Chapter 241
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 241
Chapter Title: The Golden Present Sect Leader Divided into Four (4)
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Baek Liyeon gazed down at the sheer cliffs of Mount Hua stretching out beneath her feet.
When she was young, traversing this path while relying on narrow ledges and ropes had filled her with such terror.
But now, she felt no particular fear.
In its place, a subtle thrill welled up.
Today.
Would she be able to descend from this place alive?
Considering her master's temperament, she honestly wasn't sure.
He might look upon her as a betrayer with cold eyes and strip her of everything she possessed.
Or, as if he had no desire to even deal with her, he could wave her off dismissively and issue an expulsion order, as though their bond had never existed.
Strictly speaking, they weren't in a formal master-disciple relationship, but the reactions from the other Azure Heaven Society warriors would be just as frightening.
Nevertheless.
Baek Liyeon stepped forward once more.
For the things she had seen, felt, and learned while wandering the jianghu.
And to act upon what she believed to be right.
At the entrance to the Azure Heaven Society's headquarters hidden by barriers, she quietly followed the path of the life gate.
Whether fortunate or unfortunate, the formations showed no changes during her absence.
She walked and walked, groping through the faint illusions as if tracing a dream, until her footsteps finally reached the main gate of the Azure Heaven Society.
If she traversed the eerily quiet interior of the headquarters—as if some external incident had drawn everyone away—and climbed the gentle hillside path.
There lay the cave where she had spent her childhood.
And the small thatched hut before it.
"You've come."
"I've returned... Master."
As she faced Gu Yanghwi, Baek Liyeon bowed with a complicated expression.
When she raised her head.
Her eyes caught sight of a single broken sword thrust carelessly into the ground beside the hut.
Engraved on the blade was the character for "demon."
Two days after Dan Yuwol had come inquiring about Wi Ji-ryang's whereabouts.
The leader and young leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult—who had been staying in Ningxia for a while, diligently advancing their sect's project to establish roots in the Central Plains—finally arrived in Xi'an.
Before even stopping by the cult's Xi'an branch, where the bouncy and the soft one would have been waiting, they headed straight next door to the Golden Present Sect.
"Oh my, husband. Long time no see? Or should I call you Heavenly Demon now?"
"Long time no see, Sect Leader. Just speak comfortably. Drop the 'husband' bit."
The very moment he received Cheon Yuri's greeting, laced with a meaningful smile curling at her lips.
"Hmph."
Slap!
The young leader, tormented by Geum Sihyeon's golden core syndrome, latched onto his body like a predator capturing live prey.
Geum Sihyeon stroked Luri's purring head, his voice shifting to a gentle purr, then carried her inside with firm steps, leading the way.
Cheon Yuri followed happily behind.
.
.
.
With Luri clinging to him via Thousand Gold Pull, refusing to part even for a moment, seated on his thigh.
"A few days ago, the Martial Alliance Leader visited."
Geum Sihyeon set other matters aside and first discussed the issue with Wi Ji-ryang.
After hearing the full story, a faint furrow formed between Cheon Yuri's brows.
But.
"Didn't he sign a life-and-death contract? Do we really have to take responsibility for this?"
A thoroughly demonic idea slipped from her lips.
Of course, Geum Sihyeon partly agreed with her.
No matter how battle-mad a fighting dog Wi Ji-ryang was.
Judging from his nature so far, he wouldn't have attacked first without reason or cause.
Though it was obvious he was driven purely by the desire to cross swords.
Still, inflicting a near-fatal wound on his opponent was both like Wi Ji-ryang and unlike him.
"But it is strange, yeah. If he was going to kill him, he would have; he's not the type to leave someone alive."
"...Is the strange one over there?"
Geum Sihyeon sighed.
"If it were Teacher Bu, whom I served as master, hmm, he probably would have held back while watching you and the young leader, or erased all evidence entirely."
After a brief exchange between the man and woman who didn't trust even a hair's breadth of Wi Ji-ryang's character, they reached a conclusion.
"We need to clean this up."
"Seems that way."
Unlike the other Blood Cult rabble-rousers, the Sword Demon—despite the "demon" in his title—was officially part of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
And he was Cheon Luri's great-uncle and Geum Sihyeon's master.
Like it or not, they had to step up and resolve the issue.
"I'll meet the Alliance Leader separately."
"Please do."
"Well, if my husband is in a bind, that's the least I can do, right?"
Cheon Yuri tucked a seductive smile into the corner of her mouth.
"Mine."
"It won't wear out from sharing, Luri dear?"
"Hmph."
Gazing down at Cheon Luri, who puffed her cheeks and began groping him indiscriminately, Geum Sihyeon let out a sigh.
How could such a creature exist in this world?
As if sensing his gaze.
Cheon Luri chomped down on Geum Sihyeon's lips.
"Ow!"
"Oh my."
Unable to endure it any longer, Geum Sihyeon scooped up Cheon Luri and tossed her spinning into the air.
"Luri, come here?"
"Hmph."
Just then, Myo Narang neatly set down the guest refreshments and caught Luri, scurrying out of the room with quick steps.
While Geum Sihyeon and Cheon Yuri were predicting Wi Ji-ryang's future movements and discussing how to resolve the problem.
"Oh, Instructor. Come on in."
"Narang. Been well? You look radiant."
"Hehe."
"Long time no see, Seol."
"Sister Dohee, I hope you've been healthy?"
Myo Narang and Cheon Luri.
Moyong Seol and Seo Dohee gathered together.
Though it had been a while since they last met, a bond had already formed among them.
Excluding the one who hadn't yet performed the rite of severing master-disciple ties, they had all advanced their relationships with Geum Sihyeon to some degree.
It was a bond born from the common ground of not just their own desires, but also their families' clear inclinations.
"I really, really don't want to let this year pass..."
"Seol, age is just a number."
Seo Dohee didn't spare stern advice as a life senior to Moyong Seol's whining.
"Geum Sihyeon. Monster."
"Yeah... it was a bit tough."
Luri expert Myo Narang perfectly interpreted Luri's words and chimed in agreement.
Seo Dohee, who had been secretly perking up her ears to the conversation, showed a slight change in expression, turning a bit glum.
"Sister Dohee, today's your chance!"
"...Today, maybe not. And we're still in a master-disciple relationship..."
Seo Dohee blushed at Moyong Seol's encouragement—junior in life but senior in romance—while her mind raced with all sorts of fantasies.
The topic of first nights drew Myo Narang and Cheon Luri's ears perked up as they joined the conversation.
"Sister, just get excommunicated first!"
"Right."
"Sigh, it feels like just yesterday Sihyeon was calling me Master..."
The seniors' advice bombarded the ears of junior-in-life Seo Dohee, painting her cheeks rosy.
Some advice wasn't particularly helpful.
But there was one thing they could all nod to in agreement.
"Still, with your high martial arts, Sister... you should be fine, right?"
"Whew, I've resolved to train harder too..."
"Mm."
In terms of stamina, they concluded Seo Dohee would likely put up a good fight.
And naturally, the topic shifted to how to share the one being they could never monopolize.
Though their hearts yearned to keep him all to themselves, knowing it was impossible in reality.
They formed a pact.
One: Take turns, one day each.
Two: Keep watch so no more women join if possible.
Since they hadn't held the wedding yet, who knew how many more women might swarm him like moths to a flame.
His magnanimous nature meant they couldn't block incoming women entirely, but perhaps one of them should always stay by his side to prevent new bonds.
That was their conclusion.
And so.
Geum Sihyeon.
Was divided into four—for now.
"...And you're telling me this why?"
"Geum Sihyeon. Control."
"No, what did I even do wrong..."
Luri, who had wriggled into my bed at dawn while I slept, showed no intention of leaving me even after morning turned to noon.
Physically, and in terms of inner energy, constantly slurping away at my Heavenly Demon Qi like a walking demon energy battery.
At this rate, Luri might catch up to my realm faster than anyone.
Which would mean shedding her mortal shell again—hmm, would she grow then? Doesn't seem likely.
"Puffy Luri."
"Impossible."
"Eek."
After sucking once on those arrogant cheeks defying heaven's will, I reviewed our future plans.
Currently, three pressing issues.
The Azure Heaven Society side... we could wait for news on Baek Liyeon first.
On the Blood Cult side, excluding Cheon Siu who vanished again and Hong Sundok still calling himself a broadcaster.
The Mad Demon dominating the Evil Shadow Union and fanning the flames for the Orthodox-Righteous War was another variable to resolve.
Finally, the Teacher Bu problem.
Yu Ungeom, who was wounded, already had the Life and Death Divine Doctor en route, so unless it was truly fatal, he could handle it.
Finding and tracking Teacher Bu—the former leader of the Ghost Killers, with martial prowess near the world's peak—was no easy task.
But somehow, I felt like I could understand what purpose he was pursuing.
- Dying at the hands of a swordsman stronger than me has been my long-cherished wish. In ten years, you might fulfill it.
Probably two goals.
Searching for a place to die.
Or advancing beyond extreme demon realm to transcendence.
Likely both.
"Well, I'll ask when we meet."
"Huh?"
"Stop touching. It hurts."
"Amazing."
While reining in Luri, now hooked on late-learned thievery, I thought of a way to resolve both the Evil Shadow Union and Teacher Bu issues at once.
Before the massive blaze of the Orthodox-Righteous War ignites.
What if I propose to the masters: gather and cleanly end it before things heat up?
The Mad Demon's personality would likely accept.
And Teacher Bu's nature might make him pop up immediately, eager for such a grand brawl.
"Death Extinction Whirlpool—sounds like a good name."
Of course, a name has to be cool.
Naturally, it won't turn into a death game.