The Introverted Heavenly Demon - Chapter 76

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Introverted Heavenly Demon Episode 076
The Taste of the Banquet
There was no way they had accepted the rumors as truth.
But.
The terrifying image of the Minor Sect Leader that I had painstakingly cultivated with all my strength, the aura of a first-rate martial artist, and the oppressive presence emanating from Cheon Ma itself.
“!?”
The fear that all of these things inspired was more than enough to terrify the sheltered young masters raised in luxury by the Four Great Families.
I could tell without needing to ask how thoroughly the Five Great Families had investigated me before sending their young masters to meet with the Minor Sect Leader.
A Minor Sect Leader who reached first-rate at merely fourteen years old, a fiery temperament, murderous impulses born from Cheon Ma.
Considering such things, they would never have planned to push matters this far, even if they touched upon the Minor Sect Leader’s nature.
They had simply intended to exercise appropriate restraint so as not to underestimate themselves, and so they had certainly picked a quarrel with the innocent Jin Seol instead of me.
But with one unintended slip of the tongue, I had touched upon the Minor Sect Leader’s reverse scale.
The Minor Sect Leader was now displaying the signal of a ‘murder warning’ that they had only heard rumors about, and there was no way to turn back now.
Power struggles with Chong Dan and all that aside, they had found themselves in a situation where several of their heads might roll at any moment.
With that thought, the young masters of the Four Great Families turned ashen and looked ready to leap from their seats and flee at any second.
As I observed their appearance, I quietly brought my left hand behind my back.
I wiggled my fingers so that Jin Seol standing behind me could understand.
It was a signal meaning ‘it’s your turn to step in’.
“Minor Sect Leader!”
Jin Seol, having keenly understood my signal, cried out urgently.
“Today is a gathering prepared by the Sect Leader for harmony with the Four Great Families, so perhaps there is no need to spill blood at this occasion.”
I understood Jin Seol’s intention, yet I looked at her as if asking what nonsense she was spouting.
Her words continued, and though they were directed at me, her gaze was fixed upon the young masters of the Four Great Families.
“Since the young masters have expressed remorse for their mistakes and wish to apologize sincerely, would it not be wise to overlook this matter just this once? This girl humbly pleads with utmost sincerity.”
Upon hearing those words, I turned my gaze back to Gong Son Hui.
As if to say: if you have anything to say, then speak.
Yet my right hand remained resting upon the hilt of the Heavenly Slaying Sword, and Gong Son Hui, his gaze fixed upon my right hand as if riveted there, hastily rose from his seat.
Then, dropping to his knees and pressing his forehead to the ground, he cried out with a trembling voice with great difficulty.
“Please forgive this one’s recklessness.”
Beginning with Gong Son Hui, the elder, Im Yun Gyeom and Noh Jae Won rose in turn, and in the exact same posture as Gong Son Hui, they each offered me a deep bow from their seats, crying out as if competing with one another.
“I have committed a crime worthy of death!”
“Please, I beg your forgiveness!”
Even Kang So Young, who had not even been mentioned in relation to this matter.
“Please forgive us for our disrespect. I also offer my sincere apologies to Miss Jin.”
As Kang So Young’s words fell, Gong Son Hui, Im Yun Gyeom, and Noh Jae Won, quick to read the situation, offered another deep bow toward Jin Seol.
“Miss Jin. We have shown disrespect to a noble person, and we earnestly beg your forgiveness.”
As I observed their forms, my eyes remained as cold as ice, yet inwardly I was thoroughly satisfied.
Yes, that’s how it should be.
This is the level of courtesy one must show toward the Minor Sect Leader.
However, I had no intention of ending things here.
The task of disciplining the Five Great Families had only just finished its preparations and was now truly beginning in earnest.
“Rise. The atmosphere here has become rather strange.”
While the young nobles remained standing in their places, I issued an instruction to Jin Seol.
Not long after Jin Seol stepped outside the Banquet Hall and returned, the tavern staff moved busily, carrying four large wine vessels into the center of the hall.
“This and that, young master says this, sage says that—exchanging such courteous pleasantries is what petty men do. Nothing elevates a banquet’s atmosphere quite like wine, wouldn’t you agree, Young Master Im?”
“Yes, Minor Sect Leader. Of, of course. Haha….”
Im Yun Gyeom, who had originally offered me wine, answered with an awkward smile.
“Well then.”
“?”
“What are you doing?”
Now a large wine vessel sat before each of them, and I looked at the young nobles of the Four Great Families one by one, gesturing with my chin toward the vessels placed before them.
“Empty one vessel each first, then we’ll continue talking. I’ll count to one hundred.”
It meant they were to empty the wine vessels before them while I counted to one hundred.
Understanding my meaning, Im Yun Gyeom rushed toward the wine vessel at lightning speed, scooped it full with a ladle, and without even bothering to pour it into a cup, began gulping it down directly from the ladle.
“Indeed, I felt it from the moment I first saw you, but Young Master Im has a rather bold nature befitting his appearance. Young Master Gong Son?”
“Yes, yes? Minor Sect Leader?”
“Why are you just standing there watching?”
“Ah, no, I’m not!”
Seeing Gong Son Hui likewise scooping wine from the vessel with a ladle, Noh Jae Won’s face fell as he too reached for a ladle.
“Kang Young Lady. Bring the wine in bottles over here.”
“Yes, Minor Sect Leader.”
At least Kang So Young showed no direct disrespect or dismissive attitude toward Jin Seol, so she received somewhat better treatment than the others.
“Minor Sect Leader, would you grant this girl the honor of offering you a cup?”
“Go ahead and try.”
Though Kang So Young had remained expressionless since the banquet began, at this very moment she armed herself with a business smile and courteous tone, diligently catering to my preferences.
“Miss Jin! I know you’re occupied with duties, but please….”
“Ah, I….”
“Sister Jin, do have a cup as well.”
“Yes, Minor Sect Leader.”
I leisurely exchanged cups with Kang So Young and Jin Seol while enjoying the finest delicacies.
The sight of Im Yun Gyeom and the others sweating profusely to empty one vessel of wine within the time limit also made for rare and excellent entertainment.
I, an introvert to my very bones, had thought I would live my entire life never knowing the pleasures of such a banquet….
“Young Master Im?”
“Yes, *hic*! Minor Sect Leader?”
“Your drinking pace seems rather disappointing for someone of your build.”
“My apologies, *hic*! Sir!”
With a banquet like this, I felt I could enjoy myself endlessly, no matter who I was.

* * *
Through the gaps in the Banquet Hall’s windows, the full moon cast its brilliant light downward.
As the night deepened, the banquet grew increasingly lively.
“Young Master Gong Son, are you finding this quite taxing?”
Gong Son Hui, startled awake by my voice, straightened his posture and assumed a proper sitting position.
“Yes, yes!”
“If it’s too much, you’re welcome to rest a moment before continuing.”
“Ah… is that truly permissible?”
“Of course. Though for every moment you rest, we’ll add one more jar to your total.”
“No, no! There’s no need for that—I’ll drink right now!”
Gong Son Hui gazed at the enormous wine jar before him with a look of resentment.
‘Look at him trying every trick to weasel his way out of this.’
This fellow Gong Son Hui possessed some cunning, so I was observing him with particular attention.
Yet Im Yun Gyeom and Noh Jae Won were scarcely in better circumstances.
All three had already emptied two jars each and were now drinking from their third.
Judging by their expressions and gestures, all three young masters appeared to have already exceeded their capacity.
‘These martial artists can’t even handle this much alcohol? What’s the point?’
Inwardly, I found them somewhat pitiful.
But I myself was not so uncouth or crude as all that.
When I brought out the third jar, I had declared it would be the last, so once they finished it, I intended to conclude this gathering for the evening.
Well, looking at how they were going about it…
“Sister Jin. Sister Jin Seol! Um, would it be alright if I called you sister?”
Kang So Young, who had come near my seat and was exchanging wine cups with Jin Seol, also had her face flushed crimson, her words slurring.
“Young Lady Kang, if you continue like this, it makes me uncomfortable…”
“What are you saying, sister? Ah! Do you perhaps dislike me? Is it because of those men?”
“How could that be? I simply…”
“Hic! Sister! I’m sorry!”
I had not intended to make Kang So Young drink to this extent, but watching the other young masters exert themselves, she seemed to find it uncomfortable to remain idle.
Just as I was thinking that Kang So Young, who had been drinking without properly eating any food and pushing the pace, was approaching her limit—
Thud.
Kang So Young, who had been clinging to Jin Seol and weeping, collapsed face-first and became the first casualty of the evening.
For a young lady of such noble birth, her drinking habits were quite simple, though when she sobered up, I suspected Kang So Young would be the most embarrassed about today’s events.
Well, when wine cups circulate late into the night, such things tend to happen…
“Young Master, are you alright?”
“I am Im Yun Gyeom. I will not fall to this extent…”
“You’ll regret it later. At least have some food…”
The attendants from each family, who had been standing behind these young masters throughout, were now half-resigned to their fate.
Even the prestigious young masters of their own families dared not utter a single word of protest against me, so what could mere stewards like them possibly do?
I observed from the corner of my eye the three young masters squeezing out their last strength to drink from the jars, and their attendants’ movements, then turned my gaze toward Jin Seol.
“Miss Jin, are you managing alright?”
“Of course, Minor Sect Leader. Given the nature of my work, I’ve grown accustomed to drinking frequently. A bit of alcohol like this is nothing to me.”
“No, I meant that I revealed your identity to them.”
“Ah….”
Jin Seol fell silent for a moment, lowering her gaze to fix upon a single point on the table.
“It’s quite alright, Minor Sect Leader. It wasn’t something I particularly wished to discuss, but there’s no point in trying to conceal what cannot truly be hidden.”
In Jin Seol’s expression as she spoke, a hint of melancholy flickered across her features.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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