Chapter 245: I Will Play with the Storm of Blood
Chapter 245: I Will Play with the Storm of Blood
The Poison King was speechless for a moment.
Blinking in disbelief, he asked, "Are you telling me you want to play? And with the Demon Buddha, no less?"
"That is correct."
The Poison King placed his palm on Geom Mu-geuk’s forehead to check for a fever. "This must be a side effect of the Heavenly Energy Pill."
He even grabbed Mu-geuk's wrist to check his pulse.
"Is spending a single day relaxing really that difficult for you?" Mu-geuk asked.
The Poison King tried to bolt for the back door, but Mu-geuk stepped in to block his path.
"There’s no need to feel so pressured. I’ll be right there with you."
"I’d rather go back to the training grounds and bark like a dog again. Why on earth are you doing this?"
"I want to rest for a day. And I want to spend that time with you, Poison King. Let’s just enjoy ourselves for once."
Just as the Poison King let out a heavy, defeated sigh, Sangseon announced from outside that the Demon Buddha had arrived.
The Poison King shot Mu-geuk a look that served as a silent curse before heading out to greet the guest.
"A distinguished guest has arrived," the Poison King said, his voice regaining its composure.
"Have you been well?" the Demon Buddha replied.
The two exchanged polite greetings. Despite his earlier urge to flee, the Poison King didn't miss a beat, treating his guest with the dignity befitting a Demon Lord.
"Is this your first time in the Thousand Poison Forest?"
"It is. I noticed many breathtaking views on my way here."
"There are many more beautiful spots to see."
In truth, the Poison King had never visited the Golden Buddha Temple where the Demon Buddha resided, either. As someone who cherished his seclusion within the Thousand Poison Forest, he rarely had a reason to visit the abodes of the other Demon Lords.
After the formalities, the Demon Buddha turned his gaze toward Geom Mu-geuk.
"Second Young Master, so you were here as well."
He spoke as if he hadn't known Mu-geuk would be present. It was a decent piece of acting. Mu-geuk, knowing full well the Demon Buddha had come specifically to see him, played along.
"Indeed! It seems the Demon Buddha and I share a deep bond, seeing as we meet even in a place like this."
"It would seem so."
"Seeing how glad I am to see you, the time we’ve spent together recently must not have been in vain."
Even with the Poison King standing right there, Mu-geuk expressed his sentiments without hesitation.
"Won't the Poison King be jealous, then?" the Demon Buddha interjected.
"Why would I be jealous?" the Poison King retorted.
"Does everyone in the Cult not know of the special friendship between you two?"
He was referring to the infamous incident where they had barked together at the training grounds.
The Poison King shook his head as he looked at Mu-geuk. "I’ve experienced all sorts of bizarre things since meeting the Second Young Master."
Immediately, a Voice Transmission from the Poison King reached Mu-geuk’s ears.
— This right now is the most bizarre thing of all!
Mu-geuk turned his head, pretending not to hear.
Once the introductions were over, the Poison King led the Demon Buddha to the guest hall of the Thousand Poison Gate.
"Please, come this way."
The venue was an elevated pavilion, much like a lookout hut. The atmosphere was excellent, blending seamlessly with the surrounding natural scenery. It was a place rarely used since visitors were scarce, but Sangseon always kept it pristine.
One man looked unnaturally young, and the other was unnaturally small. With Mu-geuk added to the mix, the gathering looked truly extraordinary.
"Did you settle the matters regarding your recent excursion from the Cult?"
"Thanks to your concern, everything was handled well."
The conversation died down, and a brief, heavy silence followed.
The Demon Buddha was used to meeting many people, but even he felt awkward in this setting. He rarely interacted with the Poison King, and he still couldn't get used to the man's youthful appearance. Of course, the Poison King likely felt the same looking at him.
Another Voice Transmission from the Poison King hit Mu-geuk.
— I’m already suffocating. You want to 'play'? I’d rather have a life-or-death duel; that would be more fun.
Fortunately, the atmosphere shifted when Sangseon brought out tea.
"The tea tastes wonderful!"
Mu-geuk drank his tea comfortably, but the Demon Buddha only toyed with his cup without taking a sip. If one of his subordinates had drunk tea as casually as Mu-geuk in this place, he would have roared in fury. Drinking tea served by the Poison King? You fool! You'd be better off dying by my hand! That was how much of a terrifying existence the Poison King was to everyone.
"To be honest, the reason I visited today was because of the Second Young Master."
The Demon Buddha glanced at Mu-geuk before continuing.
"I came after hearing he was here. Lately, I’ve found great enjoyment in my interactions with him."
Mu-geuk felt certain that the Demon Buddha was not the same man he used to be. He was showing a new side of himself, like someone who had staked everything on his relationship with Mu-geuk. This kind of candidness was not typical of the Demon Buddha.
"I am curious. What kind of conversations do you usually have when you meet the Second Young Master, Poison King?"
The Poison King replied flatly, "I called him over today to make him do some cleaning."
The Demon Buddha flinched at those words. He assumed the Poison King was expressing displeasure at his question.
"It seems I have spoken out of turn."
Mu-geuk jumped in. "I really did clean."
He spoke to the startled Demon Buddha as if venting a grievance.
"Did you think I became close with the Demon Lords just by flapping my lips? I put in an immense amount of effort."
If he had truly gone as far as cleaning, it was clear that Mu-geuk's earlier comment about it being "hard work" wasn't just a joke.
"Even so, you should be more selective about the work you do," the Demon Buddha said.
He didn't add the words, considering you might become the Heavenly Demon. His goal, after all, was to ensure Mu-geuk did not become the Heavenly Demon.
Another awkward silence followed. In a way, the Demon Buddha's words implied that the Poison King was making Mu-geuk do work beneath his station.
However, the Poison King didn't direct any displeasure toward the Demon Buddha. He could just take it out on Mu-geuk later.
— Did you hear that? That uncomfortable way of speaking. How am I supposed to 'play' with him?
— He means no ill will. You know that, right?
— I can't even have fun by myself, so how am I supposed to play with others?
But was it just him? Neither Mu-geuk nor the Demon Buddha were people who had ever "played" in their lives. That was exactly why Mu-geuk wanted to spend time with them. Opportunities like this didn't come often.
— First, why don't you show us around the Thousand Poison Forest?
As soon as Mu-geuk’s Voice Transmission ended, the Poison King spoke to the Demon Buddha.
"Since you’ve come all this way, let me show you around the Thousand Poison Forest."
The Demon Buddha was about to say he’d see it next time, but Mu-geuk stood up first.
"Let’s go. It’ll be fun."
And so, the Poison King led them into the forest.
The Thousand Poison Forest was vast and lush. After walking for about fifteen minutes, they reached a magnificent bamboo grove with a well-maintained path.
"Oh, I didn't know a place like this existed."
It was a direction Mu-geuk hadn't explored yet. Beyond the bamboo grove stood a giant tree that looked a thousand years old, and behind it was a field in full bloom with nameless flowers.
The three men walked slowly, intoxicated by the beautiful scenery.
Even the Demon Buddha, who had been reluctant at first, gradually became enthralled by the sights. Exclamations of "How wonderful" escaped his lips repeatedly.
"Be careful."
A colorful snake flickered its tongue from a tree branch.
"That is a Hundred-Dot Snake. It possesses a venom so potent that even a master wouldn't last a day without an antidote."
Mu-geuk figured the Poison King had probably named that snake himself.
As they walked, Mu-geuk asked about the poisonous herbs, insects, and snakes they encountered, and the Poison King explained them with growing excitement.
The Demon Buddha assumed Mu-geuk was doing this just to humor the Poison King.
I have to admit, he is diligent.
But Mu-geuk was asking about everything. The Poison King shared everything he knew, and Mu-geuk listened with absolute sincerity.
Then, the Demon Buddha remarked, "The Second Young Master is quite curious."
"How many chances does a person get in their life to hear an explanation about poisons directly from the Poison King?"
In reality, Mu-geuk was memorizing as much of the Poison King's explanations as possible. He himself was immune to all poisons, so it didn't matter for his own sake, but one never knew who might get poisoned in the future.
The Demon Buddha listened along. He was always the one teaching, so it had been a long time since he had learned something new. He found a certain joy in the process.
After walking for a long time, they arrived at a valley where a waterfall cascaded down.
Shhhhhhh—
They decided to take a break there.
"It's hot, so I'm going for a swim."
Mu-geuk stripped off his top and dove into the water.
"It's never boring when the Second Young Master is around," the Demon Buddha remarked.
The Poison King nodded. If it were just a matter of being "bored" without Mu-geuk, that would be fine, but for the Poison King, this was currently an ordeal.
Just as the Poison King was wondering if he should jump into the water too, the Demon Buddha brought up the topic of the successor.
"I admit the momentum is shifting toward the Second Young Master. That is why the First Young Master desperately needs your support, Poison King."
The Demon Buddha intended to use this opportunity to secure an official endorsement for the First Young Master.
"Who is to say whether the First Young Master or the Second Young Master would make a better Cult Leader?"
Seeing the Poison King nod, the Demon Buddha continued.
"Sometimes, looking at the Second Young Master makes me afraid. I wonder if that strange heat of his might even draw the Murim toward us."
The Poison King, who had been listening quietly, suddenly spoke up.
"And would that be a bad thing?"
"It’s not that it’s bad, but..."
"I believe we shouldn't worry about this heat, but rather worry about the absence of it."
Though the Poison King had been awkward, he was clear when he had something to say.
On the other hand, the Demon Buddha felt a pang of embarrassment as the point hit home. He had always felt a lingering regret that the First Young Master didn't possess even a fraction of the "heat" Mu-geuk had.
The Poison King looked at Mu-geuk. Mu-geuk, who was swimming, had moved under the waterfall and was shouting. It was impossible to tell if he was shouting because he liked it or because the pressure hurt.
"I believe the Second Young Master is more suited to be the Heavenly Demon."
The Demon Buddha was stunned. The Poison King had made his choice.
"Being stronger in martial arts or being more eloquent doesn't necessarily make one a better Heavenly Demon, does it?"
"That is not why. I see it in the Second Young Master."
"What do you see?"
The Poison King watched Mu-geuk, who was sitting under the waterfall making a fuss.
"I see our destiny."
The Poison King admitted that because he preferred his own world, he wasn't very good at reading other people's emotions. But he felt it. The more he saw Geom Mu-geuk, the more he felt a massive destiny approaching them.
He believed he felt this precisely because he spent so much time in his own world. It was something the Demon Buddha, entangled in countless relationships, could never see.
"You’ve fallen for his intentions. You’ve been played by his tricks and schemes."
"If he were that kind of person, his request to me today would have been to persuade you, Demon Buddha."
"Then what did he ask for?"
"He asked that the three of us have a fun time together today."
"!"
In that moment, a thought crossed the Demon Buddha's mind. Ah, it won't be easy to beat the Second Young Master. How do you beat a madman like this? The confidence he had at the start withered away.
"If the Second Young Master becomes the Heavenly Demon, a storm of blood might blow instead."
"The Second Young Master will be playing right along with that storm of blood."
The Demon Buddha said no more. He felt the Poison King's resolve was firm.
This won't be easy.
If he couldn't change the Poison King's mind, the only Demon Lords supporting the First Young Master would be himself and the Fist Demon. And even the Fist Demon's support was only half-hearted.
Just then, Mu-geuk, who had been mimicking a meditator under the waterfall, swam over.
"Did you see my waterfall training? I felt like a martial artist dreaming of revenge through extreme training..."
Without listening to the rest, the Poison King stood up. "There’s still more to see. Let’s go."
The Demon Buddha also stood up abruptly and followed.
Mu-geuk shouted as he climbed out of the water. "Why? Did I do something wrong? Wait for me! Let me dry my clothes first!"
I told them to rest. It seemed they had a serious conversation in the meantime. Well, how could people who had never played in their lives find it easy to do so? It was a relief they weren't fighting.
Fwoosh!
As Mu-geuk walked, he released his Heat Yang True Qi. Steam rose from him, and his clothes began to dry in an instant.
*
I was grateful to the Poison King.
He was doing his best to fulfill my request. If he weren't, he wouldn't have made a proposal like this.
"Let's have a bet," the Poison King suggested.
The word "bet" piqued the Demon Buddha's interest. He was curious about what kind of bet it was, and he was naturally competitive and fond of wagering.
"What kind of bet?"
"In this forest, there is a poisonous herb called the Seven-Life Herb. It has leaves that split into seven parts and bears purple fruit. Let's see who can find it first."
"Isn't that too disadvantageous for us? You know the geography here perfectly, Poison King."
"Even I do not know where the Seven-Life Herb is. I know for certain it exists here, but perhaps because we lack a connection, I haven't been able to find it."
Since it didn't seem like something he would lie about, the Demon Buddha asked again, "If it's a bet, there must be a reward."
As the two of them pondered, I spoke up.
"Next time we have time, the losers can treat the winner to a grand round of drinks at the Pungryu Tavern."
The Poison King and the Demon Buddha nodded. A competitive fire lit up in the Demon Buddha's eyes. To him, at least, this meant more than just a bet over drinks.
"Fine. Let's do it."
And so, we wandered through the forest searching for the Seven-Life Herb.
Even after searching for a long time, it wasn't easy to find. I even used my New Eye Technique, but I couldn't spot it.
"I found it!"
The one who found the Seven-Life Herb was the Demon Buddha, who had been darting through the forest with his small frame.
The Poison King and I rushed to him using our light body techniques.
"Is this it?"
"Oh! It is! This is the Seven-Life Herb!"
The Poison King looked genuinely moved.
"To think you discovered such a rare thing. You truly have a talent for gathering spiritual herbs. We should visit that other forest later as well."
As he spoke, the Poison King carefully dug up the Seven-Life Herb. He was so meticulous that a suspicion crossed my mind.
"Wait, you didn't suggest this bet just because you needed the Seven-Life Herb, did you?"
The Poison King's back flinched for a split second as he dug.
Tucking the herb preciously into his robes, the Poison King said to the Demon Buddha, "Next time you visit, let's come out to play again. You are welcome anytime, Demon Buddha!"
With a greeting that sounded like a final farewell, the Poison King took flight.
He vanished just like that.
As the Poison King disappeared into the distance, the Demon Buddha looked at me with a gaze that asked, What on earth just happened?
"We've been had! He used us as manual labor for his herb gathering!"
The Demon Buddha took my words, which might have been the truth, as a joke.
"He must have found this gathering very uncomfortable."
In the distance, the Poison King glanced back at me.
His eyes seemed to say: I've had my fun.
And...
My effort ends here; now it's your turn.