Chapter 90: A Relationship Worse Than Not Being Close

TL: FoodieMonster007

Truthfully, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon had been filled with disbelief until he told Geom Mugeuk to wait and see.

Geom Muyang would come to see me first? Without dealing with the other Demon Supremes? That can't be right.

But just as Geom Mugeuk predicted, Geom Muyang visited that very night.

"What brings you here?"

Geom Muyang held up a bottle of liquor. "I came because I wanted to have a drink with you, Elder. If I remember right, you used to like this liquor, didn't you?"

"You remembered. Well, alright." The Blood Heaven Blade Demon didn't invite Geom Muyang inside. Instead, he sat with him on a wide, flat rock in the courtyard. "It's cooler out here. Let's have a drink."

"Sounds good."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon had a servant bring out cups and some simple side dishes. They had met on the day Geom Muyang returned, but they hadn't had a chance to properly observe each other.

Now, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon could finally and calmly examine Geom Muyang's qi. It was indeed different from when Geom Muyang had left.

"I hear you've overcome the Nine Demonic Walls?"

"Thanks to your concern, I was able to pass."

"Congratulations."

"Thank you."

"The Cult Leader must have been pleased."

"……"

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon asked various things about the Nine Demonic Walls, and Geom Muyang answered sincerely. The two of them used to discuss martial arts in the past. Geom Muyang enjoyed talking about martial arts with the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, feeling a strange connection with him.

As the liquor bottle neared empty, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon spoke first.

"I know you came here to ask something. So, feel free to ask."

"Yes, then I'll ask you straight, man to man. Why did you choose my younger brother? I imagine you must have had a reason or a catalyst."

"Of course, I did."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon paused, considering what to say.

"Your younger brother has a power that draws people's hearts."

Geom Muyang silently nodded.

"A power that draws hearts…"

He had anticipated several answers and thought this was possible, yet, hearing it directly engulfed Geom Muyang in helplessness and disappointment. No one had ever told him that he was someone who drew people's hearts.

"I've never felt such a power from Mugeuk. Ah, I'm not saying this to disparage Mugeuk. I'm just curious what that feeling is like."

"Of course you wouldn't have felt it. The Second Young Lord had no reason to draw your heart, and you didn't have the leeway to accept your brother's heart, did you?"

"Yes, that's true."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon poured a drink for Geom Muyang, who nodded obediently.

"You are an excellent martial artist. You certainly have the qualities to become the Heavenly Demon."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon genuinely thought so. If Geom Mugeuk hadn't shot up like a madman, he would have continued to support Geom Muyang.

"And yet, you still chose my younger brother, didn't you?"

"Sometimes in life, a person can be swept away by a sudden gust of wind."

"I hope that I am where that wind is headed. I want to walk this path together with you, Elder."

His shining eyes fixed on the Blood Heaven Blade Demon. At that moment, Geom Muyang was speaking from the heart.

"Aren't there many other Demon Supremes?"

"No. I absolutely need you, Elder."

"The reason?"

Although the Demonic Buddha followed him like a right-hand man, Geom Muyang preferred the Blood Heaven Blade Demon deep in his heart.

"Because you are… absolutely necessary to me."

He gave no other reason.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon thought that if he hadn't heard from Geom Mugeuk that Geom Muyang would visit, he might have been moved by this earnestness.

"May I make a few proposals to you, Elder?"

"Go ahead."

"When I become the Heavenly Demon, I will place you, Elder, in the position of the Strongest Demon Supreme."

"The Strongest Demon Supreme?"

"Yes. I'll create the highest position among the Demon Supremes, one acknowledged even by the Heavenly Demon Hall. Furthermore, I'll triple the size of the Southern Blade Sect. I'll lift the limit on the number of blade demons and drastically increase support. Not only that, I'll specially open the Heavenly Demon Archives to you, Elder. You may go and look whenever you wish."

Geom Muyang knew the Blood Heaven Blade Demon loved books. The Heavenly Demon Archives stored not just martial arts manuals but also many rare poetry collections and anthologies that the Blood Heaven Blade Demon would want to see.

It was a truly unconventional proposal, considering fairness with the other Demon Supremes.

Of course, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon was not naive enough to believe all of his words.

What if, after becoming the Heavenly Demon, Geom Muyang says, 'The backlash from the other Demon Supremes is much worse than I thought, so could you please concede a little, Demon Supreme'?

By then, he would be even older, a tiger without fangs.

"The Demonic Buddha would be disappointed to hear that. He's probably convinced he'll become the Strongest Demon Supreme."

Geom Muyang was not flustered, as if he had expected this reaction.

"It can't be helped. I respect and like Elder Demonic Buddha, but I believe you're the person who suits that position, Elder Blade Demon. You can even tell Elder Demonic Buddha what I've just said."

It seems he's confident I'll never tell the Demonic Buddha. Where does such confidence come from? Does he consider me such a noble person?

"I'll think about your proposal."

"Yes, thank you."

They toasted with their last cups, and Geom Muyang stood. As he was about to leave, Geom Muyang added one last thing.

"Elder, I will definitely be the one to become the Heavenly Demon."

After Geom Muyang disappeared, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon took something from his mouth. It was the Antitoxin Bead that Geom Mugeuk had given him. He had not fully trusted Geom Muyang, who had brought the liquor.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon muttered to himself.

"…Yes, there was a time I was certain of that."

When Geom Muyang returned, the Demonic Buddha was waiting for him.

"Did you perhaps go to see the Blood Heaven Blade Demon?"

"Our Cult is the same as ever. There are no secrets."

"How can you talk about secrets when you went so brazenly? Why on earth did you do that?" the Demonic Buddha demanded.

"I went to win him over."

"……"

"He said he'd think about it."

"He's a traitor."

The Demonic Buddha deliberately used the strong word.

"Someone who has turned their back once will do it again. You know that, don't you?"

Then, Geom Muyang said something surprising.

"He was holding the Antitoxin Bead in his mouth while drinking."

"That man must be insane!"

While the Demonic Buddha seethed with fury, Geom Muyang was calm.

"He wasn't trying to hide it. It was just like Elder Blade Demon to say, 'I don't trust you'."

"Don't associate with him anymore," the Demonic Buddha insisted.

Even more surprising words flowed from Geom Muyang's mouth.

"Oh, and I offered the position of the Strongest Demon Supreme to Elder Blade Demon."

The Demonic Buddha was stunned for a moment. The words were so unexpected that he froze. He had always thought the position of the Strongest Demon Supreme was his to take.

So, the Demonic Buddha waited for the next words. Words like, I only said that to win him over, so don't worry about it.

However, Geom Muyang did not say those words.

So what does that mean? Are you really going to give it to him?

The Demonic Buddha unknowingly clenched his jaw. A person grinding their teeth is noticeable if one observes closely, and a master like Geom Muyang could not have missed it, yet, Geom Muyang pretended not to see and showed no reaction.

All sorts of thoughts raced through the Demonic Buddha's mind.

Was it a mistake? Or is he just being insensitive? Or perhaps he knows and is doing it intentionally?

He thought this might be punishment for bringing in the Yunnan Eccentric Duo. Similar things had happened before. The most bewildering part was that Geom Muyang was more brilliant and intelligent than anyone.

That was why the Demonic Buddha was always confused. He thought it might not be a simple mistake but an action with some hidden intent.

And worst of all was this. He couldn't voice these feelings.

If it were anyone else, he would have already asked directly. Why are you doing this? Are you ignoring me? Don't do this.

But those words did not come easily when it came to Geom Muyang. Was it because they had gotten off on the wrong foot? Or was there some invisible wall that Geom Muyang had intentionally erected between them?

His relationship with Geom Muyang was one where he suffered alone.

A relationship worse than not being close…

In the end, the Demonic Buddha rationalized it as he always did.

Yes, it's understandable. He's still young.

He, the adult, had to endure it. The task he had taken on was to make a vigorous young man into the Heavenly Demon.

"You need to take care of our people too. They are all watching."

You should know that these words came after countless agonizing thoughts!

Did Geom Muyang read the Demonic Buddha's inner thoughts?

"I don't feel much affection for the other Demon Supremes."

"What do you mean?"

"You, Elder, and the Blade Demon openly declare who you support, don't you? But the rest of them are just watching from the sidelines. They'll just join whichever side is more advantageous later. It's so shallow."

It would have been so much better if he had just left out the Blood Heaven Blade Demon from that statement. No, if he really intended to deceive me, he would have intentionally left him out. Speaking so honestly like this must be his way of respecting me.

"Still, we absolutely need them," the Demonic Buddha said.

"I'm only trusting you and moving forward, Elder."

The Demonic Buddha and Geom Muyang faced each other and smiled. The Demonic Buddha felt somewhat better, but the knot in his heart did not loosen.

So who are you going to give the Strongest Demon Supreme position to?

In the end, neither Geom Muyang nor the Demonic Buddha brought it up.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon came to see me with a newly surprised look on his face.

"You were right. The First Young Lord really did come to see me. How on earth did you know?"

"This is a secret… but I have the ability to see the future."

"Seeing as you're still a madman, I guess no one has stolen your mind with soul-stealing arts."

I laughed at the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's joke.

"Didn't I tell you? That's just how my brother is."

"I felt something new and profound this time."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon hesitated for a moment. What he said next was something he had planned to say, but it was a statement worth hesitating over, given his personality.

"I've come to realize anew what kind of person you are to me."

"!"

I tensed up. It was the first time the Blood Heaven Blade Demon had spoken about me this way.

"What do you mean?"

"No matter what temptations the First Young Lord offered, they didn't register with me. Just as you said, he made an unconventional proposal, but I wasn't moved at all."

I could hear the door to his heart opening a little wider. I was grateful to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon for telling me this.

Yes, you have to say it like this for people to know. Everyone acts like they already know, but if you don't say it, they don't.

I immediately drew the Black Demon Sword and etched a long line on the ground. Then I drew another line a little to the right of the one the Blood Heaven Blade Demon had drawn before.

"Has your affection for me come to about here now?"

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon didn't deny it, but he didn't forget to add a warning.

"But you know what will happen if you get arrogant, right?"

"What will happen?"

"You'll pay a harsh price. Of all the products that come with a price, arrogance is displayed at the very front."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon sometimes used expressions that didn't seem to suit him, perhaps because he reads so many books. I really like this side of him.

"I'll keep that in mind."

"If what you say is true, the First Young Lord will also visit the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader. Is it okay to just leave him be?"

"We have to."

"I wonder if he'll be as steadfast as I am."

"But on that side, there are two people, aren't there?"

"Two people? Who? Go Wol?"

"The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader will definitely discuss the matter with Go Wol."

"Do you trust Go Wol?"

"……"

"You shouldn't trust people so easily."

I think the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's wariness contains a hint of jealousy. I have no intention of using that jealousy to win his heart, so I obediently followed his words.

"Yes, I will always remain vigilant. Please keep a close watch as well, Elder."

"I will. By the way, with the First Young Lord stirring things up like this, do you plan to just stand by?"

"He's been back for a while, so I should let him have the first move this once. Let's see what my brother does."

I thought it was for the best. My brother would put us all to the test.

"Let's see if the ground hardens after the rain, or if we'll end up rolling naked in the mud."