Han Li sat down in the beanbag, leaning his head back, and sighed. Graham stood in his living room like a statue or a soldier at attention as he detailed the mission.
Han Li hated the fact that he was listening. He hated the fact that he wasn’t even surprised by this turn of events.
“You will be required to work with an assembled team of C to B-rank professionals. From my understanding, the danger level is B-rank at best, and with a wide range of seasoned hunters. It should not be too difficult. Only us, the central units, will be engaging directly with the higher demon.”
None of Graham’s words helped ease the news or the bubbling anxiety and frustration that grew in Han Li’s heart.
“Why me? I’m unqualified for this shit, Graham—” Han Li paused, his gaze meeting with Graham’s. The Saint of Eternity knew this. He was frowning too. “Or are you just going to tell me the reason is confidential again?”
Thick tension found its place between them and Han Li’s fingers sank into the beanbag. He tried to not let his emotions spill out of control.
But Graham did not seem pleased either, his lips were pulled taut, eyes dark and brows lowered. He took his time to contemplate his words before speaking, “The Board is not unanimous with its decision, but currently there is one sector who holds more sway than others in regards to decisions made about your…case.”
“My…case,” Han Li echoed, sitting up from the beanbag. Although the Saint of Eternity wasn’t giving him a straight answer, there were pointed hints offered. Han Li latched onto them. “Which sector are you talking about?” There were only two that fit the bill; the Greater Board and the NUM. Han Li felt kind of stupid that he wasn’t completely aware of which, he was never that great at keeping track of politics and legalities. The Greater Board was meant to be an umbrella party that handled all affairs regarding hunters, while the other sectors were geographically based in nature.
“…” Graham was silent again, his frown deepening. Han Li almost thought he wasn’t going to say anything. Still, he waited, because if Graham truly had nothing to offer, he would have blatantly said so. “The New United Merriva Sector does not always have your best interest in mind, Han Li,” the saint eventually said. Though he did not directly address the question, the answer was as clear as day.
Han Li’s mind churned, his eyes blinking as thoughts flashed. Was it the NUM pushing him to do missions again? Why would the damn NUM want him to return to the world of hunting? If he remembered correctly… “You work for the NUM,” Han Li pointed out, his eyes widening with realization. That was right. The Saint of Eternity operated under the New United Merriva banner.
For a moment, a scowl flashed on Graham’s features, his arms crossed over his chest. “I do. But my motives differ as well. I had been honest when I said I wished the best for you. In fact, I am very against your attendance on this mission. It is both foolish and downright inappropriate.”
“But—” Han Li was still processing the information. He rose from his beanbag and paced around the coffee table. “But then why would you…” The words come out in a mutter, his finger pressed to his lip in thought. “Ah!” Han Li finally perked up, of course, the answer was obvious. “You can’t go against them because you work for them. You won’t go against them, even if you disagree.”
“…” Graham said nothing but he nodded.
Oh.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
Things were starting to make more sense. That was everything except the reason why the New United Merriva Sector would want to throw a wrench in Han Li’s day-to-day life. Why would they even care? He might be Han Ruyan’s son but he wasn’t THAT special. Not really. There were more talented hunters in his generation. What was the point of pushing him to partake in missions he wasn’t even qualified for? Wasn’t he being sabotaged here? Or was this too, just another elaborate lie coming from the Saint of Eternity’s side?
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“…Cr sbeg bqfgjabg, P mjc kglaf jc boolmlji ifaafg bo mbwqijlca ab atf Dbjgv jcv mbcafra sbeg mbcrmglqalbc,” Xgjtjw rjlv.
But Han Li understood the true meaning behind those words, “But it won’t be of any use, huh?”
“…I’m afraid that is likely the case. Still, I can try.”
“It’s fine.”
Graham blinked. His face remained stoic but he paused before echoing, “It’s fine, you say?”
“Yeah.” Han Li shrugged, trying to feign nonchalance, “You already said that I don’t have a choice so I guess that I don’t have a choice.”
“…” The crease that was forming between Graham’s brows was only a little cute and Han Li had the temptation to flick it. He reached up, only to have his wrist captured by a gloved hand. Han Li pouted and Graham let out a breath of air that was likened to a sigh. “Know that I am not satisfied with the decision either. Should there be anything I could assist you with, let it be known.”
Han Li wretched himself free from Graham’s hold and took a few steps back, absently wondering what had taken him to do something so dumb and silly. Then again, it was just Graham, so he shouldn’t feel embarrassed or anything…right? He pushed the random thoughts aside.
“Meh,” Han Li shrugged. “It’s pretty damn shitty. And it pisses me off how cagey you are with information but…” he grumbled and leaned against the kitchen counter. Graham still stood there in his original position, having not moved an inch. “I suppose I get it. I just don’t want to cause problems with the NUM.” He also needed to find out what their fucking motive was. Or who was really the one pulling strings and why. Perhaps then, Han Li could finally end his own torment.
For now, if appeasing the Association meant going on this blasted mission then so be it.
“Thank you for your cooperation.” A tiny smile appeared and Graham’s handsome face and Han Li almost choked on his own spit. “I shall find ways of repaying your compromise.”
There was heat fast spreading on Han Li’s face so he looked away, spouting nonsense in hopes that it would cover his weirdness, “What? Why the heck are you the one repaying me? I thought you said the NUM’s behind all this shit and that you were against it? Or are you trying to imply something else now—”
Fuck, that soft chuckle was deadly.
“No such thing. But I appreciate your understanding. While the mission may not be pleasant, know that I will do my utmost to protect you from harm. It would pain me greatly should something happen to a thing so small and innocent.”
Han li coughed loudly, at this point, he was really choking! “You!” He snapped towards Graham with a snarl, face red. “Since when did I become a thing? Why the heck am I small and—”
Graham took a few long strides, closing the distance between them. Han Li was above average in height, seriously! But Graham was a fucking giant who looked down on him, making him scowl in discontent. The Saint of Eternity had no respect, clearly, when he reached over and patted Han Li on top of the head as if he was nothing more than a small animal.
Han Li hissed because obviously, he was mature and a fully grown adult man. Ahem.
And Graham, the bastard, snickered. “Cute.”
From him, it only sounded like an insult. “Who are you calling cute!?”
…
Nestled in the country’s mid-western states, an old witch found refuge in a rickety cabin, far out in the woods.
Though, to call it a refuge was being too kind. It was more akin to a coffin; her final resting place. Lilian closed her eyes. It was midnight and only a single candle brought light into the bedroom; storm clouds raged outside obscuring the moon and stars. Mother Lilian had nowhere left to run.
She had no reason to either, her life had lost its sparkle, its reason to continue.
Her long dark hair fell around her in loose waves, pooling on the bed. Lilian looked down at the locket in her hand, the edges rusted and worn from constant rubbing. Inside was the picture of a very handsome young man with beauty too ethereal to count as human and a baby boy born in his image.
A smile graced her lips, but it was strained and pulled at her beautiful visage in all the wrong ways, twisting her beauty into something sinister. The bitterness was yet sharp in her chest.
Her sisters, she had failed. Her family too was lost. Lilian was left with nothing more than the embers of revenge.
Her eyes fluttered closed and she sucked in a breath and focused. The reaper was fast approaching. They had already broken through her first line of defense; crows cawed and wolves howled behind the storm of wind.
Something landed through the roof with a thud but sharp, like a spearhead sinking in.
Lilian remained calm. She tucked the locket back beneath the hem of her white gown and clasped the black iron bowl that was set out in front of her on the bed. With her left hand, she dipped her ivory fingers into the viscous liquid within and closed her eyes.
Her consciousness stretched out like roots in the earth, weaving like snakes in search of her foe. They were upon her, at her doorsteps and breaking through each of her traps with barely any effort.
But Lilian was not interested in scouting or defending herself, she wasn’t even interested in retaliation or assault. Instead, the old witch sought to divine their fates, to peak at the destiny that laid before them.
A cruel smirk graced her lips just as the front door of the cabin was ripped from its hinges. She could hear the hunters, shouting over the wind.
“What if there’s still evidence to be savaged? Stop destroying property just because you can, you imbecile!”
“Shut up Missy, I don’t see you hauling ass so just you zip it.”
“Ahahha. Now, now the two of you.”
Lilian did not care that her executioners were upon her for she had made her peace. There was no mistaking the dark shadow of death that loomed so heavily in their fates. With her dying breath, Lilian held onto this knowledge and basked in it. If nothing else, she would have her vengeance, even if it might be from the grave.
Author: Hm, as much as I tried to deliver the world-building in parts so it could be more digestible but I’m pretty sure I failed on that aspect LOL
Let me try to give a tl;dr of the situation:
Basically, the Hunter’s Association Board is made up of different sectors which include the Greater Board, the NUM, Sanlongyan, etc each either own agendas and perspectives. In this chapter, Graham admits that it’s the NUM who’s pushing this mission onto Han Li. Graham has his hands tied because he works for the NUM and won’t go too far outside the legal scope to contest their decision even if he disagrees with them.
And just so it’s clear, it’s not that Graham desperately wants Han Li to become a hunter because he thinks that it will make Han Li happy or that Han Li makes an outstanding hunter. He quite literally believes that this is the best option for Han Li’s safety. As for why ermm… there are hints scattered here and there e u e;; (Y-you can go back and check out ch 41!)
grabs shoulder Han Li you are small and innocent baby
Thank you for the chapter!!! ❤️❤️
Han Li: REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE. Dude, what is this slander!? I call for defamation!
Ahem, thank you for readingggg <3 <3 ; w ; be a good bean erm i mean a good egg
O w O…!
Thank you for reading…! noms on your cheeks
Though it’s not explained why Han Ruyan was in Merriva, but I will say that she operated under the Sanlongyan! (it is vaguely mentioned before LOL)
no fué una aventura en todo el sentido de la palabra. Creo qeu no fue consensuado…un demonio la envenenó con su simiente y este embarazo y parto fue lo que la llevó a la muerte. Aun así ella amó a su hijo con toda su alma.
2) If it was only the NUM causing trouble, why the young Sanlongyan exorcist came to Graham to ‘kindly’ inform him about the mission? I never liked politics (politicians – thieves and liars, all of them) especially if it included using unsuspecting people as pawns.
3) the witch’s locket – are those two the demon dad – his handsomeness the Prince of Wrath?, and the alleged younger half-sibling of Han Li’s?
4) those witch hunters doomed to die – I just hope it won’t involve Han Li, but I have a feeling it’s going to happen during that messed up S-level mission.
The conspiracy is progressing but this chapter actually has fluff, too. Right now I actually think that Graham’s emotions aren’t buried as deep as I thought, he IS recovering them slowly.
Thank you for the chapter!!!
Han Li: “Ahem. You are wrong…on both counts, dammit!!”
Graham: “…What is a tsun-dere?”
Aahahaha weeps politics are annoying, likely why Graham spent xxxx years trying to ignore it (but now he has little influence in that regard woops)
o u o; Fluff is needed to make the chapter less dry, even if means progressing the plot slower…ah, I’d rather have a bit of fun in between, weeeee
thanks for the chapter! <3
❤
Hm I think you delivered the world-building quite well!! But thank you for the explanation regardless~ Graham and Han Li bickering/flirting is adorable as always. And I love this whole side-plot with the coven and MJ (plus her stupid misogynistic team mates).
they’re flirting 😭. rip Han Li’s heart, i would fall for Graham as well. I love that Han Li being cute and innocent is a thing now.