Chapter 208: The Sword Supreme Said She Wouldn't Come

TL: FoodieMonster007

A heavy silence fell.

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon played his strongest card by calling it his last request.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon hadn't expected the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon to make such a move. The mood was now too serious for jokes.

The Fist Demon's heart pounded, and he unknowingly clenched his fists. He felt like he was standing with the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon on the battlefield the man had just created.

Geom Woojin stared at the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon without a word.

The air grew cold. Geom Woojin's pressure, heavy as a mountain, crushed down. The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon felt a suffocating tightness, his body aching as if being torn apart. He felt like he was falling into a pit lined with sharp blades.

Feeling the pain, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon closed his eyes and saw a vision. He stood on a battlefield where blood flowed like a stream and shouts echoed all around. Flames soared and hidden weapons flew everywhere. In the middle of it all stood the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon.

The person before him was not Geom Woojin, but Geom Mugeuk. With his mask pushed up, Geom Mugeuk looked at him and spoke. The words were inaudible, but he could read his lips.

I want to see more of the Smiling Demon's world.

The moment Geom Mugeuk smiled brightly and pulled his mask down, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon returned to reality.

Geom Woojin now stood where Geom Mugeuk had been.

Their eyes met. At the same time, the immense pressure crushing him began to slowly disappear.

Geom Woojin said sternly, "I can tolerate seeing your back while you wear the Undying Ghost Mask, but don't look at me with that mask on."

The Undying Ghost Mask was worn for the battlefield. It was the Heavenly Demon's solemn warning to never point a blade at him under any circumstances.

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon bowed his head.

"Please forgive me, Cult Leader."

Though Geom Woojin had warned him sternly, his expression showed no displeasure. Forgiveness was already written on his face. He would overlook it this one time.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the Fist Demon could feel it. This incident had actually made Geom Woojin look favorably upon the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon. His manliness had pleased him. That was precisely the kind of person the Heavenly Demon liked.

As if to prove it, Geom Woojin added a word.

"What will you do if you have another favor later in life, calling this your last request?"

"Even if I have a favor to ask, I will endure it."

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon had given up the opportunity that would be granted to him.

"I will only accept it as your first request."

It was Geom Woojin's consideration, a promise to grant his next request as well. Though it was a rude act, Geom Woojin embraced the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon with great magnanimity.

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon bowed his head, his eyes filled with emotion.

"Thank you."

He turned around again, took off the Undying Ghost Mask, and put his original white mask back on.

To the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, that blank white mask now felt more terrifying than the demon-painted Undying Ghost Mask.

Just then, two more people appeared. Surprisingly, they were the Drunken Demon and the Flower Sword Supreme.

The Drunken Demon was completely drunk.

"We greet the Cult Leader."

The Drunken Demon and the Sword Supreme stood side by side and greeted the Cult Leader.

"It would be proper to see you after sobering up, but I didn't have the confidence to face you sober, so I had a drink. Please forgive me."

The Drunken Demon immediately looked out for the Flower Sword Supreme.

"Ah, the Sword Supreme said she wouldn't come, but I dragged her here by force."

This was the Drunken Demon's friendship. He wanted to prevent her from being the only one who didn't help Geom Mugeuk, without straining her relationship with the Heavenly Demon. There was a clear difference between coming here and not coming.

Although she had followed him, the Flower Sword Supreme felt troubled. Her head screamed, You absolutely shouldn't come! but her heart worried, Is it okay for me to be the only one left out?

To her, the Heavenly Demon was always a difficult and respectable person, but the three Demon Supremes who had arrived earlier now caught her eye.

Why did they all accept Geom Mugeuk's request? Aren't they afraid of the Cult Leader's fiery wrath?

She felt a pang of disappointment, wondering if there was a relationship she didn't know about. At the same time, she wondered if she was being too selfish. Even looking at the Drunken Demon now, she honestly couldn't understand why he was struggling so much.

Geom Woojin asked the Drunken Demon, "Did you also come because of Mugeuk?"

The Drunken Demon had told Geom Mugeuk that the Cult Leader disliked him, but Geom Woojin showed no sign of it.

The Drunken Demon spoke as if to excuse his late arrival.

"I refused the Second Young Lord's request to persuade you, Cult Leader."

"Then why did you come?"

"I came because I was ashamed. I was the one who first pestered him to become sworn brothers, yet I was ashamed of myself for backing down when he actually needed help."

The Drunken Demon's voice trembled. Considering how talkative and good at joking he usually was, it was clear how nervous he was now.

Geom Woojin did not ask the Drunken Demon why he had fallen for Geom Mugeuk. Did he really dislike him?

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon asked instead.

"How did you end up falling for the Second Young Lord? We've all spoken, so you should speak too."

The Drunken Demon glanced at Geom Woojin before speaking cautiously.

"The Second Young Lord makes me drunk. When I see him, I think of alcohol. It's fun to drink with him, and when he's not around, I miss him and drink again. To be honest, there have been several people like that in my life. However, the Second Young Lord has something else special about him."

"What is that?"

"While making me drunk, he also constantly sobers me up. Just like when I'm standing before you now, Cult Leader. He gets me drunk, then sobers me up. Then gets me drunk again. The Second Young Lord is the only one who does both of these things at the same time."

The Demon Supremes quietly listened, each recalling their own Geom Mugeuk.

Just then, Geom Woojin abruptly asked, "If he's so special, why did you refuse Mugeuk's request?"

"I'm sorry, but may I answer after having a drink?"

It was a rude request, but one only the Drunken Demon could make.

When Geom Woojin nodded, the Drunken Demon chugged the alcohol from his waist. As the liquor went down, life returned to his eyes.

The Drunken Demon stared intently at Geom Woojin and said, "It's because of you, Cult Leader."

Tension began to fill the air again.

"Because of me?"

"Yes, because of you, Cult Leader, I became a worthless older brother who couldn't even look after his younger brother."

"Why is it because of me?"

"Because my desire for you not to dislike me was greater, Cult Leader."

The Drunken Demon thought that if he didn't say it today, he never could. He had wanted to say it to the Cult Leader just once. Why do you hate me so much? Please don't hate me like that.

"Did you think I disliked you?"

"Do you not?"

The atmosphere grew increasingly tense.

The Flower Sword Supreme's telepathy flew to the Drunken Demon.

[Are you crazy? Stop it!]

The Drunken Demon glanced at her.

[If I don't say it now, I'll regret it on my deathbed.]

The Drunken Demon took out his alcohol again and drank deeply. Then, he brought up a story he had never told anyone.

"I tried hard to look good to you, Cult Leader! But you never once acknowledged me!"

He never thought he would say it in front of the other Demon Supremes, but emotions always burst out at moments like this. Or perhaps he wanted someone to listen to his feelings.

Geom Woojin said nothing.

"Shut up! You drunkard!"

The Flower Sword Supreme shouted. Just as the Drunken Demon had looked out for her, she was now the only one looking out for the Drunken Demon.

"You drunkard! Why did you come here? Did you come to whine about your pathetic life? You said you had to step up for your younger brother, didn't you? That you would step up even if it meant being hated by the Cult Leader and getting kicked out? You said I had to be here too? That it was the only way you'd have something to say to the Second Young Lord later? So what is this? Why are you having a drunken tantrum instead of saying what you need to say? In front of whom, do you dare!"

She was not normally a person who got this angry, nor did she talk this much. However, she deliberately acted angrier, hoping it would somehow appease Geom Woojin's wrath.

Whether he knew her heart or not, the Drunken Demon yelled back.

"Seeing the Cult Leader's face, I forgot everything! What are you going to do about it!"

"Don't pretend to be drunk! You're still a long way from being truly drunk!"

At that, the Drunken Demon flinched.

"You drunkard! Even I would dislike you. Babbling on, borrowing courage from alcohol. Why does he hate you? Because you do hateful things, that's why."

"Yeah, you're so great! Our lofty Sword Supreme! You're just so high and mighty! As for me, I'm already on his bad side, so it's fine, it's fine!"

Just then, Geom Woojin spoke abruptly.

"I do not dislike you."

A moment of silence fell. Everyone's gaze turned to Geom Woojin.

"I disliked your Master."

The Drunken Demon was stunned. It was the first time he had heard such a thing. Even his master had never said anything of the sort.

Geom Woojin said nothing more. He didn't scold the Drunken Demon for his rudeness, nor did he apologize for the misunderstanding. He also didn't say why he disliked his master.

The Drunken Demon stared at Geom Woojin and asked, "Did you truly not have even a shred of dislike for me?"

"I did not."

A wall that had been blocking the Drunken Demon's heart crumbled down. A ray of light streamed in from beyond the collapse.

"If I had known this, I would have thrown a drunken tantrum sooner."

As if he had never been throwing a tantrum, the Drunken Demon was calm and serious.

"Not even knowing this was the reason… On days I came back from seeing you, Cult Leader, I would drink too much. Why does he look at me so coldly? What mistake did I make? I couldn't sleep, lost in all sorts of thoughts."

The Drunken Demon could now look Geom Woojin in the face. Ever since he started thinking the Heavenly Demon disliked him, he hadn't been able to look at Geom Woojin properly.

"I apologize to you, Cult Leader, but the drunken fit I threw today will likely remain the best one of my life."

Geom Woojin asked, "So? Are you also going to ask for a favor regarding Mugeuk?"

The Drunken Demon answered resolutely.

"No. I will not ask for a favor."

Geom Woojin looked around at the five Demon Supremes.

Since he had become the Heavenly Demon, this was the first time five Demon Supremes had come to him because of one person.

"That boy is rewriting the history of our Cult."

Geom Woojin spoke into the empty air.

"Bring Mugeuk here."

When I arrived, Father and the five Demon Supremes were lined up, staring at me.

I thought they would try to persuade him individually, so I didn't expect all five to be in one place. Moreover, even the Drunken Demon and the Flower Sword Supreme, who had refused, were there.

"Your son has come, answering your call."

Fortunately, Father's expression wasn't that bad. I made eye contact with each of the five Demon Supremes.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon gave a slight nod, signaling that the situation was okay.

The Fist Demon conspicuously clenched his fist just for me. With that action, he conveyed what this place had felt like.

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon was smiling. From the relief in his eyes, I could tell he had just gone through a major ordeal.

The Drunken Demon was looking at Father. I could sense that another change had occurred in his life. Standing beside him, the Flower Sword Supreme smiled at me.

"The five people I like are all here!"

At that, the Drunken Demon, still looking at Father, said in a voice full of intoxication, "Why are you leaving out the Cult Leader? It's six."

"I was leaving you out, Hyung."

"…Ah."

The Drunken Demon took a drink. Seeing him drink so openly in front of Father, it seemed a real storm had indeed broken out. I could just hear about today's events from the Blood Heaven Blade Demon or the Drunken Demon later.

I stood before Father. I was inwardly nervous about what the outcome would be.

It was at that moment.

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon slowly walked over and stood next to me. This single action told me what kind of display he had put on today.

His eyes behind the mask smiled at me.

I've done everything I can.

Thank you so much, Smiling Demon.

We exchanged feelings with our eyes.

Next, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon sighed and stood beside me.

"I don't know what all this fuss is about in my old age."

"I'm sorry."

The next person to move was the Fist Demon.

"You're my first disciple, so I can't help it."

Three Demon Supremes came and stood on my side.

Their eyes, as they looked at Father, were filled with apology. They were not confronting Father. They were showing their will to protect me.

Just then, the Drunken Demon, who had been looking at Father, walked over to my side.

"Looking at Mugeuk, I just can't do it. I have to help too. By any chance, did you dislike my Master because he was fickle?"

Geom Woojin answered the Drunken Demon's question.

"It was the opposite. When he got drunk, he would never yield his stubbornness."

"Then that's a relief. I'm probably the most easily swayed among the Eight Demon Supremes."

"Isn't that a problem in its own right?"

"Then please tell the next Drunken Demon. That you disliked his master for being too easily swayed."

Before the Heavenly Demon, the Drunken Demon finally became at ease. He had to build enough trust to become the only person who could have a drunken tantrum in front of the Heavenly Demon. That was the path the Drunken Demon had to walk in his relationship with Father.

And I had a premonition that this change in relationship would change the person known as the Drunken Demon.

This time, the Drunken Demon looked at me and smiled.

"Wait until this worthless hyung becomes cool."

The Drunken Demon was speaking from the heart.

"If you promise to become less cool than me."

The Drunken Demon handed me his flask. A promise with the Drunken Demon is made with alcohol. I drank from it and returned it to the Drunken Demon. The Drunken Demon drank as well.

After drinking, the Drunken Demon walked over to the Flower Sword Supreme.

He took her hand and brought her over to this side.

"I believe the Cult Leader's decision is right."

"I know. Still, your place to stand today is here."

It was enough that her intentions had been conveyed to the Cult Leader.

Even in the midst of this, the Drunken Demon placed her next to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and returned to his own spot.

And so, five Demon Supremes lined up to my left and right. When we struck the Valley of Evil, there were four, but now with the Fist Demon joining, there were five.

Father silently looked at me and the Demon Supremes. He didn't seem pleased or displeased. Then again, this was probably a first for him too.

That ridiculous sneer formed on Father's lips as he looked at me. Yes, in a situation like this, no smile was more fitting.

"Fine. Normally, I would have only permitted it if all eight Demon Supremes had come, but today, the extreme evil one did the work of three."

If the extreme evil one counted for three, that made seven in total.

"Bring just one more person before me, and I will permit this matter."

"Who is it?"

A name flowed from Father's lips. The very person I had not met even once since my return, the name of the final Demon Supreme.

"The Poison King."