Chapter 179: I've Never Been Lonely

TL: FoodieMonster007

I climbed the mountain with Father.

It felt like only yesterday that I had climbed this same mountain right after I regressed. So much had happened since then. Most importantly, my relationship with Father had improved immensely. Though the same two people climbed the same mountain, the situation was completely different.

"Why did you ask to go hunting?"

"I wanted to spend time with you, Father."

Father stopped walking and looked back at me. I met his gaze calmly, my words sincere.

Father, I was so choked up when I saw you in the Grand Tutor's chair upon my return.

Father started walking again. "What's with all the luggage you brought?" he asked.

"As you saw last time, these are all necessary. They might be inconvenient now, but they'll make us comfortable and happy later."

Father walked ahead again, and I followed quietly behind him.

When I first suggested hunting, I thought I would chatter endlessly, but now that I was actually with Father, I didn't have much to say.

Fortunately, the silence wasn't awkward. It felt better this way, as if we were having a silent conversation.

A sudden thought struck me.

I have no intention of marrying in this life either, but if I did marry and have a child, would I one day go hunting with my son like this? Could I be the kind of father whose son would comfortably ask me to go hunting?

Would my son walk behind me, thinking these same thoughts? And what is Father thinking right now?

After walking for a while longer, I broke the silence.

"The Murim Alliance Chairman said he wanted to see you, Father."

Father already knew I had met the Chairman, as I had reported it by messenger pigeon.

"Is that man doing well?"

"He's quite vigorous for his age. He has a fiery personality and his martial arts are domineering. He was very different from the Chairman I'd imagined."

"He's different from the rumors."

"The Chairman said he wanted to see you. I told him you probably felt the same, but he said that wasn't likely. He said you'd want to kill him."

"He knows me well."

"Are you serious?"

"Did you expect the Demonic Cult Leader to miss the Murim Alliance Chairman?"

"Couldn't there be some courtesy for the leader of the opposing faction, or respect as a martial artist?"

"There's no such thing. Respect as a martial artist is earned only after a fight."

"Do you want to fight the Chairman?"

Father paused briefly before answering. "He's someone I'd like to fight at least once."

Victory in that fight meant the opponent's death. A fight between the Heavenly Demon and the Murim Alliance Chairman wouldn't end with them just dusting off their clothes.

The result would change the fate of the entire murim. That was why the fight could not happen easily.

I knew Father dreamed of unifying the world. Since the Chairman's name had come up, I decided to probe Father's intentions.

"If our Cult and the orthodox sects were to fight, would the Evil Alliance take our side?"

"If you think the Evil Alliance is closer to us than to the orthodox sects, you're mistaken."

"They're not?"

"If the Evil Alliance had to join hands with either us or the Murim Alliance, they'd choose the orthodox sects."

"Is there a reason you're so certain?"

"Because the Evil Alliance hates us more than they hate the orthodox sects. They probably want to get rid of us and then divide the murim with the orthodox sects."

I felt Father was right. Before I regressed, I had spoken with a master from the unorthodox sects. He truly hated our Cult for a simple reason.

The Demonic Cult had come to symbolize authentic evil. This relegated the Evil Alliance to an organization that pursued a cheap brand of evil.

Why can't the Evil Alliance become the masters of the murim?

It was merely the lament of a single master, but at the time, I thought many from the unorthodox sects might feel the same. Perhaps the Evil Alliance's hatred for our Cult, as Father mentioned, started from there.

I didn't try to stop Father's ambition. We would have to fight a war at least once anyway. The target just wouldn't be the Murim Alliance or the Evil Alliance, but Hwa Mugi.

Father, you must become stronger too!

That evening, we set up camp in a quiet spot by a stream.

I laid down a thick leather hide where Father could comfortably lean back. It was the most important item I had carried.

After making a comfortable bed for Father, I started a campfire and cooked the game we had caught.

I didn't just sprinkle salt on it. I grilled it properly with seasoning I had prepared in advance. This time, I had brought not only Chef Lim's secret seasoning but also various vegetables and other foods.

"How does it taste?"

"It's fine."

Of course it was. I had learned Father's preferences from Chef Lim and prepared the seasoning accordingly.

After we finished our meal, I served him tea. The tea was also a type Father enjoyed. Seeing his satisfied expression as he drank made me glad I had prepared it.

"Have you reached the ninth stage of the Four Strides of the Wind God?"

As expected, Father saw through my achievement at a glance.

"Yes. I felt something during the fight with the Heavenly Enlightenment Society, but unfortunately, it didn't lead to complete mastery."

It felt so close, yet so far away.

"If you get impatient, it will only slow you down."

"I'll keep that in mind. Would you like another cup of tea?"

Father nodded, and I poured him another warm cup.

"Do you have fun hanging out with me?"

He's really come a long way. To think Father would ask such a question. I remembered a principle for times like this. Don't even think about deceiving Father.

"Honestly, how could it be fun? It's bound to be cautious and burdensome."

"Then why did you ask me to come?"

"Because I feel secure."

Father looked at me, surprised. I calmly conveyed my feelings.

"When I'm with you, Father, I feel so secure. No matter who stands in our way, you'll block them, won't you? Even if a monster appeared, you'd stop it, right?"

"Just being with you puts my mind at ease. I don't have to protect you, or pressure myself to win someone over, or feel responsible for those who sacrifice for me."

"This moment, where I can just stand still no matter what happens, is so comfortable. I feel secure because you are here."

It was my honest heart. Father's gaze deepened, perhaps in surprise.

"Aren't you lonely, Father?"

Father scoffed. It was a difficult question to get an answer to, but when else would I get the chance to ask?

Father lay down on the ground as if it were time to sleep. He looked up at the night sky for a moment, then spoke abruptly.

"I have never been lonely once."

To me, it sounded like he was saying something else.

I am always lonely.

And so, the first day of hunting with Father passed.

On the second day, we moved more comfortably. We barely spoke, but neither of us felt awkward.

We just climbed the mountain, walked the path, and rested by the valley. Hunting wasn't the main purpose. We just walked and rested together.

That evening, as I was about to grill the meat we had hunted, Father came to my side.

"Let me try."

"Try what? Surely you don't mean you're going to cook?"

"And why not?"

"You're going to cook, Father?" I asked, shocked.

Father saw my expression and asked nonchalantly, "Why are you so surprised?"

"Have you ever cooked before?"

"Sometimes."

His unbelievable words stunned me.

"Is there a martial art named 'Cooking' among the demonic arts? You're talking about that, right?"

"Nonsense!"

How could I not talk nonsense when Father said he was going to cook?

"You kill the chef if the food doesn't suit your palate, right? Are you cooking out of atonement on those days?"

"But isn't my chef's skill too outstanding to be killed for that?"

"You're really going to cook?"

Father began to cook as if to show me directly. He moved with great skill. He didn't grill the meat whole but cut out the best parts and stir-fried them with vegetables and mushrooms.

He also boiled a soup to go with it, proving he really did cook regularly.

Even more surprising, it tasted excellent.

"What is this? Why is it so delicious? Did you secretly pour in Blue Sky Stone Essence instead of seasoning?"

A smile touched Father's lips. It was the first smile he had shown since we started climbing the mountain.

In that moment, I learned something new about Father.

The Heavenly Demon of this era was a cooking Heavenly Demon.

That night, we lay with the campfire between us and talked about various things. I usually started the conversation, and Father responded. The topic of the Demon Supremes was bound to come up.

"As you already know, Father, on my side are the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon, the Flower Sword Supreme, and the Drunken Demon."

"On my brother's side are the Demonic Buddha, the Poison King, and the Fist Demon. I've excluded the young Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme for now. How does it look? My side seems to have the advantage, right?"

"It's evenly matched."

"Evenly matched, even though we have one more person?"

"……"

For it to be evenly matched meant someone among the Demonic Buddha, the Fist Demon, or the Poison King was worth two people.

Who does he hold in such high regard?

"Is it time to kick out the slacker on our side?"

Despite my joke, Father said no more. He meant for me to experience it and suffer a bit myself.

Who on earth did he have in mind?

"Why do you want to become the Cult Leader?"

Because it's my mission. It's the mission I suffered my whole life for, even regressing for it. I will protect it even if it costs me my life.

"Because I want to learn the Nine Calamities Demonic Art."

"Why are you so obsessed with the Nine Calamities Demonic Art?"

"I'm not obsessed with the Nine Calamities Demonic Art. I'm obsessed with becoming stronger."

"You're already strong enough. What do you plan to do by becoming even stronger?"

"Because I have to be strong to protect everyone."

Father, my brother, and all the members of the Heavenly Demon Hall.

And now, a few more people might be added to that list. Some of the Demon Supremes, who didn't step forward in the past, will surely step up for true revenge now.

However, Father's thoughts were firm. "The Nine Calamities Demonic Art will only be passed down to the one who will become the Heavenly Demon."

"Then I will be the one to become the Heavenly Demon."

My thoughts were just as firm as Father's.

Father looked at me for a moment, then turned his back and went to sleep.

And even if I become the Heavenly Demon, I will be a different kind from you, Father. A Heavenly Demon who freely roams the world. To do that, I'll have to work much harder, though.

On the third day, Father headed for the summit of the Great Sky Peak.

On the way up, I sensed a tiger's presence once or twice but pretended not to notice. This would be an excuse to come hunting again next time.

If I had sensed it, Father surely had too, but he didn't suggest we hunt the tiger.

Could it be that Father is also looking forward to the next hunt?

"Ah, was the summit always this magnificent?"

The view from the summit of the Great Sky Peak was truly like a painting.

"When I was your age, I used to come up here whenever training my martial arts became difficult."

Imagining a younger version of Father standing here felt strange.

"I should come up here once in a while when I feel frustrated with my training too."

"Come here for a moment."

"……"

Father sat on a wide, flat rock at the summit and gave me a lecture on the Soaring Sky Sword Art.

I had already achieved the Twelfth Star complete mastery in that art, and the lesson I needed now was on the Four Strides of the Wind God, yet Father, knowing this, spoke about the Soaring Sky Sword Art.

He was showing me that all martial arts are ultimately connected. By thoroughly understanding what you know best, you can find clues to understanding other things.

It was a special moment, a lecture on the Soaring Sky Sword Art between two people who had both reached the Twelfth Star complete mastery.

And I had a new experience. I thought I would naturally understand everything he said, but many parts differed from my own thoughts. I realized that even with the same complete mastery, the paths to reach it could be very different.

Whenever I couldn't understand something, I asked Father without hesitation. I didn't pretend to know what I didn't, nor did I pretend not to know. We simply exchanged thoughts like flowing water.

The discussion, which I thought would be brief, continued for six hours, then eight. It went on for a day, then two, then three days.

We talked while eating the food we cooked, drinking tea, and drinking the alcohol I had brought for the last day. When the food ran out, we hunted and talked about martial arts while grilling meat over the campfire. Both of us became completely engrossed in the conversation.

It started with the Soaring Sky Sword Art but ended up covering all sorts of topics in martial arts. It was a profound discussion between Father, a genius demonic practitioner, and the regressed Heavenly Martial Body.

When the long, three-day discussion finally ended, I shot to my feet. I performed the Four Strides of the Wind God, and I knew. I had finally mastered the four steps of the wind god.

I turned to Father, my face full of surprise. "I've achieved complete mastery of the Four Strides of the Wind God."

Father wasn't surprised, as if he had anticipated this. He had practically grabbed me by the scruff of my neck and thrown me into complete mastery.

I gave Father a deep bow. "It is thanks to your great teaching. Thank you so much, Father."

"Get up. Let's go down now."

"……"

An intense desire to run seized me. I was curious about everything. How fast would the Swift Step be now? Could I even handle the speed? How much smaller had the Central Plains become?

"Father. Let's have a race. From here to our Cult. What do you say?"

I had finally earned the right to compete against Father's Heavenly Demon Flight Step.

Father looked at me with a disdainful expression. Why did I like that look so much?

"What's the wager?"

"We have to bet our pride."

"Fine."

The terms were absolutely favorable to me, since losing wouldn't matter, but Father readily accepted. He intended to win and tease me about it.

Father and I stood side by side. I realized I hadn't often stood next to him like this to see his profile. His face felt new again. This moment, racing Father, made me so happy.

"Alright, we start on the count of three. One, two…"

I started running as I counted 'three'. This way, if I won, Father would have an excuse.

As the two peak movement arts sliced through space, a sound of wind I had never heard before filled my ears.