Chapter 60
Chapter 60
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 60
Chapter Title: A Sudden Plea
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There’s something to be said for experience.
Repeat something enough times, and you master it. Before you know it, the action becomes as natural as instinct.
This proficiency shapes a person's very presence, culminating in an aura they exude without even trying.
Such a person is called a battle-hardened veteran.
The man Neung Un-bi saw before him, Jong Se-in, was exactly that type of person.
In terms of rank, he was merely a branch manager, far below Neung Un-bi, yet the aura and presence he exuded were anything but ordinary.
It was the kind of air only a man who has been master of his own domain can possess.
He also knew how to hide it.
Having walked a dangerous tightrope between the Orthodox and Unorthodox factions, concealing his true self must have become second nature.
Behind that smile, he was certain, lay a sharp gaze that would miss no opening, no matter how small.
Not knowing where the man's loyalties lay, Neung Un-bi knew dealing with him would be tricky.
But so what?
In times like these, sheer audacity was the best approach.
Battle-hardened veteran or not, at the end of the day, he was just a branch manager.
And I am the disciple of the Cult Leader!
Still, he had to be treated with respect, but the hierarchy needed to be made crystal clear.
“Ahem! You may rise.”
“...Yes.”
At Neung Un-bi’s words, Jong Se-in slowly rose and straightened his posture.
Even as he did, his bearing was remarkably composed.
He was no pushover, that much was clear. Now, it was Neung Un-bi's turn to show his own mettle.
He had no desire to be fawned over as the Third Young Master, but for the sake of what was to come, he had to establish who was in charge.
He couldn't afford to lose even a simple staring contest.
“May I sit there?”
“Pardon?”
Neung Un-bi looked Jong Se-in straight in the eye and pointed.
He was pointing at Jong Se-in's chair, a seat that was opulent by any standard.
“Is that not allowed?”
“Ah, no. Of course, you should.”
“Thank you.”
Having confidently secured permission, Neung Un-bi plopped down into the chair as if it had always been his.
His movements were relaxed, yet deliberate.
He had only sat down, yet a flicker of interest crossed Jong Se-in's eyes.
He was a disciple, yes, but still a young man not yet of age, and on his first trip to the Central Plains, or so he'd heard. Where was the nervousness?
And why the formal address?
He had to know his status as the Cult Leader's disciple was beyond comparison to a mere branch manager...
Yet his manner was too natural to be a calculated act.
Was this truly the same man who had fallen into Qi Deviation and been cast out of the line of succession?
Jong Se-in had already reviewed the written reports on Neung Un-bi.
His record before that incident had been unremarkable compared to the other disciples, but his actions since then were what caught the eye.
He had been reprimanded for causing all sorts of trouble, but after withstanding three blows from the Cult Leader, his true skill had suddenly surfaced.
And that wasn't all.
From that point on, his reputation grew so rapidly it was hard to believe he was the same person.
Recruiting the Snow Mountain Manor, dueling the First Young Master, Wi Ji-hyeok...
The man's prestige had skyrocketed in an instant.
“Why are you smiling?”
“Ah, my apologies.”
“Apologies for what? I merely asked out of curiosity. I thought something might be on my face…”
It was a simple question, devoid of any reprimand.
He didn't seem the type to flaunt his status, at least.
A formidable man.
Having made his judgment, Jong Se-in hid his inner thoughts even deeper behind his smile.
“I smiled because you are just as I imagined.”
“As you imagined? It seems I’ve passed, at least.”
As Neung Un-bi let out a small chuckle, Jong Se-in's lips parted slightly.
“It seems you’ve put some thought into it?”
“Of course. I was taught that the higher one's position, the more one should maintain a proper appearance for their subordinates.”
“The Cult Leader must have given you good teachings.”
“Well…”
Neung Un-bi trailed off vaguely.
The Cult Leader taught him that?
Since becoming Neung Un-bi, he had only learned two things from Dam Un-cheon.
The first was to say, 'This is an order,' whenever he was in a bind. The second was to beat people into submission.
The methods were brutally effective, though.
“It seems I did well to clear my schedule.”
“That sounds like you’re asking for a drink?”
“Will you permit it?”
“Well… I never learned how to refuse.”
“Heh!”
At Neung Un-bi's words, Jong Se-in finally burst out laughing.
However, seeing Neung Un-bi exceed his expectations, Jong Se-in became even more cautious.
“It seems the Cult Leader didn’t send you, Third Young Master, as the inspector for the Central Plains branch for no reason.”
“...It was very much a forced order.”
“Is that so? In my eyes, it seems like an excellent decision.”
“My... You’ve never considered it from the receiving end, have you?”
“How could that be? I am far below you, Third Young Master.”
“But I’m much younger, aren’t I?”
At the mischievous grimace, Jong Se-in burst into a hearty laugh.
“Heh, khahahaha!”
“...”
Was he laughing out of genuine amusement, or was something hidden behind it?
But perhaps because he'd lived in the Central Plains for so long...
Unlike the rigid members of the main cult, there was something affable about him.
Even if it was all an act, it wasn't a bad first impression. After all, to crush those bastards from the Heavenly Pillar Gate, he desperately needed the Dancheon Gate Master's goodwill.
Still… it looked like his liver was in for another round of abuse.
Damn it all. Maybe he should find some elixir for his liver.
* * *
The banquet for the cult members continued all night, but no one complained of fatigue.
Wang Cheon, Ju Chung, and the warriors of the New Moon Squad were busy recounting tales from the main cult, like old friends catching up, while the branch members were deep in conversation about surviving as cultists in the Central Plains.
With no one but cult members present, the atmosphere was free and easy, with no need to worry about prying eyes.
“They are quite an interesting group.”
“Interesting?”
“Yes. Though it has been over a decade since I left the cult, it is the first time I have seen guards so at ease.”
“Is that so?”
“Indeed. By the nature of their duty, guards are bound to be a bit rigid.”
“Hmm…”
He had a point.
The relationship between himself, Wang Cheon, and the New Moon Squad was rather unique, wasn't it?
One only had to look at the Cult Leader and Great Protector Yang Seon, or that fellow Chu Seong-gyun, who took the fall for his master after getting beaten by Wang Cheon...
Hmm, on second thought, maybe that was better.
He wasn't sure about the loyalty-obsessed Ju Chung, but Wang Cheon was the type to pin his own crimes on him without a second thought.
That man would do anything for fame and fortune...
“It must be pleasant to be with them. This atmosphere must also be of your making, Third Young Master.”
“Don’t even mention it. You have no idea how much they nag.”
“N-nagging?”
“And that’s not all. They talk of loyalty, but they argue with me constantly. Every day it’s, ‘Don’t do this,’ and ‘Don’t do that.’ I’m not even sure what I *am* allowed to do.”
“Heheh, they truly are not like guards.”
“I know, right? Not long ago, I even had to fight them to get them to acknowledge my skills.”
“A fight? With your guards?”
“Yes. They wouldn’t listen, so I suggested we settle it with our skills. When you think of the Demonic Cult, you think of survival of the fittest, don’t you?”
“Haha! That is quite interesting. You fought because your guards wouldn't listen? So, what was the result? Did you win?”
“Of course. I took them on two at once and shut them up completely.”
“Hahaha, well done. No matter how familiar you are, you have to do that once in a while.”
“Well, the nagging is still the same.”
“Truly remarkable guards, aren’t they?”
“Tell me about it.”
As he badmouthed Wang Cheon, the wine cups continued to be passed back and forth.
“By the way, will you begin your inspection duties tomorrow?”
“Yes, I didn’t come here to tour the mountains and rivers.”
“Oh my... You could stay and relax, you know.”
“Aish, I can’t do that. It is the order of the exalted Cult Leader... And from the perspective of being inspected, wouldn’t it be better if I disappeared quickly?”
“Not at all. Although I have only met you today, I have a strong desire to serve you for a long time.”
“Even if it’s flattery, it’s nice to hear.”
“My, to not recognize my sincerity... You must prepare for a penalty drink.”
“I will not refuse.”
A bond was forming over the shared cups.
As the rounds of drinks continued and the sounds of laughter grew louder, Neung Un-bi, judging the atmosphere to be right, carefully brought up the subject.
“Ah! I heard something strange on my way here. Do you know about it?”
“Something strange?”
“Yes.”
Neung Un-bi brought the cup to his lips, stealthily observing Jong Se-in's expression as he spoke.
“The Heavenly Pillar Gate is said to be subjugating the Demonic Cult. The rumors say they are refugees with no connection to our cult…”
“...”
For a moment, a strange light flashed in Neung Un-bi's eyes.
What was that reaction just now?
The moment the Heavenly Pillar Gate was mentioned, a chill passed through Jong Se-in's eyes.
And what was contained within... killing intent?
In Neung Un-bi's mind, another question was added: 'Why?'
This wasn't the right atmosphere for such a reaction, was it?
His expression was still smiling, but his mind instantly grew cold.
This guy… what is he?
But the killing intent vanished in an instant, and Jong Se-in, who had paused, let out a deep sigh as if nothing had happened.
“Sigh. So you have heard as well, Third Young Master. I have no words.”
“...”
“I never imagined the Heavenly Pillar Gate Master would go so far as to do such a thing.”
“Such a thing?”
“Yes.”
“What kind?”
“The Heavenly Pillar Gate Master is a greedy man.”
As Jong Se-in began to speak with a sigh, Neung Un-bi listened with suspicion.
“The people of that family have held an elder position in the Orthodox Murim Alliance for several generations.”
“Hmm, for a small to medium sect on the border, that’s impressive. There are times when even the Nine Great Sects fail to produce an elder…”
“Because they pour in an enormous amount of wealth.”
“Wealth?”
“Even the Orthodox Murim Alliance needs money.”
“Mm…”
He knew.
No, perhaps Neung Un-bi knew more about it than Jong Se-in.
He knew just how twisted the Alliance's proclaimed creed of 'Righteousness for a Thousand Autumns' truly was.
It was a glittering facade hiding a core rotten to its very depths. The day he learned of the deeds committed by the establishment to maintain their position at the helm of the Orthodox Faction, he had been sick to his stomach all night.
He hadn't heard all of Jong Se-in's words and didn't know the exact situation, but it was clear that the Heavenly Pillar Gate was providing illegal funds for the ugly deeds happening in the shadow of the Orthodox Murim Alliance.
The elder position they held for generations was likely the reward for that wealth. Considering they'd managed to install their own people in an elder position multiple times—a feat difficult even for the Nine Great Sects.
“But recently, the situation has worsened.”
“Worsened?”
“Yes.”
“...”
“The leader of the Orthodox Murim Alliance changed recently.”
“...Are you saying he’s a revolutionary?”
“You catch on quick. That’s right. He is a revolutionary. I don't know the details, but I heard he is making efforts to break the customs that have continued until now.”
For a moment, Neung Un-bi's eyes widened.
Could it be *him*?
Hadn't he always said it, like a mantra?
That one day he would rise to the highest position in the Orthodox Murim Alliance and set everything right.
Suddenly, his heart began to pound.
At the thought that he might hear a name he longed for.
“What is his name?”
“Pardon?”
“The leader of the Orthodox Murim Alliance, I mean.”
“It is Lee Ok-sang. He is a legendary figure who started from a small family called the Lee Clan of Shandong and even earned the title of Sword King.”
“Lee… Ah…”
Neung Un-bi revealed his disappointment without realizing it.
Unfortunately, it was not him. It was a name he didn't know.
“But why do you ask?”
“Ah... I thought I should at least know the name of the Alliance Leader.”
When Jong Se-in asked with a puzzled expression, Neung Un-bi quickly managed his expression and made an excuse.
“Indeed, that’s right. In any case, I heard there is strong opposition because the new Alliance Leader is pouring out reform policies. That is why the Heavenly Pillar Gate is in a difficult position.”
“So because of that, they are framing refugees as members of the Demonic Cult to build up their son’s achievements?”
“Yes.”
“...Damn bastards, to use the Demonic Cult’s name for such a pathetic reason.”
As Neung Un-bi ground his teeth with a grating sound, Jong Se-in, who had paused, stood up with a firm expression.
Then he immediately knelt before Neung Un-bi.
“Huh? Branch Manager, why?”
“Jong Se-in, the Giryeon Branch Manager, humbly begs for forgiveness for his grave sin, Third Young Master!”
Huh? Begs for what?
In an instant, the atmosphere turned cold.
The noisy banquet hall fell silent, and the warriors of the Dancheon Gate, excluding Neung Un-bi's party, looked at the two with hardened expressions.
“I beg for forgiveness, Third Young Master!”
“...”
Hey, man! What's with the sudden change?
Now it looks like I'm the one who ruined a perfectly good party