Chapter 241: Stop Getting Stronger!

TL: FoodieMonster007

The Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman felt deeply moved.

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon had not gotten angry. Instead, he spoke the exact words she longed to hear.

"Yes, Orabeoni. I really want to see your room."

She fought back tears. She had endured countless hardships as the master of the Thousand Flower Palace and had never cried, but now, that single phrase from the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon nearly made her weep.

She felt as if her relationship with the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon, and her affection for him, was being perfected in this moment.

They had never spoken of love, but his words sounded like a declaration to her. He had only offered to show her his room.

The Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman turned to Geom Mugeuk.

"Thank you, Second Young Lord."

While she waited for the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon to awaken, she had heard the story from Seo Daeryong. She learned that Geom Mugeuk had carried the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon on his back for a long distance and had even given up the Ten-Thousand Year Blood Ginseng, a treasure any martial artist would covet.

"All I did was carry him and run. Your thanks should go to the Martial Physician, not me."

The Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman then expressed her gratitude to the Martial Physician.

"Thank you, Physician."

"Not at all, madam. The Demon Supreme is so robust that there were no complications, so there's no need to thank me. I'll send the medicine you'll need to the Valley of Evil. You two may leave now."

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon and the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman left the medical room first.

The Martial Physician watched them go and thought of his wife. He remembered a time when they, too, had been like that.

Surprisingly, the memory of his wife calmed his heart, a feeling that was new to him.

The Martial Physician spoke to Geom Mugeuk.

"I once thought I might feel empty after finishing my revenge."

"Do you feel empty?"

The Martial Physician firmly shook his head.

"Not at all. I feel so at ease and good. So much so that I wonder if it's even okay to feel this way."

"You're allowed to feel even more triumphant."

"Can you spare a moment? There's something I want to show you."

The Martial Physician led Geom Mugeuk to his quarters. He passed through a secret door and guided him to the place he had shown him before.

The room, once a perfect replica of his old home, had changed.

It was now a study. Bookshelves lined the walls, and a comfortable space was set up for reading. He was changing for a new life, one free from killing intent.

"Oh, the atmosphere is nice. Elder Blade Demon is also very fond of books."

"I know. I often discuss books with that friend."

The only person the Martial Physician could call a friend was the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.

Just then, Geom Mugeuk noticed some pieces of wood in a corner.

"What are those?"

Next to the wood were tools for shaping and carving it.

"Father was a carpenter. When I think of him, I remember him carving wood in the yard. Now, I'm thinking of trying it myself, even if just as a hobby."

The Martial Physician sighed lightly and added, "There's no unfilial son quite like me. To only think of Father now that my heart is at ease about my son."

"Your father would have been the same."

The two men looked at each other and shared a pleasant smile.

Geom Mugeuk felt grateful. He was grateful that the man was trying to change and, above all, that he was showing this changed side to him.

Because of you, I am becoming this happy.

The Martial Physician was telling him this now.

Yes, this is how you must say it. Because only when you say it like this do I finally understand. If you don't say it, people won't know.

Thank you, Martial Physician.

For making me feel that risking my life was worthwhile.

And please, be happy.

For the first time in her life, the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman walked through the inner grounds of the Demonic Cult.

The cultists they passed bowed their heads respectfully to the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon.

They were all ferocious-looking men. These terrifying cultists, who looked like they could turn the murim upside down, greeted the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon as demurely as new brides.

She whispered so only the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon could hear.

"I'd forgotten what kind of person my Orabeoni is. You were always this amazing."

Being a man, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon did not dislike her words.

"From now on, I should hang my Orabeoni's mask in front of the Thousand Flower Palace. Then I'll dare those bastards to get drunk and cause a scene!"

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon simply smiled with his eyes at her joke, saying nothing. Since he was a man of few words, she did not mind his silence.

"I'm so nervous right now. That building is really unusual. Are there martial artists ambushing us over there?" After chattering on, she added one last comment.

"I'm sorry. For coming here on my own."

He had only listened to her other words, but to this, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon replied.

"It's fine."

He then added a phrase he normally would never say.

"I was planning to bring you here someday."

Because the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon was usually so taciturn, she felt deeply moved by each and every word.

While they spoke, the two arrived at the Valley of Evil.

The Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman was startled by the scene at the entrance.

Countless members of the Faceless Warriors were lined up there.

They had all gathered at the news that the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon was returning after recovering from his injuries. All of them wore white, smiling masks. It was a terrifying yet magnificent sight. It was also the first time she realized the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon had so many subordinates.

As the two passed, the nearby Faceless Warriors bowed their heads. The greetings continued like a wave, fervently welcoming the safe return of the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon.

The Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman felt a sense of fear, but also a certain excitement. The gazes directed at her held a mixture of respect for the leader's woman and curiosity.

It was the first time the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon, who had never brought a woman here before, had come to the Valley of Evil with one.

She felt that from this moment on, her destiny and her relationship with the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon would change.

The Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman whispered a question.

"But how do you tell each other apart? When you're all wearing masks like that."

"You can't tell, but we all can."

"That's amazing."

Hearing that, she noticed the masks seemed to have slightly different shapes. Some had unique patterns or were painted with various colors.

After walking for a long while, they arrived at his residence.

Entering the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon's room, the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman was shocked. She had never imagined a room with white walls on all sides.

She placed a hand on the white wall.

"It's such a clean room."

"It would be uncomfortable for you to stay here."

She was a woman who could endure anything as long as she was with the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon, but looking at the room, which was devoid of a single piece of furniture, made her heart ache for some reason.

"Do you sleep here?"

She had not thought it possible, but the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon nodded.

"But there's no bed?"

"The only time I lie down to sleep is when I'm at the Thousand Flower Palace."

"Ah!"

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon loved to lie on her lap. To think he lived in a place like this when he was at the Demonic Cult. She had imagined he would sleep in a truly large and magnificent bed.

Just then, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon said something unexpected.

"Why don't you take this opportunity to seriously pursue your dream?"

The Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman was startled by his words. Her dream was to become the empress of the night and establish her brothels throughout the Central Plains.

"Now that Yeo Bulgae is dead and there's a power vacuum, this should be your chance."

This meant that the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon would back her. It was definitely an opportunity, and the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman was not a woman to let it pass.

"Yes, I'll give it a try."

The two looked at each other and nodded. She knew that when it came to work, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon was thorough and rational.

The Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman achieving her dream would also be a great help to the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon.

To rule the night also meant to rule information. After all, secrets tend to lose their power in the face of alcohol and beautiful women.

This time, the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman asked about a line drawn on the wall.

"What is that line over there?"

It was the line he had drawn with Geom Mugeuk. It was the only thing that stood out in the white room, and she had been holding back the question since she first saw it.

"It's the line of my life."

It was an answer she could never understand, but the look in the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon's eyes as he gazed at the line seemed more pleasant than ever before.

The Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman stood next to the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon and leaned her head on his shoulder.

"I guess that's why it's drawn so magnificently."

When I returned to my residence, Lee Ahn was waiting in the courtyard.

"What are you doing here?"

"What do you think? I was waiting for the sleepy young master."

"How did you know when I'd be back?"

"I was going to wait until you came."

I had heard from the Martial Physician that she had come and cried her eyes out while I was asleep. Her worried expression showed everything.

"Have you been starving? Your face is pale."

On top of that, her eyes were swollen as if she had been crying again.

"Just when I thought you were getting a little prettier, you've become ugly again."

"I lived just fine being a hundred times uglier."

"Let's go. I'll buy you something delicious. Let's empty out the Alluring Inn today, just the two of us!"

"I have something to tell you."

"Tell me on the way. I'm hungry."

I started walking ahead, and Lee Ahn followed behind me.

She followed me closely like a shadow, then suddenly spoke.

"From now on, take me with you. I'm going to be your bodyguard again."

I answered while continuing to walk.

"Alright."

"I'm not joking. I'm serious."

"I know."

Since I agreed so readily, Lee Ahn quickly ran up to stare intently at my face.

"Really?"

"……"

Just as she was about to jump for joy, she flinched and asked, "There's a condition, isn't there?"

"Of course."

"What is it?"

"You can be my bodyguard when you achieve the Twelfth Star complete mastery of the Soaring Sky Sword Art."

Lee Ahn's face fell with an 'I knew it' expression of disappointment.

"I haven't even reached simple complete mastery yet, so when am I supposed to achieve the Twelfth Star complete mastery? I might not be able to do it before I die of old age."

"Otherwise, I'd have to carry you back too, wouldn't I?"

"!"

She knew exactly what that meant, so she could not keep insisting. If I was in a life-threatening situation, she might not be of any help even with the Twelfth Star complete mastery.

"Stop getting stronger!"

"The correct answer is, 'I will get stronger!' my lord of the Ghost Shadow Squad."

And so, we arrived at the Alluring Inn in the Demon Village.

"Director, it's been a long time!"

Jo Cheonbae greeted me, looking the same as ever.

"Innkeeper, have you been well?"

"I'm always the same. I heard you've been very busy lately."

"Even while I was so busy, I was dying to eat your cooking. Please make me all of my favorites."

Jo Cheonbae headed to the kitchen with an excited spring in his step. I went up to our spot on the second floor.

"Did you know? The innkeeper always keeps this spot empty."

"For us?"

"Yes. So that we can sit here whenever we come."

"We only come occasionally. Why go that far? He must be losing money."

"No, a rumor spread that this is where the Cult Leader and the Demon Supremes sat. Business is even better because of the customers who come just to see it."

Lee Ahn lowered her voice.

"Do you think the innkeeper planned it?"

"He's a shrewd old man, so he might have."

Lee Ahn and I laughed at the same time. She seemed like a different person when she smiled brightly compared to when she was worried.

In any case, seeing Lee Ahn's smiling face made me truly feel that I was back in the cult.

"How are things going with the Ghost Shadow Squad?"

"Green Mask is meeting with a few people. He said there are some trustworthy individuals. Things are progressing smoothly, and that's making me very worried."

"About what?"

"I'm the Captain, but I've barely met anyone, have I? The only person I knew was you, Young Master. Can someone like me really do a proper job as Captain?"

"You've dealt with me. Who couldn't you deal with?"

"Ah, does it come back to that again?"

Just then, Jo Cheonbae came up with alcohol and side dishes.

"Innkeeper, it's been a while. Have a drink with me."

"No, please, you two continue your conversation."

As always, Jo Cheonbae refused, but I pulled him down by his sleeve to sit.

"Just have one drink."

"Aigoo, I really shouldn't. Thank you, Director."

Jo Cheonbae accepted my drink.

"So this spot has become a famous attraction?"

"It just sort of happened. It's all thanks to you, Director."

"Next time Father or the Demon Supremes come, I'll ask them to leave a trace of their martial arts on the wall."

"A trace of their martial arts?"

"That way, the people who come to see this place will have something to look at, won't they? Next to the mark left by Father, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon can poke a hole with the Blood Calamity Finger, and we can ask Elder Blade Demon to write a poem on this table."

Jo Cheonbae waved his hands, calling it an absurd idea.

"How could I possibly ask such esteemed people for such a favor? And if I did, I wouldn't be able to sleep for worrying that someone might tear down the wall or damage the table. Now then, please enjoy your meal."

Jo Cheonbae hurriedly got up and went downstairs. Although he had called it absurd, his expression was pleased as he descended, as if he enjoyed just imagining it.

I spoke quietly to Lee Ahn.

"If you're ever unsure about human relationships, it would be helpful to ask the innkeeper here."

There was likely no one who knew more about human relationships than Jo Cheonbae, who had encountered all sorts of people.

"I will."

I drank and ate with Lee Ahn. It had been a long time, and Jo Cheonbae's cooking tasted just as good as I remembered.

"Leave the cult with Green Mask. Go and meet Strategist Go and the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader, and find some martial artists to bring into the Ghost Shadow Squad."

It was time to let her out of the greenhouse.

"And soon, Father will select his successor."

Lee Ahn was shocked by my words. She knew better than anyone how important this was in my life and how much I cared about it.

"Do you have a plan?"

"I have something in mind. I don't know if it will go as planned, though."

"What kind of plan is it?"

"If I had to give it a name…"

I drained my cup and said, "It would be something like The Great Gold Operation?"