Little Demon Reversion to Youth

Chapter 137

When the troublemaker appeared, the drunk man flared up.

"You brat, you don't seem to be from around here. You don't know me. Don't act so rashly and just play quietly."

"It seems you're the one acting rashly."

The young man, approached and, struck the drunk man's forehead with his folding fan.

"Heok!"

The drunk man clutched his forehead and stepped back. At that, the gang at the table all stood up.

"What are you doing? How dare you..."

"How dare I? You really want to die."

The young man laughed.

At that, the guard behind him stepped forward and was about to draw his sword. Before that, a killing intent had already pressed down on the gang.

"Keuk!"

The gang let out a groan at the sharp killing intent. They also seemed to be in their prime and looked like they could use some strength, but they could not handle the killing intent.

The woman in white stepped forward and stopped them.

"Stop it. Are you going to see blood over a drunk man's bravado?"

When the young man raised his hand, the guards put back their half-drawn swords.

"I was just teaching him his place. People like that only bow their heads after they've had a taste of something bitter. Surely I wouldn't actually kill him."

The young man was very handsome and had a magnanimous side.

The startled group of drunks fled in a hurry.

"You must have been very surprised. Where are you staying? There are brats like that all over the night road, so I will see you off."

"It's alright..."

At that moment, Baekji said, "Big Sister Baek, you shouldn't reject a kind offer. The road to the inn is dark."

Then he said to the young man, "We are staying at the Suryu Inn."

When Baekji spoke informally, a guard stepped forward, but the young man stopped him with his fan.

"Little brother, your status must not be insignificant. What is your name?"

"My name... I can't just tell it to anyone."

The corner of the young man's eye went up, but he soon relaxed his expression and said to the woman in white, "Your younger brother is quite spirited."

The woman in white demurely bowed her head.

"As it happens, we are also staying at the Suryu Inn, so that's good. Let's go together."

The young man, walking side by side with the woman in white, said, "I am on a tour of the mountains and rivers, and I came because I heard the scenery of Dongting Lake is outstanding, but it doesn't seem to be as much as I expected."

"..."

"Oh, my introduction was late. I am called Hyuk-ryeonhu. What is your name, miss?"

"It is not a name worth mentioning."

"Hmm. Both the younger brother and the older sister are very noble people."

Although Hyuk-ryeonhu spoke sarcastically, the woman in white did not answer.

When they reached the Suryu Inn, the woman in white gave a light bow to Hyuk-ryeonhu and said, "Thank you for your help."

"If you really think so..."

As Hyuk-ryeonhu was about to make a move, the woman in white said to her party, "Let's thank Young Master Hyuk-ryeon and go in. It is late at night."

After the woman in white finished speaking and went to the annex, Somae and the other women all bowed in unison and followed her.

Hyuk-ryeonhu, looking somewhat dumbfounded at the back of party as they left, met Baekji's gaze.

"I'm not a big fan of alcohol either."

Baekji followed the women inside.

Hyuk-ryeonhu looked at the annex for a moment and then went into the main building of the inn.

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.

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After eating breakfast, the party of the woman in white packed their luggage.

"Thanks to you, we were able to stay comfortably. It's a long way to Chongqing, so be careful."

The woman in white had now somewhat let down her guard against Baekji.

"What's your name, Big Sister Baek?"

"It's Baekmae."

"Ah... I see. Then... there must be a Cheongmae and a Hongmae too."

At Baekji's words, two women looked at him. They seemed to be Cheongmae and Hongmae.

"Really? Were you all sisters?"

"We are like sisters. Don't ask any more."

Baekmae cut him off.

"Surely there's no Jongmae."

The youngest of the Seven Plums of Yang-Bai Mun was Jongmae. Baekmae smiled faintly and said, "There is no Jongmae. There is a Hwangmae and a Seolmae."

As Baekmae's party was leaving, they met Hyuk-ryeonhu.

"You are in a hurry from early in the morning. They said the 'Dragon God Festival' opens at noon."

Baekmae passed by with only a silent bow.

As Hyuk-ryeonhu looked at Baekmae's party with a strange expression, Baekji approached and asked, "Who is the prettiest?"

At the sudden question, Hyuk-ryeonhu looked at Baekji with a dumbfounded expression. Soon, as if it were not even worth answering, he shook his head and went inside.

Baekji looked at Hyuk-ryeonhu's back intently and then went into his own residence.

A moment later, Baekji came out of his residence, looked around the streets, and then went to the lakeshore where the 'Dragon God Festival' was being held around noon.

A huge crowd had gathered in front of the altar set up on the lakeshore, forming a sea of people.

On a raft tied behind the altar, a cow and twelve pigs were tied.

As red smoke rose from the four corners of the square raft, the sound of drums rang out loudly.

Dung-dung!

With the sound of drums that shook the heavens and the earth, two dragon masks appeared. One was a red dragon, and the other was a yellow dragon.

Behind the large dragon head masks, a long cloth painted with the body of a dragon was spread out. When people went inside the cloth and moved, it really looked as if a dragon were writhing and moving.

"Waa!"

Baekji mixed with the people and shouted.

The yellow dragon and the red dragon intertwined and fought a great battle.

"Go, Yellow Dragon!"

The people who believed the legend that the river and the lake would be calm if the yellow dragon won cheered for the yellow dragon enthusiastically.

After the two dragons fought for a long time, the yellow dragon bit the red dragon's neck and brought it down.

Although it was a pre-arranged match, when the yellow dragon won, the people all cheered in unison.

Baekji, while watching, looked for Baekmae's party, but they were not seen.

After watching a cow and ten pigs fall into the water alive, Baekji returned to the inn.

"Was the 'Dragon God Festival' worth seeing? You must be tired. If you sit for a moment, I will prepare something for you to eat."

The waiter guided Baekji to a seat by the window of the restaurant and brought a cold fruit juice.

The waiter who handed him the fruit juice said something he hadn't been asked.

"I was a little surprised that your companions were staying at the Yonggang Inn over there. Was there anything lacking at our inn?"

"Ah, really?"

Baekji's face brightened, and he took out a silver coin from his purse and gave it to the waiter.

"Aigoo, I haven't done anything..."

"No. You did a great job. But there's a young brat staying in the special room over there, right? Did that brat leave?"

"I'm not supposed to talk about the guests, but... that person also went to the Yonggang Inn. Here, our Suryu Inn is the best..."

"Yes... really?"

The waiter, had a thought. What if this brat also went to the Yonggang Inn?

He flinched and looked at Baekji's expression, but fortunately, he didn't seem to have any such intention.

But you never know.

"Some guests have left, so a special room is also available. Would you like to move? I will give you a special discount on the price."

"Why? I liked the annex."

Baekji looked at him blankly, as if to say, 'what are you talking about'.

The waiter's waist bent.

"Ah, as expected... the annex suits you, Young Master. What shall I prepare for dinner?"

"No. That's enough. I'm going to eat out."

Baekji waved his hand.

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Around evening, Baekji entered the restaurant on the first floor of the Yonggang Inn.

Since the 'Dragon God Festival' was over, the restaurant was crowded with people.

The sound of people chattering loudly from here and there was almost deafening.

He saw Baekmae's party gathered in a corner. Across one table, Hyuk-ryeonhu was sitting alone by the window.

When Baekji approached, Somae recognized him and was pleased.

Baekmae looked at him with a puzzled expression.

"They said the food at the Yonggang Inn is more delicious. I have to try various things."

Baekji said and looked around, but there were no seats.

The waiter approached and said, "Would you like to share a table? I will arrange a seat for you."

Baekmae's party was six, but since they had pushed together tables for four, there were two empty seats.

"Sit there. Let's eat together. It's my treat today."

As Baekji sat in the empty seat, he felt a sharp gaze. Without even looking back, he knew it was Hyuk-ryeonhu.

"Why did you follow us?"

Baekmae asked.

Baekji did not answer and looked around, and when his eyes met Hyuk-ryeonhu's, he smiled and waved his hand.

"That person is also here."

Baekmae, without even looking towards Hyuk-ryeonhu, said, "In the martial world, you have to be careful of strangers. People who approach you without reason often have other thoughts."

"Yes. I know. There are more than one or two brats who stab you in the back and take your money."

"It's a relief if you only get your money taken... you could lose your life."

As Baekmae spoke, she looked at her younger sisters. Although it seemed she was speaking to Baekji, it was actually meant for all her younger sisters to hear.

"I think so too. I think that brat... is definitely from the Demonic Cult."

At Baekji's whisper, Baekmae's expression froze. She was so surprised that she almost dropped her chopsticks.

"In the Demonic Cult, there are twelve guardian families, and I heard that one of them is the Hyuk-ryeon family. He's at the peak of the 'true realm' at that age, right? That's almost impossible. It's absolutely impossible unless he's from the Hyuk-ryeon family."

"...!"

"That brat looks to be about twenty, but he's probably over thirty. So you have to be careful."

Baekmae hid her trembling hands in her sleeves. She was shocked by Baekji's words.

Baekji, in the middle of speaking, smiled at Hyuk-ryeonhu again.

Baekmae, without even turning her gaze, used telepathy.

―Watch your words... if he hears you...

"It's fine. He can't hear me."

At Baekji's words, Baekmae was shocked again.

"You, are you a martial artist?"

"Of course. Didn't I tell you I was the Honored One of the Yang-Bai Merchant Sect? Ah, I guess I didn't say that."

"..."

"It's embarrassing for me to say this myself, but... I'm an absolute master."

Baekmae suddenly thought it was strange. As Baekji was speaking, the other younger sisters, as if they hadn't heard, were eating and talking among themselves.

Baekji smiled brightly and said, "Only Big Sister Baek can hear me. This is even better than telepathy."

Baekmae's expression hardened gravely, and she ate silently.

Around the time the meal was ending, Baekji said, "I enjoyed the dinner. I'll treat you to tea. Shall we go to the Suryu Inn?"

"No, we're going to rest."

Baekmae said with a confused expression.

She couldn't understand the intention of Baekji, who had suddenly pointed out Hyuk-ryeonhu as being from the Demonic Cult and was approaching them.

Although Baekmae was wise, she lacked experience in the martial world. She knew this herself and had been careful.

Although Baekji was young and looked innocent, she couldn't help but be wary.

"Yes. Right... that's a pity."

Baekji did not hold her back.

When Baekmae's party went up to their room, Baekji waved his hand at Hyuk-ryeonhu again and left the Yonggang Inn.

Baekji, who had gone to a teahouse across from the Yonggang Inn, went up to the third floor. He sat by the window, looked at the night view of the street, and watched the Yonggang Inn.

'If Baekmae is wise, she won't show it, right? I told her that brat is at the 'true realm', so she won't do anything reckless.'

What he was worried about was Baekmae taking her party and fleeing to the boat docked at the pier.

There was no way Hyuk-ryeonhu would miss that.

Fortunately, Baekmae did not show any particular movement.

Even so, she had not escaped from Hyuk-ryeonhu.

'Why is that brat after Baekmae's party?'

Baekji muttered to himself, looking at Hyuk-ryeonhu, who was still sitting in the restaurant, sipping his drink.

The ones watching Baekmae's party were the two guards. They were also masters at the early stage of the 'true realm'. With just the three of them, they were a force that could handle a single sect.

The martial arts of Baekmae's party were not that high. Since they were at a level to handle street ruffians, if even one of them had the intention to kill, it had to be assumed that they would all die.

According to the Demonic Advisor, the Demonic Cult strictly restricted the entry of its members into the Central Plains.

He had said that they had a few branches disguised as businesses, like the Hongmeng Brothel, and were just gathering information.

But for three masters of the 'true realm' to appear, he couldn't help but have questions.

The urge to catch Hyuk-ryeonhu and feed him a truth-telling pill arose, but he held it in, thinking of his past connection as the Young Lord of the Demonic Cult.

A truth-telling pill shakes the mind, so the lower the martial arts level, the less damage there is. But in the case of a master, there is a risk of aftereffects, and it is easy to fall into cultivation deviation.

Since Hyuk-ryeonhu was at the peak of the 'true realm', he might have problems after eating a truth-telling pill.

As a former Young Lord of the Demonic Cult... he couldn't go that far.

Baekji, after observing the situation at the Yonggang Inn, returned to his own residence.

(End of Chapter)