Chapter 42
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: Act First, Think Later (6)
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Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!
A series of sharp bursts echoed.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
His legs moved slowly, but his hands were a blur, too fast to be seen. It was impossible to tell if they were fists or palm strikes.
Rumble!
He was only circulating demonic energy, not even releasing it, yet the air roiled. The technique was so fast and fierce that it seemed to shake not just the air, but space itself.
Wi Hongryeon, who had been watching the scene from a distance with her arms crossed, turned her head at the sudden sense of a presence. Ma Dongpil was approaching.
“What is it?”
“What do you mean?”
“Do you have business with me?”
“I do not.”
“Then why are you here?”
“Because this is the best place to watch the Young Master's training.”
Wi Hongryeon furrowed her brow.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Go ahead.”
“Is the Third Young Master always like this?”
Ma Dongpil's eyes sharpened.
“I'll say this just in case, but any excessive remarks about the Young Master…”
“Shut up, it's not like that.”
“Then?”
“The Third Young Master… he's showing off his training so openly.”
“…”
“When I said I was leaving, he just told me to watch if I wanted. I was surprised.”
Ma Dongpil let out a soft chuckle.
“There's something the Young Master always says.”
“What is it?”
“Don't even think about showing off with a martial art you can't confidently display to others.”
“…!”
“He also said there's no world more dangerous than the martial world. If it's a world where you must always be on edge to survive, then you might as well reveal your strengths and weaknesses for all to see.”
“Isn't that contradictory?”
“That's what keeps people on their toes, he said. He believes it's ten thousand times better to take a single step than to waste time making clumsy assumptions about this or that.”
“…”
“He admitted that he sometimes feels anxious himself. But he also said he knows that the beginning of true freedom starts with honesty.”
Ma Dongpil turned his gaze to Seo Ryang.
Whether he knew they were watching or not, Seo Ryang's expression was utterly serious.
“Dig if you want to dig, learn if you want to learn. My path is set, so I don't care what you see or what you say. I believe that is the mindset with which the Young Master lives each day.”
It was a complete and utter misunderstanding. Seo Ryang simply wanted to get away from the grotesque organization known as the Divine Cult of the Heavenly Demon.
But Wi Hongryeon was profoundly shocked by his words. In all her life as a demon, she had never met anyone who spoke like Seo Ryang.
*To achieve true freedom, don't hide, but reveal… Honesty is the first step to freedom…*
She had lived each day prepared for death, but she had never wished for it.
But the Third Young Master lived with his life on the line for the sake of freedom. There was no need to compare, yet the difference in their perspectives, which she couldn't help but compare, left her with a complicated heart.
*So it's possible to live with such thoughts.*
She focused more intently on the martial art Seo Ryang was performing.
She couldn't even properly see how he was moving. If she were to face that technique, she would probably be defeated within five exchanges.
However, she could tell.
How profound the art was, and how much it would have helped a master stronger than herself had they seen it.
Some time passed like that.
Bam! Boom!
A final strike after a ground-shaking stomp.
“Hoo.”
Drenched in sweat, Seo Ryang let out a long breath.
*Done. It's perfect now.*
The techniques had been integrated so well that he could execute them subconsciously. His Heaven-Lifting Technique had changed so much that it could be considered an entirely different art from his time as the King of Slaughter.
*There's no need to abandon the killing arts. No, there was never a need to differentiate between killing arts and anything else in the first place.*
As he opened his clenched fist, a hazy shimmer rose from it. He had condensed the Dark Shadow Demonic Energy in his palm.
*If I intend to kill, it becomes a killing art. If not, it becomes a subduing art. In the end, it all depends on the heart of the one using it.*
He already knew this, but after learning demonic arts, he accepted it in a new light. Encountering a different path of martial arts had broadened his perspective and vastly expanded the scope of its application.
Enlightenment, too, was cyclical. As long as one could make the right judgment at the right time, the path of martial arts would always be open.
Just as Seo Ryang roughly wiped off his sweat and recomposed himself.
“That was incredible.”
“Oh, you're still here.”
“I couldn't even grasp what kind of martial art that was. I didn't know the Cult possessed such an amazing technique.”
Seo Ryang felt a pang of guilt but tried to sound casual.
“Your martial art is quite impressive too. It was fast and unconventional, not like the Cult's typical techniques.”
“Ah, was it?”
“It's not an art one could easily master without innate talent, is it? It has a bold flair to it as well.”
An assessment of the martial art she had demonstrated. Naturally, her ears perked up.
“However, perhaps because it's a new art that hasn't been around long, it feels a bit rushed. It's good that you designed it for continuous attacks, but it's overly focused on speed, lacking in finesse.”
“…”
“Take your time and refine it. In any case, it was a very good martial art.”
Wi Hongryeon was dumbfounded.
“Are you sure it's okay to just tell me things like that?”
“What?”
“The strengths and weaknesses of my martial art.”
“And why shouldn't I?”
“…”
“It's not morally rude or illegal, so is there a reason to draw a line? Besides, martial principles aren't something you can grasp just by being told. It's something you might not even achieve after coughing up blood from effort, so don't act like it's already yours.”
“…Ah, yes.”
“Need something for that hangover?”
“I'm fine.”
“Dongpil, you've eaten, right? Then I'm going to eat.”
A moment later, Seo Ryang was eating next to the training grounds, joking around with Aeng-hwa. Geumho, who had been sleeping, climbed onto the table as if it had been waiting and chewed on the fish meat Seo Ryang picked out for it.
Wi Hongryeon stared blankly at Seo Ryang.
He was laughing heartily as he ate, finding something immensely amusing.
His handmaiden, Aeng-hwa, was also busy giggling and chatting away.
*He's a strange person in so many ways.*
Someone of his stature, a Third Young Master, sharing a table with a mere handmaiden and talking to her like a friend. The more she learned, the less she understood him.
After finishing his meal and changing into clean clothes, Seo Ryang fastened a sword to his belt.
Ma Dongpil's expression turned quizzical.
“Where are you going?”
“Huh? Oh, yeah, to see the Fourth.”
The words came out so naturally that Ma Dongpil and Wi Hongryeon nodded.
A nod…
“What?!”
“Wh-what did you say?”
Seo Ryang stared blankly at the two of them freaking out and snorted.
“Why are you all so surprised?”
Wi Hongryeon asked in bewilderment.
“You're going to see the Fourth Young Master? Right now?”
“Then when should I go?”
“But we don't even know how they'll react…”
Seo Ryang frowned.
“What happened to the infamous Commander of the Berserk Demon Unit, whose temper was said to be like the fires of hell? Am I supposed to just sit around and wait?”
“Uh… Of course…”
“We're going precisely because we don't know how they'll react. To find out, and to catch them off guard.”
“…!”
“This isn't some child's play or a choreographed duel, is it? The one who seizes the initiative first has the advantage. Whether we go stir up trouble or clear up the misunderstanding, we have to meet them to get an answer.”
Speechless, Wi Hongryeon stared blankly at Seo Ryang, a smile gradually forming on her face.
It was a ferocious smile that would make the heart of anyone who saw it shudder.
“I like it.”
“What?”
“Your boldness, Young Master.”
“I am pretty charming, aren't I?”
“Extremely.”
If this were a normal conversation, one might have thought, *So Wi Hongryeon has this side to her.* But hearing her say it with a smile brimming with killing intent was enough to send chills down one's spine.
“Since you're going anyway, why don't we go together?”
“…?”
“I don't need to prepare anything.”
Seo Ryang looked at her as if she were absurd. Ma Dongpil was no different.
“Weren't you supposed to take over the True Demon Unit? Where do you think you're going?”
“Who knows, the Commander of the True Demon Unit might be there too. And as you said, Young Master, it doesn't look good to just wait for the fruit to fall.”
“…Hah.”
Seo Ryang scratched his head. He hadn't expected this turn of events either.
“Yesterday and today, is it really okay to neglect your people like that?”
“The get-together is for five days anyway. Only the first day is for drinking at the tavern; the rest is just for rest. I gave them a stern warning this time, so they won't cause any trouble.”
Considering how they were trembling before her, that was likely true.
Wi Hongryeon grinned.
“I don't like my nickname either, but for today, let's try going wild.”
“…This is already getting on my nerves, damn it.”
“Pardon?”
“Ah, nothing. Alright, let's go together.”
*Like you said, it might turn out to be an unexpected move.*
And so, the three of them—and one beast sleeping soundly in one of their arms—headed toward Hong Wi-mun's residence.
* * *
“Hoo.”
The exhaled blue smoke permeated every corner of the room.
Shinhoe wondered what kind of tobacco the Young Master was smoking.
He seemed to smoke a different kind each time, but the color and scent grew stronger, and the Young Master's expression seemed to grow more listless.
“Young Master.”
“Do you have something to say?”
“Forgive my impertinence, but perhaps you should consider cutting back on the tobacco.”
Hong Wi-mun chuckled.
“You said that before, and now you're saying it again?”
“I do not know the exact medicinal herbs, but tobacco is generally said to have a negative effect on the lungs. I doubt something as trivial as tobacco would be a problem for you, but if possible…”
“Well, that could be true.”
“…”
“I appreciate the concern, but I'm fine. If it becomes truly dangerous, I'll quit on my own.”
Shinhoe sighed.
“I am ashamed to have disturbed your peace with my unnecessary words.”
Hong Wi-mun tapped his pipe. The colors of the herb and smoke were always different, but the scattered ash was always gray.
Everyone lives in their own way, but in the end, death comes for all the same, Hong Wi-mun thought as he spoke.
“Shinhoe.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
“Don't worry. I am always prepared for the worst.”
“…I do not know what worst-case scenario you are contemplating, but should such a situation arise, I will die first.”
Hong Wi-mun smiled.
It was his characteristic smile, the one that completely blew away his recent listlessness.
“How could I not know your loyalty? Don't worry. A day like that will never come, but even if it does, I won't work you to the bone until the very end.”
At such uncharacteristically warm words from Hong Wi-mun, Shinhoe bowed his head.
“By the way, has there been any movement from the Third Young Master's side?”
“Ah, yes. There have been no reported movements so far. However, since his residence is quite far and there are many different paths…”
It was then.
Hong Wi-mun raised his hand. Shinhoe immediately fell silent.
“Someone has come.”
“…?”
“But this dense demonic energy… it's one I've rarely encountered…”
“What do you mean by that?”
Hong Wi-mun didn't answer. He seemed to be confirming whether his senses were correct.
A moment later, he turned his head toward the window.
Click!
Hong Wi-mun opened the window and looked outside.
At the same time.
“Hey there!”
From a place far off, a considerable distance even from the main gate, someone was waving cheerfully.
Hong Wi-mun's eyes wavered.
*Seo Ryang?!*
It was quite far, but when he focused his vision, he could see clearly.
And that wasn't all. Flanking Seo Ryang were a woman with a familiar face and a man in his early thirties, standing ramrod straight.
Seo Ryang shouted with a laugh.
“Your big brother is here to see your face, you brat! Open the gates wide! Got it?!”