Chapter 33
Chapter 33
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: The Cult Leader's Intent
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The week-long festival lasted another three days before finally concluding.
During that time, which felt both short and long, the duel between Wi Ji-hyeok and Neung Un-bi was what left the deepest impression on everyone's minds.
The future of the Demonic Cult.
Their strong showing resonated differently with those living under the shadow of the Demonic Cult.
To those who had maintained their vested interests, it was a source of displeasure; to those without connections, it brought a strange sense of hope and anticipation.
Talk of Neung Un-bi, in particular, became a staple at every drinking gathering. From a washout to a rising star, or a formidable contender who had truly entered the succession race.
The sharp increase in visitors to the Snow Mountain Manor on the festival's final day to bid farewell was a testament to this atmosphere.
And now, it was time for everyone to return to their respective places.
Starting with those who had come from afar, a long procession began at dawn, emptying the Demonic Cult's main fortress.
And within that procession, a new movement was taking root.
“Hiyah!”
Startled by the sharp crack of the whip, a horse reared its front legs high before kicking off the ground in a furious gallop.
*Thud-thud-thud-thud!*
The Third Young Master, Neung Un-bi, along with Wang Cheon and the New Moon Squad, were finally embarking on their first mission since he had recovered from his qi deviation.
The group of some thirty riders and horses charged forward, cutting through the long procession that stretched into the distance.
A thick cloud of dust left in their wake blanketed the area before dispersing.
*Trickle.*
By the window of the Grand Sky Tower, the tallest structure in the main fortress.
Dam Un-cheon, who had been gazing out the window while savoring the aroma of the tea his maid had poured, broke into a smile.
“...Cult Leader.”
“...?”
Yang Seon, who had been standing as still as a statue, spoke to Dam Un-cheon first, which was unusual.
Given his usual disposition of never initiating a conversation, the look of deep concern on his face was palpable.
“Will it be alright?”
“What do you mean?”
“The Snow Mountain Manor will try to help in any way they can, but it will not be easy.”
“I’m aware.”
“Then why did you do it? The clans will surely try to take the Third Young Master's life. They might even hire assassins from the Central Plains.”
“They likely will.”
Dam Un-cheon nodded nonchalantly.
“But why...”
“Why did I send the third one out?”
“My apologies. With my limited insight, I cannot fathom my lord's intentions...”
“What's with the apologies between you and me?”
“...”
“He'll probably suffer a great deal.”
“Is this something you can be so indifferent about?”
“It's not something to be greatly concerned about.”
“You are even being irresponsible. You, who sent him out with no regard for his own wishes... If something goes wrong...”
Yang Seon couldn't bring himself to say the words, ‘he could die.’
“Heh, it seems you've gotten old too. To think you'd worry about someone other than me.”
“...”
“Did you take such a liking to Un-bi?”
“How could that be? If my question has displeased you, I apologize.”
Dam Un-cheon teased him with a mischievous expression, but Yang Seon simply offered a calm apology.
“My, my, you don't even rise to the bait?”
“...I will be sure to keep that in mind.”
“Please do. You should consider the effort of the person teasing you. Making me feel awkward like this.”
“...”
Having lost interest in teasing him, Dam Un-cheon gazed out the window and muttered.
“Truthfully, I've already given that boy a lot. So much that I feel sorry for the other children... As Yeo Ju-rin said, the balance was shattered long ago. So, no more. If there's a backlash, it'll be a headache for me too.”
“But isn't that because you believe the Third Young Master will carry on your will? That's why you brought him here in the first place.”
“Yes. And he said he would. But lately, I'm not so sure.”
“...”
“Somehow, he doesn't seem like the boy I once knew.”
“You're referring to the time after his qi deviation.”
“That's right.”
“I found it strange as well. He once vowed to help you unify the Central Plains.”
“He did.”
Dam Un-cheon smiled faintly, recalling the time Yang Seon mentioned.
“That's why I thought he could achieve it. What I could never accomplish...”
“Are you blaming yourself?”
“Perhaps...”
“You are still changing many things, Cult Leader.”
“Yes, much has changed. But it's only for a single generation.”
“...Cult Leader.”
“People die eventually. After I'm gone, the Demonic Cult will likely revert to its old ways.”
Yang Seon's expression darkened at Dam Un-cheon's lament.
“So he must return stronger. If he is to become the successor, to stand against the Council of Clans and the Council of Elders, and to fight the monsters hiding behind the scenes, avoiding me. And those bastards north of the Heavenly Mountains, too.”
“...”
“Only after he has become that strong can I pass on the throne with peace of mind.”
“I have seen the Third Young Master's achievements, but will he really reach that level? Will he truly surpass you...”
“There was a time I never doubted it. Now, I'm not so sure... but I still have my hopes.”
“...”
“He overcame his qi deviation on his own, thanks to his exceptional martial talent. I may have given him a melted Demonic Spirit Divine Pill to speed his recovery, but he attained the state of mastery on his own. In the midst of that, I learned he wanted to go to the Central Plains, so I pitted him against the first son. I was planning to grant his wish if he could somehow manage a draw.”
“...Indeed.”
“But he went and won. That boy...”
“I saw it. It was quite surprising. I didn't expect him to have reached such a level already. The Third Young Master truly seems to grow stronger by the day.”
Dam Un-cheon's eyes widened as he stared at Yang Seon, who was nodding unconsciously.
“Huh? What?”
“Weren't you referring to the Insightful Gaze and that inscrutable footwork he showed during the duel?”
“...”
He had seen it clearly.
Dam Un-cheon recalled the moment Wi Ji-hyeok and Neung Un-bi were dueling.
Evenly matched skills.
That alone had exceeded his expectations.
Just as he was thinking that even he couldn't tell who would win, it happened.
A momentary change that decided the outcome of the match.
Dam Un-cheon had clearly seen Neung Un-bi's dilated pupils at that moment. It was undoubtedly the Insightful Gaze, also known as the eye of perception.
It was an unexpected achievement.
To become a master, one must be born with several gifts.
A strong constitution is one, and talent is another.
Those born with such innate gifts can reach the state of mastery through arduous effort.
But is it possible to reach the Absolute Realm with talent alone?
It requires acquired effort—the kind that grinds one's bones to dust.
And one must attain enlightenment. A struggle to reach something more fundamental is necessary.
But effort alone isn't enough. Most martial artists fail to overcome that wall of enlightenment and fall into despair. Thus, only a few have reigned over the martial world under the title of 'Absolute'.
Yet, Neung Un-bi already stood before that wall.
It was the eyes. In other words, seeing.
If you can see, you can read. If you can read, you can dismantle.
Easier said than done.
However, that one thing alone changes one's entire class.
Even among masters in the same state of mastery, there is a world of difference in skill between one who has taken the first step toward creating an Energy Aura and one who has not. That was the reason for Neung Un-bi's victory.
Of course, the strange footwork he displayed afterward was also astonishing.
“Well, I'll be. I didn't realize you had seen it too.”
“So Seol-ok-su probably saw it as well.”
“Hmm?”
“And the others would not have seen it.”
“...?”
“Because everyone, aside from myself and So Seol-ok-su, was watching the duel with a biased perspective, hoping for the First Young Master's victory.”
“Hahaha! Is that so.”
Dam Un-cheon burst out laughing.
Yang Seon was right.
Among those present, the only ones who had watched Neung Un-bi with close attention were likely So Seol-ok-su, Yang Seon, and himself.
“He's truly a remarkable boy. I wonder when on earth he realized that?”
“...”
“Khahaha, he really is a fun one to raise.”
As Dam Un-cheon laughed in satisfaction, Yang Seon followed with a faint smile.
“Perhaps... practicing the forbidden demonic arts was actually an opportunity for him. Or maybe he gained something from the experience of returning from death.”
“Yes.”
Yang Seon fully understood Dam Un-cheon's words.
But it was too early to jump to conclusions.
Sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch.
Only by learning to fully utilize the five senses and transcending their limits can one see the world differently. At that moment, enlightenment will come suddenly.
Neung Un-bi had merely taken the first step. Attaining the achievements that followed would depend entirely on his own efforts.
“Ah, I see. Now I understand your intentions, Cult Leader.”
Yang Seon nodded.
The Cult Leader's will. It was like that of a mother eagle.
To teach her young how to fly, an eagle pushes them from a cliff. If the fledgling spreads its wings and learns, it will soar through the sky. If it cowers without opening them, or if the mother fails to catch it, it will simply die.
In return, the eagle that learns to fly on its own becomes the king of the sky.
A cruel but effective method.
“Oh, we've gotten sidetracked. What were we talking about? You asked why I sent him out? Knowing it would be dangerous?”
“You don't have to answer, my lord.”
“Nonsense. It's not a difficult question... It's simply because this is a path he must walk alone. I never intended to help him from the start.”
“What?”
“They were right.”
“...”
“My role ends here. From now on, he has no choice but to do it himself. The moment I help, people will think, just as Yeo Ju-rin said, that his achievements were gained by riding on my coattails. That would become a lasting flaw.”
“You believe he will become like you?”
“No.”
Dam Un-cheon shook his head firmly.
“If he keeps growing like this, he'll be better than me. Even now, he's far more exceptional than I was at his age.”
“...”
*Perhaps. If he grows up properly.*
But...
“It's not just about martial arts, is it? Even if he masters the Energy Aura...”
“Of course not.”
Nodding, Dam Un-cheon suddenly glanced at the snow leopard pelt draped over his chair.
“That, doesn't it look nice?”
“Pardon?”
“The fur is so soft it makes me drowsy. It seems So Seol-ok-su put quite a bit of thought into it.”
“...”
“She pretended not to hear me when I asked for one, but she managed to find something like this for Un-bi. And she talks about neutrality... Isn't that right?”
“What are you implying?”
“I'm saying Un-bi moved her.”
“...”
“He's starting to win hearts, that stubborn boy. That's a harder task than becoming an absolute master.”
“Cult Leader.”
“This trip to the Central Plains will surely be beneficial. I believe so.”
“...”
“He'll come back alive and well. He might even return with the Central Plains branch in his pocket.”
Dam Un-cheon muttered to himself as he looked out the window.
But Yang Seon knew.
“Come to think of it, I haven't seen Hyang-i since yesterday.”
“...”
Dam Un-cheon's shoulders flinched.
Hyang-i was a maid who served in the Cult Leader's palace.
The one who always silently filled Dam Un-cheon's teacup for a purpose known only to them.
“It seems you've sent her somewhere.”
“...Ahem!”
Now he was clearing his throat and avoiding eye contact.
“Could it be?”
“...This snow leopard pelt is really nice. I get sleepy just sitting on it. You may leave now. I need to take a nap.”
Even giving an incredibly awkward excuse.
Seeing Dam Un-cheon close his eyes while facing the window, a faint smile touched Yang Seon's lips.
*For someone like him, he's surprisingly shy...*