Chapter 48: Poison Demon, Jegal-hwi-3
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 48: Poison Demon, Jegal-hwi-3
After Master left, my life became even more leisurely.
With no one summoning me at night, my sleep hours increased, and since I had no specific duties, there was no need to leave the palace. I fully indulged in the life of a wealthy slacker—a dream shared by almost every modern person.
Whenever my back started to ache from lying down for too long, I would take Maebwa and Yeonhwa with me to the Chief Steward’s office.
Buried under a mountain of paperwork, the Chief Steward always welcomed the snacks I brought, and we would chat about trivial things while we ate. Whether Master had spoken to the executives beforehand or his own social grace was simply that exceptional, the Chief Steward never pried into matters concerning Master or myself. Whatever the reason, his consideration was deeply appreciated.
"Are you serving the Young Sect Leader without any shortcomings?"
The Chief Steward sipped his tea and asked Maebwa, a question that had become something of an annual tradition. Maebwa replied that they were.
Yeonhwa was busy following a flying insect outside the window with her eyes. Her neck moved in perfect sync with the bug's flight, which was quite adorable.
"I feel this every time I come here, but you really have a lot of work."
"It is only natural, as I oversee everything related to the Cult’s livelihood," he replied with a hearty laugh, chewing on a snack as I looked at the stacks of documents piled up like the Tower of Babel.
The wind flows, and the trees sway.
A rustling sound reaches my ears.
Ah, the forest is swaying in the wind.
A sudden thought occurred to me.
"The sound of the wind is so clear here. It’s especially calming at night."
"That’s true. Sounds carry much better in the stillness of the night."
We rested while exchanging idle conversation, and just as the snacks and tea were running out, I revealed the purpose of my visit.
"The sunset, you say?"
The Chief Steward looked at me as if I’d suddenly said something quite eccentric.
I asked if I could step outside for a moment to see the sunset—the same one I had seen with Master while ascending to the Black Sky Cult. As for why I suddenly wanted to see it, it was because Yeonhwa had been pestering me.
Yeonhwa had asked this after we had finished walking through several of the garden paths.
The Black Sky Cult was so well-maintained that it was hard to believe it was located on a mountain. At first, I wondered how they had transported materials like bricks up here. Then I realized that in a world where martial artists can fly through the sky and split trees with their bare hands, moving heavy objects up a mountain was probably trivial.
Regardless, the beautifully decorated Cult grounds had many sights worth seeing.
I was originally an office worker who lived in a concrete forest. Now that I was staying in a world overflowing with greenery, every single thing felt fresh and beautiful. You know how classical poetry is full of praise for the beauty of nature? I never really understood it back in school, but living in the Black Sky Cult, I could finally grasp how those poets felt.
If I had to pick the most memorable spot among so many...
At those words, Yeonhwa had begged to see it, which was why I had come to see the Chief Steward.
Leaving the Black Sky Cult required his permission, and more importantly, because of the defensive formations installed around the perimeter, I wouldn't be able to find my way back in without him accompanying us.
"I generally prefer to forbid private outings, but if the Young Sect Leader commands it, I shall accompany you."
"It’s not exactly a command... but if it’s alright, I’d like permission..."
I felt a bit guilty about taking up a busy man's time.
"Not at all. With the Sect Leader away, it is only right that the Black Sky Cult follows the Young Sect Leader’s will. I have finished the most urgent tasks, so taking half a day off won't be an issue."
"It’s been a while since I’ve taken a walk myself," he added with a kind smile as he prepared to head out.
Having achieved our goal, Yeonhwa and I exchanged glances. She gave me a secret "belly button bow" behind Maebwa's back as a thank-you.
Goodness, she’s cute.
*
Since neither Yeonhwa nor I knew martial arts, the Chief Steward set a generous pace for the round trip.
Trudge, trudge. I retraced the path I had once climbed.
To my left, I could see the world unfolding beneath the mountain. Dense clusters of trees, and further away, scattered private houses. A world of silence, far removed from the world of computers and cars.
The Chief Steward walked at the back of the group with his hands behind his back, while Yeonhwa giggled and led the way far ahead. Maebwa remained as taciturn as ever, but she seemed to be enjoying the walk in her own way, observing the various plants blooming along the path.
By the time we reached the spot where I had rested with Master, the sun was setting exactly as the brilliant Chief Steward had planned.
"Waaaah—"
Yeonhwa raised her arms high and marveled at the sight, as if trying to soak in the vast energy of the sunset. She looked like a cute little bear cub.
'Is it not beautiful?'
Looking at the sunset, which felt large enough to swallow me whole, I felt as if I could hear Master’s voice from a distance.
"I see it often, but it truly is a magnificent view," the Chief Steward murmured, looking at the same horizon. He, too, was admiring this mysterious and grand masterpiece painted by nature.
"Master had every right to brag about it."
I remembered her saying she really wanted to show me this. It was likely a promise she had made in the past. Since I wasn't her real disciple, I felt a pang of guilt. The disciple she had made that promise to was no longer in this world.
The wind blew again.
Rising from the foot of the mountain to the peak, the wind struck our faces as we watched the sunset.
"Maybe it's because we're on a mountain, but it's already getting cold."
As I huddled my shoulders against the chilly breeze, the Chief Steward opened his eyes and stared down the mountain. His pupils weren't fixed on one spot; they moved as if tracking something.
Since his eyes were usually half-closed, this was the first time I had seen them wide open. His yellow-green eyes were fixed on something.
I tried to follow his gaze, but there were only trees. I couldn't see anything.
"Maebwa. Attend to the Young Sect Leader," the Chief Steward said, his voice devoid of emotion.
"It's an ambush."