Chapter 56
Chapter 56
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: Honor Bait
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Ah, that was delicious. Thanks to you, Bean, my belly is nice and full!"
Gwang-yu patted his stuffed stomach with a satisfied look, having scarfed down even the fallen dumpling wrappers while whining the whole time, all because it was the first meal his disciple had bought him.
"I'm glad since you liked it, Master!"
After settling the bill at the restaurant, I followed Gwang-yu through the market with a grin.
'Good thing his mood seems better now.'
I'd figured his grudge would linger after I unleashed Seven Demon Sword Strike followed by Seven Demon One Sword on him, even striking him with lightning...
Who knew a regular haunt's dumplings and noodles would melt it away? My master really is simple.
It was a relief for me, especially since I had no idea how our future training together would go.
"But about there maybe being a spy inside the cult... shouldn't the Young Leader know?"
Gwang-yu turned to me mid-browse through the market stalls.
"Probably, right? He's the one with the most info in the Heavenly Demon Cult, so we need to prepare him ahead of time."
"...I see."
"Is there a reason he shouldn't know? Wait, is Bean the spy?"
Gwang-yu shot me a suspicious glance for a split second.
'As if.'
Sigh, to think this guy's my master.
Sometimes I just want to play dumb.
"I'm kidding. Kidding! Don't look at me like I'm pathetic. It hurts my feelings, Bean!"
'You knew I thought you were pathetic?'
Who knew Gwang-yu was that perceptive?
"That's 'cause you're saying ridiculous stuff. There can't be a spy working this hard for the cult!"
"I know, Bean couldn't be a spy. I'd sooner believe you were the Heavenly Demon's daughter!"
I flinched!
He probably meant it as a silly joke, but it startled me pretty good.
'Well, I am the Heavenly Demon's daughter for real.'
"Haha, me, the great Heavenly Demon's daughter? That's absurd!"
Gwang-yu mirrored my awkward laugh with one of his own.
"Haha. But doesn't 'great' sound a bit off in that spot?"
'Why? What's wrong? If the Heavenly Demon's great, so's his daughter!'
I thought he'd gloss over it without noticing, but Gwang-yu had a sharp eye for the weird parts.
"There must be a reason the Heavenly Demon treasures you so much. Right?"
"Yeah, I agree with that too."
I'd expected him to nitpick again...
But Gwang-yu looked proud, like he fully endorsed it.
'Anyone would think he was the Heavenly Demon.'
He was beaming with that pleased, fatherly smile.
'One thing's for sure: if Gwang-yu ever has a daughter, he'll be the ultimate doting dad.'
"But why'd your face fall just now?"
"Just now?"
"When we were talking about the Young Leader. You looked down, so I joked to cheer you up. Guess I just made it worse."
Gwang-yu scratched the back of his head sheepishly as he asked.
'Looks like my bitterness slipped out without me realizing when we mentioned the Young Leader.'
I pitied the Young Leader's situation for good reason.
'I know all too well how crushing it is when trust in a close bond shatters.'
The day I lost my whole family overnight and was left alone...
"Second sis, how about you take little Dan-myeong and raise her? You've always gotten along well with her."
My second aunt and uncle were so close to my mom—my eldest aunt—that they'd discuss family matters and help each other out in tough times.
'When my uncle overextended his business and lost everything, on the brink of ruin, Mom and Dad broke their savings to bail him out.'
Using that as a foundation, his shop boomed, and my second aunt lived comfortably without want.
'I was sure at least she'd look after me.'
But that trust shattered into pieces soon enough, mocking me.
"Why me? The third sis is doing way better! Do I have to take in her kid just 'cause we were close? You know how much it costs to raise a child these days? I came because I felt I had to see my sister's last moments despite being swamped with the shop, but if it's gonna be like this, I shouldn't have bothered! Let's go, dear!"
My second aunt dragged her husband and fled the funeral home.
'She wouldn't even glance my way, terrified I'd be dumped on her.'
That sense of loss and betrayal scarred every moment of my life, haunting me.
"If the Young Leader finds out a cultist is the spy, it'll hurt him. The deeper the trust, the deeper the wound."
"You say that like you've been betrayed by someone you trusted."
"...I have. That a problem?"
"Who was it? No, what animal? Bring 'em here! Your master will teach 'em a lesson!"
Gwang-yu, veins bulging in his neck like it was personal, clenched his fist in fury.
'There it is. Someone who's angry for my sake now, just like my parents from my past life. No... a snake.'
"Forget it. If you get involved, Master, those people are dead."
"Hahaha! True, even brushing my fist breaks most folks' bones! That's my disciple—sharp as a tack!"
Thinking he was praising me, Gwang-yu burst into loud laughter, thrilled.
'I'm embarrassed I ever felt secure with that snake, even for a second...'
I squeezed my eyes shut, ignoring his swagger.
Then I felt Gwang-yu's hand gently stroking my head.
"What?"
I looked up suspiciously, and he gave a warm smile like, don't worry.
"The Young Leader's tough. Not just his martial arts—his heart too. He won't break over something like that. Worry about yourself, Bean! How long you gonna use your master as training fodder?"
Gwang-yu flicked my forehead hard.
"Ow, that hurts! Is it okay for a master to get violent with his young disciple?"
I glared, cradling my stinging forehead with both hands, and Gwang-yu chuckled as he strode ahead.
"If you're mad, get strong enough to beat your master!"
"For real? So I can take you down then?"
Startled by my vibe—like I was about to unleash Seven Demon Sword Arts—Gwang-yu waved his hands frantically.
"No, I know what you're thinking, but that's not it. I take it back! Got it?"
'Too bad.'
"What're you bummed about??"
"Oh, sorry. I thought I hid it, Master... It showed?"
I'd meant it as a tease, but Gwang-yu looked genuinely sad.
"To think my disciple's gotten so strong it makes me sad..."
'I'm strong?'
Sure, I'd expected a head start after eating the Golden Immortal Lotus seed.
But I still couldn't gauge just how strong I was.
"Master, how strong am I, exactly?"
"Hard to say precisely. Even vast inner energy depends on how well you wield it— that decides win or loss."
'Then I'd score zero on control.'
Can't use qi on demand? Might as well have none.
I need to practice handling inner energy harder.
As I steeled my resolve for inner energy training, Gwang-yu added,
"If you're that curious, why not enter the cult's martial tournament?"
"Martial tournament? The cult has one?"
"Yeah, there's the central plains' Dragon-Phoenix Tournament, but we hold our own every three years, cult members only. Huge prizes, so all the top dogs join."
"What kind of huge prizes?"
'Big cash?'
Ears perked in curiosity, I leaned in as Gwang-yu whispered conspiratorially into my ear like it was a huge secret.
"Eleventh Elder Summon Scroll."
"Pfft, what's that? Summon an elder and... what? Sounds inconvenient."
"It's not just summoning—you pick one and ask a favor. Land, a building, even revenge in your stead. Think of it as one use of an elder's authority."
'Land or a building? Tempting. Win and boom—landlord.'
But without bait, my inner energy won't activate.
As I deflated, a brilliant idea hit me while glancing at Gwang-yu.
'Yes! That's it!'
"Master!"
"Yeah? What?"
I stretched out my hand solemnly with the most innocent face imaginable.
"Be my bait!"