Chapter 82
Chapter 82
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 82
Chapter Title: God of Death
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Chapter 82: God of Death
The day I reached the transcendent level.
I went outside the fortress walls to test my martial arts.
Lightning-fast speed and power.
The speed of my Body Protection Force and the Thirteen Strikes of the War King had doubled, and the destructive force of each technique was incomparably stronger than before.
A shiver ran through my entire body at the truly immense improvement.
‘I can feel it. The [difference in power].’
One’s perspective changes depending on where one stands.
Looking back on the past from the viewpoint of an absolute master, things certainly felt different.
‘How pathetic.’
The Soul-Stealing Killer from the Ten Demon Alliance.
His master, the Twin Axe Killing Demon.
The once-terrifying Lord of the Southern Heaven Palace.
Disciplinary Corps Chief Baek Ja-cheon.
All of them felt insignificant.
Like a yappy Maltese that won’t back down.
‘Is this the perspective of an absolute master?’
What did it matter if one was at the peak of mastery or had reached the transcendent level?
In the end, a single solid blow would send any of them to the afterlife all the same.
Which meant one thing.
‘I can finally avenge my defeat.’
The time had come to remove the trauma seared into my heart.
“Let’s go.”
The moment I made up my mind, I headed for the Red Dragon Hall.
That’s right.
Jeok Sa-jung, the Red Blood God of Death, leader of the blood fiends.
Today, I would defeat him and write a new history in the Nine Dragons Fortress.
“I’ve come to learn a lesson.”
* * *
I got beaten to a pulp.
“Oof.”
As I groaned from my aching body, the Red Dragon Hall Master tossed me a healing salve.
“Your spirit is admirable.”
“Hehe! Spirit? You flatter me, sir.”
“It wasn’t a compliment.”
“Yes, sir.”
“A warrior who cannot properly assess himself and his opponent is not long for this world. Keep that in mind.”
“Of course, sir. Hehe, this Jin Mujeon has learned a great lesson today.”
“Still, I understand.”
Jeok Sa-jung said with a deep smile.
“When one reaches a new level, one naturally wants to prove oneself. I was the same.”
“...Who did you challenge, Red Dragon Hall Master?”
“The Dark Sect Master of the Ten Demon Alliance. I wanted to take his title, the ‘Greatest Killing Sword Under Heaven.’”
Wow.
“...You were the one with overflowing spirit, Hall Master. Did you have any success?”
“If I had succeeded, do you think I’d be sitting here as the Red Dragon Hall Master? I’d be occupying the Lord’s Pavilion.”
“Then?”
“I didn’t even make it past the entrance of Qinghai and barely escaped with my life.”
Thank goodness.
I was glad I came to the Red Dragon Hall high on my own power, and not to the Ten Demon Alliance.
“As it happens, there’s a feast today. Since you’re here, have a drink before you go.”
“I’m afraid I have urgent official business…”
“Are you aware that the door you broke was made of expensive magnetic ironwood?”
“I’m suddenly feeling an appetite. Where should I sit?”
“Heh heh.”
A short while later.
An enormous feast was set up in the main hall of the Red King’s Palace.
There were no particularly rare delicacies, but the sight of abundant meat and wine was reassuring.
*Chatter, chatter.*
Once Jeok Sa-jung and Jeok Il were seated, the warriors of the Red Dragon Hall began to drink and share wine in a relaxed manner.
The atmosphere was informal and free.
“Hehe, that Hyang Hyang girl’s ass is just…”
“Me, I’m all about Ye-wol from Yuhwa Pavilion…”
Before long, all sorts of lewd jokes began to fly.
‘How did Hwa-ran even survive here?’
No matter how I looked at it, this environment seemed absolutely terrible for a young girl’s education.
As I was looking around, Jeok Sa-jung asked in a gentle voice.
“So, how does it feel to have reached the transcendent level?”
“Um… It felt like the world was at my feet.”
Though I was so high on that feeling that I ended up here.
“Heh heh, that’s precisely why we train in martial arts. Have a glass. It’s to celebrate.”
Who was I to refuse a drink poured by him?
“Yes, sir.”
I quickly held up my cup with both hands and bowed my head.
Jeok Sa-jung seemed pleased and burst out laughing.
“Hehehe, so polite too. The more I see of you, the more I like you.”
“You praise me too much.”
*You don’t have to like me. I won’t be coming back.*
*Gurgle.*
As he tilted the wine bottle, the fragrant scent of flowers wafted out.
It was a smell I recognized.
‘Red Blossom Wine!’
It was the finest luxury wine in the martial world, sold for ten silver taels a bottle.
*Gulp.*
The scent alone made my mouth water.
‘I’m definitely drinking at least three bottles before I leave.’
After downing the cup in one go, I stealthily reached for the bottle, and Jeok Sa-jung let out another hearty laugh.
“Should I pack a few bottles for you to take home?”
Who does this old man think I am, a beggar?
“Your grace is as vast as the sea, Hall Master. I could not possibly accept such a gift!”
*Well, compared to the Red Dragon Hall, I am a beggar.*
“I like your honesty too. How about I officially adopt you into my family?”
It was an offer that made my eyes widen.
In terms of wealth alone, the Red Dragon Hall was ranked third in the Nine Dragons Fortress.
Being adopted into such a place was like being adopted by a conglomerate family in the modern world.
“G-Grandfather?”
I said in a trembling voice, and Jeok Sa-jung roared with laughter.
“Heh heh.”
“If there are papers to sign, I’ll do it right now.”
“Eager, are we?”
Just as the historic negotiation was about to be settled.
“You can’t, Grandfather.”
Jeok Il interjected, throwing a wrench in the works.
Jeok Sa-jung asked in a displeased tone.
“And why not?”
“Mujeon is destined to be Hwa-ran’s partner and become a son-in-law who marries into our family to protect the Red Dragon Hall.”
Hey, who decided I’m marrying that flat-chested girl?
I nearly spat out my wine but managed to swallow it just in time.
“Tsk, a grandson or a grandson-in-law, it’s all the same.”
“A bond of blood is more certain than a bond of the heart.”
“Hmm, you’re not wrong. Very well. I’ll leave this matter to you, Jeok Il.”
Despite the subject of the conversation—me—staring at them with wide eyes, the two of them were designing my life according to their whims.
Moreover, the tipsy members of the Red Dragon Hall also began to spout nonsense.
“So I thrust my sword in, *swoosh!*, and he started trembling and pissed himself, I tell you! You should’ve seen it, Captain.”
“If you twist the third form of the Blood Killing Sword like this and stab, you can inflict maximum pain without killing them at once.”
“A war needs to break out soon so I can get a taste of blood…”
“I’m planning on killing twenty men in the next war.”
Watching the scene, I became certain once again.
‘They’re definitely a bunch of psychopaths.’
As I nodded at this newfound realization, the brothers Jeok Yi and Jeok Sam arrived.
I didn’t know what they had been up to, but the thick scent of blood clung to them.
“Hahaha, long time no see, brother.”
“It’s been a while, Squad Leader Jin. I hear you’ve had a tough time recently?”
“Ah, yes.”
“You should have told us if something like that happened. We would have rushed over to lend a blade.”
“Hehe, it’s a shame we missed the chance to see the insides of those White Dragon Hall bastards.”
*Because then I would have been forced to join the Red Dragon Hall.*
The thought rose to my throat, but the leadership of the Red Dragon Hall was gathered here.
I gave the most pleasing answer I could think of.
“Why would the heroes of the Red Dragon Hall need to step in just to deal with some small fry from the White Dragon Hall? Wouldn't that be like using a butcher's knife—no, a legendary sword—to catch a chicken?”
I said it in a loud voice so everyone could hear.
At that, everyone in the hall burst into laughter.
My intention had hit its mark perfectly.
*Bwahahaha!*
Some were even rolling on the floor with laughter.
‘Nice.’
I should be able to snag five bottles of Red Blossom Wine on my way home.
Amidst the heated atmosphere, everyone drank without reservation.
An hour later.
“It’s getting late, so I’ll be taking my leave now.”
Feeling the alcohol start to get to me, I rose from my seat.
“Tsk, the fun’s just getting started. Tsk tsk.”
“Haha. My apologies, Hall Master.”
“But be prepared next time you come. I’m only letting you go this once.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
As I was about to bid farewell to Jeok Sa-jung and leave, Jeok Il’s voice called out.
“Go outside and wait for a moment. I’ll send someone to see you off. I’ll have them bring some Red Blossom Wine, so wait a bit.”
Well, I had to wait then.
Just as Jeok Il said, I waited for a moment.
“Senior?”
Jeok Hwa-ran appeared.
“What are you doing here?”
“My eldest brother told me to see you off. It’s my day off, so I was at the Red Dragon Hall.”
She rambled on about things I wasn’t particularly curious about, and I simply nodded.
“...I see.”
“Geez, it’s been a while, why is your reaction so dull?”
“You’re asking because you don’t know?”
“Would I ask if I knew?”
This is why she’s hopeless.
Who was it that promised to introduce me to Yuk Jin-hwa’s sister and then ghosted me?
When I explained this, Jeok Hwa-ran became extremely flustered.
“Ahem, I do not associate with those who lack integrity.”
In the martial world, where fists are closer than the law, isn’t trust the most important thing?
In that sense, I downgraded Jeok Hwa-ran’s credit rating from a 2 to a 6.
At this level, she’d have a hard time getting a low-interest institutional loan.
Jeok Hwa-ran didn’t know what to do.
She seemed to be ashamed of herself.
“Th-That’s not it…”
“I don’t want to hear it. I’ll go alone, so just give me the Red Blossom Wine.”
My cold words made her face flush red.
Even in the faint moonlight, I could see the color of her face change.
Jeok Hwa-ran bit her lip and grabbed my hand.
“...Talk to me for a moment.”
“What’s with you all of a sudden?”
“It’ll only take a second, just follow me.”
A moment later.
When we arrived at a secluded spot where even the moonlight barely reached, Jeok Hwa-ran hung her head low.
Then she began to mumble softly.
“Actually… it’s… like this…”
Her words were intermittent.
Since reaching the transcendent level, my hearing had improved dramatically, so I could make out even the faintest sounds.
However, Jeok Hwa-ran just kept repeating meaningless words without getting to the point.
Frustrated, I prodded her.
“Hwa-ran, I have to be out early tomorrow, you know? So can you please hurry up and say it?”
That was a lie. I had to go to work, but it wouldn't matter if I left around sunset.
At my urging, Jeok Hwa-ran squeezed her eyes shut.
“I like you, Senior.”
And so, I received a completely unexpected confession.
“What did you say?”
Thinking I must have misheard, I immediately dug into my ear with my pinky finger.
Of course, the conclusion was, ‘Nothing’s wrong with it.’
“…”
I was so shocked that I couldn’t say a word. Jeok Hwa-ran met my eyes and asked.
“Am I… not good enough?”
“...I’ve never thought about it, so I’m a bit taken aback.”
“Then can’t you think about it now?”
Jeok Hwa-ran asked, blinking her large eyes.
Under the moonlight, her fair, delicate face came into view.
Objectively speaking, she was certainly pretty.
In modern terms, she might not be the center of a girl group, but she could easily be right next to the center.
“Please answer me now.”
Jeok Hwa-ran pressed again.
“Well…”
I looked down into her large, doe-like eyes and said seriously.
“A woman with a smaller chest than me is a bit…”
* * *
Despite my firm rejection, Jeok Hwa-ran didn’t give up.
In fact, she became even more aggressive.
It was an unbelievable thing to do in this world governed by Confucian ideals.
However, Jeok Hwa-ran, whose values had been shaped in the Red Dragon Hall, casually disregarded the teachings of Confucius.
On the contrary.
“Grandfather told me. If you can’t have it, destroy it.”
She even showed the makings of a radical terrorist.
This led to more than a few uncomfortable situations.
When I went out for breakfast, Jeok Hwa-ran would be helping Myo Hyang set the table.
“Good morning. Please, have a seat. Today’s breakfast is dumpling soup.”
Feeling burdened, I’d quickly eat a spoonful and head to work, only to have her follow closely behind, chattering away.
“So yesterday, Jin-hwa unni…”
After work, if I tried to go out for a drink somewhere.
“Senior, really, why would you spend money elsewhere? You can drink for free at Red Blossom Pavilion.”
“...But then I have to drink with you.”
“Isn’t that even better? It’s my treat, so let’s go to Red Blossom Pavilion.”
She would appear out of nowhere and grab my arm.
If that was all, I wouldn’t even call it uncomfortable.
Jeok Hwa-ran went as far as to assign warriors from the Red Dragon Hall to me.
“...Could you please stop following me?”
“Our young lady has ordered us to prioritize Squad Leader Jin’s safety above all else.”
“…”
I considered chasing them away in a fit of temper but shook my head.
The Red Dragon Hall boasted the largest number of members among the eight inner halls. If I got rid of these guys, it was obvious someone else would be assigned.
As I was spending these incredibly uncomfortable days.
“Jin Mujeon, Squad Leader of the Outer Hall's First Squad, you are ordered by the Grand Chancellor to report to the Military Affairs Department immediately.”
Someone from the Military Affairs Department arrived.