So? Did Someone Force You to Become the Heavenly Demon?

Chapter 5: Test Taker (2)

Holding someone accountable only works for those who possess a sense of responsibility. Or at least, it worked on those who “didn’t want to get fired” or “wanted to climb the corporate ladder.”

It’s utterly useless against someone already determined to quit or one who has long given up on promotion.

That’s just how the world works. The desperate ones always get dragged along. Even in university group projects, the one frantic about grades ends up shouldering the entire burden. Ironically, those who’ve already resigned themselves to poor marks often get a free ride.

Of course, the truly desperate one wasn’t her but me.

After all, my life was at stake. And to me, my life was the most precious thing in the world.

Jin Hayeon, on the other hand, was a zealot willing to throw her life away for the Heavenly Demon and his teachings.

Nevertheless, I could make this bold gamble for two main reasons.

First, as a zealot, she valued the Heavenly Demon’s reputation—and thus my acceptance into the Demonic Path Academy—more than her own survival.

Second, I am the Heavenly Demon’s disciple.

‘Sure, she threatened to kill me, but that also means she can’t touch me until I fail the Demonic Path Academy examination.’

Of course, this second reason was mere conjecture, not a certainty.

If wrong, she might torture me into complying with her demands.

The ominous thought sent a shiver down my spine, but I masked my fear.

No matter what, my life hung in the balance.

Entrusting my life to a lunatic? Unacceptable.

After a tense staring contest with Jin Hayeon,

“Sigh… We will proceed with training according to your schedule, Young Master.”

She finally yielded.

However, as a price, her gaze and tone seemed to grow even colder.

I spoke to her in a placating manner as if granting her a favor.

“Don’t worry. This won’t be the permanent schedule until the examination. I plan to make adjustments monthly. For example, if interview preparation is lacking, we’ll adjust physical training time, and if combat preparation is insufficient, we’ll adjust study time. If both are lacking, then we’ll reduce the time from other areas.”

I presented it as a negotiation, but it was my intention all along.

That’s how exam preparation works. Things never go exactly according to the initial plan. Some subjects inevitably progress faster than others.

Thus, adjustments are necessary.

Seemingly satisfied with my proposal, Jin Hayeon relented.

“Understood. Then, I would appreciate if you would modify the schedule through ‘consultation’ with me after each month.”

She particularly emphasized the word ‘consultation.’

* * *

Following the nerve-wracking negotiation with Jin Hayeon, I finally began my rest as instructed by my Master.

Resting while being served by a fanatic who threatened my life a year from now was a surreal experience.

My ‘body’ was comfortable, at least.

“I’ll prepare your meal.”

“Is it too hot?”

She attended to my every need, from preparing meals to even fanning me. However, being the recipient of such service was agonizing. I couldn’t shake the ominous feeling that she might be up to something.

“Before you retire for the night, would you like to bathe?”

“I would.”

“Then, I shall prepare a warm bath.”

With those words, she left and returned shortly.

“The bath is ready, Young Master.”

I followed her to the bathing area.

Steam rose from the warm bath.

‘Finally, some relief for my weary body.’

The constant tension had left my muscles stiff. Just as I was about to undress and hop into the water to relax my muscles, I noticed something strange.

“What are you doing standing there for?”

She was just standing there, staring blankly at me.

“I’m here to assist with your bath.”

“!!!”

Stunned by the unexpected turn of events, I half-mindedly followed her instructions.

“Please undress and enter the bath. I will apply the soap for you.”

Maintaining a shred of composure, I removed my outer garments, leaving only my undergarments, and stepped into the bath.

She then began to lather my body with soap carefully.

Starting with my arms, I felt the gentle touch of both the soap and her fingers against my skin.

Through her now-dampened clothes, hints of flesh occasionally showed through as she went about washing me.

It was a situation that should have sent blood rushing to certain areas, but it didn’t.

Gulp

I swallowed hard, but not from impure thoughts. It was from sheer terror.

After all, the assassin who had declared she would kill me in a year was now observing my bare body with detached eyes.

Each time she applied soap to my body, I imagined her saying:

‘A strike here would paralyze your arm.’

‘Stabbing here would kill you instantly, but I won’t grant you such a swift death.’

Though I knew she wouldn’t act before the Demonic Path Academy entrance exam…

‘Couldn’t she at least try to look less menacing?’

She continued applying soap while examining my body with the clinical detachment of a graduate student performing a dissection.

* * *

As planned, I went to bed at half past the Hour of the Pig (10:30 PM) and woke at the Hour of the Hare (5:00-7:00 AM). After light stretching and tidying my bed, I began my morning studies.

I hadn’t learned any martial arts yet, so there was no need for meditative breathing exercises.  After washing up, I ate the breakfast Jin Hayeon prepared and immediately started studying.

‘It might not be the most efficient, but it’s better than doing nothing.’

Just because one wakes up doesn’t mean their brain is fully alert. Typically, it takes 2-3 hours for the brain to become fully activated after waking.

That’s why examinees were advised to wake up around 7:00 AM, even if the exam was at 10:00 AM, to prepare and do some light review before the test, rather than sleeping in until 8:00 or 9:00 AM.

Thirty minutes of review wouldn’t magically improve years of study. The real purpose was to jolt the brain awake.

As I was lightly exercising to wake up my still-drowsy mind, Jin Hayeon brought a book and placed it on the desk.

“Then, I shall now begin teaching you about the doctrines of our Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.”

The time for my first religious study session had arrived. I almost gulped audibly.

‘Stay focused.’

There’s a saying that even in a tiger’s den, one can survive if they keep their wits with them.

But this place was the headquarters of a cult, no less.

Thinking of modern cults, one could understand just how dangerous it was to study religious doctrine in such a place.

One moment of carelessness or letting my guard down, and I might end up becoming exactly like the woman teaching me.

Perhaps due to the tension, my drowsy mind snapped to attention.

Mistaking my apprehension for attentiveness, she nodded and handed me the scripture.

“Haven’t you wondered, Young Master, why our cult specifically chose the name Heavenly Demon Divine Cult?”

“Indeed, the character for ‘Demon’ (魔) does evoke a sense of foreboding.”

“There’s a reason for that.”

I nodded.

What cult doesn’t have its reasons? The problem lies in their twisted logic.

Taking my nod as encouragement, she continued.

“All humans are inherently evil. Even the ancient Confucian scholar Xunzi said as much. And indeed, countless corrupt officials oppress innocent commoners. This is not someone’s fault but the natural order.”

Wow, they even bring up Xunzi?

“To protect the common people from such oppression, force is necessary. To save all sentient beings in the future, we need the power to destroy the existing order, and those who uphold that order will call this power ‘Demonic.’ Young Master, have you heard of Maitreya?”

“I have.”

“The Maitreya we speak of is none other than the Heavenly Demon of our cult. However, the Buddhist monks deceive the masses with their sophistry. How can mere sermons reform those born evil?”

Now she’s bringing in Buddhism and Maitreya as well?

‘As expected, a cult is still a cult.’

Even modern cults mostly spread their doctrines using the Christian Bible as their foundation.

They mostly interpret the scripture according to their whims, creating absurd rules to deceive their followers.

“That’s precisely why we need the Heavenly Demon. A demon bestowed by heaven. A being needed to dismantle the existing order and keep the inherent evil within humans in check. Indeed, the Heavenly Demon is a ‘Demon’ because he alone will bear the burden of the evil inherent in all of us.”

They even incorporated Christian doctrine? It sounded like a twisted version of Jesus dying for humanity’s sins.

I had to speak up before my mind completely melted down.

“So, the doctrine of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult is that the Heavenly Demon will overthrow the existing order and bring salvation to the masses?”

“You understand perfectly. Our Heavenly Demon Divine Cult originated from the belief that all humans are equal.”

Her previously emotionless face lit up with apparent joy at my quick comprehension.

But my instincts were screaming.

This wasn’t just a cult; it was a rebellious faction plotting treason.

Then, something clicked.

‘This is eerily similar to Donghak…’

It resembled the ideology of the Donghak Peasant Movement, also known as the Donghak Peasant Revolution.

Not that I’m suggesting Donghak was a cult.

But the similarities were striking: the emphasis on human equality, much like Donghak’s core tenet of “In-Nae-Cheon” (Humans are Heaven), and the founder Choe Je-u’s mission to save the ignorant masses.

Not to mention their shared goal of eliminating corrupt officials, albeit through violence rather than sermons.

“Then, has the Imperial Court branded the Heavenly Demon Church as heretical rebels for deceiving the public?”

“…How did you know about events from over two hundred years ago?”

“…”

Well, um, because I memorized Korean history while studying for the civil service exam?

But that wasn’t the point.

‘I suspected as much, but they’re already labeled as rebels.’

The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult wasn’t just a cult; it was a cult of rebels.

And I had become the disciple of their leader.

‘…If I plead that I was coerced at swordpoint, would I get a reduced sentence?’

Probably not.