Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: The Third Young Master's Procession
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The main fortress was a sacred ground to the members of the Demonic Cult, who had long stood guard over the Heavenly Mountains.
Rumors about this place were rampant, but few from the Central Plains knew the reality.
It was only natural.
Who would dare to peek into the Demonic Cult's main fortress after hearing the terrifying rumors of monsters with three heads and six arms that not only drank blood but also devoured newborn babies for breakfast?
Of course, there had been numerous attempts to learn what lay within.
Spies sent by those who believed that to know your enemy and yourself was the only way to victory.
So, where were they now?
All of them were in the ground.
Their bones had long since turned to dust, and their souls had vanished without a trace.
The Demonic Cult was no ordinary, easy target.
Once past the border between the Central Plains and the Demonic Cult, one had to traverse through territories controlled by various factions scattered across the vast land.
These factions were constantly fighting amongst themselves, so they would first suspect and then attack any unfamiliar face, making it difficult to pass through their watchful eyes.
Still, if one possessed exceptional skills and somehow managed to overcome all adversities, the massive fortress walls of the main stronghold awaited.
A colossal outer wall so high that one had to tilt their head all the way back just to see its top.
It was impossible to scale with human abilities alone.
Of course, those who had reached the pinnacle of power might be able to, but why would such individuals be doing spy work?
The only way was to climb.
And here, ten out of ten would die.
If, by some miracle, someone managed to climb over it, they would next face the domains of the Clan Council, the Elder's Department, and the martial squads they commanded.
It was said that a legendary strategist, once called the Demonic Brain, had arranged them based on strategic formations.
How could anyone possibly overcome all that?
Because of this, the interior of the main fortress in the Heavenly Mountains had never once revealed itself to the people of the Central Plains. Thus, the people of the Central Plains still believed that terrifying monsters lived in the Demonic Cult's main fortress.
However, once past the domain of the warriors stationed near the outer wall, the world before the inner fortress was completely different from what people imagined.
Neung Un-bi only realized this after seeing it for himself.
The area that occupied the largest part of the main fortress was the domain of the common people, who had nothing to do with the martial world.
Countless houses lined the main roads that stretched in all directions, and various shops lined the alleys that spread out like a spider's web.
Pedestrians filled every street, and children, engrossed in playing war, ran through every alley.
The true face of the Demonic Cult was no different from any other city in the Central Plains where a major sect was based.
Of course, there was a difference. Everyone living there, warrior or not, worshipped the Cult Leader like a god.
Perhaps it was natural, given that the Demonic Cult originated from a religion called the Sun and Moon Cult.
Although it now functioned more as a massive martial power protecting them from external enemies rather than a religion, the people's reverence for the Cult Leader remained unchanged.
The proof was the situation happening to him right now.
When he came with just Wang Cheon, nothing like this had happened.
His current residence, the Sakwol Pavilion, was in the inner fortress, and the thatched hut where he had stayed temporarily was also behind the inner fortress, near a small peak of the Heavenly Mountains, so he had no reason to meet others.
The only non-warriors he encountered were maids and laborers.
But now…
“Halt! Make way! The Third Young Master is passing!”
“…”
As soon as they left the inner fortress, a warrior from the Sakwol Squad stepped forward and shouted boisterously. In response, all the passersby moved to the side of the alley and prostrated themselves flat on the ground.
It wasn't as if the emperor's grand carriage was arriving…
Meanwhile, that fellow Ju Seung led the way, his eyes practically shooting fire, while the guards lined up on both sides continuously emanated demonic energy, intimidating the prostrated people.
Most likely, no one among them recognized his face. It was simply the atmosphere that created this scene.
Well, the path was wide open, making it easy to walk, but his face burned with embarrassment.
What in the world was all this?
On the way to just go grab some booze…
“Ahem, Wang Cheon.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Unable to bear it any longer, Neung Un-bi called out to Wang Cheon in a whisper.
“Can you tell them to stop that?”
“Why?”
“…”
*Why do you think?*
Was it because he was born and bred in the Demonic Cult? He seemed completely unaware that there was anything wrong with the current situation.
While it might be unavoidable for the warriors, maids, or laborers of the inner fortress, as it was their job, did they really have to do this in the residential areas?
Did they have to cause such a nuisance, broadcasting their presence in every direction!
“Wang Cheon, please… tell them to stop.”
“Well, you never said anything before… Why the sudden change?”
“…”
Of course, he remembered acting like that when he was the original Neung Un-bi. But he wasn't that person now, was he?
It was uncomfortable. No, it was mortifying.
“My lord, this is merely the minimum required for your protection.”
“Minimum? What damn minimum? To my eyes, this just looks like an abuse of power.”
“No, how can you call the loyalty of your subordinates an abuse of power?”
“Is it not?”
“Of course not. Think about it. Now that the entire fortress knows that Snow Mountain Manor supports you, opposing factions could target you anytime, anywhere.”
“…”
Neung Un-bi glared at the seriously speaking Wang Cheon with narrowed eyes.
*And this is the guy who went around spreading those very rumors?*
“There are surely spies hidden among this crowd. Someone might be disguised as a passerby, watching your every move. They might even be waiting to strike.”
“So, you're doing all this to preemptively eliminate any danger?”
“Absolutely. The Cult Leader, as well as the other disciples, all do this.”
“…Haha. Is that so?”
What a load of bullshit.
*And you say that so proudly?*
“Please accept it. Get used to it. The man who will one day become the Cult Leader…”
*Thump, roll, roll.*
Just as Wang Cheon was trying to persuade Neung Un-bi, something rolled out from between the prostrated people.
Of course, the reaction was swift.
*Shwack! Pop!*
Before anyone could even see Ju Seung draw his sword, a sharp blue gleam flashed and split the object in two. At the same time, his body shot towards the person who appeared to be the culprit.
“Stop!”
Neung Un-bi, having glanced in the direction the sword was pointed, yelled urgently.
*Parrrr…*
The stopped blade trembled faintly. At the end of its trajectory, a child, whose eyes had widened in surprise, burst into tears.
“Waaaaah!”
“…”
The child's cries echoed through the previously silent alley.
“P-Please spare us!”
The mother next to the child, terrified, clamped a hand over her child's mouth and trembled violently.
“…”
The object that was cut was a ball. Made from an inflated pig's bladder…
A ball the child had dropped had simply rolled over by accident.
“Haaah, you son of a…”
Neung Un-bi let out a sigh and a curse, glaring fiercely at Ju Seung.
He really wanted to slap him across the face.
If the sword hadn't stopped in time, the child would have been hurt. No, the child might have died.
No matter how much it was an expression of loyalty to him… wasn't this too much?
However, Neung Un-bi only glared; he did not raise his hand.
It would only instill more fear in those already filled with terror.
“Ju Seung.”
“Yes! My lord.”
Ju Seung replied to Neung Un-bi's call with an unfazed expression.
He seemed unaware of his mistake.
Well, he had probably lived his whole life that way.
He knew that as long as Ju Seung's duty was to protect his master, he wouldn't hesitate to do even worse things.
Realizing this made him feel even more displeased.
Even if this was the Demonic Cult, how was this any different from the Central Plains' perception of them?
“Sheathe your sword.”
“Yes!”
He's so obedient. So loyal…
Neung Un-bi suppressed his anger, put on a gentle smile, and approached the woman who was still covering her child's mouth. He knelt down on one knee.
At this action, not only the prostrated people who were sneaking glances, but also the warriors of the Sakwol Squad could not hide their surprise.
But Neung Un-bi paid them no mind. The ones he needed to care about right now were the frightened child and the mother trying to protect her.
“You can let go now.”
“…Yes?”
“The child can't breathe.”
“Ah… but he was crying.”
The mother, who had answered his smiling words without thinking, paled as if realizing her mistake, but her hand still covered the child's mouth.
“Of course a child would cry. If you cover their mouth that tightly, even an adult would cry.”
“…”
When she finally removed her hand, a sob burst from the child's mouth.
“Waaah, waaaaah!”
“There, there. You were very scared, weren't you?”
The child didn't stop crying even when soothed by his gentle voice, so Neung Un-bi embraced him.
He patted the child's back, conveying a gentle warmth, and the crying finally subsided.
“Are you okay now?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Good, I'm glad.”
“…My ball.”
“…Hmm?”
The fingertip of the child in his arms pointed to the split leather. It seemed that once his fear had calmed, that was the first thing he saw.
“Ah, I'm sorry. That was a very mean man, wasn't it? I'll make sure to scold him.”
“Uh-huh. But it was my only one…?”
“Then how about I get you a new one?”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“…Promise.”
The child boldly held out his pinky finger, as if to secure the promise.
“Yes, a promise. When you wake up tomorrow morning, a new ball will be waiting for you.”
“Okay!”
Smiling, Neung Un-bi firmly linked his pinky with the tiny finger.
The child's tear-streaked face finally brightened.
After the crying stopped, he continued to pat the child for a while, and soon the child drifted off to sleep in his arms.
“Here.”
“Huh? Yes…”
The woman, bewildered, took the child as Neung Un-bi carefully handed him over.
But her eyes were still full of fear.
“It's okay. That man was the one in the wrong. Nothing will happen to you.”
“Th-thank you. Thank you so much.”
The mother bowed her head in thanks several times before retreating.
“Hooo…”
Neung Un-bi stood up with a sigh and looked down the alley.
The people were still prostrated.
“Wang Cheon.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Stop this nonsense.”
“What? But…”
“That's an order.”
“…Understood.”
At the short but firm command, Wang Cheon didn't argue further and backed down.
Now, all that remained were… the foolish guards who didn't even know what they had done.
He couldn't just let it be. He had intended to stay for only a short while before leaving, but as long as he was here, he absolutely could not stand to see this.
Even if it was a widespread tradition in the Demonic Cult, it wouldn't happen in front of him.
Of course, he couldn't scold them here. He had just reassured the child's mother that nothing would happen; if she saw him doling out punishment, she would only become frightened again.
[Ju Seung.]
[…Yes?]
Ju Seung, who had been expressionless, flinched in surprise at the sudden telepathic message and replied.
[Get rid of the men.]
[But…]
[If your goal is to guard me, then follow from the shadows. Don't bother the people for no reason.]
[My lord's safety is my top priority.]
Neung Un-bi frowned at the firm telepathic response.
[Do I look so incompetent that I can't even protect myself?]
[How could I possibly think such a disloyal thing? That is not what I meant…]
[Then let's just call it an order. Understood?]
[Understood.]
[Now.]
[Yes!]
At Neung Un-bi's command, Ju Seung must have sent a telepathic message to his subordinates, as the warriors of the Sakwol Squad instantly leaped away and vanished from sight.
All that remained were Wang Cheon and himself. And the people still prostrated before him.
It was obvious they wouldn't get up even if he told them to.
“Wang Cheon.”
“Yes?”
“Let's get out of here for now.”
“Huh?”
As soon as he finished speaking, Neung Un-bi stepped onto a wall and leaped high into the air.
“Huh? Hey! Damn it, wait for me!”
Wang Cheon immediately followed, leaping after him.
Left behind, the people didn't know what to do, remaining on the ground for a long time, just watching each other warily.
“That was… the Third Young Master?”
“I guess so.”
“What if he was just saying that and…”
“You think so?”
Whispers of disbelief regarding Neung Un-bi's actions spread from all around.
It was understandable. Such an event was unprecedented in the main fortress of the Demonic Cult. The unfamiliarity of the experience struck them as strange.
But time would pass, and what they couldn't believe at the moment would eventually spread as a natural truth.
Although it was their first encounter with him, Neung Un-bi was very different from the others.
He was warm, and down-to-earth.