Chapter 166
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 166
Chapter Title: The Seeker (1)
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Seo Ryang's expression was incredibly serious as he left the Palace of the Demonic God.
‘The Beast Palace.’
He had a straightforward conversation with Lee Cheonsang, but this was by no means a light matter.
‘He said the Ice Palace is on a different path from the other three palaces. That means it’s at odds with the Sword Palace, the Beast Palace, and the Heavenly Dragon Palace.’
The relationships between factions are never simple. Just because they walk different paths doesn't necessarily mean they're enemies.
But kidnapping the child of another organization's leader changes everything. The Ice Palace has become mortal enemies with the Beast Palace, and by extension, the other two palaces as well.
‘Damn, this is a whole new level of messed up.’
The martial world is no different from a back alley teeming with hooligans. In fact, the martial world is a place where deeds so dirty they'd make even hooligans shake their heads are commonplace.
The only difference is that the dirty deeds here are of a higher caliber than those of back-alley hooligans.
Still, to think that the groups that had been united for hundreds of years under the name of the Four Palaces would fall apart like this.
‘In any case, the important thing is...’
Seo Ryang’s eyes gleamed.
‘...what I can gain from this.’
Joining hands with the Young Lord of the Ice Palace?
That would mean gaining a powerful ally who could support his bid to become the next successor. But right now, the Ice Palace couldn't be called a supporter.
Because this strange deal hasn't even begun yet.
‘I have a stake in the Red Snake House, and the Giant Whale House is backing me. But they can't help me openly. They are branches of the Divine Cult, but not organizations within the cult itself.’
Is the Ice Palace the same?
‘No.’
The corners of Seo Ryang's mouth lifted.
‘On the contrary, because they are a separate power, they can help me even more.’
Even if we form an alliance, it won't be a relationship of absolute trust. Just like how the Four Palaces, which had followed a common path for hundreds of years, were torn apart by a minor disagreement.
“Either way, it’s a deal worth trying.”
Seo Ryang smirked as he walked on.
*Shhk.*
‘Hah!’
He was startled by a woman who suddenly appeared from the side of the alley.
It was the Fifth Young Mistress, Ju Seoyun.
“Uh...”
Seo Ryang made a foolish sound.
Lost in thought, he hadn't been paying attention to his surroundings, but he had subconsciously sensed her presence. However, he hadn't expected her to appear and block his path.
Ju Seoyun stared at him blankly.
Seo Ryang scratched his head.
“Um... hello?”
“...”
Damn it, what kind of innocent greeting is this? Is she a child?
For some reason, he was reminded of Chae Yeomin. He recalled having a similar reaction when he first met her.
‘Come to think of it, I wonder what she's doing now.’
Just then, Ju Seoyun bowed her head.
“Greetings, Brother.”
“Oh? Uh, yeah.”
“...”
“...”
What the? She greeted me, so why isn't she saying anything?
Feeling awkward, Seo Ryang shrugged.
“See you later.”
It seemed she had just wanted to say hello. He turned slightly to the right and walked away.
Seo Ryang was lost in thought again. Whenever a problem arose, he would latch onto it until it was solved; his concentration was extraordinary in many ways.
‘First, to resolve this, I need to make contact with the Beast Palace somehow. It's highly unlikely to be a friendly meeting.’
One of the Beast Palace's successors had been crushed by his hands. He didn't know how much effort they had put into raising him, but he had also annihilated all the wolves they commanded.
Naturally, their feelings toward him wouldn't be good. Of course, they probably didn't know that it was the Third Young Master of the Divine Cult who had done it.
‘Do they know? No, they probably don't. It wasn't their territory, and the Main Cult cleaned everything up. Still, they won't look kindly on a demon of the Divine Cult.’
For a moment, Seo Ryang paused.
‘A demon of the Divine Cult...’
He smirked to himself.
‘I'm already naturally referring to myself as a demon.’
It was different from when he didn't know what he truly desired.
He wasn't a demon just because he practiced demonic arts. Without realizing it, he had truly become one.
Until recently, that fact had bothered him, but not anymore. Admitting to himself that he had truly become a demon was liberating.
It was just a little surprising, that's all. The fact that a mere assassin who had dreamed of freedom had become more of a demon than anyone else.
‘It doesn't matter. As long as I can crush them all.’
Anyway, I need to figure out a way to contact the Beast Palace.
As Seo Ryang walked quickly toward his quarters, he suddenly became aware of a familiar presence following him.
“...”
When he turned around, he saw Ju Seoyun still staring at him with a blank expression. He had walked more than half the way from the Palace of the Demonic God to his residence, and Ju Seoyun was still following him.
Seo Ryang blinked.
“Do you have something to say to me?”
“No.”
“...”
“...”
“Ah, you must have business in this direction.”
“...Yes.”
“Oh, I see.”
Seo Ryang started walking again.
And a short while later.
“Hey... um... what should I call you... Ah, right. Fifth.”
“Yes.”
“There are no other paths from here.”
“There are.”
“This path leads straight to my residence. There's nothing else around it.”
“I know.”
“...?”
“...”
“Don't tell me, are you following me?”
There was no reply.
Anyone would find the lack of an answer strange. Seo Ryang frowned.
“Didn't you say you have nothing to say to me?”
“That is correct.”
“Then why do you keep following me?”
“Because words are not necessary.”
“Huh?”
What kind of nonsense is this?
“So, you have business with me, but you don't need to talk?”
“Yes.”
“You might not need it, but I think I do.”
“...”
“Tell me the reason. Why are you following me?”
Ju Seoyun fell silent again.
Seo Ryang felt frustrated.
“I just don't get it...”
Seo Ryang, about to snap at her, closed his mouth. He had read the look of deep contemplation on Ju Seoyun's face.
After a moment, Ju Seoyun spoke.
“What must I melt into my martial arts?”
“What?”
“...”
She fell silent again.
He didn't know what kind of personality she had, but she certainly had a knack for needlessly testing a person's patience. Seo Ryang wanted to beat his chest in frustration.
“You have to explain it in a way people can understand if you want an answer.”
“I can't explain it either.”
“What did you say?”
“That's why I intend to watch.”
“Watch what?”
“You, Brother.”
He almost grinned foolishly at how easily the word "Brother" came from her.
“What exactly do you intend to see from me?”
“How you were able to grow so quickly.”
Ju Seoyun's gaze sharpened.
“How you were able to reach the peak of demonic arts so soon.”
Seo Ryang looked at her with an expression that said, ‘Well, look at this.’
“You've been aiming for the peak of demonic arts already?”
“...”
“You should know it's not something that can be explained with words or seen in actions, right?”
“Yes.”
Ju Seoyun's eyes flashed.
“But I've never tried.”
She knew it was unlikely, but she wanted to confirm it for herself.
It was still a frustrating answer, but Seo Ryang didn't think her actions were entirely bad. Sometimes, even when you know something is wrong, you need to see it for yourself to truly understand.
Seo Ryang waved his hand.
“I don't know what you expect from me, but I get it for now. However, I'm busy today... no, for the time being. So come back later.”
“No.”
“What?”
“For me, this is an urgent matter.”
“Are you telling me to give up my plans for your urgent matter?”
“That's not what I'm saying.”
“Then?”
“I'll just watch from the side.”
Seo Ryang smiled. It was a somehow cold smile.
“In case you've forgotten, you and I are competitors.”
“No, we are not.”
“What do you mean, no? Do you know I crushed the Fourth?”
“I know.”
“And you can still say something so carefree?”
“That has nothing to do with me.”
“Nothing to do with you?”
“Yes.”
“Why do you think that? As a disciple of the Cult Leader, you must also be aiming for the succession...”
“I am not.”
Seo Ryang's eyes widened.
As if for emphasis, Ju Seoyun repeated herself.
“I am not aiming for the succession.”
* * *
The next day.
“Let's see what you've got.”
Seo Ryang sat on one side of the training ground, his arms crossed.
And in front of him stood Ma Dongpil, having drawn the Ink King Sword.
“I will begin immediately.”
“No need to rush. Start whenever you feel ready.”
“Yes.”
Ma Dongpil, who had been muttering something under his breath with his eyes closed, opened them.
*Flash!*
The light shining from his eyes resembled the treasured glow of a divine sword.
The mastery of his Vajra Yaksha Demonic Art deepened with each passing day. The iron-blooded demonic art, embodying both weight and intensity, had melted into his swordsmanship, transforming into an aura of stern coldness.
The corners of Seo Ryang's mouth lifted. He could tell how diligently Ma Dongpil had been training out of sight.
“Here I come.”
*Fwoosh!*
Ma Dongpil shot forward and powerfully extended his sword.
*Wooooong.*
A thrust aimed at the midsection. The power emanating from the black blade was truly immense.
*Chiiing!*
A brilliant golden light erupted from the Ink King Sword as it scraped the ground and swung upward. The flow from the midsection thrust to a low slash and then an upward cut was as natural as flowing water.
From then on, Ma Dongpil's magnificent sword dance began.
It was natural, but not gentle. It was fast, yet serene; heavy, yet not stifling.
It was the swordsmanship of a master, displaying disciplined dignity at every turn. It didn't seem like he had swung the sword many times, yet countless sword shadows already enveloped his body.
His two eyes saw in all directions, and his two arms swung everywhere as if they were five or six. It was literally like watching a Vidyaraja with three heads and six arms.
Seo Ryang was inwardly surprised.
‘That bastard...?’
He had already merged the Vajra Yaksha Demonic Art with the new sword technique I gave him.
It wasn't impressive simply because his martial achievement was great, but because he had blended the sword technique into the demonic art. This meant Ma Dongpil's understanding of the Vajra Yaksha Demonic Art was exceptionally profound.
‘When did he get so... amazing.’
Ma Dongpil was a swordsman.
But before he was a swordsman, he was a martial artist. His enlightenment, once confined to the sword, had now expanded to all of martial arts.
Broader, and deeper.
Ma Dongpil had already almost reached the realm of the transcendent.
“Young Master?”
“...”
“Young Master.”
“Huh? Ah, yes.”
“How was it?”
Seo Ryang let out a low whistle.
“Impressive. To have melted a new sword technique into your demonic art so soon after learning it... that's impossible with ordinary effort.”
“Thank you.”
“The Nine-Layered Demonic Sword Style you're learning is an unparalleled sword art, ranked among the top ten in the Main Cult. It's naturally difficult, but you've forcibly raised your proficiency by combining it with your demonic art. A very creative method.”
A spark of interest lit up in Seo Ryang's eyes.
“I wonder if even I would have done that. It was amazing. It was worth bringing you the manual.”
Honest joy spread across Ma Dongpil's face. Seo Ryang had never been this impressed with his martial arts before.
“I will work even harder in the future.”
“I'll be looking forward to it.”
Seo Ryang stood up from his seat.
“I plan to leave the cult in a few days.”
Ma Dongpil's eyes widened at the sudden announcement.
“Leave the cult?”
“Yes. It's going to be a rather rough journey, so I was thinking of leaving you here at the cult, especially since you just learned a new martial art. But seeing your progress, I'm relieved. No matter where I take you, your martial arts won't falter.”
“For what reason are you leaving?”
“There's someone I need to rescue.”
“Someone to rescue?”
Seo Ryang smiled.
A cold smile tinged with killing intent. Ma Dongpil's expression instinctively stiffened.
“It's Operation: Rescue the Princess Captured by Beasts.”