Chapter 50
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: The Gates of Hell Open (4)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Clang!
A cult member burst through the door, panting.
“Fourth Vice-Head!”
The middle-aged man, Geum Seongju, frowned.
“What is this insolence? I told you I was attending to an important guest. I said to handle any minor matters among yourselves.”
“It's an emergency!”
“What on earth is so urgent that you'd cause such a fuss?”
“There's chaos in the True Demon Unit's barracks! The Third Young Master suddenly stormed in and threw the unit into turmoil!”
Hong Wi-mun's eyes glinted.
Geum Seongju rose from his seat without realizing it.
“The True Demon Unit's barracks? You're saying the Third Young Master is causing a scene at the unit's quarters?”
“Yes, sir!”
“What's the source of this information?”
“It came directly from members of the True Demon Unit!”
Geum Seongju's gaze turned to Hong Wi-mun.
Hong Wi-mun nodded.
“So he's finally caused trouble.”
“I suppose we'll have to make a move, won't we?”
He was asking if this was the 'target' they had spoken of earlier.
Hong Wi-mun smiled and said,
“Vice-Head, you are one of the ten vice-heads of the Hall of Punishments. If the Hall's policy is clear, you cannot simply stand by while a disturbance breaks out within the cult. I believe it is right for you to act as you see fit.”
Geum Seongju said to the cult member,
“Dispatch the Black Sun Guard! Pinpoint the Third Young Master's current location!”
“The Black Sun Guard, sir?”
“Yes. Apprehend 'everyone' involved in this disturbance! There will be no exceptions for status!”
The order implied that even the Third Young Master was to be dragged to the Hall of Punishments, and tension filled the cult member's face.
“As you command!”
After the member left, Geum Seongju smiled.
“I was worried we'd have to prepare for unforeseen circumstances, but it seems things will be quite simple.”
“Indeed.”
But contrary to his words, Hong Wi-mun's expression was incredibly serious. The Seo Ryang he had seen so far was by no means an easy opponent.
“It had better be.”
* * *
Thwack!
“Guaaaargh... ack?”
Wi Hongryeon slowly opened her eyes.
Seo Ryang stood there with an indifferent expression, flicking his finger. From the way he'd charged in, it looked like he was about to beat her to a pulp, but all he'd delivered was a single flick to the forehead.
“I was going to give you a proper thrashing, but you're already half-dead, so I can't even do that.”
“Huh?”
“What do you mean, 'huh'? Whoa? Look at this.”
A surge.
The energy leaking from Wi Hongryeon's body was clearly dangerous. The dense demonic energy, something that should never have been possible for a body with such severe internal and external injuries, felt like it could explode at any moment.
Seo Ryang clicked his tongue.
“Well done, just brilliant. This is why people say you're crazy.”
“What?”
He placed a hand on Wi Hongryeon's forehead.
Wi Hongryeon flinched.
“Relax.”
Whaaaam!
In that instant, Seo Ryang's true energy surged into Wi Hongryeon through her upper dantian.
Wi Hongryeon's jaw dropped.
Forcibly shoving demonic energy through the upper dantian. It was a heretical method that no one would dare attempt, and even if they could, they would be reluctant to try.
*'No! Wait! Hey, you crazy bastard!'*
She wanted to turn her head away, but strangely, she couldn't even lift a finger. It was as if her pressure points had been sealed.
But to her surprise.
“...Huh?”
Seo Ryang dusted off his hands and grumbled,
“You're such a handful.”
“What?”
“How long are you going to stand there looking dazed, you brat! Get to a corner and pull yourself together! Ugh, and I was planning on relying on a troublemaker like you.”
Wi Hongryeon's eyes wavered.
*'What?!'*
Ssssss.
The rampaging demonic energy of her art calmed, and her opened primal essence returned to normal. The surging madness, as well as her intense rage, had completely subsided.
What? What just happened?
As she stood there, dumbfounded with her mouth agape, Seo Ryang turned to Ma Dongpil.
“You okay?”
“Sir?”
“I asked if you're okay, you punk.”
“I-I'm fine.”
Seo Ryang's brow furrowed deeply.
Ma Dongpil's condition was far from "fine," even as a pleasantry. He had no critical injuries, but none of his wounds were minor either. And there were dozens of them.
*'If he hadn't sealed his pressure points in time, he would have been on the brink of death from blood loss.'*
He turned his head to look at the members of the True Demon Unit.
Flinch!
All fifty-odd members of the True Demon Unit tensed up.
“Dongpil.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
“Did you hold back from using killing blows?”
“...I did.”
“Why? Looking at your injuries, it seems those bastards attacked you without holding back.”
“They are members of the True Demon Unit. They are not targets for the third team leader of the Hall of Protectors to draw his sword against.”
Seo Ryang watched Ma Dongpil with an emotionless gaze.
Ma Dongpil lowered his head.
This was different from when Wi Hongryeon had screamed at him.
Their relationship was different, and the weight of the words was different, so his reaction was bound to be different as well. No matter how stubborn he was, he couldn't help but be mindful.
Just then, Seo Ryang's voice reached his ears.
“You know, every time I see you, you surprise me in some way.”
“...Sir?”
“Smart people don't need to be stubborn, and stubborn people have a hard time being smart. But you, despite being stubborn, aren't an idiot.”
“...”
“There's a difference between conviction and obstinacy. Conviction might only harm yourself, but obstinacy harms others too. If I had arrived any later, you two wouldn't have made it out unscathed. Do you admit that?”
“...I do.”
“And that crazy girl almost died because of you too. Right?”
In truth, none of this would have happened if Wi Hongryeon hadn't intervened and caused a scene.
But Ma Dongpil wasn't the type to shift blame. No, his mind didn't even work that way.
The mere fact that the situation had become complicated because of him was reason enough for remorse.
“It was my oversight.”
“Good. As long as you know...”
“I know it was my oversight, but if the same situation were to happen again, I would act according to my principles.”
Seo Ryang's eyes widened.
“Even though you admit it's obstinacy?”
“I would rather die an obstinate man than point my sword at a fellow cult member. Of course...”
Ma Dongpil smiled.
“That is, on the premise that they are not a sinner deserving of death.”
“...Oh?”
“My remorse is sincere. However, I need time to reflect on what is right. To pretend I understand and agree when I haven't accepted it in my heart would be lying to you, Young Master.”
Ma Dongpil bowed his head.
“I ask that you please understand the sincerity of my conviction.”
If the Cult Leader's disciple said something, that was that. Yet, the reason Ma Dongpil insisted on revealing his inner thoughts was likely because he had developed a deep bond with Seo Ryang.
Seo Ryang let out a small laugh.
“Well, let's put that aside for now.”
Looking back at the True Demon Unit members, Seo Ryang muttered softly,
“What should I do with that one?”
He didn't say 'those ones.' He wasn't thinking of the True Demon Unit members, but of Song Gyeong alone.
Seo Ryang walked toward the True Demon Unit members.
A look of bewilderment crossed the faces of the members. Ma Dongpil had called this young man 'Young Master.' That meant he was surely one of the Cult Leader's disciples, but they couldn't be certain.
In any case, their leader was Song Gyeong. The members spread out, preparing for Seo Ryang's approach.
Just then, a powerful demonic energy erupted from Ma Dongpil's body.
Fwoosh!
The demonic energy of blazing fury. It was a potent aura, seething so intensely that it hinted at killing intent.
“How dare you draw your weapons in his presence! Show your respect to the Third Young Master at once!”
His voice boomed, echoing.
The members' faces turned pale. They had wondered, but it was true—this man was one of the Cult Leader's disciples.
Then, a suppressed voice escaped Song Gyeong's lips.
“Prove... it.”
“What?”
“You say he is the Third Young Master, but who can know if that's truly him?”
Ma Dongpil's eye twitched. He could tolerate them brandishing their weapons at him a hundred times over, but he could not forgive them for speaking such words in the Young Master's presence.
“How dare you...!”
Song Gyeong shouted back,
“You're the one speaking out of turn! I am the Commander of the True Demon Unit! My name is not one to be taken lightly by a mere team leader from the Hall of Protectors!”
It was truly like the roar of a beast.
In truth, Song Gyeong was just as anxious.
He, too, understood the situation; there was no way he didn't know his opponent was the Third Young Master. Even if he had his doubts, what fool would have the gall to impersonate the Third Young Master within the Divine Cult?
*'Dammit!'*
But he had no choice but to feign ignorance. It was because he knew what the Fourth Young Master, Hong Wi-mun, wanted.
Furthermore, the Third Young Master seemed to have some sort of relationship with Wi Hongryeon. The fact that he had calmed the rampaging Wi Hongryeon proved it.
His anger toward Wi Hongryeon was now transferring to Seo Ryang, the Third Young Master.
Whatever the reason, the Fourth Young Master would have his back, and more importantly, his pride was too wounded to simply bow his head.
That's right. In truth, the other reasons didn't matter.
In the end, it was that damned pride that made him more agitated than necessary and caused him to cross the line.
“What are you all doing?! Seize those arrogant bastards and make them kneel at on—!”
“So I just have to prove it?”
“...?”
Seo Ryang smiled.
It was a chilling smile, a stark contrast to the one he had shown Ma Dongpil.
“Do I just need to prove that I'm the Third Young Master?”
“...!”
“Right. In a way, you're correct. Why would you believe I'm the Third Young Master when you've never seen me before? If this were a bluff, you'd be bowing to some nobody, and finding that out later would be a terrible shame for a demonic practitioner who lives on pride.”
“That... ”
“But I don't really have any other way to prove I'm the Third Young Master.”
It was then.
From that very moment, Seo Ryang's aura began to transform.
Fshhhhh.
A reddish demonic energy spread from beneath his feet, consuming the ground.
Rumble. Rummble.
It was as if thunder and lightning were raging in the already dark sky.
Kugugung!
A massive, rusted iron gate, as large as a mountain, seemed to be slowly opening.
Clank! Clank!
A gate bound tightly by enormous chains, unable to open more than a few inches.
His proficiency in the demonic arts was not yet high enough, so the chains remained bound, and the old, rusted gates of hell stopped there.
But that alone was enough.
It was enough of an opening to show the demonic practitioners here what true demonic power was.
Flash!
Song Gyeong's jaw dropped.
The eyes of the True Demon Unit members glazed over, and Ma Dongpil unconsciously bowed his head. Wi Hongryeon, sensing the unusual wave of demonic energy, was so startled she froze.
Fwoooosh!
A brilliantly burning crimson demonic energy. An ominous, surging current of blood-red aura.
The true opening of the Dark Shadow True Demonic Art, the Technique of the Underworld Official's Ghost Gate, revealed its viciousness to the world for the first time.
Thud!
He had only taken a single step, yet it felt as if a giant had moved.
Seo Ryang's lips parted.
“Say that again.”
Huu.
As he exhaled, a faint red mist seemed to spread.
“Who am I?”
Awoo! Oooooo!
On a distant hill, invisible from here.
A fox radiating a brilliant, five-colored light howled fiercely.
Within Seo Ryang's crimson-glowing eyes, a sinister golden light had appeared, flickering on and off.
“Speak! Who am I!”
Flash!
“Kweeegh!”
All fifty members of the True Demon Unit collapsed, spewing blood.
He hadn't even attacked, yet they vomited blood and passed out. The wave of a true demonic practitioner's energy exploding before them had overwhelmed them all.
Drip.
Tears of blood streamed from Song Gyeong's eyes.
Song Gyeong could only stare blankly at Seo Ryang, his mouth agape.
Crack! Crack!
It was impossible to tell how he'd set his bones. Having adjusted and pieced together his dislocated leg bones with demonic energy, he staggered forward to stand before Seo Ryang.
Then, he fell to his knees.
“...F-forgive me.”
“That's not the answer I want. Just answer my question.”
Seo Ryang growled softly.
“Who am I?”
“Ugh.”
“I asked who I am!”
Song Gyeong squeezed his eyes shut.
“You are the Third Young Master!”
Pshak! With a sound, blood burst from his seven orifices.
The storm of demonic energy, pouring down like sunlight, generated a terrifying pressure.
“You are undoubtedly the Third Young Master! You are... a noble person of our great cult!”
“...”
“This lowly one was arrogant and made a mistake! Please, with your vast generosity, forgive me!”
A satisfied smile formed on Seo Ryang's lips.
“So you acknowledge me as the Third Young Master.”
“Yes! Of course!”
“Then how should I deal with your transgression of demanding proof from me?”
“...Please kill me.”
“...”
“Please kill me!”
He didn't seem to know what he was saying. As he shouted desperately, as if vomiting blood, Song Gyeong's face was already as pale as a corpse.
Huu.
Just then, Seo Ryang knelt down on one knee.
The two men met eyes.
In that instant, Song Gyeong was overcome with a shock so profound it felt like his mind would shatter.
The temptation of those golden demonic eyes, which made him want to look away yet made it impossible to do so.
“I won't kill you.”
“Ah!”
“Instead of killing you.”
Seo Ryang grinned. It was a smile that made his canines look particularly sharp.
“You and I are going to put on a little play.”
“Y-yes?!”
“...”
“Please give me your orders!”
Seo Ryang leaned in and whispered in his ear. No one heard what he said to Song Gyeong.
A moment later.
“Halt!”
A group of men dressed in black rushed in from the distance.
“Oh? You've arrived at just the right time.”
If you hadn't come, I was planning to go find you.
Seo Ryang rose lightly to his feet, grinned broadly, and raised both his hands.
“I surrender.”
“...?”
“Do what you want.”