Chapter 21
Chapter 21
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: The Schemer's Smile
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Yeo Jin-gang.
Age twenty, the Cult Leader’s second disciple.
A descendant of the Hall of the Wise Heart, which produced Yeo Chung-bin, the Demonic Brain, said to be the most brilliant strategist in the Demonic Cult.
The master of the New Moon Pavilion, located in the inner sanctum…
Various memories of him flashed through Neung Un-bi’s mind.
Every single one was of him being exceptionally smart or remarkably talented.
And now, that remarkably talented man had appeared, leading a contingent of guards.
“Haha, you rascal. Have you no intention of greeting your senior brother after all these years?”
“…The third, Un-bi, greets the second senior brother.”
Neung Un-bi, who had awkwardly risen to his feet, hastily bowed his head.
“My, my, it seems I have to twist your arm for a bow. So, have you been well?”
“Yes? Well, so-so…”
As Yeo Jin-gang entered the tavern and approached Neung Un-bi, Wang Cheon and Ju Seung offered their greetings respectfully.
“We greet the Second Young Master.”
“Oh, isn’t it Wang Cheon? You’ve had a tough time, haven’t you? I heard this rascal caused a lot of trouble.”
“It wasn’t too difficult.”
“Haha, I’ve already heard everything from my family. I was told the main fortress was in an uproar a while ago because he beat up that Daoist, Hongnae?”
“Well, that’s…”
As Yeo Jin-gang grinned mischievously and winked, Wang Cheon conversed with him amicably, a not-unpleased expression on his face.
He even introduced Ju Seung. What a social butterfly… It’s a complete mess.
Then again, it was understandable.
Yeo Jin-gang was the only disciple who had never once targeted Neung Un-bi.
In fact, he had occasionally offered help.
Most of it came in the form of kind warnings, like, “The First Young Master is thinking this,” or, “The Fourth Young Lady’s faction might try something like this, so be prepared.”
But this bastard… he gave off a very unsettling feeling.
If Neung Un-bi only had his own memories, he might not have felt this way, but the memories of Cheok Wol-rin layered on top made him wary.
Why?
Because he knew this type all too well.
The Divine Strategists of the Zhuge Clan… those sons of bitches. Just thinking about them made him tremble with rage.
He had once investigated them.
Though they possessed considerable martial power, they were a group that controlled the political landscape of the Central Plains with their intellect alone.
Some said that the Zhuge, whose wisdom reached the heavens and could even predict the future, protected the Central Plains with benevolence and justice.
Well, given the rumors that their ancestor had summoned the southeast wind, that said it all.
But would men that smart rely on such uncertainties?
What a load of bullshit.
A passing dog would laugh.
The Zhuge were far more formidable than people gave them credit for.
They never once made predictions. Everything was a calculated move.
And if something happened that deviated from their plans?
They made it happen.
They fabricated situations, devised schemes, and even incited people to turn what they had spoken of as a prediction into a reality.
Of course, they didn’t hesitate to commit heinous acts behind the scenes in the process.
Cheok Wol-rin had only seen a glimpse of that side.
But with that one fact alone, he was suddenly branded a traitor and, in the end, killed.
All thanks to the Divine Strategists of the Zhuge Clan casting a wide net to bury their secrets…
Of course, he didn’t regret that death. Because of his death, ‘that person’ would have been safe.
He only regretted dying without being able to see her one last time.
In any case!
This man, Yeo Jin-gang, was one of them.
The First Young Master and the two younger disciples below.
While they used every means possible to eliminate Neung Un-bi, he had always remained at a distance.
Watching, most likely.
Perhaps he had hidden himself behind kindness and goodwill, instigating things from behind the scenes. It would be far easier to borrow someone else’s hand to kill than to do it himself.
It might be an over-the-top assumption, but a single suspicion like that can sometimes save your life.
He knew because he had already died once. This man… was definitely pulling strings from the shadows.
All the memories of him were good, but when superimposed with the Zhuge, he looked entirely different.
And had this man truly stopped by here by chance?
Even his motives were suspicious.
The conclusion… this man was the most dangerous.
With those smiling eyes, he would surely try to dig into his secrets.
He must never get involved with him. It could become an obstacle when he eventually tried to escape.
“Hm? Why are you staring at me like that?”
“…Pardon?”
“Well, you were looking at your senior brother so intently…”
“It’s just… perhaps because it’s been so long, but it seems you’ve become even more handsome. Was a specialty of the region you visited good for the skin, perhaps?”
“What?”
“…”
As Neung Un-bi smiled awkwardly, Yeo Jin-gang stared at him with a peculiar gaze.
Damn it! I panicked and just blurted out nonsense.
‘Become more handsome?’ What kind of ridiculous thing was that to say?
But Yeo Jin-gang, who had been staring intently, suddenly burst into a hearty laugh.
“Hahaha! My, you rascal. Such uncharacteristic flattery. Wang Cheon was bragging all over that your personality had changed a lot…”
“…”
Phew, what a relief.
If it weren’t for Wang Cheon’s bragging, he might have aroused unnecessary suspicion.
“Well, I did have a near-death experience… My apologies if I offended you.”
“Hahaha, offended? Not at all. In fact, this senior brother finds your current self much more appealing.”
“Thank you for thinking so. But, what brings you here, Senior Brother?”
“Me?”
“…”
Yeo Jin-gang glanced at the table.
The direction of his gaze was…
“The Heavenly Mountain… Snow Wine?”
“Indeed. This place makes the best Heavenly Mountain Snow Wine.”
“Ah!”
Neung Un-bi found himself nodding.
It was true. There was no better place for it.
“What do you say? Since it’s been a while, shall we have a drink together?”
“With me?”
“Yes.”
“…”
Looking at Yeo Jin-gang, who had already taken a seat, Neung Un-bi hesitated for a moment.
But his conclusion remained the same.
He might consider it with someone else, but he absolutely did not want to get involved with this man.
So, he had to wear a mask.
The mask of a weak, weak, and weaker man.
A pathetic man who no longer even possessed ambition.
“No, thank you. I’ve already had plenty. I’m already feeling the effects… I must have had too much to drink.”
“Too much?”
At Neung Un-bi’s pretense of weakness, Yeo Jin-gang glanced at the table and smiled.
“The wine in the bottle seems untouched.”
“Well… my body is still not in good condition. My head is spinning after just half a bottle.”
“Not in good condition? When I arrived at the Hall of the Wise Heart, I heard you had recovered enough to withstand three of our Master’s strikes.”
“Who? Me?”
“The rumor is quite widespread. They say the look on the Elder Council Head’s face, who always saw you as a thorn in his side, was quite a sight to behold.”
“…”
Neung Un-bi’s forced smile twitched at the corners as he looked at Yeo Jin-gang, who was asking questions he already knew the answers to.
That damned Wang Cheon, needlessly exaggerating the rumors…
“Please, don’t even mention it. That was purely luck.”
“Luck, you say?”
“…”
Yeo Jin-gang latched onto Neung Un-bi’s words, a smile playing on his lips.
Damn it, the strange glint in his eyes meant he was definitely suspicious.
“Of course, it was luck. After barely dodging those three strikes, I was beaten to within an inch of my life.”
“Oh? Is that so? That sounds different from what I heard… but if you say so, I suppose it must be.”
“It is! Can you believe I was unconscious for a full seven days? Hahaha.”
He deliberately laughed loudly, but the suspicion in Yeo Jin-gang’s eyes did not fade.
No, it grew even deeper.
“But if that’s the case, it’s truly strange. The Snow Mountain Manor decided to support you when you haven’t even properly recovered?”
“…”
“So Seol-ok-su isn’t one to do such a thing, is she?”
“That’s… that’s what I’m worried about too. I told them earnestly that I’m not capable, that I’m finished, that I have no future, but…”
“Is that so?”
“Absolutely.”
“…How peculiar. I’m overjoyed that the Snow Mountain Manor is helping you, but I find it hard to understand why they would support you without any sort of test.”
“I know, right? They must have made some kind of misjudgment. I’m sure they’ll withdraw their support any day now.”
Neung Un-bi replied, maintaining his smile as best he could.
But his lips were dry.
What was this damn bastard trying to dig up?
He had to hide everything.
It is said that the martial world is like a battlefield of demons, and one must always hide three-tenths of one’s abilities, for one never knows what dangers may be lurking.
And with this man, hiding nine-tenths wouldn’t be enough.
“Oh my, I’m dizzy. I’ve had too much to drink. The Seventh Elder said alcohol is poison for my condition… I must have been crazy.”
“…”
Neung Un-bi even staggered as he rose from his seat.
“I don’t think I can stay. It would be best for me to return now. Senior Brother, let’s have that drink another time.”
“Oh dear, and I haven’t even had a chance to catch up with you…”
“Today isn’t the only day, is it? There’s still some time until the birthday banquet. Once I’m sober, I’ll visit the New Moon Pavilion with a clear head and ask for tea.”
Neung Un-bi politely declined Yeo Jin-gang’s attempt to make him stay.
Later? Not a chance.
He would never visit.
From now on, he’d have his wine and tea delivered.
“Well then, I’ll be on my way…”
“…”
Neung Un-bi bowed his head in farewell and turned to leave.
It was then.
“Third Young Master.”
“….?”
A man of sturdy build blocked Neung Un-bi’s path. With an aura that was clearly extraordinary, he was Yeo Jin-gang’s Guard Captain, Chu Seong-gyun.
“My lord has made such a request. Would you not consider staying for just a little while?”
“…”
“He spent sleepless nights worrying about you, Third Young Master, during your entire absence. Seeing him like that pained me deeply. So, I humbly ask that you do not refuse.”
His words were polite. His actions were impeccably courteous.
But for Neung Un-bi, who was eager to leave, his intervention was utterly unwelcome.
However, he couldn’t start a pointless fight.
He might reveal himself by accident.
“How could I not know your heart? But what can I do if I’m not feeling well? My apologies.”
“…”
The moment Neung Un-bi smiled and pushed on Chu Seong-gyun’s shoulder to move past him.
*Whoosh.*
“…?!”
Chu Seong-gyun shifted his body slightly.
Since he was acting drunk and staggering, it was a situation where he would obviously fall forward if he didn’t regain his balance.
“Oh, Third Young Master! Be careful.”
For a split second, a strange light flickered in Neung Un-bi’s eyes.
Chu Seong-gyun’s hand moved as if to support him.
But that hand was subtly trying to grab his pulse point.
This bastard…
Feigning panic, Neung Un-bi flailed his arms and skillfully evaded the hand.
The result was, of course.
*Thud.*
He fell flat on his face.
“My lord!”
A startled Ju Seung rushed over to help Neung Un-bi up.
“Chu Seong-gyun, you…”
Did Wang Cheon see it too?
Neung Un-bi grabbed the sleeve of Wang Cheon, who was stepping forward with an incensed expression.
“It’s because I’m drunk. Very drunk.”
“…My lord.”
“It’s fine. People can fall when they’re very drunk. Right?”
“…”
At Neung Un-bi’s smile, Wang Cheon clamped his mouth shut.
…He must have seen it.
Chu Seong-gyun’s action just now.
It looked like he was supporting him, but the movement of his hand was from the Art of Grasping, and he was clearly trying to secretly check his pulse point.
If he hadn’t pretended to flail and dodge, he would have read his internal energy and checked his condition.
Wang Cheon had seen that hidden attempt.
It was laughable. It was not an action a mere guard captain should take against the Cult Leader’s third disciple.
It would have been impossible without Yeo Jin-gang’s orders.
Blocking his path, trying to check his pulse point—a single telepathic message to his loyal guard captain would have been sufficient.
If it became a problem, he could simply step back and reprimand his guard captain.
That damn bastard…
But for now, I’ll let it go.
“Well then, I’ll be taking my leave, Senior Brother.”
“I suppose it can’t be helped. We’ll see each other next time.”
Yeo Jin-gang didn’t see him off, simply raising his wine cup to his lips.
And a moment later.
“How was it?”
“…He was clever.”
“He dodged it intentionally?”
“Yes.”
Lost in thought for a moment, Yeo Jin-gang then spoke with a cold smile.
“Follow him discreetly and report back.”
“Pardon?”
“There’s no harm in confirming whether he’s truly drunk or just pretending to be.”
“Understood.”
As soon as the order was given, Chu Seong-gyun and a few guards immediately left the tavern.
“Hiding, is he… That rascal, he’s become quite something. The boy who was once filled with nothing but resentment has grown cunning, has he?”
Yeo Jin-gang smiled as he filled his empty cup.