Chapter 518: Just Let Me Hold It Once (25)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 518: Just Let Me Hold It Once (25)
I was a little surprised by the words that had just left my mouth.
“What…?”
Hearing me, Tang Soyeol began to collapse. I moved quickly to catch her.
Why did she faint all of a sudden?
I lifted her impossibly light body into my arms, preventing her from crumpling to the floor. She was completely unconscious, her face flushed a deep red.
That part was manageable. Well, no—someone fainting was definitely not fine… but a bigger problem had just presented itself.
…What do I do now?
The moment I steadied her, I felt dozens of gazes lock onto me from all directions. Martial artists had been stationed around Tang Soyeol’s quarters since the incident, and here I was, standing in their midst with an unconscious Young Lady in my arms.
“...”
It was a perfect recipe for misunderstanding. Their presences sharpened, and a cold sweat trickled down my spine.
Shing.
From somewhere, I heard the distinct sound of a sword being drawn.
“Hmph.”
I gave a slight nod. It seemed the chance for a peaceful resolution had just vanished.
The moment Tang Soyeol fainted, dozens of martial artists unleashed their auras simultaneously. I carefully set her down, then called over a servant who was watching us with a worried expression, instructing her to take care of the Young Lady. The woman hesitated briefly before tending to her.
That left me to face the martial artists who looked ready to pounce. I had to decide what to do next.
Two options presented themselves.
First, let myself be captured quietly and explain the situation.
Second, subdue them all and leave.
The first was the most ideal, but I couldn’t afford to waste the time. So, the second option?
That’s also a pain in the ass.
I mulled it over. Killing them all would be easy. But subduing them without serious injury? That would require carefully controlling my strength with every single one of them. A troublesome method indeed.
…Fifteen first-rate, four peak, and one perfected peak martial artist.
As expected of a noble clan, the level of their fighters was quite high. It looked like they had assigned an entire sword unit from the Tang Clan as guards. If they attacked me in unison, it would be a hassle.
Seriously, what should I do?
I was clenching and unclenching my fist, surveying their movements, when I saw someone cautiously approaching. Based on his aura, he was the strongest among them.
As I watched silently, the man came closer and suddenly offered a fist-and-palm salute.
“…I am Seong Euihyeok, Captain of the Tang Clan's escort squad. It is an honor to meet a scion of the Gu Clan.”
So he was a captain. His cultivation was higher than I’d expected, so I’d figured he held some rank. Sure enough, he led a sword unit.
“I am Gu Yangcheon.”
As I introduced myself, I could see the man was clearly on high alert.
“…May I ask for an explanation of the situation?”
Hearing his words, I nodded inwardly. Thankfully, he didn’t seem the type to start swinging his sword without reason.
“…We were talking, and then Lady Tang suddenly fainted.”
“The Young Lady… fainted suddenly?”
“Yes.”
Even though I explained it exactly as it happened, his eyes showed he didn’t believe me. Of course he didn’t. I wouldn't have believed it either. If our positions were reversed, I might have started by crushing the other person’s limbs. The fact that this man, Seong Euihyeok, was speaking to me rationally made him the unusual one here.
“I know it's hard to believe, but that's the truth.”
I said with an awkward expression.
“No. I believe you.”
Seong Euihyeok’s unexpected answer caught me off guard.
He believes me?
“…Excuse me?”
“The Young Lady has spoken of you a great deal, Young Master.”
Seong Euihyeok quietly added, “To the point I'm sick of it,” but I pretended not to hear.
Spoken of me…
“She didn't say anything… bad, did she?”
“There were a few things, from time to time.”
“...”
I was expecting him to say something like, ‘Just kidding.’ But he didn't. Dammit.
I frowned slightly and stared at him. Seong Euihyeok finally cracked a smile.
“There were more good things said.”
“…Yes, I see.”
I was already a little hurt by that point. It felt a bit too late to salvage it.
As I stood there, probably with an ungraceful pout, Seong Euihyeok spoke.
“…At the very least, from what I've heard from the Young Lady, I judged that you are not someone who would bring her harm.”
Perhaps his words irked me, because I shot back.
“Is it alright for you to make a judgment based on just that? A man who calls himself a guard?”
A guard’s duty is to protect his master. He shouldn't make decisions based on something so flimsy. Putting aside the fact that the situation was resolving peacefully, I didn't like the idea of Tang Soyeol's guard being so lenient.
Hearing my words, Seong Euihyeok actually smiled.
This bastard… is smiling?
“I wasn't trying to be funny.”
“Yes, thank you for your concern. However, hearing you say that makes me feel even more certain that my judgment was correct.”
“What are you talking about…?”
“I can tell by the way you look at the Young Lady.”
“...”
“I believe that you hold her just as dearly as we do.”
I clicked my tongue internally. Damn it all. Everyone says they can tell just by looking at someone's eyes. Do they think they can read minds or something?
And yet, I subtly averted my gaze. I hated to admit it, but I couldn't deny it either.
He could have laughed at my childish behavior, but instead, Seong Euihyeok’s face turned expressionless as he offered another fist-and-palm salute.
“I leave our Young Lady in your care from now on.”
“…Yes.”
As I answered, something fluffy and indistinct welled up inside me. How should I put it? It was a feeling that was hard to describe.
* * *
A few minutes later, I left Tang Soyeol's quarters and started walking.
“…Hoo.”
I wiped a bit of nervous sweat from my brow. Thankfully, the situation had been handled well.
I was worried about Tang Soyeol's sudden collapse, but when I held her, I had checked her with my Qi. There seemed to be no major issues. If necessary, I’d have to ask the Immortal Healer to examine her. Fainting so suddenly was strange.
[…No matter how I look at it, it's your fault, isn't it?]
“What did I do…?”
[Never mind. That's just how you are.]
Why is this old man picking a fight with me all of a sudden? I was about to retort but held my tongue. This wasn't the time to be bantering with Elder Shin.
The commotion in the Tang Clan was one thing, but my focus was on the jewel in my hand.
If Tang Soyeol refuses to take this…
What should I do? I’d taken it from the First Elder. I needed to figure out its use.
Should I eat it?
Should I just consume it myself? To maximize its utility, that was the logical choice. If it were up to me, I’d just eat it.
The only stated problem was that I didn't meet the conditions. They said there was a risk of my Qi exploding because I'm not a woman, but… I knew better. I was certain nothing bad would happen if I ate it.
[You seem certain.]
“Yes.”
I could tell just by sensing its energy. If I consumed it, I could absorb it completely. I didn't know if it was the effect of the Demonic Absorption Art or a change from shedding my old self, but… I knew it instinctively. I could handle this.
The amount of Qi contained within the jewel was comparable to a White Demonic Stone. For an artificially refined object, it was staggering. Furthermore, it would strengthen my poison Qi.
However.
When it comes to poison Qi…
Since gaining immunity to poison, a faint trace of poison Qi had settled in a corner of my body. I could use it if I wanted, but as long as I had Demonic Qi, it wasn't particularly necessary. It was also difficult to integrate with the martial arts I currently practiced. It was incompatible with my flames.
In other words, for me, eating this jewel would only increase my total Qi reserves, with no other significant benefit.
The problem is, now is not the time to be increasing my Qi.
There was no need to take such an elixir right now. I still had to manage the Qi I hadn't fully assimilated and focus on synchronizing my body and Qi. In that sense, adding more Qi would be reckless.
That's why giving it to Tang Soyeol was the best option.
If some chivalrous fool had gotten their hands on this, they might have destroyed it for the sake of the victims, but… I wasn't like that. How many sacrifices were made for it, what it was created for… even if I knew all that, it wasn't important to me.
So what?
Like I give a damn. I felt no guilt over the mess other people had stirred up.
[…We're screwed. To think this guy is my descendant.]
You must be very pleased, right?
[This life is ruined….]
What's a dead guy talking about 'this life' for?
I could understand Elder Shin’s displeasure. But this was my way.
I examined the jewel in my hand, lost in thought. Tang Soyeol said she wouldn't take it, and it wasn't right for me to eat it either….
“Hmph.”
I turned my head.
“Then, do you want to eat it?”
Flinch.
As I turned and asked, someone trembled. It was Nahee. That wasn't strange; I had already summoned her.
The moment our eyes met, Nahee dropped to her knees. Her expression was different from usual.
“You don't want it?”
“…What do you mean by that?”
“This is the thing the First Elder made. I have a feeling it's related to you.”
“...!”
At my words, Nahee sharply raised her head and stared at the jewel, her hands clenching into tight fists. I realized she had recognized it immediately. Her expression crumpled in an instant.
I didn't know the details of how she was captured and forced to work for the First Elder. I only knew she was one of the people used for this experiment, that despite her youthful appearance she was quite old, and that she had been under the First Elder's control via a Shackle. I wasn't curious about the rest, so I hadn't asked.
I already took care of the Shackle. I had overlaid it with my Demonic Qi and placed an oath on it. She should be free from the First Elder's control now.
“Do you need it?”
“...”
Nahee's bloodshot eyes stared at me, full of resentment.
How absurd.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
As I asked with a frown, Nahee spoke in a dry, cracked voice.
“…How… How could I possibly eat that….”
“Why can't you?”
“I remember the people who died for that thing! And yet… you're telling me to eat something made from their flesh and blood…?!”
Nahee screamed. From her perspective, it must be a horrific abomination. Both Tang Duk and Nahee held a deep desire for revenge against those in the Tang Clan who planned this incident. Revenge for the dead? Something like that.
I get it. I understand the feeling, but…
“So. What's the reason you can't eat it?”
“…You…!”
Fzzt-!
“Kugh…!”
Nahee tried to retort, but the Shackle activated, and she clutched her heart. It had stopped her from defying me.
Watching her, I stepped closer. As she wished, the First Elder was dead. The other key figures, the Third and Fourth Elders, would meet a similar end. It wasn't me who did it, though. I had a plan, but then my father showed up and took care of it. In the end, it worked out.
The Tang Clan was shaken. If word got out to the Central Plains, the scandal might be enough to knock them from their position as one of the Four Noble Clans. It was that significant.
“ Gasp… gasp… ”
Nahee coughed violently. I lifted her chin with my hand.
“Honestly, I was thinking of just eating it myself. But it feels like a waste, and there's something I want to test.”
If not Tang Soyeol, the only other person I could give it to was Nahee. I looked at the trembling woman and thought. The reason the First Elder knowingly left Nahee alive was probably for this. He might have kept her as a test subject for later.
The only thing that gave me pause was… the fact that she might be over thirty. Considering her relationship with Tang Duk, it was possible. But even if she was… it doesn't matter. If a problem arose, there was something I wanted to try. And even if that failed and she died… that doesn't matter either.
Unlike when I looked at Tang Soyeol, I stared at Nahee with dry, emotionless eyes.
Did she see something in my gaze? Nahee bit her lip.
“…Are you… truly going to make me eat that?”
“You don't want to? You can become incredibly strong.”
“Nonsense! If I have to eat that, I'd rather…! I'll die right here, right now!”
Nahee was serious. It may not have been the exact revenge she wanted, but her primary targets were dead. A Shackle that could make her heart explode? She no longer cared if she died.
Sensing this, I smiled.
“Why? Because your revenge is over? You think it's okay to die now?”
“If you know that… then right now…!”
“Who said that? Who said your revenge is over?”
Flinch.
At my words, Nahee's expression froze.
“What… do you mean by that?”
“The First Elder is dead, and it looks like some other nameless old men will die too. So you think your revenge is over?”
“What are you trying to say to torment me now….”
Nahee's eyes trembled. Just a moment ago she was ready to die, but my words had instantly shaken her. I found it amusing.
“Don't be mistaken. Those old men were nothing from the start.”
“That’s ridiculous…! I saw it with my own eyes…!”
“Sure, you saw it. But what do you know from seeing just that little bit?”
It was a plan carried out without the Clan Lord's knowledge. No matter how much influence the First Elder and the others had… could they really have pulled this off on their own? This had been going on for decades, since the time of the Poison Emperor. That alone was telling.
The Tang Clan could secretly bring in that many test subjects on their own? What a load of bullshit. That was the truly ridiculous part.
Thinking about it, I could now see the connection. There was more to the reason why Tang Duk had fallen to become a Demonic Human.
“No matter how big the Tang Clan is, they couldn't have handled something like that in secret.”
“…That’s…!”
“It would have been impossible unless someone was turning a blind eye.”
“...”
Nahee bit her lip. Watching her, I let out a silent, humorless laugh.
“You already knew, didn't you?”
“…!”
Nahee flinched at my firm words. Yes, she must have known. It was something even I could guess from a few fragments. Unless she was an idiot, there was no way she was unaware.
To know that and still claim her revenge was over meant one thing.
“You just gave up because you knew it was impossible to go that far.”
“…That’s…!”
Nahee flared up, but I cut her off.
“Revenge? Don't you dare end it on your own terms. You think revenge is just getting rid of the guys in front of you? What a pathetic mindset. If that's all it is, then just die. I have no use for you.”
If she wasn't going to be useful, she was worthless to me. Nahee was a pawn I planned to use and discard anyway, so throwing her away now was no loss.
As I said that and started to turn away.
“Then… what am I supposed to do…?!”
Nahee shouted. The Shackle didn't activate because I had deliberately adjusted it.
“Young Master…! Do you even know who you're talking about…?! That is not a place one can touch so carelessly…!”
“It's the Murim Alliance.”
“…!!”
My casual words made Nahee's eyes widen. I looked at her and smirked.
“Why are you so surprised? It's obvious.”
Yes, it was obvious. The reason the Tang Clan could operate so secretly, the reason they could conduct such experiments for so long… in the end, it was all impossible unless the Murim Alliance turned a blind eye.
Isn't it obvious?
While all those test subjects were disappearing, they didn't investigate the missing persons cases?
No matter how wealthy or influential the Tang Clan was, their power had limits. As part of the Orthodox Faction, they were under the Murim Alliance's thumb. If they were preparing such a large-scale experiment, the Alliance was bound to find a clue. And yet, it proceeded without a hitch?
Then the answer was simple.
The Murim Alliance is also involved in this.
It wasn't particularly surprising. I knew they were rotten to the core. However, Nahee looked utterly horrified.
“What are you staring at?”
“…How… can you be so certain?”
Was it so strange that I stated it with such conviction? Then again, I could understand her confusion. The Murim Alliance was the Orthodox Faction, at least on the surface. For me, a member of an Orthodox clan, to declare that the Alliance was involved in this dirty affair… of course she was shocked.
It's not that strange to me, though. I knew all too well how politically narrow-minded and selfish those people were. I just hadn't realized they were involved in something this depraved.
Is that why Tang Duk joined the Demonic Cult? The Heavenly Demon's goal was to conquer the world by overthrowing the Murim Alliance. I suspected Tang Duk, seeing that he could destroy the Tang Clan by joining the Cult and aligning with the Heavenly Demon's goal, had chosen that path. It was only a guess, but… then that’s not bad. It wasn't bad at all.
I spoke to Nahee again.
“This is the situation. Do you still think your revenge is over?”
As I spoke with a chuckle, I heard Nahee grit her teeth.
“…The opponent is the Murim Alliance. It is not your place to help me with that revenge, Young Master.”
“Saying I'm 'helping' you is a bit strange.”
“Then… I am merely….”
“It's something I have to do anyway, so I'm just telling you to join in.”
“…Pardon?”
At my blunt words, Nahee, who had been snarling moments before, wore a dazed expression. She looked like she had misheard.
Fine, I’ll say it again.
“I'm planning to destroy the Murim Alliance.”
“…!”
“So if you're going to get revenge, do it properly.”
Destroy the Murim Alliance. The moment I realized the Tang Clan was rotten and the Murim Alliance was involved, my mind was made up. As long as the Blood Demon was connected to them, it would be strange to leave them be.
Therefore.
“Stop with the pointless pride. Just take what I give you and help me out. And stop pissing me off.”
I had no intention of having any more useless, emotional conversations with Nahee. It had always been this way. I never gave Nahee any other choice. If I tell her to do something, she does it. That was the only option left for Nahee, who had become a Demonic Human.