Chapter 66
Chapter 66
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 66
Chapter Title: Become My Sword
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It was a drinking party that had come together out of nowhere, but I felt it was for the best.
I'd originally planned to arrange something like this anyway.
Now that I'd become the sub-branch leader, it was time to put my plans into full motion.
But to do that, I needed people who would actively serve as my hands and feet.
In that regard, Dang Gon and Dang Gyujin were the perfect choices.
They knew me better than anyone, and they could keep their mouths shut.
The question was how to bring them fully under my wing. Hmm.
"Have you given any thought to it?"
'I'm working on it.'
As I pondered when to bring it up, the servants began bringing out the food one by one.
"Excuse us."
But.
'Huh?'
"Hmm?"
"This smell?"
It was somehow familiar.
Apparently, I wasn't the only one who thought so.
The lingering spirits reacted the same way.
"Oh, this aroma is incredible."
"It smells like Sichuan cuisine, but there's something a bit off about it. It should pair perfectly with Yeo-ahong, though."
Dang Gon and Dang Gyujin already looked eager, their mouths watering at the enticing scent.
I picked up a piece of braised pork belly first.
It was a dish I'd eaten often since opening my eyes in the Nine Dragons Branch Family.
But the taste was different from usual.
"Ooh! This is... delicious!"
"Were there hidden masters like this in the White Division? Damn, Hwi-a, you've been living the high life with your meals, huh?"
Their exclamations barely registered with me.
I was stunned.
'...It's the taste of Mount Cheonsan.'
This was exactly like the food from the Demonic Cult.
It felt like I'd returned home in an instant.
"That Ilno devotee or whatever mentioned that cooking was a hobby in his youth, so this must be his handiwork."
"I wish I had a mouth to try a bite... I'm curious about the taste."
Before I knew it, the plate was empty.
I could really feel how smart it had been to bring Ilno along.
"Tell the kitchen to make more food."
"Yes, understood."
Once my appetite kicked in, I couldn't stop.
I'd been regulating my diet for stamina and muscle growth, but today that wasn't happening.
The alcohol was great, the food was amazing, and the atmosphere was perfect.
It was a cozy feeling I hadn't experienced in ages.
"Ehehehe. You know, I just remembered something I forgot. I have a favor to ask. Can you do me one? Uncle Gon, you too."
Dang Gyujin giggled with her slightly flushed face.
Her ehehehe laughter suggested she was nicely tipsy.
"As long as it's not too difficult."
"What is it, miss?"
"This grain wine we've been drinking today—you and Uncle Gon brought it all, right? I was just invited here! You get it, don't youuu?"
What was this about? Then it hit me.
"Is that senior brother of yours arriving at the branch soon?"
Dang Gyujin had mentioned it in passing before.
The top disciple of the Pure City Sect was coming to pay respects to the Dark Lord on behalf of his sect.
He must be almost here by now.
"Yeah, that's right. Probably tomorrow or the day after. A letter arrived just a bit ago—"
"Of course. We have to help. More than help, even."
This could be fun.
My lips were already twitching.
In that instant, Dang Gyujin's eyes narrowed suspiciously.
"Your smile looks really shady."
"No way."
"You smiled just like that last time when I mentioned senior brother."
"It's a misunderstanding."
"Not a misunderstanding?"
"Sister, this is your little brother Hwi."
"And?"
"Would I ever have such irreverent thoughts about my esteemed sister?"
"Yeah, I think you would."
"No, I wouldn't."
"Really?"
"Really."
"......"
"......"
A brief silence fell between us.
Heheuk!
"See, see! Your smile is full of evil intent!!"
Dang Gyujin shot up from her seat, pointing accusingly.
Ah, caught. I should have held it in a bit longer.
What a shame.
"I have nothing to do with senior brother!!"
"I haven't said a word? Does it hit a little too close to home?"
"You...!!"
Dang Gyujin trembled with rage.
Dang Gon, who knew nothing about this topic, just blinked in confusion from the middle.
"Isn't the top disciple of the Pure City Sect the Pure City Sword Hero, Lee Cheolsan? The greatest junior talent in Sichuan.... But why—"
"Our sister here is close with that top Sichuan junior talent."
"Gasp! If that's true!!"
"It's not!! Nothing like that!!"
Dang Gyujin's face was red beyond red, on the verge of exploding.
She shook with fury!
The cup in her hand trembled like it might shatter any second.
"This won't do! Instead of sitting here, I need to go tell the branch leader right now and arrange a matchmaker as soon as the event ends—"
As Dang Gon started to rise, a wine cup suddenly flew at him like a hidden weapon.
Dang Gon hastily jerked his head aside.
Crash!
The cup grazed his cheek and shattered against the wall.
I could see sweat beading on Dang Gon's forehead in that moment.
It had been a genuinely threatening strike, enough to put him on high alert.
"...Sit down. While I'm asking nicely."
"Yes, ma'am!"
His lightning-quick return to his seat was befitting the former second-in-command of the Stormwind Squad.
"Hwi-a, if you say another useless thing, you're dead for real."
"Yes. I'll keep that in mind."
"......"
Dang Gyujin looked like she wanted to smack my ever-smiling mouth just once.
'We get how you feel.'
"Heh heh heh. This way, everyone around him is coming to recognize the young cult leader one by one."
What's with you all sounding like you totally understand?
Haa!
Dang Gyujin let out a deep sigh and plopped back down.
She then downed the last of the Yeo-ahong in one go.
"I'm never getting married in this lifetime. Once this event is over and I return to the sect, I'm becoming a nun."
"...Miss, what on earth!!"
Bang!
Dang Gon slammed the table hard and stood again.
This time, it wasn't a joke—he was genuinely angry as an elder of the Nine Dragons Branch Family.
It was the expected reaction when a direct heir of his lord suddenly declared they were leaving the clan.
"......"
But Dang Gyujin's eyes remained calm and serene.
The peaceful, enjoyable drinking atmosphere had already shattered.
Dang Gon's face was especially grim.
"What are you saying, miss? Explain properly! Becoming a nun? Did that Pure City punk tempt you or—"
Bang!
Dang Gyujin slammed her palm on the table.
"Even if it's you, Uncle Gon, I won't stand for slander against my sect."
"...I apologize. But I can't comprehend this at all. Is it because of what happened with the lady of the house?"
"That plays a part, sure."
"That's—"
"But that's not the only reason. It's something I've agonized over for years."
"Hah!"
Dang Gon let out a hollow laugh.
He could read the resolve in Dang Gyujin's voice.
There's a saying in the Tang Clan: true strength comes from the Poison Heart.
It refers to the clan's unyielding spirit that never breaks, no matter the hardship or adversity.
Once a Tang clansman swallows the Poison Heart, their mind can't be changed.
And Dang Gyujin had just done exactly that.
"Poison and hidden weapons never suited me from the start."
"You were a prodigy, miss."
"Yes. I was. But in the Pure City Sect, I was a genius."
"......"
"In the Tang Clan, it took a year of study for things that I mastered in a single month there. My constitution was always better suited to the sword."
Dang Gon clamped his mouth shut.
"Besides, the Tang Clan's rules and atmosphere always felt suffocating to me. My voice never reached anyone. The clan's voice forced me to change, and I tried my best to do so. But Pure City was different. They always listened to my voice and changed themselves when needed."
Dang Gon knew full well how much Dang Gyujin had suffered in the Nine Dragons Branch Family's harsh environment.
So he had nothing to say about that.
"I couldn't just abandon the branch's affairs, so I kept agonizing... but now that Hwi-a is taking over, I feel relieved."
Dang Gon opened and closed his mouth repeatedly but couldn't find words.
He knew nothing he said would reach her.
So his attempt at persuasion was pathetically shallow.
"...The lord won't allow it."
"Convincing my father is my problem. I'll handle it somehow."
Dang Gyujin bowed her head.
"I'd planned to handle it quietly after the event... but it slipped out. Sorry for causing confusion."
But when she lifted her head, her eyes were proud.
"Still... I hope at least you, Uncle Gon, can understand and support me, even if others can't."
"......"
Dang Gon fell silent.
Thoughts flickered across his face.
Dang Gyujin watched him quietly, waiting for his response.
Her composed expression held firm trust that Dang Gon would believe in her and cheer her on.
She was certain the path she walked was right.
'His meeting with the young cult leader seems to have greatly influenced the Thousand Leaf Sword Immortal's resolve.'
'Did seeing me act so freely these days spark some greed in her too?'
'N-no, that's not what I meant! I mean, the Thousand Leaf Sword Immortal changed in a positive way—'
Pfft.
I chuckled lightly.
I'd always pitied Dang Gyujin for being trapped in the Nine Dragons Branch Family's mold, wavering indecisively.
I'd seen too many people bound by their surroundings, suppressing their true selves without even revealing them.
Their futures always ended the same way.
Regret.
Lingering remorse over not finding the courage back then.
But Dang Gyujin seemed to have decided to listen to her inner voice before such regrets could take root.
She had shed one layer of the mold defining "Dang Gyujin" and taken her first step toward freedom.
I wanted to support her.
'But if she becomes a nun in Pure City, won't it hinder the young cult leader's future actions?'
The Demonic Cult and the Nine Great Sects had always been enemies. As someone planning to restore the Divine Demon Clan, I'd inevitably clash with Pure City someday.
It would repeatedly obstruct my future plans to bring Dang Gyujin into my fold.
Bright Left Envoy.
I intended to make her my left arm.
But could I recruit her if she became a formal disciple at their headquarters instead of a lay one?
'It's possible. More than possible.'
'How...?'
'If entering the sect is by her own will, then converting can be by her own will too.'
'??'
'It exists. Something like that.'
I never let go of talent I'd marked.
And there was never any coercion.
That was an unchanging belief and point of pride, past or present.
Above all, the new vision of the Demonic Cult I dreamed of was vastly different from what I knew.
It could encompass Pure City, the Tang Clan, and even Sichuan's various martial factions.
At that moment, after much deliberation, Dang Gon let out a sigh deep enough to cave the ground and slowly spoke.
"To be honest, I can't understand it. As you know, I've devoted my life to the Tang Clan and lived as one."
"I understand."
"But hearing your story, I can see how much you've agonized."
"Uncle Gon."
"The miss I've known has always been the most thoughtful person. This decision must be the same. So I'll support you."
"Thank you."
Dang Gyujin beamed and grabbed Dang Gon's hand across the table.
Dang Gon smiled wryly.
"But as you know, convincing the lord is a whole other matter. Even if I back you up, his stubbornness... you know."
"Yes. I know. He's more Tang clansman than anyone. Maybe even more than Grandfather. But right now, your warm encouragement means the most to me."
"Yes. Do as you wish."
Dang Gon patted her hand gently.
This had to be the greatest praise and encouragement an uncle could give his niece.
It seemed to give her great strength.
Dang Gyujin's eyes reddened.
Then her gaze turned to me.
"Hwi-a, you're... not surprised."
"I expected it."
"I knew you would be."
Dang Gyujin smiled brightly.
"You and Little Aunt... you both always give me strength."
Little Aunt.
Was she referring to the birth mother of 'Dang Hwi'?
Perhaps this was one reason Dang Gyujin had always shown me warmth.
"I'm not just supportive—I'm willing to actively back you. Even using the sub-branch leader's authority if needed."
"Thanks."
"But in return, I have a request."
I downed the last of the Yeo-ahong and set the cup down firmly.
Thud!
"A request?"
Dang Gyujin seemed to sense the Poison Heart in my words. Her eyes sharpened.
I nodded.
"Yes."
"What is it?"
"Work with me."
"If it's Demonic Cult business, of course—"
"It's not just that. Be my sword until we resolve this incident."
Sword.
At that word, our gazes crossed in the air for an instant.