Chapter 188
Chapter 188
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 188
Chapter Title: The Right Thing to Do
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The sun, having diligently traversed the sky during the day, lost the intensity of its ascent and began to calmly cross the western mountains, casting a gentle, reddish glow.
Once it completely disappeared beyond the peaks, the darkness that had been pushed back by its bright light slowly began to consume the world.
As the night deepened, the world grew darker and quieter.
And that quietness awakens the realm of emotion rather than reason.
Perhaps that is why alcohol seems better suited for the night than the day.
For a drink steeped in emotion is far sweeter than one consumed with a clear head.
“…Hah! Just thinking about it makes my mouth water. A drink would be perfect right about now.”
Neung Un-bi smacked his lips as he gazed at the softly spreading sunset.
But he had to endure. The darkness would soon deepen.
The Heavenly Net of the day focuses on closing the distance, but at night, it concentrates on staying put and observing.
This is because they focus more on vigilance, wary of their enemies escaping under the cover of darkness where vision is inevitably limited.
By not moving, the mesh of the net grows stronger and tighter.
Leaving no room for escape.
That was why he had to be even more clear-headed.
If he was to get them safely to the Demonic Cult…
As darkness fell upon the forest, Neung Un-bi looked back at his companions.
Shin Ye-rang, Kim San, and Yoon An-ro, who had just barely regained consciousness.
Every time he met Yoon An-ro’s gaze, it was hard to hide the surge of emotion that rose within him.
How could the man who had only ever shown a powerful and vibrant side, vowing to change the world, become so frail?
-It’s alright, Wol-rin. The world doesn’t change with a single effort, so don’t be discouraged.
-Is it not just one failure? Square your shoulders with pride.
The memory of him patting his shoulder, comforting him when he was lost in despair, made his heart ache even more.
The man who had encouraged him like a brother, like a father.
But meeting him again as an old man, he looked indescribably weak.
Moreover, since being injured, he looked exhausted and haggard, as if he had aged decades all at once.
The wound in his heart, left by the betrayal of Hwang Byeong-chan whom he had trusted, was likely far greater than the wound from the sword.
“Lord Yoon.”
“…Yes.”
“We must depart soon. Will you be alright?”
“I will be fine.”
“If you think it will be difficult, it’s alright to rest a little longer.”
Neung Un-bi said gently, hiding his sorrowful heart, but Yoon An-ro shook his head.
“No. Who am I to… Because of the time we’ve wasted, everyone is in greater danger.”
As Yoon An-ro continued to speak, the wrinkles around his chin twitched.
He believed this was all because of his injury. That if they hadn't been looking after him, they wouldn't have had any reason to remain inside the encirclement.
Watching his slumped shoulders, Neung Un-bi thought it was time for him to speak.
Just as Yoon An-ro had done for him long ago, even if he couldn't pat his shoulder.
“Lord Yoon.”
“Yes.”
“Do not blame yourself.”
“…?”
“We stayed because of a plan, not because of you, Lord Yoon. So, please, square your shoulders. Such a dispirited look doesn't seem to suit you.”
“Pardon?”
“You must think of Shin Ye-rang and Kim San beside you. At times like this, you must hold your shoulders high. Are there not still those who believe in you and follow you?”
“…Mm.”
At the words delivered with a faint smile, Yoon An-ro glanced at Kim San and Shin Ye-rang and nodded.
“You’re right. My thoughts were short-sighted.”
Though his heart likely felt otherwise, he quickly composed himself and brushed it off, bringing a pleased smile to Neung Un-bi’s face.
“Hoo, it seems I haven’t even been able to express my gratitude for saving my life.”
“Ah…”
“Thank you. I will not forget the grace of saving me and my comrades.”
“Yes… well.”
As Yoon An-ro rose and bowed deeply, Neung Un-bi scratched his head with an awkward expression.
“However, may I ask one thing?”
“Yes?”
“You said you knew Wol-rin… but that alone doesn’t really make sense.”
“…”
“Wol-rin was someone who died before the Third Young Master was even born. Even if the Cult Leader knew him, all the Third Young Master would know of him would be what you were told…”
At Yoon An-ro's words, Neung Un-bi was momentarily at a loss for words.
“The Third Young Master’s actions were truly irrational. The Orthodox Faction and the Demonic Cult may experience serious friction because of this.”
“That could happen.”
“This was at a time when the Orthodox-Demonic Pact had just been signed, and the Demonic Cult’s branches were beginning to spring up throughout the Central Plains.”
“…”
“The Demonic Cult will suffer a great blow from this incident.”
At those words, Neung Un-bi felt a heavy weight in his chest, as if a large stone had been placed there.
His actions might have been nothing more than the flap of a butterfly’s wing, but the repercussions would be more terrifying than a raging tidal wave.
Of course, wary of Dam Un-cheon’s name, they wouldn't recklessly harm the warriors at the branches. But the pact would be completely abolished, and the Demonic Cult’s branches, which had just established themselves in the light, would all be driven out.
Furthermore, they might not even be able to find a foothold in the shadows of the Central Plains from now on.
In other words, with this incident, Neung Un-bi had incurred a massive debt for the damage he had caused the Demonic Cult.
“You could have let us go. Even if you came looking for us out of curiosity because of Wol-rin… there was no reason to save us, who are complete strangers.”
“…”
“Let us go, even now.”
“Pardon?”
“I know them.”
Yoon An-ro looked at Neung Un-bi with an indifferent gaze.
That emotionless gaze made Neung Un-bi’s heart feel heavy. He knew the reason Yoon An-ro was deliberately hiding his true feelings, despite desperately needing help, was because he didn't want to cause him harm.
It would have been better if he thought of them as the wicked Demonic Cult, to be used like anyone else…
“They have a history of suffering a painful defeat at the hands of Dam Un-cheon.”
“You speak of the Heavenly Demon Emperor… do you not?”
“That is correct.”
“…”
“Everyone is sharpening their resolve, but they won't be able to shake off the fear of Dam Un-cheon that has seeped into their very bones. They will be extremely reluctant to have Dam Un-cheon make a move because of this.”
Neung Un-bi nodded at Yoon An-ro’s words.
He knew. Although they had ended up pursuing him, hadn't they tried to exclude him all along?
It was all because of Dam Un-cheon. They were afraid of his intervention.
Yi Ok-sang, who had asked for his help, had been like that, and so had Namgung Hak, who had surrounded him.
In a way, he was a truly remarkable man.
With just his name, he commanded respect from some and fear from others.
“If you declare now that you will not intervene in this matter, they will no longer pursue you. They may be using you for now, but the Third Young Master was never their original target.”
Neung Un-bi shook his head at Yoon An-ro's words.
“I cannot do that.”
“Pardon?”
“Because I know what is right.”
“What do you mean?”
“As I said, I know Cheok Wol-rin.”
Neung Un-bi carefully brought up his own story as if it were someone else's.
“Of course, as you said, Lord Yoon, I have never met him in person….”
“…”
“But I know that the words he left behind are right. I also know that it was a task someone had to do.”
Because it was his own story, Neung Un-bi’s voice had a power that drew people’s attention.
Before long, Yoon An-ro, Shin Ye-rang, and Kim San were all listening intently to Neung Un-bi’s story.
“You said we were strangers?”
“…”
“What does that matter? Did you not also offer food and a place to sleep to a little beggar you didn't know, and laugh and cry with him like a friend? He said so. No, he said that was what he was told. That at times, you were like a father to him, Lord Yoon.”
“…!”
Yoon An-ro’s eyes widened at Neung Un-bi’s words.
How could he not know that the little beggar he had met was Cheok Wol-rin?
But Cheok Wol-rin had even spoken of such a past?
“Haha, it seems he told the Cult Leader all sorts of things.”
Yoon An-ro, who had for a moment recalled his first meeting with Cheok Wol-rin, let out a hollow laugh and continued.
“At the time, I believed it was the right thing to do. To take pity on and help someone in difficulty. That is the teaching of the sages I believe in.”
“Is that so?”
“It was at first.”
“…”
“However, afterward, I received far more help.”
A wistful smile appeared on Yoon An-ro’s lips as he recalled his memories of Cheok Wol-rin.
“He was a talented lad. It was just a pity that his innate nature prevented him from making his talents bloom… so I taught him many things.”
“…”
“He was a flawless boy, except for his tendency to only look straight ahead. But I shouldn't have done that.”
Yoon An-ro’s smile had turned bitter, and soon, it changed to sorrow.
“He was not a boy who should have gone that way. I should not have made him follow my will. It seems I was greedy.”
“…”
“Though we did not share blood, he was like a real brother to me…”
Seeing Yoon An-ro desperately trying to hold back a sob, Neung Un-bi forced himself to regain his composure.
He had almost been swept up in his sorrow and confessed everything.
That I am here.
That I am right here before your eyes, so do not be so sad.
Their hearts heavy, the two just stared silently at the ground.
As if they were recalling the same memory.
“Ahem!”
Neung Un-bi cleared his throat, calming his voice that was about to break, and spoke.
“Lord Yoon.”
“Yes?”
“When you took the stranger Cheok Wol-rin into your arms, you said you were merely following the words of the sages?”
“…?”
“Do you know those sages?”
“Pardon?”
“You couldn't possibly know them. You simply followed their words because you believed them to be right.”
“…”
“It is the same for me. I saved you because I believe that the will Cheok Wol-rin left behind, and the thoughts of Lord Yoon that inspired that will, are right.”
“Third Young Master, but…”
“Lord Yoon.”
“…”
“Do you know why people say the Demonic Cult walks the path of supremacy?”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s because they stubbornly push forward with what they believe is right. They don't know how to compromise. That's why they get a lot of criticism, though.”
“…”
“I am of the Demonic Cult. Even if it is the will left by a man I have never met, I act because I believe it is right.”
Looking at Neung Un-bi, Yoon An-ro suddenly recalled the words of Cheok Wol-rin, who had to be branded a murderer for helping him.
-Lord Yoon, do not worry. No matter what others say, I know your will is right. Therefore, I intend to push forward without wavering, no matter what anyone babbles. For what I believe to be right.
The Demonic Cult…
The thought occurred to him that perhaps Cheok Wol-rin’s personality was better suited to the Demonic Cult.
But at that moment.
*Piiik!*
A sharp whistle sounded from afar, and then it echoed from all directions like a chorus.
Tension filled the wide eyes of Yoon An-ro, as well as Kim San and Shin Ye-rang, but a smile appeared on Neung Un-bi’s lips.
“It seems we’ll have to continue this conversation later.”
The time had finally come.
The whistle just now was surely from Hyang-i. Having joined the Lunar Eclipse Squad, she must have waited for nightfall just as he had, and then revealed herself in a completely unexpected place.
The Heavenly Net, upon receiving that news, would have no choice but to move, even though they knew they should stay put.
Because they would think he had already escaped.
And no matter how brilliant the Zhuge Clan was, they wouldn't be able to suspect his move now.
Because they had never failed in a capture before.
And also, because they believed there was no one under the heavens with a better strategy than them.
That was the flaw they possessed.