Chapter 393

Chapter 393: Chapter 393 – So? Did Someone Force You to Become the Heavenly Demon?

Chapter Title: Propaganda (1)

“Amitabha.”

Observing Hyeon-am recite the holy name with an intense tone, the Shaolin Abbot alongside Grandmaster Gonghwan caught their breath in anticipation.

Yet, divergent from what they feared, Hyeon-am’s countenance remained entirely placid.

“It appears the hour is not yet ripe, meaning it cannot be helped. Abbot.”

“Yes, indeed. Senior Martial Uncle.”

As the Shaolin Abbot answered swiftly upon being addressed so suddenly, Hyeon-am continued.

“This elderly monk shall return to his secluded wall-facing meditation. Should intelligence arrive confirming that the Demonic Cultists have crossed into the Central Plains, you may call upon this elderly monk at that moment.”

“We shall follow your guidance.”

“Amitabha.”

Hyeon-am raised a single hand in a gesture of respect and intoned the chant, prompting both the Abbot and Grandmaster Gonghwan to match his stance and recite their own prayers.

“Amitabha.”

“Amitabha.”

Making no further delay, Hyeon-am turned around and retraced his steps into the cavern.

Subsequently, a handful of days passed.

Information reached Shaolin indicating that the forces of the Demonic Cult had launched an assault against Huashan and the Zhongnan Sect within the Shaanxi region.

• A return of this speed implies that the Demonic Cultists have truly launched their invasion into the Central Plains.

  In tandem with Hyeon-am’s astute observation tracking their approach, a dense, oppressive energy spilled forth from the depths of the cave.

  That frightening pressure evaporated in a flash. Hyeon-am stepped back out from the cavern.

  “Amitabha. I have often pondered why Shakyamuni had not yet claimed this aged frame, but it appears a singular obligation remains within the mortal realm.”

  This marked the specific day that this elderly monk, who had refrained from leaving Mount Song for greater than a century, made the firm choice to go down the mountain for the very first time.

A handful of days prior. Roughly around the period when the Tai Chi Sword Immortal paid his visit to Mount Song.

The scouts of the Beggar Union were likewise journeying across the Central Plains, making contact with the primary sects.

Shaolin located in Henan.

The Zhuge Family along with Wudang located in Hubei.

Huashan and Zhongnan located in Shaanxi.

Qingcheng, Emei, and the Tang Family located in Sichuan.

Jincang located in Yunnan.

The Jin Family and Hainan located in Guangdong.

The Hengshan Sect located in Hunan.

The Nangong Family located in Anhui.

The Huangbo Family located in Shandong.

The Peng Family and the Beggar Union located in Hebei.

The Moyong Family located in Liaoning.

The seventeen primary organizations recognized collectively as the Nine Great Sects and Seven Great Families.

Of these groups, Emei and the Tang Family within Sichuan had already endured the locking of their gates and total destruction. Shaolin escaped this fate owing to the timely intervention of the Tai Chi Sword Immortal.

Additionally, the scouts of the Beggar Union bypassed Huashan and Zhongnan within Shaanxi.

This omission was not because the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult and its partners intended to claim Shaanxi for themselves.

Rather, it was because, looking at their past conduct in Gansu, neither the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, the Beggar Union, nor Wudang entertained any desire to form an alliance with them.

Furthermore, the groups already bound by alliance included the Huangbo Family and the Beggar Union, alongside Wudang and the Zhuge Family. And lastly,

Appearing ragged from the outset, their clothes grew even more battered and dusty as they made their rounds to every single sect and family.

The reactions of these primary organizations toward the beggars who arrived to expose the royal court’s secret plots and oppression differed drastically.

Certain groups put on a polite facade while establishing a strict boundary, whereas others interacted with them with such hostility it seemed they intended to take their lives.

The most fiercely confrontational reactions emerged from the Hengshan Sect and the Nangong Family.

“Hmph. Did you truly believe we would be deceived by those wretched Demonic Cult degenerates?”

Elder Yang of the Hengshan Sect scoffed openly while berating the messengers.

“You possess the audacity to think this master would show leniency to the Demonic Cult filth responsible for slaughtering the warriors of the Nangong Family? Begone from here.”

Nangong Jin of the Nangong Family directed his formidable energy downward upon the beggars, acting as though he might rip them to pieces right then and there.

Even so, the Beggar Union did not fall into despair over this reception.

In fact, a few among them viewed it positively.

At the very least, Nangong and Hengshan could now be definitively classified as ‘adversaries’ without any lingering doubt.

The true dilemma lay with the remaining five groups.

Every one of those five had offered a variation of, “We shall deliberate upon this matter and deliver a response later.”

“We have no choice but to commit the outcome to providence.”

A beggar who had just departed from the Jin Family estates in Guangdong whispered under his breath as he set his course toward the north.

The hour had arrived for the beggars dispersed throughout the Central Plains to assemble for the conflict that was on the verge of breaking out.

…

Roughly around the same time the Beggar Union’s scouts were sprint-riding via lightness skills until the flesh of their bare feet split open, and the primary army of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult was making its advance into Shaanxi.

Il-mok was delivering directives to the father and son of the Baek Family.

“Moving forward, the Missionary Leader must recommence our spiritual dissemination efforts, focusing primarily on Gansu.”

Il-mok initially spoke to Baek Un-hak, the prominent figurehead.

“The followers residing in Gansu are now aware that we represent the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult rather than the Maitreya Illuminated Cult. Nonetheless, a portion of them will feel unsettled upon learning the reality. Employ sacred songs, theatrical performances, and core tenets to re-ignite their devotion.”

“Hahaha. There is no cause for anxiety. We have previously gathered full details regarding the Maitreya Illuminated Cult’s sacred songs and theatrical pieces. The Missionary Department has already reworked those melodies and scripts to align perfectly with our Divine Cult.”

Il-mok gave a nod of approval, showing his confidence, and added further details.

“What exactly do you intend by that?”

When Baek Un-hak inquired with an expression of confusion, Il-mok flashed a grin.

“Is it not an everyday occurrence for helpless peasants to face oppression from wicked unorthodox sects or untrustworthy local magistrates? Let us modify the narrative to show that the royal court was secretly supporting those unorthodox sects and untrustworthy local magistrates.”

Seeming to comprehend the angle, Baek Un-hak mirrored the smile.

“And conclude the theatrical performance with our Heavenly Demon Divine Cult delivering justice to those scoundrels and the royal court. Heh heh heh.”

“Precisely, Missionary Leader. It would yield even greater results to integrate certain historical misdeeds they actually carried out.”

The pair shared a cunning smirk, resembling true co-conspirators.

“There exist individuals within Gansu whose devotion remains unshaken even after discovering our identity as the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. Within that group are multiple ladies from entertainment house backgrounds who possess great talent in choreography and artistry. Pray ensure they are instructed in those specific melodies and movements.”

“Hahaha. Entrust that to me! Working alongside the newcomers from the Missionary Department, we shall ensure their melodies resonate from Gansu across the entirety of the Central Plains!”

“We place our reliance upon you, Missionary Leader!”

Having completed his explanation for Baek Un-hak first, Il-mok shifted his focus toward Baek Cheon.

“Young warrior Baek Cheon, the task assigned to you carries immense weight.”

“Hahaha. The greater the weight, the finer it is, Young Master!”

Il-mok offered an appreciative nod toward Baek Cheon, who beamed with anticipation.

“To begin, the moment my briefing concludes, journey back to Pyeongnyang County. We are required to resurrect the Hall of Arts.”

“Entrust it to my hands!”

As Baek Cheon bounded upward to depart for Pyeongnyang County, Il-mok quickly reached out to stop him.

“The briefing has not concluded! I am informed that you maintain a strong influence over the entertainers of Pyeongnyang County.”

“Hahaha. They gathered after catching wind of the Hall of Arts, meaning the credit belongs entirely to you, Young Master.”

“In that case, out of all the entertainers in Pyeongnyang County, what number possess talent in verse, fine writing, painting, and instrumentation?”

Baek Cheon hesitated for a moment to calculate before offering his reply.

“During my stay in Pyeongnyang County, there were no fewer than fifty individuals, though how many are present currently is something I can only verify upon my return.”

Il-mok gave a nod mixed with a hint of disappointment and explained.

“Illustrations and slogans? Ah, are these intended to elevate the spirits of our forces on the front lines through sketches and declarations?”

Il-mok shook his head in response to Baek Cheon’s inquiry.

“No, they are not meant for the front lines. These represent sketches and declarations meant to be dispersed across the entire world of martial artists.”

This was a strategy of ideological warfare that Il-mok dragged from the depths of his recollections of a former existence.

Utilized extensively throughout the Second World War and the Cold War period, it was a concept that anyone who had reached adulthood in contemporary Korea would recognize instantly.

Generally referred to as leaflets—tactical information broadsides and public postings.

“Dispersing them across the entirety of the Central Plains? Can such a thing be achieved?”

When Baek Un-hak, who was observing from the side, asked his question, Il-mok nodded with a somber expression.

This plan of distributing informational broadsides in an era lacking automated printing presses was grounded in practical logic.

“Naturally, relying on merely those fifty or so sketchers and wordsmiths, it cannot be done. Indeed, a significant number will back away out of terror because it lampoons the royal court. Yet, even if a mere ten individuals step forward, that will suffice.”

“In what manner can a mere ten people produce enough declarations to saturate the entire Central Plains?”

“The declarations they author and the sketches they produce serve merely as original master copies. Any person capable of reading characters can easily duplicate those declarations, can they not?”

Only at that moment catching the vision, Baek Un-hak let out an exclamation.

“The illustrations as well! Display the original master copies to any individual possessing even rudimentary drawing talent and instruct them to copy—that is the whole trick!”

“Precisely, Missionary Leader. Inventing exceptional original concepts is challenging, but duplicating existing models is quite simple.”

The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult would certainly have access to those gifted in sketching, and among the former entertainment house workers, multiple individuals well-versed in painting.

Il-mok’s certainty stemmed from the massive population density of the Central Plains.

‘The overwhelming numbers strategy of the massive armies—we shall not be the sole party forced to endure it.’

Granted, when compared against contemporary times, the infrastructure was rudimentary and the citizenry less numerous, yet it remained incredibly vast.

The singular hurdle was the expenditure for labor.

“For this reason, the Missionary Leader’s assignment is vital. Only when the followers’ devotion is set ablaze will they participate with greater enthusiasm to construct the broadsides, correct?”

For a religious organization, expenditures for labor did not present a massive barrier.

Bound together by spiritual devotion—that alone sufficed.

However, his perspective was not so naive.

Devotion endures for only a limited duration; forcing them to labor for months or years on end could trigger internal pushback.

‘In the end, economic realities are unyielding.’

Owing to the recollections of his former existence, unlike the people of this era, Il-mok understood this truth clearly.

“…To manufacture a sufficient volume of broadsides to cover the entire Central Plains, the count will be staggering. Are we truly capable of providing all of their compensation?”

“An excellent point, Young Master Il-mok. Even though the Deputy Missionary Leader manages the Cheonmyeong Merchant Group to generate income, allocating funds for military provisions and conflict materials will leave our reserves depleted.”

In response to the issues raised by Baek Cheon and Baek Un-hak, Il-mok flashed another smirk.

From the very beginning, Il-mok had no intention of leaning exclusively on religious devotion.

“There is an abundance of currency available. Stored right inside the vaults of the dishonest magistrates.”

“Under a royal court that cares for nothing save for retaining authority, how great a number of dishonest magistrates do you suppose exist? Furthermore, we intend to occupy Gansu, Shaanxi, and Hubei going forward. A portion of the funds confiscated from the magistrates across those three regions will be directed toward military provisions, while another portion will serve to compensate the peasants who assist our cause.”

It amounted to a straightforward philosophy of taking from the corrupt and giving back to the helpful.