Chapter 57
Chapter 57
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 57
Chapter Title: Stone Manor's Youngest Daughter (1)
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Acting too boldly often makes the opponent shrink back.
There was clearly Invincible Golden Sword Ha Jin, a transcendent expert, guarding the entrance to the Eight Kings Inn.
Yet here was a handsome young noble, servant in tow, brazenly requesting a meal. Even the elite guards of the Stone Manor had no choice but to freeze in place.
"Who the hell is that guy?"
"No way he's the heir to the Stone Manor or some other major money house?"
The Heavenly Demon's demeanor was so natural and refined that he could pass for an acquaintance of Seok Geum-yeong—or even the heir to another grand money house on par with the Stone Manor.
But that illusion didn't last long.
"Miss Geum-yeong. Do you know that young lord by any chance?"
A girl in her late teens, born with an elegance, nobility, and beauty on a different level altogether.
Seok Geum-yeong shook her head.
"No. First time seeing him."
At those words, the Stone Manor guards began radiating their auras in earnest as they closed in on the Heavenly Demon and Sogang.
Each one might be less than half the skill of the Invincible Golden Sword Ha Jin they'd met earlier, but there were over ten of them.
These peak-level elite guards glared at the Heavenly Demon with fierce eyes.
"G-Gunryong, sir."
Sogang, who had barely trained in martial arts, called out to the Heavenly Demon in terror.
"Hm? Want something else?"
The Heavenly Demon, oblivious or not to Sogang's fear, remained utterly nonchalant and kept talking about food.
"N-No, over there..."
Sogang pointed to the side, and only then did the Heavenly Demon notice Seok Geum-yeong and her outstanding guards, grasping the situation.
But Sogang didn't know.
Despite the ten peak experts unleashing their auras, he—a near novice in martial arts—could still breathe properly only because the Heavenly Demon's immense power was shielding him.
"I'm a bit sensitive before meals... Anyone wanna get seriously hurt?"
The Heavenly Demon had no greed for food, but hunger made him irritable.
Especially after 200 years without a decent bite. He didn't want interruptions during mealtime.
That's why he'd ignored Ha Jin's courtesy—and spared him without killing or even lifting a hand, precisely because of that courtesy.
"Pfft! Seen a lunatic like this before? No idea why Master Ha Jin let you slide, but I'll teach you some manners!"
Among Seok Geum-yeong's escorts, there was another figure as renowned as Ha Jin.
While Ha Jin was famous as a transcendent master who unusually attached himself to a money house, this man—Blood King Twin Fists Geum Ja-chu—was infamous for his brutality and hot temper.
His fists always stained with blood, earning him the moniker Blood King Twin Fists. Originally a public enemy of the martial world, rejected by both righteous and evil factions alike.
The Stone Manor's guard division had spotted his peak-level prowess, specially recruited him, and reformed him.
"Miss. You're eating, so best not to watch this."
Geum Ja-chu had only been serving Seok Geum-yeong for half a year, and his rough nature still showed.
Was it a failure in his duties?
Today, he seemed even more on edge.
Thus, with his crude speech, he reported to Seok Geum-yeong.
Thud... thud!
He slowly advanced toward the Heavenly Demon and Sogang.
"Um... I'm fine, so you can stop..."
Surprisingly, Seok Geum-yeong wasn't angry at all and didn't mind the Heavenly Demon's intrusion. She tried to dissuade Geum Ja-chu.
"No, miss. Guys without a clue only learn after a real beating."
Truth be told, Invincible Golden Sword Ha Jin would have been better suited to restrain him, but Ha Jin was locked in a fierce standoff with Yang Hui-gun outside.
"Gasp!"
Sogang's legs went weak at the sight of Geum Ja-chu, even bulkier than Ha Jin, with a head taller and grotesquely massive.
But the Heavenly Demon's reaction was different.
"Sigh. Seems like all the meatheads are fans today."
Irritable from hunger, the Heavenly Demon casually picked up a wooden chopstick.
"You bastard!!"
Enraged at being called a meathead, Geum Ja-chu unleashed his signature technique without hesitation: Fighting King Twin Fists Dance's ultimate strike.
-Blood Storm Collapse Fist!
Geum Ja-chu's skill ranked top-tier even among peak masters.
The power in that single fist was world-shaking, mighty enough to rip mountains bare-handed.
Kwaaaaaah!
As Geum Ja-chu unleashed a ferocious fist wind toward the Heavenly Demon's face—
Pshuk!
Not a dull thud, but a sharp piercing sound rang out loudly.
What was that noise? Unbelievable.
"Argh! Aaaaagh!"
Geum Ja-chu, bulkier than Ha Jin, clutched his swung right fist and hopped in place.
Seok Geum-yeong, the Stone Manor warriors, and even Sogang stared in shock. Incredibly, a wooden chopstick was embedded in Geum Ja-chu's fist.
The tip driven in like a stake, so deep he couldn't even spread his fingers.
"Aaaagh! My hand!"
It wasn't just the pain of the chopstick. The Heavenly Demon's internal energy infused in it—the Heavenly Demon Divine Art—surged through, causing excruciating agony.
His natural toughness, stamina, and top peak-level skill kept him from fainting.
"A master! One we can't even gauge!"
"Taking down Blood King Twin Fists Geum Ja-chu with a single chopstick!"
"Where did a guy like that come from?"
No escort stronger than Geum Ja-chu remained.
Even if they all rushed in, they couldn't picture beating the handsome youth in black robes—the Heavenly Demon.
Finally realizing reality, the rest froze, not daring to approach even the wounded Geum Ja-chu.
"Ruins my appetite. Get lost."
The Heavenly Demon had no interest in watching longer.
Thwack!
He mercilessly kicked the writhing, hopping Geum Ja-chu in the gut.
The massive bulk flew skyward like light chaff—and right toward the chefs and waiters preparing food!
Crash! Clang!
Food scattered everywhere, utterly ruined.
"Ah! My food!"
Especially the chicken soup the Heavenly Demon had anticipated—it poured onto Geum Ja-chu's crotch, wasted. He was utterly distraught.
"Oof! That was the last one!"
"Even the dinner ingredients are trashed!"
"What now, sir? It'll take an hour to remake."
The Eight Kings Inn's chefs, waiters, and owner all clicked their tongues in regret.
Geum Ja-chu's size was enormous, and the Heavenly Demon's kick carried excessive internal energy—hence the disaster.
"This meathead just had to cause trouble!"
The Heavenly Demon had spared him for the sake of the meal, but his rage boiled over.
"Young lord. If you're alright... care to join me?"
Then, something astonishing happened.
Despite her powerless escorts running wild, Seok Geum-yeong—till now helpless—proposed sharing her table in her signature languid, soft voice, astonishing all.
"What?"
"I ordered too much for one. You and your servant, please join."
Heirs to great money houses or tycoons were often tomboys, especially youngest daughters.
Modern heirs might be polite in public, but maintaining decorum before common folk was no easy feat.
Yet Seok Geum-yeong was different.
She personally invited the Heavenly Demon and Sogang to her lavish top table.
"My guards were rude. I want to apologize."
She even bowed deeply, parting her hair on her crown. Even the Heavenly Demon's anger subsided.
'Come to think of it, 200 years ago... that Shi Qing guy was an interesting fellow too.'
The Heavenly Demon wondered if he might get along well with the Stone family folk.
"Ahem. You sure that's okay?"
"Of course. I was feeling lonely eating alone anyway."
Even as the Heavenly Demon spoke casually, she neither frowned nor snapped—
She even pulled out chairs for them herself!
Sogang was moved to tears.
"Fine. Figured there was a reason for ordering so much. Thought you ate a lot for a lady."
"Hohohoho!"
She laughed off his jest, so the Heavenly Demon joined in without hesitation, bantering away.
Meanwhile, her guards—wary of his formidable skill and her signals to leave it be—awkwardly withdrew.
"Thanks. Won't stand on ceremony then... let's eat."
"By all means."
Thus began the bizarre meal between Stone Manor's youngest daughter and the Heavenly Demon.
Not bizarre at all—the atmosphere stayed warm throughout, filled with Seok Geum-yeong's endless laughter.
"Oh, right. What's your name, young lord?"
"Me? Gunryong. Call me Gunryong."
Sogang was impressed by his brazenness, even sharing dessert heartily after introductions.
As the comfortable meal between the Heavenly Demon, Seok Geum-yeong, and Sogang wound down—
"Miss! Miss Geum-yeong!"
A burly man rushed in belatedly, out of breath.
Naturally, it was Invincible Golden Sword Ha Jin.
Ha Jin had been in a standoff with Yang Hui-gun,
-Enough.
Unable to overcome his worry for Seok Geum-yeong, he'd turned his back first.
Showing his back to Ghost Shadow Sword Yang Hui-gun worried him, but luckily, the opponent was a righteous man—and above all—
-Fine. I'm hungry too.
Yang Hui-gun was hungry too, so they ended their tense battle of wills and entered the Eight Kings Inn.
"Uncle Ha Jin?"
Seok Geum-yeong was very close to Ha Jin.
Unlike with other guards, she called him "uncle" affectionately.
"Are you alright? Hurt anywhere?"
Ha Jin, having focused on Yang Hui-gun, fretted over his long absence.
Especially with crashing sounds and groans from inside—he'd been on pins and needles.
Entering to find Blood King Twin Fists Geum Ja-chu—his second strongest—bloodied and rolling, shocked him further.
"Huh? Of course. This Gunryong fellow's really fun and spirited."
Oblivious to Ha Jin's shock, Seok Geum-yeong was immersed in chit-chat with Gunryong.
Poor Seok Geum-yeong—from childhood as the late legitimate wife's child, she'd endured countless assassins, and had few true peers.
'The only ones she's opened up to are me and a few maids...'
Ha Jin eyed the mysterious culprit who'd won her favor in such a short time: Heavenly Demon Gunryong.
Gunryong ignored Ha Jin's gaze entirely.
"Hui-gun, you here? Try this chicken soup. It's art. Pack three more bowls to go."
Displaying his signature self-centered mindset.