Chapter 50: When the Rain Stops, the Birds Will Fly
Chapter 50: When the Rain Stops, the Birds Will Fly
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon swept his gaze over the people gathered at the table. The blatant disapproval in his eyes signaled his thoughts clearly:
Are you really telling me to sit among these nobodies?
Before those words could leave his mouth, I greeted him warmly.
“Welcome, Elder. Come, please sit here.”
As everyone stood to offer a respectful bow, he sat down, looking as though he were doing us a massive favor.
“Why did you call for me?”
He seemed to have expected me to be alone, much like the misunderstanding the Sword Venerable had once fallen into.
In truth, who else sat at the table was a secondary issue for the Blood Heaven Blade Demon; he was simply the type of person who found such social gatherings unfamiliar and burdensome. Just as when I had given him a birthday present, he was unaccustomed to this kind of private, casual atmosphere.
“Why else would I invite you to a tavern? I called you so we could share a drink.”
I poured him a cup. Despite his reluctant expression, the Blade Demon accepted the liquor.
“You have to mingle with the youth to stay young yourself, Elder.”
“And what use would I have for youth?”
“Being even a day younger is a blessing. What use is being a master or holding power? Everyone must eventually kneel before the passage of time.”
“You’re barely out of your own youth. Why are you prattling on about time?”
The others listened to our conversation with stunned faces. They likely hadn't expected the Blade Demon and me to speak so comfortably with one another.
“I’m saying we should enjoy the moment. When people die, what do they regret? Not learning more martial arts? Not accumulating more internal energy? Not being able to defeat that Sword Ghost living over there? I don't think it's any of those things.”
“That’s exactly why everyone makes such a fuss before they die. So they don't have to depart harboring those pathetic regrets.”
“You’re different, Elder.”
“And how am I different?”
“You’re young for your age and quite open-minded, aren't you?”
After all, isn't a compliment best served in front of an audience?
“Hmph!”
The Blade Demon snorted and downed his drink, but his expression suggested he didn't entirely hate the praise.
Seo Dae-ryong had looked incredibly conflicted ever since the Elder walked in. His drunken eyes seemed to scream:
— I hate this, I can’t do this! This isn't happening, right? You’re joking, right?
I felt a bit sorry for him as he sat there gripped by shock and terror, but it was necessary. I intended to make the Blood Heaven Blade Demon his master.
Jang Ho offered a drink to the Blade Demon.
“Thank you truly for recommending me the other day. I’m only now getting the chance to thank you properly.”
“It wasn't my idea, but the Second Young Master’s. Direct your thanks to him.”
“I’ve had my fill of thanks, so please, Elder, accept his gratitude. In truth, it would have been impossible without you.”
The Blade Demon looked at Jang Ho and spoke.
“I recommended you because I deemed you capable of handling the position. Don't give it another thought.”
“Thank you.”
Jang Ho’s face brightened at the rare compliment from a Demon Lord.
A person’s fundamental nature might not change easily, but their attitude can shift depending on the situation. There was a world of difference between the Blood Heaven Blade Demon I first met and the man sitting here now—enough for me to make this proposal.
“Elder, I have a favor to ask of you.”
“What is it?”
I looked at Seo Dae-ryong. No longer able to fight off the alcohol, he sat with his head bowed and eyes closed.
“Please teach this fellow some martial arts.”
The Blade Demon looked startled, as if he hadn't expected those words.
“Who is this little runt?”
Just as I was about to introduce him, Seo Dae-ryong snapped his head up and shouted with a slurred tongue.
“I am a power-oriented, cold-hearted man, but also a real man who loves only one woman! I am a rebel who raises his hand alone when everyone else is silent, yet also a pacifist and the Pavilion Master’s right-hand man, Seo Dae-ryong! And I am not a little runt!”
After that outburst, his head dropped again. We could all tell: Seo Dae-ryong was completely wasted.
“Hahaha.”
I let out a laugh, while Lee An lowered her head, stifling her own. Jang Ho chuckled softly as he took a sip of his drink.
The fact that he remembered exactly what I had said even while dead drunk proved he was a genius when it came to memory.
“What is this strangely crazed bastard?”
“He’s very drunk, so please understand.”
“Martial arts? He should be glad I haven't killed him yet, and only because of your face.”
“He is someone we absolutely need.”
“I refuse.”
“Elder!”
The Blade Demon glared at me.
“And why me?”
“Because you are the most skilled, Elder. I want him to learn from the very best.”
“How can I pass on my techniques to someone who isn't my disciple?”
“Then make him your disciple.”
“What?”
“I don't believe any of your current disciples are fit to inherit your position. Your youngest is kind, but with that personality, it’ll be hard for him to be a successor. How about this fellow here?”
“I said no!”
The Blade Demon rejected the idea flatly.
“Haven't you spent your whole life doing only what you wanted? Try doing something you dislike for once.”
“I told you, I don't want to.”
“Why not? There must be a reason.”
“I just don't. Why does there have to be a reason for not wanting something?”
It was then.
“I don't want to either!”
Everyone’s eyes turned toward the source of the voice. It was the protagonist of this life-risking drunkenness, Seo Dae-ryong.
“Do you think I like this?”
A startled Lee An tried to stop him, but he was already throwing down a gauntlet of sorts at the Blade Demon with bleary eyes.
“Elder Blade Demon!”
Fortunately, he didn't just call him 'Blade Demon.'
“I clearly said I don't want to. So don't even dream of teaching me! It! Is! Not! Happening!”
He punctuated every word. Everyone tensed up, fearing the Blade Demon might strike at any moment.
After raising his voice, Seo Dae-ryong turned to look at me. His eyes were completely unfocused. Well, if he were in his right mind, he wouldn't have dared act this way toward the Blade Demon. Ah, this was a final burst of clarity.
“My respected Pavilion Master! Let me ask you something!”
“Since it looks like you’re about to be murdered, I’ll answer you sincerely.”
“Why are you trying to throw me to that cold-hearted, heartless man? Ughhh, this makes me so sad.”
A vein throbbed on the Blade Demon’s forehead. I gave him a smile that pleaded for his understanding.
“Why do you think? To learn martial arts.”
“But why?”
“To build up your self-esteem.”
I didn't say it here, but it was to make him the next Huangquan Pavilion Master. Learning martial arts from the Blade Demon would give him a more powerful backing than anyone else.
“Ah... I suppose my self-esteem is a bit low.”
His head dropped again. Lee An, sitting beside him, caught his swaying body.
“He’s very drunk. I’ll take him back first.”
As she tried to help him up, Seo Dae-ryong pushed her hand away.
“I’m not drunk, my Heart.”
“Heart?”
“Yes. I am the Arm. Lady Lee An is the Heart. My Heart, who is more precious than an arm. An arm can be cut off, but the Heart must never be hurt.”
Lee An probably thought he was just spouting drunken nonsense.
You jealous brat. You’re smart enough to remember everything even in this state.
I made my request to the Blade Demon once more, with utmost sincerity.
“Just teach him for half an hour after work. A few days is fine, a few years is fine. If you don't like him, you can stop after just one day. Just give him a chance.”
“You really trust that drunkard.”
“I trust you, Elder.”
In some ways, the Blade Demon and Seo Dae-ryong were alike. Both existed slightly outside the mainstream, yet possessed a passion greater than anyone within it.
Just as the word 'no' was about to leave the Blade Demon’s mouth...
“I said I don't want to!”
Seo Dae-ryong beat him to the punch.
The Blade Demon’s face contorted. In that moment, I saw the emotion in his eyes.
Shall I show you what 'not wanting to' really feels like? Shall I give you a taste of true hell?
Unaware of this, Seo Dae-ryong kept his eyes nearly closed, pouting his lips and shaking his head at the Blade Demon. If he had stuck out his tongue, it surely would have been cut off.
Fortunately, before the Blade Demon’s blade could fly, Seo Dae-ryong’s head slammed onto the table as he fell fast asleep. It was a glorious defeat. It would be the bravest drunken act of his life, past and future combined.
And it was also the drunken act that changed his life.
The Blade Demon asked me, “If I teach that damn brat martial arts, what will you do for me?”
My prepared answer came immediately.
“I will resolve a long-standing grudge for you.”
“!”
The Blade Demon knew exactly what that meant.
A brief silence followed, and we returned to our drinks. We didn't speak of teaching martial arts anymore. We simply drank quietly, chatting about this and that.
By the time two more bottles were emptied, Lee An had passed out, leaving only Jang Ho to keep the Blade Demon and me company.
In the middle of the session, I stepped outside the tavern for a moment.
As I stood there catching the breeze, the Blade Demon came out and stood beside me.
“You weren't joking earlier, were you?”
“No. I couldn't possibly let him learn your martial arts for free.”
The Blade Demon was silent for a long time.
Did he truly want to reconcile with the One Flower Sword Venerable?
Staring across the street, the Blade Demon suddenly asked, “Is that branch over there actually effective?”
“It’s running well.”
“No, I mean is it effective? Does it actually help in raising your reputation?”
He likely thought I had established it solely to increase my popularity.
“Yes. It’s helping a lot.”
I didn't bother trying to convince him that it was built for the villagers of Ma Clan Village. He wouldn't understand that helping them was just as important as killing the Soul-Seizing Demon Lord.
“Investigator Seo... I leave him in your hands.”
“I really am doing all sorts of things. While I’m looking after that fledgling, what will you be doing?”
“I’m busy.”
“What could keep you so busy?”
“I have to figure out how to kill those sub-human monsters every day, I have to run here and there to secure my right wing, and I have to flatter my father.”
He caught on that the 'right wing' was the Sword Venerable.
“Then... am I the left wing?”
“Yes. If you’d prefer to be the right, I can swap you.”
The Blade Demon shook his head, looking exasperated.
“You really are a madman. To think of binding the Sword Venerable and me together as a pair of wings.”
“You told me at the start, didn't you? That with my madness, you felt you could bet your destiny. That we should let madness consume everything. Have you forgotten already?”
“I didn't realize you were this insane.”
“Let’s be mad together. How much longer do we have to live that you’re hesitating?”
“Is that any way to speak to an elder?”
“I’m a madman, after all.”
The Blade Demon let out a faint chuckle.
“I’ll be leaving the Cult for about two months soon. Look after my boys while I’m gone.”
“Understood.”
That simple 'understood,' without asking a single question, sounded incredibly reassuring.
Through tonight’s drinks, I felt his door had opened a little wider. Yet, I still couldn't be sure what lay behind it.
To throw that door wide open, I needed the other wing. Only when the two wings flapped and clashed against each other would they finally understand why the other moved the way it did.
“The rain will stop soon. Then the birds will fly.”
*
I was on my way back with Lee An after the gathering ended.
“I made a mistake again today.”
“What mistake? It’s only natural to fall asleep after drinking that much.”
“Falling asleep is also a bad drinking habit.”
“You wouldn't drink that much if I weren't there anyway, would you?”
“Well, that’s true.”
“Then it’s not a bad habit. It’s a rest.”
Lee An smiled at my words.
“How many times can I ask the same question?”
“Depends on the question.”
“For example... why are you so good to me?”
That was a question I was willing to receive for the rest of my life.
“About five times?”
“Starting from now?”
“Yeah, starting from now.”
“Why are you so good to me?”
“So I can work you to the bone for the rest of your life. Why are you so curious about an answer you hear every time?”
Lee An gave a soft giggle.
“I’m going to ask again.”
“Four times left.”
And so, we walked together under the soft moonlight. As if suddenly remembering, Lee An asked, “But what about Investigator Seo? He looked very drunk earlier. Did he leave first?”
“His master took him before you woke up.”
“His master?”
Lee An’s eyes widened in surprise.
“No way! They went together?”