WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Chen
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ Damned Transmigration ◈
Chapter 151: Salmun 3
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Beyond the enormous cemetery lay a sinister forest where countless ghosts wandered.
Bi-gok Forest.
The ghosts that remained in this world because they could not pass on, yet had lost their sense of self, were not terribly dangerous. They merely drifted about, letting out hollow laughter, groans, and screams.
Even so, ghosts were still ghosts. The weak might be bewitched by them.
Spirit-cleansing rites were regularly performed, resentful spirits were comforted, and a sealing formation prevented them from leaving the forest. Still, entry into the depths of the forest was forbidden.
Deep within Bi-gok Forest lived the most dangerous ghosts among them, the ones most adept at killing people. They wore human skin and pretended to be human.
They bewitched those foolish enough to venture deep into the forest, sending them back or killing them. At times, they even left the forest to carry out another’s grudge.
The fog was so thick that one could barely see ahead.
Only after the carriage stopped did it become clear that a manor stood directly before it. There was likely a formation array at work as well, but the fog itself was laced with poison. It had been mixed so exquisitely that even a master would struggle to notice it.
Anyone who entered the depths of the forest would wander through the fog and become poisoned without realizing it.
It slowed their thoughts, made them feel ill at ease, and turned their stomachs. They would either be unable to endure it and leave, or keep wandering until they finally collapsed.
Only after passing through the wide-open front gate and travelling for some time did the carriage door open. Tang Yu-shin stepped out first. Haryeong, who had been sitting blankly inside, did not get out.
“Have you been well?”
Not much time had passed since Tang Seo-woo had been beaten nearly to death by Haryeong and coldly dismissed by Tang Yu-shin.
Her insides burned black with resentment, but Tang Seo-woo smiled as she welcomed the family head. Tang Seo-jin did the same.
“Seo-woo, you will look after Tang Yu-ryeon.”
After handing Haryeong, whom he had brought floating through the air like luggage, to a waiting servant, Tang Yu-shin abruptly gave his daughter that order.
“...M-Me?”
Tang Seo-woo could not answer at once and stammered. She swallowed as she glanced at Haryeong, floating in the air as though she were an object.
The humiliation of being thoroughly beaten in Seongju still lingered. Her broken teeth had grown back, and her wounds had already healed thanks to her Poison Human constitution, but the sight of that bitch made her taste dirt that was not there.
“She is too weakened and will need to recuperate for several days. The essence that will allow the Dang Family to become the greatest family in the world, beyond merely the greatest among the Unorthodox Sects, resides in Tang Yu-ryeon’s body. Take the utmost care of her, Seo-woo.”
“Uh... Yes, I understand.”
She was being told to wait on that bitch. That was originally work for servants.
But Tang Seo-woo could not defy the family head’s will. If she objected, that indifferent gaze, which did not look at her as though she were his daughter, would be joined by irritation.
“But, Father. If Aunt has an episode...”
She could not bring herself to say that she would not be able to handle it. As Tang Seo-woo hesitated, Tang Yu-shin took two bottles full of pills from his robes and tossed them over.
“It is Qi-Dispersing Poison. Give her one every hour. If she still has an episode, give her the other medicine. If your watch is lax and Tang Yu-ryeon’s body is harmed, I will hold you accountable.”
“...Yes.”
“Do not let her commit suicide or harm herself. Force her to eat at every meal if necessary. I will have the Medical Hall send medicine to restore her strength. Make sure she takes that as well.”
“Yes.”
Tang Seo-woo bowed her head, and Tang Seo-jin stepped forward.
“Family Head.”
“I will hear the report inside.”
Receiving reports while moving without delay was difficult, so all reports from Salmun had been gathered here.
Tang Seo-woo glared after her father and brothers as they left first. Normally, she would have been present for that as well... Being made responsible for that bitch must have been the punishment her father imposed.
‘I thought I would be locked in the punishment chamber. I should be glad it ended with this.’
Forcing herself to take comfort in that thought, Tang Seo-woo entered the manor with the servants.
“How does it feel to return after thirteen years, Aunt?”
Every time she saw that bitch’s face, Tang Seo-woo still tasted dirt and felt her heart tremble, but she pretended to be at ease. Looking around the lavish room with its broad bed, she sneered.
“To think Aunt would be using a room in the main residence. So much time has passed, hasn’t it?”
Laid on the bed by the servants, Haryeong only stared at the ceiling without answering. She showed no reaction and looked helpless. As Tang Seo-woo watched her, her feigned ease gradually became real.
“You should have come with me in the first place.”
Once the servants left, only Haryeong and Tang Seo-woo remained in the room. Tang Seo-woo leaned close to the bed with a twisted smile.
“Hm? A year ago. In Gwangseo, when I came to fetch you. If you’d quietly come with me then, it would have been better for both of us.”
If she had brought that bitch to the Dang Family back then, she could have received her father’s affection and attention. Tang Seo-woo looked down at the unresponsive Haryeong, and her smile twisted further.
“If you’d followed me then, those two bastards who protected you would not have died like that either. Do you understand what I’m saying? Cloud Dragon and Sword Dragon. Those bastards died because of you.”
Haryeong’s empty eyes suddenly turned toward her. She could not even properly gather her inner power, but the killing intent in her gaze made Tang Seo-woo flinch.
Tang Seo-woo hunched her shoulders and took a small step back.
“...Hmph. Come to think of it, you don’t know, do you? Bodies were found in Gangyu.”
“What?”
Haryeong’s lips, chewed ragged, parted. Her eyes widened as she stared at Tang Seo-woo. That reaction gave the already frightened Tang Seo-woo a foul sort of courage.
“The bodies of Cloud Dragon and Sword Dragon were found.”
“A lie... You’re lying.”
“They were horribly mangled, apparently. Torn to pieces and scattered everywhere, so they could not even be properly recovered. They only identified them as Cloud Dragon and Sword Dragon because they found parts of their heads.”
With every word, Haryeong’s eyes trembled. Tang Seo-woo felt a thrill that made her entire body prickle.
“The clergy of the Sect of Earth stationed in Gangyu recovered some of the remains and prayed for their peaceful repose. Should we call them fortunate because they received the clergy’s prayers, even though their bodies were not whole?”
Tang Seo-woo giggled as she savored Haryeong’s reaction. Then Haryeong suddenly sat up and drove her head into Tang Seo-woo’s nose.
“Argh!”
Tang Seo-woo had never imagined that bitch, in that state, would attack her. She let out a startled scream.
Forcing her uncooperative hands to move, Haryeong grabbed Tang Seo-woo by the throat.
“D-Don’t lie...!”
They could not be dead. They must have survived somehow. That was what she had thought, but Tang Seo-woo’s words shattered even Haryeong’s tiny remaining hope.
It was not as if she had not hoped they would come to rescue her. But more than that hope, she wished Yuri and Estor would not come.
They could not handle Tang Yu-shin with their strength. Rather than place them in danger, she wanted them not to come at all.
But they were dead. Bodies had been found. The Sect of Earth had recovered him. Those words utterly shattered Haryeong’s heart.
“Y-You crazy bitch...!”
She had been startled by the headbutt, but it did not hurt much. The hand around her throat was too weak to exert any pressure.
Tang Seo-woo twisted her face and tried to throw Haryeong off, but then she remembered Tang Yu-shin’s words and hesitated.
He had said he would hold her accountable if that bitch’s body were harmed. She wanted to inflict terrible pain on that helpless bitch, but she could not.
In the end, Tang Seo-woo gently pried away the hand gripping her throat and laid Haryeong back down as delicately as if handling fragile glasswork.
“Why would I lie about something like this, Aunt?”
Tang Seo-woo swallowed her boiling fury and forced a smile.
Haryeong’s fierce reaction had thrilled her, but when she had been headbutted and grabbed by the throat, she felt terror far greater than that thrill.
Tang Seo-woo put a little distance between them and composed her expression.
“It is true that parts of their bodies were found, and that a priest of the Sect of Earth recovered him. The Sect of Earth has not announced it yet because they say it is not certain, but given the reputations of those dead bastards, the rumor will spread quickly.”
“Ah, ahhhhhh!”
Tang Seo-woo had only just forced her back down, but Haryeong screamed at the top of her lungs and tried to claw at her.
Her movements were weak again, but Tang Seo-woo felt chills sweep over her body and hurriedly seized Haryeong’s wrists.
It was Tang Seo-woo who became too anxious and frightened to endure Haryeong’s episode.
In the end, without further hesitation, she took out one of the medicines she had received earlier and shoved it into Haryeong’s mouth. Haryeong’s body went limp like a puppet with its strings cut.
“C-Crazy bitch.”
Tang Seo-woo wiped her sweat-soaked forehead and breathed a sigh of relief.
* * *
“You contacted me out of nowhere, and this is what you wanted to say? You want to use the air routes?”
Alnair Mabeld put on the glasses he had taken off and frowned.
In the basement of the Mabeld Manor was a long-distance communication artifact.
It resembled a large mirror. Alfreon Ascard, the greatest alchemist of this century, had personally given it to Alnair as a gift. It boasted performance far superior to any other communication artifact.
[The situation is urgent.]
The Sword Emperor, Albator Orsia, appeared in the mirror with such clarity that it was as if he were truly standing before Alnair.
“You have not contacted me at all lately, saying you were off swinging your sword. Seeing you act like this... It must be very urgent.”
The Mabeld Family monopolized the air routes that connected every port by the shortest paths.
Even though the Orsia Family belonged to the same Pride, using the air routes monopolized by the Mabeld Family as they pleased would be trampling on their authority.
It was only natural for the Sword Emperor to ask permission first. Yet he had never made such a request before, so Alnair’s eyes sharpened.
“I recently heard an unsettling rumor. They say Estor and Cloud Dragon suffered a great calamity together in Gangyu, in the east.”
[Your ears are as sharp as ever.]
“The Sect of Earth, which recovered the bodies, has not announced anything because they say it is not certain. Still, there is nothing to be done about rumors spreading in whispers. And I am the sort of person who believes no rumor is entirely without basis.”
Alnair paused and stared at the Sword Emperor.
Though they had been friends for a long time, this concerned the man’s only grandson. One poorly chosen word could shatter the ties between their Prides that had lasted for centuries.
“He was harmed, but he is alive. His life is not in immediate danger. That is fortunate. Who did it?”
Alnair knew the Sword Emperor’s temperament. He usually appeared gentle, but once angered, he would rampage without regard for consequences.
If his only grandson had truly died in the east and he had received that tragic news, the Sword Emperor would already be moving without even asking for cooperation.
The fact that he asked permission first meant he was angry, but still rational.
Alnair had no intention of refusing that request or demanding payment for it, and the Sword Emperor surely knew that.
By contacting him and asking permission, the Sword Emperor was showing respect for the relationship they had maintained for centuries. That respect was crucial to the unity of the Pride, the most prestigious families of the Cartel.
[The Dang Family.]
Alfreon’s communication artifact truly was excellent. The fury in the Sword Emperor’s expression and eyes was clear even through the mirror.
Alnair smiled crookedly and shared the Sword Emperor’s anger.
“Those bastards who make their living from contract killings have gone completely mad. So, is Estor all right?”
[He looked fine.]
“And Cloud Dragon?”
[Fortunately, he is fine as well. But there is a problem. Dark Blossom, who was traveling with them, was taken by the Dang Family.]
“Oh? They dragged her away by force and tried to kill the witnesses to silence them? They did this to the Orsia Family’s heir? Of course I will lend you the air routes. Use them as freely as you like. What about a ship?”
[I will use my own.]
Panteleon had no airship port, but that was no concern for the Orsia Family.
Naturally, the Orsia Family owned airships, and they had the power to launch one even without a port.
“Are you going alone?”
[My grandson tells me we may be able to receive Baek Eun-mu-hu’s help. Still, going alone would be lonely, so I am thinking of taking around five members of the Orsia Knights.]
They would not be just any five knights, but the strongest members of the order. And Baek Eun-mu-hu would join them?
‘A priest of the Sect of Earth confirmed Cloud Dragon and Sword Dragon’s bodies. I see what happened. They put effort into faking their deaths, gathered their forces, and will crush the Dang Family before they can respond?’
The Sect of Earth owed Cloud Dragon a debt for what happened in Alderan. Had they repaid that debt merely by spreading a false rumor without official confirmation? By Alnair’s reckoning, that was far from enough.
‘Cloud Dragon is alive and well too. He is twenty-three and already at tier six. At this rate of growth, he will easily reach tier seven within ten years.’
This year’s donations to the Sect of Earth were already finished, but he should make an additional donation. It would be a waste for them to use the recompense Cloud Dragon could demand directly from one of the sect’s archbishops on a mere false rumor.
‘If I frame it as payment for helping Cloud Dragon, Cloud Dragon’s debt will remain untouched.’
A donation would naturally earn him the Sect of Earth’s gratitude, while also building goodwill with Cloud Dragon.
Cloud Dragon would inevitably rise to the seat of Martial Apex Venerable in the future. Becoming friendly with him for nothing more than money, how wonderful was that?
‘It seems they did not request help from the Habert Mage Tower. Well, with Baek Eun-mu-hu and the Sword Emperor, their strength is sufficient.’
He did not know how far they wished to take their revenge, but if they sought to destroy the family, the Dang Family would suffer damage akin to destruction.
“I value Estor and Cloud Dragon as well, so I do not wish to sit idle. I would like to send someone from my side too. Would that be all right?”
Help received in difficult times was sweet. Looking at the situation, things would no longer be difficult, but help was not any less sweet simply because it was not desperately needed.
Rather, help offered as goodwill without being requested was important to maintaining a future relationship.
“Elleia.”
Alnair pressed the small bell on his desk. Not long after, Elleia Yudel opened the door and entered.
“What is it?”
“Dark Blossom was kidnapped by the Dang Family, and the Dark King tried to kill Cloud Dragon and Sword Dragon. Can you go to the Dang Family with Albator?”
It was a brief summary, but enough to understand the situation. Elleia blinked, then turned to look at the mirror.
[It has been a long time.]
“...Yes. It has been a long time.”
Elleia gave the Sword Emperor an awkward bow, then looked back at Alnair.
“Should I leave for the Orsia Family right away?”
He had asked, but he had not expected her to accept so readily without any complaint. Alnair’s eyebrows rose slightly.
“What is this? No complaints?”
“I got close with those three brats on the last flight.”
“Hmm... There is no need to go to the Orsia Family. Albator will want to leave immediately too, and going there first would waste time. Board a ship at Alderan’s port instead.”
[Come to Bi-gok Forest.]
The Sword Emperor rose from his seat after saying that. He had received permission and finished the conversation, so he intended to end the communication. Alnair rose as well.
“I have no talent for fighting, so I will cheer from here. Give Estor, Cloud Dragon, and Dark Blossom my regards.”
The mirror’s light went out. Alnair let out a hollow laugh and muttered.
“Three Martial Apex Venerables are moving. This is Vernoc-level.”
No matter that Sword Dragon was the Sword Emperor’s grandson, the force now moving was clearly excessive. That was why Alnair did not feel burdened by sending Elleia.
Elleia was the strongest force the Mabeld Family possessed. If she were heading into a situation where she had to risk her life, Alnair would not have sent help that he was not obligated to provide.
‘It is strange that they survived even though the Dark King was determined to kill the witnesses to silence them.’
Was the Dark King truly that incompetent? Or had some miracle happened...
‘A miracle? Ah.’
The Banner of Reversing the Death Realm. Alnair remembered the Sect of War’s Divine Relic that Cloud Dragon had chosen and smiled with satisfaction.
‘Of course. Did they use the Banner of Reversing the Death Realm to create a miracle and escape?’
That Divine Relic had originally sat abandoned in the Mabeld treasury for a hundred years.
When Cloud Dragon first requested the Banner of Reversing the Death Realm, Alnair had wondered why he wanted such a thing when there were so many other excellent and valuable items...
“It found a good owner. I was right to give it to him.”
Feeling needlessly proud, Alnair took off his glasses.
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