Chapter 61: Are You Going to Kill Me Too?
Chapter 61: Are You Going to Kill Me Too?
The Pungcheon Cult Leader and the Demon Buddha entered the Heavenly Demon Hall.
The Pungcheon Cult Leader, Neung Pa-so, possessed a sturdy build, a healthy complexion, and an intense gaze that looked as if it could pierce through stone walls. He was an absolute master who ruled the Outer Regions Murim, having reached Great Completion in the Calamitous Heaven Great Demonic Energy—renowned as the greatest martial art of the Outer Regions.
There was a time when the Blood Cult stood on equal footing with the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, but since transitioning into the Pungcheon Cult, its power had weakened significantly, leaving it unable to compare to the Divine Cult.
For this journey, he had departed the Pungcheon Cult accompanied by the Ten Great Demon Experts—the ten strongest masters representing the cult—and one hundred elite soldiers of the Blood Rakshasa Army.
That wasn't all. He had brought every sacred relic from his throne, including the Sound Thunder Bell and the Blood Buddha. While it might have been safer to keep them locked in a cage of Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron guarded by his masters, he refused to be separated from the relics.
The man who had guaranteed his safety within the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult was the one walking beside him: the Demon Buddha, Jeo Ra-ban. He was a man of small stature, barely half the height of a normal adult.
However, it wasn't his height that made the world take notice of him. It was the color of his skin.
His face, hands, and indeed his entire body were a brilliant, shimmering gold. He gave the impression of a small golden Buddha statue—like a temple acolyte come to life—an effect attributed to the Golden Daluo Demon Art he had mastered.
The two men walked side by side along the path of blood until they reached the foot of the Heavenly Demon’s throne.
First, the Pungcheon Cult Leader bowed respectfully.
"I greet the Master of the Divine Cult and the Sovereign of the Murim. Thank you for inviting me."
Heavenly Demon Geom Wu-jin greeted him with a thin smile.
"Welcome. How many years has it been?"
It was a calm greeting, but every word struck the Pungcheon Cult Leader’s ears with the force of a hammer. The fact that these words felt more intense than those infused with internal energy, despite containing none at all, was a simple testament to the height of the Heavenly Demon's realm.
Though the Pungcheon Cult Leader stood tall before anyone else in the world, he felt himself cowed before the Heavenly Demon.
"It feels as though it has been at least ten years."
"Have you been well?"
"Thanks to your concern, I have been without trouble."
The Pungcheon Cult Leader had resolved not to lose the battle of wills when he met the Heavenly Demon. But at this moment, a thought occurred to him: A battle of wills? Why bother with something so futile?
Next, Geom Wu-jin’s gaze turned toward the Demon Buddha.
"You've worked hard, traveling such a long distance."
"It was a pleasant journey to meet an old friend," the Demon Buddha replied.
As the Demon Buddha tried to add something to flaunt his closeness with the Pungcheon Cult Leader, Geom Wu-jin cut him off.
"It is late, and you must be exhausted from your travels. Go and rest for today; we shall speak again when the sun is up."
"Yes, then we shall take our leave."
The greeting ended formally and abruptly.
Originally, the Heavenly Demon and the Pungcheon Cult Leader were not close. This was because the Pungcheon Cult had historically maintained deeper ties with the Eight Demon Lords rather than the Heavenly Demon Hall.
It made sense; historically, there had been several wars between the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult and the Blood Cult. Since they were naturally incompatible, it was only logical for the Eight Demon Lords, who opposed the Heavenly Demon Hall, to join hands with the Pungcheon Cult.
The Pungcheon Cult Leader walked out of the Heavenly Demon Hall with the Demon Buddha.
"Even so, the Supreme Master of the Outer Regions has arrived. He should have at least offered a cup of tea. This is too much," the Demon Buddha grumbled.
"It's late at night."
"Then he should have treated us even better!"
At the Demon Buddha's complaining, the Pungcheon Cult Leader spoke dismissively.
"Even without you trying to drive a wedge between us, I have no intention of becoming close with your Cult Leader. So stop it."
"Driving a wedge? This is a matter of your pride and honor!"
The Pungcheon Cult Leader understood why the Heavenly Demon had cut him off. The Demon Buddha had a habit of saying things that pricked at people's emotions. He had a wicked taste for saying unnecessary things just to upset others.
"Let's go see the corpse first."
"Not tomorrow? You must be tired. Sleep and let's see it tomorrow."
"Let's sleep when we're dead."
"Fine, fine. Everyone is so stubborn."
The Demon Buddha led him to where the body was kept. The Soul-Seizing Demon Lord's corpse was being preserved in a chamber as cold as an ice house, treated with medicinal fluids to prevent decay.
The Pungcheon Cult Leader began the autopsy immediately.
The Demon Buddha watched with a face full of curiosity.
With practiced movements, the Pungcheon Cult Leader examined the interior of the corpse thoroughly. He touched each organ and blood vessel with his hands, sniffed them, and even injected internal energy into the cold body.
Finally, after a considerable amount of time, the examination ended.
"The Eight Extraordinary Meridians are damaged, and the heart was under immense strain. This happened while unleashing the Soul-Seizing Technique repeatedly."
"Are you saying it was Qi Deviation? Or that it wasn't?"
"The cause of death was indeed Qi Deviation. However, it is certain that the Soul-Seizing Demon Lord died while fighting someone within the world he created."
The Demon Buddha's expression hardened.
"As I thought, he was murdered."
"It's certain. The problem is that he died despite using the Soul-Seizing Technique."
The Demon Buddha shook his head.
"It's hard to believe. Who could possibly be such a master as to infiltrate the Seohwan Formation, kill Soul-Seizing, and escape?"
The Pungcheon Cult Leader pointed a finger toward the sky. It was a silent question: Was it the Heavenly Demon?
The Demon Buddha shook his head again.
"We've judged that not to be the case. Soul-Seizing was one of our greatest assets when dealing with those Orthodox bastards. The Cult Leader didn't dislike him, either. There's no reason for the Cult Leader to have killed him."
Compared to the cautious Pungcheon Cult Leader, the Demon Buddha spoke of the Cult Leader quite casually. It was because he was certain the Cult Leader wasn't the culprit.
"Then is there someone else you suspect?"
"There is one person."
"Who is it?"
"The Cult Leader's second son."
The Pungcheon Cult Leader's expression froze for a moment. He hadn't expected them to suspect the Cult Leader's own son of murder.
But thinking it over, he realized that only someone of the Cult Leader's lineage would have the capability to pull off such a feat.
They didn't say a word about this the whole way here. His insides boiled at being dragged into such a dangerous situation, but the Pungcheon Cult Leader showed no change in emotion.
He was the type of man who, if tripped, would pick up a jagged stone as he got back up—and he would keep smiling until the moment he smashed that stone into the other person's skull.
"Let's see the Second Young Master first thing tomorrow."
*
Seo Dae-ryong finished his morning report and turned to leave, but then he paused to speak to me.
"Are you alright?"
"What do you mean?"
"Now even those from the Outer Regions are coming after you, Pavilion Master."
"Tell them all to come at me."
"I'll do that. As long as I'm not there when the fighting starts."
"I'm sorry, but you're always there, which is why they call you my right hand."
Seo Dae-ryong made a show of clutching his head in agony.
"You said you'd become gloomy if you learned martial arts, but you're still quite bright."
"Well... I thought I'd get gloomy too, but to be honest, I'm enjoying learning martial arts."
"Is it that you like learning martial arts, or do you just like the Blood Heaven Blade Demon?"
After a brief pause, Seo Dae-ryong spoke.
"...I don't dislike him. So far."
"So far? That sounds like a preview that you'll like him more and more."
"If that happens... you'll have to cut off your right hand and find someone truly gloomy."
"Where would I find someone as dark, crooked, and entertaining as you? Don't even dream of running away from me."
"Well, that works for me."
Just then, a subordinate from the Huangquan Pavilion reported.
"The Pungcheon Cult Leader has arrived."
"Bring him in."
Seo Dae-ryong spoke quickly as he hurried out of the office.
"Don't lose!"
"Stay with me."
"Life is every man for himself!"
"I've heard that somewhere before! Are you already starting to take after me?"
Seo Dae-ryong left without looking back.
A moment later, the Pungcheon Cult Leader entered.
"I greet the Supreme Master of the Outer Regions."
When I greeted him politely, the Pungcheon Cult Leader smiled.
"Second Young Master, it has been a long time. I saw you when you were a child, but now you've become a man."
"You are as healthy as ever, Cult Leader."
Though he wore a friendly face, the Pungcheon Cult Leader had been probing me from the moment he stepped inside.
"I heard that you had arrived. Your schedule must be busy; what brings you to see me?"
"I have ears that hear from afar. Lately, the Second Young Master's fame has reached even my cult."
"It is nothing but an empty reputation."
"Modest, as well."
After exchanging those formal greetings, I sat down across from him.
"It seemed the Cult Leader was deeply grieved by the death of the Soul-Seizing Demon Lord."
He casually mentioned my father while bringing up the Soul-Seizing Demon Lord. He was likely trying to gauge something from my every response.
"He was one of the Demon Lords my father cherished most."
"I wonder who could have killed him?"
"Was he murdered? I heard he passed away due to Qi Deviation."
Right then, a streak of energy flowed from the Pungcheon Cult Leader's eyes. Normally, it would have been a subtle, imperceptible energy, but I could see it.
In that instant, I realized I had gained a special ability.
I could see formless energy. What should have only been felt was now visible to me like a shimmering haze.
It wasn't just because of the New Eye Technique, nor was it solely due to the Blood Eye Purifying Water. The combination of the two had birthed a new power within me. I didn't yet know if it only worked on Blood Cult martial arts or if it applied to the energy of other martial artists as well.
"Why are you smiling?"
"I'm just happy to see you after so long."
"I am happy as well."
Even as we spoke, his energy was probing every corner of my body. After inspecting me thoroughly, he finally examined my eyes. He was trying to see if I had used some kind of Divine Water, like the Blood Eye Purifying Water, on them.
However, it was impossible for him to find anything in my eyes, which had been transformed by the New Eye Technique.
The energy he had emitted was retracted back into his eyes. It was truly fascinating to see it rather than just feel it.
"I shall take my leave now."
"That's a shame. Please stay a bit longer."
"I've seen your face, so that's enough. I shouldn't keep a busy man tied down."
The Pungcheon Cult Leader stood up.
"I shall see you again. Thank you for visiting."
Thank you for the ability I gained because of you.
From before my regression until now, the Pungcheon Cult Leader had been giving to me generously. Of course, it wasn't because he wanted to, but somehow, I kept receiving things from him by fate. Because of that, I didn't exactly dislike him.
*
The Demon Buddha was waiting for the Pungcheon Cult Leader as he stepped out of Geom Mu-geuk's office.
"How was it?"
"The Second Young Master has absolutely nothing to do with the Soul-Seizing Technique. To suppress Soul-Seizing in the space he creates, one must have mastered Buddhist or Taoist martial arts to the extreme, or possess a similar level of evil arts. There was no trace of such things."
"Does that mean Geom Mu-geuk is not the culprit?"
"Correct."
"Are you certain?"
"If you don't trust me, why did you call me all this way?"
"It's an important matter, so I was just double-checking. Don't be offended."
The Demon Buddha said the words, but he didn't look entirely convinced.
"I am certain."
"Let's go. I'm convening the Seven Demon Lords, so please tell them what you've found."
"No. You go and relay my words. It's the same thing anyway."
"Is that alright?"
"Why wouldn't it be?"
The Demon Buddha knew the Pungcheon Cult Leader was unhappy about this trip to the Central Plains. So, he didn't push any further.
"Then let's do that."
The Demon Buddha bid him farewell and departed.
The Pungcheon Cult Leader's gaze as he watched the man's back was cold.
There was a separate reason why he hadn't gone to the meeting of the Seven Demon Lords. It was because he would have had to lie in front of seven people instead of just one.
The Pungcheon Cult Leader looked back at the residence where Geom Mu-geuk was and muttered softly.
"Second Young Master... just how did you kill the Soul-Seizing Demon Lord?"
Amazingly, he had realized the truth: Geom Mu-geuk had killed the Soul-Seizing Demon Lord.
But for some reason, the Pungcheon Cult Leader had not been honest with the Demon Buddha. It was a choice that went beyond simply making the Demon Buddha pay for dragging him here against his will; it was a decision with a clear, ulterior motive.
The Pungcheon Cult Leader walked away in the opposite direction from where the Demon Buddha had gone.
*
That night, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon came to see me. He had come straight to me after the meeting of the Seven Demon Lords.
"For now, you've been cleared of suspicion regarding the Soul-Seizing Demon Lord's death."
He looked at me with a surprised expression.
"Just how did you escape the Pungcheon Cult Leader's eyes?"
"Didn't I spend that whole night drinking with you, Elder? It wasn't something I did."
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon shook his head.
"Truly... you must be destined to be a dragon ascending to heaven. Otherwise, none of this would be possible."
"I'm far from being a dragon. I've only just gone from a loach to a snake."
"Then what kind of dragon are you meant to be, if this is what you're like as a snake?"
I chuckled, but the Blood Heaven Blade Demon spoke as if giving a warning.
"It's too early to relax. There are those among the Seven Demon Lords who don't believe the Pungcheon Cult Leader's words. Especially the Demon Buddha, who is supposed to be his closest friend; he seemed the most skeptical. So much for being friends."
"Elder."
"What is it?"
"If you ever start having second thoughts like the Demon Buddha, please tell me."
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon's expression stiffened slightly.
"Why do you say that?"
"I just thought it would be heartbreaking if we were smiling like this now, only to end up pointing swords at each other later. So, if there's something you don't like, or something you think is wrong, tell me immediately. Don't suppress it and let anger build up. From what you've seen so far, haven't I handled my shortcomings quite wisely? Don't assume how I'll react; just make sure to tell me."
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon stared at me for a long moment before opening his mouth.
"Second Young Master."
"Yes."
Words I hadn't expected flowed from his lips.
"What if the opposite happens? What if you look at me and find me intolerable and lacking? What if I'm someone who doesn't fit into your new Demonic Path? What if I seem fine and good now, but as time goes on, I start to feel old, stagnant, and tedious? What will you do then, when I've lost all my charm?"
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon added a question with a burning gaze.
"Are you going to kill me too?"