Chronicles of the Lazy Sovereign Novel - Chapter 512

**Chapter 512: The Lazy Man Goes to the Demon Cult (2)**

“Ugh, I think I’ll survive!”

Wei Yanho wiped his face with a cloth soaked in cold water. After removing the sand that crunched between his teeth, he finally felt that he could continue living.

“What kind of sandstorm is this?”

“It’s worse if you go to Xinjiang.”

“The bastards of the Demon Cult live in very strange places.”

Wei Jeonghan gave a bitter smile.

“It’s not that they live in strange places, it’s that they’ve been pushed to inhospitable lands. That’s why they always covet the Central Plains.”

“Then why don’t we just let them in to live together?”

“How could we live in harmony with those whom the state has designated as a forbidden religion?”

“Mmm…”

“Besides, the reason people avoid the Demon Cult isn’t just because of the state decree. It’s because there are too many ruthless individuals among them. Even martial artists fear them, what could ordinary people say?”

“You’re right.”

Wei Jeonghan nodded.

“What’s more, the authority of the government has no influence over them. Although the martial circles and the government maintain a policy of non-interference, who in the great Ming would dare to ignore the words of the government? Everyone maintains their pride, but in the end they have no choice but to cooperate. But those of the Demon Cult kill officials without thinking and disobey their orders. In essence, the Demon Cult is not a religion or group, but almost another kingdom.”

“Ugh…”

“That’s why those guys run rampant in the border areas.”

Wei Jeonghan clicked his tongue as he looked out the window. In front of the inn, hanging upside down from a large tree, was a row of bandits. Beaten to the point of being unrecognizable.

The door opened and Jangil entered, shaking his hands.

“Great Hero, we’re done.”

“Good job.”

“With times so turbulent, all kinds of parasites are running loose.”

Wei Jeonghan pursed his lips.

It wasn’t because of the times.

He had heard the name of the Green Snake Sect more than ten years ago. If someone had acted, this problem would have been easily solved long ago.

‘I’m the same too.’

Justice only exists in dreams.

There may still be those who act righteously in the face of problems that are presented directly to them. But no one actively seeks to solve problems that could be avoided by simply looking the other way.

The war had hardened everyone.

If the war against the Demon Cult hadn’t cost so much, things would be better now.

Wei Jeonghan sighed softly.

Thinking that another war might break out soon wrenched that sigh from him.

“Do we leave them hanging like that?”

“Yes.”

“Won’t they die of dehydration?”

“Compared to what they’ve done, it’s a merciful end.”

Seeing Wei Yanho’s uncomfortable expression, Wei Jeonghan was emphatic:

“If the punishment doesn’t fit the crime, no one will be afraid to commit crimes.”

“No, it’s not that I object… but if we leave them like that, won’t the locals have to clean up the corpses?”

“Huh?”

Wei Jeonghan raised his head as if he hadn’t considered that. The owner of the place, bringing a tray full of food, vehemently denied it.

“My God, that you have saved us is already more than we could repay in a lifetime. How could we complain about something like that?”

“But it’s dangerous. How about we bury them somewhere?”

“Wouldn’t that be bad? Yes, that would be bad.”

Jangil took his chopsticks with an ambivalent expression.

‘They will listen to it.’

Although they were just bandits, they had some martial arts training. The distance between the tree and the inn wasn’t much, they could hear this conversation.

What would they think listening to this discussion about burying them?

“Why did they come all the way here?”

“Huh? Are you on their side now?”

“What side or nothing, how childish. I’m just wondering why those who operated in Qinghai came all the way here.”

Wei Jeonghan spoke indifferently.

“It must be because the Demon Cult is moving.”

“Huh?”

“These guys operated on the border between the government and the Cult. Border areas are always of two types: either they have strict security because both sides are watching each other, or they are abandoned so as not to provoke conflicts. The government and the Cult chose the latter. These guys took advantage of that void. But with the Cult moving, they had to flee all the way here.”

“That makes sense.”

Jangil’s face darkened.

He understood the implications. The Cult had moved before, but it had never affected the surroundings so much. This meant that they were now preparing for something big.

‘A true war is about to begin.’

He felt a surge of urgency.

These guys had good instincts. They knew when to hide and when to flee. That they abandoned their territory to escape to the Central Plains was very significant.

“It seems they plan to advance towards the Central Plains.”

“That’s right.”

Wei Jeonghan spoke seriously.

“We will soon enter Xinjiang.”

Upon hearing “Xinjiang,” everyone tensed up. In the martial circles, that name was synonymous with the Demon Cult. They were beginning to realize that they would enter the Cult’s territory.

“From now on, no place is safe. They could cut your throat at any moment.”

“I’m going to get indigestion. Can we eat first?”

At Wei Yanho’s complaint, Wei Jeonghan glared at him. Wei Yanho grumbled, but didn’t interrupt any further and buried his nose in the noodles.

“Anyone who wants to return, can do so now.”

“Great Hero, we…”

“Listen to the end.”

“…”

Wei Jeonghan was emphatic.

“I respect your sense of justice. Having come this far, you have already proven it. As Sanho’s father, I thank you. As a martial artist, I admire you. But going further would be reckless. Justice and courage can only be exercised while alive. Excess of righteousness only leads to a stupid death. No one could call you cowards. So if you want to go back, do it now.”

“He’s right.”

Jegal Munin nodded admiringly.

“The Marquis of Han had to crawl between the legs of a commoner to achieve his ambitions. There is no greater stupidity than to be carried away by pride and jump into the fire.”

“Correct.”

“So whoever wants to leave, do it quickly.”

Wei Jeonghan asked heavily:

“And you’re not leaving?”

“I can crawl whistling between the legs of commoners, but a subordinate never abandons his lord.”

“…Wow.”

Wei Jeonghan scratched his head. He always thought that those of the Jegal Family were calculating and weak, but seeing Jegal Munin, it didn’t seem to be the case.

This guy was a fox on the outside, but a bear on the inside.

“So it is the order of Patriarch Wei that those who fear dying stupidly flee home. Get lost, beggar.”

“Another fight, you lunatic?”

“All the way you’ve been a spoilsport, he was clearly referring to you. Isn’t that right, Patriarch Wei?”

“…I wasn’t referring to anyone in particular.”

“But discerning intentions is a strategist’s skill. Hehe.”

Wei Jeonghan sighed deeply.

‘Why do I only surround myself with lunatics?’

Traveling with these guys was driving him crazy.

“I give you time until tonight. Rest and reflect. Once we leave here, there will be no turning back.”

Wei Jeonghan’s grave voice weighed on everyone.

* * *

“…Uncle?”

Baek Hoemyung’s face was stained with horror.

His uncle, whom he hadn’t seen in a long time, was emaciated. What could make the legendary Heavenly Flowing Sword return in such a state?

“A-are you okay?”

“I’m fine, Little Patriarch.”

The Heavenly Flowing Sword tried to respond calmly, but his voice lacked strength. As if all his vitality had vanished.

“I only regret not having completed the mission.”

“How could it be your fault? It was my mistake in misjudging the situation. I’m sorry, Uncle.”

Baek Hoemyung bowed deeply.

‘I didn’t think Wei Yanho could defeat my uncle.’

It was unthinkable.

According to the reports, Wei Yanho was growing in power at an astonishing rate. But he never imagined that it would be enough to beat the Heavenly Flowing Sword.

It was natural.

Who would believe that a dog, no matter how strong, could kill a tiger?

The impossible had happened. Baek Hoemyung still didn’t understand how.

“Uncle…”

“I know what you want to ask. Yes, I must report.”

“It’s not necessary, Uncle!”

“Listen, Little Patriarch.”

The Heavenly Flowing Sword’s grave voice made Baek Hoemyung tremble.

He hadn’t always been gentle. But he had never heard him speak so firmly.

“Wei Yanho is dangerous.”

“Uncle?”

What an obvious statement.

That’s precisely why they had sent the Heavenly Flowing Sword to eliminate him. Why repeat something that everyone knew?

“Uncle, that’s…”

“It’s not obvious.”

The Heavenly Flowing Sword’s eyes were bloodshot.

“He’s not dangerous because he obstructs our path. He… he can destroy everything. Our pride, our legitimacy… Everything! He must die! At all costs!”

Baek Hoemyung fell silent at his uncle’s intensity.

Hatred.

It was pure hatred.

The emaciated Heavenly Flowing Sword showed a ferocity never before seen. Baek Hoemyung felt overwhelmed by that terrifying aura.

“Don’t forget my words, Little Patriarch. If the Patriarch doesn’t act, you must do it. Eliminate him at any cost! At any cost!”

“I-I’ll remember.”

The Heavenly Flowing Sword nodded and turned around.

“I must see the Patriarch.”

Baek Hoemyung swallowed hard as he watched his uncle slowly walk away.

‘What the hell happened?’

What could have affected his always gentle uncle so much?

It didn’t seem like just the anger of losing against a young man. There must be something else.

‘Wei Yanho.’

One thing was clear.

When Wei Yanho appeared, everything became complicated. For his grand plan, Wei Yanho had to be eliminated. At all costs!

Baek Hoemyung’s eyes cooled.

‘I must adjust the plans.’

Everything had already begun. In the storm that was looming over the martial world, sinking the fragile boat called Wei Yanho would not be difficult.

Baek Hoemyung stood up abruptly.