Chapter 62
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 62
Chapter Title: Let the Operation Begin (2)
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“Ah, this is nice.”
“Yes, well.”
“Young Master, you should have a drink as well.”
“I'll gladly accept.”
“The side dishes are simple. Did you get them straight from the restaurant?”
“I couldn't ask Aeng-hwa to cook.”
“Oh my, why not?”
“Huh? Isn't it obvious? How could she make all this food by herself?”
“The girls from the Garden of Joy are fundamentally skilled in housekeeping. Naturally, they're good cooks too. They can whip up a meal for ten people, not just one.”
“...?”
“You didn't know?”
“I never would have imagined.”
He had never even considered the idea of making Aeng-hwa cook. Though he had grown accustomed to his role, he was, at heart, an assassin dreaming of freedom, not the Third Young Master of the Demonic Cult.
“Well, the restaurant food is delicious, so is there really a need to make her cook? It's better to just go out for meals than to have her break her back preparing everything.”
“I see.”
So Yeonsim looked at Seo Ryang with a newfound sense of novelty.
‘He really is different.’
He lacked the arrogance common among high-ranking figures. Talking to him, one might even mistake him for an ordinary cult member.
“By the way, Young Master.”
“Please, speak.”
So Yeonsim blinked.
“The fox has gotten a bit bigger, hasn't it?”
“Ah, you think so too, Lord So? You have no idea how much this little guy has been eating lately.”
As if knowing he was the topic of conversation, Geumho let out a purr. Seo Ryang grumbled and tossed him a piece of meat.
Too lazy to get up and eat, Geumho slowly dragged the meat toward him with his front paw.
“Still as cute as ever.”
“That, he is.”
“But it's strange, isn't it? He's a fox, but his claws are sharp like a cat's.”
“Probably because there's nothing to wear them down.”
Unlike felines such as cats, leopards, and tigers, canids have dull claws. Thus, their only means of hunting is their teeth.
Instead, they had stronger bite forces and greater stamina than felines, allowing them to travel long distances without rest. The same would be true for Geumho.
“Despite his appearance, he's too lazy to even run much.”
“I see.”
“By the way, what brings you here?”
He asked the question naturally.
So Yeonsim smiled.
“I came to offer my thanks, and also to spend some time with the most famous person in the Cult right now.”
Seo Ryang tilted his head.
“Pardon?”
“You didn't know?”
“First of all, what does Lord So have to thank me for? And famous? Me?”
“It seems you truly didn't know.”
So Yeonsim chuckled. Seo Ryang’s wide eyes, staring at her, were filled with pure confusion.
This man, he's truly one of a kind.
“The man who effortlessly subdued the Commander of the Berserk Demon Unit, the incarnation of madness whom all cultists avoided.”
“The demon who subjugated the Commander of the True Demon Unit with his presence alone, turned the Hall of Punishments upside down, and spectacularly brought down the Fourth Young Master. I even heard you drew your blade on the Head of the Hall of Punishments?”
“...Well, that's true, but it's been embellished with all sorts of flowery language.”
“The Commander of the Berserk Demon Unit and the Head of the Hall of Punishments. Those two are the people the ordinary cultists avoid the most. If I had to put it one way, the Commander is a plague, and the Head is a natural disaster.”
Hearing it put like that made him feel a little sorry for them.
“You've taken down a plague, a disaster, and even one of the highest-ranking members of the Cult. It would be stranger if you didn't become famous.”
“Is that so.”
“Yes. It's hard to say it openly, but you are currently receiving the most attention within the Cult, Young Master.”
Seo Ryang scratched his head.
‘Is this good or bad?’
I'll become so influential that everyone will accept my actions, no matter what I do!
It was the situation he had hoped for. The best-case scenario would be to just slip out of the Cult's grounds after that.
Since disappearing after living quietly was impossible from the start, he had decided to build up his presence and then leave. But something about the atmosphere felt strange.
Seo Ryang shook his head.
‘No, this is just the first step. There's no need to be anxious already.’
The grand operation of escaping the Divine Cult was inevitably going to be a long-term battle.
You can't be full from the first spoonful, nor can a dish be completed with a single cut of the knife. To draw a large map, you first need to procure paper of a sufficient size.
Seo Ryang smiled. Worrying about every little thing would only hinder progress.
Let's live like I did back then, when I wouldn't hesitate to focus completely until a target was sent to their grave.
“But why are you thanking me, my Lord? Did I happen to put someone in their place that you wanted to beat up?”
“Of course not. If there's someone I want to beat up, I'll find a way to do it myself.”
I'm sure you would.
“It's about the martial art formula you gave me back then.”
“Ah, that?”
“Yes. It hasn't been long, but I'm already seeing improvement. It's a truly mystical art.”
Seo Ryang was quite surprised.
“You're already seeing improvement?”
“Yes.”
“She must be far more talented than I thought. It's impossible with just an ordinary sense for martial arts.”
“She's an exceptionally talented child. You mentioned six months, Young Master, but at this rate, I think she can make a rough recovery within three.”
“Of course, it will take more time for her to reclaim her past martial prowess.”
Seo Ryang let out a low whistle.
“I didn't realize she was such a prodigy. I can see why you were so worried, my Lord.”
“Yes, she's the child I've chosen as my successor.”
“...!”
She spoke of her successor so casually.
Staring blankly at So Yeonsim, Seo Ryang refilled her cup and asked.
“Is that something you can say so carelessly?”
“There's no reason I can't. Not that I'd go around announcing it.”
“...”
“Besides, even if I have a chosen successor, you wouldn't pay it much mind, would you, Young Master?”
“Well, that's true, but.”
To the leader of an organization, the existence of a successor who has not yet fully matured can be a fatal weakness in itself. It goes without saying if that successor is also in critical condition.
Wasn't that why So Yeonsim had nearly abandoned her lifelong principles to make a deal with Hong Wi-mun?
He knew she had someone precious to her, but he didn't know it was her successor.
If Seo Ryang were to spread this fact, So Yeonsim would have sleepless nights filled with worry. After all, there were more organizations wanting to keep the Lord of the Garden of Joy in check than one might think.
“I appreciate you trusting me so much, but you never know how I might change if things go south.”
“I don't trust people. I trust situations.”
So Yeonsim smiled brightly.
“The situation then, and the situation now. It seems unlikely that you would become my enemy, Young Master.”
“You have some nerve saying that in front of someone with one of the highest statuses in the Cult.”
“It seems you prefer it that way.”
“You certainly have a keen eye.”
The two emptied their cups at the same time.
“But you know, no matter how I think about it, I can't imagine you would come all this way just for that reason, my Lord.”
Seo Ryang’s eyes gleamed.
“Is there something you want from me?”
So Yeonsim smiled.
“Beating around the bush in front of someone who has already guessed everything would be like giving up on a smooth conversation. Since you've put it that way, I'll be frank as well.”
“Good.”
“...”
“Yes. Please, speak.”
“Ahem.”
After clearing her throat for a moment, So Yeonsim spoke plainly.
“If you have the time, would you be willing to come to my residence once a day?”
“...”
“...”
“Um, Lord So.”
“Yes.”
“How should I put this... I'm confident in my strength, but I haven't exactly been tested in *that* department...”
“I don't know what you're thinking, but it's not that.”
“How did you know what 'that' was if you don't know what I'm thinking? But it's not?”
“Absolutely not.”
Seo Ryang tilted his head.
“If nothing special is going on, I suppose I have time to spare, but why do you want me to come to your residence? Your explanation is far too lacking.”
“It's because of that child.”
“...”
“Hearing you speak, Young Master, it seems the child's progress is indeed quite fast.”
“Of course. Normally, it's not possible. I was fast because I had prior experience, but...”
“But... it's still too slow.”
Seo Ryang made a face of disbelief.
“Just how hard do you plan on working your successor? That martial art is not easy.”
“It's a really tricky art. The very fact that she's shown improvement in just a few days is incredible, you know?”
“So there's a reason your successor must get back on her feet as soon as possible.”
“...As expected, you're very perceptive, Young Master.”
“Indeed. If that weren't the case, someone of your stature would never have been caught by the likes of Hong Wi-mun while trying to obtain an item. You must have been in quite a hurry.”
“You're correct.”
“So, you're asking me to help with the recovery of the successor you've chosen?”
“Yes.”
Seo Ryang stared blankly at So Yeonsim.
So Yeonsim still wore a faint smile. At least on the surface, she seemed no different than before.
‘This isn't good.’
The Lord of the Garden of Joy could certainly ask someone for a favor.
However, the recipient of that favor should not be one of the potential successors, including himself. It could be seen as her interfering in the succession battle.
He didn't know about the previous Lords, but So Yeonsim seemed to be a person of strong pride and firm convictions.
For someone like that to ask a candidate for such a critical task?
‘She's taking a risk of her own. In other words, if I don't grant this favor, the look in her eyes will become very unpleasant.’
This is why a big favor is scarier than a small one. Not because of the ability to carry it out, but because of the immense backlash that comes with refusal.
“Things could get quite tiresome for you, you know?”
Though he had cut out the context, So Yeonsim understood him perfectly.
“It is dangerous.”
“And yet you still ask this of me.”
“Yes.”
“...”
“This is just a personal favor. If someone else knew, malicious rumors might spread, but if the only ones who know are you and I, Young Master, that won't happen.”
“Walls have ears, and even fleas have eyes. Just because you can't see the wind doesn't mean it isn't blowing.”
“Even so, it's fine. Because this is a strictly 'personal' favor.”
It meant she had the ability to quash any malicious rumors that might arise.
Seo Ryang sighed.
“Let me at least know the reason. Why are you in such a hurry?”
“Do you really need to know that much?”
“That's not something the person who pushed me this far should be saying.”
A hint of awkwardness touched So Yeonsim's perpetually calm face.
“I'm sorry. No matter how I think about it, it would be difficult to explain in detail. I would be grateful if you could just understand that there is a reason it must be done.”
Damn it...
For her to go this far, it must be something serious.
One thing was certain: if he refused this request, his life in the Divine Cult would become quite difficult.
‘Why me of all people...?’
Seo Ryang sighed.
“It would be better to frame this as a deal, wouldn't it? A simple favor would just be a burden on my conscience.”
“I would be grateful if you did.”
“My goodness, I never expected you to be like this, Lord So.”
Depending on how one heard it, the words could be vexing, but So Yeonsim showed no sign of it.
“When the waves are crashing, if you stubbornly push forward, the ship will break and the crew will drown. Sometimes, you have to let the waves carry you.”
“That's true, but.”
“So, will you grant my request—no, will you make a deal?”
Seo Ryang licked his lips.
“What choice do I have? I owe you quite a bit from our last encounter, so I have no choice but to accept.”
“Thank you. I'm truly grateful, Young Master.”
“I'm getting something out of it too. There's no need to thank me.”
“Then I'll take that as your acceptance. Can you start tomorrow?”
“Let's do that. Best to strike while the iron is hot. If you just stand by and watch, you'll get run over.”
“In that case, is there anything you desire from me in return, Young Master?”
“That's the problem. I can't think of anything right now.”
Should I ask for the greatest martial art of all time? Or ask her to get me out of the Divine Cult?
What Seo Ryang wanted was not money or fame, but freedom.
Since what he wanted was clear, there was no need to agree to a deal that wasn't even a real deal. What he desired was something no one could do for him anyway.
‘Damn it, if only I could go outside, I could at least get my horse...’
In that instant, Seo Ryang's eyes widened as if they would tear.
“Huh? Huh?”
“...?”
“...Lord So.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
“Our blessed and gracious organization, the Garden of Joy, is in charge of the Cult's housekeeping, is it not?”
“...That's right?”
“And the goods you provide within the Cult must all be procured from the outside.”
“Yes, of course.”
“Do you only receive them? Do you not go out to meet them or anything?”
“For important goods, we do go out. As it happens, in half a month...”
Thump!
Seo Ryang seized both of So Yeonsim's hands.
His eyes blazed like fire.
“The recovery of our precious successor—I'll finish it within half a month!”