Chronicles of the Reincarnated Demon God - Chapter 12 - The Value of Candy

“If it’s about earlier, you don’t have to—”

“It’s not that. It’s about what Mother and Yu-chang have been doing to you all this time.”

“…”

Silence lulled momentarily.

“So, once again, I am really, truly sorry. Let me apologize in their stead.”

I scratched my head, unsure of how to respond.

“Raise your head,” I eventually told her.

“Does that mean—”

“I hope you weren’t about to suggest that I forgive them.”

“…”

“If you want to say things like that, I’d appreciate it if you left.”

This reunion had not changed how I would deal with Gyu-jin if she decided to avenge Namgung San-yeong, who would soon become royally fucked.

I would crush her, just like her mother.

But if she did not draw her sword against me, I planned to leave her alone.

That would suffice as payment for all the candy that “Tang Woon-hwi” had received.

“I knew it would be difficult, but I had to try.”

Gyu-jin did not press further. She was likely in turmoil. Even if she despised them, they were still her mother and brother.

I nodded in silent response.

After that, we began to chatter about less serious matters.

“So where did you end up learning those martial arts? It wasn’t just the cursed poison, your starting stance looked quite special.”

“My current martial arts instructor is Tang Gon.”

“You were taught by Uncle Gon?”

‘ “Uncle Gon”? Is that how he’s supposed to be referred to?’

I’d been addressing him informally all this time.

“Yes. It’s thanks to Mother.”

Gyu-jin grew confused. She obviously couldn’t connect the dots between Namgung San-yeong, Tang Gon, and me.

But instead of giving her a proper explanation, I simply laughed it off.

“So, how have you been, Sis? You said in your letters that you descended the mountains with your friends…”

Time flew as we chatted about.

“I heard you and Yu-chang are having a duel. Will you be okay?”

“Do you think I’ll lose?”

“I got a glimpse of your prowess earlier… but don’t underestimate Yu-chang. Not to mention that winning will bring about more problems.”

She seemed to be warning me that Namgung San-yeong had quite a trump card hidden up her sleeves.

“I’ll be okay. I’ve thought it through that far.”

“You have?”

“It wouldn’t be fun if it was just a simple duel, right?”

“??”

In response to Gyu-jin’s look of confusion, I simply grinned back.

「…Oh no! The junior lord is scheming again!」

The ghosts collectively began to tremble in fear.

* * *

The following day, noon.

Only after arriving at the second training ground, the location of the duel, did Gyu-jin understand Woon-hwi’s words.

“Hear ye, hear ye! This isn’t your everyday delicacy! For only five copper coins, you can try the special Chongqing pumpkin taffy.”

“Picnic mats! Selling picnic mats! These picnic mats were specially woven from fabric imported all the way from Persia!”

The training ground was crowded with vendors and bystanders. From martial artists to servants of the Nine Dragons Branch Family to even outsiders.

It seemed like anyone who didn’t have a job to do was present.

But the biggest issue was…

“Place your bets! Place your bets! The current odds are 164 to 1! Will you make a safe bet to win a ti~ny amount, or will you risk it to win it bi~g!”

In one of the corners, people were gambling on the duel.

‘Things are definitely a little—no, very different than I anticipated…’

Everything felt so chaotic and confusing to her.

But this was all a result of Woon-hwi spreading rumors for the past day:

“The second young master and third young master are having an official duel tomorrow at noon.”

“Apparently, the winner will become the elder brother whom the loser will forever serve.”

“I heard they swore that the loser will not show their face during the Dark Sovereign’s visit.”

These were all matters that were highly critical within the Nine Dragons Branch Family.

Of course, the people that looked down on Woon-hwi laughed it off, saying that he was no match for Tang Yu-chang.

However, when the Internal Affairs Office tried to step in to stop the duel, their conversation with Tang Gon caused further commotion.

“Young Master Woon-hwi is having a duel with Young Master Yu-chang?”

“Yes. The manor is in an uproar over it. What do you think of this, as his martial instructor?”

“I don’t know why he’s bothering with such an obvious fight.”

“So you agree! To avoid unnecessary casualties, please stop Young Master Woon-hwi from—”

“Why don’t you guys try and stop him? He won’t listen to me. Poor Young Master Yu-chang.”

“…Pardon? Did you perhaps misspeak?”

“Huh? I meant what I said.”

“?!”

“I bet that Young Master Yu-chang will get his socks beaten off of him. Can you imagine getting beaten in front of so many people? Ugh! It’ll be so humiliating!”

“…!!”

“!!!”

To say that Tang Yu-chang would lose!

Though Tang Gon appeared lazy and careless, he was also known for never speaking words he didn’t mean.

In other words, he wasn’t taking Tang Woon-hwi’s side simply because he was Woon-hwi’s martial instructor.

This rumor, like a snowball rolling down a hill, blew out of proportion, catching everyone’s attention.

“The Ruination Clash.”

That was what their duel was dubbed, as whoever lost would end up throwing away all the special privileges they held within the family. But this only spurred further interest.

* * *

Reaper Scans

[Translator – Nano Sashin]

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* * *

Amidst all this chaos…

Yu-chang couldn’t hold back his anger. “…How dare he turn me into some zoo monkey!” he said through gritted teeth.

He had always been taught by Namgung San-yeong to maintain his class as a member of the nobility.

He was a higher being, one who possessed the blood of both the Tang Clan, who ruled Sichuan Province, and the Namgung Noble Clan, who ruled Anhui Province.

That was why he saw this fight not as a duel but as an opportunity to teach Woon-hwi a violent lesson. A lesson on daring to go up against him and on the massive difference between them.

That was why Yu-chang had picked a secluded location for the duel… yet for so many to have gathered!

Once he noticed how many people were taking bets, he became woozy.

If this was a scheme by the illegitimate bastard to annoy him, he had thoroughly succeeded.

“Fuu…”

But the anger only lasted momentarily.

Circulating the shadow ki within himself, Tang Yu-chang shook off all the rage inside him.

He thought he shouldn’t get so easily shaken up by such trivial matters.

This was all merely a desperate ploy. He wasn’t going to stoop so low—

『You really showed up just because I called for you? I didn’t know you were so obedient. But I guess that’s a mama’s boy for ya. Who’s a good boy? You’re a good boy. Good job.』

As the mocking bastard’s sound telepathy reached his ears, Yu-chang lost his cool.

Snap!

The servants assisting him nearby were surprised. “Y-Young Master?”

Yu-chang had clenched his fist so hard that he crushed the assassination weapon in his hand.

“…Relay this to Mother: After this duel, we must reconsider our plans for Woon-hwi. He might need to be eliminated.”

“Y-yes, sir!”

Yu-chang glared sinisterly.

『Whoa, whoa! Ease up, killer eyes. Aren’t you taking my joke too seriously?』

Yu-chang tried to tell himself, ‘Ignore him. Ignore him. If I play along, I’ll just be falling into his scheme—’

『Who do you take after, to be so unsociable? Oh, wait, it’s your mom, isn’t it?』

『Shut… up.』

Gritting his teeth, Yu-chang stared down Woon-hwi, who was giggling across the stage.

Woon-hwi mocked Yu-chang:『Shad ub?』

『…I told you to shut up!』

『Oh you want me to shut up? Oh my! So scary!』

Yu-chang could no longer hold himself back against this clown.

Finally…

He snapped.

His face flushed with rage, Yu-chang stood up and shouted, “Tang Woon-hwiiiiii!”

* * *

「He finally lost it.」

「He lasted a pretty long time.」

As Yu-chang jumped up to the stage in fury, he drew everyone’s attention.

From the merchants slinging food to the children playing with their parents, everyone went silent.

Silence filled the training ground.

“Get up here! I’m going to tear out your wicked tongue and feed it to the swine!” Yu-chang declared.

He looked comical, floundering on the stage with his face red.

He had no idea that his actions just now had set his place within people’s hearts.

No matter what I did, he should have kept his cool and faced me as a superior martial artist “accepting a challenge.”

Actually, he should have continued to reject this duel. However, the moment he accepted, he needed to participate with the attitude of someone gracing me with a lesson. That way, at least, he could have saved face.

Unlike me who had nothing, he had far too much to lose.

As the superior martial artist, if he won the duel, he could impress upon people that he was providing me with guidance.

Even if he lost, losing was a natural part of being a martial artist. He could have cleanly admitted defeat and looked for another opportunity.

But this single misjudgment had ruined everything.

By jumping up first and shouting at me, he’d made it look like he was the one demanding a challenge.

He was now the challenger, and there was no way to recover if he lost in this scenario. He would completely fall to ruin.

Even if he won, he stood to gain nothing. He would be treated as a moron that had gone for an easy win.

In the end, his own words and actions had created a noose around his neck.

「What impeccable scheming…」

「Well, his fate was already sealed when he agreed to this duel.」

Once again, Tang Yu-chang yelled, “I said get up here!”

With a gentle smile on my face, I slowly strolled onto the stage.

It was the leisurely pace of someone accepting a challenge.

“I am Tang Woon-hwi of the White Pavilion. I am a nobody with no title. I hope for a good match.”

While giving a martial salute with as much elegance as I could muster, I slightly bowed my head.

A martial salute was a customary greeting before a duel.

In public duels like this, displaying respect and etiquette to the opponent was of utmost importance.

Despite this fact, Yu-chang smiled and mocked me. “You must be trembling in fear now that you’re finally on stage. However, it’s too late.”

This juxtaposition in our attitudes would be firmly implanted in the minds of the audience.

Whoosh!

Tang Yu-chang began by moving with Shadow Step.

Leaving behind shadowy afterimages, he ran toward me and covered the sky with needles.

Downpour of Pear Blossom Needles

Heavenly Lady’s Scattering Flowers

“He’s using ‘Heavenly Lady’s Scattering Flowers’ and ‘Shadow Step’ simultaneously?”

“He’s even expertly utilizing Pear Blossom Needles, which requires one to be a first-rate martial artist!’

The martial arts experts in the crowd rose from their seats.

Though they’d been displeased by Tang Yu-chang’s uncouth behavior so far, his display of skills made them forget all about that.

『These needles are laced with an extremely concentrated toxic cinnabar. I don’t know how you’ve been detoxing it so far, but it’ll be impossible for you to do so here with no one around to help you!』

Yu-chang’s smiling attitude seemed a little different than earlier.

It appeared that he’d been acting to make me lower my guard. I guess he was capable of at least some thinking.

Thank goodness, the first person I would crush after reincarnating wasn’t a completely brain-dead moron.

Looking at the countless needles raining down from the sky, I twisted my body.

There was no place for me to evade on this small stage.

That left only one option: Deflecting the incoming needles so that I could squash Tang Yu-chang.

Fwoosh!

I emanated a gust of wind, and it soon enveloped my entire body.

“N-no way!”

A few people’s eyes widened in surprise. They seemed to have caught on to what was going on.

The gust of wind quickly became a rough whirlwind and swept away all the incoming needles.

“A w-wild wind…!!”

“It’s the Wild Wind Dance!!”

“What? The Wild Wind Dance? How does Young Master Woon-hwi know—?!”

The rest of the crowd caught on and became shocked.

Meanwhile, I wrapped myself with wild wind like it was armor and launched myself off the ground.

Swoosh!

Wild Wind Dance

Wild Wind Explosion

I became a flash of light and ran toward him for an explosive body strike, a technique that sent the opponent flying by leveraging one’s own shoulder and back.

Yu-chang panicked. “Uh—”

He quickly activated his shadow ki to step back. He threw whatever weapons he could, but none of them could pierce through my wild wind.

In the end, his face turned blue, and…

Smash!

“KUAGH—” Yu-chang screamed as he was knocked out of the ring.

“…!!”

“…!!”

“…!!”

The entire audience was stunned. Some even had to cover their jaws, they were hanging so wide from the shock.

I had won with only a single move.

No one had expected this outcome. But how could they?

I had been treated as an imbecile by everyone until a few months ago, and Tang Yu-Chang was the talented young master who had even mastered “Shadow Ki” and “Heavenly Lady’s Scattering Flowers” at the age of 17.

However, my objective wasn’t to defeat a scrub like Tang Yu-chang.

No, I was aiming far higher.

The successor of the Nine Dragons Branch Family. A peak-stage master of the Qingcheng Sect.

The rising star of the Sichuan martial society.

Defeating someone like that was what I needed to completely shift my position within the family.

“Big Sister,” I said, turning my head toward Tang Gyu-jin.

She was rooted in place in complete shock.

“Will you please accept my challenge?”