Chapter 37: Young Sect Leader, Kang In-ho-2
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 37: Young Sect Leader, Kang In-ho-2
The atmosphere of the banquet grew riper by the minute, and the songs of those comfortably drunk could be heard from all corners.
The cook, perhaps moved by what had happened earlier, kept bringing me mountain-like piles of meat dishes.
Finding it hard to ignore his sincerity, I sat in my seat and happily wolfed down everything he brought. Thanks to that, my stomach was so bloated it felt uncomfortable just sitting still.
As the meal wound down, the Heavenly Demon introduced a few of her close confidants.
"I’ve introduced her before, but this is the Spirit Demon."
The Spirit Demon greeted me once more, and I tried my best not to stare at her choice of attire. Instead, I focused on her face; her sharp, bob-cut hair and blunt expression made her look like a literal killing machine.
"And this is the Fist Demon."
"I am the Fist Demon, Young Sect Leader."
A tall, handsome young man bowed deeply. His bright, smiling face was the polar opposite of the Spirit Demon’s, and I got the feeling the two of them were naturally incompatible.
He prattled on about how delighted he was to finally meet the Young Sect Leader the Sect Leader often spoke of. Since it was a list of things I found hard to relate to, I just gave him a few polite nods.
"The Fist Demon... so you use your fists?"
When I asked out of sudden curiosity, he made an exaggerated gesture as if he were overwhelmed with gratitude that I had shown interest in him.
"That is correct! Fists are the mark of a man! I, the Fist Demon, have crushed the skulls of those Orthodox bastards with these very hands!"
As if reliving that day, he threw a straight punch, and the wind generated by his fist whipped against my face.
"......"
The Spirit Demon standing beside him furrowed her brow at the sight of the Fist Demon practically dancing as his clothes fluttered. It became a secret known only to me.
"This is the Chief Steward. He handles all the household affairs of our Cult."
The Chief Steward was a different kind of handsome compared to the Fist Demon. If the Fist Demon felt cheerful, the Chief Steward felt like a calm ripple on the water.
Above all, his eyes were constantly smiling. What do they call that? Ah, right. A "closed-eyes" character.
"I am the Chief Steward. It is an honor to meet you, Young Sect Leader."
I instinctively bowed my head in return to his impeccable manners.
"If you have any questions while living here, ask the Chief Steward."
"Yes, Master."
"I shall take my leave. Chief Steward, once the 'preparations' are complete, bring the Young Sect Leader to the Heavenly Demon Palace."
"As you command."
With those final words, the Heavenly Demon rose from her seat. She said something about how the higher-ups need to disappear quickly for the subordinates to have fun.
Left behind in the banquet hall, I shared a few more drinks with the people of the Black Sky Cult.
*
"Young Sect Leader, it is time for you to retire to your bedchamber."
How much time had passed? As I sat there trying to hold onto my hazy consciousness, the Chief Steward approached and spoke to me.
I stood up unsteadily and left the banquet hall, receiving bows from everyone. It seemed the remaining people intended to keep the party going. I clearly heard the Fist Demon raise his glass and shout, "Let's drink until we die tonight!"
The Spirit Demon mentioned that since the high-ranking members had retired, there was no reason for her to stay, and then she vanished.
I followed the Chief Steward. We arrived at a place that was familiar to me, in a way.
"This is the Palace of Sacrifice. It is where you will be staying from now on."
It was the place where I had first opened my eyes.
"But I remember there being a coffin here."
At my awkward use of informal speech, the Chief Steward smiled.
"Originally, the Sect Leader decorated this place herself to honor your soul, Young Sect Leader. But since you have returned to us alive, how could we leave a coffin here?"
"But I don't see a place to lie down. I mean, I don't see one."
"Ah, you will be sleeping elsewhere tonight. I only guided you here to introduce you to your future residence."
"Then where am I sleeping tonight?"
"First, please take a bath. I will guide you."
The bathhouse was located within the Palace of Sacrifice.
I glanced around, worried that someone might come in to wash me, but the Chief Steward spoke as if sensing my concern.
"In the Sect Leader's case, attendants enter to assist with her bath, but since you are a man, the Sect Leader has forbidden any attendants from assisting you."
Well, it would be a problem if a woman came in, and even more of a problem if a man did. Besides, the idea of entrusting my body to someone else was a massive psychological barrier for someone with a modern mindset.
I let out a sigh of relief and washed every nook and cranny of my body.
Though I had washed in streams while traveling with Namgung So-yeon and returning with the Heavenly Demon, this was the first time I had properly bathed since coming to this world.
I scrubbed myself until I was squeaky clean, and after applying various incense-like oils the Chief Steward handed me at intervals, a fragrant scent naturally wafted from my skin.
"It's been a while since I've had a proper bath."
As I dressed and stretched, the Chief Steward gave a soft smile.
"Now, I shall take you to tonight's sleeping quarters."
Following him as he carried a small lantern, I stepped out of the Palace of Sacrifice.
We encountered guards along the way, who saluted with discipline upon seeing the Chief Steward and me.
"Good work."
At my mindless remark, they seemed moved, shouting loudly, "Have a peaceful night, Young Sect Leader!"
Their rigid military discipline didn't feel like someone else's business.
Judging by the direction the Chief Steward was heading, we seemed to be going toward the building facing the Palace of Sacrifice.
"How do you find it?"
The Chief Steward, matching his pace to my slow stride, asked.
When I tilted my head, failing to grasp the intent of the question, he asked again.
"Do you find it beautiful?"
It was the same question the Heavenly Demon had asked. I nodded.
"It's beautiful. The sunset I saw with my Master on the way up, and these buildings of the Black Sky Cult nestled in the mountains."
"I am glad to hear that."
He chuckled.
Feeling a sense of friendliness from him, I asked for his name.
"What is your name, Chief Steward?"
"My name? Come to think of it, I have been called 'Chief Steward' ever since I took this position."
"Were you also called some kind of 'Demon'?"
"I was. But that is not my real name. Spirit Demon, Fist Demon, Sword Demon—those are all names earned after joining the Black Sky Cult."
He told me that before becoming the Chief Steward, he was known as the Poison Demon.
The Poison Demon with such a kind face? It was quite unexpected.
Curious about his original name, I asked him once more.
"It is Jegal-hwi."
He hesitated for a moment before answering with an expression that suggested it didn't matter.
"If it's Jegal..."
"You are correct."
The Jegal Family was one of the most prestigious clans, wasn't it? Why would someone from the Jegal Family commit themselves to the Black Sky Cult?
"Young Sect Leader. This is a place where the abandoned gather."
As if answering my unspoken question, he spoke quietly.
"Those who were despised for being from branch families, those who suffered from the power struggles of the Orthodox sects, those who were looked down upon for having no money, those who were humiliated for having no backing... The Black Sky Cult was formed by these loners coming together."
"......"
"In truth, we have no god that we believe in. 'Black Sky Cult' is merely the name of our gathering."
"The name 'Heavenly Demon' is the same. What leader of any religion in the world would call themselves the 'Heavenly Demon'?"
Now that he mentioned it, he was right. I knew that 'Heavenly Demon' was usually a title given by outsiders. Yet, the Heavenly Demon called herself by that name.
"Because the hypocritical world calls her evil, she calls herself a Demon. That is the Sect Leader's philosophy. Even though, in reality, it is this hypocritical and filthy world that is evil."
Because the hypocritical world calls them evil, they call themselves evil.
The words of Namgung So-yeon, who had condemned them as the irredeemable Demonic Sect, suddenly came to mind.
Could there have been a misunderstanding between them?
I pondered it for a brief moment.
Following the Chief Steward's explanation, the atmosphere turned solemn, and I didn't speak further.
Eventually, we entered the building that appeared to be the largest in the Black Sky Cult.
For some reason, only lanterns were lit, and there were no servants in sight.
The Chief Steward, who was leading the way, stopped in his tracks, and I stopped with him.
"If you continue straight ahead from here, you will find tonight's bedchamber."
As if he could go no further, he bowed and stepped back.
Thinking it might be a unique etiquette of the Black Sky Cult, I scratched my head and walked down the hallway.
At the end of the corridor, I opened the sliding door to the room. A sweet, cloying scent clung to my nose.
"You've finally arrived. It took longer than I expected."
There stood the Heavenly Demon, draped in thin, translucent clothing.
*
"Wait, what is this?"
Surely, we aren't sleeping together?
As I looked around, searching for another door, the Heavenly Demon approached and grabbed my shoulder.
"You've found the right place. Since the bedchamber in the Palace of Sacrifice isn't ready yet, you will be sleeping with me tonight."
"No, Master. Common sense... how can a man and a woman sleep together like this?"
I tried to shake off the hand that was suggestively stroking my shoulder, but her grip was unyielding, as if I were entangled in sturdy wooden vines.
"Why can we not sleep together? If two people's hearts are connected, men and women do far more even in the wilderness."
"Wait, does 'sleeping together' include that kind of meaning?"
"It does. Is that not obvious? Surely... it's not that you've injured your lower half."
"I'm perfectly fine."
I felt a sudden surge of indignation.
"Then what is the problem?"
She looked at me with a face that truly couldn't understand.
"This kind of thing should only happen after we get to know each other better..."
"Is there a need for us to know each other any better than we already do?"
Refutation 1.
"I don't know about you, Master, but my memories are..."
"I remember everything."
Refutation 2.
"How can a master and disciple share the affections of a man and a woman?"
"Look for such stodgy rules in the Orthodox sects."
Refutation 3.
Her face drew closer and closer. She wrapped her arms around my neck and pulled me in.
Mwah.
Our lips met in a light kiss.
The sensation, which I hadn't felt in a long time, made my head spin. I wondered what color my face was right now. It was probably the color of a ripe persimmon.
The Heavenly Demon, who had closed her eyes to savor the lingering aftertaste of the kiss, flashed a mischievous, devilish smile.
She released her arms from my neck, placed her hand back on my shoulder, and pressed her lips close to my ear. Then, she grabbed my arm with her other hand.
Guided by her hand, my palm brushed against her thigh and eventually moved inward.
"I am the one who made the Murim tremble in fear, the Heavenly Demon. There is no one under heaven who can surpass me."
The sensations at my fingertips grew acute. Following her hand, I continued further inside. Like exploring a deep canyon, my hand moved deeper.
Touch.
At the end of her hot skin, my hand reached somewhere damp and slick.
"However, down here, I am lesser than a third-rate martial artist... Tonight, I shall give you the chance to truly defeat me."
She whispered into my ear, her breath coming in hot, shallow gasps.