Chapter 41

Glug glug glug.

The crystalline liquid filling the cups emanated a rich, deep aroma.

Wi Hong-ryeon furrowed her brow.

“Why did you stop pouring?”

“Just drink what you’re given. Consider it an honor that I’m even pouring for you.”

“…”

“Go ahead, pour.”

Wi Hong-ryeon stared at Seo Ryang intently before filling his cup to the brim.

Seo Ryang smirked.

“At least you’re not being childish about it.”

“This is merely reciprocation.”

“Reciprocation? For what?”

“…”

“Ah, for keeping your head attached to your neck?”

“…”

“Acting all serious, so unlike you.”

After Seo Ryang emptied his cup, Wi Hong-ryeon followed suit.

A modest spread of drinking snacks lay between them. True to his words, she had actually brought some side dishes.

Seo Ryang glanced behind him.

Ma Dong-pil stood with his hands behind his back, his stern face fixed in a stoic expression. His gaze remained locked on Wi Hong-ryeon.

“Dong-pil, you’re not drinking?”

“I’m fine, sir.”

“If you’re not going to drink, why stand there all stiff? Go rest inside.”

“I cannot.”

“Huh?”

“The Mad Demon Squad Leader might act up. I must be ready to stop her today.”

The corner of Wi Hong-ryeon’s mouth curved upward into a rather vicious smile.

“You think someone of your caliber could stop me?”

“…”

“What’s wrong? Why aren’t you answering?”

Ma Dong-pil remained unresponsive. He merely continued glaring at her with eyes as hard as stone.

Wi Hong-ryeon’s expression grew increasingly cold.

“You’ve taken quite an impudent one as your subordinate, Young Master.”

“Why? Think he’s inferior to you?”

“I am the Mad Demon Squad Leader.”

“I know that, you wench.”

“My skills are far beyond some mere Law Enforcement Captain.”

Seo Ryang chuckled as he filled Wi Hong-ryeon’s cup.

“Third Captain, to be precise. And he’s growing stronger by the day.”

“So that explains his arrogance. Seems he’s picked up some decent martial arts techniques lately.”

“Aren’t you the one being arrogant? In your current condition, Dong-pil definitely has the upper hand.”

Wi Hong-ryeon’s lip twitched as she drained her cup in one go.

Seo Ryang refilled her cup once again.

“By the way, what’s with these snacks?”

“Is something wrong with them?”

“The smell is way too strong.”

“Once you get used to them, there’s nothing more delicious.”

“Your social skills are absolutely terrible. If you’re going to drink with someone, at least consider their preferences, got it?”

Wi Hong-ryeon didn’t respond.

Seo Ryang stared at her for a moment before extending his hand.

“I don’t have any money.”

“Who’s asking for money? Give me your hand.”

“What?”

“I said give me your hand.”

“Why…?”

“You think I’m going to beat you up now? Or try something funny? When I tell you to do something, just do it, you stubborn piece of work.”

Wi Hong-ryeon’s lip twitched again.

But after a moment, she thrust out her hand.

“Hmm.”

Seo Ryang frowned as he held her pulse point.

“What’s this? These internal injuries don’t seem to be from me.”

“Were you checking my condition?”

“What else did you think I was doing? Trying to hold hands? You’re out of your mind.”

“…”

“Hmm, doesn’t seem like impact trauma. Ah! It’s from the cold qi in the prison cell.”

“…”

Woong woong woong.

Wi Hong-ryeon’s eyes trembled.

The concentration of demonic energy flowing through her meridians was truly extraordinary.

It rushed in like scorching flames, making her feel as if her entire forearm would burn away in an instant.

But that sensation lasted only a moment.

Sssshhhh.

The cold qi that had penetrated throughout her internal organs completely evaporated. The Dark Shadow Demonic Art, being a Yang-based technique, made it easier to dispel.

As Wi Hong-ryeon’s complexion grew more relaxed, Seo Ryang released her pulse point.

“I don’t enjoy drinking with sick people.”

“I won’t thank you.”

“What kind of idiot would expect gratitude from a psycho like you?”

“…”

“Just drink.”

After silently emptying several cups, Seo Ryang was the first to speak.

“So, why did you come running here without even resting right after being released?”

“Didn’t you tell me to come if I wanted a drink?”

“That’s why I’m asking – why come without even taking a break?”

“That’s my personal…”

“Hey.”

“…”

“Since you got here, have you done anything besides playing word games?”

“…”

“We’ve had enough to drink. Stop with the nonsense and say what you need to say.”

“I have nothing particular to say.”

“You came all this way with snacks at this late hour with nothing to say?”

“As I mentioned earlier, this is my way of showing sincerity for causing trouble.”

The word ‘sincerity’ came from Wi Hong-ryeon’s mouth.

It was truly unfitting for someone like her. A word she would never have uttered if not addressing the Third Young Master.

Seo Ryang stared at her for a moment before nodding.

“Fine. If that’s how you feel, let’s just drink.”

“I mean it.”

“I said I got it.”

Seo Ryang grumbled as he emptied his cup.

Wi Hong-ryeon, who had been quietly watching him never touch the chopsticks throughout their drinking, asked:

“Are the snacks really that unpalatable?”

“Did you think I was lying?”

“Should I bring different ones?”

…What’s this?

Seo Ryang blinked.

“Why the sudden change?”

“Pardon?”

“That line seemed completely out of character for you just now.”

“…”

Wi Hong-ryeon drained another cup. Despite the rapid pace of her drinking, she showed no signs of intoxication.

Seo Ryang sighed.

“Damn, to think you really just came to mooch drinks. Oh? We’ve already finished a bottle. Dong-pil! Bring two more bottles!”

Ma Dong-pil left his post. Even as he walked out the door, his gaze remained fixed on Wi Hong-ryeon.

Wi Hong-ryeon snorted.

“His loyalty puts even Guan Yu to shame.”

“You should learn from him.”

“Doesn’t it suffocate you?”

“Why would I be suffocated by someone dedicating themselves to me?”

“At this point, isn’t it beyond dedication and more like love?”

“Keep running your mouth and I’ll crack your skull.”

“He’ll be useful in future battles.”

“Damn it. Why would I use Dong-pil for fight-“

Seo Ryang suddenly stopped mid-sentence, his eyes gleaming.

Wi Hong-ryeon shook the empty bottle.

“There’s a bit left. Let me pour you some.”

“What did you mean by that?”

“…”

“Stop being cryptic. If you have something to say, just say it clearly. Don’t waste time just drinking.”

A hint of confusion flickered across Wi Hong-ryeon’s face.

“…Honestly, I’m still considering.”

“What?”

“Whether I should tell you this, Young Master.”

“You came drinking before making up your mind? No, more importantly, what are you talking about?”

Wi Hong-ryeon simply stared down at her cup without answering.

This time, Seo Ryang waited patiently for her. He could tell that unlike before, she wasn’t just putting on airs but genuinely contemplating something.

Shortly after, Ma Dong-pil returned with two bottles of alcohol.

His expression had changed as well. He too had noticed the shift in the room’s atmosphere.

Seo Ryang received the bottles from Ma Dong-pil and filled Wi Hong-ryeon’s cup.

Wi Hong-ryeon immediately drained it, as if she had been waiting for this moment. Seo Ryang filled her cup again.

After emptying her cup three times in succession, Wi Hong-ryeon finally spoke.

“How much do you trust that guy?”

She jerked her chin toward Ma Dong-pil.

Seo Ryang answered seriously.

“We’ve saved each other’s lives multiple times.”

It meant he trusted him absolutely. Ma Dong-pil bowed his head humbly.

Wi Hong-ryeon smiled.

It was a bitter smile that seemed out of place on her face.

“I envy that.”

“So what are you trying to say?”

“The True Demon Squad Leader[1].”

“…What?”

“The True Demon Squad Leader will make his move.”

The True Demon Squad Leader.

He led one of the internal combat units, on par with the Mad Demon Squad.

While the Mad Demon Squad was more notorious, the True Demon Squad had legitimacy.

It was a historical unit that had existed since the founding of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. Naturally, the pride of its demon practitioners soared to the heavens.

Seo Ryang’s eyes glinted.

“So the True Demon Squad Leader was there too.”

Wi Hong-ryeon nodded.

This fact hadn’t been included in So Yeon-shim’s latest relationship chart. It was a moment that confirmed while the document was reliable, it wasn’t infallible.

“But why is he making a move?”

“The True Demon Squad Leader is like a fox. He never does anything that could harm himself.”

“So he’s particularly cautious?”

“That’s right.”

“And that guy is suddenly making a move? Does he want something?”

“Me.”

“…?”

“That man who’s usually so cautious sometimes moves without thinking. Most of those times are because of me.”

“Why? Does he have a thing for you? That’s some weird taste.”

“He likes me enough to want to kill me.”

Meaning they were on extremely bad terms. Seo Ryang tilted his head.

“I don’t care how you ended up like that. What I want to know is why he would move now…”

“…”

“Don’t tell me he’s firmly aligned himself with Fourth?”

“More precisely, it seems the Fourth Young Master has something on him.”

“What is it?”

“I don’t know for certain. I’m not even sure about it. But I’ve clashed with him so many times that I can read his face now. He definitely has some weakness that the Fourth Young Master is exploiting.”

“So what you’re saying is, while the True Demon Squad Leader is moving, it’s actually Fourth pulling the strings.”

“Effectively, the Fourth Young Master is the one making the moves.”

Seo Ryang smiled.

“And why are you telling me this?”

“It’s reciprocation.”

“…”

“And I think it might be worth working with you, Young Master. You want to take down the Fourth Young Master too, don’t you?”

Ma Dong-pil’s expression twisted. The blunt manner of speech was one thing, but how dare she try to probe the Young Master’s intentions – truly an insufferably arrogant woman.

But Seo Ryang’s smile remained bright.

He filled Wi Hong-ryeon’s cup.

“So you’re suggesting we form a temporary alliance?”

“If you’re not interested, you can stay out of it. I’ve been fighting well enough on my own until now.”

“Sorry, but I’m not the type to just watch something interesting pass by. Besides, it seems like you want to use this chance to break the chain of evil once and for all?”

“…That’s right.”

They both raised their cups.

“You sure you can handle the True Demon Squad Leader?”

“I’ll catch him properly before you take down the Fourth Young Master. I was feeling uneasy about leaving him be anyway, so this works out well.”

“I like that spirit of yours.”

Clink!

Their cups met.

After emptying his cup, Seo Ryang grinned at Ma Dong-pil.

“You said you remember when you first saw the Lù Shǔ?”

“…Yes.”

“Just when I thought everything was wrapped up right in front of us, turns out the main stage was somewhere else. Want to join in?”

“Of course.”

Seo Ryang gestured to the spot beside him.

“Bring another cup.”

***

“She went to Seo Ryang’s quarters?”

“Yes.”

Hong Wi-moon snickered.

“She’s unconventional in many ways. I thought she might actually be surrendering, but then attempted murder out of nowhere? And she didn’t even touch me.”

“She was keeping her word, wasn’t she?”

“And protecting her subordinates too. She’s quite reliable when it comes to such things.”

Shin Hoe spoke with a grave expression.

“But I don’t think that’s all there is to it. While she can be unpredictable, the Mad Demon Squad Leader isn’t someone so reckless.”

“That’s right.”

“Yet she turned herself in to the Criminal Court while involving the Third Young Master… I believe there must have been some kind of deal between them.”

“Of course. She was acquitted based on Seo Ryang’s testimony, after all. That would’ve been impossible without prior arrangement.”

“But if she was going to be released anyway, why bother…”

“She saved her subordinates and dealt with the Purple-Eyebrowed Tower situation. And she couldn’t ignore my existence either.”

“Ah! Then for the Mad Demon Squad Leader, the Criminal Court would have been the safest place from all threats!”

“Right. The problem is we don’t know what kind of deal it was.”

Hong Wi-moon scratched his head after pondering for a while.

“It’s not hard to make guesses, but having nothing concrete is the issue.”

“…”

“At times like this, it’s best to poke around with a good toy.”

Shin Hoe carefully asked.

“Are you thinking of using the True Demon Squad Leader?”

“It’s a sure thing, isn’t it? It wouldn’t be his first time stirring up trouble with the Mad Demon Squad Leader.”

“That’s true, but…”

“There’s no point in overthinking this. We’ll just waste time and gain nothing. Now isn’t the time for contemplation – it’s time for action.”

Hong Wi-moon packed his pipe with tobacco.

The tobacco’s color was an even deeper purple than before.

“Send word to the True Demon Squad Leader.”