Chapter 58
After nearly twenty years of seclusion, Tak Joong-hak finally broke his reclusion and returned to activity.
Why, of all days, did he choose today, when the Heavenly Demon’s disciple officially debuted?
It was an open secret among the leadership that the relationship between the Tak Family and the Heavenly Demon had soured completely after the tragic loss of Tak Joong-hak’s daughter years ago.
He had entrusted everything to his nephew, Tak Mu-seong, the young master of the Tak Family, and cut himself off from the world. What exactly compelled him to reemerge? This question lingered on everyone’s minds.
“Does the head of the Wi Family know anything about this?”
Yeo Gong, the head of the Cheonhyeol Yeo Family, inquired with a stern expression.
Wi Lin shook his head.
“There were no signs or indications at all.”
“Still as scheming as ever, that old man. To appear without warning like this. Shouldn’t he at least have notified the other five families?”
“When has Tak Joong-hak ever acknowledged us?”
For a fleeting moment, a sharp, murderous intent flashed in Wi Lin’s glaring eyes.
“As a fellow member of the Six Great Demon Clans, he always looked down on the Yeo and Wi Families.”
“Always boasting about being the master of the demonic sword, the Tak Family.”
“And yet, they too are beneath the Heavenly Demon.”
The appearance of Tak Joong-hak, head of the Tak Family, was undoubtedly going to shake up the Demonic Cult. That much was undeniable.
But his presence also resurfaced the deep-seated inferiority complexes harbored by the Cheonhyeol Yeo Family and the Goru Wi Family.
For generations, the Yeo Family had used the Cheonhyeol Guijong Heart Technique to absorb human vitality and life energy, enhancing their internal strength.
In orthodox sects, this practice was considered sorcery and strictly forbidden. However, the Absorbing Star Technique was emblematic of the Yeo Family’s martial arts.
The Wi Family, on the other hand, pursued martial perfection through the Heavenly Evil Skeleton Technique, which transformed the body into something akin to a Lost Soul while preserving the mind as a Golden Skeleton Demon Spirit Body.
Though this process occasionally led to loss of intellect, the Wi Family did not see it as a major issue.
After all, every martial art carries its risks, and overcoming those risks was the only way to become a true master.
Unlike the Tak Family, who pursued the path of magic, the Yeo and Wi Families were fundamentally incompatible with such a philosophy.
Perhaps that’s why, over time, the Yeo and Wi Families grew closer.
If there was one shared goal, it was to surpass the Tak Family, who had long been revered by demonic practitioners, and elevate the names of the Yeo and Wi Families.
Had their martial arts not been strong, they would never have been included among the Six Great Demon Clans.
This time, they resolved to show something definitive.
“Do you think the Tak Family and the Heavenly Demon have reconciled in the meantime?”
Wi Gun-seong, Wi Lin’s eldest son and the future leader of the Wi Family, cautiously voiced his thoughts.
“The Heavenly Demon himself seemed quite surprised as well.”
It was Yeo Mu-geuk, the eldest son of the Yeo Family, who responded.
Though both were young masters, Yeo Mu-geuk was eight years older than Wi Gun-seong.
“From what I observed, Tak Joong-hak seemed to have taken an interest in the First Lady.”
While he couldn’t sit in the VIP section, Yeo Mu-geuk had also watched the final match of the martial arts competition.
“An interest?”
“Yes, Father. Despite the Heavenly Demon’s explicit announcement of bestowing a reward upon the First Lady, Tak Joong-hak suddenly interrupted and took over. Even if it wasn’t out of personal interest, his actions were hard to justify.”
“Indeed, it was uncharacteristic of him,” Yeo Gong murmured, furrowing his brow in thought.
No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t grasp what he might have missed.
Then Wi Lin, hesitantly, brought up an old memory.
“Could it be… I’m not certain, but doesn’t the First Lady resemble someone?”
“Father, who do you mean she resembles?”
“Tak Joong-hak’s late daughter. What was her name again…?”
Had she been alive, she would have been about ten years younger than the current generation.
Since children were rare in the Tak Family, and she wasn’t their peer, they hadn’t interacted much, so his memory wasn’t clear.
“Tak Seon-hwa. Yes, Seon-hwa! That must be it.”
“Head of the Wi Family, are you suggesting that Tak Joong-hak took an interest in the First Lady because she resembles his deceased daughter?”
“I can’t be certain. It’s just that, when I first saw the First Lady, I felt as though I’d seen her somewhere before.”
“Have you spoken to the head of the Sim Family? I heard they were close to Tak Joong-hak’s daughter since childhood. That’s why the Sim Family head treats him like a father.”
“How could I bring that up in the presence of the Heavenly Demon? I didn’t dare say a word.”
It was a tragedy from long ago.
While they could discuss it comfortably now, it was still a sensitive subject that couldn’t be casually mentioned outside.
“Then let’s visit the head of the Sim Family and ask.”
“Even though it’s uncertain?”
“We can’t sit idly by, waiting. What if Tak Joong-hak’s actions pose a threat to us? We need to prepare ourselves.”
“It’s time we conducted a more thorough investigation of the First Lady. There might be connections with Tak Joong-hak that we haven’t yet uncovered.”
“We already placed someone to monitor her grandmother who runs the noodle shop, but nothing noteworthy has come up so far.”
“I heard from my sources that the relationship between the First Lady and Second Young Master Jeok I-geon is unusual.”
Wi Gun-seong relayed the information he had obtained from his informants in the city.
“The Second Young Master personally oversaw her training for the martial arts competition.”
“I heard she used to be his personal maid. Perhaps he simply felt some goodwill toward her?”
“Whether that’s the case or not, we’ll find out for ourselves during the congratulatory visit.”
“Will Brother Mu-geuk also attend?”
“No, my youngest sister insisted on going, so I let her take my place.”
“Ah, so So-min will be attending.”
Yeo Mu-geuk had a much younger sister named Yeo So-min.
She was the treasured daughter of Yeo Gong, born after five consecutive sons when he was nearing forty.
Wi Gun-seong refrained from commenting, but it was no secret that Yeo So-min was infatuated with Jeok I-geon.
Marrying Jeok I-geon was both her dream and the ultimate goal of her life.
“Keep an eye on that wild filly so she doesn’t cause trouble.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll ensure nothing goes wrong.”
“Also, observe the dynamic between the Second Young Master and the First Lady closely.”
“Yes, Father.”
“I’ll dig deeper into the First Lady’s grandmother. If anything comes up, I’ll inform you immediately.”
“That leaves us with the head of the Sim Family.”
Whether the head of the Sim Family would give them a straight answer was uncertain, but they had to try anything they could.
The newly revealed disciple of the Heavenly Demon.
The re-emergence of the Tak Family head.
These two facts alone had thrown the Demonic Cult into chaos and turmoil.
***
“What is it? Have you finally decided to leave?”
Gong Pae-cheon, having received a message from Shin Geum, dropped everything and rushed to the Demonic Cult’s medical wing.
Since it was too dangerous for him to visit the noodle shop anymore, Shin Geum had reached out to him through Pyo Jin-yang of the medical wing.
“I’ve already told you I won’t leave Seol-ha behind.”
“Still as stubborn as ever.”
Though he had hoped otherwise, he wasn’t surprised.
“So, what’s this urgent matter about?”
“Tak Joong-hak has found out.”
“…You mean he’s discovered her identity?”
“The abilities of Hyunwol Hall are exceptional. Even though her identity was forged, it didn’t take long for them to uncover the truth, despite Gong Strategist’s efforts.”
“It’s my fault.”
He should have handled things more thoroughly, but his haste had led to mistakes.
“Of all people, why did it have to be Tak Joong-hak who found out? There’s no other choice now. You must leave immediately!”
“You mentioned that Tak Joong-hak and the Heavenly Demon don’t get along, didn’t you?”
“…Yes.”
Gong Pae-cheon’s eyes glinted with curiosity, as if to ask why that was relevant.
“Does Seol-ha resemble Tak Joong-hak’s deceased daughter that much?”
“…Did he tell you that as well?”
Gong Pae-cheon sighed deeply.
“To be honest, I’ve never seen Tak Joong-hak’s daughter. She left the cult before I was appointed as the Master of the Ghostly Soul Pavilion. But judging by the Heavenly Demon’s reaction, they must look very similar.”
“Do you remember the events of seventeen years ago?”
“Seventeen years ago…?”
“The day I came to the Demonic Cult, trusting only your promise.”
Gong Pae-cheon nodded slowly. The memory weighed heavily on him.
“Of course I remember. Although I made that promise to repay a favor, I never thought you’d actually come. Still, my promise was genuine.”
“Then do you also remember what I said that day, as I held a newborn Seol-ha in my arms?”
“You said you found her abandoned during your escape and had no choice but to take her in. I was moved by your character, saving even a child in such dire circumstances.”
“That was just a story I made up.”
“…What?”
“Seol-ha is Tak Joong-hak’s lost granddaughter. That day on Cheonsan…”
For the first time, Shin Geum revealed the truth about that day to Gong Pae-cheon, a secret she had never shared before.
—
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