Chapter 33
Chapter 33
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: House Xiahou (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“North Heaven Sword Demon, did you persuade the elders? But even so, I still don't get it. Even if that's the case, those prideful elders...”
“They did lend a hand. But they merely lent their support. Their minds were already made up.”
The North Heaven Sword Demon glanced at Gwan Ung and continued in a calm, steady voice.
“As descendants of the demonic path, who else would we follow if not the one who inherited the Heavenly Demon Ancestor's martial arts? It was only natural.”
For a moment, Gwan Hyo stared at Gwan Ung with even greater shock than when the North Heaven Sword Demon had first appeared.
“No way! You... you inherited the Heavenly Demon Ancestor's martial arts?”
“Why? You don't believe it?”
“Of course not. The Ancestor's martial arts were practically lost to time. The reason our house only now unified the demonic path is because most of the Ancestor's arts were lost. And you're saying you inherited them? Where do you get off spouting such nonsense?”
Gwan Hyo shouted, genuinely furious. He seemed even angrier than when he'd learned of Gwan Ung's rebellion.
“Do you recognize this?”
Gwan Ung pulled an iron flute about a foot long from his bosom and waved it.
“An iron flute, isn't it? What of it?”
As Gwan Hyo eyed him questioningly, Gwan Ung smirked.
“This isn't just any iron flute. It's an heirloom passed down only to the rightful successor of the Ancestor.”
“What nonsense are you spouting! The Heavenly Demon Ancestor's only heirloom is the Heavenly Demon Ring.”
Gwan Hyo bellowed.
“Believe it or not, it's the truth. Well, if old man Cheol hadn't smuggled it out beforehand, it would've ended up in Uncle's hands along with the Heavenly Demon Ring. Oh, right—I still haven't avenged old man Cheol.”
Gwan Ung whipped his head around and glared coldly at Gwan Pae, who lay crumpled on the floor, barely regaining his senses. A chill smile crept across his face.
As Gwan Pae sensed unease in that gaze, Gwan Ung was already pressing down on his head.
“I didn't mind you tormenting me. But you didn't have to do that to old man Cheol.”
“I... I...”
“That day, as old man Cheol lay dying in my arms, I swore it. I would never forgive the one who did this to him.”
“S-spare...”
Gwan Pae couldn't finish. Gwan Ung's foot clamped over his mouth.
“Mmph! Mmph!”
Gwan Pae writhed in agony.
Muffled screams leaked past the sole crushing his lips, but Gwan Ung bent down, locked eyes with him, and pressed harder with his toes.
“Stop it!”
Gwan Ung gestured at Gwan Hyo, who could no longer stand idle.
“Don't move. Unless you want to watch your second brother die too.”
As Gwan Hyo froze, Gwan Ung whispered softly to the fading Gwan Pae.
“When you get to the underworld, apologize to old man Cheol. Oh, and tell him how I'm doing.”
That was it.
A gruesome crunch of shattering bone echoed as Gwan Pae's skull exploded under Gwan Ung's foot, hot brains splattering across the floor.
“You... you bastard...”
Gwan Hyo's eyes blazed with rage as he watched Gwan Ung casually wipe the gore from his sole on the ground like it was dirt. Yet he held back, clinging to the faint hope from Gwan Ung's words that Gwan Jong might still be saved.
Scoffing at Gwan Hyo's hesitation, Gwan Ung turned to the North Heaven Sword Demon.
“How'd it go?”
The North Heaven Sword Demon bowed respectfully.
“My apologies. We subdued all of the Divine Demon Division, but the divine relic had already been smuggled out. The Loyal Demon Squad is in pursuit—they'll recover it soon.”
Gwan Hyo was stunned anew by the North Heaven Sword Demon's deferential tone toward Gwan Ung.
“Elder Council Leader, there's no need to apologize. Ah, Uncle doesn't know yet—I appointed Senior North Heaven Sword Demon as head of the Elder Council. He's far too qualified for it, considering his skill and reputation.”
“You're too kind.”
The North Heaven Sword Demon bowed deeply.
As Gwan Hyo stood speechless at the absurdity unfolding before him, Gwan Ung slowly approached Gwan Jong.
“I heard you were the one who thought to smuggle out the Heavenly Demon Ring. Sharp instincts. Using the Divine Demon Division was clever too. If you'd handed it to anyone else, it'd already be in my hands.”
Gwan Jong, leaning against the wall to prop himself up, let out a hollow laugh.
“You even bought off the Military Affairs Department's men?”
“Not bought— just planted a few of my own.”
“...”
Gwan Jong shuddered at Gwan Ung's thorough cunning.
He'd prided himself on knowing every move in the Military Affairs Department. But considering the sequence of events, this wasn't the work of a day or two.
“Anyway, thanks to you, things got a bit messy. Even if I inherited the Heavenly Demon Ancestor's arts, the Ring symbolizes him—and it's the sacred relic of the Heavenly Demon Cult's Lord. Don't worry, though. You're the only one in this damn family who ever treated me like a human. I won't harm you. They'll catch them soon, and we'll recover the Ring.”
As Gwan Ung finished with a relaxed smile, a man in Loyal Demon Squad attire rushed in and knelt.
“What happened?”
the North Heaven Sword Demon asked.
“We caught the escapees, but the relic was already gone.”
“Gone? Where to?”
“Well...”
As the messenger hesitated, the North Heaven Sword Demon erupted.
“Out with it!”
“It looks like we fell for a diversion. The escapees were decoys. The one with the relic slipped away separately.”
“A diversion? What idiots!”
Gwan Ung snapped irritably.
He'd already co-opted or eliminated the Lord Gwan Hyo and the core forces.
With the Elder Council under his thumb, controlling the Heavenly Demon Cult—not to mention the entire demonic path—was only a matter of time. Still, securing the Heavenly Demon Ring made a world of difference.
It symbolized the Heavenly Demon Ancestor and was the demonic path's mightiest weapon. Legends said it hid the insights he gained in his final years—a tale Gwan Ung alone knew to be true, having discovered similar secrets in the iron flute.
Possessing it meant legitimacy and rightful claim.
The Ancestor's arts had let him seize the Elder Council easily. If someone with the Ring rebelled, the fallout would be unimaginable. He had to get it, no matter what.
“Kekeke! You underestimated the Divine Demon Division. Even without their leader and deputy, most members gone, it's still the Divine Demon Division.”
“Save your breath. Provoking me won't end well for you.”
Gwan Jong stood defiant despite Gwan Ung's mad, gleaming eyes.
“The Ring's probably with Thunderbolt. He's got the fastest sword and feet around. He carried out his orders perfectly.”
As Gwan Jong chuckled, Gwan Ung scowled.
“Fine, so it wasn't just to hide it. Who'd you send it to? Your eldest nephew on his travels? Second? Nah, second's no good—kid's already chasing skirts. Third's better, even if young, but he's still here. So, the eldest it is. He could build forces outside with the Ring. But what's the point? I'd just crush any rabble he gathers. Or maybe you sent it to your paternal uncle for a future play.”
Gwan Ung probed, watching Gwan Jong's reactions. But Gwan Jong remained stone-faced. Instead, Gwan Hyo reacted.
“When I heard you'd rebelled—and that my own Execution Demon Squad, Loyal Demon Squad, even the Elder Council had joined you—I knew my fate was sealed. The second son said we needed to smuggle the relic for a future chance. And in that moment, only one person came to mind.”
Gwan Hyo strode toward Gwan Jong with dignified resolve.
“I didn't think of some distant 'future.' None of my blood had the talent for it. So I chose.”
Gwan Hyo's gaze instinctively turned to the North Heaven Sword Demon.
The North Heaven Sword Demon grasped the implication immediately.
“No... you sent it to him?”
“Of course. He's the only one who can avenge me. Wait, not me—we've no bond left. But the Divine Demon Division? That's different.”
“You played the 'two tigers fighting over food' stratagem. Haha! Uncle, do you really think I'm afraid of him?”
Gwan Ung sneered.
“Who knows. With the Heavenly Demon Ancestor's arts, you must feel invincible against anyone. But he's different. One of a kind. You wouldn't know, but this old man does.”
Gwan Hyo pointed at the North Heaven Sword Demon, whose face had twisted in fury, and declared:
“You will die by his hand.”
At the heart of Jinyang Province lay Jinhua.
Sima Geon and Cheol Woo, invited by House Xiahou and departing from Shaoxing, arrived in Jinhua a day before Lady Go Hui's celebration.
“What the hell—too many damn people.”
Cheol Woo scowled at the crowds packing the narrow streets.
“It's a major city to begin with. And the festivities? Not your average affair. Merchants from all around are flocking in.”
“True, I was shocked hearing it lasts three days. Not like money grows on trees. Anyway, plenty of food and sights. Especially the martial tournament—runs two days, right?”
“Something like that.”
“Heh heh! Boss, mind if I join? Gotta see what they've got.”
Sima Geon jabbed Cheol Woo's side.
“Be serious. You planning to wipe out the whole tournament?”
“I'd go easy.”
His sly tone suggested he half-meant it.
“Still no.”
Sima Geon shook his head firmly.
“Why?”
“Your size. Face I could disguise, but that build? No hiding it. The vibe too. Need someone who matches.”
“Fine, fine. Not like I care.”
Cheol Woo stomped ahead, sulking like a brat. He bought some candied hawthorns from a street vendor and shoved them in his mouth—a picture of childish pique.
“Not a kid anymore.”
Sima Geon sighed, shaking his head, then paused. He sidled over, bought some candied hawthorns, and nibbled while sneaking glances at Cheol Woo. Bliss lit his face.
“Wow!”
“Incredible...”
Exclamations poured from Sima Geon and Cheol Woo as they eyed the half-eaten treat.
“This isn't a house—it's a fortress.”
“Never dreamed I'd see anything bigger than the Crimson Flame Clan.”
Cheol Woo nodded vigorously at Sima Geon's words.
“Yeah. The Crimson Flame place we trashed was huge, but this dwarfs it.”
“Walls are low, though. Guess they don't worry.”
Sima Geon chuckled at the modest height, mismatched to the estate's grandeur.
“Or a 'come at us if you dare' vibe?”
“Could be.”
Smirking, Sima Geon quickened his pace toward the main gate.
In contrast to the low walls, the massive gate stood wide open, thronged with bustling figures.
“Security's tight enough.”
Cheol Woo pointed to the warriors calmly scanning entrants at the gate.
“Bound to be crazies everywhere. Folks looking to crash the party. Hmm!”
Sima Geon's intrigued hum drew Cheol Woo's gaze.
“Prestigious house lives up to it. Impressive— that gate guard's got real presence.”
Cheol Woo eyed the lanky man, thin as a twig.
Early thirties, lazy expression, but sharp, chilling eyes scanning the crowd.
Unlike sword-bearers at the waist, he cradled his across his chest—a unique stance.
“Feels like that guy.”
“Who?”
Sima Geon tilted his head.
“Thunderbolt.”
“Oh! Yeah. Face, build—even hugging the sword to his chest. Could be brothers.”
Sima Geon recalled his swiftest subordinate from the old Divine Demon Division days.
“Skill-wise, though, no contest.”
Sima Geon shot Cheol Woo an incredulous look.
“You kidding? Thunderbolt'd foam at the mouth and charge.”
“Heh! Miss him suddenly. Fun stomping him when he crawled back. Wonder how the others are.”
Cheol Woo's guffaw and shoulder shake drew stares.
“Cut the chatter and move. Eyes on us ain't friendly.”
Mindful of a dozen suspicious gazes, Sima Geon and Cheol Woo proceeded slowly.
Too late.
Sima Geon might pass, but Cheol Woo's hulking frame and fierce face cleared crowds like a plague. Safe passage was a stretch.
At the skinny man's signal, warriors blocked Sima Geon and Cheol Woo.