Chapter 138 – Blurry, Suddenly (8)

Today, with the sun high in the sky, marks one month since I arrived in the past.

“No, hic, I’m not saying I won’t pay. I’ll give it to you later, alright? Don’t you know about credit?”
“Ha, but you didn’t pay last time either.”
“Ah, yes. Ugh, it’s coming up. I’m not saying I’ll give it all at once. Can’t you understand?”

From broad daylight, the man, hiccuping and red-faced from drunkenness, was causing a scene in the inn.

“Good heavens, such nonsense…”

He swayed unsteadily.

The man, who walked so precariously that he could fall at any moment, headed towards the door, threatening the surrounding warriors as he went.

“Uh, excuse me.”

The clerk couldn’t say anything to the warriors for fear of being harmed, and only looked upset. The few warriors sitting in the inn were silent at the sight.

After all, the drunken man was a member of a distinguished family in his own right.

As I observed the scene, I discreetly kicked the drunken man in the back.

“Ugh, kuk!”

The disoriented and unsightly drunkard stumbled before clumsily regaining his footing.

“Ah, dammit. Who are you? Do you know who I am?”

I lifted the hat I was wearing to reveal my face.

“Who are you? From which noble family?”
“-Kuk.”

I lightly stepped on his back and divulged the man’s identity.

“A dogwood tree. The third son of Seok-yeon. His name is Seok-cheong. With more than one or two reports against him, shouldn’t he be apprehended and face the consequences at least once?”
“…Uh, uh, who are you?”
“There are numerous rumors that you’re a wicked man.”

In the past, if one possessed some power, they could have extricated themselves. But not anymore. The Heavenly Demon’s authority pierces the sky, and one should take care of themselves, remaining firmly rooted in their esteemed family.

The corrupt ones had long been apprehended and punished beforehand. Currently, we were discovering the extent of a sovereign’s power in real time.

“Wait, could it be… Lord Heavenly Demon?”

I grinned at him as he inquired with a suddenly sober voice.

Yes, that’s right.

“Ah, ahem!”

His face gradually turned a ghastly shade of blue. I pulled a few silver coins from my pocket and tossed them to the inn’s attendant.

“Um… Lord Heavenly Demon, what is this?”

“Use this to cover the cost for now. Leave his handling to me.”

“I-I cannot accept it. I’m not even involved, so how could I?”

Ignoring the refusing attendant, I dragged the inebriated man, who had been waiting anxiously. He began to apologize in a choked voice, albeit too late, and it didn’t seem entirely heartfelt.

* * * * * *

“White Peach, do you know?”

“Hmm?”

“You know that person from before, the one who became Socheonma. I heard they’re going to succeed their father.”

At Hwangdo’s sudden words, Baekdo couldn’t believe her ears.

“What?”

With a thud, Baekdo dropped the mop she was holding.

“What do you mean? Then what about Cheondo?”
“I don’t know.”

Socheonma. Wasn’t their name Dowon?

Baekdo felt her heart sink. She had firmly believed that the person who would succeed Heavenly Demon would be none other than Cheondo. As someone who personally admired Cheondo, this news was nothing short of shocking.

“It’s strange. If there’s already a successor, why choose another?”
“I don’t know, but if Cheondo doesn’t become Heavenly Demon, isn’t it good that we can spend more time together? Baekdo, you liked him too, right? He’s incredibly cool.”
“That’s not the same thing!”

The public secret dance with Hong Yeon. Baekdo was well aware of just how strong Hong Yeon was.

Baekdo thought that a man who had fiercely triumphed over such a strong woman as Hong-Yeon was incredibly impressive.

However, Baekdo liked Cheondo more than that man. It might be an extreme comparison, but in contrast to Cheondo, that man was no better than a cockroach.

“Would it not be better if that older brother became the Heavenly Demon? Honestly, Cheondo always pushes herself too hard.”

Baekdo didn’t like that idea and puffed out her cheeks sullenly.

“Your sisters all liked that guy, didn’t they? He was handsome as well. Moreover, he’s turning Do-won into a very pleasant place to live.”
“So, you also think that you’d prefer him to become the Heavenly Demon instead of Cheondo?”
“Isn’t Cheondo bearing a huge burden? Wouldn’t it be difficult for her?”

With a bitter expression, Hwangdo sincerely confided in Baekdo.

Heaven, White Peach, and Zodiac.

The three sisters had shared each other’s emotions longer than anyone else, and they each knew one another’s hearts better than anyone else.

It hadn’t been long since Do-won was established.

Though the war had ended, the situation remained precarious. A leader was still needed, and someone had to succeed Heavenly Demon.

Three individuals possessed the necessary talent, but Heaven, known as Cheondo, sacrificed herself as their representative.

Concealing her identity, she worked in a guesthouse, listening to the faint sounds of gunfire while training relentlessly throughout the day. Heaven was enduring a dreadful existence in place of White Peach (Baekdo) and Zodiac (Hwangdo).

…All because she had been born a little earlier.

“You know, White Peach.”

Heaven was terrified of blood. In her younger years, she had been so tender-hearted that even when a Seungnyang scratched her hand, she’d worry about the creature instead.

She had always yielded to the fierce White Peach and spent her entire life making concessions to Zodiac, the youngest.

Because she was the eldest daughter.

Zodiac’s words came from a place of concern for Heaven, but White Peach felt differently.

“It’s annoying.”

“White Peach?”

“You know how diligently Cheondo has lived. She tried so hard. It’s infuriating that she can’t follow in her father’s footsteps, just because that man appeared.”

I wanted to ask my father directly.

Do you genuinely intend to strip Cheondo of her succession?

Of course, their father wouldn’t answer that question.

“…If he were the father of the past, he wouldn’t have done that.”

White Peach spoke with a sorrowful voice, her clenched fists trembling.

The father of the past. Only a decade ago, Heavenly Demon showed a gentle face to his daughters alone. He would smile when they picked flowers and carry them when they asked for it.

But now, he was like a sword with a keen edge.

A ruthless demon who wouldn’t hesitate to do anything for his goals.

– Startled!

“White Peach? Where are you going?”

White Peach gritted her teeth, rose from her seat, and left the room.

“To see him.”

Hwangdo chased after her belatedly, but Baekdo had already vanished from her sight.

* * * * * *

On the way back from an errand, I dealt with a few drunken troublemakers. I bought some dumplings nearby to satisfy my hunger.

Steam billowed from the plump dumplings. When I pulled them apart, meat-stuffed filling burst forth like blood from a torn flesh.

– Rustle.

Then, the sound of footsteps on grass came from behind me.

I could feel a blatant gaze piercing the back of my head.

I popped half of the dumpling into my mouth and glanced back.

“How long do you plan to stay there?”

– Swish.

A little child reacted to my voice like a stray cat. Perhaps aware that it was difficult to fully hide in such tall grass, her white hair protruded like cat ears.

`I thought he didn’t like me.`

As I got up and approached the thicket, the face of the girl who had been hiding within it was revealed.

As expected, it’s White Peach.
The little one who’s been following me for the last few days.

As I parted the foliage with my hands, White Peach’s face was exposed.

For some reason, her lips were tightly sealed, and her expression was tense.

“What are you doing here?”
“You don’t have to know.”
“You’re following me around, and you don’t have anything to know. Do you want some dumplings?”
“I won’t eat them.”

My hand, offering the dumplings, was suddenly slapped away.

What could be the reason for her stalking me all this time?
Her tone was not the usual arrogant manner, but rather her honest way of speaking.
She’s talking informally to an adult, but thinking it’s White Peach makes it endearing.

I rubbed the back of my struck hand and maintained eye level with White Peach, who was glaring at me.

“Do you intend to succeed my father?”
“Hmm?”

The abrupt question was something I never would have imagined.

“What are you talking about?”
“So, are you going to become the Heavenly Demon?”

I can’t deny it given my current situation, and in fact, that’s the case. But why is she asking this?

“Shall we sit down and talk?”
“Speak here.”
“It seems like a long conversation. Why don’t we discuss it over dumplings and a drink?”

When I pointed to a nearby inn, White Peach shook her head vehemently. However, as I nonchalantly entered the inn, she soon followed me as if her heart was swayed.

As we sat in a secluded corner and ordered food, a bowl full of dumplings was served. White Peach held a cup of water in both hands, wet her throat, sighed, and glared at me again.

The emotion in her eyes was hostility.

For now, let’s have her try the dumplings.

“You-“
“Eat this, then I’ll tell you.”

As White Peach’s words were interrupted, her eyes filled with contempt.

However, as I suggested, she put a dumpling in her mouth and began chewing. Soon, her face softened like a dumpling wrapper.

“Do you want one more?”
“Treat me like a child… Cough, cough.”

Oh, she choked.
I quickly poured water into Baekdo’s glass as she patted her chest.

– Gulp, gulp.

Looking at it this way, it feels like we’re dining out.

“Phew.”

After drinking water and catching her breath, Baekdo began to glare at me again, as if she had now returned to her original purpose.

“Get down from there. Don’t follow in my father’s footsteps.”

That came out of nowhere.

“Why?”
“Because that position belongs to Heaven.”

Aha.
She came to me because she was worried that Heaven could not succeed Heavenly Demon.

I smiled at Baekdo.

“Why, why do you laugh like that?”
“No, it’s just cute.”
“Don’t say annoying things! Do you know how hard Heaven tries to follow in her father’s footsteps?”

I don’t know, but I could guess.

That person is damn diligent, attempting to do even the things he doesn’t want to.

“A person like you can’t take over from our father.”
“A person like me?”

Baekdo pointed a finger at me.

I believed I had been diligent in my own way. However, it seems Sojeo, with her finicky tastes, must truly dislike me.

Judging by the fact that we can’t get along even here, could it be innate? Our DNA must be programmed to attack each other.

– Grumble.

Though she curses at me, she still picks up and consumes the dumplings with ease, having developed a taste for them. The dumplings here were precisely to my liking. Saying they suit my tastes essentially means they’re targeting Baekdo’s palate too.

I set down my glass of water and folded my arms.

“So, you’re telling me to give up on the succession? Is that really necessary?”
“It is.”

At my words, Baekdo furrowed her brow.

“Does Heaven seem like someone who can’t even defeat a person like me?”

“I can win! I can win… But you’re older now.”
“What does age matter? Cheondo will manage just fine on her own.”

As Baekdo’s anxiety grows, so does the atmosphere in Dowon.
Rumors abound that I am the one to succeed Heavenly Demon, rather than the enigmatic Heaven.

Baekdo isn’t entirely ignorant of Cheondo’s situation, hence the questioning directed at me.

“Then I’ll tell you alone. Just don’t tell Cheondo.”

I didn’t want the story to grow more complicated, so I let the words slip.

“To me?”
“I don’t intend to succeed anyway.”

Baekdo’s eyes widened.

If I were to spread these rumors, it might cause significant disruption to my current work. Even if Baekdo is repulsed by me, she doesn’t cross the line.

“Why, why?”
“I just need the training, that’s all.”

Once my tasks are complete, I plan to train relentlessly.
That’s all there is to it.
I return to the present.

“Then why did you become a Lesser Heavenly Demon?”
“There are various reasons. Nevertheless, I won’t obstruct Heaven’s path. I’m nearly finished with my current tasks, so I’ll only be receiving training from now on.”
“Can I trust you?”

He nodded.

Even so, White Peach seemed to be questioning whether her suspicion was truly that deep at this moment, as she examined my face and spoke.

“…Or be prepared to die.”

White Peach appeared to be convinced.
Still, there seemed to be a necessity for a serious conversation withHeaven.