Chapter 97: Each Other’s Hearts (2)
The Golden Flow Demonic Emperor, Sa Bihwan.
In my past life, he had been one of the Five Elders of the Heavenly Demon Cult. His nickname, which literally meant “Flow of Gold,” stemmed from the fact that he had amassed an unimaginably vast fortune in that life.
When the Heavenly Thunder Corps seized power and began their rampage, he colluded with them and became one of the main culprits who rotted the Cult from within… and more than anything else—
‘He’s one of those damn traitors who stabbed the Cult in the back.’
The reason I had confidently told Sa Biyeon that I had a method despite her slim chances of victory was simple.
He had committed so many shady dealings behind the scenes that, even now—before he had become the head of the Black Gold Sa Clan—there was already a mountain of dirt I could use to drag him down.
‘What a twisted world. I guess even those Heavenly Thunder bastards can come in handy sometimes.’
After all, the ones who had gathered this information were none other than the members of the Heavenly Thunder Corps in my past life.
Back then, the relationship between Sa Bihwan and the Heavenly Thunder Corps had been one of hostile symbiosis.
They had allied for mutual benefit, but in the end, it was inevitable that they’d eventually point their swords at each other.
Naturally, both sides had poured immense resources into uncovering the other’s weaknesses. It was during a visit to the Heavenly Thunder Corps Leader that I happened to discover the Black Gold Sa Clan’s secret accounting book in his study.
‘Sa Bihwan… If possible, he’s someone who absolutely must be removed.’
He was arrogant, violent, and worst of all, filthy behind the scenes.
He was such an unmatched piece of trash even among the next generation of Six Great Demonic Clans’ heirs that there was no need to say more.
“What method is it? I admit I’m honestly curious.”
Cheon Yura, who usually wouldn’t show much interest in these matters, seemed to make an exception when it came to Sa Biyeon.
“I can’t say it just yet. I still need to move beneath the surface for now.”
“Then what is it I need to do…?”
“There’s definitely something. In fact, from now on, you’ll need to act proactively. Lady Sa, you must now draw the Clan Leader’s attention.”
“The Clan Leader’s attention?”
“Up until now, Lady Sa hasn’t been able to participate in the clan’s affairs, right?”
“…Yes, that’s true.”
“The issue here likely isn’t just because of Sa Bihwan’s obstruction. It’s also the natural inclination of the Clan Leader himself.”
Nod!
“But this time, things are a little different. Since the Cult Leader personally intervened, even the Black Gold Sa Clan may need to accept help from tiny hands.”
“Then I suppose I must become those tiny hands.”
“Yes, exactly.”
Cheon Yura raised a valid question.
“But even if you do that, will anything really change? Tiny hands are just tiny hands. At best, it might improve Biyeon’s standing slightly within the clan, but a reversal is impossible.”
“Of course. That’s why we need to gather everything else we can as well. But this specific action has only one goal.”
“One goal?”
“To make the head of the Black Gold Sa Clan perceive Lady Biyeon as ‘surprisingly capable.’ Preferably, more so than her other two brothers—excluding Sa Bihwan.”
Sa Bimun and Sa Bijun, Sa Biyeon’s elder brothers.
They weren’t as bad as Sa Bihwan, but still far from deserving any praise.
“If Lady Biyeon can personally resolve this crisis, it would be ideal.”
“True. Even the Clan Leader would have to acknowledge that kind of merit…”
As her voice trailed off, I raised a single finger.
“And one more thing.”
“What is it?”
“Lady Biyeon must maximize the influence she currently holds over the Black Market.”
“The Black Market’s influence…?”
“In this situation, there’s only one real use for the Black Market, isn’t there? Information.”
The Black Market existed throughout the Ten Thousand Mountain region.
Not all, but at least over half of it was currently under Sa Biyeon’s management.
“Keep close surveillance on Sa Bihwan’s every move. At the very least, when he leaves the Sa Clan compound, every moment of his actions should reach your ears.”
“Outside…?”
“Yes, outside. If you put the measures in place now, it’ll eventually prove useful.”
If it was inside the Black Gold Sa Clan, that’d be a pipe dream, but outside was a different matter.
The manpower and intelligence network of the Black Market was comparable to the Hao Sect within the Heavenly Demon Cult. If we concentrated all its capabilities on one point, even someone like Sa Bihwan wouldn’t be able to completely slip through the net.
Sa Biyeon nodded silently.
“Understood. I’ll follow Master Jin’s suggestion.”
Although she hadn’t yet grasped my full intent, she seemed convinced there was some greater plan at work.
‘It’s earlier than planned, but striking while the iron’s hot is probably best.’
Unlike my previous life, if Sa Biyeon became the head of the Black Gold Sa Clan, then not only would I gain a solid ally, but I’d also secure a reliable source of funding.
For the first time in a while, I felt genuinely motivated.
‘Alright, time to gather some cards.’
Just as I passed the entrance of the Lesser Demon Hall—
“Master Jin.”
For some reason, Sa Biyeon had followed behind and called out to me.
“Is there something you wish to say?”
Turning around, I saw Sa Biyeon wearing an indescribable expression.
A complex mix of emotions stirred within her eyes.
Eventually, she brought her hands together and bowed deeply at the waist.
“Thank you for your help. Honestly, I never imagined you’d go this far for me.”
Her voice trembled slightly.
That meant, to her, my assistance was completely unexpected.
“That’s because the Young Cult Leader—”
“Even if the Young Cult Leader asked you to, this matter could still bring grave danger to you. If it fails, you could lose everything you’ve built up until now.”
“Well, yes, that’s true.”
Interfering in a succession struggle… and not just any clan, but one of the Six Great Demonic Clans.
If I succeeded, it would be incredible, but if I failed, it wouldn’t be strange at all if Jin Gun-ak offered my head to the Black Gold Sa Clan as an apology.
“You know all that, and still want to help me?”
“Yes.”
I answered without hesitation.
“I want Lady Sa to survive.”
“……”
“And I want to speak with you again, like we used to.”
Regardless of my role as the one supporting Cheon Yura from the shadows—
“Isn’t it only natural to want a friend you get along with to make it through?”
“A… friend?”
“Am I wrong? At least that’s how I see it.”
In my previous life, I was the Inner Administrator who managed all the Cult’s internal affairs.
And Sa Biyeon, who was sharp in matters of commerce and finance.
Frankly, among our peers, we were the most compatible in terms of conversation and disposition.
Even when I worked temporarily as manager of Sea Moon Platform, the person I consulted most about its operations had been her.
“When you say that…”
“……?”
Sa Biyeon, who had seemed like she was about to say something more, suddenly shook her head vigorously.
Then, she lightly covered her mouth with the edge of her sleeve.
“No, never mind. I will never forget your help, Master Jin.”
“You’d better remember those words well, Lady of the Black Golds.”
“……”
A faint blush appeared on Sa Biyeon’s cheeks.
***
“How is it? Are you getting by alright, Myeong-oh?”
“……”
Nod!
“Myeong-oh, show proper respect to the Young Master.”
As Gu Chil glared beside her, Myeong-oh reluctantly opened her mouth.
“Thanks to your cursed charity that kept me alive, I’m barely surviving.”
“I’m glad. Good to hear you’re holding up.”
“What kind of auditory system do you have to interpret that as ‘holding up’...?”
Whack!
Myeong-oh’s head slammed forward as she was struck on the back of the head.
“What was that for, Senior?!”
“Manners.”
Gu Chil’s unyielding expression made it clear he had no intention of compromising. Myeong-oh stuck out her lips in a pout.
Then, in a slightly more polite tone than before, she said,
“I’m not completely healed yet, but thanks to your efforts, I’m nearly recovered.”
“I see.”
“To treat a beauty like me so roughly... Senior Byeok—no, Gu Chil, you’re so cruel, aren’t you?”
“…You talk more than I expected.”
I was a bit taken aback by how much of a chatterbox she was.
When she had acted under the alias of Jeok Ryeong, an instructor at Thousand-Day Pass, she had seemed quiet, if a bit coy…
“She’s always been like that. Not exactly a fitting temperament for an assassin.”
“Your speech is the one that doesn’t match! What’s with that farmhand accent, anyway?”
Gu Chil glared again, and Myeong-oh quickly looked away, unable to meet his eyes due to the gap in both age and skill.
‘What a funny pair.’
I chuckled to myself internally.
“In any case, since I went through all that trouble to save you, your path is set.”
Myeong-oh’s expression grew serious.
“I heard from Gu Chil-senior. That you can help me kill Demon Lord Cheon Jumyeong and Death King Enforcer Cheon Jumun.”
“As far as I know, there are more involved in the Death Spirit Order than just those two… but you’re not wrong.”
“Those two need to be eliminated someday, no matter what.”
Especially Cheon Jumyeong, who currently held the position of Heavenly Thunder Corps Leader even in this era.
That bastard, who wielded overwhelming power in Cheon Yura’s time alongside Sa Bihwan, was at the very top of my kill list.
Myeong-oh knelt before me.
Then, she bowed deeply.
“If what you say is true, and if you’re willing to help me with my revenge, I’ll gladly give you this life of mine.”
“Young Master, please accept Myeong-oh’s loyalty.”
Gu Chil, too, bowed deeply alongside her.
I smirked and asked Myeong-oh,
“Hmph, can you really offer up your life?”
“Uh… well, that is…”
As expected, her expression immediately froze up.
‘Isn’t this the part where she’s supposed to shout “Of course!” without hesitation?’
Gu Chil, who was also bowing, let out a quiet but cold curse.
“This damned… bringing shame to the Ghost Command Unit…”
Where had the determined resolve she showed in Qinghai Province gone? She was acting like a completely different person now.
“Heh, ehehe! I-I mean, back then, I was completely cornered and thought I was going to die, so I lost it and went wild…”
“And?”
“Now that I’ve somehow survived by the skin of my teeth, I just… don’t want to throw it away so easily, eheh…”
Myeong-oh twirled her red hair around her finger, laughing sheepishly.
“……”
Judging by Gu Chil’s clenched fist and the way his jaw tightened, I thought he might punch her pretty face any second, so I quickly cut in.
“Well, fine. I don’t expect someone I just took in to lay down their life right away.”
“Thank you for your understanding.”
Crack!
As Gu Chil’s fist audibly popped, Myeong-oh quickly bowed her head in panic.
Then I said something to her, almost in passing.
“You won’t be able to offer your life for me until you’ve avenged the subordinates you lost so meaninglessly.”
“……!”
For a moment, Myeong-oh’s expression went cold—so much so I questioned if she was even the same person.
The Underworld King’s Unit.
The subordinates she had spent ten years nurturing.
They were a doomed unit that had been wiped out in a head-on clash with the secular Kunlun faction in Eastern Sea Fortress.
“Young Master…”
“Ah, I wasn’t trying to mock you. I’m just stating facts.”
I squatted down in front of Myeong-oh and met her gaze.
“I respect your revenge. There’s no need for you to die for me. But there’s one thing I can never forgive—betrayal.”
“Of course. If I ever betray you—whether by my own will or someone else’s—I’ll gladly die by Senior’s hand.”
“Good. That level of oath is enough.”
I rose to my feet and added offhandedly,
“Don’t you want to rebuild the Underworld King’s Unit?”
“……!!”
A visceral reaction erupted from Myeong-oh.
“Of course, it won’t be a unit solely yours. If I create another assassination squad, the leader will naturally be Gu Chil. You’ll be the vice-captain. But I’ll let you keep the name ‘Underworld King’s Unit’ at least…”
More importantly, this new unit would be my private force, independent from the Demonic Heaven’s Jin Clan.
Myeong-oh’s eyes lit up with fire.
“Th-that would be more than I could ever ask for! I wouldn’t dare hope for more!”
A spark of life returned to Myeong-oh’s once hopeless eyes.
Gu Chil asked worriedly,
“Young Master, are you sure about this?”
“Not right away, of course. For now, I’ll need you two to suffer through some tough work.”
“Leave it all to us!”
Overflowing with motivation, Myeong-oh looked ready to breathe fire.
Seeing her charge forward without a second thought, Gu Chil once again raised his hand—