Chapter 170
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 170
Chapter Title: The Disappointment (5)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Gwan Pyeong's eyes shot open.
‘This can't be...’
*Vmmm. Vmmm.*
The demonic energy he had just calmed began to surge abruptly.
It wasn't intentional. The demonic energy radiating from his opponent—the sheer pressure of it—was making his own energy waver.
His energy, comparable to that of a House Lord from the Seven Demonic Houses.
‘How did this bastard?!’
His blood-red eyes were like those of a wild beast. An inexplicable chill washed over Gwan Pyeong, as if he were staring into the bright yellow eyes of a tiger. At the same time, he felt an illusion of being pulled into that gaze.
It was a level he couldn't even imagine reaching at his current state. It held the dignity of an absolute master who walked in an entirely different realm.
Just like one of the Demonic Lords.
"...Supreme Demon?"
Seo Ryang smiled.
"Come to think of it, something similar happened before. Some fool trusted in his own pathetic power and tried to overpower me."
*Swoosh.*
Seo Ryang's hand swept across the table.
As his hand, imbued with the Nine Hells Demonic Art, brushed over the table, letters were carved into its surface. Fine dust scattered from the engraved characters.
Gwan Pyeong's cheek twitched. The three characters for 'Hong Wi-mun' were etched into the table.
More shocking than the death sentence implied by those three words was the ability to grind the table with his energy and carve them. He had merely swept his hand over the surface, yet the characters were engraved as if cut by a sharp dagger.
It was truly a divine level of internal energy control. The delicacy with which he handled his true energy was on another level.
Seo Ryang slammed his fist on the table.
*CRACK!*
Shards of the shattered table flew in all directions.
The sound snapped Gwan Pyeong back to his senses.
The fact that the third brother had reached the state of Supreme Demon was utterly astounding, but this was no time to be lost in awe. If he let himself be swept away by his opponent...
‘I'll be done for.’
Gwan Pyeong feigned surprise, his eyes widening.
"I can't believe it. I had no idea you'd already reached the state of Supreme Demon."
"I was lucky."
"How could luck alone determine a person's life? You must have worked incredibly hard in secret. That's remarkable."
It was genuine admiration. Gwan Pyeong was truly impressed by Seo Ryang. How many people in history had ever reached the state of Supreme Demon in their mid-twenties?
Seo Ryang, too, could read the admiration in Gwan Pyeong's voice.
However, while he could read the admiration, it was difficult to read anything more.
‘His sincerity... what lies beneath it?’
With someone at Je-hwan's level, he could see through their true intentions with his Demonic Eye. But Gwan Pyeong was a transcendent master, his level approaching that of a House Lord of the Seven Houses.
He could overwhelm him with martial power, but it was difficult to peer into his heart with the insight of the Demonic Eye. This was because Gwan Pyeong's energy was unconsciously protecting his upper dantian.
"This is quite embarrassing. Among our brothers, I thought I was the strongest, excluding our eldest brother who is in seclusion."
"You had reason to be confident."
"Indeed. I know the fifth and the youngest have unprecedented talent, but one can't ignore the power of time. I didn't know about the future, but I thought I was the best for now."
Gwan Pyeong murmured bitterly.
"It seems the real monster was someone else."
A peculiar light flickered in Seo Ryang's eyes.
‘He accepts it quickly.’
The surprise was still there, but he seemed to have composed himself in an instant. To be able to steady one's heart like that was a talent in itself.
"In any case, I am sorry for what happened to your escort. It's only natural that you're displeased. As I said before, I will offer a sincere apology for that."
"It seems you've given up on the idea of a fight."
"How could I dare to cross hands with you now? I was confident enough, but you have advanced to a realm beyond my reach. That gap cannot be bridged by experience or tricks."
It was an honest assessment.
Seo Ryang's gaze deepened.
‘He's confident, but not arrogant. He's quick to acknowledge his opponent and knows when to back down.’
And yet, it didn't seem servile. He wasn't bowing his head before a stronger foe; he was simply accepting reality.
‘He's definitely not ordinary.’
He was completely different from the other candidates he had seen so far. Whether it was Hong Wi-mun, Ju Seoyun, or Chae Yeomin, they were all individuals with outstanding talent, but it was hard to think of them as exceptional people in their own right.
It was because they were still young. Not just in age, but they lacked the experience to mature as individuals.
Gwan Pyeong was different.
His martial arts were formidable, but he also gave the impression of having grown significantly as a person. To be more frank, it was like looking at a seasoned master who had weathered countless storms in the martial world.
‘In that case...’
Seo Ryang narrowed his eyes.
‘Was I wrong?’
He had thought Gwan Pyeong had grown stronger by draining all of Je-hwan's internal energy and life force.
But looking at him now, he didn't seem like the type to do such a thing. He clearly had ambition and secrets, but he didn't seem vicious enough to use his subordinate as prey to soar higher.
‘A kind and humble nature... could that be true?’
Staring intently at Gwan Pyeong, Seo Ryang asked casually.
"Are you only going to apologize with words?"
"Is there something else you want?"
"I'm a man steeped in greed; I take whatever is given. But for today, I'll try to curb my desires a little."
"What is it you want?"
"An apology from the person responsible."
"Hmm?"
Seo Ryang smiled.
"A superior apologizing on behalf of a subordinate? That's not an easy thing to do. But I want to see the person responsible myself."
"..."
"If the one responsible comes and offers a sincere apology, I will back down."
Seo Ryang glanced at the floor.
"And I'll even pay for the broken table."
Gwan Pyeong returned the smile.
But it was a smile that looked somewhat awkward.
"Are you saying my apology isn't enough?"
"Of course. Isn't it a rule that one must always take responsibility for their own actions? The sight of someone taking responsibility for a subordinate's mistake is touching, but I don't particularly like it."
"I was the one who gave the order to my subordinate. Therefore, it can be said that it is my fault, not his. In other words, you should be accepting my apology, not my subordinate's."
"If my escort had died from the poison bomb your subordinate set off, I would have held you responsible too, but I would have killed your subordinate first."
Gwan Pyeong's eyes wavered.
Seo Ryang's smile grew colder.
"Responsibility must be shared equally."
"Must you really go that far?"
"Yes."
"Why are you pushing this so hard? My apology should be enough..."
"I won't say any more. Bring him here. He will apologize to my face, and then he will have to apologize to my escort as well."
Gwan Pyeong's eyes deepened.
Hong Wi-mun would have been disappointed by Seo Ryang's words and actions, but Gwan Pyeong didn't think that way.
This recklessness of Seo Ryang's wasn't born from simplicity. It was confidence and skill, packaged under the name of recklessness.
He recalled what their master, Lee Cheonsang, had once said to his disciples.
- More fearsome than wisdom that reaches the heavens is martial power without equal—the invincible martial way. Martial power that has reached its peak transcends wealth, tactics, and circumstance. With no enemies, it cannot be controlled, nor does it need to be. It becomes a walking catastrophe.
A walking catastrophe.
Its very existence becomes law and terror, and eventually, an object of faith. It literally becomes a god.
‘A stubbornness more frightening than any wisdom.’
And a catastrophe it was. Gwan Pyeong had neither the power nor the justification to refuse Seo Ryang's words.
Watching Seo Ryang with wavering eyes, Gwan Pyeong let out a soft sigh.
"Must you truly insist?"
"Yes."
"...Fine."
Seo Ryang's eyes flashed.
"I will call my subordinate myself. However, as you said, if you receive a full apology, I hope we won't have to face each other like this again."
He's bringing him? Really?
Gwan Pyeong rose from his seat.
"Wait here for a moment."
Well, look at this?
A look of interest appeared on Seo Ryang's face.
He didn't bother to hide his feelings.
"Oh? You mean he's alright?"
"What do you mean?"
"To be honest, I had no intention of receiving an apology. I was just curious if your subordinate was okay. But you're really planning on bringing him."
He suddenly spoke his true thoughts. Gwan Pyeong's fists clenched unconsciously.
"You pushed me this far even though you had no desire for an apology?"
"Yes."
"Your rudeness today is truly excessive. Did you wish to make a fool of your older brother?"
"Not at all."
Demonic energy flickered in Seo Ryang's eyes.
A terrifying demonic energy that sent a chill down the spine.
"I was just trying to gently push you, one of the contenders, aside. Whatever the reason, we are rivals. However, since you've never directly harmed me, I was going to end it with a mere recommendation."
"..."
"So I wanted to find out what kind of person you are. I was curious whether you were the type to sharpen your blade behind my back, like that bastard Hong Wi-mun."
"..."
"If you're the type to give up cleanly, then that's the end of it. There would be no reason for me to stay here any longer."
Gwan Pyeong's eyes deepened.
"And if I'm not?"
*Vwoooom.*
A powerful aura rose from Seo Ryang's body.
"Then I'll have to use some of my strength."
*Hssssss.*
Demonic energy also rose from Gwan Pyeong's body. It was an instinctive release to counter Seo Ryang's powerful aura.
*Rumble.*
The guest hall began to tremble.
"I can no longer tolerate this."
"I suppose not."
"Get out. I don't want to see you again."
"I'm about to create a situation where you won't have to see me."
Gwan Pyeong's eyes became bloodshot. The anger he had been suppressing began to boil over.
"This bastard...!"
It was then.
"That's enough."
Both men's eyes flashed.
"The sworn brothers have gathered for the first time in a while. What is this disgraceful behavior?"
The voice came from beyond the guest hall.
Seo Ryang, who had been staring at Gwan Pyeong, reached his hand toward the wall.
*Fshhhhhhh.*
Amazingly, a large hole opened in the wall of the room. It wasn't smashed by force; he had used an extremely sharp demonic energy to grind away the wall's surface.
Beyond that hole.
A man with an imposing physique stood with his hands behind his back. Behind him were Ju Seoyun, Chae Yeomin, and a boy who looked to be about sixteen.
A look of admiration spread across the man's face.
"Third Brother's martial arts are truly astonishing."
Third Brother.
Not 'older brother' in a formal sense, but 'Third Brother'. Besides the Cult Leader, Lee Cheonsang, there was only one person who could call him that.
Seo Ryang, too, couldn't help but be inwardly surprised.
‘This guy is impressive.’
Even though he had been focused on Gwan Pyeong, he hadn't sensed his presence? That was impossible unless his stealth techniques were at their peak, or he had reached a level similar to his own.
"The waves of energy from you two are so strong, I'm afraid the younger ones will get hurt. I've formed a barrier with my true energy, but I don't think I can hold it much longer. Withdraw your power."
The corners of Seo Ryang's mouth curved into a smile.
‘It wasn't some stealth technique.’
The man, Jin Gwan-yong, spoke calmly.
"Your eldest brother has come for the first time in a while. Are you going to keep this up?"
* * *
Seated on the grandmaster's chair, Lee Cheonsang had his eyes closed. The luxurious cup he always held was nowhere to be seen.
A moment later, a voice came from outside the grand hall.
"The Lord of the Hall of Protectors has arrived at the Cult Leader's summons."
"Enter."
*Creeaak.*
The doors to the grand hall opened, and Mu Dam appeared.
Just as he was about to kneel and offer his greetings, Lee Cheonsang raised a hand.
"There's no need for useless formalities."
"..."
"Did you bring it?"
"Yes."
Mu Dam took five or six documents from his robes and respectfully held them up.
*Whoosh.*
The documents flew through the air and into Lee Cheonsang's hand.
*Flash!*
Lee Cheonsang opened his eyes. Unlike their usual indifferent gleam, they now held a deep interest.
He nodded as he skimmed through the documents.
*Fwoosh.*
The documents turned to ash and scattered.
"So it was this morning."
"That is correct."
"Indeed. So the source of that heart-pounding power was the firstborn."
Mu Dam bowed his head.
"Congratulations, Cult Leader."
Of the disciples he was raising, two had now reached the state of Supreme Demon.
This was a rare event in the thousand-year history of the Divine Cult. There had been Cult Leaders with over twenty disciples, and others with only one, or two or three.
But for two successors to reach the state of Supreme Demon was only the third time in history, following the First Heavenly Demon and the Seventh Heavenly Demon.
"Whether this is truly something to be congratulated for is a matter to consider."
"Pardon?"
Lee Cheonsang's eyes twinkled.
"In any case, it is indeed surprising."
The firstborn, Jin Gwan-yong, was completely different from 'that boy'—the first one he had taken in, who had ultimately become a failure.
Moreover, his soul was not as tempered as Seo Ryang's, nor did he possess talent as conspicuous as Ju Seoyun's.
The reason he took Jin Gwan-yong as a disciple was because the boy resembled him.
The same was true for his other disciples. Each had some aspect that resembled Lee Cheonsang and possessed talent, which was why they were chosen. But among them, the disciple who resembled him the most was, without a doubt, Jin Gwan-yong.
"Following the third, the first has also defied my expectations."
"What do you mean by that...?"
"I didn't know his seclusion would last three years, nor that he would emerge having attained the state of Supreme Demon."
Jin Gwan-yong was thirty-seven years old.
He was two or three years older than Lee Cheonsang had been, but he had attained the state of Supreme Demon at roughly the same age. He never thought they would be so similar even in this respect.
"And that firstborn took the younger ones to the second's residence, and the third is there too?"
The corner of Lee Cheonsang's mouth lifted.
A wide smile, one he had never shown anyone before.
"I look forward to seeing whether it will become a three-way battle, or end as a war of nerves between just two of them."