The Introverted Heavenly Demon - Chapter 79

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Introverted Heavenly Demon Episode 079
The Leadership of Listening
‘Tsk. I thought they’d be moved if I showed inclusive leadership.’
Then again, what would these fools know about what makes a good leader?
It’s a world where the very concept of leadership doesn’t exist.
As I waited for someone to speak, Gong Son Hui quietly raised his hand.
I quickly pointed to him.
But then.
“Minor Sect Leader, if I may be so bold, might I ask a question?”
“A question?”
Finally, someone was going to speak, and he asks a question?
What could there possibly be to ask about?
“W-what should we say, Minor Sect Leader?”
What should they talk about?
Being asked this directly caught me somewhat off guard.
Let me recall what I read in that book.
‘For just today, instead of speaking your own thoughts, try listening quietly to what your subordinates have to say. Your employees are constantly holding back things they wish to tell their superiors. So if you simply open your ears, they will naturally speak. There is no need to force anything.’
That was roughly the gist of it, I believe.
“I will not force anything. Share what you’ve been holding back in your hearts. I will simply listen to what you have to say.”
A truly inclusive leader, the ideal superior!
“….”
Yet they remained silent like dummies with honey in their mouths, their eyes darting about nervously.
“Ugh, this is frustrating. Do you have nothing to say to me?”
My impatient prodding made them flinch in surprise.
When still no one spoke, I fixed my gaze firmly on Gong Son Hui, who had asked the question.
“Then, I shall speak, if I may.”
“Yes, good thinking. Go ahead.”
Gong Son Hui hesitated for a moment, then finally opened his mouth with a faltering voice.
“F-from what I can see, Minor Sect Leader, you possess the bearing of a martial artist and exceptional strategy, and in commanding us with such lofty aspirations to revitalize the Sun and Moon Divine Sect and realize the ideals of the Demonic Path across Tianxia, you proceed without selfish intent, clearly distinguishing right from wrong, and dedicate yourself to both public and private matters….”
“Enough, enough!”
This is absurd.
I asked him to share what’s in his heart, and instead he’s reciting some insincere eulogy?
“That’s enough. Now you speak.”
This time I pointed to Im Yun Gyeom of the Im Clan and gave him the floor.
“Not about me—talk about yourselves. Do you understand?”
“Yes, sir!”
Maeng Yun Gyeom’s forehead was beaded with sweat as he licked his lips several times before beginning.
“I-I would like to share my impressions after completing one week of training as a trainee.”
“Ah, yes. Go ahead and speak.”
Perhaps they’re finally beginning to understand?
Now, will something worth listening to finally come up?
“Under the Minor Sect Leader’s command, I received the training that Instructor Young Ho Bin provided with gratitude, and I felt my body and mind being refined. At first it was difficult, but I soon realized that the Minor Sect Leader’s educational philosophy was woven into every carefully designed training module. As I completed each assigned task one by one, it became a meaningful opportunity to understand the teachings of the Sun and Moon Divine Sect and the Sect Leader’s noble virtue. I bow my head in gratitude for such profound instruction from the Minor Sect Leader….”
“Ugh.”
Bang!
Frustrated, I cut off the speech and tapped the desk lightly.
How could they not understand my heart?
“Do you think I’m sitting here to listen to such hollow flattery?”
“Ah, I-I’m sorry.”
At that, the disciples straightened their backs and took sharp breaths.
Could it be that I’m being too intimidating, preventing them from speaking?
“Haven’t I arranged this place where no one interferes, where only you and I can gather? I’m telling you to speak freely about yourselves without reservation, something you couldn’t do normally. Is this request really so difficult?”
This time, I spoke in a softer tone and expression, coaxing them.
Yet still, the disciples remained silent.
Frustrated, I looked at them one by one in turn, and each one who met my gaze flinched and shrugged their shoulders.
Then….
“Sob, sob.”
Oh my.
Kang So Young, who had been sitting in the corner, suddenly began to shed tears.
Seeing one of the fellow trainees crying, the rest of them squeezed their eyes shut or hunched their shoulders, looking even more intimidated.
Why are they really like this?
“Minor Sect Leader, I will speak.”
Kang So Young wiped her tears away with her palm.
Her expression was resolute, but her voice was choked, trembling with each word she spoke.
“Our Kang Family’s manor estate is located behind the market on Jingyan Road in Sichuan Province. The Family Head and direct family members number ten in total.”
Is this about family?
Thinking that finally something substantial was coming, I gestured for her to continue.
“We have forty-three servants in total, of which thirty are martial artists. The direct family members practice martial arts based on the Diamond Returning Body Fist, and they also handle some techniques involving the Whipping Blade and Iron Palm. The Family Head is at the peak realm, and among the martial artists, five are at the early first-rate level using sword energy, while the rest have barely mastered basic internal energy.”
Hmm… but the content is starting to feel strange….
“Our family has been disguised as a merchant guild unrelated to the martial world. However, however….”
“However?”
“The Kang Family Head… while trading salt and tea… secretly diverts one-tenth of the tribute that should be sent to the Sect Headquarters and accumulates it in an account at the Seowoo Bank.”
Ah.
Listening quietly, I realized that Kang So Young was revealing secrets about the Kang Family that I hadn’t even asked about—secrets that could become the family’s weakness.
“Kang So Young.”
“Yes?”
Who told you to say such things?
I was about to ask, but then I thought….
There’s nothing wrong with hearing such information, is there?
“Now you finally understand what I meant.”
“…Thank you.”
It was far more than acceptable.
With the Five Great Elders and a full-scale power struggle looming ahead, understanding their weaknesses was precisely what I needed most right now.
“Continue.”
“There exists a ledger containing detailed records of this matter. If the Minor Sect Leader secures it, you will have complete leverage over our Family Head.”
“…And?”
“If you grant me just one month, I will go to the Kang Estate and steal this ledger to present it to the Minor Sect Leader!”
“Hmm.”
Unexpectedly, such premium intelligence was falling into my lap.
Perhaps this was what they meant by good deeds bearing fruit even in sleep?
“So please, I beg you, spare my life, Minor Sect Leader! *sob*”
“Kang. Stop your weeping. *sniff*”
“….”
The situation was developing unexpectedly.
But I could grasp what was unfolding through my strength in situational assessment.
These fools had interpreted my words—”tell me about yourselves”—as a coercive demand to expose their family’s weaknesses!
Fresh from five days of hellish training, their terror of me was at its peak. Isolated from outsiders in this quiet place, they had no choice but to interpret my words this way.
‘Could it be… that I’m naturally gifted? A genius at villainy?’
Without relying on Cheon Ma’s assistance, without lifting a finger, extracting the weaknesses of prominent families’ heirs through intimidation(?)
Surely only a natural-born villain could accomplish such a thing.
The thought brought an involuntary smile to my face.
“Hehehehe.”
At this point, I abandoned all notions of benevolent leadership.
Let’s continue.
“Next, Gong Son Hui.”
“Yes, sir! Our family is located in Gangso, and while our martial strength is negligible, my Family Head’s brothers have pursued scholarly pursuits and obtained positions in government. Shamefully, we have reported information about the Main Sect’s troop deployments for the sake of advancement, and the person who can testify to this is Hong In Jik, an attendant of the Provincial Governor. If you grant me two months….”
There was so much usable information that it was difficult to remember it all at once!
“Wait, stop.”
“Yes, sir!”
I gestured to Young Ho Bin to record everything these fools were saying.
*nod*
Young Ho Bin, understanding perfectly, retrieved brush and ink and began writing down the information that would become the Four Great Families’ weaknesses in tiny, meticulous characters.
‘Truly, you are the Minor Sect Leader! This one is in awe!’
His eyes conveyed this sentiment.
“Continue.”
“Th-that is all I have disclosed thus far.”
“…What?”
“I-I apologize. Upon reflection, there is more. Among my Family Head’s close associates, there is one called Du Gwang who belongs to the Divine Sect within the Main Sect. This man violated the precept against killing disciples, and my father assisted in destroying the evidence. I will absolutely procure proof of this and present it to the Minor Sect Leader!”
“That’s all? Seems a bit weak.”
“If you spare my life, I shall serve you as my benefactor for all my days!”
Attentive leadership….
The effect was truly remarkable.
Through a brief meeting, I had managed to create a meaningful exchange where we shared our deepest thoughts and concerns with one another.
It went without saying that the young masters of the Four Great Families’ loyalty soared to boundless heights.
With all their families’ weaknesses in my grasp, how could they do anything but remain loyal?

* * *
That day, I was training my martial arts at the Training Grounds as usual.
“I shall attempt once more.”
“Very well, Dojo Training Ground.”
My recent martial arts training had been focused on refining the rhythm and flow of exchanges with my opponent.
After receiving pointed criticism from Hye Woon, a martial genius of Shaolin Temple, I had come to understand my shortcomings, and I believed overcoming this weakness should be my highest priority.
Dojo Training Ground had also begun assisting my training by repeatedly engaging in practical sparring matches.
Whoosh!
Dojo Training Ground attacked with fierce momentum, gripping the wooden sword in his hand.
In the past, I would have hesitated and dodged in fear or scrambled to parry desperately, but now….
‘His right side is open.’

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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