The Heavenly Demon Wants a Quiet Life - Chapter 44
Chapter 44: Something Feels Off
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Seomun Jehak glared at Byeok Taesan.
He couldn’t figure out what gave the man such confidence.
Judging by appearances, he wasn’t a complete fool.
That meant he wasn’t completely unaware of the situation.
If so, it must mean he had something to rely on. Whatever that was, Seomun Jehak had no idea.
“You… what exactly are you counting on?”
Seomun Jehak focused his entire intimidating presence on Byeok Taesan.
Byeok Taesan casually brushed off that pressure and nodded.
He was indeed skilled, a few steps above Zhongli Woong, at least.
Not only Seomun Jehak, but also Gu Yangsoo and Chu Yeonghak, who were glaring from behind, were of a similar caliber.
In short, they were all more or less on the same level.
Byeok Taesan remarked indifferently.
“Amateurs always get desperate to show off their strength. Use your power where it counts.”
No matter where you go, there are always those who are eager to flaunt their strength.
In the past, when traveling, he would occasionally encounter such individuals.
Every time, he kindly taught them that such behavior was unwise.
In a way that left a lasting impression on their bodies.
He was simply reminiscing about those times, but it seemed difficult for the other party to accept the sentiment.
Seomun Jehak’s face turned red with rage.
“Hoo… Fine. Let’s hear what makes you so confident. Do you think the likes of the Golden Wall Merchants can disgrace our Seomun Clan?”
Byeok Taesan tilted his head.
“Why are you bringing up the Golden Wall Merchants? I’m the one who acted against you. Surely you’re not so pathetic that you can’t stand on your own without your clan’s name?”
Seomun Jehak’s anger reached its boiling point.
“Hoo… Let’s not do this here. Let’s step outside and discuss things calmly somewhere quiet. It seems there are a few misunderstandings between us.”
Seomun Jehak said this and glanced at the person who had followed Byeok Taesan out.
It was an elderly man who appeared quite ordinary.
“Old man, you’d best stay here. At your age, a bad fall could cause you great hardship.”
His tone was half-threatening.
He had no intention of letting anyone else witness his conversation with Byeok Taesan.
“For the record, I really hate people talking behind my back. So I trust you won’t say a word to anyone.”
The elderly man’s expression turned peculiar at Seomun Jehak’s words.
The old man was about to intervene, but Byeok Taesan raised a hand to stop him.
“Stay here.”
The elderly man, Needle Master, looked at Byeok Taesan with an aggrieved expression.
His eyes fiercely demanded to know whether he was supposed to endure such humiliation silently.
Byeok Taesan shook his head.
“There will be another chance later. Be patient for now. Food tastes best when you’re hungry, and this is no different.”
Finally, the Needle Master stepped back.
Come to think of it, Byeok Taesan’s words made sense.
If he waited a bit, a feast awaited him.
Needle Master carefully scrutinized not only Seomun Jehak but also Gu Yangsoo and Chu Yeonghak standing behind him.
He seemed intent on memorizing their faces.
“What were their names again?”
Byeok Taesan asked the Golden Moon Inn staff.
The staff member did their best to remain composed as they responded.
“Seomun Clan, Gu Yang Clan, and Chu Manor.”
“You heard that, right?”
Byeok Taesan asked Needle Master, who nodded vigorously.
“I’ve got it memorized.”
When Needle Master stepped back further, Byeok Taesan turned his attention to Seomun Jehak.
“Lead the way. For the record, I’m not going far. I don’t feel like making the effort to return.”
Seomun Jehak’s face grew redder and redder.
Anyone could tell he was struggling to hold back his anger.
Gu Yangsoo, Chu Yeonghak, and the warriors of the Seomun Clan seemed unperturbed, as if they were used to seeing him this way.
However, those unfamiliar with him exchanged anxious glances between Byeok Taesan and Seomun Jehak.
“I know just the right place. It’s not far, so it’s perfect. Let’s go.”
With that, Seomun Jehak turned abruptly and strode off.
Byeok Taesan followed leisurely behind him.
The others swarmed around Byeok Taesan, encircling him as they all poured out of the inn.
The staff of the Golden Moon Inn, watching the scene, turned to Needle Master with a worried expression.
“Will it be all right? Shall I notify your companions? Our inn has warriors on standby. If you promise to mediate, we can deploy them.”
The staff member believed Needle Master could resolve the situation but refrained from suggesting it outright.
After all, Needle Master had already decided not to act.
Needle Master shook his head.
“Let them be. They’re stubborn fools who won’t know whether it’s dung or soybean paste until they taste it themselves.”
She couldn’t fully grasp his meaning but simply bowed her head.
“Well… Surely he won’t kill them.”
Leaving those words behind, Needle Master turned and went back inside.
Some time later, he reemerged with the Heavenly Divine Healer.
“Why did you have to drag me along when I’m already exhausted from the carriage ride here?”
Needle Master scowled, glaring at the Heavenly Divine Healer.
“Are you still going to speak like that? Do you think we’re friends?”
The Heavenly Divine Healer grinned widely.
“We’re both in servitude; what’s the point of rank? And I think I’ve shown plenty of respect, don’t you agree?”
Needle Master looked up at the sky before lowering his head with a sigh.
“Haa… How did my life come to this…”
The Heavenly Divine Healer placed a hand on Needle Master’s shoulder.
“All thanks to our esteemed Young Master, of course.”
Needle Master whipped his head around to glare at the healer.
“So you’re saying this is all thanks to the Young Master… is that it?”
The Heavenly Divine Healer grinned.
“You know something? Your complexion has really improved lately. Your skin’s better, and you seem younger. You’d know your own health better than I would, being a physician and all.”
Needle Master clamped his mouth shut.
He couldn’t deny it.
Not only had his physical condition improved, but his martial arts had also seen significant progress.
The wall that had blocked him for so long had crumbled effortlessly not too long ago.
Even his skills in acupuncture and medicine had improved.
No, it wasn’t just his imagination—it was the truth.
All these changes had begun after meeting Byeok Taesan.
How could he deny the connection?
“Still… damn it hurts too much.”
Muttering to himself, Needle Master trudged outside.
The Heavenly Divine Healer chuckled and followed behind him.
“What do you mean, pain? I’ve never experienced such a thing. Ah, that’s too bad. Doesn’t this mean our Young Master cares for you that much? Haah, I wonder why the Young Master doesn’t care for me like that.”
The Needle Master tightly shut his mouth and quickened his steps.
There was no benefit in continuing the conversation.
Ignoring it and focusing on the task was the best option—or perhaps changing the subject.
“By the way, is this really necessary? Wouldn’t our Young Master handle things on his own just fine?”
“They may be heirs of prestigious clans, but it’d be troublesome if they died. We can mend broken limbs and shattered bones, but we can’t bring the dead back to life.”
“Surely, you don’t intend to kill them?”
“I’m just saying it’s a possibility! Besides, if we treat them quickly, we can erase any visible injuries. Isn’t that better?”
“Well… I suppose so…”
The Heavenly Divine Healer grinned slyly.
“Have you finally decided to pledge your loyalty to our Young Master?”
“I’ve always been someone who keeps their promises. Once I make a promise, I see it through.”
“Ah, so you were loyal from the start? What an honorable person you are. I didn’t realize! Ah, so that’s why the Young Master cares for you so much. I’m jealous, truly. Hahaha.”
The Needle Master scowled deeply and quickened his pace.
The Heavenly Divine Healer chased after him, chattering incessantly.
The Needle Master continuously debated whether to sew that loudmouth’s lips shut.
••••
“Hooh. I didn’t know such a place existed near the inn.”
Byeok Taesan glanced around the area.
It was a small forest encircling the Golden Moon Inn.
At its center lay a fairly spacious clearing.
The trees surrounded the space like a natural folding screen, creating a serene atmosphere.
The sun hadn’t set yet, and sunlight filtered through the gaps in the trees, casting picturesque patterns.
“How is it? Pretty nice, isn’t it? I worked hard to find this spot. Doesn’t it seem perfect for beating someone up?”
In truth, Seomun Jehak hadn’t gone out of his way to find the place.
He’d simply known that a forest was behind the inn and wandered here.
He hadn’t expected to find such a wide clearing.
Seomun Jehak looked smugly at Gu Yangsoo and Chu Yeonghak, who stared at him in astonishment.
“When did you find a place like this?”
“We had no idea.”
Hearing their praise, he was glad he had acted like he knew all along.
“Well, this is just what I do.”
Seomun Jehak spoke nonchalantly, then turned to the warriors of his family.
“You, go outside and make sure no one enters this forest.”
“Yes, sir.”
The Seomun Clan’s warriors filed out, and Gu Yangsoo and Chu Yeonghak issued similar orders to their family’s warriors.
Each of them had brought seven men.
That number was more than enough to block anyone from approaching the forest for a while.
“Alright, now that preparations for our conversation are complete, how about you? Are you ready?”
“Ready for what?”
“It’s going to hurt quite a bit. This place is secluded, so no one will hear your screams. There’s plenty of time before sunset, so the pain will last a while.”
Seomun Jehak smiled wickedly as he looked at Byeok Taesan.
Gu Yangsoo and Chu Yeonghak positioned themselves at a distance, encircling Byeok Taesan to prevent his escape.
Not that it would have mattered; they were confident he couldn’t get away even without these precautions.
Being careful was never a bad thing.
“What’s this? You invited me to talk, and now it’s straight to fighting?”
Byeok Taesan looked at Seomun Jehak with amusement. Or rather, with anticipation.
How could he not feel excited? He was about to test the new skills he had learned from the Needle Master on these people.
This was practical training, after all.
“Ah, right, talking. I almost forgot. I’m just in such a good mood. Yes, let’s talk.”
Seomun Jehak’s expression turned cold as he spoke.
“When are you going to stop burdening Young Lady Yeon?”
“Burden her?”
“That’s right. From what I’ve heard, you’re practically disowned by the Golden Wall Merchants. And yet, you cling to Young Lady Yeon?”
Byeok Taesan looked at Seomun Jehak with curiosity.
“You’re saying I’ve been clinging to Yeon Harin?”
“Then why haven’t you annulled the engagement? Let her go so she can find a suitable match. Perhaps someone like me.”
“So that’s all you have to say?”
Byeok Taesan shifted his gaze to the other two, Gu Yangsoo and Chu Yeonghak, who were glaring daggers at him.
Their determination to teach him a lesson was clear.
“What about the woman you brought? How dare you have another woman when you’re engaged to Young Lady Yeon?”
Byeok Taesan chuckled. Such bold hypocrisy.
“They’re my maids.”
“Maids? That’s ridiculous! How could someone like that be a maid?”
Byeok Taesan waved dismissively, as if tired of the conversation.
“We’re wasting time. Let’s wrap this up quickly so I can enjoy myself. I’m expecting a lot, so do your best.”
Before he even finished speaking, Seomun Jehak charged forward.
Seomun Jehak reached out with clawed hands to grab Byeok Taesan’s shoulder.
Byeok Taesan casually extended his arm and lightly tugged on Seomun Jehak’s sleeve.
Whoosh!
Seomun Jehak flew toward Gu Yangsoo.
Startled, Gu Yangsoo raised his hands to catch Seomun Jehak.
In the meantime, Byeok Taesan appeared behind Chu Yeonghak.
Thud!
He struck Chu Yeonghak’s nape lightly with the edge of his hand before moving toward Seomun Jehak and Gu Yangsoo.
By keeping his movements simple, he intentionally herded the three of them together.
Byeok Taesan deftly moved between Seomun Jehak and Gu Yangsoo.
The two men panicked and reached out, but they couldn’t even graze his clothing.
Byeok Taesan casually struck out with his fists.
Thud! Thud!
Seomun Jehak and Gu Yangsoo’s eyes rolled back as they collapsed forward.
Byeok Taesan hummed a tune as he gathered the three into a heap.
Seomun Jehak slowly regained consciousness.
‘What just happened? How did this—’
The memories came flooding back.
‘I lost? To Byeok Taesan?’
Seomun Jehak lay face down, unable to move.
Judging by his immobilized body, his pressure points had been sealed.
“Oh? You’re awake? Perfect timing. I was just about to start, so hang tight.”
He wanted to scream and demand to know what was happening, but he couldn’t. His mute points had also been sealed.
Suddenly, fear washed over him.
At that moment, Chu Yeonghak’s scream pierced the air.
“Aaaaaah!”
Seomun Jehak trembled violently.
It was a blood-curdling scream, not loud but filled with unimaginable pain.
The warriors guarding the perimeter needed to intervene. But where were they? What were they doing?
It didn’t matter that he had ordered them to let no one enter.
All that mattered now was the terror consuming his mind.
Chu Yeonghak’s screams echoed without end, accompanied by Byeok Taesan’s calm remark.
“Tsk, something feels off.”
What kind of person could utter such words after inflicting such pain?
Another scream rang out, this time from Gu Yangsoo.
“Aaaaargh!”
Seomun Jehak was so terrified he nearly wet himself but managed to hold back.
Eventually, the unending screams ceased.
Then, he felt Byeok Taesan approach him.
He wanted to beg for mercy, but no sound came out.
Suddenly, a wave of searing pain overwhelmed him.
“Aaaaaagh!”
It felt like his entire body was being pounded relentlessly, experiencing every imaginable form of agony at once.
And then, his consciousness faded.