Chapter 247: Drunk on Alcohol, Drunk on Moonlight

TL: FoodieMonster007

The Demonic Buddha opened his eyes. He shot up, startled, but found himself still inside the world of the Spacetime Manipulation Technique. Geom Mugeuk slept beside him.

I fell asleep?

He had thought Geom Mugeuk was just acting when he saw him lying on a rock. He had never fallen asleep so defenselessly, not once since becoming a Demon Supreme, or even long before. This was the first time.

The Demonic Buddha looked down at Geom Mugeuk without a word. Geom Mugeuk slept with a peaceful expression on his face.

Now I understand.

No other words were necessary. He understood why the other Demon Supreme had been captivated by the Second Young Lord. How could anyone refuse when a person like this asked them to be his Demon Supreme?

Sensing the Demonic Buddha's presence, Geom Mugeuk woke up.

"Did I wake you up for no reason?"

"Not at all. It was brief, but I slept soundly."

"Let's leave now."

"Alright."

Before leaving, the Demonic Buddha glanced back at the cave.

"I don't think I'll have any reason to miss this cave in the future."

The Demonic Buddha had hidden in that place as a child and had now emerged. He suddenly thought it might be time for his adult self to come out of his own cave.

"Then I'll release the Spacetime Manipulation Technique."

When the Spacetime Manipulation Technique disappeared, the two of them stood by the stream in the Thousand Poisons Forest again.

"Let's head back."

"Already?"

"What do you mean, 'already'?"

"I want to hang out more."

"What's so fun about hanging out with an old man like me?"

"It is fun, and we need to get some drinks."

"Drinks?"

"We need to get drinks from the Poison King, who used us as gatherers."

They had promised that whoever found the Seven Lives Grass first would be bought drinks.

"Today? Right now?"

"Can you come back here next time and say, 'Hey, Poison King. Didn't the loser of our last bet agree to buy drinks?' Can you make a demand like that?"

Of course, that would never happen. The Demonic Buddha wouldn't bring it up even if they ran into each other. If Geom Mugeuk hadn't mentioned it, he would have forgotten completely.

"If today passes, we won't be able to punish the Poison King."

"Are you really going to see this through to the end?"

"What'll you do if you're already tired? It might seem like we've been out for a long time, but it's only been half a day. I'm not comparing, but I've gone on excursions with other Demon Supreme for dozens of days. You know that, right?"

"That sounds exactly like a comparison."

"Come on, let's go. You're not at an age where you get tired of having fun this quickly!"

The Demonic Buddha let himself be dragged along as if he couldn't resist, but his steps were quick and light as they headed for the Poison King's residence.

Jo Cheonbae, the owner of the Alluring Inn, spoke politely to the youthful young man entering the tavern.

"We're not accepting any more customers today. I'm sorry."

Speaking carelessly to someone just because they looked young could lead to big trouble. In fact, the younger they were, the more cautious he had to be. From a businessman's perspective, the most frightening thing was the sword of a reckless youth who swung it without thinking of the consequences.

Just then, Geom Mugeuk stood at the second-floor railing, looked down, and remarked, "I suppose I should say my farewells to the owner."

He and the Demonic Buddha had arrived about an hour ago.

"Are you leaving already?"

"No. It's because I don't think I'll be seeing you again."

"What do you mean by that?"

Geom Mugeuk spoke chillingly to the bewildered Jo Cheonbae. "You see, you just told the Poison King of our Cult that you wouldn't sell him any drinks and that he should leave."

Jo Cheonbae's gaze shifted to the young man. He was startled out of his wits.

"Oh my! I didn't recognize you. I'm so sorry!"

As Jo Cheonbae was about to prostrate himself, the Poison King stopped him.

"There's no need to make a fuss."

Then, Geom Mugeuk added, "He can't help but make a fuss. I'm sure he doesn't know it, but our owner here is probably more afraid of the Poison King than any other Demon Supreme."

When the Poison King looked at Jo Cheonbae, the owner lowered his head, not daring to meet his eyes.

"Am I really the scariest?"

"Originally, yes, but I was surprised by how young and handsome you are. You're the most handsome man in the Central Plains."

Geom Mugeuk, who was watching, didn't let it slide. "Owner, what about me?"

"You, Director, are the Greatest of All Time handsome man."

Then the Poison King asked coldly, "So you're saying I'm not the best?"

"Oh my! That's not it. What I meant was…"

The Poison King left the flustered man behind and came up to the second floor.

Jo Cheonbae looked up at Geom Mugeuk on the second floor with a deeply moved expression.

Thanks to you, Director, I've even had the honor of serving the Poison King. I have no regrets now.

Geom Mugeuk smiled and conveyed with his eyes.

You don't know yet. No one knows who else might come.

The Poison King joined them at the table on the second floor.

"I didn't think you would come."

"How could I not come when you left this?"

The Poison King took out a letter that Geom Mugeuk had written. When he and the Demonic Buddha had gone to the Poison King's residence, the Poison King had fled through the back door. Geom Mugeuk had left a letter with Sangseon, and the Poison King had read it.

"If you don't buy me drinks, I'll buy my own and storm the Poison King's residence. I'll bring not only the Demonic Buddha, but also Detective Seo, Lee Ahn, the Demonic Army General, and Cheon Sohwi!"

The Poison King scowled. "How could I not come when you say something like this!"

If Geom Mugeuk had written that he would spread rumors about the Poison King not keeping his promise, he wouldn't have come. The Poison King didn't care what others thought. However, a large group flocking to the Thousand Poisons Forest to drink and make a racket was something the Poison King would never tolerate.

Of course, that wasn't the only reason he came. He had interpreted the letter as another of Geom Mugeuk's requests for help, an extension of 'Please hang out with us today'.

"I'm sorry. How much must I have wanted to hang out with the Poison King to do such a thing?"

"Didn't we hang out to our heart's content?"

"We have to hang out for seven days and nights to say we've really hung out. I'm prepared to stay up all night."

The Poison King waved his hands dismissively, saying he couldn't because sleeping past the time of the Purple Orb would make his morning difficult.

"The one who looks the youngest is making such a fuss!"

"You just wait until you're my age!"

The Demonic Buddha felt uncomfortable again now that the Poison King had arrived, but he was also a little glad. The Demonic Buddha knew the Poison King wouldn't have come just because of the letter. It meant his relationship with Geom Mugeuk was deep.

He could understand getting close to the Drunken Demon through drinking. However, becoming this close with the Poison King, who lived in his own world, was unbelievable. To the Demonic Buddha, the Poison King was the most uncomfortable and difficult person in the world.

"Well, let's have a drink."

The three of them toasted and drank. It was the first time the Demonic Buddha had drunk with them.

Seeing the Demonic Buddha coolly empty his cup, Geom Mugeuk asked, "Wasn't it your principle to never eat any food when in the Poison King's presence?"

"That's right."

"But you're eating so comfortably."

"If the Poison King decided to poison me, what difference would it make whether I ate the food or not?"

The Poison King smiled faintly, his expression saying, 'Yes, that's right.' That was why the Poison King was so fearsome. If he decided to use poison, not even a Demon Supreme could stop him.

The Poison King sent a telepathy to Geom Mugeuk.

[You two came out quite late. What were you doing?]

[We were resting with our feet in the stream.]

[The Demonic Buddha too?]

[Yes.]

[I can't imagine it.]

He would never believe they had slept side by side.

They drank another glass of alcohol. The fine liquor Jo Cheonbae had saved and the delicious dishes naturally lifted their spirits.

"This is why I come to the Alluring Inn."

When Jo Cheonbae brought a new dish, Geom Mugeuk said to the Demonic Buddha, "Why don't you leave a phrase or a trace of your martial arts on that wall over there, to mark your visit?"

"……"

"Most of the Demon Supreme have been to this spot, even Father. From now on, I plan to have each one leave a mark whenever they visit. Isn't that a great idea? And the first one will be the Demonic Buddha!"

The words 'the first one' stirred the Demonic Buddha's heart. A needless competitiveness kicked in. He thought that if everyone was going to write something, it would be better to be first.

"Then, let me just…"

Just then, a sound came from behind.

SKSKSKSK.

Geom Mugeuk and the Demonic Buddha turned around. The Poison King was already writing on the wall with his chopsticks. He wrote a single line of text in splendid calligraphy.

The Poison King was here.

The Poison King said to Geom Mugeuk, "You wanted me to do this, right?"

"Yes, but I was just offering the first chance to the Demonic Buddha."

"Was that so? I didn't hear you."

Geom Mugeuk believed the Poison King had simply been lost in his own world and hadn't heard the conversation. The Demonic Buddha, however, took it as a challenge.

The Demonic Buddha's body glowed with a golden light as he formed a hand seal.

"……"

He left a trace of the Great Golden Mara Art on the wall. It looked like a golden dragon with its mouth open, about to devour the Poison King's words. It was the Demonic Buddha's petty revenge for having the first spot stolen and a manifestation of the highest level of martial arts, leaving only a mark without piercing the wall.

"WAAAAAH!"

The people from the tavern had come up at some point and now admired the wall. The Poison King's writing and the Demonic Buddha's martial arts blended together perfectly, as if coordinated. Would the onlookers ever imagine the dragon wanted to eat the words?

Amidst the cheers, the Demonic Buddha sat down as if it were nothing, but his face was filled with pride.

The Poison King sent a telepathy to Geom Mugeuk.

[Getting sulky over something like this. He's such a child.]

[And what about the one who couldn't wait and just wrote it first? You two should be friends!]

[No way, that guy is so uncomfortable to be around!]

When Geom Mugeuk looked over, he saw Jo Cheonbae grinning from ear to ear in the distance.

They drank again, freely. No one urged anyone to drink or forced conversation. They let silence be and went with any idle chatter. They drank comfortably.

While drinking, Geom Mugeuk looked out the second-floor window. It wasn't late, and many people were passing by. As he blankly watched the people, he saw the Poison King blend into the crowd and disappear. The Poison King had already paid for the drinks and left without a word of goodbye.

Just then, the Demonic Buddha asked from behind him, "How can I trust you? That your heart won't change when you become the Heavenly Demon."

And here he was, asking this after suggesting they put everything aside to drink and relax.

Without turning around, Geom Mugeuk answered, "I don't know."

These were people for whom taking a single day off was this difficult.

When the Demonic Buddha returned to his residence, someone waited in the courtyard. It was Geom Muyang.

"Young Lord!"

The Demonic Buddha was drunk and held a bottle of liquor.

"Have you been drinking?"

"Yes, I had a drink for the first time in a while."

"Please give me a drink as well."

"Of course. I'll go get a cup."

"No, just give it to me."

Both of them were acting strangely. The Demonic Buddha wasn't the type to buy and carry liquor, and Geom Muyang wasn't the type to drink straight from the bottle.

"I just met with the Second Young Lord and the Poison King today. I was just drinking with the two of them."

"I see."

After each took a sip of liquor, the two men's gazes naturally turned to the night sky. The Demonic Buddha thought that he had looked up at the sky a lot today. He had looked during the day with Geom Mugeuk, and now at night with Geom Muyang.

Geom Muyang glanced at the Demonic Buddha. His flushed red cheeks mingled with the golden light, glowing in a unique color. It wasn't just the color. Today, the Demonic Buddha was different.

Geom Muyang's heart grew heavy as he guessed the cause. He had hoped that even if everyone else left, the Demonic Buddha would stay by his side. He hadn't expressed it, but he had been anxious.

To be honest, he had once wished for the Blood Heaven Blade Demon or another Demon Supreme to become his right-hand man. That was before he knew the Demonic Buddha would do so much for him.

"It seems the Poison King has completely turned to the Second Young Lord's side," the Demonic Buddha said honestly.

He had to make Geom Muyang face reality now. Words like 'It will be fine' or 'I will try harder' would only push him further toward the edge of a cliff. Now was the time to walk back from the cliff's edge with him.

I think this is as far as we can go, First Young Lord.

However, the words wouldn't come out. He couldn't bring himself to say them.

The Demonic Buddha looked at Geom Muyang. Geom Muyang was calm, even at the news that the Poison King had turned his back. In the past, he would have pretended to be fine before spitting out a cold remark or shifting the blame to the Demonic Buddha. He would have reacted sharply. However, Geom Muyang was as calm as if he had expected it.

"Now, only the Fist Demon remains."

The Demonic Buddha was grateful that he had said 'the Fist Demon' alone, not 'the Demonic Buddha and the Fist Demon'. It meant Geom Muyang believed he was an exception who would not change.

He could see that Geom Muyang had grown. He had endured and endured, tormented by the daily desire to kill Geom Mugeuk. He must have been tempted to use any means to kill him first and see what happened, and he had endured it admirably. Whether because he was wary of the Heavenly Demon, because of his relationship with Geom Mugeuk, or because he wasn't inherently a villain. In any case, he had endured well.

That's why he really wanted to say the words.

Let's see it through to the end! I will play the role of a one-man army.

However, he didn't. Those words would have been a lie to the First Young Lord.

The Second Young Lord is an opponent you cannot defeat.

Did Geom Muyang read the resignation in his eyes?

Drunk on alcohol and moonlight, the Demonic Buddha now understood why he was the last one remaining. It wasn't because Geom Mugeuk had approached him last. The result would have been the same even if he had been approached first.

His parents had failed to protect him, but he wanted to protect the First Young Lord until the very end. Because of that feeling, the First Young Lord was both a son and himself to the Demonic Buddha. Even if the First Young Lord did not become the successor, he would not leave his side.

"From the Demon Supreme's perspective, what kind of person is Mugeuk? Please tell me honestly."

After a brief pause, the Demonic Buddha said, "I don't know what kind of person he is."

With that answer, Geom Muyang was certain. Even the Demonic Buddha had been swayed by Geom Mugeuk. He could tell just by seeing him carrying a liquor bottle. A liquor bottle in the Demonic Buddha's hand? He had never seen such a thing.

"In the sense that you don't know what kind of person he is, Mugeuk resembles our father more than I do."

Geom Muyang smiled at the Demonic Buddha, gave a slight bow, and turned away.

As he walked away, the Demonic Buddha called out, "First Young Lord!"

"What is it?"

"The one who resembles the Cult Leader is you, First Young Lord."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, I'm certain."

Geom Muyang, who had been walking slowly, turned to look back.

The Demonic Buddha looked up at the night sky and drank straight from the bottle. He drank for a long time without stopping.

Geom Muyang realized the time had come for him to make a decision.