Chapter 25
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Cheon Hong - A Sudden Shower Becomes the Sea
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Sunlight filtered through the window bars.
Summer lingered at the sill, weeping softly.
Geum-gang woke, rubbing her throbbing body.
Her injuries hadn't fully healed yet.
"Yawn."
Stretching languidly, she sat up—and there beside her was Cheon Hong, sleeping soundly with gentle snores.
Puff, puff. She was out like a light.
Even after tossing and turning all night yesterday.
'Geum-gang, it's so nice having you right here beside me.'
'I can't sleep. Won't you hold me?'
She'd kept squirming closer and closer, nearly shoving Geum-gang right off the bedding.
Despite claiming she couldn't sleep, Cheon Hong had kept chattering away.
Geum-gang had finally given up on a deep rest, loosely embracing her and stroking her hair until she drifted off at last.
"Ugh... I'm really wiped out."
Ever since reaching the Fourth Realm, Geum-gang had struggled to control her senses.
They were hypersensitive now—the rustle of grass brushing by, the scent of Yeo Jin-ok crafting something.
She could even detect things far away.
It felt like someone was constantly breathing right in her ear or nose.
If the Fourth Realm was like this, she couldn't even imagine what the Sixth would bring.
Now she understood how Ha Jin had tracked her down across the vast Cheon Mountain range.
"Speaking of which..."
Since that day, Hee Yeon had grown unusually quiet.
She'd jump in fright and flee whenever she ran into Geum-gang.
When asked what was wrong, she could only stammer without answering.
Even Yeo Jin-ok played dumb about the whole thing.
"Well, at least it's all sorted out for now."
The past year had brought so much upheaval.
Geum-gang was just glad this little Heavenly Demon was safe and sound.
"Mm..."
Sensing her gaze, Cheon Hong rubbed her eyes and woke.
Her tousled hair made her look like a shaggy black puppy.
Without fully opening her eyes, she stared blankly for a moment, then toddled toward Geum-gang's lap.
Plop.
"Arf..."
Good grief.
Geum-gang couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity.
And yet, her hand naturally drifted to stroke that fluffy head.
**********
High atop Cheon Mountain, where the Cult Leader's palace stood on Ilwol Peak, the day buzzed with activity as always.
At the heart of it all was the Demon Harmony Hall.
By the Cult Leader's command, demon cultivators from across the mountain worked there, managing the sect's far-flung territories.
"Send these documents that way. Hm, for the aphrodisiac issue in the demon caves, dispatch the Song Emperor Group."
"A clash with the Khan's forces up north in Singang—our demon folk have been kidnapped!"
"Tch! Send the Radiant Light Group! Don't mention it to the Leader."
The man with his white-streaked beard stroked it thoughtfully as he gathered a stack of papers and headed for the palace.
Cheongjang.
He hadn't had a moment's rest in ages.
It had been over a decade working under the Cult Leader.
How she comprehended and oversaw it all was nothing short of miraculous.
A few words from her, and the knottiest problems unraveled.
She scorned the weak no more than she oppressed the strong.
'She's so far above us, it's hard to even approach...'
To her demon subordinates, she was a lord worthy of reverence.
Thud, thud, thud.
"My liege! Bureau Chief Cheong of the Demon Harmony Hall seeks an audience!"
A voice replied from within, and the massive doors swung open.
The place was as chilling as ever.
The Cult Leader sat upon her throne in the same unchanging expression and posture.
"You've come, Cheongjang."
"You know my name... Here are the matters requiring your attention."
For a mere bureau chief's name to be remembered.
'Truly the bearing of a sovereign.'
As Cheongjang set down the pile, the Cult Leader used telekinesis to float a teacup over to him.
"You're always so diligent, Cheongjang. Shall we chat a moment?"
"Pardon...?"
Suddenly?
Their exchanges had always been strictly business.
Deliver documents, then leave.
That rigid routine now had an unexpected twist.
For Cheongjang, it was downright terrifying.
'What is it? Did I slip up somewhere? No, I couldn't have...'
As he racked his brain for any mistake, the Cult Leader let out a soft chuckle.
"It's nothing like that—don't worry. Come, sit."
She smiled warmly, levitating a chair behind him.
"Y-Yes..."
"Cheongjang, it's been fifteen years since we first met, hasn't it?"
"Yes, my liege."
"Do you believe in the Heavenly Sovereign Demon Cult?"
The cult's insularity stemmed from profound faith.
On Cheon Mountain, apostasy meant a swift death.
"Heavenly Demon eternal, myriad demons blessed—!"
Leaping from his chair, Cheongjang prostrated himself and bellowed the creed.
Faith or no, one had to prove it.
"Pfft... Hahaha!"
The Cult Leader burst into her heartiest laughter yet.
"Ha... That's rich, Cheongjang. Why not change your name while you're at it?"
A man strode forward at her words.
"Names are tricky things to change. It's the same wherever you go."
Cheongjang reeled in utter confusion.
That man...
"Third Prince, Your Highness...?"
Golden eyes gleaming like a heavenly dragon's scales.
Snow-white hair no natural birth could produce.
A sharply handsome face.
'The Superior One...!'
Ju Gi-jin.
Cheongjang slammed his forehead to the floor in obeisance.
"Ten thousand years! Ten thousand years! I pay homage to Your Highness the Prince!"
"Ahahaha! So your 'ten thousand years' comes so cheaply."
Amid the Cult Leader's mocking laughter, the prince chuckled and helped Cheongjang to his feet.
"It's been a while, Cheongjang."
His gentle smile was unchanged from a decade ago.
"How is Your Highness here in this place..."
"Let's call it a bond of friendship with the Leader."
A bond with the Leader...?
Cheongjang was utterly bewildered.
He himself was the spy the prince had personally selected to gather intelligence on Cheon Mountain.
For such a close connection to reach even inside the palace—why the spy at all...?
"I don't understand, Your Highness. Enlighten this humble servant."
As the prince settled into a chair, Cheongjang groveled on the floor, trembling violently.
"I only needed to verify the Leader's words. Sorry to drag you into it."
"If this servant could offer even a modicum of aid to the Great Ming—no, to Your Highness the Prince—it is my boundless honor!"
Sincerity aside, Cheongjang kowtowed desperately to save his skin.
"Good. Thank you, Cheongjang."
The prince grinned, satisfied with the response, and downed his tea.
"Cheongjang, I've come here to ask a favor. It's what you do best, after all."
"What...?"
A chill slithered down Cheongjang's spine.
The instinct that he was being drawn into something he shouldn't touch.
A spy's gut feeling.
The prince smiled faintly, as if he knew.
There was no malice in that smile.
"Fabricate some rebels."
"Pardon?!"
Ju Gi-jin.
The Third Prince, one of the few surviving royals.
The princes had died one by one in inexplicable mishaps and botched plots.
Unnaturally so.
Only the Third, the Seventh Prince, and the princesses remained.
And the loyalist who had branded those princely brothers as rebels was none other than Cheongjang.
"How could I... rebels...?"
"Oh, come now, no need to play dumb. I know your talents well enough."
Cheongjang was originally a storyteller from the streets.
He loved weaving tales laced with just enough truth.
He'd never had a choice.
He'd merely obeyed the prince's threats disguised as orders.
The prince whispered in his ear.
"You killed my brothers too, didn't you?"
"...!"
The Third Prince had left himself an escape hatch.
As if he'd given no orders at all!
If things went awry, he could pin it all on Cheongjang.
"Cheongjang, make the Dongcheon Gonghon clan, Golden Hand Rakshasa Ha Jin, and her disciple into rebels. Apostates of Cheon Mountain. Come up with a title yourself."
The prince's eyes vanished into narrow slits of amusement.
'How do you brand the Left Envoy a rebel...!'
Smearing an apostle of the Heavenly Demon faith was suicidal.
Yet.
He had no choice, as always.
Noting Cheongjang's grim expression, the prince clapped him on the shoulder.
"Cheongjang, your mother was in Gansu, wasn't she?"
"Your Highness, I shall execute it flawlessly. So please..."
"I know. I trust you."
The prince's face remained impassive.
"Cheongjang, you no longer belong in the Demon Harmony Hall. The Leader has a spot for you here in the palace."
"...Yes."
With a heavy heart, Cheongjang accepted their decree.
**************
Pat pat pat...
"Geum-gang. Geum-gang. Come play."
"Not today, Heavenly Demon."
Since that day, Cheon Hong had sought her out without fail.
Her routine was plain as day.
Mornings with Hee Yeon, chattering away; after lunch, trailing after Geum-gang.
Evenings on walks together.
The one change: she always ended up in Geum-gang's bed, begging to sleep there.
Geum-gang could never say no to that pitiful face.
Summer had arrived, bringing the heat.
Even in the mountains, rain was scarce—but when a sudden shower hit, Cheon Hong would dash about in glee.
"Geum-gang, Geum-gang! It's raining!"
"It is. You'll catch a cold if you get soaked like that."
'Ah.'
She finally understood the care Ha Jin had wrapped her in back at the South Heaven Sword Family.
A cold—for a transcendent realm martial artist.
Ridiculous, even to her own ears.
Cheon Hong came running, drenched to the bone. Geum-gang toweled her hair, and she squeezed her eyes shut, perfectly at ease.
"I love the smell when it rains."
"The smell?"
"Yes—the earth, the water... the wind. It's refreshing. Come play in it with me. It's fun."
"Me? I'm fine..."
Cheon Hong yanked Geum-gang along.
She could have resisted.
But who could withstand a child's pull?
Geum-gang was dragged out and soaked in the downpour.
"Ugh, I'm drenched."
More than annoyance, she noticed Cheon Hong laughing with delight first.
"Ahaha, Geum-gang—you look just like a sopping yellow valerian flower."
"Valerian? Do I smell that good?"
"Yes! You always smell wonderful! If I ever lose my way at dawn, I'll follow your scent right to you!"
Grinning brightly, Cheon Hong reached out her hand.
"Hehe, thank you for playing with me, Left Envoy."
They were at the sea.
Rain soaks us at first, but in time, we come to revel in it.
And when that moment arrives, the falling rain simply becomes the ocean.
************
Geum-gang and Cheon Hong played until the shower passed, then dried off and finally slept.
"Yawn."
Geum-gang, who hadn't woken early in ages, opened her eyes ahead of schedule today.
Beside her, Cheon Hong slumbered peacefully as always.
She was about to head out for training when a commotion erupted from afar.
'Be careful...'
'At least... Division Leader level...'
"...?"
No one came to the Heavenly Demon's quarters.
Only Yeo Jin-ok, Geum-gang, or Hee Yeon visited when needed.
"Hold on..."
Sensing something off, Geum-gang scooped up the sleeping Cheon Hong and headed for the door.
Her Golden Body instincts screamed for her to bolt.
Every nerve urged flight.
As Geum-gang stepped out, a familiar voice called from behind.
"Geum-gang, could we talk for a moment?"
There, leaning against the wall, stood a girl with deep blue hair.