Chapter 85: Family Is the Enemy
Chapter 85: Family Is the Enemy
When the One Flower Sword Venerable stepped out of her hermitage, she found me crouching in a corner of the yard, observing the flowers.
"Fascinating, isn't it?" she asked.
"They’ve grown quite a bit already."
"That is the joy of raising them."
"Perhaps I should try growing some myself one day."
"You are far too busy; it won't be easy for you."
"I suppose they would just turn into a patch of weeds, wouldn't they? I should probably stick to what I’m good at."
I pushed myself up from my crouched position.
"I’ve come today as a sparring partner."
"You are most welcome."
The One Flower Sword Venerable’s expression brightened instantly. It seemed she had truly been waiting a long time for this.
"Thank you for all the help you’ve given me recently, Senior."
"Was it really help?"
Whether it was leaking information to Sa U-jong, helping Cheong-seon become a Demon Lord, or seeking out the Pungcheon Cult Leader—though she claimed to be only halfway on my side, her actions were those of someone who had committed entirely.
"This is a gift to show my gratitude."
"A gift? For what?"
"It’s a token of my sincerity, so please accept it."
She opened the small box I handed her. Inside lay a Night-shining Pearl. It was one of the gems I had previously obtained from the Golden Manor Lord, Geum A-su.
"Something this precious?"
"It’s different from what I gave Elder Blade Demon."
I had given the Blood Heaven Blade Demon a Poison-Repelling Pearl. When I emphasized that point, the One Flower Sword Venerable let out a laugh, as if she found the distinction amusing. This was how I would break down the dam of ill will she held toward him. If I removed the stones one by one, eventually, she would be able to see the man behind them.
"It really is beautiful."
"If I may boast a little, it’s a top-grade Night-shining Pearl. It’s the kind of treasure that is hard to find even if one has the gold."
"You have every right to boast."
"Even so, it cannot compare to your beauty, Senior."
"You’re laying the flattery on a bit thick for an old woman."
The One Flower Sword Venerable waved her hand dismissively, but her face was glowing with a wide smile. Though she was changing in many ways, her weakness for compliments on her appearance remained as constant as ever.
"You have quite the potential to become a philanderer later on."
"That is exactly how I plan to live. Traveling the world, having fun, and meeting all the beauties of the Central Plains."
"It would be nice if life turned out that way, but..."
She left the rest unsaid—that I wouldn't be able to do that once I became the Heavenly Demon. There would be a world of difference between traveling now and traveling as the master of the Cult.
Then again, it wasn't as if my father stayed in the Main Cult because he enjoyed being cooped up. He was cautious because the fate of the Murim rested on his every step.
"You should travel and play as much as you can now. It will be difficult later."
"I intend to."
"Well then, shall we warm up for the first time in a while?"
"I’ve been looking forward to this."
Originally, the person I wanted to check on after my father was the Blood Heaven Blade Demon. However, after sparring with my father, my body was itching for more. I wanted to keep the momentum of battle going, which was why I had sought her out first.
It was distinctly different from our last spar.
I could feel her minute movements more clearly. Before I even sensed them instinctively, I saw them with my eyes.
Just as my father had done to me, I pressed her more aggressively than in our previous matches. It was possible because I had the confidence that I could control my own blade. She fought desperately, and I, too, gave my all.
When the spar ended, the One Flower Sword Venerable gasped for breath, her face etched with shock. Even though she had poured out all her strength—save for one final trump card—she had been unable to suppress me.
"Your skills have improved even more since last time!"
"I’ve learned a few things in the meantime."
"Truly incredible. Simply incredible."
She was delighted, yet at the same time, a hint of regret touched her voice.
"If you grow this quickly, I won't be a match for you much longer."
"The reason I gave my best was for our next spar, Senior."
The One Flower Sword Venerable understood my meaning and nodded.
"You want this old senior of yours to grow as well, don't you?"
"If I may be so bold, yes. I want us to be sparring friends for life."
At my honest words, a flash of irrepressible emotion crossed her eyes. This was also part of my effort to make her my "Right Wing."
Before leaving, we discussed various things related to martial arts. Even though my skills were now superior, it didn't mean there was nothing left to learn from her. There were lessons to be had that were different in nature from those I gained from my father.
We started with martial arts and moved on to stories about life. It was such an enjoyable time that she seemed genuinely sad to see me go when I bid her farewell.
*
Next, I went to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s residence. However, he wasn't home. After waiting for a long time and returning empty-handed, I found the Blood Heaven Blade Demon waiting in front of my own house.
"Where have you been wandering off to in the middle of the night? Do you have a woman hidden away somewhere?"
It seemed we had crossed paths.
"If you were here, you should have gone inside and waited. Why wait out here? Strategist Go is inside."
"Forget it."
"We’re family now; are you still acting like strangers?"
"Family, my foot. Family is the enemy."
It seemed he was still awkward around Go Wol. To be fair, he had only recently become comfortable with me; this prickly old man didn't exactly enjoy socializing.
"What brings you here?"
"I came to give you some news."
"What news?"
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon spoke with a serious expression.
"The Demon Buddha has set out to fetch the First Young Master."
I wasn't surprised. It was an expected move. The news that the Pungcheon Cult Leader’s strategist had come to me must have reached the Demon Lords who supported my brother. They must have decided they could no longer just sit back and watch.
Coincidentally, in my life before the regression, my brother had returned to the Main Cult around this time as well. What was meant to happen was happening.
"The Demon Buddha is always busy. First going to get the Pungcheon Cult Leader, now going to get my brother."
"That little man is incredibly industrious. What exactly is your brother doing out in the fringes, anyway?"
"I wouldn't know."
Of course, I did know. My brother was currently passing through a gateway that would change his life. That fact was only revealed after he arrived, and from then on, he had completely solidified his position as the successor.
"Are you alright, Elder?"
"About what?"
"You came to me after supporting my brother. He might resent you for it."
"Let him."
In matters like this, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon had very clear values.
"If there’s a better option, you take it. Anyone who tries to use personal relationships to guilt you for that is someone who contributes nothing to your life."
"You’re right."
"What do you mean 'right'? The same logic applies if I ever decide to abandon you."
I really liked this blunt clarity of his.
"Are you alright?" I asked.
"About what?"
After a brief pause, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon asked, "What will you do if a situation arises where you have to kill your brother?"
"If he does something worth dying for, I’ll have to kill him."
"Look at you, acting all tough."
I let out a short laugh at that. He was right; I was acting tough. Killing one's own flesh and blood was never an easy task.
It wasn't a matter of whether I was stronger than him or not. A fight with my brother would be a battle that demanded every ounce of my mental and emotional strength. What the Blade Demon said earlier as a joke was true. Family really is the enemy.
"You’re right. Of course I’m not alright. I’m not a cold-blooded monster; how could I be fine with killing my brother? And it’s not like he’s the type to die easily, either."
I turned around and shouted toward the house.
"Strategist Go, come out here."
Go Wol stepped outside.
"You’ve returned?"
After greeting me, Go Wol bowed politely to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.
"I hear the Demon Buddha has gone to fetch my brother. What are your thoughts?"
Go Wol didn't answer immediately. When it came to any other enemy, it would be one thing, but when the brother of the leader he served became the foe, a strategist had to be cautious.
After a moment of deliberation, he spoke carefully.
"The First Young Master’s life or death will likely not be a matter for you to decide, Young Master. He will decide it for himself."
In the end, it meant his fate would be determined by how he chose to act. I nodded, but the Blood Heaven Blade Demon still didn't trust him.
"I helped because the boy wanted to recruit you, but..."
The Blade Demon walked up slowly and stood before Go Wol. He stared intently into Go Wol's eyes.
"Is there any guarantee this man won't betray us?"
The word "us" caught my ear. It was the first time the Blood Heaven Blade Demon had used that expression with me. It might have been a slip of the tongue, but it meant a lot. The man who used to threaten me by poking my ribs hard enough to bruise had now become part of "us."
Despite the pressure from the Blade Demon, Go Wol showed no fear.
"What about you, Demon Lord? Is there any guarantee you won't betray the Young Master?"
At the counter-question, the corners of the Blade Demon’s mouth curled up.
"There is no guarantee. I’ll betray him whenever I feel like it."
"I am here to prevent that."
"Then what about you? Who stops you?"
"I do not betray."
"How am I supposed to believe that?"
"You only need the Young Master to believe me."
"Don't forget that I’m watching you."
I didn't stop their war of nerves. This was my philosophy: don't let wounds and conflicts fester; bring them to light, dig them out, and resolve them through confrontation.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon looked at me with an expression that suggested he was debating whether or not to say something.
"The Cult Leader likely hopes that you and the First Young Master won't fight. He doesn't want your brother’s death, nor does he want yours."
It was another reminder of how well the Blade Demon knew my father. He was clearly in a special relationship with him, enough to draw a line on the ground and confidently state exactly how much my father cared for him.
"I’ve sensed that as well."
After my regression, when I went hunting with my father, he had asked in passing if I couldn't find a way to bring my brother along with me. His true feelings were hidden in that question.
"The Cult Leader is a man who never looks back. That is the one thing a man like him regrets."
Even a heart as hard as Cold Iron can bear scars.
"You said you knew the Cult Leader’s heart?"
"Yes."
"Then that’s enough."
Then that’s enough. Those were the words my father had said to me after our spar. Both my father’s words and the Blade Demon’s words were strangely encouraging.
"Is there anything I should prepare?"
"My request for you is always the same, Elder."
"What is it?"
"Reconcile."
"Reconcile? You don't mean...?"
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon realized I was referring to a reconciliation between him and the One Flower Sword Venerable.
"The First Young Master is on his way, and you’re prattling on about reconciliation? You truly are a madman."
The Blade Demon was so flabbergasted that he even sought agreement from Go Wol.
"Your master is a lunatic."
To which Go Wol replied, "I’m not exactly normal myself."
The Blade Demon shook his head, muttering that we were a pair of lunatics. I tried to persuade him again.
"When my brother returns, the other Demon Lords will start moving in earnest. We can't fight with only one wing, can we?"
"I’d like that too, but haven't you seen enough? The Sword Venerable snaps at me like a viper every time she sees me."
"Yes, I’ve seen plenty. But that sharpness is fading. The way she looks at you is gradually softening."
Despite this, the Blade Demon shook his head.
"Our reconciliation is a harder task than the unification of the Murim. I’m leaving."
As he turned to walk away, I shouted after him.
"Even if you don't unify the Murim, you must reconcile!"
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon didn't answer, walking slowly until he vanished into the darkness. I immediately checked on Go Wol.
"Are you alright?"
"Yes. I’m fine."
"Don't take it to heart. He’s just a cranky old man by nature."
"I should take it to heart. He is your 'Right Wing,' after all. Don't worry about me. As you know, I haven't exactly lived an easy life either."
But I knew. Just because someone has lived a hard life doesn't mean they don't get hurt.
"I understand. But if you ever have something to say to me, please do. I’ll tell you when I’m upset about something, too."
"Yes. I will certainly do that."
"By the way, the candidate for the other wing is the One Flower Sword Venerable. Just so you know."
"Understood. Then, please have a peaceful night."
I couldn't fall asleep until late that night.
There was no need to dwell on how my brother had acted in my past life. When he returns, I will look at him. In my past life, I never truly looked at anyone, so this time, I will see him clearly.
I will see with my own eyes what kind of person he is. I will see the reality behind everything in my memories.
As always, Hwa Mu-gi is a help in times like these. If I am not a vessel large enough to overcome my brother, I will end up dying at Hwa Mu-gi’s hands anyway.