Chapter 27
Chapter 27
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: An Unwanted Audience
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“Sigh.”
“…”
“This isn’t the time for this, sigh…”
“…”
“Everyone else must be busy forging connections, but our lord… siiiigh…”
An endless stream of sighs drifted in from outside the door.
He was doing it on purpose.
So I would hear him.
I didn’t even need to look to know he was probably plastered against the door, sighing his heart out.
The day of the birthday banquet’s opening ceremony.
After spending the entire time staring at the back of the Cult Leader’s head, trying to guess his intentions, Neung Un-bi had returned directly to the New Moon Pavilion.
—I’m feeling unwell…
Despite the half-hearted excuse, the Cult Leader had, for once, readily granted him permission.
On the way back, Wang Cheon had nagged him relentlessly about building relationships with the various factions, but why do you think people have two ears? So things can go in one and out the other.
Connections? Why the hell would I need those?
In the first place, whatever happened to the Demonic Cult had nothing to do with him.
And who cared who became the next Cult Leader?
His escape plan wasn’t over yet. Even if he made a hundred plans and failed a hundred times, he would succeed on the hundred-and-first attempt.
*You can preach until you’re blue in the face, but I’m not listening.*
*I’m a cow that doesn’t understand human speech.*
…or so he had resolved.
But then Wang Cheon changed his tactics and had been pulling this crap since morning.
It was so distracting, he couldn't focus at all.
Beating him into submission was out of the question; his martial arts were too advanced. And it was obvious he wouldn't be swayed by persuasion.
“Sigh… My career, my rosy future… sigh…”
Damn it. Did he mix some kind of sound art into his sighs?
Why the hell was a sigh tugging at his heartstrings?
Unable to bear it any longer, Neung Un-bi heaved his heavy backside to his feet.
He wanted to stay put more than anything, but if he kept listening to those damned sighs, he felt like he would have a mental breakdown.
“Wang Cheon.”
“Sigh, yes? Should I bring you a meal? It’s not time yet…”
*Am I a glutton? Just sitting in my room waiting to be fed?*
“Let’s go.”
“Where?”
“To the birthday banquet.”
“…Pardon?”
“I said, let’s go.”
“Really?”
Though his voice was thick with irritation, Wang Cheon shot to his feet, practically shouting his reply.
Joy was plastered all over his face.
*Is he that happy?*
But Neung Un-bi had no intention of playing along with Wang Cheon’s plans.
“However!”
“?”
“I’m not going to the drinking parties.”
“Then?”
“The martial arts tournament.”
“The martial arts… tournament?”
“Yes. That’s part of the banquet’s events, isn’t it?”
“…”
At Neung Un-bi’s words, Wang Cheon blinked blankly before letting out a sigh and collapsing back to the ground.
“Sigh.”
“…”
“Why would you go there?”
“What?”
“Do you not know the purpose of that tournament?”
How could he not know?
Every member of the Demonic Cult knew.
It was an event for low-ranked warriors. Though there was a VIP section, no one ever sat there to watch.
That was because the level of the competition wasn’t very high.
It was essentially a gesture of the Cult Leader’s grace, meant to liven up the banquet’s atmosphere and give the low-ranked warriors a chance to make a name for themselves.
Thus, the final victor and a few others who placed high were given quite a substantial reward.
The opportunity to join the Main Citadel Martial Division.
Although they might just end up fetching water during training or cleaning up after their seniors, for warriors from outside the citadel, it was a golden opportunity.
They could learn the superior martial arts of the Main Citadel Martial Division.
And that wasn't all.
A plaque engraved with the Cult Leader’s name, a weapon, and a monetary reward followed.
Presented by a proxy, of course.
After the final match, one of the elders would show up late, praise their performance, and hand out the rewards.
So, naturally, he would go there.
It was a place outside the interest of the Cult Leader and the honored guests, so no one would bother him.
However, it was far from what Wang Cheon intended.
There wouldn't be a single person there who could help Neung Un-bi become the next Cult Leader.
“My lord.”
“Yes?”
“If you don’t want to go, just say so.”
“…”
“Why would you go watch a competition for low-ranked warriors that no one cares about… when there are other places you should be? Go on, go. I’ll just stay here sighing until my lungs shrivel up and I die.”
Wang Cheon turned his head away completely and waved his hand dismissively.
*This damn bastard treats his lord worse than dog crap…*
But he had to persuade him somehow and get him to come along. If he left him like this, the sighs would never end.
Neung Un-bi stared intently at Wang Cheon, his eyes filled with force as he rebuked him in a low voice.
“You foolish man.”
“?”
“Is that the kind of Cult Leader you wish your lord to be?”
“…Pardon?”
Neung Un-bi’s attitude, which had been as light as a feather, suddenly turned grave, causing Wang Cheon to flinch and look up.
“You want me to shove my face in front of those disdainful eyes and suffer humiliation just to forge insincere connections?”
“My-my lord? What do you mean?”
“Silence.”
“…”
At the sharp, blade-like voice, Wang Cheon flinched and shut his mouth.
“Does your Demonic Cult exist only for those in high places?”
“…”
“The Demonic Cult was once the Sun and Moon Cult! It soothed the hearts of the common folk who fled to the frontiers, unable to endure the oppression of the rulers!”
“My-my lord, that’s not what I meant.”
“Silence that mouth!”
“…”
As the roar grew louder, Wang Cheon shrank back, cautiously observing him.
“The Demonic Cult of today was built on the faith of those people, and it was fortified by the blood shed by countless low-ranked warriors fighting against the Central Plains.”
“…”
“Yet why do you tell me to go where a few men in power are, as if they are all that matters? Why do you tell me, the one who should stand at the highest place in the Demonic Cult, to bow my head and flatter a select few?”
“…”
“I will go where I belong. Not to the side of a few leaders, but to a place among my people, where I will laugh with them and cry with them. I will praise their valiant efforts and draw close to their hearts. That is the kind of Cult Leader I intend to be.”
“My lord.”
“If you will not follow, then don't.”
“…”
Neung Un-bi spoke coldly, then turned and walked away.
As Wang Cheon stared blankly at his retreating back, Ju Seung approached.
“It seems the Guard Captain has received a proper scolding.”
“…Captain.”
“That is the kind of man he is.”
“…”
“You have served him for over a decade, yet how can you know him less than I? Do you still not understand, even after what you saw just a few days ago?”
“Pardon? What do you mean?”
“At the inn that day, my lord told me to protect them discriminately.”
“…”
“I thought it simply meant I needed to become strong enough to make that distinction… The next day, on my lord’s orders, I went to deliver the contribution to the child.”
At Ju Seung’s words, Wang Cheon blinked, recalling the events of a few days prior.
“The child was delighted. He said the Third Young Master was a truly wonderful person and that he wanted to become a warrior who protects him in the future.”
“…”
“The mother bowed her head again and again in gratitude. She said she had spent sleepless nights, afraid of repercussions. Then she offered me a purse hidden in her skirt, saying her means were humble and she couldn't treat me properly, but to have a drink on her. It held only a few iron coins, but what I saw in her eyes was loyalty that came from the depths of her heart.”
“…”
“Perhaps because the rumor had spread, the people living nearby were cheering the Third Young Master’s name. Have you ever seen such a sight?”
“That’s…”
“You haven't. Because you thought loyalty was something simply taught and enforced.”
“…”
“That is the kind of man he is. The lord we serve… Perhaps he is like the first leader of the Sun and Moon Cult, revered by the people who gathered under its name. Back then, the Demonic Cult was not like it is today. It commanded the sincere respect of all.”
“…”
“Since that day, I no longer question anything my lord does. Even if he slept through the opening ceremony, even if he didn't make a grand entrance like the others, and even if he does not become the Cult Leader in the end.”
Ju Seung smiled faintly, patted Wang Cheon on the shoulder, and followed after Neung Un-bi.
“Well then, I shall accompany the lord today in your place, Guard Captain. And who knows? There might be a talent among those competing in the tournament who could become a pillar of strength for our lord.”
“…”
Wang Cheon could only stare blankly at Ju Seung’s retreating back.
*He talks so damn much…*
But at the same time, Wang Cheon felt as if the past ten years of his life had been stolen from him in a single moment.
*Damn it…*
His face flushed hot with shame.
“My loooord!”
Without further hesitation, Wang Cheon broke into a sprint.
Of course, his voice reached Neung Un-bi, who had already started walking.
*Phew, what a relief.*
He had been wondering how to persuade him, and had simply quoted some words ‘that person’ had told him long ago at an opportune moment.
Back then, he had been so completely taken by those words that he’d even risked his life.
This time, however, he had just strung them together haphazardly to fit the situation, so he thought he’d be lucky not to get an earful…
But judging by the tearful voice, it seemed Wang Cheon had understood perfectly.
Smiling in satisfaction, Neung Un-bi happened to look up at the sky.
The passing cloud that had taken on a familiar shape must have been due to the longing that remained in a corner of his heart.
*Thank you.*
*I put your words to ridiculously good use.*
*It seems the speech that once set my heart ablaze works in the Demonic Cult too.*
*Thanks to you, I might not have to listen to any nagging for a while.*
Neung Un-bi once again felt a sense of gratitude toward ‘that person’ in his memory, and naturally, his longing for them grew ever deeper.
*I will escape the Demonic Cult and find you. I must.*
* * *
From that day on, Neung Un-bi only attended the martial arts tournament, one of the celebratory events for the birthday banquet.
The reformed(?) Wang Cheon no longer sighed, nor did he nag.
Meanwhile, Neung Un-bi’s presence as the sole occupant of the empty VIP section caused the cheers in the tournament grounds to shake the heavens day after day.
Never before had a disciple of the Cult Leader observed the low-ranked warriors’ tournament.
When he gave a lazy wave to the cheering crowd, they were ecstatic.
It wasn't something he had intended, but it didn't feel bad to be liked by everyone.
Most importantly, no one was bothering him…
As he watched, he found that the skill level of the participating warriors wasn't bad.
There was something about their primal, brawling style that made his palms sweat.
And so the days passed, and it was soon time for the final match to begin.
“Brother, you’re here again today? I heard you’ve been coming every day. Did you place a bet or something?”
“…”
So Seon-hwa approached Neung Un-bi, who was sitting with his chin cupped in his hand, waiting for the final match to start, and spoke with a bright smile.
*Ha, what a pain.*
Why did she have to show up here out of the blue?
And she had a pitch-black bird perched on her shoulder.
“Is that… a crow?”
“Hey! How can you call it a crow?”
“…”
At Neung Un-bi’s observation, So Seon-hwa’s eyes went wide as she raised her voice.
“This is the Poison Blood Crow, the pride of our Beast Gate.”
“…”
*Poison Blood Crow.*
Basically, it meant it was some kind of spirit beast.
Judging by the ‘Poison Blood’ part, it was a black bird that, while other birds ate insects, pecked at poisonous creatures, causing poison instead of blood to flow through its veins.
“…Looks like a crow to me.”
As Neung Un-bi mumbled, So Seon-hwa, who had plopped down in the seat next to him, shook her head.
“Tsk, tsk. To think that our talented Senior Brother could be so ignorant about spirit beasts.”
“That talent vanished a long time ago.”
“Come on, who are you trying to fool? You’d have better luck fooling a ghost. I can see the confidence brimming in your eyes, Senior Brother.”
“…”
So Seon-hwa stared at Neung Un-bi and spoke as if his claim was absurd.
There it was again. That gaze that seemed to read people’s minds.
Annoyed, Neung Un-bi whipped his head toward the tournament stage.
“Anyway, what brings you here? Shouldn't you be visiting the various factions right about now?”
“What about you, Senior Brother? The one person who should be working harder than anyone to build connections is spending the entire banquet watching a martial arts tournament.”
“…”
It was because of Wang Cheon.
He had planned to hole up in the New Moon Pavilion after the first day, but with Wang Cheon sighing next to him constantly, he had no choice but to do *something*.
So he came here, but now that So Seon-hwa had shown up, this peace was over.
Well, it was the final match anyway.
“Huh? Where are you going?”
As Neung Un-bi rose from his seat, So Seon-hwa looked at him with a puzzled expression.
“It’s not fun anymore, so I’m heading out. You just got here, so enjoy the show.”
“Huh? What are you talking about?”
“?”
“Didn’t Guard Captain Wang report to you?”
“Report? What report?”
Neung Un-bi glanced at Wang Cheon, whom he had positioned far outside the VIP section just in case he became a nuisance.
Their eyes met, and Wang Cheon scratched his head with an “oops” expression and a sheepish grin.
*That guy… He definitely forgot to report something again.*
“Master ordered everyone to attend today’s final match.”
“Huh?”
“Why else would I have come here when I’m so busy? Everyone else should be arriving soon.”
“…”
*What is this now?*
The Cult Leader decided to attend the martial arts tournament?
As Neung Un-bi stood there awkwardly, the sudden silence in his surroundings made him turn his head toward the entrance.
“So, Un-bi and Seon-hwa were already here.”
“…”
The Cult Leader had appeared.
*…Why?*
*Did he attach some kind of magnet to me?*