Chapter 249: The Reason I Called You Today
Chapter 249: The Reason I Called You Today
I entered the Heavenly Demon Hall with my brother.
Father was already there, accompanied by Chief Strategist Sama Myeong. The fact that he was out here at this hour, when he should have been resting, meant he had already received word of our duel and our subsequent arrival at the hall.
A strange, heavy tension hung in the air as my brother and I walked side by side. Father looked down at us in silence as we approached the dais.
“Father.”
My brother, who had always addressed him formally as ‘Cult Leader,’ called him ‘Father.’ He had always found it difficult to look Father in the eye, but today, his gaze was steady and direct. Then, he spoke the words that were perhaps the most difficult and painful of his life.
“I am withdrawing from the succession race.”
Father was a man who rarely showed emotion, but in that moment, a quiet passion flickered in his eyes—a complex mixture of joy and pity.
“Will you not regret this?”
“No, I will not.”
“Once a decision is made, there is no turning back.”
My brother turned to look at me. “I want to see the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult led by my younger brother.”
Our gazes locked. For a long time to come, this moment would likely haunt him. He would regret it, and then regret it again.
Thank you, Brother. I may not be able to stop that regret, but I will make sure it becomes the most valuable emotion of your life.
My brother looked back at Father. “This is my earnest request, Father.”
I hadn't expected him to be this proactive. He was no longer the brother I knew before my regression. Since my return, he had undergone various emotional shifts and matured. Now that he could look Father in the eye like that, their relationship would never be the same.
I sent a telepathic message to Father.
— I brought him back in quite a spectacular fashion, didn't I?
— He was always a fine child.
— Are you discriminating because he’s the eldest?
The corners of Father’s mouth twitched upward as he looked at me. Father, I’ll keep playing the fool for the rest of my life just to see that smirk. Please, don't let that smile fade.
Father’s gaze shifted back to my brother. He surely knew how difficult this decision had been, and he accepted his son's sincerity right then and there.
Father turned to Sama Myeong and gave the order.
“Issue the Eight Demon Summoning Order immediately.”
The Eight Demon Summoning Order. It was the supreme command that summoned not only the Eight Demon Lords but every single demonic practitioner under their command.
“I shall obey your command.”
In the dead of night, a truly unprecedented order was issued.
*
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon, Gu Cheon-pa, had been teaching Seo Dae-ryong late into the night. He smiled with satisfaction at the technique the boy displayed.
“Well done!”
Seo Dae-ryong felt like he was walking on air. Since his master was usually stingy with praise, the compliment carried immense weight.
“Thank you, Master!”
Though Seo Dae-ryong was full of banter when he was with Geom Mu-geuk, he was the picture of etiquette with his master. In his heart, Gu Cheon-pa was more precious than even the Heavenly Demon.
As they finished their training, Seo Dae-ryong held out a book. “I asked an investigator stationed outside to find this for me.”
The Blade Demon was startled. It was a rare volume he had been hunting for years. “This couldn't have been easy to find.”
“I got lucky.”
“Where did you get the money for this?” It was a rare edition; it must have cost a fortune.
“I’m still a bachelor, so my monthly salary stays mostly untouched.”
“For the sin of being a spendthrift, you’re back to hell training tomorrow.”
“Ah! But today was supposed to be the last day!”
Though he grumbled, the Blade Demon was touched deep down.
It was then.
Dong! Dong!
The sound of a bell echoed through the air.
“What’s with the bell at this hour?” Seo Dae-ryong asked. It wasn't an ordinary bell; it carried a clear, deep resonance unlike anything they had heard before.
“It is the bell announcing the Eight Demon Summoning Order,” the Blade Demon answered softly.
Seo Dae-ryong tensed. “What could be happening in the middle of the night?”
Staring toward the distant Heavenly Demon Hall, the Blade Demon spoke. “Either a war has broken out… or what was meant to happen has finally arrived.”
Since there was no war, it had to be the latter.
“If that’s the case, you’ll have to train even harder if you want to keep acting as his right hand.”
At the mention of being a 'right hand,' Seo Dae-ryong realized this was related to Geom Mu-geuk. “Open the wardrobe at the very end and bring me my Blood Robe!”
Seo Dae-ryong hurried inside. Hanging there was a ceremonial robe as red as fresh blood.
*
At that same hour, the Drunken Demon was drinking with the One Flower Sword Venerable at the Drunken Dream Pavilion.
As Yeo-bin, one of the Three Great Drinkers, set down a snack and turned to leave, the One Flower Sword Venerable spoke to her. “Have a drink on me.”
Yeo-bin politely accepted and drank. After pouring a return drink for the Sword Venerable, she withdrew.
Once she was out of earshot, the One Flower Sword Venerable said, “Accept her while she’s still being nice. Don't regret it later.”
The Drunken Demon downed his liquor. “A woman only suffers when she meets a man who loves his drink.”
“Isn't she one of the Three Great Drinkers herself?”
“Exactly. If we’re both drunks, are we supposed to spend every penny we earn on booze?”
The One Flower Sword Venerable shook her head at his nonsensical excuses. “Even as your friend, I truly don't understand—”
Dong!
At the sound of the bell, the Drunken Demon, who had been leaning back lazily, snapped upright. Before he could even speak, the One Flower Sword Venerable was already flying across the lake, her white martial robes fluttering in the wind.
The Drunken Demon shook his head. “Would you run into the fires of hell that fast if the Cult Leader ordered it?”
Yeo-bin came running back into the pavilion. The Drunken Demon set down his cup and roared, “Everyone, sober up!”
*
The Poison King was in the middle of concocting a toxin.
It was a mystical poison called Seven Lives Bliss, made primarily from the Seven-Life Herb that the Demon Buddha had discovered in the Thousand Poison Forest. Those poisoned would experience pure ecstasy for seven days, only to die on the seventh day while suffering pain that was the polar opposite of the pleasure they had felt.
He was working while wearing the Poison-Avoiding Heavenly Silkworm Thread gloves gifted to him by Geom Mu-geuk.
Dong!
Whether the bell rang or not, the Poison King focused solely on his work. That was when Sangseon entered, carrying a set of clothes.
Without looking up, the Poison King said, “Tell them I can't go.”
“Do you think that poison will protect you if you defy the Eight Demon Summoning Order?” Sangseon walked over and held out the clothes.
Taking them reluctantly, the Poison King grumbled, “It probably won't even be anything important.”
“Just change. The Poison Fangs are already preparing.”
By the time Sangseon returned with the poison pouches that had been hanging on the wall, the Poison King was back to mixing toxins. Sangseon had to practically drag him into his robes. Once the Poison King was properly dressed with the twelve poison pouches strapped to his waist, he looked every bit the tall, handsome noble of the martial world.
As he left his quarters, he remarked, “Well, I’ve made the Second Young Master do all the cleaning now.”
He had a very good idea of what today’s summons was about. His time spent 'playing' with the boy had been worth it.
*
The moment he heard the bell, the Demon Buddha’s hand stopped moving over his prayer beads. He knew the First Young Master had finally made his decision. It was a moment he had been waiting for, yet also one he had prayed would never come.
…First Young Master.
A golden radiance erupted from his body, more intense than ever, reflecting his turbulent emotions. Only after praying for the First Young Master did the Demon Buddha rise.
First Young Master, let us see where destiny leads us.
*
The Extreme Evil Smiling Demon was finishing his meditation.
He had fully recovered from his injuries, and thanks to the Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng, his internal energy had become even deeper. His body was itching for action; he wanted to fight alongside Geom Mu-geuk immediately.
Just then, the Heavenly Flower Pavilion Master, sitting beside him, spoke softly. “I had a dream that you were going on a night outing, Brother.”
She could feel the winds of destiny blowing through the Cult. The Smiling Demon opened his eyes and stood up.
“If that is what your dream says, then I must prepare.”
He opened a hidden cupboard built into the white wall. Inside hung over a dozen masks, each carrying a different meaning. “Choose one for me.”
“Since it is a place of celebration, how about that one?” She pointed to a brilliant, multi-colored mask—the Joyful Ghost Mask, used for major events or banquets.
The Smiling Demon took the mask. The Pavilion Master turned away, not watching him change. She was walking a path of destiny, loving a man whose face she did not even know. By the time the Smiling Demon had switched masks, the sound of the bell finally reached his ears.
*
The bell rang during the late-night training session. The Fist Demon stopped his practice and spoke to Lee An.
“You should prepare a congratulatory gift.”
Since the First Young Master had visited, the Fist Demon could guess what this midnight summons meant. The quick-witted Lee An understood instantly.
“Finally!” Tears welled in her eyes. Perhaps she had been waiting for this moment even more than the person involved.
“That’s enough training for today,” the Fist Demon said, before turning to Cheon So-hui. “You go ahead and get the Iron Fists ready!”
To be given an order for such a major event—Cheon So-hui accepted with a face full of emotion. “I shall obey your command!”
She leaped away and vanished. Before leaving, the Fist Demon said one last thing to Lee An. “The Second Young Master will want to see you. Go and get ready.”
“Yes! Thank you!”
Lee An flew toward her quarters. She would take out her finest clothes and put on her makeup. At this crucial moment, she would congratulate Geom Mu-geuk looking her absolute best.
*
Torches flared up all around the Great Training Ground.
Geom Wu-jin sat upon the central dais, with Geom Mu-geuk standing before him. Geom Mu-yang had stepped aside to stand next to Sama Myeong. The elite warriors of the Divine Cult, including the Demon Army, surrounded the training ground like an iron wall.
Then, the Eight Demon Lords and their subordinates began to enter.
The first to arrive was the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, dressed in red. With the massive Heaven Extermination Great Blade strapped to his back, he entered the arena followed by the Blade Ghosts of the Southern Blade Sect.
Stomp, stomp, stomp!
Though they were famous for being fierce and unruly, they marched in perfect formation, not a single person out of step.
Next was the One Flower Sword Venerable, dressed in pure white. Behind her followed the Demon Swords of the Northern Heavenly Sword House. Usually, they would trade fierce glares with the Blade Ghosts, but today, no one spared the other a glance. They lined up behind the Sword Venerable in flawless order.
The Fist Demon arrived next. Following him were the Iron Fists of the Eastern Fist Sect, men who had plunged into the Murim with nothing but their bare knuckles. Dressed formally, they wore wrist guards emblazoned with the demon crest of the Cult. Their presence was second to none.
Then came the Soul-Seizing Demon Lord. Though she was young, the ghost practitioners of the Seohwan Formation following her did not lose an ounce of momentum. Their ghostly qi announced their presence in an eerie, sinister fashion.
The procession continued. The Drunken Demon walked with a gait that seemed both drunken and sober, followed by his Drinkers. Despite their intoxicated appearance, they too were in perfect formation.
Then came the Demon Buddha. His expression was calmer than ever, but the Mad Monks following him were different. Clad in golden kasayas, they entered chanting sutras with madness in their eyes, sending a whirlwind of energy through the grounds.
Next was the Poison King. The Poison Fangs following him looked more confident than any other practitioners present. Their expressions bordered on pure arrogance.
The last Demon Lord to enter was the Extreme Evil Smiling Demon. Intense heat radiated from his eyes behind the Joyful Ghost Mask. Behind him followed the Faceless Guests wearing white masks marked with red bloodstains. Their cold gazes were as chilling as their gruesome appearance.
As the elite forces of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult gathered, the area became enveloped in a heat so intense it felt as if it might explode.
There was one man who could cool that heat in an instant.
The Heavenly Demon, Geom Wu-jin, slowly rose from his seat and walked forward. Even among these countless powerful figures, he maintained a singular, overwhelming presence.
The practitioners bowed in unison and roared.
“Heavenly Demon Supreme, Divine Cult Undefeated!”
It was a thunderous shout that shook the heavens and earth. When the cries finally ceased and silence returned, Geom Wu-jin spoke.
“The reason I called you here today is to make a momentous announcement.”
His voice, low yet heavy, struck everyone’s ears with piercing clarity. Tension filled the air; not even the sound of breathing could be heard.
“Mu-geuk, listen.”
Geom Mu-geuk showed his respect and spoke loudly. “I await your solemn command.”
Geom Wu-jin made his declaration in a voice louder and more powerful than ever before.
“From this moment forward, I appoint Mu-geuk as the next leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.”
It was the moment Geom Mu-geuk officially became the successor. He raised his head and looked at his father. There were so many things he wanted to say, but now was the time for etiquette.
“For the future of the Divine Cult, I shall devote my body and soul to ensure I do not tarnish the Cult’s reputation.”
Geom Wu-jin patted Geom Mu-geuk on the shoulder. The encouragement in his eyes was sincere.
— Well done, my son.
The moment he heard that single telepathic sentence, Geom Mu-geuk felt as if all the hardships of the past had been rewarded.
— Thank you, Father.
Geom Mu-geuk slowly turned around to face the gathered practitioners. Their gazes converged on him.
Geom Mu-geuk released his aura. He did not hide it; he opened up his entire presence. Everyone was overwhelmed by his power. If Father was a blood-red sun in the sky, Geom Mu-geuk was a rising, brilliant blue star.
The Eight Demon Lords bowed in unison.
“We greet the Young Cult Leader!”
The subordinates of the Eight Demons and the warriors surrounding the area all performed a fist salute and bowed their heads.
“We greet the Young Cult Leader!”
The deafening shout echoed through the grounds. The difference in status between the Second Young Master and the Young Cult Leader was as vast as the distance between heaven and earth. No one in the entire Murim would ever be able to treat Geom Mu-geuk lightly again.
Waaaaaaaah!
A cheer that shook the world followed.
Geom Mu-geuk’s heart swelled. He had run toward this very moment. Now, a new history was unfolding, not just for him, but for the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult itself.
As the cheering subsided and silence returned, Geom Mu-geuk walked slowly toward the Demon Lords.
Toward his Demon Lords.
It was his first step as the Young Cult Leader.