Chapter 309: There Are No Villains Who Like Flowers

TL: FoodieMonster007

When I visited, the Flower Sword Supreme was training with her sword again, her face bare of makeup.

I knew exactly why she was so engrossed in martial arts. For masters like a Demon Supreme, a breakthrough was a rare, miraculous event. The Flower Sword Supreme was the type of person who would seize such a moment and make the achievement her own.

She soared into the air, brandished her sword in a flurry, then turned toward me.

Her provocative gaze said it all.

Come on!

If she wanted a fight, I had to give her one. I kicked off the ground without hesitation, soared into the air, and rushed toward her.

The Black Demon Sword and the One Flower Sword clashed repeatedly in mid-air. I attacked faster than in our last duel, but she still managed to block my strikes.

Seeing her clearly improved skill, I pushed my power and speed even further.

The swords clashed so rapidly that the distinct CLANG, CLANG, CLANG blurred into a single, continuous SHIIIIING.

Dozens of sword lines bloomed brilliantly before vanishing, again and again. The exchange was too fast for any observer to discern the attacks and defenses.

The speed of our swings continued to climb.

It was not I and the Flower Sword Supreme fighting. It was instinct thrusting the sword and instinct blocking it. A single mistake could mean a severed arm or a sliced neck. This duel was more real than an actual battle.

Our speed reached its absolute peak.

TANG!

An unfamiliar sound erupted, and we descended to the ground together.

THUD.

The One Flower Sword was embedded in the ground.

She had dropped her sword again.

I sensed no regret or shame from the Flower Sword Supreme. Despite losing, she wore a satisfied expression. In that exchange, she must have displayed swordsmanship superior to any she had ever performed.

She asked me.

"How far are you planning to take me?"

She understood my intention to push her to her limits. She knew I wanted her to never be satisfied, to never stop.

"I intend to go to the very end."

To the very end.

Yes, I intend to go to the very end with these Demon Supremes.

"……"

"I've told you before. You're the only one, Senior, who can stimulate me like this by exchanging swordsmanship. The only people I can cross swords with so freely are Father and you, Senior, but I can't spar with Father this often, and our fights become a different kind of battle. That's why my duels with you are incredibly precious to me."

After a brief pause, I conveyed my sincere feelings.

"I want to walk this path with you until the very moment we let go of the swords in our hands."

A wave of emotion crossed the Flower Sword Supreme's face.

She looked down at her empty hand and asked.

"Do you remember when we had our first duel?"

"I remember."

The Flower Sword Supreme also revealed her honest feelings.

"Around that time, I was thinking something like this. I'll remain a Demon Supreme for about ten more years, then pass the position to my successor and enjoy a comfortable retirement."

Looking down at her empty palm, she raised her head to look at me.

"Back then, I could see my destination. As a martial artist, and as a Demon Supreme. The finish line of my life, where people were lined up to cheer and congratulate me. I can still see it. A path I just had to walk without any worries or thoughts, but you, you're putting me back at the starting line. I feel like I'm standing at the starting point all over again."

I gazed into her eyes and calmly said.

"It might seem comfortable and enjoyable once you cross that finish line, but it will only be good for about a month. From the next day on, you'll be bored and restless. 'I should have done more when I was even a year younger.' 'Isn't it too empty to end it like this?' All sorts of idle thoughts and regrets will torment you, Senior."

A faint smile formed on the Flower Sword Supreme's lips.

"And you know this without ever having been there?"

"I have a vivid imagination."

Getting blackmailed by Sa Woojong, being captivated by a lust for power that didn't suit her. She was too precious a person to waste her life like that.

The Flower Sword Supreme held out her hand. The One Flower Sword pulled itself free from the ground and flew into her grasp. Holding the sword, she declared.

"I am standing at the starting line again. Until the moment I die, I will never let this sword leave my hand."

I could feel it. The woman before me was different from the Flower Sword Supreme before my regression. A person's life can change so much depending on who they meet and who is by their side.

"Why did you come today?"

"Sa Woojong was killed by the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme."

The Flower Sword Supreme flinched, surprised by the unexpected answer.

"What happened?"

I told her the story as it was, leaving out the parts related to Hwan Yeo. The result was a death caused by a crime of passion.

"Sa Woojong committed a grave sin deserving of death by threatening and insulting a Demon Supreme. However, since one of your demon swords was killed by another Demon Supreme, it could tarnish your reputation, Senior, or that of the Northern Heaven Sword Sect."

After thinking for a moment, she asked me.

"How do you think this matter should be handled?"

"For the sake of the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme, I hope you can make an exception just this once. She is establishing her position within the Western Illusion Sanctum. If this incident becomes prominent, her standing will be diminished."

The Flower Sword Supreme accepted my request.

"Handle it quietly."

"Thank you."

"But do let me know where he was buried. He was someone who served me once, after all. I should at least pour him a cup of wine for the road."

After she finished speaking, she began to swing her sword again.

I bowed politely and left.

Just before leaving the Flower Sword Supreme's residence, I glanced back.

She looked up at the sky, her sword hanging loosely at her side. I could sense a complex mix of emotions from her. I did not want to know about her relationship with Sa Woojong, or what her weakness had been.

I just hope this incident becomes a turning point that changes her life, and maybe even her swordsmanship.

As I was leaving the Northern Heaven Sword Sect, Seo Daeryong was waiting for me.

"We received a message from the team monitoring the flower garden. The seedlings that used to arrive daily didn't come yesterday or today."

That meant only one thing.

"She's planning to leave."

I could not let her go like this. I had to hold her here somehow. The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader might not be able to undo the soul-capturing art and might need her to do it. I also needed her to find the Illusion King.

"What are you going to do?"

I answered as I walked toward the main gate of the Headquarters.

"What do you think? I have to stop her from leaving. Send me as many enforcement martial artists as you can get."

Hwan Yeo prepared to leave the flower garden.

She had received the report that Sa Woojong was dead. His death meant the Yin Yang Reverse Soul Art had succeeded. All she had to do was retreat for now and return in a year to check on the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme.

With an ordinary martial artist, she could succeed with the soul-capturing art in one go and turn them into a puppet, but the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme, who had mastered the art herself, could not be controlled at once. The Cheokhon planted in her mind needed to take root and grow. The process was like planting a seed and raising a flower. When the bud bloomed into a full flower, she would be able to control the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme completely.

Just then, a group of martial artists swarmed in. One person entered through their midst.

Hwan Yeo was startled when she identified the person. It was Geom Mugeuk. He had brought not only his bodyguards but also the enforcement martial artists of the Sanzu River Hall.

"A distinguished guest has arrived again."

"You seemed to recognize me immediately the other day, too. How did you know me when we've never met before?"

"Who in the Demon Village doing business here wouldn't know of you, Young Cult Leader? It's an honor to see you again."

While plotting her work here, the news she had heard most frequently were rumors about Geom Mugeuk. Most were hard to believe, but she knew. She knew all those rumors were true. Therefore, she also knew she had to be extremely cautious when dealing with Geom Mugeuk.

That was why Hwan Yeo was suspicious of Geom Mugeuk's visit. Once could be a coincidence, but twice?

Did he notice something?

If not, there was no reason for the Young Cult Leader to show up in person like this.

Of course, that did not mean she was anxious. There were plenty of ways to escape. She could use her soul-capturing art right now to make the bodyguards draw their swords and kill the Young Cult Leader. She could then slip away in the ensuing chaos.

"My subordinate really liked the flowers she bought that day."

"There's no better gift for a beautiful woman than flowers."

If he had visited for such a reason alone, she would have definitely been suspicious of the Young Cult Leader. However, Geom Mugeuk asked her directly.

"Let me ask you one thing."

"Please, go ahead."

"Do you know the martial artist who has been visiting here frequently lately?"

When he mentioned Sa Woojong, Hwan Yeo was inwardly surprised but showed no hint of it.

"Of course. He always used to come, look at the flowers and trees, and then leave."

"His name is Sa Woojong."

"He never told me his name."

"He died a short while ago."

"Oh my! How did that happen?"

Hwan Yeo acted deeply saddened. Her performance was so excellent that anyone would have thought she had unknowingly grown fond of the demon who visited every day.

"Our Cult is investigating his death. That's why I'm here."

"Ah, I see."

Hwan Yeo bowed her head, showing a fearful expression.

"But seeing as you're investigating personally, Young Cult Leader, was he a person of high status?"

"His death is related to a Demon Supreme of our Cult."

Now that he had revealed this, Hwan Yeo was inwardly puzzled.

Did he find out about the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme?

No. If that were the case, he would not have just come here like this. He would have brought other Demon Supremes to capture her.

He doesn't know about me yet.

Geom Mugeuk's attitude toward her also seemed to be one of mere suspicion.

"So, do not leave the flower garden for the time being."

"I'm a person with nowhere to go."

"Then why have the seedlings that came every day stopped arriving?"

Geom Mugeuk intentionally revealed that they were monitoring the flower garden.

"I stopped them because I'm not feeling well and plan to rest for a few days."

Geom Mugeuk gave her a suspicious look.

This way, she won't be suspected.

If I had come for another reason and acted naturally, she would have found it suspicious. It was better to just say, 'I'm watching you, so don't leave!' This had a higher chance of keeping her here, and to that, I added one decisive thing.

"If you get scared and leave, I will declare you a public enemy of our Cult and send a pursuit team after you. A sketch of your face will be distributed throughout the entire Central Plains, so you'll have nowhere to hide."

Geom Mugeuk knew her weakness precisely. These people moved in secret. The thing they were most cautious about was revealing themselves to the outside world. A sketch of her face posted all over the Central Plains? That would be the last thing they wanted.

Indeed, Hwan Yeo's heart grew heavy.

Damn it.

Revealing herself was something she absolutely could not allow.

Geom Mugeuk walked over to the flowers Lee Ahn had bought and smelled their fragrance.

"Do you know what I said when my subordinates reported that this flower garden was suspicious?"

"What did you say?"

"There are no villains among people who like flowers."

Geom Mugeuk left the flower garden with the people he had brought.

Hwan Yeo silently watched him leave.

"Ah! How long has it been since I've been to the Headquarters?"

Stepping into the Headquarters, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader took a deep breath. It was not the Heavenly Wind Cult, but the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult Headquarters, yet it felt as comfortable as returning home.

The two of them entered the inner court and headed straight for Geom Mugeuk's residence. It was not his old residence, but the large, fine one he received after becoming the Young Cult Leader.

"Your house has gotten pretty grand since you became the Young Cult Leader, hasn't it?"

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader examined Geom Mugeuk's residence, something he had never paid attention to before.

"Power really is a good thing."

"If you're jealous, go back to the Outer Regions. The Cult Leader's residence was ten times bigger than this, wasn't it?"

"Who said I'm jealous? I'm just saying."

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader peered inside from the window.

"Where did the Second Young Lord go? We're here, so he should have been waiting for us. Don't tell me he forgot he even called us? Ah, that's right. I called you, didn't I? That matter is all resolved. Since you're here, why don't you rest for a few days and then go handle your other business? I'm busy, so I'll be going now."

He had imitated him so often that he could now impersonate Geom Mugeuk better than anyone.

"He might have gone from a barely tolerable Second Young Lord to a villainous Young Cult Leader."

Just then, a welcome voice came from behind.

"You never fail to speak ill of me when I'm not around."

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader grinned to himself without turning around. Yes, this was the voice he had wanted to hear so badly.

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader turned around.

Geom Mugeuk stood there, looking the same as always.

"I'm still a barely tolerable Young Cult Leader. It'll be a while before I become villainous."

"We'll see about that."

Even though he had missed him, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader acted needlessly grumpy.

"You've worked hard, Cult Leader."

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader glanced at Go Wol standing beside him.

"If you're going to say that, you should say it to him."

Geom Mugeuk looked at Go Wol and said.

"You worked hard."

Go Wol smiled.

"I was only doing what I was supposed to do."

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader chimed in, praising Go Wol.

"Even if it were his own business, he couldn't have worked that hard. Young Cult Leader, you should buy your strategist some restorative medicine. He went through a lot."

Go Wol shot the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader a look, as if to tell him to stop talking nonsense.

"I'll buy him the best restorative medicine there is."

"You'll buy some for me too when you do, right?"

Geom Mugeuk laughed out loud.

"Don't just laugh, make sure you buy it. Don't make a man sad over food. So, what help do you need that you summoned this great body of mine?"

"It's about the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme."

After the previous Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme died, Cheong Seon inherited the soul-capturing art from the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader. At the mention of a matter related to her, the playfulness vanished from the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's face.

"What about that child?"

Geom Mugeuk got straight to the point.

"Unknown individuals have cast the soul-capturing art on the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme."

The moment those words were spoken, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's aura changed.

WHOOOOOSH!

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's aura awakened a person's primal fear.

Dark clouds gathered from all directions, instantly darkening the surroundings. A gloomy atmosphere formed, as if a typhoon was about to strike. The sound of a bell carried on a desolate wind blowing from afar.

Each time the bell rang, gates opened from the ground. All sorts of black monsters began to leap out. It was as if the gates of hell were opening one after another.

The creatures shot out at high speed and rushed toward their opponent without hesitation. Of course, they were not real monsters, but illusions manifested from his aura.

Hundreds of monsters charged toward Geom Mugeuk.

The ghastly feeling that came with each one passing through his body cooled his fighting spirit and broke down his mental fortitude. The Heavenly Demon Defense Art activated on its own.

If it were someone with weak inner arts or a weak will, this aura alone would have been enough to make them swing their sword around and rampage like a madman.

It was the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's enraged aura, something I had never seen before.

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader now was not the usual man who joked and bantered. He had returned to his true form. The absolute ruler of the Outer Regions Murim, who had achieved complete mastery of the Great Calamity Demonic Art, the greatest technique of the Outer Regions.

Emitting a ghastly blue light from his eyes, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader said coldly.

"They dared to touch my disciple?"