The Heavenly Demon Who Reigns

Skin as white as jade, to the point where one might think he was a woman, and on top of that, his features were so distinct that one's gaze couldn't help but be drawn to the young man's appearance.

A jade-like bone and a divine wind.

A demeanor like that of a noble young master was naturally flowing from the young man's body.

"..."

However, the reason why Cheon Myeong's gaze was directed at that young man was not just for such a reason.

No matter how handsome he was, what did that have to do with Cheon Myeong?

If he was into men, it might be a different story, but Cheon Myeong did not have such a peculiar taste.

'I've seen him somewhere...'

The reason why Cheon Myeong's gaze was focused on the young man was because his face was somehow familiar.

If he had seen such a handsome face, there was no way he wouldn't remember it.

Was it because the memories he had were not entirely his own? Cheon Myeong couldn't immediately recall where he had seen that young man.

[Young Master, it's Jin Jaseong!]

At that moment, a telepathic message was heard in Cheon Myeong's head, as if it were urgent.

It was a telepathic message sent by Soyeon Sang to Cheon Myeong.

'Jin Jaseong...?'

The moment he heard that name, Cheon Myeong's memory of the young man immediately came to mind.

The Demonic Dragon Jin Family.

Jin Jaseong was a person from the Demonic Dragon Jin Family, one of the five great families that supported the Demonic Cult, the Five Great Demonic Families.

'Why is a person from the Demonic Dragon Jin Family here...?'

Jin Jaseong must be a direct descendant of the Demonic Dragon Jin Family.

That's why Jin Jaseong remained in Cheon Myeong's memory.

Although he had never spoken to him directly, the people of the Five Great Demonic Families had attended every major event of the Demonic Cult.

He had seen Jin Jaseong's face over his shoulder at that time.

Of course, since it was quite a long time ago, the appearance in his memory and the appearance he was seeing now were a little different.

But since he still had an appearance that drew one's gaze, he could immediately tell that it was the same person.

Whoosh-.

As soon as he realized that fact, Cheon Myeong immediately averted his gaze.

If he turned his head too suddenly, he would stand out, so he turned his head as naturally as possible.

'Does he know my face?'

Just as he remembered Jin Jaseong's face, it was highly likely that Jin Jaseong did too.

But since he had never spoken to him directly, there was a good chance that the other side did not remember him.

A handsome guy like that would probably live in his own world, so he wouldn't usually pay that much attention to his surroundings.

'It would be strange to put on a bamboo hat now.'

It would be best to just eat naturally.

Cheon Myeong thought so and began to move his chopsticks again.

'Just keep doing what you were doing.'

Cheon Myeong thought to himself as he ate.

However, contrary to Cheon Myeong's wishes, Jin Jaseong was walking towards where Cheon Myeong was sitting.

'Ha... it's not going as I wished.'

To come this way, leaving so many empty seats.

No matter how you looked at it, it seemed that he had business on this side.

In the end, Cheon Myeong continued to move his chopsticks and thought about his next move.

Thump-.

Jin Jaseong stopped exactly in front of the table where Cheon Myeong's party was sitting.

And he greeted them with a friendly smile.

"Hello."

He already had a handsome appearance, and with a smile like that, it was like adding flowers to brocade.

However, that was a story that applied to other people.

This situation where Jin Jaseong had come and greeted him was like adding snow to frost for Cheon Myeong.

Swish-.

Since he had come and greeted him so openly, he could no longer pretend not to see him.

In the end, Cheon Myeong looked at Jin Jaseong with his mouth full of food.

Munch, munch-.

Cheon Myeong was looking at Jin Jaseong with a foolish expression.

Cheon Myeong was deliberately acting this way.

Because for Jin Jaseong, the past Cheon Myeong would have been like this.

'Is this right?'

It was quite difficult to try and look foolish.

However, Cheon Myeong was planning to show his past self to everyone except a few people even when he went to the main headquarters.

Especially to the people of the Five Great Demonic Families, he would never show his true self.

Wouldn't that be advantageous to him in many ways?

If they found out that his appearance had changed, he didn't know what kind of checks would come, so he was trying to use this foolish appearance as much as possible now.

Munch, munch-.

This was the first time he had acted for someone who knew him.

Since Jin Jaseong was still smiling, Cheon Myeong couldn't tell if this act was working properly.

"You don't remember me."

Jin Jaseong, who had been staring at Cheon Myeong silently for a while, muttered as if to himself.

And he soon cupped his fist to Cheon Myeong.

Maintaining that state, he introduced himself to Cheon Myeong.

"I am Jin Jaseong of the Demonic Dragon Jin Family."

At a glance, it could be called a polite greeting.

However, if you thought about the true meaning behind it, it was not necessarily so.

'Looking at that, I'm reminded of how I'm being treated.'

In the Demonic Cult, it was common to prostrate oneself before someone who was considered to be of a higher rank.

Especially to the leader and his bloodline, most would greet them with a prostration.

That was a sign of absolute respect for the other person.

But look at Jin Jaseong's attitude towards Cheon Myeong now.

Far from prostrating, he only nodded his head when he cupped his fist.

No matter how much he was a person of the Demonic Dragon Jin Family, it was a very arrogant attitude for someone dealing with the son of the leader.

'Well, if he comes out like that, it's actually good for me.'

The fact that Jin Jaseong showed such an attitude meant that he thought of him as being below him.

That was what he had been hoping for.

The more he thought of him as being below, the more loopholes would be created for this side to poke at in the future.

Cheon Myeong thought so to himself and let out a cry of admiration at Jin Jaseong.

"Ah...!"

"Do you remember now?"

"I've seen you before."

"This must be the first time we've formally greeted each other."

Saying that, Jin Jaseong released his cupped fist and raised his head.

"I didn't expect to see you in a place like this, Young Master."

"Uh... that's right."

"For what reason did you visit Najin?"

It was a simple question, but the moment he heard that question, Cheon Myeong had all sorts of thoughts.

'The fact that I was kicked out of the main headquarters is probably not officially known.'

However, it was highly likely that Jin Jaseong already knew that fact.

Because the power of the Demonic Dragon Jin Family, which had infiltrated the deepest part of the main headquarters, would have found out about it.

So it was certain that Jin Jaseong's question had a hidden intention to probe something, so Cheon Myeong answered while maintaining a foolish expression.

"Uh... I just came because I was curious."

This answer would be right.

Since they wouldn't bother to reveal something that was not officially known.

If he also answered accordingly, even if Jin Jaseong had asked a question to probe something, he could just avoid it naturally.

And since he was originally like this, it wouldn't matter even if it was obvious that he was hiding something.

Now that he thought about it, being foolish seemed to be very convenient in many ways.

"Is that so? It would have been nice if you had given the Demonic Dragon Jin Family a heads-up if you were going to visit Najin."

"..."

"I'm sorry. If we hadn't met like this, I would have just sent you on your way, Young Master."

The Najin branch was where the main house of the Demonic Dragon Jin Family was located.

Although Cheon Myeong didn't know that fact in advance, looking at Soyeon Sang's face, it seemed that Soyeon Sang knew that fact.

Because from a while ago, he had been feeling a strong sense of self-blame from Soyeon Sang's expression.

It seemed that he was blaming himself for encountering Jin Jaseong at the inn he had brought him to.

"If it's okay, shall I guide you around Najin from tomorrow?"

"Thank you, but I'll decline. I just want to look around freely."

"I see."

Jin Jaseong muttered as if he was disappointed.

And he soon smiled again and said to Cheon Myeong.

"Are you staying at Yongmun Inn tonight?"

"Yes."

"Then please let me at least bear the cost of the food and lodging here."

"Is that okay?"

"Yes, Yongmun Inn is run by the Demonic Dragon Jin Family, so you don't have to worry. Rather, since a precious person like you has come to Najin, it's right for us to treat you."

To think that Yongmun Inn was run by the Demonic Dragon Jin Family.

No, come to think of it, is it natural?

Since Najin would be firmly held by the Demonic Dragon Jin Family, it seemed that most of the places where income would be generated in Najin would be related to the Demonic Dragon Jin Family.

"Really? Then I'll be in your debt."

"Thank you."

After saying that, Jin Jaseong cupped his fist.

"It was an honor to meet you like this today, Young Master."

"It was nice to meet you too."

"If we have a chance to meet again later, let's meet then."

"Okay."

With the greeting, Jin Jaseong retreated.

Jin Jaseong still maintained his smile as he went down the stairs to the lower floor.

And in that state, Jin Jaseong's figure completely disappeared from the top floor.

"I'm sorry."

As soon as Jin Jaseong completely disappeared, Soyeon Sang bowed his head to Cheon Myeong and apologized.

Even without saying the reason, Cheon Myeong knew what Soyeon Sang was apologizing to him for.

And contrary to Soyeon Sang's expectations, Cheon Myeong said to Soyeon Sang as if it was nothing.

"There's no need to apologize."

"But..."

"Rather, I'm glad I saw him here."

"What...?"

Rather, he's glad?

Soyeon Sang didn't know the reason why Cheon Myeong had said that.

'Jin Jaseong, I have a feeling that it will be quite difficult in the future.'

Even though he had only talked to him for a moment, he clearly felt that he was not ordinary.

There wouldn't be many people who would make him feel this way.

Jin Jaseong was skilled at hiding his true feelings, which did not suit his age.

'I'll have to be careful in the future.'

Jin Jaseong would probably be a competitor aiming for the young leader, just like him.

Cheon Myeong had a subconscious feeling that he would be a pretty big obstacle in the future.

"Come on, let's eat again. Since it's free food, we can order more, right?"

"Are you planning on staying here?"

"So?"

"It would be better to leave in a hurry..."

"He won't spread rumors about me to the outside anyway. And after talking to him earlier, I felt that he wouldn't openly try to attack me tonight."

"..."

"So Soyeon Sang, don't make that face and be at ease."

Saying that, Cheon Myeong picked up his plate and began to eat to his heart's content.

Soyeon Sang watched him silently.

Although Cheon Myeong had said that to him, he was sorry for what he was sorry for.

Especially with Soyeon Sang's personality, even if Cheon Myeong said it was okay, he couldn't completely erase his guilt.

"...Thank you."

Saying that, Soyeon Sang also picked up his chopsticks and began to eat.

Because he thought that was the proper etiquette towards Cheon Myeong.

From now on, as Cheon Myeong's escort, he would not make such a mistake again, Soyeon Sang vowed to himself as he ate.

(End of Chapter)