Episode 33: This Can't Be Real
"This can't be real..."
Gwangyu stormed into the office where Jeokun and Ohhaeng were, his disheveled appearance resembling someone struck by lightning.
"Gwangyu, your current state looks even more impossible. Did lightning actually hit you on the way here?"
Jeokun briefly eyed Gwangyu’s static-charged black hair before dismissively returning to his scroll.
"My looks aren’t the issue here! Vice Leader, did you know the Heavenly Demon has a daughter?"
"I did."
At the mention of Cheonseong, Jeokun lifted his gaze from the documents to study Gwangyu.
"But how did you learn this?"
"I went to inspect the impressive new recruit everyone’s talking about and ended up meeting the Heavenly Demon instead."
"I explicitly warned the 11th Elder against unauthorized visits to the recruits."
Jeokun’s eyes turned icy upon hearing Gwangyu had sought out Cheonseong.
"Stop glaring—I already got an earful from him! Just look at me! Isn’t this pitiful enough?"
Gwangyu stared back with exaggerated puppy-dog eyes, begging for sympathy.
"Self-inflicted misery."
"That’s cruel! Can’t you at least pretend to care? Between the Heavenly Demon and you, it’s like all your empathy got funneled into martial arts!"
Gwangyu’s grumbling ceased under Jeokun’s hardened expression, noticing the Vice Leader’s intensified severity.
"Ahem. Anyway, how is this even possible?"
Gwangyu coughed awkwardly, reigniting his confusion.
"What’s so urgent that you’d barge in looking like roadkill? Spit it out before I lose patience."
Jeokun dropped his scroll, thoroughly drained by Gwangyu’s antics.
"How could the Heavenly Demon—who lacks a single cute bone—father such an angelic daughter? It makes no sense!"
Ignoring the reprimand, Gwangyu pressed on like a child denied answers.
"Cheonseong is indeed delightful."
"Ohhaeng, you knew too? This is betrayal!"
Gwangyu shot up from his seat, scandalized.
"So I’m the last to know about this adorable little bean?!"
‘Of course that’s his grievance. Typical Gwangyu.’
Jeokun shook his head at the man’s simplicity.
"What’s this ‘little bean’ nonsense?"
"...It’s a thing."
Gwangyu evaded, fingers brushing the handkerchief Cheonseong had tied around his neck.
"More importantly—how does one even produce such a daughter? Wait, Ohhaeng! You’d know the method, right?"
Ohhaeng blinked, bewildered by the sudden question from the self-absorbed man.
"Why the interest? You once swore off marriage, let alone children."
"The Heavenly Demon’s daughter changed my mind! A bean like her could awaken paternal instincts in a rock!"
"Then why not ask the Heavenly Demon directly?"
"I did."
‘This madman actually dared—’ Jeokun clicked his tongue in disbelief.
"Did he reveal any secrets?"
As Ohhaeng leaned in, Gwangyu smirked.
"No. He said creatures like Byul are one-of-a-kind...while pummeling me senseless."
‘Predictable.’
Jeokun retrieved a scroll, unperturbed.
"Regardless, your timing’s perfect. I have a task for you."
"What now? Your face says it’s trouble."
Gwangyu eyed Jeokun’s shifted demeanor warily.
"The Sichuan Tang Clan bears a grudge over the spies eliminated during the memorial ceremony. Expected, but troublesome."
"Because of what the Heavenly Demon’s daughter did?"
"Correct."
"Meaning she’s in danger? Those venomous Tang snakes won’t take this lying down."
"Precisely. We need discreet surveillance—you’re ideal."
"Transform into a snake and infiltrate them, eh? Fine. I’ll do it."
Gwangyu’s abrupt compliance startled Jeokun, who’d prepared to bribe him with alcohol.
‘Well, I owe the little bean a favor.’
‘Saves the cult’s funds too.’
Both men nodded, mutually satisfied despite contrasting motives.
"It’s nearly mealtime, Vice Leader. Shall I have a meal prepared?"
"...Do so."
Jeokun set down his scroll—a rare sight—at Ohhaeng’s question.
"Since when does the work-obsessed Vice Leader prioritize meals?"
Gwangyu gaped as if witnessing a myth.
"Someone nags that skipping meals ruins health."
"What? Have you taken a lover before even turning thirty?!"
Jeokun ignored the outburst, a faint smile forming as Cheonseong’s scolding echoed in his mind:
"Eat! You need strength! Ah! Do it! Ah!"
"...Is this reality?"
After finally escaping cult life for a peaceful homecoming...
‘My Demon Cult早起habit woke me at dawn! No—give back my sleep!’
I lay tangled in blankets, silently screaming into my mattress.
But stolen sleep never returns.
"...Ugh. Fine. I’m up."
Dad’s side of the bed lay empty.
‘Where’d he go at this hour? Secret training?’
Curiosity overpowered my grogginess.
‘Maybe I’ll glimpse his secret techniques!’
With the flower seed’s power, I might replicate anything I observe!
I threw on a robe and stumbled to the courtyard hall.
‘Where is he?’
A savory scent halted my search—noodles! My favorite!
Following the aroma, I spotted smoke curling from the kitchen.
‘Preparing breakfast?’
Disappointing for adventure, but perfect for my stomach.
‘Dad’s handmade noodles trump everything!’
"Byul, awake?"
‘He senses me like a ghost.’
"Yep! Making noodles?"
"Your nose never fails." Dad emerged, beaming.
‘He’d spoil me rotten even if I became a lifelong freeloader.’
"Of course I know! I love your noodles!"
My honest praise melted him.
"Then I’ll make you noodles every day."
‘Please don’t... But just today’s okay!’
I daydreamed about Dad’s hypothetical nationwide noodle empire when movement flashed below—
A bug.
A HUGE, LEGGY BUG.
"EEK! BUG!!"
I recoiled, but it skittered closer, mocking my terror.
"STAY BACK!!"
I stomped hard—
Crunch.
