and opened his mouth with a grave expression.

"In truth, I have come here to convey several matters on behalf of His Majesty."

Sensing that the discussion was now turning to the main point, the Sect Leader and Taoist Master Cheongmok likewise looked at Il-mok with solemn expressions.

"First and foremost, His Majesty wishes to express his deepest gratitude to the Qingcheng Sect for your instrumental role in driving out the wicked Han Imperial Family and the Eastern Depot. Stating that mere words of thanks were not proper etiquette, he has promised to provide the Qingcheng Sect with steady financial support every year, even if the amount is modest."

"Hmm. Our Qingcheng did not punish those villains simply to receive monetary compensation," the Sect Leader replied sternly.

At the Sect Leader's reply, Il-mok smiled faintly.

"I am well aware of that. We have no intention of treating the Qingcheng Sect like mere mercenaries. But no matter how devoted you are to the Dao, it still takes money to take care of your discples. We offered this promise simply to assist you with that burden. Furthermore, while I feel apologetic asking this of the Qingcheng Sect, who have already returned to nature, there is one favor I would like to ask."

"What kind of favor?"

When the two old Daoists asked with puzzled expressions, Il-mok answered.

"We're preparing to usher in a new era. But as you know, the Central Plains are vast. Vast enough that the Divine Cult alone cannot keep watch over every corner of the realm. And if local officials decide to line their own pockets or abuse their authority, the Imperial Court may not discover it until it is far too late. Therefore, I'd like to entrust the Qingcheng Sect with overseeing Sichuan. Just within Sichuan Province, of course."

Though he framed it as a favor, it was in reality closer to conferring a reward for their war efforts. He was basically handing them the authority to act as the overlord of Sichuan's entire government.

Of course, he had no intention of handing over unchecked power.

"Therefore, should you discover evidence that the officials of Sichuan are plotting injustices or abusing the people, please send a letter to the Imperial Palace. If it bears the name of the Qingcheng Sect, it shall be given the highest priority and an investigation will be launched immediately."

On the surface, it sounded as if he was exclusively granting them the right to audit. But in reality, he was just turning them into an unofficial branch of the Dark Shadow Pavilion.

Just as the Qingcheng Sect was tasked with keeping an eye on the local officials, the officials were also given the right to report the sect.

The purpose was to have both sides watch each other, thereby keeping both in check.

This wasn’t limited to just Qingcheng.

The same system would eventually be extended to Mount Wudang in Hubei and the Hainan Sect in Guangdong.

"I'm leaving for Guangdong today, so I'll take my leave here."

With that, Il-mok wrapped up the meeting and departed the Qingcheng Sect for Hainan Island.

And a few days later, officials of the Hong Dynasty began establishing themselves in earnest throughout Sichuan.

Naturally, the Ministry of Education also began constructing academies across the province in earnest and gathering children.

Before long, word of the new schools reached the Qingcheng Sect as well.

"What should we do, Sect Leader?"

Taoist Master Cheongmok’s question drew a long silence from the Sect Leader.

He contemplated the question deeply before answering, "Hm... They're only teaching children. It's hard to object to that."

They were not even teaching the children the infamous Demonic Arts.

There were rumors that they also taught the doctrines of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. But from everything he'd heard, the lessons amounted to little more than telling children not to do bad things.

"He said that if the officials engage in misconduct, we should send a letter to the Imperial Palace."

Only now did the Sect Leader realize why Il-mok had gone to the trouble of visiting them in person.

It had been partly to show proper courtesy, but also to deliver a warning alongside the reward.

'He granted us the right to audit, but he never once said we could take it upon ourselves to punish them.'

It was a brilliant trap. Il-mok had given them a legitimate voice in the government, which meant they were now forced to play by the rules instead of acting like vigilantes.

Altough the realization came too late, the Sect Leader could do nothing as there was nothing he could complain about.

***

As the days passed, the Heavenly Demon Cult's teachings and hymns spread ever farther. What had begun in Xinjiang had already reached Qinghai, Gansu, Xi'an, and Sichuan, with still more regions embracing the faith.

As the doctrines and hymns of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult continued to spread into even more territories of the Central Plains, they were also slowly seeping into the lands beyond.

Like the Northern Steppes, for example.

Somewhere in the North.

Somewhere on those vast steppes, a young man stood surrounded by a circle of nomads while grinning from ear to ear.

"Hahaha! Well? What do you think? These are the glorious deeds of the First Heavenly Demon!"

Moments earlier, Baek Cheon had been acting out the legendary exploits of the First Heavenly Demon in a one-man performance. His impassioned cry drew looks of heartfelt admiration from the nomads.

Watching from behind them, Baek Un-hal and his sons couldn't have looked prouder.

"Father. Our Cheon's acting improves by the day."

"I already know the stories by heart, and yet watching them through Elder Brother's performance nearly shed tears in spite of myself, Father."

His Eldest and Youngest Sons’ praises only made Baek Un-hak even prouder.

On the other hand, there were those watching the spectacle with expressions of undisguised distaste.

"Would you look at those idiots, Grand—"

"You brat! How dare you call the Grand Marshal 'Grandfather'!"

Startled by his father's scolding, Dokgo Pae corrected himself.

"Grand Marshal, sir! Do look at the moronic antics of those imbeciles."

The earnest report from his adorable grandson sent Dokgo Ryong into peals of laughter.

"Ha! As if the Baek Family making fools of themselves is anything new."

Just then, someone came running urgently toward Dokgo Ryong.

"The scouts have returned! They've spotted another group of nomads to the northwest!"

No sooner had the report left his lips than Dokgo Ryong threw back his head and roared with laughter.

"Then let's go crack some skulls! Hahaha! My hands have been itching for a fight. Here's hoping these bastards can put up a decent one!"

Watching Dokgo Ryong bark out his orders, Baek Un-hak tore his gaze away from Baek Cheon and shook his head in dismay.

His Majesty specifically ordered us to try to civilize them first and drive off only those beyond reason...

"To think that the man responsible for the entirety of the empire's military spends every waking moment trying to brawl on the front lines... The world’s end is near, Father."

Baek Un-hak nodded in agreement with his Eldest Son's words, then let out a sigh and headed in Dokgo Ryong's direction.

"It's up to us to put a leash on that crazy old bastard, boys. May the Heavens give us strength."

In many ways, the Baek Family and the Dokgo Family truly were a match made in heaven.