Camellia 79

It was as if a burst of brilliant color had descended into a world that had only known black and white.

Even with over four hundred people packed into the arena, Tang Yujae’s gaze was fixed on one person alone. Whether Seolyeong realized he had captured the sect leader’s attention or not, he walked steadily, posture upright, eyes locked on the frozen statue.

The cold scent of winter carried directly to the nose, a dry, sharp scent one could only smell when snow piled quietly underfoot.

He had appeared out of nowhere, now standing on the dueling platform, and the pavilion lords all watched with different expressions.

“He really is as lovely as the rumors said. I can see how he ended up as Cheonsin’s bride.”

“You can find beauties like that all over Shingang.”

The Geukmunggak Lord let out a booming laugh of agreement. The Okhaenggak Lord countered with a cold voice. The haggard-looking Jipilgak Lord was preoccupied with choosing what alcohol to drink later.

“Ah… maybe some fruit wine for the first time in a while. No, wait. Something bitter sounds better…”

The Daeyeonggak Lord didn’t look at the bride. He looked at Cheonsin instead, silent, as if waiting to see how his lord would react.

“Ten thousand years! Glory for ten thousand years! Seolyeong of the Murong clan pays respects to the Supreme One who has transcended the heavens!”

Seolyeong dropped to his knees without hesitation as he reached the platform.

Yujae’s lips curled wryly at the absurd greeting. Seolyeong of the Murong clan? As far as he knew, the mad bride hadn’t inherited the Murong surname. And of course he hadn’t, what kind of madman would let a blood fiend carry the clan name?

As if reading his husband’s mind, Seolyeong quickly clarified.

“We may not be blood-related, but the man who is like a father to me stepped into this arena today. I came despite the offense, to plead my case.”

The crowd murmured. Seolyeong’s face was pale under the pressure of hundreds of martial artists, but his gaze didn’t waver.

Chin lifted high, he demanded of the sect leader:

“As your wife, there is one thing I must ask. Why has Your Grace dragged his father-in-law onto this dueling platform? And for entertainment, no less. I’m afraid my limited understanding cannot grasp your intent.”

In truth, Seolyeong hadn’t even known a duel would take place today. If Si Pungjae hadn’t stopped by Yeonhwa Hall to drop the hint, he would’ve been sipping floral pu’er tea while the Murong clan head died a senseless death.

Yujae also quickly surmised who had leaked the information. Only Si Pungjae had been assigned to watch the bride. Only Si Pungjae could have failed that task. Or perhaps… he had failed on purpose.

That misplaced loyalty. Yujae’s head throbbed. An unpleasant headache bloomed in his temples.

He spoke with a hardened face.

“…Father-in-law?”

The single question carried immense power. The force of his internal energy, carried along his smooth breath, pressed down on Seolyeong’s entire body like a vice.

Like a massive serpent wrapping around his limbs, it squeezed. Seolyeong flinched, his eyes trembling as blood forced itself up between his teeth and spilled down his chin.

‘If only my danjeon were intact, damn it…’

The crushing force in his chest was unbearable.

The sight of a beautiful man coughing blood while kneeling thrilled the sect members, who all lit up like children watching fireworks.

“Ignorant bride. Are you saying I, your lord, am so blind that I can’t even recognize my own father-in-law?”

Seolyeong wiped the blood from his mouth with the back of his hand and replied.

“…Because I know Your Grace does not possess such blind eyes, I dared to speak so boldly.”

He cast a quick glance toward the Murong clan head, still encased in ice.

To Seolyeong, that man was more enemy than anything. But he was still Murong Wi’s father.

Even if Murong Wi claimed he and his father didn’t get along, blood between parent and child couldn’t be severed so easily. Murong Wi was surely waiting, anxious and desperate, for his father’s return.

Seolyeong wasn’t here for the Murong clan head. He was here for the sake of his sworn brother.

Yujae’s voice slithered out like a snake.

“You say it so confidently… now I’m curious.”

His narrowed eyes brimmed with cruel delight. Seolyeong thought bitterly that no one had a nastier personality than that bastard.

“If the Murong clan head is truly my father-in-law, then of course I must treat him with proper respect.”

Seolyeong relaxed slightly at those words, but the sect members around him bristled. Didn’t he plan this duel knowing full well the man was the bride’s family? Could it be, our lord’s actually being swayed by the bride?

Just then:

“Khak…!”

The ice covring the statue’s face cracked and melted in an instant. Seolyeong turned in shock to look.

The sect leader had even thawed the ice on the man’s throat so he could speak freely. Yujae’s mouth curled in a wicked smile.

“If he truly is my father-in-law, let him confirm it himself with that filthy mouth of his. After all, it might just be you who’s mistaken.”

A flicker of green energy jumped from his fingertips. Leaning back lazily in his chair, Yujae looked toward the man in question.

“Samasa (Death Demon Snake), you bastard–!”

…Fuck. Seolyeong’s stomach dropped. The shrill, cracked voice yelling the sect leader’s derogatory title sealed it.

Death demon snake. Samasa.

While the sect called him Sahyeol Amje, the martial world spat out that name with contempt. Seolyeong’s mind raced for a way to shut the old man up.

‘Do I rip up a chunk of the platform and bash his head in? But then it’ll look like I got caught lying!’

He hurriedly tried to intervene.

“Excuse me, elder?”

“You think some venomous snake can destroy the righteous sects? The martial world will never yield to your evil!”

“Can’t you hear me…? If you keep yelling, you’ll really die like this. I mean it, you’re on the verge of death!”

“Kill me, then, you bastard!”

No matter what Seolyeong said, the Murong clan head was too far gone. After being frozen for so long while fully conscious, his mind had shattered.

“If you intend to disgrace me like this, then cut my throat right now…!”

Boom. With a loud explosion the old man’s arms were blown clean off. Shards of ice and flesh scattered through the air like snow. He let out a delayed scream.

“Aaaaugh!”

The freezing dulled the pain somewhat, but the psychological damage was overwhelming. The sect members cheered, intoxicated by the sound of righteous men screaming.

Floating the statue into the air, Yujae asked,

“I hear you’ve been acting as my wife’s father. Is that true?”

The Murong clan head, bleeding from his eyes, hadn’t even finished screaming before his mouth moved again. Even armless, he didn’t bow his head. Instead, he shouted at Seolyeong, still kneeling on the ground.

“Why are you just standing there? Strike the snake down! I should’ve never let you live. If that sage hadn’t begged me, I would’ve wiped out your demonic blood long ago! If Wi hadn’t cared for you! If he didn’t protect you! If you hadn’t seduced my son and made him turn against his own father…!”

His rant ended, finally, on the subject of Murong Jeongui.

“If you’d never entered our family, my youngest wouldn’t have died!”

Seolyeong bore it in silence. The shrill screeching made even the cult leader wince and bind the man’s tongue with a flick of his Qi.

“Mmph!”

Calming his own rising anger, Seolyeong slowly looked up at Sahyeol Amje. It would’ve been a lie to say he wasn’t furious.

“…Is any relationship between parent and child ever perfectly peaceful?”

But he fought to ignore the grief.

“After a nourishing meal and a warm bath with proper medicine, I believe he will recognize his son again.”

His bow was calm and graceful. Yujae looked down at him, forehead pressed to the stone, ears red with embarrassment, and yet still begging to spare the man’s life.

Yujae found it irritating. He asked, after a pause,

“…Then will you fight in the duel in his place? Will you battle my people yourself?”

Would you offer your life to save one worthless righteous man?

He already knew the answer.

Seolyeong smiled as if he had been waiting for the question.

“Yes, my lord. Please grant me permission, by the authority of the Cheonsin.”