Chapter 130
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 130
Chapter Title: The Grasping Hand of Greed (4)
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Jong Risan's cheek twitched.
It was a truly extreme choice. To think he would be considered a traitor if he didn't help seal the Fighting King Demonic House—what kind of logic was this?!
"Are you trying to test me with such nonsense?"
"I will be the judge of what is and isn't nonsense. All you need to do, Lord, is answer my question."
"This is outrageous...!"
"If you believe it to be outrageous, would you like to submit a petition to the Cult?"
"What?!"
"I'm only saying this for your House's sake, but it would be best not to submit that petition."
Seo Ryang's smiling face had suddenly turned expressionless.
"That petition might just come back as your suicide note."
"...Are you trying to persecute me?"
"This isn't persecution; it's reality. I am an agent of the Cult Leader's will. To ignore and disobey the words of such a person—would that not be an act of disrespect toward the Cult Leader himself?"
"Hmph!"
*Shing.*
Seo Ryang drew his Dragon Scale Saber and casually slung it over his shoulder.
"This conversation has taken a strange turn, but as an Inspector, I must confirm this."
"..."
"I will ask one last time. Lord, do you harbor treasonous intent?"
"...I do not."
Seo Ryang nodded.
"Then that settles it. We will depart for the Fighting King Demonic House tonight. Please contact your House and have them mobilize all available forces to gather near the Fighting King's territory."
"I do not harbor treasonous intent. But I will not participate in sealing the Fighting King's House."
"Is that so?"
"It is."
"Is that your choice, Lord of the Giant Whale House?"
Jong Risan's eyes filled with conviction.
"It is. The Fighting King Demonic House is one of the Seven Houses. Although we are all organizations under the Divine Cult, our bond of hundreds of years..."
"Commander Wi."
Seo Ryang called for Wi Hongryeon without even hearing him out.
Wi Hongryeon bowed her head.
"Your orders."
"Send a message to the Cult. As of this moment, the Giant Whale House is declared a House of traitors."
In an instant, the atmosphere turned ice-cold.
Wi Hongryeon, too, was startled, but she didn't show it.
"Is there anything else you wish to include?"
"Request that they swiftly deploy forces to replace the Giant Whale House. Also, tell them to send down a subjugation unit and masters to deal with whatever the traitorous House might do. Send it with utmost urgency."
"Understood."
Jong Risan roared.
"Hold on!"
Seo Ryang turned away.
"We leave tonight. Everyone is to rest until then."
It was a complete dismissal.
Jong Risan, and the Sea King Guard, could no longer endure it.
*Rumble!!*
The ground shook as if from an earthquake, battered by the terrifying energy they unleashed.
"...I respected you, Inspector."
Seo Ryang glanced back over his shoulder.
Jong Risan's face was twisted like a demon's.
"But you belittle my respect, treating it as something cheap."
"This energy, this killing intent. Should I interpret this as your will to fight?"
"That's right!"
*Swish! Thud!*
A long spear flew from somewhere and landed in Jong Risan's hand. The ornate silver spear looked like a formidable demonic weapon even at a glance.
"I respected you and I revered the Divine Cult! But you've turned my House into traitors with your nonsense! It's clear you intended to condemn my House no matter what I said!"
Seo Ryang smiled.
"That's right."
This was another unexpected answer. Jong Risan, who was about to launch into another tirade, faltered for a moment.
"What did you say?"
"I said, that's right. If you, Lord, did not lend a hand in sealing the Fighting King Demonic House, I was determined to declare your House traitors no matter what."
"You treacherous...!"
"Am I wrong, then?"
"What nonsense are you spouting!"
Seo Ryang said coldly.
"I am asking if you truly harbor no treasonous intent."
"Did I not tell you! I have never, not for a moment, against the Divine Cult...!"
"Isn't the very thought of seeking independence from the Divine Cult an act of treason?"
For a moment, Jong Risan felt his words catch in his throat.
He was so shocked that the energy he was emitting fluctuated wildly. Everyone's gaze turned to him at the drastic change.
Seo Ryang continued. Just as Jong Risan's tone had changed, his, too, was different from before.
"You've underestimated the Cult. Did you not think it strange that the first House to be inspected was the Red Snake, and the next was yours? Did you not feel a single moment of unease about it?"
"…!"
"Did you really think the Cult was unaware of what your House desires?"
Jong Risan's face turned pale.
"You are different from the Lord of the Red Snake House. You are a different person, so your nature and ideology are naturally different. But your goal is the same as the Red Snake's. Your House, too, is trying to break away from the Cult."
"..."
"However, seeing your actions, I wanted to give you at least one chance. The very fact that I didn't say it outright was a consideration for you, and for your House."
In that moment, Jong Risan understood.
He understood why this young Inspector had cornered him with absurd logic, why he had thrown an extreme choice at him and urged him to choose quickly.
"This was my own way of inspecting your House. A few scraps of paper are not what's important. What's truly important is the heart you harbor. I wanted to see if you would struggle with the decision, even if you held treasonous intent, if you were given another chance."
Wi Hongryeon let out a soft gasp.
*'Then, what he said back then...?'*
On the way to Mount Heng, Wi Hongryeon had asked. What would he do if the Giant Whale House brought falsified ledgers? She had asked if a proper inspection would even be possible with them.
Back then, Seo Ryang had answered thus:
"I've simply expanded the scope of the inspection."
That was it. From the beginning, the ledgers were never the important part of inspecting the Giant Whale House.
What was truly important was whether they were still as loyal to the Divine Cult as they had been in the past. As the Inspector, Seo Ryang must have known beforehand why he needed to keep a close eye on the Giant Whale House.
That's why he had summoned the Lord.
Pulling a stunt like this inside the Giant Whale House's territory would have been dangerous for them.
"If you had brought false ledgers, I would have immediately declared you a House of traitors. But you didn't. I could feel that even with your desire for independence, you had no intention of deceiving the Cult."
"..."
"Because I understood that, I gave you another chance. But you shamelessly claim to have no treasonous intent while crying foul over my methods."
"..."
"Do you feel so wronged?"
"...!"
"Do you want to fight that badly?"
Seo Ryang's eyes deepened.
"If that is truly what you wish, then fine. I will capture you right here and now and escort you to the Cult. Do not expect any more mercy."
*Kwang!*
Seo Ryang, having once again slammed his Dragon Scale Saber into the ground, shouted.
"Commander Wi!"
*Fwip-fwip-fwip!*
The Berserk Demon Unit instantly fanned out to the left and right, surrounding the Sea King Guard.
Normally, the Sea King Guard should have reacted the moment the Berserk Demon Unit moved. But in this overwhelming atmosphere, they missed their chance to act.
No, they too knew it subconsciously.
That if they fought here for real, they would truly be branded a House of traitors.
*Fwoooosh!*
A powerful energy erupted from Seo Ryang's body.
A look of horror spread across Jong Risan's face. He had vaguely guessed that his opponent's skills were formidable, but this was a level that far surpassed his vague expectations.
*Crackle! Sizzle!*
The red demonic energy shot up toward the sky.
Brilliant bolts of lightning flashed around Seo Ryang's body as he unleashed his demonic energy. It was the Dark Lightning, looking far more perilous than when he had fought at the Red Snake House.
At the same time, a terrifying roar echoed from the distance.
*Kaaaaang!!*
It was different from the roar of a tiger or a lion.
It was the cry of a divine beast, far sharper and possessing an incomparable majesty.
*Kwaaaang!*
Jong Risan and the entire Sea King Guard were aghast.
A massive, golden fox had appeared beside Seo Ryang, glaring at them with murderous eyes. A large tiger with its tongue hanging out was clamped in the fox's jaws, making the sight even more gruesome.
Its maw was drenched in blood. The presence of Geumho, its eyes glowing with a cold blue light, was on par with Seo Ryang's.
*Wooooong.*
An unusual wind began to swirl around the Dragon Scale Saber.
Seo Ryang spoke.
"Any last words?"
Jong Risan stared at Seo Ryang with trembling eyes.
He was shocked by his opponent's skill and horrified by the sudden appearance of the beast.
But in that moment, Jong Risan thought.
*'A House of traitors...'*
Was desiring independence truly treason? Was the desire to escape the utterly unjust relationship with the Divine Cult really so wrong?
*'I am not wrong.'*
Not wrong, but.
*'However.'*
Jong Risan closed his eyes. The hand gripping the silver demonic spear trembled.
Fire blazed in Seo Ryang's eyes.
"If you have nothing to say, then..."
"You said you already knew everything?"
"What do you mean?"
"You said the Divine Cult already knew that I dreamed of independence."
It was the first time he had confessed his goal to an outsider.
"And despite knowing everything, they still sent an Inspector..."
Jong Risan lamented.
"It would have been better if, as you said, they had just sent forces to wipe us out without bothering with reasons."
"..."
"The very act of sending you here... was the Cult Leader's way of giving me a chance."
Seo Ryang did not answer.
Jong Risan, who had been staring silently at Seo Ryang, dropped his spear.
*Ting!*
The long spear clattered carelessly across the ground.
Seo Ryang asked.
"Does this mean you will submit to being captured?"
"No one knows."
"Hm?"
"Independence from the Divine Cult. I certainly wanted that, and I made many preparations to achieve it."
Jong Risan said calmly.
"But I have never spoken of this to anyone."
"And so?"
"Let it end with me."
"..."
"I am the only one tainted by that virtueless and perilous ideology. No one else in my House knows of it."
"..."
"Take my head, right here and now. And spare my House."
Seo Ryang's eyes deepened.
Jong Risan sighed.
"I know my life is not worth much. I am merely appealing to your sense of compassion, so please do not take offense at my words..."
"I will ask you once more."
"...?"
"We are on our way to seal the Fighting King Demonic House. We are short on forces."
"..."
"Will you lend us your hand?"
"Why are you suddenly..."
For a moment, Jong Risan's eyes wavered.
*'I see.'*
It wasn't because his own life was cheap. It probably wasn't because Seo Ryang didn't want to kill him, either.
If he didn't help the Inspector, the Inspector would have no choice but to request support from the Cult. And if that happened, he would have to explain to the Cult why he had killed Jong Risan.
Naturally, the Divine Cult would not forgive the Giant Whale House.
In the end, there was only one way to save his House.
"...I will assist the Inspector and prove my loyalty to the Divine Cult."
Seo Ryang lowered his saber.
Then, he cupped his fist and bowed his head.
"I thank you for your decision, Lord. I will never forget the kindness of your House in assisting with my inspection."
"No. The honor is all mine."
Seo Ryang smiled.
It wasn't the cold sneer he had shown until now, but a smile that hinted at genuine goodwill.
That made him all the more terrifying, and all the more trustworthy.
"Though I wear the insignia of an Inspector, my experience is still lacking, and I often make mistakes. I hope to learn much from you on our journey."
"..."
"You have been through a lot. Please rest until our departure."
* * *
Three days later.
The group entered the territory of the Fighting King Demonic House.