Chapter 10

The cheers came from those who had gathered to watch the fight between the Black Spirit Corps’ vice-captain and the Mad Blood Group’s group leader.

Since my bout with Wi So-rang happened right after theirs ended, the spectators had stayed in place.

They buzzed excitedly among themselves.

“The fight between the Black Spirit Corps’ vice-captain and the Mad Blood Group’s group leader was child’s play compared to this!”

“Exactly. It was nothing next to this match.”

“The Sixth Young Lady truly lives up to her name. Her strikes and steps are flawless even at that age.”

“Indeed, the Sixth Young Lady is amazing, but who’s that young man? How did he take all her attacks?”

The crowd’s curiosity swelled.

Someone spoke up.

“He called the Sixth Young Lady ‘Sajeo,’ didn’t he?”

“Ha! Then he must be the rumored Seventh Young Lord.”

“Right, I heard the Cult Leader’s new disciple was a teenage boy.”

“To think he’d put on such a match his very first day here! He must be incredibly skilled.”

Among the excited crowd.

There were some who analyzed the fight coolly.

Given the place, many masters were among the onlookers.

“It looked like the Sixth Young Lady was dancing in the Seventh Young Lord’s palm.”

“Exactly. He seemed to anticipate her every move.”

Leaving the murmurs behind, Wi So-rang stepped close.

“Sajae, let’s do it again tomorrow!”

A weary flash from my previous life crossed my mind.

—Sajae.

—Sajae!

—Sajae-ee!

So I shook my head.

“…I’m going to be busy for a while.”

“Then we’ll fight when you’re not.”

“I don’t think that time will come.”

At my second refusal, So-rang’s face puffed in a pout.

She squinted and looked me up and down.

That was the look of someone searching for a pretext.

“But why do you keep talking down to me? I’m your Sajeo, and you’re my Sajae.”

I almost laughed.

That’s the best she could come up with?

‘Quite the perfect opportunity.’

It was something I needed to settle eventually.

Otherwise she’d nag forever about manners.

In my past life I’d spoken politely to her for years, but I had no intention of repeating that.

‘If I remember right, at this time she was…’

I traced back my memories.

Around this age, Wi So-rang was obsessed with tales of wandering heroes.

She idolized the free-spirited warriors who roamed Murim boldly.

‘Good. That’s it.’

I looked at her and spoke calmly.

“Listen. We’re sahyung and sajae, but before that, we’re warriors.”

“So what?”

“Hear me out. Broad-minded warriors don’t cling to petty formalities. Only cute little kids do that.”

“…Cute little kids?”

The cute little kid’s brow lifted.

“Are you treating me like a child right now?”

“Not at all. Depending on your choice, you can be a child—or a broad-minded warrior.”

Her eyes shifted upward.

She was thinking it over.

“I… do want to be a broad-minded warrior.”

“Then be one. A warrior speaks through actions, not words. Now, repeat after me.”

“Okay!”

I smiled faintly at her lively reply.

Almost there.

“I am broad-minded.”

“I am broad-minded!”

“I don’t demand respect from my Sajae.”

“I don’t demand respect from my Sajae!”

“I don’t take back what I said.”

“I don’t take—what?”

“Take back—as in change it.”

“Oh. I don’t take it back!”

“Good. From where I stand, you’re already broad-minded.”

“Thanks, Sajae!”

Wi So-rang beamed, delighted by my recognition.

Feigning generosity, I said,

“No need to thank me.”

“But Sajae.”

“What.”

“Can’t you fight me again? It was so fun sparring with you.”

The reason she found it fun was simple.

Because I knew all her movements and matched her rhythm.

“I told you, I’m busy.”

I refused firmly.

Once I give in, she’ll never stop.

She clung to my sleeve.

“Do it, do it! I said do it!”

“Haah.”

A sigh slipped out.

This is why kids are exhausting.

And with so many eyes on us already,

I didn’t need rumors about me bullying my Sajeo spreading, so I just agreed.

“I’ll spar with you once a month.”

“That’s too little.”

“No more than that.”

At my firm tone, she nodded in resignation.

“Got it, Sajae. Once a month!”

‘That’s one problem more or less settled.’

It wasn’t what I came here for, but it worked out.

“I have a favor to ask, Sajeo.”

“What kind?”

I explained the situation to her.

I was buying a Yin-Soul Pellet from the shop ahead but was short on funds. I’d tried to reveal my identity to get a discount, but they didn’t believe me. Therefore, I needed her to vouch for me.

Wi So-rang asked with innocent eyes,

“How much is the Yin-Soul Pellet?”

“One hundred thirty-five taels.”

“I see. Let’s go.”

Together we went back to the shop.

The merchant’s attitude had changed.

He greeted So-rang respectfully, clearly uneasy around me.

He must have heard what happened outside.

I said to him,

“No need for long talk, right? I brought a reliable guarantor.”

“I’ve committed an unpardonable sin. How could I fail to recognize the Seventh Young Lord, blind fool that I am.”

The merchant bowed deeply.

Before I could say anything, So-rang waved a hand.

“Mister, skip that and just bring the Yin-Soul Pellet.”

“Wait. We should ask about the discount first.”

“Discount? Not needed.”

“Huh?”

I was taken aback.

I was the one who wanted the discount, so why was she refusing it?

“Just hurry and bring it.”

“Yes, yes.”

The merchant swiftly presented the Yin-Soul Pellet.

So-rang asked,

“How much was it again?”

“One hundred thirty-five taels, but please just give me a hundred-twenty.”

“It’s fine. I’ll pay the full hundred-thirty-five.”

I couldn’t believe my ears.

She was buying it herself?

And turning down the discount?

“What’s with you? Did you eat something bad?”

“If your Sajeo’s giving it, just take it.”

“No.”

I couldn’t take money from a kid like her, Yuk Ja-heung maybe, but not her.

Technically she was offering, but still.

“This much is nothing to me. My family’s the richest of the Seven Demonic Houses.”

“Still no. The Yin-Soul Pellet isn’t pocket change.”

“Pay.”

Ignoring me, So-rang nodded to her attendant.

The attendant paid, then handed me the pellet the merchant gave him.

“Take it.”

“But—”

“You fought me and made it fun. So I should pay.”

I blinked.

So this was… a fight fee?

“Sajeo, come with me.”

“Why all of a sudden?”

“To fight. Let’s make it ten matches today. I’ll take five elixirs as payment.”

“What?”

So-rang let out a dumbfounded laugh.

“Sajae, have some conscience.”

As I had expected, it didn’t work.

Wi So-rang might be young and impulsive, but she wasn’t stupid.

Either way, that’s how the Yin-Soul Pellet ended up in my hands.

She said she had to attend some lesson now but told me we’d fight again soon before leaving.

I watched her skip away for a moment.

‘Fate really is strange.’

In my previous life, I fought So-rang endlessly without ever getting so much as a sip of water from her—yet now, right after returning, she had handed me an elixir.

‘Guess I’ll make good use of it.’

I’m not the type to take and stay silent.

A day will come when I’ll return more than what I received.

‘Time to go see the Heavenly Demon.’

I made my way back to the Hall of Ten Thousand Demons.

It was time to use the Yin-Soul Pellet.

---

When I returned with the Yin-Soul Pellet, a visitor was there.

‘The Elder Council Lord?’

Had he been meeting the Heavenly Demon?

He was walking out of the hall.

“……”

His gaze swept over me.

I gave a perfunctory bow.

“So you’re the Seventh Young Lord. Tell me, do you know who I am?”

“Can’t say I do.”

“Then we share a small similarity. I don’t know you either. The only difference is that at least I know your identity.”

The Elder Council Lord smiled with a feigned gentleness.

In my past life, I would have been fooled by that expression—never seeing the snake-like malice beneath.

“I’ll arrange an occasion for us to get acquainted soon. I trust you won’t decline.”

Leaving those words behind, he departed.

I snorted and stepped into the hall.

I crossed the desolate grand chamber.

And approached the Heavenly Demon seated on the Taishi armchair¹.

“I’m back.”

“So you truly came back, just as you said.”

“I’m not one for empty words. But who was that old man who just left?”

“The Elder Council Lord.”

The Heavenly Demon corrected me curtly.

“The Elder Council Lord, huh. What did he want?”

“……”

The Heavenly Demon’s brows narrowed slightly.

“Why are you so curious about everything?”

“It’s better than not caring at all, isn’t it?”

“…He said he’d arrange an event. A banquet to welcome you.”

This time, my brows narrowed.

‘Persistent old bastard.’

The Elder Council Lord has an ambitious goal.

To produce the next Cult Leader with his own hands.

He’d stop at nothing to achieve it. Hosting the banquet was part of that plan.

I had dodged it yesterday by hiding behind the Heavenly Demon, but clearly, the old man hadn’t given up.

“So what did you say?”

“I told him to go ahead.”

“Why?”

“Because I have no reason to refuse.”

Unbelievable.

“You didn’t see the way he looked at me outside? It was like he wanted to eat me alive.”

“I see.”

“You’re not worried? Anything could happen at that banquet. Your hard-won disciple could end up badly hurt—or dead.”

“If that’s how it ends, then that’s all the potential you had.”

Wow. That’s cold.

Even strays get affection when taken in—what about me, I’m human!

“Do you understand now?”

“What?”

I asked bluntly.

The Heavenly Demon spoke in a low voice.

“That there are things in this world you cannot avoid.”

Yesterday, he’d said the same—that it’s better to face what’s inevitable head-on.

“How will you avoid it this time?”

“Why would I avoid it? There’s no need.”

The banquet’s purpose is simple.

To assess how dangerous I am and crush my spirit before the succession struggles get messier.

In that process, I’d be the scapegoat.

I had no interest in the heir position anyway.

But—

‘This time, it’ll be different.’

I had no intention of dancing to the Elder’s tune.

I’d attend, sure, but I’d flip the board over.

I’ll utterly ruin it.

Unaware of my inner thoughts, the Heavenly Demon studied me as if trying to read them.

“You were worried for your safety moments ago, yet now you ask why avoid it.”

“I was just exaggerating. What’s there to fear when Master’s helping me?”

The Heavenly Demon silently watched me.

He seemed to be parsing my words.

“Did I ever say I’d help you?”

“Not yet, but you will.”

I took out the Yin-Soul Pellet and held it out.

“Melt it properly and help me absorb it.”

“……”

Silence filled the already desolate hall.

His expression didn’t change much, but I could feel he was genuinely dumbfounded.

“…So that’s why you said you’d come back?”

“Yes.”

As I am now, I can’t absorb all the elixir’s energy—seven parts out of ten at best.

My internal energy is too weak, and my mastery of the Nine Heavens Demon-Ascension Art too low.

But if the Heavenly Demon intervened, things would change.

Not only could I absorb it fully, I might even exceed that.

“…What do you take me for?”

“My Master—no, my Teacher. The one and only in this world. Surely you can do at least this much for your youngest disciple—the one you’d never trade for anything?”

“……”

“Oh? That look is a little strange. Don’t tell me you’re regretting taking me as your disciple already?”

“A little, perhaps.”

“Oh, come on. You’re joking.”

I grinned and played it off.

The Heavenly Demon shook his head slightly.

Then said,

“Sit cross-legged.”

“Yes, sir.”

I cheered inwardly and quickly sat cross-legged.

My goal was close at hand.

But suddenly, the Heavenly Demon spoke gravely.

“What’s with that posture?”

“Huh?”

“Sit properly.”

I was speechless.

It’s just sitting cross-legged—what’s there to correct?

“I’ve always done it like this.”

“Not today.”

“How’s it different?”

“…Your back is slightly bent.”

“Don’t tell me you’re doing this on purpose? Because I bothered you to melt the elixir?”

“……”

“……”

Silence hung between us.

What happened to the Heavenly Demon?

“…Let’s begin.”

“…Yes.”