Chapter 268
Chapter 268
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 268
Chapter Title: Revelry and Resolve
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The night deepened, the tension eased, and the banquet continued in high spirits.
With Hyeok Mulin's firm assurance, they finally let their guards down after so long. Soon enough, they each enjoyed the drinking party in their own ways.
Gulp, gulp—
Man Hyobom was downing the liquor like it was water.
He seemed to have inherited a formidable tolerance from his father, Man Ho, as he had already emptied several bottles.
Yet despite that, his face was merely flushed—there was no real sign of drunkenness.
"Tch."
Danri Hyang, seated beside him, clicked his tongue at the sight.
No matter how casually the mood had been set, this was a banquet with the Cult Leader present.
'And yet he guzzles it down without any restraint.'
It was behavior Danri Hyang simply couldn't comprehend, so he shook his head slowly.
Meanwhile, a lively atmosphere was brewing among the squad members on the first floor.
Jeok Mugin and his brother Jeok Igam stood out in particular.
Jeok Mugin had been so fixated on rescuing his younger brother that he hadn't paid much attention to those around him.
But now that his goal was achieved, he opened up and started treating his comrades with genuine warmth. The squad members welcomed him in kind.
His brother Jeok Igam was much the same.
Having been raised as an assassin since childhood, he had lived a life far removed from ordinary people.
Danri Hyang had worried he might struggle to adapt to communal life in the unit, but quite the opposite—the squad was drawn to his unique aura and distinctive martial style, accepting him without reservation.
Thus, the Jeok brothers had fully integrated into the Divine Demon Blood Death Squad.
And amid the Divine Demon Blood Death Squad, there was one person quietly watching the Heavenly Stormwind Brigade as they mingled and enjoyed the banquet together.
Glance.
It was a glance so subtle no one else noticed, but it couldn't escape Hyeok Mulin's eyes.
'He must be pretty concerned.'
The Heavenly Stormwind Brigade's captain, Yibija, kept sneaking looks at the first floor, gauging the mood.
He was checking whether his subordinates were blending well with the Divine Demon Blood Death Squad members.
And on the first floor, the atmosphere was harmonious enough to dispel any such worries as they carried on with their drinks.
"So that's the bow custom-made by the Southern Iron Gate? The craftsmanship is indeed exceptional."
"I hear you got your armor from them too. Show it to me next time."
They showed off their weapons and gear to each other, sharing the interests of fellow warriors.
They bonded over tales of the incidents they'd handled alongside Hyeok Mulin.
After watching them for a good while, Yibija finally let out a sigh of relief, a faint smile playing on his lips.
'I can certainly understand his feelings.'
Hyeok Mulin could fully empathize with the man's state of mind.
The Divine Demon Blood Death Squad was the first unit directly under the Heavenly Demon that Hyeok Mulin had established, carrying with it immense prestige and pride.
Its captain, moreover, was a renowned demon who had served from the previous Heavenly Demon up to the current Cult Leader.
Compared to that, Yibija lacked in many ways.
Especially as a native of the Central Plains, he had no connections whatsoever.
He had poured everything into forming the unit, relying solely on the backing of Hyeok Mulin.
Thus, while he had assembled a distinctive and capable group, fostering camaraderie between units was beyond his abilities.
'That worry is probably for my sake too.'
As fellow members of the Heavenly Demon Army, they would often join missions related to Hyeok Mulin.
The two units would inevitably need to coordinate closely.
For the missions' efficiency and success, inter-unit rapport was essential.
Fortunately, thanks to the clash between Hyeok Mulin and the Sword Lord, they had reached complete accord and become one—now there was nothing left to worry about.
Slurp.
Having confirmed with his own eyes that the two units had blended seamlessly, Yibija could finally relax and enjoy his drink.
Just as the overall mood reached a joyful peak...
"......"
There was one person who remained silent, simply staring at his cup.
It was none other than the Divine Demon Blood Death Squad's captain, Ji Wolhon.
His eyes held a complex mix of thoughts as he fiddled with his cup.
Then, with a deep sigh, he slowly rose to his feet.
"Cult Leader, if you'll excuse me, I'll step out to the restroom."
Hyeok Mulin nodded, and Ji Wolhon left his seat, descending the stairs and slipping out the door.
But rather than the restroom, he headed to the backyard.
Placing his hand on the backyard railing, Ji Wolhon gazed at the lush trees growing outside.
Whoosh—
Gazing at them, he let out a heavy sigh, his stifled heart pouring out into the cool night air.
Just then, as he sighed...
"You look like you have a lot on your mind."
"C-Cult Leader...!"
He startled at Hyeok Mulin's voice from behind and turned around.
"Why are you here...?"
As he trailed off in flustered confusion, Hyeok Mulin spoke in a calm tone.
"After all the time I've spent watching you, how could I not notice the change?"
Hyeok Mulin continued, looking at him.
"Tell me what's troubling you so much that you're suffering alone."
Ji Wolhon's eyes wavered at those words.
Then, as if resolving himself, he slowly nodded.
As Hyeok Mulin stood beside him, Ji Wolhon turned back to the outside and bared his true feelings.
"Recently, you've had friction with the Sword Lord, haven't you?"
"Indeed."
"The outcome was more than satisfactory, but..."
His voice paused for a moment before he continued.
"In that process, I came to feel a profound sense of my own powerlessness."
Back then, it was the Sword Lord lunging with his black sword toward Hyeok Mulin.
And the shield that had to protect Hyeok Mulin at the forefront was the Divine Demon Blood Death Squad, with Ji Wolhon at its head.
But.
"If I had clashed with the Sword Lord while trying to protect you..."
Imagining such a scenario twisted Ji Wolhon's face.
"I wouldn't have just failed to protect you—I doubt I could have even bought much time."
The Sword Lord's strength was known to all under heaven.
And this incident had proven the Cult Leader's prowess as well.
'But what about me?'
As the Cult Leader's sharpest spear and sturdiest shield, why was he still standing in the same place?
While everyone honed their skills and grew stronger, he alone felt stuck, making no progress.
Hyeok Mulin turned his gaze forward again as he watched Ji Wolhon reveal his painful heart through his hardened expression.
'So that's what he's been thinking.'
Hyeok Mulin pondered the man's lament.
If anything, Ji Wolhon's issue boiled down to one thing.
He had been too strong from the start.
That was the only problem.
Already so powerful, after gaining a new life under Hyeok Mulin, Ji Wolhon had focused more on organizing the Divine Demon Blood Death Squad as its captain than on personal power-ups.
Moreover, as a warrior who had already reached the Ascendant Realm, his progress was naturally slower than others'.
He hadn't neglected training, but he must have felt frustrated nonetheless.
And after the conflict between Hyeok Mulin and the Sword Lord, Ji Wolhon hadn't dared touch anything.
He might have thought he'd lost the Cult Leader's trust.
'But that's completely wrong.'
Hyeok Mulin had simply judged that deploying only the Seven Great Demon Clans would be more effective this time, so he hadn't mobilized the Heavenly Demon Army.
It had nothing to do with distrusting Ji Wolhon.
With a slow smile, Hyeok Mulin addressed the man hiding his gloomy mood.
And his words were no clumsy pity or encouragement.
"Captain Ji."
"Yes, Cult Leader."
"I'm granting you leave."
"......Pardon?"
Ji Wolhon looked at him with baffled eyes at the sudden order.
"In the Cult Leader's name, I grant you leave."
Thanks to Ji Wolhon's efforts, the Divine Demon Blood Death Squad's foundation was solid.
The captain's absence would be a blow, but unlike before, the unit now had its own momentum.
Now was the time for Ji Wolhon to step away and shatter his own limits.
"No deadline. You'll know best when to return."
Warriors faced walls differently, each overcoming them in their own way.
And to Hyeok Mulin, what Ji Wolhon needed now was time alone with himself.
Hyeok Mulin had given him this "leave"—time for growth disguised as rest.
Understanding the intent, Ji Wolhon felt both gratitude toward Hyeok Mulin and guilt for having to step away.
And in the end, he had only one thing to say.
"I will... definitely return..."
Growing to repay that consideration was the only way to show his gratitude to the Cult Leader.
In the dark days when no path lay ahead, the Cult Leader had opened a new one and now granted yet another chance—he could only bow his head.
"Take your time coming back."
Hyeok Mulin left the emotional Ji Wolhon to his solitude.
As he had come alone, Hyeok Mulin headed back to the Sound Flower Pavilion alone. He paused at the entrance, looking inside.
The hot atmosphere was still in full swing.
In the midst of it, Han Baek was tying up the drunkards here and there, shouting as he cleaned up.
Smirking at the sight, Hyeok Mulin turned to Yagul Okryeon standing nearby.
"Do you have any Hundred Flower Brew left?"
"Of course."
Yagul Okryeon went inside and soon returned with a wrapped bottle of Hundred Flower Brew.
She handed it carefully to Hyeok Mulin, who said,
"Take this."
"Pardon?"
Hyeok Mulin handed her a money pouch.
Holding it with both hands, she gauged the amount from its weight alone.
Her eyes widened as she spoke.
"Th-this is far too much for just a bottle of Hundred Flower Brew and the banquet costs!"
The banquet had been arranged by the Yagul Clan to begin with.
Thinking it excessive, she tried to refuse.
But Hyeok Mulin's next words stopped her cold.
"After all those hard days, isn't it time to take a breather?"
"......!"
This was Hyeok Mulin's reward not just to the Sound Flower Pavilion for enduring tough times, but to the entire district.
Feeling his sentiment, Yagul Okryeon gratefully accepted the pouch and bowed her head.
"...We thank you for your grace, Cult Leader."
With that, Hyeok Mulin left the Sound Flower Pavilion with the Hundred Flower Brew and returned to the Heavenly Demon Palace.
He headed straight for the Pure Heaven Pavilion, where light still shone inside.
'Still working, as expected.'
One reason Hyeok Mulin had left the banquet early was to share a drink with Sima Jin, who had toiled so hard.
It was also to let the squad members enjoy themselves more freely.
Imagining Sima Jin's weary face lighting up at the sight of the brew, Hyeok Mulin opened the door.
Click.
But Hyeok Mulin wouldn't get to share that drink with Sima Jin.
A guest had arrived first and was waiting seated at the table.
And that person was completely unexpected.
'Why is the Sword Lord here?'
Confirming Cheon Su-myeong sitting quietly, Hyeok Mulin looked questioningly at Sima Jin.
Sima Jin subtly averted his gaze.
Hyeok Mulin turned back and addressed Cheon Su-myeong with a puzzled expression.
"What brings the Sword Lord here?"
Cheon Su-myeong finally opened his taciturn mouth.
"No particular reason. Do I need one to come see you?"
"......?"
Hyeok Mulin's brow furrowed at the reply, his doubt deepening.
And soon, he realized.
Something was off.
"Huh...?"
It seemed...
The Sword Lord has taken an interest in me.