Chapter 151
Chapter 151
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 151
Chapter Title: Let's Ask the Cult Leader (2)
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While Huangbo Hyo-seon was staying at the Demonic Cult's main headquarters, the one who primarily dealt with her was Young Ho-kyeong.
It was because she was the same gender and similar in age, and in case Huangbo Hyo-seon entertained any foolish notions, she possessed the strength to control her with ease.
The two women took a keen interest in each other.
One was the granddaughter of the Martial Alliance Leader, and the other was the daughter of the Demonic Cult Leader.
As the heirs representing righteousness and evil, it would have been stranger if they hadn't been interested.
"Lady Huangbo, you're not skimping on your martial arts training even here."
Young Ho-kyeong remarked as she watched the sword energy tracing the path of the Galaxy Sword Technique, flowing like starlight.
It was impolite to openly observe someone practicing their family's hereditary martial arts, but Huangbo Hyo-seon was, strictly speaking, an envoy from a hostile faction.
It was an unavoidable situation because they couldn't remove their watchful gaze.
"It's the only path if I want to even approach a fraction of my esteemed grandfather's skill."
To match even a tenth of Sword Saint Huangbo Un-geom, one of the greatest geniuses in the martial world—it wasn't easy by any means.
The waves of starlight surging in from all directions gradually converged on an imaginary target before slowly subsiding.
Sweat dripping and exhaling a long breath, Huangbo Hyo-seon turned her gaze to Young Ho-kyeong, who was watching her.
"Young Cult Leader."
"...What is it?"
"The incident at the Peng family... was it really..."
"It truly wasn't something our cult intended. It was the impulsive action of a rogue faction. I'm sure the Cult Leader said the same."
Anticipating the repeated question, Young Ho-kyeong answered immediately.
She hadn't expected the Cult Leader to issue a full apology, but it was the plain truth.
Still, Huangbo Hyo-seon couldn't understand it.
'Why on earth?'
What she'd sensed since arriving here was that the environment was utterly harsh.
Even if she were the Demonic Cult Leader, she probably would have invaded the Central Plains out of pity for her followers.
Yet here they were, not invading the Central Plains martial world now that Dao Execution had fallen, but instead offering a conciliatory apology?
"Young Cult Leader, sorry to interrupt our talk, but the Cult Leader is looking for you."
"Ah, I'll go see him shortly."
Just as she was about to ask exactly what "impulsive action by a rogue faction" meant and what Young Ho-kyeong had seen and heard on-site, someone sent by the Cult Leader arrived to fetch her.
"Let's go in together."
Huangbo Hyo-seon could move about outside only with Young Ho-kyeong's company, and since Young Ho-kyeong had to leave, Huangbo Hyo-seon had no choice but to return to Yeongbin Pavilion, the quarters prepared for guests.
Feeling it pointless to resume the suddenly interrupted conversation, Huangbo Hyo-seon soon gave up.
The other party was, after all, the next Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult. There were limits to what dialogue could achieve.
'I need to figure out what they're hiding...!'
When Young Ho-kyeong entered the Cult Leader's hall, all nine elders were lined up for once.
There was one telltale sign whenever the elders, who handled the cult's big and small affairs, gathered entirely at the Cult Leader's side.
It meant they weren't there to receive orders from the Cult Leader, but because they had something to say to him.
'I figured it was about time the talk of the Blood Demon came up.'
It would have been more bizarre if no interest had arisen after the sparring match.
"Young Cult Leader, come here."
Standing beside him at his call, Young Ho-kyeong scanned the faces of the elders.
The First Elder, absolutely loyal to the Cult Leader, and the Seventh and Ninth Elders who followed him.
The remaining six showed reverence toward the Cult Leader but held opposing views.
"Now that everyone's here who needs to be, speak. What is it you want to ask me?"
As the Cult Leader looked around and spoke, Second Elder Huang Du-myeong bowed and opened his mouth.
"Cult Leader, are you aware of the recent sparring match between Black Demon Unit Leader and the guest in the hall?"
"I know. I was watching from the side."
"From what I've heard, that person's appearance closely resembles someone known in the jianghu... I came to ask if you knew anything about it."
This was unexpected. It seemed the Second Elder had grasped the Blood Demon's junior brother's features faster than anticipated.
"If that person is indeed who I think he is, I wanted to confirm from you what it means for a known righteous faction member to be at our headquarters... Is that alright?"
"Hm..."
The Cult Leader stroked his chin and turned his gaze to the Second Elder.
"Before that, there's something I need to inform you of."
"...What is it?"
"Regarding the incident your subordinates caused against the Peng family in northern Henan... We've decided to acknowledge our oversight and apologize."
"Pardon?"
The Second Elder wore an expression as if he'd misheard.
"Cult Leader, what do you mean by that!"
"That's right, an apology? We've already done our duty by executing those who acted on their own!"
Amid the pro-war elders clamoring in unison, the Second Elder clamped his mouth shut and simply watched the Cult Leader.
"Quiet down."
The elders, chattering nonstop like market vendors, fell silent as if their words had been cleanly severed.
"I know what you all want. You'd like to demand blood from the righteous faction. Depending on the situation, our cult is prepared for all-out war with them."
"..."
"However, that is ultimately a decision for me, the Cult Leader, to make for the cult's future. Unless you deny the principle of the strongest ruling our cult, you can't claim I'm wrong."
Even without directly facing it from behind the Cult Leader, Young Ho-kyeong could gauge the weight of his aura.
"I've let things slide so far because I partially sympathized with your desires, but from now on, I won't tolerate actions beyond my sight. Especially you, Second Elder."
"...Yes, Cult Leader."
"Don't think I don't know that your subordinates follow you devotedly."
At the Cult Leader's warning, clearly stating he knew the Peng family incident was at the Second Elder's instigation, the Second Elder paled and bowed his head.
Seeing the Cult Leader, who had been laissez-faire until now, actively pressuring the elders, Young Ho-kyeong nodded.
"Now that I've said my piece, I'll answer the Second Elder's question. You saw him yourself. He is indeed Kang Yun, the rising star of the jianghu, the Little Dragon."
Young Ho-kyeong wondered if the Cult Leader had prepared for this moment, given his exaggerated introduction.
"Th-then, is that person someone you sent into the Central Plains martial world, Cult Leader?"
"You really don't know when to quit. Did you not grasp that I spoke first precisely to prevent you from twisting my intentions, Second Elder?"
"..."
"He has nothing to do with me. But his master does."
"His master...?"
"It's about time he arrived... Ah, seems he's here."
Everyone present had at least peak mid-level cultivation.
There was no reason they couldn't sense the two approaching the hall.
"No... that man...!"
The moment they spotted one of the two passing through the doors, some couldn't hold back their shock and groaned.
"B-Blood Demon...!"
I was at a loss, catching my master's signal.
Simple story. After the sparring, many in the Demonic Cult would take interest in our identities.
Eventually, the truth would come out, and they'd be shocked to learn the Blood Demon was at their headquarters.
So rather than let it happen, better to gather everyone and introduce himself to seize the initiative.
[Since you've caused this mess, show your face once.]
The Cult Leader had no real control over my master, but having sensed me fooling around with Chae Su-ran, he must have thought it was a golden opportunity.
Threatening my master: show your face or the rumors of you assaulting a married woman in someone else's home spread.
Sorry, Master.
"B-Blood Demon... Y-You...!"
The Second Elder gawked at my master. I guess I wasn't even in his sight.
But I hadn't forgotten what this bastard did to Yang Ha-jeong.
"Don't know who you are, but nice to meet you. The 'Lustful' Blood Demon, Lee Ja-seong."
My master deliberately emphasized "Lustful" as he stepped into the center of the elders' gazes.
Then the Cult Leader spoke, introducing us.
"I held off on introducing you all, but these two have been staying in the hall as guests."
Emphasizing "hall," he seemed intent on stressing they were personal guests of the Cult Leader's family.
But one elder who didn't get it barged forward like a thunderbolt.
"Th-then, does the great Blood Demon hero pledge allegiance to our cult...?"
"Eighth Elder, stand down."
The Cult Leader cut him off without mercy. The Eighth Elder was probably near the bottom of the hierarchy.
'I can see why he's at the bottom.'
"I didn't summon these two. The Young Cult Leader invited them personally."
To be precise, I was invited, and Master tagged along out of worry for me.
"But let me be clear. Even if the Blood Demon wished to join us, I intend to avoid an all-out righteous-evil war as much as possible."
"Cult Leader, what do you...?"
Young Ho-kyeong opened her mouth in shock. Seems the father and daughter saw things differently.
As they started debating among themselves with guests present, I stood awkwardly and sent a transmission to my master.
[Master, when do we leave?]
[If it weren't for you, we'd have left the moment they started talking, you fool.]
At my master's words, I shrank again. Yeah, it was my fault.
From what I overheard, some argued that with such overwhelming force, they should strike.
Others said that if they couldn't maintain dominance long-term as the Cult Leader suggested, better not to start the war at all, leading to a fierce argument.
'Ah, so that's why they're holding back?'
Officially, the righteous and evil factions split twelve absolute experts evenly, but in reality, evil held the advantage.
Of the righteous faction's six, one was injured and unable to fight.
Evil had six including Young Ho-kyeong, even excluding my master.
Plus the Demonic Cult alone had three, so they could dominate early on. I wondered why they held back, but now it made sense.
As I nodded in understanding, my eyes met those of the Eighth Elder who'd excitedly asked if my master was joining earlier.
"Oh, ho, aren't you Young Hero Kang? Why don't you say something! What do you think is the right course here?"
You crazy bastard, why drag an outsider into your discussion?
I assumed the others would scold the Eighth Elder, especially the Cult Leader.
But no one stopped him, the argument halted, and the Cult Leader looked at me with interest before speaking.
"Indeed, let's hear your opinion. What should our cult do?"
And right after finishing, the Cult Leader mouthed silently.
'Room... sex. Room service. Sex?'
So, answer here or he'll screw me over with the sex thing.
I thought we'd just leave once out. What a real bastard.