Chapter 33
Chapter 33
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Translator: TrueDetective
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: 10. Heavenly Demon, Are You... Something? (5)
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Anyang has a street called Joo Ja-ha Road.
It wasn't some coincidence—it's genuinely named after a member of Nine Factions Clan.
The road got its name from Joo Ja-ha.
Originally, it was named for tourism appeal...
But since there were no roads named after the other members, it ended up being called Nine Factions Clan Road.
Joo Ja-ha Road soon became a holy site for Beggar Clan Disciples, and wuxia-themed shops sprang up like mushrooms.
Naturally, more people started showing up in wuxia-style cosplay.
Over the past few years, Anyang's Joo Ja-ha Road had transformed into something resembling a wuxia movie set.
"It's just like the Central Plains."
The Heavenly Demon murmured that as he tilted his head slightly.
"However..."
For the Heavenly Demon, who longed to return to the Central Plains, it must have stirred up some nostalgia.
Still, the good thing about Joo Ja-ha Road was that the Heavenly Demon's outfit didn't stand out much.
And not just because there were so many people in wuxia cosplay.
"Those are imitating this seat?"
The Heavenly Demon pointed with a trembling finger at a group of people.
They were wearing black-and-red wuxia outfits—the Heavenly Demon's image colors—and cheap, low-quality wigs that looked crude compared to the real thing. A cosplay club, known as cosplayers.
There must have been some event today, as a sizable crowd had gathered to watch them.
"Heavenly Demon-nim~ Strike a V!"
"Do a K-heart~"
"Next to level, please~"
The Heavenly Demon watched in disbelief as the cosplayers struck poses enthusiastically at the Beggar Clan Disciples' requests.
"Falling for such shoddy impersonations."
"It's not impersonation, and no one's being fooled."
"Then?"
"It's a form of entertainment. They know it's not the real Heavenly Demon-nim. They gathered like that because they like you."
"They know it's fake and still do that? And they made this fake Central Plains for the same reason?"
"That's right."
As we talked while watching the cosplayers, some passing Beggar Clan Disciples giggled and approached, playfully cupping their fists in greeting before moving on.
I returned the gesture with a cupped fist and a slight smile.
"Looks like they think you're cosplaying too, Heavenly Demon-nim."
"That's because you made me wear this ridiculous mask."
Before getting out of the car, I'd put a mask on the Heavenly Demon.
What kind of mask? One with the Heavenly Demon's face printed on it.
A Heavenly Demon mask sold for 3,000 won each on Joo Ja-ha Road.
Unofficial merch, but still.
"No one would ever imagine the real Heavenly Demon-nim wearing a Heavenly Demon mask on Joo Ja-ha Road."
"Why'd you wear one?"
"My face is somewhat known among the Beggar Clan Disciples too."
By the way, where was the rep who'd called us to Anyang?
I messaged him that we'd arrived, and a reply came right away.
[You're here. Where are you?]
[Where there are a ton of Heavenly Demon cosplayers.]
A moment later, the rep strode out confidently from the crowd watching the Heavenly Demon cosplayers.
In one hand, he held a folded fan in Nine Factions Clan's official color, cheetah black.
For reference, cheetah black is vantablack—the world's blackest black—mixed with gold dust.
They chose cheetah black as the official color simply because it was 'expensive.'
It wouldn't overlap with other idols' colors, sure.
But the rep really knew how to blow money.
The rep, also wearing a Heavenly Demon mask like us, brought his hand to his mouth and smiled.
"That mask suits you well."
"Yours doesn't."
"True. I'm from the righteous sects, after all."
"You serious?"
Even as the Heavenly Demon eyed him suspiciously, the rep looked simply delighted to be chatting with him.
"But what's with that fan?"
"It's the official support fan for the next concert."
The rep unfurled the folded fan with a flick, revealing the characters for Wi Hwa-jin inked in red-black.
The Heavenly Demon shook his head as if he'd seen something he shouldn't have.
"Living to see my name engraved on a fan. Why carry something like that around?"
"Right now, no one seems to recognize you as the Heavenly Demon-nim, but it's only a matter of time. There'll probably be sighting reports, so if photos of you holding it circulate, it'll be great promo. By the way, the names on them will be randomized for sales."
"You devious bastard. If you're gonna do that, just sell sticky seals."
"What's a sticky seal?"
"You uncultured..."
"?"
What must it feel like for the Heavenly Demon, who lived in a culture from a thousand years ago, to hear "uncultured swine"?
At the last fanmeet, he'd received a whole box of those monster bread things as tribute.
He'd seemed uninterested then, but recently, clips from that anime showed up in his NewTube history, so maybe he was into it.
I watched coldly as the rep shoved the folded fan into the Heavenly Demon's hand, then asked the rep,
"So, where's the leaker?"
At my question, the rep turned to look behind him.
His gaze landed on that group of Heavenly Demons from earlier.
"He's in there."
"One of the fake Heavenly Demons?"
"Yes."
"That's odd. Didn't that guy post it because he utterly despises this seat?"
"I thought he was an anti-fan too... but things got a bit complicated."
"What do you mean?"
As the Heavenly Demon asked in confusion, the rep hesitated, as if embarrassed to say it himself.
"The leaker... turned out to be someone I know."
Someone the rep knew?
"Not a Beggar Clan Disciple?"
"I didn't recognize him at first because of the Heavenly Demon cosplay, but I knew him once I heard the name. You probably know him too, So-i."
Hold on.
Someone who could use lightness skill but wasn't even a Nine Factions Clan fan...
"The leaker's name is Dang Sa-cheon."
...Just hearing the name, I could already guess what was going on.
The rep continued, half-lowering his Heavenly Demon mask.
"Namgung Jun's rival right up to the debut wire. A Kichi trainee."
* * *
Dang Sa-cheon, a fifth-year Kichi trainee.
A skilled trainee who'd gone all the way to Nine Factions Clan's debut.
More precisely, he'd 'been' a trainee.
The day Namgung Jun was selected as the additional recruit instead of him, Dang Sa-cheon left the agency.
'The cult rep isn't fit to handle this Young Master of the Tang Clan.'
That's what he'd thought, and he'd walked out on his own two feet.
But three months after Namgung Jun debuted.
When he saw some no-name trainee debut with a Heavenly Demon concept, Dang Sa-cheon's rage was indescribable.
'If you're gonna debut someone additional that fast, why not debut this Young Master and Namgung Jun together back then!!'
And what? Heavenly Demon concept?
Hadn't Namgung Jun been picked over him at the last second because a Tang Clan poison arts concept was less 'righteous' than Namgung family sword arts?
They said Nine Factions Clan couldn't have two orthodox sect heirs debut, but Heavenly Demon was fine?
Dang Sa-cheon was the persistent type.
He resolved to watch the Heavenly Demon until he could accept why it was him debuting and not himself.
That's why he'd even followed them to the Japan showcase.
Recording the conversation between the Heavenly Demon and Shin Tae-ul had been pure chance, but Dang Sa-cheon stumbled onto an unexpected truth.
-The choreography for Nine Factions Clan isn't just dancing. It's a proper inner power cultivation method that builds pure inner energy.
When he heard that much, Dang Sa-cheon was so confused he didn't listen further and returned to his hotel room.
Thinking it over calmly back there, it struck him as an opportunity.
"So the choreography this Young Master learned... was a real inner power cultivation method."
It was weird.
His body felt so light.
A physique that barely felt fatigue.
Extraordinary jumping ability and abnormal strength.
It was all 'real.'
'Then.'
His own inner power was five years' worth.
A newbie like the Heavenly Demon, fresh off debut, surely had inner power incomparably inferior to his.
Realizing that, Dang Sa-cheon hatched a brilliant scheme.
The Heavenly Demon was, after all, the strongest in the Demonic Cult.
So, what if he put on a performance subduing the Heavenly Demon in front of the Beggar Clan Disciples?
Leak the recording that would embarrass the Heavenly Demon, luring him out to meet.
Break one of his limbs so he couldn't continue activities.
Then threaten the rep: replace the Heavenly Demon with me, or I release the recording proving Nine Factions Clan's choreography is an inner power method!
'A plan so petty and perfect. Even I'm chilled by my own viciousness.'
In other words, he hadn't released it for fear the later parts would undermine the earlier ones—he was just saving it as leverage to blackmail the rep.
Now that he knew his body could use martial arts, he could do other things.
But he wanted to be an idol.
Not a martial artist...
'Not the time to get sentimental.'
A moment ago, he'd run into the rep who'd come looking for him.
The rep had agreed to let him talk to the Heavenly Demon directly.
The Heavenly Demon would come to him soon.
Dang Sa-cheon shivered in admiration at his own scheme for a second, then snapped to attention at the cold killing intent prickling his nape.
'Killing intent!'
He hurriedly raised his arm to block, but he was a step too late.
Smack! It was a cheetah black folded fan striking his nape hard.
"......!!"
It stung far more than a mere fan whack should.
Swallowing a yelp to save face, Dang Sa-cheon glared fiercely at the man who'd hit him.
He was dressed like a Heavenly Demon, mask and all, just like Dang Sa-cheon—and he was a full head taller than Dang Sa-cheon's 180 cm, forcing him to look up.
Plus, his long hair looked impossibly natural for a wig.
With his sharp eyes, Dang Sa-cheon realized it instantly.
'The real Heavenly Demon!'
Sure enough.
Facing away from the onlookers, the man lowered his mask halfway, revealing crimson eyes.
The Heavenly Demon, Wi Hwa-jin, whispered in a low voice.
"The recording. Hand it over nicely while you can."
"......"
Dang Sa-cheon couldn't help smirking.
Falling for it this easily.
Debuting without trainee time, blowing up right away—he must think he's hot shit.
What are you, really? Chinese tycoon? Even Chinese tycoons can't buy inner power with money.
So Dang Sa-cheon declared haughtily.
"And if I don't?"
The Heavenly Demon's brows furrowed in an inverted V.
"What gives this trash the guts to act up?"
"That's my line, Young Master."
With a low chuckle, Dang Sa-cheon struck without warning.
'First strike wins!'
He aimed a hand blade at the Heavenly Demon's jaw, but the Heavenly Demon didn't even twitch, just looked down at him with crimson eyes.
'As expected!'
His inner power was weak. The Heavenly Demon couldn't react!
He thought he'd driven the hand blade under the Heavenly Demon's jaw.
"......?!"
But when he came to, he was a good distance away from the Heavenly Demon.
Startled, amid the scattering crowd, he heard the Heavenly Demon's scoff.
"I've seen your Tang clan's Na Ryeo Ta Gon up close. Nice."
"......!!"
At the Heavenly Demon's words, Dang Sa-cheon quickly checked his body.
Dust on his clothes, like he'd rolled on the ground to dodge...
'I rolled on the ground......?!"
Without even realizing it?
Why?
It felt like he'd suffered some major humiliation.
"Still haven't grasped your place, have you? Your body knows better, though..."
Raising his mask again, the Heavenly Demon said.
"I won't kill you."
"Wait—...!"
The moment the Heavenly Demon vanished from sight, Dang Sa-cheon felt an inexplicable threat and leaped up, kicking off the second-floor railing.
He felt the Heavenly Demon right behind him as he landed.
'How!'
Dang Sa-cheon tried to evade, but the Heavenly Demon's hand was faster.
The folded fan flew at the same spot as before.
"Gah!"
Dang Sa-cheon couldn't dodge and tumbled ungracefully onto the inner terrace.
With a splat.
He saw the Heavenly Demon land lightly on the terrace.
"Hand over the recording."
"How...!"
Dang Sa-cheon barely pulled himself up, unable to hide his shock.
"How can you... against this Young Master with five years of inner power...!"
"Didn't you watch this seat's variety shows?"
"Variety shows?"
"This seat cultivated for a hundred years."
"Ridiculous!"
"Dancing to build inner power isn't?"
"Th-that's..."
"By the way, aren't you from the Tang Clan?"
The Heavenly Demon twirled the folded fan deftly on his fingertip and asked.
"Sold your poison arts for Na Ryeo Ta Gon?"
"The rep banned poison arts."
"You left that rep's agency."
"...I'm going back."
"How?"
"......"
When Dang Sa-cheon didn't answer immediately, the Heavenly Demon sneered and looked away.
Dang Sa-cheon realized the Heavenly Demon was thoroughly underestimating him.
'Careless fool. I'll make you regret it.'
While the Heavenly Demon was distracted, Dang Sa-cheon rolled quickly across the floor.
He grabbed a fire extinguisher from the corner of the terrace and sprayed it at the Heavenly Demon.
"I'll take you down and claim the Heavenly Demon spot for myself!!"
It was all or nothing now.
The people here would just think it was a movie shoot or some weird Kichi event.
Dang Sa-cheon charged with all his might, intending to shove the Heavenly Demon off.
But in the thick extinguisher powder fog, what met him was the Heavenly Demon smacking his forehead with the folded fan.
"Argh...!!"
The skull-splitting impact sent Dang Sa-cheon clutching his head, rolling on the ground.
Looking down at him, the Heavenly Demon fanned open the folded fan, parting the thick smoke like a curtain.
Standing in the middle, the Heavenly Demon fanned his own face and clicked his tongue.
"Got it? If your body's weak, your head has to work overtime."
"......!"
"You said no poison arts, but Tang Clan folks are never trustworthy. What if this seat weren't immune to all poisons?"
"Urk..."
"Kid, wanna keep yapping?"
Hearing "kid" from the guy waving a fan engraved with his own name in red-black stung his pride badly.
Amid the throbbing headache, Dang Sa-cheon ran the calculations again.
'A hundred years is bullshit, but he's definitely stronger than this Young Master.'
Defiance would just mean more beatings, so Dang Sa-cheon sighed and bowed his head.
"No point in this fight. Let's stop."
"You started it?"
"It's been ages since I met someone stronger than this Young Master. Couldn't hold back my competitive spirit."
"What's your concept, anyway?"
"I'm Dang Sa-cheon. The rep gave me the Tang Clan Young Master title."
"I see. But your short speech grates."
As the Heavenly Demon slowly folded the fan, Dang Sa-cheon crouched low and spoke quickly.
"Will handing over the recording do?"
"Yes."
"But I don't have it on me right now."
"Then?"
"It's in my car. Send me, and I'll grab it quick."
"Fine."
"......!"
Letting him go this easily?
Dang Sa-cheon thought fast.
'Even if I run, they'll find me quick?'
With the Kichi rep behind the Heavenly Demon, tracking him would be easy.
If their martial arts were superior too... faking going for the recording and bolting was a bad plan.
'Get the recording first, then negotiate...'
As he thought that, a familiar voice came from beyond the railing.
"Heavenly Demon-nim! Got him?"
Peeking down, he saw a familiar face lifting his mask and looking up.
It was Jeom So-i, Nine Factions Clan's manager, whom he'd run into a few times during trainee days.
"What's this? What exploded? Fire extinguisher?"
A thought flashed through Dang Sa-cheon's mind as he watched Jeom So-i cough and grimace at the extinguisher powder the Heavenly Demon had dispersed.
'Jeom So-i's definitely a normal person with no inner power...!'
Plus, a key Kichi asset the rep doted on!
In that split second, Dang Sa-cheon decided to take Jeom So-i hostage and leaped down.
The Heavenly Demon seemed to think he was really going for the recording, looking down without alarm.
Jeom So-i blinked innocently with wide eyes.
'This Young Master's villainy is truly unmatched!'
Admiring his own pettiness once more, just as he reached for Jeom So-i.
Something electric shot through his entire body.
"......!!!"
A shock like being electrocuted.
This is...!
"Thun... der... arts...!?"
Jeom So-i looked at the gasping Dang Sa-cheon with pitiful eyes.
In his hand was a sparking stun gun with blue sparks flying.
The Heavenly Demon, leaning on the second-floor railing, asked with keen interest.
"What's that?"
"One-Strike Must-Kill Jeom So-i Secret Ultimate Thunder Art: Always Ready."
"Not 'right tool for the right job'?"
"Even when idle, you never know when you'll need the Pi○chu in your pocket. Learned my lesson from last time and carry it now."
"As expected of this seat's starting Jeom So-i."
Dang Sa-cheon gritted his teeth, twitching from the electricity.
'These bastards are bantering with me in between...!'
Jeom So-i met Dang Sa-cheon's glare, tilted his head, and murmured ominously.
"He's tanking it..."
"Then hit him with another million volts. Show 'em what happens if you underestimate anyone."
"Understood."
"Wh-what!!"
Dang Sa-cheon tried to move and dodge, but his body wouldn't budge, as if gripped by air grasp.
Facing the oncoming blue flames, he desperately opened his mouth.
"Wait—...!!"
Zzzap—
With Jeom So-i indifferently pressing the stun gun to his side one more time, Dang Sa-cheon convulsed and passed out on the spot.