Chapter 36
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: The Worst, Not the Strongest (4)
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Cha Gwang tilted his head.
‘Third Young Master? Does such a position exist in our cult?’
Such a position didn't exist. However, there were those called Young Masters and Young Mistresses.
"A-a disciple of the Cult Leader!"
Clang!
‘Huh?’
Cha Gwang blinked. His broadsword was suddenly rolling on the ground.
What? Did my hand lose its strength? I've never let go of my sword, even when I was on the verge of death. What's wrong with me?
When a person receives a great shock, it takes time to accept reality. Such was the case for Cha Gwang now.
Just then, the voice he least wanted to hear in this place dragged the flustered Cha Gwang back to reality.
“You ask why you have to listen to me?”
Seo Ryang, stroking his chin, winked.
“Come to think of it, there's no absolute reason you have to. Just think of it as a recommendation. Because…”
Pop!
He uncorked the bottle of wine.
“I might just feel like popping your heads off like this. That wouldn't be fun for anyone, would it? Right?”
Wi Hongryeon's expression changed drastically.
It was rare to find someone who would speak like that in front of the renowned Commander of the Berserk Demon Unit. The problem was, she had just picked a fight with one of those rare individuals.
Seo Ryang looked at Cha Gwang.
“What was that you said? You'd let it slide just once since it's a good day?”
“Uh… uh…”
“Haha, you bastard. It's fine, man! No need to muster up patience you don't have, not in a world too short to live without being straightforward. Right?”
“Th-that's…”
“Crucially, I've lost all desire to let you off the hook. Even sword fights need a certain rhythm to look good. So, come on. Bring it.”
Cha Gwang felt his mind go blank.
‘This crazy bastard must have a death wish!’
‘…This son of a bitch!’
He had spewed unbelievable insults without knowing his opponent was the Third Young Master. He felt like cursing himself a hundred times more harshly.
Just then, Wi Hongryeon knelt.
“Invincible Divine Cult, Ten Thousand Demons Submit. Wi Hongryeon, Commander of the Berserk Demon Unit, greets the Third Young Master.”
Unlike Cha Gwang, who was frozen in shock and terror, Wi Hongryeon appeared calm. Though the nape of her neck was quite flushed.
Seo Ryang, who had been staring down at her, cracked his neck.
*Crack. Cra-crack.*
“Ah, that's much better.”
“…”
“I don't particularly like being treated with excessive deference. It just draws embarrassing attention and is so damn noisy. But today, it feels quite sweet.”
No reply came from Wi Hongryeon.
Even if she hadn't known the young man before her was the Third Young Master, a sin was a sin. It was a situation where even slamming her forehead to the ground and begging for death wouldn't be enough of an apology.
And yet, that was the extent of her greeting.
Seo Ryang smiled.
“Commander of the Berserk Demon Unit.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
“May I take a bit of your time?”
“…What might you mean?”
“Let the kids have their party. How about we two have a quick drink? I don't think it'll take long.”
In that moment, Wi Hongryeon realized.
‘He already knew?!’
He clearly knew that today was the Berserk Demon Unit's party, and that it was being held at Jamiru. Otherwise, he would never have said such a thing.
She raised her head to look up at Seo Ryang.
The young man, still with a smile on his lips, looked down at her with a gaze of utter clarity.
Wi Hongryeon stood up.
“Cha Gwang.”
“…”
“Cha Gwang!”
“Yes? Ah, yes!”
“Take the men and go have a drink. There's no need to be quiet just because the Young Master is here.”
It was a difficult thing to say in front of the Third Young Master.
As Cha Gwang glanced nervously at Seo Ryang, Seo Ryang nodded as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
“That's right. It would be more uncomfortable for me otherwise.”
Cha Gwang bowed deeply.
“I-I will obey.”
He walked toward the second floor with an awkward gait.
Just then, Seo Ryang's voice came from behind him.
“Hey.”
Cha Gwang's steps halted. The single, indifferent word made the back of his neck grow damp.
“…Did you call for me?”
Seo Ryang grinned.
“From now on, live a little more freely.”
Cha Gwang immediately bent at the waist.
“My sincerest apologies!”
Seo Ryang turned his gaze to Wi Hongryeon.
“Shall we sit?”
“…Yes.”
As the two sat down, Cha Gwang, who had been lingering awkwardly, fled up to the second floor.
A moment later, a murmur spread from the second floor. They, too, must have heard everything that happened on the first floor, as no one dared to speak loudly.
Seo Ryang shrugged.
“I don't know what kind of food you like. I prefer simpler flavors.”
“…”
“If it's not to your taste, feel free to order something else.”
Wi Hongryeon, who had been quietly watching Seo Ryang, called for a waiter.
“Bring us a Dongguazhong.”
“…Y-yes.”
As the waiter scurried away, Seo Ryang picked up the wine.
“A glass?”
“It would be an honor.”
He filled Wi Hongryeon's cup and then his own.
“Let's drink.”
“Yes.”
The two of them drained their cups at the same time.
Seo Ryang frowned.
“They brought out such a bland wine.”
Had Do Wigyeong heard that, he would have fainted on the spot. Wi Hongryeon asked.
“I will have them bring another wine.”
“No need. All wine is the same.”
Watching Seo Ryang continuously sip his wine, Wi Hongryeon asked.
“Do you have something specific to say to me?”
“Hm?”
“It seems you already knew my unit was having a party today.”
“Would have been harder not to know. Rumors have spread all over the inner fortress.”
His frankness made it easier to speak. Wi Hongryeon asked.
“I'll ask you directly. Was I your target?”
Perhaps because of her stiff tone, it felt particularly provocative.
“Well, yes?”
“If you had something to say to me, you didn't need to wait for the party.”
“My apologies. It just so happened that I thought of some business with you today.”
“So it wasn't a matter you could afford to wait on until the party was over.”
Seo Ryang smiled.
She was openly showing her displeasure. The rumors that she'd even snapped at the Nine Great Demonic Lords didn't seem to be baseless.
To react this way even when facing the Third Young Master, she truly had an extraordinary temper.
“I have a damn personality that makes me act the moment I think of something. If I've been rude, I apologize.”
A peculiar light flickered in Wi Hongryeon's eyes.
This was the first time she had seen the Third Young Master. Not only was she often away on missions, with little time to be caught up in internal politics, but she also had no desire to get involved with high-ranking people.
But she had heard the rumors.
‘A tyrant of the age. Possessed of outstanding talent and strong drive, but just as violent and cold-hearted.’
A disposition that made it difficult to win people's hearts. That's how it seemed, from a common-sense perspective.
However, before he suffered from Qi Deviation, there were quite a few who followed the Third Young Master. They believed that being violent was better than being timid and indecisive. In the Demonic Path, violence could sometimes be considered a virtue.
For such a person to say sorry, even if only as a formality, and even use the word 'apologize'...
‘He wants something from me.’
Wi Hongryeon drained her cup.
“What is it that you want from me?”
“I like how fast you get to the point. I hate useless rambling myself.”
Seo Ryang said as he refilled his cup.
“Turn yourself in.”
In that instant, Wi Hongryeon's eyes flashed.
“I don't know what you're talking about.”
“Turn yourself in. It's a minor offense, so it'll probably end with probation or a pay cut, right?”
“I have committed no crime.”
“Is that so?”
Draining his cup, Seo Ryang chewed on some meat and said.
“Does the Berserk Demon Unit receive a thousand taels a month for unit expenses?”
“…!”
“You guys are the worst, not the strongest, right? Even the First Heavenly Demon Army only gets eight hundred taels a month for expenses. You think it makes sense for you to be taking over a thousand?”
*Saaaaa.*
Demonic energy surged from Wi Hongryeon's body.
The emotion carried in the demonic energy was bewilderment. She was so shocked that she lost control of the demonic energy she had perfectly contained.
Seo Ryang grinned.
“Go to the Hall of Punishments and turn yourself in. You get a reduced sentence if you confess, right? It's not like you stole public funds; you just happened to receive it during a drinking session. With a charge like that, even the Hall of Punishments can't imprison the Commander of the Berserk Demon Unit.”
“…”
“Oh, and make sure you reveal the name of the bastard who put the money in your hand. Got it?”
*Pssss.*
Wi Hongryeon's wine cup crumbled into dust and scattered. Unable to contain her turbulent emotions, her demonic energy kept running wild.
“…How did you know?”
It was a clear admission. It seemed that pretending to be ignorant, no matter the circumstances, didn't suit her personality.
Seo Ryang smiled.
“I just happened to hear about it.”
“…”
“Anyway, I've said my piece. Let's have you go turn yourself in once the party wraps up. Understood?”
*R-r-rumble.*
The table vibrated, and the plates on it rattled.
At the same time, the murmuring on the second and third floors fell silent. Though they pretended not to, they too had been listening to the conversation.
*Wooooong.*
Wi Hongryeon's pupils turned blue. Her demonic arts were about to be fully unleashed.
“I see. I wasn't your target.”
“Hm?”
“Was the Fourth Young Master your target?”
Her words confirmed that the one who gave her the money was the Fourth Young Master. Seo Ryang grinned.
“Correct.”
He admitted it so easily. Wi Hongryeon was dumbfounded by his honesty.
“Are you trying to pressure the Fourth Young Master through me?”
“That's part of it, and well, there are other minor reasons too.”
“Why on earth…”
“No reason I have to tell you.”
Just then, the waiter brought the Dongguazhong.
The waiter's face turned pale in the murderous atmosphere. After placing the Dongguazhong down as politely as possible, he fled the scene.
“Still, you're loyal. If it were me, I would have just pocketed it all for myself, but you shared it with your subordinates?”
“…”
“What are you doing? The food you ordered is here. Eat.”
“There is no proof.”
“Hm?”
Wi Hongryeon smiled.
A smile that was close to a sneer. The ferocious glint in her eyes was a bonus.
“I don't know where you heard it, but there is no proof. If you came to pressure me, you should have at least brought some evidence.”
Her words were even more impudent. It was a sign of how desperate she had become.
Seo Ryang chuckled.
“No proof means no crime, is that it?”
“Of course.”
“Is making things complicated a hobby of yours?”
“You are the one making things complicated, Third Young Master. Why come to our party on such a fine day, bring up a crime that's barely a crime, and urge me to confess? I fail to understand.”
Wi Hongryeon stood up.
“Thank you for the drink. Now then…”
“Cha Gwang, was it?”
“…?”
“The order you gave to stand by—wasn't that to keep your subordinates' mouths shut so the news of you taking money wouldn't leak?”
“…!”
“You really want to do this the hard way? Should I suggest we check the ledgers to see how much that troublemaker has eaten and drunk here?”
*Shudder!*
Killing intent erupted from Wi Hongryeon's body.
Regardless of the truth, she didn't like the Third Young Master constantly backing her into a corner. No, this entire situation was infuriating.
“Are you trying to take this all the way?”
“My, my, listen to the way this one talks.”
“Please leave now. I suggest you don't provoke me any further.”
Seo Ryang asked back, amused.
“And what if I do? You going to draw your sword?”
“Of course not.”
*Crack.*
Wi Hongryeon smiled and raised her fist.
“I can't leave a sword mark on someone of your high status.”
“Oh? So a bruise is fine, is that it?”
“The fact that someone like the Third Young Master was beaten up by a mere commander... you'd be too embarrassed to tell anyone.”
Valuing strength above all else was common sense in the demonic martial world. Especially for a successor vying for the throne, the news of being beaten by a commander would be a fatal blow.
The problem was, the man named Seo Ryang valued such things less than a pebble on the roadside.
“It's fine. People get bruised and bleed when they fight. What's the big deal?”
“…You!”
“And to be frank, do you think you can even leave a scratch on me with those delicate fists?”
Wi Hongryeon grinned.
Inwardly, Seo Ryang cheered.
‘She's lost it.’
*Woooooong!!*
Blue demonic energy spread throughout her entire body.
“I won't draw my sword, so don't you worr—”
*THWACK!*
“Keok!”
Struck hard, Wi Hongryeon crashed through a table and went tumbling.
The atmosphere instantly froze at this outrageous turn of events.
Seo Ryang, who had casually thrown the kick, tilted his head.
“What? Weren't we starting?”
“…”
“Damn, I thought the Commander of the Berserk Demon Unit would have some bite, but you're this sloppy?”
*Rustle, rustle.*
Wi Hongryeon rose from the wreckage of the broken table.
Her face, stained with killing intent and madness, was no different from that of a rakshasa.
“You're dead.”
Seo Ryang chuckled.
“Try me, you bitch.”
On the historic party day of the Berserk Demon Unit.
The worst pair of lunatics began to run wild.