Chapter 127: The Scent of His Liquor Was Always...
Chapter 127: The Scent of His Liquor Was Always...
The next person I went to see was the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.
After visiting my father, my steps naturally led me to his residence.
I expected to find him by the window, buried in a book, but instead, he was in the courtyard. He was practicing his forms, the Heaven Extermination Great Blade whistling through the air. As soon as he noticed my arrival, he sheathed the massive weapon in one fluid motion.
"You're back?"
He greeted me nonchalantly, as if he had just seen me yesterday. It was a reunion typical of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon—intense precisely because it lacked any outward display of emotion.
"You look dignified when you're reading, Elder, but you look even more impressive when you're wielding a blade."
"What’s with the sudden flattery?"
"It’s because I survived thanks to you, Elder."
I pulled back the front of my robes to reveal the Ghost Guard Robe he had gifted me.
Several deep gashes marred the fabric where blades had bitten through. These were marks left by none other than the Sword Emperor, Baek Mang-gi.
"I’m alive because of this. Thank you, Elder."
Of course, the Supreme Heavenly Silkworm Thread had also played its part. The two artifacts, layered together, had saved my life.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon stepped closer, his eyes narrowing as he examined the sword marks. A flash of relief flickered in his gaze, though he tried to hide it.
"Were you worried about me?"
"Worried? Nonsense! I was just checking to see if you’d ruined a precious protective robe. It’s fine; it’s still functional."
I didn't need him to say it to know the truth. He likely hadn't breathed a word about his anxiety to Seo Dae-ryong, even while pacing his floors in worry.
"So the rumors were true."
"What rumors do you mean?"
"The rumors that the Sword Emperor, Baek Mang-gi, is dead."
His death was information that had not yet been officially released to the world.
"Did you know his swordsmanship, Elder?"
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon shook his head.
"Then why do you assume these marks were left by Baek Mang-gi?"
"If it wasn't him, no one could have left such wounds while you and Extreme Evil were fighting together."
"How did you know I fought alongside the Extreme Evil Smiling Demon?"
"Follow me."
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon led me into his house. He reached into a wall closet, pulled something out, and tossed it to me.
To my surprise, it was a white mask—the kind worn by the Faceless Guests.
Moreover, it wasn't just a standard mask; it was the top-tier version used by the Smiling Demon himself. It was lightweight, breathable, and designed so that no one could see the wearer's eyes from the outside.
"Did you fight the Smiling Demon and kill him?" I joked.
"Do you think a fellow like that would die easily just because I wanted him to?"
"Then why is this in your closet, Elder?"
"Did the Smiling Demon not say anything to you?"
"I haven't met him since I returned. I went to the Heavenly Demon Hall first and came straight to you."
"You didn't go to Villain Valley first?"
"Of course I had to come to you first, Elder. Why did you think I would go to him?"
An unexpected answer followed.
"The Smiling Demon stopped by."
"To see you? What did he say?"
"He left that with me. He told me to give it to you when you arrived."
"He left this with you? Why?"
"That’s what I want to ask. Why did he leave such an unlucky thing with me?"
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon looked at me with suspicious eyes.
Since Lee An had taken the mask he gave me previously, it seemed the Smiling Demon had crafted another. And since he was making it anyway after returning to the Cult, he had ensured it was of the highest quality.
"What exactly are you two up to?"
"You should have asked the Smiling Demon that when he was here."
"I did."
"And?"
"He just told me to give it to you and left. What on earth is he trying to do?"
"Maybe he was afraid it would get lost if he left it with just anyone."
"Who in this Cult would dare lose something he entrusted? I should clear out my family heirlooms and put this mask in their place," the Elder grumbled.
I laughed heartily, but the Blood Heaven Blade Demon did not join in. He had sensed that something significant had transpired between me and the Smiling Demon.
"Well, since you two went out together, something must have happened. What was it?"
"He promised to give me a mask."
"Why?"
"It’s a long story. I’ll tell you everything if you wish."
"Forget it. What would I do with such a story?"
"The reason he left the mask with you was to flaunt our closeness and drive a wedge between us, Elder."
"I'm asking why."
How could the sharp-witted Blood Heaven Blade Demon not know the intention? He wanted to know the reason behind the Smiling Demon's attempt to sow discord.
"I don't know either. How could I know what goes on in that man's head?"
After a brief pause, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon spoke solemnly.
"If you trust the Smiling Demon, you'll regret it later."
It wasn't a comment born of jealousy. It was a genuine warning that walking the same path as the Smiling Demon was a dangerous gamble.
"I don't trust him."
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon stared at the mask in my hand with his small, narrow eyes.
"Is that so..."
He didn't say more, but I could guess his thoughts.
Will things really go as you plan? Especially when the Smiling Demon is acting this proactively?
He likely refrained from speaking his mind only because he didn't want to seem overly concerned with the Smiling Demon's whims.
"Elder, why do you dislike the Smiling Demon so much?"
"Go ask him yourself. Ask if he likes me. It’s mutual. Why are there only people I hate in this Cult?"
I laughed again. The words, 'Isn't that because of your personality, Elder?' rose to the tip of my tongue, but I swallowed them. It wasn't as if he didn't know his own temperament.
"Now I should talk about the person I hate. Has my brother visited you again in the meantime?"
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon shook his head.
"I haven't given him an answer since his last visit. The First Young Master must have taken that as a clear rejection."
"As expected, you're reliable."
"Don't let your guard down. I'm someone who could go over to the First Young Master's side at any time."
"Then I'll be going with you."
"What do you mean by that?"
"If the wings attached to my body fly away, I'll have to go with them, won't I?"
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon looked at me with an expression of pure absurdity.
"As long as you wear that unlucky mask, your wings will fall off in no time."
Despite his words, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon was not someone who would easily switch sides. Even with the Smiling Demon's meddling, he was accepting the situation with a broad mind. That was why he was the first person I had come to visit.
"Even if you were to go to my brother, Elder, I would still come to see you. I’d kick open the door to the room where you're planning my assassination just to find you."
"Why?"
"Because I’d want to see you. I’ll still want to see you even then."
"Blatant flattery again."
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon snorted, but he couldn't hide his pleasure. The door to his heart had opened quite a bit; I could almost see him smiling on the inside. Yes, it looks good on you. You should smile like that more often.
"Then I'll see you again. Let's have a drink at the Pungryu Tavern soon."
As I stood up to bid farewell, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon asked, "Are you going to see the Smiling Demon?"
"Yes. I received a gift, so I should at least say hello."
"You would have gone even if it wasn't a gift, wouldn't you?"
"Probably."
I didn't bother lying to him. Always be honest. No matter how uncomfortable or undesirable the truth might be, always be honest. I believed this was the greatest strength in ensuring I didn't lose the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's loyalty.
That was likely why he gave me such sincere advice in return.
"I don't know what happened out there, but in the end, the Smiling Demon is the Smiling Demon. Never forget that."
"I will keep that in mind."
*
After leaving the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's residence, I went straight to see the Smiling Demon.
I entered Villain Valley wearing the mask he had given me.
The gazes of the Faceless Guests snapped toward me. They all wore similar white masks, but the Smiling Demon's personal mask stood out. Everyone was shocked to see me wearing the face of their Demon Lord.
Under those stunned gazes, I was guided to the Smiling Demon's chambers.
The room was exactly as it had been during my last visit—a void of pure white, from the walls to the floor. No tables, no cabinets. The Smiling Demon stood alone in the middle of the emptiness.
There was only one difference.
When I first came, he had been facing the wall, but today, he was looking out the window.
"I'm here, Lord Smiling Demon."
The Smiling Demon turned around. When he saw me wearing the mask, his eyes visible through the slits showed a hint of delight.
"How is the mask?"
"It's good. Incomparably better than the previous one."
"Then that's enough."
"Why did you leave this with the Elder Blade Demon?"
"I heard you two were the closest."
"And?"
"I didn't like the idea of the Second Young Master being close to someone other than me. That narrow-minded old man is probably quite bothered by it, even if he doesn't show it."
I pushed the mask up onto my forehead and asked, "Does it only satisfy you if you're the closest?"
"Exactly. That's my personality. From now on, you must be closest to me. If not, I'll go over to the First Young Master."
"Your selfishness has been noted."
The Smiling Demon laughed loudly. It was hard to tell where the joke ended and his true feelings began.
At least one thing was certain.
Making one of the Eight Demon Lords an ally was difficult, but making two of them allies didn't just require twice the effort—it required three or four times the strength. They were like oil and water, never meant to mix.
"How was your trip with the 'Beautiful Heart'?"
"It was truly wonderful."
"As expected, trips are best taken with a beautiful woman, aren't they?"
"She enjoyed it so much that I felt sorry for how long it took me to take her there."
"Don't lose your heart to women. In the end, she will betray you, Second Young Master."
"The Heavenly Flower Pavilion Master would be disappointed to hear that."
"She knows as well. She knows I don't trust her. You can't betray someone who doesn't trust you."
"Then you must not trust me either, Lord Smiling Demon."
"I don't trust humans. Being close is one thing; trust is a separate matter."
I was grateful that he was so open about his nature. In human relationships, the problem was always the disappointment felt when discovering the other person was wearing a different mask.
"Has my brother visited?"
The Smiling Demon added extra information to his answer.
"He's visited twice. It seems he's been busy meeting not just me, but the Poison King and the Fist Demon as well."
"We still have the advantage, then?"
"How do you figure that?"
"Even if the Poison King and the Fist Demon have joined my brother, that makes three including the Demon Buddha. On the other hand, we have you, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, the One Flower Sword Venerable, and the Soul-Seizing Demon Lord—that's four. Four against three; we have the advantage."
"It's not four against three."
"Why not?"
"For starters, I am on neither the First Young Master's side nor yours."
I had achieved my goal of making him neutral. Though, my connection with him was a bit more intimate than that.
"Then we're at a disadvantage. Our Soul-Seizing Demon Lord is still too weak to pull her own weight."
"Is it just the Soul-Seizing Demon Lord? Are you certain the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the One Flower Sword Venerable are on your side? Did you sign a joint petition in blood? You shouldn't underestimate what the First Young Master is offering. Money and power—it's very simple and clear. He's even specifying exact amounts and positions. Knowing he's at a disadvantage, he’s betting the maximum he can afford."
This was a breathing room I had allowed. Fine, Brother. You do your best too. There are things that only people who give their all can understand.
"When faced with complex and headache-inducing problems, humans eventually choose the simplest option. At the very least, the First Young Master feels simpler than you."
Perhaps the Smiling Demon was trying to show me something.
How easily humans are shaken. How easily human relationships crumble.
That was likely why he had left the mask with the Blood Heaven Blade Demon—to show that a relationship could crack over something so simple.
Of course, it hadn't worked because the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's heart was broader than he had anticipated.
He was warning me. If I approached things emotionally, I would fail.
"I'll bet big too. Twice as much as my brother, no matter what! How about it? Are you tempted?"
"Do you have that much money?"
"I'll have to earn it from now on. If you have some, please lend me some."
At that, the Smiling Demon suddenly leaped back toward the rear wall.
"You're too much."
"Don't forget. The one asking for a loan is always the one who's 'too much'."
We looked at each other and laughed at the same time.
"But you mentioned my brother is approaching the Poison King and the Fist Demon... why did he leave out the Drunken Demon?"
When I mentioned the Drunken Demon, the laughter vanished from the Smiling Demon's face. He asked abruptly, "Do you like liquor?"
"I drink in moderation."
"The Drunken Demon is someone who has seen the very end of the road when it comes to alcohol. It's not easy for a sober person to deal with a drunkard."
"Do you know much about the Drunken Demon?"
I knew a fair amount about the Demon Lords, but that information was focused more on the future than the present. I knew the major milestones of their lives, who they were when they came looking for materials for the Great Regression Art, and their ultimate ends.
However, I didn't know much about what kind of person the Drunken Demon was at this point in time. The same seemed to be true for the Smiling Demon, despite them being contemporaries.
"I don't know him well. It's just that seeing him makes me feel... unpleasant."
"If he makes the Extreme Evil Smiling Demon feel bad, doesn't that make him a good person?"
"Perhaps. Or... he might be an even worse bastard."
"That's a bit scary. Worse than the Smiling Demon?"
"The scent of his liquor always put me in a foul mood."
With those words, the Smiling Demon stopped talking about the Drunken Demon.
A strange light flickered in his eyes as he looked at me. It was a gaze that seemed to find it interesting to imagine how I would deal with that man.
He definitely knew something more about the Drunken Demon. His wicked nature had flared up again, and he was choosing to enjoy the situation rather than tell me.
Smiling Demon, what exactly do you know about the Drunken Demon?