Chapter 16
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: The Reason for Escape (1)
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“This concludes the report on the Council of Demonic Sovereigns.”
Mu Dam bowed his head in silence.
A thin stream of liquid poured.
The clear liquid fell in a gentle arc.
A rich, fragrant aroma, both refreshing and heavy, filled the air. This, too, was clearly a potent spirit.
The ornate cup was so large that the bottle was half empty by the time it was full.
Lee Cheonsang drank slowly.
He seemed to savor the aroma, yet he drank without pause. The way he slowly, deliberately emptied the cup exuded a raw, wild charm and an unknowable nobility.
After draining the cup, Lee Cheonsang spoke with indifference.
“This vintage is not bad.”
Like Jiannanchun, Zhuyeqing was a liquor difficult to obtain in the south.
Zhuyeqing was a medicinal wine made with a Fenjiu base from Xinghua Village in Shanxi Province, infused with various herbs.
Its refreshing scent and refined sweetness made it popular among medicinal wines, and outside its region of origin, it commanded an exorbitant price.
The Hundred Thousand Mountains, where the Divine Cult of the Heavenly Demon was based, were in the southernmost part of the Central Plains. Procuring liquor from the northern province of Shanxi must have been an arduous task.
After briefly commending the efforts of the cultists who had brought the liquor, Lee Cheonsang extended a hand toward Mu Dam.
Though his head was bowed, Mu Dam somehow knew and carefully handed over a document.
Lee Cheonsang picked up a nearby seal and stamped the document.
“The Hall of Protectors?”
Despite the abrupt question, Mu Dam's answer was immediate.
“It has become quite prosperous. The Protectors under its command are steadily building their strength.”
“Good.”
“We thank you for your boundless grace, Cult Leader.”
Lee Cheonsang shook his head.
“If it allows you all to grow stronger, then that is my joy as well.”
A look of deep emotion crossed Mu Dam's face. Even if they were empty words, they were moving.
“We will risk our lives to protect the Cult, so as not to bring you dishonor.”
“See that you do.”
While the exchange was heartwarming in its own way, Lee Cheonsang's eyes, as he looked at Mu Dam, remained as indifferent as ever.
His eyes, his expression—they were always like that. His sheer presence aside, few could face him without feeling unnerved.
A thin stream of liquid poured.
Refilling his cup, Lee Cheonsang asked casually.
“And the third one?”
Mu Dam answered at once.
“He has reportedly faced several perilous moments.”
“So he's still alive.”
Not the words a master should say about his disciple.
In fact, for eight months, Lee Cheonsang had not once asked about Seo Ryang. Mu Dam, too, had postponed his reports on the Third Young Master, knowing Lee Cheonsang did not wish for them.
“Report.”
“Yes, sir.”
It was the first report in eight long months. Mu Dam relayed the details as thoroughly as possible.
The report went on for some time.
At one point, a glint appeared in Lee Cheonsang's eyes.
“Wait.”
“Yes, Cult Leader. Please, ask.”
“What did you just say?”
“Sir?”
“The boy was injured fighting a pack of apes, and three days later, he encountered a Nokchok and survived?”
“That is… correct.”
Mu Dam was puzzled.
Of course, he knew of the Nokchok's incredible ferocity. It was a beast that even three peak masters together would struggle to face.
But he had thought that simply escaping wouldn't be too difficult. The Nokchok was powerful, but Seo Ryang was not alone.
If Ma Dongpil, who had grown noticeably stronger recently, was there to help, it shouldn't have been impossible, right?
“Interesting.”
A subtle interest flickered in Lee Cheonsang's eyes.
Seeing this, Mu Dam was startled.
A face that always maintained its indifference. Even Mu Dam, who had served him for decades, could only guess at his expressions, never certain.
But now was different.
Lee Cheonsang was clearly showing emotion, like an ordinary person.
“If he had trained in the Black Dragon Arts, he would have found it difficult to escape the Nokchok's monstrous roar.”
The Black Dragon Arts Lee Cheonsang spoke of was the Art of the Mountain-Toppling Black Dragon, one of the ten great demonic arts.
The supreme demonic art that the Third Young Master, Seo Ryang, had been practicing before he suffered from Qi Deviation.
Lee Cheonsang looked at Mu Dam.
“What were the three manuals?”
“Sir?”
“I understand you gave the third one three demonic art manuals.”
“...!”
The color drained from Mu Dam's face.
He lowered his head slightly.
“Blood Flower, Heaven-Grabbing, and Red Phoenix, sir.”
Lee Cheonsang stroked his lips.
Though his face was somber as if lost in thought, the interest in his eyes did not fade.
“Blood Flower is sharp, Heaven-Grabbing is heavy. Neither suits him. Red Phoenix is the best of the three, but if the boy has any sense, he wouldn't have practiced that either.”
Not because the art was inferior, but because it was incompatible with his body.
Unless he had reached the pinnacle of demonic arts and mastered all of them, the third one's current body would struggle to handle Red Phoenix. For a body that had already experienced Qi Deviation, Red Phoenix would be poison.
Mu Dam prostrated himself fully.
“I opened the Secret Vault without your permission, Cult Leader. Please, kill me.”
“You have the authority to open the Secret Vault.”
“But I…”
“As long as you can take responsibility for your choice, you are free to make it.”
Lee Cheonsang's expression turned indifferent once more.
“Do you not regret your choice?”
“…I do not.”
“Can you take responsibility?”
“Of course.”
“Then I, too, shall respect your choice.”
Without a word, Mu Dam bowed his head even lower.
Lee Cheonsang refilled his cup, drained it in one go, and turned his head toward the window.
He gazed out the window in silence for a quarter of an hour.
“Summon the fourth one.”
A look of confusion flickered across Mu Dam's face.
Why summon the Fourth Young Master while they were discussing the Third?
But a question was just a question.
Mu Dam bowed his head.
“As you command.”
As he slowly rose to leave, Lee Cheonsang called to him once more.
“Great Protector.”
“Yes, Cult Leader.”
“Do you know why a children's fight is more terrifying than an adults'?”
Lee Cheonsang was not a man who asked such questions.
Thinking he was seeing many new sides of the Cult Leader today, Mu Dam shook his head.
“I do not know, sir.”
“Children don't know where the line is. That's why it's frightening. They think even a glory that brings only scars is still glory.”
Lee Cheonsang's eyes deepened.
“The moment a child, in a battle armed with limitless ignorance, realizes where that line is—that is the moment they become an adult.”
* * *
“Hoo, I'm dead.”
Grumbling as he entered the office, Lee Gunseong looked utterly exhausted.
As he kneaded the back of his neck, Giyang offered him a cup of tea.
“It's Biluochun. I haven't brewed it in a while, so I'm not sure if it's to your taste.”
“Thanks.”
“Not at all.”
Lee Gunseong put on a mischievous expression.
“How was it? Your three-day break?”
“Seeing how hard you've worked, senior, I have no words.”
Giyang scratched his head, his face full of apology.
At his unabashedly honest demeanor, Lee Gunseong let out a small laugh.
“Can't even joke around with you.”
“That's how sorry I was.”
“If you're sorry, then sit and keep me company.”
“Are you heading out again?”
“I have to leave again in about two hours.”
Giyang sighed lightly.
“I'll go this time, so you should get some rest, senior. I'll speak to the Lord of the Hall.”
“It's fine. The person being guarded gets uncomfortable if the escort changes.”
“But still…”
“Just cover for me later when I'm having a tough time. You had it rough last month, too.”
Though he said that, Giyang knew. Lee Gunseong, the most senior member of the Hall of Protectors and the First Section Leader, never pushed his work onto others.
That was why the Protectors in the Hall liked Lee Gunseong. He was decisive and clear-cut, but always looked out for his juniors.
“Then at least get some shut-eye. I'll wake you.”
“I'll feel sluggish if I sleep. This is the last shift anyway. I'd rather just chat with you.”
“If you insist, then alright.”
As they sat facing each other, sipping tea, Giyang asked.
“By the way, what business brings the Lord of the Demonic Sword House here?”
Lee Gunseong shook his head.
“I don't know the exact details.”
“Is that so.”
“He's a big shot, isn't he? Must have something to discuss privately with the higher-ups.”
The Demonic Sword House was one of the Seven Demonic Houses, a prestigious family that had built the strongest force among the seven.
Their loyalty to the Divine Cult was exemplary, and the swordsmen under their command were as skilled as the cult's own warriors. The Divine Cult, in turn, trusted the Demonic Sword House the most among the seven houses.
“Well… I have heard a rumor.”
“A rumor?”
Lee Gunseong paused for a moment, then scratched his head.
“It's just a rumor, so it's not certain. But it came from a reliable source, so I think it has some credibility.”
“What is it?”
“It seems the Demonic Sword House wants to send one of their talents over.”
Giyang's eyes wavered.
Sending talent to the Divine Cult meant only one thing.
“To become the Cult Leader's disciple…?”
Lee Gunseong nodded.
“Like I said, it's not confirmed. But it makes sense. Two of the current disciples are from the Seven Houses, aren't they? As the head of the Seven Houses, the Demonic Sword House couldn't just stand by.”
“But… he already has so many. Would the Cult Leader really take another disciple? It's not just one or two, he already has seven.”
“Who knows? That's for the Cult Leader alone to decide.”
“That's true, but… Ah!”
As if a thought had just struck him, Giyang let out a small gasp and spoke.
“If the Demonic Sword House is indeed trying to send a disciple, and the Cult Leader allows it…”
“Hm?”
“…then perhaps the number seven might be maintained.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“I'm talking about the Third Young Master.”
Lee Gunseong's eyes deepened.
He finally understood what Giyang was implying.
“That's a dangerous thing to say.”
“I know. But…”
“…”
“You know as well as I do. The Solitary Bamboo Forest is dangerous.”
“I know. That's why the Third Section Leader was sent. He's the most knowledgeable among us about the Solitary Bamboo Forest.”
“I know the Third Section Leader is skilled and has plenty of experience, but I'm still worried.”
Ma Dongpil's talent was immense. The very fact that he had become the Third Section Leader, ranked just below the Second Section Leader Giyang, at just over thirty years of age was a testament to his strength.
He wasn't particularly quick-witted, but he was more steadfast than anyone, and he had the tenacity to complete any mission assigned to him, no matter what. In short, he was a natural-born Protector.
But the Solitary Bamboo Forest was a place so dangerous that you could almost add the word 'mere' before 'skill and experience'.
So much so that only a select few of the Divine Cult's highest leaders were sent to harvest the spirit bamboo twice a year.
“Crucially, we don't know when the Third Young Master will be allowed to leave. If the Cult Leader doesn't grant permission, he might have to live there for the rest of his life.”
Lee Gunseong sighed.
Giyang was talking about the Third Young Master, but his real concern was for Ma Dongpil. After all, he was considered one of the top talents of his generation in the Hall of Protectors.
“Besides, the Third Young Master's body is…”
“Enough.”
“…”
“Let's drop this topic. If someone overhears us, we'll be in for it.”
Giyang winced and fell silent. He had spoken out of concern, but he knew he had gone too far.
Lee Gunseong leaned back deep into his chair.
“It was the Lord of the Hall who sent the Third Section Leader. You know how much he values him.”
“…Yes.”
“He'll be fine. Let's just believe that.”
Giyang nodded. Worrying about it wouldn't solve anything anyway.
“Anyway, I hear the vice-leader of your section is getting married?”
The intention to change the subject was obvious. Giyang knew, but played along.
And so, their conversation shifted to ordinary, everyday matters. They talked about their section members, the state of the martial world, and more.
Some time passed.
Lee Gunseong was excitedly recounting a story about a beautiful woman he had encountered on a mission.
“First Section Leader.”
An urgent voice called from outside the door.
“What is it?”
“The Third Section Leader, the Third Section Leader is here to see you!”
The two men shot to their feet, their faces filled with astonishment.
“Send him in at once!”
“Yes, sir!”
The thought of seeing their junior, whom they cherished like a younger brother, brought smiles of delight to Lee Gunseong's and Giyang's faces.
A moment later.
“Section Leader, it's the Third Section Leader.”
“Come on in!”
*Creeak.*
The door slowly opened, and a man stepped inside.
The broad smiles on the two men's faces froze solid the moment they saw Ma Dongpil.