Chapter 105: It's Not Easy

TL: FoodieMonster007

"They say you don't notice someone until they're gone," Seo Daeryong said. "It feels so empty without this martial artist."

Jang Ho agreed. "Her absence leaves a big void."

They were on their way to the Alluring Inn in the Demon Village. Jang Ho was massive and Seo Daeryong was small. The stark contrast made passersby give them a second look.

"To think I'd miss Martial Artist Lee more than the Director," Seo Daeryong mused.

They used to drink as a trio with Lee Ahn, but last time it was just the two of them. It was definitely less fun than when all three drank together. Lee Ahn and Seo Daeryong usually led the mood with all sorts of chatter. With Lee Ahn gone and only the quiet Jang Ho left, the atmosphere was subdued.

Of course, there were good points. In exchange for fun, a seriousness entered the space, giving them a chance to know each other better. Seo Daeryong learned for the first time that Jang Ho's childhood dream was to become a painter.

"This martial artist is doing well, right?" Seo Daeryong asked.

Jang Ho answered with conviction. "Of course she's doing well. Who do you think she went with? Don't worry."

"I'm not worried. I'm just jealous. All sorts of unimaginable situations must be unfolding for this martial artist. I'm envious. I want to be there, being surprised alongside this martial artist!"

"Don't forget that the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon is next to this martial artist."

"On second thought… I think it might be better to have General Jang next to me."

Jang Ho laughed quietly. Seo Daeryong thought that manly laugh alone made the drinking session worthwhile. He wanted to emulate that laugh, if nothing else.

Chatting about this and that, the two arrived at the Alluring Inn. Just as they were about to enter, the owner, Jo Cheonbae, came out and made a shushing gesture.

"You can't go in right now."

"Why not?"

"The Demon Supremes are here."

"……"

Seo Daeryong peeked his head inside and scanned the inn's second floor. His Master, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, and the Demonic Buddha sat across from each other, drinking in their usual spot.

Startled, Seo Daeryong quickly pulled back. "We'll drink somewhere else today."

"Yes, please do."

After seeing the two off, Jo Cheonbae went back inside the inn. He looked up at the second floor. Even from a distance, he could feel the strange tension flowing between the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the Demonic Buddha.

"Why did you want to see me?" the Blood Heaven Blade Demon asked.

The Demonic Buddha did not answer. He was not his usual self. Instead of his snappy temper, an indefinable weariness surrounded him. The Demonic Buddha drained his cup alone.

"We're not on such bad terms that we can't share a drink, are we, Senior?"

"Senior? What's this 'Senior' nonsense, when you've been slandering me as a traitor?"

"Because a traitor is a traitor."

"Aren't you the traitor now? You came to find me, leaving the First Young Lord's side."

"You always acted like you knew everything, Senior. That's why you looked down on me so damn much."

The corners of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's mouth curled up. He did not fire back a retort, instead draining his cup. Until recently, he had found the Demonic Buddha pathetic, a little pipsqueak full of nothing but greed.

However, that arrogance changed after meeting Geom Mugeuk.

"It's not easy, is it?"

At the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's words, the Demonic Buddha looked up. He tried to discern the intention behind the remark, but the Blood Heaven Blade Demon was just refilling his cup.

It did not seem like a mocking comment, so the Demonic Buddha found himself blurting out a reply.

"…It's not easy."

After saying it, the Demonic Buddha regretted it. He had given the Blood Heaven Blade Demon an opening for a mocking remark. Just as he expected, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon provoked him.

"You've lived your life thinking you're the First Young Lord's right-hand man, but you aren't, are you? You're more like a fish he's kept on the line. A golden carp, perhaps."

"Is it so hard for you to have a pleasant drink with your junior? Your petty, twisted mind can't even allow that, can it?"

"You should've behaved better then, and if you're going to call me Senior, stick with it. If you're going to use 'you', then use it from the start."

"You're an asshole to the very end!"

"……"

The Demonic Buddha slammed his fist on the table. It shattered, sending everything on it crashing to the floor.

"Don't break it next time," the Blood Heaven Blade Demon said. "Our side is a demonic path that doesn't break tables."

"What are you talking about? Have you gone senile?"

The Demonic Buddha irritably left the place.

Damn it!

He had lost the moment he broke the table. What good did he think would come from visiting the Blood Heaven Blade Demon? He hated that his troubled mind had been exposed. He was angry that the Blood Heaven Blade Demon would look down on him even more now.

Fine, you withered old man, look down on me all you want.

Watching the retreating back, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon also rose from his seat. There was no trace of the disdain or mockery the Demonic Buddha had expected. Instead, the same sigh-filled words the Demonic Buddha had uttered now escaped his lips.

"Yes, it's not easy."

As the Blood Heaven Blade Demon left the inn, he gave money to Jo Cheonbae. He added the cost of the broken table to the price of the drinks.

"It's alright."

When the Blood Heaven Blade Demon glared at him, Jo Cheonbae quickly took the money.

"Don't tell the Second Young Lord about the broken table."

"Huh? Yes! Of course, don't worry."

With that, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon also left. Jo Cheonbae watched his back for a moment before going up to clear the broken table.

People kept coming even without the Second Young Lord. A while ago, the Flower Sword Supreme came alone and then left. She ordered a drink but did not have a single sip.

Jo Cheonbae knew. The reason these people sought out his Alluring Inn was not because the drinks were good, the food was delicious, or the atmosphere was pleasant. They were all missing someone.

I sat on the cart parked in the clearing and looked up at the sky. In the distance, I saw Bi Sayin and seven of the Thirteen Evil Wolves approaching.

They had chosen this meeting place as well. An open clearing.

I can tell he's worried about an ambush.

I understood him. When you constantly live under threat, your nerves are always on edge. Yes, he had to be careful. After all, he died in the end, despite being so cautious.

Seeing that I had come alone, Bi Sayin wore a puzzled expression.

"You came alone?"

"I did."

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon had entrusted this matter entirely to me. I had left Lee Ahn behind, even though she wanted to follow.

Bi Sayin's expression hardened slightly. It seemed his pride was wounded. He was not the official successor yet, but he was still of the Heavenly Demon's bloodline, yet his counterpart walked around alone. In contrast, he was accompanied by seven of the Thirteen Evil Wolves, which naturally made him feel like a coward.

I want to tell him. That damn pride is all useless. That getting one's pride hurt is, in itself, a matter of pride. This is all because he's young.

"Don't tell me you've already found a lead?"

"I have."

He might have expected it, but Bi Sayin could not hide his surprise at the affirmative answer.

"How did you find it so quickly?" he asked with a suspicious gaze.

"I didn't find them. They found me."

I pulled back the tarp covering the cart. Five corpses were loaded onto it.

"Just as Young Master Bi warned, there was an ambush."

I did not mention that they were targeting the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman. I judged it was unnecessary to bring it up, regardless of whether they knew of the Thousand Flower Palace's existence or not.

"These are the Five Bloody Shadows of the White Night Valley."

"How did you find that out?"

"Don't underestimate our Cult's intelligence network. We know as much as we need to about you people."

Bi Sayin's face contorted. He had only frowned slightly, but his expression twisted as if in anger. The scars on his face were too deep and hideous.

"The White Night Valley took on this contract. If you go to them, you should be able to find out who is behind this. It's up to you to figure out how to make the White Night Valley reveal their client. How about it? Isn't this enough of a lead as promised?"

Bi Sayin did not answer for a moment. He probably wanted to argue that this was not enough, but I would not allow that.

"Surely you didn't expect me to find the mastermind and bring you his head, did you?"

"There's no need to provoke me like that. This is sufficient. As of today, the Hundred Prosperities Trading Company will withdraw from Guizhou. I will also calculate and send compensation for the losses of the past two years."

"As expected of the heir to the Evil Alliance! Well then, let's meet again next time."

Just as I was about to turn away, Bi Sayin's telepathy reached me.

[Second Young Lord.]

However, the telepathy ended there. It was as if I had misheard it, like the sound of a ghost carried on the wind. No further words followed.

Bi Sayin had intended to say something to me in secret but had changed his mind.

I stared at Bi Sayin's face. I did not look at his scars. I only looked into his eyes. Because of the scars, he looked far more vicious and stronger than he truly was, but I could see it. The image of a young man struggling to survive.

Speak, Bi Sayin. Whatever it is, if you want to change your destiny, you have to speak.

In the end, however, Bi Sayin said nothing and turned away. The Thirteen Evil Wolves followed behind him, pulling the cart.

After watching their retreating backs for a moment, I also left the place.

When I returned, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon was strolling through the courtyard of the Thousand Flower Palace. He appeared calm, but I could feel it. He was still angry and was trying to calm himself down.

I fell into step beside the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon.

"The Hundred Prosperities Trading Company has agreed to withdraw from Guizhou. They've also agreed to compensate for the last two years of losses."

"You've handled a matter in a few days that has been a headache for me for two years, Second Young Lord."

"They only accepted our proposal because they fear you, Smiling Demon."

"There's no need to be humble. Thank you, Second Young Lord."

After expressing his gratitude, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon stopped walking.

"The one who ordered the assassination of the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman, I will kill with my own hands. Even if it means I'll be locked up for several more years."

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon looked at me. His gaze asked what I thought, and I conveyed my thoughts.

"Of course you should kill him. Someone tried to kill a person I care about, so of course I should kill them with my own hands. I would kill them too."

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon's eyes shone with pleasure, as if it were an unexpected answer.

"Don't you want to return to the Cult? Then you could be free of the responsibility for any trouble I cause, couldn't you?"

"I've been so engrossed in watching your world, Smiling Demon, that I've forgotten why I'm even out here."

"Shall we go back?"

"No, please show me more of your world, Smiling Demon. Show me more, and let's kill that mastermind before we go back."

I was endlessly knocking on his door. I do not hope for that door to swing wide open, as I do with the Blood Heaven Blade Demon. I just hope it opens halfway, so that we can face each other at that point where we are neither friends nor enemies.

I know who you are. As you died, you regretted your life. That empty life filled with evil.

Are you the same now as you were then?

"Second Young Lord, there is nothing more to see in my world. This is all there is. Now I have to go meet the people who manage the gambling dens, and I have to meet the leaders of the mafia factions under us. You've dressed up my world as if it's something grand, Second Young Lord, but in the end, my world is about intimidating people and collecting protection money. Sometimes I cut off the arm of someone who embezzles money, and sometimes I kill someone I don't like."

You've changed. In your life before my regression, you were never this honest, not even once.

The you I met before my regression was old, so old that he could no longer change.

How could I have become your friend?

Perhaps I was just like you back then? My life and I, fossilized by the obsession of obtaining materials for the Great Law. Perhaps you felt a sense of kinship with that version of me and liked me so much for it.

"There's only one way for the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon's world not to become boring."

"What is that?"

"Only when a war breaks out. The world would become a sea of blood, and you, Smiling Demon, would be flying through the sky. I don't want to see a world like that. I still want to see this world. How you, Smiling Demon, handle the gambling den managers, how you handle the mafia bastards."

A certain passion I had never seen before flashed in the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon's eyes and then vanished.

I walked a few steps ahead, then turned back to him and said, "Well, shall we go? To cut off the arms of the guys who skimmed the money."