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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
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The raucous music assaulted my ears.
I hurried after the Heavenly Demon, who was striding ahead.
The sight of people lined up on either side of the path, cheering and chanting, was unsettling.
Imagine, complete strangers greeting you with wide, enthusiastic smiles.
Their excessive friendliness made my stomach churn.
Oblivious to my discomfort, the Heavenly Demon reached the head table in the banquet hall, plopped down, and patted the seat next to her.
“What are you waiting for? Sit.”
“…Yes.”
I sat beside her, ignoring the stares, and she laughed heartily.
“Alright, everyone, take your seats.”
As soon as she spoke, the Black Heaven Cult members moved in unison and sat down.
They seemed to have designated seats.
Once the commotion died down, attendants approached our table and poured us wine.
A clear liquid gurgled from the slender bottle and filled my cup. I stared blankly, unable to look away.
The attendant bowed and left.
*Nudge*
I turned to the sensation of an elbow in my side.
“Now, give a toast.”
The Heavenly Demon, already holding her cup, prompted me.
“A toast?”
What toast?
“Yes, a toast. This banquet is in your honor. As the guest of honor, you should give the toast.”
“But I wasn’t prepared…”
I looked around nervously, but everyone was staring at me expectantly.
“Ha… sigh… damn it.”
There was no escaping the spotlight.
I stood up, raised my cup, and mumbled, my voice barely above a whisper.
“Cheers…”
“Cheers!”
A chorus of voices echoed my words.
Laughter erupted, and the music grew louder.
The sounds reverberated through the hall.
“Where did you learn such a strange toast? Hahahaha!”
“B-be quiet!”
My ears burned as I sank back into my seat. The Heavenly Demon let out a soft chuckle at my act.
And so, the banquet began.
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My embarrassment seemed to matter little as the banquet continued in a lively and boisterous atmosphere.
The Cult’s senior members were seated at individual tables, served a variety of dishes, and their plates were constantly replenished.
“…”
The Heavenly Demon had initially kept an eye on me, but after a few drinks, she started chatting with what seemed to be her inner circle, completely forgetting about me.
I sat there like a spare part, sipping my wine and picking at the dishes.
“Spicy.”
I muttered as a sharp, burning sensation spread through my mouth.
“The food… is spicy?”
Why did the atmosphere suddenly become so heavy?
The Heavenly Demon’s chilling voice snapped me out of my mild stupor.
I turned to see her grinding her teeth.
Her fists were clenched and trembling, as if she’d been deeply insulted.
Her fury was palpable, and everyone in the hall felt it.
Silence fell, just like before my toast.
“Shadow Demon, I specifically told you to relay the message.”
The interrogation began.
“I apologize. I did inform them that the Young Cult Leader cannot handle spicy food, but…”
Shadow Demon, who had been drinking moments ago, was now kneeling with her head bowed low.
“Is that so? Head Administrator. Did you hear what Shadow Demon said?”
“I did. I relayed the message to the head chef, but it was my oversight not to confirm it was followed.”
“I see. So the fault lies with the head chef, who failed to carry out the instructions despite being informed. Bring him here.”
How did a banquet turn into an execution?
The head chef was dragged in by Cult members, their eyes glinting menacingly.
They seemed to be thinking, ‘How dare you serve spicy food to the Young Cult Leader!’
Ten steps from the Heavenly Demon’s seat, the head chef was forced to prostrate himself.
He begged for mercy and blamed his ignorance.
But the Heavenly Demon was unmoved.
“You must have thought little of me to prepare such trash.”
“No, Cult Leader. I merely forgot.”
“Forgot? For-got?”
Her eyes widened, and she slammed her hand on the table, shattering it and sending food flying.
“Then would it be alright if I forgot to spare your eyes and arms?”
“M-mercy…”
The chef’s trembling pleas made my chest tighten.
Because of me?
Because of something I said, a man’s life was on the line?
Over some spicy food?
I picked up my chopsticks and shoved the meat dish into my mouth.
The clattering sound drew the Heavenly Demon’s attention.
“What are you doing?”
I didn’t answer. I stuffed my mouth full of food and chewed vigorously.
I swallowed the lump of meat, the spiciness stinging my nose.
Fighting back tears, I said brightly,
“I thought it was spicy at first, but I was mistaken.”
I handed the empty plate to the prostrate chef.
“It was delicious, Head Chef. Could I have another serving?”
It was a gamble, acting like a spoiled child in front of the Heavenly Demon.
I was betting she’d indulge me.
Putting it into action was another matter entirely.
I prayed my racing heart wouldn’t betray me and maintained a cheerful facade.
“Ha… how disappointing. Head Chef.”
“Yes, Cult Leader!”
“Bring another serving of that dish for the Young Cult Leader. Make it less spicy.”
“U-understood.”
“And be more careful next time. There won’t be a second chance.”
“Thank you! Thank you!”
I breathed a sigh of relief as the chef scurried away.
“Now, let’s resume the banquet. Raise your glasses.”
Another toast, and the banquet returned to its previous boisterous atmosphere.
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Martial Alliance.
Namgung So-yeon, who was flung to the ground by the Heavenly Demon’s kick, arrived at the Martial Alliance with the help of her comrades.
A dark cloud hung over her usually cheerful face.
She was humiliated by her utter defeat at the hands of the Heavenly Demon, someone she believed she could fight on equal footing.
“We… we were evenly matched last time…”
In their previous encounter, they had been equals.
She had even gained the upper hand for a brief moment.
How could this happen?
She was bewildered.
She had been too slow to react when the Heavenly Demon tore off the man’s arm and beheaded him.
Even her attempt to strike as the Heavenly Demon flew away with In-ho had been easily countered.
Had the Heavenly Demon’s skills improved so drastically in such a short time?
It was an absurd notion.
From the beginning.
“From the beginning… she was toying with me? I didn’t even sense her true strength?”
The more skilled a martial artist, the harder it is to conceal their true power.
The smaller the difference in skill, the easier it is to perceive.
But the Heavenly Demon had masked her strength so completely that even Namgung So-yeon, a master in her own right, had been fooled.
The fact that she hadn’t noticed meant the gap between them was vast, like the difference between heaven and earth.
“Impossible…!”
The rare sting of defeat gnawed at her.
She had lost sparring matches before, but this was her first true defeat in combat.
She, who had been praised as a once-in-a-century martial arts prodigy, couldn’t accept this humiliation.
“Quickly! Bring me the elixir!”
“Calm down, Lightning Sword. Geum-kwon’s death is tragic, but acting on your emotions won’t help!”
Her comrade’s words failed to reach her.
She gritted her teeth and burned with a desire for revenge.
“That despicable Heavenly Demon! Mocking me, killing Geum-kwon, taking Kang In-ho! I swear I’ll cut her down! I’ll cut her down!”
Even if it meant resorting to forbidden techniques.
She roared her vow.
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This is where it all began.