Chapter 242: If Not a Chance Like This, Then When?

TL: FoodieMonster007

First Young Lord Geom Muyang stood alone on the edge of a cliff on the Great Sky Peak.

In the distance, the buildings of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult looked small.

Geom Muyang extended his hand. If he just grasped it, the entire Heavenly Demon Divine Cult could fit in his palm.

He opened the empty fist he had clenched in the air and recalled what Geom Mugeuk had once said.

"There's no coexistence for brothers in a power struggle? That they'll end up killing each other? Who the hell decided that? Why should we be swayed by the precedents and suspicions of pathetic bastards who can't even control their own desires? So don't even dream of being swayed. If you ever feel the anxiety that I might kill you, come find me."

If that were true, Geom Muyang should have gone to him at least ten times. He suffered from frequent nightmares recently. Every time, Geom Mugeuk killed him in his dreams with a smile on his face.

"You're so naive, Hyung. Did you believe everything I said? Well, I guess that's why you're in this mess. Did you think power could be shared? The greatest power in all of murim, at that? I'm grateful you're this naive, but… it's truly pathetic, so pathetic."

He would wake up cursing the boy. He hurled all sorts of insults, but Geom Muyang knew he was the one who lost every time. He knew that the words Geom Mugeuk uttered were, in the end, his own thoughts.

Geom Muyang had also been living a busy life.

He handled the Cult's internal affairs, met with Demonic Cultists of various ranks, and went out to take care of external matters. He was so busy that he even sacrificed his sleeping hours.

However, he could not keep up with Geom Mugeuk's unstoppable pace.

One moment Geom Mugeuk became a disciple of the Fist Demon. The next, he wandered the Thousand Poisons Forest for poisonous insects. Then he left the Cult with the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon, and then…

Geom Muyang was not the kind of person who could bark in the training grounds, nor could he carry the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon on his back and run to the brink of death.

WAAAAAAAH!

The people's fervent cheers for Geom Mugeuk seemed to ring in his ears. He did not want to be a petty and narrow-minded person, but it was difficult to endure this maddening jealousy.

Just as he felt like screaming, the Demonic Buddha arrived. His short stature and golden radiance were the same as ever.

"You called for me?"

"Welcome."

The Demonic Buddha stood beside Geom Muyang at the cliff's edge.

"The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon has awakened."

"I heard," Geom Muyang's voice was dry.

The Demonic Buddha could tell Geom Muyang was not in a good mood. It was only natural, as the Demon Supremes were turning to Geom Mugeuk one by one.

The Demonic Buddha understood Geom Muyang's feelings better than anyone.

"The Fist Demon still supports the First Young Lord."

The corner of Geom Muyang's mouth curled up slightly.

"But his disciple is Mugeuk."

He judged that the Fist Demon's support would not last long either.

"The Fist Demon is a man who separates public and private matters. He won't carelessly go back on his word," the Demonic Buddha quickly added.

"The Poison King will also support the Young Lord."

"While barking with Mugeuk in the training grounds?"

"That is why the Second Young Lord has moved further away from the succession. The one who will become the Heavenly Demon should not have acted that way."

"Are you aware that Mugeuk's popularity within the Cult has only risen since that day?"

"What's more important than popularity is the Cult Leader's will. The First Young Lord is the Cult Leader's eldest son, and he has given us faith since childhood that you would be the successor."

The Demonic Buddha tried to empower him, but Geom Muyang asked listlessly, "Lately, when I look at you and me, a thought comes to mind. A defeatist and a groundless optimist. Don't you think so?"

"Who is the defeatist?"

At the Demonic Buddha's question, Geom Muyang's expression soured slightly.

Geom Muyang probably had no idea. He had no idea that the Demonic Buddha had been frustrated and disappointed so many times in their relationship that he had nearly fallen into defeatism himself. That he had steeled his heart time and again to come this far.

The Demonic Buddha asked calmly, "I've never been an optimist, but even if I were, why do you think it is groundless?"

"Then do you believe I can become the successor?"

The Demonic Buddha stared into Geom Muyang's eyes and answered firmly.

"I believe."

"And that's the problem. Your judgment of the situation is this clouded. While we were stagnating and rotting, Mugeuk burst forth like a waterfall and flowed out to the sea."

"No matter how talented the Second Young Lord is, we only need to do one thing well."

"What is that?"

The Demonic Buddha raised his voice and shouted, as if from a mountaintop.

"The First Young Lord is more suited for the Cult Leader's position!"

His shout echoed several times.

When the echoes faded, the Demonic Buddha said, "That is all we need to convince everyone of. There's no need to feel your pride wounded or to be angry just because the Second Young Lord has captured the hearts of the Demon Supremes. The First Young Lord only needs to accomplish that one thing."

Geom Muyang burst out in a strained tone, "You're so frustrating! Do you, the Demonic Buddha, truly believe I'm more suited for the Cult Leader's position?"

The Demonic Buddha stated with certainty, "Yes, you are more suited."

"This is why I call it groundless confidence. Aren't you just left with me because you couldn't get chosen by Mugeuk?"

Geom Muyang spat out words he should never have said, words that would deeply wound the Demonic Buddha, without any filter.

Unexpectedly, the Demonic Buddha did not seem offended. Those words sounded like a scream.

Until now, Geom Muyang had hidden his true feelings when dealing with him. It made him wonder what Geom Muyang was thinking, but now, he was screaming that he was struggling.

"Those words are the ones that are truly groundless."

When the Demonic Buddha replied calmly, Geom Muyang took a small vial from his robes.

"Do you know what's in here?"

"What is in it?"

"It's imperceptible poison."

The Demonic Buddha was startled at the words 'imperceptible poison'.

"Are you saying you're going to kill the Second Young Lord with that?"

Geom Muyang answered without hesitation.

"There's no reason I can't kill him."

The Demonic Buddha stared at him and asked, "Then why are you taking it out here? Ask the Second Young Lord for a drink, slip it in, and kill him! Just kill him!"

After that outburst, the Demonic Buddha soothed him with all his heart.

"You know you can't do that, don't you? The Second Young Lord declared he would fight for the succession without bloodshed. If you poison the Second Young Lord, no one will follow the First Young Lord. Not the Demon Supremes, nor the Demonic Cultists below them."

Geom Muyang looked down at the vial and said, "That's why… I'm considering using it on myself."

SLAP!

Geom Muyang's head snapped to the side.

The Demonic Buddha had leaped up and mercilessly slapped him across the cheek.

A shocked Geom Muyang stared at him. He had never dreamed that the Demonic Buddha would lay a hand on him, so he was beyond surprised.

The Demonic Buddha held out his hand.

"Give it to me."

A cold aura, along with a golden radiance, emanated from the Demonic Buddha's body.

It was the first time Geom Muyang had seen it. The Demonic Buddha, this angry in front of him.

"Give it to me!"

Overpowered by his forcefulness, Geom Muyang gave him the vial.

The Demonic Buddha uncorked it and poured the contents over the cliff. Then he threw the bottle away as well.

The two were silent for a long time.

"I've… never been hit before."

"It's the first time I've ever hit a blood relative of the Cult Leader."

He had expected the prideful Geom Muyang to go berserk, but surprisingly, he was calm. Perhaps if he had been hit when he spoke of killing Geom Mugeuk, he might have exploded.

"I paid a high price for that poison. What a waste."

"What's a waste is the time you spent on such futile thoughts."

The corners of Geom Muyang's mouth, which had been curled up the entire time, returned to their proper place. Geom Muyang sat down. He had been looking down at the Demonic Buddha while speaking, but now they were at eye level.

"First Young Lord, look up at the sky for a moment."

The Demonic Buddha looked up at the sky.

Geom Muyang's gaze, which had been fixed on the distant Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, also turned to the sky.

The Demonic Buddha wasn't originally this kind of person. Geom Muyang felt it. Both he and the Demonic Buddha had changed a lot. Everyone was changing as they became entangled with Geom Mugeuk.

"You must overcome your anxiety to become the successor. If the Second Young Lord has struck like a typhoon, then the First Young Lord must become a rock. Become a rock that stands firm even in a typhoon."

Geom Muyang's eyes wavered. This person, the Demonic Buddha, is sincere.

The last Demon Supreme remaining by his side.

Come to think of it, the Demonic Buddha had been there from the beginning.

He was the Demon Supreme who had stayed from the very beginning to the very end.

"I'm not a rock, but a mere pebble rolling in the typhoon. Elder, you should go to Mugeuk too! Mugeuk will understand your heart better. He'll be a better speaker than me, and more considerate."

"That's why I don't like it. That's my role, so why is the Second Young Lord doing it? I, the older one, should be considerate and understanding. Just as I'm trying to understand the First Young Lord right now."

Geom Muyang felt a surge of emotion.

The last time they met, he had said this to Geom Mugeuk.

"If you think the Demon Supremes are your people just because they smile in front of you, you're gravely mistaken. In the final moment, they will ultimately make the choice that benefits them."

He had lived with that mindset until now.

"Why did you choose me?"

The blowing wind rustled the hems of their clothes.

"I suppose I just like the First Young Lord more than the Second Young Lord."

The Demonic Buddha spoke with a laugh, as if joking, but Geom Muyang did not laugh.

When his life had been pushed to the edge of a cliff, someone was standing at that edge, protecting him.

The Demonic Buddha, who was only half the height of an adult, stood in front of him like a giant, blocking the way.

"Then I'll head down first."

The Demonic Buddha bid farewell and turned away.

"The Demonic Buddha."

"……"

"Actually, that medicine from before… it wasn't imperceptible poison. It's an internal injury treatment made by the Demonic Physician. I had no intention of drinking it whatsoever."

"I know."

Geom Muyang was startled.

"You knew?"

The Demonic Buddha took out an identical vial from his robes.

"Because I have one too."

"You hit me even though you knew?"

The Demonic Buddha smiled awkwardly.

"If not a chance like this, when else would I get to hit the First Young Lord?"

Without waiting for an answer, the Demonic Buddha quickly turned and descended the mountain.

Watching him go, Geom Muyang eventually let out a disbelieving laugh.

Geom Muyang also rose from his seat. Instead of the distant Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, he looked up at the sky.

"…If I go on like this, I'll lose in the end."

He might have already lost.

Still, he could not just lose. He thought he had to do his best until the very end.

For some reason, it felt like he would not have a nightmare tonight.

"Are you going to keep getting on my nerves?"

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon, who had been reading a book, lifted his head and looked at me.

I was pacing back and forth in the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's room.

"I'm in the middle of some important contemplation."

"And I'm asking why you're doing that important contemplation here."

"There are so many books here, I feel like I'm getting smarter."

"Then go contemplate in the Heavenly Demon Archives. You'll become the smartest person in the world."

"But you're not there, Elder."

I sidled up to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.

"What can I do when you're the person I think of when I'm in a crisis?"

"Don't you have that mask-wearer you like so much? You're close enough to give him the Ten-Thousand Year Blood Ginseng. Go ask him."

I barely managed to suppress a laugh.

This stubborn old man gets jealous from time to time, which doesn't suit him at all. The Blood Heaven Blade Demon was especially jealous of the Smiling Demon.

"Who could compare to our Elder? Tell the Smiling Demon to go stare at a wall in the Valley of Evil."

"That's not it, is it? You're not disturbing him so he can have a good time with the woman who came with him."

"So you know that the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman came."

"Even if I don't want to know, all sorts of reports fly in all day."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon returned to his book.

"So go discuss that 'Golden Grand Operation' or whatever it's called with the mask-wearer or the drunkard."

I sat on the floor next to the window where the Blood Heaven Blade Demon was reading.

"I came up with a grand name for the operation, but I haven't been able to make a single detailed plan. You've read so many books, surely there's a method in one of them?"

"You brat, this is a place to rest by avoiding those nonsensical operations. Find the answer out there."

"Fine. I'll stay here until I find an answer!"

"By whose permission!"

The moment I threw myself onto the bed, an invisible force pushed me away.

"Don't lie on the bed with clothes you've worn outside!"

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon used telekinesis to move me to the front of the door.

I leaned against the window next to the door and contemplated.

"What on earth is your problem?"

"This operation is difficult because it's not about unconditionally making the Demonic Buddha my person."

"Why can't you make him your person?"

There was no way the Blood Heaven Blade Demon did not know the reason.

"Because if I take the Demonic Buddha too, it would be cornering my brother too much."

I was worried that my brother might make a move he should not.

However, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon was looking at the situation from a different perspective than I was.

"Is that really so?"

"Is it not?"

After a brief pause, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon said, "If even the Demonic Buddha turns his back, wouldn't the First Young Lord give up cleanly? I had considered the First Young Lord to be that kind of person."

"!"

It seems I trusted my brother less than the Blood Heaven Blade Demon did. It was probably because of how he tormented me when we were young. I had a prejudice that he would resort to vile and petty acts if cornered.

However, separate from me, the relationship between my brother and the Demon Supremes also existed. To the Demon Supremes, my brother was a man who knew when to back down.

"You have to give the First Young Lord a chance to properly admit defeat. The things you're worrying about now are more likely to happen when he has lingering attachments."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon, who had been looking down at his book while speaking, lifted his head to look at me.

"When you crush someone, you crush them completely. For the First Young Lord's sake, too."

I stared at the Blood Heaven Blade Demon without a word.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"It's what I always say, but I was just wondering how I would live without you, Elder."

"And it's what I always say, you'd live just fine sharing the Ten-Thousand Year Blood Ginseng with the mask-wearer."

"You're persistent."

"Right, worry about this grudge over here. Why are you worrying about their relationship? How arrogant."

I bowed my head respectfully to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.

"Thank you. I've found the answer thanks to you."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon was right.

Only when I faced him with my full strength would my brother laugh hollowly and admit defeat.

A half-hearted consideration would only wound his pride. I would make the Demonic Buddha my person, decisively. In fact, doing so would allow the relationship between my brother and the Demonic Buddha to reach a new point as well.

After leaving the Blade Demon's residence, I immediately headed toward the Demonic Buddha's residence, which was bustling with mad monks.