Chapter 33
Chapter 33
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: No Way
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“No way...”
Gwangyu burst into the office where Red Cloud and Five Elements were, looking as if he'd been struck by lightning.
“Gwangyu, right now your appearance seems even more unbelievable. Did you get hit by lightning on the way here?”
Red Cloud glanced at Gwangyu's black hair, crackling with static electricity, then indifferently turned his eyes back to the scroll in his hand.
“My looks aren't the issue right now. Young Cult Leader, did you know the Heavenly Demon has a daughter?”
“I knew.”
As soon as the topic turned to Cheon-seong, Red Cloud lifted his gaze from the paper and looked at Gwangyu.
“But how did you find out about it?”
“I heard the new recruit who joined the cult this time has amazing skills, so I went to check them out and ran into the Heavenly Demon.”
“I specifically warned Elder Eleven not to let anyone visit the new recruits without permission.”
At the mention of visiting Cheon-seong, Red Cloud's gaze toward Gwangyu sharpened fiercely.
“Don't look at me so scary like that. I've already been thoroughly punished by the Heavenly Demon. Look at me. Isn't it pitiful how pathetic I am?”
Gwangyu gazed at Red Cloud, who was glaring at him with a pitiful expression begging for sympathy.
“Self-inflicted wound.”
“That's too much. Even if you can't comfort me, can't you at least sympathize? The Heavenly Demon and you, Young Cult Leader—you're both only strong in internal energy, with zero empathy. Feels like you poured all your empathy into your internal energy.”
Gwangyu grumbled at Red Cloud's firm tone but shut his mouth.
He had seen Red Cloud's face grow even fiercer than before.
“Ahem, anyway, how is that even possible?”
Gwangyu cleared his throat awkwardly and put on a puzzled expression again.
“What's so curious that you came to me looking like that? My mind's already a mess, so hurry up and get to the point so you can leave.”
Red Cloud, dizzy from Gwangyu's fussing, set down the scroll in his hand.
“How could the Heavenly Demon, who has no cute bone in his body, have such an angelic daughter?”
Gwangyu raised his doubts as if it was utterly incomprehensible, ignoring Red Cloud's scolding.
“Indeed, Lady Cheon-seong is truly lovable.”
“Five Elements, you knew too? This feels like betrayal!”
At Five Elements' words, Gwangyu jumped up excitedly from his seat.
“So I've been the only one late to know about that adorable little bean?”
'That's what he's upset about? So typically Gwangyu, no room for doubt.'
Red Cloud shook his head at Gwangyu's simplicity.
“What's this 'little bean'?”
“...It's a thing.”
Gwangyu glanced at the handkerchief from Cheon-seong around his neck and vaguely answered Red Cloud's question.
“More importantly, how do you even have a daughter like that? No, I should ask Five Elements instead of you, Young Cult Leader. Do you know the method by any chance?”
At Gwangyu's sudden question—something only he himself had known about before—Five Elements looked perplexed.
“Why are you suddenly curious about that? Didn't you say you'd never marry, let alone have kids?”
“Seeing the Heavenly Demon's daughter changed my mind. If I had a daughter like that little bean, even I might develop paternal love.”
“If you were that curious, why not ask the Heavenly Demon directly?”
“I did ask him.”
'This madman actually asked the Heavenly Demon that.'
Red Cloud was astounded by Gwangyu's insane audacity.
“Did the Heavenly Demon say there's some special secret?”
Five Elements showed interest, and Gwangyu answered with a casual laugh.
“Nah? He said there's only one being as cute as our Star in the world and kept beating me until the end.”
'Knew it.'
Unlike Five Elements, who looked disappointed, Red Cloud naturally pulled out another scroll as if it was the expected outcome.
“Whatever the reason, perfect timing—you're just the one I need for a task.”
“What? Why's your face changing like that? Planning to dump another annoying job on me?”
Gwangyu eyed Red Cloud suspiciously at the sudden shift in the Young Cult Leader's attitude.
“The Tang Clan of Sichuan seems to hold a grudge over us executing their spies during this memorial service. Well, it was expected.”
“You mean the incident at the memorial service? The Heavenly Demon's daughter's doing?”
“Exactly.”
“Then the Heavenly Demon's daughter could be in danger, right? The Tang Clan bastards always come back venomous after taking hits.”
“High possibility. We don't know what the Tang Clan of Sichuan might plot next, so I need someone to discreetly scout the situation. You seem perfect for it.”
“So you want me to turn into a snake and spy on the Tang Clan of Sichuan?”
“Yes. Don't want to?”
“Nah, I'll do it.”
Gwangyu, who had looked utterly reluctant, suddenly changed his tune.
'What wind blew this way? I was ready to offer as much alcohol as he wanted as compensation even if he said no until death...'
'Well, I do owe that little bean a favor, so I can do this much.'
'Glad he volunteered so easily. Saves on budget too.'
Red Cloud and Gwangyu harbored different thoughts, but they were both satisfied with the conclusion.
“It's almost mealtime, Young Cult Leader. Shall I prepare the meal?”
“...Yeah.”
Red Cloud paused in silence at Five Elements' question, then set down his scroll just for that moment.
“What's this? The Young Cult Leader, who skips sleep and meals for work, is actually eating properly?”
Gwangyu asked, staring as if it were a rare spectacle.
“There's this nag who lectures me that skipping meals will ruin my health.”
“What? Young Cult Leader, you—a guy not even thirty—got yourself a lover?”
Gwangyu's fussing no longer reached Red Cloud's ears.
“Hurry and eat, okay? That's how you build strength for work! Ah! Open wide. Ah!”
He simply recalled Cheon-seong nagging him to eat and quietly smiled.
“...Is this for real?”
I'd finally escaped cult life for a bit and returned home to enjoy some proper rest...
'But the habit of waking early from the cult has me snapping awake at dawn! No fair—give me back my sleep-in!'
I thrashed my messy hair on the bedding, screaming silently.
But that wouldn't bring back the sleep that had already fled.
“...Ugh, fine. I'm up. Getting up.”
When I sat up, Daddy—who should have been sleeping beside me—was nowhere to be seen.
'Where'd Daddy go at this early hour? Secret training maybe?'
Curious, I decided to go look for him.
'If I'm lucky, I might accidentally learn one of his secret techniques!'
With the power of the flower seed now, I might even mimic something I'd only glimpsed over his shoulder!
I threw on an outer robe over my sleepwear and headed to the large porch with the courtyard.
'Where are you, Daddy?'
I scanned the surroundings from the porch when a delicious smell wafted from somewhere.
'That's the noodle smell I love!'
I whipped my head toward the tantalizing aroma.
Smoke was rising from the kitchen.
'Oh, he must be preparing breakfast.'
I'd wanted to see Daddy training at least once...
Bit of a shame, but this wasn't bad either.
'I get to have Daddy's homemade noodles for breakfast!'
“Is my Star awake?”
'He always knows the second I wake up.'
Daddy's voice came from the kitchen, as if he'd sensed my presence.
“Yeah! Daddy, making noodles?”
“Star's nose is sharp as ever. You nail the noodle smell every time.”
Daddy emerged from the kitchen, approaching me with a pleased smile.
'Getting this happy over me identifying food by smell... Daddy would totally be fine with me lazing and eating forever.'
“Of course I know—I love Daddy's noodles!”
I'd just stated the truth, but Daddy looked deeply moved.
“Since Star likes them, Daddy'll make lots of noodles for our Star.”
'Hope this doesn't turn into noodles for every meal...'
Worried as I was, a full day of just noodles sounded great!
I loved Daddy's noodles that much.
'His cooking's top-tier, no doubt. In Korea, he'd franchise nationwide and make a fortune...'
Daydreaming happily about noodle shops everywhere, I looked down at the floor to head eat.
That's when something darted swiftly into my view.
That—that's...
A bug?!
“Eek! Bug!”
I hate bugs!
“Gross! Go away!”
As if mocking my desperate cry, the huge bug waved its long, numerous legs and approached me.
“Stay back!!”
The moment I stomped the porch in panic.
Kwajik.