Chapter 41
Chapter 41
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: The Most Important Person
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"Daughter talk again? I told you, I want to be your disciple, not your daughter."
I firmly rejected Gwang-yu, who seemed to genuinely want me as his daughter.
In response, Gwang-yu pouted and whined at me.
"But that's not fair!"
"What's not?"
"You saying you don't have a cute daughter like me."
'He wants a daughter that badly?'
"Are you married?"
"No."
"Do you have a wife?"
"No."
"Then how would you have a daughter? Go find a lover first!"
Gwang-yu let out a deep sigh of frustration at my scolding and continued.
"It's not just any daughter I want. Bean, I want you to be my daughter!"
"Then should I introduce you to my dad? You can ask him yourself."
'He'd give you a spicy answer.'
"No, that's okay."
Unlike his stubborn insistence before, when I suggested he meet my real dad and persuade him, Gwang-yu hurriedly declined.
'He was ready to drag me out of the family register right away... but he doesn't want to meet Dad?'
He must know it would be rude to my real father.
"Forget Dad. Just be a proper master for me. My first master ever."
"...Your first master?"
Gwang-yu perked up his ears at the words "first master."
"Yeah. I've only been with Dad this whole time, and he taught me the basics, so I never had a separate master."
"So I'd really be your first master?"
"That's what I said."
"Great! Your first master will raise you into an outstanding talent!"
'Why is he suddenly so excited?'
Gwang-yu stopped mid-bite of his dumpling, emphasized that he was my first master, then shot to his feet and struck a dramatic pose.
'What an unpredictable snake.'
"Fine, whatever. Hurry up and eat so we can head back to the cult."
"Okay!"
For whatever reason, Gwang-yu looked extremely satisfied and began devouring his dumplings and noodles obediently.
'I should eat quick too and get up. Can't be late on my first day back or the Young Cult Leader will chew me out for no reason.'
I couldn't tell if it was because he'd achieved his goal or because he was hungry, but our first meal together—my first master Gwang-yu and me—was delicious.
"When do you plan to start our first training session? The sooner, the better."
'He must figure there's a lot to teach since I started late.'
We'd just finished eating and arrived at the Heavenly Demon Cult when I asked Gwang-yu, who was yawning like a lazy cat.
"I'll come find you when it's time."
'Just as expected—no plan, all improvisation.'
Still, what can I do?
He's my master now, so the disciple has to follow.
"Got it. I've got work, so I'm heading out."
"I've got work too, so I'll follow."
'Work to follow me? He just means he'll come along...'
I thought we'd part here, but Gwang-yu trailed after me like he had nowhere else to go.
"I don't need an escort anymore. We're at the cult."
"You never know what dirty tricks the Tang Clan might pull to slip past the cult's guards. The real danger comes when you're off guard."
'What's this? Actual adult words for once.'
Amazed by this unfamiliar side of Gwang-yu, I stared at him blankly.
"Why stare like that? Having second thoughts about being my daughter?"
Sensing my gaze, Gwang-yu grinned and asked.
"Sigh..."
'Spoke too soon.'
I answered with a long sigh and walked past him, taking the lead.
"Wait for me!"
'Master issue resolved. Next up, the prophecy?'
Leaving Gwang-yu—who was following under the pretense of protection—behind, I sank into thought.
'What future should I say I saw this time?'
Under the pretext of needing to maintain sacred energy for a period, I'd agreed to leave the cult but share any "visions" I'd seen with the Young Cult Leader upon return.
'What's the most urgent prophecy the cult needs right now?'
In truth, not prophecies—just the original novel's plot.
I focused, recalling the novel I'd read.
'Oh right! Isn't this around when the fake elixir incident blows up?'
The fake elixir incident involved a drug called "Ultimate Medicine" flooding the world, promising painless ascension to paradise for the sick and easy mastery of martial arts for the weak.
'But in reality, one dose destroys both mind and body—a total fake.'
The problem? It was rumored to originate from the Heavenly Demon Cult.
This sparked the martial alliances, previously fighting separately, to unite against the cult.
At the novel's end, Dad goes berserk because of my death.
'The Tang Clan killed me, but the martial alliance enabled it.'
If they hadn't attacked the cult and breached its defenses, I never would've gone outside and gotten killed by the Tang Clan.
In other words, even if conflict with the Tang Clan is inevitable, I must avoid making enemies of the other sects.
To do that, I have to stop the cult from producing those fake elixirs, no matter what!
'Better warn the Young Cult Leader firmly in advance.'
As I thought about starting with the fake elixirs when I met him and entered the building with my quarters—
"Listen well. That human is my chosen one before being your aide."
"Ridiculous. No matter your choice, the fact that Seol-i is my aide doesn't change. Don't you know that in the cult, being my aide outweighs your choice?"
"A person with two legs doesn't live confined to the cult. Being the cult's aide means nothing outside. But the bond from sharing power as a flower seed with that human can't be broken by anything!"
"A spirit beast's role ends after transferring power. I won't go far to avoid the hassle."
"You're impossible! When Seol-i returns, we'll settle this! Who comes first—you or me!"
"Don't cry when you hear the result. It'd be pathetic."
'Those voices... the Young Cult Leader and Yeon-hwa?'
"You insolent—!"
Startled by the arguing, I rushed inside and saw the Young Cult Leader and Golden Immortal Lotus glaring murderously at each other.
Gwang-yu, perhaps preparing for trouble, swiftly moved to my side and assumed a guarded stance.
"Hold on, what's going on? Why are you fighting?"
As I wedged between them, Yeon-hwa's eyes lit up at the sight of me.
"Human, perfect timing! This guy's insisting you're closer to him than me!"
"Don't call me 'human.' Call me Seol-i."
I urgently whispered in Yeon-hwa's ear to lower his voice, but he shouted even louder.
"It's fine! He already knows who I am."
"How does the Young Cult Leader know...!"
"Well, while you were gone, he cornered me with his sword and demanded my identity, so I told him. About how great and noble I am!"
'The Young Cult Leader drew his sword on Yeon-hwa?'
"What did you do wrong while I was away?"
"You think I did something wrong first? I'm disappointed! I was just cleaning your room for your return!"
'I didn't think the Young Cult Leader would attack without reason...'
On behalf of the aggrieved Golden Immortal Lotus, I shot the Young Cult Leader a disappointed look.
"Whatever the reason, you didn't need to draw your sword. Yeon-hwa's already weakened from giving me his power!"
"...Weakened?"
For some reason, the Young Cult Leader let out an incredulous chuckle.
"Do you really think that guy's weak?"
He asked me as if genuinely curious.
'He must not know Yeon-hwa's condition!'
"Yes! Why else would a spirit beast ask me to protect him?"
"A spirit beast asked a human for protection? That's no spirit beast, it's a y—"
Gwang-yu, watching from the side, started to say something, but Golden Immortal Lotus cut him off.
"Enough of that! Seol-i, you choose!"
"Choose what?"
"Between me and that Young Cult Leader punk—who's more important to you!"
I expected him to refuse such a pointless game, but the Young Cult Leader silently fixed me with a piercing gaze.
'Why are they both so serious?'
I considered brushing it off vaguely, but they wouldn't let it slide.
Truthfully, this was incredibly tough for me.
Choosing Golden Immortal Lotus would make cult life harder, and picking the Young Cult Leader might make Yeon-hwa leave, claiming I ignored his precious body.
Then who'd heal my internal injuries?
Either way, I was in trouble.
Was there an answer that let me live comfortably in the cult and kept Yeon-hwa from leaving?
"The most important person to me is..."
After racking my brain, I pointed with my fingertip.
"My master!"