Chapter 43
Chapter 43
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: TrueDetective
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: 13. A Brief Commercial Break (4)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
One-month Beggar Clan Disciple, 'Heavenly Demon Princess'.
Of course, princess here didn't mean a lovely royal—it meant a terror from the jaws of hell.
Anyway, the Heavenly Demon Princess had lately been suffering from extreme stress.
It had only been a month since she started stanning Nine Pails Gang, but damn! So much shit had gone down.
'I swore I'd never stan a controversial guy idol again!'
The Heavenly Demon was a male idol riddled with petty scandals.
Rumors flew that he was some Chinese chaebol heir slumming it as a hobby.
Or that he was the hidden son of Kichi's CEO.
Even among fans, he was infamous for having the Meritorious Retainer Manager—who was legendary in the fandom—as his personal handler, yet treating even that manager like dirt.
Of course, the Heavenly Demon Princess had known all along that his personality wasn't exactly stellar.
'Who the hell hypes guy idols on personality these days!'
People stanned for the face!
If she was gonna stan based on personality, every idol stan would just become a Baek Nah Han fan.
As long as the Heavenly Demon didn't commit actual crimes, the Heavenly Demon Princess could've adopted him as her own.
But right after she vowed that, the leaked clip of the Heavenly Demon hit the internet.
'Thinking of going back to China, my ass!'
Truth be told, Nine Pails Gang members quitting wasn't exactly shocking.
Seven had already bailed, hadn't they?
No fans were as forgiving of departures as Beggar Clan Disciples.
But still, quitting was the worst sin imaginable.
Why was quitting the absolute worst?
Because they hadn't committed crimes, so they'd keep living large afterward—and that pissed her off to no end.
Plus, quitters always trashed the group's image on their way out.
Given the Heavenly Demon's personality, no way he'd leave quietly.
In situations like this, the smart move was to quit stanning without further heartache.
But it wasn't that easy.
'If only Hwajin's hair was 30—no, 10 centimeters shorter...!!'
That glossy, flowing beautiful long hair.
Jet-black locks like polished ebony!
How could a guy idol with hair like that even exist in real life!
As long as the Heavenly Demon kept his long hair, quitting was a pipe dream for a long-haired idol stan like the Heavenly Demon Princess.
Even if he stirred up controversy today, as usual.
It all started with an anonymous post on the Nine Pails Gang gallery.
[Title: I'm Lion connected btw
Content: Heavenly Demon's the model for the Lion6 ad yy. Heard something about Heavenly Demon Red or whatever]
Out of nowhere.
The comments were predictably icy.
[? What does Lion lack that they'd use Heavenly Demon?]
[First time seeing such a random rumor lol]
[Heavenly Demon Red kkkkkk]
[OP: Heard it straight from a Lion insider;]
[Post says you're the Lion insider kkklmao]
[-Don't feed the retard-]
The Heavenly Demon Princess chuckled at the post too.
Even if Nine Pails Gang had international fame, a Lion ad model?
A solo ad for Heavenly Demon, who hadn't even been long in the group since debuting with them?
Ridiculous rumor, but even if true, it'd be a problem.
The fandom was sensitive about solo activities.
Especially for a controversial member— it'd be pouring fuel on the fire.
So nothing like that should happen...
Late that night.
A post went up on Kichi CEO's SNS.
[Today, Leader of Nine Pails Gang, Martial Alliance Leader, and Greatest Sword, Master Namgung Ryeo, will appear on the late-night talk show <Caramel>!
Please watch till the end^^ insutar for Lion]
Every Beggar Clan Disciple knew the Alliance Leader was on <Caramel> tonight.
The issue was the meaningful plea to 'watch till the end' and the tag at the end of the CEO's post.
'insutar for Lion' jumped right out.
That tag only appeared on posts uploaded via Lion.
The CEO had always posted via web, so no such tag before.
'<Caramel> ends during golden hour...'
She knew Namgung Ryeo's talk show had solid ratings, with fierce competition for ad slots at start and end.
She rushed to the Nine Pails Gang gallery, and sure enough—total chaos.
From pilgrims to the afternoon Lion insider post, to...
[Title: My old ultimate bias was a quitter too, right?]
[Content: This has to be Heavenly Demon threatening to sue. So Kichi hooked him up with a solo Lion ad to placate him. My old ult got the same VIP treatment right before quitting. Agency had no choice but to sweet-talk him.]
Crap conspiracy theories like that, and...
[Title: Hwajin-ah, when you going home? 10...]
[Content: 9... 8... 7.......]
Pure troll bait everywhere.
With the CEO's spoiler basically confirming Heavenly Demon's solo Lion6 ad.
'No way Kichi hooked up a solo ad. Kichi's big, but Lion's bigger, fuck.'
The Heavenly Demon Princess, who planned to lead the charge cursing him if he quit, but...
For now, her arm was still bending inward.
Not all Beggar Clan Disciples were like her—posts like this popped up too.
[Title: Heavenly Demon's pitiful]
[Content: He was probably just homesick, but got caught by a sasaeng, leaked online, and now eating shit. Even if he gets a solo ad, instead of congrats, they're practically exorcising him to leave. If he quits, you all got nothing to say. You didn't believe in him first.]
But those got ruthless comment chains.
[Bye next Heavenly Demon]
[Still Heavenly Demon simps out here]
[Sigh, guy idols flop and it's always the fans' fault. Who'd stan that shit]
[Heavenly Demon pitiful? Fuck no, pitiful's Namgung Jun—debuted before him and still no solo ad ever kekekek]
"Haa..."
The Heavenly Demon Princess sighed without realizing.
She started stanning for fun, so why was it stressing her out this much?
'Love... is self-harm. Fuck.'
Cursing under her breath, she flipped to Namgung Ryeo's late-night talk show.
The Alliance Leader crooning a gentle ballad filled the screen.
Most Beggar Clan Disciples were probably tuned in.
'The Alliance Leader looks extra hot today.'
She'd always thought his over-the-top handsomeness wasn't her type.
But just seeing his face calmed her anger—she got why his fangirls were obsessed.
-Namgung Ryeo: What a sweet ballad from Great Sword! How's your voice that good? My ears are melting~
-Greatest Sword: Thank you. Senior Zhuge Liang's song is so great, I could just ride its coattails.
-Namgung Ryeo: Come to think of it, Nine Pails Gang has zero solo tracks, huh?
-Greatest Sword: We do personal stuff, but no solo stages yet.
-Namgung Ryeo: You've got years under your belt— no itch for solo activities?
-Greatest Sword: Hm... I was mulling it over recently, but something another member said changed my mind.
-Namgung Ryeo: What'd he say?
-Greatest Sword: He got a really good offer but said he'd turn it down unless all six of us did it together.
-Namgung Ryeo: OMG, really? Sixth year and still that loyal?
-Greatest Sword: Haha, honestly shocked—he's the last guy I'd expect that from. But hearing it made me think, what's the point of solo stuff? We're Nine Pails Gang.
'That had to be Baek Nah Han...'
If only Heavenly Demon took after Baek Nah Han even halfway.
Surprisingly fun, Namgung Ryeo's show made the Heavenly Demon Princess forget why she was watching—until the Alliance Leader's closing remarks jolted her.
-Greatest Sword: Actually, we prepared a surprise gift. Hope you watched till the end. So... Caramel for you?
-Namgung Ryeo: Caramel for you~
Namgung Ryeo and Greatest Sword waving at the camera lingered briefly.
Then pop—the scene shifted to a familiar street filling the screen.
A street she'd frequented since stanning Heavenly Demon.
'Jujaha Street!'
The Heavenly Demon Princess instantly knew: this was the Lion6 ad.
Red text floated over the street.
Lion6×9P1B
Collaboration.
Seeing that, her brain froze.
'Nine Pails Gang... collab...?'
The ad cut quickly to the next scene—no time to think.
First figure on screen: unexpectedly, not Heavenly Demon.
A guy she'd never seen filming across the street with his camera.
Handsome, but no Nine Pails Gang member.
He zoomed in somewhere, and soon Heavenly Demon appeared, robes fluttering on a rooftop.
'Hwajin really shot a solo ad...?'
Close-up filled the screen with Heavenly Demon's chilling face.
Narration and subtitles followed below.
-5x optical zoom, even more upgraded
Almost simultaneously, Heavenly Demon kicked off the building and soared into the sky.
The guy captured every move without missing.
-Slow-mo capture that misses no instant action
Heavenly Demon landed on the street, drew his sword from his waist, and charged the camera.
Then—an alert chimed.
-Ding!
[WARNING]
[9P1B CALL]
An AI Cherry warning popup appeared on screen.
-Your loyal servant AI
'...Loyal servant?'
Suddenly, dark red plum petals drifted in from somewhere.
Heavenly Demon sliced through the petal-filled screen with his sword; the guy finally pocketed his smartphone and flinched.
But no strike came—he peeked, and there smiling beautifully: Greatest Sword.
Subtitles rose slowly above.
-And
Panning slowly down Greatest Sword's shoulder and arm: Lion6 blocking Heavenly Demon's downward slash.
-World's first sword-proof phone
"Sword... proof phone?"
The Heavenly Demon Princess was stunned, but the ad flowed smoothly.
Heavenly Demon sheathed and backed off; Greatest Sword casually dialed on the phone that just took the hit.
Then, behind him, Nine Pails Gang members landed one by one.
'This... isn't a solo ad?'
-Anytime, anywhere
-Anyone
-Let’s 9P1B
Heavenly Demon and the five members faced each other; above them floated Lion6 in different colors.
Over Heavenly Demon's head: deep red Lion6 matching his eyes.
Over the five: Nine Pails Gang's official color, Cheetah Black Lion6.
A fleeting thought crossed the Heavenly Demon Princess's mind.
'Million-won official merch.'
[Pre-orders start September 1st]
[*Full ad version on NewTube.]
Screen flipped to the usual bland ad.
The Heavenly Demon Princess pressed her temple.
"...What the hell did I just watch."
Sword-proof phone? What?
No, that wasn't the point now.
She hit the gallery to check Lion6 ad reactions.
So many posts flooded in, they made a dedicated Lion6 ad thread.
Too many comments to read all, so she started midway.
[What? Wasn't the Lion6 ad just Heavenly Demon solo?]
[But what was that? Sword-proof phone?]
[Anytime anywhere anyone needs sword-proof phone? Why?]
[You run into Heavenly Demon on the street and he swings his sword. What blocks it? 1. Forehead 2. Fan banner 3. Sword-proof phone]
[...Sword-proof phone?]
[Right? That's it.]
[What the fuck is that lmao]
[Owning 'world's first' title so boldly kekekek]
[That important now? Morning OP come out. You said Heavenly Demon solo.]
[Heavenly Demon had high screen time tho]
[Didn't see full version? Full version kids get more.]
[Lion insider here yy original plan was def Heavenly Demon solo. But he said no unless whole group, so collab it became gg]
[Fuck then speak straight or fact-check before posting. Hwajin ate shit all day cuz of you?]
[Chills—so the member Alliance Leader mentioned on Caramel, refusing unless all six? That's Heavenly Demon??]
[Alliance Leader knew ad after Caramel cuz CEO, right? Told to say that.]
[Greatest Sword tell him to cover for a group-leaver?]
[My take: Greatest Sword protecting his member his way. Shares room with Heavenly Demon, knows he ain't leaving, knows he's the type to reject unless all six, felt bad for current mess? Wanted to show Heavenly Demon's serious about Nine Pails Gang.]
[TBH weird believing that leak. Obvious sasaeng hate-edit, but y'all acting like Heavenly Demon quitting—looked bad.]
'Now you say that?'
Where were they hiding? Pro-Heavenly Demon posts started pouring in.
Kinda funny after ghosting so long.
Still, seeing opinion flip instantly eased her mind a bit.
'And even then, could get backstabbed tomorrow—that's idol fandom...'
Even if Heavenly Demon backstabbed, she could resell the Lion6.
Mesmerized, the Heavenly Demon Princess hit pre-order for Cheetah Black.
Skipped Heavenly Demon Red cuz it'd be hard to resell.
'But...'
She was a Nine Pails Gang fan, so buying regardless.
Would a sword-proof phone actually sell?
...Our boys' collab won't flop, right?
* * *
I'd gone blank getting the Lion6 pre-order report from Lion.
Because.
"...Out of stock, pre-orders halted?"
Why the hell was it selling so well?