Chapter 305: The Reason The Two Of Them Look Good Together Is

TL: FoodieMonster007

Seo Daeryong felt like he could fly.

He finally understood why he could not focus on work today. A heart-pounding event like this must have been waiting for him.

Seo Daeryong lowered his voice and answered.

"Catching villains is the job of this Hall, Young Cult Leader."

That was as far as he went with setting the mood.

"Phew, I wish I could be more comfortable, at least when I'm with you, Young Cult Leader."

The hardest part of his job was maintaining his dignity as the Director. He had grown so used to joking and being playful with Geom Mugeuk that it felt even more difficult.

"By the way, who's the bastard we need to catch?"

"Sa Woojong."

Seo Daeryong knew him. Sa Woojong was once the Flower Sword Supreme's right-hand man.

Geom Mugeuk explained that Sa Woojong had gone to see Cheong Seon. He did not mention Sa Woojong bringing up the Flower Sword Supreme's weakness, since that could be a personal matter.

"Something's suspicious. So, what's my Hall's duty?"

"Conduct a secret special investigation on him."

Once a special investigation began, they would learn everything about Sa Woojong. This included his assets, duties, martial arts, and relationships, even his hobbies and daily routines. They could find out everything.

"Request support from the All-Knowing Hall as well."

"Understood."

Seo Daeryong then raised a question.

"But if he threatened a Demon Supreme, isn't that a grave crime in itself?"

Depending on the severity, the crime could be punishable by decapitation. That was how absolute a Demon Supreme's position was within the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. Seo Daeryong wondered why they were conducting a grand investigation instead of resolving it simply.

"Sa Woojong should know that too. I'm wondering why someone who knows that would do such a thing."

"I know, right? Why would he do that? Unless it's a desperate struggle before death… he must have something to rely on, right?"

Geom Mugeuk nodded in agreement.

"Let's find out what it is."

"I'll begin the investigation immediately."

In truth, Seo Daeryong was not curious about the reason. He was just happy to be working with Geom Mugeuk again.

"I'm leaving. If you don't want to work, switch with me!"

As Geom Mugeuk turned to leave, Seo Daeryong spoke from behind him.

"I'm glad you've returned."

Although Seo Daeryong still loved to joke, Director Seo Daeryong now had a new, different sense of reliability. He just could not feel the change in himself.

"Then I'll be in your care, Director Seo."

After leaving the Sanzu River Hall, I went straight to the Thousand Poisons Forest.

Last time, my inner arts had greatly increased thanks to the potent miracle herbs the Poison King acquired.

The Poison King had even added his own money. I was most grateful that he, a man who hated going outside, had personally gone to the Central Plains to get them.

Our handsome Poison King is probably out there today, lonely, digging in the ground and looking for poisonous insects.

"Poison King! I'll help you dig!"

Then, a surprising scene unfolded before my eyes.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon's flower garden was surprising, and so was the duel between the Fist Demon and Lee Ahn, but when I thought about it calmly, this scene was the most surprising of all.

The Poison King and the Demonic Buddha walked out of the forest side-by-side. It was really the Demonic Buddha, not an impostor. The two were even having a conversation.

"Ah, to think you have such a good eye! It's truly amazing."

"This much is nothing special."

The Poison King's bag contained poisonous herbs. They seemed to have been gathering them together. Seeing those two together here, without me, felt so unfamiliar.

The Demonic Buddha and I once made a bet in the Thousand Poisons Forest to find poisonous herbs. The Demonic Buddha found them, and I joked it was all the Poison King's scheme to use us as gatherers, but the Demonic Buddha is here again?

I shouted toward them.

"Be careful! One of you is an impostor!"

The two glanced at me, then ignored my joke and continued their conversation.

"How on earth did you find it so quickly? Please tell me your secret."

"What secret could there be? I was just lucky."

"Truly, Demonic Buddha, you have the innate talent of an herb gatherer. I recommend you change your profession, even now."

The Demonic Buddha replied seriously to this ridiculous suggestion.

"I'm thinking of making it a hobby. Traveling to places with good air seems to be good for my health too."

I shook my head and shouted to Sangseon.

"They're both impostors!"

Sangseon merely smiled.

I really had not expected this. I never thought these two would be hanging out.

"What were you two just doing?"

The Poison King said excitedly.

"The Demonic Buddha found the Nine Yin Grass today. It's something I've been searching for for years."

From the way he talked, this was not his first time here.

"Was there a bet this time too?"

The Poison King sighed regretfully.

"I lost this bet too."

"What was at stake?"

"A meal. Sangseon, please prepare the food."

Sangseon smiled and said.

"I thought you'd lose this bet too, so I've already prepared it."

A grand meal was set up in the residence's front yard.

I sat down and joined them. Sangseon brought me a bowl of rice and chopsticks.

"How much does a single root of the Nine Yin Grass go for?"

"At least a hundred thousand taels, right?"

"And you're settling it with just one meal?"

"What's important is that I won the bet."

I whispered to the Demonic Buddha.

"You're being deceived by a vicious gambler."

The Demonic Buddha answered while enjoying the food.

"The Poison King isn't that kind of person."

To think such words would come from the mouth of the world-weary Demonic Buddha.

One pretended to deceive, and the other pretended to be deceived. They were a truly adorable pair.

The Poison King pulled the dish in front of me toward the Demonic Buddha.

"You eat just a little. This was made for the hardworking Demonic Buddha to eat."

"I'm the Young Cult Leader. Not the Second Young Lord, the Young Cult Leader! I'm someone who can flip this table!"

The Poison King pretended not to hear and only took care of the Demonic Buddha.

"Please eat a lot."

"It tastes good."

"If you're like this after visiting just two places, the Hunan Branch and the Jiangxi Branch, you two would've become sworn brothers by the time you've toured the entire Central Plains."

Only Sangseon laughed at my words.

The two of them were polar opposites. One enjoyed his time alone, never leaving the Thousand Poisons Forest. The other traveled around meeting all sorts of people and engaging in politics.

Seeing the two of them together, a thought suddenly occurred to me. Perhaps in their hearts, they each longed for the other's life.

The Poison King might be envious of the Demonic Buddha, who roams the world freely. The man who, despite his short stature, meets people without hesitation. Meanwhile, the Poison King, more handsome than anyone, is cooped up in the Thousand Poisons Forest.

The Demonic Buddha might be envious of the Poison King. He might be tired of wandering and tired of people, and now wants to live a quiet life of his own.

Could that be why these two look so good together right now?

If so, what kind of life do I want?

When I kill Hwa Mugi and stand before my own life, what will I do and how will I live? I keep asking myself this whenever I have time.

I'm trying not to fall into the trap of 'Let's think about it after I finish the important things first!' Something even more important might be slipping away right now without me realizing it.

The Demonic Buddha, who had been eating, suddenly asked.

"The Fist Demon has been busy. It's your influence, isn't it?"

He had taken two disciples, saved his daughter, and even chosen a successor. It was natural for him to draw the Demonic Buddha's attention.

"You know Master's personality, don't you? He's not someone who can be influenced by anyone."

"It might be a different story if it's you."

"You overestimate me."

The Poison King stared only at the Nine Yin Grass while he ate. I know he's genuinely, completely engrossed in that poisonous herb. Right now, the Poison King's mind is probably filled with only one thought. He wants to go inside quickly and create a new poison with that Nine Yin Grass.

"When are you going to see your brother?"

"Why would I rush to see him? I'll go last."

"I had a drink with the First Young Lord the other day. He brought you up."

"I'd be lucky if he didn't just curse me."

I had never once in my life missed my brother, but today, I did.

"There is a heart of the defeated that the victor can never know. Your brother is a great defeated one."

"He became that way because you, Demonic Buddha, remained by his side."

The Demonic Buddha looked at me.

"You don't have to say things like that anymore."

"I'll keep saying it. It's not flattery, it's sincere."

I felt the golden aura emanating from the Demonic Buddha's body grow slightly more intense.

While I talked with the Demonic Buddha, the Poison King could not wait any longer. He took the Nine Yin Grass and went into his residence. Through the window, I could see him engrossed, cutting the herb.

"We should get going."

"Let's."

I left the residence with the Demonic Buddha. Sangseon did not follow. He bowed politely from where he stood.

A moment later, the Poison King's voice echoed from far behind me.

"Where did the Young Cult Leader go? Where are you going! You have to be my poison tester!"

I had promised to be his poison tester in return for him buying the miracle herbs.

I pretended not to hear and quickened my pace.

Then, the Poison King also shouted at the Demonic Buddha.

"Let's make our next bet finding the Immortal Slaying Grass!"

A smile formed on the Demonic Buddha's lips.

I felt that he had changed a lot too. The way he left the Thousand Poisons Forest proved it. In the past, he would have chosen the shortest path and diligently moved his short legs. Now, he walked slowly along a scenic, winding path, even stopping for a moment to admire the scenery.

I suddenly remembered what I had said to him in front of the cave on the hill of his hometown.

"Please come out of that narrow, suffocating place."

I thought that perhaps the Demonic Buddha had already left that cave and set out to find a new life.

"Next time, he'll use you as a gatherer again to find the Immortal Slaying Grass."

The Demonic Buddha walked at a leisurely pace and replied.

"The meal was to my liking… so it's fine."

At the same time, Sa Woojong walked through the marketplace of the Demon Village.

He walked past the Alluring Inn and continued down until a small flower garden appeared on the outskirts. The place sold flowers, trees, and seedlings.

A well-known rumor within the Northern Heaven Sword Sect said that he frequently visited this flower garden.

Originally, he used to frequent a flower garden called Big Bro's during his time as the Flower Sword Supreme's right-hand man.

But now that he had handed over that role to another demonic sword, he came to this flower garden on the outskirts instead. Sometimes he just sat blankly before leaving.

Everyone understood this behavior. They knew how great his desire to become the Flower Sword Supreme's successor was. It would not be strange to hear news of his suicide. His sense of loss was that great, but no one came to comfort him. It was the result of only looking forward and running for success.

The flower garden's owner was a woman with a benevolent appearance.

"Welcome."

Sa Woojong did not even acknowledge her greeting. He sat in a corner of the garden as if it were his own house and stared blankly at the trees. The flowers had all withered, leaving only evergreen saplings.

Since this was not a new occurrence, the woman left him alone.

He seemed to be trying to escape the five desires and seven emotions by looking at the plants, but he was not free from worldly afflictions. He was strolling through secular desires.

I even offered up a man for you, and you abandon me?

He hurled all sorts of curses and insults at her. Does she even know what it feels like to offer a man to the woman you like? He did not consider that he was the one who had initially tried to use a man to get the Sword Supreme in his grasp.

The target of his love-hate relationship was not just her.

As soon as Cheong Seon became a Demon Supreme, she announced their breakup as if she had been waiting for it. His last bastion for becoming the Sword Supreme had crumbled.

For a while, he lived only to nurture his hatred. He had dreams every day. Some days he dreamed of killing the Flower Sword Supreme and then himself. On other days, he dreamed of killing Cheong Seon and then himself. Some days, he killed both women and then himself. Yes, if he could not become a Demon Supreme anyway, he would kill them both and then himself.

He never intended to achieve anything through his own efforts, so the end of this abandoned desire was always death. He just could not carry it out because he lacked the skill to kill them.

At the end of this despair, someone approached him.

It was the person sending him telepathy right now.

[Did you meet the Soul-Stealer?]

Surprisingly, the person sending the telepathy was the woman who owned the flower garden. Sa Woojong did not frequent this place because of his anguish. He was not a weak person who would visit a flower garden to forget his pain. He would rather kill and be killed.

[I did as you said, but she did not try to kill me.]

Sa Woojong was extremely polite. He was not someone who trusted easily, nor was he one to bow his head. However, this woman had approached him during his most agonizing time and won him over in an instant.

She was a woman who dared to aim for the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme, yet she gave him the belief that she could succeed. Sa Woojong had already experienced the terror hidden within her ordinary appearance.

With this, he became entangled with three women. He thought that he was fated to succeed only through women.

[Meet the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme again and provoke her. You must make her use her soul-stealing art to kill you.]

[I will do so.]

Since Sa Woojong was not one to die meekly, the woman's words included a contingency plan.

[The moment the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme uses her soul-stealing art, you must activate the Yin Yang Reverse Soul Art.]

The Yin Yang Reverse Soul Art.

It was a secret art from the Outer Regions, thought to be long lost. The technique could block an opponent's soul-stealing art and cast it back on them. However, it only worked on a partner with whom one had slept.

That was why he was chosen for this job. He did not care about the woman's intentions. It did not matter if she used the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme as a puppet to kill the Cult Leader or the Young Cult Leader after she fell to the Yin Yang Reverse Soul Art. Only one thought occupied Sa Woojong's mind.

[You must keep your promise.]

At Sa Woojong's reconfirmation, the woman paused while moving a sapling as large as her torso. She straightened her back, wiped the sweat from her forehead, and sent a telepathic message. It was a reward Sa Woojong could never refuse.

[If you succeed in this, you will become the Sword Supreme, and the Flower Sword Supreme will become your woman.]