Chapter 109
Chapter 109
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 109
Chapter Title: Heavenly Demon Divine Cult Double Agent
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Sima Ak hadn't changed much from the last time I'd seen him. If I had to nitpick, the dark circles under his eyes had gotten even darker.
I asked out of concern.
"Are you getting any rest?"
"I can't rest, so I'm not. Where've you been and what've you been up to?"
"I've had all sorts of things to handle..."
"Anyway. Still running around busily as ever. Though it doesn't seem like you're with the Blood Demon Squad like before..."
Sima Ak jerked his chin toward Baek Mae.
"Not hanging around with that girl anymore?"
"Th-that girl?! Hey!"
"I've been separated from Baek Mae due to circumstances... We each have our own missions now."
"Your own missions? What are they?"
"I have to leave the cult for a while."
"...An external mission? Where are you headed?"
"This isn't something to discuss here..."
"I'll arrange a private meeting. I'll send word later."
"Understood."
"Anyway... If anything comes up, consult me. I'm pretty good at playing the big brother role now. Things are looking up. I've restored all the neglected parts of the estate. It's nothing like the old Sima Clan."
"Isn't the clan head going to change?"
"Go toss that girl somewhere."
"Argh, damn it!"
"She's a good little sister. Don't be too hard on her."
"Oh, big brother..."
"Don't play weak. You're the type who could take down a bear."
"Get lost!"
"You're the one who should get lost."
Sima Ak stroked his chin.
"Just one question. Short trip or long one?"
"Seems like it'll be a long one."
"You'll need a lot of preparations then... I should head back early today. Hey, whitey."
"Wh-white head?! Are you nuts?!"
"If you're planning to take off suddenly, grab him somehow. I'm thinking of preparing some things, so don't leave until I come find you. Delay the departure as much as you can."
"What are you planning to..."
"I'll handle it. Anyway... You're such a handful."
Grumbling, Sima Ak waved his hand and left. Disappearing casually in the middle of the banquet was just like him.
Baek Mae whipped around to face me.
"What mission nonsense is that?"
"I'll tell you later. Come find me separately. Got it?"
"...I'll come by tonight."
"Daytime works too?"
"You know what they say-birds listen during the day?"
"And at night, the rats..."
"I can smash all the rats?!"
"......?"
"Anyway, I'm busy too, so I can't stick around. Look over there. My damn master is glaring threats at me. I'm only here learning the ropes."
Myo Ye-rin was shooting daggers this way. I leaned in and whispered into her ear.
"Do your best. I'll cheer you on."
"...Wh-what... It's just my job anyway... But if big brother says that, I guess I could try harder... See you later!"
Baek Mae walked away. Someone grabbed my shoulder.
"What were you talking about?"
"What? No way... Jeok..."
"Joo Ryeong-ryeong."
"Mu-Mu-myeong?"
The two who were practically glued together these days made a surprisingly good pair.
It felt like Black Peony was gently looking after the somewhat clumsy Joo Ryeong-ryeong.
"Dan-hwa. Ryeong-ryeong."
"You know the head of the Sima Clan, huh?"
"You could tell?"
"You can hear it if you just listen for a bit. People around here are talking about you too."
Black Peony smiled with her eyes.
"How does it feel having all these beauties hovering around you endlessly, nameless warrior?"
"...Don't tease."
"Mu-myeong looks good with them though..."
Joo Ryeong-ryeong mumbled with her mouth full of food.
Black Peony sighed.
"Swallow first before you speak."
"But... it loo...ks goo...d..."
"You gonna keep getting it all over your mouth?"
She casually lifted a handkerchief to wipe Joo Ryeong-ryeong's mouth. The girl, who had been chewing vigorously, naturally stuck her lips out again.
After gulping it down, she whispered to me.
"Black Peony... She gives off big sis vibes."
"Dan-hwa's always been kind."
"I can hear you, Joo Ryeong-ryeong."
"It's a compliment. Anyway, so uptight."
"Uptight? If you acted right, I wouldn't have to do this. I'm only fussing because you don't measure up."
"You don't fuss over Heuk-pung though?"
"Why would I fuss over that little punk?"
Black Peony glanced sideways at me and fanned open her fan to cover her lower face.
"One guy friend is enough."
"Mu-myeong. What about other types?"
"Huh?"
"I actually prefer that side more..."
"We said no crossing lines, remember? Wanna die?"
"Did we?"
"Look at you playing dumb. Makes me wanna yank your hair out. Come on, Mu-myeong. Looks like you have a lot of people to meet."
As Black Peony brushed past, she whispered.
"I'll come by tonight. Seems like there's unfinished business."
"Huh? Wait..."
Black Peony kept going. Joo Ryeong-ryeong whispered to me, food in hand.
"What'd she say?"
"That..."
"Ah, never mind. I'll hear it later. You free tonight?"
"Huh?"
"See you at night, Mu-myeong. I know where you live. Just us two."
"Wait..."
Joo Ryeong-ryeong brushed past. I felt a strange unease and pondered for a moment.
Three already for tonight...
I can explain later... right?
I started walking. Spotting a familiar face, I poked my head out.
"Long time no see, elder."
"Hm...? The Cult Leader's guard from earlier... But this voice... It sounds familiar..."
Soul-Seizing Sword No Ha-cheon stared right through me, then laughed.
"It's you?"
"Yes."
"Haha! Knew it was you! You've become a big shot! Ditched the Blood Demon Squad?"
"I'm on a special mission."
"Knew you'd rise up. Seeing you again stirs my fighting spirit. Let me see... Where'd that guy go? Jin-myeong! Jin..."
Off in the distance, I saw Soul-Seizing Sword's disciple, Geuk Jin-myeong, clinging to Baek Mae.
He seemed to be chattering away, but the next moment, veins bulged on Baek Mae's forehead. Her sharp retort cut like a knife.
Looked like a rejection... Judging by Geuk Jin-myeong's face, not just any rejection-a brutal one.
Yet he doggedly followed her. It was almost pitiful.
"He's in the middle of romance business. Better not interfere... You. Shouldn't you be on guard?"
"Huh?"
"Leaving her alone when she's that hot? What if my disciple steals her?"
"Baek Mae's like a close little sister..."
"You're dense as hell. Fine. Let me check your body. Mind? Your realm... realm..."
Soul-Seizing Sword's face stiffened.
"Just asking, but... where are you at?"
"Right before Entering Divinity."
"Hwagyeong?! Crazy?! You're stronger than me now?! I must've gone blind not to spot a prodigy like you... What sword art are you using?"
"Still the Nine Heavens Blood Demon Sword..."
"Bah! Come under me! Wait... Can't even say that now? But Soul-Seizing Sword would still be super useful for you. Even if my realm's low, there's plenty to learn... Wanna rethink it now? No new master in the meantime?"
"Not really..."
"Come on? It's a once-in-a-lifetime chance. I might be weaker now, but Soul-Seizing Sword is a supreme art passed down for ages. Even I haven't mastered its full depths. So... Ah, better to hear it from someone else. Wait here. Right here!"
Soul-Seizing Sword vanished and reappeared.
The person he brought was someone I knew.
"Na So-wan! You tell him! You know this guy, right? Black Hand Ghost Doctor! Famous Recovery Squad leader! Neutral since you're with the Demonic Battlefield. Go on!"
"Dragging me here suddenly-what am I supposed to say?"
"Bah, aren't we close? Be honest. What do you think of Soul-Seizing Sword?"
"He's lighter than his age suggests, but the depth of Soul-Seizing Sword is profoundly heavy."
Black Hand Ghost Doctor Na So-wan eyed me steadily.
"The guy you wanna take as disciple?"
"Yeah! But get this... He's stronger than me now? Still, I can teach him plenty about Soul-Seizing Sword. Your take?"
"Squad Leader. Long time no see."
"...Hm? That voice... No way, you're that guy?"
"Yes."
"What? You two know each other?"
Na So-wan smirked and slyly shook off the arm Soul-Seizing Sword was gripping.
"Sorry, Ha-cheon. That talk never happened."
"Hm? What're you saying?"
"This guy's my disciple."
"...What?"
Na So-wan pulled me close.
"I've had my eye on him already. Don't you have one disciple? Be satisfied."
"Wh-what... That's ridiculous!"
"Yield him."
"Yield? Even if you're ahead of me, you think I'll just watch?! He's my disciple!"
"My arts suit him perfectly. Martial arts blending medicine and lightness skill-better than Soul-Seizing Sword."
"Better than Soul-Seizing Sword?! What nonsense! Soul-Seizing Sword is..."
"Noisy bunch."
A gruff voice cut in, likely from someone with a fiery temper. Fire Heaven Fist Demon Goon Ho-gwang drawled indifferently.
"Still kicking, huh. No Ha-cheon. Na So-wan."
"...Goon Ho-gwang."
"What're you doing here, deserter from your sect and battlefield?"
"Didn't hear? I smashed the Blood Cult remnants in Yakmin like it was nothing. While you lot sat on your asses."
"Still got that foul mouth."
"Hey, hey. Ease up. Old faces after so long-no need to get red-faced."
"I wouldn't if that gumby didn't pick fights... Sniff sniff?"
Fire Heaven Fist Demon sniffed the air.
He lowered his voice toward me.
"Mu-myeong? What're you doing here?"
"Elder."
"You know this guy too?"
"My disciple."
"Don't spew crap. No trace of your barbaric Explosive Fist aura on him."
"If I say he's my disciple, he is. Gumby."
"...Gonna have to remind you of the old days."
"Ha! Bring it, bastard!"
"Both of you, stop! The sword that suits him best is Soul-Seizing Sword anyway!"
"Don't sneak that in. Ha-cheon."
"I tolerate you somewhat, but cross the line and it's over."
"Cross what line?! Look at his nature! A body that endures long fights! Unbreakable spirit! Perfect heir for Soul-Seizing Sword!"
"Ha-cheon, greed's blinded you. The qualities he showed in Bongma Cave-leading the deficient, speaking against injustice-suit Black Hand Ghost Doctor's arts best."
"Bull! That fighting spirit! The fiery heart behind it! Perfect for Fire Heaven Explosive Fist!"
Someone tugged my sleeve.
I turned. Jade-green hair looked up at me.
"Disciple. What're you doing here?"
"Eek?! Nine Heavens Jade Maiden?!"
"...Why's the Ghost Horse Squad Leader here?"
"You crazy bitch! Here to stir shit again?!"
"Clear as day-these guys claiming my thing as theirs."
Nine Heavens Jade Maiden stated flatly.
"He's mine. All of you, scram."
"Even Nine Heavens Jade Maiden can't be that selfish!"
"Doesn't look like he inherited your arts either, Ghost Horse Leader."
"You mad bitch! Wanna go right here?!"
"What's wrong with calling mine my own?"
In the heated verbal sparring with sparks flying, attention focused our way. I stood in the center, swept up in an unstoppable wave.
Aaah. I wanna leave. But no escape in sight.
"Everyone, calm down first..."
"Quiet!"
"We're talking."
"Eyes on me! Mu-myeong! I'll show you the might of Fire Heaven Explosive Fist myself!"
"Don't butt in."
Amid the boiling energies, stifled chuckles rang out. So faint they were barely audible, but clear to me.
I glanced over. My eyes met the Heavenly Demon's, overlooking everything from the top.
She's laughing.
Clutching her stomach, chuckling away.
"......."
Far from helping, her laughter egged it on.
I had no clue how to defuse this mess.
But then, a single sharp energy pierced the entire banquet hall in an instant.
"Ugh?!"
"What...!"
"This...?!"
"......."
The surroundings fell silent. The razor-sharp presence silenced even Hwagyeong masters, cutting off every conversation in the hall.
An eerie quiet. Then, one voice emerged.
"This is a banquet under the Cult Leader's watchful eye."
A nostalgic voice.
"No reckless behavior."
I turned. My gaze met a woman in the same mask as me.
"First Demon...!"
The frozen energies loosened in a heartbeat. The First Demon strode swiftly through the crowd and stood before me.
"What's the commotion?"
As she asked, her hand subtly reached out and gripped my sleeve tight.
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