Chapter 245: He Will Play with the Bloody Wind

TL: FoodieMonster007

The Poison King was speechless for a moment. He blinked, then asked.

"Are you asking me to play with you right now? And with the Demonic Buddha, too?"

"That's right."

The Poison King placed a palm on Geom Mugeuk's forehead to check for a fever.

"This must be a side effect of the Heavenly Qi Pill."

The Poison King even grabbed Geom Mugeuk's wrist and took his pulse.

"Is playing for one day that difficult for you?"

Geom Mugeuk blocked the Poison King as he tried to escape through the back door.

"You don't need to feel so burdened. I'll be with you."

"I'd rather you ask me to go bark at the training grounds again. Why on earth are you being like this?"

"I want to rest for a day. I also wanted to play with you, the Poison King. So let's just hang out for a day."

As the Poison King sighed, Sangseon announced from outside that the Demonic Buddha had arrived.

The Poison King cursed Geom Mugeuk with his expression and went outside.

"A distinguished guest has arrived."

"Have you been well?"

The two men greeted each other politely. The Poison King acted as if nothing had happened, receiving the Demonic Buddha with the dignity of a Demon Supreme. This was unlike how he had tried to run away, claiming the Demonic Buddha made him uncomfortable.

"Is this your first time in the Thousand Poisons Forest?"

"It is. On my way here, I saw that the scenery was spectacular everywhere."

"There are many even better places."

In truth, the Poison King had never been to the Golden Buddhist Temple where the Demonic Buddha resided. As someone who preferred seclusion in the Thousand Poisons Forest, he never had a reason to visit the residences of other Demon Supremes.

After finishing his greetings, the Demonic Buddha looked at Geom Mugeuk.

"Second Young Lord, so you were here."

He said it as if he had come without knowing Geom Mugeuk was there. His acting was quite good. Geom Mugeuk knew full well that the man had come because of him, but he played along.

"As expected! It seems you and I are fated to meet, the Demonic Buddha. To think we'd run into each other in a place like this."

"It seems so."

"Seeing you like this makes me so happy. It seems the time I've spent with you recently wasn't in vain, the Demonic Buddha."

Even with the Poison King next to him, Geom Mugeuk expressed his feelings without hesitation.

"Won't the Poison King be disappointed then?" the Poison King interjected.

"Why would I be disappointed?"

"Is there anyone in our Cult who doesn't know of the special friendship between you two?"

He was referring to them barking together at the training grounds.

The Poison King looked at Geom Mugeuk and shook his head.

"I've been through all sorts of things since meeting the Second Young Lord."

The Poison King sent a telepathic message to Geom Mugeuk.

This is the biggest problem of all!

Geom Mugeuk turned his head, pretending not to have heard.

After the greetings were over, the Poison King guided the Demonic Buddha to the guest pavilion of the Thousand Poisons Gate.

"Come, this way please."

The place was like a rustic lookout pavilion, its harmony with the surrounding scenery creating a wonderful atmosphere. It was a place rarely used since there were almost no visitors, but Sangseon always kept it clean.

One person looked abnormally young, and one person was abnormally small. With Geom Mugeuk there as well, the gathering looked truly special.

"Did you handle your business outside the Cult well?"

"Thanks to your concern, it was handled well."

The conversation died down, and a brief silence followed.

Although the Demonic Buddha met many people, even he felt awkward in this situation. He had almost no interaction with the Poison King usually, and he really couldn't get used to that youthful appearance. Of course, he knew the other party probably felt the same way looking at him.

The Poison King's telepathy flew to Geom Mugeuk.

I can barely breathe already, and you want to play? A life-and-death duel would be more fun.

Fortunately, Sangseon brought tea, clearing the air.

"This tea tastes great!"

Geom Mugeuk drank the tea comfortably, but the Demonic Buddha only fiddled with his teacup, not bringing it to his lips. If one of his subordinates had drunk tea as casually as Geom Mugeuk in this place, he would have roared at them.

You're drinking tea served by the Poison King? You idiot! I'd rather you die by my hand!

That was how feared the Poison King was by everyone.

"To be honest, I came to see you today because of the Second Young Lord."

The Demonic Buddha glanced at Geom Mugeuk and continued.

"I heard the Second Young Lord was here, so I came to visit. Lately, I've been thoroughly enjoying my interactions with the Second Young Lord."

Geom Mugeuk could clearly feel that this Demonic Buddha was not the same as before. He showed a new side of himself, like a man who had bet everything on his dealings with him. Such candor was not characteristic of the Demonic Buddha.

"I'm curious. What do you usually talk about when you meet with the Second Young Lord, Poison King?"

At that, the Poison King said, "Today, I called him over and made him do some cleaning."

The Demonic Buddha flinched in surprise. He thought the Poison King was expressing displeasure at his question.

"It seems I've said something rude."

Just then, Geom Mugeuk cut in.

"I really did clean."

Geom Mugeuk spoke to the surprised Demonic Buddha as if complaining.

"Did you think I got close to the Demon Supremes just by running my mouth? I put in a tremendous amount of effort too."

If he had really gone so far as to clean, it was clear that Geom Mugeuk's claim of being tired wasn't just a ploy.

"Even so, you should be more selective about your work."

He didn't add the words, since you are a body that could become the Heavenly Demon. After all, his goal was to prevent him from becoming the Heavenly Demon.

An awkward silence fell again at his words. In other words, it implied that the Poison King had assigned work indiscriminately.

However, the Poison King didn't express any displeasure toward the Demonic Buddha. He could just take it out on Geom Mugeuk instead.

Did you hear that? Those words that make people uncomfortable. How am I supposed to play with him?

He means no harm. You know that, right?

I can't even play by myself, how am I supposed to play with him?

Was he the only one? Geom Mugeuk and the Demonic Buddha were also people who had never really played in their entire lives. That was why Geom Mugeuk wanted to have a good time with them. It wasn't an opportunity that came often.

First, how about you give us a tour of the Thousand Poisons Forest?

Before Geom Mugeuk's telepathy had even finished, the Poison King spoke to the Demonic Buddha.

"Since you've come all this way, I will give you a tour of the Thousand Poisons Forest."

The Demonic Buddha was about to say he would see it next time, but Geom Mugeuk shot up to his feet first.

"Let's go. It'll be fun."

And so, the Poison King guided them into the Thousand Poisons Forest.

The Thousand Poisons Forest was vast and dense. After walking for about fifteen minutes, they came upon a magnificent bamboo grove with a walking path.

"Oh, so there was a place like this."

It was a direction Geom Mugeuk had never been before. Past the bamboo grove was a giant tree that must have been a thousand years old, and behind it was a field where nameless flowers were in full bloom.

The three of them, captivated by the beautiful scenery, walked slowly.

The Demonic Buddha, who had been reluctant at first, gradually became immersed in the scenery of the Thousand Poisons Forest. Exclamations of "How nice," repeatedly escaped his lips.

"Be careful."

A colorful snake flicked its tongue from a tree.

"That's the White Spotted Snake. It carries a potent venom that even a master can't survive for a day without an antidote."

Geom Mugeuk figured the Poison King must have named that snake as well.

On the way, Geom Mugeuk asked about the poisonous herbs, insects, and snakes they saw, and the Poison King explained them with excitement.

The Demonic Buddha thought Geom Mugeuk's actions were an attempt to humor the Poison King.

I have to admit, he's diligent.

However, Geom Mugeuk asked about all sorts of things. The Poison King, in turn, told him everything he knew, and Geom Mugeuk listened with extreme seriousness.

Just then, the Demonic Buddha remarked, "The Second Young Lord is very curious."

"How many chances does a person get in their life to hear an explanation about poisons directly from the Poison King?"

In fact, Geom Mugeuk was trying his best to memorize everything the Poison King said.

It didn't matter to him since he had Myriad Poison Immunity, but who knew when someone else might get poisoned?

The Demonic Buddha also listened to the explanations beside them. He, who was always the one teaching, learned several new things for the first time in a while. There was a joy in learning.

After walking for a long time, they arrived at a valley with a cascading waterfall.

SWOOOOOSH.

They decided to take a short break there.

"I'm hot, so I'm going for a swim."

Geom Mugeuk casually threw off his top and plunged into the water.

"It's nice being with the Second Young Lord. It's never boring."

The Poison King nodded at the Demonic Buddha's words. It would have been a relief if it was just boring without Geom Mugeuk at this moment, but for the Poison King, it was an ordeal.

Just as the Poison King was wondering if he should jump into the water too, the Demonic Buddha brought up the topic of the succession.

"I admit the momentum is shifting toward the Second Young Lord. That's why the First Young Lord desperately needs your support, Poison King."

The Demonic Buddha intended to use this opportunity to secure an official endorsement for the First Young Lord from the Poison King.

"Whether the First Young Lord would be a better Cult Leader or the Second Young Lord would be a better Cult Leader, that's something no one can know, isn't it?"

Seeing the Poison King nod, the Demonic Buddha continued to speak.

"There are times when I look at the Second Young Lord and feel afraid. I worry that his strange fervor might drag the entire murim into our affairs."

At that, the Poison King, who had just been listening, suddenly spoke.

"And would that be so wrong?"

"It's not that it would be wrong, but…"

"I believe we shouldn't be worried about this fervor, but rather about the lack of it."

The Poison King had been awkward, but he said what he needed to say.

On the other hand, the Demonic Buddha felt the bewilderment of being hit right on the mark. He had always felt a sense of regret that the First Young Lord didn't have even a little of the same fervor as Geom Mugeuk.

The Poison King looked at Geom Mugeuk. Geom Mugeuk, who had been swimming, was now shouting as he went under the waterfall. It was impossible to tell if he was shouting in pleasure or pain.

"I believe the Second Young Lord is more suitable to be the Heavenly Demon."

The Demonic Buddha was flustered by the Poison King's words. The Poison King had chosen Geom Mugeuk.

"Just because his martial arts are strong or he's more eloquent doesn't mean he'll be a better Heavenly Demon, does it?"

"That's not why. I see it in the Second Young Lord."

"What is it that you see?"

The Poison King looked at Geom Mugeuk, who was sitting under the waterfall making a fuss, and said, "I see our destiny."

The Poison King admitted that because he liked his own world, he wasn't good at understanding other people's feelings.

However, he felt it. The more he looked at Geom Mugeuk, the more he sensed a great destiny approaching them.

He believed he could feel it precisely because he had spent so much time in his own world. Something that the Demonic Buddha, entangled in countless relationships, could never see.

"You've fallen for the Second Young Lord's intentions. You've been taken in by his schemes and tricks."

"If the Second Young Lord were that kind of person, his request to me today would have been to persuade you, Demonic Buddha."

"Then what did he ask?"

"He asked for the three of us to have fun together today."

"!"

In that moment, a thought struck the Demonic Buddha.

Ah, it won't be easy to defeat the Second Young Lord. How do you win against a madman like this?

The confidence he had at the beginning shriveled up instantly.

"If the Second Young Lord becomes the Heavenly Demon, it could instead bring a storm of blood."

"The Second Young Lord will be playing with that bloody wind."

The Demonic Buddha said no more. He could feel that the Poison King's decision was firm.

This won't be easy.

If he couldn't change the Poison King's mind, the only Demon Supremes supporting the First Young Lord would be himself and the Fist Demon, and the Fist Demon's support was only half-hearted.

Just then, Geom Mugeuk, who had been pretending to be a cultivator under the waterfall, swam over to them.

"Did you see my waterfall training? It was as if I became a martial artist dreaming of revenge through extreme training…"

Without hearing him out, the Poison King stood up and said, "There's still more to see. Let's go."

The Demonic Buddha also shot to his feet and followed him.

Geom Mugeuk shouted as he got out of the water.

"Why? Did I do something wrong? Let's go together! Hey, let me dry my clothes before we go!"

I told them to take a break. It looks like they had an important conversation in the meantime. Right, how could people who have never played in their lives play so easily? It's a relief they didn't end up fighting.

FWOOOOSH!

As Geom Mugeuk walked, he emitted his Hot Yang Qi. Steam billowed up, and his clothes began to dry in an instant.

I was grateful to the Poison King.

He was doing his best to grant my request. Otherwise, he wouldn't have made such a suggestion.

"Let's make a bet."

At the word 'bet', the Demonic Buddha showed interest. He was curious about what kind of bet it was, and he had a strong competitive streak and liked betting itself.

"What kind of bet?"

"In this forest, there is a poisonous herb called the Seven Lives Grass, which has seven-pronged leaves and purple berries. Let's bet on who can find it first."

"Isn't that too disadvantageous for us? You must be very familiar with the geography here, Poison King."

"I don't know where the Seven Lives Grass is either. I know for sure that it exists, but it seems I'm not fated to find it."

Since it didn't seem like he would lie about something like this, the Demonic Buddha asked again.

"If it's a bet, there should be a reward."

As the two of them pondered, I said, "Next time we have a chance, how about the losers treat the winner to a grand round of drinks at the Alluring Inn?"

The Poison King and the Demonic Buddha nodded. A competitive fire burned in the Demonic Buddha's eyes. For him, at least, this was more than just a bet for drinks.

"Alright. Let's do it."

And so, we wandered around, searching for the Seven Lives Grass.

It wasn't easy to find, even after searching for a long time. I even used the Divine Eye Technique to search, but I couldn't find it.

"I found it!"

The one who found the Seven Lives Grass was the Demonic Buddha, who had crisscrossed the forest with his small body.

The Poison King and I rushed to him using our movement arts.

"Is this it?"

"Oh! It is! This is the Seven Lives Grass."

The Poison King looked genuinely moved.

"To think you found something this precious. You truly have a talent for gathering spiritual herbs. We should go to that forest over there next time."

As he said that, the Poison King carefully dug up the Seven Lives Grass. He did it with such care that I asked, thinking, no way.

"You didn't propose this bet because you needed the Seven Lives Grass, did you?"

For a moment, the Poison King's back flinched as he was digging up the Seven Lives Grass.

The Poison King carefully placed the Seven Lives Grass in his robes and said to the Demonic Buddha, "When you visit next time, let's go out and play again. You are welcome anytime, Demonic Buddha!"

After saying his farewells as if bidding a final goodbye, the Poison King launched himself away.

He was gone just like that.

As the Poison King disappeared into the distance, the Demonic Buddha looked at me with an expression that said, 'What on earth just happened?'

"We've been had! He mobilized us as his personal gatherers!"

The Demonic Buddha took my words, which could have been serious, as a joke.

"He must have been very uncomfortable in this situation."

From far away, the Poison King glanced back at me.

His gaze said it all.

I had a great time playing. I'm leaving now.

"……"

My efforts end here. Now it's your turn.