Chapter 49

Hong Wi-moon picked up the wine bottle with a smile.

“Let me pour you a drink.”

“Thank you.”

The one who respectfully raised his cup was a middle-aged man well over forty.

“I should have visited more often, but I’ve been quite busy with official matters. I apologize for only coming now. I feel ashamed.”

The man waved his hand dismissively.

“How could you say such things? It’s an honor that you’ve come to visit at all.”

“Haha! Of course, I’m also grateful for earlier. You can curse me for being transparent, but that’s just how it is.”

“Not at all. As a demon practitioner responsible for suppressing internal conflicts, it was simply my duty.”

“How could I not understand that? Still, as someone who also dislikes unnecessary conflict, I merely wished to express my gratitude.”

“There isn’t a single demon practitioner who doesn’t know of Young Master’s devotion to the cult.”

The gilded words flowed back and forth between them. Though both knew better than anyone that this was mere formality, it was an essential exchange that could not be omitted.

Such conversations were like sword sheaths. They served as restraints, preventing lethal wounds until the real blades were drawn.

If either party decided they had no more use for the other, swords would be drawn immediately.

The cold, ruthless blade that severs relationships.

“Will the Joyous Pavilion handle the construction of the guest quarters?”

“Of course.”

“If the Young Master wishes, please let me know anytime. I can have our people assist intermittently.”

Hong Wi-moon’s eyes sparkled for a moment.

A high-ranking official of the Criminal Court offering to provide their members for assistance. During the guest quarters construction, no less.

To the uninitiated, it might seem like a random offer, but those in the know would be shocked.

Having Criminal Court members assist with construction meant they would create secret spaces like miniature prison cells within the Fourth Young Master’s quarters.

Each member of the Criminal Court was both a skilled craftsman and capable laborer. This was how information about the maze-like passages and prison cells within the hall remained strictly confidential.

The corner of Hong Wi-moon’s mouth curved slightly upward.

This one wants something from me.

In politics, there are no gifts without cost. For every one thing given, one must surely receive something in return. When someone offers something, one must first consider what they need from you.

Those who break this unwritten rule don’t last long. This was the politics Hong Wi-moon had learned over years of experience.

So he declined the offer.

“That won’t be necessary.”

“…Is that so?”

“Yes. However, might I receive something else in exchange?”

“Exchange… what would that be?”

Just then, the middle-aged man’s ears perked up. It seemed he had received a sound transmission from one of his members.

Hong Wi-moon smiled.

“Yes.”

“…”

“Please bury the situation you’re hearing about right now.”

“…Are you asking me to ignore this disturbance?”

“That’s right.”

The man’s expression grew serious.

“I don’t know if you’re aware, but many demon practitioners witnessed that incident.”

“I’m sure they did.”

“…”

“Which is why I believe it’s a fair exchange for the gift you were originally planning to give me.”

“…”

“What do you think? I still have plenty left in my bundle.”

After contemplating for a moment, the man nodded.

“I’ll bury it.”

“Thank you.”

“But only that far. The names of the Raging Demon and True Demon carry too much weight to simply bury everything. If the higher-ups intervene…”

“Then I will step in. You won’t suffer any consequences. And…”

“…”

“The moment my target becomes involved in this situation, the Criminal Court can make its move. That way, there won’t be any aftermath to deal with, correct?”

The man smiled as he picked up the bottle.

“Let me pour for you this time.”

“I gratefully accept.”

As they exchanged drinks back and forth, invisible killing intent surged in Hong Wi-moon’s eyes.

I’ll show you that blade-wielding battles aren’t everything.

***

Clang clang clang!

The rain of blades poured down like a torrential storm.

More terrifying than the number of blades was the killing intent they emanated. This was why Ma Dong-pil’s martial prowess looked dazzling as he deflected all those threatening attacks with a single long sword.

But Ma Dong-pil’s condition was far from good.

“Huff! Huff!”

His breathing had grown ragged, and his body was covered in blood.

Looking at each wound individually, none were particularly severe. However, when combined, they caused excessive bleeding comparable to a serious injury. If he hadn’t used acupoint pressure to stop the bleeding, he would have collapsed long ago.

“Hey! Fall back already!”

“Stop being a nuisance and take care of yourself.”

“What nonsense are you spouting when you’re half dead! Get out here, you bastard!”

Though brief, Ma Dong-pil seriously considered knocking Wi Hong-ryeon unconscious before dealing with the enemies before him.

“Be quiet.”

“You really…”

“My sword feels heavier because of y- Hup!”

Clang!

Ma Dong-pil took another step back. Meanwhile, the True Demon Squad member who had swung at him staggered back over ten steps, disrupting their formation.

It was tremendous power. Since his martial arts focused on heavy sword and strong sword techniques, his destructive power remained exceptional even in his current state.

However, seeing this only made Wi Hong-ryeon’s face contort in anger.

“You idiot! What the hell are you doing?!”

“I told you to be quiet.”

“Do I look like I can be quiet right now? If you’re going to fight, do it properly! Why aren’t you using lethal strikes?!”

Indeed. Wi Hong-ryeon wasn’t squawking behind Ma Dong-pil for no reason.

Even while fending off the waves of attacks from nearly fifty True Demon Squad members, Ma Dong-pil absolutely refused to use lethal strikes. If he had committed to deadly sword techniques, the battle would have been much easier.

Ma Dong-pil spoke in his characteristically blunt tone.

“We’re only clashing due to circumstances. In the end, aren’t we all demon practitioners?”

“Hey!”

“And I’m the Third Captain of the Law Enforcement Court. My sword points only at enemies of our cult, not at fellow demon practitioners.”

“…”

“At least not unless they commit acts worthy of death.”

“We’ll die at this rate, you idiot!”

“I won’t let that happen.”

“This isn’t just a simple conflict – it’s a life-or-death battle! What kind of idiot fights while being considerate of their enemies?!”

“They’re not enemies, they’re fellow cult members.”

Wi Hong-ryeon bit her lip. This stubbornness, ingrained to his very soul, was remarkable in its own way.

Just then, a contemptuous snort filled with killing intent rang out.

“What a load of bullshit.”

Song Gyeong emerged from among the True Demon Squad members.

Powerful demonic energy rose once again from his body after the brief rest had restored his strength. He must have taken some internal injury medicine from one of his members.

“What are you all doing? Hurry up and pin down that idiot’s head!”

Song Gyeong flicked his index finger.

“Wi Hong-ryeon. Stop hiding behind that kid and come out already.”

“Who the fuck is hiding, asshole!”

“Then get your ass out here right now! Since when does the Mad Demon Squad Leader hide behind others and suck her thumb?!”

She was already at her wit’s end because of Ma Dong-pil. When Song Gyeong’s provocation hit, her eyes rolled back in rage.

Woong woong woong!!

Ma Dong-pil’s eyes trembled.

The densest blue demonic energy yet erupted from behind him.

The problem was the madness mixed into that energy. It was even more intense than what she had displayed at the Purple-Eyebrowed Tower.

“Squad Leader Wi!”

“You son of a bitch!!”

Whoosh!

Ma Dong-pil’s eyes widened.

He tried to block but couldn’t. In the blink of an eye, she leaped over him and charged at Song Gyeong with speed that seemed impossible for someone with such severe internal and external injuries.

Song Gyeong growled.

“Come on then!”

Boom!

When their simultaneously released energy waves collided, they created a mighty shockwave. Over ten True Demon Squad members hurriedly stepped back to either side.

Blood vessels burst in Wi Hong-ryeon’s eyes.

Though her arms felt like they would snap, that pain only fueled her madness. Her whites turned blood-red while her pupils blazed ghostly blue.

Overwhelming madness surged from her entire body.

The madness stimulated her demon arts, and the stimulated demon arts in turn shook her middle danjeon of the Five Desires and Seven Emotions[1]. The shaken middle danjeon gathered demonic energy that reached the original essence[2], the source of life.

Song Gyeong’s hand trembled.

Whack!

His face snapped to the side.

Blue veins bulged grotesquely in his neck. If not for the demonic energy he had desperately summoned and his tough muscles, that strike would have taken his head clean off.

What the hell is this?!

Though he avoided death, his mind was still in chaos. His vision flashed and his legs wobbled unsteadily.

How can such power come from a body on death’s door?!

Slash!

Song Gyeong instinctively swung his hand. It was the Snow Mountain Ghost Sword technique performed with hand arts[3], drawing a faint white light shadow[4] in the sixth stance.

Though hastily executed, it retained its full power. It was martial prowess worthy of one called the True Demon Squad Leader.

However.

Crack!

“Argh!”

Song Gyeong staggered backward again.

His wrist was dislocated at a bizarre angle. The back and palm of his hand were roughly torn and mangled.

The unexpected pain shocked him back to clarity. His already broken left arm now had a shattered wrist to match.

If there was any silver lining, it was that strength had returned to his legs and his dizziness had cleared.

Song Gyeong raised his head to look ahead.

Wi Hong-ryeon was charging at him with a face twisted like an evil spirit. Her right arm was also broken and dislocated at the forearm, but she showed no sign of pain whatsoever.

Wheeeeing!

Song Gyeong’s eyes went wide.

Blindingly intense blue demonic energy erupted from Wi Hong-ryeon’s body as she charged at incredible speed.

It was demonic energy of an incredible concentration she had never shown even at full strength. This demonic energy, which he could never hope to wield at his level, was supporting her body.

Don’t tell me…

A look of horror crossed Song Gyeong’s face.

She’s tapping into her original essence? Insane!

Original essence qi is the source of life. Right now, Wi Hong-ryeon was charging while drawing out original essence qi that should be consumed over an entire lifetime.

This was madness on a different level from simply risking one’s life. Even if she survived this battle, she would likely live as a cripple due to the aftereffects.

Did you want to kill me that badly?!

Song Gyeong bit his lip.

As much as he hated her, he didn’t want to tap into his original essence because of Wi Hong-ryeon. Besides, original essence wasn’t something one could use at will.

Grind!

Song Gyeong shouted.

“I am the True Demon Squad Leader!”

Boom!

With a tremendous explosion, both of them went flying backward.

Even the True Demon Squad members who had been pressuring Ma Dong-pil turned in shock at the shockwave that dwarfed the previous ones.

“Kweeeek!”

Song Gyeong, with all his limbs broken, vomited a bowl of blood.

“Cough!”

Wi Hong-ryeon also coughed up blood.

But she was fine. Though both arms were broken, at least her legs still worked.

Woong woong woong!!

The blue-black demonic energy surged once again. Though her body was extremely weakened, the erupting demonic energy grew even fiercer.

“Waaaagh!”

Wi Hong-ryeon charged with a sound between a roar and a scream. Her blood-spraying figure rushing forward evoked the image of a hell-demon.

A faint look of terror crossed Song Gyeong’s face. He hadn’t expected this stubborn beast to charge in seeking death yet again.

“Stop her!”

The startled True Demon Squad members quickly moved to block Song Gyeong. Despite her intense demonic energy, they were much faster than Wi Hong-ryeon in her depleted state.

Just as Wi Hong-ryeon was about to clash with the True Demon Squad members-

Whack!

“…?”

With a clean striking sound, Wi Hong-ryeon went flying.

The True Demon Squad members looked bewildered at this sudden development. Why was Wi Hong-ryeon, who had been charging with murderous intent to kill everything in sight, now rolling away in the distance?

That’s when-

“Wi Hong-ryeon.”

All eyes turned toward the voice.

There stood a handsome youth, his face flushed crimson with rage as he glared at Wi Hong-ryeon.

Wi Hong-ryeon’s eyes went wide as that single strike brought her back to her senses.

The handsome youth, Seo Ryang, roared.

“You fucking idiot!”

Whoosh!

Charging at tremendous speed, Seo Ryang swung his fist at Wi Hong-ryeon.

Wi Hong-ryeon squeezed her eyes shut.