Chapter 89: I'm Not a Fish You've Caught

TL: FoodieMonster007

After parting with my brother, I went to see Lee Ahn.

I don't know why I suddenly thought of Lee Ahn. Maybe I wanted to see the person who understands me best.

Lee Ahn trained hard again today. That was Lee Ahn, always training. Her form reminded me of myself before my regression, back when I gathered materials for the Great Art. I remembered my past self, who never rested while striving for a single goal.

She trained for a long while before finally noticing me.

"Young Master! When did you get here?"

"A while ago."

"What if you were an assassin, Young Master?"

"I suppose you'd have died about twenty times."

"……"

I drew my sword and stepped in front of her.

"Let's reduce those twenty times to nineteen."

Lee Ahn's eyes sparkled when she realized I would demonstrate the Soaring Sky Sword Art.

"Thank you!"

It had been a while since I gave a demonstration. I didn't lower my level. I performed it at the full state of the Eleventh Star.

There's a huge difference between the tenth star of complete mastery and my current state. Of course, she won't be able to feel it as keenly as I can. Her achievement will depend on how much of that difference she can perceive.

After I finished the technique, Lee Ahn stood frozen, lost in deep thought. I could tell Lee Ahn had fallen into a state of selflessness.

I held my breath and sat cross-legged to avoid disturbing her.

There's no telling when she'll emerge from her state of selflessness, so I can't just wait idly.

I started training in the Heavenly Demon Defense Art.

Our training compatibility seems good. I fell into a state of selflessness before, and now it's her turn.

After a full twelve hours passed, I felt her emerge from the state of selflessness.

Congratulations, Lee Ahn.

Falling into a state of selflessness for twelve hours is a rare opportunity in a martial artist's life.

Lee Ahn looked bewildered at the darkened surroundings.

"Young Master?"

"How was it? Your first time in a state of selflessness."

"The state of selflessness? Don't tell me I was in a state of selflessness?"

"You were."

"I think I just spaced out for a moment."

"Well, considering our lifespans, twelve hours is just a moment."

"Twelve hours have passed?"

Lee Ahn was startled.

The moments right after waking from a state of selflessness are always the most important.

"Perform the Soaring Sky Sword Art right now."

"……"

Lee Ahn performed the Soaring Sky Sword Art for me. It was more than effective. Her Soaring Sky Sword Art had reached the eighth star.

"I only saw you perform the technique, Young Master. How can this be?"

"What do you mean, how? It's possible because you train like a bear. Do you really think this could happen just from watching my demonstration?"

"Even so."

"All your accumulated effort completely merged with you during this state of selflessness."

"Ah!"

I taught her, and her outstanding talent drove her to train relentlessly. My Eleventh Star state gave her deeper inspiration. Crucially, she also had twelve hours in a state of selflessness. These factors combined to create a miraculous achievement.

"Don't get too excited. You know progress in martial arts is fast at first but always slows down. Think of this as the real start for the Soaring Sky Sword Art. Forget complete mastery. It could take a lifetime just to go from the eighth star to the ninth."

"Even if it takes a lifetime, I'll definitely achieve complete mastery. Heaven blessed me with such a precious connection. It'd be too pathetic and unfair if I couldn't."

The time to perform the Poison Self-Purification Art on her is one step closer.

My own martial level is important to safely perform the Poison Self-Purification Art without side effects, but after that, her level is what's important. The thought of the world's number one beauty being weak in martial arts makes me imagine all sorts of terrible things waiting for her.

The opportune time I had in mind was when she reached the ninth star. With the ninth star of the Soaring Sky Sword Art, she could protect herself anywhere, but with her achievement today, I feel the timing could be much sooner than I thought.

"Instead of dying twenty times, now you'll die about twice."

Lee Ahn, deeply moved, dropped to the ground and bowed.

"Thank you, Young Master."

"There's no need for formalities between us."

"What exactly is our relationship? I was just a bodyguard. Why are you being so good to me?"

Because you threw your body in front of me to protect me, this whole story could begin.

"Lee Ahn."

"……"

"On my way back from meeting my brother, my mind was troubled. Do you know who I thought of? You. That's why I'm good to you."

She looked at me, moved.

"And you've used two of your five questions."

We had agreed she would only ask why I was good to her five times.

"You have three left now."

"I'll use them sparingly."

"Now that your Soaring Sky Sword Art has reached the eighth star, be careful when you use it. Its power will be completely different."

"Yes, Young Master."

"Lee Ahn. I know these words don't suit you when you're so incredibly excited, but… don't live a life of only training in martial arts."

"……"

Lee Ahn beamed and nodded.

Lee Ahn, this is why.

Because you're the kind of person who nods along beside me like this.

Even though you're smart and clever and must have your own thoughts, you're the kind of person who smiles and nods at my words.

Because you're the kind of person one hopes to have at least one of in their life.

Because you're the kind of person I could give a different answer to even if you asked not four, but a hundred times.

Keep it up, Lee Ahn. Let's get to the ninth star!

When I returned from meeting Lee Ahn, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon was waiting. He had driven the Heaven Destroying Dao into the ground near my residence.

"Why are you here?"

"I was recalling the day I first met you here."

"Now that my brother is back, do you want to turn everything back?"

"I thought I should let you know I'm not a fish you've caught."

He pulled the Heaven Destroying Dao from the ground and drew a long line.

"This is where we were when I first met you."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon made a mark at the start of the line. He had drawn a line just like this on the day he first came to me, poking my side.

"And now, we are here."

He made a new mark just past the halfway point.

"Oh! It's past the halfway mark!"

"Barely. Is that something to be so happy about?"

"This is more than enough."

"Enough?"

"Between friend or foe, we're friends. Between life or death, it's life. Isn't it a burden to be too close to someone? I don't have the confidence to take care of someone to the very end, especially if they keep crossing the line to get closer to me."

I drew the Black Demon Sword and made a mark near the end of the line.

"To get this far, wouldn't someone have to be your child? Well, my father is probably around here."

Then I drew a new mark that didn't even reach the one the Blood Heaven Blade Demon made.

"How are you so good with words? Do you prepare all night? Do you stay up memorizing what you're going to say and how you'll say it?"

"Please say things like that when I visit you, not when you, an Elder, show up unannounced."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon shook his head as if he couldn't win. He had come to see me about my brother.

"I came because I have something to tell you about the First Young Lord."

"Please speak."

"The first Demon Supreme the First Young Lord will meet will probably be the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon. Prepare yourself."

His judgment is correct.

In the past, the three Demon Supremes who most strongly supported my brother were the Demonic Buddha, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, and the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon.

In my life before regression, my brother commits many cruel acts after being chosen as the successor. It wasn't solely his decision. The influence of the Demonic Buddha, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, and the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon, who sided with him, was significant.

Will my brother's fate change too, like the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's or the Flower Sword Supreme's? For that to happen, the fates of the Demonic Buddha and the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon would have to change as well, right?

"So the person closest to him after the Demonic Buddha will be the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon."

"It used to be me, but now the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon will take that place. I expect the First Young Lord will meet all the other Demon Supremes except me. Only the order will be different."

I nodded silently.

"The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon is no ordinary figure."

"I know."

Why else would 'extreme evil' be in his alias?

"You must prepare. Are you just going to stay like this?"

"……"

"You're just going to let it happen?"

"I only need you, Elder, and the Sword Supreme, Senior."

"Those are nice words, but if five Demon Supremes side with the First Young Lord, it'll be difficult to face them."

"Why five and not six?"

"Since the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader has come, doesn't that mean the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme is on our side?"

"Cheong Seon is still young and very ambitious, so we can't be certain. In fact, if my brother tries to win her over, she's the easiest one to persuade."

She could act like an ally and then turn her back on us. My brother could also use her as a spy. There are many possibilities.

"It doesn't matter if the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme is on their side. If my brother wins her over, we could actually use that to our advantage in a critical situation."

"You've thought that far ahead?"

"I have to. Of course, I'll try to prevent that if possible."

It's not because of Cheong Seon, but because of the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader. I also want to see the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme smoothly become his disciple and grow well.

"Then you'll have six opponents. Even for you, this will be difficult. No, it's too difficult for me, so that won't do. You must bring at least one more Demon Supreme firmly to our side."

"Who are you talking about?"

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon's lips twitched as if he would name someone, but he stopped.

"That's for a smart person like you to decide."

He must have someone in mind, but he probably thinks it's not his place to say. It also means he trusts my judgment.

"Hurry and make your move before the First Young Lord wins over all the Demon Supremes."

"My brother will meet someone else before the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon."

"Who else?"

I stared intently at the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.

"Me?"

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon blinked, his expression asking what I was talking about.

"Me?"

"Yes, my brother will visit you first, Elder."

"Impossible. Doesn't he know I've sided with you? He might go to all the other Demon Supremes, but he won't come to me."

"No, even if he doesn't go to the other Demon Supremes, he'll definitely come to you, Elder. After you, he'll go to the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader."

Despite my conviction, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon tilted his head, finding it hard to believe.

"What's your reason?"

"My brother will want to show our father. He'll want to prove the only reason you came to me, Elder, was because he was absent. He'll think snatching you back is worth more points with our father than gathering all the other Demon Supremes."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon nodded slowly. His lack of denial suggested he found it plausible. He stared at me and asked.

"In that case, aren't you anxious I might go back to the First Young Lord?"

I paused briefly before answering.

"I am anxious."

"Really?"

I said with a completely serious face.

"Of course. You saw my brother that day, right? Giving a gift to the Flower Sword Supreme. It's not the gift that's impressive, but his meticulousness. He'll try to give you, Elder, something even more impressive."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon nodded. He knew my brother as well as anyone.

"I hope you won't go, Elder. Whatever good offer my brother makes, please tell me. I'll hold onto you with a better offer."

"You're not asking me to stay out of loyalty?"

"We're not twenty-year-old kids, are we?"

"But you are, aren't you?"

"Ah, that's right, but I'm an old soul."

I laughed awkwardly.

"At the very least, he won't be able to take you, Elder."

"……"

"Because I'll bet everything I have to make a better offer, and if he finds a weakness and blackmails you, you must tell me that too."

"And why is that?"

"Because I'll definitely resolve it for you. If you ask whether I can, I believe I've shown you enough so far. If you don't want to show me that weakness, please remember we're at a point where we've seen everything about each other."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon stared at me silently for a moment. Then he retrieved the deeply embedded Heaven Destroying Dao and stood up.

"We'll see. Whether he comes to me first, just as you said."

As he turned to leave, he glanced at the line on the ground.

"And where this line will move, too."