18. Real Trap
Chapter 18: The Real Trap
"Teach me martial arts? You, Geumran?"
"Yeah."
"……."
It was, of course, a generous offer. But I couldn't bring myself to accept it right away.
For one thing, I'd never once considered learning anything from Geumran.
"What? You don't want to?"
"No, it's not that……."
"Then I'll teach you. I may not know much else, but my Body and Step Arts—stepping techniques, lightness skills, and qinggong—is pretty damn good."
She was right. No, it wasn't just good; it was exceptionally outstanding.
Geumran was one of the top lightness skill experts in the Hundred Thousand Mountains.
No one would turn down an offer from her.
But…….
I have The Chronicles of the Sealed Demon.
I could learn the martial arts of past Heavenly Demons directly from Bongmareung.
The shadow of the demonic path began chattering excitedly.
[Let me see. First, there's 'Wind-Riding Step.' 'Cloud-Shifting Phantom Step' is a divine art in its own right. Of course, 'Myriad Evils Overlord Step' is impressive too, and 'Heaven-Piercing God-Slaying Dart' is…….]
Got it. Enough. Stop.
There were too many to list.
No matter how excellent her teachings, they couldn't compare to the insights of past Heavenly Demons.
[And the Yong Demon Clan's signature techniques complement each other.]
In other words, they had to be learned together for synergistic effects.
Bongmareung summed it up simply.
[It's a waste of time. Politely decline. Still, her intentions are quite kind.]
"Hmm……."
I fell into thought.
How to turn this down?
I had to refuse without offending her.
Then, I suddenly recalled her earlier words.
—What you see isn't everything.
Come to think of it, Geumran now fully understood my situation.
She knew I possessed an incredible opportunity: the compiled insights of past Heavenly Demons.
Yet she was making this offer. It was highly unusual.
Why?
"……!"
It hit me like a blow to the back of the head.
Maybe Geumran had spotted something Bongmareung had overlooked.
I turned my thoughts to the demonic spirit.
Mister Bong, is there any problem with my foundational training? Can I really learn the Heavenly Demons' arts like this?
[Foundational training……?]
The pitch-black shadow tilted its head at the question.
It widened its eyes and stared right through me.
Then it burst into hollow laughter.
[Hahaha! I see! There was something I overlooked. I forgot how very different you are from the previous Young Cult Leaders.]
As expected. I wasn't Yong Baekheon.
[To build a great house, you need solid, even ground. The supreme arts in The Chronicles of the Sealed Demon require extremely firm foundations. But…….]
Bongmareung paused and cleared its throat.
[Your foundation is lacking. No, nonexistent. Like a blank white sheet.]
Yeah, figures.
I'd trained diligently enough, and compared to ordinary boys, I was superior.
But for containing Heavenly Demon arts, it was naturally insufficient.
Geumran had pinpointed exactly that.
Does The Chronicles of the Sealed Demon have no foundational training methods?
[No. The Heavenly Demons' arts assume the successor's body is already complete or nearly so. They're paths to the Heavenly Demon Realm. Thus, no foundational steps are included.]
A chill ran down my spine.
Was it a woman's intuition?
In any case, Bongmareung completely reversed its stance.
[Learn fist and stepping methods from this woman. It'll be enough. No, it'll be a huge help.]
You just called it a waste of time.
[Kehum!]
Bongmareung looked off into the distance, pretending otherwise.
I didn't know how far ahead Geumran had seen, but it was a good lesson.
Anyone could be my master.
And even Bongmareung wasn't perfect.
I almost missed a great opportunity. I need to think twice about everything from now on. Especially martial arts.
Geumran watched me expectantly, eyes sparkling.
I slowly nodded.
"Thanks, Geumran. I'll gratefully learn. Starting tomorrow?"
But she smiled and wagged her finger.
"No. Starting today."
"You're in a hurry."
"Hosam, don't call your sky-like master impatient. Who knows when challengers will come? This is all for your own good."
"……."
Just like that, I gained two masters.
* * *
A middle-aged man and a girl climbed a steep mountain path.
Soon, the gate came into view.
Servants were repairing the dangerously tilted plaque.
The man leading the way halted briefly.
"This must be it. Wayong Hall. From majestic splendor to 'Prostrated Dragon.' Isn't it amusing?"
"Yes. Very amusing."
The girl, a few steps behind, nodded with a mumble, then clamped her mouth shut.
The middle-aged man chuckled at the sight.
"Such a quiet one."
"My apologies."
"Enough. Let's go."
As the man stepped forward, he revealed his presence.
The Wayong Hall servants turned simultaneously.
An intense demonic aura they couldn't ignore emanated from him.
"Hey, who's that……?"
"Hah, it's the Black Snake Squad Leader!"
The servants bustled about.
They brushed dust from their clothes and hurried down to the gate.
"We greet Squad Leader Dokgo Jae."
"What brings you here?"
Dokgo Jae, young master of the Dokgo Clan Manor.
Superlative expert leading the Black Snake Squad, one of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's elite forces.
He'd shown up unannounced with a mysterious girl in tow.
"I'm here to see Young Master Yong Baekheon. Tell them inside that I've arrived."
"Pardon? Ah, well……."
Dokgo Jae stated his business as if it were the most natural thing.
His brazen demeanor left the servants exchanging glances, stepping aside.
Showing up without warning and strong-arming his way in.
What do we do?
This would have been unthinkable when Yong Baekheon was Young Cult Leader.
The Third Great Protector Squad and Blue Eagle Unit from the Young Cult Leader's Palace would have swarmed him.
But not now.
The Third Great Protector Squad had been wiped out in the recent incident, and the Blue Eagle Unit had fallen out with Yong Baekheon.
Plus, he'd refused the new Young Cult Leader's support, leaving Wayong Hall without even gate guards.
"Squad Leader, we still have much to organize."
"So you want me to help?"
"N-no. Please, come in."
The servants had no choice but to yield.
Passing the gate, Dokgo Jae narrowed his eyes.
"……."
A modest training ground lay before the main hall, where Yong Baekheon stood alone, lost in thought.
His back view felt strangely unfamiliar.
Dokgo Jae recalled his father's letter.
—Prepare a dagger to plunge into Yong Baekheon.
Yong Baekheon had declared he'd shed his wastrel days, step down as Young Cult Leader, and join the great strife.
The Dokgo Clan head sought to utterly destroy the boy.
Dokgo Jae's forceful intrusion served that purpose.
Ahem.
"……."
Only then did the youth turn.
His cold eyes pierced Dokgo Jae, as always.
"What brings the Black Snake Squad Leader here unannounced? As you see, my home is still a beggar's den."
"My father sent me. He heard you're too busy to accept his invitation."
"Hmm……."
It was an excuse based on Yong Baekheon's refusal of the Dokgo Clan head's invite.
Dokgo Jae smiled faintly at the man who'd lost cause for expulsion.
"Busy as you are, surely a cup of water? I even brought a gift."
At his glance, the girl stepped forward demurely.
In her hands was a long sword.
Not yet drawn, yet it oozed demonic energy.
The Young Cult Leader collects demonic swords, they say? If he has eyes, he won't refuse this.
Dokgo Jae was certain.
And Jang Hosam played right into it.
Acting as Young Cult Leader Yong Baekheon.
Tsk.
I clicked my tongue, eyes glued to the blade, then spoke.
The key was greedy eyes.
"Fine, come in. Since you're here, have some tea."
Walking beside Dokgo Jae, I started scheming.
My street-honed danger sense was tingling.
Why the hell is this bastard here?
* * *
I led Dokgo Jae to Wayong Hall's tearoom.
First, I needed to send out Geumran, whose eyes screamed unease.
"Ok warrior, bring some tea."
"Pardon?"
"Dragon Well tea will do."
"Ah, yes, Young Master."
I eyed Dokgo Jae and the mystery girl.
They didn't seem here to fight.
Then why?
Not just to give a gift, surely.
My doubts lingered.
Sitting across the table, Dokgo Jae said something absurd.
"Young Master, I have a favor. While you're in the Central Plains, could you inspect our clan's businesses?"
"What is this sudden request?"
"Discipline's been lax lately; we need measures."
"Why me?"
"Because you're destined for Grand Cult Leader."
"And?"
"To show our underlings the Dokgo Clan is tight with the Yong Clan. Please accept."
He placed a small chest on the table.
Inside: stacks of gold.
Absurd flattery, plus a fine sword and gold.
Suspicion deepened.
What would Yong Baekheon do here?
Decision made, action taken.
Simple.
"Haha! Gladly accepted. Anything else? Now that I'm off Young Cult Leader duty, everyone's ignoring me."
Go full arrogant wastrel.
Possible only because Yong Baekheon was that kind of Young Cult Leader.
I'd ramble nonsense and watch Dokgo Jae's reaction.
But Dokgo Jae grinned instead.
"How about this girl?"
"Pardon?"
"Her name's Gyeon Sohee. Quite pretty, no?"
The middle-aged man pointed at the girl behind him.
Gifting her—a person.
"Wayong Hall seems short on hands. Keep her while you're here; use her as you like. Talented girl, in many ways."
Meaningful tone.
Silent Bongmareung finally spoke.
[No. Absolutely do not take her!]
The girl eyed him oddly.
No ordinary child.
[She can tell if you're really Yong Baekheon. Don't touch her!]
She looked barely fifteen.
The real trap's here.
That's why the Dokgo Clan came to this backwater?
Just then, Geumran entered with the tea set.
I hid my twisted lips behind a teacup.