Chapter 27: Deputy Unit Leader (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 27: Deputy Unit Leader (2)
The way he asked made it sound like I’d caused some sort of massive catastrophe.
In any case, her fate was to end up in either the Blood Cult or Peerless Fortress. If I could indirectly gain the favor of the Moon Evil Sword, Sama Chak—one of the Twelve Superhumans of the martial world—through her, then this was by no means a losing bargain.
The Namcheon Iron Sword was deeply concerned.
But the die was already cast.
[It’s not like I did anything. Didn’t you hear her earlier?]
[Are you saying the daughter of one of the Four Great Villains came here of her own accord?]
[That is correct.]
Haeakcheon clicked his tongue as he stared at Sama Yeong.
Even for someone as eccentric as him, the infamy of the Four Great Villains was clearly significant. To see even that crazy old man react this way was telling.
Staring at her with a stiff expression, Haeakcheon sent me a message via Sound Transmission.
[Does that old man Seo Gal-ma not know?]
[He is unaware.]
[Ha! ...Then how did you know?]
[A while ago, several small sects near the eastern part of Guizhou Province made a request to the Yikyang So Family.]
[A request for what?]
[About a hundred bodies were discovered in Doha County, located between Guizhou and Hunan Provinces. They asked for cooperation in finding the culprit.]
[Don't tell me that culprit was the Moon Evil Sword?]
[Precisely. We tracked the culprit’s traces to Gyewol Valley, and the person we found there was indeed the Moon Evil Sword, Sama Chak.]
[...So that was his hideout.]
[Just as you suspected, Master. My father and the members of the small sects stormed into Gyewol Valley after finding the culprit, and...]
[They were slaughtered, I assume. You think the Four Great Villains earned their titles for nothing?]
[Yes. They were annihilated. Only one person survived by a stroke of heavenly luck.]
[And that was your father.]
[Correct.]
This should be enough.
Seeing how naturally I could spin a lie like this, it seemed my skills as a spy hadn't rusted yet.
How can you say that when you didn't even hear what I said?
Regardless, Haeakcheon fell for my lie.
[Since this hasn't been made public, your father must have been quite ashamed.]
Well, now.
I had unintentionally brought dishonor to the Family Head. To Haeakcheon, the Head of the Yikyang So Family was now a man who covered up the truth to hide the shame of being the sole survivor.
Why should I? I was treated like trash and practically discarded by the family.
Haeakcheon narrowed his eyes and sent another transmission.
[What exactly are you plotting?]
The fact that he was asking about my intentions meant he was halfway convinced.
[That girl is a powder keg that could explode at any moment. To bring someone like that here... you must be out of your mind.]
[Can't we look at it differently?]
[Differently?]
[If we build a relationship with Young Lady Sama, we might be able to pull the Moon Evil Sword, one of the Four Great Villains, to our side.]
[Ha! If it were that easy, anyone would have done it.]
Haeakcheon was eccentric, but he was also shrewd. He likely judged that the risk of recruiting Sama Yeong outweighed the potential benefits.
However, having spent over a year with him, there was something I had learned.
[If that is how you feel, Master, then there is nothing I can do. Shall I reveal her identity and tell her to leave?]
Haeakcheon grimaced at my suggestion.
That would be an even more troublesome situation. If we rejected her after already granting her entry, her perception of the Blood Cult would turn for the worse.
[That won't do.]
There was nothing to gain from making an enemy of one of the Four Great Villains for no reason.
[It seems you're in a difficult position. In that case, why should we bear the risk? Why not leave her to the Second Venerable?]
[What? To that fellow?]
Haeakcheon looked over at Seo Gal-ma. Seeing how Seo Gal-ma’s eyes hadn't left Sama Yeong, it was clear he coveted her as a talent. He had shown that intent from the moment he allowed her entry.
Haeakcheon’s expression turned peculiar.
As expected, my provocation worked perfectly.
'The old man hates losing more than anything.'
To Haeakcheon, Sama Yeong was like a chicken rib—too bothersome to keep, but too precious to give away. However, one thing was certain: if he could coax her and gain the strength of the Moon Evil Sword, Sama Chak, the achievement would be beyond words.
After a moment of deliberation, Haeakcheon sent me a transmission.
[Can you take responsibility for this?]
He finally gave in.
I intended to shoulder the risk anyway. Though, from the moment she entered Haeakcheon’s command, it wouldn't be my responsibility alone.
I was about to nod in response when Hae Ok-seon, one of the Great Leaders, brought a wooden box over to Sama Yeong.
'Huh?'
It was a wooden box containing a Blood Drum.
I thought they might keep her under surveillance for a while since she was a talent close to the level of a Unit Leader, but they were moving to feed her the Blood Drum immediately. Of course, it was the standard procedure.
Still, would they be doing this if they knew she was the daughter of one of the Four Great Villains?
Baek Ryeonha spoke up.
"Young Lady Sama. As you know, our Cult is still operating beneath the surface of the martial world. No matter how much you swear loyalty, we cannot trust you immediately."
"That is only natural," Sama Yeong replied with a clear, firm voice.
She seemed to have expected some form of restraint.
"I like your resolve. Great Leader Hae?"
"Yes."
Hae Ok-seon opened the lid of the wooden box. As a wriggling red insect revealed itself, a frown appeared on Sama Yeong’s beautiful brow. Who would have the stomach to eat something like that?
"Ugh. I wish I could eat it for her."
I heard Song Jwa-baek mutter beside me. The guy had been staring blankly for a while now; he must have fallen for Sama Yeong’s looks.
Looking troubled, Sama Yeong shifted her eyes around before whispering to Hae Ok-seon.
"Um, can I take this with some water?"
At the Lesser Conversation Sword's remark, I couldn't help but chuckle. It felt like I was looking at myself from a year ago.
Sama Yeong, her beautiful face contorted in every possible way, eventually closed her eyes tight and swallowed the Blood Drum. Just looking at her pale face, I could tell how miserable she felt.
Baek Ryeonha spoke to her.
"I sincerely welcome you to our Cult."
Baek Ryeonha’s tone was incredibly cold and emotionless. It was starkly different from how she spoke to me or the Venerables.
"Ugh... Th-thank you."
Sama Yeong replied, looking nauseous.
Baek Ryeonha looked around and said, "Since things have turned out this way, it would be best to decide who will take Young Lady Sama under their wing before we depart."
She proceeded with the matter with clinical efficiency.
Sensing his chance, the Second Venerable, Seo Gal-ma, stepped forward.
"Since I was the one who recruited her into the Cult, I shall take responsibility for her until the end."
With those words, he glanced at the Blood Hand Witch Han Baek-ha and Haeakcheon in turn. It was a warning not to touch what he had already claimed. He must have really wanted her.
"Is there anyone else besides Uncle Seo who wishes to take Young Lady Sama...?"
Swish!
At that moment, the Blood Hand Witch Han Baek-ha, who was standing beside her, stepped forward.
"If Young Lady Sama is willing, I would like to take her as well."
Baek Ryeonha’s eyes widened. She probably hadn't expected the Blood Hand Witch, who was practically her right hand, to covet her as well. Then again, anyone would be desperate to recruit someone who was already a First-Rate Master.
Haeakcheon sent me a transmission.
[I hope your judgment is correct.]
Seeing everyone gunning for her, Haeakcheon seemed to have made up his mind. Indeed, it was better to have her than to let someone else take her.
"We are also willing to take her, My Lady."
Haeakcheon stepped forward.
Seo Gal-ma, who had stepped out first, looked at the two of them with a dissatisfied expression. The warriors of the Blood Cult watched the scene with great interest. It was a rare sight, something not even seen during the Selection Ceremony. A Blood Star and two Venerables were personally stepping forward to claim a single talent.
"Tsk."
In the midst of this, I saw the Bloody Unit Leader, Gu Sang-ung, licking his lips. He seemed to want Sama Yeong as well. Whether it was because he had lost several Great Leaders in a row or because of her outstanding beauty, I couldn't tell. But the competition was far too fierce for him.
"...I didn't expect all three of you to want to recruit her. I suppose we must give the choice to Young Lady Sama."
Even if she hadn't taken the Position Exam, her martial prowess had already been guaranteed by the Second Venerable, Seo Gal-ma. He had said she had enough skill to aim for a Unit Leader position if she performed well.
'They couldn't.'
Even the Bizarre Haeakcheon found it unsettling; the others would be no different.
Baek Ryeonha said to the three of them, "Would the three of you like to give a brief introduction?"
She was trying to follow the rules of the Selection Ceremony.
Now, it was time to harvest the fruit. I had secured a promise from her before coming here.
Of course. There was a procedure to these things. If she chose the Blood Hand Witch Han Baek-ha or the Raging Demon Lord Seo Gal-ma, there would be no way to bring her into our fold. To prepare for this, I had asked her to grant me one favor.
I needed to tell her to choose Haeakcheon.
[Sama...]
Just as I was about to send the transmission.
"Excuse me..."
Huh?
Sama Yeong suddenly raised her hand and spoke to Baek Ryeonha. As Baek Ryeonha looked at her curiously, she asked, "If the choice is mine, may I apply to be under the command of the person I desire?"
"That is correct. Have you already decided on someone?"
"Yes."
Sama Yeong nodded.
At her words that she had already chosen, Seo Gal-ma looked satisfied. He seemed certain she would choose him, since he was the one who had accepted her entry.
However, Sama Yeong turned her head, looked at me, and let the corners of her mouth curl up slightly.
'Huh?'
At this rate, she might choose Haeakcheon on her own without me even having to ask. Then I could save that favor for something else.
Baek Ryeonha asked her, "Whose command do you wish to enter?"
The atmosphere grew tense as everyone focused on her. They were all curious to see whose command this peerless beauty would choose.
"Hey, it's a done deal."
Song Jwa-baek suddenly whispered to me. What was a done deal?
He looked at me with a gratified face and said, "Did you see her smile at me just now? She's coming to our side."
'......'
That’s exactly what I wanted to say.
Then, the Namcheon Iron Sword spoke.
The sword kept bringing up his former master so much that I was starting to get curious about what kind of person the Namcheon Sword Guest really was.
In the meantime, Sama Yeong opened her lips.
"I wish to..."
Perhaps because she had smiled in my direction, Seo Gal-ma looked at Haeakcheon with an uneasy face.
But the words that came out of her mouth were completely unexpected.
"I wish to enter under the command of Deputy Unit Leader So Woon-hwi."
"!?"
In an instant, everyone's eyes snapped toward me.
I was bewildered. I had fully expected her to say she wanted to be under the command of Venerable Haeakcheon. If she did this, my plan to use the crazy old man as a shield would go up in smoke.
"...You want to enter under Young Master So's command?"
Baek Ryeonha asked back as if she couldn't believe it, glaring at me. Not just her, but a significant number of men were looking at me with eyes full of jealousy.
Song Jwa-baek, standing next to me, was no exception. He kept muttering, "Why you? Why you?"
'This is driving me crazy.'
If I had known this would happen, I wouldn't have been so greedy about saving that favor.
I was dying of embarrassment, but in the midst of it all, Sama Yeong winked at me with an expression that seemed to say, "I did well, right?"