Chapter 128
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 128
Chapter Title: The Grasp of Greed (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Ga Deukhyeon knelt.
“The Berserk Demon Unit greets the Commander.”
*Thud!*
Following him, all the unit members knelt.
They paid no mind to the great figure of the Demonic Sect standing before them. That alone showed how much they trusted and followed Wi Hongryeon.
Wi Hongryeon nodded.
“Any trouble?”
“None.”
“Alright. You can get up now.”
The members of the Berserk Demon Unit rose in unison.
Though he didn't show it, Jong Risan was inwardly impressed.
*‘They’re well-trained.’*
It wasn't their martial prowess that made him think so.
The tight discipline they maintained, even while exuding a dangerous madness, was impressive. Their gazes and posture were a clear testament to the reputation of the Berserk Demon Unit.
But that was that, and this was this.
“Your words are insolent.”
“Hmm?”
“That is not how a mere commander should speak to the lord of one of the Seven Demonic Houses. Show the proper respect.”
Wi Hongryeon scoffed.
“If you wanted respect, you shouldn't have been so arrogant yourself.”
“Arrogant?”
“So we were supposed to wait for you out here in the morning dew?”
“…”
“Let me make one thing clear: don't think you're superior to the Inspector. It's no exaggeration to say the Inspector represents the Cult Leader's will. He is, after all, the Cult Leader's disciple.”
“I am aware.”
“You know, and yet you act this way?”
“However, it is also a fact that I am a lord of one of the Seven Houses. No inspector has ever summoned a house lord to come and go at their whim. At the very least, you shouldn't have intended to make us wait.”
Jong Risan had a point.
“If another does not respect me, I cannot respect them in return.”
Wi Hongryeon smiled.
“I see now you're not just some ruffian who acts tough for no reason.”
“I will say it again. If you want this matter handled without conflict, you will be the first to correct your tone.”
“Fine, I'll do that.”
*Shwaaaa.*
A heavy, sharp wave of energy rippled through the air.
This young girl was crossing the line. The Sea King Guard, who were not easily swayed by emotion, couldn't help but feel their anger rise.
*Fwoosh!*
As the Sea King Guard unleashed their intense aura, the Berserk Demon Unit retaliated by releasing their own demonic energy. Unlike the heavy, sharp energy of the Sea King Guard, the Berserk Demon Unit's energy was like a boundlessly dangerous flame.
Jong Risan and Wi Hongryeon raised their hands simultaneously.
*Sssk.*
The sharply conflicting energies of the two groups subsided at once.
“Let's stop this pointless clash of wills.”
“Fine.”
“So decisive.”
“So, where is the Inspector?”
“Looks like you need to correct your tone as well.”
“I have no desire to hear such words from you.”
“Whatever. He'll be out in a moment, so please wait.”
Jong Risan’s eyes deepened.
“Did you not understand me?”
“Whether I understand or not, he's not in a position to come out right now, so what do you want me to do about it?”
The more he listened, the more outrageous her tone became.
Jong Risan stared at Wi Hongryeon with eyes like the abyss before sitting down on the spot and crossing his arms.
“I will wait for two hours. If the Inspector does not show himself by then, we will leave.”
“You'll be deemed non-compliant.”
“I need only explain why I received such a judgment.”
“Decisive and fiery, too.”
Jong Risan closed his eyes, signaling he was done talking.
A small smile appeared on Wi Hongryeon’s face.
*‘Not bad.’*
He was stiff and arrogant, but his personality wasn't detestable. In fact, she could see a certain frankness in how he honestly expressed himself.
*‘So not all the Seven Houses are run by idiots.’*
She turned around.
“Have you all eaten?”
“Yes, we have.”
“You bastards, you never miss a meal.”
Ga Deukhyeon smiled.
“We have to eat on time to use our strength on time, don't we?”
“This is why I hate smooth talkers.”
“By the way, how was it?”
“What was?”
Ga Deukhyeon glanced behind her.
“That's a weapon I haven't seen before. It looks incredible just at a glance. Did you receive some instruction from the Inspector inside?”
“I'll add another one to the list. I hate guys who are quick-witted as much as I hate smooth talkers.”
Wi Hongryeon shrugged.
“Well, I did gain quite a bit.”
“It would seem so.”
Though he said that, Ga Deukhyeon was inwardly shocked.
Wi Hongryeon was a strong warrior. But before she went inside, he could clearly grasp the extent of her power.
But now, he couldn't gauge the extent of her power. Wi Hongryeon's true energy had deepened to a point that his senses could no longer grasp.
“Congratulations.”
“For what?”
*It’s the price for being roped into this.*
Wi Hongryeon didn't say those words out loud. As crazy as she was rumored to be, she knew what she could and couldn't say to her subordinates.
“May I ask one last question?”
“What is it?”
Ga Deukhyeon’s face instantly turned serious.
“When is the Inspector coming out?”
“How would I know?”
“What the Lord of the Giant Whale House said did not sound like a joke.”
The threat to leave if he didn't appear within two hours.
It was far more frightening than an overt threat. If they left, the Inspector would have failed to properly carry out his duty.
“I think so too. But I really don't know when the Inspector will come out.”
Wi Hongryeon scratched her head.
*‘Tsk, he really overdid it.’*
Controlling the internal energy of someone who practiced a completely different demonic art was not something just anyone could do.
It was only possible because Seo Ryang’s own level was high and the demonic energy he possessed was of the highest quality. But even someone like Seo Ryang had collapsed from exhaustion after fully dissolving the elixir's power.
It was a sign of just how incompatible his and Wi Hongryeon's demonic energies were. Moreover, he must have been careful not to injure her, so the mental toll must have been immense.
“Don't worry too much. Isn't he a monster, after all?”
Ga Deukhyeon bowed his head.
“Understood. The unit will maintain its current position.”
“Good.”
After getting the Berserk Demon Unit in order, Wi Hongryeon went and plopped down across from Jong Risan.
Though it was over ten feet away, for a master, it was a distance that could be closed in a single step.
Jong Risan’s eyes flashed.
“You are brave.”
“I don't know about brave, but I do get called crazy quite a bit.”
“If I were to act on a whim, you would die.”
“So what?”
“I'm saying you should not carelessly approach another's domain. One day, you will pay dearly for it.”
Wi Hongryeon scoffed.
“If you're afraid of dying, you can't be the Commander of the Berserk Demon Unit.”
“Is it not better to die a meaningful death?”
“Why place any meaning on death? A grave is nothing more than a comfort for the living. When you die, that's the end.”
Jong Risan’s eyes deepened.
“When you die, that's the end…”
“…”
“Perhaps living like you would be more liberating.”
Wi Hongryeon’s eyebrows twitched. She had sensed a strange bitterness in Jong Risan’s voice.
“But know this. Life and death are one. If you place no meaning on death, then there is no need to place meaning on life either.”
“Living is good and dying is bad. Why would they be the same?”
“Because being good or bad can be a difference, but not an error.”
Wi Hongryeon’s breath hitched. She hated these kinds of philosophical riddles.
“That's too difficult. Let's stop talking.”
Jong Risan nodded. He hadn't intended for the conversation to go there, and he had no desire to make her understand.
Some time passed like that.
“This is strange.”
“…”
“I thought all the lords of the Seven Houses were people steeped in defeat.”
“…”
“I have a question, may I ask?”
“…”
“What's your rank?”
“My rank in what?”
“I know the lords of the Seven Houses are strong, but I'm asking where you rank among them.”
At the almost childish question, Jong Risan nearly let out a chuckle.
But Wi Hongryeon was serious.
“Are you stronger than the Lord of the Red Snake House?”
“Why do you ask?”
“Because I'm curious.”
“If it is merely out of curiosity, I will not say.”
“Why?”
“The hierarchy of skill is not something that can be discussed so simply. Surely you know that much?”
“I know. There are many variables, like the weather that day, one's mood, the condition of one's weapon, and so on.”
“You know, and yet you ask.”
“But I need to know at least a general idea to be able to respond, don't I?”
“Respond?”
“It's just that if you were to attack us, I'd feel more at ease if I had some idea of your level.”
Jong Risan’s eyes glinted.
He retraced his conversation with Wi Hongryeon.
“Did the Lord of the Red Snake House attack you?”
“We had a bit of a scuffle.”
“I received no such report.”
“He's too embarrassed to let the rumor spread.”
“You mean the Lord of the Red Snake House was defeated?”
“That's why we're camped out here. You know what the Lord of the Red Snake House is like, don't you?”
Of course, he knew Hong Gwan’s personality. He was a strong man, but his confidence was excessive.
That was why Jong Risan was so surprised.
“If Lord Hong made a move… you wouldn't have been able to escape that place easily.”
“Isn't that obvious? It wasn't easy at all. If it weren't for the Inspector, we would have all been buried there.”
Wi Hongryeon grumbled.
“Then again, the whole incident was the Inspector's fault to begin with.”
“…?!”
“Anyway, seeing how you assess the Lord of the Red Snake House, the skill gap between you two can’t be that big. I understand.”
Jong Risan was genuinely curious.
“How on earth…”
“I don't know the details. The Inspector suddenly lost it. But if I had to guess, it seems the Lord of the Red Snake House was up to no good behind the Cult's back.”
“…!!”
*Whoosh.*
A gust of dusty wind swirled around Jong Risan. His uncontrollable agitation had caused his energy to leak out on its own.
The atmosphere grew heavy. Wi Hongryeon’s gaze sharpened.
“Why are you so surprised?”
“…”
“Do you have something to hide?”
“…”
“…Hmm.”
*Ssk.*
Wi Hongryeon rose to her feet.
“I don't know what it is, but if by any chance it's treason…”
Just then, a voice cut through the air.
“Enough.”
It was a voice laced with fatigue. Devoid of any internal energy, it wasn't particularly loud.
Yet, strangely, everyone present heard it, as if it were whispered right into their ears.
Wi Hongryeon turned around.
Seo Ryang and Ma Dongpil were walking out from the valley.
“Inspector.”
Seo Ryang frowned.
“I told you to receive our guest properly, and you're already causing trouble?”
“Huh? Trouble?”
“If I hadn't told him to stop, you would have lost a few teeth.”
“What?”
Wi Hongryeon turned her gaze back to Jong Risan.
*‘Huh?’*
Jong Risan’s face was contorted. A menacing aura seeped from his blazing eyes, and the muscles all over his body were tensed as if he were about to lunge forward at any moment.
Wi Hongryeon finally realized. Seo Ryang hadn't intervened to stop her words, but to stop Jong Risan's actions.
“What the…?”
*So I was about to get hit while my guard was down?*
While she was still bewildered, Seo Ryang had already approached her side.
“You are Jong Risan, Lord of the Giant Whale House, correct?”
“…”
“Well, with an aura of this level, you must be the lord.”
“…”
“My subordinate has been rude to you. I apologize on her behalf, so please calm yourself.”
Seo Ryang cupped his fist.
He never expected to receive a greeting from the Inspector first. Flustered, Jong Risan quickly returned the gesture.
“I greet the Inspector.”
“Yes, let's dispense with the trivial greetings. You seem to be in a hurry as well, so let's get this over with quickly.”
“…?”
“Give me the ledgers. It won't take long, so please compose yourself while I review them.”
*Vwooom.*
Jong Risan struggled to suppress his agitation.
After a moment of staring at Seo Ryang, he gestured to the Sea King Guard. One of the warriors brought over thousands of documents.
“Are these the ledgers for the past three years?”
“They are.”
His reply was awkward. The sudden appearance had made it difficult to maintain his composure.
Seo Ryang casually flipped through a few pages.
“Hmm.”
Seo Ryang nodded.
It was then.
*Vwoom!*
A brilliant blue flame erupted from his right hand.
The flames of the True Demonic Flame of Annihilation instantly incinerated the documents.
*Fwoooosh!*
Everyone was stunned by the sudden turn of events. Jong Risan, in particular, was several times more shocked than the others.
“What is the meaning of this?!”
“The inspection is over.”
“W-What did you say?”
Seo Ryang kicked aside the burning documents and spoke seriously.
“I will deem the inspection compliant on all counts, so let's have a more constructive conversation, just between us.”