Chapter 61: Will You Kill Me, Too?

TL: FoodieMonster007

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader and the Demonic Buddha entered the Heavenly Demon Hall.

Neung Pasu, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader, had a fine physique, a healthy complexion, and an intense gaze that could pierce walls. He was the absolute ruler of the Outer Regions Murim. Neung Pasu had completely mastered the Great Calamity Demonic Art, known as the greatest art of the Outer Regions.

The Blood Cult once stood on equal footing with the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. Now, as the Heavenly Wind Cult, its power had weakened and could not compare.

Upon leaving the Heavenly Wind Cult, Neung Pasu brought the Ten Great Demons, the cult's ten greatest masters, and a hundred elites from the Blood Army.

He also brought all the divine objects from his throne, including the Echoing Thunder Bell and the Bloody Buddha. It might have been safer to place them in a ten-thousand-year cold iron cage guarded by his masters, but he refused to be separated from them.

The Demonic Buddha, Jeoraban, guaranteed his safety within the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult and walked in beside him. Jeoraban was a small man, about half the height of an average adult.

His height was not what made people stare. It was the color of his skin.

His face, hands, and entire body were golden. This gave him the appearance of a small, living golden Buddha statue, like a child monk. This phenomenon resulted from the Great Golden Mara Art he had mastered.

The two men walked side by side down the path of blood and arrived before the throne.

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader bowed respectfully.

"I greet the master of the Divine Cult and the Sect Leader of the world's Murim. Thank you for inviting me."

The Heavenly Demon, Geom Woojin, greeted him with a smile.

"Welcome. How many years has it been?"

The greeting was calm, yet each word struck the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's ears like a physical blow. Geom Woojin's words, though not imbued with inner arts, hit with more force than those that were. This clearly demonstrated the height of the Heavenly Demon's realm.

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader stood proud before anyone in the world, but he felt intimidated before the Heavenly Demon.

"It seems it's been nearly ten years."

"Have you been well?"

"Thanks to your concern, I have been fine."

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader had resolved not to lose the battle of wills when he met the Heavenly Demon. Now, a thought crossed his mind. A battle of wills, why bother with something so pointless?

Geom Woojin's gaze turned to the Demonic Buddha.

"You've worked hard, traveling such a long way."

"It was a pleasant journey to meet a friend."

The Demonic Buddha started to say more, ready to flaunt his friendship with the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader, but Geom Woojin cut him off.

"It's late and you must be tired from your journey, so go and rest for today. Let's meet again when the day is bright."

"Yes, we will take our leave then."

The greeting ended, formal and brief.

The Heavenly Demon and the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader were not close. The Heavenly Wind Cult had, for generations, maintained a deep friendship with the Eight Demon Supremes, not the Heavenly Demon Hall.

This was only natural. Historically, several wars had occurred between the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult and the Blood Cult. Since they could not be friendly, the Eight Demon Supremes, who opposed the Heavenly Demon Hall, naturally joined hands with the Heavenly Wind Cult.

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader walked out of the Heavenly Demon Hall with the Demonic Buddha.

"Still, the supreme ruler of the Outer Regions came all this way. He should at least offer a cup of tea. This is too much."

"It's late at night."

"Then he should treat us even better."

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader replied nonchalantly to the Demonic Buddha's complaint.

"You don't have to sow discord like that. I have no intention of getting friendly with your Cult Leader. So stop it."

"Sowing discord? This is a matter of your pride and honor."

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader understood why the Heavenly Demon had cut him off. The Demonic Buddha often blurted out words that provoked people's emotions. He had a nasty habit of saying unnecessary things just to upset his opponent.

"Let's go see the corpse first."

"You don't want to see it tomorrow? You must be tired. Let's sleep and see it tomorrow."

"We can sleep when we're dead."

"Fine, let's do that. Why is everyone so stubborn?"

The Demonic Buddha led him to where the body was kept. The corpse of the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme was preserved in a place as cold as an icehouse. Medicinal herbs had been applied to prevent decay.

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader immediately began to examine the corpse.

The Demonic Buddha watched from the side with a curious face.

With skilled hands, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader thoroughly inspected the body's interior. He touched her organs and blood vessels one by one, sometimes smelling them, and even injected qi into the cold corpse.

After a rather long time, the examination finally ended.

"The Eight Extraordinary Meridians are damaged, and her heart was under great strain. This is what happens when the Soul-Stealing Art is used consecutively."

"Are you saying it was qi deviation? Or are you saying it wasn't?"

"The cause of death is indeed qi deviation. However, it is certain that the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme died fighting someone in the world she had opened."

The Demonic Buddha's expression hardened.

"So she was murdered by someone after all."

"I'm certain. The problem is that she died despite using the Soul-Stealing Art."

The Demonic Buddha shook his head.

"It's hard to believe. Who could be skilled enough to infiltrate the Western Illusion Sanctum, murder the Soul-Stealer, and escape?"

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader pointed a finger toward the sky. It was a silent question asking if the Heavenly Demon had killed her.

The Demonic Buddha shook his head in response.

"We've determined that's not the case. The Soul-Stealer is our greatest asset when dealing with those bastards from the orthodox sects. The Cult Leader never disliked her. There's no way the Cult Leader killed her."

Compared to the cautious Heavenly Wind Cult Leader, the Demonic Buddha mentioned the Cult Leader casually. He was confident that the Cult Leader was not the culprit.

"Then is there anyone else considered a suspect?"

"There is one person."

"Who is it?"

"The Cult Leader's second brother's son."

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's expression stiffened for a moment. He had not expected them to suspect the Cult Leader's son.

On second thought, however, it occurred to him that someone on that level would indeed have the ability to commit such an act.

The Demonic Buddha had not said a single word about this on the way here. The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader seethed inside for being dragged into such a dangerous situation, but his expression showed no change.

If someone tripped him, he was the type to pick up a rock as he got up. He was also the type to smile right up until the moment he smashed their head in with it.

"First thing tomorrow, let's see the Second Young Lord."

Seo Daeryong finished his morning report. As he was about to turn away, he spoke to me.

"Are you alright?"

"What do you mean?"

"Now even the Outer Regions are coming after you, Director."

"Let them all come."

"I will. As long as I'm not there when the fighting starts."

"Sorry, but you'll be called my right-hand man because you're always there."

Seo Daeryong feigned distress and clutched his head.

"You said you'd become gloomy if you learned martial arts, but you're still so cheerful."

"Well… I thought I'd become gloomy too, but to be honest, I'm enjoying learning martial arts."

"Is it that you enjoy learning martial arts, or is it that you like the Blood Heaven Blade Demon?"

After a brief pause, Seo Daeryong said, "…I don't dislike him. Not yet."

"Not yet? Sounds like a preview of you liking him more and more."

"If that happens… you might have to cut off your right-hand man and find someone gloomier."

"Where would I find someone as dark, cynical, and interesting as you? Don't even dream of running away from me."

"I'd like that, of course."

Just then, a subordinate from the Sanzu River Hall reported.

"The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader has arrived."

"Show him in."

Seo Daeryong quickly exited the office.

"Don't lose!"

"Stay with me."

"It's every man for himself in life!"

"That sounds familiar! Are you starting to take after him already?"

Seo Daeryong left without a backward glance.

A moment later, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader entered.

"I greet the supreme ruler of the Outer Regions."

As I greeted him politely, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader smiled.

"Second Young Lord, it's been a long time. I saw you when you were a child, and now you're a grown man."

"You are still as vigorous as ever, Cult Leader."

He smiled with a kind face, but the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader had been scrutinizing me from the moment he walked in.

"I heard you had arrived. You must have a busy schedule, so what brings you to see me?"

"You have ears that hear from afar. The Second Young Lord's fame has recently reached our Cult."

"It is but an empty reputation."

"Humble, too."

After we exchanged formal greetings, I sat down across from him.

"The Cult Leader seemed greatly disheartened by the death of the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme."

He casually brought up the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme and mentioned my father. He was likely trying to grasp something from every word of my response.

"She was one of the Demon Supremes he cherished the most."

"Who on earth could have killed her?"

"Was she murdered? I heard she passed away after falling into qi deviation."

At that moment, a stream of energy flowed from the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's eyes. Normally, it would have been a subtle energy that left no trace, but I could see it.

In that instant, I realized I had gained a special ability.

I can see formless energy with my eyes. It was an energy I would normally only have been able to feel, but now I could see it shimmering like a heat haze.

It was not just because of the Divine Eye Technique, nor was it solely due to the Bloodeye Holy Water. The two had combined to give me a new ability. I don't yet know if it only works on the martial arts of the Blood Cult or if it's effective against 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 scanned every corner of my body. After examining my entire body, it finally inspected my eyes. He was trying to see if I had put a divine water like the Bloodeye Holy Water into them.

However, it was impossible to find anything in my eyes, which the Divine Eye Technique had newly transformed.

The energy he had emitted was drawn back into his eyes. To see it, rather than just feel it, was truly a wondrous thing.

"I'll be on my way now."

"That's a shame. Please stay a little longer."

"I've seen your face, so that's enough. I shouldn't hold up a busy man."

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader rose from his seat.

"Let's meet again next time. Thank you for visiting."

Thank you for the ability I gained because of you.

From before my regression until now, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader has been giving to me generously. Of course, it wasn't because he wanted to, but fate somehow kept leading me to receive things from him. That's why I don't entirely dislike him.

The Demonic Buddha waited for the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader as he left Geom Mugeuk's office.

"How was it?"

"The Second Young Lord has no connection to the Soul-Stealing Art. To subdue him in the space created by the Soul-Stealer, one would need to have mastered Buddhist or Daoist martial arts to their peak, or a demonic art of a similar level. There were no traces of that at all."

"Does that mean Geom Mugeuk is not the culprit?"

"That's right."

"Are you certain?"

"If you don't trust me, why did you call me all the way out here?"

"It's an important matter, so I was just double-checking. Don't be offended."

Despite his words, the Demonic Buddha did not seem entirely convinced.

"I am certain."

"Let's go. I will convene the Seven Demon Supremes, so please tell them your story there."

"No need. You go and relay my words. It'll be the same thing anyway."

"Will that be alright?"

"Why wouldn't it be?"

The Demonic Buddha knew that the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader was very displeased with this trip to the Central Plains. So, he did not press the issue further.

"Then let's do that."

The Demonic Buddha bid farewell and left.

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's gaze was not kind as he watched the man's retreating back.

He had another reason for not going to the meeting of the Seven Demon Supremes. He would have to lie not just to the Demonic Buddha, but to all seven of them.

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader looked back at the residence where Geom Mugeuk was and muttered softly.

"Second Young Lord… just how did you kill the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme?"

Surprisingly, he had realized that Geom Mugeuk had killed the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme.

However, for some reason, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader did not tell the Demonic Buddha the truth. This choice went beyond simply making them endure the consequences of forcing an unwilling person to come. It was a choice that clearly had a different motive.

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader walked off in the opposite direction from where the Demonic Buddha had disappeared.

That night, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon came to see me. He had come straight to me after the meeting of the Seven Demon Supremes.

"For now, you're cleared of the suspicion of killing the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme."

He stared at me with a surprised expression.

"How on earth did you evade the eyes of the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader?"

"Didn't I spend all night drinking with you, Elder? It's because I didn't do it."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon shook his head. "Truly, you… you must have been born with the destiny of an ascending dragon. Otherwise, none of this would be possible."

"I'm still far from being a dragon. I've only just gone from a loach to a snake."

"Then what kind of dragon will you become, if the snake is already this formidable?"

When I let out a small laugh, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon spoke in a warning tone.

"But it's too early to relax. Among the Seven Demon Supremes, there are those who don't believe the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's words. The Demonic Buddha, who is supposedly his closest friend, seemed to believe him the least. So much for being close friends."

"Elder."

"What is it?"

"If you ever have a change of heart like the Demonic Buddha, please tell me."

At that, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's expression hardened slightly. "Why would you say such a thing?"

"I was just thinking how painful it would be if we were smiling at each other like this one day, only to be pointing swords at each other the next. So if there's anything you don't like, or anything you think is wrong, please tell me right away. Don't hold it in and let your anger build."

"From what you've seen so far, haven't I dealt with my shortcomings quite wisely? Please don't assume how I'll react, just be sure to tell me."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon stared at me intently for a moment, then opened his mouth. "Second Young Lord."

"……"

Unexpected words flowed from the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's mouth.

"What if the opposite happens? What if you find me too displeasing and lacking? What if I'm not a person who fits your new demonic path? I seem fine and good now, but what if the more you see me, the more I seem like an old, conventional, and boring person? What will you do then, when I have no charm left?" The Blood Heaven Blade Demon added with a fiery gaze, "Will you kill me, too?"