Chapter 29
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: An Inevitable Coincidence (1)
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Well past midnight, the hour of the Ox was approaching.
After sending off the thoroughly drunk Ma Dongpil and putting Aeng-hwa to bed, Seo Ryang came out to the courtyard and sipped his wine alone.
Staring blankly at the moonlight, Seo Ryang tilted his head.
“Strange. Just when I think I’m getting drunk, I sober up. Then just when I think I’m getting drunk again, I sober up again.”
Was the original owner of this body a heavy drinker?
Closing his eyes for a moment to observe his inner self, Seo Ryang tilted his head again.
‘The energy circulating in my liver is unusually active… but for an internal arts master, this much should be normal…’
It wasn't a complete rebirth, but it was practically a new body. Still, unless he actively used his internal energy to expel the alcohol, there was no way he wouldn't get drunk.
“Damn it, you drink to get drunk.”
This is no fun…
He smacked his lips and chugged from the bottle. For a moment, his insides burned and his head spun, but after a few blinks, he was sober again.
“…Damn it all.”
Just then, something soft and fluffy rubbed against his thigh.
“Ah, it’s you.”
The fox cub purred and flopped onto its back. It seemed to think it was a cat.
He idly scratched its belly with his hand, and it twitched its nose enthusiastically, clearly enjoying it. Its tail swayed from side to side, and its eyes were barely open, a clear sign it was savoring the touch.
Seo Ryang chuckled.
Must be nice to live without a care in the world.
“But aren’t you hungry? You’ve just been sleeping and haven’t eaten anything.”
No answer came from the fox. Of course, how could a four-legged beast speak?
“Let’s see.”
He dangled a piece of boiled pork, which he had brought as a snack, in front of its nose. The fox, still lying with its eyes closed, simply opened its mouth.
He slipped it in, and the fox chewed it well, making a strange chomping sound.
When the fox finished, Seo Ryang offered another piece. The fox accepted it, still lying on its back.
“You’ll get indigestion like that.”
Seo Ryang rested his chin on his hand and watched the fox with a curious gaze.
“Anyway, it’s strange. How did you end up sleeping in such a grim place?”
Nom nom.
“Did you really have a mother there? If so, I feel a little bad.”
Chomp chomp.
It chewed away, lost in its meal. A gentle smile touched Seo Ryang’s lips.
“You’re a cute one. Good thing you seem to be weaned… Then again, you did bite my hand, you little devil.”
It was absurd that he’d been drawn blood by a fox cub smaller than his forearm, not some huge monster. His feeling of guilt instantly vanished.
“Stop eating, you little brat. You’re the size of a mouse dropping.”
*Yip!*
“Alright. It’s all yours.”
He grumbled and finished his drink. No matter how much he drank, he couldn't get drunk, and it was as irritating as sitting on a cold floor even with a fire going.
Just as the quiet banquet for one man and one beast was drawing to a close.
A sharp light gleamed in Seo Ryang’s eyes.
‘So Yeonsim, was it?’
The Garden of Joy.
Among the inner court organizations, none lacked influence, but the importance of the Garden of Joy, which managed the cult’s internal affairs, was beyond description.
In some cases, even the Office of the Grand Marshal had to get approval from the Garden of Joy. This meant that while the Grand Marshal ranked higher in the cult’s hierarchy, the power of the Lord of the Garden of Joy was not to be underestimated.
He recalled Ma Dongpil’s words.
- To obtain a definitive organizational chart or a map of personal relationships, you would have to go to the Office of the Grand Marshal. However, no one besides the Cult Leader can summon or meet with the Grand Marshal. I hear he has been especially busy lately.
- The Hall of Protectors is also knowledgeable about the organizational structure, but it would be difficult for them to know the details of personal relationships. A superficial map would be easy enough, but I believe what you desire, Young Master, is a more detailed one.
- In that case, meeting with the Lord of the Garden of Joy would be the fastest and most certain way.
- But, Young Master, whether it’s the Grand Marshal or the Lord of the Garden of Joy… they probably won’t be willing to share that information easily.
On that point, Seo Ryang agreed. An organizational chart was one thing, but a detailed map of personal relationships would inevitably involve personal opinions.
And if those opinions were to leak, it might not cause a political blow, but it would likely lead to considerable headaches.
“No choice. I’ll have to give it a shot anyway.”
Seo Ryang licked his lips.
‘I can’t just wait forever.’
I will walk out of the Divine Cult of the Heavenly Demon on my own two feet, proud and free. No matter how many years it takes, I will move forward on my own terms, without answering to anyone.
His resolve did not waver. He was actually prepared to rot here for a few years.
For the future, and for his immediate survival, he knew he had to get stronger quickly. That’s why he had gritted his teeth and trained so relentlessly.
But so what? Is getting stronger the end of it?
‘Absolutely not.’
I can endure it for a few years, but if an opportunity presents itself, I won’t let it slip by.
But I can’t live like a fox waiting with its mouth open for fruit to fall. After all, isn’t it people who create opportunities?
If I want to get out of here, I first need detailed information about the Divine Cult of the Heavenly Demon. In my current ambiguous state, I’m too easily swayed by circumstances.
Crucially, I need a solid position.
Not just the Cult Leader’s disciple, but someone with enough power or influence to come and go from the cult as I please.
‘Sneaking out is impossible, and trying to subtly get involved will only raise unnecessary suspicion.’
As I thought…
No matter how I looked at it, from every angle, I needed to build my presence.
‘So, does that mean I also have to run myself ragged chasing after power?’
It leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
You only need to look at the leader of the Righteous Heaven Alliance to see how power struggles can destroy a person. That old man ruined hundreds, if not thousands, of families to secure his position.
Even if it’s for my own freedom, I don’t want to become that kind of bastard.
‘The one silver lining is that my position is already high.’
Most things can be solved with my status. And since I’m already a guy who’s been cursed to hell and back, it probably won’t matter if I stand out a little.
‘To create a situation where I have no choice but to leave, I need to be involved in whatever is happening. But that’s not something I can ask someone else to do for me.’
Seo Ryang’s eyes sparkled.
‘Maybe I should stir up some trouble.’
Woooong.
As he made up his mind, his heart pounded, his blood surged, and his demonic energy stirred. The demonic energy rising from his entire body manifested in the visible realm, taking the form of a reddish smoke.
The fox cub, which had been lying on its back chewing meat, suddenly sat up.
The fox cub looked up at Seo Ryang.
A five-colored light flowed from the fox’s eyes.
Zzzing! Zzziiing!
Unbeknownst to Seo Ryang, his demonic energy grew denser.
The reddish smoke, which had seemed to flow out and then dissipate, began to clump together, eventually forming a shape.
A shape that was hard to discern, seeming both human and beast. It wasn’t distinct, but it had a vaguely ferocious appearance.
“Hm?”
Sensing a strange atmosphere, he lowered his head.
The fox cub was staring intently up at him. The five-colored light that had flickered in its eyes was now gone.
“Finished chewing?”
*Yip!*
“Oh, you even answer.”
*Yip!*
“…You don’t actually understand what I’m saying, do you?”
*Yip!*
“I like your consistency.”
He gently stroked its nose, and the fox, seeming pleased, rubbed its face against Seo Ryang’s hand.
“You look like a dog, but you act just like a cat.”
Seo Ryang looked up at the sky.
The moonlight was nice, but the starlight was jarring. The cascading starlight was so clear that it felt impossible to tell which way was which.
Somehow, that sea of starlight seemed similar to his own situation.
It was as if it were mocking an old, lost child, adrift in this vast world.
‘It’s pathetic to just wander around because you don’t know which path to take.’
He clenched his fist.
A strong will was imbued in his tightly clenched fist.
“Since it’s come to this, I’ll run wild in my own way.”
* * *
*Pow! Pow! Pow!*
Aeng-hwa, who had been sweeping for a while, glanced at the training ground. There, Seo Ryang, shirtless, was throwing punches in every direction.
*Whoosh!*
‘*Gasp.*’
Aeng-hwa held her breath without realizing it.
Even from a great distance, the wind pressure he generated without using any internal energy was immense. And even more incredible than the wind pressure was the intimidating aura that shook the air.
*Splat!*
Thick beads of sweat soaked the ground.
Even though it wasn't training that involved internal energy, he was sweating profusely. That meant the mental and physical exertion was immense.
‘And after drinking so much last night…’
Aeng-hwa was inwardly amazed.
She had heard that masters could use their internal energy to expel alcohol. But that was only when they were sober-minded.
To train like that after drinking an amount that would be difficult for a dozen strong men to consume. His strong will felt truly remarkable.
‘As expected, not just anyone can be the Cult Leader’s disciple.’
Quickly finishing her sweeping, Aeng-hwa scurried inside. She intended to prepare a meal that would be quite filling, even for breakfast.
“*Hoo.*”
After training for a while, Seo Ryang stopped moving.
The skin all over his body was flushed red. His entire body ached with muscle soreness.
‘This is tough, as expected.’
The Heaven-Lifting Technique was his main killing art, a comprehensive collection of all unarmed combat forms, including fists, palms, fingers, and feet.
Naturally, the sheer number of its forms was on a different level from other martial arts.
From killing techniques that could pierce a body with a single finger poke to forms focused on relentless barrages of attacks. It was a martial art that took a good hour just to perform from start to finish.
He performed these delicate martial arts while using the Thousand-Pound Weight technique to put pressure on his body.
It was a training method that could easily damage not just muscles but also joints, but its effectiveness was as great as its risk. It was excellent for building the muscles of an assassin who relies on single, decisive blows, and with proper energy circulation and nutrition, it could fundamentally change one’s entire musculoskeletal structure.
“I think I can increase the duration.”
His body, tempered by the spiritual energy of the Solitary Bamboo Forest, was incredibly tough and resilient. Though the training was dangerous, his excellent vessel allowed him to maximize its efficiency.
Seo Ryang looked down at the training ground floor.
“…It’s still not enough, though.”
Footprints, two inches deep, were stamped all over the training ground. If his training had been perfect, there wouldn’t have been any marks like these.
Just then, Aeng-hwa appeared in the distance.
“Young Master, are you finished with your training?”
“Of course not. I still have a long way to go.”
“You’re… you’re going again?”
“This was just a warm-up. I have a mountain of work to do.”
A look of exhaustion appeared on Aeng-hwa’s face. Seeing his sweat-drenched body and labored breathing, it wouldn’t be strange if he collapsed on the spot, yet he said he was far from done.
“Then, what about your meal…?”
“Huh? Ah, now that you mention it, time has flown by.”
Seo Ryang rubbed his stomach.
“A man’s got to fill his belly before he works. Let’s eat.”
“Yes, sir!”
After a whirlwind meal, Seo Ryang dove back into his training.
As this body was completely different from the one he had in his past life as an assassin, the process of adapting his original killing arts to his current body was not easy.
Seo Ryang thought.
‘I was an assassin. But even then, I was far from what others imagined an assassin to be.’
No assassin boldly smashes through the front gate in broad daylight. Seo Ryang had done such crazy things quite often.
Except when absolutely necessary, he didn't even use stealth, and he didn't bother carrying hidden weapons because it was a hassle. After all, he had no problem wrecking people with his bare hands, so why would he carry such things?
In other words, he was an assassin in name only; he was no different from any other martial artist in the world.
‘It might feel a bit awkward, but it won’t take long.’
At least when it came to martial arts, he never drew lines or set limits. That was his strength.
And so, another half a day passed.
*Fwoosh!*
A powerful demonic energy was imbued in his outstretched fist. Even without intending to, his focus on the movement caused the demonic energy to be released.
A smile spread across Seo Ryang’s face.
“That’s it.”
It wasn't perfect, but the Heaven-Lifting Technique was starting to fit his body. It was hard to get the ball rolling, but once it started, reaching his goal was only a matter of time.
Just then, as if on cue, a voice came from outside the main gate.
“Young Master.”
“Ah, Dongpil.”
The gate opened, and Ma Dongpil entered. In his hand, he held a single-edged saber.
“It’s what you asked for. It’s a weapon of similar quality to the one you used before.”
“Thanks.”
“Don’t mention it.”
Wiping off his sweat, he strapped the saber to his waist.
“Well then, shall we get moving?”
The fox cub deftly leaped onto his shoulder. Seo Ryang scratched the fox under its chin.
A look of confusion crossed Ma Dongpil’s face.
“Where are you going?”
“I’m off to design my future.”
As he strode toward the gate, he suddenly turned around.
Ma Dongpil stared at him blankly.
Seo Ryang winked.
“If you’ve got nothing better to do, want to come along?”