Chapter 222
**
People die.
That’s the battlefield. What’s currently happening inside the Sado Clan.
But then I heard a piercing shout. Just as I was contemplating whether to charge into the battlefield, a growl that caught everyone’s attention briefly paused the war.
“You damn bastards. Stop fighting.”
Gu Ok-gyeong.
The Master of the Sado Clan stood on the battlefield with a head in hand. The face of a woman, lifeless and devoid of light, peered from beneath the half-removed helmet.
“I am the real Master of Sado Clan. You little punks.”
“……?!”
One by one, swords began to freeze in place. And to prove this, Gu Ok-gyeong shouted once more, channeling her power into her voice.
“Anyone who swings a sword from now on will end up like this neck!”
Her crude words marked the end of the internal strife of the Sado Clan.
But that was precisely why…
It was so like her.
…
The internal conflict of the Sado Clan ceased. And that meant only one thing.
“Please kill me!”
Those who had bowed to the fake were now bowing before the real one. When the war finished, all that remained was the task of distinguishing the guilty.
Gu Ok-gyeong nodded atop the mound of corpses.
“Alright. I’ll kill you.”
“Th-that’s…!”
“Just kidding, you idiots. If I kill all of you, who am I going to torment? I can’t do that. I played a part in this too.”
Master Gu Ok-gyeong handed me Yeong-wol’s corpse as promised. I had never seen a face that lacked light like this before, but I could sense the strong stench of poison hidden under that flesh.
Poison. Almost as if her whole body was filled with toxin while alive. Is this enough to poison the Heavenly Demon? I quickly carved a coffin from nearby wood.
In it, I placed Yeong-wol’s corpse after crafting a wooden headrest.
“Su-ryeon, can you take this to the Ice Cave where Ak-bi’s coffin is?”
“Leave it to me.”
Sapa’s members jumped out and took the coffin away. While following their swift movements, I stood next to Gu Ok-gyeong.
“What’s up? You want me to treat you or something? Don’t worry. I’ll take good care of you. You are my primary doctor, after all?”
“You didn’t mention Jin Baek-cheon?”
“Ah. Jin Baek-cheon? No… couldn’t find him? Looks like he isn’t here. By the way, how about the Lord of Cheonryong?”
The body of the Lord of Cheonryong.
To ensure it would never be used again, I burned it with fire. In the end, only white ash remained.
I buried the remaining ash in the ground. Choosing a suitable rock, I erected a marker too.
“I’ve arranged everything. You won’t need to worry.”
“You’re even controlling the dead? I had only heard about it until now, but seeing it in person is spine-tingling. Look at this, goosebumps.”
“People are watching.”
“So what? Let them watch. Should I give you a kiss?”
“Ok-gyeong. Stop.”
The chuckling Gu Ok-gyeong scanned the bowing figures.
Her lips curled upward. Having regained her composure, she poked at the corpses with her sword.
“Let’s head home for now. I’m tired.”
With that single line, I realized.
The true internal strife of the Sado Clan had completely concluded.
…
The return was swift. Some high-ranking members of the Sado Clan inquired about my existence.
Gu Ok-gyeong simply replied briefly.
“My secret doctor.”
“…….”
There were many things to explain, but I let it slide for now. And finally…
The Sado Clan.
I entered the heart of Sapa.
“How do you like it? There was a reason I referred to it as a solid fortress, you know?”
At her prideful question, I could only nod.
The scale is different. It can’t even compare to when I entered the center of the Cheonryong Association. Sapa was a place where wealth polarization was profoundly established; thus, those who have could only acquire more.
Even in such a place, at the very top.
The title of Master of the Sado Clan is the highest rank in Sapa.
I gazed up at the towering stone walls. As soon as I stepped inside, my eyes blinked at the numerous buildings that unfolded before me.
Each one was luxurious. It was as if to enter here, one had to possess “qualifications.” Not a single small building could be found.
And just how vast was it? No matter how I turned my head, there wasn’t a single shabby building. The basic structure consisted of multiple floors. Moreover, the attire of the people wandering the streets was notably different from the outside.
Everyone was adorned in silken garments with various accessories. The delicious aromas wafting through the streets, and the lack of beggars were the first things to catch my attention.
A city that only housed the wealthy… perhaps that was the case.
Gu Ok-gyeong giggled.
“Look at you, dumbfounded like a country bumpkin. All of this is mine! Want something? Just say it. I’ll buy it all.”
“…Then… just one thing.”
“Huh? You really have something?”
“I missed out on something.”
I glanced over at Heuk Dae-wun. He looked at me with a tired expression as he asked back.
“Still going on about that sword?”
“A promise is a promise, right? It’s my daughter’s sword. I’d like to carry it if possible.”
“Ah, forget it. I’ll get it for you. Since I consumed it, I’ll locate a top-notch craftsman to create the finest sword. Alright? Anything else?”
“Nothing else.”
I shook my head. I wanted only Sua’s sword. I didn’t desire anything beyond that.
“Really? There’s absolutely nothing else?”
“…If I have to think about it…”
I held Su-ryeon, who was still in recovery, in my arms.
“It would be great if Su-ryeon could find a resting place.”
“…Jeok-un…”
Gu Ok-gyeong clicked her tongue at the squirming figure.
“I don’t want to do it anymore.”
“The Master of the Sado Clan seems narrow-minded.”
“Do you really think you can act all bossy because you have backing? Huh? This is my territory, you know?”
“What nonsense is the girl saying? Maybe she bumped her head or something…”
“…I really want to hit you.”
I pushed the growling Gu Ok-gyeong away.
“She’s injured. Take it easy.”
“Jeok-un, the Master of the Sado Clan is bullying me.”
“Me?! What did I do?! Hey! I’m injured too! Can’t you see the blood here?!”
The loud Gu Ok-gyeong swiftly turned her head.
“Ah. Fine. I’m not doing it. Hmph. Whatever. You’re my primary doctor, after all.”
“I’ve never been your primary doctor.”
“Anyway, take a break for now. From now on, I need to act as the Master of the Sado Clan. Dae-wun… is next to me, and the General!”
“Am I the general again?”
“Who else would do it if you don’t?”
General Song Nam-cheon straightened his back.
“Jeok-un, I will guide you. Also, regarding that… though we were once enemies, we are now allies, and I’m much older than you… a bit of respect would be nice…”
“…If you desire it, I could oblige.”
“Uhaha! Sounds good! Thank you!”
A building resembling a grand palace.
Without hesitation, Song Nam-cheon entered and led me to a somewhat secluded room inside the boisterous space.
A grand lodging overflowing with diverse retainers.
“Rest here. If you need anything, feel free to call for anything. You can speak to a passing maid, or even discreetly let this child know. I’ll fetch anything found within the Sado Clan.”
Song Nam-cheon disappeared as well. Probably off to take care of delayed work.
I was satisfied that political involvement was avoided. I called the maid he assigned to me and requested a physician.
“Greetings, honored guest.”
Having likely received prior notice, the bowed physician examined Su-ryeon’s condition.
“Everything is well taken care of. No need to worry. She should recover soon. However, just in case, I will prepare a few medicines.”
The medicine for the still-recovering Su-rye was ready in no time. Whatever I wanted was effortlessly fulfilled; I tentatively accepted everything, overwhelmed by the treatment I had never experienced.
But while my body was here, my mind was elsewhere. The situation had mostly settled, and I could…
I wanted to help the Former Society first. After that, it would be wise to decide.
Whether to pursue the almost nonexistent Jin Baek-cheon.
Or abandon him and return to the Demon Cult.
For now, helping the Former Society to secure their position would be the priority, then properly bidding them farewell would be the first order of business.
But before that…
Let’s wait until Su-ryeon’s condition fully recovers before moving. That was also quite significant.
“Ah.”
I fed Su-ryeon, who opened her mouth like a baby bird, by placing side dishes one by one. I turned to Il-ho, who was quietly standing behind me.
“Il-ho.”
“Yes?”
“Didn’t we promise before? We would eat together.”
“…You remember that.”
Il-ho seemed to smile behind his mask.
As he subtly leaned closer, he sat modestly beside me. We polished off the exquisite delicacies served by the maid.
Gu Ok-gyeong arrived when nighttime had fallen. Dragging her tired body along with several maids, she knocked on my door.
“I’m here to eat. Open up.”
“…Ok-gyeong, please.”
I opened the door. The chuckling Gu Ok-gyeong brushed a hand across her cheek.
“How do I look? All dressed up. Isn’t it stunning?”
“…….”
Indeed…
She was beautiful.
The Master of the Sado Clan. The greatest flower of the Sado Clan. That’s how they say it.
That was not a lie. Back then, even when she didn’t take care of her appearance, it was hard to look directly into her eyes. Now, with ornaments and light makeup added, she was undoubtedly a beauty of unparalleled beauty.
But thankfully, I had built up some resistance. I knew a woman more beautiful than her. Therefore, I could meet her gaze directly.
“You’re pretty.”
“…Ugh. Are you serious? Are you experienced with women or are you inexperienced?”
“I just spoke the truth as I saw it. Stop joking around, Ok-gyeong. I came here to say something.”
“Do we need to have something to say between friends? Don’t be so hurtful or I might cry?”
Entering without hesitation, Gu Ok-gyeong took something out of her sleeve.
A long bottle. I could hear a clinking sound from within.
“Have you ever heard of Baekokju (백옥주)?”
“…No?”
“It’s a supreme liquor. This is something I only drink once a year. So, what do you think? The war is over, and we smashed Yeong-wol’s year…”
Gu Ok-gyeong clicked her tongue sharply.
“One drink?”
“…Hahaha.”
I couldn’t help but laugh.
A carefree attitude suited her so well.
That woman was truly Gu Ok-gyeong.
“Alright. Let’s have a drink.”
“Does the girl want to join?”
“What would an injured person be doing drinking?”
“Just a bit of alcohol is fine…”
“Su-ryeon, no way.”
“…Then can I just be nearby?”
“If there’s a child who isn’t drinking at a drinking party, the atmosphere will tank. Besides, kids need to sleep early, you know?”
“I’m not a child.”
“Yeah, right. Therefore, I’m going to kidnap you. Let’s go, my primary doctor.”
Gu Ok-gyeong grabbed my hand and pulled me along.
Her eyes sparkled like stars.
“I know a place no one knows about. I’ll show it only to you. Even Dae-wun doesn’t know this place! The taste of alcohol there is to die for. Come on! Let’s go! No refusals!”
