Translator: HunterW Editor: RED My mother and I sat down with Lee Taejung in a large private room . Please, help yourself, Lee Taejung said as he poured us tea . Thank you, I replied as I accepted a cup . My mother next to me looked around her, nervous, and kept sipping at her cup . My grandfather before us was a deva and the guild master at that, while she was still a mortal with her token of knowledge still on her wrist . I doubted the two were going to have a tearful reunion . Finally, Lee Taejung opened his mouth to speak and addressed me as if I was family . The last time I saw you, you were just a baby, but now that I see you up close, I can see that youre the spitting image of your father . My mother said the same, but I wouldnt know . Lee Taejung chuckled . Yes, I suppose you wouldnt . Youre still using Lee Jiwon as your name, arent you? Yes . Its the only name I knew, and its what I was called at the orphanage . Thats good to hear . I was the one who named you, after all . I…see . I had no idea about that, but I didnt doubt him . My mother called me the same when we first met . I, like your mother, believed you were dead . That day, thirteen newborn babies died in that fire; all thirteen, including you . Excuse me? I didnt get what he was saying . What did he mean, including me when Im sitting right in front of him? Its as I said . Your father ran into the burning building but couldnt even make it to the nursery . We found his body in the middle of the hallway . My mother began to cry again as my grandfather explained . I could see why; it was probably the one memory she didnt want to recall . My grandfather continued, however . There was no need to do a DNA test . All thirteen newborn bodies were found in the nursery, burned to death . They were still in their cribs . And… what about me? There were the ashes of a baby in your crib . It had to be you . We had no reason to doubt it . We buried you with your father . . I didnt know what to say . I hadnt heard this part from my mother and I really didnt expect to hear it . I was alive and well, but another baby had died on my crib? I heard your name many times recently . Well, it was impossible not to . Youre a legendary deva, hailing from South Korea . People know your name more than Sunbin . There was your face, as well . We tried to be as skeptical as possible, but all that left was left were your mothers and my shattered memories . But who would do that? This wasnt a simple case, nor could it have been carried out easily . I dont know . We couldnt find a single clue these past twenty or thirty years . The fire marshal ruled it an accident, and the families of the victims accepted it . No one had any reason to deny it . After what my grandfather just said, the room fell silent, save for my mothers crying . I didnt know what to make of it all . Dont think about it too hard . I wasnt telling you all this to confuse you . Its all in the past now . Theres no way to undo anything or fix it . Im just… Tears began to well in his eyes, even though he had kept his calm demeanor since we met . As my mother and grandfather sat beside me, crying, I could tell what they had been feeling all this time . They had missed me terribly and were relieved and happy I was the person of their dreams . And yet, I was cautious of them, in case they were trying to take advantage of my fame . I didnt know why I was like that, though . It may have been because I lived my entire life as an orphan, or maybe it was just a normal, human reaction . Thank you…for being alive and for growing up a fine man . And thank you for allowing us to meet you . I silently allowed my grandfather to take my hand . We began to talk to each other much more comfortably after that . The Sojung Guild is yours, if you want it . Kangchans father may be the de facto leader, but that can be easily reversed . No, Im sorry, but I dont care about the Sojung Guild . My grandfather chuckled . Youre right . Sojung is too small for you . It would be more of a burden for you, instead . No, thats not really it . I can help you regain full power, if you so wish . No, thats alright . Im too old-fashioned now . The radicals realized this and I let them take over . A construction worker like me wasnt fit to be a guild master in the first place . I didnt know what to say to that . Then what are you planning to do now? You came all this way to find your mother… I want to leave with her, if she wants, and make a new home for her . I want to make a place fit for Lee Jiwons mother, I said, taking my mothers hand . Of course, its up to her . There was no way I was leaving her under Lee Kangchans care . But, if she did say she was going to stay, I would get rid of Lee Kangchan and the rest of his side of the family first . I see . Then what will you do? my grandfather asked my mother . I… will leave with Jiwon . Good; as you should . Youre finally reunited with your son, so of course you should go . But, I want to go too . What? I blurted out, surprised . My grandfather laughed . If this continues, Sojung will be split into two; the radicals and the moderates . Or the radicals may just absorb the moderates to their side and completely take over the guild . Either way, I no longer have any ambitions or wants . All I want now is to bring along a few loyal members and follow you . I turned to face my mother after what he just said . I only planned on taking her, but she looked back at me and nodded without hesitation . Maybe this was the better choice . It might be easier for her to adapt if she was with a few people she knew . Will you be alright with giving up on the Sojung Guild and all the work you put into it? Ive made my decision . It wasnt mine to begin with . Itll be better to just hand it over to those who want it . I understand . Ill make the proper arrangements . I wont slow you down . If its too much for you, you can say no . No, I can handle at least that much . I had planned on building a small home, big enough just for my mother, but now that more people were coming with me, I decided to make a bigger home . I would make it a home for me as well, strong and sound . --- While Lee Jiwon and his mother were meeting with Lee Taejung… Whats taking them so long? I know, right? Hey, if Lee Jiwon joins Sojung…does that make our guild Koreas number two guild? Hey! What? Think about it . Hes the guild masters direct bloodline; theres no reason he wont become the heir . It only makes sense if someone as strong as him joins our guild . Already, many Sojung guild members had begun to accept Lee Jiwon into their ranks . He had already proved his strength, and if he could become their future leader, there was nothing better to look forward to . On the other hand, the radicals felt like someone had put the final nail in their coffins, especially Lee Kangchans father, Lee Sookwang, the leader of the radicals . Father! Calm down . Nothings set in stone yet, Lee Sookwang quickly quieted his son . Are you sure you didnt do anything to wrong him? Im sure . The Yung Gong battle was the first time I ever saw him . Theres no way I could do that to him . Hmm… Lee Sookwang didnt say anymore . He knew what his son said was true . Lee Kangchan had always moved under his fathers watchful eye, and he would know if his son had ever run into someone as strong as Lee Jiwon . However, Lee Sookwang clearly heard what Lee Jiwon said to his son, as he was standing right next to him . Lee Jiwon was definitely targeting Lee Kangchan . Even if this was some sort of sick prank on Lee Jiwons part, things didnt look good . Hell, if Lee Jiwon was serious about this, it would really mean the end of the Sojung Guild . Lee Jiwon could probably wipe them out on his own . No, he might just have the ten thousand soldiers that came with him act, and the result would be the same . Lee Sookwang turned to look around him . Half of the guild members were ecstatic that Lee Jiwon had graced them with his presence, and the other half looked as if they were force fed dog shit . -Ha…if things continue, Ill lose everything Ive worked for . - He had blatantly tied his guild masters hands and feet and slowly brought the guild over to his side . Lee Jiwon had ruined everything when he butted in during the battle and when he came here in person . Lee Sookwang was beginning to feel anxious . --- Two hours later… I paid a visit to the officers of my allied factions . I could have dealt with building a home for my mother if it would be for just one person . But now, three hundred more were coming with her . They were from the moderates who followed my grandfather . I had asked that no one who bothered my mother be included, but they assured me that the radicals were responsible for her treatment . They told me that they tried to help her, but she always rejected them and resigned herself to her fate . Either way, I needed help building a place for all three hundred devas, especially from Sunbin . We can accommodate three thousand, if you need . Im sorry that you have to keep helping me . Hah! Please, this doesnt count as helping . We had plans to set up a safe zone in our territory anyway . Set up there for now and well see what happens . You even can stay there for the next century if you so wish . Thank you . --- The next morning… The Sojung Guild became quite busy after their guild master gave his sudden order . I thank all of you for following this pathetic guild master all these years . I acknowledge my shortcomings and have decided to step down as guild master . !!! Both sides of the guild were shocked . Neither side expected him to make that decision . I have decided to take my most loyal followers and leave with my grandson . I am deeply sorry for having to leave and betray all those who had believed in me . I know whatever I say wont be enough for you to forgive me . Lee Taejung bowed all the way to the ground for all to see . I leave all guild responsibilities to Lee Sookwang . Sir… Lee Taechung was only a distant relative to Lee Sookwang . This was the chance Lee Sookwang was looking for all this time, but not like this! I made my decision . Those who dont wish to stay, pack your things . We will leave in one hour . Its best we dont stand in their way too long . Yes sir! The choice was made for the moderates . They no longer had any reason to stay with Sojung, and now they could start fresh elsewhere . --- Ha… I watched as Lee Kangchan stood there, dumbly . He was the main reason I wanted to get this strong so quickly . I wanted to torment him for eternity and I always imagined killing him over and over again in my mind . I always imagined him begging for his life at my feet, but in reality, I only killed him once . It wasnt like I couldnt; it just wouldnt look good if I tried to kill him again . Id just turn into some psycho to the rest of the world who let his power get to his head . They wouldnt understand my reason, either . Another reason was that now that I had faced two of the Seven Monarchs, I realized Lee Kangchan was just a normal deva . I just couldnt get over how scared of a normal deva I was all this time! -Ill leave you for now…but dont forget that Ill always be watching . - I gave Lee Kangchan one last look as he trembled in fear under my gaze . Lets go! After killing him once that day, I no longer imagined him suffering at my hands . I was more or less done with him now . There were bigger things to worry about!
Chapter end
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