Chapter 141: Making the Right Choice This Time

TL: FoodieMonster007

I chose the path I knew. I had picked the mission on the right before my regression, so I chose the right envelope again today.

I can handle any mission now!

This was not the time for such confidence. It was a chance to humbly make up for a past failure.

Inside the envelope was a single sheet of paper with four characters written on it.

Punishing the False Demon.

It was the same command I had received in the past.

Sama Myeong sent a telepathic message to explain. This method ensured neither of us knew the other's mission.

[A strange group called the Heavenly Enlightenment Society has recently started operating in murim's shadows. They claim to create a new murim under heaven's command, but they only seek personal gain. Lately, they've impersonated our Cult's Demon Supreme and caused incidents we can no longer ignore. Second Young Lord, you must find their Chairman, assassinate him, and eliminate the Heavenly Enlightenment Society.]

Truthfully, when I heard this message before my regression, I had looked down on them. They were impersonating our Cult's Demon Supremes instead of asserting their own strength.

I perceived it differently now. Daring to impersonate a Demon Supreme meant they were either confident they could handle the consequences or had another scheme hidden away. These were no ordinary foes.

"I accept your command."

As I accepted the mission, Geom Muyang picked the remaining envelope. Of course, I knew exactly what mission was written inside.

After giving Geom Muyang the basic information telepathically, Sama Myeong addressed us both.

"You must resolve the missions alone. However, you may use the entire information network of our Cult's All-Knowing Hall. You may also, just once, use any one of our Cult's Demonic Army, the Four Strongest Demons, or the Eight Demon Supremes."

This meant we had to solve it alone but could receive the Cult's help to subjugate the enemy.

When Sama Myeong finished, Father spoke.

"A frog in a well or a flower in a greenhouse can't lead our Cult. Solve this definitively and return!"

Father entrusted me with this dangerous mission without a single word of caution. I smiled, easing the tense atmosphere.

"Father, which of us would you like to see return successful?"

My question made the corners of Father's mouth lift slightly. I could feel him forcibly holding back a comment.

In truth, his gaze was impartial as he looked down on us. He showed no personal favoritism toward me or my brother.

Before my regression, I had not looked at Father at this moment. I only thought that I had to complete the mission, no matter what.

This time, however, I looked at Father.

Father, don't worry. I'll resolve this safely and return.

I conveyed that trust with my eyes. This, too, was an effort to become the successor. The more Father trusted me, the closer I would get to the position of heir.

My gaze shifted from Father to Geom Muyang.

Hyung, do well and come back, just like before. I'll do well and come back too. Ah, don't look at me so coldly without even knowing my heart.

The next morning, Lee Ahn came to find me as I prepared to depart.

"You called for me?"

"I'm going to be leaving the Cult for a while."

"Where are you going?"

"I can't say."

I raised a finger and pointed upward. Lee Ahn realized I was leaving to carry out an order from the Heavenly Demon Hall.

"Buy me something tasty on your way back!"

"I'm not going out to play. I'm going to handle something incredibly dangerous."

"I'm busy with my martial arts training, so I'll get going."

"Terrifying enemies are going to come pouring out."

"Have a safe trip!"

Lee Ahn, who had run to the door, sighed and turned back.

"Wouldn't it be nice if I could just leave like that? How dangerous is it? I'll go with you and help."

She had switched from the playful Lee Ahn to the one who worried about me day and night.

"It's something I have to do alone, and I was just joking. You don't have to worry."

"Really?"

"Don't worry needlessly. Just focus on your own work."

"Speaking of which, Green Mask came to see me a little while ago."

I had watched the two of them meet but pretended not to know.

"Did he say he'll be the Division Leader?"

"No, he's still thinking about it. He just asked a few things and left."

"What's your feeling about it?"

"It's fifty-fifty. Honestly, right now I'm hoping he'll come, but I also think I'll be more worried if he actually does. It's because he'd be starting a new life because of me."

"Worrying about what comes after disregards Green Mask's own deliberation. You might think you have to take responsibility for him, but that's not the case at all."

"It's not?"

"That's right. Green Mask is also coming after careful consideration. He's coming because he's done the calculations and concluded that coming to you is more beneficial. If he comes and decides it's not for him, he'll leave. So don't feel burdened."

My words made Lee Ahn grin.

"Get stronger, Lee Ahn. Then, nine out of the ten problems you worry about will solve themselves."

After bidding farewell to Lee Ahn, I left my residence.

I intended to see each of the Demon Supremes before leaving. I did not necessarily need to check on them, but this time, I wanted to see them before I left.

The first place I visited was the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon's Valley of Evil.

He was always in that white room staring at the wall, but today, Green Mask informed me of his absence.

"The Demon Supreme left the Cult a few days ago."

"Can you tell me where he went?"

"He left without telling me either."

"When he returns, please tell him I stopped by."

"Yes, I will."

As I turned to leave, Green Mask asked me a question.

"I would like to ask one thing."

"Go ahead."

"You may find this question strange, but to the Second Young Lord, what kind of organization is the Ghost Shadow Squad?"

I knew very well why he was asking this, so I answered him honestly.

"It's the organization that will become my main force in the future. It's also the organization led by the person I cherish most. It will probably become the busiest organization in murim. So busy that you'll find yourself saying the days under the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon were good."

I could see the eyes behind Green Mask's mask form a smile.

"Thank you for telling me."

Green Mask bowed his head. I could have said more to him for Lee Ahn's sake, but I did not. Only when one makes a decision based on their own judgment can even regret become valuable.

Next, I visited the Flower Sword Supreme.

After hearing about the past from the Drunken Demon, I found myself thinking about her life.

If things had worked out with the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, would she be happier now than she is?

"You seem to be getting younger these days."

"Don't say such nonsense. I've been worried about all the new wrinkles lately."

Despite her words, the Flower Sword Supreme's face brightened at the rare compliment.

"I heard you had a drink with the Drunken Demon?"

"How did you know?"

"The Drunken Demon stopped by. He said he got some good liquor and left it for me. He did something he doesn't usually do, which was strange."

"What did he say when he gave you the liquor?"

"He was bragging and so happy about how you two had decided to become sworn brothers."

"I don't know if that's a good thing. If I become sworn brothers with him, the whole hierarchy gets tangled."

"Then be friends with me too."

"Please don't say such things, even as a joke. I was only joking."

The Drunken Demon probably did not come just to brag. He must have confessed everything to me and felt sorry toward her.

I would have to wait and see how the Drunken Demon would act from now on.

"As you know, the Drunken Demon and the Blade Demon don't get along. Will that be alright?"

"You'll have to help, Senior."

"……"

"Even if you don't feel like it, please say some good things about Elder Blade Demon. I know you're displeased with him. Still, I'm asking you to do it for my sake."

The Flower Sword Supreme gave no answer. It seemed even my request was not enough to erase her animosity toward the Blade Demon.

Still, I expected things to improve. If the Drunken Demon stopped badmouthing the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and started saying positive things, her feelings might also slowly change.

Next, I visited the Drunken Demon.

However, Yeo Bin delivered some unexpected news.

"The Drunken Demon has entered seclusion training."

The news was so sudden it startled me.

"Seclusion training, all of a sudden?"

"He said he's been drinking too much lately and needs to expel some of the alcohol qi."

"That's a good thing, right?"

"Yes, it's what I've truly been hoping for. Thank you, Second Young Lord."

"Don't mention it. He promised me he'd cut back on drinking and eat more side dishes when he does drink, so please take good care of him, Martial Artist Yeo."

"Yes, I will."

I had felt for a while that this Yeo Bin was fond of the Drunken Demon. Did the Drunken Demon know how she felt? Like a sly old fox, I suspected he knew but pretended not to.

The last Demon Supreme I visited was the Blood Heaven Blade Demon at his residence.

"The Elder's blade is becoming even fiercer."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon was, as always, immersed in his training.

"The more you grow, the fiercer your enemies will become."

"Are you really training to face my enemies? Are you planning to have a go at the Demon Supremes who support my brother?"

"It's not just because of the succession fight."

"Then what is it?"

"Do you remember what I said before? The saying that when a dragon ascends to the heavens, it brings a storm with it."

"Of course. The Elder said that my people were being swept away by that storm."

"That's right. You said it was a loach stirring up trouble in muddy waters, but I believe that trouble will awaken the sleeping dragons of murim."

"Aren't you overestimating me?"

"Seeing what you've shown so far, this is an underestimation. Be careful when you're out there. It may seem like our Cult, the Murim Alliance, and the Evil Alliance have murim divided and under control, but we are a small fraction of all martial artists. We don't know where someone stronger might pop out from. Don't forget. Jianghu is a place where masters and strange individuals are as numerous as grains of sand."

"I will always judge carefully and act with caution."

"And, one moment."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon went into his room and came out with a small box. I opened it and found a single pill inside.

"It's an Explosive Qi Pill. Use it if you're in a pinch."

An Explosive Qi Pill, when taken with depleted inner arts, restored them two to three times faster than usual.

Because it had no side effects, one had to pay a fortune to obtain it, and even then, it was incredibly rare and difficult to find.

"You should save it and use it, Elder."

"Are you planning to work this old man to the bone by making me take an Explosive Qi Pill? You take it and use it."

He forcefully pressed the pill into my hand. I felt his worry and hidden affection, and my heart swelled with emotion.

Elder, don't worry. I'll be careful and return safely.

Since I was receiving it anyway, I accepted it cheerfully.

"Don't you have anything else to give me? Why don't you go back inside and look for more?"

"There's nothing! Nothing else!"

"Seeing as you're denying it so strongly, you must have something. I'll look forward to it next time."

I smiled, offered my farewells, and was about to turn away when the Blood Heaven Blade Demon asked.

"What happened with that sly fellow?"

"We've decided to address each other as sworn brothers from now on."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon looked dumbfounded, then his expression changed to one of admiration.

"If you were a mere loach, you never would have been able to become sworn brothers with that sly fellow."

He might not like the Drunken Demon, but he acknowledged that becoming sworn brothers with him was a remarkable feat.

"I'm just doing as I please because I trust in you, Elder."

"And isn't that why this old body is swinging this heavy blade?"

After leaving the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's residence, I left the Cult.

Once I reached a deserted area, I began to run in earnest. I had come to prefer moving alone lately, especially because of the Swift Step.

However, even when running, I made sure to rest properly. My every move would be reported to the Heavenly Demon Hall, so there was no need to reveal that I could run at an unbelievable speed.

I would run to my limit using the Swift Step, and when I reached a designated point, I would spend the rest of the time there practicing the remaining Four Strides of the Wind God.

My Shadow Step grew stealthier, my Vanishing Step faster, and my Hell Step more ferocious. I trained relentlessly, pouring all my effort and concentration into it. For now, my martial arts goal was the complete mastery of the Four Strides of the Wind God.

According to data from the All-Knowing Hall, the Heavenly Enlightenment Society had caused several incidents in the Hunan area.

The most recent incidents had occurred in Yongxing County and Dongkou County.

In the past, I had gone to Yongxing County to investigate and track the Heavenly Enlightenment Society. However, the incident there was not their doing. It was the work of copycats.

Because of that, I wasted a lot of time and belatedly went to Dongkou County to chase their trail. That made me impatient, causing me to miss clues I should have found, and in the end, I failed the mission.

Of course, this time, I made the right choice.

Upon arriving in Dongkou County, I immediately went to the Moon Wind Sect, where the incident had occurred.