Chapter 15
Chapter 15
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: An Unexpected Summons
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“What do you think?”
“It’s… incredible.”
He was truly astonished.
This was…
“It’s the first time I’ve ever caught a beast like this.”
“I can imagine.”
Neung Un-bi couldn’t take his eyes off the item spread on the floor, merely nodding.
The main hall of the manor.
Everyone who saw the enormous pelt spread across the floor let out gasps of admiration.
It was the hide of a snow leopard, its gray fur marked with distinct black spots.
Normally, the beast was only about the size of a large dog, but judging by the hide alone, it seemed twice as large as a tiger that ruled the mountains.
She had told him to come and see for himself…
Neung Un-bi smirked as he watched the proud Seon Hwa-yeon and her vassals.
Showing off was the real purpose.
Wasn’t it as if they were saying, ‘Look, this is how much we support you’?
Should he pat them on the head or something?
But she was sixty-eight this year, and he was eighteen.
That didn’t seem right.
And patting the heads of the elderly vassals was even more out of the question…
“Heh heh…”
“…?”
*Pat, pat.*
Wang Cheon, standing beside him, stared blankly at Neung Un-bi.
“Hey, why are you suddenly patting my head?”
“…No reason.”
Just think of it as part of social life and stay still. You’re the only one here for this.
I felt like I had to pat something.
Neung Un-bi gave Wang Cheon a bright smile before turning his gaze back to the snow leopard’s hide.
Wow, at this size, isn’t it basically a spirit beast?
“Unfortunately, there was no inner core.”
“Ah!”
Busted.
As if reading the look in his eyes, Seon Hwa-yeon answered first.
Still… if it had grown a little more, it might have formed a core. They should have captured it alive…
“Spirit beasts have their cores from birth.”
“…”
What? Were my thoughts that obvious?
“…You’re drooling.”
“*Slurp!*”
At Seon Hwa-yeon’s smiling remark, Neung Un-bi quickly swallowed the drool that was about to escape his lips.
Damn it, how could I be so careless?
It seemed he would need to act a little more in the future.
His life was different from the past.
“Our master will be very pleased.”
“He will. With this, there’s no need to feel intimidated by whatever the other disciples bring.”
Seon Hwa-yeon puffed out her chest, a confident smile on her face.
She had every right to be.
Luminous pearls? Gold and treasures? Spirit pills?
He wasn’t the type to appreciate such things. His vaults were already full of them.
But wasn’t the Cult Leader the kind of man who still used an old, worn-out tiger skin as a seat cover, unable to throw it away? He would certainly like this.
“So, the birthday gift is decided, then.”
“Yes.”
“Then I’ll be on my way.”
“Already? Since you’ve come all this way, won’t you join us for a drink?”
“A drink?”
“Yes. There’s nothing better for building camaraderie, is there? Besides, the vassals are eager for a banquet with the Third Young Master. They must have greatly enjoyed the last one.”
“…”
At Seon Hwa-yeon’s words, the vassals’ eyes sparkled as they looked at Neung Un-bi.
Right, drinks are good.
Building camaraderie isn’t bad either.
If he truly coveted the position of the Cult Leader’s successor, he couldn’t be lazy about building his power base.
But!
Why bother, when he was leaving soon and would never see them again?
Getting attached would only make things complicated.
However, he couldn’t say that outright.
He was different from those wicked Demonic Cult members.
A true gentleman knows how to refuse while considering the other person’s feelings.
“Hmm, I’d love to, but I don’t have the time.”
“Pardon?”
Neung Un-bi sighed regretfully, his expression changing.
Serious and solemn.
Soon, a voice tinged with dignity echoed gently throughout the hall.
“Because they will be returning soon.”
“…”
“I am the one who fell into qi deviation as a price for my foolish greed. It took a full year to recover.”
“Hmm…”
“I want to become stronger.”
“You are already strong, Third Young Master. In my eyes, you are far ahead of the other disciples.”
“No. I appreciate your high praise, but I still have a long way to go. How can I repay the Snow Mountain Manor for its support by merely being ahead?”
“…”
“I will become stronger. So strong that they will feel despair at my power. I want to become a master who allows the Snow Mountain Manor to stand proud anywhere.”
“Third Young Master…”
Moved by the sincerity in his voice, the vassals of the Snow Mountain Manor looked at Neung Un-bi with eyes glistening, as if about to shed tears.
These guys…
This level of acting is nothing.
“I understand. Since that is your wish, Young Master, I can hardly insist. In that case, please train for the one day you have left.”
“Thank you for your understanding… huh?”
Neung Un-bi, who had been bowing to Seon Hwa-yeon, snapped his head up.
What did she just say?
One day left…? What does that mean?
“An order has come from the Cult Leader. He commands you to return to your residence in the main fortress.”
“To the main fortress…?”
“Yes. But do not worry. Now that we have decided to support you, Third Young Master, we will select the finest from the Snow Mountain Manor’s main force to serve you, separate from the official guard detail that will be formed.”
“…”
For a moment, his mind went blank.
The manor’s main force, a guard detail… none of it registered.
Tomorrow… I’m going back? To the main fortress?
To that place surrounded by walls so high you had to crane your neck all the way back just to see the top, guarded day and night by fearsome warriors with fire in their eyes?
Where formations and traps were hidden everywhere, making it perfectly defended against any external threat…
“…Ha, hahaha.”
Son of a bitch! Why the hell are you telling me this now!
What about my escape plan?
I’ve only just gotten used to my past martial arts!
“Hm? Did you not hear? I’m certain I told the Head Steward to inform you in advance…”
“Ah, my apologies! I am sorry, Matriarch. And you, Third Young Master. I must be getting old, I’ve been so forgetful lately, hahaha.”
Neung Un-bi tilted his head and glared at Im Saeng, who was scratching his head and laughing.
This damned old man!
You think that’s a valid excuse? Your forgetfulness is about to change my entire life!
“Um, why are you looking at me like that…”
“…”
Im Saeng asked, puzzled by the murderous glint in Neung Un-bi’s eyes.
“Nothin’. It’s nothin’.”
“Ah… yes…”
As Neung Un-bi answered, gritting his teeth and suppressing his anger, Im Saeng wore an awkward expression.
This wouldn’t do. He was going to be dragged back for sure.
Once a guard detail was formed, he’d never be able to escape.
“M-Matriarch.”
“Yes?”
“What if… I don’t go?”
“You don’t want to go? I would also love to keep you by my side, Third Young Master.”
“Exactly.”
“But you know the Cult Leader’s personality, don’t you?”
“…”
He knew. He knew all too well.
The pain from the last beating was etched into his very being.
“If you refuse after he’s already given the order… phew.”
“…Could you perhaps tell him you’d like to keep me here a little longer, for my sake? Maybe just until the day before the birthday celebration.”
“Me? Haha, you’re quite something, Third Young Master. How could I possibly question the Cult Leader’s command?”
…You did!
I saw you! You even cursed him out!
You said you support me, but you can’t even do that much? Was it all a lie?
“Oh dear, I’ve wasted your valuable time. Since you’re so determined to become stronger for our sake, we can’t let you waste a single moment. I will have the birthday gift wrapped beautifully and sent to your residence at the main fortress ahead of time.”
“…”
At Seon Hwa-yeon’s words, which were as good as an order to leave, Neung Un-bi’s mind went blank.
What was he supposed to do now?
If it came to this… he had no choice but to act immediately.
He wasn’t fully prepared, but if he didn’t escape now, he might never get another chance.
His heart began to race.
Barely acknowledging the farewells from Seon Hwa-yeon and the vassals, Neung Un-bi quickened his pace, leaving the main hall with Wang Cheon.
He had to hurry.
But first, he had to do something about this guy…
Neung Un-bi’s narrowed eyes met Wang Cheon’s.
“Oh, right! My lord.”
“Hmm?”
“Um, would it be alright if you went back first for today?”
“Huh?”
“I need to find something…”
“…!”
H-how could this be? They say sincerity moves heaven itself!
Just as the sky was falling, an escape route suddenly appeared.
A small hope in the midst of crisis.
The leech he’d needed to pry off with any excuse was now detaching itself willingly.
Indeed, justice still exists in this world.
Weren’t the heavens helping him?
“Of course! Of course you can! Yup! I’ll be fine on my own. Go, go quickly. I grant you permission with a joyful heart.”
“What’s there to be so joyful about… Anyway, thank you. I’ll be back in a bit.”
“What do you mean, ‘a bit’? Take your time. You can even come back tomorrow. Hmm? Got it? Did you hear me?”
“…Haha. It won’t take that long, will it?”
As Wang Cheon bowed and dashed off, Neung Un-bi waved his hand vigorously.
He couldn’t remember the last time he’d sent someone off with such joy.
Once Wang Cheon was out of sight, Neung Un-bi sprinted toward the training ground at the fastest speed he could muster.
The path? Who had time to follow something like that?
When he met a wall, he leaped over it. When he saw a pavilion, he shot straight up and ran across its roof.
“Huh? The Third Young… What’s he in such a hurry for?”
The vassals, who had left the gathering and were heading back first, couldn’t hide their confusion upon spotting Neung Un-bi.
“He was sincere.”
“Pardon? What do you mean, Head Steward?”
“Tsk, tsk, you people! What do you carry those heads on your shoulders for?”
“Huh?”
“Didn’t you all hear him earlier? That he would become stronger for our sake… I was so moved when I heard his heartfelt words.”
The vassals nodded at Im Saeng’s words.
“He must value every single moment. That’s why he’s even cutting down on the time it takes to return, isn’t it?”
“Ah, I see. Hearing you say that, Head Steward, I feel ashamed for not understanding the Third Young Master’s heart.”
“Haha, it’s enough that you understand now. Let us serve him with even greater loyalty from now on. This is the last chapter of my life. I must see it. Him, ascending to the throne of the Cult Leader…”
“Yes. We must ensure it happens.”
Watching the gallant figure of Neung Un-bi disappearing like a soaring bird as he dashed across the rooftops, the vassals strengthened their resolve once more.
But how could Neung Un-bi possibly know their thoughts?
He had to get to the training ground, no matter what. In other words, he had to make everyone believe he was quietly staying inside the training ground.
Only by deceiving them all could he buy himself even a little time to escape.
“*Pant, pant…*”
Arriving in front of the cave, Neung Un-bi caught his breath, panting heavily, and whipped his head around to survey his surroundings.
He could clearly sense presences.
The hidden guards protecting him.
There weren’t many of them. The main force was forming a defensive line on the outer perimeter.
That was enough.
The sun was already setting. Since the Snow Mountain Manor was located in the sunless north, night fell faster here than elsewhere.
*Creeak, thud.*
Making sure the hidden guards saw him enter the cave, Neung Un-bi opened and closed the iron door.
But he only made the sound, not actually going inside. Instead, he hid his form in a dark corner and waited.
Just a little longer.
He had to wait until complete darkness fell.
Please come back late, Wang Cheon.
Or better yet, misstep on your way here and get seriously injured.
