Chapter 181
Chapter 181
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 181
>Chapter Title: Career Path (6)
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Watching the conversation between Baek Un-hak and Il-mok, Wi Jin-hak suddenly burst into raucous laughter.
“Uhahaha. Looks like my little junior brother pulled off another big one behind my back. Hahaha.”
Wi Jin-hak looked pleased, as if he were the one who had accomplished the feat.
“I’ll be frank with you. I’ve heard countless rumors about the Eighth Young Master, but I always figured some of it was exaggerated. Thanks to what happened in Cheon-i, though, I’ve come to realize the Eighth Young Master truly is a genius.”
“Hahaha. My junior brother really is an outstanding guy. How could I not be jealous?”
Suddenly, Baek Un-hak and Wi Jin-hak began showering Il-mok with praise, while the Protector Hall Leader—still unable to let go—stared at him with eyes dripping greed.
In that warm atmosphere, Hyeok-ryeon Hwan, who had kept silent until now, finally spoke up.
“Eighth Young Master. I have one question for you.”
“Please, go ahead, Young Master Hyeok-ryeon.”
“What are your thoughts on our Seon-a?”
“…….”
Il-mok nearly stared at Hyeok-ryeon Hwan like he was a madman.
* * *
Hyeok-ryeon Hwan had been out of it for a while.
Ever since witnessing his daughter rush to Il-mok, abandoning her own father.
By the time he snapped back to reality, various conversations were already underway.
So, Hyeok-ryeon Hwan had been listening in, trying to gauge just how much of a scumbag this lecher eyeing his daughter really was.
And then Hyeok-ryeon Hwan realized something.
‘This lecher... is actually a capable talent?’
Of course, he had heard Il-mok’s stories from his wife. He also vaguely remembered his daughter praising Il-mok from time to time.
It was just that jealousy had blinded him, turning every bit of praise from his daughter into negative preconceptions about this guy named Il-mok.
Right up until he came to meet Il-mok today, the image in Hyeok-ryeon Hwan’s mind was of a depraved, vile back-alley thug with yellow-dyed hair and tanned black skin.
But what do you know.
Two of the top figures in the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult were lavishing praise on the Eighth Young Master to recruit him.
Even the head of the Baek Clan was politely thanking someone far below him in status.
At this point, there was no room to doubt the Eighth Young Master’s abilities.
But Eight Not Out wasn’t satisfied with that.
‘Fine, I’ll acknowledge the Eighth Young Master’s talent. But I can’t hand my daughter over to some lustful brute who only has skills to show for it!’
A daughter’s married life would be peaceful only if her husband was capable, but his character mattered just as much.
“What are your thoughts on our Seon-a?”
He asked Il-mok with the gravest expression, like he was testing a prospective son-in-law come to greet the in-laws.
Of course, to Il-mok, it was utterly absurd.
Seon-a had grown a lot in the past two years, sure, but by this world’s standards, she was fifteen. In modern terms Il-mok knew, that was barely middle school third year or high school first year.
‘Who’s getting shackled here?’
How was he supposed to have thoughts on someone who made illusory chains rattle in his ears?
“I see her as a cute little sister.”
“A little sister? You’re saying you don’t see her as a woman?”
When Hyeok-ryeon Hwan pressed, Il-mok decided to nail it down.
“I don’t see any girl under twenty as a woman, Young Master Hyeok-ryeon.”
Twenty.
The term for a woman’s twentieth year—just as men were called of age at twenty—and signifying her most blossoming age. Hyeok-ryeon Hwan’s eyes blazed with fire.
‘This thieving bastard! I wouldn’t give away my daughter even at thirty, and he wants her at a mere twenty?’
To Eight Not Out, twenty was far too young.
And the one with fire in his eyes wasn’t just Hyeok-ryeon Hwan.
‘That idiot! We assigned him So-hong when he likes women of twenty or older—total failure!’
The Protector Hall Leader, still clinging to hopes for Il-mok, quickly racked his brain for any acquaintances or associates with daughters of that age.
“Hahaha! Looks like my little junior brother has firm tastes!”
Even the hearty First Senior Brother laughed boisterously while mentally listing women in that age range.
* * *
That night, word of the events at Wind Rock Hall reached the Heavenly Demon’s ears.
“Heh heh heh. So on top of Jin-hak, the Protector Hall Leader, Baek Clan Head, and Young Master Hyeok-ryeon all came to see the youngest?”
“Yes, Lord of Ten Thousand Demons.”
The Silver Guard Hall Leader bowed and replied, prompting the Heavenly Demon to stroke his beard.
“Hmm. How about this? Why not expand the scale of the Demonic Path Academy graduation ceremony?”
“I apologize, but this fool cannot presume to guess Your Excellency’s meaning.”
“Heh heh heh. They already have the cadets put on performances by club these days, right? Expand that, and invite more spectators. Isn’t it a hassle for every graduate to go around visiting martial units and organizations to join up?”
Only then did the Silver Guard Hall Leader grasp the intent, exclaiming in admiration.
“You mean have the heads of various martial units and organizations attend the ceremony in person to recruit cadets right there?”
“Exactly. And taking it further, in a few years, the Demonic Path Academy will grow, and all sorts of new training institutions will spring up. Why not invite kids approaching entry age to the ceremony too? It’d fire them up even more.”
Coming up with something new is hard, but improving what exists isn’t.
Thanks to the new education system and foundation Il-mok had created, the Heavenly Demon was driving daily changes and innovations.
Of course, that meant groans of pain echoing from the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult’s main headquarters and branches everywhere, but the Heavenly Demon couldn’t care less.
He believed growth always came with pain.
Amid various other inspirations, the Heavenly Demon suddenly smiled warmly.
“By the way, I hear the youngest spoke about women?”
“Yes. He said he’s only interested in those over twenty. Seems that’s why the Protector Hall Leader and First Senior Brother are scrambling.”
“Heh heh heh. I’m truly curious what woman would suit the youngest.”
The Heavenly Demon wore the expression of a grandfather musing over a marriageable grandson.
He wasn’t worried about his youngest disciple getting distracted by women and slacking on training.
In a world where heroes took three wives and four concubines as a given, and for a genius who at just eighteen was breaking past Extreme Demon, it was needless concern.
He’d supposedly chased skirts even at the Demonic Path Academy, yet still escaped Extreme Demon.
“Hm?”
Thinking that far, the Heavenly Demon frowned.
“But if he likes women over twenty, then how did the rumor start that he chased skirts at the Demonic Path Academy?”
The Heavenly Demon now questioned how Yeom Ga-hwi, the Academy Chief, handled things.
* * *
The next morning, early.
Oblivious to the rumors about his tastes spreading through the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, Il-mok woke up.
At the same time, Jin Ha-yeon’s voice—unclear when she even slept—came from beyond the door.
“I’ve prepared water for washing, Young Master.”
After washing with the water she brought and eating the breakfast she’d set out, while Il-mok enjoyed a brief rest.
New guests arrived at Wind Rock Hall.
The first to greet him was a face Il-mok didn’t recognize.
“Silver Guard Squad Leader One, Dam Bin, greets the Eighth Young Master.”
She appeared to be in her late thirties, dressed neatly in maidservant attire like Jin Ha-yeon’s.
Following her were faces somewhat familiar to Il-mok.
“Greetings, Eighth Young Master.”
“Greetings, Eighth Young Master.”
The ones bowing with clasped fists were aimed at Il-mok, but their eyes were fixed elsewhere—man and woman alike.
Gu Yang-mun and Joo Seo-yeon.
“E-Eighth Young M-Master, g-greetings.”
And even Jeong Hyeon, stuttering and shrinking back.
What an odd group.
“Pleased to meet you, Squad Leader Dam Bin. Come in, Young Master Gu, Lady Joo, Lady Jeong. But what brings you all here so early in the morning?”
Il-mok knew Joo Seo-yeon and Jeong Hyeon had joined the Silver Guard. Joo Seo-yeon went without saying, and Jeong Hyeon had mentioned it multiple times toward the end at the Academy.
He just couldn’t figure why these four were together.
At Il-mok’s question, Dam Bin spoke for the group.
“We three have come today to serve the Young Master alongside Ha-yeon.”
“Then Young Master Gu just happened to tag along?”
“We merely ran into each other at the entrance.”
“…….”
Il-mok stared at Gu Yang-mun, speechless.
‘Pathetic, really.’
As Il-mok let out a hollow chuckle, Dam Bin spoke again.
“Jeong Hyeon and Joo Seo-yeon are new to the Silver Guard and need training, but given their connection to you from the Academy, we brought them along. Ha-yeon and I will teach them diligently to ensure no disruption in serving you.”
Il-mok felt oddly uncomfortable with Dam Bin’s utmost courtesy.
‘Did Academy life make me too numb to this?’
There, all cadets were equal, and instructors his senior’s age were his superiors.
Even right after graduation, meeting his Master, the Protector Hall Leader, First Senior Brother, Baek Clan Head, and others had made such deference feel foreign.
“Ahem. Looking forward to working with you.”
With Il-mok’s permission, Dam Bin turned to Jeong Hyeon and Joo Seo-yeon standing behind her.
“This is your senior from now on, so greet her properly.”
She indicated Jin Ha-yeon.
Naturally, Joo Seo-yeon bowed with clasped fists, beaming happily, while Jeong Hyeon managed it with a stutter.
“Greetings, Senior Jin Ha-yeon!”
“J-Jin Ha-yeon S-Senior, g-greetings.”
To their greetings, Jin Ha-yeon—surprisingly—replied in a tone slightly warmer than usual.
“Last time, I was too busy nursing the Young Master to greet you properly. Let’s get along well.”
That was why Jin Ha-yeon, practitioner of Bare Hand Demon Art, showed them faint goodwill—and why they were assigned as Il-mok’s maidservants and guards right after joining the Silver Guard.
Because those two had contributed most to Il-mok surviving the fanatic raid.
“I owe you both, so if you ever need guidance, just say the word.”
At Jin Ha-yeon’s words, Joo Seo-yeon’s clear eyes sparkled.
Joo Seo-yeon had no intention of letting that goodwill end in mere words.
“I have one request, Senior Ha-yeon!”
“Speak.”
“To thank us for our hard work that day... could you hug me just once?”
“……?”
Jin Ha-yeon tilted her head at the out-of-left-field wish but approached Joo Seo-yeon without much thought, arms open.
‘Oh no.’
Il-mok tried to stop her too late.
“You worked hard.”
Jin Ha-yeon had already embraced Joo Seo-yeon with her usual blank face.
“…….”
Joo Seo-yeon was lost in ecstasy, turned to stone like a statue.
The face of a Dao practitioner so enraptured, one might think ascension was possible.
‘Sorry, Lady Joo.’
Unable to reveal Joo Seo-yeon’s true nature, Il-mok apologized inwardly. Then a dark shadow approached him.
“Young Master Il-mok. I will protect you with my life from now on. If you ever have to go somewhere dangerous, just say the word.”
Gu Yang-mun declared boldly, his eyes writhing with sinister desire.