Chapter 51
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: I Can't Stand Loose Ends (1)
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“Cough! Gasp! Gasp!”
Wi Hongryeon, breathing raggedly, stared at Seo Ryang with trembling eyes.
‘…What is he?’
Seo Ryang’s face, smiling with his hands raised, looked almost innocent. There was no trace of majesty, bloodlust, or madness.
But she remembered the aura from moments ago.
It wasn't just a dense demonic energy, but a terrifying presence that felt fundamentally different, alien. She had felt the breath of the Ultimate Demon, an aura that only the Nine Great Demonic Venerables of the Elder Council could exude.
‘What is that man?’
When demonic arts reach their peak, one's energy stands on the boundary between the innate and the acquired. The artificial postnatal energy gained through internal cultivation begins to transform into a higher state.
Energy is the smallest unit that constitutes all things. When the quality of one's energy changes, their mind and body naturally follow suit. That was why those who reached the state of Ultimate Demon all exuded a strange, transcendent atmosphere.
Seeing no trace of that unique aura, it was clear Seo Ryang hadn't reached that state. The realm of the Ultimate Demon wasn't something one could achieve simply by having superior demonic energy.
‘But… that aura just now was definitely…’
Wi Hongryeon had felt such an aura only once before.
It came from one of the Nine Great Demonic Venerables, an absolute powerhouse who had first shown her an insurmountable wall.
Seo Ryang's aura had been tremendous enough to remind her of the Iron Sword Demonic Venerable.
‘Did he really reach the Ultimate Demon state? At his age?’
Impossible!
As Wi Hongryeon denied reality, she suddenly felt the flow of demonic energy coursing vigorously through her body.
Her expression changed drastically.
‘Why has the quality of my demonic energy improved…?’
She looked at Seo Ryang.
Seo Ryang, who had been grinning foolishly at the approaching Black Sun Guard, felt her gaze and turned his head.
His eyes immediately narrowed as he growled softly.
“You die if you cause trouble in front of those masked blabbermouths.”
Wi Hongryeon lowered her head meekly.
The Seventh Captain of the Black Sun Guard, who had reached Seo Ryang, let out a sigh. It was loud enough for everyone to hear, even through his mask.
“We meet again after only half a day.”
“So we do.”
“Would you care to explain the situation?”
Seo Ryang’s eyes twinkled.
‘Explain?’
He quickly scanned his surroundings.
There was Ma Dongpil, looking at the Black Sun Guard with a tense expression; Wi Hongryeon, with her head bowed low; Song Gyeong, who had foamed at the mouth and fainted; and the members of the True Demon Unit, standing in formation with their swords sheathed.
And then there was the Purple Haze Pavilion, pitifully wrecked, along with the numerous signs of battle.
‘With all this commotion, why are they only showing up now instead of earlier?’
As Seo Ryang tilted his head in thought, the Seventh Captain took another step forward.
“Young Master.”
“Hold on a moment.”
*Vwoom.*
Seo Ryang activated the Heavenly Net Six Arts, Hyper-Perception.
Instantly, his five senses became as sharp as a blade. His already clear vision expanded further, a myriad of scents assaulted his nose, and even the faintest sounds became distinct.
*Whoosh.*
His heightened sense of touch even allowed him to read the traces of the blowing wind. Seo Ryang soon broke into a smile.
Well, look at these guys.
‘I was thinking of grabbing the Commander of the True Demon Unit by the collar and slowly blowing him away, but if they’re going to play it like this, that’s a different story.’
Hong Wi-mun was a smart one.
The problem was that his intelligence was confined to the world of the Divine Cult. In other words, he didn't have the wits to outsmart Seo Ryang, who had rolled in from a completely different world.
“Hey, Mr. Mask.”
“…I am the Seventh Captain of the Black Sun Guard.”
“Right, Mr. Seventh Captain.”
“Please speak.”
“Your dispatch? Or… your deployment? Who gave you the order?”
“Even for the Third Young Master, I cannot disclose information regarding the command structure of our unit. I ask for your understanding.”
The authority of the Hall of Punishments, especially the Black Sun Guard, was sky-high. If their opponent hadn't been the Third Young Master, they would have subdued him first and asked questions later.
Seo Ryang nodded.
“Fine. Who gave the order isn't particularly important anyway.”
“Then, may we hear the details of the situation now?”
“Ah, the details.”
“Yes.”
“What’s so complicated about it? It was just two cats getting into a fight after stumbling into a wolf pack's brawl.”
“…Pardon?”
“I was thinking of taking a switch to my fourth brother. But the little rascal started hiding and throwing stones, you see? What could I do? I had to dodge first.”
“…!”
“I dodged, but Commander Wi, who was just standing there blankly, took the hit instead. A regrettable incident. It’s one thing if I didn’t know, but I couldn’t just let it be. That’s why I came here myself.”
“If that is what you’re saying, Young Master…”
“Yup, Commander Wi is not at fault. The Commander of the True Demon Unit came at her with a sword. She couldn’t just offer her neck to be cut, could she? It was self-defense, so to speak.”
The Seventh Captain turned his head toward Song Gyeong.
Just as the startled Song Gyeong was about to open his mouth…
*Flash!*
A glint of demonic energy flashed in Seo Ryang’s eyes.
It had only been moments since his very soul was shaken by the supreme demonic energy that soared to the heavens. Song Gyeong’s face instantly turned pale.
The Seventh Captain asked in a low, heavy voice.
“Commander Song. Is the Third Young Master’s statement true?”
“…”
“Commander Song!”
“…It is true.”
“…!”
“I-I, too, was merely acting on the Fourth Young Master’s request. I know nothing else.”
“What kind of request?”
*Ssk.*
Song Gyeong’s head lowered on its own. He couldn’t dare to meet Seo Ryang’s piercing gaze.
At that moment, his mind was completely filled with Seo Ryang’s tempting threat: let’s create some drama, and I’ll make sure your sins are mitigated as much as possible.
“It was just… to attack the Commander of the Berserk Demon Unit and drag her to the Hall of Punishments.”
“Attack? The Hall of Punishments?”
“Y-Yes. He said that if I brought her to the Hall of Punishments, you would take care of the rest.”
Instantly, the Seventh Captain’s gaze turned murderous.
Take care of the rest? He didn't know what that meant, but it was enough to be interpreted as Hong Wi-mun, the Fourth Young Master, being able to exert some influence over the Hall of Punishments.
“Is what you’re saying now true?”
“…”
“Commander Song! I asked if it is true!”
Song Gyeong nodded weakly. He was disoriented and drained of all energy. At this point, he felt like letting things take their course.
The Seventh Captain’s eyes, not hidden by his mask, grew exceedingly cold.
“If that is true, you won’t get off with just a dismissal from your post.”
“Wh-What?!”
“No matter who is above you, the commander of a combat unit attacked the commander of another unit for a personal favor. Did you think this was a matter that could be taken lightly?”
“…!”
“Prepare yourself to rot in the Thunder Prison for a few years.”
Song Gyeong looked at Seo Ryang with a desperate expression.
Seo Ryang cleared his throat and spoke.
“Mr. Seventh Captain.”
“Speak, Young Master.”
“How can a sword be guilty? It’s the one who wields it that’s at fault.”
He was speaking in defense of Song Gyeong.
The Seventh Captain shook his head coolly.
“Commander Song is not a sword, but a person. And the leader of a unit at that.”
“There are unavoidable circumstances, you know.”
“There may be room for consideration, but an acquittal is impossible.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. The Hall of Punishments is an organization that speaks through results, not processes, and stands on the front line of defending the Cult’s laws alongside the Hall of Protectors. For any reason, we will not overlook the consequences of an action.”
A sinister smile crept onto Seo Ryang’s face.
“Are you confident that everyone in the Hall of Punishments thinks like you, Seventh Captain?”
“Of course.”
“Do you think the superior who sent you here only now would judge it the same way?”
“…What do you mean by that?”
“There’s no such thing as a perfect organization in this world. While some would give their lives for the organization, there are also those who prioritize their own interests over its honor.”
The Seventh Captain’s eyes wavered. He understood the hidden meaning in Seo Ryang’s cryptic words.
“By that, you mean…”
“Ah, anyway, let’s cut Commander Song some slack.”
Seo Ryang blatantly changed the subject. But his laughter and composure made the shift in conversation sound perfectly natural.
Song Gyeong’s face brightened. He thought Seo Ryang was trying to keep his promise.
The Seventh Captain shook his head.
“Young Master. As I have said, that is impossible.”
“Didn’t I tell you? There are some situations that can’t be helped.”
“The crime already committed…”
“When someone is holding a life-threatening weakness over your head, what choice would Commander Song have?”
“Pardon?”
The Seventh Captain looked at Song Gyeong. Song Gyeong, on the other hand, stared at Seo Ryang with his mouth agape.
Seo Ryang was still smiling foolishly. He looked like a complete buffoon, but a blizzard was raging in his eyes.
“Why would a man who is the Commander of the True Demon Unit do as another commands? No matter if it’s the Fourth Young Master.”
“…”
“It's hard to see this as simple political corruption. The Commander of the True Demon Unit is no fool. He must have known how serious a situation his actions would cause.”
“Then are you saying, Young Master, that the Fourth Young Master was blackmailing the Commander of the True Demon Unit with a weakness he couldn't refuse…?”
“Exactly.”
Seo Ryang looked at Song Gyeong and asked.
“Isn’t that right?”
“…!!”
“Looks like I’m right. Take him to the Hall of Punishments and be sure to confirm that part as well.”
Song Gyeong, who had been gaping like a goldfish, cried out desperately.
“Third Young Master!”
“What?”
“Th-This is different from what you promised! You clearly told me…”
“I said I would defend you as much as possible. I said I would create room for consideration, even if getting you acquitted was impossible.”
“…!”
“And I’m trying my best right now, aren’t I? What, was my guess wrong? You raised all that hell even without the fourth brother having any dirt on you?”
The look on Song Gyeong’s face was truly a sight to behold.
Seo Ryang still wore a relaxed smile, but in Song Gyeong’s eyes, he looked like a demon that had just crawled out of hell.
“What that weakness is, is none of my business. In any case, I’ve done my part, haven’t I?”
“…”
“I’ve kept my promise. Good luck.”
He had deliberately spilled every last truth in front of the Seventh Captain. Even if Song Gyeong had a change of heart, the Seventh Captain had already heard it, so he couldn't even dream of giving false testimony.
Seo Ryang shrugged.
“I’ve said all I have to say, so let's get going. Are we headed to the Hall of Punishments? A request, if I may: let's skip the ropes. My skin is sensitive, it’ll chafe.”
* * *
“They should all be on their way to the Hall of Punishments by now.”
“I believe so. That man, the Seventh Captain, is as rigid and blunt as he is thorough with his work. He won’t go easy on them, even if his opponent is the Third Young Master.”
“I have heard much about how well the Seventh Captain does his job. Isn’t that why you sent him this time as well?”
“Haha! But he is not an easy man to use. If he thinks an order is even slightly unjust, he’ll cling to it until he understands. Because of that stubborn, wall-like side of him, I gave up on the idea of making him my man.”
“I see. You did well.”
Though he said that, Hong Wi-mun inwardly sneered at Geum Seongju. He knew well that such stubborn men were the ones who would remain loyal until the very end when taken as subordinates.
Geum Seongju probably knew that too. He simply lacked the ability to win him over.
“In any case, it is getting quite late. How about we make this our last cup and retire for the night? By the time the sun rises, the picture you desire will have been painted.”
“I feel assured.”
The two men looked at each other and burst into hearty laughter.
It was then.
“Wh-What is the meaning of this?!”
“Out of the way.”
*Crack! Thud!*
The sound of urgent footsteps from outside the door, followed by a commotion.
Geum Seongju’s brow furrowed deeply.
“What fool is making such a racket out here…”
*BANG!*
The door flew open as if it were being smashed, and members of the Black Sun Guard stormed in.
At the head of the guards, who were exuding a menacing aura, stood the Tenth Captain, known to be just as strict as the Seventh Captain.
“You are…?”
“I am the Tenth Captain. Given the circumstances, I will dispense with the pleasantries.”
*Rustle.*
A long rope was in the Tenth Captain’s hand.
“It is an order from above to summon you both to the Hall of Punishments. Let us go.”
The faces of the two men hardened.