Chapter 10
“I need to know what happened so I can respond accordingly. My father definitely wouldn't have taken it meekly.”
“He wasn't meek. That's why I said to let you go, Head Instructor Seo, if I could receive three of the Cult Leader's moves, and I think he went easy on me.”
“If he went easy on you, why was my father's face bleeding?”
“It was because he went easy on me.”
However, Seo Hyo-eun still had a suspicious look on her face, and Cheon Ha-seong realized that glossing it over would not be an easy task.
He had known Seo Hyo-eun for a long time at the Martial Arts Academy until now, but he didn't have many memories of sitting for so long like this and talking about themselves somewhere other than the Academy.
Come to think of it, the fact that the two of them had spent a night together was also a truly strange thing. Normally, such an event would not have occurred, but it seemed to have happened because he drank too much while angry because of Cheok Gyo-woon.
Even though he had been drinking, Cheon Ha-seong could have expelled the alcohol with his internal energy, so it was also strange that he hadn't.
Though he himself hadn't known it, it seemed he had found the time spent with Seo Hyo-eun to be comfortable and enjoyable.
A short while later, Seo Hyo-eun learned everything that had happened between her father and Cheon Ha-seong. She kept grilling him until he talked, so Cheon Ha-seong had no other choice.
Listening to what Cheon Ha-seong said, Seo Hyo-eun wondered if he was lying. Who was her father, after all?
Even the martial artists of the Orthodox Sects acknowledged her father when it came to his martial arts alone. Moreover, her father naturally had no rival in the Divine Cult, yet Cheon Ha-seong had blocked all of his attacks and even counterattacked.
Seo Hyo-eun, seeming to think she couldn't just stay where she was, hurried.
“Where are you going?”
“If what you say is true, Head Instructor Cheon, then my father has suffered a serious internal injury. That can't happen to my father. Considering that Cheok Gyo-woon knew my story, there must be people everywhere listening in on our affairs and carrying news to the Marquis Halls. If it becomes known that my father has an internal injury, those aiming for his position might launch a surprise attack.”
Cheon Ha-seong was greatly surprised to hear that.
This was because, from his perspective, he thought the Cult Leader had a stable and firm grip on his power.
As Seo Hyo-eun hurried out, Cheon Ha-seong also followed her.
There were many people in the hallway, just as when Cheon Ha-seong had arrived, but as they left, it felt as if a particularly large number of people suddenly scattered.
Cheon Ha-seong was once again surprised, wondering if they had been trying to listen to their conversation, just as Seo Hyo-eun had said.
From the outside, it had looked like an impregnable fortress, but he wondered if perhaps the Cult Leader had lost a considerable amount of his power and was just puffing himself up to intimidate his enemies.
That was something he had never even imagined before hearing it from Seo Hyo-eun.
As she went to see the Cult Leader, Seo Hyo-eun seemed so anxious that she started running. Seeing that, Cheon Ha-seong also grew worried.
The Cult Leader was not in his office, but in his bedchamber.
The security in front of the bedchamber was even tighter. However, when Seo Hyo-eun approached, those guarding the front also made way for her.
“Head Instructor Cheon, wait here for a moment.”
At Seo Hyo-eun's words, Cheon Ha-seong also obediently nodded.
As Seo Hyo-eun went inside, the people outside began to look Cheon Ha-seong over with sidelong glances.
However, Cheon Ha-seong was too preoccupied with the thought that the Cult Leader might be in danger because of him.
Before long, the door opened and Seo Hyo-eun called Cheon Ha-seong in.
As Cheon Ha-seong went inside, the people looked at each other with faces of disbelief.
Cases where another person could enter the bedchamber after the Cult Leader had gone in were bound to be extremely rare.
If he intended to sleep with a Marquis, the Cult Leader would go to the Marquis's Hall instead of summoning the Marquis to his own bedchamber. Therefore, it was safe to say that another person entering the Cult Leader's bedchamber almost never happened, with the exception of the Demonic Physician entering because of a serious problem with his health.
The Young Supreme One entering was understandable as she was the Cult Leader's only legitimate heir, but for even Cheon Ha-seong to go in was something that was not easily understood, no matter how one thought about it.
When Cheon Ha-seong entered, the Cult Leader had changed into his nightclothes and had just gotten down from his bed where he had been recuperating.
He glared fiercely at Cheon Ha-seong as if displeased to see him again, then whipped his head away. Seeing this, Seo Hyo-eun guessed that everything Cheon Ha-seong had said was true.
“I am sorry, Cult Leader.”
“What are you sorry for? Are you sorry that you harmed me?”
The Cult Leader glared at Cheon Ha-seong as if he were spouting insolent nonsense.
“Father, don't be like that with Head Instructor Cheon for no reason. Head Instructor Cheon had no choice because he thought I was in danger. You also know why he did it, Father, so don't make him uncomfortable for no reason. He's someone who came to save me because he thought I was in danger. He's someone who thought you had locked me up and dared to try and save me from you.”
Cheon Ha-seong was genuinely worried if it was okay for Seo Hyo-eun to act like that. He had heard too much about what kind of person the Cult Leader was, and it seemed there would be a limit to his tolerance, even if she was his daughter.
However, upon hearing those words, the Cult Leader couldn't get any angrier and just glared at Cheon Ha-seong. Wondering if this really worked, Cheon Ha-seong looked at Seo Hyo-eun with eyes full of amazement.
“Father, are you badly hurt?”
“For a bastard like that to dare harm me is absurd.”
“But you were hurt…” Seo Hyo-eun stopped mid-sentence and looked towards the door.
Cheon Ha-seong also realized why she did that.
Knowing that he couldn't let the subordinates know about the injury, Cheon Ha-seong felt conflicted.
He had thought all of the Cult Leader's subordinates were loyal, but looking at the Cult Leader and Seo Hyo-eun, it seemed the two of them didn't think so.
“There is nothing to worry about. If you have something to say, say it all without worrying about what others think. Don't be mindful of anyone, Hyo-eun-ah.”
The Cult Leader spoke, but instead of continuing that conversation, Seo Hyo-eun checked his injuries. Then, unable to hide her upset heart, she treated his wounds.
The external injuries were nothing, but the internal injuries would be the problem.
“I took medicine that works well for both internal and external injuries. I will be fine after a few hours, so do not worry.”
“Then I will stay here in the meantime. Other people shouldn't come in during that time.”
The Cult Leader was pleased that his daughter was worrying about him to such an extent.
“Why is that bastard here?”
“Father, he is someone I like. How would I feel if someone else spoke ill of you? It's the same when you speak ill of Head Instructor Cheon. I would appreciate it if you would also show some courtesy to the person I like.”
“Hyo-eun… ah.”
When the daughter he had raised with such care and affection said that, the Cult Leader felt a sense of betrayal. So when he glared at Cheon Ha-seong, it felt as if sparks would fly between them.
Cheon Ha-seong, hated for no fault of his own, felt awkward.
However, putting himself in the other's shoes, he could also understand how much he must be hated. It didn't seem like Seo Hyo-eun's actions were being very helpful, but it was also difficult to speak up in front of the Cult Leader, so he decided to look for an opportune moment.
“I can rest alone, so both of you may leave now. No, Cheon Ha-seong, you stay for a moment.”
“Father, what are you planning to say to him now?”
When Seo Hyo-eun asked worriedly, Cheon Ha-seong stopped her.
“Go on, Head Instructor Seo.”
Cheon Ha-seong's tone wasn't cold, but it was as firm as it was in the Martial Arts Academy. Having watched him for a long time, Seo Hyo-eun knew that when he spoke like that, she had to listen.
Cheon Ha-seong had never spoken to her in that tone before, but knowing how he handled the candidates, her body reacted automatically.
There was no way the Cult Leader would miss that fact.
“Father, if you treat Head Instructor Cheon harshly, I really might not see you again.”
When Seo Hyo-eun said that, Cheon Ha-seong's expression changed. Until now, he had been stuck between the two, unable to do anything, but now he could no longer stay like that.
The Cult Leader did not know him. But wasn't Seo Hyo-eun different?
And yet, seeing as she kept making him repeat the same things, Seo Hyo-eun was more at fault than the Cult Leader.
It was Seo Hyo-eun who kept fanning the embers that were about to be extinguished.
When Cheon Ha-seong suddenly fell silent, Seo Hyo-eun tried to read his expression. Then, as if thinking this was also her father's fault, she glared at the Cult Leader.
Because of that, the Cult Leader grasped the atmosphere, shut his mouth, and lowered his head. Her skill in making the great Cult Leader of the world act like that was indeed amazing, but that was not what Cheon Ha-seong had wanted.
“Father!”
As Seo Hyo-eun shouted once more, Cheon Ha-seong looked at her and spoke.
“Head Instructor Seo, the Cult Leader may have acted that way because he doesn't know me, but are you, who have watched me for several months, going to ignore what I say to the very end as if you didn't hear it and only say what you want to say?”
His words weren't long nor repeated. He just said what he had to say, but that alone was enough to make Seo Hyo-eun snap to her senses.
“No, Head Instructor Cheon. I didn't mean to do that… And it's absurd to say that I ignored you. You know I would never do that, so why are you saying such a thing? I was just worried about you, Head Instructor Cheon. Because I thought it would be difficult for you to speak honestly in front of my father.”
“The person who is driving me into a corner while claiming to help me is you, Head Instructor Seo. Think about whether you would act differently if you were in the Cult Leader's position.”
Then, Cheon Ha-seong looked at the Cult Leader and spoke.
“Cult Leader, I am truly sorry. I have disappointed you. If you give me a chance, I will become a person who meets your standards.”
“…”
The Cult Leader couldn't speak right away at those words.
Watching how things were unfolding was strange. Didn't it seem as if his own precious daughter couldn't even speak properly in front of Cheon Ha-seong?
After Cheon Ha-seong said a few words, his daughter began to anxiously watch his expression. The way her eyes darted around like a puppy that urgently needed to relieve itself was pitiful, and at the same time, it made him see Cheon Ha-seong in a new light.
He wasn't thinking he had found a weakness and continuously pushing the attack. He just said precisely what he wanted to say, and that was it.
The Cult Leader, too, realized that he had been swept up in his emotions, rambling on and pressuring Cheon Ha-seong too much.
“Ahem!”
As the Cult Leader cleared his throat out of embarrassment, Cheon Ha-seong spoke.
“I will be returning to the Martial Arts Academy now, Cult Leader. I came here rashly because I was worried about Head Instructor Seo, but there are people there who need my help. And I need to be there.”
“Yes. You shouldn't leave your post. Then do so. And if you want to see our Hyo-eun, come and meet her anytime. As you saw today, Hyo-eun is staying here with me in the Cult Leader's Hall, so you can just come here. No one will stop you when you come to see Hyo-eun.”
The Cult Leader could finally breathe a sigh of relief. He didn't know how much more his daughter was going to peck at him, and Cheon Ha-seong had just opened up a path for him to make an honorable retreat.