Chapter 99: When I Return After This Vacation Ends

TL: FoodieMonster007

I left the Valley of Evil and went to the Southern Blade Sect, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's residence. Seo Daeryong trained in the courtyard and startled when he saw the white mask dangling from my waist.

"Gasp! Don't tell me… did you kill the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon too?"

Surprised by his own words, Seo Daeryong hastily covered his mouth.

"Of course. Did you think I'd let a villain like that live?" I said coldly.

Seo Daeryong lowered his hand and looked relieved.

"That's a relief. I really thought you'd killed him."

"I told you I killed him!"

"The Director isn't foolish enough to carry murder evidence on his waist."

"If you know that, why did you ask if I killed him?"

"I was just so shocked when I saw the mask, but what's with it? Are you planning to infiltrate the Valley of Evil?"

"Why would I need this to infiltrate that place? You might need it if you were the one infiltrating."

My Four Strides of the Wind God had improved so much that not even the Faceless Warriors could detect my presence.

"This is a gift the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon gave me."

Seo Daeryong looked even more surprised than before.

"The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon gave it to you as a gift?"

"And it's a gift the Smiling Demon personally bought in the Demon Village. He even paid money for it."

"It's more surprising that he carried money. I'd think he'd just kill someone and take it. Anyway, Director, you'll probably be the first and last person to ever receive a gift from the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon."

"Detective Seo."

"……"

"Our future is as unknowable as a person's heart. Could we have ever imagined on the day we first met that you and I would be having this conversation in the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's courtyard?"

"That's true. Back when I fell for Director Seo's persuasion at the tavern, I really had no idea this training hell was waiting for me."

He sighed, and I smiled.

"One day, you'll say something else too. 'I never knew that hellish training would save my life.'"

Seo Daeryong grinned at me. He was living proof of those words. No trace of cynicism or gloom remained on him. You never know what the future holds for a person.

I left Seo Daeryong to his training and entered the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's house. The Blood Heaven Blade Demon was taking books from a bookshelf.

"Keep playing tricks like that and you'll get your head blown off."

"Does a refined person who reads poetry use such crude language?"

"It's because you're wearing that damn unlucky thing."

I had playfully worn the white mask when I entered the room.

Just as I did with the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon, I pushed the mask onto my head like a hat.

"I'm leaving the Cult tomorrow with the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon. I came to ask you to look after matters within the Cult while I'm away."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon answered without turning around, still removing books from the shelf. "Don't worry, it'll run just fine on its own. It runs without me, and it'll run just fine without you."

"Right? The problem is that it runs too well. Oh, and could you please pass a message to the Sword Supreme for me, Elder?"

"Me?"

"Yes. Tell her I was too busy to say goodbye in person."

I specifically asked the Blood Heaven Blade Demon because I hoped they would meet one more time, using this as an excuse.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon must have guessed my intentions, as he didn't refuse. At times like this, it was clear he also wanted to reconcile with the Sword Supreme.

"Well then, I'll be on my way."

As I turned to leave, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon asked from behind me, "Are you really planning to bring the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon to our side?"

"Even if he's not an ally, I won't let him become an enemy."

"Is there really a need for that?"

"If the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon joins hands with my brother, things will become several times more difficult than they are now."

"The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon isn't the type to sincerely serve someone, even the First Young Lord."

"That's the problem. The two of them will maintain a suitable distance, exchanging tasks and rewards as they move. Given their personalities, they won't get into emotional squabbles or have their pride wounded. That's why they'll get along even better than he did with the Demonic Buddha."

And that was what actually happened. The two of them had great work chemistry and eventually became closer than he was with either the Demonic Buddha or the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.

"Well then, I'll be on my way."

"Wait a moment."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon reinserted the books he had removed, but into different spots. The moment he slotted the last book in…

SHHHHK.

The bookshelf opened and revealed a secret room. It was an elaborate secret passage that opened when specific books were placed in specific spots.

What surprised me more than the secret room itself was that he had opened it so casually in front of me.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon entered the secret room and came out with something. He casually tossed it onto the table in front of me.

"Take it."

"What is this?"

I opened the well-wrapped package and found a thin upper garment inside.

"It's the Ghost Armor. If you wear it, it'll hurt a little less when you get beaten up."

It was not just a matter of hurting 'a little less'. The Ghost Armor was a treasured armor impervious to blades and swords, one of the highest quality among all treasured armors.

"Are you really giving me something this precious?"

"I am."

"You should wear it, Elder."

"What would an old man like me do with it? It'd be unsightly."

"Then you should sell it."

"And if I sell it?"

"You'd make money."

"And with that money?"

Come to think of it, he has no blood relatives to leave his fortune to.

"You could travel the Central Plains and feast on delicacies."

"Delicacies? At my age, I have trouble digesting the noodles I ate for lunch."

My heart ached because I knew he was not just joking. I knew from my own experience. No matter how skilled a master is, aging is inevitable.

"You don't want to wear it? Fine, if you don't."

"Of course not."

He reached to take it back, but I quickly snatched it and put on the Ghost Armor right there.

Isn't it proper etiquette to wear such a treasured armor on the spot?

"It's a perfect fit! And it's so comfortable."

It was so thin and flexible that it felt like I wore nothing at all. If I wrapped the Top-Quality Heavenly Silk over this and used the Heavenly Demon Defense Art, my body would not be severed even if I were hit by sword qi or enhanced sword qi.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon, who was far from one to show off, had already gone out to the courtyard. He started nagging Seo Daeryong, perhaps to avoid my thanks.

I watched the two of them practice their martial arts for a moment, then quietly left his residence.

I intended to repay the Blood Heaven Blade Demon with actions, not words.

"When did you say you're leaving?"

For some reason, Lee Ahn seemed even less worried about me than the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.

"Tomorrow morning."

"Then we can't have a farewell party. Ah, I was hoping we could all get together for a drink after so long."

"Lee Ahn! Is that what's important right now? I'm heading out to the Central Plains with the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon. Don't you think it'll be dangerous? I'll be your bodyguard! Where did she go? My old Lee Ahn!"

"I miss her too, that affectionate Lee Ahn."

"This is all because of your training. I should put a stop to it."

I walked over and examined Lee Ahn's hands. The layers of calluses on her palms spoke of her arduous training.

"Lately, when I hold a sword, something feels different."

She did not elaborate, but I knew what she meant.

The Soaring Sky Sword Art, now at the eighth level, constantly tempted and provoked her. It urged her to find a strong opponent and fight.

Compared to me or the Demon Supremes, she was still lacking, but the eighth-level Soaring Sky Sword Art was a skill that made it difficult to find a worthy opponent in the murim.

"I'll be off, trembling in fear with that terrifying Extremely Evil Smiling Demon."

"And yet, to face that terrifying ordeal, you went to the Heavenly Demon Hall yourself to get permission, didn't you?"

"Who did you hear that from?"

"Detective Seo already paid a visit."

"He must be the right-hand man with the loosest lips in the entire murim."

Lee Ahn did not laugh at my joke. "I was always the first to know your news, Young Master. When you left the Cult like this, I would naturally follow."

"Are you upset?"

At that, her true feelings burst forth.

"Yes, I'm upset. I'm very, very upset."

With a long sigh, her pent-up emotions poured out.

"I'm worried! I want to follow you and protect you! I'm not just a bodyguard anymore, you've given me the undeserved position of a Ghost Shadow Squad leader, but what I still want is to protect you by your side. I'm the kind of person who wants to die by your side, even in death. That's my dream… If I become a greater master than I am now, I'll be able to truly protect you, so I have to endure until I become that useful, I have to endure and train…"

Then, Lee Ahn choked up.

"…I know you're so busy and having a hard time… so I wasn't going to say this… I'm sorry. I'll… I'll train hard."

Finally, the tears she had held back fell from her eyes.

"Pack your things."

Lee Ahn flinched.

"I'm sorry, I was wrong. Please don't kick me out."

"What are you talking about? Pack your things. Let's go together tomorrow."

She looked startled for a moment.

"Really?"

"You're right. If you don't protect me, who will? Let's go together. Go and protect me to your heart's content."

"Yes! That's wonderful!"

For the first time in a long while, Lee Ahn jumped for joy.

"Thank you, Young Master. Thank you so much."

"Leaving home is a hardship, what's there to be thankful for? Our companion is even the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon."

"I'd go even if it were the Cult Leader, not just the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon! I'll see you later. I have a lot to pack. Women have a lot to prepare!"

Acting busy, Lee Ahn ran out of the training grounds first.

Watching her excited state, I realized one thing.

Martial arts training is good, and changes in life are good, but that feeling of joy making her jump around right now is the most important thing… This moment, right now, is the most important.

Perhaps behind my desire for her to become stronger, there was a selfishness, a wish for my own peace of mind.

Could it be that a cowardly subconscious fear, that her hardship would become my own, was at play?

Her life is so vividly alive, progressing in the present, yet I might have pushed her into this training ground to hide my own anxiety.

I finally realized that the true time to bestow the Poison Self-Purification Art had nothing to do with her, but was the moment I conquered my own anxiety. That's why I was able to make a decision.

Yes, the true time has finally come.

When I return after this vacation ends, she will come back as a different person.

The next morning, I went to the Valley of Evil with Lee Ahn. When we arrived, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon had already finished his preparations to leave.

"I plan to travel quietly, so I'm only bringing one friend to attend to me."

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon introduced a Faceless Warrior whose mask had a cool blue stripe drawn on it.

"I am Green Mask."

He greeted me politely. I knew him well as the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon's right-hand man.

His martial arts skills were excellent, and his loyalty was even more so. He was still the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon's right-hand man even when I came looking for the Great Art of Regression.

He was also the unfortunate figure who could not become the next Extremely Evil Smiling Demon because the current one lived for too long.

I introduced Lee Ahn.

"This is my bodyguard."

Lee Ahn politely greeted the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon. "I am Lee Ahn. It's an honor to meet you."

I added, "She is also my heart."

Lee Ahn's face flushed slightly, but she remained silent with her head bowed.

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon heard my words, laughed, and said, "First you reveal your right-hand man, and now you're telling me where your heart is."

"I'm revealing all my weaknesses to make it impossible to know which one is the real one."

"Well then, shall we depart?"

"Let's."

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon and I boarded the carriage, while Lee Ahn and Green Mask sat in the driver's seat. The two of them exchanged light nods. Though they had just met, they shared the common ground of being their masters' bodyguards.

As the carriage set off, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon could not hide his joy.

"I feel great."

"It's been a while since I've been to the Central Plains, so I feel great too."

I meant it. For a while, I had been confined to the Cult, rotating only between the Sanzu River Hall, the training grounds, the Heavenly Demon Hall, and the Alluring Inn.

Thankfully, whenever I felt suffocated, I could rest in a new place using the Spacetime Manipulation Technique. Without that, it would have been truly stifling. It goes without saying how frustrated the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon must have felt, cooped up for two years.

"That mask, you brought it."

The white mask he had given me as a gift hung from my waist.

"The Smiling Demon gave it to me, so of course I had to bring it."

"I'll make you a better one than that cheap thing."

He meant he would make one like his own, where the eyes are not visible from the outside.

"No, it's fine. I like this one better."

"You like that one?"

"Didn't the Smiling Demon buy it for me himself? That alone is enough."

"Second Young Lord. I'm the type of person who suspects everyone I meet. I'm especially suspicious of those who say pleasant things."

"Of course you should be suspicious. I'm being this nice to someone with 'extreme evil' in his alias. There must be an ulterior motive, right?"

"What is your ulterior motive, Second Young Lord?"

I grinned.

"You asked if it wasn't harder to make various expressions, didn't you? I actually prefer it. At times like this, I can deflect the question with an ambiguous expression, can't I?"

He could not press the matter. Just as I did not press him about his promise to take off his mask.

"Why don't you ask where we're going?"

"We're probably going somewhere in this boring world."

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon laughed out loud at my joke.

While we talked, the carriage left our Cult. It began to pick up speed, heading for the Central Plains.