Chapter 87: Blood Rains from the Sky

TL: FoodieMonster007

The younger man stepped forward and offered a clasped-hands greeting.

"I'm So Tae from Shaanxi. I've long revered the Divine Cult, and a chance meeting with the Demon Supreme led me here. This is my Master."

The old man greeted him next.

"I'm Jongmak from Shaanxi. It's a pleasure to meet the heroes of the Divine Cult."

No master and disciple named So Tae and Jongmak ever lived in Shaanxi.

Their true identities were the Yunnan Eccentric Duo. As masters of disguise, faking their age was a basic skill. They disguised themselves as thin men, fat men, merchants, monks, and even women. In reality, the young man was the First Eccentric, older than the Second Eccentric who was disguised as an old man.

They used their disguises to deceive people and commit countless evil deeds. They plundered merchants' wealth and even taunted and killed strangers just because they disliked their faces. Their lust was also strong. They would assault any beautiful woman they saw and viciously murder anyone who tried to stop them.

The Murim Alliance declared them public enemies, but they were never caught. Their formidable martial arts and mastery of disguise made them difficult to capture.

They lived to a ripe old age, which led to a popular saying.

The heavens are not indifferent. They are already dead.

This saying existed entirely because of these men.

And crucially, these bastards also ruined my life.

The First Eccentric, disguised as a young man, stepped forward. "It would be an honor for my family if the esteemed Second Young Lord would teach me a lesson."

What was meant to happen, happened. The same thing occurred around this time in my life before regression.

I was a real idiot back then. The king of idiots, a shit-for-brains idiot. Why on earth did I accept the duel?

Back then, I dueled this man in a different situation. They had come with the Demonic Buddha even then. At a banquet for our Cult's demons, the Demonic Buddha introduced the Yunnan Eccentric Duo and goaded me so I couldn't refuse.

He expertly exploited my psychology. Instead of suggesting I teach the man a lesson, he scolded the First Eccentric.

"How dare you request a duel with such an esteemed person? This isn't your place. If the Second Young Lord gets hurt by mistake, you won't keep your life."

He said the exact same thing back then.

It was like saying, 'Would that coward dare flip it?' instead of 'Flip the table like a man.' My twenty-year-old self lived and died by others' opinions, so I fell for that shallow provocation.

At that time, I had also been afflicted with Qi Dispersing Poison during the War between the Divine and Demonic. I lost a duel and was desperately trying to restore my reputation. I personally proved that the lower one's self-esteem, the easier it is to fall for an opponent's provocation.

The result was disastrous. I had complacently thought I couldn't lose to someone my age, but we weren't the same age at all. He broke my arm, fractured my ribs, and bruised my face so badly I couldn't go outside for a while.

The physical injuries weren't the real problem. My pride was shattered because I lost to a peer, and the self-loathing from falling for his provocation tormented me. Father and the Cult's demons were disappointed in me. After being thoroughly beaten by an outsider, my authority and prestige hit rock bottom.

The Yunnan Eccentric Duo fled that same day, and I couldn't even uncover their true identities at the time.

And now, those very bastards have appeared before my eyes again. So, when they followed the Demonic Buddha into my room, how could I not be thrilled?

"Of course, this precious body of mine can't get hurt. The rising masters these days are so fearsome."

I could just back out like that. The more confident a person is, the more leisurely they handle such situations. Of course, that wasn't my plan for today.

"Still, it wouldn't be polite to refuse such an earnest request, would it?"

I was curious. Does my brother know what kind of people these men are? Hyung, this is a problem whether you know or not.

"Thank you for accepting the duel. You truly live up to your great reputation, Second Young Lord."

"But you keep sprinkling gold dust on my face. Have you heard anything about my reputation? If you know of anything I've done recently, name just one."

The First Eccentric was flustered, clearly not expecting such a direct question.

"My head isn't very good, so I don't remember well. I'm uneducated, so I have no manners either. I hope the Second Young Lord will understand."

"I thought as much. Demanding a duel at our first meeting shows you have no manners, and since you're doing this without knowing my personality or skills, it seems your head definitely isn't good. Still, it's a relief you know yourself well."

The duo's expressions hardened at my mockery. I could feel them struggling to suppress their malice.

"Since your head is no good, let's enjoy a round with our bodies, Second Young Lord."

"Let's."

We went outside and faced each other in the courtyard. Everyone else followed.

"Do you use fists and palms?"

"I do."

"I use a sword, so be careful my blade doesn't cut off your hands."

"You should be careful too, Second Young Lord. You might have to hold that sword with your left hand from now on."

Just as the man intensified his gaze to build tension, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon stepped forward.

"I'll be taking my leave. I've been sleeping more in the evenings as I get older."

He seemed uninterested in the duel's outcome and unwilling to linger where the First Young Lord and I were together.

Then, the Flower Sword Supreme also prepared to leave.

"I'll be going as well. My skin gets rough if I don't get enough sleep."

As the two bid farewell, Geom Muyang bowed politely. "Please, rest well. I'll visit you separately later."

The Demonic Buddha asked the question my brother wanted to ask. "It seems you're not worried about the Second Young Lord."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon walked away without a glance, tossing out a single phrase.

"Worried? My ass."

The Flower Sword Supreme followed him. For this moment, at least, they were of one mind. They knew to avoid the gossip that would come from watching such a fight. More importantly, they didn't have an ounce of worry for me.

Surprisingly, Jang Ho also prepared to leave.

"Well then, I have some business to attend to, so I'll be on my way."

As the quick-witted bear left, the nine-tailed fox followed.

"Then I'll be off as well."

I said to Lee Ahn, "Lee Ahn, you're leaving too?"

"Yes. I have to go train."

"I don't care about the others, but you should at least stay and pretend to be worried. You've changed!"

"Of course, I've changed. It's because someone kept singing about how I needed to change, how I had to change."

As she walked away, she looked back at Seo Daeryong.

"Aren't you leaving?"

"I'm going to stay and watch. I think it'll be helpful for my martial arts training."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon, already walking away, shouted from a distance.

"There's nothing here that will help you. Go get some sleep."

With his master's command, he couldn't stay. Seo Daeryong grinned at me.

"So he says. His hearing is so sharp."

After Seo Daeryong left, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader also made a move.

"If I stay when everyone else is leaving, won't I look like I have too much free time?"

And so, they all left after saying a word or two.

"You're all too much!"

I cried out, but no one looked back.

I could tell. Though their reasons differed, their actions were filled with respect for me. It was a display for my brother.

We trust the Second Young Lord this much.

By leaving, they were showing their loyalty to me in a sophisticated way.

Now, only Go Wol, who lived with me, remained.

"You are my only true loyal subject."

"I was just about to say I was going inside to sleep. I don't enjoy watching fights."

"No, you can't. At least one person has to watch."

"Then please finish it quickly."

"I will."

Everyone else watched this exchange with surprise and disbelief. The Yunnan Eccentric Duo, feeling ignored, openly showed their displeasure. Even Geom Muyang, who rarely showed his emotions, could not completely hide his surprise.

The First Eccentric stepped forward. "The spectators have left, which takes some of the fun out of it, but the power in my fists hasn't waned. Let's have a go."

He was anxious, worried the duel might be called off.

Do not worry, villain.

"Let's," I said. "This is a fight I've waited a long time for."

A fight I've waited for longer than you could possibly imagine. I accepted the duel not just for revenge, but to pass judgment on their evil deeds. They were part of the absolute evil I spoke of.

Some are called absolute evil because they are too strong. Others, like these men, are absolute evil because they are cunning and wicked. They are bastards skilled in disguise, impossible to catch once they hide. They treat others' lives like flies but consider their own so precious they'll do anything to preserve them. That's why bastards like these, who live well until they die of old age, are also absolute evil.

It seems the heavens didn't like the popular saying about them being dead. They sent these men before me instead.

"Now, I won't go easy on you just because you're the Second Young Lord, so be careful!"

The First Eccentric was merciless from the start. Their mission was to beat me and disappear, no matter what.

How much did the Demonic Buddha pay them? They must have received a considerable amount to come all the way to our Cult to face me.

I dodged his fist and lightly grabbed his wrist.

The man was horrified. He never imagined I would catch his wrist on the first move. He tried to shake free, but my grip held firm.

His eyes widened in disbelief.

No way?

Just then, my sword flashed out like lightning.

"……"

In a single move, I severed the man's wrist.

"……"

He let out a short scream and instinctively tried to stop the bleeding.

SWOOOSH! SLICE!

Without hesitation, I cut off his other wrist.

"Aaaaaaaargh!"

He screamed in pain, flailing his severed arms and spraying blood like a fountain. Blood rained down. I didn't dodge it. Neither did my brother.

We just stared at each other amidst the shower of blood.

Just then, the Second Eccentric attacked my back. He likely planned to subdue me and then treat the First Eccentric. I was about to turn and block, but I saw my brother draw his sword, so I stayed still.

SHWAAAAAAK!

Fierce sword qi grazed my face, but I didn't even blink as I stared at my brother. The energy cleanly bisected the Second Eccentric who was charging from behind.

In an instant, the courtyard became a sea of blood.

I asked the Demonic Buddha, "What exactly were you expecting?"

It was a loaded question. My brother may have been far away, but you have heard and seen everything about me. Did you think the Yunnan Eccentric Duo could beat and humiliate me? Did you think I would be defeated by them like in the past and hide away in a corner of my room?

I peeled the mask from the unconscious First Eccentric's face.

RIIIIIP.

A middle-aged man's face appeared.

"Who are you?" I asked, deliberately trying to reveal his identity to see my brother's reaction.

The First Eccentric only glared at me resentfully, saying nothing.

"I'll cut off your ankles too."

As I raised my sword, the man shouted, "…We are the Yunnan Eccentric Duo."

"……"

In that moment, the First Eccentric's head exploded. A golden light frosted the flowing blood before vanishing. The Demonic Buddha had killed him.

The Demonic Buddha's eyes shimmered with golden light as an immense energy pressed down on the surroundings. This was not the same man who had bickered with the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader. He exuded a fierce aura as he spoke coldly.

"Did you ask what I expected? I wanted to show your brother his reality. That a man who can cut down the Yunnan Eccentric Duo in a single move is his rival. I wanted to show him you cutting down those bastards with the Black Demon Sword, which the Cult Leader didn't give to him. This is the reality you now face."

He wasn't speaking to me. He was speaking to my brother.

This man, the Demonic Buddha! He is certainly an evil person, but his devotion to my brother is genuine.

My gaze turned to Geom Muyang. Blood trickled down his face, just like mine.

Geom Muyang asked calmly, "Are you hurt anywhere?"

"No, thanks to you."

"I'm glad to see your martial arts have improved so much. It's a good thing for our Cult."

"My martial arts have improved, but your acting has gotten better, Hyung."

"What do you mean?"

"You're not the type to bring just anyone with you, are you?"

"If you're asking whether I knew they were the Yunnan Eccentric Duo, I did not. I'll see you tomorrow morning when we greet Father."

With that, my brother and the Demonic Buddha left.

I had to acknowledge my brother for maintaining his composure. I could see why the Blood Heaven Blade Demon supported him in the past. He was worthy of it.

I walked toward the corpses of the Yunnan Eccentric Duo.

I killed them so easily because I didn't want to grant their deaths any meaning. For people like them, even a single last word is a waste. The cold rice in prison is a waste. Killing them like insects and forgetting they ever existed is the ultimate punishment.

I searched the two corpses and found bank notes. Each carried a note for one hundred thousand taels.

"Let it be known. For two hundred thousand taels, you can get the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's Second Young Lord beaten up."

Go Wol smiled faintly at my joke. I gave him the bank notes.

"Use this to help with your work. Or do you think it's dirty money because it came from these men?"

"Money has no name tag. Its value is determined by how it's used."

Go Wol never makes me regret my choices. This is why I worked so hard to bring a strategist like him to my side.

"I'll take care of the bodies. Please go inside and wash off the blood."

I looked up at the sky and muttered, "My brother returns, and immediately, a rain of blood falls from the sky."