Chapter 5
Chapter 5
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: The Source of the Rumors
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“Son of a bitch…”
“My, you’re even cursing. I guess the act of being a patient sage is over?”
“Hmph! Sage, my ass… You think this is the time for me to be seeking enlightenment?”
“Exactly. Now you sound like the Young Master I know. You seemed like a stranger while you were playing sage. If you’d been like this from the start, you might have been hit one less time.”
“Tch!”
Neung Un-bi scowled at Wang Cheon’s nagging.
Did he even look human right now?
His face and body were wrapped in white cloth, with only his eyes and mouth peeking out.
And why were there so many acupuncture needles stuck in him?
“Damn that Elder Council Head. It’s all that old man’s fault. Just you wait, I’ll get my revenge.”
Wang Cheon shook his head as Neung Un-bi ground his teeth.
What if someone heard him cursing like that?
At least it was a relief he wasn’t badmouthing the Cult Leader. If he had, those who saw Neung Un-bi as a thorn in their side would have immediately risen up and made an issue of it.
“The Cult Leader must have had no choice.”
“What! What do you mean, no choice! He calls me his beloved and cherished disciple! Is turning that disciple into this sorry state something he had to do?!”
“Of course. It’s only natural. It is because he cherishes and loves you that he was forced to act.”
“What? You’re supposed to be my guard. Whose side are you on?”
“Huh? What nonsense is that? How can you and the Cult Leader even be compared?”
“…”
True, they couldn’t be compared. Even if Wang Cheon was his guard, he couldn’t place him above the Cult Leader’s authority.
In a world where one-man rule was the norm, what use was a disciple?
The object of a Demonic Cult member’s loyalty was first and foremost the Cult Leader, and second, the Cult Leader.
Naturally, to Wang Cheon, he came second.
Besides, strictly speaking, he was assigned to him by the Cult Leader.
But still, couldn't he at least pretend to take his side?
Looking at him, this guy had a cold side to him.
“Haah, I have no one on my side. No one at all. I’m so lonely.”
“Young Master, please… don’t be like that. It’s only because it was the Cult Leader that things were settled so smoothly.”
“What? What was settled? He could have just kicked me out then! Who said I wanted to be a disciple…”
“Stop it. Do you want to get called in and scolded again?”
“…Ugh!”
Not wanting that, Neung Un-bi clamped his mouth shut.
That damn Cult Leader.
Was he running some kind of animal farm? Why did he have so many rats and birds tattling on everything, day and night?
“Still, it was too much. He should’ve known when to stop. At the end there, I really thought I was a goner.”
“But you were quite impressive, weren’t you?”
“What was?”
“You blocked him up to the third strike, didn’t you?”
“…”
Was that supposed to be a compliment?
At Wang Cheon’s words, Neung Un-bi scowled and fumed.
Well, it was true he’d lasted three strikes.
That was why the Elder Council Head couldn’t say another word and had to leave.
Besides, it was three strikes against the Cult Leader himself.
The first, he’d met head-on in a moment of panic. The second, he’d dodged by a hair-raising margin. The third, he’d had to roll frantically on the ground.
But that was it. After that…
Ugh, ack, gack!
He was beaten black and blue, like a dog on a hot summer day.
How did he manage to hit only the spots that hadn't been hit yet? It felt like he couldn't have done it better even if he'd marked them beforehand.
“Even the Great Protector’s eyes went wide with surprise, you know.”
“Surprise…”
“No, really. The rumors are spreading like wildfire throughout the cult.”
“Huh?”
“That you, the Third Young Master, performed the divine feat of neutralizing three of the Cult Leader’s full-powered attacks.”
“Ehh?”
“Why else do you think the Elder Council Head retreated without another word?”
“…”
“Think about it. When the Elder Council Head went to see the Cult Leader, he must have intended to settle things for good. He was probably trying to find a proper excuse to kick you out this time.”
“I suppose so. He wouldn’t have requested a private audience with the Cult Leader if he wasn't that determined.”
Neung Un-bi grumbled in annoyance as he recalled the Elder Council Head’s vile nature.
“But thanks to that, your reputation has skyrocketed.”
“Reputation?”
“Of course! Who could possibly dodge an attack from him when he’s serious? And you, Young Master, dodged his attacks! A whole three times!”
“Hey, don’t exaggerate…”
“Exaggerate? You don’t know because you’ve been lying here. The rumors are spreading like wildfire throughout the cult.”
“The rumors are already out?”
“Of course! It’s not like the Cult Leader specifically ordered silence.”
“Well, I’ll be…”
They say a word without feet travels a thousand miles. It had only been a little over a day, and it was already the talk of the cult.
“Anyway, public opinion has improved because of it. It’s not quite on the level of the other disciples, but it’s still incredible. The Young Master who came back from the dead endured three of the Cult Leader’s attacks. Because of that, some are even saying you might be the one to succeed the Cult Leader. Praise, no, it’s more like adoration, is pouring in from all over.”
“I-Is that so?”
As Wang Cheon puffed out his chest with pride, Neung Un-bi perked up his ears, not disliking the sound of it.
Who in the world didn’t like being praised?
It felt good, for now. But it wasn't something to be purely happy about.
It meant the scrutiny from his rivals would intensify, and that would only get in the way of the path he wanted to take.
“Still, he went too far. Dodging three strikes should have been enough.”
“Hey, don’t be ridiculous.”
As Neung Un-bi complained, Wang Cheon shook his head as if it were absurd.
“If the Cult Leader had done only that, the Elder Council Head wouldn’t have just backed down.”
“Huh?”
“You even boldly declared to the Cult Leader’s face that you wouldn't be his disciple.”
“Ah, you heard that too?”
“How far away was I?”
“That’s… true.”
“He was likely demonstrating your worth and punishing you at the same time. Since he punished you himself, the Elder Council Head couldn’t say anything more.”
“That makes sense.”
Neung Un-bi grumbled, pouting his lips.
It was true. To argue about a matter the Cult Leader had personally punished was an act of disloyalty.
The Elder Council Head, knowing full well that would put him in an awkward position later, had backed down without another word.
“Still, why now? It’s only been a day since I got hit… Damn it, getting beaten two days in a row, my body is just…”
“Huh? You didn’t know?”
“Know what?”
“Haah, you really have no interest in what’s going on around you.”
“…?”
“I told you before, didn’t I?”
“Told me what?”
Wang Cheon sighed repeatedly as if dumbfounded, and Neung Un-bi narrowed his eyes.
“Haah, please, pay some attention to what’s happening in the cult.”
“So what are you talking about?”
As Neung Un-bi grew irritated, Wang Cheon put on a serious expression and said.
“They are returning.”
“They? Who?”
“Who else? The other disciples.”
“Huh? Why are they coming? I thought their mission period wasn’t over yet.”
He was even more puzzled.
The Cult Leader had five disciples in total. The other four—two older, two younger—were currently away from the main fortress.
It was a grave mission to inspect the Demonic Cult’s territories on behalf of the Cult Leader, but in reality, it was a chance for them to build their own power bases.
Originally, Neung Un-bi was also assigned to the northeastern region, but he was excluded after suffering from qi deviation.
“Wasn’t the mission for three years? There’s still nearly two years left.”
“Honestly, this is why you get scolded.”
“…”
Neung Un-bi’s eyes narrowed at Wang Cheon, who seemed to be looking down on him with every word.
“The upcoming fifth day of the new moon!”
“…?”
“The Cult Leader’s birthday banquet!”
“Ah!”
“They’re all returning temporarily for that.”
“I see. It’s that time of year already.”
Neung Un-bi nodded.
He had forgotten about it since the event was skipped the previous year due to the misfortune of his qi deviation.
“That’s why the Elder Council Head made his move.”
“Right.”
It would have been a perfect opportunity.
If he hadn’t proven his abilities, the Elder Council Head would have pressured the Cult Leader in front of all the high-ranking members.
Even the Cult Leader couldn’t have remained stubborn in such a situation.
Damn it, should I just have not reacted?
Then I could have been cast out without any problems…
Things had gotten ridiculously complicated.
Most of all.
“This is going to be a pain.”
“What is?”
“Them coming back.”
As Neung Un-bi recalled his martial brothers and grimaced, Wang Cheon’s expression darkened.
How could he not know?
Having been his guard for five years, Wang Cheon, who had been by his side all along, knew better than anyone what Neung Un-bi had been through.
It had been so bad that he’d ended up suffering from qi deviation while practicing a forbidden art he should never have touched.
Even though he hadn’t yet come of age, Neung Un-bi had faced more crises than anyone, and a corner of Wang Cheon’s heart ached for him.
“Do not worry. Am I, Wang Cheon, not by your side, Young Master? I will protect you. Let them try anything, be it an ambush or whatever!”
“…”
Neung Un-bi watched with a faint smile as Wang Cheon boasted, trying to reassure him.
You idiot, that’s why I’m more worried.
Because you’re by my side…
Because you, thirsty for fame and success through me, might do something completely unnecessary…
An ambush? A conspiracy?
Honestly, he wasn’t worried about that kind of thing.
With the Cult Leader’s birthday banquet approaching, what crazy disciple would stir up trouble and ruin the mood?
The problem was the subtle provocations.
Just as they had done to the Neung Un-bi in his memories, they would undoubtedly try to annoy him into causing trouble this time as well.
If something did happen, the situation would worsen. They would be aiming to bring him down, so he’d have to be prepared for the dungeons at the very least.
Could he really endure all that contempt and humiliation like the real Neung Un-bi did?
The past year had been so good, but now his mind felt stuffy again.
As his worries deepened and his expression hardened, Han Ui-gyeom, the Seventh Elder and head of the medical hall, opened the door and entered.
“Third Young Master, how is your body?”
“Ah, Seventh Elder.”
“Haha, don’t force yourself to get up. It’s alright.”
“Still…”
“Do as I say. There’s no need to be so formal during treatment.”
“Yes…”
Han Ui-gyeom strongly insisted Neung Un-bi, who was trying to sit up to greet him, remain lying down.
The Demonic Doctor, Han Ui-gyeom.
With the kind, portly appearance of a friendly neighborhood uncle, he was the only person besides Wang Cheon that Neung Un-bi felt close to.
Unlike the others who were caught up in power struggles, he was the only one who remained neutral and focused solely on medicine. There was a sort of camaraderie between them.
He had nursed Neung Un-bi day and night to bring him back from qi deviation, visiting him regularly to check his pulse and giving him anything that was said to be good for his health without reservation.
Neung Un-bi, who saw the image of a true healer in his dedication, was always grateful to him.
To think there was someone in the Demonic Cult with such a strong spirit of sacrifice and service.
If it hadn’t been for him, he probably wouldn’t have recovered as he had.
The fact that the cultists, who were busy fighting every day, could walk around alive and well was all thanks to him. He and the physicians of the Seventh Elder’s department managed to patch them up and bring them back to life somehow.
He must have squeezed in time to visit even with his busy schedule.
“Third Young Master, may I examine your body for a moment?”
“I’m sorry to trouble you so often. Because of me…”
“Haha, don’t mention it. Tending to the health of the Cult Leader and his disciples is one of my duties, so please don’t worry about it.”
“Yes.”
Neung Un-bi respectfully allowed Han Ui-gyeom to examine him.
“By the way, I hear you’ve done something quite impressive this time.”
Han Ui-gyeom asked casually as he removed the needles from Neung Un-bi’s body.
“Ah, it seems you’ve heard as well, Elder.”
“Of course, I have.”
“It just sort of happened…”
As Neung Un-bi smiled sheepishly, Han Ui-gyeom also smiled and continued.
“I heard that you performed the divine feat of neutralizing three of the Cult Leader’s full-powered attacks?”
“Pardon? Ah… well…”
“Because of that, your reputation is said to be soaring through the sky.”
“…Yes?”
“I heard the Cult Leader attacked with great determination, so it’s amazing that you dodged it three times. To have grown so much in just a year after recovering from qi deviation.”
“…”
Neung Un-bi’s eyes narrowed as he sensed something strange in Han Ui-gyeom’s words.
What is this? This sense of déjà vu?
He was sure he’d heard the exact same thing from someone else…
“The rumors seem to be quite consistent, don’t they?”
“Rumors?”
“Yes?”
“Haha, I don’t know about rumors, but that’s what Wang Cheon was saying.”
“…Wang Cheon?”
“Yes. He was grabbing everyone who passed by, boasting about how he saw the fight firsthand. He explained it with such pride, I ended up listening for quite a while myself. Haha.”
“…”
“I also hear you’re recruiting more guards?”
“…I am?”
“That’s what Wang Cheon said. That you might ascend to the Cult Leader’s position in the future.”
“…”
Wang Cheon, you bastard thirsty for fame and success.
So you were the source of the rumors?
You were the ‘word that travels a thousand miles without feet’?