Chapter 184
Chapter 184
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 184
>Chapter Title: The Way (2)
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Il-mok's intense reaction drew a puzzled look from Jin Ha-yeon, who had been listening in beside him.
“Is there some problem with Young Master Baek Cheon?”
“There’s a serious problem.”
With a deep sigh, Il-mok added,
“He’s a madman.”
“…….”
Dam Bin and Jin Ha-yeon wore strange expressions at Il-mok's biting words.
‘The Lord of Ten Thousand Demons himself admired Young Master Baek Cheon’s ambitions, so what’s this about?’
‘I heard even the head of the Baek family was pleased with the advice Young Master gave him.’
It was because the rumors they’d heard clashed with Il-mok's reaction.
But for some reason, Dam Bin and Jin Ha-yeon felt like Il-mok was telling the truth.
And rightly so—Golang County’s Branch Leader was nodding enthusiastically at Il-mok's harsh criticism.
Not only that, but Jeong Hyeon, the newbie from the Silver Guard, was grinning awkwardly in agreement.
Il-mok turned to the Branch Leader.
“So, what mess has that lunatic caused?”
“He’s been a problem from start to finish. It’s been over a month since Young Master Baek Cheon arrived here, but I’ve never seen him in one piece, Young Master.”
Il-mok frowned at the Branch Leader’s answer, sensing something off.
“A month? What are you talking about? It’s been about a year since Senior Baek Cheon left for the Central Plains.”
“He got chased out of another branch.”
“…….”
Even as Il-mok was momentarily speechless, the Branch Leader kept grumbling.
“Every branch he went to, he pulled off these eye-catching stunts, so he never lasted even three months before getting kicked out, from what I heard. Especially in the Sacheon Province capital—he nearly got the whole branch wiped out because of Young Master Baek Cheon.”
“What kind of eye-catching nonsense did he pull to cause such a disaster?”
“They say he went around insisting he had to put on some play. And in the Sacheon Province capital, he threw a fit about learning ventriloquism or something, caught the Tang family’s eye. Not content with that, he mocked their hidden weapons as fakes….”
Il-mok squeezed his eyes shut again.
‘I told him to study theater in the Central Plains, but this madman actually….’
To the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult followers, the Central Plains was enemy territory.
The cultists in Central Plains branches were essentially spies and had to hide their identities.
But Baek Cheon, that attention-seeker, hadn’t bothered.
True to form, he’d tossed aside his duties as a spy in his thirst for the spotlight.
Now even Dam Bin seemed to grasp what kind of person Baek Cheon was, his face a mask of disbelief.
Meanwhile, Jin Ha-yeon—whose emotions barely stirred thanks to the Bare Hand Demon Art—merely furrowed her brow slightly as she asked,
“Why didn’t you try to stop him?”
“He doesn’t listen to a word I say. It was the same at the other branches. That’s why he ended up chased all the way here.”
It wasn’t as remote as the New Territories, but Gansuk Province was pretty out on the fringes of the Central Plains.
Perhaps Baek Cheon’s pedigree had gotten him posted to prime spots in the Central Plains at first.
Il-mok mused that he’d been demoted further and further with each screw-up, until he washed up in this backwater of backwaters. Meanwhile, Jin Ha-yeon pressed on.
“Then why not kick him out to another branch like the others did?”
“I did just that—sent word to headquarters, like the other Branch Leaders.”
At that response, Il-mok felt an ominous premonition.
“When exactly did you send that message?”
“Around the third day after Young Master Baek Cheon arrived.”
“So it would’ve reached headquarters about half a month ago.”
“That’s right.”
Only then did it dawn on Il-mok.
Why he’d been sent specifically to this backwater called Golang County. And why his master had suddenly rushed his schedule to ship him off.
‘It’s all because of this damn attention-seeker!!’
His master must have sent him here to rein in Baek Cheon.
And Baek Cheon’s play nonsense had started because of Il-mok’s own advice, in a way.
Realizing this was all karmic payback for his own deeds, Il-mok let out a heavy sigh and said,
“So, where’s that mad attention-seeker now?”
* * *
Il-mok and his group followed the Branch Leader out into Golang County’s streets.
They hadn’t gone far along the main road before reaching the county market.
Even without the Branch Leader pointing him out, Il-mok and the others spotted Baek Cheon with no trouble.
Gansuk Province was fringe territory even within the Central Plains, and Golang County wasn’t its capital or any major hub.
It wasn’t a big place, so the market wasn’t crowded, making Baek Cheon easy to find.
No, even in a teeming throng of people, he would’ve stood out.
Even Dam Bin and Jin Ha-yeon, Hyeok-ryeon Seon-a, and Guyang Mun—who’d never met him—could’ve picked him out effortlessly.
“Today, I shall show you all a play about a most exalted figure!”
There he was, the madman bellowing at the top of his lungs, inner energy amplifying his voice.
In just a month since his posting to Golang County Branch, he’d become a local spectacle—quite a crowd had gathered around him.
Il-mok spotted Baek Cheon waving a fan dramatically, his voice and gestures exaggerated to the hilt. With a deep sigh, Il-mok said,
“Jeong Hyeon.”
“Y-Yes, Young Master!”
Jeong Hyeon, who’d been trailing a bit behind the group, hurried to respond. Il-mok pointed at Baek Cheon.
“Shoot that guy with an arrow.”
“D-Do you mean hit his pressure points to subdue him?”
Il-mok shook his head at Jeong Hyeon’s reply.
“Just plant one in his forehead.”
“Th-That’ll kill him, Young Master.”
“Wouldn’t that be more helpful for this branch, our Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, and my own peace and quiet?”
“…….”
Jeong Hyeon couldn’t muster a reply. It was all too persuasive.
With Jeong Hyeon, the Branch Leader, and the others staring oddly, Il-mok cleared his throat.
“Ahem. Just kidding.”
While Il-mok regretted missing the chance to assassinate Baek Cheon,
“Il-mok, Young Master!!”
Baek Cheon, mid-weird antics, finally spotted Il-mok through the crowd and bellowed.
“That mad bastard, really….”
Now drawing eyes himself, Il-mok muttered a curse under his breath and stepped forward.
“Hahaha. Long time no see!”
As Il-mok approached the lunatic with a grin, the crowd parted wide to clear a path.
Attention-seekers made for great entertainment, but no one wanted to mingle with one—or their acquaintances.
Thanks to that, Il-mok reached Baek Cheon’s side easily and greeted him while sending a transmission.
“You’ve been here.”
- There’s something important we need to discuss. Come with me somewhere private.
But as expected, Baek Cheon was clueless.
“Hahaha! I was just about to start the play. And it’s all thanks to your advice, Il-mok Young Master. How about we talk after you see the results of my year’s hard work?”
Still smiling falsely, Il-mok ground his teeth and transmitted again.
- It’s important news about the play. How about you hear me out first, then do it?
The mention of the play worked—Baek Cheon nodded with a grin.
“Then come along! Hahaha!”
Baek Cheon strode off laughing heartily, and the attention-averse crowd parted wide again.
They soon reached a quiet alley. Baek Cheon turned to Il-mok, face brimming with anticipation.
“What’s this about the play, Il-mok Young Master? I’ll listen intently to any advice from you!”
At that trust-filled shout, Il-mok smiled brightly.
“Let’s start with a beating.”
“???”
Il-mok lunged at Baek Cheon in an instant.
In a fluid motion honed by the Soul-Stealing Ready Sword, Il-mok drew and slashed at him.
Of course, Baek Cheon was no slouch—he’d graduated from the Demonic Path Academy and was direct lineage of one of the Five Great Families. Even caught off guard, he backpedaled with footwork and flicked his sleeve to launch hidden weapons.
But.
Clang!
Il-mok swatted them away with a casual fly-swatting motion.
His charge didn’t slow a beat, and in a flash, he closed in—his sword stabbing Baek Cheon’s pressure points.
“Urk.”
Il-mok’s demonic energy surged along the blade into Baek Cheon’s meridians, sealing them.
As Baek Cheon froze stiff, Il-mok flashed a refreshed smile and swung a left hook.
Thwack!!
On a bright sunny day, in a quiet alley of Golang County, the sound of blows like bursting drums echoed repeatedly.
* * *
Having vented thoroughly, Il-mok hoisted the battered Baek Cheon over his shoulder and returned to the branch with the group.
Looking at Baek Cheon’s rainbow-colored face, Il-mok asked,
“Forgot what you’re supposed to do at a Central Plains branch?”
“I know. Collect intelligence on the Central Plains, right?”
At Baek Cheon’s brazen reply, Il-mok asked incredulously,
“Then why act so damn conspicuous?”
“Gathering Central Plains intel is important, sure—but recruiting new converts there is just as crucial! To do that, we have to spread the greatness of our Divine Cult far and wide!”
Perhaps feeling wronged by the beating, Baek Cheon laid out his case.
“And didn’t you teach me this, Il-mok Young Master? To make plays about the greatness of past Heavenly Demons and preach our Divine Cult’s grand vision!”
At Baek Cheon’s claim, all eyes turned to Il-mok.
The Branch Leader’s gaze brimmed with resentment—like Il-mok was the root of all this.
But not everyone felt that way.
“To think that was your intent!! As expected of you, Il-mok Young Master!”
For some reason, Guyang Mun looked deeply moved.
“Young Master Baek Cheon’s actions were excessive, but his intent seems truly admirable.”
Dam Bin and Jin Ha-yeon showed oddly favorable reactions too.
Sighing at their bizarre responses, Il-mok said,
“I agree spreading the faith is important. But since this is the Central Plains, at least do it without revealing the Divine Cult’s name.”
“How?”
Baek Cheon’s question drew trusting, intrigued stares to Il-mok from most of the group.
It stemmed from rumors or personal experience.
No matter the thorny issue, the Eight Young Masters could find a solution—that hope shone in their eyes.
Of course, Il-mok had just blurted it out.
‘These crazy cultists, dumping this on me.’
Smirking derisively, it hit him.
‘Wait. The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult is a cult anyway, isn’t it?’
* * *
That evening.
As the sky turned orange with sunset, amid Golang County residents bustling to wrap up their day, a few outsiders approached.
A fairly presentable man—except around Jin Ha-yeon—Guyang Mun laughed heartily as he spoke up.
“Miss, your face radiates such benevolence—you must be blessed with good fortune.”
“M-Me?”
The young woman blinked at the sudden praise from this stranger, prompting Joo Seo-yeon beside Guyang Mun to say brightly, her eyes sparkling,
“That’s right. By any chance, do you know the Way?”