Chapter 397: You Said She Had a Pretty Heart
Chapter 397: You Said She Had a Pretty Heart
The Drunken Demon’s light body technique was blistering.
The speed he had shown initially was only a fraction of his true ability. The further he ran, the faster he became.
Just how much trouble did he have to get into while drinking to become this fast?
He was so fast it made me want to crack a joke like that. That was the thing about the Demon Lords. We had shared drinks, joked around, and even jumped into a lake to swim together, yet he had never once mentioned that his light body technique was this swift.
The other Demon Lords were the same. Far from bragging, they never even mentioned the specifics of their own martial arts. That was the truly terrifying thing about real masters.
So? Did some unexpected reversal happen?
Regrettably, no. No matter how fast the Drunken Demon was, my Rapid Speed Step had already surpassed the ten-star Great Achievement and reached the eleventh star.
“I’m heading off first!”
We had been running neck and neck, but as we neared our destination, I kicked it into high gear. I didn't hold back, nor did I get complacent. This was a bet with Fire Dragon Wine on the line; I couldn't afford to lose.
Pushing my Rapid Speed Step to its limit, I arrived at the designated spot first.
A moment later, the Drunken Demon arrived, panting for breath.
“What are you? How are you so fast?”
“I was saving my strength for the final stretch.”
The Drunken Demon knew that wasn't the only reason he’d lost. He was gasping for air, while I was breathing as calmly as if I were out for a stroll. It meant we weren't even in the same league to begin with.
For all I knew, if I had shown my true strength from the start, I probably could have bought some snacks from a nearby village and had them laid out waiting for him.
“I’ve never lost when it comes to light body techniques,” he muttered.
“Well, I am the Young Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.”
I puffed out my chest and looked around.
“Now then, where should we enjoy our Fire Dragon Wine?”
I had wondered if he would actually hand it over.
“Follow me.”
The Drunken Demon took flight using his light body technique and headed toward a specific peak.
I followed close behind. This time, I used the Heavenly Demon Flight Technique, which I practiced whenever I had the chance. I flew with my back straight and arms crossed, maintaining a deliberately haughty posture.
Truly, this was a technique that suited my father perfectly. To fly in such a dignified manner and then descend slowly using Stepping on the Void! Ah, this was the life!
This was exactly why I couldn't give up the Heavenly Demon Flight Technique, even if the Rapid Speed Step was technically faster.
The place the Drunken Demon led me to was a small rock jutting out from a cliff that overlooked the surrounding landscape.
“I occasionally stop here for a drink when I’m returning to the Main Cult.”
Daecheon Mountain was visible in the distance, and the river flowing before it sparkled as the sunlight shattered against its surface. Reed beds stretched out around the river, looking as beautiful as a scene from a painting.
“If you’re going to drink Fire Dragon Wine, it has to be in a place like this.”
The Drunken Demon pulled the Fire Dragon Wine from his robes and held it out to me.
“You’re really giving it to me?”
“Why wouldn't I? We made a bet, didn't we?”
“But it’s Fire Dragon Wine.”
“A bet is a bet.”
“Did you team up with my brother? Did you lace this with Formless Poison?”
“I guess you don't want to drink it. Fine then.”
“No way!”
As the Drunken Demon moved to put it back, I quickly snatched the bottle away.
He then pulled a cup from his sleeve.
“That bottle will yield exactly three cups. It’s more effective to sip it than to gulp it all at once, so drink it in three separate servings.”
Despite how desperately he had run, seeing that he’d even brought a cup made me think he might have intended to give me this wine as a gift all along.
The Drunken Demon pulled out another cup and poured himself some liquor from the gourd-shaped Blood Tear hanging at his waist. When he was out in the world, he would drink just about anything, but he insisted on using his own cup whenever possible.
“There. I admit defeat.”
I gave a hearty toast against the cup he held out and drank the Fire Dragon Wine. A heat so intense it felt like it would sear my insides slid down my throat. I understood now why he’d told me to drink it in three servings.
I immediately began to circulate my qi, melting that burning energy. Though it was the most extreme of extreme yang energies, I began to absorb it into my body’s meridians without much difficulty.
The Drunken Demon was shocked when I neutralized all the energy in a single complete circulation. He knew my martial arts were high, but he hadn't expected me to process a cup of Fire Dragon Wine in just one cycle.
I toasted and drank the second cup as well.
“Ooh, that’s good!”
The second cup also sent flames racing through my body. The more I drank, the more fiercely it burned, but it wasn't more than my body could handle.
In that manner, I finished all three cups of Fire Dragon Wine and fully absorbed the energy contained within the liquor.
The pure and magnificent energy that had been circulating through my meridians turned into internal energy and gathered in my dantian. It was a larger amount than I had expected.
I already had more internal energy than almost anyone, but I needed even more. Lately, I had been practicing the Space-Time Displacement Technique, the Time Heaven Secret Technique, and even the Nine Calamities Demonic Art.
Since having more internal energy reduced the time needed for training, even a handful of extra energy was always welcome.
As I finished circulating my true qi, a light clearer and deeper than before flickered in my eyes before vanishing.
Watching this, the Drunken Demon shook his head.
“I’ll have to rewrite the section on Fire Dragon Wine.”
“What do you mean?”
“The secret manual passed down through generations says it takes three days to fully absorb the Fire Dragon Wine.”
The Drunken Demon had expected me to stay here and meditate for at least a day, if not three. Yet, I had absorbed all the energy of the wine in less than two hours.
“What are you? How do you keep surprising people like this?”
To his half-joking, half-serious question, I replied in a dignified voice.
“I am the Young Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. And who might you be?”
The Drunken Demon played along with my banter.
“I am but a drunkard who lost a bet and was stripped of his Fire Dragon Wine. To future generations! Never, ever make a light body technique bet with the Heavenly Demon Hall!”
The two of us looked at each other and laughed.
“Brother, thank you.”
“For what? You won it fair and square.”
“What was your request?”
“Why so sudden?”
“Even without the bet, I should grant you a favor. Tell me! I’ll do anything.”
“Anything?”
“I’ll even go pour your liquor all over my father’s bed if you ask.”
“That’s not a favor; that’s an assassination attempt.”
We joked around like that for a while, but in the end, the Drunken Demon didn't state a request.
“Forget it. I’ll tell you when the opportunity arises.”
He didn't seem to want to say it now, so I didn't press him further.
“Let’s have another light body race next time.”
“Make sure the prize is Longevity Wine then.”
Longevity Wine was another legendary liquor that could grant internal energy comparable to the Fire Dragon Wine.
“Should we head to the Ice Palace first?”
I tried to be considerate of the Drunken Demon, but he wouldn't have it.
“I wouldn't even have thought of going there if it weren't for you. Go find your 'heart' first. You do know where that heart is right now, don't you?”
“If I knew where she was, I wouldn't be going. I’m going because I’m worried since I don't know where she is or what she’s doing.”
“How do you plan to find her?”
I stared at the river in the distance, sparkling like jewels in the sunlight.
“Don't worry. With her... it would actually be harder not to find her.”
*
The two of us ran toward the North Sea.
We stayed at inns when we found them and camped out when we didn't.
I put my seasoned camping skills to use. When I skillfully dressed the game I’d hunted and served it with my secret blend of spices, the Drunken Demon was greatly impressed.
Seeing him so happy, saying it was the perfect snack for his drinks, made me feel a bit guilty. I had cooked for the other Demon Lords many times, and I’d even taught the guards how to camp and cook.
Sharing stories we hadn't had the chance to tell before, we raced toward the north.
Running and camping, running and drinking. After traveling without rest, the two of us finally arrived at the North Sea.
“It’s snow.”
Spring had arrived in the Central Plains, but the North Sea was still locked in winter.
“I was disappointed because it didn't snow much this year, so let’s see our fill before we go back.”
Watching my excitement, the Drunken Demon thought to himself.
I wonder if we’ll really be able to just have fun and go back.
Strangely, being with me gave him an instinctive sense of crisis, as if something was bound to happen. It was probably just his imagination, right?
The place we arrived at was the village where the last news of Lee An had come from. It was located a bit away from the center of the North Sea, so there weren't many outsiders.
The villagers wore fur hats and clothes made of animal skins. Trees and plants that couldn't be seen in the Central Plains grew here and there. The North Sea certainly had its own unique, mystical atmosphere.
Why did Lee An come all the way out here?
She must have had a reason.
The appearance of two men in thin martial robes drew the attention of the villagers. Passersby, shop clerks, and people peeking out of windows all watched the two strangers in silence.
“Let’s go there.”
It was a tavern uniquely built inside a cave.
As the two of us entered, the few customers drinking inside all turned to look at us at once. Their eyes were filled with wariness.
Of course, neither I nor the Drunken Demon paid them any mind.
As we took our seats, a waiter came over to greet us.
“Welcome!”
“Bring us some liquor and something light to eat.”
“Please wait just a moment!”
The Drunken Demon, looking around the interior, glanced up at the ceiling.
“I won't even be able to get drunk here. I’ll be too worried about when those things might fall on my head.”
At his words, I looked up. Long icicles, stretching down like spears, hung from various spots on the cave ceiling.
“It would be refreshing to break one of those off and put it in the wine.”
The Drunken Demon laughed and said we should try that.
A moment later, the waiter brought the liquor and food. There was no need to break off an icicle; the cups were frozen solid.
“The drink will stay cold if you use these.”
Despite the cold outside, everyone was drinking their liquor chilled rather than warmed.
“Excuse me.”
“Yes, guest?”
“I’d like to ask you something. Has a woman wearing a veil and carrying a sword been here?”
“No. No one like that has come by.”
But I saw it. For a split second, the waiter flinched. No matter how experienced a waiter he was, he couldn't escape my keen eyes.
“We’re friends of that lady warrior. We aren't bad people, so please tell us.”
The Drunken Demon chimed in to help.
“Look at our faces. Do we look like villains to you?”
“In my experience, whether someone is a villain or not has nothing to do with their looks. Regardless, I haven't seen anyone like that.”
Once the waiter retreated, the Drunken Demon spoke.
“He clearly knows something. Why did he say he didn't?”
The Drunken Demon had also realized the waiter was lying.
“He probably thought we looked like villains and wanted to protect her.”
At my words, the Drunken Demon stroked his own face.
“This face? This handsome face? How could anyone think that!”
The Drunken Demon was indeed handsome. He had the kind of face that would be called a 'handsome middle-aged man' anywhere he went.
I was certain that if the Poison King, the unmasked Extreme Evil Smiling Demon, the Drunken Demon, and I all traveled together, we’d be called the Four Handsome Men or the Four Heavenly Kings.
“Either that, or she’s involved with dangerous people who shouldn't be mentioned.”
That was likely it. Otherwise, there would be no reason to hide the fact that he’d seen Lee An.
After we’d shared a few cups of wine, the waiter brought our food. It was a North Sea dish that couldn't be found in the Central Plains.
As the waiter set the dish down, I subtly slid a piece of silver onto the table. The waiter was startled. It was far too much money for a simple tip; it was an amount he’d have to work at least ten days to earn.
The quick-witted waiter understood. He was to take the money and tell us about the lady warrior.
“Is this your first time here?”
“It is.”
“Then let me tell you about some places nearby worth visiting.”
The waiter began to list some local attractions.
“If you go five li to the east, there’s a place where snow flowers bloom. It’s a magnificent sight you won't see in the Central Plains. Suin Temple to the south is also worth a visit. Just be careful not to slip on the stairs.”
He mentioned a few more places before adding one last thing at the end.
“Oh, and whatever you do, never go toward the manor to the west. It’s a dangerous place.”
That was enough. He had just informed us that Lee An had been here and had gone to that manor.
The waiter took the money and headed toward the kitchen. It was a clever response. Even if trouble arose later, he could claim he hadn't said a single word about Lee An.
Leaving the tavern, the Drunken Demon and I made our way toward the west.
Following the waiter’s directions, we indeed found a manor there.
Entering through the main gate, the Drunken Demon looked around the interior.
“Didn't you say the person you were looking for had a 'pretty heart'?”
A single line entered their vision.
From the trees and the stone lanterns standing in the yard to the back wall—everything had been sliced through in a long, straight line. It was a clean, single strike, as if it had been measured and cut with a ruler.
And on the ground, bloodstains that hadn't been cleaned away remained. Presumably, those caught in the path of that line had been sliced apart just like that.
The Drunken Demon pulled his collar tight as if feeling the chill.
“That’s not a pretty heart; that’s a terrifying one.”