Chapter 47
Chapter 47
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: The 11th Elder
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Shing!
Two bluish blades thrust out in an instant, aimed straight at Golden Immortal Lotus.
Without a moment to think, Golden Immortal Lotus scooped me up in one arm and lightly traced a circle with his fan, batting away both blades.
"Tch, what a shame. That was my chance to take Golden Immortal Lotus's head."
'Gwangyu?'
Gwangyu, the one wielding the two swords, clicked his tongue regretfully as he stared at Golden Immortal Lotus.
"Gwangyu, what the hell was that? Suddenly pulling swords on us! I almost died!"
I shouted at Gwangyu in shock, but Golden Immortal Lotus spoke first.
"You wouldn't have died. There was no killing intent in the blades to begin with. If I'd meant to, your head would already be rolling by a hair's breadth."
'He wasn't trying to kill me? Then why pull such a dangerous stunt...!'
"This is why I hate quick-witted brats."
Gwangyu waved dismissively at Golden Immortal Lotus, looking thoroughly annoyed.
"Who's a brat?"
Gwangyu chuckled derisively at the bristling Golden Immortal Lotus.
"I'm a few thousand years older than you, so you're the brat. Black snakes can't take human form until they're at least ten thousand years old."
'A thousand... ten thousand years...'
Both numbers were far too distant for me.
I might have been able to count up to a few hundred years, but thousands? I'd probably forget my own age.
They'd both lived at least a millennium, yet Golden Immortal Lotus still looked like a youthful boy, and Gwangyu appeared no older than a young man just reaching adulthood. How slowly did time flow for spirit beings?
"Tch."
Golden Immortal Lotus lowered his tail, his face full of dissatisfaction at Gwangyu's words.
'Living a second life, and I get to see a thousand-year-old called a brat.'
It was a rare sight I'd never witnessed in my previous life, barely a hundred years long.
"Anyway, little bean, what are you doing spacing out like that? I warned you—the Tang Clan is gunning for you."
Gwangyu's playful gaze shifted to me, and his demeanor changed dramatically.
'Was Gwangyu always this intense?'
True to his ten-thousand-year lifespan, the moment our eyes met, an overwhelming pressure hit me.
'I get it now. Gwangyu wasn't attacking me—he was warning me. That the Tang Clan could come at me anytime, just like he did.'
I'd been naive.
"Golden Immortal Lotus, put me down."
"Al...right."
Caught off guard by the sudden shift in atmosphere, Golden Immortal Lotus set me down without protest.
"Your master is right. I was careless. Even with spies infiltrating, I thought the cult's grounds were safe... I'll be more careful from now on. And..."
With newfound resolve hardening my face, I looked at Gwangyu.
"Thank you. For taking on the bad guy role to warn me."
'Honestly, if he didn't care about me, he could've just walked by and ignored it.'
Seeing how much Gwangyu looked out for me made it sink in that he was truly my master now.
'Having one more person who cares about me feels reassuring.'
In my previous life as Park Dan-myeong...
"Hey, part-timer! Bring out the booze!"
"I can't serve alcohol without payment."
"How many times do I have to tell you to put it on my tab? And you green little punk, talking back to an adult like that?"
'No one ever said a word in my defense.'
"...How could you say something like that..."
I'd only wanted to express my gratitude, but for some reason, Gwangyu looked like he was about to cry.
"I just meant I'm grateful you're looking out for me! That's all... If I said something wrong..."
As I panicked, Gwangyu clutched his mouth, visibly moved.
"The little bean called me Master! And thanked me! This is the most touching moment of my life!"
'Uh, you are my master.'
I'd only called my master "Master."
Gwangyu wiped away tears as if it were the biggest event imaginable.
'He said he's over ten thousand years old...'
"Master, are you going through menopause?"
"Pfft!"
Golden Immortal Lotus burst out laughing uncontrollably at my question.
"Where'd a little squirt like you learn to say that?"
Gwangyu asked me with genuine curiosity.
'From my previous life.'
"I'm seriously worried, that's why."
"No need to worry. Ten thousand years is still prime youth for a black snake."
Gwangyu flexed his rock-solid biceps, proudly showing off his robust physique.
'If it's not menopause, then crying tears of joy over being called Master is the real issue. How did such a sentimental snake end up in the cult? Won't he get kicked out soon?'
"...Right?"
"Seems like it."
As I eyed Gwangyu pitifully, I overheard Chae-chae and Jang-ryu whispering behind me.
'Right about what?'
Curious, I turned toward the twins—just as they stepped forward and bowed to Gwangyu.
"We greet the 11th Elder, Gwangyu."
'What did they just say...?'
Gwangyu was the 11th Elder?
The 11th Elder of the Heavenly Demon Cult that I knew?
I'd seen it mentioned in Daddy's secret study before.
The 11th Elders were authorities and powerhouses second only to the Heavenly Demon and Young Cult Leader, pillars supporting the cult.
They governed the lands conquered by the cult, subjugating territories or handling duties in the Heavenly Demon's stead.
'It said that if the 11th Elders united, they could even rival the Heavenly Demon's power.'
Given their immense influence in the cult, they were no ordinary figures.
Being martial arts masters was the bare minimum—possessing the strongest techniques in their domains, transcendent talents beyond humans, heading prestigious families that bolstered the cult, or being spirit beings...
'I never dreamed Gwangyu was one of those spirit beings!'
"Ah, Ryu-on's twins? You've grown quite a bit."
Gwangyu eyed Chae-chae and Jang-ryu intently, then welcomed them as if remembering.
'Ryu-on's twins? Their parents? And who are the twins' parents that they know Gwangyu?'
Regardless, knowing Gwangyu meant their parents were anything but ordinary.
"But didn't you say you never take disciples, Elder Gwangyu? I heard that before joining the cult, even masters from the Nangong or Tang families begged you to teach them, and you refused."
'Nangong and Tang—even back then or now, they're powerhouse clans in the Central Plains. It's no exaggeration to say they control the martial world, and he turned them down?'
Gwangyu might be an even greater powerhouse than I'd imagined.
I'd unintentionally snagged a famous 11th Elder master from his heyday?
Gwangyu glanced at me with an inscrutable smile in response to Chae-chae's question.
"I did. But I changed my mind. Got a little bean I want to raise."
"Little bean?"
I felt Chae-chae and Jang-ryu's eyes turn to me simultaneously.
'I told you not to call me little bean, you snake!'
"Anyway, Master, did you come to warn me about the Tang Clan ambush?"
I ignored their stares and subtly changed the subject.
"No, that was unplanned, but I came to see you for another reason."
"What is it?"
"What reason does a master visit his disciple for? To impart teachings, of course."
"Right now? Out of nowhere?"
"I was going to let you rest today, but then I worried the Tang bastards might attack anytime. To avoid getting caught off guard, little bean, you need to be ready to blast them away."
'Internal energy training during the day, martial arts at night?'
But Gwangyu had a point.
Thanks to the flower seed, I had vast internal energy, but I didn't know how to use it properly.
Like this, it'd just go to waste, and I'd lose to the Tang Clan experts honed by long-term training.
"Got it! Where are we training, Master?"
Gwangyu replied refreshingly, as if it were no issue.
"I've got a spot in mind. Follow me."
"Sorry, we'll talk later. See you, big brothers."
Before following Gwangyu, I bid the twins farewell.
'Wait, now that they know this guy's Golden Immortal Lotus, better prepare for contingencies, given how they usually act.'
I approached Golden Immortal Lotus and whispered in his ear.
He gave me a displeased look.
"Why should this body do that? No, let me rephrase. Why are you so devoted to the cult?"
'Ugh, what a temper.'
I grabbed the grumpy Golden Immortal Lotus and whispered again.
He eyed me dubiously but finally relented.
"...Fine. I'll do as you say."
'You'll do it anyway. Such a grumbler.'
"See you later."
After saying goodbye to Golden Immortal Lotus, I hurried after Gwangyu with quick, short steps.
Not long after arriving at the cult, he'd sent Cheon-seong to her office, then Gwangyu climbed a nearby tree and dozed off.
"This the place?"