Chapter 76
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 76
Chapter Title: In Vain (1)
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“So, how was it?”
“What do you mean?”
“Haha, you know what I mean.”
“……?”
“Playing dumb now, are we? One of your countless virtues, my Lord, is your unvarnished honesty. Have you finally decided to abandon one of them?”
So Yeonsim sighed.
“I believe I’ve told you this before. When you abruptly change the subject, it throws people off.”
“Hmm?”
“And on top of that, you don’t even properly state what the new topic is.”
“Oh?”
“In any case, I understand you’ve grown tired of pleasantries like asking how I’ve been. So, what do you mean by ‘how was it’?”
“Ah?”
“……”
“Yes. Well, now that you mention it, I suppose I was a bit abrupt.”
*More than just a bit,* So Yeonsim thought with an inward sigh. On the surface, he seemed like such a refined man, but at times, he could be truly exhausting.
‘Then again, it’s hard to say it’s only ‘at times.’'
In the Divine Cult of the Heavenly Demon, the Cult Leader was equivalent to a god. Naturally, he was a difficult person to deal with.
But he wasn't demanding. The Cult Leader wasn't someone to be difficult with, but someone to be believed in.
The person So Yeonsim was facing now was the most demanding, and perhaps the most feared, person in the entire cult.
“I’m talking about the Third Young Master.”
“……”
“How was he? You’ve been meeting with him quite often lately, haven’t you?”
So Yeonsim’s gaze sharpened.
“You knew?”
“Ahaha. It just so happened that I found out.
This position of Grand Marshal makes it rather hard to find hobbies, so these days, I keep my ears open to how the world turns.
I live my life hearing this and letting that go. It’s quite entertaining.”
He chuckled so carefreely. It was impossible to tell if he was genuinely amused or just pretending to be.
Staring blankly at the middle-aged scholar, So Yeonsim took a sip of her tea.
“Is the tea to your liking?”
“I’m not picky about tea. But I didn’t know you drank Gulsong tea.”
“I’ve recently acquired a taste for it. At first, I wondered why anyone would drink it, but I’ve found it’s quite pleasant.”
“It’s good to have before bed.”
“Unfortunately, I rarely have time to sleep.”
The scholar looked momentarily crestfallen, then grinned.
“So, how was the Third Young Master?”
“You’re persistent.”
“Of course. The ruthless tyrant! One of the most infamous butchers in the cult! That’s what he was called, yet he’s been showing a much different side of himself lately, hasn’t he?”
“……You have some nerve uttering such disrespectful words.”
“What does it matter? They say it’s no crime to curse the royal family behind their backs, isn’t that right?”
“That is a crime.”
“I don’t think so.”
“It is.”
“Whether it is or isn't, what does it matter? Anyway, how was the Third Young Master? He seems to be quite the conversationalist, doesn't he?”
“If he weren’t, I wouldn’t be meeting him so often.”
“Keh-hat! Now this is truly interesting.”
“What do you find so interesting?”
“How could I not? The renowned Lord of the Garden, who rarely opens her heart to anyone, has grown close enough to the Third Young Master to strike some sort of deal, hasn't she?”
“……!”
“Hmm, I’d like to meet him in a private setting sometime.”
So Yeonsim’s face visibly hardened.
“How did you know?”
She didn't bother denying the scholar's words. This was a man who could see through her lies with a mere thought.
No, he was a man who already knew everything.
The scholar smirked.
“How I know is not what’s important.”
“It is important to me.”
“Perhaps. But what’s truly important is how much support the neutral Garden of Joy will offer the Third Young Master from now on, wouldn’t you agree?”
“Let me be clear. The Garden of Joy will not interfere in the political struggles between the heirs.”
“Leaving room for the possibility that you, personally, might interfere.”
So Yeonsim’s eyes narrowed. Even she, a master of maintaining her composure, was quite angry now.
“Even if that were the case, I don’t see how it’s any of your business.”
The Garden of Joy was responsible for the cult’s financial administration. As the body that wielded the purse strings, it was renowned for its immense power.
What about the Office of the Grand Marshal, then?
The Office of the Grand Marshal was, as the name suggested, in charge of security and the cult's defense.
Any group where an organization's military power was concentrated was bound to be strong.
Especially in the Divine Cult of the Heavenly Demon, which revered the law of the jungle, the standing of the Office of the Grand Marshal was enormous, and it was more powerful than any other body.
But even the Office of the Grand Marshal couldn't treat the Garden of Joy carelessly. When it came to matters involving funds, everyone except the Cult Leader needed the Garden's approval.
Therefore, conversations between the head of the Office of the Grand Marshal and the head of the Garden of Joy were generally peaceful.
They both knew that attacking each other would only result in mutual wounds.
Thus, So Yeonsim’s current reaction was highly unusual.
The middle-aged scholar, Ho Yoseong, replied with a smile.
“It seems I’ve managed to displease you again, Lord So.”
“Yes, I am quite displeased.”
“Ahaha, my apologies. You know how I am. It’s a bit much to say it myself, but I’m an unpredictable man. It gets me into misunderstandings from time to time.”
Ho Yoseong clasped his hands together. His leisurely smile remained, but his demeanor felt a touch more serious than before.
“You are right, my Lord. It is not a matter for me to interfere in.
Even if I had the authority, I am well aware of how much you care for our cult. I trust you in both public and private matters, you see.”
“I appreciate you recognizing that.”
“Which is why I’ve grown curious.”
“About what?”
“Why would the ever-loyal and principled Lord So send the Third Young Master outside the cult without a single word to me?”
For a moment, So Yeonsim’s hand tightened on her teacup.
Ho Yoseong shook his head.
“I hope you don’t take this as a threat or sarcasm.
Nor do I intend to send you to the Hall of Punishments for disregarding the cult's rules and system. I believe you have your reasons.”
That was likely true. If he had intended to, So Yeonsim would have been summoned to the Hall of Punishments long before this conversation.
“So you’re saying it’s pure curiosity.”
“Indeed. You see it exactly as it is.”
“Why are you so curious about the Third Young Master?”
Ho Yoseong gave a playful wink.
“Curiosity. Truly.”
So Yeonsim studied Ho Yoseong’s face, trying to discern his true intentions.
But no matter how hard she looked, she couldn’t figure him out.
If there was one thing she was confident in, it was her ability to judge people, yet Ho Yoseong was one of the few who remained an enigma to her.
“I don’t have much to say.”
“Hmm.”
“It’s difficult to say anything about him without meeting him in person. Of course, that’s true of anyone.”
“Are you saying there’s something inexplicable about him?”
“……”
Ho Yoseong grinned. The slight seriousness he had shown moments ago vanished, replaced by the same mischievousness she had seen when she first met him.
“This is getting more and more interesting. I’ve never seen you speak like this, my Lord.”
“Is that so.”
“Yes.”
“In any case, you can see him whenever you wish……”
“That’s why I plan to. When the Third Young Master returns to the cult, I intend to offer him a cup of tea.”
After staring at him for a moment, So Yeonsim rose from her seat.
“I will have the Information Division’s annual budget sent over before the date you mentioned.”
“Always so decisive.”
“I hope there will be no further conflicts with the Office of the Grand Marshal.”
Her meaning was clear: they should both stick to their own duties in their respective domains.
Ho Yoseong shrugged.
“My, my. Why would I want to be on bad terms with the Garden of Joy? Believe it or not, I’m a pacifist.”
So Yeonsim bowed her head.
“Then, I will take my leave.”
It was a rather abrupt departure. Ho Yoseong waved with a smile.
As So Yeonsim left, he rested his chin on his hand.
“Hmm, this is making me genuinely curious.”
He had never seen So Yeonsim react like that before. It was a good thing he decided not to mention the general manager, to avoid provoking her further.
Of course, it wouldn't have mattered either way. So Yeonsim was not foolish enough to let her personal displeasure affect her official duties.
“An heir candidate who escaped demonic deviation and is now growing at an explosive rate, making unconventional moves?”
Ho Yoseong’s smile deepened.
What kind of monster lurked behind that mischievous, boyish grin was a secret no one but Lee Cheonsang would ever know.
“This is why I put up with this Grand Marshal gig, despite all the grumbling. Just when I think things are getting dull, something exciting always happens.”
He drained the rest of his tea.
“Alright, then. Let’s finish all the remaining work before my new source of entertainment arrives!”
The back of his neck grew hot. After his conversation with So Yeonsim, Ho Yoseong was, for the first time in a while, finding life in the cult fun again.
* * *
*Crackle!*
A streak of red lightning seemed to tear across the land, and in an instant, it shot up the hill. The slope was so steep that it looked as if it were flying up a cliff face.
*Boom!*
Seo Ryang launched himself into the air from the edge of the hill.
As he hung suspended in the air, his eyes met those of Jeong Illyong, who stood on the hill, and sparks flew between them.
“Hahahaha!!”
Seo Ryang burst into a crazed laugh.
Seeing his opponent up close ignited his fury, and the uncontrollable rage triggered a fit of laughter. That was what made Seo Ryang’s laughter so chilling.
Jeong Illyong’s eyebrow twitched.
‘Where did this demon come from?’
*Whoosh!*
There was no time to think. The young demon, who had been slowly descending, suddenly accelerated.
*Fwoosh!*
Jeong Illyong’s eyes widened.
He had detonated his internal energy in mid-air to generate an explosive burst of speed. It was an advanced movement technique that most experts couldn't even dream of imitating.
Seo Ryang swung his great saber.
*Crash! Craccck!*
A saber scar, twenty feet long, was carved into the ground. A spiderweb of cracks spread out from the gash.
Pure astonishment colored Jeong Illyong’s face as he dodged Seo Ryang’s blade with exquisite footwork.
‘This man?’
What kind of monstrous strength did it take to leave such a mark? Even in the Righteous Heaven Alliance, it was rare to find someone who could display such saber power.
Seo Ryang’s face twisted into a vicious scowl.
“That’s right, it would be too disappointing for me if you died in one blow!”
‘Disappointing?’
*What? Does he know me?*
*Boom!*
There was no time to ask.
Despite having just unleashed such a massive strike, he charged forward without even pausing for breath, his entire body brimming with resilience. The might of the great saber he swung was truly terrifying.
Jeong Illyong instinctively swung his sword.
*Clanggggg!*
The two blades clashed, erupting in a brilliant shower of sparks.
He had already been surprised by the sheer force and presence, but upon actually crossing blades, Jeong Illyong was even more astounded.
‘Such power!’
*Clang! Boom! Crash!*
With a series of brutal explosions, Jeong Illyong was pushed back.
He hadn't taken any real damage, but he needed a moment to assess his opponent.
And that moment was something Seo Ryang had no intention of giving him.
*Th-th-thump! Vwoom!*
Stomping on the ground repeatedly, he spun toward Jeong Illyong and once again swung his great saber.
It was truly inspired movement, a menacing sword strike.
It was surprising enough that he could swing such a large blade so quickly, but what was even more astonishing was his footwork, which was already one with the saber.
A pure white sword energy flickered on Jeong Illyong’s treasured sword.
*Craaaash!*
Seo Ryang stumbled back three or four steps. In contrast, Jeong Illyong only faltered for a single step.
Considering Seo Ryang had initiated the attack, it was a testament to how skillfully Jeong Illyong had responded. It was also proof of how pure and solid his internal energy was.
Jeong Illyong spoke.
“With such killing intent, I doubt a conversation is necessary. But I have one question. Who are you?”
Seo Ryang grinned.
Despite being at a disadvantage, his fighting spirit hadn't diminished. On the contrary, he was now exuding an even more fiery killing intent, as if this was only to be expected.
“Find out who I am with that damn sword of yours!”
*Wooooong.*
With a menacing hum, the Shadow Demon Energy that had been crackling like lightning rapidly condensed within his body.
The spectacular aura died down, but the atmosphere grew even more ominous. He was about to open the Infernal Ghost Gate Technique.
Jeong Illyong’s eyes widened.
Seo Ryang roared.
“Give me back my leg, you son of a bitch!”
*Krrrack!*
First stage of the Shadow True Demon Art, fully released.
The Infernal Ghost Gate Technique was opened.