Chapter 129
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 129
Chapter Title: The Grasp of Greed (3)
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“Wait a moment!”
A flustered Wi Hongryeon even stammered.
“The, the inspection is over?”
“Yes.”
“But you only looked at a few pages, didn't you?”
Her words spoke for everyone. Besides Seo Ryang and Ma Dongpil, there wasn't a single person in the room who wasn't bewildered.
Seo Ryang shook his head.
“I pulled out a few pages at random to examine them. At least the documents I looked at weren't falsified. I even did a simple cross-check.”
“But there could be forged documents mixed in! Look at all of that! There must be thousands of pages!”
Jong Risan wanted to say that all the ledgers were real, but the words wouldn't come easily. He, too, was curious.
“If they intended to forge them, they would have replaced the entire set.”
“…That's true, but… no, and isn't an inspection about more than just determining if the ledgers are real or fake?”
She had a point. An inspector wasn't just someone who identified false ledgers; they were there to audit the inner workings of an organization as a whole.
In the first place, conducting an inspection with only ledgers made no sense. The proper way was to go into the organization and verify every single aspect of its operations.
Of course, that too was at the inspector's discretion.
Seo Ryang let out a soft laugh.
“Do we really need to be so rigid?”
He looked at Jong Risan.
Jong Risan's dumbfounded expression was truly a sight to behold. A man who wouldn't bat an eye if lightning struck right in front of him was wearing the most human expression of anyone.
“It seems you're not yet ready for a conversation.”
“…”
“Should I wait a little longer?”
“…No.”
“Then let's begin.”
“Before that.”
Jong Risan asked, his voice strained to sound calm.
“Is the inspection really over just like that?”
“It is.”
“You are an inspector.”
“I know.”
“No, you don't seem to. Are you aware that summoning me here was, in itself, an inappropriate act for an inspector?”
Wi Hongryeon's eyebrow twitched. She didn't like him bringing up an issue that was already settled.
However, Jong Risan wasn't trying to complain about matters of courtesy or his displeasure.
“If you were going to summon me here, you should have at least conducted a proper, albeit brief, inspection. But to declare it passed after looking at a few pages… I cannot comprehend it.”
“Do I really need to make you understand? In any case, if I've deemed it passed, isn't that a good thing for you?”
“That may be so, but…”
“What's the problem?”
Jong Risan furrowed his brow.
“Are you really saying this is the end of it?”
“I don't know how many more times you'll ask, but yes, it's really over.”
“…”
“However, as I said, let's have a constructive conversation. Once that conversation is concluded, I will issue the passing verdict.”
“If this was your plan, did you really need to summon me?”
“The person I need to speak with must be the House Lord. That is why I called for you.”
In any case, it meant he hadn't been summoned without reason.
Jong Risan, who had been staring blankly at Seo Ryang, nodded his head.
“Very well, let's hear it. But I'll say this in advance: if it's for some trivial reason, you will pay the price.”
“Be my guest.”
Shaaaa.
The Sea King Guard once again unleashed their heavy aura.
It didn't matter if their opponent was an inspector. They were an organization that existed solely for the Lord of the Giant Whale House, and they could not help but be angered by someone showing disrespect to their lord.
Seo Ryang smiled.
“Such loyal subordinates.”
Jong Risan raised his hand. The Sea King Guard's aura subsided once more.
“They are loyal, but they sometimes make mistakes. If you were offended, I apologize on their behalf.”
He had a clean personality, not one to weigh pros and cons. Even if he disliked his opponent, he would straightforwardly admit a mistake. As a martial artist and the head of an organization, it could be called an exemplary character.
Seo Ryang nodded.
“I don't mind.”
“Thank you for your understanding.”
“Now, then, shall we begin our talk?”
“Speak.”
“Let's dispense with the trivialities and get to the point. Please lend us a hand for the sake of the Main Cult.”
What was this all of a sudden?
Wi Hongryeon tilted her head. Ma Dongpil's expression was calm, but he, too, couldn't hide a flicker of confusion.
“Lend you a hand? What do you mean by that?”
“There's a place that needs to be properly smashed, but we're short on manpower. The members there are all such bastards, I doubt they'll cooperate quietly.”
“Smashed?”
Everyone present froze at Seo Ryang's next words.
“We're going to seal the gates of the Fighting King Demonic House.”
* * *
The spot where Mu Dam had been.
Ho Yoseong's eyes were unusually serious as he gazed at the empty teacup left behind.
“A special protection detail… at a time like this?”
The Hall of Protectors was the one organization the Office of the Grand Marshal could not look into.
Of course, the Hall of Protectors couldn't interfere with the Office of the Grand Marshal either. No, no organization within the Cult could touch the Grand Marshal's office. That was why the Grand Marshal, head of the Office, was called a figure of power 'below one man, above ten thousand.'
But the same could be said for the Hall of Protectors.
The Hall of Protectors was an organization that did not interfere in internal affairs, but depending on the circumstances, it could become the most powerful organization in the Divine Cult.
Was it simply because they only followed the Cult Leader's orders? No, that wasn't it.
‘The captain of the Hall of Protectors' First Squad, Lee Gunseong, is currently within the Cult. But he said he sent the First Squad?’
He didn't think Mu Dam had lied. He wasn't that kind of person in the first place.
However, it was also unthinkable that they would send a squad to protect a special target without its captain.
“So he sent the monsters.”
Ho Yoseong sighed in spite of himself.
“And the First Squad, of all squads… Is this person really that important?”
The reason the Hall of Protectors could be the supreme and strongest organization in the Divine Cult.
It was because the majority of retired old demons from previous generations were gathered there. Among them were former squad captains of the Hall of Protectors, former Demonic Generals, and even retired Demonic Lords.
That was why not just anyone could become the Head of the Hall of Protectors. One needed the leadership to command those terrifying monsters, powerful martial arts, and absolute loyalty to the Divine Cult.
Of course, not every demon joined the Hall of Protectors upon retirement. But the majority of them, after stepping down from active duty, wished to belong to the Hall.
It was because they wanted to remain as the final bulwark protecting the Divine Cult.
“Good grief. A special protection detail in these already complicated times. My workload just exploded.”
On one hand, there were factions making moves to swallow up the Seven Houses, and on the other, a special protection target unknown even to the Grand Marshal had appeared.
Ho Yoseong shook his head.
‘This isn't something I can figure out just by thinking about it. No, I could probably find out if I dug into it, but there's no need.’
Strategists were the type who wanted to have all information in their grasp. The reason being, one never knew where a variable might pop up.
That was why he wanted to know who the special protection target was.
At the same time, he was wary of his own curiosity.
‘There are more important things than satisfying my curiosity. This is the line I've drawn for myself.’
If he were to dig into it, Mu Dam would surely find out. And in that moment, Mu Dam's trust in him would cease.
That couldn't happen.
It didn't matter if other high-ranking officials were at odds with each other, but if the Grand Marshal and the Head of the Hall of Protectors were in conflict, the Divine Cult would falter. The two servants most favored by the Cult Leader could compete, but they must not distrust each other.
“I'll have to try pestering him for the answer over a cup of tea later. Well, that's something I'll find out eventually, so it doesn't matter, but…”
Ho Yoseong looked out the window.
“I wonder if our dear inspector is doing well.”
He believed.
Not so much in the man named Seo Ryang, but in the abilities and instincts he had demonstrated.
“It's about time I heard from him.”
He believed Seo Ryang could wisely navigate the threat from the Red Snake House. He even thought he could somehow handle the Giant Whale House—easier in some respects, yet far more difficult in others.
But what about the Fighting King's house?
Could he handle the Fighting King Demonic House—the lowest-ranked of the Seven Houses, but one that armed its lacking influence with a fearsome fighting spirit and unshakable stubbornness?
Moreover, the order wasn't just a simple inspection, but to force them to seal their gates.
‘My Lord Cult Leader.’
Ho Yoseong closed his eyes.
‘You… are truly a terrifying man.’
He sends the Third Young Master to remove a thorn in his side, all while testing his ability and loyalty.
His most favored disciple of late, yet one he did not trust. Perhaps the Cult Leader's desire to test the Third Young Master was even greater than his goal of solidifying the Divine Cult's power.
‘No, this too might be my own delusion.’
The Sage of the Demonic Path, who sees through all things in the world.
The only person he could not see through was the master he served.
“Still…”
Ho Yoseong opened his eyes again and smiled.
“Thanks to the Third Young Master, life has been more interesting lately.”
* * *
“What did you just say?”
Seo Ryang spoke as casually as if he were suggesting a drink later that evening.
“I said we're going to seal the gates of the Fighting King Demonic House.”
“Seal their gates?!”
“That's right.”
Jong Risan's eyes wavered.
“You're saying you're going to… seal the gates of one of the Seven Houses?”
“Is there a problem?”
A problem?
Wouldn't it be more of a problem to think there wasn't one? The Fighting King Demonic House, like the other Seven Houses, was a family of loyal vassals who had served the Divine Cult of the Heavenly Demon for hundreds of years.
“What is the reason?”
“Who knows? I am simply trying to faithfully carry out the orders that came from above.”
“Nonsense! Not just any place, but one of the Seven Houses! It's impossible that they wouldn't explain the reason to an inspector when ordering him to seal their gates, not just inspect them!”
“Do you really think so?”
“…What?”
Seo Ryang chuckled.
“The Lord of the Red Snake House was the same, and now you are too, House Lord.”
“The same in what way?”
“I understand your curiosity about the reason, but you seem incredibly frustrated and disappointed that we have no obligation to explain it to you.”
“Isn't that obvious?!”
“Why is it obvious?”
“What?!”
“Why must a reason be explained when you should simply do as you're told? Will you refuse the Divine Cult's orders if a reason isn't provided?”
Jong Risan felt his words catch in his throat.
“One acting on the Cult Leader's orders may show the magnanimity of explaining the reason at their discretion. However, there is no responsibility to do so. The reason being, the Seven Houses are subordinate organizations of the Divine Cult.”
“…”
“Now that we're on this topic, I've become curious myself. What exactly are your thoughts on the Divine Cult, House Lord?”
“That is…”
“Perhaps you think of our Main Cult as a federation, like the Righteous Heaven Alliance of the Orthodox martial world?”
Jong Risan was flustered. So much so that he, uncharacteristically, stammered.
“N-no, that's not it.”
“I don't know if you're aware, but even the Righteous Heaven Alliance can issue an order called the Righteous Heaven Decree to its member sects or families. That's why the orthodox factions are so desperate for the Alliance Leader to be chosen from within their own ranks.”
Seo Ryang tilted his head.
“And yet, why are you, House Lord, showing a discontent that even the subordinate organizations of the Righteous Heaven Alliance do not? Could it be…”
“…”
“Are you harboring treasonous thoughts?”
Jong Risan's aura flared sharply.
He wasn't the only one. The Sea King Guard lined up behind him also erupted with a fierce aura.
It was then.
Flash! Krrrr-rumble!!
A single saber strike, like a flash of light, carved a twenty-foot-long gash in the ground before the Sea King Guard.
Seo Ryang, who had drawn his Dragon Scale Saber at some point, spoke coldly.
“I tolerated your insolence out of consideration for the House Lord's dignity. But you should not take my patience for granted.”
“…!”
“If you overstep your bounds again, I will cut you all down on the spot.”
Thud!
Slamming his Dragon Scale Saber into the ground, Seo Ryang rested both hands on the hilt and glared at Jong Risan.
“This works out well. On our way to seal the gates of a fellow house of the Seven Houses, this will be a good way to gauge where your house's loyalties lie.”
“…”
“Will you lend us a hand? Or will you turn back now?”
Seo Ryang's smile deepened.
“Is your house still a subordinate of the Divine Cult? Or is it a house that harbors treason?”