Chapter 442: My Father’s Demon Lords Are Truly Magnificent
Chapter 442: My Father’s Demon Lords Are Truly Magnificent
Perhaps it was because my heart felt lighter.
The return journey using the Rapid Speed Step felt even swifter than the trip out.
Upon returning to the Main Cult, I ate and took a proper rest. Then, I bathed thoroughly and changed into fresh martial robes.
Feeling at my absolute best, I headed toward the Heavenly Demon Hall to see my father. However, two people were already waiting outside my door, having heard the news of my return.
They were Seo Dae-ryong and Jang Ho. Jang Ho’s massive frame seemed to have grown even larger since I last saw him.
Seo Dae-ryong approached me and whispered conspiratorially.
“I shouldn’t be joking like this with my master around, but if you combine the two of us, wouldn't we count as one Demon Lord?”
Those words told me exactly what was in their hearts as they waited for me. They wanted to step forward and be of help if they could.
“The two of you together are equal to three Demon Lords.”
“Can I really handle two of them?”
“Commander Jang is worth two and a half, and you’re the other half.”
“I’m the right-hand man! Me!”
Jang Ho, who had always been eyeing that "right-hand man" position, bowed politely to me. He was as reliable as ever.
“The Young Cult Leader has always shown us things beyond our imagination, so I am not worried. Still, please make your judgments with caution.”
He was worried because my opponent was my father.
Before I knew it, the playfulness had vanished from Seo Dae-ryong’s face as he looked at me.
These were two men who would gladly give their lives at my command. They were my people—people who must never die. Thus, today’s battle was also for them.
“I’ll book the Pungryu Tavern. Don't you dare joke about drinking the Wine of Defeat.”
“I wasn't planning on making that joke, but you went and said it yourself.”
Seo Dae-ryong smiled brightly and gave a formal fist salute. Jang Ho followed suit, bowing his head. It was a moment more empowering than any other cheer in the world.
“Book the whole place. Let’s get drunk all night long.”
Leaving their support behind, I departed from my quarters.
When I arrived at the entrance of the Heavenly Demon Hall, my brother, Geom Mu-yang, was waiting for me. It was clear how significant this event was to everyone.
“I heard everything from the Demon Buddha.”
It seemed the Demon Buddha had told my brother everything about the situation.
“And? Did you come to help your cornered younger brother?”
My brother gave an unexpected answer.
“I came to save my cornered father.”
“Right. That’s a joke only you and I can make in this Murim.”
“It’s not a joke.”
My brother’s eyes held a hint of reproach.
“He trusted you and made you the Young Cult Leader, yet you intend to defy Father’s will?”
“Wouldn't it be better for you if I fell out of Father’s favor?”
“I thought so too.”
Apparently, that wasn't the case, seeing as he had come out here to stop me.
We stood side by side without looking at each other, gazing out at the view from the Heavenly Demon Hall.
It was time to have the conversation we should have had at least once. A conversation I couldn't have with anyone else—only with my brother.
“Do you know? No one can speak about Father’s life.”
My brother looked at me with an expression asking what I meant.
“That’s why Father has probably never heard it. Not once. Someone speaking to him about his life, about his path.”
“Is the Chief Strategist not there?”
“Yes, he is. And Uncle Hwi is there too. They can give him direct advice. They can discuss the Cult’s affairs comfortably. But Brother, do you think they would ever dare speak about Father’s life, about Father’s convictions?”
“...!”
My brother had likely never considered this.
“Are you doubting their loyalty?”
“I’m saying this because I know their loyalty is genuine. Because they are truly loyal, they won't do it. They can't do it. They will try to accept every aspect of Father. They will try to endure it all. You know how it is. If you’re too close, you can’t say it; if you’re too far, you can’t say it.”
After a brief pause, my brother asked, “So? You’re going to be the one to do it?”
“Yes. I will.”
My brother shouted angrily, “How arrogant!”
“Even so, we have to do it. Precisely because it’s something even you think shouldn't be done. Because of that, Father has lived a life where he can never receive counsel or advice. We have to tell him. 'Father, I think you are mistaken about this.' Someone has to say it.”
My brother started to say something but ended up letting out a sigh. How could he not understand the meaning behind my words?
“Even if my choice is wrong, so what? Father will set me straight. Let’s use our faith in Father for something like this.”
My brother said nothing more.
“Go on in.”
“Thanks anyway. For coming here out of worry.”
“I told you, I didn't come because I was worried about you.”
My brother, who had started walking away, looked back at me. I was still watching him.
His stance remained unchanged until the very end.
“I am still against this.”
“That’s why I’m the one doing it.”
I watched my brother’s retreating figure as he turned away again, then I entered the Heavenly Demon Hall.
Just know this, Brother. You are now among the people I don't want to kill. That is why I am fighting this battle.
*
I stepped into the Heavenly Demon Hall.
Father was sitting in the Grand Tutor’s chair as always. Today, that sight felt more special than any other day. Perhaps it was because I had truly felt how terrifying it was for that chair to be empty.
“Father, I have arrived.”
I greeted him with a voice brighter than usual.
I walked slowly down the path of blood—the red carpet—until I reached the base of the Grand Tutor’s chair. The path felt unusually long today.
At the end of the path of blood, I looked up at my father.
Do you know, Father? On the day I regressed, I stood in the sparring arena and looked up at you just like this. Since that day, I have always been looking at you.
I had made an effort for everyone after my regression, but Father was always at the center of it all.
“I have a confession to make.”
Of course, Father likely knew everything I was about to say. However, I told him the whole story, just as I had when I returned from my expulsion.
“Over the past few days, I went around visiting the Demon Lords and begged them to take my side.”
As expected, there was no surprise or agitation on Father’s face.
“They are my Demon Lords. Why did you ask them to take your side?”
“Perhaps it was jealousy?”
I could feel the corners of Father’s mouth preparing to lift slightly.
“Your Demon Lords are truly magnificent, Father. I suppose I felt jealous.”
Father did not scoff. Instead, he nodded once as if empathizing with my words.
“It is not easy for such capable people to gather in a single era.”
Hearing that, I was reminded of what the Demon Buddha had said.
— Because the Cult has never been this strong before.
Those eight capable Demon Lords had changed in their own ways and grown strong in their own ways. They were becoming stronger even at this very moment. The stagnant Heavenly Demonic Cult had begun to flow vigorously without obstruction.
“Since we’re on the subject, why don't you call them all here to see their faces? They say out of sight, out of mind, don't they?”
It was a probe. If, as the Demon Buddha thought, this situation was a stage Father had set—if Father’s goal was to persuade me and unite the Demon Lords—then Father would call them. If not, he would simply ignore me and move on.
Father, how will you respond to this move?
Father did not withdraw; he accepted my move.
He spoke softly.
“Summon the Demon Lords.”
Then, Hwi’s voice answered from the void.
“I obey your command.”
A silent surge of emotion spread deep within my heart. Father had actually summoned the Demon Lords.
Since he was not one to convene the Demon Lords unless it was a matter of great importance, the thought that the Demon Buddha’s words might be true began to take a firm hold.
Father, if so, what do you intend to do on this stage? Do you truly intend to persuade me with the Demon Lords as your audience? Or do you intend to suppress me with power?
A brief silence followed. However, since this silence didn't feel particularly awkward or uncomfortable, I didn't try to force a conversation. I saved my words. There would be much to say today.
How much time had passed?
Finally, the doors opened and someone entered.
The first to arrive was the Fist Demon. His large frame striding across the red carpet made it look as if he were walking out of the gates of hell.
Walking to the base of the Grand Tutor’s chair, he greeted Father respectfully and then stood to the right of where Father was looking down.
“Welcome, Master.”
Since he was in front of Father, the Fist Demon only gave me a slight nod.
I asked with my eyes.
Was the war Father spoke of actually a war against me?
The Fist Demon must have felt the meaning in my gaze, but he simply stood there in silence.
Another person entered. Someone who followed Father as much as the Fist Demon did: the One Flower Sword Venerable.
Her snow-white martial robes and her white hair complemented each other perfectly. Her appearance was a stark contrast to the Fist Demon’s entrance. Watching her walk down the path of blood with light steps, a thought occurred to me.
Wouldn't the female martial artists of the Cult think this when they see her?
I want to age like that.
That was the impression the One Flower Sword Venerable gave these days. She was personally demonstrating that age has nothing to do with a person’s ability to change.
She also greeted Father respectfully and stood beside the Fist Demon.
“You’ve come?”
The One Flower Sword Venerable also greeted me with a faint smile.
The first two to arrive were people who absolutely respected and loved Father. They were those who had chosen Father without a moment’s hesitation.
Next to enter was the Extreme Evil Smiling Demon. He walked in wearing his white mask. Like the One Flower Sword Venerable’s white hair, his mask stood in sharp contrast to the red carpet.
After greeting Father respectfully, the Smiling Demon stood on the opposite side of the Fist Demon and the One Flower Sword Venerable, with the carpet between them.
It wasn't an intentional confrontation. Since the other two were on one side, he naturally stood on the other side of the red carpet.
The Smiling Demon looked at the Fist Demon and the One Flower Sword Venerable with eyes devoid of emotion. Then, his gaze turned toward me.
The eyes behind the mask said this:
Young Cult Leader, I have arrived.
I smiled at him with my eyes.
Lord Smiling Demon, I have been waiting.
The etiquette that only existed between him and me—I loved this feeling.
When I turned my head again, Father was silently watching us.
‘I’m sorry, Father. Your Demon Lord was so cool that I took him as my own. He’s the only one, so please understand.’
The Soul-Seizing Demon Lord, who arrived next, felt different from the Smiling Demon. She was not just Father’s Demon Lord, but also the next generation’s.
After greeting Father, the Soul-Seizing Demon Lord chose to stand next to the Smiling Demon. Since there were two on the other side and only one on this side, she stood there, but the result was a confrontational formation where they faced each other.
Though she faced the Fist Demon and the One Flower Sword Venerable, she was not intimidated in the least. Furthermore, standing alongside the Smiling Demon, the auras of "Extreme Evil" and "Soul-Seizing"—energies that triggered a martial artist’s primal fears—mixed together, doubling the sense of dread.
The next Demon Lord to arrive was the Drunken Demon, who entered smelling of alcohol.
He naturally stood next to the One Flower Sword Venerable.
Unlike the Fist Demon and the One Flower Sword Venerable, his eyes held an apology toward me. He had likely drunk a lot after telling me he would choose Father.
At times like this, he seemed incredibly weak, but didn't I know better? I knew exactly what kind of man the Drunken Demon was on the battlefield.
The next Demon Lord to enter was the Demon Buddha.
Entering with a golden glow, he stood next to the Drunken Demon without hesitation. Normally, it would have been balanced to stand next to the Soul-Seizing Demon Lord, but for some reason, he chose the opposite side.
I could tell he had stood there intentionally. He was the one who had said this was a stage set by Father. Therefore, he was likely trying to heighten the tension of this stage to the fullest.
It seemed that no matter how hard he hammered away at his stone statues, he couldn't change his innate nature of enjoying such conflicts.
The seventh Demon Lord was the Poison King.
As if to keep his word that he was on no one’s side, he stood alone, far away from both groups.
The Poison King had clearly declared where he stood before Father and the other Demon Lords.
In some ways, he was the bravest. In this situation, choosing neither side was a more difficult choice than choosing one.
However, by standing far apart, he was also keeping the promise he had made to Father long ago. Father had told him not to participate in the Unification of the Murim.
The last to enter was the Blood Heaven Blade Demon. He had not made a decision until the very end. If he had, he would have come to tell me.
What choice would he make today?
Walking down the path of blood, he looked at the Demon Lords standing on either side.
I had briefly hoped he might take my side since the balance was so uneven.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon stood on the opposite side without hesitation.
I spoke to him with a feigned look of disappointment.
“Elder, this is too much! I believed that you, at least, would support me.”
He did not take my words as a joke. Instead, he rebuked me sharply.
“You are the one who is too much, Young Cult Leader. How dare you go against the Cult Leader’s will?”
That same look of disapproval he had when I first met him. It was as if he had reset our relationship to the beginning.
I could tell by this cold reaction.
He had chosen me.
Even though he stood on the other side, I felt that he had chosen me.
Why?
Because he was worried about the relationship between Father and me. He had set aside Father’s long-held desire and my Demonic Path, and thought only of that.
The worry that the more I stood in opposition to Father, the more the rift between us would grow.
He must have decided that standing on Father’s side and scolding me was actually the best way to look out for me.
Thank you, Elder.
However, I did not send a voice transmission of thanks, nor did I give him a look that said I understood his heart. For now, following his intention was the best way to show my gratitude.
But what should I do, Elder? Today, I intend to win against Father before I leave.
Thus, the eight Demon Lords were gathered in one place.
Father, the eight Demon Lords, and me.
It was a force so formidable that no one would find it strange if we marched out right now to conquer the Murim.
Finally, Father rose from the Grand Tutor’s chair.
The Demon Lords straightened their postures and tensed up simultaneously. They, who had been shining with their own distinct colors until now, all turned to monochrome, concealing themselves.
In that black-and-white picture, only Father and I remained, revealing our presence as vivid as blood-red and sky-blue.
After staring at me for a moment, Father began to walk slowly down toward the stage filled with its audience.