Chapter 43: Our 'Definition'-4
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 43: Our 'Definition'-4
After finishing breakfast with her disciple, the Heavenly Demon returned to the Heavenly Demon Palace with the Chief Steward, the Fist Demon, and the Spirit Demon to discuss their future plans.
She sent In-ho, who had been trying to follow her, back to the Palace of Sacrifice.
"This is where you will be staying from now on, so get used to it."
She spoke those words, but in truth, she simply felt uncomfortable having him sit through a meeting dedicated to the systematic destruction of the Central Plains.
The Heavenly Demon sat upon a high chair that resembled an Emperor’s throne, while the Chief Steward, the Spirit Demon, and the Fist Demon stood below her.
"Has there been any word from the Sword Demon?"
"I received a letter yesterday stating he had passed through Honam. I expect he is passing through the middle of Hubei by now," the Chief Steward reported concisely.
The Spirit Demon added, "Knowing the Sword Demon’s temperament, he may have already reached the borders of Anhui."
"I see. As expected of the Sword Demon."
In terms of pure martial prowess, he was second only to the Heavenly Demon herself—one of the Black Sky Cult’s greatest assets.
"We shall rendezvous with the Sword Demon in ten days. Fist Demon, you will accompany us this time."
"Understood," the Fist Demon replied with a slight bow.
The Spirit Demon, standing beside him, asked, "Sect Leader, will the Young Sect Leader not be joining us?"
Come to think of it, I do need to introduce In-ho to the Sword Demon.
The objective of this war was the destruction of the Murim Alliance.
No, it was Murim Erasure.
The Heavenly Demon’s goal was to wipe every trace of martial artists from the Central Plains. Orthodox, Unorthodox, and independent sects alike. Every single one of them.
To seal the dantians of anyone possessing even a handful of inner power, and to eliminate those martial artists who wielded more authority than the government itself.
That was the Great Task the Heavenly Demon had decreed.
Because it was a campaign that demanded great sacrifice, the road to Anhui—where the Murim Alliance was headquartered—would be arduous and fraught with peril.
Should she really take In-ho to such a place?
For the first time in a very long while, the Heavenly Demon began to deliberate.
Part of me wants to show him the moment I tear down the Murim Alliance.
She was conflicted because the very reason she had set this Great Task in motion was for In-ho’s sake.
The Murim Alliance in flames, its nameplate shattered.
She wanted to show him those things, pull him into her arms, and say:
—I have avenged you. Are you not grateful?
She thought it would be truly delightful to share a kiss with In-ho against the backdrop of the blazing Murim Alliance.
But my personal battles and a war are two different things. Even I cannot know what might happen on the battlefield.
Though she was the Heavenly Demon, unrivaled under heaven, a momentary opening could be created if dozens of Orthodox masters swarmed her at once.
What if In-ho were to be injured in that split second?
She would never be able to forgive herself.
"...Ah, I wandered off into thought for a moment."
Seeing her subordinates waiting in silence, the Heavenly Demon spoke. Her mind was made up.
"The Young Sect Leader will remain here with the Chief Steward. It is still too early to take him to the front lines."
He was a disciple who still had much to learn, she added to herself.
"Ah, Spirit Demon. Is it possible for you to find someone named Lee Mina?"
When the Heavenly Demon asked this out of the blue, the Spirit Demon blinked several times.
"Do you have any information other than a name?"
"She is likely around the same age as the Young Sect Leader."
After a moment of thought, the Heavenly Demon added, "It may be difficult, but see if you can find her."
"No, never mind. Forget I said anything. I spoke needlessly."
As the Spirit Demon prostrated herself without a hint of hesitation, the Heavenly Demon waved her hand and retracted the order.
"We shall conclude the discussion here. All of you, dismiss."
At her gesture, the Chief Steward and the Fist Demon paid their respects and withdrew.
"Why are you still here?" the Heavenly Demon asked, noticing the Spirit Demon hadn't left.
"Forgive my presumption, but may I ask one question?"
"If it is presumptuous, it is usually better not to ask, but go ahead."
"It seems to me that you are quite soft on the Young Sect Leader."
"And? Are you saying you find that displeasing?"
Rumble—
The air vibrated with the Heavenly Demon’s mounting pressure. The Spirit Demon pressed herself flat against the floor.
"How could a lowly being like myself harbor such thoughts toward you? I am obedient to both you and the Young Sect Leader."
"Then why ask such a question? I almost misunderstood your intent."
Relaxing her expression, the Heavenly Demon leaned back in her chair.
"I was simply curious. The side of you I have seen lately is... new to me."
"Ho... and what exactly is so new?"
Gulp. The Spirit Demon swallowed hard.
"The fact that you are waiting."
"Waiting?"
"Yes. The Sect Leader I have known always took what she wanted and destroyed what stood in her way. There was never any hesitation or delay in your actions."
Taking a breath, the Spirit Demon carefully gauged the Heavenly Demon’s mood.
"But you have given the Young Sect Leader chance after chance. You have tolerated insolence that, in the past, would have surely resulted in a severed head or a torn-off limb."
During the journey from Sichuan back to Hanam, the Spirit Demon had been on edge multiple times.
Having served the Heavenly Demon for a long time, she prided herself on knowing exactly where the line was—the line one must never cross.
However, the Young Sect Leader who had suddenly appeared didn't just cross that line; he was practically skipping rope with it. She had constantly watched for the moment his head would roll.
She had been especially stunned when the Young Sect Leader engaged in a battle of wills with the Heavenly Demon just to protect a cook who had served the wrong food.
So, she was curious.
Just what kind of existence was the Young Sect Leader that the Heavenly Demon would show such mercy?
What kind of person was he that the Heavenly Demon would concede so much?
Even as someone who had chosen to live as the shadow of the Black Sky Cult, the Spirit Demon was dying to know. She was certain the Chief Steward and the Fist Demon were just as curious as she was.
"You have such a serious face over something so trivial. That is your problem—you are too earnest about everything."
With a low chuckle, the Heavenly Demon met the Spirit Demon’s eyes.
"Spirit Demon, do you remember when we first met?"
"Yes. When my parents were killed by bandits, you were the one who saved me."
"Well, I simply punished some bandits who were disturbing my sleep. You were the one who chose to follow me."
"Regardless of the reason, the fact that you saved me remains unchanged."
"Anyway... suppose, just suppose, that your dead parents came back to life. How would you feel?"
"...I believe I would be happy," the Spirit Demon answered slowly after considering the impossible hypothetical.
"I feel the same. It was twelve years ago that I buried that foolish disciple in my heart."
"It took four years to burn away the Heart Demon within me, and I spent the next eight years longing for him."
"And then, like a miracle, he appeared before me again. Since a dead man has returned to life, one could call him a gift from God. What do you think that means to me?"
"I... am not entirely sure."
"I want to teach him only good things. I want to show him only what is beautiful."
"......"
"If I acted according to my usual nature, I might end up burying him in my heart all over again. I do not want that."
"I am no fool. I know my own obsession all too well. Especially when I consider how the 'Heavenly Demon' who threw the Central Plains into chaos was born in the first place."
"That is why I do not wish to show this obsession to him if I can help it. For now, I want to understand and embrace him as much as possible."
As the Heavenly Demon spoke with a bittersweet smile, the Spirit Demon countered, still unable to fully grasp it.
"I still don't quite understand. If you do not bind him, he might run away. He might even fall for someone else, would he not?"
"Hahahaha!"
The Heavenly Demon burst into a great laugh, her voice echoing through the palace as if the question itself were hilarious.
"Who in all of creation could possibly stop me?" she declared.
"No matter who is by his side, in the very, very end, I will be the one who remains. Is there another crazy bitch in this world who could ever hope to surpass me?"