Chapter 207: I Intend to Respond to His Courtesy

TL: FoodieMonster007

When I entered the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon's room, I saw a long line drawn on one wall.

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon faced the opposite wall, his back to the line.

"I definitely like the color of this wall better," I joked.

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon looked at me. My gaze met his through the eyeholes of his mask. I saw a flicker of gladness in those holes.

I only communicated with the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon through his eyes, but we shared a connection deeper than anyone else.

"Your mask changed," I noted.

"As expected, the Second Young Lord noticed right away."

The reason for the change was unexpected.

"Green Mask brought several masks he had made. He gave them to me and said he wanted to live a new life now. He said he was going to his pretty heart."

Green Mask had finally accepted the position of the Ghost Shadow Squad's First Division Leader.

"So, did you cut off Green Mask's arm?" I asked. He had once sworn he would not let Green Mask go without at least cutting off an arm.

"I didn't cut it."

"Why not?"

"Didn't he ask me to be sure to tell the Second Young Lord before cutting it? But since the Second Young Lord was away from the cult, I couldn't cut it."

How could that be the reason? He had let Green Mask go to live the life he wanted.

Well done, my Smiling Demon. If things had continued like this, Green Mask would have lived an unhappy life until he grew old, never becoming a Demon Supreme.

"That's admirable."

"Do you really think so?"

"Yes. You're truly admirable."

"Now that I've received such a compliment, I suppose I won't be able to cut off his arm in the future."

His eyes smiled through the mask's holes. In his relationship with me, he was not the extreme evil, but the Smiling Demon.

"I heard the news that you left the cult with the Fist Demon."

"I went out to slack off, but I came back as the Fist Demon's disciple."

At my words, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon shot up from his seat.

"You must be better at fighting now!"

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon had no interest in my Master being the Fist Demon. He was excited that I had become stronger.

"Yes, I've gotten a little stronger!"

The one I could say such things to most comfortably was the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon. Our relationship was like Father's and the Fist Demon's when they were young.

"Smiling Demon, I have a favor to ask."

I trembled inside.

How would the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon receive my request?

"I want to kill Yayul Han of the Evil Alliance. To do that, I need Father's permission. Please persuade Father."

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon answered without hesitation.

"I will."

He asked nothing. Not why I had to kill Yayul Han, nor how I would do it.

My heart surged at his attitude. He would have granted any request I made.

He was the only person in this world who would grant my request simply because it was mine.

I was happy. This pure joy was a feeling I had not experienced in a very long time. I was so happy I felt the urge to jump up and down.

"Thank you so much."

Even while understanding the other Demon Supremes' refusals, a part of my heart must have been disappointed. I knew this because of how good I felt now.

I didn't know you would accept so easily.

I was about to say those words but stopped. It felt like no words could possibly express my gratitude to him.

Instead, I conveyed my gratitude in a different way.

"If I get permission for this, please help me then."

Smiling Demon, let's go. Let's go fight magnificently together again. That is all I can do for you, and… thank you so much.

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon saw my fervent gaze and laughed pleasantly.

"Very well."

The more dangerous our fight, the more his blood would boil.

"Who has agreed so far?" he asked.

"The only one who has said he will definitely persuade Father is the Smiling Demon."

"Am I number one?"

"That's right. The Smiling Demon is the first."

Neither the Blood Heaven Blade Demon nor the Fist Demon had directly said they would persuade him. Of course, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon would step up. The Fist Demon would step up as well. Right now, three Demon Supremes would definitely help.

"I feel good for some reason," the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon said.

"Thank you for being my first."

I looked at the long line drawn on the opposite wall. The Smiling Demon's gaze followed mine.

I hope that wall stays for a long time.

I did not say this either. Even without words, he would feel the same way.

Later, when I become the Heavenly Demon, I plan to take that wall and hang it in the Heavenly Demon Hall.

I found the Fist Demon standing at the bottom of a cliff.

I stood next to him.

I wonder if this cliff looks different to him now that he's back from his journey.

"The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon said he would step up for me," I said.

The Fist Demon looked at me with a surprised expression.

"The Smiling Demon? That man?"

The Fist Demon seemed to find it unexpected that it was the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon and not someone else.

"Are you two close?"

"We are."

"He's not an easy person to get close to."

"If we're going by that, are you an easy person, Master?" I asked, looking up at the cliff. "You're someone who's trying to bring this cliff down in one blow."

The Fist Demon's gaze followed mine to the cliff. The wall we saw now was not this cliff. It was a wall higher and harder than this one.

"The Cult Leader won't permit this. Saving those young kids might be important to you, but to the Cult Leader, it's not important at all. To be honest, it's the same for me. It's probably the same for the other Demon Supremes too."

I understood Father and the Demon Supremes. They were always like that. Even now, they had changed so much you could say they were different people.

Nevertheless, I strive for change because I believe that if we change, the martial arts will change, and our destiny will change. If I just let everything pass by like in my past life…

Because they are not important to me. Because it has nothing to do with me. If I live a life letting everything pass by like I did before my regression… I feel like I will be swept away again by Hwa Mugi, who appeared like destiny.

Master, you cannot bring down this cliff unless you yourself change.

"As we discussed on the snowy mountain, the Cult Leader dreams of unifying the murim," the Fist Demon said. "If you kill Yayul Han, it will create a variable in the grand picture the Cult Leader is painting. There's no way the Cult Leader will permit it easily."

"Then I must create even more variables. Because I am determined to stop Father's unification of the murim at all costs."

I was resolute. The Fist Demon silently gazed at my stubbornness.

"Will you persuade Father, Master?"

The Fist Demon sank into his final deliberation.

Why would the Fist Demon not want to avoid clashing with Father? No, because he is the Fist Demon, that feeling would be the strongest.

Finally, the Fist Demon nodded.

"I will."

"Thank you, Master."

This is why. This is why I made you my Master. Because you are a man who does not back down, no matter how difficult it gets.

I had not heard an answer from the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, but I would not go to confirm it again. I was certain that he would definitely help me.

And my certainty was correct. The first person to see Father was the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.

Walking the path of blood, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon stopped below the grand throne.

"It has been a long time."

At the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's polite greeting, the Heavenly Demon Geom Woojin spoke.

"Are you the one to fire the first shot?"

Geom Woojin had already guessed why the Blood Heaven Blade Demon had come.

"What can I do? A young man wants to try something big, so an old man like me should at least help out."

"If a young punk is about to cause reckless trouble, shouldn't we old folks stop him?"

"That's right. Thinking back to when we were young, those were truly immature times, but then again, wasn't that also the most passionate time we ever had?"

"Do you have no passion now?"

"If these burnt-out embers can be called passion, then yes, I have some."

Though the words were exchanged calmly, the Heavenly Demon Hall filled with a tense energy.

Geom Woojin rose from the grand throne and slowly descended the stairs.

"Shall we take a walk?"

"Very well."

Geom Woojin walked the path of blood with the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and exited the Heavenly Demon Hall. The two of them walked together in the courtyard.

"He made his request in the middle of the grand training grounds over there. Asking for permission to kill Yayul Han. It wasn't a request, it was a declaration."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon asked in a more relaxed tone, "Children are a pain, aren't they?"

A smile that he never showed to Geom Mugeuk formed on Geom Woojin's lips.

"You should experience it too. It's a shame."

"That's the one area where I'm happier than you, Cult Leader. Please don't say such things, even as a joke."

There was a time when the two of them conversed more comfortably than this. If he had known time would pass so quickly, he would have spent more time with the Cult Leader. The Blood Heaven Blade Demon felt a renewed sense of regret. What on earth had he spent all that time doing?

"I don't know about the other Demon Supremes, but I never thought you would fall for the boy like this. What exactly do you like about him that made you switch sides?"

"I've thought about that several times myself, but I have nothing to say other than this. Your son has a strange charm."

"A strange charm, you say."

This time, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon spoke.

"Haven't you felt it? I think you must have felt it too, Cult Leader."

"I called that a cheap sentimentality, perfect for getting oneself killed."

Geom Woojin did not go so far as to say that his description of 'cheap sentimentality' had changed to 'naive sentimentality'.

"I've fallen completely for that cheap sentimentality."

A faint smile also formed on the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's lips. Although he had come on a sensitive and important matter, this conversation after such a long time felt good.

"Cult Leader, please just give in this once."

At the casually tossed remark, Geom Woojin firmly shook his head.

"In the future, when Bi Sayin takes the seat of the Evil Alliance Chairman, Yayul Han will become a lingering source of trouble for the Evil Alliance. The current Evil Alliance Chairman might deal with Yayul Han before he dies. There's no reason for us to eliminate him."

"Instead, Bi Sayin will be greatly indebted to the Second Young Lord because of this. There will be gains to match the losses."

"The people of the unorthodox sects only hold onto grudges for a long time. They are not the type to remember favors."

"But the Second Young Lord will remember that his father made a great concession for him."

Geom Woojin clasped his hands behind his back and silently looked over the grounds of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. The Blood Heaven Blade Demon did not push any further. He had said all he needed to say.

Just then, a person appeared.

It was the Fist Demon, who had been on his way to the Heavenly Demon Hall.

"Are you planning to take me on in succession?"

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon laughed and replied to Geom Woojin's joke.

"I wonder why that big fist switched sides."

In the meantime, the Fist Demon approached them.

"Have you been well?"

The Fist Demon politely greeted Geom Woojin, then also greeted the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.

"You came first."

"I thought you would come too, Fist Demon. Oh, and congratulations on taking the Second Young Lord as your disciple."

Then Geom Woojin interjected.

"Is that something to congratulate? It's something to offer condolences for."

The Fist Demon's gaze met Geom Woojin's in mid-air. It was a look filled with a deep trust that only the two of them could feel. That was why this situation was difficult for the Fist Demon. Fortunately, with the Blood Heaven Blade Demon present, the atmosphere did not become too serious.

"I have a rough idea of why you've come, so let's see your joint attack."

"I don't know if a joint attack is a wise choice. Because you're someone who gets stronger the stronger your opponent is."

With an expression that said, 'And you know that!', Geom Woojin asked the Fist Demon.

"Why did you switch over to the boy's side?"

"I guess I lost my mind while slacking off for the first time in my life."

Geom Woojin was not satisfied with that answer.

"Tell me the real reason."

The Fist Demon was lost in thought for a moment before revealing his honest feelings. It was an unexpected answer.

"I suppose I've been lonely all this time."

"!"

Both Geom Woojin and the Blood Heaven Blade Demon were startled. They truly never expected to hear the word 'lonely' come from the Fist Demon's mouth.

"On our way here, we had a movement arts bet at the end. He was so fast I couldn't catch up. As I was trudging along by myself, do you know what I thought? I was bored. For the first time in my life, I felt the emotion of boredom."

The Fist Demon looked at Geom Woojin and added, "I suppose that's why I switched sides."

The gazes of the Fist Demon and Geom Woojin locked in mid-air. The Fist Demon carefully said what he had been thinking the entire way here.

"He is my first disciple, and as his master, I wanted to be of help, so I have come to commit this rudeness. I apologize, Cult Leader."

The Fist Demon bowed deeply in apology. His loyalty to the Heavenly Demon was incomparable to any other Demon Supreme, so Geom Woojin did not reprimand him at all.

Just then, Geom Woojin's gaze went over the Fist Demon's shoulder.

"I can somehow understand you two, but that man over there… I can't understand him at all."

A man was walking toward them. Wearing a white mask, it was the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon.

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon politely greeted the Heavenly Demon, then also exchanged greetings with the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the Fist Demon.

And then he said something unexpected.

"I was number one, but it seems you two cut in line."

It was already incomprehensible that he had stepped forward, and now a joke like this?

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon spoke, representing the feelings of the three people who were already there.

"I guess getting involved with the Second Young Lord makes everyone go crazy like this."

Geom Woojin asked the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon, "What on earth is your reason?"

The moment he heard that question, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon recalled the moment when the boy had supported his slipping mask. That was all it took.

If anyone else had asked, he would not have answered, but because it was Geom Woojin's question, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon replied.

"The Second Young Lord is a person who knows courtesy."

At those words, not only Geom Woojin, but also the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the Fist Demon were startled. The word 'courtesy' coming from the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon's mouth? Since when did the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon care about courtesy?

The three of them could feel it. The courtesy the extreme evil spoke of was not general etiquette, but contained a more fundamental meaning. It was courtesy toward a person.

"I intend to respond to the courtesy the Second Young Lord has shown me."

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon turned around and took off his mask. Then, after putting on a new mask he had brought from his robes, he slowly turned back.

It was not the pure white mask he had worn until now. It was a gruesome mask of a smiling evil spirit. The red-painted eyes were torn long like a ghost's, and the crimson mouth was also smiling up to his ears. This mask was the Undying Ghost Mask, which the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon wore when going to war.

"Please grant the Second Young Lord's request."

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon had come here with the mindset of going to a battlefield. He was prepared for the Heavenly Demon's wrath and did not shrink from the possibility of falling out of favor. He had come here today prepared to die.

As if to say this much was necessary to persuade the Cult Leader, the two eyes behind the mask were shining more intensely than ever before.

"This is the first and last request I will ever make."