Chapter 104
Chapter 104
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 104
Chapter Title: The Shaking Moonlight
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The moonlight trembled. The fact that something that shouldn't have trembled was trembling meant one thing.
A shy gaze unlike her usual one. Long hair scattered beneath the exposed cotton cloth.
Black Peony spoke.
She said it was a face that had once dreamed of being the world's greatest beauty.
I confirmed with my own eyes that she wasn't wrong. I searched for the right words to say, but in the end, I just laughed.
"Why, why are you laughing?!"
"Did you show that face to Young Master Heuk?"
"...No? I told you, Red Cloud was the first."
"Just as I thought. That's why I laughed."
"Why, why...?"
"Because if you'd shown it to Young Master Heuk, you'd probably regret all the things you've said to him up until now."
I rose to my feet. I stood before Black Peony.
I reached out and clasped her hand.
"Dan-hwa."
"...Yes?"
"I think Dan-hwa is the same as ever, whether then or now."
"......"
"But..."
I gently stroked the hand I held.
"Just to be sure, I'll say it clearly. Dan-hwa, you're beautiful."
"...That's what I wanted to hear."
Black Peony beamed. She stepped back from me and tilted her head playfully.
"If you're going to say it, you might as well add a few more compliments. Pile on the pretty words. You can do that, right?"
"What's there I can't do? I could even dance for you."
"Really?"
"...If it's an imitation, I can manage to some extent... How about a sword dance?"
"Red Cloud's sword is pretty far from a sword dance."
"I'll give it a try anyway."
I swung my sword enthusiastically, if only to show my joy.
Black Peony burst into giggles.
"It's the funniest sword dance I've ever seen."
"I tried hard..."
"Still, I like it. Oh. It feels like a lifetime burden has been lifted. You know that? Thanks to the Myriad Sages Divine Healer looking at my damaged dantian even though it was broken, it's recovered to some extent."
"You mean...?"
"He said it would naturally reconnect over time. In about a year, I can return to how I was before. No wonder he's the Myriad Sages Divine Healer."
"That's great."
"Of course, until then, I'll still have to rely on No Surplus Energy..."
Black Peony toyed with my cheek.
"But now I have my own personal internal energy storage, so it doesn't matter, right?"
"...I'm leaving soon, though..."
"I'll go with you."
"Pardon?"
"I have nowhere to go back to anyway. You're working at the Demon Palace, right? So I'll work there too. With my skills, I won't fall short anywhere, so it's totally doable. And if neither works out..."
Black Peony grinned mischievously.
"I'll just mooch off Red Cloud. I'll handle all the housework, so you just bring in the money. I'm pretty good at cleaning, you know? What're friends for?"
"Isn't that a bit too brazen?"
"You don't like it?"
"It's not that I don't like it, but..."
It wouldn't hurt to ask the First Demon.
She'd make a good colleague too.
"I can't give you a definite answer."
"That's fine. If neither works, we can just build a shack nearby and live there."
"That's so like you, Dan-hwa."
"Of course. Now that my looks are back, and I don't have to watch my step anymore. This stunning beauty will add even more weight to my title as the Soul-Beguiling Seductress... What do I have to fear?"
Black Peony struck a cute pose.
Of course, she really was pretty.
"To think Red Cloud is friends with someone like me... You're lucky."
"You're right. I'm lucky. If it weren't for Dan-hwa, I might not have been able to wrap all this up."
"I was joking, but you're taking it so seriously."
"But it's true."
"...Anyway."
Black Peony lightly rested her head on my shoulder.
"You seem like the type who'd get scammed easily, so I'll have to look after you. No helping it. Right?"
"Of course, if Dan-hwa's there, I can count on her."
"Why?"
"Because she's reliable, just like that."
"Hmm..."
Black Peony licked her lips slightly.
"More than Ling Ling?"
"Ling Ling... you mean?"
"Yeah. She's not here. Answer me."
"...Comparing between friends is a bit much. Ling Ling is someone I can call a friend too..."
"Hey? Your best friend is right here, and you're comparing me to someone else?"
"You brought her up first, Dan-hwa..."
"At a time like this, you should lie and say I'm more reliable..."
"Why?"
I turned at her abrupt remark.
Ling Ling, who had approached silently, smiled brightly.
Though her pupils lacked focus.
"Why do I have to say that?"
"...Ling Ling."
"Oh. Black Peony. You fixed your face. Good thing. Does it still hurt?"
"Of course not. I've regained my former beauty-the one that was always mine. Thanks for worrying."
"Really? You should rest more... What if running around reopens the wound? How about resting?"
"I appreciate the concern, but I've rested plenty. I even got permission to move around."
"Doesn't seem like it... Red Cloud's training is pretty rough, isn't it? You might get hurt getting involved, so going back to your room would be best."
"I said I'm fine. Anything more is just meddling. Ling Ling."
"You're twisting my words. Black Peony. I was genuinely 'worried.' Well... Forcing an answer from someone I think is closer to me is weird in the first place... Right?"
"Who knows. Maybe the person speaking 'twisted' it herself? Ling Ling. Why add unnecessary barbs... How much have you bullied Red Cloud normally that he can't even respond to a joke?"
"...Hmm?"
"...Huh?"
Ling Ling smiled wickedly. Black Peony's hand subtly rested on her fan.
A black gale crashed into the tense air.
"Wha, Lady Heuk! To think you're this beautiful! As expected of the Soul-Beguiling Seductress! This Black Wind's eyes were too bli-!"
Black Wind tumbled across the ground after getting smacked by the fan. In the suddenly shattered atmosphere, someone grabbed him by the scruff of the neck.
"Kiddo! Let's go eat!"
"Pardon?"
"What's with the 'pardon'? What do you want to eat?"
The fully revived Wolhyang dragged me away.
Black Peony and Ling Ling bristled.
"S-Senior?! This is...!"
"W-Wait...!"
"What? What were you doing? Do it later. Later. I'm hungry and need someone to eat with. Kiddo. What do you want?"
"I already ate..."
"Oh? Then we'll go with what I want. Shall we find a place still open late?"
I was dragged away in a daze.
Wolhyang grinned.
"Kiddo. You'll cover the bill, right?"
"Pardon?"
"I saved you. Don't you owe me a meal? Let's eat big."
...Maybe she's the scariest one of all.
That thought crossed my mind.
...
After roughly cleaning up the aftermath, a large-scale journey was prepared from Akmin.
The destination was the Demon Palace. Leaving only a minimal number of essential warriors behind, the leaders of each sect dispatched to Akmin set out.
Amusingly, the journey split into three separate groups, as if they refused to travel together even in death. Wolhyang even laughed about it.
"Typical of the sects, huh."
"What about us?"
"We can go separately, but... you probably can't."
"Pardon?"
"Look over there."
I turned my head. I saw the Nine Heavens Jade Maiden beckoning.
I followed. She reached out to me.
"Carry me on your back."
"...Pardon?"
"I've done so much for you this time. Can't a master ask this much of her disciple?"
"I don't recall forming a master-disciple bond..."
"We will. Think of this as ahead of time and carry me. Lend me your shoulders."
I crouched down for now. The Nine Heavens Jade Maiden climbed on piggyback-style and gripped my head firmly.
"Fine view. You have a talent for this."
"......?"
"You crazy bitch! Get down! You mutt!"
"Flame Heaven Fist Demon. Look after Yeon Mi-ryeong. She looks like she's falling behind over there."
"What?! Ack! Mi-ryeong!"
The Nine Heavens Jade Maiden toyed with my hair. For some reason, it reminded me of something, so I quietly asked.
"Division Leader."
"'Division Leader' is nice, but not quite to my taste."
"...Elder?"
"Never say that again. Once you reach the Flower Realm, the boundary of age blurs. Aging slows naturally, and lifespan greatly increases. Someone around a hundred can move like they're fifty, with looks stopping around thirty."
The Nine Heavens Jade Maiden declared proudly.
"I'm a baby."
"...I see. In that case..."
I pondered the title. But nothing came to mind besides elder.
Guess that's it after all.
"...Senior?"
"Adequate."
"May I ask what you're doing to my head?"
"Braiding it prettily. Your hair feels nice. You have talent."
"What kind of talent is that..."
"You won't believe without a demonstration."
The Nine Heavens Jade Maiden called Black Peony, Black Wind, and Ling Ling over.
Black Wind said indifferently.
"Something special there..."
"Get lost! Black Wind! M-Mu-myeong! Turn your face this way!"
"Me too! Me too! I'll braid one side!"
"......"
The Flame Heaven Fist Demon, who had caught up to us again, sniffed.
"Smells like Yeonam."
"You must be mistaken."
"It's so strong. Isn't it, Mi-ryeong?"
"...It suits you."
"Mi, Mi-ryeong! Miiii-ryeong!!"
In the noisy commotion, we were able to board the boat. I'd arrived almost alone on the way here, but now many were returning together.
Amid the sound of cutting through the water, I closed my eyes.
When I return to the First Demon...
Should I praise her?
The Flame Heaven Fist Demon growled.
"Insolent brat."
"Pardon?"
"But Mi-ryeong likes you. No helping it. Join as my disciple. Then I'll generously forgive you."
"Don't talk nonsense. Flame Heaven Fist Demon. That guy's mine."
"You're the one talking nonsense! Nine Heavens Jade Maiden! I'll crush you right now!"
"Kiddo. Want me to talk to the Grand Commander and pull you under me? Fancy trying for the Blood Guard candidate?"
"Don't cut in! You bitch!"
"Become my direct disciple, and you'll gain power."
"Does the Demon Horse Division, surviving off just the Nine Heavens Jade Maiden, even have power?"
I slipped away from the heated trio. Black Wind clicked his tongue.
"Popular, aren't you, Young Master Mu. Isn't it time you told us your real name?"
"To someone from Full Moon Division, no less?"
"I won't blab."
"......."
"What's with that blatant look of distrust?! I keep my mouth shut, you know!"
"An intelligence agent claims a heavy mouth?"
"Of course- that look! That damn look!"
The boat glided smoothly and reached land without incident. Once on land, the Demon Palace wasn't far.
"First time coming to the Demon Palace."
"Same here."
As Black Peony and Ling Ling's eyes sparkled, the familiar place appeared before us.
A place I could almost call home now.
A massive fortress. The moment we passed through the entrance below it, cheers erupted.
"Wooooooooo!!!"
The many cultists of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult welcoming the warriors who had stopped the Blood Tribulation.
I naturally blended into the crowd.
"Wha, Mu...!"
"I'll visit separately later."
Receiving the cheers wasn't my job.
Mine was simply reporting.
I wove through the throng. To report to my superior.