Chapter 208: The Sword Venerable Said She Wouldn't Come
Chapter 208: The Sword Venerable Said She Wouldn't Come
A heavy silence descended.
Invoking a "final request" was the ultimate card held by the Extreme Evil Smiling Demon.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon had never expected the Smiling Demon to go this far. This was no longer a situation where a joke could lighten the mood.
The Fist Demon’s heart hammered against his ribs, causing him to reflexively clench his fists. He felt as though he were standing right beside the Smiling Demon on a battlefield of the man's own making.
Geom Wu-jin stared at the Smiling Demon without a word.
The surrounding air grew frigid. Under the weight of Geom Wu-jin’s mountain-like aura, the Smiling Demon felt a suffocating pressure. His entire body ached as if it were being torn apart, as if he were falling into a pit where the walls were lined with razor-sharp blades.
Enduring the agony, the Smiling Demon closed his eyes. A vision of a battlefield flickered before him. Blood flowed like a river, and screams echoed from every direction. Flames roared, and hidden weapons whistled through the air. The Smiling Demon stood in the center of that carnage.
And the man standing before him was not Geom Wu-jin, but Geom Mu-geuk. With his mask pushed up onto his forehead, Mu-geuk was speaking to him. Though the words were silent, the Smiling Demon could read his lips.
I want to see more of your world, Lord Smiling Demon.
The moment Geom Mu-geuk smiled brightly and pulled his mask back down, the Smiling Demon snapped back to reality.
Geom Wu-jin stood where Mu-geuk had been.
Their eyes met, and the crushing pressure that had been weighing him down began to dissipate.
Geom Wu-jin spoke with stern authority.
“I can tolerate seeing your back while you wear the Immortal Ghost Mask, but do not look at me while wearing it.”
The Immortal Ghost Mask was a facepiece reserved for the battlefield. It was a grave warning from the Heavenly Demon: never point your blade at him, no matter the circumstance.
The Smiling Demon bowed his head.
“Please forgive me, Cult Leader.”
Though his warning had been stern, Geom Wu-jin’s expression held no trace of displeasure. His face already showed that he had chosen to overlook the transgression this once.
The Blade Demon and the Fist Demon could feel it. If anything, this incident had made Geom Wu-jin look upon the Smiling Demon with more favor. He was pleased by the man’s resolve. This was exactly the kind of person the Heavenly Demon liked.
As if to prove it, Geom Wu-jin added another word.
“Why call it a final request? What will you do if you find yourself in need again later in life?”
“Even if such a time comes, I shall endure it.”
The Smiling Demon was forfeiting any future favors.
“I will accept only that this was your first request.”
It was an act of consideration from Geom Wu-jin, implying he would listen if there were a next time. Despite the Smiling Demon’s borderline impudence, Geom Wu-jin had embraced him with immense magnanimity.
The Smiling Demon bowed again, his eyes filled with emotion.
“Thank you.”
He turned away, removed the Immortal Ghost Mask, and replaced it with his original white mask.
To the Blade Demon, that plain white mask felt even more terrifying than the one depicting a demon.
Just then, others arrived. Two people appeared, and to everyone's surprise, they were the Drunken Demon and the One Flower Sword Venerable.
The Drunken Demon was visibly intoxicated.
“Greetings to the Cult Leader,” they said in unison.
“I should have come after sobering up, but I didn't have the confidence to face you while sane, so I had a drink. Please forgive me.”
The Drunken Demon immediately looked out for the Sword Venerable.
“Ah, the Sword Venerable said she wouldn't come, but I dragged her here by force.”
This was the Drunken Demon’s way of showing friendship. He was trying to ensure she wasn't the only one left out of helping Geom Mu-geuk, without putting too much pressure on her relationship with the Heavenly Demon. There was a clear difference between being present and being absent.
Though she had been persuaded to follow, the One Flower Sword Venerable felt deeply awkward. Her head told her she absolutely shouldn't be here, but her heart worried about being the only one missing.
To her, the Heavenly Demon was always a difficult and venerable figure. But right now, her eyes were fixed on the three Demon Lords who had arrived before her.
Why did they all accept Geom Mu-geuk’s request? Were they not afraid of the Cult Leader’s wrath?
She felt a twinge of bitterness, wondering if there was a bond between them she didn't know about, while simultaneously wondering if she was being too selfish. She honestly couldn't understand why the Drunken Demon was struggling so much with this.
Geom Wu-jin asked the Drunken Demon, “Have you also come because of Mu-geuk?”
The Drunken Demon had told Mu-geuk that the Cult Leader disliked him, but Geom Wu-jin showed no sign of such feelings.
The Drunken Demon spoke as if making an excuse for his late arrival.
“I refused the Second Young Master’s request to persuade you, Cult Leader.”
“Then why are you here?”
“I came because I was ashamed. I was the one who pestered him to be like brothers, yet I felt ashamed of myself for backing away when he actually needed help.”
The Drunken Demon’s voice trembled. Considering how talkative and playful he usually was, it was clear how nervous he was now.
Geom Wu-jin didn't ask the Drunken Demon why he had grown so fond of Mu-geuk. Did he truly dislike the man?
It was the Blade Demon who asked instead.
“How did you end up falling for the Second Young Master? We’ve all shared our reasons, so you should too.”
The Drunken Demon glanced at Geom Wu-jin’s reaction before speaking cautiously.
“The Second Young Master makes me feel intoxicated. Just looking at him makes me want to drink. Drinking with him is joyful, and when he’s gone, I miss him so much I drink again. Honestly, I’ve had several people like that in my life. But the Second Young Master has something special.”
“And what is that?”
“While he makes me intoxicated, he also constantly makes me sober up. Just like how I feel standing before you right now, Cult Leader. He makes me drunk, then sober, then drunk again. He is the only person who can do both at the same time.”
The Demon Lords listened quietly, each thinking of their own version of Geom Mu-geuk.
Then, Geom Wu-jin asked abruptly, “If he is so special, why did you refuse his request?”
“Forgive me, but may I have a drink before I answer?”
It was an impudent request, but one only the Drunken Demon could make.
When Geom Wu-jin nodded, the Drunken Demon took a long swig from the bottle at his waist. As the alcohol hit, life began to return to his eyes.
The Drunken Demon looked straight at Geom Wu-jin and said, “It was because of you, Cult Leader.”
Tension began to swirl in the air again at his answer.
“Because of me?”
“Yes. Because of you, I became a pathetic older brother who couldn't even look after his younger brother.”
“Why is that because of me?”
“Because my desire for you not to dislike me was greater.”
The Drunken Demon felt that if he didn't say this today, he never would. He had wanted to ask the Cult Leader at least once: Why do you hate me so much? Please don't dislike me that much.
“Did you think I disliked you?”
“Do you not?”
The atmosphere grew increasingly taut.
The One Flower Sword Venerable’s voice transmission quickly reached the Drunken Demon.
— Are you crazy? Stop it!
The Drunken Demon glanced at her.
— If I don't say it now, I'll regret it until the day I die.
The Drunken Demon took another long drink. Then, he brought up a story he had never told anyone.
“I tried so hard to get on your good side! Even though you never looked at me once!”
He hadn't expected to say this in front of the other Demon Lords, but emotions have a way of exploding in moments like these. Or perhaps, he secretly hoped someone would hear his true feelings.
Geom Wu-jin said nothing.
“Shut up! You drunkard!”
The one who shouted was the One Flower Sword Venerable. Just as the Drunken Demon had looked out for her, she was the only one looking out for him now.
“You drunkard! Why did you even come here? Did you come to wallow in self-pity? You said you had to step up for your brother! You said you’d step up even if you were hated and kicked out by the Cult Leader! You said I had to be here too! You said that was the only way we’d have anything to say to the Second Young Master later! But what are you doing? Why are you drunkenly rambling instead of saying what needs to be said? In front of whom do you dare!”
She wasn't usually the type to get angry at someone like this. Nor was she a woman of many words. But she was intentionally acting more furious, hoping it would dissipate Geom Wu-jin’s potential rage.
Whether he realized her intent or not, the Drunken Demon barked back.
“Once I saw the Cult Leader’s face, I forgot everything! What are you going to do about it!”
“Don't pretend to be drunk! You're nowhere near that point yet!”
The Drunken Demon flinched.
“You drunkard! Even I would dislike you. Rambling on with liquid courage. Why does he hate you? Because you do hateful things!”
“Fine, you're so great! Our noble Sword Venerable! You're just perfect! As for me, I'm already on the black list anyway, so it's fine! It's fine!”
Right then, Geom Wu-jin spoke up.
“I do not dislike you.”
A sudden silence fell. Everyone’s eyes turned toward Geom Wu-jin.
“It was your master I disliked.”
The Drunken Demon was stunned. It was the first time he had ever heard this. Even his master had never mentioned such a thing.
Geom Wu-jin said nothing more. He didn't scold the Drunken Demon for his impudence, nor did he apologize for the misunderstanding. He didn't even explain why he had disliked the master.
The Drunken Demon stared at Geom Wu-jin and asked, “Did you truly not hold even a shred of dislike for me?”
“I did not.”
A corner of the wall that had been stifling the Drunken Demon’s heart crumbled away. A ray of light shone through the breach.
“If I’d known it was like this, I should have thrown a drunken fit much sooner.”
As if he hadn't just been rambling, the Drunken Demon was now calm and serious.
“Not knowing that was the reason... every day I came back from seeing you, I drank to excess. Why does he look at me so coldly? What mistake did I make? I couldn't sleep because of all those thoughts.”
The Drunken Demon could finally look Geom Wu-jin in the eye. Ever since he started believing the Heavenly Demon hated him, he hadn't been able to look at him properly.
“I apologize to the Cult Leader, but the fit I threw today will remain the best drunken performance of my life.”
Geom Wu-jin asked, “And? Are you also going to ask a favor regarding Mu-geuk?”
The Drunken Demon answered firmly, “No. I will not ask a favor.”
Geom Wu-jin looked around at the five Demon Lords.
Since he had become the Heavenly Demon, this was the first time five Demon Lords had come to see him because of a single person.
“The boy is rewriting the history of our Cult,” Geom Wu-jin said to the empty air. “Bring Mu-geuk here.”
*
When I arrived, my father and the five Demon Lords were lined up, staring at me.
I thought they would try to persuade him individually, but I didn't expect all five to be in one place. Moreover, even the Drunken Demon and the One Flower Sword Venerable, who had refused me, were there.
“Your son has come at your command.”
Fortunately, my father’s expression wasn't too bad. I made eye contact with each of the five Demon Lords.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon nodded slightly, signaling that the situation was okay.
The Fist Demon pointedly clenched his fist at me. He was conveying the tension of the room through that gesture.
The Extreme Evil Smiling Demon was smiling. From the sense of relief in his eyes, I could tell he had just gone through a major ordeal.
The Drunken Demon was looking at my father. I could sense that another change had occurred in his life. Standing beside him, the One Flower Sword Venerable smiled at me.
“I see all five of the people I like are here!”
At that, the Drunken Demon, still staring at my father, spoke in a voice thick with intoxication.
“Why are you leaving out the Cult Leader? There are six.”
“I was leaving out you, Brother.”
“...Ah.”
The Drunken Demon took a drink. Seeing him drink so openly in front of my father, things must have truly gone wild. I would have to hear the details from the Blade Demon or the Drunken Demon later.
I stood before my father. I was inwardly tense about what the result would be.
It was then.
The Smiling Demon walked over slowly and stood right beside me. By this single action, I could guess how he had conducted himself today.
His eyes behind the mask smiled at me.
I have done everything in my power.
Thank you so much, Lord Smiling Demon.
We exchanged our feelings through our gaze.
Next, the Blade Demon let out a sigh and stood by my side.
“I don't know what all this fuss is in my old age.”
“I am sorry.”
The next to move was the Fist Demon.
“He is my first disciple, so I have no choice.”
Three Demon Lords came to stand by my side.
Their eyes, as they looked at my father, were full of apology. They weren't opposing my father. They were showing their will to protect me.
Then, the Drunken Demon, who had been staring at my father, walked toward me.
“Seeing Mu-geuk, I just can't help it. I must help as well. By the way, did you dislike my master because he was indecisive like this?”
To the Drunken Demon’s question, Geom Wu-jin replied, “It was the opposite. Once he got drunk, he would never let go of his stubbornness.”
“Then that is a relief. I must be the most easily swayed among the Eight Demon Lords.”
“Isn't that a problem in its own right?”
“Then tell the next Drunken Demon. Tell him you disliked his master because he was too easily swayed.”
In front of the Heavenly Demon, the Drunken Demon finally found ease. To be the only one who could throw a drunken fit before the Heavenly Demon, and to build such immense trust that it was allowed—that was the path the Drunken Demon needed to take in his relationship with my father.
And I could sense that this shift in their relationship would change the man known as the Drunken Demon.
This time, the Drunken Demon smiled at me.
“Wait for me until this pathetic older brother becomes cool.”
The Drunken Demon was speaking sincerely.
“As long as you promise to be slightly less cool than me.”
The Drunken Demon handed me his bottle. A promise with the Drunken Demon is made with alcohol. I took a drink and handed it back. He drank as well.
After drinking, the Drunken Demon walked over to the One Flower Sword Venerable.
He took her hand and led her over.
“I believe the Cult Leader’s decision is right,” she said.
“I know. But today, this is where you belong.”
It was enough that her intent had been conveyed to the Cult Leader.
Even in the midst of this, the Drunken Demon placed her next to the Blade Demon before returning to his spot.
Thus, five Demon Lords lined up to my left and right. There were four when we struck Villain Valley, but now the Fist Demon had joined, making it five.
My father looked at me and the Demon Lords in silence. He seemed neither displeased nor pleased. Then again, this must be a first for him as well.
That characteristic, mocking smirk formed on my father’s lips. Indeed, no other smile suited this situation better.
“Fine. Normally, I would only have permitted this if all eight Demon Lords had come, but today, Extreme Evil did the work of three men.”
If the Smiling Demon counted for three, that made seven.
“Bring one more person before me, and I shall permit this endeavor.”
“Who is it?”
A name flowed from my father’s lips. The name of the one person I had not met once since my regression—the name of the final Demon Lord.
“The Poison King.”