Chapter 172
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 172
Chapter Title: There's No Such Thing as an Unsolvable Problem (2)
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“…”
“…”
Two men sat facing each other.
The steam that had been rising from their cups was long gone. The cold tea had lost its original fragrance ages ago.
How much time had passed like that?
“So you’ve shaped the Blood Calamity Demonic Art into a Two-Body Demonic Union.”
Jin Gwan-yong’s voice was still devoid of any inflection.
The corner of Gwan Pyeong’s mouth lifted.
“You recognize it.”
“Of course, I do. How could I not recognize an art I created with my own hands?”
Jin Gwan-yong took a sip of tea. The flavorless liquid was merely murky.
“But that was an incomplete demonic art. Did you complete it?”
“As you can see.”
Jin Gwan-yong’s eyes sank gloomily.
“That art has a flaw. A critical one.”
“I put in quite an effort to mend that flaw.”
“How did you fix it?”
“Do you really think I’d tell you?”
“…”
“How did you ascend to the state of the Supreme Demon? Please, tell me.”
“It is not a state that can be explained with words.”
Gwan Pyeong smiled. It was a twisted smile.
“The same goes for the Two-Body Demonic Union Art. It cannot be explained with words.”
“Tell me the incantations.”
“Why should I?”
“…”
“If you truly desire it, then please, elevate this untalented younger brother to the state of the Supreme Demon. Then I might consider it.”
Jin Gwan-yong’s face, which had remained unchanged, turned cold.
“Are you throwing a tantrum before me?”
“Is that not allowed?”
“…”
“You betrayed me, brother.”
“…”
“You stole everything from me and scurried off into that den you call Homa Pass. Was the state you achieved thanks to that sweet?”
*Crumble.*
The teacup in Jin Gwan-yong’s hand turned to dust. The tea that had been sloshing inside evaporated completely.
“You’ve become quite twisted in the time I haven’t seen you.”
“You are free to think whatever you wish. I have no desire to be remembered as a good person by you. But know this one thing.”
“…”
“Our third brother lost all of his martial arts due to qi deviation.”
“…!”
“That was a mere two years ago. And now, he has reached the state of the Supreme Demon without anyone’s help.”
Jin Gwan-yong’s eyes trembled faintly. It was a fact he had missed during his three years of secluded training.
It was unbelievable, but if it were true, then their third brother was undoubtedly a monster unprecedented in the history of the Divine Cult of the Heavenly Demon—no, in the entire history of the martial world.
“I don’t know if he used some shortcut like you did, but at the very least, you would not be able to defeat him now.”
Amidst the anger and ridicule, a hint of self-deprecation emerged. He, too, had felt a moment of despair at their third brother’s skill.
Gwan Pyeong downed his own tea.
“Of course, I will not give up. I will devour both our third brother and you, and seize the next succession…”
“I’ll tell you.”
“…?”
“I will tell you how to reach the state of the Supreme Demon.”
“What… what did you say?!”
Jin Gwan-yong’s eyes gleamed.
His perilous gaze was as dark and ominous as a thundercloud.
“However, you will lose a great many things.”
* * *
“It’s only been a few days, but it feels like a month.”
Yeo Gang-hui’s voice was still relaxed.
Seo Ryang shrugged.
“You should have spent the time training.”
“I’m always training hard. But I was so anxious, I couldn’t really focus.”
“That’s a lack of concentration. Work on it.”
“Thank you for the advice.”
Yeo Gang-hui glanced to the side.
“And this person is…?”
“My bodyguard and friend.”
Ma Dongpil was startled.
“That is more than I deserve, Young Master.”
Seo Ryang snorted.
“As you can see, he’s no fun.”
“He looks like he’d be fun to tease, though.”
“You get it.”
As the two of them chuckled, Ma Dongpil’s face turned red.
“So, are you planning to set out soon?”
“Yes.”
A flicker of tension crossed Yeo Gang-hui’s face.
“What’s the method?”
“What else? Charging in head-on is my style. I don’t want to waste time weighing this and that.”
“…”
“What?”
“By that, do you mean you intend to knock on the main gate of the Beast Palace?”
“Of course.”
“Are you really going to do that?”
“Did you think I came all this way to spout nonsense?”
“Isn’t that too reckless?”
“Don’t you think sneaking in to snatch your kidnapped sister is even more reckless?”
“…”
“I’ve heard the Beast Palace is the most savage of the Four Outer Palaces. But no matter how savage they are, would they dare to bare their fangs at the Third Young Master of the Divine Cult of the Heavenly Demon?”
“Of course, they wouldn’t. Even if they harbor hostility.”
“Exactly.”
“The problem is what comes after. The Third Young Master is certainly a formidable warrior, but you cannot fight the entire Beast Palace.”
“Obviously. That would be impossible for anyone but the Cult Leader.”
“I wonder if even the Cult Leader is capable of that, but let’s set that aside. What will you do if they resort to trickery?”
“Even a dog does more than its share in its own front yard.”
“That’s what I’m talking about. Even the Third Young Master won’t be safe if you enter the Beast Palace…”
“What are you talking about?”
“Pardon?”
Seo Ryang smirked.
“That dog… is me.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“The Beast Palace is in Yunnan, isn’t it?”
“That is correct.”
“Why do you think Yunnan isn’t our Cult’s territory?”
For a moment, Yeo Gang-hui’s eyes wavered.
Seo Ryang spoke as if it were nothing.
“We don’t manage it closely, but that place is also our domain. A few minor sects are making a fuss in the smaller areas, but they don’t dare proclaim it as their own territory. Why? Because we’re holding them back.”
“…”
“I heard the Beast Palace is hiding somewhere in Yunnan. Well, we don’t pay much attention unless it’s around the Ailao Mountains, which is probably why those riffraff have been running wild until now.”
Seo Ryang smiled coldly.
“This will be a good opportunity to firmly remind them who owns this land.”
Yeo Gang-hui felt a chill run down his spine.
*He’s terrifying.*
Was this the baseless confidence of an arrogant ruler?
Not at all. This man, the Third Young Master, genuinely believed Yunnan was the territory of the Divine Cult of the Heavenly Demon.
And it was clear he had every intention of personally crushing anyone who stood in his way.
“Still, to go with such a small group is too…”
“Who said we’re a small group?”
“Pardon? Did the Cult Leader dispatch a combat unit for you?”
“No.”
“Then, experts from within the Cult?”
Seo Ryang smirked.
“I know you’re worried, but I don’t want to drone on about it. All that matters is that I rescue your sister, right?”
“…That is true, but.”
“Don’t just assume a fight will break out. I’m not the type to start a fight, though I won’t back down from one that’s brought to me.”
Ma Dongpil, who had been silent, let out a dry cough.
Seo Ryang glared at him with daggers in his eyes.
Yeo Gang-hui chuckled.
“It seems that’s not the case?”
“It’s a misunderstanding.”
“In any case, since you’ve put it that way, I will trust you.”
“Suit yourself.”
Yeo Gang-hui, who had been watching Seo Ryang, suddenly hardened his expression.
His face was still beautiful, but the relaxed atmosphere had vanished. The startling change made Ma Dongpil flinch and tense up unconsciously.
Yeo Gang-hui opened his mouth.
“Third Young Master.”
“Speak.”
“We have agreed to form an alliance.”
“And?”
“But as long as my sister is not rescued, this alliance is not valid. Furthermore, her rescue includes the concept of survival.”
“Why do you keep stating the obvious?”
“If my sister comes to harm due to your reckless words or actions… then it will not end with merely breaking the alliance. The Cult will find itself facing another great enemy.”
*Rustle.*
The sound of bamboo branches clashing seemed particularly loud.
Ma Dongpil’s face hardened.
“Your words are too…”
“Enough.”
Seo Ryang nodded.
“You’re right.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
“No need to thank me. I’m rescuing your sister for my own sake. I will rescue her safely and hand her over to you, so you just worry about what you’ll do for me later.”
Yeo Gang-hui bowed his head.
“I’m counting on you.”
“I’m counting on you, too.”
“So, are you departing right now?”
“That’s the plan. You should get ready, too.”
“Underst… Pardon? What did you say?”
Seo Ryang blinked.
“What do you mean? You’re not planning on coming?”
“I-I’m going too?”
“You don’t want to? Your sister was kidnapped. I’d think you’d want to be at the forefront.”
“O-Of course, I do! But…”
“But?”
Yeo Gang-hui said with a dumbfounded expression.
“Am I not under the Cult’s special protection? Is it permissible for me to leave the Cult grounds with the Third Young Master…”
“Now this is interesting.”
Seo Ryang turned his head toward the bamboo forest.
A faint demonic energy flickered in his eyes.
“You can come out now.”
*Swoosh.*
With a gust of wind, Yang Jeong revealed himself.
He cupped his fist in greeting.
“I am Yang Jeong. I greet the Third Young Master.”
He didn’t prostrate himself and express reverence like other members of the Cult, but his simple greeting was filled with sufficient courtesy.
Seo Ryang gave a slight nod.
“I am Seo Ryang. It is an honor to meet a senior of a previous generation.”
“A senior? You flatter me. Please, just call me Warrior Yang.”
“Very well. Let’s skip the unnecessary pleasantries. Is someone under special protection forbidden from leaving the Cult grounds?”
A look of difficulty crossed Yang Jeong’s face.
“I apologize to the Third Young Master, but… that is not possible.”
“I see.”
Yeo Gang-hui looked at Seo Ryang as if to say, *‘See?’*
Seo Ryang added, as if it wasn’t a problem at all.
“Then all he has to do is renounce his position as someone under special protection.”
In that instant, everyone’s eyes went wide.
Seo Ryang asked.
“What will you do? Will you stay here and twiddle your thumbs until I come back with your sister? Or will you come with me and…”
“I renounce it.”
A resolute light appeared on Yeo Gang-hui’s face.
“I renounce it. As of this moment, I renounce my position as a person under special protection.”
Seo Ryang smiled.
“Good.”
Yang Jeong spoke urgently.
“Young Palace Lord! That is not something the subject of protection can simply renounce or not.”
Yeo Gang-hui’s gaze turned icy.
“Senior. Since when could the Cult arbitrarily control someone who is not a member?”
“…!”
“I am a guest from the outside. Where is the host who would force a guest to stay when they wish to leave?”
“W-Well, that’s true, but…”
“If it is truly a problem, I will go see the Cult Leader myself. Will that suffice?”
“Hah.”
Yang Jeong was at a loss for words. He had protected individuals under special protection three or four times before, but none of them had ever acted this way.
Seo Ryang spoke to Yang Jeong, who stood there unable to hide his bewilderment.
“I will inform the Grand Marshal and the Great Protector on my way to the Office of the Grand Marshal to get the departure permit. So please, do not worry too much.”
“Well then.”
Yang Jeong shook his head.
“What can I say when the subject of protection wishes to renounce it? However, we have our orders to consider, so I would be grateful if you handle it as you’ve said, Third Young Master.”
“I won’t make things difficult for you. Thank you.”
“However… are you truly sure about this? You will have to report this to the Cult Leader as well.”
“There’s no need for that.”
Seo Ryang’s eyes flashed.
“I just need to take responsibility for my own actions. As long as the result is good, the Cult Leader won’t say anything.”
“…”
“Thank you for your hard work protecting this man.”
Seo Ryang turned around.
“Let’s go, Icicle.”