The Demonic Cult Took the Wrong Disciple novel · Chapter 23 of 24
Chapter 23: Master and Lord
The Azure Cloud Sect sent the master's sash up the mountain on a lacquer tray.
Twelve juniors in blue carried it, and by the time they reached the Red Lantern Hall, Bi Soo-ryeon had fed all of them dumplings and the skinny boy had fallen in love with the cult's kitchen.
"They're very good dumplings," he told Si-hyeon gravely.
"I know."
"I'm going to defect."
"You're twelve years from a sect master's chair."
"I can wait."
Si-hyeon took the tray.
The sash was blue silk, heavy and plain, with the sect's cloud embroidered in white thread at one end.
It was Gye's old one, and they had washed it.
"The elders voted," Ha-neul said.
He stood at the foot of the throne with his hands behind his back, looking nervous and very young.
"It was unanimous. Eleven for, none against, and one who fell asleep."
"The fat one?"
"The fat one."
Si-hyeon turned the sash over in his hands.
He had wanted this seat for ten years.
He had wanted a word of praise from the old man who sat in it, and a chance, just once, to be asked.
Now it was in his hands, and all he could think of was a very tall man eating a persimmon on a wall.
"Give me an hour," he said.
He found Gwi-han on the north wall at sunset.
Gwi-han sat with one knee drawn up, a persimmon in his hand, and his hair loose in the wind.
He didn't turn when Si-hyeon came up the steps.
Si-hyeon sat beside him.
Down in the valley, the road to the keep was a thread of gold.
"They've offered me the sect," Si-hyeon said.
"I heard."
"Eleven to none."
"Good." Gwi-han's voice was quite even. "It's yours by right. They should have done it ten years ago."
"I haven't said yes."
Gwi-han turned his head.
Si-hyeon looked into his eyes, and for a moment he saw all of it laid bare: the fear, the stubborn pride, and the thing Gwi-han was not going to ask.
The rest of this chapter is part of the paid portion of the series. Chapters 1–6 of The Demonic Cult Took the Wrong Disciple are free to read — start from the beginning, then unlock the rest with coins in the app.
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