Chapter 91
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 91
Chapter Title: Change Course to South-Southwest (1)
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It's said that when people face extreme situations, their brains shift into hyper-acceleration mode.
That's why they see their life flash before their eyes right before death.
In the most extreme of extreme situations, they sift through every memory to find any way to avoid dying.
The moment that unheard-of brutal term "husband" caressed my cerebral cortex.
This crisis, tantamount to a threat on my life, triggered hyper-acceleration mode without fail.
Pop. Pop. Pop. Pop.
The Sihyeon=Marathon conference hall convened once more.
- After analyzing with my peerless, all-time greatest genius super-intelligence brain, it seems the Moon-Crossing Divine Eyes have some special ability. Otherwise, there'd be no way to explain that reaction. First things first, we need to resolve this situation.
The sage Geum Sihyeon opened the conference.
- Our top priority is to get out of here. We can't get any more tangled up with the cult. We'll end up with a ring through our nose at this rate!
The righteous Geum Sihyeon proposed what he thought was a reasonable solution.
- Why not just go full Demon Cult route and rack up achievements?
Somehow still clinging to life, gamer Geum Sihyeon immediately shot it down.
The righteous Geum Sihyeon grabbed gamer Geum Sihyeon by the collar and beat him senseless.
The sudden outbreak of violence turned the conference hall into utter chaos.
- This is all thanks to Luri's divine protection! Rooooar!
- What the hell? When did that brain-prison escapee Nonongdan Geum Sihyeon get out? Call Ppangppangdan! Call Ppangppangdan!
- You bastard...! Damn it! You dare try to starve future Little Geum Sihyeon? This time I'll bind you with Hailro Stone!
- The principal wife...! Mmph, mmph, mmph! Mmph!
The adorable true-fan event unfolded where Nonongdan Geum Sihyeon, who had escaped prison and was biding his time, made a bold statement only to get beaten by Ppangppangdan Geum Sihyeon, gagged, and thrown back into the underground brain prison.
- Whatever, why not just throw down? She seems like a super-peak level, but with Rough Greetings Technique first strike wins, we can take her?
- Violence isn't always the answer. If we build an alliance with the Demon Cult, we could monopolize new trade routes via the Silk Road. Then we'd be mega-rich...!
- Ah! I wanna play mahjong! I crave Heavenly Flower Vermilion Bird!
- Honestly, cult outfits look better on Lolita than righteous sect clothes. Higher exposure too, on average.
And more besides.
Barbarian Geum Sihyeon.
Merchant Geum Sihyeon.
Mahjong addict Geum Sihyeon.
Fashionista Geum Sihyeon, and all sorts of other egos threw a chaotic collective monologue Ragnarok.
- Silence!
As if refusing to tolerate any more commotion.
The sage Geum Sihyeon bellowed.
And he stepped forward to where Survival King Geum Sihyeon had been posing silently in the corner.
- Neutral country.
Survival King Geum Sihyeon, with a grim expression like he was about to charge into Blue Square at any moment, uttered just those words.
The enlightenment in that keyword spread through Geum Sihyeon's entire brain.
The Sihyeon=Marathon conference, which had lasted a whopping 0.88 seconds, adjourned.
"Are you... from the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult?"
The first step to resolving the situation.
Grasping the problem.
"Please don't speak so formally, husband! I am No Cheongi, deputy commander of the Ghost Killer Unit and branch chief of the Ranju Division of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult!"
Deputy commander means right under the commander.
Pretty big shot.
"Th-there seems to be a slight misunderstanding. I'm not Luri's... ah, not the young leader's husband."
As a flicker of doubt crossed the bald cultist's eyes.
"Not officially yet, that's what I mean. Haha. We're precious friends."
I added that to dispel the suspicion in one go.
Deliberately using her name before "young leader" to imply closeness.
Emphasizing "precious friends" to erase the official mark in his head.
Of course, to avoid provoking him with that phrasing, I added "not yet" to leave room.
This is the neutral country plan proposed by my inner Survival King!
"I see..."
I don't know if he fully grasped my exquisite diplomatic rhetoric.
But anyway, the bald cultist nodded.
"And strictly speaking, I'm a junior of the jianghu, so speak comfortably, senior."
"...Is that really okay?"
No jianghu person hates being called senior.
Baldy senior's expression softened as he brushed off his clothes and stood.
Hmm.
This clears up the misunderstanding, solves the problem, and all that's left is to escape.
Barbarian Geum Sihyeon.
You were wrong.
No Cheongi desperately suppressed the urge to cheer.
Finally.
Finally, a husband had appeared in the cult!
The traces of the Heart-Moon Nine Images Technique, which only the leader, young leader, and their spouses could learn, were clearly visible in his eyes.
He said no, but how could he not be the husband?
It must be consideration for the young leader under political pressure.
Plus, unlike the rumors of some righteous sect punk who groveled shamelessly to Sword Demon.
"And strictly speaking, I'm a junior of the jianghu, so speak comfortably, senior."
The real husband, Geum Sihyeon, was bold and decisive, showed no hesitation in his strikes, and even possessed the humility to lower himself.
Of course, the husband's position in the cult was right after the young leader.
Practically third in the hierarchy, someone he wouldn't even dare meet eyes with normally.
But that heart.
How could he not respond to such warm consideration for those below?
"...Is that really okay?"
When he returned to the main cult later, he vowed to atone before the Saintess.
No Cheongi resolved to faithfully follow the husband's orders.
Quite irreverent, but.
"Ah, much better now, senior."
The husband gave a refreshing smile that blew away even the slightest burden No Cheongi felt.
What a blessing for the Divine Cult...!
He couldn't hog this joyous occasion alone.
"Then I'll be off, I have some business to──"
"No! I mean, no can do!"
No Cheongi grabbed Geum Sihyeon's wrist as he subtly tried to slip away.
"Many in the Ghost Killer Unit yearn to behold... the junior's face. Just show it once, no big deal. Come with me."
"Pardon?"
"This way."
"Pardon?"
"Come on!"
"......"
A hint of embarrassment crossed Geum Sihyeon's face.
No Cheongi fully understood his dilemma.
Even he himself.
As deputy commander, when he checked on his men's comfort or heard their wishes.
His moved subordinates were too embarrassed to show it, pretending to be burdened on the surface.
Such is the plight of a superior.
"They act reluctant, but deep down, they're thrilled just to see your face. Don't feel burdened—just think of it as a quick greeting."
"......"
No Cheongi offered sincere advice—no, counsel—from his own experience.
Of course, his hand firmly gripped Geum Sihyeon's wrist.
"Ha..."
"What's wrong?"
"No, nothing..."
How did I end up like this?
Before I knew it.
"Loyalty! We of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's Ghost Killer Unit behold the noble countenance of the husband who supports our little heaven!"
I was surrounded by black-clad Ghost Killer troops, forcibly receiving their greetings.
This is why you don't deal with fanatics.
Should've just stabbed earlier, erased evidence, and bolted.
By the way, is using inns as bases standard for assassins?
This place isn't some plundered outpost, is it?
If so.
"By any chance, is this place... seized from civilians too?"
I cautiously asked, thinking I might at least send them to the same place as my other dead friends if I pushed it.
"Haha. The Ghost Killer Unit doesn't take jobs targeting civilians or harm them. This is an official Heavenly Demon Divine Cult outpost, so those Life-Extinguishing bugs wouldn't dare attack. They'd face not just us, but the whole cult."
Baldy senior laughed heartily and handed me one of the framed documents on the wall.
[Business License]
[Corporation: Ilwol Corporation]
[Representative: Cheon Luri]
[Business Name: Ilwol Inn - Dalju Branch]
[...]
[Sichuan Provincial Administration Commissionerate (Official Seal)]
"Ilwol... Corporation...?"
"Ah. It's the cult's external business name. For reference, Ghost Killer Unit is registered as Ilwol Transport."
"Why is the representative...?"
"Hmm, junior. You don't know that either?"
Baldy senior leaned into my ear and whispered.
"Gotta transfer the title in advance to minimize inheritance tax. You'll get it when you start a business or family."
I know all too well.
Ten Thousand Gold Hall's title was under my eldest brother, after all.
Just feels off that a cult runs legit businesses like a money launderer.
Considering Luri's stats, she's a total figurehead CEO.
...So.
The boss of a proper corporation couldn't even buy tanghulu and mooched off me every day!
Now that I know the corporation, I'll claim damages formally later.
Anyway.
They looked fierce, eyes gleaming with madness beyond loyalty, but I couldn't find a reason to clash right now.
Just need to escape now...
"Haha! Junior, you hold your liquor well! This is rare stuff—Wuliangye liquor. Try some more."
"Hus... no, Great Hero Geum! This guy's ugly, but his cooking's top-notch. Give it a taste!"
"The cult's blessing, the cult's blessing...! Our young leader is a real treasure...!"
Before I knew it, I was trapped among the fanatics, being plied with drinks.
"Kyau! Kyauu!"
"Heh, the pup eats well."
Even the wolf pup had escaped my arms, mesmerized by the raw meat strangers kept slicing, chowing down greedily.
If you can't avoid it, enjoy it, they say.
Decided to get them all drunk, then sneak out at dawn.
The booze is genuine.
And I hadn't eaten properly after that poison purge earlier.
After enjoying the feast and idle chatter for a while.
"By the way, where are you headed? If you need an escort, I can join."
"No, absolutely not necessary. I like traveling leisurely alone."
"So, where to?"
"Mm... Planning to head toward Yunnan for now."
"Yunnan...?"
Baldy's face darkened, then he gripped my shoulder and whispered again.
"Junior. I really don't recommend Yunnan right now. It's a very dangerous place."