The Heavenly Demon Who Reigns

The Xinjiang region.

This region, located in the northwestern part of the continent, was a region that had been neglected both geographically and historically.

Although it was nominally affiliated with an administrative district, it was only made to look so on the outside, and in reality, not even a proper government office had been established.

One of the reasons was that it was located on the outskirts where the power of the central government did not reach properly, but that was not the decisive reason.

To be precise, it was because of the power that firmly held Xinjiang.

The power of the Demonic Cult in Xinjiang was so strong that it was no exaggeration to say that it was already a country.

"..."

As he rode on his horse, Cheon Myeong looked at the streets with complicated eyes.

The Demonic Cult had a total of thirteen branches and one headquarters in the Xinjiang region.

The street Cheon Myeong was currently walking on was one of the thirteen branches.

Cheon Myeong and his party had currently arrived at the Najin branch.

'...It's bustling.'

About a hundred years from now, when Cheon Myeong was Jang Cheon, this place was no longer the territory of the Demonic Cult.

At that time, since they were already weakened as much as they could be, they had lost control of more than half of the thirteen branches they were managing.

In fact, this was also the first time Cheon Myeong had come to the Najin branch.

And to come here while it was still under the control of the Demonic Cult.

Looking at the streets, Cheon Myeong couldn't help but feel complicated.

"Young Master."

At that moment, Soyeon Sang, who was walking next to him holding the reins, called out to Cheon Myeong.

"You seem to be holding your head too high."

"Ah... that's right."

Cheon Myeong said that and pulled down the bamboo hat he was wearing.

Then, Cheon Myeong's face was more than half hidden by the bamboo hat.

Unless one looked very closely, it seemed difficult to recognize Cheon Myeong's face from a distance.

'I can't even look around the streets as I please, it's more frustrating than I thought.'

Cheon Myeong was currently heading to the main headquarters.

And he had covered his face like this to hide his identity while moving.

Of course, the probability of encountering someone who knew Cheon Myeong's face in a place like this by chance was extremely low.

But still, if he happened to encounter someone who knew Cheon Myeong's face, it would be a very difficult situation, so he was being careful from the beginning.

'It can't be helped, if the news that I'm heading to the main headquarters reaches the leader's ears, I'll be kicked out before I can even enter the mountain.'

He had to arrive at the main headquarters first to be able to meet Cheon Jin.

Persuading Cheon Jin was a matter for after that.

But still, since his son had already come to the main headquarters, wouldn't the father meet him at least once?

He would probably order him to be brought forward, even if it was just because he was curious about the intention of coming to the main headquarters ignoring his words.

'What if he kicks me out again without even meeting me?'

He hadn't thought that far yet.

If that happened, would he have to force his way into the leader's palace?

Then, in addition to disobeying an order, illegal entry would be added, and he would receive an aggravated punishment.

Since even he would find it difficult to handle that, he could only hope that his father was not that cold-blooded.

'No... is he cold-blooded?'

When he thought about Cheon Jin based on the memories in his head... this seemed completely hopeless.

No matter how much he searched his memories, he couldn't find any memory of Cheon Jin being good to the previous guy.

No matter how blunt a father he was, since he was his child and the eldest, he could have been warm to him at least once.

The memories of Cheon Jin that remained in his head were all about fear and sadness.

'Persuading a person like this... it might be a much more difficult task than me becoming stronger.'

If he couldn't persuade Cheon Jin and couldn't stay at the main headquarters, he would naturally not be able to achieve his goal.

At first, he had thought that regaining his strength quickly was the biggest challenge.

But as he regained some of his strength, the big mountain called Cheon Jin began to look very high.

'...I'll have to try and see.'

He had not yet seen the person called Cheon Jin directly.

The Cheon Jin he was thinking of now was composed based on the memories of the previous guy.

Since the same thing could be sufficiently different depending on the perspective, he might be able to find a loophole to persuade him when he actually faced Cheon Jin directly.

"Young Master."

"..."

"Young Master."

"...Huh?"

"What are you thinking about so deeply?"

After a few calls, when Cheon Myeong answered, Soyeon Sang asked with a puzzled face.

Then, Cheon Myeong shook his head as if it was nothing.

There was no need to amplify his anxiety by unnecessarily saying that he was worried about this.

"It's nothing. I was just a little tired, so I was dazed for a moment."

"...Is that so?"

"By the way, why did you call me?"

"I was thinking of staying here for the night, and I called you to ask if it was okay."

The sun would be setting soon.

And since the Xinjiang region was mainly composed of desolate plains, it was better to avoid sleeping outdoors if possible.

If they left the Najin branch, they would have to sleep outdoors tonight.

Since he couldn't let the leader's son sleep on the street, Soyeon Sang wanted to rent an inn here and spend the night.

"Do that."

"I understand. Then..."

Soyeon Sang suddenly trailed off and began to ponder something.

Seeing this, Cheon Myeong tilted his head.

In the flow of the conversation, it seemed natural to go to an inn now, but he couldn't understand what Soyeon Sang was pondering.

"What's wrong?"

"...Ah, it's nothing. Let's go. I'll guide you to the inn."

"...?"

What is it?

Until then, Cheon Myeong didn't know the reason why Soyeon Sang was pondering.

* * *

Yongmun Inn.

Just like its grand name, its exterior also boasted a considerable size.

From the entrance, a gate with grand decorations engraved on it first greeted the guests, and beyond it, a courtyard of enormous width was spread out, and that place was also decorated with all kinds of strange and beautiful flowers and plants.

And the most eye-catching thing at Yongmun Inn was the pavilion located inside.

That pavilion was not only wide, but it was also composed of multiple floors, so if you saw it for the first time, you couldn't help but be amazed at its overwhelming size.

"..."

Cheon Myeong was now inside that Yongmun Inn.

And on the top floor of the multi-story pavilion.

Although he was in a place overlooking the beautiful night view of the garden, Cheon Myeong's face looked somewhat indifferent.

'Was this the reason why Soyeon Sang stopped talking at that time?'

To think he would guide him to such a luxurious inn.

Since it was an inn that Soyeon Sang had guided him to, he had come in without a word.

But before enjoying the night view from the window, Cheon Myeong looked uncomfortable, as if something was bothering him.

"Young Master, is something uncomfortable?"

At that moment, Soyeon Sang asked Cheon Myeong.

At that moment, Cheon Myeong, whose gaze was directed out the window, turned his gaze to Soyeon Sang.

And he asked Soyeon Sang his question as it was.

"Soyeon Sang, why did you guide me to such a luxurious place?"

"What? Ah... that's because a place like this suits you, Young Master."

"Considering the house I've been living in recently, I don't think so."

"That's what's wrong."

Saying that, Soyeon Sang leaned his head towards Cheon Myeong.

"Young Master, everything should be at the top."

"R-really?"

"Although it was unavoidable until now, now that you are returning to the main headquarters, you must regain your proper dignity."

So Soyeon Sang had guided Cheon Myeong to the best inn in the Najin branch.

Every time Cheon Myeong, who would become the young leader in the future, slept outdoors or stayed in a shabby inn, Soyeon Sang was secretly bothered.

He didn't know about other things, but couldn't he at least match the sleeping place to Cheon Myeong's original dignity?

Soyeon Sang wanted to feed and house the Cheon Myeong he acknowledged in a good place, even if it meant going a little overboard.

However.

"Uh... but this place looks a little expensive."

Ideals are ideals, and reality is reality.

In fact, that was the part that was bothering Cheon Myeong.

Of course, considering that his status was the son of the leader, no matter how much he stayed in a place like this, it wouldn't really matter to his finances.

The problem was that Cheon Myeong was currently kicked out of the main headquarters.

No matter how much he was the son of the leader, how could he have money when he was kicked out?

It seemed that the main headquarters was providing aid, but it didn't seem like the amount was large enough to stay in a place like this.

"Mihwa, how much money do we have?"

Mihwa managed all the finances.

That's why Cheon Myeong looked at Mihwa and asked.

But just by looking, it seemed that the answer had already come out, and Mihwa was sitting there, fidgeting.

"Uh... Elder Soyeon Sang, how much does it cost to stay here for one night?"

"One gold tael."

"O-one gold tael!"

Mihwa was startled by the price and got up from her seat.

As she got up, she hit the table in front of her with her hand, and even the bowls of food shook.

"T-the food we ordered now..."

"I don't know exactly, but this will probably be about one gold tael as well."

"..."

So that's what it means to faint while standing.

Cheon Myeong thought so as he looked at Mihwa, who was standing there with a dazed look.

'It seems we're over budget.'

Looking at that, it became clear.

It can't be helped.

Even if he paid for the food he had already ordered, he had no choice but to go to a cheaper place to sleep.

Since he had gotten used to sleeping in shabby places, it didn't really matter to Cheon Myeong where he slept.

Before that, if he didn't move, it seemed that Mihwa's mind would never come back.

"Don't worry. I'll pay for everything, including the food and lodging."

At that moment, Soyeon Sang suddenly said.

Then, Mihwa was startled and woke up.

It seemed that her mind, which had been away, had come back.

"I thought from the beginning that you couldn't stay in a place like this with the finances you have."

"Elder Soyeon Sang..."

"So you don't have to worry about money."

After saying that to Mihwa, Soyeon Sang turned his head towards Cheon Myeong.

"The same goes for you, Young Master. Don't worry about anything and just rest and eat comfortably."

"Are you sure?"

"It's money I have no particular use for anyway. If I can use it for you, Young Master, there's nothing more joyful than that."

Come to think of it, he had forgotten for a moment.

Wasn't Soyeon Sang a member of the Guardian Hall?

If so, the salary he received from there would be quite substantial.

Moreover, since he was also in charge of his own escort, he might get an extra allowance for that.

Thinking so, it didn't seem like staying at Yongmun Inn would be a particularly burdensome amount for Soyeon Sang.

'He's saying that much, so it's hard to refuse his sincerity.'

He's happy to use his money for him.

That was probably sincere.

Since he had already figured out what kind of person Soyeon Sang was while living together until now, Cheon Myeong decided to accept Soyeon Sang's goodwill as it was.

"Okay. Then I'll eat with gratitude."

Saying that, Cheon Myeong picked up his chopsticks.

And he said to Mihwa, who was still standing.

"Mihwa, you sit down and eat too."

"What? Ah... yes."

Mihwa still seemed dazed, but since Cheon Myeong had invited her, she picked up her chopsticks.

And the moment she took her first bite.

Mihwa couldn't help but be surprised by the flavor that filled her mouth.

'I-it's delicious!'

As expected, does it live up to its expensive price?

Although she was also quite good at cooking, the food she was eating now felt like it was on a different level.

Chomp, chomp-.

Once she started eating, Mihwa frantically brought the food to her mouth.

Seeing this, Cheon Myeong also began to eat with a light smile.

And seeing this, Soyeon Sang asked Cheon Myeong.

"Does the food suit your taste?"

"Yes, it's delicious."

"I see."

When Cheon Myeong said that, Soyeon Sang smiled slightly.

But he soon cleared his throat as if he was embarrassed and avoided his gaze.

And when his expression returned, he looked at Cheon Myeong again and said.

"Young Master, I think it would be okay to take off your bamboo hat here."

Currently, the only people eating here were Cheon Myeong's party.

Since the food was more expensive on the top floor of the pavilion, it was quite rare for guests to come here.

Since it was a place that even a decent wealthy person couldn't even look at, there were no other guests.

"I guess so."

It had been quite uncomfortable to keep wearing the bamboo hat anyway.

Moreover, wouldn't he stand out more if he wore a bamboo hat in a place like this?

Cheon Myeong thought so and took off the bamboo hat he was wearing.

But at that moment.

Thump- thump-.

Someone came up from the lower floor to the floor where Cheon Myeong was.

A young man with his hair tied up and wearing a black robe.

As if drawn by something, Cheon Myeong's and the young man's gazes were already directed at each other.

(End of Chapter)