novelraw Chapter 58
Chapter 58
Chapter 58
『 Translator – Divinity 』
After going on like that for about fifteen minutes, he arrived in front of a manor that was neither lavish nor large.
Cheon Ha-seong looked at the man, wondering if So Ga-woon really lived here.
Compared to the splendid residence of the So Demonic Clan, this place was pitifully shabby.
He didn't know how he had come to live here, but he must have thought that he too should be able to enjoy everything that So Jeon enjoyed.
He could guess what kind of anger So Ga-woon had been building up. However, while he might have been angry if he used So Jeon as a comparison, it was also true that for most other followers, it was a comfortable manor they couldn't even dare to dream of.
Cheon Ha-seong once again realized that one's own destiny changes depending on the mindset with which one lives.
“You will be able to see him if you go inside. In any case, it won't be difficult for you to chase after me again, will it, Head Instructor? So please allow me to stay here. It's because I don't want to be killed by the Young Master. The Young Master is a truly terrifying person. If he finds out that I betrayed him, he will absolutely not leave me be.”
“You don't need to have such worries. If So Ga-woon is inside, he will die there.”
And yet, the So Clan martial artist didn't seem to be able to rest his mind.
Seeing a person who had been by So Ga-woon's side for a long time be this afraid, he could guess how he usually treated the people around him.
However, Cheon Ha-seong did not grant his request.
“Trust my words. It doesn't matter if you can't trust my words. I will take you inside with me.”
The So Clan martial artist looked crestfallen, but for now, it seemed he would follow Cheon Ha-seong's words. Seeing that, Cheon Ha-seong laughed with a dumbfounded face.
“Don't think that I won't be as scary as So Ga-woon. It seems you're not afraid even after I've shown you as much as I have.”
At that, an unexpected reply was heard.
“It's not that scary when you get angry, Head Instructor Cheon, because the reason is clear and the change in your emotions can be predicted. Once you decide to punish someone, you punish that person for sure, but you also give them a chance to turn back before that. And the martial artists of our family faced their own destinies according to their own decisions.”
However, it seemed So Ga-woon was terrifying regardless of such things.
Cheon Ha-seong recalled the So Ga-woon he had seen at the Second Demonic Marquis's Residence.
Perhaps he would have never seen him for the rest of his life, and he would not even have known that a Young Master named So Ga-woon existed in the So Demonic Clan.
‘The Demonic God has looked after this. The Demonic God took pity on the followers who were dying innocently in the Central Plains and sent me to that place on that day.’
Thinking that, Cheon Ha-seong went inside.
“Normally, there are a few people guarding this place. But today, because of the rumors that spread in the marketplace, they all hurriedly went to the main family residence. It was because the elders of the family summoned them all.”
Saying that, he walked for a bit, then looked at Cheon Ha-seong with a pitiful expression, as if he could go no further.
“It is the building you see over there. He is in that place. Do I have to keep going?”
The color drained from the So Clan martial artist's face as he said that, his chin trembled, and even his legs were shaking violently.
Cheon Ha-seong didn't want to torment him any further either, so he gave a nod.
“From now on, you must erase all memories of having lived as a member of a prestigious Demonic Clan. And do not forget the wrongs your family members have committed; live while repaying them, even if just a little. You are not a martial artist of an ordinary sect, but a follower of the Divine Cult. As a martial artist of the Divine Cult, far from trying to protect the followers, you tried to kill a powerless and pitiful follower; you shall regret, reflect upon, and atone for that for the rest of your life.”
“I understand, Head Instructor. I will do so.”
What he would do from now on depended solely on the So Clan martial artist's decision. If he didn't want to meet a miserable death the next time they met, it would be better for him to wash away his sins, even if just a little.
From then on, Cheon Ha-seong extended his Qi Sense.
He felt a presence inside, and the signs of agitation were evident.
When Cheon Ha-seong entered, So Ga-woon was dressed in simple clothes, unlike when he had seen him at the Marquis Hall.
He was wearing a white long robe, and it looked as if he had made some kind of resolution.
He slowly raised his head and looked at Cheon Ha-seong. It seemed he knew to some extent that things would turn out this way and had prepared himself.
However, no matter how much he resolved to be bold, it must have been difficult to handle all of the fear that surged up from time to time.
“So Ga-woon, it is a shame that we meet again like this, but it is the Cult Leader's command that I kill you. It would be good if I could say you are without sin, but that is not the case.”
So Ga-woon let out a deep sigh and looked into the air.
“I had everything taken from me by my older brother for the sole reason that I was born just a little bit later. And I received the order to die. The first command the elders of my family ever gave me was to die. Of course, the command was not given to me, but those who received the command decided to kill me.”
“I don't think I need to listen to that. I don't have a hobby of listening to the complaints of someone drowning in self-pity. If you were born with such a fate, it would have been better to encourage others with the same fate as you and try to change it.”
When Cheon Ha-seong drew his sword, So Ga-woon smiled bitterly.
“Of all people, a bastard who is immune to everything had to come and leave me with nothing to say. If another bastard had come, I could have spewed all sorts of things, but I can find no flaw in you.”
Then he stared at Cheon Ha-seong.
“Isn't it suffocating to live like that, Cheon Ha-seong? You were born with a truly amazing talent, weren't you? And yet, for the reason that you are from a common follower background, you live without being able to prove your worth, being ignored by countless people. And you can still endure that?”
Cheon Ha-seong thought he was pitiful. It didn't seem like he was saying that to try and sway him while on the verge of death. He was likely just believing that it was the truth.
“The only person who can tarnish my worth is me, So Ga-woon. What would be truly unfair and infuriating is if I failed to display the talent I was given. If I do not achieve my full potential with the great martial talent the Demonic God has given me, that alone is what I fear. Therefore, the only person I can resent is myself.”
So Ga-woon stared at Cheon Ha-seong with blank eyes.
“How can you think like that, Cheon Ha-seong? That is preposterous.”
“It is not difficult for me. And I have not learned how to think in any other way. I am a follower of the Divine Cult and a martial artist of the Divine Cult. It is my heavenly mandate to live for the Demonic God and protect the followers. Since I know that with certainty, what is there to hesitate or be shaken by on my path?”
After finishing his words, Cheon Ha-seong raised his sword.
“I will let you die without pain. Feel sorry for the followers you tried to kill and ask the Demonic God for forgiveness.”
So Ga-woon smiled, then nodded and closed his eyes. Cheon Ha-seong didn't know what he was agreeing to, but he slit his throat just the same.
Cheon Ha-seong had a place to return to. He had to return to the Cult Leader's side to report that he had completed his command. And he had to return to Seo Hyo-eun, who would be waiting for him, worrying.
There was no lingering attachment in his steps.
The warmth slowly faded from the body of a man with a storied past. By the time even the small ripples spreading in the pool of blood had subsided, there was no longer anyone living in that place.
***
A great pillar of the Divine Cult had fallen.
Countless people trembled, remembering that the incident had originated from a rumor that had circulated in the marketplace.
They had thought it was the nonsense of madmen, but wasn't it to say that it had all been true?
The followers now spoke of the So Demonic Clan whenever they gathered.
The news that the Second Demonic Marquis had committed adultery and given birth to a child, that that child was Young Master So Jeon, and that he had a twin brother, So Ga-woon, had also spread widely.
However, what was more important were the deeds committed by So Ga-woon.
“Did you hear that the Young Master incited the family's martial artists to kill our followers in the Central Plains? It seems the Second Demonic Marquis, out of pity for that Young Master, listened to all he said. If the Cult Leader hadn't known in advance and punished the So Demonic Clan, wouldn't the pitiful followers have been the only ones to die?”
“That's right. It was because the Demonic God was watching over us that the Cult Leader knew of it in advance. A great disaster was narrowly averted.”
The Cult Leader listened to the people talk as he passed by, wearing a deep iron hat.
Behind him followed Cheon Ha-seong and Seo Hyo-eun. Cheon Ha-seong was holding Seo Hyo-eun's hand affectionately. After saying she had no appetite these days, she had for some reason said there was something she wanted to eat, so he had come out with her at once, saying he would buy it for her.
At first, it had clearly been just the two of them, but at some point, the Cult Leader had followed, and in a daze, it had become as if the two of them were escorting the Cult Leader.
Seo Hyo-eun looked at Cheon Ha-seong with eyes that asked how things had ended up like this. Cheon Ha-seong was also thinking how strange it was.
Still, thinking that the Cult Leader must have raised Seo Hyo-eun in loneliness after the First Marquis had died, he was quietly following along.
“Ahem.”
The Cult Leader felt a little sorry, as if he were receiving the praise that Cheon Ha-seong should be getting. However, Cheon Ha-seong had no greed for such things at all.
“Where would be good to eat? It would be nice if you ate a lot today. When this one is born, I don't think I should leave them alone. I'll only let them off if they trouble their mother a fair bit.”
When Cheon Ha-seong spoke, Seo Hyo-eun laughed with amusement.
“Don't do that. Don't even think about getting angry. Where would we find the time to hate them? The time we have together will not be enough even just to cherish them. Let's save and split our time to adore them.”
“Right. It's not like I'm really thinking of hating them. It's just because it seems they're giving you such a hard time in your womb, Head Instructor Seo.”
The Cult Leader realized he was the only one who cared about what people were saying.
Looking closely, it seemed Cheon Ha-seong's uniqueness came from that. He seemed to regard the things that others thought were important as trivial. It seemed he had no desire for fame, power, or a high position.
But it seemed that was what made his accomplishments even better.
Since he had nothing else to pay attention to, wasn't it that he could devote himself solely to the training and accomplishment of martial arts?
If Cheon Ha-seong had looked this way and that during the nine years he had spent at the Martial Arts Academy, wanting to become the Chief Head Instructor or the Principal, it seemed he would not have been able to obtain his current skills.
‘Maybe the Demonic God likes a person like that. But even if I were the Demonic God, I think I would like a person like my son-in-law.’
The Cult Leader was convincing himself with such thoughts.
“Actually, I've been wanting to eat the dumplings they sell at Cheonghaeru.”
“Really? Then let's go there.”
Cheon Ha-seong said at once, but the Cult Leader recalled that the Cheonghaeru his daughter was talking about was a large restaurant outside the Divine Cult.
Seo Hyo-eun smiled and explained.
“It's not here. The name is Cheonghaeru, isn't it? It's a restaurant in Qinghai.”
“Really? Then we can just go.”
“You're going to go all that way just to eat some dumplings?”
“They're not just some dumplings. You can't see your own face well, so you probably don't know how haggard you've become, Head Instructor Seo. If you don't eat something, you won't be able to hold on. If there's something you want to eat, we have to go.”
The Cult Leader did not cut into the two people's conversation and just listened quietly. The most precious person to him was his daughter. But his son-in-law, who was a cold-blooded man in front of others, was acting like a fool like this after hearing what his daughter said, so he was unspeakably pleased and happy.