This Puts Me in a Difficult Position (1)
Was this freak's master?
He looked me over with evident interest.
"It seems the Seolpung Palace hasn't fallen yet."
He knew about Seolpung Palace?
I asked warily.
"Who are you?"
"Ah, I've been remiss in introducing myself."
This seat?
As far as I knew, only one group used such a grandiose self-title.
"This seat is the Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Cult."
"……."
Damn it! Just as I feared……!
But why was the Heavenly Demon here?
"My lord!"
As soon as he revealed himself, the guards standing behind rushed forward, positioning themselves in front of me.
But the opponent was the Heavenly Demon.
I could see their bodies trembling with tension.
I appreciated it, but they didn't need to bother.
Honestly, if the man before me had wanted me dead, I'd already be gone.
He smirked, seemingly pleased by the guards' reactions.
"What loyal escorts."
"Forgive our rudeness."
"Well, my disciple started the trouble first……."
He glanced at the freak still kneeling on the ground.
"This one's one of my disciples. I designated him as Vice Cult Leader for his outstanding achievements, but he's caused me quite the headache."
"Is that madness the problem?"
He nodded at my question.
"Something like that. As you likely know, our Heavenly Demon Cult's cultivation method is a reverse-flow technique. It yields rapid progress, but the demonic qi is the issue."
He furrowed his brow and continued.
"When that demonic qi fills to its limit, it invades the marrow, causing one to lose their sense of self and rampage."
"And then what happens?"
"You either overcome the demon and reach the realm of Extreme Demon, or you die. Once it corrupts the brain, death becomes all you crave."
"I see."
So that's why he begged me to kill him?
The Heavenly Demon gave a wry smile.
"Truth be told, conquering the demon isn't easy. The best way is to fight until it purifies within the body and takes root."
So he'd been seeking opponents who could match him blow for blow?
Retreating once he could no longer attack?
"It usually takes years to overcome the demon and attain Extreme Demon—three to five, typically. I never imagined it'd take less than a month."
"Your disciple must be exceptionally talented."
"Well, if luck counts as talent……."
He glanced at his disciple, then pointed at me.
"More than that, it's thanks to your energy."
"Pardon?"
"Your pure, clear energy suppressed his raging demonic qi, allowing him to contain it. The Seolpung Palace's energy has always been exceptionally pure. That's why it irked me."
I tensed instantly.
Even knowing the Heavenly Demon Cult wasn't behind Seolpung Palace's destruction.
"This time, you've done me a favor. Losing a disciple I cherished would have pained me greatly."
"That aside, what brings you all the way here? The Heavenly Demon Cult's stronghold is quite far from these parts."
"True. Even rushing here upon hearing he'd fallen to madness in the North Sea took a full half-month."
Not just half a month—it had taken him half a month. I was speechless for a moment.
That spoke volumes about his realm.
"But what on earth happened here in the North Sea to drive your disciple mad?"
The Cult Leader looked to his disciple at my question.
The disciple averted his gaze slightly and answered.
"Well…… I caught a spirit beast, got hungry, grilled it up, and out of curiosity, ate its inner core."
"Was that spirit beast's eyes red by any chance?"
He nodded.
The Heavenly Demon clicked his tongue and scolded his disciple.
"You fool! I sent you on an errand, and you eat a wicked spirit beast's inner core? No wonder the demonic qi invaded your marrow! Bah, you idiot!"
Thwack! Thwack!
He kicked his disciple mercilessly.
Only then did the full story come together.
Watching him get pummeled, a wave of relief washed over me.
Part of me wanted to let it continue, but I supposed I should intervene.
"Cult Leader, your disciple didn't cause any major incidents. As far as I know, no one in the North Sea died by his hand."
"That's fortunate."
He stopped kicking, and the disciple, groaning in pain, knelt once more.
"I hurried because I feared he'd cause trouble. Stirring up issues in the North Sea of all places would be problematic. Dealing with that old hag who loves to meddle…… sigh."
Was that old hag…… the Palace Lord of the North Sea Ice Palace?
"That said, quite a few were injured. I believe compensation is in order."
Moreover, those injured were from our Eunhae Merchant Group and our trading partners, the tribal folk.
He looked at me and burst into laughter.
"Hahaha!"
"Why are you laughing?"
"You say that after looking at yourself?"
What was wrong with me?
As I checked my body, I suddenly felt embarrassed.
My clothes were shredded to rags, and I was covered in blood.
"……."
I cleared my throat awkwardly and pressed on.
"Ahem, my escorts and I were injured too, so I believe compensation for that is warranted as well."
"You're the first to demand compensation so boldly before this seat."
Still smiling, he continued.
"Aren't you afraid of me?"
"Of course I am…… but if I don't claim what's rightfully mine, I'll die frustrated anyway. If death's coming either way, better to speak my piece first."
"You're an amusing one."
"I hear that a lot."
He pulled a pouch from his bosom and tossed out five gold ingots.
They flew toward me and halted just short, then descended slowly.
I extended my hand to catch them.
"Is that enough?"
"Too much. Two will do."
"You seem greedy yet not—fascinating."
"Claiming what's due is natural, but demanding more would be improper."
Especially from the Heavenly Demon.
Greed could lead to bigger losses.
"The rest is gratitude for freeing my disciple from madness."
Ah, in that case, I'd gladly accept.
"Thank you."
"If fate wills it, we'll meet again."
He turned to his disciple.
"Rise."
"Yes!"
He stood.
His upright posture felt entirely different from before. Though battered from our fight and his master's kicks, of course.
"This unworthy disciple has caused you worry, Master."
"At least it ended well. Let's go."
"Yes."
By then, figures in black robes and tall hats had approached from behind.
The Cult Leader's presence had been too overwhelming to notice them sooner.
The disciple clasped his hands in salute toward me and asked.
"My name is Man-gyeong. What is yours?"
Should I reveal it?
As I pondered, Palgap's voice boomed from afar.
"Young master! Seo-ho young master!"
What a powerful voice.
Perhaps hearing it, he smiled and said.
"Seo-ho. That must be your name."
"Yes. Eun Seo-ho."
"I, Man-gyeong, will never forget the grace you've shown me. Farewell."
Hey, trying to act cool when you look like a mess?
With that, the freak—no, Man-gyeong—headed toward his welcoming party.
The Heavenly Demon followed, but paused and turned back.
He said to me.
"Judging by your achievements, this affair wasn't a total loss for you."
"Pardon?"
My achievements? What did that mean?
They mounted their horses and vanished in moments.
"Fortunately…… it ended peacefully."
"Yeah."
I looked up at the sky.
Storm clouds gathered; a gale seemed imminent.
But why were my eyes so heavy?
I fought to keep them open, but they closed, and memory faded.
.
.
.
"Gasp!"
I opened my eyes.
Just now, some weird dream……?
The Heavenly Demon appeared, giving me five gold ingots as compensation.
"What a strange dream."
Muttering, I sat up, feeling odd, and turned my head.
Palgap, seeing me awake, widened his eyes and rushed over.
"Eek! Young master! You're up?"
"Huh? Why the fuss?"
"Well, you came back from the brink of death—isn't that natural?"
"What are you talking about? When did I nearly die?"
"Don't you remember? You went out to catch that freak or whatever?"
"Oh……."
Right. Now I recall.
Feeling awkward, I scratched my neck and spotted the table. More precisely, the five gold ingots on it.
I froze.
So it wasn't a dream?
Just then, hearing Palgap, the door opened, and the guards poured in.
"My lord!"
"Are you alright?"
I scanned their faces one by one and sighed in relief.
"Glad you're all safe."
I chuckled, but Seo-u Warrior scolded me.
"My lord, you find this funny now?"
"It all worked out, and everyone's fine."
"Still, it was too reckless."
He sighed.
"We are your escorts, yet we keep failing you."
Fair enough.
But this incident had changed my view a bit.
"Don't say that. Honestly, this fight had no retreat."
They all nodded.
"Why do you think I fought so recklessly? Because I had you all."
"……."
"Even if I lost consciousness, like this time, I trusted you'd protect me. That's why I could fight without holding back."
I continued gently.
"So, put those thoughts aside. Here's to more in the future."
"We serve with utmost loyalty."
The guards bowed in unison.
"Anyway, after a full day's rest, I feel refreshed."
Palgap sighed at my words.
"Young master, what nonsense is that?"
"Huh?"
"It hasn't been a day—it's been three days already."
"What? Three days? I was out for three whole days?"
"Yes."
Damn…….
This wasn't the time to lounge.
"How are you all holding up?"
"We're fine."
I got off the bed.
"Then let's go fetch those eyes."
Soon, geared up, Su Branch Chief approached as I emerged.
"Heard you woke up. Feeling better?"
"Ah, yes. Much improved."
"Good. When Palgap carried you in, it was touch and go."
"Sorry for the worry."
"Nonsense. Thanks to you, that monster terrorizing the tribes is gone."
At that, I glanced at Seo-u Warrior.
He sent a sound transmission.
- For now, we've reported we united to defeat the freak and burned the body.
- Well done.
Talking about meeting the Heavenly Demon and his disciple would complicate things.
It could invite trouble.
They wouldn't want their movements exposed either.
"The tribesfolk were just expressing gratitude with gifts—quite the handful."
"Pardon? Gifts?"
"Repayment for avenging their proxy vendetta."
Right, this tribe had a custom about 'proxy avengers.'
Vendettas must be settled, but without strength, they hire proxies.
If someone avenges unintentionally, gifts must be given as payment to ward off misfortune.
Refusing would be rude.
"Where are the gifts?"
"Gathered in one room."
I opened the door and fell silent.
"……."
"More than expected."
"Indeed. Accept them as their thanks. Convey my gratitude in my stead. And……."
I pulled a pouch from my sleeve.
"Use this to compensate the injured tribesfolk and warriors."
"Understood."
It was worth one and a half gold ingots.
"I'll step out briefly."
"Yes. Take care."
I set off for the North Sea with my escorts and carriage.
Soon, we reached the spot where I'd fought Man-gyeong.
The gale had erased all traces of our battle.
It left a bittersweet feeling.
By the way, Man-gyeong had come to the North Sea on his master's errand—what was it?
Should've asked while pretending to be crazy?