Chapter 134
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 134
Chapter Title: New Year's Eve (5)
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Pa-bat!
"Urgh..."
Cheon Luri writhed on the spot, stomping her feet as a stabbing headache punished her for peeking into Geum Sihyeon's vision without permission.
But the pain was fleeting.
"Geum Sihyeon...!"
Soon enough, Luri was burning with rage.
How dare he.
How dare he lie to her and sneak out to play!
Playing around wildly with the instructors, eating delicious dumplings all by himself, devouring tasty chicken dishes alone too! Her ice cream!
Uda-da-da!
With her Soul-Linking Technique reactivated after a brief disruption, cheeks puffed out in fury, Luri hammered away at her smartphone keyboard.
But...
[Me: Rawr!] [1]
She confirmed that the '[1]'—a feature Na-rangi had told her about recently, indicating it was unread—still hadn't disappeared.
No questions asked.
"Grrr."
Already fully immersed in her role, Luri wrapped Geum Sihyeon’s blanket around herself like a cloak and prepared to charge out.
Just as she slinked out of his room with a hiss-hiss...
Drrr—
The door opened before her hand even touched it.
"Oh my?"
Yeon Hwaran, who had come wondering why the light was on when her son was clearly out, blinked wide-eyed at the sight of Luri.
"Eek."
Never expecting to get caught here, the startled Luri let out a foolish squeak without thinking.
And then.
Whirlic!
Luri spun around, intending to leap out the window instead.
"Baby, where are you going?"
"Hyaaak!"
Before Luri could even turn, Yeon Hwaran's nimble hands slipped under her armpits and hoisted her up.
Dangle— dangle—
Floating in midair, kicking her feet futilely, Luri fell into brief contemplation.
But she had no choice except to abandon the thought.
Summoning demonic qi here would surely hurt this woman.
Finally giving up resistance and going limp, Luri was swiftly scooped into a tight hug by Yeon Hwaran, who plopped down on Geum Sihyeon's bed.
"Request. What?"
"Eh?"
"Geum Sihyeon. Request."
"Ah-ha. So Sihyeon told our little Luri about it? Yes, I asked him."
Luri didn't bother correcting Yeon Hwaran's misunderstanding, instead puffing her cheeks in a sulky pout.
"Hmm, baby. You used to be someone very important, right?"
"Me. Little Cult Leader."
"Yes, yes, a Little Cult Leader is a very high position, isn't it?"
"Yeah."
"So, sometimes, even if others act against your wishes, you have to learn to be generous and let it slide. And there are times when yielding or sharing what's yours is best for everyone."
"Hmm..."
At Yeon Hwaran's lecture on imperial philosophy, Luri tilted her head.
Yielding?
It was a concept she'd never even considered in her own life.
Looking down at such a Luri, Yeon Hwaran smiled softly and stroked her hair.
"And baby, everything has its order."
"Order?"
"Yes, order. So, shall we talk about it while having some candy?"
"...Candy?"
"Mm-hmm. The candy I made is quite tasty, you know? Haven't you tried it before?"
Should she immediately assert dominance over what was clearly hers?
Or grant a moment's mercy for the uncertain promise of candy?
She had been the ruthlessly tyrannical Little Leader of the mighty Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, but today, she felt a touch of generosity.
"Candy."
"Yes, yes, let's go this way."
And so, Cheon Luri was dangled along by Yeon Hwaran, off to atone for her illegal trespassing with her body.
That night.
In Yeon Hwaran's drawer, one more crumpled marriage certificate from the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult—bearing only the five words 'Geum Sihyeon is mine'—was added.
"Hee-hee-hee, Sihyeon-aa. Wanna eat more of thiiis?"
"Discipleee, the booze, mmm, isn't enouuugh."
"...".
"Sis! Me! Your loyal giiiirl! I'll pour for yooou!"
"Sis...! Seol-ah, let's hug once!"
"...Haa."
How did I end up like this?
Watching Chicken—her hefty bosom sprawled across my thigh—clinging to Seol's waist and nuzzling like mad very nearly brought tears to my eyes.
.
.
.
Rewind time just a bit.
"Sit."
The moment we entered the private room, I was greeted by a neat table and three chairs.
I had no idea if they planned to do any actual business like this—three sides of the table left completely empty, chairs all shoved to one spot.
The instant I grabbed a chair to move it opposite...
Tap.
Chicken's hand landed on my shoulder.
"What're you doing? Sit. In the middle."
"Pardon?"
"I said sit."
Dressed all prettily like battle attire, yet her temper still as wild as a horse girl—or rather, a chicken girl—Chicken glared at me.
Overwhelmed by raw violence, I meekly shuffled to the center seat and sat.
Drag, clack.
Seol sat to my right.
Chicken to my left.
An old memory rattled my brain.
Back in my snot-nosed kid days, running errands for Mom, slurping a popsicle on the way.
Middle school thugs who looked like they'd surpassed Harmony Realm into Profound Realm back then slapped my shoulders—chummy style—and dragged me into a dark alley.
After I whimpered my way in...
- Hey, shit, it's a kid. Send him back, you lunatics.
If that delinquent sis hadn't sprung me then, I'd have gotten a proper spanking from Mom at home...
"Disciple. Cup's empty."
"Ah, yes."
Chicken's finger prodding my previously assaulted side snapped me out of the reverie.
It smelled richly aromatic—clearly top-shelf liquor—but in my state, I couldn't muster the sanity to check the prices on the ordering tablet by Chicken.
The cups went around once.
The cups clinked together once.
Glug, glug, glug, liquor sliding down my throat.
Forcing a calm expression, acting casual as could be...
"To what do I owe the honor of both of you...?"
...I tossed out the question, desperately steadying my quivering voice.
"Your master returned to Xi'an, yet this disciple doesn't even suggest a meal—so I arranged this myself. Ungrateful wretch."
"Ah, uh."
That... actually made sense?
Come to think of it, I'd been too busy lately to look after those around me properly.
"Right. Sihyeon, you definitely said last time we'd have a meal together. So I set this up with Dohee sis."
With Seol chiming in too, I had no choice but to concede.
But.
"Sis...?"
"Yeah! Dohee sis! Oh, we decided to be sisters."
With just days left in the year.
The funniest joke I'd heard all year.
I instinctively whipped my head to check Chicken's expression.
I expected some discomfort, but...
"Heh-heh-hum..."
"...".
Her twitching lips made my stomach churn—I was speechless.
Sensing my gaze...
"What? Got a problem?"
I caught her staring at me with a pout that didn't suit her age.
Right.
Social life.
This was social life.
Sure, getting caught here could scream Kim Young-ran Act violation with these pricey dishes, but this was social life.
"Ha-ha-ha... If she's Seol sis's sister, should I call her Dohee sis too?"
"This kid, really, talking to your sky-high master like, heh-heh."
The moment I saw Chicken's bashful face...
"If not sis... then auntie?"
My subconscious dropped all guards and barked nonsense.
Right after.
The universe blinked out for a second.
"Gaaack!"
Years of murim-honed Peak Realm fury pierced my Peak scrub's protective qi like butter, digging into my side.
Through the haze of blurring consciousness...
"Sihyeon! You okay?"
Seol's voice rang out alongside Chicken chugging straight from the bottle like a champ.
.
.
.
"I should've passed out then..."
"Mmmph? Mmph? What'd ya say, Sihyeon?"
"Sleep it off, Gangdu-nim."
"Yesh! I'm Gangdu! Heh-heh!"
I ignored Gangdu-nim's desperate chicken-girl aegyo, hands together forming a flower bud under her chin.
...Should've insisted on sobering up midway.
Of course, man Geum Sihyeon doesn't purge alcohol.
Immunity to All Poisons aside, I'd been immune to booze in my past life too.
And this was the result.
- Disciple, you underestimate your master too much, hic, this ain't enough to get me drunk!
- Oh myyy, Sihyeon-aa, worrying about me? Hee-hee.
When Chicken started hiccuping.
When Seol amped up the nasal whines.
I should've subdued them at the first signs of disaster...
This self-inflicted calamity.
If I'd gotten drunk too, fine—but how do you wrangle two drunks sober?
"Haa."
A sigh escaped naturally.
No.
I am man Geum Sihyeon.
Geumhyeon Sect Leader.
A true sect leader breezes past crises like this with dignity intact.
I tapped the tablet to call the server.
"Young master, you called... Gasp."
The courtesan who'd been shuttling booze—not a server—entered and froze in shock.
I'd react the same.
"Mmmph..."
Chicken lay slumped, bosom mashed against my thigh.
"Hee-hee..."
Seol had passed out, arm linked with mine, head on my shoulder.
"One room and bedding? Or no bedding needed? Looks like you won't be sleeping anyway."
"What nonsense. Two rooms. One each, tuck 'em in separately."
"Ah?"
The courtesan tilted her head, staring at me.
The implication in her gaze was clear.
- You eunuch or something?
...Something like that.
"Ugh."
I hauled myself up, propping up Chicken—nose running freely—on one arm, and Seol—snoring nasally—on the other.
"Whoa... epic... Really just one room? You look pissed..."
"...You know who I am, right?"
At my words...
She nodded, eyes glued shamelessly to my lower half.
I'll file an anonymous complaint later.
Reason: Sexual harassment.
Probably useless.
She was just doing her courtesan duty...
Tsk.
The Azure Heaven Society Lord gazed up at the sky.
Among the faintly twinkling stars, certain ones shone with particular brilliance.
Ever since the Poison King's star had fully lost its light a while back...
The Reverse Heaven Star, which he'd been watching for years, grew ever brighter—and now, one star he'd long observed was drawing steadily closer.
Something that should never happen.
"Has it gained a new connection."
Incomprehensible growth rate.
And the pull drawing nearby stars in instantly.
The Reverse Heaven Man's power and influence were mounting relentlessly.
But.
That too would likely end next year.
The child the Azure Heaven Society had poured its heart into creating would soon enter the Hundred Flowers Academy.
If all went well, that one could handle it.
And even if that one failed...
"If the Heaven-Slaying Star loses its light to the Reverse Heaven Star, the Heavenly Mandate will find room to intervene."
As the Azure Heaven Society Lord murmured to himself...
The sun, gradually asserting its presence, filled his eyes.
The sunrise of the new year.