Chapter 153
Chapter 153
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 153
Chapter Title: Little Heavenly Demon, Peach Blossom Haven (2)
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"...Pardon?"
Hong Yeon couldn't believe her ears.
She placed both hands on the floor and lifted only her face, questioning the Heavenly Demon as if demanding an answer.
"Did I... hear that wrong?"
The old man pulled a pipe from his bosom, his face stiff.
Smoke rose above it.
The acrid scent of unfiltered tobacco wafted through the air.
"This must be good news for you. The guy you hated is dying, after all."
Hong Yeon held her breath, steadying her trembling heart.
Her hands on the floor were shaking.
"No more worries about succession, right?"
The old man was spot on.
With the Little Heavenly Demon slated to die, there was no need to fret over an heir anymore.
But... his death would bring far greater problems.
Did he know how much that man had done here?
Dozens of children owed their lives to his grace. Hundreds of women had been spared from crime's grasp.
How much would Peach Blossom Haven shake with his death alone?
It was too grave a matter to simply brush off as "good riddance."
"Him... yourself, sir?"
Of course, Hong Yeon's own heart wasn't at peace either.
"Yes."
"Why? Please tell me why! What on earth for...?"
Hong Yeon raised her voice in protest.
Her expression was one of bafflement, as if she still hadn't grasped the reality. It was too cruel a statement to accept so suddenly.
Yet instinctively, she knew.
She had botched something major.
"No need for reasons. He's intended to die from the start."
He was too brilliant a talent to die.
A man with nine layers of wings yet to unfold—it wouldn't end with mere regret.
"Wait... please!"
Her plea bordered on desperation.
The old man furrowed his brow and intoned coldly.
"Stop your whining. It's already decided."
The old man rose and walked past Hong Yeon, scattering pipe smoke in his wake.
Hong Yeon whipped her head around and grabbed at his robe.
With a single step, he shook her off effortlessly.
-Creak.
The sound of a door opening ahead.
It felt like it came from somewhere distant, even though it was close.
Hong Yeon stared blankly, still in shock, then snapped her head up at the noise.
Just before the door closed, she finally cried out.
"Father..."
Thud. The door halted.
"...Please."
"......"
"What's the need for that man to die? Where on earth...?"
Her mind raced at full speed.
Even her brilliant intellect couldn't fully comprehend the situation.
"Is it the succession? If so, I was wrong... If he becomes the Heavenly Demon."
"Hong Yeon."
The old man spoke coldly, all emotion stripped away.
Hong Yeon gasped.
"You are the leader of Peach Blossom Haven."
"...Yes."
"Since when could you question my decisions?"
It was impossible.
As leader Hong Yeon, her role wasn't to advise.
"I've transferred full authority of Peach Blossom Haven to you. Are you going to ruin things over personal feelings?"
"......"
"Your job isn't to change what's decided. It's to nurture Peach Blossom Haven going forward. Handle any problems that arise in advance."
"I... understand."
His words were ruthlessly, painstakingly correct.
Hong Yeon felt like her chest was being carved out.
"Curious about the reason? What would change if you knew?"
It might at least satisfy her curiosity.
Thinking she could alter events was arrogant, excessive self-confidence.
The old man stood there for a long moment.
Hong Yeon's face, half-dazed.
Perhaps that was what caught his eye?
"To fend off the clamor, the Little Heavenly Demon dies for Peach Blossom Haven. That's all."
-Thud.
With those final words, the old man departed.
Clamor. Forces outside gathering to subjugate the Heavenly Demon.
Peach Blossom Haven had remained unscathed because his lifespan was supposedly short, deterring invasion.
Yet the outside world had been scheming in secret after all.
Hong Yeon, grasping the external situation instantly, let out a hollow breath.
"...Ha."
It was half a scoff.
"Ha, haha. Heh."
A certain man's face flashed through Hong Yeon's mind.
Now his words finally made sense.
'Leaving in three months? So that's what he meant?'
How far ahead had he seen and acted?
It was as if he'd known from the start how things would unfold.
Suddenly throwing himself into work, rapidly developing Peach Blossom Haven.
And now, dying for it.
'...What a ridiculous man.'
Hong Yeon covered her eyes with one hand and chuckled.
Smeared makeup stained her palm white.
'Haven't even shared that drink yet.'
The liquor she'd personally brewed for him, sitting by her bed at home.
Prepared for the day he'd leave, now rendered useless.
Maybe they'd never meet again.
And she couldn't face him with a straight face anyway.
-Slap!
Hong Yeon struck her own cheek hard.
With all her strength, to snap out of it.
"Hoo."
She lifted her cooled face and steadied her shaking breath.
Hong Yeon was the leader.
Even if he died, Peach Blossom Haven endured.
She had to remain objective, make the right calls from here on.
Emotions were a noose—she'd learned that since childhood.
Hong Yeon rose and stepped forward.
-Thud.
But defying her resolve, her legs buckled before she could even lift her foot, sending her to her knees.
"...Ugh."
'I need to calm down.'
Her chest hurt even more.
Like it was being squeezed, her pounding heart tormented her relentlessly.
She missed the hand that would rap her head for mistakes.
The meals shared at the inn.
To her, who always handled work alone and made do with cold food, they were heartwarmingly hot.
She'd never known her management was flawed, surrounded by inferiors.
She'd learned so much from him.
Countless secret comforts he'd given her.
Her life of solitary dawns, poring over documents by frost-laced winter windows.
Days spent together working late now bloomed vividly in her mind.
She never said it, but his presence warmed her heart.
"...Ugh, sob."
But now that man was gone.
She couldn't see him.
Perhaps never again, until death.
Maybe that's why today hurt extra.
Just five minutes. No, ten.
Hong Yeon sat dazed, staring at the floor.
-Drip, drip.
Circular water stains on the floor.
Maybe it would rain today.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ When people have nothing to do, they sometimes do crazy things.
-Crackle, crackle.
"This is kinda fun in its own way."
I stirred the campfire with a poker.
I was finding simple amusement in it.
Sparks flew along the branch, black ash scattering in the wind.
'World Tree of Time.'
[What is it?]
It had been sixteen hours since I started killing time here.
A guy always busy, now alone—random thoughts inevitably crept in.
Like sudden delusions.
'If I received the Wood Spirit King's power, could I steal your abilities too?'
[......]
Tree knot storm copulation.
With nothing better to do, I just said it.
Lately, my mind wandered, especially my libido—it was a real pain.
If I didn't keep my body occupied, filthy thoughts hit without warning.
[To steal my power... you'd have to, um, do that?]
'Yeah... No, forget it. Been too long since a succubus got to me.'
[If it were you... No.]
What?
[I understand, but my true body is currently managed by the Japanese government.]
Can't even approach, huh.
Forcibly breaking in? Tempting, but impossible.
The World Tree's power tempted me enough to forsake humanity, but I lacked the guts for that.
[Even if stolen, what form it manifests in is unknown.]
'Really?'
[And I have no intention of letting it be stolen. Hehe.]
The World Tree of Time laughed.
Her grating laugh made me quirk a brow.
[Even the past Wood Spirit King couldn't steal my power. Truth be told... he barely sealed my body beforehand to avoid ravishment.]
'Take it as a spinster's untouched experience.'
[......That's too much.]
Abilities defying time and space. Tempting, but no method.
Come to think of it, how strong was this World Tree?
Her pre-death blaze was brightest, but surely not her peak.
I couldn't fathom her prime.
[Back then, few trees could match me.]
'Impressive.'
Thud. Thud.
I set down the soot-black branch beside the rock and gazed at the moonlit sky.
Was rain coming?
Dark clouds gathered from afar.
'Do World Trees born with authorities from birth?'
[Humans or trees, upon reaching a realm, gain one authority. Easily put, dominion over a concept.]
Time authority: World Tree of Time.
Healing: World Tree of Healing.
Dominion over concepts explained the naming.
But World Tree of Purity and World Tree of Grudge didn't seem ability-linked.
[Cases differ. Many change names after transformations, though roots remain.]
'Roots?'
[The tree species.]
'What species are you?'
[......]
The World Tree of Time fell silent.
[Curious?]
Obviously.
Species even among World Trees. In a world where they reigned, how could I not care?
She hesitated, then uttered a name.
[Paulownia... Paulownia tree.]
Flower language: time, past.
Perfectly matching this moment of reminiscing.
'So your name's Paulownia?'
[No name exists.]
'Don't be so formal.'
Not much time left to meet anyway—no need for stiff etiquette.
I'd benefited much from her. She'd benefit from me too.
'Paulownia.'
[......Sigh. Yes.]
Paulownia finally relented with a sigh.
A hint of bashfulness in her tone—not my imagination.
'Before I go, thanks for everything.'
Not all World Trees were trash.
They thought, acted on calculations.
She showed me that.
And gave the chance to change the future—a true benefactor.
[Thank you too. I'll remember eternally, even withered.]
Perfect.
'Never thought I'd befriend a tree in this life.'
[If only the previous Wood Spirit King was like you.]
She kept dropping meaningful lines.
Seemed to reflect on the past, but prying would be uncool.
I gazed afar, slowly rising to my feet.
-Drip.
Raindrop fell.
Faint trace of mana.
Then, a familiar old voice from behind.
"Time to move."
"You told her everything?"
"Just Hong Yeon."
Cheon-do not yet, apparently.
...Wanted to see her crying face, comfort her, but time wouldn't allow.
"Understood."
I clenched my fists, face hardening.
Battle prep was long done.