Chapter 102: I'd Rather You Survive

TL: FoodieMonster007

My claim to be the Heavenly Demon's son surprised everyone. Bi Sayin, So Jongtae, and all seven members of the Thirteen Evil Wolves stared in shock.

"Are you really Geom Mugeuk?"

Bi Sayin's face twisted, and his voice deepened.

"That's right."

Bi Sayin turned to the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon for confirmation.

"I'm asking the Demon Supreme. Is it true?"

"What fool would dare impersonate the Cult Leader's relative in front of me?"

That settled it. The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon wouldn't call a fake real unless he was insane.

"Why are you here?"

The Evil Alliance knew the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon had left the Cult. They just didn't know I was with him.

"Likely for the same reason you are. To resolve this without bloodshed. Isn't that why you came with that giant dao?"

Instead of answering, Bi Sayin asked another question.

"How did you know it was me?"

The answer was simple. It had happened in the past.

But I couldn't tell him that.

"It's known that two of the Thirteen Evil Wolves can handle one Demon Supreme, yet eight of you came to face a single one. Don't you think that's too many, no matter how important this is?"

"Even so, that doesn't seem like enough to identify me."

"Of course. That's why I watched all of you. People usually put the most important person in the center, so I watched the man in the middle. I definitely noticed some differences."

"What were they?"

"You wore the same clothes, but you overlooked your shoes. Your shoes are high quality, the kind that's hard to find in the Central Plains. The sword at your waist isn't ordinary either. Not only that, but when you emitted your qi earlier, it didn't blend with the others. You've rarely had to emit qi together, so the difference was obvious."

"You really felt that difference?"

I nodded, and Bi Sayin's expression hardened. Reading his qi didn't prove a clear skill gap, but it was not a pleasant situation for him.

I pretended not to notice and continued.

"There's another reason. I saw the Trading Company owner send a telepathy. To send one at such a crucial moment, he must have been asking someone for a decision. A person guarded by seven of the Thirteen Evil Wolves, wearing a precious sword and shoes, and able to command this Trading Company's owner. With all that, shouldn't I be able to deduce it was you?"

Bi Sayin's face remained stiff as he slowly nodded.

Just then, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon and Lee Ahn sent the same telepathy almost simultaneously.

[The Second Young Lord is a genius.]

[The Young Master is a genius.]

I sent a telepathy back to Lee Ahn.

[You just sent the same telepathic message as the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon.]

[It means both good and evil acknowledge the Young Master.]

[Which side are you on?]

[Young Master!]

If it were just the two of us, I would have laughed and joked more. Instead, I maintained my composure and stood calmly.

While the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon and Lee Ahn were pleasantly surprised, Bi Sayin's mood soured.

Bi Sayin, now isn't the time to be upset. You've just found your only chance to change your destiny.

"I'm envious."

"Of what?"

"Haven't you already been confirmed as the successor? I'm still struggling."

The corners of Bi Sayin's mouth twisted. Even a slightly bitter smile contorted his entire mouth, creating a provocative expression.

I knew why he made such an expression when he should have been proud.

Although he was the chosen successor, a fierce secret struggle still raged within the Evil Alliance.

He had already been ambushed three times, and one attempt had been truly dangerous. So many people coveted the successor's position that they couldn't identify the culprits.

That was also why seven of the Thirteen Evil Wolves traveled with him now.

But in my life before regression, he was ultimately assassinated.

Will meeting me truly change his fate?

That was something even I didn't know. I didn't know if what was meant to happen would happen, or if he would live a new destiny.

Just then, one of the Thirteen Evil Wolves guarding Bi Sayin removed his bamboo hat and stepped forward. He was an old master with white hair.

"This old man leads the Thirteen Evil Wolves."

First Wolf Baek Cheolgi.

He was the leader of the Thirteen Evil Wolves and a trusted subordinate of the Evil Alliance Chairman.

When a young Bi Sayin's face was injured, Baek Cheolgi felt a lifelong guilt for failing to prevent it. When a shadowy faction assassinated Bi Sayin, Baek Cheolgi died trying to protect him.

Was that why I had a favorable impression of him? I saw Lee Ahn in the man who died protecting his leader.

"I heard news that the Second Young Lord of the Divine Cult has been distinguishing himself lately. Your reputation is well-deserved."

"I only guessed based on a keen eye."

"For a martial artist, a keen eye is a more important talent than any other skill."

"Thank you for your kind words."

After the pleasantries, the First Wolf got to the point.

"The Young Alliance Chairman came in person today for more than just the Trading Company's problem."

"Then what is it for?"

"Someone is hoping for the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon to cause another bloody incident."

At the mention of his name, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon stepped forward.

"Who are they?"

The First Wolf shook his head.

"We don't know either."

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon looked at me, as if seeking an answer. I met his expectation.

"It must be those who are aiming for the successor's position in the Evil Alliance."

"What do they have to do with me?"

"Suppose the Smiling Demon wiped out the Hundred Prosperities Trading Company today. It would cause another huge uproar, wouldn't it? The masterminds are probably planning to use the conflict between our Cult and the Evil Alliance to scheme something."

My instant guess surprised both the First Wolf and Bi Sayin. I had understood in a moment what they already knew.

Bi Sayin re-entered the conversation.

"How did you know that?"

"As you said, it's because Young Master Bi came in person. If it wasn't a matter directly related to his own problems, he would have sent someone else."

"Since you're so intelligent, I suppose I don't need to explain why you must leave. Please return to your esteemed cult now. That would be best for both of us."

"We also have a demand for Young Master Bi."

"What demand?"

"Withdraw the Hundred Prosperities Trading Company from Guizhou immediately, and compensate for everything the Smiling Demon has lost over the past two years."

Everyone was startled by my unexpected words. I was sure even the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon was surprised.

So Jongtae, the owner of the Hundred Prosperities Trading Company, was the first to flare up.

"What are you talking about? Withdraw immediately? And compensation? Does that even make sense?"

I looked coldly at So Jongtae.

"It seems there's no hierarchy here. A subordinate dares to interrupt while the Young Alliance Chairman is in a discussion."

I felt a little bad saying that. Our Cult was a mess too.

Bi Sayin spoke coldly, his voice covering for the fuming So Jongtae.

"I gave you a warning. You should be grateful and leave, not make such absurd demands."

"You're the one making absurd remarks, Young Master Bi."

"Me?"

"How long has it been since you officially became the successor?"

"Two years."

"The ones who plotted this must have been trying to become the successor since you were chosen, or maybe even before. Isn't that right?"

"Let's assume that's the case."

"Then do you have any proof that they weren't involved in the bloody incident the Smiling Demon caused two years ago?"

"What?"

Bi Sayin looked bewildered. He had probably never considered that possibility.

"You saw how the Smiling Demon handled things today. You saw how he struggled to control himself in an infuriating situation. Why was it different two years ago?"

I looked at the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon. He spoke with a look of disbelief.

"No way. Are you saying there was a mastermind behind that incident too? They used me? Me, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon? So that's why those bastards charged at me like they had a death wish?"

With every word, the cold demonic qi thickened around him.

Soon, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon began to chuckle like a madman. It was the laugh he used when he was truly furious.

"Second Young Lord, I joked about wiping them all out and being confined for ten years. It looks like I might have to be locked up for twenty."

Bi Sayin saw the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon's reaction was genuine and fell silent. He likely began to suspect that the bloody incident two years ago was a conspiracy.

"Even so, I have no intention of withdrawing the Hundred Prosperities Trading Company."

"Fine. Then let's add one condition."

"What condition?"

"The Smiling Demon and I will help you uncover the mastermind behind this incident."

It was one surprise after another. Bi Sayin had probably never been this surprised so many times in a single day.

"You told us to go back, but we won't. The Smiling Demon isn't the type to leave just because you tell him to, is he?"

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon chimed in to support me.

"If someone tells me to go, I'm the type to stay out of spite."

I continued with a faint smile.

"As you can see, that's the kind of person he is. So we'll help you. If those bastards are trying to drag the Smiling Demon into this, we can't just stand by."

"Are you confident you can uncover the mastermind?"

"It may be impossible to completely expose them after they've operated in the shadows for years, but I will find you a definite clue that can lead to them. If I provide that clue, will you accept my earlier demands?"

My reason for proposing this was simple.

I already knew who the mastermind was.

Bi Sayin would eventually accept.

He must have seen something extraordinary in my actions today. Besides, the profits in Guizhou and punishing the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon were nothing compared to finding and eliminating the mastermind trying to kill him.

Bi Sayin and the First Wolf began exchanging telepathies. Then Bi Sayin and So Jongtae did the same.

I gave them time.

Just then, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon sent me a telepathy.

[Will they accept? The amount of money they'd lose will be enormous.

[They'll definitely accept. Want to bet? A meal! How about it?]

[You're obsessed with meals and my mask again. No.]

I laughed via telepathy, but he did not.

Before long, Bi Sayin finished his telepathic conference.

"Very well. We accept. In return, when you give us the clue, we will withdraw."

"Good. Let's do that."

I drew the Black Demon Sword and offered it to him. Bi Sayin drew his sword and lightly struck mine.

"……"

The clear ring of steel on steel sealed our promise.

We looked at each other between our crossed swords.

I calmly met his gaze, looking at his crushed and distorted face.

I had no particular fondness for him, but I disliked the next successor. A real piece of trash would end up taking his place.

Of course, if this life flows the same as the past, it's all meaningless. That bastard will also be killed by Hwa Mugi.

But what if we all survive?

Then it will have meaning.

I'd rather you survive.

Because your scarred face will be far more helpful to the murim than that slick trash's handsome one.

"Then, let's meet again."

"Let's."

And so, we left the Hundred Prosperities Trading Company without shedding a single drop of blood.

In the carriage on the way back, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon asked me a question.

"Wasn't that anticlimactic?"

"Meeting the Evil Alliance's successor surrounded by seven of the Thirteen Evil Wolves? Discussing the mastermind trying to kill him? Exactly which part was anticlimactic?"

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon laughed. It was his habitual laugh, but I felt it was a little different.

"How did you know he would accept?"

"His life and the position of Evil Alliance Chairman are on the line. I thought he'd accept any condition."

"Are you confident you can catch them?"

"That's a question for you, Smiling Demon. Are you confident? They're the ones who will attack you, not me."

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon laughed even louder.

"My boring world is becoming interesting."

"It was never boring. The murim is this exciting. It seems you and I, Smiling Demon, have just spent too much time in our Cult."

"But where do we find those bastards?"

"We won't need to look for them. They'll come to us. We just need to do what we have to do."

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon looked at me with genuine admiration. We were going to be attacked anyway. If we could get a clue in the process, the troublesome problem in Guizhou would be solved, and we would even recoup all our past losses.

I gave him one more reason to be impressed.

"I don't care whether the successor of the Evil Alliance lives or dies. The only thing I care about is your world, Smiling Demon. My purpose is to witness that world."

This journey is about witnessing the world of the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon. By the time that sightseeing is over, we'll know a lot more about each other.

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon stared at me quietly, his eyes gleaming with an interesting light.

"This time, I suppose we must go and confirm why that ugly heart is so ugly."

And so, the carriage raced onward, heading somewhere into his world.