Translator: RaidenTL

Chapter 114: Heading to Ten Thousand Dragons Fortress (1)

I waited for Seolbaek in a small garden to the right of the Great Hall.

Behind Seolbaek followed the Sword Demon and the Demon of Chaos. Seeing the smiles on their faces, it seemed the vote had yielded a favorable result.

As soon as Seolbaek reached me, he thrust out his hand.

"Hand it over!"

"As I mentioned before, I cannot give you all of the First Three Forms of the Golden Immortal Demonic Secret. This sword technique is a secret art of my sworn brother’s sect, so I can only provide the portions containing the subtle principles of internal energy management."

I handed Seolbaek a manual wrapped in white silk.

In truth, it had taken a considerable amount of time and persuasion to obtain this from Jeok Yeong.

Seolbaek read through the oral formulas for a long while before a smile spread across his face.

"I see. Now I finally understand why my son fell into madness. This sword technique specifically stimulates the Baekhui point of the upper dantian. One must temper the Baekhui point through the First Three Forms of the Golden Immortal Demonic Secret first. Without that foundation, attempting the Latter Three Forms causes the internal energy to overwhelm the Baekhui point and invade the brain. That is what triggers the madness."

As expected of a master. With just one look at the formulas, he immediately grasped the characteristics and flaws of the technique.

It was a stroke of luck that Jeok Yeong had mastered the First Three Forms; had he started with the Latter Three Forms, he too would have become a madman.

"By the way, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I heard your sworn brother has amnesia. Do you really not know the name of his sect?"

"Yes, he says he cannot remember."

"Interesting. Do you not know either?"

"No, I don't."

"If your sworn brother mastered the Golden Immortal Demonic Secret, there is a high probability he is from that place."

Sensing an opportunity to learn about Jeok Yeong’s origins, I quickly asked, "Where is it? Do you know?"

"Of course I know. I spent so much time lurking around there trying to obtain this. But even I failed."

If the Fourth Chamber Leader of the Nine Demons Chamber, the Thousand-Faced Demon himself, could only lurk around and fail to obtain it, where on earth could it be?

I couldn't even imagine.

"Where is it?"

"Why should I tell you? Especially a brat like you?"

Huh? What? This old geezer... he’s just going to wash his hands of it now?

"It won't do you any good to find out. You're better off not knowing."

Leaving only those words, Seolbaek vanished into thin air. Saying it like that only makes me more curious!

Seolbaek probably said that just to drive me crazy with curiosity, but I’m not the type to risk my life over such things.

After all, I’m just a small fry who wants to live a long life.

"I was wondering what kind of trick you used to entice the Fourth Chamber Leader, who is famous for being stubborn. But I suppose even he couldn't resist the temptation of a way to cure his son's madness."

The Sword Demon asked me, "How did you obtain the manual to cure the madness?"

"Luckily, my younger brother happened to have it."

"Haha, it seems even the heavens are helping you."

Neither the Demon of Chaos nor the Sword Demon pressed me further.

This was the mark of masters who had surpassed the super-peak realm—they possessed a certain grace. They didn't tire or irritate others. If someone chose not to speak, they assumed there was a reason and didn't try to force an answer to satisfy their own curiosity.

"In any case, I owe you a great debt. You avenged one of my trusted subordinates, and your contributions in preventing my Qi Deviation and the alliance with the Divine Light Sect are not small. If possible, I would like to grant you one thing you desire. Is there anything you want?"

By "avenging a subordinate," he likely meant my killing of the Red Robed White-Eyed Demon.

Something I want? There’s plenty. But what I want most is money.

So, I spoke with half-sincerity.

"Could you perhaps give me enough money ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to open a tavern? My lifelong dream is to open a nice tavern and live a life of leisure."

The Demon of Chaos burst into a loud laugh.

"Hahaha! That is a truly wonderful dream. If you ever open a tavern, I shall visit often to drink."

Thinking I was joking, both the Demon of Chaos and the Sword Demon laughed heartily.

"Very well. If that is your dream, I shall look into it. In fact, I'll just give you one of the taverns I already operate."

The Chamber Leaders of the Nine Demons Chamber each owned various businesses to maintain their power. Taverns and brothels were the basics, and they mobilized funds through all sorts of entertainment facilities.

"Please send the transfer documents to me whenever you're ready."

The two men laughed pleasantly at my remark.

"I am hosting a banquet this afternoon, so be sure to come."

The Sword Demon patted my shoulder.

Where else in my life would I be able to laugh and chat with such masters? Sometimes I wondered if this was all a dream. I was surprised at myself for how natural it had become to interact with these powerhouses.

*

When I arrived at the banquet hall of the Third Refinements Pavilion in the afternoon, many people had already gathered.

It seemed every master of the Nine Demons Chamber was present.

Ham Bi-hye, Woo-isa, and Yuk Cheong-woo were standing beside the Sword Demon. Bi Cheong and Hong Myeong were nowhere to be seen.

And seeing the Blood Wind Squad in attendance, it was clear the Sword Demon had made this a significant occasion.

Coincidentally, sitting next to me was Igaryeo, Woo-isa’s younger sister.

I found this woman quite uncomfortable. Throughout the banquet, she glared at me as if she wanted to devour me whole.

Did I do something wrong? Why did she have to sit next to me?

After a few drinks, I couldn't bear Igaryeo’s gaze any longer and tried to move to another seat.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"Haha, I was just going to move seats."

"Why? Do I make you uncomfortable?"

"Not at all. I just have something to say to someone else."

"Sit down for a moment. I have something to say to you."

I was forced back into my seat as she tugged on my sleeve.

"What is it?"

"Please save my brother."

"He seems to be living just fine, so what are you talking about?"

When I countered with a joke, Igaryeo’s eyebrows shot up.

"Don't play games. You know exactly who my brother likes."

"Yes."

"Then you must also know who Lady Ham likes? Based on my observations and investigations, Lady Ham likes Young Hero Eo. The way she looks at you is different."

I was left speechless by Igaryeo’s directness.

"Don't tell me you didn't know. Lady Ham likes Young Hero Eo. That’s why she can't accept my brother's feelings. To save my brother, I either have to kill you or take him back to the Ice Palace. But as you know, I can't take him back to the Ice Palace, so there’s only one other way."

I looked closely at this young lady who spoke so casually about killing me while I was sitting right in front of her.

"Haha, I do not have feelings for Lady Ham. I must leave the Nine Demons Chamber soon and return to Ten Thousand Dragons Fortress."

"Then make your feelings clear to her. My 'Ice God' of a brother is such a blockhead that he'll never be able to bring it up himself."

The time to settle my feelings arrived sooner than expected.

Ham Jeok gave a speech praising the inauguration and development of the new Blood Wind Squad. Then, he suddenly pointed at me and asked loudly.

"I ask the Acting Squad Leader of the Blood Wind Squad. Will you continue to lead the Blood Wind Squad?"

I knew he was asking this publicly to make things official. I stood up, clasped my hands in a polite greeting, and spoke.

"I am grateful for the Chamber Leader's consideration. However, I am more than satisfied with the memories I have shared with the Blood Wind Squad."

Am I crazy? Live in the Nine Demons Chamber where I could die at any moment?

No thank you.

However, when I refused, Ham Jeok shocked me with an even stronger statement.

"Then, can you take responsibility for my daughter?"

At those words, every eye in the room fixed on me.

I shook off the shock and spoke quietly. Since the topic had been raised, I had to set things straight once and for all.

"I am sorry to say this, but I do not love Lady Ham. Furthermore, even if I did, I could not live a life where I abandon everything for her. If I were Lady Ham, I would love a man who would give up everything for her."

Ham Jeok nodded slowly after hearing my words.

Ham Bi-hye’s face turned pale, as if she were in shock.

Igaryeo bowed her head toward me in a gesture of gratitude.

Two conflicting expressions flickered across Woo-isa’s face.

"Then, what is it that you want?" Ham Jeok asked, watching me intently.

"If there is one thing I desire, it is to become sworn siblings with Lady Ham. I have often thought how wonderful it would be to have a sister as lovely and charming as her."

"Hahahaha!"

Ham Jeok let out a thunderous laugh.

"In the end, you are telling me to become your foster father!"

Wait, is that how it works? That wasn't my intention; I just felt bad for Ham Bi-hye and thought becoming sworn siblings would be a good compromise.

"What is your opinion?"

Ham Bi-hye, who had remained silent until then, answered mournfully.

"I understand. If that is what Young Hero Eo wishes."

I forced a loud laugh.

"Hahaha! I never imagined I would be blessed with both a sworn brother and a sworn sister in my life."

Woo-isa sent me a look of deep gratitude.

Now, it was up to Woo-isa. If he couldn't capture Ham Bi-hye’s heart after I had gone this far, he really was no different from the "Ice God" blockhead Igaryeo had described.

"I am pleased to gain a son today. I wish to spend a month bonding with my son; what do ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠you think? I do not wish to hear a refusal."

Ham Jeok likely wanted me as the Blood Wind Squad Leader or a son-in-law because he liked me, but since those options were off the table, he seemed satisfied with becoming my foster father.

Where else could I find such a supreme master to be my foster father? In short, it was like finding a thousand-year-old fleeceflower root while walking along a mountain path.

With such a strong backing, I wouldn't have to back down to anyone.

Despite his words, I could see his underlying intention to keep me in the Nine Demons Chamber.

But staying here for another month was out of the question. There were too many people here itching to kill me.

As I was agonizing over how to come up with a plausible excuse, Po Zhongyin approached me. I had seen someone leave after receiving a message earlier, and now he had returned with a letter in his hand.

Yes! The heavens always provide an opportunity when I'm in a bind.

I just hoped it was an excuse that didn't sound too pathetic.

I took the letter from Po Zhongyin and read it.

Oh! This is it! With this, I can decline Ham Jeok’s proposal without difficulty.

I turned to Ham Jeok.

"I am overwhelmed by the Chamber Leader's words. I am grateful for your care. However, it seems I must leave immediately."

"What is the matter?" Ham Jeok asked, frowning as if he thought his proposal was being rejected.

"An urgent report has arrived from Ten Thousand Dragons Fortress. It says Mok Seon-hwa, the daughter of the Fortress Lord, has been kidnapped by a rival force, the Small Demonic Cult."

"Is that a matter so urgent that you must go yourself?" Ham Jeok asked negatively, clearly unwilling to let me go.

Knowing his heart, I replied softly.

"How can a man refuse the request of someone to whom he owes a debt of gratitude? Ten Thousand Dragons Fortress has given me much help to become who I am today. Furthermore, I think of Mok Seon-hwa as my own sister. If I heard troubling news about Sister Bi-hye or my Foster Father, would I not rush to your side as your brother and son? No matter where it is, I would fly there to help with what little strength I have. I believe that is what it means to be a hero, and that is what it means to act with righteousness. If one does not protect and help those they cherish and love, then what is the point of chivalry?"

Ham Jeok nodded at my impassioned speech.

"Indeed! You are truly ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠my son! The rumors that the New Dragon of Sichuan is a hero among heroes were not lies! Fine! I permit it. But I will only allow it if you grant me two things!"

Ham Jeok continued.

"First, from now on, you shall call me Foster Father, not Chamber Leader. Second, one foster father is enough. Can you promise me that?"

I doubt I'll ever find a foster father stronger than you in my life. So, I'm not losing anything here.

In times like this, it’s best to be quick with the words.

"Just as I have only one biological father, I shall have only one Foster Father."

"Hahahaha!"

I laughed along with Ham Jeok’s joyful booming laughter.

*

When I left the Nine Demons Chamber, I was seen off by Woo-isa, Ham Bi-hye, Seo Rin, and the Blood Wind Squad. Igaryeo had apparently left the Nine Demons Chamber earlier for some reason. I thought it was for the best, as I wouldn't have to deal with her glares.

"Go back now!" I said, as the Blood Wind Squad, Woo-isa, Ham Bi-hye, and Seo Rin had followed me quite a distance and showed no signs of turning back.

"Please do not forget that once a member of the Blood Wind Squad, always a member of the Blood Wind Squad. You are our eternal Squad Leader."

Following the squad's words, Woo-isa spoke up.

"We appointed a new leader for the Blood Wind Squad a few days ago... haha."

Woo-isa laughed hollowly, as if he found the situation absurd.

"The man appointed as leader told us that there is only one Squad Leader, and that he would only serve as the Deputy Leader. He said the only leader of the Blood Wind Squad is Young Hero Eo."

"What on earth did you do to them to make them like this? They never showed me such devotion," Ham Bi-hye said, sounding a bit envious.

"Shall we say our hearts connected as men? The bond between men is stronger than the passion of a woman in an affair."

"What a choice of examples," Ham Bi-hye said, rolling her eyes. Seo Rin watched me silently, her face flushing red.