Chapter 214 : Su-in, Unleashes
Chapter 214: Su-in, Unleashes
When Lee Jaseung returned to the Alliance after disposing of the Shadow Master and the Killing Shadows, Baek Seolyoung was waiting for him.
“How did the matter go?”
At Baek Seolyoung’s question, Lee Jaseung replied.
“It went well.”
“Ah, thank goodness.”
Mujin, who had come along, spoke up.
“Actually, the person who played the greatest role in this operation was the Great Lady.”
Ma Young-gi nodded vigorously with an expression of agreement and spoke.
“I heard everything from Captain Mook.”
As he spoke, Ma Young-gi pointed toward the air.
Mook Young, having returned to his original duty, was hidden around Baek Seolyoung to guard her.
Mook Young had already told the two of them how well she had performed.
Mujin made a gesture as if whispering.
“Captain Mook has a surprisingly loose tongue.”
Lee Jaseung chuckled at those words. It was because he could imagine Mook Young’s expression of being taken aback.
Though the taciturn Mook Young could hardly be called loose-tongued, it was certainly Mook Young who had excitedly reported this incident.
It was likely because he wanted to boast about her that much.
The favor toward Baek Seolyoung was growing day by day among the subordinates.
Lee Jaseung felt good whenever Baek Seolyoung was recognized by his men.
“I was just lucky.”
Baek Seolyoung replied modestly with a smile.
“Honestly, I was so out of it that I didn't even know what I said.”
Her heart raced just thinking about that time.
In fact, she hadn't trembled much while she was with Yeo Su-in, but after returning to the Alliance, her legs shook so much she could hardly stand in place.
Another emotion mixed with the joy of having accomplished a great task.
It wasn't a fear that she might have died. Lee Jaseung had been protecting her, after all.
Her fear was the possibility of Yeo Su-in dying.
What if she had made a mistake, her intentions were discovered, and Lee Jaseung had to appear because she was in danger? What if Yeo Su-in died because of that, eventually causing a Great War between Orthodox and Demons?
She would have been the one who provided the cause for that war. No matter how much she had grown mentally, she wasn't at the level where she could endure such a thing.
Immediately after returning, she couldn't sleep even when she lay down, and she couldn't practice martial arts, cook, or do anything else.
She remained in a constant state of excitement as if she had taken some kind of stimulant.
It was only several hours after returning that the excitement finally subsided.
Lee Jaseung approached her and wrapped his arm around her shoulder.
“You did well.”
“Thank you.”
Mujin spoke with a pout at the two people’s display of affection.
“You’re being too much in front of us bachelors.”
Ma Young-gi pulled Mujin’s arm to give them some space.
While being dragged away by force, Mujin shouted.
“You didn't even say a word of praise like that to us for our hard work! It’s unfair! Great Lady, please tell him off sternly!”
Then Baek Seolyoung leaned against Lee Jaseung’s chest as if she hadn't heard a thing.
Mujin raised his voice and cried out.
“Gasp! You’re too cruel, Great Lady.”
From Lee Jaseung’s embrace, Baek Seolyoung said softly.
“It is the harmony of husband and wife.”
She used a phrase meaning a wife follows her husband’s lead, referring to the principle of harmony between a married couple.
Mujin, being dragged out the door, shouted back.
“Then please sing a song for us too at least!”
Once the banter ended and they were left alone, she asked while leaning against Lee Jaseung’s chest.
“Is it all over now?”
“All the operations we prepared are finished.”
“Please, let it be a success!”
Lee Jaseung felt the same way.
No one could know how it would end. Whether Yeo Su-in would die easily at Yao Hong’s hands, or if he would clear his name. Otherwise, it remained to be seen if Yao Hong and Yeo Su-in would end up in a fight.
One thing was certain. Whatever the result, Yeo Su-in wouldn't be taken down easily.
Falling easily for his operation this time was a special case. It was only possible because the unique factor of Baek Seolyoung acted as the greatest influence.
It was because the Yeo Su-in that Lee Jaseung had identified was a very special person.
This was why he still didn't feel completely refreshed even though the operation ended according to plan.
There was definitely something hidden about that man.
* * *
“Contact with the Shadow Master has been cut off following this report.”
Yao Hong was staring down at the report in his hand without a word.
“Is it certain that he sent it?”
“They say his handwriting is unmistakable.”
“And all word has been cut off?”
“Yes, contact cannot be reached with the Shadow Master, nor any of the Killing Shadows. It is certain they have been defeated.”
“The Shadow Master and the Killing Shadows were defeated?”
It was an unbelievable result.
“Did that child truly plot a rebellion?”
Yao Hong had trusted Yeo Su-in.
He was a child he had watched since he was young. He had taught the boy himself and felt satisfied watching him eliminate all his fellow disciples.
Yet, a rebellion!
Yao Hong’s anger at himself surpassed his anger toward Yeo Su-in. It was anger at his own failure to judge a person correctly.
“By now, the Seven Demons must have reached Yeo Su-in.”
* * *
“It has been a long time.”
Yeo Su-in was calm as he faced the Seven Asura Demons.
On the other hand, the surprise felt by the New Ten Demon Kings who stood blocking his front was immense.
The Seven Asura Demons were slaughterers.
They were absolute experts who moved only when someone had to be eliminated by the Cult Leader’s order.
In a situation where rumors were circulating that Yeo Su-in dreamed of rebellion, the appearance of the Seven Asura Demons signified a situation with much more misfortune than luck.
Though they were also recognized experts in the Demonic Cult, they were not to be compared with the Seven Asura Demons.
If one had to compare, could they be called tigers and hunting dogs?
It wasn't a matter of pride. An absolute difference in skill that could never be crossed existed between them.
In this situation, the Second Demon of the Seven Asura Demons stepped forward and called out to their master with a stiff expression.
“Young Master Yeo, come forward.”
It was a tone as if calling out a criminal.
The world went dark before the eyes of the New Ten Demon Kings.
‘We’re all going to die today!’
Unlike the Ten Kings who had fallen into despair, Yeo Su-in was composed.
“What’s the matter?”
The Second Demon spoke coldly.
“You’ll have to come with us.”
“And if I refuse?”
At that, the Second Demon drew his sword.
“Then I’ll have to take at least your corpse.”
Simultaneously, the six demons standing behind him drew their weapons all at once.
As the seven demons raised their aura together, an enormous momentum erupted.
The Ten Kings also drew their weapons. Though suppressed by the momentum of the Seven Asura Demons, they couldn't just die. The Ten Kings ground their teeth, prepared to die.
Then Yeo Su-in spoke to the Ten Kings.
“Sheathe your swords.”
The First King looked back in surprise.
Yeo Su-in nodded with a firm expression.
The First King spoke to everyone.
“Sheathe your swords.”
As the Ten Kings withdrew their weapons, the Second Demon spoke with a satisfied smile.
“You thought well. Suppress your own blood points.”
Then Yeo Su-in gave an unexpected answer.
“I didn't sheathe my sword to go with you.”
Doubt flashed across the Second Demon’s face.
“Then for what reason?”
“Because there’s no need to aim a sword at you.”
To the man who still wore an uncomprehending expression, Yeo Su-in said something even more incomprehensible.
“It’s a pity. Normally, you could have been with me as well.”
“What on earth are you talk....”
Thud!
In the next moment, the Second Demon’s eyes widened.
A long sword blade appeared in his vision.
A sharp blade had pierced through his chest from behind and protruded out the front.
Sizzle.
The smell of burning flesh rose from his body as if he had been stabbed by a sword heated in fire.
The Second Demon was shocked because he knew who the owner of that sword was. In this world, swords that could pierce through both his protective Qi and his steel-like body were rare.
The person who stabbed him was, surprisingly, the First Demon who had come with them. The sword was the Fire Dragon Sword, the First Demon’s signature weapon that burns the body when stabbed.
Pwoosh.
As the sword was pulled out, the Second Demon turned around while clutching his chest. Although he didn't bleed, he was in a state of fatal injury. The inside of his body near the stab wound was completely burned.
“...Why?”
Not only the First Demon but also the rest of the Seven Asura Demons were looking at him with strange eyes.
The Second Demon simply couldn't understand this situation. Someone among them could have held a grudge and killed him. If so, the person holding a grudge against him now would have been the First Demon.
But why was everyone else just watching while the First Demon killed him?
Had he incurred the resentment of all of them without knowing? What kind of resentment had he incurred?
They were comrades who had been laughing and eating together until just a moment ago.
He wasn't the only one surprised. The New Ten Demon Kings were also watching the scene with expressions of horror.
And just then.
The six demons, excluding the Second Demon, knelt down simultaneously.
The Second Demon thought they were kneeling to him.
Of course, that couldn't have been the case.
The six demons spoke with one voice.
“We greet the Lord.”
The direction that united voice faced was, surprisingly, Yeo Su-in.
In an instant, Yeo Su-in was already radiating a completely different aura. Even before, he had possessed a great aura. But the current aura was far superior to that of the past.
The color of the tattoo on his face had now become completely black. Not only his aura and outward appearance but also the look in his eyes had changed, making him seem like a different person.
He was no longer the one who felt intimidated by Lee Jaseung in his subconscious. He was no longer the one floundering in the swamp of desire called Baek Seolyoung.
Words that were even more surprising flowed from his mouth.
“The rice isn't fully cooked yet, but it seems I’ve ended up opening the pot lid.”
The Second Demon’s eyes widened in horror.
“Could it be?”
It wasn't that Lee Jaseung had framed him for rebellion.
Surprisingly, he had truly been plotting a rebellion. It was only revealed by necessity because of Lee Jaseung.
Yeo Su-in had been sealing his own capacity and talent.
Now he had completely released that seal.
The reason he sealed himself was so that the Cult Leader Yao Hong wouldn't be able to recognize his true nature.
It wasn't a seal where he couldn't remember what happened after the sealing.
It was a seal that made a person with a capacity of one hundred look like they had about fifty. The amazing part was that even his personality was affected by that seal. He lived with a personality fitting a capacity of fifty.
Yeo Su-in’s quick and frequent personality changes and the extreme anger he felt when trying to kill Ma Young-gi were unavoidable side effects of the seal.
However, the great thing about this seal was that the decision to release it at the right time depended on the judgment of his original capacity of one hundred.
The tattoo on his face was that very seal.
The reason its color changed from moment to moment was that whenever his emotions shifted, the seal influenced him by adjusting his mind and body.
Yeo Su-in was a much stronger and greater figure than anything revealed until now.
If he had been his current self with the seal released, he wouldn't have fallen for Baek Seolyoung. His thoughts and responses toward Lee Jaseung would also have been different.
As a simple example, there would have been no reason to lower his eyes at Lee Jaseung’s insults or to jump with wounded pride because of it. Even if he had lowered his eyes, that act would have been an intended behavior.
He thoroughly deceived the world, and he even deceived himself.
And now, he had released the seal by force.
“If it is fate, it can't be helped.”
Yeo Su-in approached the Second Demon. The fatally wounded Second Demon was now just on the verge of passing away.
“My plan was to win you over at the very end.”
He had won them over one by one, making the Seven Asura Demons his subordinates.
“...How could that be?”
The Second Demon couldn't believe it. He knew the personalities of the other six better than anyone. They were not people who would be easily won over by someone. Yao Hong was not a lenient person who would keep people around him who might betray him.
Just by winning them over, Yeo Su-in had proven his ability.
And not just one, but six of them.
One final question occurred to the Second Demon at the last moment.
“...It’s your position anyway, is it not?”
Since there was only one successor, he couldn't understand why Yeo Su-in would go through the trouble of rebelling.
And Yeo Su-in’s answer was even more incomprehensible.
“Then it wouldn't be fun, would it?”
From Yeo Su-in’s face as he smirked down at him, he could tell that he hadn't answered truthfully. There must have been a reason he could never understand, even if he died and was reborn.
“...Cult Leader.”
The Second Demon thought of Yao Hong for the last time and breathed his last.
Yeo Su-in spoke as he looked at the six demons.
“I’ll have to bring the Great Cause forward by force.”
“We will lead the way with our lives.”
“What is the probability of fighting and winning against the Cult Leader?”
Yeo Su-in was in a situation where he had drawn not only the Seven Asura Demons but also a substantial number of experts within the cult to his side.
“It is not yet half.”
At the First Demon’s answer, Yeo Su-in sighed lightly and looked up at the sky.
“Five years, if I only had just five more years, I could defeat the Cult Leader perfectly.”
No matter how much he released the seal, his skill wasn't at the level where he could win in a one-on-one fight with Yao Hong.
But in five years, he was confident he could defeat Yao Hong. This was because he had mastered a demonic art that could increase his skill rapidly without any side effects.
Until then, the New Ten Demon Kings had only been watching the unfolding situation with bated breath. Now they knew for certain that Yeo Su-in was about to start a rebellion.
Yeo Su-in looked at them and spoke.
“Since you’re entangled with me anyway, the Cult Leader will kill you. Even if you bring him my head, he will kill you. Everyone related to me dies.”
The Ten Kings swallowed hard. They knew the Cult Leader’s personality better than anyone as they traveled with Yeo Su-in. Therefore, they knew well that Yeo Su-in’s words weren't wrong.
They had no choice.
One voice came from the Ten Kings.
“We will give our lives for the Young Cult Leader.”
Yeo Su-in nodded and spoke.
“Yes, you thought well.”
Yeo Su-in turned toward the Seven Asura Demons. Having lost one, they were now the Six Asura Demons.
“I can't fight the Cult Leader while leaving Lee Jaseung at my back.”
Then the First Demon stepped forward.
“I will go and cut off his head.”
Yeo Su-in shook his head.
“No! Even if all of you go, I cannot guarantee the result.”
At those words, not only the First Demon but also the other five demons were surprised.
“Are you serious?”
“Yes, I’m serious.”
Yeo Su-in went a step further. He spoke after looking toward the Ten Kings.
“Even if all of you go together, it won't be much different.”
Everyone wore an expression of disbelief.
The First Demon argued back once more.
“He is merely the leader of the Black Way Alliance.”
“That mere man swallowed the Murim Alliance and pushed me this far. And his martial arts skill approaches that of the Cult Leader.”
“Is he truly at that level?”
Everyone, including the First Demon, did not hide their expressions of distrust.
“That man is the real deal.”
Even if he had released his seal and faced him from the beginning, the result wouldn't have been much different.
Of course, that didn't mean he would avoid a fight. A sacrifice is always needed before a big battle.
“I need a pit. A pit where that man can never crawl up again. A deep, deep pit that will bury that bitch Baek Seolyoung who played with me as well.”
His murderous gaze seemed to say this.
That the Great Piece is indeed immortal.