Chapter 382: Saying the Smiling Demon's Face is Big

TL: FoodieMonster007

Though it might sound unbelievable, we really did pack our pajamas and go back.

"Are we really allowed to do this?" Seo Daeryong asked.

"Of course we are!"

"Now that I think about it, I have some urgent business at the Sanzu River Hall."

Seo Daeryong finally came to his senses and tried to escape our midnight adventure, but I refused to let him go so easily.

"When will we ever get to do something like this again? And think about it. He might've told us to go, but do you think he really meant it? He's probably thinking, 'Why aren't those rascals here yet? Playing with them makes me feel young and so happy.'"

Is that what he's thinking? Seo Daeryong moved his feet, half-believing and half-doubting. There was a reason he pushed himself today, despite his fear of the Master.

"I never dreamed I would open the Conception and Governing Vessels."

A feverish excitement swept over Seo Daeryong. He felt gratitude and worry for the Master, the thrill of opening his Conception and Governing Vessels, and the joy of seeing me again. The mix of emotions left him agitated. He felt that if he was going to cause trouble, he should do it right.

When we returned to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's residence, he was asleep. This time, he was truly asleep. We stood by the window and watched him sleeping soundly on his bed, then quietly slipped out.

Sleep well, Elder.

I walked through the inner gardens of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult with Seo Daeryong.

"It's been a while, walking like this with you, Young Cult Leader."

"That's because our Director Seo is so busy."

"You should show your face more often before saying things like that."

I laughed awkwardly, and Seo Daeryong laughed with me.

"Time flies, doesn't it? The days are hard, but before I know it, a few days have passed, and then suddenly a month has gone by. Is it always like this?"

After asking the question, Seo Daeryong shook his head.

"I'm the older one, yet I'm asking the Young Cult Leader about the passage of time."

I wanted to tell him that his youthful time was not yet moving at even a quarter of its true speed. It was still only at the third stage of the Swift Step. Once time achieves complete mastery, it sweeps away all memories and rushes far into the distance.

Should we spend this time in a valuable way, then?

"Shall we go see the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon?"

Seo Daeryong yelped, "Aigoo!"

"Just say you hate me instead. Just challenge me to a duel and beat me up!"

"Are you that scared of the Smiling Demon?"

"Shouldn't I be?"

"You've spent time with him before."

It was when we were dealing with Yayul Han's subordinates. While the Poison King and I carried out our plan, Seo Daeryong had briefly stayed with the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon. He had even personally bought side dishes and ingredients from the market to cook meals for the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon.

"You two got close then, didn't you?"

"Close? I couldn't even make eye contact with him! I was just desperately waiting, wondering when you would come back, Young Cult Leader."

"If you talk to him, you'll see he's a good person. If he were that scary, would I like him so much?"

I could feel Seo Daeryong wavering slightly.

"Imagine looking back on today in about ten years. You'll think, 'Ah, how much fun would it have been if I had gone to see the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon with the Young Cult Leader back then? Why was I so hesitant and scared?'"

When I finished speaking and turned around, Seo Daeryong was already running far away. Having opened his Conception and Governing Vessels, he ran even faster than before.

Well, if it were that easy, he wouldn't be the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon.

"At least help me move the bed before you go!"

Far in the distance, Seo Daeryong stopped.

"The bed? What bed?"

"You wouldn't know since you haven't been, but there's nothing in the Smiling Demon's residence. If we want to sleep there, we have to bring a bed."

Seo Daeryong blinked.

"So you're taking a bed to the Valley of Evil?"

"We can't just show up in the middle of the night and demand a bed, can we? And we can't sleep on the bare floor. I want to sleep comfortably in my own bed."

"But you're really taking a bed?"

We really took it.

Seo Daeryong and I carried the bed from my residence together. I took the front, and Seo Daeryong took the back. The cultists on guard duty stared at us with surprised eyes. Neatly folded, clean bedding and pajamas sat on top of the bed, drawing even more attention.

"You can move this by yourself, can't you?" Seo Daeryong asked.

"It's heavy."

"Heavy? You're someone who could just float it over with telekinesis. I'll just carry it myself."

"I can't make the Sanzu Hall Director do something like that."

"This is more embarrassing! Anyway, I'm only helping you move it, and then I'm leaving immediately. I've made myself clear! You can't go back on your word later."

When we arrived at the entrance to the Valley of Evil, Seo Daeryong recalled something.

"Do you remember? The first time you came to meet the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon, I was waiting right here."

"I remember. You even brought a sword, ready to jump in and save me if things went south."

"That's right, and now we're walking right into the Smiling Demon's residence."

"Did you bring your sword?"

"Please, don't make jokes like that. My heart feels like it's going to explode as it is."

Seo Daeryong took several deep breaths to calm his trembling chest.

"Don't be nervous. You're going to be a Demon Supreme too, aren't you?"

"Saying that makes me even more nervous! The fact that I'm becoming a Demon Supreme is still the most surprising and nerve-wracking thing in the world to me. I still have nightmares sometimes. A dream where I'm still that endlessly gloomy investigator from the Sanzu River Hall, full of nothing but complaints about the cult. A dream where a different person is sitting in front of me when I first went to meet you, Young Cult Leader."

"It would have changed anyway."

"Pardon?"

"Your destiny wasn't changed because of me. You changed it yourself."

Seo Daeryong fell silent, lost in thought.

Finally, we entered the Valley of Evil. The Faceless Warriors guarding the entrance, as well as those passing by, stared at us with strange expressions.

[Everyone is looking at us strangely. That one in the yellow-striped mask just laughed.]

[Should I eliminate him?]

[The number of people who need to be eliminated keeps growing.]

And so, we arrived at the residence of the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon.

"Smiling Demon, I've come to impose on you for the night!"

As Geom Mugeuk entered so cheerfully, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon's eyes smiled from within the holes of his blank white mask.

Who in the world would come to him and say they wanted to stay the night? Who would show up carrying a bed and even pajamas?

"Have you been kicked out of your home?"

"I caused some major trouble recently, so I'm on the verge of it."

"The Young Cult Leader is always welcome."

"If you keep this up, you might get kicked out along with me, Smiling Demon."

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon laughed out loud. It was a sound I had not heard in a long time.

"Your mask has changed."

"As expected! You noticed."

It seemed a new Faceless Warrior had taken up making masks after Green Mask left.

"Is the mask more comfortable?"

"Please pass this on to Green Mask. Tell him it's much more comfortable than the ones he made."

"I'll be sure to tell him."

That was his way of conveying his longing for Green Mask.

Seo Daeryong bowed politely.

"It's been a long time."

Seo Daeryong was inwardly shocked. He had heard there was nothing in the room, but he had not expected it to be so literal. There was not a single speck of dust, but something did catch his eye. A long horizontal line and a vertical one were drawn on the wall. Why were those left untouched in this pristine room?

"Your eyes have improved," the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon said with an incredibly cold gaze.

The comment confused Seo Daeryong.

That's a compliment, right? It has to be a compliment, right?

He was so terrified of the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon that the words sounded more like, 'Your eyes look good, let's have a go.'

"The Master recently bestowed a great teaching upon me. It is thanks to that."

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon simply nodded once without a word.

Geom Mugeuk asked the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon, "Where should I put the bed?"

"Wherever you feel comfortable."

"Then I'll put it over here."

He placed the bed against one wall. It was the first piece of furniture ever placed in the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon's empty room.

I brought a bed because I wanted the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon to start sleeping in one. The white walls were related to his martial arts, but his habit of sleeping while sitting up was for a different reason.

Before my regression, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon had wanted to be my friend. He had once said to me, [How can a man who bears the name 'extreme evil' sleep comfortably? It is the least, and only, conscience I possess.]

At the time, I thought it was just a boast to get closer to me. I figured he must have a separate, lavish bedchamber. After my regression, as I formed a new relationship with the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon, I realized he had been sincere.

I could not tell him back then. Even if I had known he was sincere, I would not have. At that time, I had not opened my heart to anyone.

Now, the time had come to tell him.

You can rest comfortably now.

He was living a different life now, and he would continue to live a different life in the future. Today's bed was the first step in advancing my relationship with the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon.

"Could I possibly borrow this entire wall? It seems like a hassle to move it every time."

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon looked at Geom Mugeuk for a moment, then readily nodded at the sudden request.

"Please do."

"Thank you. Next time I come, I'll bring a tea table to put next to the bed, and a small wardrobe over here for a change of clothes. This wall is mine now."

Seo Daeryong watched this unfold with a stunned heart.

He's moving his whole life in here? Into the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon's room?

He had originally planned to say his goodbyes and leave, but now he was curious about what Geom Mugeuk was up to.

Seo Daeryong spoke to the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon.

"If you feel this is an abuse of the Young Cult Leader's power, please report it to the Sanzu River Hall. We will investigate immediately."

It was the joke of Seo Daeryong's entire life.

Knowing how much courage it must have taken him, Geom Mugeuk forced himself to keep a straight face and suppress his laughter.

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon just stared at him silently, with a look that said he did not know how to respond.

What did I just say? Did I just joke with the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon? Seo Daeryong, are you insane?

Seo Daeryong's telepathy flew to Geom Mugeuk.

[Save me! Please, fix this!]

Of course, Geom Mugeuk had no intention of helping him out of this amusing situation.

[It seems opening the Conception and Governing Vessels has made you bold. Who should we appoint as the next Sanzu Hall Director?]

Just as Seo Daeryong's panic reached its peak, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon spoke.

"It will be fine. He's going to paint all the furniture white anyway."

At the deadpan reply, Seo Daeryong forced a smile.

"I think white will suit this room well."

With those words, he was about to hurry and say his farewells.

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon approached Seo Daeryong.

Why is he coming over? That joke, was it unforgivable after all?

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon stopped next to a flinching Seo Daeryong.

"In terms of furniture placement, it would be better to put the wardrobe over here."

"You think so?"

Just having the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon standing next to him made it hard for Seo Daeryong to breathe.

How did the Young Cult Leader become so close with such a terrifying person?

Looking at the relationship between the Young Cult Leader and the Demon Supremes was awe-inspiring, beyond mere admiration.

Seo Daeryong subtly took a step to the side. He wanted to move to the opposite side of the room, but he did not dare.

I must be crazy, why did I even come here?

To be honest, half of it was curiosity about the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon's residence. The other half was bravado. He had thought, I'm the Sanzu Hall Director and I've even opened the Conception and Governing Vessels, so it should be fine to visit at least once, right?

Fine? What was fine about it? Why walk into hell of your own accord!

Just as he was looking for a chance to say his goodbyes, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon glanced at Seo Daeryong. The two eyes within the eyeholes seemed to be smiling, but it was terrifying.

This moment of eye contact was his chance.

I'll be on my way now!

Just as he was about to say those words, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon spoke first.

"I was in your debt back then."

"Pardon?"

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon's look said, Have you already forgotten? Seo Daeryong's mind went blank.

"I'm saying you went through a lot of trouble cooking for me, a picky eater."

He was talking about the time Seo Daeryong had cooked for him. He was referring to the moment Seo Daeryong had been caught joking that the man was a picky eater and had been scolded for it. You remembered that too?

"Not at all, it was my duty."

He even managed a smile and was about to say his farewells, but this time Geom Mugeuk started talking about what had happened since he left the cult.

"I don't know where to begin."

Before, he had told the story while perched on the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's bed. Now, he told it while sitting on the bed he had brought himself. He recounted how he killed the infiltrator in the Evil Alliance, how he invited the Evil Alliance Chairman, and then how he invited the Murim Alliance Chairman as well.

Seo Daeryong had heard parts of the story before and missed other details while heating up medicine. As he listened, he found it so interesting that he forgot all about leaving and became engrossed in Geom Mugeuk's tale.

During a brief pause, Seo Daeryong sent a telepathic message.

[But why are you telling him everything in such detail?]

He had asked because he thought there might be a reason, and there was.

[So that he can handle any situation that might arise later on his own. Information is power.]

He was not telling the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon everything just to chat. He was preparing them for any future possibility.

Anyway, he had heard the story well. Now that he had heard it twice, he would definitely not be hearing it again.

"I should…"

Just as he was about to say he would be leaving, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon brought up the topic of martial arts. When that conversation ended, Geom Mugeuk asked about the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman. The story of the woman who loved the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon expanding her brothel business in the Central Plains was so interesting that Seo Daeryong was afraid he would be told, 'You may leave now.'

Then they also discussed the state of the murim.

Seo Daeryong realized for the first time that the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon was surprisingly knowledgeable in various fields and enjoyed conversation.

Eventually, when the topic of the Valley of Evil's masks came up again, Seo Daeryong could not hold back. Geom Mugeuk's banter had trained him. His head and heart held back, but his mouth did not.

"My head and face are smaller than they look, you see, so masks suit me well."

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon stared at him fixedly. Next to him, Geom Mugeuk put on a deliberately shocked expression, creating an atmosphere of terror.

"No, I don't mean that your face is big, Smiling Demon."

That's not it! Geom Mugeuk's expression became even more shocked.

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon shot up from his seat and walked toward Seo Daeryong.

I should have left earlier.

Seo Daeryong squeezed his eyes shut.

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon walked past Seo Daeryong and out of the room. He returned shortly after with a white mask in his hand. It was a brand new one, recently made.

"Try it on."

Seo Daeryong's heart pounded like crazy.

If the mask doesn't fit, is he going to rip off the parts of my face that stick out with his own hands? Is that it?

Fortunately, the mask fit. It was a little tight, but he pretended it was perfect.

"It fits perfectly!"

"It's a gift."

"Thank you."

Seo Daeryong was bewildered. He had never expected the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon to give him a mask.

After listening to the two of them talk until dawn, Seo Daeryong dozed off. He never thought he would fall asleep in the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon's room. He had nodded off while sitting on the floor, leaning his back against the bed.

When he awoke, Geom Mugeuk and the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon were standing side by side at the window, watching the faintly brightening dawn. They were not even conversing via telepathy, just standing there together in silence.

More than the image of them conversing, the sight of their backs as they stood silently looking in the same direction was etched into Seo Daeryong's mind.

Then, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon turned around.

Startled, Seo Daeryong closed his eyes and pretended to be asleep.

I have to go. I really have to go.

Pretending to be asleep like that, Seo Daeryong actually fell asleep.

When he opened his eyes, the sun was high in the sky. The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon was looking down at him. He was so shocked he almost screamed. Desperately holding it in, he looked around and found that Geom Mugeuk was already gone.

Yes, that man is a demon.

A demon who would leave him behind in hell for his own amusement. Yes, who dragged him into this white hell in the first place?

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon asked bluntly, "When exactly are you planning to leave?"

Clutching the mask he had received as a gift tightly in his hand, Seo Daeryong finally uttered the words he had wanted to say all night.

"I'll be on my way now."