Chapter 32
Chapter 32
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: Ha Hou Clan (1)
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Thud thud thud thud.
Nearly three hundred cows, sheep, and pigs moved in a herd, shaking the very earth.
Sima Ho, now in charge of managing the ranch, dashed about yelling orders this way and that, but his voice was completely drowned out by the clamor of the livestock.
Sima Hyeon approached Sima Geon, who was watching the scene contentedly from beyond the fence, and asked in a subtle tone.
"You gonna keep not telling me?"
"What?"
"Where all that money suddenly came from."
"I told you. A buddy from my mercenary days paid back the money he borrowed from me."
"I heard. But no matter how I think about it, it just doesn't add up easily."
Sima Hyeon shook his head with a frustrated look.
To scrape together enough for the livestock, they'd worn out their shoes visiting every contact, but couldn't borrow what they needed. Yet not only had they acquired the animals, they'd even bought out Old Man So's ranch—with premium on top. It left him utterly dumbfounded.
"How much did you even lend that guy for him to pay back enough for all those animals and this land?"
Sima Hyeon asked again, dying of curiosity. Cheol Woo sidled up, draping an arm over his shoulder.
"The money's one thing, but really, it was his life on the line. That bastard... guy's done pretty well for himself, so don't worry too much. Honestly, no amount of cash stacks up to a life debt."
"Ah!"
At the words "life debt," Sima Hyeon let out an exclamation.
Cheol Woo was right. What good was all the money in the world if you lost your life?
"Get it now?"
Sima Hyeon nodded with a bright smile, as if full understanding had dawned.
"What about the folks from the old ranch? With that kid, it might be tough."
Sima Geon asked.
"I was just about to bring that up. Most are staying, but a few look like they'll leave."
"Could be short-handed, then."
"Probably. Not many in number, but they're all seasoned hands, so it'll hurt."
"Let's watch and see. We've got one raring to go. He asked us to trust him, so trust we shall. If it's too much, he'll speak up."
Sima Geon chuckled, nodding toward Sima Ho bustling about.
"Got it. We'll watch like you say. For now, at least."
Unlike Sima Geon, who trusted unconditionally, Sima Hyeon's eyes brimmed with worry—he'd cleaned up after Sima Ho's endless mishaps for years.
"Heavens! What a mess."
Middle-aged Ha Hou Guang, vice chief steward of the Ha Hou Clan, clicked his tongue with a troubled expression.
Sima Jin, guarding the butcher shop, could only muster an awkward smile at his reaction.
"Then who's running this butcher shop?"
"My brothers."
"Ah! I see."
Ha Hou Guang nodded reluctantly.
Considering the girl's age, her "brothers" were probably just young pups. They needed a butcher at least as capable as old So Hang, if not more—experienced and skilled.
"Hah! This is tricky. What to do?"
Forgetting Sima Jin was even there, Ha Hou Guang sighed repeatedly.
Sima Geon, Sima Hyeon, and Cheol Woo returned from inspecting the ranch just as he turned to leave in defeat, deep in thought.
"Whoa! Sorry about that."
Ha Hou Guang quickly apologized after bumping his head into Cheol Woo's broad chest.
"Haha! No harm done."
Cheol Woo waved it off with a hearty laugh.
"Sorry. Looks like we didn't have what you were after."
Sima Geon said apologetically, noting Ha Hou Guang's empty hands.
"Oh, no, I wasn't here for meat."
"Not for meat, then..."
Sima Geon's gaze drifted past Ha Hou Guang's shoulder to Sima Jin.
"He's from the Ha Hou Clan. Wants to hire a butcher."
At Sima Jin's words, Sima Geon and Cheol Woo exchanged glances, the memory clicking back.
"Looking for old Mr. So, perhaps?"
Ha Hou Guang nodded bitterly at Sima Hyeon's question.
"Yes. Every year around this time, we'd order beef jerky from here for the main house banquet and hire the old man. Must be over twenty years now. Who'd have thought he'd passed."
Finding a replacement for the banquet was trouble enough, but So Hang's death after decades of dealings weighed heavy.
"For the patriarch's seventieth birthday banquet, I take it."
Sima Geon said with utmost courtesy.
"Indeed, but what to do."
"Old Mr. So mentioned it before he went. Said when the Ha Hou Clan sent someone, to help however we could."
"Oh! Really?"
Ha Hou Guang brightened.
"Yes. One moment, please."
At Sima Geon's cue, Cheol Woo fetched a paper envelope from inside the shop.
"He left this to show anyone from the Ha Hou Clan."
"I see."
Ha Hou Guang scanned the letter swiftly.
It was straightforward: Those taking over the shop were his carefully chosen successors, every bit as skilled as he was—trustworthy for the job.
'Good to know their skills are solid, at least.'
Folding the letter, Ha Hou Guang calmly eyed the group.
The bandit-looking Cheol Woo and the somewhat timid-seeming Sima Hyeon didn't inspire much, but Sima Geon, meeting his gaze steadily, felt reliable. The vibe and eyes reminded him of old So.
"We hold a birthday banquet every year, but this one's on another scale. The food and meat needed will be beyond imagination. You sure?"
"We'll give it our all."
Common words from anyone else, but from Sima Geon, they rang true.
"The banquet's on the full moon in two weeks. Don't be late."
"No worries. Anything we need to prepare?"
Ha Hou Guang thought a moment, then shook his head.
"Livestock for slaughter's ready. Venue too. Tools are provided, but bring your own if you prefer."
"Understood. We'll do that."
"See you then."
With a brief bow, Ha Hou Guang departed.
"Safe travels."
Sima Geon smiled, bowing politely after him.
Cheol Woo whooped with exaggerated fist pumps, and Sima Hyeon clenched his fists in triumph.
"Gah!"
A final scream echoed as the door shattered.
Gwan Hyo bit his lip hard at the sight of Yul Sarim rolling limply, bloodied. He'd half-expected it, but the Sky Guard Unit Leader's utter defeat—their last bastion—left him speechless.
A man stepped slowly through the wreckage.
Tall at over six feet, his fierce eyes evoked a tiger, high nose bridge sharp, square jaw chiseled and resolute.
Entering leisurely, he clucked his tongue at the fallen Yul Sarim.
"Tsk tsk. If you'd just stepped aside quietly, it wouldn't have come to this, right? You know better than to make me feel bad."
His words held no remorse whatsoever.
"You bastard! Do you even know where you are?!"
Gwan Pae blocked Gwan Hyo, roaring.
The man eyed him pitifully.
"I've always thought so, but you still can't read the room."
"Wh-what?!"
"Still don't get it? This isn't the time for bluster—worry about your neck."
"Shut up! You rootless—" "Gurk!"
Gwan Pae crumpled mid-rant, struck from nowhere.
"Rootless? That stings. No matter the rumors in the clan, Heaven and Earth know I'm my father's blood. The Divine Demon Clan was rightfully mine. Not swiped from a kid nephew by scheming Uncle here. Am I wrong, Uncle?"
Gwan Woong grinned whitely at Gwan Hyo.
"Nothing to say. Whatever I claim, you'd call it excuses."
Gwan Woong laughed heartily, nodding.
"Hahaha! As expected, Uncle—you're no fool like that one. Sharp read on the situation."
"One thing I want to ask, though."
"Anything."
"How? I'm an old tiger, true, but not so frail to fall in a blink. Why did they turn on me?"
Gwan Hyo gestured to the warriors milling outside.
He'd realized the internal revolt exactly half a day ago.
In that span, before countermeasures, his loyal subordinates were slaughtered.
Worst were the betrayals by the All-Demon Division and Loyal Demon Division—the cult's mightiest forces. The elders' defection was unthinkable horror.
"Simple. The All-Demon and Loyal Demon Division Leaders have been mine for years. Ten, maybe?"
Gwan Woong glanced back.
"Yes, Lord Leader."
A man who'd entered bowed. Blood Flame Blade Do Cheok, heading the All-Demon Division—his robes soaked, hinting at much bloodshed en route.
"Do Cheok! You traitor!"
Gwan Pae unleashed murderous intent at him.
His glare could rend limbs, but Do Cheok smirked unfazed. Gwan Hyo asked bitterly.
"How'd the elders fall to you?"
Gwan Woong sneered.
"Misunderstanding—they were never fully yours. At least a third were mine from the start. Father's arrangement. Oh, and to cow the rest, I got help from someone you know well."
No sooner said, an elder dragged someone in.
Recognizing his second son Gwan Jong limp in his grasp, Gwan Hyo cried out.
"Jong-ah!"
The elder flung Gwan Jong at him, sneering.
"Not dead yet—no need to fuss."
Now seeing the elder clearly, Gwan Hyo gaped in disbelief.
"Y-you... how?!"
Trembling, he stared with utter incredulity.
"Quite the shock, eh? Well, after that disgrace, can't blame you."
The elder continued bitterly, eyes venomous.
"Thought it'd end like that? You underestimated me."
North Heaven Sword Demon's aura erupted murderously.
"I won't die till I settle the score with him. Not even King Yama can stop me."
From the North Heaven Sword Demon, nursing grudge against Sima Geon for his humiliating defeat, emanated even ghostly chills.
Gwan Woong, pivotal in reviving the once-crippled, death-awaiting North Heaven Sword Demon, merely smirked aside.