By Zephyria 
HF 32
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Although the position had become vacant after the death of the previous chief steward, who had been part of the former cult leader’s faction, it was a radical appointment that was bound to cause talk. Of course, no cult member dared to voice an opinion that contradicted the cult leader’s will. And by now, not even those whispering behind her back dared to complain.
The Demonic Cult had always been wealthy, but its power had grown even further since she became the chief steward. While Ji Hyeok-gyeong was the one who proposed the plan to acquire Haeun Express, it was Han Hee-ryeong who played a pivotal role in expanding the express’s scale.
Han Hee-ryeong recalled Ho-yeon checking Mu-gyeong for any injuries. It looked like a parent’s worry for their child, but the small touch of tenderness lingering in his fingertips could not be hidden.
Since Mu-gyeong was likely the only person a lone soul dropped into the Demonic Cult could rely on, some kind of emotion must have sprouted. Seeing how he had sought out the Demonic Shadow Martial House without any regard for his own safety, he was quite bold.
“Father doesn’t seem all that pleased.”
But since when had the cult leader been such a mischievous person? Han Hee-ryeong simply laughed off Mu Seong-pyeong’s reaction, but he could sense that something was changing.
Someone like Ho-yeon, who was not stingy in expressing his emotions, might be the most suitable partner for the cult leader. However, even she could not predict what kind of aftermath would follow once Ho-yeon discovered the cult leader’s true identity.
“Even if she is the Heavenly Demon of the Divine Cult, as a man, he might just be a commoner.”
Han Hee-ryeong gave a thin smile toward Mu Seong-pyeong, who still wore a bewildered expression.
* * *
The quarters Abok guided them to were quite grand, befitting the prestige of the Demonic Shadow Martial House. However, since it was a detached villa far enough from the main house to require a carriage, the surroundings were profoundly quiet.
Except for the path the carriage had taken, tall cedar trees densely surrounded the area. It seemed that even a worker of the martial house could easily lose their way if they took a wrong step.
In the courtyard of the villa, there were carefully cultivated orchids and a pond where carp frolicked. It was a magnificent courtyard, incomparable to the thatched cottage at the foot of the mountain. The annex, built to face the courtyard, featured long, sweeping eaves with elegant lines.
Abok guided the two to the annex without hesitation, as if he could see. Since Ho-yeon had thoroughly checked Mu-gyeong’s condition in the carriage, he was certain that Mu-gyeong was not injured.
Abok told them to call him whenever they needed anything and stepped outside. Unlike the cottage, the annex had large, clearly separated spaces. At the entrance sat a massive red sandalwood table used for receiving guests, with chairs lined up beneath it.
“Tell me what happened first. Is it the Blood Cult?”
Ho-yeon only spoke up once he saw the door close. Earlier, Mu Seong-pyeong had acted as if he were cutting Ho-yeon off whenever the Blood Cult was mentioned. Because of that, Ho-yeon had suppressed his curiosity inside the carriage and was only asking now.
Mu-gyeong picked up a liquor bottle from the table and poured a drink into a glass.
“Young Master Yeom’s mother came looking for you.”
“What?”
Ho-yeon’s white hair fluttered from the shock. While the acorn-brown color wasn’t bad, the original pure white suited Ho-yeon best.
“Why… why would she come looking for me?”
“She seems to believe you are involved in the disappearance of Young Master Yeom.”
Mu-gyeong downed the drink. It was surprising enough that Young Master Yeom had disappeared, but to be involved in that incident? At the absurdity of the story, Ho-yeon felt like drinking alcohol, something he usually didn’t enjoy. However, he calmed himself, deciding to sort things out step by step.
“Then what was all that blood in the yard?”
“There was a clash because she mistook me for you, and a jar you cherished was broken.”
He had never cherished any jar, but…
“Then the blood in the yard was Young Master Yeom’s mother’s?”
“She wouldn’t have come alone.”
Ho-yeon clutched his head. As his white hands tangled in his hair, they seemed to blend right in. Ho-yeon had heard rumors at the courtesan house that disappearances were occurring within the cult. Could Young Master Yeom have been swept up in that?
“But no matter how I think about it, there’s no reason for me to be involved in Young Master Yeom’s disappearance…”
Ho-yeon paced back and forth several times.
“Could it be because of the silver she gave me?”
“Silver?”
“You know, the silver I tried to give you before. Young Master Yeom gave that to me.”
He almost became a kept man, Mu-gyeong thought, swallowing a dry laugh along with his drink.
“No, one tael of silver wouldn’t be a huge sum.”
To a demonic master like Eum Yohwa, it would be mere pocket change; Ho-yeon provided his own answer.
“Eum Yohwa must have realized you were the second young master of the Demonic Shadow Martial House upon seeing you, right?”
Even if she had mistaken Mu-gyeong for him and attacked at first, the misunderstanding would have been cleared once she saw his face up close.
“Come to think of it, I didn’t receive an apology.”
Considering the hierarchy, Eum Yohwa was far superior, making his comment quite reckless. Still, since he was mentioning an apology, it seemed the misunderstanding had been resolved safely.
“Then my misunderstanding is cleared too, right? I really only saw Young Master Yeom at the courtesan house. You told her I’m innocent, didn’t you?”
“Are you scared?”
Mu-gyeong asked, leaning his face down. Under the imposing shadow, Ho-yeon swallowed hard and met his gaze. Was ‘scared’ the right expression? She was a master whose name was listed eleventh in the Demonic Cult’s hierarchy. That meant she had surpassed at least the peak realm.
If Eum Yohwa held him responsible for Young Master Yeom’s disappearance and threatened his life, he was afraid in a different sense. In an attempt to save his own life, he might end up harming those around him.
If that happened, he was certain the Demonic Cult headquarters would freeze over just like the North Sea. If a situation occurred where the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains were turned into a mountain of eternal snow, even the Ice Palace would not be able to avoid responsibility.
“I’m scared.”
Mu-gyeong looked slightly surprised. However, Ho-yeon showed an even more unexpected reaction.
“What… you actually know how to make a face like that?”
It was almost a mutter to himself, but Mu-gyeong didn’t know what kind of expression he had made. It had been a long time since all emotions of joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure, as well as the seven passions and desires, had faded.
“What kind of expression am I making?”
Ho-yeon was still hidden within Mu-gyeong’s shadow. For some reason, Mu-gyeong’s question felt purely innocent, and Ho-yeon let out a chuckle. Then, he mimicked Mu-gyeong’s usual expressionless face. “You sleep too much,” he imitated, deepening his voice. No matter how expressionless he tried to be, he still looked gentle because of his drooping eyes.
“Wi Ho-yeon does sleep a lot.”
As Mu-gyeong responded, a fleeting, short smile brushed across his lips. Because that sight was very pleasant, and because he had dug his own grave, Ho-yeon did not deny the fact.
“By any chance… about Young Master Yeom’s disappearance. Is the Blood Cult involved?”
Ho-yeon was quite perceptive. He was quick enough to notice even when Yeom Ji-gong was tailing him silently.
“Why do you think so?”
“Because I don’t think a member of the Demonic Cult would harm Young Master Yeom. There’s nothing to gain from upsetting Eum Yohwa. Even back at the courtesan house, everyone was busy walking on eggshells around Young Master Yeom.”
Ho-yeon continued speaking while placing his oil-paper umbrella on the empty chair beside him.
“But think about it. If the Blood Cult kidnapped Young Master Yeom to bring chaos to the Demonic Cult, then they’ve succeeded. Eum Yohwa even came to find me, someone who has nothing to do with the disappearance. She’ll likely scour the Demonic Cult headquarters like she’s searching for lice until she finds her son.”
Ho-yeon let out a short sigh. As he did, a clear, pure energy flowed out. It was simply mysterious how Mu-gyeong found it much easier to breathe even with that small breath.
The frost-laden sigh stopped instantly and did not return. Now that he looked, it seemed that except for situations where he became unconscious, like when sleeping, a cold energy often appeared when Ho-yeon was lost in deep thought or agony. It likely had something to do with his state of mind.
“Still, I’m glad the misunderstanding is cleared.”
Mu-gyeong didn’t answer directly, but Ho-yeon judged it as he wished. At the same time, he looked at Mu-gyeong with a somewhat uneasy expression.
“But…”
Mu-gyeong didn’t rush him, merely tilting his liquor glass.
“Why are you mine?”
Ho-yeon asked abruptly.
“I wondered where my things were, and it turns out they were in an unexpected place.”
Earlier, he had been so glad that Mu-gyeong was safe that he had let it slide, but the more Ho-yeon chewed on it, the more puzzled he became. However, Mu-gyeong did not provide an answer and simply gazed at Ho-yeon.