Chapter 71: Plotting with Everyone

TL: FoodieMonster007

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon came to see me.

He used to wait near my residence with his large blade stuck in the ground. These days, he came directly to me. If I was at home, he would come to my home. If I was in my office, like today, he would come to my office.

The notion that "I am the elder, so you must come to me" never existed for the Blood Heaven Blade Demon. He was the type who came when he wanted and left when he wanted.

"Have you heard the news? The third disciple of the Western Illusion Sanctum has become the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's disciple."

"Yes, I have."

"This was your doing, wasn't it?"

"Why do you always assume I'm behind everything new that happens?"

"So, it wasn't you?"

"It was."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon raised his voice. "I knew it! What in the world are you plotting with the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader?"

"Plotting is too grand a word. I'm just helping him out."

"Are you really trying to help the Heavenly Wind Cult advance into the Central Plains?"

"Is there a problem with that?"

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon asked with a serious expression, "Can you handle the consequences?"

"If you're talking about the Heavenly Wind Cult, don't I have you, Elder? If you won't fight a Demon Supreme, then please, at least face the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader for me."

"You shouldn't underestimate that man. He may have been dragged to our Cult, but he is the leader of the Outer Regions Murim. If the Outer Regions Murim goes on a rampage, the Central Plains will become a sea of blood."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon was serious, and I took his advice to heart.

"I'll keep that in mind."

Thinking about what a formidable person the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader was naturally brought the man in shackles to mind. He was the one controlling and leading this incredible Heavenly Wind Cult Leader.

"But why Cheong Seon?"

"She was easy to move."

"Do you think Cheong Seon can become the next Demon Supreme?"

"From my perspective, the first disciple and the third disciple are practically the same. It will take a considerable amount of time for either of them to become a proper Demon Supreme."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon nodded as if he agreed.

"So, Elder, you should raise Detective Seo well."

"Tell him to wake up from that dream."

"I'm the one dreaming. Detective Seo doesn't have such dreams."

"Stop meddling in other people's affairs and mind your own business."

As he was about to get up, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon noticed the Top-Quality Heavenly Silk wrapped around my wrist.

"What is that?"

"I'm wearing it for style."

"You got that from the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader, didn't you?"

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon immediately recognized that this was no ordinary item.

"Why do you think so?"

"It's something I haven't seen before, and you wouldn't help the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader without getting something in return."

"Isn't it too heartless to expect a reward every time I help someone?"

"So? You didn't get anything?"

"I did."

"You heartless bastard!"

I laughed, and the Blood Heaven Blade Demon shook his head as if I were hopeless.

"This is Top-Quality Heavenly Silk."

"Ah! So this is it."

"As expected, you know of it."

"This is the first time I'm seeing it in person."

"Shall I cut some off for you?" I moved as if to unwind the Top-Quality Heavenly Silk from my sword's hilt.

"No need. It's an item that doesn't suit this old body of mine."

"Isn't that all the more reason for an old body to wear it?"

"Forget it."

He had no authoritarianism and no greed. At times like this, I wondered if his true nature was that of a man who simply enjoyed reading poetry and painting.

"Did you get anything else besides this?"

"I also received the Blood God Pill."

I was honest with the Blood Heaven Blade Demon. I had been so far, and I intended to continue being so. I believed this honesty would be the key to completely opening the door to his heart.

"The Blood God Pill?"

Perhaps because I said it so casually, it took the Blood Heaven Blade Demon a moment to process what the Blood God Pill was.

His expression changed in sequence. What was the Blood God Pill again? The Blood God Pill? Huh? Surely not that Blood God Pill? This is insane! The Blood God Pill?

Startled, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon shot up from his seat.

"The greatest divine pill of the Outer Regions?"

"……"

"You're telling me the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader gave that to you?" He was so shocked that he was speechless for a moment. "Where is it?"

"It's in my stomach."

"Good heavens! Your inner arts must have surpassed mine by now."

I simply smiled. In truth, my inner arts were already on par with the Demon Supremes thanks to the Demonic Essence Pill and the Cheonoesindan. Now that I had also consumed the Blood God Pill, I would overwhelm them in terms of inner arts.

"Don't worry. You are still my left wing, Elder."

"Hmph! Now that you've received a divine pill more effective than the Cheonoesindan and even Top-Quality Heavenly Silk, you'll probably just tear off your left wing."

"My left wing is one with my body, so it cannot be replaced. If you tear it off, I'll die."

"As I've said before, if the body dies, the wing will fly off to find a new body."

"I'll pray it finds a better body."

Though we exchanged words like a joke, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's expression had softened.

"You weren't jealous just now, were you?"

"Jealousy? Nonsense! It's a check. I have to do this to make it clear that you can't covet my position just because you received some divine items."

"Message received."

"I'm really leaving now. Get back to your work."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon stood up. As he was about to leave, he said abruptly, "I… wouldn't mind even being a dragonfly's wing."

Meaning it was fine to attach multiple wings.

His words moved me. How could I ever treat the Blood Heaven Blade Demon lightly when he possessed such magnanimity?

Just as he was about to leave, a subordinate entered and announced another visitor.

"The Flower Sword Supreme has arrived."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon was startled at the news.

"Did you call her here to meet me?"

"How can you say that when you're the one who showed up unannounced?"

A flustered Blood Heaven Blade Demon opened the window. I stopped him as he tried to leave through it.

"That's far too undignified."

"She'll be displeased to see me."

He was still awkward and uncomfortable with his relationship with the Flower Sword Supreme.

"What does it matter? Since when have you cared so much about what others think?"

After hesitating by the window for a moment, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon returned to his seat.

In the meantime, the Flower Sword Supreme entered.

Seeing the Blood Heaven Blade Demon in the office, she was surprised.

"You? You didn't arrange this meeting on purpose, did you?"

I smiled at her. "How can you two be so alike? How would I know when either of you were coming? You both came without any notice. If you want to complain, complain to the one up there."

As I spoke, I glanced up at the sky outside the window.

Even without me explicitly saying, "Isn't this all fate?" the two of them understood my meaning.

These were two people I wanted to bring together, even by force. Seeing them meet so naturally made me wonder if the heavens were truly arranging their reconciliation.

"Now, please sit."

The Flower Sword Supreme sat down facing the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.

"What brings you here, Senior?"

"I came because there is something I need to tell you."

At that, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon stood up. "Please talk amongst yourselves. I'll be leaving."

"It's a story you can listen to as well."

She must be uncomfortable with the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, so stopping him like this meant the matter concerned all of us. It must be important. Indeed, what she revealed was just that.

"The Demonic Buddha came to see me and made a request."

"What kind of request?"

"He asked me to support Yang Do, the first disciple of the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme."

The selection of a new Demon Supreme was entirely under the jurisdiction of the Eight Demon Supremes. If a Demon Supreme died without a successor, the remaining Demon Supremes would recommend candidates and decide on the next one. This meant one had to receive the support of more than half of the Demon Supremes to ascend.

"You said it before, didn't you? That as duel friends, it would be good if I supported your person."

"You remembered."

Meanwhile, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon wondered what she was talking about.

"Duel friends? What does that mean?"

"Something like that happened."

"It seems you're plotting with everyone except me."

"How could that be? You are my first wing, Elder."

This time, the Flower Sword Supreme asked, "A wing?"

"The Elder is my left wing, and right now, I'm desperately searching for a right wing."

I intentionally stared at the Flower Sword Supreme. Having read my desire for her to become my right wing, the Flower Sword Supreme quickly changed the subject.

"So? Who are you supporting?"

"Cheong Seon."

"I had a feeling that would be the case. I thought your intentions would differ from the Demonic Buddha's. Fine, I'll support Cheong Seon too."

Going against the request of another Demon Supreme must be quite a burden, even setting aside her relationship with the Demonic Buddha. Nevertheless, she was readily willing to support me.

She was also being considerate. I could tell just by how she had asked the Blood Heaven Blade Demon to listen as well. This matter required the help of both of them.

"Thank you."

I was truly grateful to her. That included the time she helped me with Sa Woojong.

Alright, Senior. Let's be duel friends for life.

She did not even ask why I chose Cheong Seon. That is how much she trusted me.

Then, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon asked me, "But even so, that's only two votes from us, isn't it? Have you secured votes from any other Demon Supremes?"

To place Cheong Seon in the position of Demon Supreme, four votes out of the seven Demon Supremes were needed.

"Not yet."

"What are you going to do?"

I spoke politely to the two of them. "I ask that each of you persuade just one person. Please."

"What's in it for us if Cheong Seon becomes the Demon Supreme?" the Blood Heaven Blade Demon asked.

I answered cheerfully, "It's better for me than it is for you two."

"It has to be good for me!"

"What's good for me is good for you, Elder."

Of course, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon was just feigning reluctance, even though he was going to grant my request.

On the other hand, the Flower Sword Supreme readily accepted.

"For you, I'll try to persuade the other Demon Supremes. If it goes well, at least one person will cast their vote for Cheong Seon."

Suddenly, it occurred to me that her favor might not be just because of our duel. The favor she was showing me was too great for that to be the only reason.

Looking at her, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon said with a sullen face, "When you act like that, it makes me look bad, doesn't it?"

He had said it to break the awkward atmosphere with her, but the Flower Sword Supreme retorted with a stern expression.

"Weren't you a person with nothing to begin with?"

In an instant, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's expression hardened. The good atmosphere cooled in a flash.

Their gazes clashed mid-air. They fought with their eyes, neither backing down an inch.

I did not intervene, giving them enough time to vent their emotions. This process had to be repeated continuously. After all, it was not as if they would kill each other.

The one who turned his head first was the Blood Heaven Blade Demon. The winner of the staring contest, the Flower Sword Supreme, scoffed. Fortunately, the time it took to resolve their conflicts was gradually shortening.

I smiled at the Flower Sword Supreme to express my gratitude.

"Thank you for telling me about the Demonic Buddha. I'm even more grateful that you're willing to persuade the other Demon Supremes. I will never forget this kindness, Senior."

"Kindness? Don't mention it. I'll see you next time."

The Flower Sword Supreme replied with a smile and left the office first.

Soon after she left, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon also rose from his seat.

"I'll be going too."

Receiving the divine items from the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader, being duel friends with the Flower Sword Supreme… these things could have easily bothered him, but the Blood Heaven Blade Demon showed no sign of it.

"To me, you are always the top priority, Elder."

"You're all talk."

When I gave an awkward laugh, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon chuckled as well.

"Even though the Sword Supreme left so confidently, persuading the other Demon Supremes won't be easy. The Demonic Buddha's side will be moving diligently as well."

"Please help me too, Elder."

"I'm being ostracized by the other Demon Supremes. Do you think it'll work?"

Despite his words, his retreating back was more reassuring than anyone's.

If each of them could persuade just one person, our side could secure four votes. It was difficult for even me to predict how things would turn out.

I decided to simply trust the two of them. Both the Blade Demon and the Sword Supreme had lived for decades as Demon Supremes. I would trust the lives they had lived.

In any case, since the two of them were doing something difficult for my sake, I could not just hand over the fruits of their labor to the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader for free.

I headed for the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's residence. However, my purpose this time was not a divine item. I intended to lay the first stone in a plan to obtain something even more precious.