Chapter 39
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: Act First, Think Later (3)
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*Clack!*
“Young Master!”
The door was thrown open. The tobacco smoke lingering in the room instantly rushed out.
Shin-hwe paid no mind to his own rudeness, nor to the fact that the tobacco smoke had grown particularly acrid.
“Did you hear? At the Jami Pavilion…”
“I heard.”
*Hooo.*
A thick cloud of smoke mingled with his light exhale.
Shin-hwe said urgently.
“The situation is serious. Everyone is trying to keep it quiet, but the very fact that the Third Young Master went there…”
“He was targeting me.”
“Pardon?”
“I'm certain. That bastard is trying to pull something, and I'm the target.”
“How can you be so…”
Hong Wi-mun didn't answer. He simply stared at the ceiling with languid eyes.
Shin-hwe swallowed dryly.
*'He's changed.'*
Since when?
The smile had vanished from the Young Master's face, a man who wouldn't have lost his composure even if lightning struck right before his eyes. His languid posture was reminiscent of a dangerous viper, and his hazy gaze was filled with ambiguity.
“…Should we take action?”
“Action? What kind?”
“…”
“The Commander of the Berserk Demon Unit isn't one to talk. In fact, if there was a physical confrontation, she'd be even more tight-lipped. That's the kind of person she is.”
“That may be true, but.”
“Of course, I can't guarantee it.”
*I can't be sure, I can't guarantee it, it might not go as I expect.*
These were the phrases the smile-less Hong Wi-mun now lived by. Unlike his past self, he had become a man who couldn't be certain of anything.
“Even if that happens, there's not much we can do. There's no need to.”
“Still…”
“I'd actually prefer it if the Commander turned herself in.”
“What?!”
This was another unexpected statement.
Hong Wi-mun tapped out his pipe and said.
“Do you know what's more frightening than the truth?”
“…”
“Rumors.”
“...!”
“If I were him, I would have just caused a scene and left. I wouldn't have made any kind of offer to the Commander. And then…”
A glint appeared in Hong Wi-mun's eyes.
“When the public's curiosity reached its peak, I'd spread rumors.”
“Rumors…”
“Rumors like, 'There was a secret deal between the Fourth Young Master and the Commander of the Berserk Demon Unit,' or 'Turns out the Commander was just a puppet dancing in the Fourth Young Master's hands.'”
“...!”
“The masses don't want a boring conclusion. Even when the official truth comes out, they'll remain skeptical and suggest other possibilities. It's even worse when there's no truth to be had. All sorts of scandals will spread like wildfire in every direction.”
Shin-hwe's eyes wavered.
Using the public's desires to tarnish someone's reputation was a common tactic for those engaged in political strife.
But it was hard for the target to realize it until they were already caught in it.
“In that case, shouldn't we take action all the more?”
Hong Wi-mun shook his head.
“I'm just saying that's what *I* would do. He might be different.”
“But to just stand by when the matter is…”
“Don't worry. It would be one thing if we were unaware, but now that we know, it's easy enough for us to quash the rumors.”
“…”
“In fact, if we can identify the source of the rumors and expose it, we can pin everything on them. We just need to watch how things unfold.”
Shin-hwe couldn't help but be impressed.
*'He truly is remarkable.'*
Even though he seemed deeply troubled lately, Hong Wi-mun's ability to see one, even two steps ahead was admirable.
“Does that mean we should just wait?”
“Not exactly.”
“Pardon?”
Hong Wi-mun stuffed some violet tobacco into his pipe, lit it, and took a deep drag.
*Whoosh.*
The smoke that spread out dreamily carried a rather fragrant scent, unlike the previous tobacco.
“A martial art focused solely on offense is bound to fail eventually. Offense and defense must always work in tandem. Politics is the same. You must prepare and attack the enemy simultaneously so you don't reveal your own weaknesses.”
“…”
“But that's not what's bothering me.”
Hong Wi-mun closed his eyes.
“How did he know?”
“...!”
“The fact that I was secretly funding the Commander of the Berserk Demon Unit was something nobody knew. They say there are no secrets in the world, but this wasn't something that should have come to light so quickly.”
“…Could it be the Commander of the True Demon Unit?”
“It's definitely not him. He's the type of person who would rather die than say anything that could be used against him.”
Hong Wi-mun closed his eyes.
*'Could it be Lord So?'*
It couldn't have leaked from the Office of the Grand Marshal. In that case, the most likely source of information is the Garden of Joy.
*'Was there some kind of deal between them back then?'*
That in itself was surprising. The Garden of Joy was an organization that, by tradition, never got involved in succession struggles.
*'It should be the same this time. Lord So is no fool. She would never get involved in this fight.'*
But what if So Yeonsim gave the information to Seo Ryang?
*'It means the patient she needs to save is that important to her.'*
Before that, it was also surprising that So Yeonsim even knew about the deal between him and the Commander. If this was true, he must never cross So Yeonsim in the future.
*'That sly fox of a woman.'*
It was then.
“Young Master!”
Shin-hwe furrowed his brow at the urgent voice from outside the door.
“What is it?”
“The Commander of the Berserk Demon Unit is on her way to the Hall of Punishments!”
Startled, Shin-hwe looked at Hong Wi-mun.
Hong Wi-mun let out a smirk.
“I don't know whether to call this fortunate or regrettable.”
* * *
“Oh, really?”
“Yes. The Commander is currently under investigation by the Hall of Punishments. The sum is quite large, but she'll probably be released in three or four days.”
“That makes sense. The name 'Commander of the Berserk Demon Unit' carries a lot of weight.”
Ma Dongpil said with a worried expression.
“Will you be alright?”
“About what?”
“The people will be disappointed in the Fourth Young Master. But it probably won't cause him any actual harm.”
“Probably not.”
“Won't the Fourth Young Master's side make a move? They won't just stand by and watch.”
“I suppose so.”
Unlike Ma Dongpil, Seo Ryang seemed quite relaxed. He rested his chin on his hand, his expression languid as he scratched Geumho's cheek.
“You don't seem worried, Young Master.”
“Worried? Well… if worrying solved problems, I'd stay up all night doing nothing but.”
“That's true, but.”
“Don't worry about it too much. It doesn't really matter how they'll react. Unless it's a situation where my head is on the line, I can worry about it later.”
In truth, Seo Ryang wasn't paying it much mind. It was surprising that the Commander had gone to the Hall of Punishments on her own, but hadn't he already considered her a fish that got away? This was just an unexpected bonus.
What he was contemplating now was Geumho.
*'Look at this little thing.'*
*Scratch, scratch.*
As he scratched its cheek with his finger, it let out a big yawn and shifted its body. The sight of it lying flat on its back with its eyes closed, puffing air from its nose, was unbearably cute.
It had a slightly unusual appearance, but it was just a fox cub. It wasn't bizarrely shaped like the strange creatures of the Solitary Bamboo Forest; it was an ordinary animal.
*'So why did I get so worked up back then?'*
It was natural to be angry when an animal I was raising was about to get hurt. But I didn't expect to lose my temper to that extent.
*'In such a short time, has this little guy become that important to me?'*
They say time isn't that important when it comes to forming attachments, whether with people or animals, but…
*'And that energy back then?'*
A vibration so faint that even the extremely sensitive Seo Ryang was unsure about it.
*'It was as if we were connected somehow…'*
Seo Ryang shook his head.
That's impossible.
Ki is fluid, and internal energy cultivation techniques are methods of artificially processing that ki into true energy suitable for the body and storing it.
That was why it was difficult to share ki even among people who practiced the same internal art. The nature of ki changes depending on a person's mind and body.
But sharing ki with an animal, not even a person? Ridiculous.
*Blink, blink.*
Geumho opened its eyes.
His face was perfectly reflected in its clear, obsidian-like eyes.
*'But… it's definitely not an ordinary animal.'*
It had been living in the Solitary Bamboo Forest, in the deepest part where the spiritual energy was most concentrated. The very fact that it could handle such energy with its immature body was remarkable.
*'Besides, it has disappeared a few times without me noticing.'*
It was similar to the concealment technique of a highly trained assassin, yet slightly different. Concealment erases one's presence entirely, but with Geumho, I could feel its presence, yet my mind would just… ignore it.
Seo Ryang dangled a piece of boiled pork in front of Geumho's nose.
*Nom!*
Geumho quickly snatched the meat and chewed.
The little thing was only the size of a forearm, yet it could eat a whole plate of meat. It didn't seem particularly gluttonous, but it was strange how it devoured everything it was given.
“This little rascal's belly is about to burst.”
Seo Ryang tapped Geumho on the nose and stood up.
He couldn't dwell on a problem with no immediate answer forever.
Time to spend this time more efficiently.
“By the way, Dongpil, you've improved quite a bit, haven't you?”
“Pardon?”
“Your sword forms have become quite refined. I'm talking about when you were fending off those mad dogs.”
“Ah, you saw?”
“I could feel it without looking. It was the Demonic Guardian Sword Art, wasn't it?”
“It was.”
“You reduced speed in exchange for eliminating openings and mixed in the principles of a heavy sword… Well done. Martial arts adapt to the person. You've modified it to suit you well. That's a good realization.”
A look of genuine joy spread across Ma Dongpil's face.
The Young Master, who rarely commented on martial arts, had said such things. He must have been quite impressed.
“Since we're on the topic, may I be so bold as to ask a question?”
“Go ahead.”
“Is this truly the right path?”
“What's that supposed to mean?”
Ma Dongpil's expression grew more serious.
“A martial art that leans too far in one direction is bound to reveal its limits. Even if I've grown for now, when I wonder if this direction is truly correct…”
“I was wondering what you were building up to, and it turns out to be a non-question.”
“Pardon?”
Seo Ryang snorted derisively.
“Aren't Demonic Arts themselves one-sided?”
“...?”
“Being one-sided means you've lost balance. But at the same time, it means you have a clear strength. And since Demonic Arts are ultimately about maximizing strengths, why do you think your sword art is any different?”
“...!”
“Besides, now is not the time for you to be worrying about such things.”
“Not the time to worry…?”
“Change means production. Whether you're progressing or regressing, the change itself has meaning. At a time when you should be trusting in your changing self and forging ahead without hesitation, why are you wasting time worrying about that?”
“I... I see.”
“Trust yourself. Instead of worrying, just run forward without fear. You can worry about this when you've hit your limit; it won't be too late then.”
In a way, it was something anyone could say, but Seo Ryang's words resonated deeply with Ma Dongpil.
It was the right advice at the right time. The casual way he said it left no room for even a shred of anxiety.
Seo Ryang gestured toward the window with his chin. A spacious training ground was visible beyond it.
“But well, I understand how you feel. Since we're talking about it, let me see your technique. If I see anything to correct, we can tighten it up or loosen it.”
“It... It would be an honor.”
I wouldn't have dared to ask, but it was exactly what I wanted. Ma Dongpil rose with a broad smile.
It was then.
*Bang! Bang!*
The sound of someone pounding on the main gate.
“We're from the Hall of Punishments! Third Young Master, please open the gate!”
Ma Dongpil's eyes widened.
Seo Ryang scratched his head.
“Hmm… I didn't see this coming.”