The Heavenly Demon Wants a Quiet Life

Chapter 24: Look Into My Eyes

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The eleven martial artists of the Zhongli Clan glared at Cheon Kyungwan and Yoo Seoyeon, exuding an intimidating aura.

It was clear that this was not a situation they could simply brush past.

At that moment, one of the martial artists from the Zhongli Clan stepped forward.

“Instead of continuing here, why don’t we move somewhere else?”

“Why should I?”

Cheon Kyungwan replied with a smirk.

The martial artist chuckled faintly.
“After hearing your words, we can’t just stand idly by, can we? According to the Young Master’s statement from the Golden Wall Merchants, it seems like you need to destroy us. Isn’t that right?”

Despite his polite tone, the raw killing intent emanating from his body revealed his true demeanor.

“Why not move to a more suitable place for a light sparring session?”

“If we’re going to do this, let’s settle it here. Who knows when the Young Master will return?”

The Zhongli martial artist let out a short laugh.

“It’ll probably take quite some time.”

Cheon Kyungwan looked at him, trying to decipher his words.

“I heard there’s only one person in the Golden Wall Merchants we need to watch out for—you. But it seems like you’re not as impressive as I expected,” the martial artist said, casting a meaningful glance at Cheon Kyungwan.

“Sending your charge away unguarded… Don’t you think that’s quite careless? Our Zhongli Clan would never allow such recklessness.”

Cheon Kyungwan responded immediately, his tone sharp.
“Didn’t the Zhongli Clan just do the same thing? That rude Young Master who left earlier—wasn’t he your charge?”

The martial artist’s expression froze momentarily before he forced a faint smile.

“Surely, you’re joking? Please refrain from such remarks elsewhere; it would only tarnish the Golden Wall Merchants’ reputation further.”

Cheon Kyungwan narrowed his eyes, one word from the statement lingering in his mind: “further?”

The Golden Wall Merchants’ reputation was neither bad nor stellar.

Recently, their name had surfaced due to Byeok Taesan’s eccentric behavior, but it hardly influenced their standing.

If anything, the rumors about the title Night King had brought a slightly positive effect.

The martial artist shrugged.

“If you’re afraid to move to a quieter location, we can stay here. But isn’t this space a bit tight for a proper spar? It might inadvertently cause damage to the surroundings…”

As he spoke, he glanced toward the room of the Yeon Manor Master and the nearby Heavenly Divine Healer.

Cheon Kyungwan and Yoo Seoyeon frowned at the clear provocation.

“Let’s go,” Cheon Kyungwan said decisively, turning to Gyeong Chuhwang and Gal Jinhyeop.

“You two stay here with the healer. When the Young Master returns, please explain the situation to him.”

Both men hesitated, visibly flustered.

“Are you planning to face them alone?”

“Do you intend to follow them blindly without knowing where they’re headed?”

Cheon Kyungwan nodded calmly, then turned to the Zhongli martial artists.
“I doubt we’ll leave the Yeon Manor’s boundaries, correct?”

“Exactly. There’s a suitable location nearby. Of course, you’re welcome to bring everyone along,” the martial artist replied.

Gyeong Chuhwang and Gal Jinhyeop seemed eager to accompany them, but Cheon Kyungwan raised his hand to stop them.

“No. Please follow my instructions. The ones you must protect are not us but the Young Master.”

Recognizing his firm stance, the two men reluctantly nodded.

“Very well. Be careful,” Gyeong Chuhwang said.

Cheon Kyungwan nodded meaningfully before turning to Yoo Seoyeon.
“Shall we?”

With a bright smile, Yoo Seoyeon followed Cheon Kyungwan as they trailed behind the Zhongli martial artists.

Gyeong Chuhwang and Gal Jinhyeop silently watched their retreating figures.

Meanwhile, Byeok Taesan and Zhongli Woong returned to the room.

Seeing them, Gyeong Chuhwang and Gal Jinhyeop tilted their heads in confusion.

Both appeared as composed as ever, as though nothing had happened.

‘That can’t be right…’

Without even glancing at the two men, Byeok Taesan approached the Heavenly Divine Healer.

“Where did everyone go?”

“They went for a fight,” the healer replied with an amused expression.

Then, glancing at Zhongli Woong, he added, “You seem oddly unscathed.”

“What did you expect?”

Zhongli Woong retorted.

The healer held back a sarcastic remark, exercising near-superhuman patience.

Saying such a thing now would undoubtedly result in unpleasant consequences.

“What are you planning to do next?”

At the question, Byeok Taesan grinned.

“We’re all having dinner together later. It’ll be… interesting.”

Gyeong Chuhwang and Gal Jinhyeop exchanged bewildered glances.

Zhongli Woong’s unusually subdued demeanor baffled them.

In contrast, Byeok Taesan remained as unfazed as ever.

‘Surely not… No, that’s impossible. Not with someone like Zhongli Woong.’

Gyeong Chuhwang shook his head, chuckling at the absurd notion that had briefly crossed his mind.

It seemed like nothing had occurred. Both men’s appearances were far too pristine for there to have been any confrontation.

Still, it didn’t make sense that Zhongli Woong, notorious for his impatience, would return without causing trouble.

“How long has it been? Shouldn’t they be back by now?”

Byeok Taesan asked.

“Not even half an hour,” the healer replied.

“Half an hour? And they’re still not back?”

“Even if there are only eleven of them, it’s unlikely they’d finish so quickly.”

“That’s nonsense. With just eleven, it should’ve been over in a heartbeat,” Byeok Taesan declared firmly.

Gyeong Chuhwang and Gal Jinhyeop were left speechless, unable to process the absurdity of the conversation.

“When they return, double their training intensity,” Byeok Taesan said casually.

The healer beamed.

“As you command, Young Master. I shall carry out your orders with utmost sincerity. Hahaha!”

If Cheon Kyungwan and Yoo Seoyeon had overheard this exchange, they might have collapsed from sheer exasperation.

For now, Gyeong Chuhwang and Gal Jinhyeop could only look on in disbelief.

“Wow… I honestly had my doubts, but… it’s true,” Yoo Seoyeon murmured, her gaze fixed on Cheon Kyungwan, her eyes still brimming with excitement.

Cheon Kyungwan remained calm, unlike Yoo Seoyeon.

“I trusted the Young Master,” he said earnestly.

His words were sincere.

That trust was what allowed him to confidently follow the Zhongli martial artists to this point.

The previous night, Byeok Taesan had summoned Cheon Kyungwan and Yoo Seoyeon and taught them how to handle the Zhongli Clan.

It was as though Byeok Taesan had meticulously studied and deconstructed the Zhongli martial arts, exposing their most vulnerable weaknesses with precision.

The two had been astonished when they heard it.

Still, while surprised, Yoo Seoyeon found it hard to believe it was true.

Cheon Kyungwan, on the other hand, believed Byeok Taesan’s words without question.

Even so, a small sliver of doubt had lingered.

That doubt disappeared entirely when they faced the martial artists of the Zhongli Clan.

Every time he observed their stances, the intensity of their presence, and their movements, Byeok Taesan’s teachings flashed through his mind.

His confidence solidified.

Byeok Taesan was a true genius.

Now, the result of that faith lay before him.

Eleven elite martial artists of the Zhongli Clan lay sprawled across the ground, groaning in pain.

Though they hadn’t killed them, it would be quite some time before they’d be able to move properly again.

As much as they had wanted to destroy their dantians, theu refrained.

Doing so would only give the Zhongli Clan an excuse to retaliate.

“Still… What do we do now? No one’s going to believe us. Maybe we should’ve brought Gyeong Chuhwang and Gal Jinhyeop along,” Yoo Seoyeon said, looking regretfully at Cheon Kyungwan.

The two would’ve served as witnesses.

But it was Cheon Kyungwan who had insisted they not come along, which left Yoo Seoyeon now casting him a reproachful look.

His response, however, left her stunned.

“It was the Young Master’s instruction.”

“What?”

Yoo Seoyeon stared at him, dumbfounded.

“Why would he…?”

“He told me not to trust those two,” Cheon Kyungwan explained.

Yoo Seoyeon’s expression hardened.

Byeok Taesan wouldn’t have said such a thing without a reason.

Cheon Kyungwan continued, observing her reaction.

“Besides, something like this won’t cause any significant issues.”

Yoo Seoyeon glanced down at the defeated Zhongli martial artists.

“Well… no one will believe it anyway. These are supposed to be elite warriors.”

Indeed, who would believe that the two of them had defeated eleven elite fighters of the Zhongli Clan to this extent?

Even those defeated warriors likely couldn’t believe it themselves.

“Let’s head back. The Young Master must be waiting,” Cheon Kyungwan said.

A hint of worry crossed Yoo Seoyeon’s face.

“The Young Master… Do you think he’ll be alright?”

“He said he wouldn’t kill anyone, so he’ll be fine.”

Though that wasn’t what she had meant, she realized how absurd it was to worry about Byeok Taesan and let out a small, helpless laugh.

* * *

That evening, everyone gathered at the Yeon Manor’s dining hall.

Cheon Kyungwan and Yoo Seoyeon sat among the other martial artists, though they were too preoccupied with gauging Byeok Taesan’s mood to enjoy their meal.

It was because of what Byeok Taesan had said upon their return from the fight.

“Your training is lacking.”

The remark had been shocking.

Both instinctively looked at the Heavenly Divine Healer, who responded with a radiant, almost malicious smile.

The weight of impending doom made it impossible for them to focus on the food before them.

Across from them, the Zhongli martial artists sat in silence, eating without a word.

The atmosphere was tense, but the true tension lay where Byeok Taesan, Zhongli Woong, and the Heavenly Divine Healer dined alongside the Yeon Manor Master and Yeon Harin.

Yeon Harin’s gaze never left Byeok Taesan.

Though her unwavering focus could have been uncomfortable, Zhongli Woong showed no reaction, quietly concentrating on his meal.

Given the sheer amount of trouble Zhongli Woong had caused during his stay at the Yeon Manor, his subdued demeanor was surprising.

This odd behavior did not go unnoticed.

Several key figures from the Yeon Manor, seated nearby, discreetly observed the two.

“I heard the two of you had a private meeting today…” the Yeon Manor Master said, breaking the silence.

Yeon Harin startled, then quickly turned to Byeok Taesan.

“Is that true? Are you alright?” she asked, her large eyes filled with concern.

Byeok Taesan raised an eyebrow, pointing at himself.

“You’re asking me?”

Yeon Harin nodded earnestly.

“Who else would I ask?”

Byeok Taesan chuckled softly and glanced at Zhongli Woong.

“We had a serious conversation. I poured his soul into it, you could say.”

“What kind of conversation…?”

Yeon Harin’s cheeks flushed slightly as her curiosity grew.

She couldn’t help but imagine the things Byeok Taesan might have said.

Her imagination was cut short when Byeok Taesan spoke again, this time addressing Zhongli Woong.

“We talked about what comes next. Isn’t that right?”

Zhongli Woong flinched and answered quietly.

“That’s correct.”

“It’s common courtesy to look someone in the eye when you’re talking to them,” Byeok Taesan said.

Zhongli Woong trembled again before slowly lifting his gaze to meet Byeok Taesan’s.

The moment their eyes met, Zhongli Woong’s face turned ghostly pale as though his soul had been shattered.

Suddenly, a foul stench filled the air.

Zhongli Woong had soiled himself.

Everyone present witnessed the disgraceful scene unfold.

“This… This is…”

Yeon Harin exclaimed, recoiling in shock as she leapt to her feet, putting distance between herself and Zhongli Woong.

The stench was unbearable, and she had been seated closest to him.

The room fell silent, everyone staring at Zhongli Woong in utter disbelief.

Everyone except Byeok Taesan.