Chapter 66: All or Nothing

TL: FoodieMonster007

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's expression filled with regret.

The shackled man must have sent a telepathic message, telling the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader to give me the divine object I had chosen.

At such a crucial moment, that man interfered with the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's decision?

Something truly unexpected had happened.

"Do you know what it is you've chosen?" the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader asked.

"I'm not sure, but I was strongly drawn to it," I replied.

I had chosen a small, egg-shaped sphere made of iron. Of course, I knew exactly what it was. It was neither a weapon nor a jewel. The contents of this egg-like object were what mattered.

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader lifted the sphere and touched its bottom. The egg clicked open.

"……"

Instantly, a strong yet heavy medicinal fragrance wafted out. Inside was a red elixir.

The Blood God Pill.

It was known as the most outstanding miracle herb, not just in the Heavenly Wind Cult but in all of the Outer Regions.

"It's the Blood God Pill. Have you heard of it?"

"Yes, I know it to be a truly precious miracle herb."

"The word 'precious' doesn't do it justice."

"Why haven't you taken something so valuable?" I asked.

"I was saving it for the future."

"It seems I was that future."

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader probably never imagined that I would choose this specific item out of all the divine objects.

He looked at the shackled man again. Just then, I saw the shackled man's bowed shoulders tremble slightly. My improved vision from the Divine Eye Technique allowed me to confirm it myself.

He's definitely sending a telepathy message.

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader was undoubtedly following that man's instructions. At the very least, they were discussing it.

Just who is he?

My curiosity about the man grew, but I pretended not to notice. The Blood God Pill was more important right now.

To give them some time, I feigned ignorance and turned to look at the other divine objects. I saw other things I wanted after the Blood God Pill. Whether I could have them depended on the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's future choices.

A moment later, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader finished his discussion. His face looked as if it had aged ten years as he made a difficult decision.

"Very well. I will give you the Blood God Pill."

"Thank you."

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader, still holding the Blood God Pill, asked me, "I can't just give it to you this time. Tell me the way to remain in the Divine Cult."

He couldn't bring himself to hand over the Blood God Pill so easily.

"This is the way."

Before the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader could stop me, I snatched the Blood God Pill from his hand and tossed it into my mouth. The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's eyes widened. He never imagined I would actually eat it.

"You! What do you think you're doing?" he roared in belated anger.

I immediately sat down in a cross-legged position.

"Please stand warden for a moment while I absorb the medicine."

Then, I closed my eyes and began to absorb the effects of the Blood God Pill. Because of that, I could not see the utterly dumbfounded expression on the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's face.

Geom Mugeuk's qi circulation continued for two full hours.

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader and the shackled man conversed via telepathy. The shackled man calmed the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader, who was jumping up and down, threatening to kill Geom Mugeuk on the spot. The shackled man also insisted they only communicate telepathically so they would not disturb his qi circulation.

[Hahahahaha.]

[Damn it! Damn it!]

The shackled man continued to laugh through their telepathic link. In contrast, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader fumed relentlessly.

[Damn it! Should I just kill this bastard right now?]

[Go ahead and kill him. Kill him and have a nice, big war with the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. I'd love to see you get torn to shreds by the Heavenly Demon.]

[Damn it! Damn it! What the hell is this?]

He truly never imagined Geom Mugeuk would eat it right in front of him.

[The method he's going to propose must be absurd. Isn't that why he took it first?]

[I'm telling you to kill him! Kill him! Smash his head in with a single strike.]

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader approached Geom Mugeuk and raised his hand high. However, he could not bring himself to strike his head.

[Ugh, damn it!]

After lowering his hand, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader walked over to the Echoing Thunder Bell and slumped down. The shackled man seemed to enjoy the sight.

[Damn it!]

[I don't think you will die.]

[Why? Because he's a coward? Is that it!]

[No, the Second Young Lord is far more brilliant than I thought.]

[Based on what?]

[He's confident that you won't be able to kill him. It means he's already figured you out completely. A man like that will give a proper answer.]

[Do you have any idea what it might be?]

[I didn't know before, but seeing him take the Blood God Pill, I think I know what method he'll propose.]

[What is it?]

[Hear it from him yourself after he finishes his qi circulation.]

[Tell me!]

[I can't. It'll show on your face, Cult Leader.]

[I never lost a gamble in my younger days!]

[That's because no gambler would dare show their true skill in front of the heir to the Heavenly Wind Cult.]

"……"

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader felt a small sense of relief.

The shackled man called out to the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader casually, as if speaking to a friend.

[Hey, Cult Leader.]

[Ugh, there you go again. Am I your friend!]

[Just give him everything. It'll be fine to give it all.]

[Are you serious?]

[Until now, I've only judged the Second Young Lord based on the information we've received, but seeing him in person today, I realize that information was an underestimation.]

[You can see that?]

[I can.]

[Then why can't I?]

[Because you're too greedy.]

[Damn it! Fine, let's say that's true. Let's say my greed has blinded me. So what? If I give him everything, what about me?]

[You can live in the Central Plains. Wasn't that your dream?]

[And he'll let me live in the Central Plains?]

[He's taking everything so readily because he intends to let you live there.]

[And if he doesn't keep his promise? We'll be like beggars, holding broken bowls and begging for scraps.]

[Don't worry. I'll feed you.]

"……"

CLANK CLANK!

[I'll drag these shackles, and sell medicine if I have to.]

[……]

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader let out a sigh.

[What if the Second Young Lord loses the succession battle and dies?]

[Isn't that what it means to bet your fate on someone? You either gain it all, or you lose it all.]

[You… you're doing this to ruin me, aren't you?]

[You're only just realizing that now?]

The shackled man gave a strange smile. His expression made it hard to tell if he was being serious or joking.

[Hey, Cult Leader.]

[Stop speaking so informally. You've done it more than five times today.]

[I understand you.]

[……]

[You have to give things up to gain something. Neither you nor I are fortunate enough to have it all without giving anything up. People like that are people like the Second Young Lord sitting over there.]

[…Damn it.]

Finally, Geom Mugeuk finished his qi circulation.

Geom Mugeuk's expression was bright as he opened his eyes. His already clear eyes had grown deeper, making it difficult to guess the extent of his internal energy. However, his deep eyes soon changed to resemble those of an ordinary person. The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader flinched in surprise at how he altered his gaze.

Just how deep is his internal energy?

Geom Mugeuk hid nothing in front of him. It was as if he were saying, I am this strong, so trust and follow me.

Despite the power he displayed, Geom Mugeuk was polite. He bowed his head and offered a clasped hands greeting to express his gratitude.

"Thank you."

"You've got some nerve. Stealing a miracle herb and then circulating your qi right in front of me!"

"Steal a miracle herb? I received it as payment."

"As payment? What do you mean?"

"Didn't I tell you before I took the Blood God Pill? The way for you to stay here, Cult Leader, was for me to eat this."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Tomorrow, please come to the Sanzu River Hall and file a report. Report that a miracle herb was stolen."

"!"

"You should be able to stay here until the miracle herb is found."

Only then did the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader understand Geom Mugeuk's intention.

"But if an investigation is conducted, it might be revealed that no thief ever broke in."

"The place conducting that investigation is the Sanzu River Hall, where I am the head. We will proceed with the investigation as slowly as possible until you achieve your goal, Cult Leader."

"Ah!"

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's expression brightened considerably. A thief breaking into the inner court of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult gave him a reason not to leave. Furthermore, since Geom Mugeuk would be in charge of the investigation, there was no risk of exposure and no unnecessary friction in finding the culprit.

"The date of your departure will also be decided by you and me, Cult Leader."

"Ah! So that's what you meant."

"Then I'll be on my way. Thank you once again for the Blood God Pill."

After Geom Mugeuk left, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader asked the shackled man, "Did you know?"

"I knew the moment the Second Young Lord took the Blood God Pill."

The shackled man's attitude became polite again.

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader looked down at the empty shell that had held the Blood God Pill and spoke. "But do you think the Second Young Lord knew beforehand that this was the Blood God Pill?"

"Of course."

"He knew?"

"Do you really think he picked it up just because the container was pretty? Did you truly believe that?"

"No."

However, for a moment, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader had believed just that. He had thought there was no way the Second Young Lord could know the details of his divine objects.

"How did he know?"

"It is because he is a man of this caliber that you are giving him gifts, Cult Leader."

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader nodded. He felt fortunate to have the shackled man with him. At the same time, he felt resentful, as all of this was happening because of the shackled man.

"…Still, the Blood God Pill is such a waste."

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader was starting to regret it all over again. He would not get any sleep tonight.

"I'm telling you for the hundredth time, you didn't give it to him because he proposed a method."

"If I give away all this and things still don't work out, you'll die, and then I'll die."

From between his long, shaggy hair, the man grinned.

"You promised you'd definitely die after killing me."

"Shut up!"

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader stared at the empty container, and the shackled man stared at the Echoing Thunder Bell. The two men sank into their own separate agonies.

The next day, shocking news struck the cult.

A thief had broken into the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's quarters and stolen a divine object. Everyone they met was talking about it. It was surprising enough that a thief had entered the inner court, but everyone was curious about which divine object had been stolen. However, the identity of the stolen object was not revealed.

The cult was abuzz with the incident, but the atmosphere in the Heavenly Demon Hall was calm.

This was because Head Strategist Sama Myeong had seen through the situation.

"It appears the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader is staging this himself," Sama Myeong reported. "According to our surveillance network, not only was there no intruder at the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's residence, but stealing a divine object would require the skill of at least a Demon Supreme. As far as I can tell, no one of that caliber would currently target the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's divine objects."

Upon hearing Sama Myeong's report, the Heavenly Demon Geom Woojin believed every word.

"The reason for staging it?"

"It seems he wishes to stay in our Cult longer. He will likely insist on not returning until the divine object is found."

"Why on earth would he not want to leave? Could it be because of that matter?"

"That's right. It seems he wants to use this opportunity to settle the matter of the Heavenly Wind Cult's advance into the Central Plains."

"My second brother was involved in this, wasn't he?"

"Yes. It seems the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader asked the Second Young Lord for a way to stay. Since the investigation of this incident will be handled by the Sanzu River Hall, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader will be able to remain in our Cult for some time."

"He's used his head quite a bit."

A faint smile touched Geom Woojin's lips.

"What is the relationship between the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader and the Demon Supremes?"

"It is not very good. After their first meeting with the Demon Supremes upon his arrival, they have not met a single time. The only one he has met with is the Demonic Buddha, with whom he is relatively close."

"What would be the best way to handle this?"

Sama Myeong answered calmly, "For the time being, it would be best to pretend we don't know and just observe."

Geom Woojin contemplated for a moment, and Sama Myeong waited for him to make a decision.

Sama Myeong guessed the Cult Leader's thoughts. The decision was not immediate because it concerned the Heavenly Wind Cult. The Cult Leader did not look favorably upon the Heavenly Wind Cult's advance into the Central Plains. He was deliberating only because the Second Young Lord was involved.

Finally, Geom Woojin made his decision.

"Let's do that."

"……"

Bowing his head respectfully, Sama Myeong was about to turn and leave when he spoke to Geom Woojin.

"If the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader and the Second Young Lord join hands, the Demonic Buddha will not stand by idly. He will likely begin to pull the First Young Lord in in earnest."

In Sama Myeong's judgment, the First Young Lord was holding back despite the Second Young Lord's recent rise. This was partly out of consideration for the Cult Leader, but also because he was still confident that he would become the successor.

However, if Geom Mugeuk were to join hands with the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader, on top of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the Flower Sword Supreme, the First Young Lord would no longer be able to just watch.

Geom Woojin nodded silently with an expression of understanding.

Leaving Geom Woojin alone with his thoughts, Sama Myeong slowly walked out along the path of blood.

He wondered what decision the Cult Leader would make. Would he really allow the First Young Lord to return and jump into the fray? Or would he try to stop the brothers' fight somehow?

Everything depended on the will of the Heavenly Demon.