Chapter 133: People Don't Always Feel the Same Way I Do
Chapter 133: People Don't Always Feel the Same Way I Do
The atmosphere shifted the moment the Blood Heaven Blade Demon appeared.
Seo Dae-ryong, Jang Ho, and Yeo-bin rose from their seats in unison, offering respectful fist salutes.
“We greet the Demon Lord.”
I calmly poured a cup of wine for the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.
“How did you know I was here?”
“I happened to be passing by.”
As if. He had likely been tracking my every move and rushed over the second he heard I was drinking with the Drunken Demon.
He had come for me. He was worried I might be swayed by the Drunken Demon’s whims. His recent, sudden devotion to his own martial arts training was undoubtedly driven by that same protective sentiment.
After draining the cup I offered, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon turned his gaze toward Seo Dae-ryong, Jang Ho, and Yeo-bin.
“The rest of you, out.”
No one dared refuse his command. The three bowed politely and hurried out of the room.
Now, only the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, the Drunken Demon, and I remained.
The Drunken Demon was the first to speak.
“It’s been a long time, Senior.”
He offered a genial, easygoing smile, but the Blood Heaven Blade Demon glared back with blatant disapproval.
“I’ll cut to the chase. Withdraw.”
“Whatever do you mean by that?”
“Stay away from the Second Young Master.”
“I was merely sharing a drink with him.”
“I’m telling you not to do even that.”
“Telling the Drunken Demon not to drink?”
“Drink with someone else.”
The Drunken Demon chuckled and took a slow sip. The Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s gaze remained icy. He was a man who didn't have a single close friend even among the other Demon Lords; there was no way he would look kindly upon the Drunken Demon, whom he considered nothing more than a devious hedonist.
“Now, now, calm your nerves and have a drink on me.”
The Drunken Demon filled the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s cup. He wasn't intimidated in the slightest, even when facing the legendary Blade Demon.
“I respect you, Senior, but I think this is a bit much.”
“I didn't think a man who spends every waking moment in a stupor would know anything about 'the Way.'”
“I have my own Way—the Way of Wine. Senior, please don't hate me so much.”
He smiled with a good-natured face, but the Blood Heaven Blade Demon had come here with a firm, unyielding resolve.
“Distance yourself from the Second Young Master. Do that, and I’ll have no reason to interfere in your life.”
At that, the Drunken Demon picked up his cup, stood, and moved to the seat furthest away from me.
“Is this enough distance?”
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s expression hardened instantly.
“Do I look like I’m joking?”
“Not at all. You were speaking so seriously that I thought I’d lighten the mood with a little jest. My apologies.”
The Drunken Demon then glanced at me. His eyes seemed to ask if I had anything to say, but I remained silent.
His gaze shifted back to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.
“You weren't always like this, Senior. Since when did you become so invested in someone else?”
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon snorted in derision.
“Aren't you the one who usually has no interest in others?”
“Me?”
“Weren't you the type who only cared about your own drunken moods?”
“True. I am that kind of selfish bastard.”
The Drunken Demon took a drink and set his cup down. The sound of it hitting the table was sharper, louder than before.
Before I knew it, the air had turned cold. The aura naturally radiating from them reflected their shifting moods.
“Stop drinking and answer me. Swear that you won't meet the Second Young Master again.”
Instead, the Drunken Demon took another drink. His expression behind the cup was grim. Having only seen him laughing and chatting, his sudden solemnity felt foreign—and dangerous.
“I refuse.”
At his rejection, demonic qi erupted from the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s body. Simultaneously, an equal pressure surged from the Drunken Demon. As their energies clashed and intermingled, a weight I had never felt before pressed down on the room.
“Are you acting out because you trust in the unwritten rule that Demon Lords must never fight one another?”
“Are you saying you intend to break that rule?”
“Is there any reason I shouldn't?”
“Fine by me. I’ve always preferred the side that breaks things. Did you really think I’d be afraid of an unwritten rule being shattered?”
“I wonder if you’ll remain so composed when your wine gourd is shattered as well.”
Their demonic qi grew even denser. Though the pressure intensified, I didn't move to stop them. I simply shielded myself with the Heavenly Demon Body Protection Art and watched.
“Very well. Then let me ask: why? Why are you trying to stop me?”
“Because you will only be a hindrance on the path the Second Young Master must walk.”
“Are you sure it’s not because I’m a hindrance to you, Senior?”
The corners of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s mouth curled into a cold sneer. His momentum was a match for the younger Drunken Demon, but the problem was that the Drunken Demon knew his weakness all too well.
“I had a drink with the Sword Venerable a few days ago.”
At the mention of the One Flower Sword Venerable, irritation flared across the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s face.
“She seemed well. Still as beautiful as ever, still as dignified. We talked about the last Eight Demon Gathering and shared various stories. Oh, but she didn't mention you once, Senior.”
Fire erupted in the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s eyes. It was a precarious situation; it felt as though he might draw the Heaven Extermination Great Blade at any second.
The Drunken Demon’s unique weapon was the gourd-shaped wine bottle hanging from his waist. Known to be impervious to even the finest blades, the bottle was named Blood Tear. I didn't know why it bore such a name, but one thing was certain: whenever the stopper was pulled, blood-red tears would fall from someone’s eyes.
Even before my regression, I had never seen the Heaven Extermination Great Blade and the Blood Tear clash. What would happen if these two actually collided?
Even in this touch-and-go situation, the Drunken Demon continued to provoke him.
“You told me to withdraw? Shouldn't you be the one to step back, Senior? As long as you are with the Second Young Master, the Sword Venerable will never help him. But if it’s me, she would gladly lend her aid. What do you think? Do you believe you alone are better for him than the two of us combined?”
Once the Sword Venerable was brought into it, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon couldn't find a rebuttal. She was his ultimate weakness.
Furthermore, since the Demon Lords were all of similar caliber, it wasn't easy to boast that he could fulfill the roles of two of them on his own.
It was then that I provided the answer.
“He is better.”
Both the Drunken Demon and the Blood Heaven Blade Demon turned to look at me.
“Elder Blade Demon is better than the two of you combined.”
My eyes met the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s. In those small, sharp eyes, I saw a flicker of gratitude and deep emotion.
The Drunken Demon chuckled and downed his wine.
“Could you say that even if the Sword Venerable were standing right here?”
“I could.”
“Could you say that even if the Extreme Evil Smiling Demon were here?”
The Drunken Demon knew I had shared a deep connection with the Smiling Demon. As expected, his information was fast, and he understood the situation better than anyone.
“I could.”
“You’re only bluffing because they aren't here.”
The Drunken Demon snorted, stood up, and walked to the window. He shouted to Yeo-bin, who was waiting across the street.
“Go and bring the One Flower Sword Venerable and the Extreme Evil Smiling Demon here!”
“Yes, sir!”
Yeo-bin vanished in an instant.
The Drunken Demon returned to his seat.
“Must I go this far? I even suggested we become sworn brothers, yet you treat me so coldly. Isn't this a bit much?”
“I appreciate that you think well of me, but I don't become sworn brothers with someone I’ve only shared two drinks with. If you want that, get in line. Your turn hasn't come yet, Lord Drunken Demon.”
Perhaps I would become much closer to the Drunken Demon than I was now. He might even become a great help in my future grand design.
Even so, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon came first.
I had knocked persistently on the door to his heart, and he had eventually opened it for me.
No matter how brilliantly the Drunken Demon tried to entice me or how many kind words he spoke, it couldn't compare to the gratitude I felt toward the man who had painfully opened that heavy, rusted door that had been shut for so long.
Just then, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon sent me a voice transmission.
— When the Sword Venerable arrives later, tell her she is more important.
— I refuse.
— Even if you say that, I will still take your side.
This stubborn old man, who used to poke me in the ribs and grumble about my misfortune, had come this far. A man for whom pride was everything was willing to throw it away for my sake.
— I know you would.
— Then why refuse?
— I don't want to see you humiliated in front of others, Elder.
— I understand. I know how you feel now, so just do as I say. The greater cause is more important than personal feelings. You know that, don't you?
How could I possibly prioritize anyone else over a man like this?
— That’s exactly why I can't.
— Why?
— Because the One Flower Sword Venerable will realize I’m lying. You know how quick-witted she is. For the sake of the greater cause, it’s better to be honest.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon had no response to that.
Because the Drunken Demon had brought up the Sword Venerable, this place had become incredibly uncomfortable for him. He must have wanted to storm out several times already, yet he remained in his seat for me. He felt he had to see this through to the end.
The first to arrive was the One Flower Sword Venerable.
She had likely already asked Yeo-bin who was present, as she showed no emotion upon seeing the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.
“Welcome, Senior.”
“Second Young Master, why are you drinking with people who are of no help to your life?”
At her joke, the Drunken Demon laughed.
“Friend, that’s a hurtful thing to say.”
By calling her 'friend,' the Drunken Demon flaunted his intimacy with her. While the Sword Venerable had described him as merely 'easygoing,' the Drunken Demon called her his friend. It was a moment that reminded me once again that the Demon Lords didn't tell me everything when they described one another.
“Stop drinking so much,” she said.
“My drinking is the same as your sword training.”
“Then you should drink alone. I train alone.”
“But drinking with the Second Young Master is just too much fun.”
“That, I can acknowledge. But why did you call me? I don't drink well, and I’m not particularly fun.”
The Drunken Demon glanced at the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and said, “Because Senior Blade Demon was trying to discipline his junior. And we all know you’re the only one who can keep him in check.”
Normally, he would have pushed me to choose in front of the Sword Venerable, but the Drunken Demon didn't. He was smart. He knew that doing so would only sour my mood and bring him no benefit.
He also knew that even this much would be enough to make the Blood Heaven Blade Demon act out. He knew the old man reacted with particular rigidity regarding the One Flower Sword Venerable.
“I told the Drunken Demon to stay away from the Second Young Master,” the Blood Heaven Blade Demon said.
The Sword Venerable responded coldly.
“By what authority?”
“I have no authority. It is simply my intuition that he will be of no help to the Second Young Master.”
“I’ve already confirmed that your intuition is pathetic.”
“You know nothing about me.”
“I don't wish to know.”
Their hostility had lessened slightly when they saw each other frequently, but perhaps because of the Drunken Demon’s presence, they were back to being prickly.
The Drunken Demon poked at the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s weakness again.
“Fine. Let’s assume the Second Young Master chooses you, Senior, and the Sword Venerable and I both withdraw. Are you on good terms with the remaining Extreme Evil Smiling Demon?”
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon couldn't say a word. He wasn't on good terms with anyone.
I didn't step in. I knew that clumsily taking sides now would only fuel the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s anger. The Drunken Demon was hitting him exactly where it hurt. I couldn't even blame him; after all, it was the Blood Heaven Blade Demon who had intruded on this meeting.
The Drunken Demon spoke to me with eyes full of intoxication.
“Now you must hate me. I’ve pushed your beloved Senior Blade Demon into a corner. Please understand. I was merely showing you reality.”
“I won't hate you.”
“Really? Why?”
“Because I have no intention of letting you or the Sword Venerable go. I plan to make all of you my people.”
For a moment, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon glared at me. But, his mind a mess, he couldn't stop me. He was already backed into a corner where he had to play the role of three people on his own.
“You can look at me like that, but I can't help it. I’m taking all of you with me.”
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon shook his head.
“You harbor the illusion that everyone can become close and live in harmony if they just try. Perhaps you can. You certainly possess a level of tolerance beyond your years. But eventually, you will realize: people don't always feel the same way you do.”
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon looked at the Drunken Demon and the Sword Venerable before turning his head toward the window. Floating in the air outside the open window was the white-masked Extreme Evil Smiling Demon, arms crossed, watching the events inside.
“They might pretend to be harmonious for your sake, but behind your back, they will fight, hate, and cause an uproar. In the midst of that chaos, someone will get hurt, their hatred will grow, and they will betray you at a critical moment. They will use the wounds they received as their justification.”
The other Demon Lords looked at me with eyes that seemed to agree with his words.
“That may be so.”
“Then why?”
“If you’re asking why we must go together, I’ll give you an answer.”
I looked at the four Demon Lords and released my aura. Until now, I had never truly shown them the full extent of my presence.
But now, I showed them exactly what my aura was. It pushed back the pressures they had created and dominated the space around us. It wasn't a display of raw power. I infused my aura with the greatest majesty I could muster.
I looked at them and spoke in a low voice.
“Because from now on, I am your Heavenly Demon.”
Everyone flinched. They likely never imagined I would say such a thing.
“This is the decision of the man who will be your future Heavenly Demon. No matter who I bring in, accept them. As long as you don't kill each other, you can fight, hate, or betray to your heart’s content. But on one condition!”
I looked at the four Demon Lords and declared, “Do it within my fence.”
A brief silence followed.
They were all looking at me. Intoxicated eyes, soft eyes, small and sharp eyes, and eyes behind a mask. I hoped they would follow my will. I expected someone to step forward first with a positive word.
Then, the Demon Lords spoke simultaneously.
“I’d rather not.”
“I refuse.”
“No thank you.”
“I hate it.”
In that moment, they were of one mind.
I couldn't help it; a chuckle escaped my lips. Good grief, these cute yet troublesome Demon Lords of mine!
I leaned my head out and shouted to Jo Chun-bae on the first floor.
“Bring us a fresh round of drinks up here!”