Chapter 99: When I Return from This Journey
Chapter 99: When I Return from This Journey
After leaving Villain Valley, I headed to the Southern Blade Sect, the residence of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.
Seo Dae-ryong, who was training in the courtyard, jumped in fright the moment he saw the white mask dangling from my waist.
"Gasp! No way... Did you kill the Extreme Evil Smiling Demon too?"
Startled by his own outburst, Seo Dae-ryong quickly clamped a hand over his mouth.
"Of course," I replied coldly. "Did you think I’d let a villain like that live?"
Instead of being further shocked, Seo Dae-ryong lowered his hand and let out a long sigh of relief. "That’s a weight off my mind. For a second, I truly thought you had killed him."
"I’m telling you, I did!"
"The Pavilion Master isn't foolish enough to walk around with evidence of a murder strapped to his waist."
"If you knew that, why did you even ask?"
"I was just so shocked the moment I saw the mask. But what is that for? Are you planning to infiltrate Villain Valley?"
"Why would I need a mask to infiltrate that place? You’re the one who would need it for something like that."
My Wind God Four Steps had reached a level where no Faceless Guest could possibly sense my presence.
"This is a gift from the Smiling Demon."
Seo Dae-ryong looked even more stunned than before. "The Smiling Demon... gave you a gift?"
"And it’s a gift he bought with his own money in Ma Clan Village, no less."
"It’s more surprising that a man like him even carries money. I figured he’d just kill someone and take what he wanted. Regardless, Pavilion Master, you must be the first and last person to ever receive a gift from the Smiling Demon."
"Investigator Seo."
"Yes?"
"The future is as unpredictable as the depths of a person's heart. On the day we first met, could you have ever imagined we’d be having a conversation like this in the courtyard of Lord Blade Demon’s home?"
"I suppose not. When I fell for your coaxing back at the tavern, I really had no idea this training hell was waiting for me."
I smiled as I watched him heave a weary sigh.
"Someday, you’ll say this too: 'I really had no idea that hellish training back then would save my life.'"
Seo Dae-ryong gave me a broad grin. His very existence was proof of those words. The cynicism and gloom that once defined him were nowhere to be found. Truly, one never knows what the future holds.
Leaving him to resume his training, I entered the Blade Demon’s house.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon was busy pulling books from a shelf.
"Keep playing around with that thing and your head will fly off," he grunted.
"Does a refined gentleman who reads poetry and appreciates paintings use such vulgar language?" I teased.
"It’s because you’re wearing that unlucky thing."
I had entered the room wearing the white mask as a joke. I slid the mask up onto the top of my head like a hat, just as the Smiling Demon had done.
"I’m leaving the Cult tomorrow with the Smiling Demon. I came to ask you to look after the Cult’s affairs while I’m away."
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon continued pulling books without looking back. "Don't worry about it; things will run fine on their own. They run fine without me, and they’ll run just fine without you."
"True, isn't it? They run so well it’s almost a problem. Oh, and please pass on my regards to the Sword Venerable."
"Me?"
"Yes. Tell him I’m sorry I couldn't say goodbye in person because I was in a hurry."
The reason I specifically asked the Blade Demon was that I hoped this would give the two of them another reason to meet. The Blade Demon seemed to guess my intention, as he didn't refuse. At times like this, it was clear he also harbored a desire to reconcile with the Sword Venerable.
"Well then, I’ll be off."
As I turned to leave, the Blade Demon spoke from behind me. "Are you truly planning to bring the Smiling Demon over to our side?"
"Even if he doesn't become an ally, I’ll at least ensure he doesn't become an enemy."
"Is there a need to go that far?"
"If the Smiling Demon joins hands with my brother, things will become several times more difficult than they are now."
"The Smiling Demon isn't the type to truly serve the First Young Master anyway."
"That’s exactly the problem. The two of them will maintain a proper distance, exchanging tasks and rewards as they move forward. Given their personalities, they won't clash emotionally or let pride get in the way. They’ll get along even better than the Demon Buddha did with him."
I knew this because it had actually happened. In my past life, the two of them had worked so well together that they eventually became closer than the Demon Buddha or the Blade Demon ever were.
"I’m leaving now."
"Wait a moment."
The Blade Demon began putting the books back, but not in their original spots. The moment the last book was slotted in—
Srrr.
The bookshelf slid open to reveal a secret room. It was a sophisticated hidden passage that opened only when specific books were placed in specific positions. I was less surprised by the existence of the secret room and more by the fact that he had opened it so freely in front of me.
The Blade Demon entered the room and returned with something in his hands. He tossed the object onto the table in front of me with a casual thud.
"Take it."
"What is this?"
I unwrapped the well-packaged bundle to find a thin upper garment inside.
"It’s the Ghost Guard Robe. If you wear it, it’ll hurt a bit less when you get thrashed."
It was more than just "hurting a bit less." The Ghost Guard Robe was a top-tier protective garment, renowned for being impervious to swords and blades.
"Are you really giving me something this precious?"
"I am."
"You should wear it yourself, Elder."
"What would an old man like me do with it? It would look unsightly."
"Then sell it."
"And then?"
"You’d make money."
"And after I make it?"
Come to think of it, he had no kin to leave an inheritance to.
"Travel the Central Plains and enjoy all the delicacies the world has to offer."
"Delicacies? At my age, I can barely digest the noodles I had for lunch."
My heart ached because I knew he wasn't entirely joking. I had experienced it myself. No matter how great a master one is, aging is inevitable.
"Don't want to wear it? Then forget it."
"Of course I want to!"
As he reached to take it back, I snatched it up and put the Ghost Guard Robe on right then and there. It was only polite to try on such a gift immediately.
"It fits perfectly! And it’s so comfortable."
It was thin and elastic, making it feel as if I weren't wearing anything at all. If I wrapped the Supreme Heavenly Silkworm Thread over this and activated the Heavenly Demon Body Protection Art, my body wouldn't be severed even if I were struck by Sword Qi or Sword Force.
The Blade Demon, who detested making a scene, had already hurried out to the courtyard to start nagging Seo Dae-ryong, as if afraid I might try to thank him. I watched the two of them practice their martial arts for a moment before quietly leaving his residence.
I didn't intend to repay the Blade Demon with mere words.
*
"When did you say you were leaving?"
For some reason, Lee An seemed even less worried about me than the Blade Demon was.
"Tomorrow morning."
"Then we won't be able to have a farewell party. Ah, I was hoping we could all gather for a drink for the first time in a while."
"Lee An! Is that what matters right now? I’m heading out to the Central Plains with the Extreme Evil Smiling Demon. Won't it be dangerous? I should be guarding you! Where did she go? My old Lee An!"
"I miss her too, that devoted Lee An."
"This is all because of the training. I should make you stop."
I stepped closer and examined Lee An’s hands. The layers of callouses on her palms spoke of her grueling practice.
"Lately, when I hold a sword, something feels different."
She didn't elaborate, but I knew exactly what she meant. The Flying Heaven Sword Technique, having reached the eighth star, must be constantly tempting and stimulating her—urging her to find a strong opponent and fight.
While she still paled in comparison to me or the Demon Lords, her skill at the eighth star of the Flying Heaven Sword Technique was such that she would find few rivals in the Murim.
"I’ll be off then, trembling in fear alongside that terrifying Smiling Demon."
"I heard you went to the Heavenly Demon Hall yourself to get permission for that 'terrifying' task?"
"Who told you that?"
"Investigator Seo already stopped by."
"He must be the most big-mouthed right-hand man in the Murim."
Lee An didn't laugh at my joke.
"I was always the first to hear news about you, Young Master. And whenever you left the Cult, I naturally followed."
"Are you upset?"
At that, her true feelings came rushing out.
"Yes, I’m upset. I’m very, very upset."
With a long sigh, her suppressed emotions poured forth.
"I’m worried! I want to follow you and protect you! You’ve given me the position of Ghost Shadow Squad Leader, which is more than I deserve, but what I still want is to be by your side, guarding you. I’m someone who wants to die by your side. That’s my dream... I thought if I became a greater master than I am now, I could truly protect you. I told myself I had to endure until I became a useful person, that I had to endure and train..."
Lee An’s voice choked up.
"...I know how busy and tired you are, Young Master... so I wasn't going to say these things... I’m sorry. I’ll... I’ll keep training hard."
Finally, a tear she had been holding back rolled down her cheek.
"Pack your bags."
Lee An flinched in surprise. "I’m sorry, I was wrong. Please don't kick me out."
"What are you talking about? Pack your bags. Let’s go together tomorrow."
She looked stunned. "Really?"
"You’re right. If you don't protect me, who will? Let’s go together. You can protect me to your heart's content."
"Yes! That’s wonderful!"
For the first time in a long while, Lee An jumped for joy. "Thank you, Young Master. Thank you so much."
"It’s a hardship once you leave home; what’s there to be thankful for? Besides, our companion is the Smiling Demon."
"I’d go even if it were the Cult Leader himself, not just the Smiling Demon! I’ll see you later. I have a lot to pack. Women have a lot to prepare!"
Lee An dashed out of the training ground as if she were in a great hurry. Watching her excited figure, I realized something.
Martial arts training is good, and changing one's life is good, but that emotion she’s feeling right now—that joy—is what’s most important. This moment is what matters most.
Perhaps, behind my desire for her to grow stronger, there was a selfish wish for my own peace of mind. Perhaps a cowardly subconscious was at work, thinking that her hardship would eventually become my own. Her life was vividly alive and moving through the present, yet I might have been pushing her into this training ground just to hide my own anxieties.
I finally realized that the true time to perform the Body Poison Purification Technique was not dependent on her, but on the moment I overcame my own anxiety. Because of that, I was able to make a decision.
Yes, the time has finally come.
By the time we return from this journey, she will be a different person.
*
The next morning, I went to Villain Valley with Lee An. When we arrived, the Smiling Demon was already prepared to leave.
"I’m planning to go quietly, so I’m only taking one friend to attend to me."
The mask of the Faceless Guest the Smiling Demon introduced had a stylish blue line drawn across it.
"This is Blue Face."
The man bowed politely to me. I knew him well; he was the Smiling Demon’s right hand. His martial arts were excellent, but his loyalty was even more impressive. Even when I had come looking for the Great Regression Art in my past life, he was still the Smiling Demon’s right hand. He was also a tragic figure who could never become the next Smiling Demon because the current one lived for so long.
I introduced Lee An to them. "This is my guard."
Lee An bowed politely to the Smiling Demon. "I am Lee An. It is an honor to meet you."
I added one more thing. "She is also my heart."
Lee An’s face flushed slightly, but given the situation, she remained still with her head bowed.
At my words, the Smiling Demon chuckled. "You’ve already shown me your right hand, and now you’re telling me where your heart is."
"I’m revealing all my weaknesses so that you won't know which one is the real one."
"Well then, shall we depart?"
"Let’s."
The Smiling Demon and I climbed into the carriage, while Lee An and Blue Face took their seats on the driver's bench. The two of them exchanged a brief nod. Though they had just met, they shared the common bond of guarding their respective masters.
As the carriage started moving, the Smiling Demon didn't hide his delight. "I feel good."
"It’s been a while since I’ve headed to the Central Plains, so I feel good too."
I meant it. For a long time, I had been confined to the Cult, rotating between the Huangquan Pavilion, the training grounds, the Heavenly Demon Hall, and the Pungryu Tavern. If I hadn't been able to rest in new places using the Space-Time Displacement Technique whenever I felt stifled, it would have been truly suffocating. So, the frustration of the Smiling Demon, who had been confined for two years, went without saying.
"You brought that mask."
The white mask he had given me as a gift was hanging from my waist.
"You gave it to me, so of course I had to bring it."
"I’ll make you a better one, not a cheap thing like that."
He meant he would make one that concealed the eyes from the outside, like the one he wore.
"No, this is fine. I prefer this one."
"You prefer that?"
"Didn't you buy it for me yourself? That’s enough for me."
"Second Young Master. I am a man who views people with suspicion first. I am even more suspicious of those who say things that are pleasant to hear."
"You should be suspicious. I’m being this kind to a man with 'Extreme Evil' in his title; surely I must have an ulterior motive."
"And what is your motive?"
I gave a thin smile. "You asked if it wasn't harder to wear many different expressions, didn't you? I actually prefer it. At times like this, I can use an ambiguous expression to avoid giving a straight answer."
He couldn't press me further. Just as I hadn't pressed him on his promise to take off his mask.
"Why don't you ask where we are going?"
"We’ll end up somewhere in this tedious world, I suppose."
The Smiling Demon laughed loudly at my joke.
In the meantime, the carriage passed the gates of the Main Cult and began to pick up speed toward the Central Plains.