Chapter 92
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 92
Chapter Title: The Festival of Papiyas Began Splendidly (1)
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The Festival of Papiyas.
It referred to the ritual offered to Mara, also known as Papiyas, the sole god of the Divine Cult of the Heavenly Demon and the master of the sixth heaven in the Realm of Desire.
In the past, it was said that even human sacrifices were offered to Papiyas. It was from that era that the Divine Cult of the Heavenly Demon gained its notoriety and was called the Demonic Cult.
However, the current Festival of Papiyas was different.
Though it had its doctrines and scriptures, the Divine Cult of the Heavenly Demon was not ignorant of the ways of the world.
Moreover, having recruited outsiders for hundreds of years, it had naturally adopted the customs and common sense of the Central Plains.
In the end, the present-day Festival of Papiyas was both a ritual offered to a god and a festival for the demonic martial world.
People who hadn't seen each other in a while would catch up, enjoy delicious food and drink, and even invite traveling troupes to watch performances.
At this point, the ritual was merely a formality; it was more accurate to call it a banquet or a feast.
In fact, many people met their future spouses at the Festival of Papiyas, and reunions between family members separated since childhood were commonplace.
‘Hmm, the memories are coming back to me.’
Back when he heard about the Festival of Papiyas from Ma Dongpil.
It was then that Seo Ryang had managed to shed many of his prejudices about the Divine Cult of the Heavenly Demon. Just from the description, it sounded no different from any other festival in the Central Plains.
But!
“You want me to help? You're asking me?”
“That is correct.”
“I don't know what you need help with, but this is certainly a surprise. As I recall, our relationship wasn't one for laughing and chatting, or for cooperating with each other.”
“What is wrong with our relationship?”
“Huh?”
“Though we have had our conflicts, they arose from our differing positions. I see no deep-seated animosity between us.”
Well, now.
“There's no deep-seated animosity, sure. But that doesn't mean things aren't awkward between us, does it?”
“That is not incorrect.”
My, my.
“You're so frank, I'm at a loss for words.”
Go Gu nodded.
“My opinion has not changed. The Third Young Master is a very dangerous person.”
“Dangerous to you, perhaps.”
“At the same time, I also think this: a double-edged sword is dangerous no matter what. If handled carelessly, it can cut me, but if wielded correctly, it will cut down the enemy.”
Seo Ryang frowned.
“So you intend to wield me?”
“That was not my intention. I simply thought that in the event of a common enemy, I might be able to receive your help.”
“You have a way with words. In the end, you just see me as a useful card to play, don't you?”
“You are free to think what you will. I am only conveying my thoughts and intentions through words; the interpretation is up to the Third Young Master.”
“Enough. What do you mean by a 'common enemy'? Before that, why do you want my help? And what is it you need me to do?”
He fired off three questions at once, but they all amounted to the same thing.
Go Gu glanced at Ma Dongpil.
Ma Dongpil was still circulating his energy. His once-calm expression was now deeply furrowed, as if in extreme concentration.
“Before I answer, let me ask you something. What is it that the Third Young Master truly desires?”
Freedom!
Seo Ryang coughed abruptly. The word in his heart had almost slipped out.
This bastard, his interrogation skills haven't gone anywhere. He didn't become the Head of the Hall of Punishments for nothing, huh?
“What do you think any of the heirs want? The next seat of power, of course.”
“Are you certain that is what you want, Third Young Master?”
“Why? You think it's not?”
He answered nonchalantly, but the slight shift of his eyes was clearly awkward.
Go Gu, who had been staring intently at Seo Ryang, finally nodded.
“Whatever the case, it would be beneficial for you in many ways to win the succession battle, Third Young Master.”
“So what's your point?”
“What I desire is to throw one of the heirs into the prison of the Hall of Punishments.”
“...?”
This time, he was genuinely surprised.
Seo Ryang asked with a serious expression.
“Are you serious?”
“Of course.”
“But... why?”
“Of course, I have no intention of touching any of the current seven—no, six of you. Not unless one of you commits a grave crime, such as treason or interfering with an internal investigation by the Hall of Punishments.”
That made sense.
“Was there another heir besides the remaining six?”
“There is. To be precise, one who has been designated as an heir will arrive at the main sect in time for the Festival of Papiyas.”
“Who is it?”
A vicious glint flashed in Go Gu's eyes.
“The eldest son of the Demonic Sword House.”
The Demonic Sword House was one of the Seven Demonic Houses, and the family that represented them.
A family that could be called the best in the demonic martial world, at least when it came to the sword.
To give an idea of how formidable the Demonic Sword House was, even masters who had learned the orthodox demonic arts of the Cult would sometimes go there to attend lectures on swordsmanship.
‘Their standing is probably similar to the Namgung Clan of the righteous faction.’
Nodding inwardly, Seo Ryang scratched his head.
“The eldest son of the Demonic Sword House is joining as a candidate for the succession? Why haven't I heard about this?”
“It is normal that you wouldn't know. Not unless you were meddling everywhere like the Fourth Young Master, who was crushed by your hand.”
He has a cute way of putting things. I'd love to have the stone-faced Hong Wi-mun hear this directly.
“Why do you want to lock him up? Did he do something wrong?”
“Yes.”
“What did he do?”
“I will tell you when you accept my proposal, Third Young Master.”
“Go to hell. How am I supposed to be moved one way or another if I don't even know what crime he committed?”
“I came to you first, Third Young Master, before any of the other heirs. But if you refuse this offer, I will go to another heir.”
Seo Ryang blinked.
“Then go, why don't you?”
“...”
“What? Is there a problem?”
“Does it not bother you?”
“Why should it bother me? If you think I'm not the right fit, you can just ask another heir, can't you? If anything, I should be worried about your feet, since you're the one who has to do all the legwork.”
Go Gu's eyebrow twitched.
‘I just can't figure this man out.’
When they spoke inside the Hall of Punishments, he had thought the Third Young Master was an incredibly cunning person.
But what was this? He couldn't tell if the man was stupid or simply indifferent.
“Of course, even if you help with this, the Hall of Punishments will continue to handle matters with the same impartiality as before.”
“Bullshit.”
“However, I, as an individual, would be indebted to whoever helps me with this matter.”
“Aha? So you're saying I shouldn't miss this golden opportunity?”
“You seem to be interpreting it in a rather mocking way, but that is, in essence, correct.”
Seo Ryang nodded.
“It's not a very enticing offer.”
He was treating the chance to put the Head of the Hall of Punishments in his debt as less valuable than a roadside pebble. Go Gu was inwardly dumbfounded.
“You come asking for help out of the blue, without explaining the reason or bringing a proper trade item? That's hilarious.”
“...”
“Go bargain somewhere else. I'm not interested.”
Seo Ryang turned his body.
He wasn't pretending; he was serious. From that decisive action, Go Gu could read Seo Ryang's annoyance.
Gazing at Seo Ryang's back, Go Gu sighed.
“He is a criminal.”
“So what.”
“He raped and murdered seven of our cult's followers, then framed an innocent demon for the crime.”
For a moment, Seo Ryang's feet faltered.
Go Gu's words continued slowly.
“In other words, the Hall made a grave mistake. In the end, the real felon survived and is still living large, while the demon who had dedicated his soul to the Cult was unjustly sent to the execution ground.”
“...”
“That demon prayed to the Cult Leader until the very moment of his death. Even now, my heart grows heavy when I think of that scene.”
Go Gu's sincerity was palpable. Regardless of his personality or disposition, it was clear he felt a strong sense of self-reproach as the Head of the Hall of Punishments.
“I do not wish to reveal the Hall's shame to others. It is embarrassing. But I must catch that bastard, even if it means swallowing my pride.
I must catch him and drag him before the family of the unjustly killed demon.”
“...”
“That is all I desire.”
“And?”
“...I do not know what you mean.”
“Is that all?”
“...?”
“Instead of some fluffy trade item like 'being in your debt,' give me something concrete. Then I'll make a move.”
Go Gu smiled coldly.
“You are just like the others after all.”
“I don't know what you mean by 'just like the others,' but I see no reason to be different. You were the one who proposed this in the first place.”
“...I misspoke. You are right. I, too, am more comfortable with a deal than a favor.”
“So, what's the trade item?”
“If you are to accept the offer, then the one accepting should name their price.”
“I like the sound of that.”
Seo Ryang turned around.
Go Gu, who was glaring at him, flinched for a moment.
“The price I want is the dismissal of a few people.”
“...”
“What? You don't like it?”
“Am I included among those 'few people'?”
“Scared, are we?”
“It is impossible, and it has nothing to do with fear. It is not that I am unwilling, but if I were to step down, the Hall of Punishments...”
“Don't worry. I don't want you to step down.”
“Then?”
“The members who conducted the investigation back then. Dismiss every single one of them.”
“...”
“If I had my way, I'd tell you to chop off all their heads, but I don't want to put people's lives on the bargaining table.
Dismissal should paint a pretty enough picture.”
Go Gu's eyes deepened.
‘What is this?’
Is he serious? Does he really intend to make this deal, which only brings him a loss?
Seo Ryang snorted.
“You don't like it? Isn't getting rid of them a good thing for you, too? Tossing out those hopelessly incompetent fools and bringing in motivated new blood to create a more beautiful Hall of Punish—”
“I have already dismissed them all.”
“...?”
“There is a limit to the mistakes I tolerate. I am stricter with the members of my Hall than with the demons of the Cult.”
“...”
“...”
“Ahem! Trying to act cool is harder than it looks.”
“It was quite cool. And I could tell you were sincere.”
“Shit, hearing that from you is just embarrassing.”
Seo Ryang scratched his head.
“Fine, debt or whatever, I'll help you with this.”
“Thank you.”
“Enough of that. So, how are we going to catch this guy?”
“I do not know.”
“...?”
“...”
“Did I hear you correctly? You don't know?”
“That is correct.”
“Are you kidding me?”
“That is why I came to you first, Third Young Master.
I thought that with your audacity—the kind that caused such a scene in front of the Hall of Punishments—and your knack for cunning that masterfully defies expectations, you might come up with a way.”
Seo Ryang let out a deep sigh.
“You bring me an unsolvable problem and what? A debt? You really live an easy life, don't you?”
“Is there truly no other way?”
Seo Ryang yelled.
“Of course not!”
“...”
“...You just cursed me for being incompetent in your head, didn't you?”
“No.”
“Look at your voice trembling.”
“Do not make an innocent person feel wronged because of your own needless insecurity.”
“Damn it.”
After muttering to himself for a while, Seo Ryang spoke.
“You have the law code with the criminal laws written in it, right?”
“Yes.”
“Bring me a nice-looking one.”
“Why that...?”
“I'm not going to use it as a pot stand, so just give it to me. I need to know something about the criminal code if I'm going to frame the guy, don't I?”
“...Understood. Is there anything else you need?”
“I'll let you know when I need it. When's the Festival of Papiyas again?”
“In five days.”
“That's a tight schedule. Got it.”
“What about manpower? Will you not need people?”
“I have enough.”
“You mean you can do it alone?”
“Alone? I'm not alone.”
“Hm?”
It was then.
*Fwoosh.*
Emitting a white haze, Ma Dongpil slowly rose to his feet.
The markings carved all over his body were now nothing but scabs. As he took a deep breath, a clear look of ecstasy settled on his face.
Go Gu's eyes wavered. The demonic energy emanating from Ma Dongpil was beyond anything he had imagined.
“How is it?”
He looked back at Seo Ryang.
Seo Ryang winked.
“Behold, the arrival of the best manpower, whom I wouldn't trade for a hundred of your Hall's members.”