Episode 237
The secret teachings of the Uiseon family were divided into three categories.
First, the knowledge of medical science.
Second, the techniques of Uiseon energy cultivation.
Chris had mastered these first two.
The third, the secret that transforms Uiseon energy cultivation into a true miraculous power—the “True Intent” (眞意)—he had yet to learn.
“That’s why my Uiseon energy techniques were relatively weak compared to the will of a skilled healer. At best, I was on par with an advanced disciple.”
Because he hadn’t mastered the “True Intent.”
On the other hand, even without the “True Intent,” Chris was able to wield healing powers comparable to a top disciple.
But if he could master the “True Intent” as well?
“I’d be able to use healing powers akin to a saint’s.”
Chris knew that his path ahead would be fraught with hardship.
He would face countless formidable enemies and endure untold suffering.
In those moments, this Uiseon Scripture would surely be his secret lifeline.
“Besides the Uiseon Scripture, there’s something else I have for you: the ‘Uiseon White Card.’”
Chris’s eyes widened slightly.
“Could it be…?”
“You know it. Yes, it’s a card that allows you to request unconditional assistance from disciples of the Uiseon family scattered across the continent.”
Chris whistled softly.
This was a prestigious token, given only to the greatest benefactors of the Uiseon family.
He knew he could leverage this power in the future.
“Even though I’ve helped a lot, I’m a demon. Isn’t this reward a bit too much? There must have been strong opposition.”
“…Yes, it was a bit excessive.”
“You must want something in return, right?”
“!!”
Ella hesitated.
After a brief silence, she nodded.
“Yes, that’s right. Actually, I have a request for you.”
“Go ahead.”
Ella looked Chris straight in the eye and said something unexpected.
“Please teach me how to change the Uiseon family.”
“…What?”
She knelt before Chris, as if a disciple begging for guidance.
“I’m not enough. Even though I know the family is flawed, I lack the ability to fix it. Please, show me the way.”
Chris was taken aback by the sudden request.
‘Well, there’s no harm in it.’
He had already thought the Uiseon family couldn’t be left as it was.
He just hadn’t found a way to intervene—until now.
“Alright, I’ll grant your request. But there’s a condition.”
“What is it?”
“You must follow everything I say.”
Ella flinched at the ominous tone.
Chris smirked and continued.
“It’s a bit of a rough method. Are you prepared to become a demon for the sake of your family?”
That night, Chris taught her strategies to reform the Uiseon family.
Ironically, these methods were actually the ones Ella had revealed in her previous life.
More precisely, they were the regretful laments she had uttered before passing.
I should have noticed the servants’ mistakes.
I shouldn’t have ignored the plight of the Karn Empire back then.
And so on.
‘Still inexperienced, but now that she’s resolved, she should do better than before.’
Soon after, Chris left the Uiseon family.
There was no time to linger.
“Then where to next, Your Highness? Just say the word! Loyal, loyal, loyal!!!”
Ruina shouted enthusiastically.
Evan frowned at her boisterous behavior, but Ruina didn’t care.
She had her reasons.
‘Now that we have the distribution rights for the Uiseon family’s medicines, she has every reason to be happy.’
And it wasn’t just any distribution rights.
Chris had proposed expanding the Uiseon family’s influence by mass-producing and supplying certain medicines, and Ruina’s merchant guild would handle the operation.
They had secured a deal that would generate enormous revenue, so Ruina was overjoyed.
However, there was one thing Ruina hadn’t considered.
‘Given Ella’s saintly nature, she probably won’t sell at a profit. They’ll work hard but barely break even. Well, no need to explain that in detail. Ruina made her choice.’
Unaware of the hard times ahead, Ruina cheerfully said,
“Alright, let’s go anywhere you say!”
Chris shrugged and said,
“To the Kalbern Kingdom.”
It was time to take down Lion King Maximus.
Using the power of the relic, Chris and his group instantly traveled to the Kalbern Kingdom and began discussing their plan.
But the atmosphere was tense.
Ruina looked pale.
“What did you say just now?”
“You have to play a role. I’m counting on you.”
“That’s not a ‘please’! You’re planning to use me as bait?! I’ll die!”
Chris’s plan was simple.
They would lure Lion King Maximus through Ruina and assassinate him.
‘Ruina already has a close, albeit exploitative, relationship with Maximus.’
More precisely, Maximus had been extorting huge sums from Ruina using his influence over the entire Gold Cross.
“Secretly arrange a meeting, away from prying eyes. You’ve met like this before, haven’t you? It’s possible, right?”
“It’s possible, but isn’t it too dangerous?!”
Ruina raised her voice.
“What if I lose my life?!”
It was indeed risky.
If the trap was discovered, Maximus would try to kill Ruina immediately.
But Chris pressed on.
“Think carefully. Are you going to keep letting Maximus extort you every year?”
Ruina flinched.
Chris’s voice was like a devil’s temptation.
“How much money does he take from you annually? If we pull this off, that extortion ends.”
Ruina’s eyes wavered.
It was an enormous sum.
Enough to risk her life a few times over.
Chris’s temptation didn’t stop there.
“If Maximus dies, Olivia will take control of the Kalbern Kingdom. What do you think will happen to the kingdom’s commerce?”
The scent of money was thick in the air, and Ruina swallowed hard.
“Olivia is a good person. She won’t overlook your contribution. She’ll probably give you a share of the profits in the Kalbern Kingdom.”
“Ahhh!! I’ll do it! I’ll do it!!”
Ruina finally gave in to temptation.
“But you must promise to protect me.”
“I’ll do my best.”
“Not ‘do your best’—promise me!”
Chris chuckled and nodded.
“Alright, then let’s go.”
It was time to take Lion King Maximus’s head.
Ruina secretly invited Maximus to a mansion on the outskirts of the city.
They had met like this before.
“It’s a place to avoid prying eyes, enjoy hospitality, and extort money.”
Ruina gritted her teeth.
“How much money has that bastard taken from us so far?”
Hearing the story, the scale of the extortion was staggering.
If Maximus turned against them, they’d have to close their business in Gold Cross, so they had no choice but to comply.
‘He also demanded excessive hospitality. That’s why they met secretly so often.’
Maximus’s preferred hospitality was mainly “Dreamstone” (幻夢石).
A magical stone that induced pleasurable hallucinations.
Since drugs were problematic, this was a substitute enjoyed by the nobles of the alliance.
Ruina, being the biggest player at the auction market, was forced to procure the highest-grade Dreamstones.
“But are we really going to take down Maximus with just the two of us?”
Evan said.
“No matter how much of a trap we set, it won’t be easy. He’s a 7-star knight. It’s impossible with just the two of us.”
But Chris gave a surprising answer.
“Two? No. I’ll handle Maximus alone.”
“…What?”
“Evan, you take care of the bodyguards who come with him. Even secret meetings won’t have Maximus arriving alone.”
Evan looked incredulous.
But Chris continued.
“No matter how much of a lion he is, I won’t fail to take down a trapped opponent.”
“!!”
“Besides, he’s just an old, weakened lion now. I can handle him easily.”
Chris looked away.
In the distance, a carriage was approaching the mansion.
Maximus was inside.
Inside the carriage sat the bulky figure of Lion King Maximus.
“…Your Majesty, I’m sorry, but perhaps it’s best if we turn back today. Given the circumstances…”
The bodyguard spoke cautiously.
The conflict wasn’t over yet, and coming all the way out here just to enjoy Dreamstones was unwise.
No sane ruler would do such a thing.
Moreover, since enjoying Dreamstones had to be kept secret, only a few bodyguards accompanied him, leaving him vulnerable.
“Silence! That woman Ruina is blinded by money. She wouldn’t dare betray me.”
“…That may be, but what if the demon from the Mado Empire takes this chance to ambush us?”
“Do you not know who I am? I am Lion King Maximus! I recently dealt a blow to Duke Huam, the leader of the Poisonous Magas!”
The bodyguard fell silent.
‘That was thanks to the Ten Elite, wasn’t it?’
No, not just the Ten Elite, but the Kalbern Kingdom’s elite knights had surrounded and attacked.
The Ten Elite and the knights had weakened him, and Maximus only struck at the end, but he took all the credit.
“Damn those Uiseon family bastards! Breaking their promise like this! Damn it! Today, I’ll forget everything and enjoy myself!”
The bodyguard reluctantly stepped back.
‘I can only hope nothing goes wrong.’
He sighed.
“We’re almost at the meeting place, Your Majesty.”
Ruina was there to greet Maximus.
As they stepped inside together, the mansion was lavishly decorated to welcome Maximus.
Every kind of rare delicacy and fine wine had been prepared just for him.
“Ahem, they’ve really gone all out.”
“Oh ho ho, of course. Who else would we be hosting? You look even more impressive today, Your Majesty.”
Meanwhile, Chris, disguised as a servant, watched the scene with a smirk.
“Impressive, my foot. More like the Pig King than the Lion King.”
The glory of the Lion King was long past.
He probably hadn’t held a sword in ages.
“This might be easier than I thought.”
Maximus, enjoying the hospitality from Ruina, began sampling the food and drink.
Ruina, experienced and shrewd, showed no hint of suspicion, winning Maximus’s favor.
At last, the moment arrived.
“Ahem, is the… item ready?”
Ruina gave Chris a subtle nod.
Chris approached Maximus, holding a plate wrapped in silk.
“Here is the item you requested.”
Unwrapping the silk revealed a stone shimmering with a radiant glow.
The Hwanmong Stone.
“Top quality. I won’t forget this favor.”
Maximus’s face lit up with excitement as he grasped the stone.
He was about to indulge in its hallucinogenic effects.
Then, just moments after immersing himself in the stone’s power—
“!!”
Maximus’s eyes snapped wide open.