Chapter 114
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 114
Chapter Title: Shattering Shell (4)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“Whew, that’s much better.”
Having finished a hot bath, Seo Ryang sat by the window.
Ma Dongpil poured him some tea.
“It’s Biluochun. Please, have some.”
“Oh, thanks.”
Sitting on the bed and drinking the warm tea felt quite peaceful.
“Want a cup?”
“I’m fine, sir.”
“Alright, then.”
As he watched Seo Ryang slurp down the tea, Ma Dongpil asked.
“Young Master.”
“What?”
“When will you begin the inspection?”
“What’s the rush? We can take our time. When else will I get the chance to visit the Red Snake House?”
Though he said that, Seo Ryang had actually been to the Red Snake House once before.
Of course, it wasn't by walking proudly through the front gate. During his time as the King of Slaughter, he had visited once to assassinate the leader of the Blood Python Corps, said to be the Red Snake House's finest unit.
Seo Ryang glanced at the bed.
‘Hmm.’
A red silk blanket. It was the deep crimson silk used in the southern regions.
‘This brings back memories.’
He’d seen it once when he came to assassinate someone, once when he first opened his eyes in this residence, and now again.
‘Of all the candidates, I got entangled with that bastard Hong Wi-mun the fastest. In that sense, I have a seriously bad history with the Red Snake House.’
Scratching his head, Seo Ryang felt a sudden emptiness and looked around.
“Huh? Where’s Geumho?”
“I’m not sure…”
“Hmm, that little guy slept for two days without eating anything.”
He rose from his seat.
“The carriage is parked behind the lodging, right?”
“Ah, are you going to look for Geumho? I will find him for you.”
“It’s fine. You go wash up too. You must feel grimy.”
“My duty is to guard you, Young Master…”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Are you going to stand next to me while I take a shit, too? You plan on never sleeping?”
The moment he said it, he felt a flicker of fear. For some reason, he felt like Ma Dongpil might actually do that.
“I…”
“Enough. Go wash up. And don’t get the wrong idea; you’re still weaker than me.”
“…”
“Go wash. You reek of sweat.”
Ma Dongpil bowed his head with an awkward expression.
After leaving the room, Seo Ryang rummaged through the carriage.
“Let’s see… You little rascal! Where’d you go?”
He couldn’t feel Geumho’s unique presence.
Muttering under his breath, Seo Ryang sharpened his senses.
*Voom.*
Then, he felt Geumho’s energy from the carriage at the very end.
“Seriously, when did he get all the way over… Hmm?”
What is this familiar yet unpleasant presence?
Seo Ryang turned his head.
“It’s been a while.”
Her radiant beauty, forming a strange harmony with her expressionless face, was unchanged.
“Indeed. It has been a while.”
Hong Yeorin, who had been staring at him, gestured with her chin toward the side of the building.
“Shall we have a cup of tea?”
* * *
There was no particular emotion on Seo Ryang’s face as he sipped his tea.
Hong Yeorin, however, was different. Indescribable emotions were plastered all over her beautiful yet cold face.
“What is that fox?”
Seo Ryang glanced beside him. Geumho had climbed onto a chair, curled into a ball, and closed its eyes.
“A friend.”
“For the great Third Young Master of the Divine Cult of the Heavenly Demon to have a fox as a friend… how interesting.”
“Whether others find it interesting or uncomfortable is none of my business.”
Seo Ryang leaned back languidly in his chair.
“So, why did you ask me for tea?”
He was getting straight to the point.
‘…He really is different.’
Even now, looking at Seo Ryang, something surged from deep within her chest.
When she had visited him after hearing he’d awakened from his demonic deviation, he was so different from his past self. It was no exaggeration to say that, aside from his face, he was a completely different person—so much so that you could call it a transformation.
But still, Seo Ryang was Seo Ryang. She had thought that even if his state of mind had changed after the demonic deviation, his fundamental nature wouldn't have.
‘…’
She could see a faint sharpness in his languid posture and his lazy eyes. His crossed legs and casually unbound hair gave off a sense of boundless freedom rather than arrogance.
It was a side of him she had never seen before he fell into demonic deviation.
Seo Ryang frowned.
“I asked you what the reason was.”
“…”
“Seems there’s nothing important.”
Seo Ryang drained his tea in one go. Though steam was rising from it, he didn’t seem to find it hot at all.
*Thud!*
He set the teacup down and stood up.
“Geumho, let’s go.”
As if it understood, Geumho uncurled its body, licked its lips, and hopped down to Seo Ryang’s feet.
Just then, Hong Yeorin spoke.
“Congratulations.”
“For what?”
“The Third Young Master, who has made such remarkable strides since his return from the Solitary Bamboo Forest. His martial arts have progressed by leaps and bounds, making him worthy of being called the best among the disciples. A rising master who, with exceptional drive, swiftly defeated the Fourth Young Master, Hong Wi-mun.”
Hong Yeorin’s eyes deepened.
“As if receiving the Cult Leader’s favor wasn't enough, you’ve now even obtained the position of Provisional Inspector?”
“What are you trying to say? Do you want to spit in the face of the man who crushed your brother?”
“Of course not. In fact, I’m rather grateful. I was never on good terms with him.”
Seo Ryang smiled coldly.
“How childish.”
“?”
“Whether you felt competitive or not, he is your brother. And you’re grateful to the person who beat your own flesh and blood to a pulp right in front of you?”
“He was nothing more than a bothersome obstacle to me.”
“An obstacle? Don’t make me laugh. He was an insurmountable wall, wasn’t he?”
“What did you say?”
“That bastard was a petty piece of trash. He had a real talent for getting on people’s nerves with all sorts of pathetic tricks. But at least he knew that when you draw your sword, there should be no hesitation.”
“…”
“He was trash, but he never lost his warrior’s spirit. But you’re different.”
Seo Ryang turned his body.
“He was better than you, who leeches off others because you’re too scared to fight for what you want. At the very least, he wasn’t enough of a fool to be mocked by the likes of you.”
Hong Yeorin’s gaze turned cold as well.
“Whatever I may have felt, I don’t see why I need to be judged by you.”
Seo Ryang didn’t answer. He simply strode toward the door.
Hong Yeorin’s eyelid twitched.
She realized it then—the source of the unease she had felt from Seo Ryang right after he awoke from his demonic deviation.
He was no longer a person of this world. He wasn't a monster of greed who would do anything to seize power.
Seo Ryang had left the battlefield of power struggles and was now living on a higher plane of combat. And Hong Yeorin couldn't fathom what he was trying to gain on that battlefield.
What was certain was that Seo Ryang would no longer be shaken or swayed by her words.
And Hong Yeorin did not like that fact.
“Shall I offer you a piece of advice?”
Seo Ryang, who was opening the door, glanced back at her.
Hong Yeorin spoke with a twisted expression.
“Now that you’ve entered the serpent’s maw, there will be nothing you can do here.”
“So what?”
“Whether you want to uncover corruption through your inspection or gain something else, it would be wise to learn how to bow your head.”
Her words subtly implied that he should be bowing his head to her.
Seo Ryang smirked.
“Why have you become so childish since I last saw you? Or is this your limit?”
“Watch your mouth!”
“If someone is worth bowing to, I’ll bow on my own. I have good manners, you see. But you people aren’t worth it.”
Seo Ryang turned away again.
“As if a snake that isn't even human would understand.”
*Boom!*
The door slammed shut.
Simultaneously.
*CRASH!*
The table shattered. It was the result of a palm strike from Hong Yeorin, who couldn't contain her anger.
A thick vein bulged on her forehead.
“…How dare he.”
He had kicked away what could be considered a gesture of goodwill. No, he hadn't even treated her like a human being.
She, who already disliked the man, now felt a murderous intent toward him.
Hong Yeorin took several deep breaths to compose herself.
A moment later, she called for someone.
“Where is my father?”
“The Lord is currently receiving treatment.”
Hong Yeorin smiled coldly.
“Treatment?”
She knew. She knew that her father had taken an unknown concubine quite some time ago. In fact, at this point, she wasn't even sure if the woman was a concubine or not.
But she did know that this concubine was not skilled in medicine.
‘Like an animal!’
Flesh and blood or not, she truly despised every single man in her family.
“Tell my father. That I will be joining this evening’s banquet.”
“Understood.”
* * *
Seo Ryang, with his attire neatly arranged, cut a truly magnificent figure. Wi Hongryeon and Ma Dongpil were once again struck by how impeccable his style was.
But now was not the time to admire his splendid appearance.
“The Lord and the House’s senior members are expected to attend this evening’s banquet.”
“I’d expect so.”
“They’ll likely be on high alert.”
“That, too.”
“I believe we can easily take control of the atmosphere. After all, we came down on direct orders from the Main Cult. No matter how powerful the Red Snake House is…”
“I wouldn’t be so sure.”
“Pardon?”
Dressed in a red robe with the Inspector’s seal on his sash, Seo Ryang spoke nonchalantly.
“From the very beginning, they tried to separate me from the Berserk Demon Unit.”
“Ah, that’s right. But what about it?”
“Was it simply to lessen their burden? No. They tried to make me into a naive young man, stranded alone on a deserted island, ignorant of the ways of the world.”
Wi Hongryeon’s eyes glinted sharply.
“The reason is obvious. These bastards will try to pressure me by any means necessary.”
“Pressure…”
“It’s only natural, I suppose. I did crush their family’s eldest son. Plus, I have a bad history with the Lord’s daughter.”
“Truly, Young Master, you have a knack for making enemies.”
“I prefer peace, too.”
*Click!*
His only weapon was the Seven Nights Saber. The Dragon Scale Saber and the Twin Meteor Sabers were stored in the carriage.
“Does that mean the Red Snake House might do something unexpected?”
“They might. But…”
“Is there something bothering you?”
Seo Ryang touched his lips.
‘This atmosphere is a little different from what I expected.’
He didn’t know what the Giant Whale House was like, but it seemed the Red Snake House didn’t have strong familial bonds.
Hong Yeorin’s hostility toward Hong Wi-mun was one thing, but the matter of Hong Sangho made it even more apparent.
‘The air is similar.’
Hong Sangho was the Lord’s younger brother. He even held the position of Vice-Lord.
Since he was an inspector from the Main Cult, they wouldn’t dare try any foolish tricks, but it would still be normal for them to harbor some hostility. Yet, the air here was the same as when he had first arrived.
*Ziiiing.*
His hyper-senses let out a faint cry.
‘Danger? No. But something feels off.’
*Thump!*
Seo Ryang patted his lower abdomen briskly and said.
“There’s no point in worrying about how the Red Snake House will act. Let’s go and face them head-on.”
Wi Hongryeon grinned.
“A fiery approach is always better, isn’t it?”
“It is.”
“Are we attending the banquet as well?”
“Isn’t that obvious? Dongpil is my guard, and you’re the vice-commander of the inspection unit.”
“But they only invited you, Young Master.”
“So you’re not coming?”
“Of course not.”
*Shing.*
The blade of the Po-ah Sword, slightly drawn, looked exceedingly ferocious.
“I was just asking, just in case. It’s a mission, after all.”
“It’s a mission, so stick with me.”
“Understood.”
“You’re not going to cause any trouble, are you?”
“I won’t, but the way you say that is strange, Young Master. It’s almost as if you want me to.”
Seo Ryang grinned.
“If a moment comes when we need it, there’s no one more reliable than you to raise hell.”
“You have an excellent eye, sir.”
“You ready?”
“Of course.”
Seo Ryang opened the door.
“Alright, let’s go have a taste of some snake meat.”