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Chapter 8: In the Midst of Storm

“I need to find something.”

I had to find it.

Something I could believe in and follow as a conviction.

Something that would hold me steady amidst the constant turmoil.

“Gu Gongja?”

Was it because I had been silent in the middle of our conversation?

Moyong Hi-ah called my name.

“I’m sorry, I was lost in thought for a moment. So, what happened?”

“What happened, you ask? I’ve sorted out everything related to the Tang Clan.”

There was a sigh mixed in her voice.

Judging by the exhaustion plastered on her face, it seemed like Moyong Hi-ah hadn’t had a proper night’s sleep since things blew up.

She sorted out the matters with the Tang Clan.

That meant…

“Are you saying you’ve finalized the deal?”

I was probing whether she had severed ties with the Tang Clan regarding our agreement and other matters.

Normally, breaking such a pact at any time would be unacceptable.

“Considering the circumstances, however.”

If things had escalated this far, they wouldn’t complain if we cut off our relations.

Even if Moyong Clan unilaterally ended the deal, it wouldn’t pose a problem.

But…

“I haven’t completely cut ties. If I had, I wouldn’t be so busy.”

Moyong Hi-ah quickly dismissed that idea.

“Really, I just had to change a few conditions and revise the ratios…”

Ah.

So that’s why she was busy.

Her words indicated that she was completely overhauling the binding agreements.

‘…Wow, she’s quite impressive.’

Hearing that made me view Moyong Hi-ah in a new light.

I had known she had talent, but the reason for my surprise was—

‘Her standing seems much higher than I initially thought.’

The power she wielded in the clan was greater than I had anticipated.

Reacting quickly to situations with such abilities was fine and dandy.

But what I found remarkable was that she could make adjustments without the permission of the clan leader, Baek Cheon-gyeomju.

Of course, confirming it and sealing the deal would still be his job.

‘The very fact that she did it without hesitation indicates that she must be allowed to.’

It suggested that Moyong Hi-ah had enough confidence that the clan leader would accept it.

Noticing my gaze filled with meaning, she tilted her head and asked.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I just think you’re exceptional.”

“…Huh?”

She looked at me as if I had just spouted nonsense.

I was genuinely impressed, yet felt like I went overboard.

Amidst that, a question arose, and I had to inquire further.

“By the way, why didn’t you sever all ties but just adjust things?”

When news of the Tang Clan’s incident spread throughout the Central Plains, the Moyong Clan would surely be affected as well.

She would know that better than I would, yet she seemed to have just restructured rather than cut off ties with them.

At my question, Moyong Hi-ah slightly looked away and said.

“Honestly, I wanted to cut ties.”

“Hmm.”

“The ship I was on is on fire. I can’t stay on board with it, can I?”

I understood. It was indeed a plausible situation.

“But…”

“But?”

“I don’t think people can live solely by calculation.”

I couldn’t help but be slightly surprised by her words.

Among the people I knew, she was the one I considered the most calculating, so hearing such a statement was a shock.

“What was that expression just now…?”

“It’s the expression of someone who just heard the most surprising thing this year.”

“What do you mean?”

“I was joking.”

Though it wasn’t really a joke, I quickly changed my words upon seeing her squinting eyes.

‘…That Moyong Hi-ah, huh.’

The woman who was coldly abandoning those who were disposable in the Demonic Gate for the sake of survival.

The fact that she managed the situation this way because of personal reasons felt oddly new to me.

“Who were you thinking about… it’s really absurd.”

“What do you mean?”

“Nothing at all.”

Hmph.

Moyong Hi-ah snorted and wrinkled her brow.

“Anyway, given the situation, Gu Gongja should prepare as well.”

“What do you mean?”

“With the Tang Clan in such disarray, doesn’t the Gu Clan need to take some action?”

“…Well, they probably will, but I doubt I’ll be the one doing anything.”

If anything, my father or the elders would be in charge.

Maybe Gu Huibi could step in, but…

‘What could I possibly do?’

It wasn’t about whether I could do something; I just didn’t intend to get involved.

At least, not for now.

“You seem to have no interest in family affairs,” she remarked.

As embarrassing as it was, she was right.

I didn’t have a particular interest in the matter.

My focus was solely on the Blood Calamity.

The moment I showed disinterest, Moyong Hi-ah’s expression shifted slightly.

“…Then, if you get married later, won’t that lead to more work? Shouldn’t you study in advance?”

“What?”

“Just saying, if you don’t have any plans, it can’t be helped. I have a lot of work, so I’ll take my leave first.”

“No… hey, what did you just say…?”

“If you’re not busy, could you keep an eye on Lady Tang? She looks like she’s having a hard time.”

Ignoring my question, Moyong Hi-ah tossed out her words and promptly disappeared.

“…What was that?”

After sending her off, I fidgeted with my lips.

“Hmmm….”

Left alone, her request to watch over Tang Soyeol echoed in my ears.

Gone was her usual smile, replaced by the dark expression of Tang Soyeol.

The day I approached her regarding the gem.

She had firmly declined, saying to me:

– I can overcome this.

She was aware of her inferiority complex and believed wholeheartedly that she could overcome it.

Seeing that resolve, I had decided to give up on using the gem on her.

One.

‘Still, just leaving it be feels wrong.’

Back then, it was when Tang Soyeol was unaware of the turmoil.

Now, things might have shifted significantly.

But to use that gem on her now?

‘No way.’

I couldn’t just push that on my end.

Tang Soyeol, who had spoken of her own strength, was shining bright.

I had no intention of dimming that light.

So, should I at least offer her some support?

‘No, that’s not right either.’

Given my personality, I couldn’t offer such comfort, and what she needed right now wasn’t that.

She needed a path.

With trust in herself, she required a way to finish this journey more smoothly.

Even without Moyong Hi-ah’s words, I had already considered this.

Whether it was right or wrong remained uncertain.

But in the end, the choice would lie with Tang Soyeol.

I would simply show her the path I believed to be right, step by step.

Taking a few deep breaths, I quietly gazed into the void.

“Senior…”

“Yes.”

A whisper so small was met with an immediate response.

The reply came from behind me.

Turning my head, I found the King of Demons kneeling there.

‘I didn’t even notice him.’

Though I had called out, I hadn’t sensed the King’s presence.

I thought he would merely be nearby. Fortunately, he was indeed there.

I opened my mouth to speak to him.

“I have something I couldn’t finish discussing last time.”

“Yes.”

“I’m ready to listen.”

“…”

At my statement, the King of Demons’ eyes brightened.

“I don’t know how to lift the curse… but the latter is something I can certainly help with. I’m ready to listen to whatever you need.”

To fulfil a wish to end one’s life.

I could easily accommodate that request. Right away, even.

The issue was…

“But not right now. I need you for myself.”

Right now, it wasn’t possible.

“It won’t take long… but after my desired tasks are completed, I believe I can grant your request.”

“…”

“Would that be acceptable for you? If you disagree, then there’s nothing I can do.”

If he said no, it would imply he’d be rejecting my offer. My words were heavily laced with threat.

Hearing this, the King of Demons showed no notable change in expression.

He must have known already.

‘That I need to utilize you.’

He couldn’t possibly be ignorant of his value, and it appeared he was well aware that he had pleaded with me for assistance.

“What do you wish for, oh great being?”

As expected, the King of Demons sought to accept my words without any concern.

Perhaps he was resigned to the situation.

“First, I’d like to change how you address that fellow… but that’s secondary.”

I looked into the eyes of the King of Demons and asked.

“How far would you go for me?”

For me, and moreover, for what he desired, how far was he willing to go?

I asked that of him.

And the King of Demons replied straightforwardly.

“I can do anything within my capabilities.”

His words were firm.

In fact, it was I who felt taken aback by his declaration.

“Anything…?”

“If there’s someone you wish to kill, I shall bring you their head. No matter who it may be.”

“Wow….”

I couldn’t help but marvel at that.

Being the greatest assassin, his words carried immense reliability.

There was a slight downside, however.

‘Is assassination the only thing I can ask for?’

In reality, it felt a bit awkward to ask him for that.

Requesting the head of the Heavenly Demon or the Blood Demon would create too many problems.

‘Then again, that wasn’t my original intention anyway.’

If the King of Demons was willing, moving the Night Assassins would be entirely feasible.

His allegiance to me would equate to acquiring the Night Assassins.

‘In that case, I could swiftly conclude one of my plans.’

I had intended to form a new assassination unit within a few years, but with the King of Demons added to the mix, I could replace that plan with something else.

‘This is looking good.’

Considering the situation, this was extraordinarily favorable.

The need for an assassin was not solely for killing; gathering information was also included.

Being able to command the premier assassination unit of the Central Plains would offer a greater return than expected.

However…

“That sounds good, but what you should prioritize for me comes first.”

What I genuinely wished from him wasn’t precisely that.

While there were plenty I wished to kill,

I preferred doing it with my own hands rather than outsourcing the task.

The targets I had in mind were all…

‘I’d rather have them as demons than simply dead.’

I intended to corrupt them all with Demon energy, hence wouldn’t utilize the King of Demons for that task.

So, what was I supposed to ask of the King of Demons?

My most pressing request was different from anything else.

I envisioned the woman with the teal hair in my mind and called out to the King of Demons.

“Senior.”

The King of Demons lifted his gaze and locked eyes with me.

Looking at him, I said.

“Please accept just one disciple.”

“?”

Upon hearing this, confusion flickered in the King of Demons’ eyes.

The Tang Clan was in turmoil.

A rumor that began quietly creeping into the Tang Clan and, soon, throughout Sichuan was taking shape.

A monumental event had unfolded within the Tang Clan.

Whispers suggested that the Tang Clan, in pursuit of meaningless power, had conducted human experimentation.

That this was orchestrated by the elders of the Tang Clan was a rumor spreading throught the Sichuan region.

Using demon beasts for experiments.

For that purpose, countless humans had perished, all allegedly snatched away by the Tang Clan in secret.

On top of that inhumane act, they had gone so far as to attempt abduction.

The Demonic Faction.

A shocking action traditionally attributed to the bloodthirsty fiends in the fringes was said to have been committed by a faction of righteousness.

Of course, it was all mere rumor for now.

No one believed it completely even if rumors proliferated, as no more than half would accept it as truth.

Yet, everyone within the Tang Clan was aware.

They knew it wasn’t just a rumor.

As night fell and the moon began to illuminate the sky, Tang Soyeol found herself meeting with her elder brother, Tang Juyeok.

“What do we do…?”

“What do you mean?”

At her words, Tang Juyeok, the Lesser Clan Leader of the Tang Clan, tilted his head in confusion.

He appeared unusually calm.

But that reaction caused Tang Soyeol’s eyes to redden.

“You know… brother.”

“Hmm…”

Seeing her pitiful reaction, Tang Juyeok sighed.

‘It’s been exposed.’

He had hoped to keep the incident in the family hidden from Tang Soyeol.

But it seemed someone had let the cat out of the bag.

Or perhaps, the rumors had grown so loud that she had picked up on them.

“I doubt anyone would believe me if I denied it.”

“I will believe you. But later, when I find out the truth, I’ll resent you for it.”

“Hmm.”

Watching Tang Soyeol, who was trying her best not to weep, Tang Juyeok’s eyes sparkled.

If it had been in the past, she might have pouted and whined.

But now, Tang Soyeol was not like that.

‘Has she grown up?’

If so, it was somewhat disappointing.

Tang Juyeok had somewhat enjoyed the youthful demeanor of his little sister.

‘If she has matured, then the cause is…’

He thought of the young man with a fierce expression who had flitted through his mind, and he couldn’t help but smile.

“Tang Juyeok?”

“I’m sorry. I just got lost in thought for a moment.”

Nostalgia washed over him.

When he first met her, she was merely a member of a noble family.

But now, just a few years later, the little boy who held that image had transformed into something vastly different.

Not only was she affecting his little sister, but the entire Tang Clan.

Tang Juyeok foresaw that in just a little more time…

‘He will have an impact on the entire Central Plains.’

This wasn’t mere speculation; it was certainty.

Otherwise, their father wouldn’t have forewarned him as he had.

– Beware of Gu Gongja.

It was not merely a warning of danger.

In that caution lay an implication to treat him carefully.

It also conveyed that he was someone not to be trifled with.

The Poison King deemed Gu Yangcheong a figure to regard with caution.

Thus, Tang Juyeok was given the same caution as the Lesser Clan Leader.

Of course, even if that warning had not come, Tang Juyeok would have approached Gu Yangcheong with caution.

‘Who knows?’

Right now, there was an incredible presence radiating from Gu Yangcheong.

It felt strange to say he hadn’t always been like that.

Soon, that young man would become the eye of a storm.

Tang Juyeok was aware of a few individuals who could stir up such gusts behind him.

Given their tremendous potential, they often brought about chaos wherever they went.

‘Did I wish to be like that once too?’

Tang Juyeok was all too aware that he could never become such a force.

Even so, he had once created a tempest, only to see many succumb to its chaos.

No, the majority met such a fate.

Objectively speaking, even if he unleashed such a cyclone, he understood that he wouldn’t have the strength to withstand it.

So, what about Gu Yangcheong?

‘What will that friend…’

Thoughts of Gu Yangcheong flitted through Tang Juyeok’s mind as he observed the gusts around him.

It was red.

The storm swirling around Gu Yangcheong was a bright crimson.

He would not only remain in the eye of the storm, but he was destined to color the entire tempest.

The red tempest would grow larger and soon settle into the entire Central Plains.

How soon would that day come?

Tang Juyeok believed it would not take long.

‘That would be fortunate, after all.’

It was a relief that Gu Yangcheong held a favorable view of his sister.

 

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