Chapter 15

Night passed, and I began the day with circulation.

Those who cultivated internal arts classed as so-called demonic arts held two kinds of energies within.

Refined demonic energy which is known as Pure Demonic Qi, and its unrefined counterpart, Chaotic Demonic Qi.

My Pure Demonic Qi was circulating the fine meridians steadily.

By contrast, the Chaotic Demonic Qi was lumped in a round mass inside the dantian.

This is called a Chaotic Demonic Qi Bead.

As the name says, it’s a bead of condensed Chaotic Qi, seen only in cultivators of the Nine Heavens Demon-Ascension Art.

Within that bead, an uncontrollable chaos could be felt.

Unlike Pure Demonic Qi, it was dangerous, yet essential to me.

The fearsome destructive power of Chaotic Demonic Qi is the greatest strength of demonic arts.

How I handle it will decide the road ahead.

‘If it goes as planned, I can make a huge leap.’

—Without mastering the Nine Heavens Demon-Ascension Art, you cannot use the Chaotic Demonic Qi Bead.

What even the Heavenly Demon, and the art’s founder, treated as obvious truth was, in fact, wrong.

There existed a way to use the bead early, and I knew it.

Soonest, within a year.

‘No. I have to pull that timeline forward.’

There was no room for leisure.

Even now my lifespan was racing toward its end, and the time of the Heavenly Demon’s demonization drew closer by the moment.

‘To do that, I have to visit two places today.’

Training with the Heavenly Demon starts tomorrow.

From past-life experience, it’ll be months of grueling physical conditioning.

I’ll be dead on my feet returning to Silver Cloud Pavilion each day.

So I must use this last whole day well.

So the training stretch becomes far more efficient and manageable.

“Hoo.”

I finished my thoughts and ended circulation.

It grew noisy outside the window.

‘They’re here.’

Last night the Steward’s Office had sent word.

It was that they’d bring someone newly assigned to Silver Cloud Pavilion this morning.

It was the same in my past life.

Around now my attendant changed.

From the moment I returned, I’d been waiting for the new attendant, Hong Yeon.

“Ah, Seventh Young Lord.”

I stepped outside.

The chief steward I’d seen the first day bowed.

I half-received it and scanned around.

‘Where’s Hong Yeon?’

I didn’t see the face I sought, only warriors with swords or sabers at their hips.

“Who are these people?”

“Your escort warriors, dispatched from the Guardian Hall.”

“…Escort warriors?”

Inwardly, I was taken aback.

Where was the summoned Hong Yeon, and why escorts I hadn’t asked for?

Four of them, at that.

“Yes. Captain Im will explain the particulars. I’ll take my leave.”

The deputy slipped away.

Then the only woman among the four stepped forward.

She cupped her fist stiffly.

“I-I am Im Yeon. As of t-today…”

Was she nervous?

She choked up before finishing.

Covering her mouth with her fist, she steadied her voice.

“Ahem! As of today, I am assigned to Silver Cloud Pavilion as captain of your escort detail!”

Im Yeon, huh.

A face I’ve never seen before.

Her neatly combed hair had not one strand astray; her back was so ramrod straight it looked ready to snap.

How do I put it, rookie vibes.

I looked over the others.

They were all unfamiliar, like Im Yeon.

I asked Im Yeon,

“What’s with the escorts? I never heard I’d have any.”

“A-as a rule, every Little Demon is assigned escorts.”

“Four of them?”

“Th-that… depends on the case.”

Still, four is overkill.

In my past life I had one.

And not until long after I’d come to the Cult.

‘Looks like the Elder Council Lord moved a hand.’

I had crossed him just yesterday.

And now four escorts show up, was this a coincidence?

I don’t think so.

Still, best to poke it.

“Four escorts for me? I should thank the Elder Council Lord.”

I said it innocently, as if I knew nothing.

I detected small changes with the warriors.

Averted eyes, forced coughs.

It was as good as admitting that he’d sent them.

Only Im Yeon looked composed.

No, she was trying to look it.

“W-we have no connection with the Elder Council Lord. We belong to the Guardian Hall.”

Not much of a liar, are you?

Your voice is shaking.

‘That old man is diligent, I’ll give him that.’

His reason for sending escorts was obvious.

To watch me and find a weakness to grab.

Such petty moves don’t suit his position, but it is efficient.

I do have a big weakness: The True Blood Severed Meridians.

With four escorts watching me for twenty-four hours, they may soon notice something off.

They’ll report it up, and he’ll squeeze me with it.

Then I could end up as wretched as in my past life.

‘I don’t like it.’

Not him, and not them either.

I can’t look kindly on people sent to ferret out my weakness.

The past-life me would’ve trusted them.

Then I would’ve gotten backstabbed and shed tears later.

‘But I’m not that me.’

I smiled.

Watchers aren’t only bad news.

I could turn this to my advantage.

There were two places to visit today, and one was fairly dangerous.

But for four escorts to have shown up?

How convenient.

“So you’ll protect me from now on, is that it?”

“Yes.”

“No matter what?”

“Of course.”

“And if I’m in extreme danger?”

A line of doubt crossed her face.

Because she didn’t catch my meaning.

But she soon gave the answer I wanted.

“We will protect you in any situation. That is an escort’s duty.”

“Good answer. By the way, what are your realms?”

At that, all their faces stiffened.

“Why ask our realms?”

Im Yeon asked, dead serious.

Naturally, asking for someone’s realm is rude in Murim.

But I answered blandly,

“I think I’m entitled to know. I’m entrusting you with my life.”

“…”

She couldn’t refute that.

She found it reasonable.

“Two second-rate, one first-rate, and I am…”

“Entry Peak?”

“…! How did you know?”

“It looks that way.”

Her mouth fell slightly open.

“I had heard of the Seventh Young Lord before coming here. That your prowess is formidable. Seeing you in person, I understand.”

Those of higher realms can often sense others’ realms.

By feeling the flow of Qi.

It was clear that Im yeon saw me as being around the consummate peak level.

In truth, I’d just guessed.

With my internal energy, I’m barely skirting first-rate. How would I read realms?

I only figured the Elder Council Lord would include at least one Peak leveled warrior for show, and I hit it dead on.

‘Two second-rate, one first-rate, one at entry Peak.’

I did the math.

At “that place,” a fight is certain to break out.

They won’t be pushovers, will this suffice?

‘It’ll do.’

It was a place I’d planned to go alone anyway.

I’d intended to take the Tranquil Frost Pill I got from the Heretical Alliance, but if I can avoid taking it, all the better.

It should be saved if at all possible.

“Rest a bit. We’re going out after I eat.”

I said after sorting my thoughts.

“I will guard at the Young Lord’s side.”

“There’s no need.”

“Attacks most likely occur when the protectee relaxes, such as during meals or sleep.”

“Who would attack me? Besides the Elder Council Lord, who’s left.”

I said it with a smile.

Mentioning him outright drained their faces.

“I’m kidding.”

I tossed the word and went to the dining hall.

Im Yeon followed.

“Why?”

“My apologies, but I cannot comply. It is basic principle that an escort remain within three steps.”

“Principles, huh. You care about them?”

“Yes.”

I nearly snorted.

And yet you’re sent to surveil your protectee?

“So you’ll watch me eat? Suit yourself.”

I had nothing to hide, so I ate with her in tow.

She stood close, casting sidelong glances.

“Hey.”

“Yes, Young Lord?”

“You’re staring too much. It’s a bit much.”

“…It’s natural to observe the protectee.”

“Feels more like surveillance.”

“S-surveillance is n-not the right word.”

At least stutter less if you want me to believe you.

‘Something’s off.’

The Elder Council Lord is a sly snake.

He wouldn’t send someone who can’t mask her heart as a watcher.

What is he angling for?

“Let’s head out.”

Meal time was over.

Im Yeon asked,

“Where are we headed?”

Two names came to mind.

First I’d planned to stop by Ink-Needle Hall.

The Demon Cult’s largest physicians’ organization.

Had Hong Yeon come, I would’ve gone there first.

But with the escorts, I can visit the second place first.

It’s more efficient.

‘I’ll have to meet Hong Yeon separately later.’

“We’re going to the Black Spirit Division.”

The Black Spirit Division is one of the Cult’s twelve divisions.

My true destination lay beyond it, but I left it at that.

Name it outright and there’ll be an uproar.

“Understood. Follow me!”

She eagerly took the lead.

She was confident like a returning general, but I stopped her.

“Hold on. Where’s the carriage?”

She looked puzzled.

“What carriage?”

“There’s no carriage assigned to the escort group?”

“None.”

Incredible.

That Elder Council Lord, he attached four tumors on me, but no carriage?

Isn’t that a bit shameless of him?

“So we’re walking to the Black Spirit Division?”

“Yes.”

“You know it’s two hours just to get there, right?”

“It’s fine! I know the way well.”

“That’s not the issue. I’ve got business there too, add travel both ways and the day’s gone.”

Absolutely not.

My free time is limited.

“We’ll rent a carriage nearby. Getting one from the Guardian Hall will take too long.”

I needed a carriage not only for today’s destination.

Training under the Heavenly Demon is brutal.

I’ll be a rag by the end.

More than once, my legs gave out and I had to be carried to Silver Cloud Pavilion.

With a carriage, the commute gets easier.

So as I was planning to secure one today, the escorts from the Guardian Hall showed up.

This was a heavenly sign for me to wring out a carriage!

But.

“That won’t do.”

Im Yeon answered timidly.

“Why?”

“If the Guardian Hall didn’t assign one, it was deemed unnecessary. And the Escort Code Manual states carriage riders are more exposed to ambush.”

The Escort Code Manual, huh.

Haven’t heard that in a while.

My past-life escort quoted it often.

“Don’t lean too hard on the manual.”

“It’s written in blood. I cannot ignore it.”

“That blood dried and crusted long ago.”

Meaning it hasn’t been updated in ages.

She eyed me doubtfully.

“How would you know that, Young Lord? You’ve only been here a few days.”

How else?

I heard it in my last life.

And I had seven years of escorts.

I know far more than a rookie captain.

“At any rate, I am responsible for your protection. You must follow my policy for proper escort.”

“Captain Im, you know one thing, not two.”

“What do you mean?”

She furrowed her brow.

“You said there are two reasons carriages aren’t needed, right? One being the Guardian Hall didn’t assign one, and the other is the escorting policy.”

“Correct.”

“I rode Fifth Sahyung’s carriage yesterday. And I heard Little Demons are normally assigned carriages. So isn’t this the Guardian Hall’s oversight?”

She blinked.

Even a captain wouldn’t know that.

I only knew it from my past life.

“Also, a carriage helps escort duty. In combat it’s a mobile cover. Inside, you’re out of sight, which helps against ambush. Plus the protectee conserves stamina, enabling better retreat or counterattack.”

“…!”

Now her eyes widened.

Heh, impressed by my knowledge, aren’t you?

“Now, stop insisting and let’s rent one.”

“But… renting requires money.”

“Bill the Guardian Hall.”

“Then whose money for prepayment…?”

“Yours of course, Captain.”

She looked flustered.

I cleared my throat.

“Just kidding. I have money.”

I patted my chest.

Meaning there’s a one-hundred-twenty-tael note in here.

“Alright? Let’s stop dawdling and go rent one.”

I took the lead, breezily.

They reluctantly followed.

I rented a carriage at a nearby yard.

I also hired a driver who knew the roads.

I slung an arm around his shoulder.

“Let’s have a quick chat.”

“Y-yes.”

I drew him away from Im Yeon and the others.

She tried to insist on her three-step rule, but I waved her off hard.

Although it was for a brief moment, it was enough.

“Listen—”

I whispered quickly to the driver.

On how far past the Black Spirit Division to go.

He was aghast after hearing it all.

“W-what? But th-that place is—!”

“Don’t worry. Nothing will happen to you.”

“Urgh.”

Soon the carriage rolled out.

The destination only the driver and I knew was none other than Demon Valley.

One of the Cult’s Four Forbidden Grounds where none approach.

There, I planned to obtain something I absolutely needed.