Chapter 381: To Me, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon Is

TL: FoodieMonster007

"…And that's how I ended up inviting the Murim Alliance Chairman to this meeting as well."

Upon returning to the Cult, I immediately reported what had happened to Father. Head Strategist Sama Myeong was also present, since he was responsible for coordinating the meeting schedule and the bodyguards.

When Father heard I had invited the Murim Alliance Chairman, he shook his head in disbelief. Sama Myeong just stared at me without a word.

"Our strategist, you expected this would happen, didn't you?"

Of course, I expected it. This is the inevitable flow of history.

That was what I had hoped to hear.

"What are you referring to? Are you talking about how the Young Cult Leader suddenly left the Cult to save a tavern owner and invited the Evil Alliance Chairman to our Cult? Or how you went to ask for the Murim Alliance Chairman's understanding and ended up inviting him as well?"

Come to think of it, I went out to save Jo Cheonbae and his wife, and it led to all this. I hadn't realized it. Perhaps Jo Cheonbae's destiny created all of this.

"I'm sorry. You're already a busy man, and I've given you a huge task."

"Do you even realize how huge it is?"

If the person who caused this mess wasn't the Young Cult Leader, and if we weren't in Father's presence, he might have roared at me, asking if I knew what I had just done.

"The Young Cult Leader has accomplished something no one else could."

"Is that a compliment?"

Sama Myeong's expression said it all. A compliment? Hardly. Of course, since he was in front of Father, his words differed from his thoughts.

"It is a compliment."

He looked like someone who wanted to start a lecture with the words, 'However…'

I understood Sama Myeong. Having lived his entire life as a strategist, he disliked variables and changes. This incident was likely the biggest event of his career.

"There is much to prepare. Especially since this is the first tripartite meeting, much confusion is expected. The biggest problem among them is the bodyguard issue. Both the Murim Alliance and the Evil Alliance will try to bring as many masters as possible. The more people there are, the higher the probability of an incident. I'm saying that one wrong step could lead to a war."

However, we couldn't ask them to come with only a minimum number of bodyguards. That's why prior coordination was absolutely necessary, and the person who would have to engage in a war of nerves with the strategists from both sides was Sama Myeong himself. I felt sorry for him, but what could I do? Destiny had led us here.

I turned my gaze from Sama Myeong to Father, who looked down at me without a word.

Before my regression, I would have trembled under that gaze. I wouldn't have even been able to meet his eyes. That was why my relationship with Father only went backward instead of forward.

Father was probably looking at me without much thought. He was likely thinking, What should I do with this troublemaker? and clicking his tongue. Should I wonder if he was disappointed in me, if he regretted making me the Young Cult Leader, or if he was thinking of my brother?

I must never forget that the wings of imagination I spread alone can be torn to shreds by the beast called misunderstanding.

"Are you very angry?"

"Of course! Who decided on a tripartite meeting? Strategist, contact the Murim Alliance and the Evil Alliance immediately and tell them it's canceled!"

Father's voice boomed throughout the Cult Leader's hall.

However, his eyes held no irritation or anger as he looked at me.

I could tell. Father was getting angry on Sama Myeong's behalf to appease him. It was also a scolding meant for me.

"You can't, Father!"

"What do you mean, I can't!"

Sama Myeong cautiously stepped forward.

"Please calm yourself, Cult Leader. Since the Young Cult Leader has already made a promise, it would be best to proceed with this as planned."

This way, I could uphold Sama Myeong's dignity and give him a chance to take my side.

"Thank you, strategist."

"Still, it's a relief. The Young Cult Leader already has a strategist."

He shook his head with an expression that perfectly conveyed how difficult it would be to live as my strategist. That was our Head Strategist, always holding a grudge.

"That's too harsh!"

Sama Myeong's joke eased the atmosphere somewhat.

I looked at Father again.

What could he be thinking right now? Does he want to see the two Chairmen?

No matter how hard I looked, Father was truly difficult to understand.

In any case, what was done was done. There was something I absolutely had to tell Father.

"This meeting is for the three of you, but it will have a great impact on the three of us. Where else would we learn? This is a once-in-a-lifetime meeting of the Cult Leader and the Chairmen."

Then I told him the same thing I had told the others.

"I did it because I trust you, Father."

Finally, that characteristic sneer formed on Father's lips. It had been a while, but it suited him well.

"Then I will take my leave."

As I turned to leave, the back of my head felt hot.

Why do you dream of unifying the murim? I will stop you until the very end, Father.

Right, the gazes heating the back of my head must be three, not two.

Before leaving the Heavenly Demon Hall, I shouted into the air.

"Uncle Hwi! I'm sorry."

I didn't forget to apologize to Hwi, my bodyguard. He was another person who would be on edge because of the tripartite meeting.

"Elder!"

After leaving the Cult Leader's hall, I immediately headed for the Southern Blade Sect, where the Blood Heaven Blade Demon was.

I ran to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's residence as if reuniting with a long-lost family member. Since I had only seen the Fist Demon last time before leaving the Cult again, it was a long-awaited reunion with the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.

There was no one in the courtyard.

I walked slowly and peeked inside through the window, where I saw an unexpected sight.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon was lying on the bed, asleep.

It's not time for him to be sleeping yet.

I was about to turn away when I flinched. The Blood Heaven Blade Demon taking a nap? That had never happened before.

I turned back, carefully opened the door, and went inside. I walked without a sound, afraid I might wake him.

However, at the last moment, I turned my steps from the bed to the bookshelf. I stood there looking at the new books the Blood Heaven Blade Demon had bought.

"Didn't you come in because you were worried about me?"

I turned to see the Blood Heaven Blade Demon looking at me with his eyes open.

"No?"

As if. He would never know how startled I was. When I entered the room, I had felt the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's suppressed presence, which was why I had subtly changed direction.

"I was waiting to give you a good scare when you came closer to check my breathing."

"Why would I check your breathing? Are you the type to pass away in bed, Elder? You'll go out fighting spectacularly on the battlefield, leaning against the Heaven Destroying Dao."

"You brat! How can you speak so easily of an old man's death?"

Contrary to his words, an undeniable smile formed on his lips. After all, that was the end he dreamed of.

"But why are you taking a nap? You've never done that in your life."

"I do sometimes. You'll see when you get older."

Was it just my imagination? His voice, usually so gruff, lacked its usual strength.

"Did you handle your business outside well?"

"I caused some trouble."

"It'd be strange if you didn't cause trouble, wandering around like that. What kind of trouble?"

This matter was still a top secret known only to Father and Sama Myeong.

"I invited the Evil Alliance Chairman to the Alluring Inn."

He must have been incredibly surprised.

"You invited who?"

"The Evil Alliance Chairman."

"The Evil Alliance Chairman I know? Baek Jagang?"

"You know him?"

"I do."

He really was well-connected and knew many people.

"That can't be right. That suspicious man accepted your invitation?"

With a look of disbelief, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon sat up in bed. He poured himself a cup of cold tea from the small table beside him.

"I invited one more person. That's why I'm worried."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon replied nonchalantly.

"You've invited the Evil Alliance Chairman, who would dare cause trouble? As long as it's not the Murim Alliance Chairman, it's fine."

A moment of silence passed.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon flinched, his eyes blinking as he stared at me.

"It's not him, right?"

When I didn't answer, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon asked again.

"It's not him, is it?"

"……"

"Don't tell me."

"Why wouldn't it be?"

As I said that, I feigned distress and clutched my head.

"I don't know why I'm like this either!"

I was being dramatic, but the Blood Heaven Blade Demon didn't react. His gaze toward me was deep.

"Even the Murim Alliance Chairman accepted the invitation? How on earth? Even for you, that's…"

"I don't think they accepted the invitation because of me."

"Then why?"

"The three of them must have had a desire to see each other at least once. Otherwise, would this have ever happened?"

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon, who had been nodding silently, revealed a cold aura.

"The two Chairmen are coming to our Cult? This is a chance to take care of both sides at once."

After saying it as if it were his own thought, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon quickly added, "What will you do if the Cult Leader thinks like that?"

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon believed Father might harbor such thoughts.

"At least this time, he won't do that."

"How can you be so sure?"

Honestly, I wasn't completely sure. I just trusted Father.

"Because they are guests invited by his son."

"What if he values his grand ambition more than his son?"

"Then you must stop him, Elder. Only you will be able to stop him."

We stared at each other without a word.

Just then, Seo Daeryong entered.

"Huh? Young Cult Leader!"

Seeing me, Seo Daeryong approached happily.

"When did you arrive?"

"Today. What's this? Your eyes look different."

I could tell at a glance that Seo Daeryong had made a great achievement in his martial arts. If his skills had been improving steadily until now, today he felt distinctly stronger.

Then, a surprising fact was revealed.

"Yesterday, Master opened my Conception and Governing Vessels."

I now understood. The Blood Heaven Blade Demon hadn't been playing a prank. He had been napping because he was genuinely tired.

Seo Daeryong held medicinal herbs in his hand. It seemed he had gone to the physician to get some restorative medicine.

"Let me check your condition."

I didn't ask, 'May I check?' Knowing how worried I was, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon didn't push away my hand as I grabbed his wrist and pushed a stream of qi into him.

"I'm fine."

Fortunately, he was fine. Because his martial arts were so strong and his inner arts so profound, he had opened the Conception and Governing Vessels without using his innate true qi.

Opening the Conception and Governing Vessels was a process an ordinary master must go through to become a peerless master. Since he had taken him as a disciple, I thought he would do it for Seo Daeryong someday, but that day had already come. It was likely because Seo Daeryong had trained so diligently.

I spoke up on the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's behalf.

"You know, right? Opening the Conception and Governing Vessels is so dangerous that it's usually only done for blood relatives."

"I know."

"Then that's good."

Seo Daeryong's gaze was fervent. Knowing Seo Daeryong's personality, I could tell how grateful he must have been.

"I'll go heat up the medicine I brewed. The physician said this one is the most effective."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon nagged Seo Daeryong.

"You brat, how much is your monthly salary that you're buying medicine?"

"Don't underestimate me, I'm the Sanzu Hall Director. I earn a lot of money."

Seo Daeryong went outside to heat the medicine.

When I looked at the Blood Heaven Blade Demon with an emotional gaze, he needlessly raised his voice.

"I didn't do it for the kid. If he's my disciple, he should at least be at that level."

The words 'my disciple' no longer sounded awkward coming from him.

"I like you the best, Elder."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon, feeling awkward, lay back down on the bed.

"Enough. I'm going back to sleep."

I wasn't one to just leave because he said so. I sat down on the edge of the bed.

"To be honest, I acted all confident, but how could I not be worried? What if the meeting I envisioned turns into a truly dangerous situation? What if Father really smiles at me while holding two heads dripping with blood in his hands?"

"Why are you complaining to me?"

"Then who else can I say this to?"

"Go tell it to the Masked One. Or the Drunkard or the Poisoner."

I continued, pretending not to hear him.

"Was I only afraid of Father? I was also worried you might not like it, Elder. Or that you might have some unknown grudge against the Evil Alliance Chairman or the Murim Alliance Chairman. What if you can't hold back and try to kill them when you meet?"

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon said with his eyes closed, "If the grudge were that deep, I would have gone to find them already."

"That's true, right?"

"You never know. One of the Demon Supremes might explode with emotions they've been holding back that day."

"No, that can't happen!"

As I was feigning distress, Seo Daeryong came in with the heated medicine.

"Master, please drink your medicine!"

"I should drink that medicine. I'm so anxious I'm going to die first."

As I tried to snatch the medicine, Seo Daeryong dodged with his movement arts.

"This is for the Master!"

"Since when did you care so much for the Elder? Director Seo, it's me! The former Sanzu Hall Director and the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's Young Cult Leader! The person you serve as your right hand!"

"Until the Master finishes all this medicine, you're one-armed!"

Watching Seo Daeryong respectfully offer the medicine to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, a smile naturally formed on my lips. In my life before regression, these two had never even exchanged a single word.

Over this current scene, I saw an image of Seo Daeryong entering my office with a gloomy expression when we first met. Over that, another image overlapped, of him drunk and clinging to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's leg, and the image of him overjoyed after receiving the giant dao as a gift.

And what other images will overlap on top of this one? When all those images are layered, what kind of picture will remain in the end?

After drinking the medicine, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon lay down again. Seo Daeryong and I quietly left the room.

Then, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon spoke with his eyes still closed.

"Everything will be fine."

That one heavy yet calm phrase put my mind at ease. Truly at ease.

Even though I've regressed, no matter how perfect I seem or how hard I try to live, I am also someone who needs to hear words like these. That I'm doing well, that things will be fine. To me, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon is that kind of person.

"Detective Seo, let's sleep here with our Elder tonight."

"Sounds good."

Swept up in the mood, Seo Daeryong was fearless.

At that, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's eyes flew open as he shouted.

"Who said you could! Go! Sleep in your own homes!"

Hearing the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's shout, I finally felt like I had returned home. If someone were to ask how I could walk such a perilous path, I would answer that it was because I had a place to return to.

"Get out, you brats!"

If I were the type to obey meekly, I wouldn't have suggested it in the first place.

With an excited face, I dashed out and shouted, "I'll go get my pajamas! Let's go, my right hand!"