Chapter 478: Damned Bastard (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 478: Damned Bastard (2)
Fwoosh—
A fragment of the broken pillar was still engulfed in passionate, azure flames.
They burned with vigorous, unrelenting energy, completely oblivious to the tense atmosphere.
“…”
Grr.
All the while, I could feel the piercing stare of the creature that was once the Red Water Snake.
Its gaze, sharp with a sense of betrayal, felt like daggers.
…But friends are supposed to help each other out, right…?
For the moment, I did my best to ignore its look.
Oh, wait. Thinking about it, using the word ‘life’ probably wasn’t accurate anymore.
After all, neither of us was human.
Hehe.
…Damn it.
I tried to laugh it off as a joke, but of course, that bastard wasn’t going to be placated.
-Descendant.
Then, Tang Jaemoon called out to me.
Her voice was cold, stabbing directly into my chest.
“Um… It was kind of an accident… Haha.”
I attempted an excuse with an awkward smile, but I quickly closed my mouth. After a moment, I spoke again.
“…I’m sorry.”
Tang Jaemoon gave a slight nod at my apology.
Then, her eyes drifted toward the collapsed pillar.
-As I suspected, you are much like Shincheol… It’s a shame you resemble him in this particular aspect.
“Isn’t that going a bit too far…?”
[How in the world am I similar to this idiot!?]
I frowned as Elder Shin’s furious shout echoed within me.
What did that old man just say?
“Why are you stealing my line?”
[Of course I’m saying it. Why would you be the one to say it?]
“It’s obviously my line to deliver. As if you’re any better than I am…”
To be honest, Elder Shin was in a completely different league.
He was the Divine Sword of Mount Hua, the most revered martial artist in the Sect, and a hero who had saved the Central Plains.
He was on a whole other level compared to a mere renegade like me.
But I don’t want to be compared to this foolish old man.
Divine Sword or not, I had no desire to be likened to the man named Shincheol.
Hearing my thoughts, Elder Shin let out a smirk.
[Haha. Look who's talking, you shorty.]
“…What?”
Annoyingly, he started mocking my height.
What was even more irritating was that I couldn’t really refute it.
“…I’ve grown a little, you know?”
I spoke through gritted teeth.
It was true; I’d gained a few centimeters after my body underwent its change.
Of course,
[Oh? So are you taller than me now?]
“…”
The problem was, I was still shorter than this old man.
Damn it… Couldn't they have made me a bit taller?
I was taller than before, but I was still significantly shorter than truly tall individuals.
Even with the growth, I was shorter than bastards like Woo Hyuk and Yung Pung.
It would have been some consolation if this old man were short, at least.
But no, he was rather tall. Nothing ever went my way.
“You’re really going to make fun of my height?”
[Yes, I am. What are you going to do about it?]
I sighed at his shameless reply.
“…Fair enough. There’s nothing I can do.”
[Hmph… Finally, you seem to underst—]
“I just have to accept that an old man develops a nasty personality because he never even got to hold a woman’s hand in his entire life.”
[…!]
Slam-!
A series of loud thuds erupted from inside my body after I spoke with a smirk.
[Haha… You little brat…]
“You started it.”
As we continued to snarl at each other, teeth grinding,
-That’s enough.
A cold, sharp voice pierced my ears, and we both fell silent.
-…Sigh.
Her sigh was terrifying.
-You two are truly cut from the same cloth, seriously…
[No, I’m not—]
-Silence, Shincheol.
[…]
Elder Shin instantly clammed up after being scolded by Tang Jaemoon.
It was a satisfying sight.
So you’ve figured it out, judging by how you act around her.
[…What are you talking about.]
That Tang Jaemoon was a woman all along.
[Why are you referring to her like that? 'Lady'?]
He didn’t deny it, so it seemed he had realized her true gender.
I wondered what kind of conversation they’d had.
Why Elder Shin became so docile in her presence was a mystery, but I had something else to ask first.
-Descendant.
“Yes, Senior.”
By the time she spoke, Tang Jaemoon was already standing right in front of me.
She looked at the pile of Heavenly Poison Orbs and spoke.
-As promised, you may take the Heavenly Poison Orbs.
“…Thank you.”
I would have taken them even if she hadn’t offered.
I’d worked my ass off to earn these as a reward, so of course I was taking them.
If she’d said I couldn’t, I might have seriously considered burning this whole place down.
I reached for the Heavenly Poison Orbs now that I had her permission, but then I remembered a question I hadn’t asked.
“Uh, Senior.”
-Yes.
“Can I take this as well?”
Tang Jaemoon turned her head at my question.
I was pointing at the White Demonic Stone sitting beside the Heavenly Poison Orbs.
-This?
Tang Jaemoon tilted her head.
If I recalled correctly, she’d said she kept this stone to brag about it to Elder Shin.
Since this stone was my original reason for coming here, I had to ask.
Do you know about this too, Elder Shin?
[Know what?]
She said she prepared it to show you.
[…I’ve already been informed.]
His toneless reply was concerning.
Had she really beaten him up or something?
Unlike before, I couldn’t see his face now, so I had no idea what he was thinking.
I could only hope his eyes had turned purple from getting punched.
-Descendant. You need this?
“Yes… It would be a huge help.”
Oh, it would indeed.
The pile of Heavenly Poison Orbs was one thing, but the White Demonic Stone contained a massive amount of energy—far more than a single Heavenly Poison Orb.
I’m taking everything I can get my hands on.
This was no time to hide my greed.
Perhaps my shamelessness was too apparent?
Chuckle.
Tang Jaemoon chuckled, covering her mouth.
“…Senior?”
I looked at her, feeling slightly nervous. Had I been too rude?
Fortunately, she wasn’t offended and spoke with a smile.
-Shincheol said something.
“Elder Shin?”
-He said you would definitely try to take it all. He was right.
“…”
I immediately scowled.
Just what had that old man been telling her?
Instead of helping me, he’d apparently been bad-mouthing me. I clicked my tongue in frustration.
I guess I’ll have to give up on the White Demonic Stone for now.
Though, of course, I planned to come back for it later.
There was no way I’d just leave it here.
As I resigned myself with a tinge of disappointment,
-You may take it if you wish.
“Huh? Really?”
My eyes widened in surprise. Was she serious?
-Yes. And if you want—
Tang Jaemoon’s gaze swept over the pillars and walls as she spoke.
-You may take these Luminous Pearls as well.
“…”
Damn.
She’d noticed I had my eye on those, too.
This is embarrassing.
“…Ahem.”
I let out a fake cough to break the awkward silence.
-But.
Tang Jaemoon tapped her finger on the White Demonic Stone.
But the stone didn’t move.
Instead, her finger passed straight through it without making contact.
It was another reminder that she wasn’t among the living.
-There is one favor I would like to ask of you, descendant.
“…”
A favor, huh?
I took an involuntary step back upon hearing that ominous word.
-Descendant?
“Never mind. I don’t need it anymore.”
What kind of trouble was she trying to dump on me now? Every time I heard the word ‘favor’ from these ancient heroes, it meant nothing but hassle. Just hearing it put me on edge.
“…I’ll just take my leave quietly. It was an honor to meet you, Senior.”
I quickly scooped up the Heavenly Poison Orbs and hurried to leave.
It was time to get out of this place.
“Ugh, where’s the exit?”
Grr.
As I looked around, the Red Water Snake slithered over and poked its head out.
I nodded at the creature.
“Oh, good, you’re here. Find a way out. You’re good at that, right?”
Grrr?
I remembered how this bastard had found the entrance to the secret vault in the lake, so I asked again.
However, it just looked confused.
“…Tsk.”
Does this bastard not know either?
It looked like it was up to me, after all.
-Tang Soyeol.
Freeze—
My body went rigid, and I whipped my head around at the name I’d just heard.
“…What… did you just say…”
My heart grew cold and heavy.
I never expected to hear that name from Tang Jaemoon.
I stared at her, my expression unreadable.
-It’s about that child. Aren’t you the least bit curious, descendant?
For some reason, her face was etched with sadness.
As I looked into her eyes, a thought crossed my mind.
It was surprising enough that she mentioned Tang Soyeol, but why did she look like that?
This was definitely not something I could ignore.
I wanted to run away immediately, but my feet felt rooted to the spot.
My priorities have always been dictated by my emotions, and this time was no different.
With that thought, I cooled my emotions and responded to Tang Jaemoon.
After all, there was only one answer I could give.
“…What is this favor you wish to ask of me?”
Tang Jaemoon approached me after hearing my question.
-I desire only one thing.
Her expression remained somber, her thoughts inscrutable.
-…Once you leave this place…
The words that left her lips were utterly shocking, a stark contrast to her calm demeanor.
Swish…
The sound of water gently lapping in the breeze continued unabated.
It was still noon, and the lake retained its mesmerizing, beautiful hue.
The scene was as serene as ever.
“…”
Yet, the girl observing it all had eyes trembling with nervous energy.
What’s going on?
She stared intently at the lake, seemingly oblivious to her swollen cheek and the blood trickling from it.
It was Nahee, the assassin from the Tang Clan.
Just… what is happening?
Several minutes had passed since Gu Yangcheon had plunged into the lake.
It was already strange that Gu Yangcheon had somehow discovered her true identity, but now he hadn’t resurfaced after saying he was just going for a quick dip.
Did he die in there?
That was the only thought that crossed Nahee’s mind.
He… really… killed himself?
It was the only logical conclusion in this situation.
Even the Poison King, with his high poison resistance, would find it difficult to survive for long in that lake.
For Gu Yangcheon, an ordinary martial artist, jumping in could only be seen as suicide.
What do I do?
Nahee bit her lip nervously.
She was the one who had guided Gu Yangcheon here.
But if Gu Yangcheon had randomly thrown himself into the lake and died,
…How am I supposed to explain this to the Lord?
She had no idea how to report this to the Poison King.
While it was Gu Yangcheon’s own choice to jump, Nahee would undoubtedly be punished for allowing it to happen. She couldn’t afford to tell the Lord the real reason she had brought him here.
…Ugh…
A dilemma.
That was the perfect word for her current predicament.
Brother…
She bit her nails, thinking of her brother.
She had lived a life of hardship after taking his hand to seek revenge on this despicable clan.
Then why…!
She could neither understand nor believe why her older brother had betrayed her for some young prodigy.
There had to be a reason. There just had to.
Think… what should I do?
She was doomed if this continued.
Nahee’s mind raced.
She couldn’t afford to die like this.
At the very least… I have to destroy that ‘basement’ before I die.
The rotten truths of the Tang Clan.
She had to obliterate the Tang Clan’s basement, filled with its disgusting secrets, even if it cost her life.
That was the path she had to walk for the siblings who had died before her.
Drip-
She bit her nail so hard that blood began to well from her thumb.
Drip.
Just as the drop of blood hit the dirt,
Swooosh…!
The lake began to change.
“…?”
Nahee’s eyes widened at the sight.
“What the…?”
She scrambled to her feet and ran toward the lake’s edge.
“…Huh?”
The closer she got, the clearer the change became.
She should have felt a denser concentration of Poison Qi, but for some reason, she felt nothing.
“What is happening…”
What was going on? Just as Nahee reached the water’s edge,
Craaaaash-!
The lake’s surface suddenly erupted into a frenzy. A whirlpool.
A massive whirlpool formed at the center of the lake and began voraciously draining the water without pause.
“…Huh… Huh?”
The lake, known as a treasure of the Tang Clan, was vanishing before her eyes.
Nahee watched in panic, but the phenomenon didn’t stop.
Within mere seconds, the lake had completely dried up, not a drop remaining.
It was called a lake, so it definitely wasn’t a small amount of water.
So where had it all gone?
Nahee stared at the center of the now-empty lakebed, her hands trembling.
Since the whirlpool had originated there, she assumed something must have happened in that spot.
And there,
“…Huh?”
In the very center of the desiccated lakebed, a figure stood calmly, dusting off his clothes.
“Ptoo.”
He spat on the ground as if something had gotten into his mouth.
Then, he began to look around.
After confirming that the lake had transformed into an empty crater,
“Oh.”
He seemed to have realized what had happened.
“…Shit… I’m fucked.”
He began to curse loudly.