Chapter 190: Are You Going to Put Me on That Boat Too?
Chapter 190: Are You Going to Put Me on That Boat Too?
“Still badmouthing me behind my back, I see?”
I smiled at my father’s words and replied smoothly.
“Badmouthing? You misunderstand! Besides, even if I were to insult the Heavenly Demon, how could I ever do it to his face? Even the Murim Alliance Leader wouldn’t dare do that. Now, please, have a seat.”
I was likely the first to notice my father entering the tavern. That was why I had spoken loudly enough for him to hear—telling him he should go out and enjoy himself more instead of staying cooped up in the Heavenly Demon Hall.
“My Lord!”
Lee An and Cheon So-hui scrambled to their feet to bow, but my father stopped them with a wave of his hand and took a seat.
Even without releasing a shred of aura, the atmosphere of the room shifted instantly. This shabby second floor of the inn was suddenly transformed into the Heavenly Demon Hall itself.
“What brings you here?” I asked.
“I was passing by and decided to stop in.”
He always said that, but there was no way it was true. Had he really come to see me? Or was he here for the Fist Demon?
Lee An spoke up cautiously. “Please, speak freely. We shall take our leave.”
“There is no need. I will not be staying long.”
“Yes! Then we shall remain as quiet as if we weren't even here.”
Looking at Lee An as she answered spiritedly, my father suddenly remarked, “You’ve grown a lot.”
It was such an unexpected comment that Lee An was visibly startled. I wondered if she had ever been this shocked in recent memory. I was just as surprised as she was; I never imagined my father would acknowledge her like that.
“Thank you, My Lord.”
Lee An’s voice trembled as she bowed her head.
It was just a single sentence of greeting, but she was deeply moved. Her gaze shifted toward me, her eyes screaming: Did you see that, Young Master? The Cult Leader remembered me from when I was a child! Oh, I’m so touched! To think the Heavenly Demon himself remembers me!
Truly, if we weren't in this setting, she probably would have been screaming and jumping for joy.
My father’s gaze turned toward Cheon So-hui next. “I hear you are the best fighter in the Eastern Fist Sect?”
Cheon So-hui also looked like she might faint from the shock. The Heavenly Demon knew about her? This, too, was something she had never imagined.
“No, that is not true,” she stammered.
“Then was I misinformed?”
“Pardon? No, that’s not it either!”
She denied it out of humility, then denied the denial. She was so flustered she didn't know what to do with herself.
I stepped in to rescue her. “It’s true. Miss Cheon is the most skilled in the Eastern Fist Sect. I personally consider her a candidate for the next Fist Demon.”
Cheon So-hui became even more flustered, making it feel like my "rescue" wasn't helping at all.
“No, no! The next Fist Demon? That is far too much praise!” She waved her hands frantically, denying it with all her might.
My father’s gaze shifted to the Fist Demon. He seemed to be asking if the man agreed. The Fist Demon merely looked at Cheon So-hui in silence, offering no opinion one way or the other.
“The Second Young Master is just teasing me, so please do not pay it any mind,” she pleaded.
I didn't let it slide as a mere joke. “I said it because I truly believe it. Father, there has never been a woman among the Cult’s Fist Demons, has there? Don't you think it would be quite impressive?”
I said this on purpose. Being named a candidate for the next Fist Demon in front of the Heavenly Demon himself—wouldn't that be more motivating than a hundred empty words telling her to work hard?
Understanding my intent, my father offered Cheon So-hui a single word of encouragement.
“Continue to improve yourself.”
“Yes, My Lord!”
Cheon So-hui wouldn't be getting any sleep tonight.
After acknowledging the two women, my father finally spoke to the Fist Demon. “Have you been well?”
“Yes, Cult Leader.”
No matter how terrifying he looked, no matter how massive his build or how large his fists were, the Fist Demon became as docile as a lamb before my father.
“I heard my son has been bothering you?”
“Lately, I am the one bothering him.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Today is a welcome party for a new member. I am that new member.”
My father hadn't known that much; he looked genuinely surprised for a moment before breaking into a smile. This was the part that always made me feel a bit slighted—he would show the Demon Lords the kind of smile he never showed his own son.
My father turned to Lee An. “It must be quite a burden to take in such a grand newcomer.”
“It’s quite alright. The Fist Demon is…”
She hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to proceed. She hadn't really thought about how to describe or introduce the Fist Demon, especially not in front of the Heavenly Demon.
I wasn't about to miss this perfect opportunity to tease the flustered Lee An. “Please understand. It’s just that Lee An is incapable of lying.”
At that, Lee An spoke up quickly. “That’s not it! The Fist Demon is very impressive, dignified, gentle, has a great physique, and takes good care of us.”
A sudden silence fell over the room.
“Has a great physique?” I repeated.
Even the Fist Demon looked slightly taken aback, clearly not expecting Lee An to say such a thing. Lee An herself looked mortified.
“Did I… did I say that?”
“Yep. That was the only part of your lie that was actually true.”
Lee An glared at me in response to my teasing. Stop it! The Cult Leader is right here!
My father poured a drink for the Fist Demon. “My mischievous son must be putting you through a lot of trouble.”
The Fist Demon accepted the drink politely, his expression suggesting he didn't disagree. The two of them drank together.
They seemed comfortable yet uncomfortable at the same time. It was clear that the Fist Demon found my father difficult and intimidating. Still, if you looked closely, the two of them were alike in some ways. Both of them had that "crush everything first" ultra-hardline vibe, regardless of their actual personalities. And both of them looked strangely lonely in their own way.
“Is this the first time you’ve joined a gathering like this?” my father asked.
“It is my first time.”
“How do you find it?”
Was the reason my father came today because he was curious why the Fist Demon had joined our group?
“Being around these young people makes me feel younger as well. It is quite pleasant.”
“Are you already at an age to say such things? It feels like only yesterday when we were in our prime. Do you remember? When we fought those Orthodox bastards at Mt. Wutai for three days and nights?”
“You still remember that?”
“You were truly impressive back then.”
“It is only because I haven't done anything more impressive since then to overwrite that memory.”
My father and the Fist Demon. I had expected the atmosphere to be stiff and the conversation to be sparse, but surprisingly, they talked quite well. In fact, my father seemed a bit more friendly and relaxed than when he dealt with the other Demon Lords.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon had once said that the Fist Demon was my father’s favorite among the Demon Lords. I began to think that might actually be true.
On the other hand, the Fist Demon only answered when spoken to and clearly found my father’s presence heavy. Perhaps that was why their relationship remained so stable. Problems usually arise when both parties become too comfortable.
After a few rounds of drinks had passed, Lee An, who had been waiting for an opening, spoke to my father.
“I wanted to make sure to thank you in person if I ever had the chance. Thank you for what happened last time.” Lee An stood up and performed a deep bow. She didn't specify what she was grateful for, but both my father and I knew. It was for his permission to allow her to learn the Flying Heaven Sword Technique.
My father replied calmly, “Great martial arts are always accompanied by a great destiny.”
It wasn't just because of the Flying Heaven Sword Technique, but she was indeed walking a new path of destiny.
“I will keep that in mind and do my absolute best so as not to bring shame to the great grace you have bestowed upon me.”
I hoped this moment would hold even greater meaning for Lee An.
“In that spirit, why don't you teach Lee An a move or two?”
My father’s eyes narrowed slightly at my suggestion. “Right now?”
“When else will we have an opportunity like this?”
Lee An tried to step in and say it was fine, but I raised a hand to stop her. “To you, Father, this is just one drinking session, but for Lee An, this could be a moment that changes her life.”
I sent the rest of my thoughts via Voice Transmission.
— She reached the Nine-Star stage at her age. You know better than anyone how much effort that takes. That little girl has grown up so well, hasn't she?
Did my last words strike a chord? My father stood up and spoke to Lee An.
“Follow me outside for a moment.”
As she followed him out, Lee An looked back at me with a face that asked: Am I going to die like this?
I waved at her as if saying goodbye. She wouldn't die, but it would certainly be a "killer" experience.
Of course, I could lead her to the Great Achievement stage myself, but receiving guidance from my father was a different matter. Regardless of whether it raised her realm, it was an event that would bring great change and benefit to a demonic practitioner’s life.
I turned to the Fist Demon to apologize. “I’m sorry for breaking the mood.”
“I find that I am always experiencing the unexpected when I am with you.”
“Everyone likes me for that very reason.”
The Fist Demon stared at me intently for a moment, emptied his cup, and then spoke. “I told that girl earlier: the greater the trust, the greater the wound. Misplaced trust only brings misfortune. Come to think of it, I haven't said those words to you yet.”
He was asking what I would do if I were betrayed by the people I was looking after so carefully.
“It might look like I trust everyone blindly, but that’s not actually the case. I trust this person this much, and that person that much. I have my own standards and my own lines. Trusting everyone or trusting no one—I actually think those are the easier paths. So, I’ve decided to take the difficult road. The road where you constantly struggle with whether to trust or not. How much should I trust the Fist Demon? How can I make him trust me more? I intend to keep moving forward through a series of such dilemmas.”
It was the first time I had revealed my true self to the Fist Demon.
“And? Do you think you can take everyone with you that way?”
“The moment might come when I can't fit anyone else on my boat. Either because I’ve grown exhausted or because the boat is too small.”
“Why are you so intent on taking them? With your current martial arts alone, you could live enjoying all the freedom you spoke of.”
“Because I feel like the dam is about to burst.”
“...!”
After a brief pause, the Fist Demon asked, “If the dam bursts and a flood comes, will only the people on your boat survive?”
“No. It might actually be the opposite.”
“The opposite?”
“My boat is going to set sail to stop the dam from bursting. People might actually die because they got on my boat.”
I turned to Cheon So-hui, who was listening. “So, you don't necessarily have to get on my boat.”
The look in her eyes said: I think I’m already on it.
Of course, this time, she spoke from her head rather than her heart. “I have no intention of getting on it. I will be on the boat steered by the Fist Demon. In fact, I am already on it.”
“Junior Sister!”
“Junior Sister? Why do you keep calling me that, Second Young Master?!”
She was drawing a clear line in front of the Fist Demon.
“Yes, Martial Artist Cheon. I wish you every success!” I was the first to laugh after saying that. Cheon So-hui clearly wanted to laugh along, but she didn't dare do so in front of the Fist Demon.
Then, the Fist Demon asked tonelessly, “Are you going to put me on that boat too?”
A brief silence followed. Cheon So-hui looked even more tense than the Fist Demon as she waited for my answer.
“I’m not sure yet. To be honest, I haven't truly looked at you yet, Fist Demon. All I’ve seen is that fist of yours. Right now, my only thought is that I want to make these 'baby hands' of mine just like that fist.”
The Fist Demon drank his wine in silence after hearing my words. I drank, and Cheon So-hui took a cautious sip as well.
Fist Demon, you can just get on my brother’s boat. If you don't like his boat, you can take him onto yours. But one day, I will load your entire boat onto mine. I’m doing all this because I hope my boat will grow that large.
A short while later, my father and Lee An returned. Lee An looked flushed. I didn't know what kind of teaching she had received, but it was undoubtedly a fated encounter for her.
“Well? Was the welcome party good today?” I asked.
Lee An nodded.
“What do you think? Would you like to join this group too, Father?”
Everyone was horrified by my words. Cheon So-hui actually had to clap a hand over her mouth to stifle a scream. I expected my father to ask if I thought he was someone with that much free time, but his reaction was unexpected.
“Are there any benefits if I join?”
“Of course. It’s not just anyone, but the Heavenly Demon himself joining. There are special benefits.”
“What kind of benefits?”
“First, the four of us will hang out with you whenever you want.”
The Fist Demon suddenly interjected. “The four of us?”
“Wouldn't you like that, Fist Demon? Spending quality time with the Cult Leader.”
The Fist Demon’s expression flared with irritation, and his eyes were practically cursing me. I looked away, pretending not to notice, and my father asked again.
“And the second benefit?”
“Whenever you wish to give us guidance on martial arts, we will accept it at any time.”
“Isn't that a benefit for you all, not for me?”
“Young people these days often dismiss the teachings of their elders as nagging. You don't even get a chance to show off your wisdom anywhere. So, we will listen to every single word without missing a beat. Feel free to tell us all your old stories!”
“People of all ages and genders usually listen quite well when I speak, though?”
Lee An and Cheon So-hui bit their lips. They were desperately holding back their laughter, knowing that getting swept up in this joke could be disastrous.
“That’s not all. We’ll even take you on trips. When that happens, you can say goodbye to the Heavenly Demon Hall, goodbye to Strategist Sama, and goodbye to that Grand Tutor's chair.”
“Anything else?”
“You’re quite greedy. What else could you possibly want?”
Then my father said, “Playing Go and going hunting whenever I want.”
My heart swelled for a moment when I heard that. The words my father just spoke weren't benefits for him—they were benefits entirely for me.
“Are you really not going to join, even with such overwhelming benefits?”
My father emptied his final cup and stood up. “That is enough for today.”
Just as he had arrived suddenly, he departed just as abruptly. My father bid farewell to the Fist Demon. “I shall see you again soon.”
“I will come to visit you.”
We all stood and bowed respectfully to my father.
“Since you’re already here, please pay for the drinks before you go!” I called out.
At those words, my father actually paid for the drinks before leaving. An excited Jo Chun-bae was setting aside the money he had received from my father.
“This is precious wine bought for us by the Heavenly Demon,” I said.
At my words, Lee An and Cheon So-hui held their cups with both hands as they drank. After emptying another cup, the Fist Demon asked me, “Do you know why the Cult Leader came here today?”