HDCLSSRS Ch 3

Chapter 3 I Need to Get Out of Here. (3)

 

“…….”

Suddenly, he realized that he was completely drenched in blood and yet felt nothing about it. Even near his feet, gruesome pieces of corpses were strewn about.

Goosebumps suddenly prickled along his forearms.

Before regaining memories of his past life, he too had looked upon such brutal scenes without much thought. Like it or not, such things were part of everyday life in the Demonic Cult.

‘Which is exactly why the Demonic Cult is unacceptable.’

It was a twisted place where the abnormal became the norm. The fact that he was desensitized to human life unsettled even himself.

“Young Master.”

Ilgwang’s form of address for him had returned.

“Did you enjoy the show?”

Ilgwang looked tired. He spoke while keeping his eyes fixed on the backs of the three departing family members.

“If they manage to escape, they might spread word about the Heukyeongdan. For safety’s sake, they should be eliminated.”

Just as Ilgwang gave the order and the Heukyeongdan was about to kick off the ground in unison—

“Wait!”

Seong Muyeon cried out in alarm.

“What are you saying, Ilgwang! Don’t you know why I stepped in to begin with?”

Seong Muyeon took out a clean handkerchief from his sleeve and wiped his face and hands. His annoyance made his hands slip repeatedly.

‘These damn Demonic Cult bastards. They don’t know moderation, not even the basics.’

“I went out of my way to save them and now you’re saying we should kill them? I honestly want to crack open your skull and see what’s wrong inside. If we do that, everything I did would’ve been for nothing.”

“But no one can know that Young Master is currently in the Central Plains.”

“Who would even believe what those people say?”

“Young Master!”

“Ah, enough. We’ll just go somewhere else. Don’t worry about it. Let’s leave first thing tomorrow.”

Ilgwang lowered his head and said nothing further. The Heukyeongdan also retreated and disappeared into the shadows.

“We’ll need to wash up right away when we get back. This blood is making me feel gross.”

Seong Muyeon deliberately grumbled as he urged him on. Fortunately, Ilgwang gave up on pursuing the family and quietly followed.

He gave Ilgwang a sideways glance, shaking his head in dissatisfaction.

No matter what, he didn’t like it. The Demonic Cult was a place that held no regard for human life. He had grown up there too, so he hadn’t thought anything of it. But after recovering his memories from his previous life, he could no longer accept such things.

“Let’s get back. I’m tired from walking.”

They left the place behind as if nothing had happened, stepping over the mutilated corpses.

Only the abandoned cart and the bodies of the dead thugs remained as proof of what had occurred.

And Seong Muyeon didn’t know. Neither Ilgwang nor anyone in the Heukyeongdan noticed either.

That a pair of eyes was watching them from afar.

That meaningful gaze followed the back of the departing Seong Muyeon.

The next day, the carriage carrying Seong Muyeon departed from the city.

“Oof, my back…”

As he let himself be rocked around inside the carriage all day, he couldn’t help but groan.

“Young Master, shall we take a break?”

Ilgwang swiftly approached and asked through the window. Seong Muyeon waved his hand.

“No, it’s fine. We need to reach Seongdo by tonight if we want to sleep comfortably at an inn.”

“That’s true. Then please endure just a bit more.”

Ilgwang moved away again and Seong Muyeon sank deep into his seat.

‘That ghostlike guy.’

Ilgwang was a highly regarded expert even within the cult. Why such a man volunteered to serve as his escort was a mystery, but shaking him off would not be easy.

On top of that, the Heukyeongdan—some eight or so of them—were secretly spread around nearby. The problem was, he had no way of figuring out their exact number or locations.

Ilgwang rarely left his side. That was a misfortune for Seong Muyeon. It was basically 24-hour close-quarters security with no openings.

But soon, a heaven-sent opportunity arrived.

The carriage that had been steadily rolling along came to a stop in a city.

“This is the most renowned inn in town. They say the Sichuan-style food here is exquisite. Let’s stay the night here.”

“All right.”

Seong Muyeon promptly got off the carriage. Standing on solid ground again filled him with relief.

“Welcome! There’s a great spot upstairs. I’ll take you there.”

The inn was lavish from the exterior alone. It was dinnertime, so the first floor was bustling with guests.

Drawn by the waiter’s friendly attitude, Seong Muyeon followed him up to the third floor.

Normally, he would have avoided crowded places and asked for food to be brought to his room. But today, he oddly found the lively atmosphere enjoyable and didn’t want to go into a room. Besides, there were no other guests on the third floor, which was reassuring.

“You came at the perfect time. The sunset view from here is absolutely stunning! One of our establishment’s prides.”

Just as the waiter said, the ambiance was charming. When he sat at a round table near the window, he could see a broad lake spreading out below. At the lake’s edge, large willows swayed gently, their leaves brushing the water’s surface.

Ilgwang ordered the food. Soon, the waiter returned with a steaming cup.

“The food will take a little while, so I brought something for you to refresh your palate.”

He took a whiff—it was an incredibly strong liquor.

“Our Young Master doesn’t drink. Take it away.”

“Ah, yes! Understood. I’ll bring some tea instead.”

As the waiter was about to retrieve the cup, someone snatched it away.

“Ahh!”

A man who had suddenly appeared downed the strong liquor in one gulp, then slammed the cup down with a thud.

“Good drink.”

Ilgwang’s face hardened.

“……What do you think you’re doing.”

He spoke in a warning tone, but the man paid him no mind and emptied another cup.

“No need to be so uptight. It would’ve been tossed anyway, so what’s the harm in someone drinking it?”

“How rude…!”

“Ilgwang, enough.”

Seong Muyeon stopped him, then politely addressed the man.

“I won’t make an issue of you drinking my liquor. That seat over there looks nice too. Waiter, please show him to a table.”

“Yes, right this way.”

The dazed waiter came to his senses and bowed to the man.

“Hmph, unlike your strict guard, Young Master, you’re quite generous.”

But instead of following the waiter, the man plopped down in the seat opposite Seong Muyeon.

“Since fate has brought us together, let’s exchange names.”

The man spoke with an affable smile. It was an undeniably attractive smile that would make anyone’s heart flutter—but it only irritated Seong Muyeon.

He had absolutely no desire to make idle chit-chat with a stranger.

“I plan to leave as soon as I finish eating. I’m tired from traveling. I wouldn’t be good company, so please find someone else.”

It was a roundabout way of saying, “Get lost.” But whether the man was oblivious or doing it on purpose, he propped his chin on the table and watched him with interest.

“No need to be so stiff. Eating alone is boring, isn’t it?”

“I’m not bored.”

“You will be.”

“No, I won’t.”

Was there even a single sane person in this so-called martial world?

Seong Muyeon was irritated, but he forced a smile. The man seemed a few years older than him—how could he be rude to him? The Confucian teachings etched into his mind couldn’t be ignored.

“If you’re so eager for conversation, why not find a travel companion instead?”

“I’d like to, but I just wander around as I please.”

The man leaned back comfortably in his chair and propped one leg up on the other. He then casually peeled some peanuts and tossed them into his mouth.

“What exactly do you want to talk about?”

“I’m just curious what a nobleman is doing here with a stiff guard instead of having fun.”

He gestured with his chin toward Ilgwang standing behind him. Now that he looked, Ilgwang was shooting him a silent glare with a serious expression.

Apparently, as a bodyguard, he didn’t like his charge dining with a stranger.

‘So uptight.’

Seong Muyeon noticed the signal but deliberately turned his head away.

“I’m traveling for my health.”

He even went out of his way to answer the man’s question kindly.

It was a perfect opportunity to get back at Ilgwang, who always interfered in everything. Just as he expected, Ilgwang’s face grew even more grim. It was quite satisfying.

“For your health? Sounds like you’re not in good shape. Hey, waiter! One bamboo-leaf liquor over here!”

“Y-Yes! Coming right up!”

The man settled in completely and drank his liquor. Now that he looked closer, the man had long limbs and a striking appearance. His long hair was tied back in a single knot, and whenever he tilted his head, his thick locks cascaded over his shoulder.

Seong Muyeon gloomily looked at his own thin arms and legs. If not for his illness, he could’ve trained hard and had a body like that too.

“So, nobleman. You really can’t drink?”

“Yes. Perhaps because my health is poor, my body can’t handle it.”

The man clicked his tongue.

“What a shame. Can’t enjoy something this good? Though a fine drink can be medicinal, too.”

“It can’t be helped.”

Soon, the table was filled with dishes. As they ate, Seong Muyeon ended up chatting with the man about various things, and to his surprise, the man turned out to be an excellent conversationalist. His remarkable speaking skills kept the conversation engaging and far from boring.

“So… your father has no interest in you, and you’ve basically been abandoned by your family.”

Seong Muyeon gave an awkward laugh.

‘Somehow I ended up talking about everything.’

It was no wonder—he hadn’t had anyone to talk to. Who could he talk to—emotionless Ilgwang, like a wooden post? Or the invisible Heukyeongdan?

Still, he’d glossed over the fact that the father who abandoned him was the Demonic Cult Leader, and kept the details vague enough to pass off as a common family story.