Chapter 68: The Second Young Lord, Until the End

TL: FoodieMonster007

"The Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme has five disciples. The most likely successors are the first, Yang Do, and the third, Cheong Seon. For your reference, Cheong Seon is a woman."

I questioned him based on Seo Daeryong's report.

"What are their reputations within the Western Illusion Sanctum?"

"Yang Do has more experience and skill due to his age, but Cheong Seon is more popular in the Western Illusion Sanctum. Unlike the young and beautiful Cheong Seon, Yang Do has a vicious personality. He's already injured several shamans, and some have even died. The late Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme favored him, so his succession was likely, but things have changed."

"Investigate both of them thoroughly. Their martial arts, wealth, abilities, hobbies, and even their personal relationships. Don't miss a single thing."

"Understood."

"I wonder who the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader will choose."

Seo Daeryong's eyes widened at my question.

"The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader is choosing one of them?"

"Yes. I sent him the data on the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme's disciples for that reason."

"……"

"I told him to jump into the Western Illusion Sanctum's succession battle."

"Good heavens! What are you plotting now? Surely not?"

Seo Daeryong's thoughts seemed to latch onto something, and he sent a telepathic message.

[Are you going to kill the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader too? Or Yang Do? Even Cheong Seon?]

[What am I, a murderer? Do you think I'm going to kill them all?]

Only then did Seo Daeryong look relieved.

"That's a relief."

"Everyone's worried about who I'm going to kill next. I guess that's how people see me these days."

"Who else was worried? Your Master?"

"Master?"

"Ah! Elder Blood Heaven Blade Demon."

"You don't call the Elder 'Master' yet, do you?"

"No, he hasn't given me permission."

But the word 'Master' had slipped out unconsciously. It seemed Seo Daeryong already considered the Blood Heaven Blade Demon his master.

I could feel Seo Daeryong growing more captivated by the Blade Demon. In fact, Seo Daeryong was probably smitten the moment he saw the Blood Heaven Blade Demon reading a book.

"So, who do you think the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader will choose?"

"How would I know?"

"If a genius like you who graduated top of your class doesn't know, who would?"

"I graduated at the top because I studied hard, not because I'm a genius."

"But you said you were a genius, didn't you?"

"That's what you said, Director."

"You nodded your head proudly back then, didn't you?"

"I admit it. I have a vain streak. So please, downgrade me from 'genius' to 'a guy who's good at practical work'. In return, I'll make sure to investigate those two thoroughly."

Seo Daeryong bowed deeply and left the office.

"So, who should we support?"

The man in shackles just stared at the Echoing Thunder Bell when the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader asked his question.

"Why are you staring at that bell? Does the demon carved on it talk to you or something?"

The man in shackles spoke abruptly.

"How did you know?"

"Why are you being so creepy?"

"It speaks to me sometimes."

"What does it say?"

Staring blankly at the demon, the man in shackles said, "Why do you live like that?"

A moment of silence passed.

"So, what did you answer?"

"I used to answer that I live like this because of one narrow-minded, greedy human."

"And now?"

"I answered that maybe… it's not entirely because of that human."

"And what did it say to that?"

The man in shackles said nothing. When pressed again, he looked at the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader as if he were pathetic.

"Why do you keep asking? As if a carving can talk. Are you insane?"

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader wore a dumbfounded expression.

"Of course, it'd be strange if I didn't go insane. Soon enough, I'll be sitting there talking with that carved demon. 'Why do you live being ignored like that?' Why do you think? You damned demon, you've been watching the whole time, so you know!"

"It's Cheong Seon."

"You scared me! Please, at least take a starting stance before you strike!"

The man in shackles was unpredictable, but he was valuable because he provided answers like this when needed.

"Why Cheong Seon? From what I can see, it looks like Yang Do will be the successor."

"Then choose him, if you wish."

The man in shackles closed his mouth as if he had nothing more to say.

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader stealthily moved next to him.

"I'm asking why it's Cheong Seon."

"Just follow your convictions and choose Yang Do. How long is someone like the Cult Leader going to follow what others say?"

"Fine, I'll follow my convictions and choose Cheong Seon."

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader trusted the man in shackles implicitly. He did not need a reason. The man's past actions were proof enough.

"So it's Cheong Seon. Then how can I make her my disciple?"

"That, I do not know."

"What am I supposed to do if you don't know?"

"Wouldn't it be stranger if I knew that while chained up here like this?"

"True. That's also true."

Even so, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader never mentioned releasing his shackles. They had discussed all sorts of things, but he never brought that up.

If he released the shackles, the man would fly away and leave him. Who would willingly stay with the person who put them in such a state? The moment he was freed, it would be the end. The words 'release the shackles' were an absolute taboo for the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader.

"Should I go and find Cheong Seon?"

"And what will you say when you get there?"

"'Become my disciple.' Is that too overbearing? 'I permit you to become my disciple.' How's that?"

"I'm sure she'll be thrilled to become your disciple with that approach."

"Then what should I do?"

"Try putting yourself in her shoes. An old man from the Outer Regions with inscrutable intentions shows up and suddenly tells you to become his disciple. If you were her, would you fall for that?"

"Not a chance."

"It's the same for others. It won't work just like that."

"Don't tell me you're saying I have to pay a price?"

The man in shackles nodded.

"I'm going to be her Master and teach her martial arts. If anyone should be paying, it's her."

"That's an outdated way of thinking. The price is paid by the one who is more desperate."

"I refuse. I don't want to give anymore, I want to receive. I'm a person who much prefers receiving! Tell her to come with a mountain of treasures to fill my collection and learn! Tell her to kneel in the courtyard all day and beg!"

The man in shackles had told him to give it all, but that was not as easy as it sounded.

"If you must pay a price, the recipient shouldn't be Cheong Seon."

"Then who?"

"The Second Young Lord will want more of the treasures here. Last time he was looking around, there were a few things he had his eye on."

"Damn it!"

"The Second Young Lord will bring the solution this time as well."

"The Second Young Lord again?"

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader sighed. The man in shackles spoke calmly.

"It will be the Second Young Lord, until the end."

Seo Daeryong was certainly skilled in practical matters, just as he had boasted.

He had thoroughly investigated Yang Do and Cheong Seon. He looked into their families, households, martial arts levels, personalities, relationships, and even their favorite foods.

"However, I discovered something strange while investigating Cheong Seon."

"What is it?"

"Cheong Seon has met with Sa Woojong several times."

"Sa Woojong?"

An unexpected name had come up.

"Yes. Their relationship seems to have no point of contact, so I'm reporting it just in case."

Seo Daeryong reported this separately because he knew I had a connection with the Flower Sword Supreme.

I recalled Sa Woojong's final moments. He had been under a soul-manipulation spell and tried to kill the Flower Sword Supreme, only to be killed in return. The caster of the spell was never identified.

Ah! So that was Cheong Seon's soul-manipulation spell!

A single conclusion naturally emerged.

"The two of them are dating!"

Seo Daeryong was startled by my words. He was not surprised that the two were dating, but that I had guessed it on the spot.

"How did you know?"

Sa Woojong had been in love with the Flower Sword Supreme. What if Cheong Seon found that out while they were dating? His death was undoubtedly the result of Cheong Seon's jealousy and anger. Cheong Seon was especially young, so if her man loved an older woman, the wound to her pride would be deep enough to pierce her body.

That was not the only reason I concluded they were dating.

The person who told me where the bodies from the Great Mind Control Technique were buried, and the person who stole Neunghyu's fan and placed it there, must have been Cheong Seon. These were things that couldn't be known or accomplished by anyone other than a disciple of the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme. Furthermore, if she was not dating Sa Woojong, she would have had no reason to leak such important information.

All the pieces fit together, but I could not tell Seo Daeryong any of this.

I shot up from my seat.

"You've thought of something to change the situation again, haven't you."

"How did you know?"

"The look in your eyes changed. Director, why are you looking for a genius? You're the genius."

"I'm no genius. I'm just good at scheming and seizing opportunities. I need someone who can think big, not like this. The difference between having someone like that in an organization and not is huge."

"I don't really know about that, but anyway, you're amazing."

"What do you mean you don't know? I figured this out thanks to your investigation. Even if I find a genius, I wouldn't trade you for them."

"I'm sure you wouldn't. You'd just have both of us anyway, but where are you going?"

I was already walking out of the office.

To earn some treasures!

This was also something I could not tell him.

I went straight to meet the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader.

His residence was the scene of the incident, and as the Sanzu Hall Director, I had an official reason to come and go as I pleased.

"Welcome."

"Have you been well?"

"I've looked over the data you sent. Thank you."

"Don't mention it."

While exchanging greetings with him, I glanced at the man in shackles.

He kept his head down and did not look at me, but every time I saw him, I felt our connection was not one that would simply pass by.

My gaze returned to the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader.

"Have you found a way to intervene in the Western Illusion Sanctum's succession battle?"

"Not yet."

"You must hurry. The Demon Supremes will soon intervene and choose a successor."

"As you know, I'm in shackles here, just like that man. It's not even easy for me to meet the successors of the Western Illusion Sanctum."

I nodded as if I understood.

"Which of the candidates do you think I should take as a disciple?"

"Cheong Seon."

He was not surprised by my answer. It seemed he had already reached that conclusion with the man in shackles, and indeed, that was the case.

"We also decided that Cheong Seon was the right choice."

My reason was Sa Woojong, but I wondered why that man in shackles had chosen Cheong Seon.

"But I have no way to persuade her."

"What if I could make Cheong Seon come to you herself, Cult Leader?"

"And when she comes?"

"She'll beg to become your disciple. I'll serve her to you on a silver platter."

"If you could do that, I couldn't ask for anything more."

"In return, give me one of your treasures."

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's brightened expression darkened once more. "You're truly shameless."

"It's not shameless, it's natural. Making people work based on friendship or loyalty without proper compensation is something that only worked in our fathers' generation."

"I happen to be from that generation."

"You have to accept that times have changed, and that I am a man of these new times. If you don't like it, you can live hardened like a fossil, looking only at what's convenient for you."

Of course, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader did not want such a life, so his expression hardened.

I persuaded him in a softer tone. "This matter involves a young person, so please leave it to me. I'll produce a result that makes the treasure well worth it."

"Let me think for a moment."

"Of course."

I pretended to admire the treasures, giving the man in shackles and the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader time to communicate via telepathy.

Finally, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader said to me, "Alright, I accept your proposal."

Although his expression was full of displeasure, it seemed the man in shackles had ultimately persuaded him.

"My part ends when she comes to you and asks to be your disciple. Putting her on the throne of a Demon Supreme is up to your capabilities, Cult Leader."

"If you need help then too, you'll just come back and demand another treasure. Why don't you just take them all now!"

"I wish I had the ability to do that. For my sake, and for yours, Cult Leader."

I rose from my seat. I gave a polite nod to the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader and a fleeting one to the man in shackles before leaving.

From there, I went to find the person who held the key to this matter, Sa Woojong.