Chapter 168
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 168
Chapter Title: The Disappointment (3)
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A place some twenty paces from Seo Ryang's residence.
Perched on a large tree, Je-hwan focused his vision.
‘The Third Young Master’s residence…’
Je-hwan's eyes glinted.
‘To think the Fifth Young Mistress is at the Third Young Master’s residence.’
He was quite surprised.
The Fifth Young Mistress, Ju Seoyun, was fundamentally uninterested in others. She was a natural-born martial artist, one who lived and breathed for the sole pursuit of strength.
While this earned her a reputation for lacking social skills, it also allowed her to grow at an unparalleled rate. She was the kind of person who would pursue the martial path until the very moment of her death—that was the Fifth Young Mistress, Ju Seoyun.
And now, she had come to the Third Young Master's residence.
‘This is unusual.’
Could a crack have formed in that heart as hard as steel and as cold as the arctic seas?
‘Could they have developed feelings for each other?’
Je-hwan shook his head.
‘That can't be right.’
Impossible. That's what his mind told him.
But an uncomfortable feeling lingered. If they weren't involved, why would the indifferent Fifth Young Mistress be inside the Third Young Master's residence?
‘In any case, the Young Master was right to have me watch the Fifth Young Mistress. Whether they have feelings for each other or not, if they were to join forces, it would be a great obstacle on the path the Young Master walks…’
It was then.
‘Hm?’
Je-hwan frowned.
From his vantage point on the branch of the large tree, with a clear view of the Third Young Master’s residence, one of the four people who had been eating beside the training ground had vanished.
‘Where did he go?’
In that instant, Je-hwan’s face hardened.
He had lost track of his target just because he was lost in thought for a moment? Even when watching from this distance?
‘Could it be?’
Just then, a low voice sounded.
“Don't move.”
‘Gasp!’
Je-hwan was startled.
He felt the cold steel of a blade pressed against his throat. The blade, dark as if painted with thick ink, was tempered with dense demonic energy and a strange, fiendish aura.
“Who are you?”
“...!”
“This is the Third Young Master's residence. Do you dare spy on the Young Master?”
Je-hwan swallowed nervously.
‘An expert!’
The presence radiating from behind him was enough to give him goosebumps. This was clearly an expert a cut above himself.
‘Dammit.’
I've been caught.
He didn't know how he'd been detected from such a distance. His stealth skills were as exceptional as his movement techniques; not even the cult's high-ranking officials could sense his presence.
‘This isn't the time to think about that.’
Je-hwan bit his lip.
‘I have no choice.’
*Woooong.*
A subtle demonic energy rose from Je-hwan's body.
At the same time.
*Craaaaack!*
A dozen thick branches shattered and scattered. Simultaneously, a hazy smoke spread in all directions.
*Fwoosh!*
Je-hwan's movement technique as he pierced through the smoke was truly astonishing. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say his footwork was on par with that of a supreme master.
‘This is going to get complicated.’
He detonated the poison bomb in his robes with demonic energy and fled. His pursuer wouldn't die from such a bomb, but the act itself was a threat. If this incident became public within the cult, it would cause all sorts of headaches.
‘Still, this is better. If the Young Master's name were to be mentioned…’
*Crack!*
Je-hwan's thoughts were cut short. Struck on the forehead with a sword hilt, he collapsed.
Ma Dongpil, who had appeared before him in an instant, looked down at him with cold eyes.
*Splaaaaash!*
“Gah!”
Startled by the cold sensation washing over him, Je-hwan shot up.
‘Hup!’
He instinctively tried to draw upon his internal energy, but a searing pain made him double over. It felt as if his dantian was being torn apart.
‘Se-sealed?!’
His dantian was sealed. Perfectly.
It was a sophisticated technique rarely seen in the demonic martial world. If he tried to force his internal energy, the meridians around his dantian would be damaged.
“An interesting fellow.”
Je-hwan looked up.
‘Gasp!’
A young man with a sword so large it made the term "demon-slaying blade" seem inadequate was looking down at him, the weapon resting on his shoulder.
The young man's face was obscured by the sun behind him, but his broad frame and the sword, as large as a man's torso, exuded an overwhelming presence.
Je-hwan swallowed without realizing it.
He instinctively realized who his opponent was, but the man's otherworldly presence made his mind go blank.
“The power you possess is comparable to a great tiger, yet the power you can actually wield is that of a cat... Moreover, there's no trace of yin energy, only an abundance of yang. Even with demonic arts, you shouldn't be able to move with such an imbalance.”
His mind was too hazy to comprehend the words. Even if he had heard them clearly, he would have struggled to understand.
*Ssk.*
Seo Ryang crouched down in front of Je-hwan.
“Who are you?”
“...”
“I asked, who are you?”
Je-hwan didn't speak. He couldn't. His body just trembled before the other's immense presence.
*Shing.*
The sinister black blade was once again pressed between his neck and collarbone.
“You should answer the Young Master's question promptly.”
Je-hwan clenched and unclenched his fists repeatedly.
“I am...”
“Yes, you are?”
A flimsy lie would be useless. His captor was the most prominent rising expert in the Divine Cult of the Heavenly Demon and a disciple of the Cult Leader. He could easily find out the truth if he wanted to.
He had no choice but to reveal his identity. But he couldn't reveal the reason he was spying on this place.
“My name is Je-hwan.”
“Je-hwan?”
Seo Ryang looked at Ma Dongpil.
“Know him?”
Ma Dongpil shook his head slightly.
Seo Ryang turned his gaze to Aeng-hwa.
“You don't know him either, right?”
“No.”
Finally, his gaze landed on Ju Seoyun.
“Do you know him?”
Ju Seoyun also shook her head.
“Hey, you're not famous. Who's supposed to know you if you just toss out your name...?”
“I will gladly accept punishment for the crime of spying on the Third Young Master's residence. Please kill me.”
Seo Ryang frowned.
“Well, depending on the circumstances, I might just do that.”
*Shudder!*
The color drained from Je-hwan's face.
Spying on the Third Young Master's residence without permission was a serious crime. Furthermore, he had detonated a poison bomb and attempted to flee, making him an undeniable criminal.
But he had never imagined he would face a threat of death like this. Hearing the words "I'll kill you" spoken aloud made him feel a dampness in his groin.
“Why did you come here?”
“I...”
“Yes.”
Trembling, Je-hwan whipped his head around to look at Ju Seoyun.
His bloodshot eyes, radiating a madness, overwhelmed the onlookers.
“It's because I saw her enter this place!”
Everyone's gaze turned to Ju Seoyun.
A flicker of bewilderment crossed Ju Seoyun's usually impassive face.
“Because the Fifth entered my residence?”
“Yes!”
“So, you're saying you didn't come to spy on me, but because of the Fifth?”
“That is correct.”
“Why?”
He wanted to squeeze his eyes shut. He wondered if he really had to go this far, but he had no choice.
“I... I...”
“Yes.”
“I... her...”
“Let me just say, you'd be better off not making excuses like you followed the Fifth here because you're passionately in love with her.”
For a moment, Je-hwan's eyes wavered.
The corners of Seo Ryang's mouth lifted. He hadn't missed the fleeting look of panic on Je-hwan's face.
“It seems you really didn't come here for me. I think you're telling the truth about coming to see the Fifth.”
“...!”
“But I don't understand why you're trying to hide the 'reason'.”
The color drained from Je-hwan's face, leaving it ashen.
He would never know just how sharp the insight of one who had reached the pinnacle of demonic arts was.
Unless one was professionally trained in speech, deception, and rhetoric, or was a supreme master, escaping Seo Ryang's demonic eyes was nearly impossible. This was even more true for those who belonged to the demonic path.
“Your affiliation.”
“...?”
“Where are you from? Start with that. As you know, hiding your affiliation is pointless. A little investigation will reveal everything.”
*Tssss.*
Seo Ryang's pupils turned blood-red.
“Where are you from? Who sent you after the Fifth?”
Ju Seoyun's face remained impassive. This time, even Seo Ryang couldn't tell what she was thinking.
“You're quite popular, aren't you?”
“...”
“It seems the one who's passionately in love with you isn't him, but the one he serves.”
*Grip.*
Inside her loose sleeve, Ju Seoyun's fist clenched tightly.
Seo Ryang chuckled.
“That guy sure lives a hard life.”
It was impossible to know if Gwan Pyeong actually liked Ju Seoyun. In fact, given his position as a disciple of the Cult Leader, it was more plausible that he had sent his subordinate to watch her rather than out of affection.
Ju Seoyun shook her head.
“It's not my concern.”
“It is your concern.”
“...”
“If someone put a knife to your throat, would you just let them kill you, saying it's not your concern?”
“...”
“Even a one-sided relationship is still a relationship. Even if it's an unexpected connection that arose suddenly, once you're involved, it becomes your problem.”
Confusion clouded Ju Seoyun's face.
Seo Ryang smiled.
“Want me to lend a hand?”
“...What?”
“Even if you're not interested in the succession, I'm very interested in it. I'll have to clash with Gwan Pyeong sooner or later. I've left him alone since he hasn't provoked me first like that idiot Hong, but if he's been making moves behind the scenes like this, I can't just sit back and do nothing, can I?”
A chill entered Ju Seoyun's eyes.
“As you said, brother, even if it is my concern, it's *my* problem. It has nothing to do with you, does it?”
“That's right.”
“I solve my own problems.”
“Of course, you should solve your own problems. But when I offered to lend a hand, it wasn't to help you. It was for me.”
“...To eliminate a future rival?”
“It's a chance to get rid of one less thing to worry about.”
“Just how...”
Ju Seoyun's eyes flashed.
“How did you reach the pinnacle of demonic arts, brother?”
“That question again.”
“You don't hesitate to meddle in things outside of martial arts, so I don't understand how you could have reached such a state.”
Seo Ryang smiled.
In response to his silent smile, Ju Seoyun turned away.
“I'll come back later.”
“As you wish.”
And with that, Ju Seoyun also disappeared.
Seo Ryang looked up at the sky. It was just past noon, and the sky was exceptionally clear.
“How many days are left?”
Ma Dongpil answered.
“There are three days left until the day you said you would leave the cult, Young Master.”
“Three days... Plenty of time.”
He rolled his head from side to side, stretching his neck.
“Before I go rescue the princess, I should probably paint a few pictures on that scheming bastard's face.”
* * *
“...”
“...Please kill me.”
Gwan Pyeong's eyes were colder than ever as he looked down at Je-hwan.
But only for a moment.
“It's a relief.”
“Sir?”
“You returned without any serious harm, did you not? That is enough.”
Je-hwan gritted his teeth. His master was expressing relief at his return, even though he had failed his mission. It was a moving gesture, but his sense of self-loathing was greater.
“There's no need to worry too much. Whether you made excuses or confessed, you are my man. You didn't brandish a sword, so nothing serious will come of it.”
“...I will take every precaution to ensure this never happens again.”
“I trust you.”
Gwan Pyeong dismissed Je-hwan to rest.
Pouring tea into a cup, he muttered.
“Take every precaution? You should have done that from the start.”
An opportunity once missed never returns.
“It's about time I devoured him.”
He thought he had found a rather competent subordinate, but after three years, the man had proven his incompetence.
Incompetence, once revealed, is bound to lead to a second and third mistake. He was not fond of mistakes.
“Still, he lasted quite a while this time. He was useful, what a shame.”
Gwan Pyeong leaned back in his chair.
A subtle heat rose in his eyes.
“The Third and the Fifth... Could they be having an affair?”
For a moment, he felt something stir deep in his chest.
He pictured Ju Seoyun's face.
Pale skin, an expressionless face. The term "peerless beauty" seemed to have been coined just for her.
“Interesting.”
The thought of that beautiful face contorting in fear sent a thrill through him.
He was lost in thoughts of Ju Seoyun when a flustered servant's voice came from outside the door.
“Young Master.”
“What is it?”
“The Third Young Master is here to see you.”
Instantly, Gwan Pyeong's face hardened.
“The Third?”
“Yes, sir.”
“...Hmm.”
He rose from his seat.
“Tell him to wait for an hour.”
“A-an hour, you say?”
“Yes.”
A pale smile touched Gwan Pyeong's cold face.
“An hour will be more than enough.”