Chapter 26
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: Here or the Solitary Bamboo Forest (1)
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The air in the grand hall boiled like a cauldron. In the presence of their god, no one dared to murmur, but the demonic energy radiating from them was enough to reveal their feelings.
Excitement, bewilderment, awe, rage, astonishment—it was a veritable crucible of shock.
This was especially true for the disciples.
Seo Ryang had received the highest praise, even more so than Ju Seoyun. The Cult Leader had never before called any of his disciples, let alone any of the demonic practitioners under his command, "excellent."
Lee Cheonsang waved his hand.
“The grand hall meeting is now concluded. Third, you will follow me.”
With those words, he rose from his seat and walked toward the left corridor.
Everyone knelt. They could not remain standing as the Cult Leader departed.
All but one.
Only Seo Ryang followed behind Lee Cheonsang with steady steps.
Seeing him seemingly receive the farewells of the demonic practitioners alongside the Cult Leader, Hong Wi-mun's eyelids trembled uncontrollably.
*Swish.*
He stealthily lifted his head to catch a glimpse of Seo Ryang's back.
‘...That bastard.’
His physique was incomparably confident.
He seemed a few inches taller, his frame much sturdier than before. It was impossible to believe this was the body of someone who had suffered from qi deviation.
‘How in the world?’
How did he survive in the Solitary Bamboo Forest? Could it be that Master had been looking out for him?
And how on earth did he cultivate such overwhelming demonic energy?
As the confused Hong Wi-mun bit his lip.
*Swish.*
Seo Ryang turned his head and looked at Hong Wi-mun.
‘...!!’
Startled, Hong Wi-mun instinctively lowered his head.
Seeing this, the corners of Seo Ryang's mouth lifted into a meaningful smile.
After Lee Cheonsang and Seo Ryang disappeared into the corridor, Mu Dam announced in a clear voice.
“Officials, you may now withdraw.”
A buzz of conversation arose.
Only then did the demonic practitioners begin to rise one by one.
“To think we have to rework the budget, the Lord of the Garden must be exhausted.”
“Not at all. I may be, but the Divine Generals' Office will be the ones getting busy.”
“It is a task that must be done. By the way, the Grand Marshal was absent today. Do you happen to know anything about it?”
“I don't. He's always so busy he barely has time to breathe.”
“Haha.”
“It's probably not because of the Festival of Papiyas. I heard those northern bastards have been up to some interesting business lately; I suspect it's because of that.”
“I've never seen one of those self-proclaimed righteous sect dogs who wasn't mad. They'll probably just try some pointless rabble-rousing. In any case, it must be tough for the Grand Marshal.”
The high-ranking members each engaged in various conversations based on the meeting's content, as if they had completely erased the bewildering scene from moments before.
After scanning the leaders, Gwan Pyeong turned his gaze to Hong Wi-mun, Ju Seoyun, and Chae Yeomin.
“It's been a while since we've gathered like this.”
An iciness could be felt in his voice.
It wasn't because he was particularly cold-hearted. In fact, the martial art he practiced simply made his presence seem exceptionally cold.
Hong Wi-mun and Ju Seoyun slightly bowed their heads.
Gwan Pyeong asked Chae Yeomin.
“Is the youngest alright?”
“Yes, older brother.”
“Are you not suffering from some illness? Your complexion is terrible.”
Chae Yeomin said in a weary voice.
“I'm sorry. I'll be taking my leave first.”
“...Alright.”
The small figure hurrying out of the grand hall looked quite pitiful from behind.
Mu Dam approached Ju Seoyun.
“Fifth Young Mistress, follow me. I will guide you to the archives.”
Ju Seoyun bowed her head to Gwan Pyeong.
“Then I shall be on my way.”
“Alright.”
And so, only Gwan Pyeong and Hong Wi-mun remained.
Gwan Pyeong shook his head with a bitter expression.
“We're still martial siblings. We should at least gather for a cup of tea every now and then.”
“...You are right.”
“Let's meet again soon. I'll be going now.”
“Take care.”
Gwan Pyeong left the grand hall.
Hong Wi-mun, who had been following from a considerable distance, suddenly stopped in his tracks, a thought occurring to him.
His eyes, fixed on the corridor, wavered.
‘Seo Ryang.’
Just when I thought he would finally die from qi deviation, the persistent bastard managed to pull through.
I thought his life as a martial artist was over, but not only did he survive eight months in the Solitary Bamboo Forest, he emerged a completely different person.
Hong Wi-mun recalled the look in Seo Ryang's eyes.
Those bizarre eyes, in which an indescribable ferocity and a dreadful deathly aura flickered alternately within a clear gaze.
‘...’
Hong Wi-mun's expression hardened.
Seo Ryang had grown stronger. He didn't know by how much, but he seemed at least as strong as he was in the past, if not stronger.
But that wasn't the most important thing. The problem was what that bastard would do now that he had recovered.
Before his qi deviation, Seo Ryang was a man who greedily expanded his influence. He lacked the ability to devise intricate schemes or flexibly manage situations, but surprisingly, quite a few people followed him.
And now, that same man had received the Master's highest praise in front of everyone. It was a scene sufficient to reignite the interest of those who had turned their backs on him.
As Hong Wi-mun left the grand hall, a certain resolve settled upon his face.
‘As I thought, he's not someone I can just leave alone.’
I had wondered how much he could have grown, even if he returned alive. I even thought he might come back weaker than when he went in.
But that wasn't the case.
Once again, he had neatly defied my expectations.
‘I can't provoke him carelessly. I'll start over from the beginning.’
***
Seo Ryang glanced around with an indifferent gaze.
‘Another pavilion?’
In the courtyard behind the grand hall, there was a small artificial pond and a modest pavilion.
It was small but tranquil, possessing a certain charm. It was hard to believe it was for the exclusive use of the Cult Leader, the continent's most wicked demonic practitioner.
As if arranged beforehand, a small table with drinks was set up in the pavilion.
“Come up.”
*Ah, yes sir.*
Seo Ryang stepped up into the pavilion.
*Rustle.*
Lee Cheonsang took off the ceremonial dragon robe draped over his shoulders and tossed it onto the pavilion's railing.
Even at a glance, it was clearly a masterpiece crafted by an artisan. To toss such a garment aside like laundry showed he was a man of no ordinary mettle.
“Sit.”
*Of course.*
Seo Ryang sat across from Lee Cheonsang.
He sat confidently without kneeling. It could have been seen as insolent, yet Lee Cheonsang said nothing.
Seo Ryang scoffed inwardly.
*Of course you should. Stronger or not, this is the man who threw his disciple, who had just recovered from qi deviation, into that godforsaken danger zone. Besides, my newfound strength is the result of my own efforts, not his.*
*I've got no reason to back down today.*
“Take this.”
A glint of greed appeared in Seo Ryang's eyes as he looked at the politely raised cup.
How long has it been since I last had a drink?
*Trickle.*
The shimmering liquid was slowly poured.
Looking closely, not a single drop of liquor splashed outside the cup. He poured so slowly it was almost yawn-inducing.
*Still pouring like an artist, I see.*
After filling Seo Ryang's cup and then his own, Lee Cheonsang raised his.
“Let's have a drink.”
“Yes.”
*Clink!*
The cups clinked together, producing a clear sound.
Seo Ryang drained his cup in one go.
‘Ahhh!’
*Ah... so good.*
The sweet aroma of the drink lingered at the tip of his nose. His mouth felt dry for a moment, then refreshed. The saliva that pooled in his mouth attested to the liquor's value.
After eight long months, he would have welcomed even cheap white liquor, but this was one of the finest wines under heaven. He felt so ecstatic he thought he might lose his mind and pass out.
“Care for another?”
Without a word, Seo Ryang thrust his cup forward. He moved it so quickly it was like watching a master of the fast sword.
Lee Cheonsang refilled his cup. The pace was still agonizingly slow.
Seo Ryang, who was about to drink, hesitated and then held out his cup.
But Lee Cheonsang drank without clinking cups. Embarrassed, Seo Ryang cleared his throat and downed his drink.
“You haven't learned the Yeoryong.”
At the sudden remark, Seo Ryang tilted his head.
*Yeoryong? What's that?*
Lee Cheonsang said as he filled his cup again.
“You've mixed something with the True Demonic Arts.”
“...!”
“A Buddhist martial art, is it?”
Seo Ryang's face hardened in an instant.
‘He knows?’
*Shit, how did he know? No matter how strong he is, he can tell just by looking?*
‘Then again...’
Even the Flying Demon King had sensed the scent of the Nine Great Sects' martial arts from his Shadow Energy. He's incomparably stronger than the Flying Demon King and has even mastered demonic arts, so it would be harder for him *not* to notice.
*Anyway, what do I do about this?*
‘He's not angry, is he? Or is he? Is this something to be angry about?’
It is something to be angry about.
He didn't practice the martial art his master went to great lengths to teach him, instead practicing one he cobbled together himself. While not a grave offense, it was certainly enough to cause disappointment.
The problem was that this man might go beyond disappointment and become enraged.
‘Dammit! I should have prepared for this situation!’
Seo Ryang's eyes darted around. He had to find a way to package this plausibly.
Just then, Lee Cheonsang spoke.
“Excellent.”
...What?
“It is not easy to create a martial art of a higher dimension than the Ten Great Demonic Arts.”
*Not just 'not easy,' isn't it incredibly difficult? I mean, I was lucky, but... wait, no!*
“Ah, yes. I put some thought into it.”
“And what you found was a Buddhist martial art?”
“...”
“Why that, specifically?”
Seo Ryang quickly opened his mouth.
“I tried mixing and matching various things, but nothing was as good as the Buddhist martial arts. If I wanted to become stronger.”
“Is that so.”
“Yessir. It definitely improved things.”
“Your deliberation was brief.”
“...?”
“The True Demonic art's power and qi accumulation may be of a lower level, but as a foundation, it is the best in our Cult. Had you deliberated longer, you might not have needed to attach a Buddhist art to it.”
Lee Cheonsang raised his cup.
“You've made a flower bed where a tree should have been planted.”
...*Pick one, you old geezer.*
*You said it was excellent, didn't you? Isn't that enough? Why are you trying to tear me down again?!*
“I have seen your achievement, so that is enough. You may go now.”
Seo Ryang inwardly smacked his lips.
‘Dammit, why did he call me here for this?’
He poured me two cups of liquor and then just spouted nonsense about martial arts this and creation that. I wasn't expecting a constructive conversation, but if this was all, why not just send a letter?
He didn't even say a word about the hardship I endured in that dangerous place. I knew he was taciturn, but isn't he just a cold-hearted man?
‘Still, it's a relief.’
When he mentioned the Buddhist martial art, my heart really sank. If he pressed me on where I got it, what would I say?
‘Ugh.’
*This is for the best. If I linger, he might ask about it. I should get out of here quickly.*
“I will take my leave now.”
“Take this liquor with you.”
“Pardon?”
Lee Cheonsang tapped the liquor bottle with his finger.
“It is a reward for a job well done. Take it.”
*A half-drunk bottle of liquor is my reward? If you're giving me something, why not a new one?*
Of course, Seo Ryang couldn't voice that terrifying question and instead picked up the bottle with a delighted expression and scurried away.
Seo Ryang did not know. He didn't know what kind of liquor this was.
Nor the fact that it had been a long time since Lee Cheonsang had spoken so much to anyone other than Mu Dam.
After Seo Ryang disappeared, Lee Cheonsang also rose from his seat.
He stood in the pavilion and gazed at the artificial pond.
“A Buddhist martial art...”
Lee Cheonsang's eyes deepened.
“He couldn't possibly know of the trials of the Ultimate Demon, so is it a simple coincidence?”
Or is it instinct?
A smile formed on the lips of Lee Cheonsang, who had been lost in thought.
“It matters not.”
He hadn't expected the Third to bring such interest to his meaningless, emotionless daily life.
Will that audacious Third be able to stir a ripple in this hardened heart again next time?
*Whoosh!*
A chill emanated from the blowing wind.
Whether that chilling wind, which so excites a person, would become a cold gale or a storm of blood remained to be seen.
“It will be an interesting winter.”