Rebirth of the Heavenly Demon

Chapter 78

Chapter 78 – Don’t Look Back (2)

Ya-cheon was a seasoned man.

Having experienced all sorts of people, Ya-cheon immediately recognized that Ho Yeon-nam was someone who valued reputation and enjoyed receiving praise during their first meeting.

“If you step in, Master, you could turn the Slaughterer into nothing more than a chunk of meat in a butcher’s shop.”

“Well, we won’t know until we face each other.”

Ho Yeon-nam disliked people like Ya-cheon. No matter how mysterious they tried to act with terms like “Night Merchant,” they were ultimately trash who amassed wealth by charging exorbitant interest rates.

However, when Ya-cheon came to visit and immediately prostrated himself, claiming to truly respect him while laying on the flattery thick, Ho Yeon-nam unconsciously felt a bit more generous.

“We’re dealing with the Heavenly Blade Sect, aren’t we? If you handle this matter, your fame will spread throughout the entire Central Plains.”

Ho Yeon-nam nodded slightly. Especially after Ma Bong-gi became the Alliance Leader, the influence of the Heavenly Blade Sect had been skyrocketing.

At a time when everyone was just watching and waiting, if he could stand against them and achieve good results, it would truly be an opportunity to build great fame. His desire to eliminate the Slaughterer Yeom Hwa was also due to this.

At that moment, Ya-cheon discreetly pushed forward the leather pouch he had prepared.

“I heard you brought many disciples with you. Why don’t we have a drink together?”

It wasn’t money for just a drink. He had put in as much as ten thousand taels.

“Why are you doing such unnecessary things!”

Ho Yeon-nam burst out in anger, but he didn’t return the leather pouch.

Ya-cheon quickly bowed his head and said,

“It’s just a small token of sincerity, please don’t embarrass me.”

“Ahem.”

Ho Yeon-nam cleared his throat loudly.

Ya-cheon quickly changed the subject. He was experienced in reading the atmosphere and handling people.

“By the way, I’ve heard that the Heavenly Blade Sect has been committing all sorts of evil deeds in the Central Plains, backed by the Alliance Leader’s influence.”

Ya-cheon brought up the Heavenly Blade Sect while observing Ho Yeon-nam’s reaction. Now that he had fed him money, he needed to make him earn it.

“I’ve heard about that too.”

“Especially this Slaughterer Yeom Hwa who came down this time, I’ve heard he’s a particularly vicious character.”

Just then, Ho Yeon-tak’s voice was heard from outside.

“It’s disciple Tak. May I come in for a moment?”

“Come in.”

Ho Yeon-tak entered. He had already exchanged greetings with Ya-cheon while guiding him here.

“I’d like to speak on behalf of my master regarding the handling of this matter. My master can’t be involved in every little detail, after all.”

“Ah, of course, that’s how it should be.”

Ho Yeon-tak glanced at his master’s expression. Entering the room without prior permission and stepping forward to discuss this matter could potentially anger his master.

But he was worried that his master might promise to kill Yeom Hwa, so he stepped in like this.

Fortunately, Ho Yeon-nam showed no reaction, keeping his eyes narrowed.

“If my master steps in, someone like Yeom Hwa would be dealt with in less than ten breaths. Taking his head wouldn’t be a difficult task.”

“I believe that as well.”

“However, we need to be a bit more cautious with this matter. After all, the Alliance Leader is behind Yeom Hwa. So we’re thinking of meeting them for negotiations. We need to find out how much they want.”

“Of course, that’s what you should do.”

This much was what Ya-cheon had expected. After all, it was unlikely that the Ho Yeon Clan and the Heavenly Blade Sect would engage in a life-or-death battle because of him. He was hoping they would mediate properly on his behalf.

The problem was Ho Yeon-tak’s next words.

“For that, we’ll need the Night Merchant Leader’s help.”

“Of course, if there’s anything I can do to help, I’ll do so actively.”

“They will demand money. It would be good if you prepared in advance.”

Ya-cheon was seething inside.

‘So these bastards are telling me to pay more money!’

They were already paying two hundred thousand taels to the Ho Yeon Clan.

Whether they negotiate with the Slaughterer or fight it out, shouldn’t they handle it with that two hundred thousand taels? If they needed to pay extra money, why did they bother calling in the Ho Yeon Clan?

‘This can’t go on like this.’

Ya-cheon sighed and opened his mouth.

“I’m having financial difficulties due to the large expenditure for this matter.”

“Regarding that issue, you’ll need to speak directly to our main family.”

Ya-cheon bit his lip slightly.

‘Have I ever seen such shameless people?’

This is how powerful organizations operate. They tell you to talk to the higher-ups because they’re just handling the practical matters, and when you talk to the higher-ups, they tell you to discuss it with the working-level staff. They keep sending people back and forth until they give up out of exhaustion.

The conversation continued for about an hour after that.

Ya-cheon tried his best to persuade him, but it didn’t work on Ho Yeon-tak. From the beginning, he deflected by saying they were just following orders, so there was nothing Ya-cheon could do. Ho Yeon-nam kept his eyes closed, pretending not to hear anything.

In the end, Ya-cheon left, grinding his teeth inwardly.

He could simply not give the two hundred thousand taels he had promised to the Ho Yeon Clan, but even that wasn’t an easy choice to make.

It would mean making another enemy besides the Heavenly Blade Sect, and there was also the position of the Jiangxi Night Merchants who had acted as matchmakers to consider.

‘Should I take all the money and go into hiding?’

If he did that, he would have to give up the goldmine that was the Shandong Night Merchants and live a life on the run forever.

After Ya-cheon left, Ho Yeon-nam took the leather pouch and went outside.

“Where are you going? Let me escort you.”

“No need. You don’t have to follow me.”

Ho Yeon-nam disappeared into the darkness, carrying the leather pouch.

I tailed Ho Yeon-nam. I had heard all of their conversation earlier.

Because Ho Yeon-nam’s martial arts were excellent, I couldn’t get too close, but thanks to my hearing becoming very sensitive after unblocking the Yim Dok Yang Pulse, I was able to eavesdrop on all their conversations from an appropriate distance.

I was curious where he was going with the money in the middle of the night, but surprisingly, the place Ho Yeon-nam entered was a pleasure house.

A renowned expert from the prestigious Ho Yeon Clan going to a pleasure house alone? It was truly unexpected.

He called for all the top courtesans. He seemed determined to spend all ten thousand taels, indulging himself thoroughly.

Another hour later. I was standing in front of a room in the pleasure house, concealing my presence.

Ho Yeon-nam was sharing intimate moments with a courtesan in the room.

“Hah… hah… Master, Master! Please, do more! More, more.”

It seemed he had asked the courtesan to say such things.

My heart sank coldly as I listened.

***

Three days later, I was standing in a field with Song Hwa-rin.

We had called Ho Yeon-nam here. Song Hwa-rin had personally written a letter, so he would probably come.

After seeing his true nature at the pleasure house, I didn’t delay this matter any longer.

For the past three days, I had watched Song Hwa-rin’s training. I thought she was ready now, so I had her send the letter right away.

The biggest reason I got involved in this matter in the first place was because of her. Especially important was healing the deep wound in her heart.

In the distance, a person was walking towards us. It was Ho Yeon-nam.

Song Hwa-rin tensed up when she saw him. No matter how much she tried not to be nervous, it was inevitable. After all, he had been her master for five years.

“Are you ready?”

She answered my question.

“I’m not sure yet. But at least I’ve practiced enough for the counter-technique I’ll use in the duel.”

While we were talking, Ho Yeon-nam was getting closer and closer.

Song Hwa-rin muttered to herself as if reciting a mantra.

“Don’t think of him as my master. This person is just an opponent I have to fight today. He’s not my master.”

As she was steeling herself like this, I gave her one last piece of advice.

“I don’t think you need to forcefully deny that he’s your master.”

“What?”

“Accept it as it is. This person is your master. He’s a pathetic man who felt lust for his disciple. He’s a miserable person who tried to make a mistake under the influence of alcohol. No more, no less, that’s exactly who your master is.”

There was a reason I was telling her this. When a person consciously tries to reject something too much, their body might have the opposite reaction. Rejecting the idea that he’s not her master might prevent her body from moving naturally. I thought it would be better to accept it naturally.

“Your master is just a pitiful old man.”

With those final words, I took a step back.

From now on, this is her fight.

Song Hwa-rin’s gaze turned back to Ho Yeon-nam.

When she first saw her master again, although she didn’t show it, she felt so afraid that her whole body stiffened. As she remembered that day, her body started trembling again.

She’s trembling like this… and yet she shouldn’t deny him?

She looked back at Byeok Ri-dan.

As if understanding her concern, Byeok Ri-dan nodded once.

Song Hwa-rin accepted the advice Byeok Ri-dan had given.

‘Yes, this person is my master. Yes, damn it! He is my master.’

Ho Yeon-nam walked up to about ten steps away.

Song Hwa-rin took a deep breath and stepped forward.

“Master.”

“Have you been well?”

“Yes.”

Ho Yeon-nam’s gaze shifted to Byeok Ri-dan standing behind her.

He had heard from Ho Yeon-tak that she was with the one she was engaged to through prenatal agreement. So he knew immediately that this man was that fiancé. He had been excited thinking she would come alone, but now he felt displeased.

Although an unfriendly gaze flew towards him, Byeok Ri-dan showed no reaction. He was thoroughly leaving this matter to Song Hwa-rin.

“Why did you want to see me?”

He spoke as if he was calm, but Ho Yeon-nam’s pupils were trembling. In contrast, Song Hwa-rin was composed.

“I want to have a martial arts duel.”

Ho Yeon-nam was surprised by this unexpected statement.

“A duel?”

“Yes. I want to have a duel using the martial arts you taught me, Master. Both you and I, using that martial art.”

Ho Yeon-nam looked puzzled, but Song Hwa-rin didn’t explain the reason.

After staring at her for a moment, Ho Yeon-nam accepted the proposal.

“Alright, let’s do it.”

“Thank you, Master.”

As Ho Yeon-nam drew his sword, Song Hwa-rin followed suit and drew hers. She was maintaining the utmost courtesy as if nothing had ever happened between them.

“Then, I’m coming.”

Song Hwa-rin launched herself forward, initiating the attack.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Ho Yeon-nam blocked her attacks using the martial arts he had taught her.

Now that the duel had started, her mind was in turmoil. She was so nervous that she didn’t even know what she was doing.

But she was executing the moves perfectly.

Now she could clearly understand what Byeok Ri-dan had said.

That the body needs to remember, that today she should only trust her body that had trained.

For the past three days, she had repeated only these moves.

So even when the counter-technique came into play, she didn’t feel anything special.

Now, this is it!

Without even having such thoughts, the moves just naturally flowed. She only realized that one of her moves had broken through her master’s defense because of Ho Yeon-nam’s scream.

“Argh!”

Ho Yeon-nam, who had screamed, twisted his body and turned to the left.

It was the latter of the two cases Byeok Ri-dan had taught her. The case where he knew there was a critical weakness in the technique.

When teaching the two cases, Byeok Ri-dan had said,

“If he knows there’s a fatal flaw, it’s even worse. Because he taught it knowing that.”

Swish!

Her body surged forward, thrusting her sword towards Ho Yeon-nam.

An even more urgent and louder scream than before erupted.

“Ugh!”

At the same time, her sword slashed Ho Yeon-nam’s shoulder.

Splash!

Blood spurted from his shoulder.

Song Hwa-rin withdrew her sword and stepped back. She realized that she had defeated her master. Of course, if her master had used the Ho Yeon Clan’s exclusive martial arts, she would never have won, but at least she had won with the martial arts she had learned.

Ho Yeon-nam was staring at her with a blank expression.

“How is this possible?”

Song Hwa-rin spoke calmly.

“I’m returning the martial arts you taught me, ending with today. I will never use this martial art again in the future.”

“What?”

“I won’t try to forget what happened that day either. Meeting a master who couldn’t control his lust at the age of twenty. I’ll record it like that in my life.”

Ho Yeon-nam’s face twisted unpleasantly.

If she had cursed or resented him, he wouldn’t have felt this bad.

Song Hwa-rin bowed politely and turned around. At that moment, she felt as if something that had been stuck in her chest for a long time suddenly cleared.

Byeok Ri-dan was standing behind her, smiling.

“Well done.”

At my single phrase, she looked as if she could fly. She had brilliantly won her own battle. This fight today will make her grow and become stronger.

“Let’s go.”

She nodded and walked with me.

From behind, Ho Yeon-nam’s shout was heard.

“Aaaaaargh!”

It was a scream of uncontrollable anger.

Feeling the threat as if he might rush at them from behind at any moment, she hesitated and stopped in her tracks.

I said to her,

“Don’t look back. As you live your life from now on, don’t look back at things that aren’t worth looking back at. It’s hard enough to live just looking forward in this world.”

I took the first step, and she followed with a smile.

We left that place together.

Is this the end, you ask?

Of course not. This much is her revenge.

My retribution starts now.

And it had already begun a little while ago.