Chapter 309: No Wicked Person Truly Loves Flowers
Chapter 309: No Wicked Person Truly Loves Flowers
When I arrived today, the One Flower Sword Venerable was once again lost in her sword training, her face bare of any makeup.
I knew well why she was so captivated by her martial arts. For masters at the level of a Demon Lord, a breakthrough in one's martial path is a fated encounter that rarely graces them. And the One Flower Sword Venerable was the type of person who, when such a moment arrived, would unfailingly seize it and make it her own.
Leaping into the air, she unleashed a flurry of strikes before spinning toward me.
The provocative look in her eyes said it all.
Come at me!
If she wanted a bout, I had to oblige. Without hesitation, I kicked off the ground and surged toward her.
The Black Demonic Sword and the One Flower Sword clashed repeatedly in mid-air. Even though I attacked with more ferocity than our last spar, she parried every blow.
Witnessing her clearly improved skills, I pushed my internal power and speed even further.
The blades clashed with such blinding speed that the individual rings of steel merged into a single, continuous, high-pitched drone.
Dozens of sword lines bloomed brilliantly and vanished in cycles. To any onlooker, the exchange would have been a blur, the offense and defense impossible to distinguish.
The speed of our blades continued to escalate.
It was no longer just a fight between me and the One Flower Sword Venerable. It was a battle where instinct thrust the sword and instinct blocked it. It was a spar where a single moment's mistake could result in a lost limb or a severed head—a duel more real than actual combat.
When our speed reached its zenith—
Clang!
A distinct, jarring sound erupted, and we both descended to the ground.
Thud.
The One Flower Sword was embedded in the earth.
She had dropped her sword again.
I felt no bitterness of defeat or sense of shame from the One Flower Sword Venerable. Though she had lost, she had fought so well that her expression was one of pure satisfaction. In that brief exchange, she must have displayed swordsmanship more exquisite than any she had performed in her entire life.
She looked at me and asked, "How far do you intend to lead me?"
She understood my intention perfectly—that I had pushed her to her absolute limits. She felt my desire for her not to be complacent, not to stop yet.
"I intend to go to the very end."
To the end.
Yes, I intended to go to the very end with these Demon Lords.
"Why?"
"I told you before. You are the only person I can exchange swordsmanship with and be truly stimulated. Aside from my father, you are the only one I can spar with to my heart's content. But I cannot spar with my father often, and even when we do, it is a different kind of fight. Therefore, these duels with you are incredibly precious to me."
After a brief pause, I conveyed my sincere feelings.
"I want us to go together until the moment we finally lay down our swords."
A flicker of intense emotion crossed the One Flower Sword Venerable's face.
She looked down at her empty hand and asked, "Do you remember our first spar?"
"I remember."
The One Flower Sword Venerable revealed her honest thoughts.
"Back then, I was thinking like this: I'll stay as a Demon Lord for another ten years or so, then hand the position over to a successor and enjoy a comfortable retirement."
She looked up from her palm and met my eyes.
"Back then, I could see the finish line. As a martial artist and as a Demon Lord. I saw the end of my life's race, where people were lined up to cheer and congratulate me. I can still see it now—a path I could walk without a single worry or thought. But you... you've placed me back at the starting line. I feel as though I am standing at the beginning once again."
I stared into her eyes and spoke calmly.
"Passing that finish line might seem comfortable and pleasant, but it would only feel good for about a month. From the next day on, you would be bored and restless. You would wonder why you didn't try more while you were even a year younger. Wouldn't it be too hollow to end it like that? All sorts of idle thoughts and regrets would haunt you."
A faint smile played on her lips.
"And you know this without having been there yourself?"
"I have a very vivid imagination."
Being held by the throat by Sa U-jong, being consumed by an ill-fitting lust for power... she was far too valuable a person to live such a life.
The One Flower Sword Venerable reached out her hand. The One Flower Sword, which had been stuck in the ground, pulled free and flew into her grasp. Holding the sword, she spoke as if making a declaration.
"I am standing at the starting line again. Until the day I die, I will never lay down this sword."
I could feel it. The woman before me was a different person from the One Flower Sword Venerable I knew before my regression. A person's life can change this much depending on who they meet and who stands by their side.
"What brings you here today?"
"Sa U-jong is dead by the hand of the Soul-Seizing Demon Lord."
The One Flower Sword Venerable flinched in surprise at the unexpected answer.
"What happened?"
I told her the truth, omitting only the parts related to Hwan-yeo. Framed that way, it became a death resulting from a romantic entanglement.
"Sa U-jong committed a grave crime deserving of death by threatening and insulting a Demon Lord. However, since a member of the Demon Sword Squad died at the hands of another Demon Lord, it could potentially stain your reputation or that of the Northern Heavenly Sword House."
After a moment of thought, she asked me, "How would you like me to handle this?"
"I would like you to let it slide this once for the sake of the Soul-Seizing Demon Lord. She is currently in the middle of establishing her position within the Seohwan Formation. If this incident is highlighted, her standing will be weakened."
The One Flower Sword Venerable granted my request.
"Let us handle it quietly."
"Thank you."
"In exchange, tell me where he is buried. He was someone who served me once; I should at least pour a cup of wine for his departure."
Having finished her piece, she began to swing her sword again.
I bowed respectfully and left.
Just before exiting the One Flower Sword Venerable's residence, I looked back.
She was looking up at the sky with her sword hanging low. She seemed to be in a complex state of mind. I didn't want to know what kind of relationship she had with Sa U-jong or what her weakness was.
I only hoped that this incident would serve as a turning point in her life. So that it might even change her swordsmanship.
As I left the Northern Heavenly Sword House, Seo Dae-ryong was waiting for me.
"The team monitoring the flower garden has contacted us. The seedlings that were delivered every day did not arrive yesterday or today."
That meant only one thing.
"She's planning to leave."
I couldn't let her go like this. I had to hold her back somehow. There was a chance the Pungcheon Cult Leader might not be able to break the soul-seizing technique, and her presence might be necessary to do so. I also needed her to find out the Illusion King's whereabouts.
"What do you plan to do?"
I answered as I walked toward the main gate of the headquarters.
"What else? I have to stop her from leaving. Send as many Enforcement Martial Artists as you can find to me."
*
Hwan-yeo was preparing to leave the flower garden.
She had received the report that Sa U-jong was dead. His death meant that the Yin-Yang Soul Reversal Technique was a success. She just had to withdraw for now and return in a year to check on her.
A normal martial artist could be turned into a puppet with a single successful soul-seizing technique, but the Soul-Seizing Demon Lord, who was herself trained in such arts, could not be controlled all at once. The Red Soul planted in her mind had to take root and grow. The process was like sowing a seed and raising a flower. Only when the flower bloomed fully from the bud could she completely control the Soul-Seizing Demon Lord.
Just then, a crowd of martial artists swarmed into the garden, and a single man stepped through their ranks.
Hwan-yeo was startled when she saw who it was. Geom Mu-geuk had entered, accompanied not only by his personal bodyguards but also by the Enforcement Martial Artists of the Huangquan Pavilion.
"A noble guest has returned."
"You seemed to recognize me immediately that day as well. This is only our second meeting; how did you know who I was?"
"Is there anyone doing business here in Ma Clan Village who doesn't know the Young Cult Leader? It is an honor to see you again."
While plotting here, the news she had heard most frequently of late were rumors about Geom Mu-geuk. Most were hard to believe, but she knew—she knew they were all true. That was why she knew she had to be extremely careful when dealing with him.
Because of that, Hwan-yeo was suspicious of Geom Mu-geuk's visit. Once could be a coincidence, but twice?
Did he notice something?
If not, there was no reason for the Young Cult Leader to come personally like this.
Of course, she wasn't anxious. There were many ways to escape. She could immediately use her soul-seizing technique to make the guards draw their swords and kill the Young Cult Leader. She could simply slip away amidst the chaos.
"My subordinate really liked the flowers I bought that day."
"There is no better gift for a beautiful woman than flowers."
If he had visited for such a reason alone, she would have undoubtedly been suspicious. However, Geom Mu-geuk asked her directly.
"Let me ask you one thing."
"Please, go ahead."
"Do you know the martial artist who came here frequently of late?"
Hwan-yeo was inwardly shocked when he mentioned Sa U-jong, but she didn't let it show at all.
"Of course. He always came to look at the flowers and trees before leaving."
"His name is Sa U-jong."
"He never told me his name."
"He died a short while ago."
"Oh dear! How did that happen?"
Hwan-yeo expressed deep regret. Her acting was so superb that anyone would have thought she had grown fond of the man who visited every day.
"The Cult is investigating his death. That is why I am here."
"Ah, I see."
Hwan-yeo bowed her head, showing a hint of fear.
"But seeing as the Young Cult Leader is investigating personally, was he someone of great status?"
"His death is related to a Demon Lord of our Cult."
Because he revealed it so openly, Hwan-yeo was inwardly puzzled.
Did he find out about the Soul-Seizing Demon Lord?
No. If he had, he wouldn't have come like this; he would have brought the other Demon Lords to capture her.
He doesn't know about me yet.
Geom Mu-geuk's attitude toward her was merely one of suspicion.
"So, do not leave this flower garden for the time being."
"I am a person with nowhere else to go."
"Then why did the seedlings that come every day stop arriving?"
Geom Mu-geuk intentionally revealed that his side was monitoring the garden.
"I've been feeling unwell, so I stopped them to rest for a few days."
Geom Mu-geuk gave her a suspicious look.
This was the only way to avoid true suspicion.
No matter how naturally he acted, if he had come for another reason, she would have found it fishy. It was better to say, I'm watching you, so don't leave! That had a higher chance of keeping her there. To that, he added one decisive point.
"If you get scared and run away, I will label you a public enemy of the Cult and send a pursuit squad. Your wanted portrait will be spread across the entire Central Plains, so there will be nowhere to hide."
Geom Mu-geuk knew her weakness exactly. These people moved in secret. Therefore, what they feared most was being exposed to the outside world. A wanted portrait posted across the Central Plains? That was the last thing she wanted.
As expected, Hwan-yeo's heart grew heavy.
Damn it.
Being exposed was something she could never allow.
Geom Mu-geuk walked over to the flowers Lee An had bought and took a sniff.
"Do you know what I said when my subordinates reported that this flower garden was suspicious?"
"What did you say?"
"No wicked person truly loves flowers."
Geom Mu-geuk left the garden with his men.
Hwan-yeo watched his retreating back in silence.
*
"Ah! How long has it been since I was last at the headquarters?"
The Pungcheon Cult Leader took a deep breath as he entered the main base. It wasn't the Pungcheon Cult, but the headquarters of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, yet it felt as comfortable as returning to his own home.
The two men entered the Inner Court and headed straight for Geom Mu-geuk's residence. It wasn't his old quarters, but the large, grand residence he had moved into after becoming the Young Cult Leader.
"Your house has become quite magnificent since you became the Young Cult Leader, hasn't it?"
The Pungcheon Cult Leader scanned the residence, which he wouldn't have spared a glance for in the past.
"Power really is a good thing."
"If you're jealous, go back to the Outer Lands. Your residence as a Cult Leader was ten times bigger than this, wasn't it?"
"Who said I was jealous? I'm just making an observation."
The Pungcheon Cult Leader peered inside from the window.
"Where did the Second Young Master go? We've arrived; he should be here waiting for us. Don't tell me he forgot he called us? Oh, right. I called you, didn't I? That matter has been resolved. Since you're here, why don't you rest for a few days and then go do something else? I'm busy, so I'll be going now."
He had imitated Geom Mu-geuk so often that he could now do it better than anyone.
"He might have turned from the somewhat tolerable Second Young Master into a wicked Young Cult Leader."
Just then, a welcome voice came from behind.
"You never miss a chance to badmouth me the moment my back is turned."
The Pungcheon Cult Leader smirked to himself without turning around. Yes, this was the voice he had wanted to hear.
He turned his head.
Geom Mu-geuk was standing there, looking exactly the same as always.
"I'm still a somewhat tolerable Young Cult Leader. I've got a ways to go before I become wicked."
"You never know."
Despite having missed him, the Pungcheon Cult Leader acted cranky for no reason.
"You've worked hard, Cult Leader."
The Pungcheon Cult Leader looked at Go Wol, who was standing beside him.
"You should give those greetings to this one."
Geom Mu-geuk looked at Go Wol and said, "You did well."
Go Wol smiled. "It was only my duty."
The Pungcheon Cult Leader chimed in, praising Go Wol.
"Most people couldn't work that hard even for their own business. Young Cult Leader, buy your strategist some medicine. He's suffered a lot."
Go Wol signaled the Pungcheon Cult Leader to stop talking nonsense.
"I'll buy him the very best medicine."
"You'll buy some for me too, right?"
Geom Mu-geuk laughed loudly.
"Don't just laugh, make sure you buy it. Don't make a man feel slighted over food. So, what kind of help do you need that you called for me?"
"It's about the Soul-Seizing Demon Lord."
After the previous Soul-Seizing Demon Lord died, Cheong-seon had been taught the Soul-Seizing Technique by the Pungcheon Cult Leader. At the mention of her, the playfulness vanished from the Pungcheon Cult Leader's face.
"What about that child?"
Geom Mu-geuk got straight to the point.
"Unknown individuals have placed a soul-seizing technique on the Soul-Seizing Demon Lord."
The moment he finished speaking, the Pungcheon Cult Leader's aura shifted.
Whirrrrrrr!
His aura awakened a primal sense of fear.
Dark clouds gathered from all directions, and the surroundings dimmed instantly. The weather turned bleak, as if a typhoon were about to strike. A bell's toll was carried on a chilling wind from afar.
With every ring of the bell, doors opened in the ground, and black beasts of various forms began to crawl out. It was as if the gates of hell were opening one after another.
The creatures that emerged at high speed rushed toward their target without hesitation. Of course, they weren't actual beasts, but illusions manifested from his aura.
Hundreds of beasts charged at Geom Mu-geuk.
The eerie sensation felt every time they passed through his body dampened his fighting spirit and crumbled his mental strength. The Heavenly Demon Body Protection Art activated automatically.
If it were someone with weak internal power or resolve, they would already be swinging their sword at nothing, raving like a madman from the aura alone.
It was a side of the Pungcheon Cult Leader's wrath that had never been seen before.
The current Pungcheon Cult Leader was not the usual man who joked and bantered. He had returned to his true self: the absolute master of the Outer Rim Murim, who had mastered the Calamitous Heaven Great Demonic Energy.
With a blue light gleaming in his eyes, the Pungcheon Cult Leader spoke coldly.
"They dared... to lay a finger on my disciple?"