HDCLSSRS Ch 71

Chapter 71 – Ilgwang’s Plot (1)

The situation was not looking good. With internal affairs already in disarray, it was clear that the actions of the Hanam Branch members would soon bring about even greater chaos.

Before that, the Seventh Young Master had to be moved to a safe place.

Ilgwang quietly approached the bed where Seong Muyeon was sleeping. He was lying on his side, facing the wall. Judging by the steady rise and fall of the blanket, he seemed to be in a deep sleep.

Just as Ilgwang reached out toward him, he suddenly felt something off. The shape lying under the blanket…

‘Why is it so big?’

At that moment, the person lying on his side turned around with a twist. Baek Ryeoil yawned loudly as he scratched his belly.

“What the— I was just about to fall asleep.”

“…This was supposed to be Seventh Young Master’s room.”

Ilgwang’s expression darkened.

“I switched rooms. Got a problem with that?”

This was a disaster. The plan to sneak Seong Muyeon away while Baek Ryeoil was asleep had completely fallen apart.

Baek Ryeoil’s eyes glowed in the darkness.

“But why are you looking for Seong Muyeon? At this late hour? Sneaking in without a word?”

“…That’s none of your business.”

Ilgwang turned to leave. The moment he stepped into the corridor—

“Ha, this little bastard.”

Thud!

In a flash, Ilgwang had dropped to one knee on the wooden floor, blocking Baek Ryeoil’s legs with both arms crossed.

Crack.

His knee sank into the floorboards.

“A brat like you isn’t even worth a handful. Who do you think you’re messing with? What’s your purpose, huh? What petty scheme brought you crawling into Seong Muyeon’s room?”

“…Tch.”

Ilgwang clenched his teeth. Though the difference in martial strength was considerable, his fierce gaze met Baek Ryeoil’s without faltering.

“You really want to die, huh? Fine. Just as you wish—”

Just as Baek Ryeoil’s face began to show a murderous glint, the door to the next room opened, and Seong Muyeon stepped out, rubbing his eyes in sleepwear.

“What’s with all the noise?”

His face turned to horror upon seeing the scene in front of him.

“What the hell is going on here?!”

He yelled loudly. The sudden commotion drew out the inn’s other guests one by one into the corridor.

“The floor’s completely destroyed! Master Baek! Ilgwang! Why are you two fighting in the middle of the night?!”

“Gasp! My precious floor!”

Before long, the innkeeper came running in pajamas, and upon seeing the gaping hole in the floor, gasped in shock. It didn’t take long for him to find the culprits who had damaged his valuable property.

“You two! Did you do this, honored warriors?!”

“Uh, well…”

“…”

Baek Ryeoil sheepishly retracted his leg. Ilgwang stood up, brushing off his clothes, but didn’t avert the intense glare he directed at Baek Ryeoil. Baek Ryeoil too twisted his face into a scowl and glared back.

“What do you think you’re doing?! Still haven’t come to your senses, huh?”

“I mean, that bastard started it—”

“Can’t even lower your eyes?!”

With a sharp rebuke, Seong Muyeon bowed his head to the surrounding people.

“Oh dear, I’m terribly sorry. You must’ve been so startled. They’re not bad people, just immature. We’ll fully compensate for the damage. I apologize. Truly.”

As he repeatedly apologized, the angry innkeeper reluctantly nodded.

“Please be careful from now on… For now, let’s all return to our rooms and rest. Yes, yes, sorry for the disturbance. As an apology, tomorrow’s breakfast will be on the house.”

He pacified the guests and ushered them back inside, then returned to his own quarters.

In an instant, only three people remained in the corridor.

“Like children, always fighting at the drop of a hat. Ugh, I’ll be dead before my time at this rate.”

Seong Muyeon muttered.

“I mean, he started—”

“Enough, if either of you steps out of your room before morning, you’ll regret it!”

Ilgwang obediently went inside, but Baek Ryeoil was the problem. Seong Muyeon had to use all his strength to shove him inside as he clung to the door frame, refusing to enter.

“Wait! Just hear me out!”

“What is it.”

“Don’t trust that guy.”

Baek Ryeoil’s voice reached Seong Muyeon’s ears in a low whisper. He had used voice transmission. Seong Muyeon widened his eyes.

“What are you—”

Baek Ryeoil could use voice transmission so others couldn’t hear him, but Seong Muyeon couldn’t, so he trailed off. Once again, Baek Ryeoil’s voice entered his ear via transmission.

“I saw him sneaking into your room in the middle of the night.”

“…Sounds like someone else I know does the same thing.”

“That’s not it! He came looking for you. I don’t know what his intentions are, but don’t let your guard down.”

“…”

Surely not…

With Baek Ryeoil wide awake, what could Ilgwang possibly do? But Seong Muyeon nodded for the time being.

After shoving the now silent Baek Ryeoil into his room, the inn finally returned to its peaceful night once again.

 

On the way back, Seong Muyeon kept a close eye on Ilgwang but arrived at Shaolin without incident. Ilgwang and the Black Shadow Corps chose not to enter Shaolin and instead stayed nearby. Since they belonged to a demonic sect, stepping foot into Shaolin—a place regarded as one of the most orthodox sects—would have been unwise.

They headed straight to the hermitage where Ma Jincheon was staying.

Ma Jincheon, who had been reclining on a bed, lit up at the sight of the two men entering. Though his face was still pale from lingering injuries, he looked far better than before.

“Master, are you all right?”

“Ryeoil, help me up.”

With Baek Ryeoil’s support, Ma Jincheon got off the bed and gave Seong Muyeon a deep bow.

“I heard it was the young lord who saved my life. Thanks to you, I survived.”

At the same time, he jabbed Baek Ryeoil in the side.

“Your master is bowing, and the disciple dares to stand stiff-necked? What kind of insolent manners is that? Bow!”

“Tch.”

Baek Ryeoil scowled and quickly bent his back—then just as quickly straightened it again in a flash, so fast it left an afterimage.

Seong Muyeon, now coming to his senses, hurriedly tried to help Ma Jincheon stand upright.

“Please don’t do this, Master Ma. You mustn’t bow like that.”

Ma Jincheon continued speaking with a gentle smile.

“From now on, I will serve you as my benefactor.”

B-Benefactor?!

“To be honest, I misjudged you until now. Through you, I’ve come to see that even the Demonic Sect retains its sense of righteousness.”

“Th-That’s really not the case. Please don’t think of me like that. Truly. I’m not that kind of virtuous person…”

Seong Muyeon was at a loss. Was it even remotely fitting for someone like him to be called righteous? And now, even the Demonic Sect’s reputation had been elevated because of him? It was absurd.

Ma Jincheon bowed once more.

“Regardless, it is an undeniable fact that you saved my life. I will never forget this grace. Please forgive me for not recognizing you sooner.”

“Ugh…”

Seong Muyeon’s face flushed bright red.

Having overexerted himself, Ma Jincheon quickly turned pale and had to lie back down. He was still a severely injured patient and shouldn’t have been up at all. If not for that, he might have praised Seong Muyeon all day.

Baek Ryeoil, watching the two with a strange expression, soon turned and left without a word.

“T-That heartless kid.”

“Don’t be too harsh. You have no idea how worried Master Baek was.”

At Seong Muyeon’s words, Ma Jincheon let out a deep sigh.

“I know. That’s exactly why I’m worried. This may be an unreasonable request for a benefactor, but could I ask you to keep an eye on him? I’m worried he’ll cause trouble again.”

“How could you say such a thing? Of course, I will. Please don’t worry, Master Ma. Just focus on your recovery.”

Ma Jincheon thanked him again and soon fell asleep as if fainting. It was normal for him to frequently fall asleep while recovering.

He, too, was worried about Baek Ryeoil.

‘He’s definitely going to stir up trouble. No doubt about it.’

As Seong Muyeon hurried outside, two people approached him—Paeng Wongeum and Paeng Dohwan, the brothers.

“Young Lord Seong Muyeon, you must be returning from visiting Master Ma Jincheon.”

“Ah, yes.”

“How are you feeling? We heard you took the poison instead of Master Ma Jincheon. It shocked us. What made you decide to do such a thing? It’s truly admirable.”

Paeng Wongeum looked at him in wonder, his face full of warmth. Once again, Seong Muyeon’s face flushed bright red.

“I-It wasn’t a big deal…”

“Not a big deal? That couldn’t have been easy. We were deeply moved. It’s something we should all strive to emulate.”

Paeng Dohwan nodded and grinned, then clapped Seong Muyeon on the back.

“Haha! I see you in a new light, young lord! Risking your life to save Senior Ma—most experts wouldn’t dare attempt such a thing!”

“Ugh!”

Seong Muyeon staggered. The spot Paeng Dohwan had slapped ached sharply. Without a doubt, there would be a large handprint on his back.

Eventually, Paeng Dohwan threw an arm around Seong Muyeon’s neck.

“Don’t act so delicate! Hahahaha!”

“Let me go!”

Alarmed by his younger brother’s overly informal behavior, Paeng1 Wongeum stepped in to restrain him.

“Dohwan, that’s enough. Can’t you see the young lord is uncomfortable?”