Chapter 25
Chapter 25
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: The Birthday Banquet Begins
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Creeaak.
The gates opened.
All the gates, except for the one to the north backed by the mountain, swung wide open. Warriors in neat martial uniforms emerged in rows, forming ranks.
People who had gathered from all corners, waiting with bated breath, approached the warriors and formed long lines.
Lines of people, lines of carts.
They were all headed to different places, but their purpose was one and the same.
The Cult Leader's birthday banquet.
Having skipped a year, every cart was laden with goods, and the lines of people were so long it seemed they wouldn't shorten before sunset.
Those who passed the warriors' inspection raised banners representing their respective factions and strode confidently into the main fortress.
From depictions of tigers, bears, and foxes to banners inscribed with phrases or patterns, the designs were wildly varied.
Some sought to make a name for themselves, others to stand out and catch the eye of their superiors, and still others to forge connections for a better life.
Behind the superficial reason of attending the banquet, each held different intentions. They would quickly unpack at their lodgings within the fortress and hurry to prepare for the festivities.
After a day of this, the main event would finally begin the next day.
The birthday celebration, spanning seven days, was the Demonic Cult's grandest festival, complete with a wide array of sights and entertainment.
To participate in the first day's events, Neung Un-bi headed toward the seven-story Tower of Heavenly Light in the inner fortress with the Lunar Eclipse Squad. He was to attend the opening ceremony presided over by the Cult Leader.
It was a ceremony steeped in long-standing tradition... which basically meant a pre-event where people spouted all sorts of flowery language... and presented gifts to the Cult Leader.
*Flap!*
"...!"
Neung Un-bi, who had been on the verge of drifting off as he walked, snapped his eyes open at the sound of a fluttering flag and whipped his head around.
The venue... was still far away.
Damn it, why did this short walk feel so long today?
"Yaaawn."
Neung Un-bi let out a jaw-splitting yawn and shook his head to ward off the sleepiness.
They say even the greatest master in the world can't fight the weight of his own eyelids...
This was all because that damn Great Protector kept him from sleeping.
Neung Un-bi stared blankly at the words revealed on the fiercely flapping banner.
*The Sun and Moon Illuminate Heaven and Earth.*
The sun and moon, of course, referred to the Cult Leader, and the phrase meant his authority brightly illuminated the world, or some crap like that.
Seriously... what a joke.
The Demonic Cult's predecessor was a religious group called the Sun and Moon Cult, but that was ages ago. Why were they still using such phrases?
Even they just call it the Demonic Cult now. Anyway, should I have taken a carriage?
I'm already tired after just a short walk.
My body feels so heavy; I'm drowsy even when I'm standing still.
"My lord, this is the waiting area."
"Huh? Oh! Let's go."
At Wang Cheon's words, Neung Un-bi quickened his pace toward the waiting area.
A place designated for him, the Third Young Master.
Each of the five disciples had been provided with a separate waiting area on the outskirts of the banquet hall.
The disciples would wait there until the First Elder, who was overseeing the various ceremonial events, called their names, at which point they would enter the hall.
They could have just gathered everyone and started at once, but no, they had to create these useless procedures...
Well, I get it. It's a kind of performance, I suppose.
Isn't this a gathering of all the factions under the Demonic Cult?
The impression you make on them could make future power consolidation much easier.
Everyone's probably wondering how to make a grand entrance...
*Slump.*
Neung Un-bi, sitting in a chair with his arms crossed, gently closed his eyes.
Seeing his unmoving back, Wang Cheon whispered to Ju Seung.
"Squad Leader, it seems our lord needs time to gather his thoughts. Let's step back for a moment."
"Indeed. It's understandable he'd be concerned. The impression he makes will depend on how much he captivates the audience with his first appearance."
"Exactly."
Ju Seung and Wang Cheon nodded to each other and began to carefully step back.
"Krrgh, khhhh..."
"..."
At the unexpected sound, the two men froze and stared at Neung Un-bi's back.
With his arms crossed and head tilted to the side... he was sleeping.
"Krrgh, kkh, khhkhh!"
Snoring so hard it sounded like he was suffocating.
"...Haha, if it were me, my heart would be pounding from the pressure."
"..."
"Our lord is truly at ease. To think he could fall asleep in a situation like this."
Ju Seung tried to spin it positively with an awkward smile, but Wang Cheon could only sigh.
That wasn't being at ease; he was just sleeping.
Dead to the world, at that.
"Haaah, at a time when he should be racking his brain... Did I really become a Guard Captain to see this!?"
Unable to bear it any longer, Wang Cheon rolled up his sleeves and huffed, about to wake Neung Un-bi, but Ju Seung quickly grabbed his sleeve to stop him.
"Guard Captain, let's leave him be for a moment."
"Leave him be? What do you mean, leave him be? This is an incredibly important event! Everyone is watching. This is the first time the Third Young Master is appearing before the people!"
"Guard Captain."
"..."
"He must be exhausted to be like this. Our lord surely has a plan. Hasn't he overcome everything better than anyone until now? He must have something in mind."
At Ju Seung's persistent dissuasion, Wang Cheon let out a sigh that could have cracked the earth.
Loyalty like Ju Seung's was a sickness.
But he wasn't wrong.
Neung Un-bi had indeed overcome everything well so far.
After falling into Qi Deviation, everyone said he'd be crippled, but he had stood up tall and shaken it off.
He endured the Cult Leader's three strikes and immediately attained enlightenment.
In the process, he had pushed his own mother, So Seol-ok-su, one of the ten great masters of the Demonic Cult, so hard during their duel that she grew heated and used aggressive techniques, thereby earning the support of the Snow Mountain Manor.
Someone may have created the opportunity, but it was Neung Un-bi himself who had achieved it. And he did it alone.
Having spent the most time by his side, Wang Cheon knew this all too well.
"Hoo, alright. Then, Squad Leader, please wake him at the proper time. I'll go and see what preparations the other disciples have made."
"Understood."
Though he agreed, Wang Cheon stormed out in a huff. Ju Seung smiled and replied to his retreating back.
Just then, the sound of a gong announcing the start of the opening ceremony rang out from outside.
***
*Goooong!*
"Krrgh, huagh!"
The bone-rattling sound of the gong startled Neung Un-bi from his deep sleep.
"...?"
Where am I?
Looking around, Neung Un-bi spotted Ju Seung and blinked blankly.
"Are you alright?"
"...Huh? Ah, yeah."
"It seems you were dreaming."
Seeing Ju Seung's gentle smile, Neung Un-bi nodded with an awkward expression.
Right, I was dreaming.
A pleasant dream where I met 'him' again, looking pleased after we achieved the ideal world we had dreamed of together.
"The Second Young Master is currently presenting his gift to the Cult Leader."
"..."
"The First Elder will be calling for you soon, so I was just about to wake you. I believe it's time for you to go out."
"Mm... right."
It seemed his turn had come while he was sleeping soundly.
*Swish!*
As he adjusted his clothes and fastened the sword, Biyeon, that he had received from the Snow Mountain Manor to his waist, Wang Cheon pushed aside the curtain of the waiting room and rushed in.
"My lord! You're... awake."
"Just now."
"You must go out."
"I know."
"You have a plan, right?"
"...What plan?"
"What do you mean, 'what plan?' How you're going to make your entrance, of course."
"...?"
"The First Young Master made his entrance riding a sword."
"Huh?"
Does that even make sense?
How do you ride a sword? It's not a horse.
"The Second Young Master changed formations with every step."
"With every step?"
"Yes. And the Fourth Young Lady, who is waiting for her turn, has prepared a tiger and a bear. Their fierce gazes suggest they are spirit beasts. It's likely to show off her Taming Arts."
At that, Neung Un-bi couldn't help but let out a snort of laughter.
Swords and formations were one thing, but to prepare actual animals...
They're all putting on a damn circus.
"And the Fifth Young Master..."
"That's enough. Why bother with the details of something so trivial?"
"Pardon?"
"It's just an entrance. It's only a few steps."
"...You don't mean you're just going to walk, do you?"
As Wang Cheon stared at him with eyes full of anxiety, Neung Un-bi nodded as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"You can't!"
"Why not?"
"I don't know how it was before, but everyone has high expectations now. Surviving the Cult Leader's three strikes, gaining the Snow Mountain Manor's support, and even your clash with the Second Young Master. The rumors have spread everywhere."
"That last one was your doing."
"Well, that's... not the point! You have to live up to their expectations!"
"Why should I?"
"Why? What do you mean, why?"
At Neung Un-bi's nonchalant question, Wang Cheon couldn't hide his dumbfounded expression.
Everyone is watching.
Watching the Third Young Master, the subject of all the recent unbelievable rumors.
And he asks why? Why? But why?
"Wang Cheon."
"Yes!"
"Stop making such a fuss over nothing. Whatever they expect, why should I cater to their tastes?"
"Well... obviously to make a good impression so you can start building your power base, right?"
"Pfft, what's the point of gaining favor with something like that?"
"Then what? What are you going to do? Do you have some other plan?"
Neung Un-bi just grinned in response to Wang Cheon's question.
A plan? Of course not.
Seeing 'him' in my dream only deepened my resolve to go to the Central Plains.
In this situation, become the Cult Leader?
I have no intention of becoming one, and even less of trying to win the favor of the Demonic Cult's members. I'd rather they were all disappointed and lost interest in me.
So I'm just going to walk. If everyone has expectations, I'll shatter them completely so they won't harbor any more foolish fantasies.
"My lord!"
Just as Wang Cheon's eyes widened and he moved to block the way, the gong rang again.
"Move. They're calling me."
"..."
Pushing Wang Cheon aside, Neung Un-bi walked toward the curtain.
"Ah... damn it..."
Watching his retreating back, Wang Cheon collapsed to the ground with a look of utter despair.
I should have known when he was sleeping so soundly at such a crucial moment...
"Haha, Guard Captain. Don't worry. Our lord must have his reasons for acting this way."
"..."
Seeing Ju Seung still siding with Neung Un-bi, Wang Cheon spoke in a low voice.
"Squad Leader."
"Yes?"
"Just shut up and prepare the gift for the Cult Leader."
"...Yes."
Leaving them behind, Neung Un-bi pushed aside the curtain and walked out toward those who were waiting for him.
"Waaaaaah!"
"..."
What greeted Neung Un-bi as he appeared was a roar that shook the heavens and the earth.
So noisy...
His ears ringing for a moment, Neung Un-bi scanned his surroundings with a slight grimace.
The varied banners representing each faction.
The gazes of the people packing the enormous training ground, all fixed on him.
There were so many of them. It must have been only the representatives of each faction, yet there seemed to be thousands.
And in the center of the banquet hall was a sparring stage.
A sparring stage at a birthday party. Just like these Demonic Cult bastards.
Shaking his head, Neung Un-bi looked at his two elder brothers, who had already entered and were waiting on the stage.
First Elder Brother, Wi Ji-hyeok.
Wang Cheon said he appeared riding a sword?
As the first to become the Cult Leader's disciple, his martial arts were surely extraordinary, but not to the level of performing a sublime movement technique like Sword Flight.
He must have used some kind of trick. I could bet my life on it.
Next, he saw the Second Young Master, Yeo Jin-gang, standing beside him.
That damn bastard. Knowing his depravity, I don't even want to say his name.
Neung Un-bi's gaze soon shifted to the stairs set up on the north side of the stage.
Another platform.
In the center of that platform, built to overlook the entire banquet hall, he saw the Cult Leader.
As always, he was looking down at him, lounging languidly in a large chair.
To his left and right sat a dense crowd of people gathered to grace the birthday banquet, but I didn't care to pay them any mind.
"Third Young Master, everyone is waiting. Please ascend."
At the words of a warrior assisting with the event, Neung Un-bi nodded and took his first step.
The surroundings fell silent in an instant.
Everyone held their breath, even careful not to make a sound swallowing, their eyes filled with anticipation for what Neung Un-bi would show them.
But that anticipation turned to disappointment in a flash.
*Step, step.*
Neung Un-bi just walked.
He didn't imbue his steps with anything, nor did he express anything.
He just ambled forward as if on a casual stroll. With a smile on his face, he even waved here and there occasionally.
One by one, the faces of the people in the hall twisted into sour expressions. Those on the platform were busy sneaking glances at the Cult Leader.
But Neung Un-bi paid them no mind and kept walking.
You see that? You bastards? I'm not the kind of person you're expecting.
So just give up. I'm not going to be the Cult Leader.
I'm planning to quit being a disciple if I can, let alone become the Cult Leader.
As if protesting for them to just leave him alone, Neung Un-bi simply walked until he reached the spot where his two elder brothers were waiting.
"Well now. It's been a while, First Elder Brother."
"...Yes."
Receiving the greeting, Wi Ji-hyeok gave a nonchalant nod.
That insolent bastard...
Well, it wasn't like they were on good terms anyway. Half of the many assassination attempts had been related to him.
After greeting Wi Ji-hyeok, Neung Un-bi abruptly turned his head toward the Cult Leader, causing Yeo Jin-gang's face to subtly contort.
How must it feel to be ignored like that?
Feeling a sense of inner satisfaction, Neung Un-bi smiled brightly at the Cult Leader.
"Happy birthday, Cult Leader."
"..."
Dam Un-cheon watched the politely bowing Neung Un-bi for a moment, then smiled with an uncharacteristic benevolence.
"Yes, thank you. Your entrance was most impressive. I am quite pleased, my third son."
"..."
Neung Un-bi, who had expected a curse or at least a sign of annoyance, was quite taken aback by this reaction.
What? Praise? Pleased about what?
It was strange. He had ruined the atmosphere, so he should have been angry, or at least scowled...
Dam Un-cheon's meaningful smile made Neung Un-bi feel uneasy.