Chapter 195
Chapter 195
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 195
Chapter Title: Farewell to the Southern Beast Palace
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After the banquet concluded, Hyeok Mulin promised maximum support for the reconstruction of the Southern Beast Palace.
So that it would rise even more majestic and grand than before.
He pledged funds for the foundation and to send renowned architects.
It was simple aid, but in truth, it amounted to nurturing his own power.
'This is why I accumulated private wealth.'
What good was hoarding it?
Money existed to be spent.
It was merely dipping into a portion of his personal funds, and truthfully, the amount spent didn't matter.
People were more important than money.
That difference in value never changed.
"Though our time was short, I learned much. Thank you for your guidance."
Before the delegation departed, Sua Rang appeared at the entrance and bowed her head politely in thanks.
Hyeok Mulin, looking down at her, spoke.
"Shouldn't those words go to Protector Man instead of me?"
"Of course I'll express my gratitude to him as well, but I learned even more from you, Cult Leader."
In truth, Hyeok Mulin hadn't directly taught her anything.
But during their time together, the thoughts and ideals he revealed had given Sua Rang fresh shocks, profoundly influencing her values.
Gazing at her bowed form, Hyeok Mulin soon parted his lips in a faint smile.
"Few can teach, but even fewer can fully absorb and embody those teachings."
Hyeok Mulin recalled what Man Ho had told him about her.
She had grasped the core of the martial arts he pointed out and grown swiftly.
True to the bloodline of Surye Tae, she too possessed exceptional talent in martial arts.
"The path you're walking is right. Never doubt it."
"……!"
Sua Rang's pupils dilated like a startled rabbit's.
She heard the words she longed for most from the one she wanted to hear them from most.
Her lips curved upward as she replied with a resounding shout.
"Yes!"
Hyeok Mulin nodded at her resolute demeanor.
She was one of the biggest reasons he could leave the Southern Beast Palace without worry.
Even amid the power struggle between the Palace Lord and Young Palace Lord, she had steadfastly maintained neutrality as the Great Princess, so she wouldn't stand idly by if things veered off course.
Moreover, Sua Rang would soon become the new Young Palace Lord, solidifying her position even further—it actually filled him with anticipation.
"However..."
Sua Rang glanced over the delegation with a puzzled expression.
"Where is Protector Man?"
The delegation was about to depart, yet the man who should be at the Cult Leader's side was nowhere to be seen.
As she voiced her question, Hyeok Mulin raised a finger.
"There."
"……?"
"He's arriving now."
Sua Rang turned her gaze in the direction Hyeok Mulin indicated and finally spotted Man Ho.
But he wasn't alone approaching the delegation.
Countless women clung to him, flirting coyly.
They were none other than the daughters of numerous tribal chiefs and the princesses of the Southern Beast Palace.
Gazing at the sight, Hyeok Mulin spoke.
"Quite the spectacle. Do the women here have different tastes?"
"Protector Man fits the ideal masculine beauty they envision in the South."
The aesthetic sensibilities of the Southern Beast Palace, from the outer reaches of the martial world, differed markedly from others.
Moreover, Man Ho exuded the feral aura they revered, so it wasn't surprising the women swooned over him.
Man Ho wasn't unattractive, of course.
But for the world to idolize him as a handsome man...
Hyeok Mulin shook his head after watching briefly.
Sua Rang stole a sidelong glance at him and muttered under her breath, voice tiny as an ant.
"Not all women think the same, of course..."
"What was that?"
As Hyeok Mulin turned at her faint mumble, a startled Sua Rang frantically waved her hands.
"Ah, nothing!"
She thought her voice wouldn't carry from this distance, yet he heard it.
Sua Rang's cheeks flushed red.
In the ensuing silence, she cautiously spoke up.
"Cult Leader, is that man truly a Protector?"
"Why do you ask?"
"When he taught me martial arts, I sensed his foundation emphasized offense over defense. Most guards typically train in defensive arts, so it struck me as odd."
To discern he was a provisional Protector from the direction of his martial arts alone.
Her instincts were sharp indeed.
Hyeok Mulin nodded at her deduction.
"As you guessed, he's not a Protector."
"I thought so."
Sua Rang nodded as if confirmed.
Then Hyeok Mulin continued.
"But he will be my man."
There wasn't a shred of doubt in Hyeok Mulin's voice.
"I see."
A smile curved Sua Rang's lips at his words.
Soon after, Man Ho arrived at Hyeok Mulin's side, having shaken off the women.
His nose held high today, shoulders broad as mountains, he burst into booming laughter.
"Kuhahaha! Cult Leader, did you see? The women of the South have keen eyes for men! What a fine place!"
"Good for you. Why not settle here?"
"Ahem. That's something to consider..."
Hyeok Mulin replied nonchalantly, prompting Man Ho to clear his throat and look toward distant mountains.
At that moment, someone appeared at the entrance, and Sua Rang tactfully stepped aside.
Surye Tae, who had come to see Hyeok Mulin off personally, spoke with regret.
"Cult Leader, must you leave so soon? There's still much in the South I'd like to show you..."
Though considerable time had passed since Hyeok Mulin's arrival, Surye Tae still brimmed with lingering reluctance.
For Hyeok Mulin, however, it was a natural decision.
He had already stayed far longer than a delegation should, and there was nothing more for him to do here.
Surye Tae knew this rationally, so he couldn't press and trailed off.
Hyeok Mulin smirked at him.
"No need to be so downcast. The Divine Cult and Southern Beast Palace are practically one now—we can meet anytime."
Exchanges between them would flourish, and correspondence would flow freely.
"And you said there's still much left to show in the South."
"Yes."
"I feel the same. There's much to show in the Divine Cult. Next time, I'll invite you to Heavenly Mountain."
Just as Surye Tae wanted to boast of the South, Hyeok Mulin wanted to show him the Divine Province's splendor.
The South.
A truly unique and charming region, yet to Hyeok Mulin, nowhere in the world matched the Divine Province.
A confident smile finally touched Surye Tae's lips at the Heavenly Demon's assurance.
"Understood. Next time, I'll visit the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult."
"I'll prepare a sight to behold."
Sometimes, farewells fueled anticipation for the next encounter.
He had never left the outer martial world in his life, but the thought of beholding the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult filled him with boundless excitement.
With his heart eased, Surye Tae pulled something from his bosom, his expression relaxed.
A small wooden box the size of a palm.
As he offered it, Hyeok Mulin said,
"This wasn't given with expectations."
"I wouldn't feel right without offering something. Please accept it."
Hyeok Mulin gazed at the box briefly before taking it.
Surye Tae sighed in relief.
"It's modest, the only thing I can offer. When you return to the Heavenly Demon Palace, please check it alone."
"I will."
Hyeok Mulin nodded at the request.
Now, with the gift in hand, it was truly time to depart.
Hyeok Mulin bowed to Surye Tae.
"You are the hidden card to deceive the world's eyes. The day will come when the Southern Beast Palace reveals its power."
"I'll keep that in mind."
The Hyeok Mulin that Surye Tae knew never spoke empty words.
For him to say they would hide then reveal their strength...
Surye Tae felt the weight of responsibility, yet it also filled him with hope for the Southern Beast Palace's future.
Just before turning away, Hyeok Mulin remembered something and added,
"Ah, right. You still owe a thousand gold taels."
A thousand gold taels...?
Surye Tae tilted his head momentarily, then his eyes widened.
The result of their wager at the Ferocious Beast Emperor's—he had forgotten.
"Yes, now you remember."
"Y-Yes."
"We'll settle that next time."
With a sly smile, Hyeok Mulin led the delegation from the Southern Beast Palace.
Surye Tae watched his back, lost in thought.
He knew Hyeok Mulin said this to ease his debt of gratitude, despite pouring far more private funds into the palace.
At first, it had been the only path to survival, chosen out of necessity.
Now, he realized it was the sole way to save the main palace.
'Without the Cult Leader, the Southern Beast Palace would have fallen under the Young Palace Lord's control, puppets in unknown hands.'
Hyeok Mulin.
A name eternally etched in the Southern Beast Palace's history as their benefactor.
"Please take care of your health."
Surye Tae bowed deeply toward the path Hyeok Mulin had taken, long after he was gone.
Hyeok Mulin returned to the Heavenly Demon Palace without incident.
Upon arrival, he disbanded the delegation and headed to the Heavenly Demon Hall with Sima Jin.
"Did you carry out my orders?"
"Yes. As instructed, we swiftly dispatched selected food supplies, materials, and architects. A letter arrived the day before yesterday confirming their arrival at the Southern Beast Palace."
"Good."
"I don't know what happened there, but..."
Initially, Hyeok Mulin hadn't provided detailed explanations in his letters to Sima Jin.
His stay might extend longer than expected.
After a brief update, he listed items to send South—that was all. Sima Jin simply followed through.
Even so, Sima Jin could infer some things.
The Cult Leader was negotiating positively with the Southern Beast Palace.
And whatever was requested, he didn't mind.
The Cult Leader always brought back more than he gave.
"The talks with the Southern Beast Palace ended positively, yes?"
Thus, with Hyeok Mulin returned, Sima Jin could smile leisurely and ask.
Hyeok Mulin replied flatly.
"Yes. I subjugated the Southern Beast Palace."
"I see. You subjugated the Southern Beast Palace..."
Sima Jin's voice halted mid-repeat.
"Pardon?"
As he mulled over Hyeok Mulin's words, his mind blanked white as if struck by lightning.