The Demon Lord of the Swordsmanship Family Chapter 97
A messy desk.
Amidst the scattered piles of documents, Ji Seong-cheol was reviewing files.
– Celutis and Archangel congregating in Hamgyeongnam-do.
– Satellite observation impossible. Large-scale interference magic circle confirmed.
……
…
– Celutis ‘Choir of Faith’ confirmed.
– Archangel using ice attribute magic.
– [Correction] Not magic.
– Group inspection results confirm Archangel’s use of ‘Ice Shift’.
– American Exchange Group. Missing person investigation for Chandler Murray.
– Search unsuccessful. Cooperation versus abduction. On-site manager’s opinion leans towards ‘abduction’.
……
…
– [Urgent] Guardian Park Geon acquires confidential Celutis documents.
– [Urgent] ‘Temple’ Red Gate confirmed.
– [Urgent] Sword Master, notification of return. Operation area……
……
…
– Sword Master joins Investigation Team.
– [Urgent] Red Gate confirmed.
……
…
Ji Seong-cheel’s timeline summary of the current situation.
After reviewing all the documents, his honest sentiments were clear.
“Heaved a sigh of relief.”
Even though the catastrophic Red Gate had been confirmed, he genuinely sighed with relief.
“Rather, this is better.”
Certainly, the Red Gate was a disaster.
Living monsters pouring into our society that modern weaponry can barely affect. The result will be chaos. Houses, buildings, infrastructure — everything humans have created could be reduced to rubble.
Whether it’s destroyed by the monsters themselves or destroyed by the superhumans trying to stop these monsters, the outcome is the same.
However, despite this being such a terrible disaster, Ji Seong-cheol still considered the Red Gate to be better than Celutis.
From Ji Seong-cheol’s, or rather the Head of the Executive Department’s perspective, the Red Gate might be closer to a ‘calamity’ than a ‘catastrophe.’ Similar to a natural disaster like a hurricane or tsunami.
On the other hand, Celutis is different.
This is a crime, a highly organized crime that directly endangers our daily lives.
Even if the levels of damage were to be equal, the degree of fear differs.
“Already, the complaints are nonstop.”
The continued lockdown of gates preventing superhumans from hunting continues to spark discontent.
Blaming this on the ‘Red Gate’ makes it easier to brush aside the complaints.
Is this not deception? Why is Celutis excluded from this?
Correct, it’s deception. In truth, the current Red Gate incident was orchestrated by Celutis.
However, the public is unaware.
They have no means of knowing. Celutis has not been mentioned anywhere.
If people don’t know, it doesn’t become a problem. Without a problem, there’s no responsibility.
Responsibility… responsibility…
Who would’ve thought he’d have to discuss responsibility.
Back in the days as a Guardian, he despised those who handled such matters but now finds himself thinking similarly.
Disgusting as this self might be to Ji Seong-cheol…
“Ah…”
What could be done? A position can mold a person like this.
A person handling responsibilities cannot maintain pure intentions forever.
That’s what being the Head of the Executive Department entails. It’s just self-consolation.
“According to the process…”
As usual with Red Gate incidents:
Summon superhumans. Evacuate nearby residents. Seal off the area with the summoned superhumans, then split them into ‘offensive’ and ‘defensive’ groups.
The offensive enters the Red Gate, while the defensive holds off the reverse flow of monsters.
It’s foolproof.
This is a textbook method. It’s the Red Gate countermeasure method Ji Seong-cheol himself participated in dozens of times when he was a ‘Ten Thousand Spears.’
Ji Seong-cheol signed the paperwork satisfactorily.
With that, he had reviewed all the documents.
The next task was…
‘About time?’
He speculated as the sound of a loud commotion approached. Seems like the noble one couldn’t behave properly. Ji Seong-cheol chuckled faintly, slightly loosening his left cheek.
Since his competent junior was right-handed, he would have to properly loosen up for the occasion.
A moment later, Kim Yeon-hee burst through the door.
Here comes trouble.
“Ji Seong-cheol, you son of a b*tch!”
A sudden punch.
Ji Seong-cheol countered with his left cheek.
Punch!
On the way while listening to Ji Seong-cheol’s explanation.
The car glided along the road, and Kim Yeon-hee sitting in the backseat gazed at the passing scenery.
Before the Investigation Team’s deployment, Ji Seong-cheol and Kim Yeon-hee had an exclusive meeting where Kim Yeon-hee had Ji Seong-cheol promise: if her family got entangled with Celutis in some way, to extract them from the operation as reasonably as possible.
As a mother, the idea of her children or her husband getting involved with those crazy fanatics filled her with dread.
It wasn’t about them being strong or weak. One could call her selfish.
She had even gotten a promise.
So why?!
Why was Park Geon on the offensive team list, along with Park Min-ji and Park Ki-hyuk?
Seeing a list that included her husband, daughter, and youngest child was the last straw for Kim Yeon-hee.
Ji Seong-cheol seemingly recognized this and let her punch him for it.
As Kim Yeon-hee thought back to their conversation, she gritted her teeth.
“Our younger brother is still alive, huh? Your hands must itch, right?”
“You may not believe this, but listen. This was absolutely not my intention.”
“The documents state that Geomho’s ‘strong’ decision was to participate. You understand what that means?”
Creak!
Of course, she understood perfectly.
She could vividly imagine the scene where that darn husband emphatically raised his hand, insisting he must go.
But this wasn’t shocking at all.
Yeah, that justice-obsessed idiot has behaved this way countless times.
It was practically a given that at least one guardian had to partake in the offensive group. She had already expected her husband to be among them.
Still…
“Min-ji was also adamant. Our people tried to bring up her stamina issues, but she refused, stating she would participate no matter what—or else she’d go alone.”
Creak!
Okay, Park Min-ji. Our dear, precious daughter.
Kim Yeon-hee had repeatedly warned her. “Please don’t go overboard; don’t get too carried away.”
And yet, Min-ji…
“…You’ve really driven a nail into Mom’s heart.”
Sigh. Even though her heart is heavy, that’s fine.
This was an expected outcome.
Kim Yeon-hee was a mother, and all mothers know their children better than they might think.
She was already aware that Min-ji’s hatred for villains bordered on obsession. Considering the involvement of Celutis, this kind of reaction made sense.
Still…
“Ki-hyeok… cough… Your youngest, actually suggested it’s an opportune time for a quick operation? …Are you okay?”
Bang!!
Kim Yeon-hee couldn’t contain herself and hammered her fist down.
Our youngest, who would normally do anything for his mother’s words! What a betrayal!
It felt like being hurt by a trusted axe.
When she first heard this news, her head spun so much that Kim Yeon-hee nearly stumbled.
“Still, I feel sorry. We’ve received a lot of help from you, but now you’re tangled in something unpleasant.”
“Let me compensate you in some way. I’ll give you 60% of the earnings from clearing this Red Gate. How does that sound?”
Still, a deal is a deal.
Even though her head was spinning, she had business to attend to.
Kim Yeon-hee immediately negotiated, giving up 10% of the profit to secure the ‘boss’ right.
Would you swap 10% of the profits for the boss right?
An absurdly generous deal.
But given the hidden condition of staying silent about ‘Celutis,’ it wasn’t a one-sided trade after all.
“…Hey Park Geon. Just wait until you come.”
It’s all that rotten husband’s fault. Not only is he unable to rein in the kids as a father, but he takes them to dangerous places?
Min-ji too. As an older sister, she should have been stabilizing things.
Ki-hyeok, he’s grown up? Hah, how laughable. He’s still far from it.
“Still, this household…”
They’re too aggressive, excessively so.
Is fighting that much fun…?
Obsessed with battle, they can’t go a single moment without causing trouble.
There are specific people causing trouble.
And specific people worrying about it… Mother, who worries endlessly.
“Think about the people waiting for you, okay?”
For a brief moment, Kim Yeon-hee’s face darkens.
But only for a moment.
She needs to pull herself together. If even she loses her balance in this household, it would truly end in calamity.
Clap clap.
Slapping her cheeks, Kim Yeon-hee asked the Secretary-General.
“When will we arrive?”
“Very soon.”
True to the Secretary-General’s word, the car soon stopped.
Before Kim Yeon-hee could grab the handle, the door opened.
No need to guess who it was. Only her friend Yoo Hae-ryun would do something like this at this place.
“Please step down, Hye-tang.”
“Alright then, Haeng-dong. Hmph.”
With Yoo Hae-ryun’s exaggerated bowing, Kim Yeon-hee smoothly got up.
And towards her friend’s husband, she greeted warmly.
“It’s been a while, Do-ha.”
“It’s been a while, Yeon-hee.”
Jin-ryong Jin Do-ha.
Joining the operation.
Meanwhile, as Kim Yeon-hee climbed towards Jin-ryong Mountain, Park Su-hyeok was dueling Park Bom with their swords.
Clang!
They passed each other in a swift strike.
Clang!
They turned their backs and then spun around again.
Park Su-hyeok’s blade aimed for the top while Park Bom’s went for the bottom.
Park Su-hyeok leaped into the air while Park Bom crouched low.
They passed each other as if rehearsed, drawing perfect pictures in the air. Then, they charged at each other with lightning speed.
Clang!
“Your fundamentals are quite proper.”
“Thank you…”
Before Park Su-hyeok could finish his sentence, Park Bom drew a second sword with his left hand.
Dual swords lunged towards Park Su-hyeok.
His blade was blocked.
Clang!
By the exact same sword.
The sword tips precisely meeting.
You block a thrust with a thrust? Is that even possible?
Park Bom, wide-eyed at the sight, saw Park Su-hyeok smiling calmly as if nothing extraordinary happened.
“Dual swords are wonderful. I enjoy them too.”
“Please teach me a move.”
Just now, the skill disparity was confirmed.
Still, Park Bom refused to give up. Clenching his teeth, he awakened his bloodline.
The sensation of entwining.
As Park Bom rode the stream of sensations and momentarily hid his body, Park Su-hyeok’s back was slashed. His waist grazed, bl**d flowing down his arm.
“Ah… So this is the famed ‘Dancer’, is it?”
Park Su-hyeok swung his sword.
A precise blade aimed at Park Bom’s shoulder. However, the trajectory veered off. The blade missed not only the shoulder but anything, slicing only the empty air.
Attempting the sword strike again.
All of Park Su-hyeok’s blows narrowly missed.
The closer Park Su-hyeok’s sword missed, the fiercer Park Bom’s assault grew.
Faster. Even faster.
Park Bom’s sword dance transformed from elegant butterfly-like sweeps into wind-like moves and soon became a roaring storm.
Shhhhhhhhhing!!
Park Su-hyeok barely blocked Park Bom’s sword.
“Truly enjoyable!”
The ability of Dancer was remarkable, but what really amazed Park Su-hyeok was Park Bom. The effort, the deep contemplation evident in every single sword maneuver and strike resonated with him. Though unseen, countless efforts must have been poured into his skill.
His younger counterpart praising Park Bom before was indeed correct. Clearly, Park Bom deserves all the praise.
“Heartily impressive.”
Extremely satisfying.
Are there even any contemporary swordsmen like this nowadays?
As a fellow orthodox swordsman, Park Su-hyeok found this junior extremely appealing.
So, he planned to give him a gift.
Clang!!
“!!”
The gift of defeat.
“Let’s move slowly so you can watch carefully.”
Focusing his mind, only on the sword.
The landscape disappeared. The enemy disappeared. Even himself disappeared.
A world as blank as white paper, where the only existence is the sword.
The sword began painting.
Gracefully flowing with every swing, deflecting every attack.
The only defensive technique amidst the famously aggressive Geomho’s sword techniques.
The softest, yet the strongest.
Geomho-ryu Defensive Art:
Ink Washing Technique (水墨畫)
*
A little later.
Han Joon-woo collapsed on the battered yard.
Thud.
His tired face was filled with a sense of liberation, as if he had burned everything to ash.
Park Su-hyeok smiled at Han Joon-woo lying there.
“Thank you for your assistance.”
“…If you’re grateful, come back after a rest for another match.”
“Whenever.”
Park Su-hyeok passed the fallen Han Joon-woo and headed home.
He had to greet someone, so he went looking for Park Bom.
“Bom, can you come here for a moment?”
Park Bom, who was playing with Merhem, called out brightly, “Yes!” and ran up, hugging him tightly.
“Bom, did you say you missed Dad?”
“Yeah, I miss Dad, Uncle Tiger.”
Rubbing her cheeks against his puff cheeks, she said,
“Uncle will bring Dad.”
“Really?!”
“Really! Aunt Honyang and Grandpa too.”
“Let’s swear on our pinkies!”
“Swear.”
Their pinkies intertwined.
Mountain Lord Park Su-hyeok.
Joining.
…
…
“Bom, you need to tell Grandma well, okay?”
“Yeah, Bom will take care of it!”
