Chapter 93: Because Villains Understand Each Other
Chapter 93: Because Villains Understand Each Other
The Demon Buddha did not return to his own quarters. Instead, he went to see Geom Mu-yang once more.
After his encounter with Geom Mu-geuk, he felt a sudden, gnawing urge to see the First Young Master again. He felt as though he wouldn't be able to sleep otherwise.
“You’ve returned?”
Geom Mu-yang was, as always, upright and polite.
Since they had only just parted ways, a normal person would have asked why he was back so soon. However, Geom Mu-yang rarely displayed personal curiosity or emotion. It was to the point where one might wonder if he suffered from an obsession with how a Heavenly Demon ought to behave.
The distance between them felt more pronounced today than ever before, but the Demon Buddha was not a man to be easily shaken by such things.
“The Second Young Master came to see me.”
“Mu-geuk did?”
“Yes.”
“I see.”
Geom Mu-yang did not ask what they had discussed. He simply gave a single, slow nod.
“Why do you not ask? Why he came to see me, or what we talked about.”
“It is fine. I trust you, Elder.”
The Demon Buddha felt he had made the right choice in coming here.
Yes, the First Young Master has always been this way. He lacks delicacy and is blunt, but he is a man of true character. Yes, I should trust him too. This is how I let it all go.
The Demon Buddha made a conscious effort to dissolve the resentment that had been building within him. He brushed away the memory of meeting the Pungcheon Cult Leader and his own offer to give the position of First Demon Lord to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.
“Then, please rest.”
The Demon Buddha rose from his seat. It would have been perfect if it had ended right there—if he had been left to discard the dregs of his emotions on his own.
But then, Geom Mu-yang spoke from behind him.
“The reason I offered the position of First Demon Lord to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon was to win him over.”
The Demon Buddha flinched, his movements freezing.
Why now? Why must it be now? You wouldn't say a word when I practically begged for an explanation, so why bring it up only after I’ve met Geom Mu-geuk?
Fearing his darkening expression might show, the Demon Buddha did not turn around immediately.
Behind him, Geom Mu-yang spoke again.
“When I become the Heavenly Demon, the position of First Demon Lord will naturally be yours, Elder.”
The Demon Buddha felt a surge of cold anger.
He felt as though he had been treated like a fish already caught in a net—a prize already won that Mu-yang only grew anxious about because he feared Mu-geuk might sway him.
Why do you make me feel this way? I thought you said you trusted me?
Even as he tried to rationalize it as a natural human reaction, the hurt remained.
First Young Master, were you not the one who used to ignore your brother? Were you not the one so confident, dismissing Mu-geuk as a mere nothing?
Yet, he could not voice his anger. He was the one who had gone so far as to mobilize the Yunnan Twin Eccentrics just to show Mu-yang how much Mu-geuk had changed.
You are right. Your brother is an opponent who warrants this level of tension.
But that didn't mean it had to lead to a lack of trust in him...
Forcing a smile, the Demon Buddha turned around.
“I already knew that would be the case.”
“I was worried you might misunderstand my intentions, since I am telling you this right after you met my brother.”
Ah, he shouldn't have said that either. If he hadn't, the Demon Buddha could have forced himself to believe it was just a coincidence, or a result of Mu-yang's usual bluntness.
“What misunderstanding could there be? I am merely grateful that you hold me in such high regard.”
“It is only natural. Please, do not say such things.”
“Then, I shall take my leave.”
The Demon Buddha bowed politely and exited Geom Mu-yang’s quarters.
Walking alone back to his own residence along a path that felt particularly dark without moonlight, he tried to settle his thoughts.
It is because he is still young. If he were as perfect as the Second Young Master, why would he need me? A First Young Master with flaws is better than the Second Young Master, who is as slippery as a snake. I just need to look after him well.
His loyalty to Geom Mu-yang shone as brightly as the golden light his own body radiated.
*
One Flower Sword Venerable came to see me at my office in the Huangquan Pavilion.
“Here, a gift for you.”
She held out a flowerpot with a blossom in full bloom.
“Thank you. It’s beautiful.”
I placed the pot on the windowsill. As we exchanged a few words about the flower, Seo Dae-ryong entered with tea. Feeling a bit mischievous, I spoke to him with a solemn air.
“Investigator Seo, you are responsible for this flower whenever I am away. This is a special gift from the Sword Venerable herself. You know what happens if it dies, right?”
If it had been just the two of us, he would have fired back with all sorts of gloomy yet witty remarks. But because One Flower Sword Venerable was present, Seo Dae-ryong simply answered with a submissive "Yes" and scurried out.
Though they had traveled together to see the Pungcheon Cult Leader before, the Sword Venerable was still a very intimidating figure to him.
“I hope I’m not interrupting your busy schedule.”
“Not at all. The investigators do the actual work; I’m just slacking off.”
That was a bit of a lie, considering the mountain of paperwork on my desk.
The Huangquan Pavilion was indeed busy. No matter how many we locked up, more villains kept appearing. I had begun to wonder if the number of villains in the world was fixed—as if when one spot was vacated, it was automatically filled by another.
But no matter how busy I was, the work of the Huangquan Pavilion was just as important as becoming the successor. I bore the lifelong task of killing Hwa Mu-gi, but at the same time, I was living in this era.
“My brother went to see you as well, didn't he, Senior?”
I correctly guessed the reason for her visit today.
“Yes. He came by.”
“He’s quite diligent, my brother.”
“That’s why he’s popular.”
I nodded in acknowledgement. He had been despicable and cruel to me, but the image he projected to the outside world was different. He didn't possess the arrogance or complacency of someone who thought the succession was his by birthright. He plotted, he agonized, and above all, he was a diligent man.
“I know many people like him.”
“The First Young Master is someone who fits the Cult well. There’s a sense of stability—a feeling that he would lead us well if we left it to him.”
“And me?”
“You are someone who doesn't fit at all. You make us anxious, wondering where on earth you might lead us. And yet, seeing that you have this much popularity...”
After a brief pause, One Flower Sword Venerable continued.
“It makes me think there is hope for us too.”
“What kind of hope?”
“The hope that the 'New Demonic Path' you spoke of might actually be established.”
“Thank you for the kind words.”
“But do not forget. There are still many in the Cult who loathe change. Many who believe that evil is our strength and our very essence.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
“Anyway, the First Young Master is moving so quickly. Are you just going to sit back and watch?”
“Aside from Elder Blade Demon and yourself, I don't know the other Demon Lords very well. I’m not sure who I should try to bring to our side.”
I feigned ignorance, curious to see what she was thinking. Then, she said something unexpected.
“Do you know who else voted for Cheong-seon when we were selecting the Soul-Seizing Demon Lord, besides Blade Demon and myself? I mean the person Blade Demon persuaded.”
“I don't know. The Elder didn't tell me.”
“Shall I tell you?”
Strictly speaking, matters and decisions among the Demon Lords were kept strictly confidential from outsiders. She was offering to break that principle for my sake.
“Is it alright for you to tell me?”
“No.”
“Then why?”
“I’ve decided to try living a life where I break a few rules too.”
She smiled as she said it. How could I say she was only halfway on my side after that?
“To be honest, I am a rigid and inflexible person. I don't like breaking established rules. If I have an appointment, I have to arrive early. If I’m misunderstood, I lose sleep over it. I have many unnecessary worries and I’m sensitive to public opinion. It’s an exhausting personality to have.”
“Isn't that 'exhausting' personality what built your current reputation, Senior?”
A bitter smile touched her lips.
“In some ways, perhaps. Regardless, I intend to be more flexible now. What does it matter if I break a rule or two? If it helps you, then it has value.”
“Is there a reason your mind has changed?”
“Perhaps it’s because I’m getting older, but I find myself looking back on my life more often. I regret this, I regret that... my life is full of regrets. But the thing I regret most is this.”
Shring.
She drew her sword smoothly. Her gaze fell upon the blade.
“I spent my entire life ensuring this sword would never be broken by anyone. In exchange, my life became just as hard and rigid.”
She lifted her gaze from the sword and looked at me.
“I regret living my life with such stiffness.”
I could feel that her regret was sincere. I spoke softly, as if to comfort her.
“It hurts because it feels like no one truly recognizes the life you've lived, doesn't it? You lived so meticulously, yet you feel like no one truly understands that. You see everyone else just drifting along and living well enough, and you wonder if you were the only one being foolishly stubborn.”
A look of surprise crossed her face.
“How do you know my heart so well?”
Because I’ve felt that way at least once myself.
“It’s because I respect you deeply, Senior.”
One Flower Sword Venerable let out a bright laugh.
“Yes, I should tell you. Why should I keep a silly rule hidden from someone who understands me so well and respects me? The person who cast the deciding vote was the Extreme Evil Smiling Demon.”
I was genuinely startled by her words.
“Surprising, isn't it?”
“Yes. Isn't the Smiling Demon on my brother's side?”
“He is.”
It was unexpected. It was surprising that the Smiling Demon had taken our side, but it was even more surprising that the Blood Heaven Blade Demon had been the one to persuade him.
One Flower Sword Venerable interpreted it this way:
“They probably got along well because they’re both villains.”
I chuckled, but she remained serious.
“I’m telling you this specifically because the Smiling Demon is involved. He is not a man to be taken lightly. It’s possible that Blade Demon might be harboring other thoughts as well.”
I asked with a smile, “Do you dislike Elder Blade Demon that much?”
“I don't hate him. Hate implies a certain intensity of emotion. I just... find him unpleasant.”
She stood up, pointedly pushing the thought of the Blade Demon out of her mind.
“I’ll be going now.”
“Thank you for the important information.”
“Think of it as a gift from a sparring friend.”
As she was about to leave, she found Seo Dae-ryong standing in the hallway with a water bottle for the flowerpot. He had been trying to make a good impression on her, but the problem was that she had become slightly irritable after mentioning the Blade Demon.
To Seo Dae-ryong, who had gone from being an investigator of the Huangquan Pavilion to the disciple of the 'villainous' Blade Demon, she spoke coldly.
“That flower is my most precious possession. If it were to die due to someone’s mistake, I would be very, very sad.”
After she left, Seo Dae-ryong looked like he was about to cry.
“From now on, I’m the third most important thing in this office. I’m naming that flower 'Number Two' starting today.”
I laughed at his self-deprecating joke and stepped out of the office.
“Where are you going?”
“To meet the Smiling Demon.”
“Gasp! You say something that terrifying as if you’re just going out for a meal?”
“Is the Smiling Demon that scary?”
Seo Dae-ryong stared at me with wide, shocked eyes.
“Is he not scary to you? Out of all the Demon Lords in the Cult, I find the Smiling Demon the most terrifying.”
“Didn't you say the Soul-Seizing Demon Lord was the scariest before?”
“Well, she’s dead now.”
“Why is the Smiling Demon so scary? Just because 'Extreme Evil' is in his name?”
“Haven't you heard? They say when the Smiling Demon gets angry, it’s truly horrific.”
“I’m scary when I’m angry too. Honestly, I think you’d be the scariest of all.”
“Please leave me out of this. I’m the type of person who swallows his anger and suffers alone. My dream is to live a life where I never have a reason to get angry. I used to be that kind of person...”
He knew, and I knew, that he had changed quite a bit. We looked at each other and shared a small smirk.
“Are you really not afraid?”
“Why would I be afraid of going to see a funny man?”
“A funny man?”
“His name is the Smiling Demon, isn't it?”
People often forgot that he was the 'Smiling' Demon because it was overshadowed by the 'Extreme Evil' part. Seo Dae-ryong was no different.
“I bet that 'Smile' isn't the character for laughter. If you peel back that 'Smile,' I bet you'll find characters for 'burn to death,' 'tear to death,' or 'burst to death' written underneath. Gasp! Surely you aren't planning to bring the Smiling Demon to our side, are you? Please tell me that’s not it.”
“Are you more afraid of him being an enemy? Or an ally?”
“Naturally... but still, not the Smiling Demon!”
I walked out despite his protests, but I knew better than anyone: the Extreme Evil Smiling Demon was someone who could never truly be an ally.
Nevertheless, the reason I was going to meet him was to ensure that while he might not be an ally, he wouldn't be an enemy either.