Chapter 92
Chapter 92
It was like the sky after lightning split heaven and earth.
A blinding flash struck, numbing the legs, and in that instant the world fell into silence. Then, once the taut stillness passed, chaos erupted and shook the ground.
“The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult!”
“The Second Young Master of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult!”
The shrine fell into hurried disarray.
Those who had been steeped in pleasure seemed to have their reason reignited in an instant. The corridors and galleries that had been silent as dead mice now thudded with pounding footsteps.
“……”
Even the assassins hidden in the shadows, awaiting Hangryong’s command, were no different. No matter how they strove to remain calm, their agitation brushed against Yeo Il’s skin.
Among them, the only one who maintained relative composure was Namgung Pae.
With a light gesture, Hangryong Gate Master Yuyu summoned her attendants. They adjusted her robes and replaced her sachet before she gave a solemn command.
“Open the gates and receive him.”
Creeeak—
The moment the left gate swung wide, Yeo Il did not take her eyes off Namgung Pae.
He appeared somewhat surprised by the Second Young Master’s sudden visit, but that was all.
Does he know that the Second Young Master is Jin Cheong-ak?
Otherwise, how could he remain so calm before a Young Master of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, which had lain dormant for eighteen years since the Orthodox–Demonic War?
He did not turn to look at her as though it were only natural.
Nor did he scrutinize her expression to probe her intentions.
But what now.
I did not know either.
Truly, not in the slightest.
Of course. After sending nothing but scraps of paper bearing “lianlian buwang” these past few days, he appeared suddenly as the Second Young Master of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult without so much as a hint?
It was so utterly like Jin Cheong-ak that she scarcely had time to be shocked, which made controlling her expression easier.
“…The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.”
A disbelieving murmur sounded nearby.
All eyes were fixed upon the left gate. From below the straight, horizon-like steps, the crown of a man’s head began to appear.
Someone swallowed dryly.
When the man in black robes finally emerged, his tall stature and immaculate bearing were imposing enough to suit the title of Young Master—but he appeared bare-faced.
Confident.
And Yeo Il did not like that confidence.
The ornate golden embroidery upon his black robes was especially distasteful. Behind Jin Cheong-ak walked Beom Jung and Dang Hong like attendants.
The foolish expression he had worn in Anhui was nowhere to be seen. Now he carried himself convincingly.
The urge to give him a shock rose to her solar plexus.
At last, Jin Cheong-ak crossed the threshold and stopped, surveying the crowd before curling his lips faintly.
“There are many to greet me.”
Yuyu raised one hand.
In an instant, several women darted forward and opened umbrellas above Yeo Il, Namgung Pae, and Jin Cheong-ak.
Whoosh—
Raindrops began to fall from the clear sky.
“Ah—?”
“A sudden shower?”
As the rain thickened, onlookers scrambled into the shrine like a swelling flood.
Once everyone had retreated beneath the eaves, the women moved in perfect unison to shut the shrine doors, like herding fish into a net.
Before long, the rain ceased.
Jin Cheong-ak remarked dryly,
“I did not know the Gate Master of Hangryong was a sorceress who commands the weather.”
“Nor did I know the Second Young Master would visit.”
Armed guards had already taken their positions around Yuyu.
Jin Cheong-ak seemed entirely accustomed to such wariness.
“What impression do you have upon seeing my face?”
“Regrettably, I have no interest in men.”
“Nor do I in your preferences. Tell me—am I as my elder brother described?”
After a brief silence, Yuyu answered,
“To some extent.”
“Did he still say I was born with too small a vessel, arrogant beyond my station, and destined to bring calamity upon both the Cult and the Jianghu?”
“Similar.”
“He remains unchanged. I suppose if one changes, one dies. I wonder when he will change.”
Despite the barbed words, Yuyu remained composed.
“If it pleases the Young Master, I shall escort you inside. Though I have restricted outside access, there are still many ears here.”
“Ears? There is no need. Let us speak here. Aside from you and me, I see only two others.”
He turned toward Namgung Pae.
“This one I have not met.”
Namgung Pae regarded him calmly yet carefully. It was the most wary Yeo Il had seen him.
If the First Young Master of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, Cho Iryang, had truly joined hands with Yeonghwang Yuse, then Namgung Pae should have known Jin Cheong-ak’s identity long ago.
After all, Jin Cheong-ak himself had once said that Cho Iryang had “found” him.
Namgung Pae held a significant position within Yeonghwang Yuse—Yeo Il knew as much from her time in Salmak.
And yet, if Namgung Pae knew Jin Cheong-ak’s identity and still remained so cautious—
Then Jin Cheong-ak of the Namgung Clan and Jin Cheong-ak, Second Young Master of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, must be entirely different existences.
Jin Cheong-ak’s gaze shifted to Yeo Il.
“And the lady beside him… hmm. How curious. Though we have not met, she seems familiar.”
Perhaps it was his shameless tone, but it felt like being dragged into a cheap farce.
To pretend they were strangers before those who knew their outward relationship.
Her irritation must have shown plainly, for Jin Cheong-ak coughed lightly as though to stifle laughter.
“I quite like you. What is your name?”
There must have been a reason for that scrap of paper, so she played along.
“My name is Namgung Soyo. I returned to the Namgung Clan last summer at my father’s summons.”
“…Ha.”
It was a simple reply.
Yet the playful gravity that had rested upon his face crumbled suddenly, and he burst into roaring laughter.
The Gate Master’s guards tensed, ready to strike if the madman drew his blade.
“Hahaha!”
Perhaps it reminded him of their first meeting in Xinjiang.
“Your name.”
Yeo Il prompted again. Jin Cheong-ak, wiping tears of laughter, gestured for her to continue.
“When asking another’s name, should you not first state your own affiliation and name?”
“I am….”
For the first time, Jin Cheong-ak faltered.
His keen gaze shifted to the sword in Yeo Il’s right hand.
“…Ahem. This one is.”
“……”
“The Second Young Master of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult and the eldest son of the Jin family, Jin Cheong-ak. Have you heard of me?”
“No.”
“Excellent. I quite admire your spirit. If you are unwed, how about promising yourself to me?”
“……”
Perhaps.
Even this nonsense may be part of his plan.
Yeo Il glanced at the two guards behind him.
Beom Jung stood solid as a wall.
Dang Hong was different.
Her eyes were red, and her lips trembled violently.
“…Huff, huff.”
Which meant Jin Cheong-ak’s proposal was completely unplanned nonsense.