Chapter 436: Even If We're Wounded, The Eight of Us Will Share The Pain

TL: FoodieMonster007

Sincerity filled the eyes of the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon behind his mask. His words, that he would follow me no matter the order, meant he would support me even if it meant defying the Heavenly Demon's command.

He could lose his life just for saying that. Defying an order from the Heavenly Demon meant death, regardless of one's rank or status. Just now, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon had put his life on the line for me. Because of that, my gaze and voice trembled as I looked at him.

This must be why. Why my father met the Smiling Demon first among all the Demon Supremes.

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon stared at me silently before saying something unexpected. "I hope you don't drag this matter into being an issue between a father and son."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm saying that you shouldn't let this incident drive a wedge between you two. Instead, make it an issue between the Cult Leader and the Demon Supremes."

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon was worried about the relationship between my father and me.

"Young Cult Leader, you must make active use of the Demon Supremes. It might be different for other matters, but when it comes to war, the will of the Demon Supremes is absolutely crucial."

After all, not even the Heavenly Demon could make a unilateral decision about a war where everyone's lives were at stake.

"If more than half of the Demon Supremes oppose it, the Cult Leader will have no choice but to abandon his plan."

However, would the other Demon Supremes really be willing to side with me like the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon? Probably not. Even the Blood Heaven Blade Demon had hesitated, unable to make a decision.

"I may have grown closer to the Demon Supremes, but it'll be difficult to make them go against my father's will."

"Of course, it'll be difficult. Nevertheless, to achieve your demonic path, Young Cult Leader, you must succeed."

I nodded silently and revealed my honest feelings. "It feels more difficult now that we're closer than before. In the past, I used all my flattery skills and practically bewitched them with all sorts of words, didn't I? Now, that feels a bit difficult. Is it finally time to return to my beginner's mind in flattery?"

Despite my joke, the eyes behind the mask remained serious.

"Do you think the Demon Supremes fell for those flattery skills?"

"They didn't?"

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon stated firmly, "They fell for your sincerity, Young Cult Leader. The sincerity that was always present amidst the flattery and dazzling words you mentioned. The demonic path of the Young Cult Leader who would even protect a mere tavern owner. I believe everyone fell for that."

The reason he was more talkative than usual was likely because he was genuinely concerned for me.

"So you can be more unrestrained. Whether it's flattery or coercion, just shout that your demonic path is this and that they must follow you. Don't worry about the Demon Supremes. Don't worry about burdening them either. If those men make a decision, it's because they have a good reason for their choice, and they made that decision because they can handle it."

After a brief pause, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon added, "There are eight of us. Even if we're wounded, the eight of us will share the pain. So don't hesitate. Draw that sword."

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon from before my regression wasn't this kind of person. Now, I could see that this passion existed deep in his heart.

That desire to be my friend, even in his final moments, must have stemmed from this very passion.

Smiling Demon, in this life, let's go all the way together. Let's be friends until the very end.

This is my answer to the Smiling Demon's passion.

I performed a polite clasped hands greeting to express my gratitude. "Yes, I'll keep that in mind. Thank you for your advice."

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon also gave me a polite clasped hands greeting. "It is I who should be thanking you."

"What do you mean?"

"Thanks to the Ten-Thousand Year Blood Ginseng you gave me before, my martial arts have risen by a level."

"Ah, congratulations!"

I was as happy as if it were my own achievement. No, I was even happier than when I achieved something myself.

And I couldn't accept this gratitude.

"That achievement probably wasn't just because of the Ten-Thousand Year Blood Ginseng."

An increase in inner qi doesn't necessarily mean one's martial arts will advance to the next level.

Multiple factors must have been at play. The Ten-Thousand Year Blood Ginseng would have had an effect, but so would everything from his life-or-death battle with me to the change of heart that led him to bring a bed into his room and study ledgers.

"My martial arts had been stagnant for a long time. It was very frustrating, but this time, I broke through. Thanks to that, there has been a great change in my martial arts as well."

He was overjoyed. Advancing to the next stage from the level of a Demon Supreme was an incredibly difficult feat. Wasn't this what he wanted to hear from me most right now?

"I look forward to our next fight."

As expected, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon's eyes smiled brightly.

"Then I'll take my leave now."

Before I left, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon emphasized one thing. "To stop the war, you must bring one person from the Eight Demon Supremes to your side, Young Cult Leader."

"Who would that be?"

The person the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon had in mind was…

"The Poison King."

In fact, I was thinking the same thing.

Because in a war, the person who could inflict the greatest fear upon the enemy was the Poison King.

The moment war broke out, he would become the number one assassination target for both the Murim Alliance and the Evil Alliance. Countless assassins and assassination squads would actually be mobilized to kill him.

He might even be classified as an enemy to be killed with higher priority than my father or me. That's how fearsome a being the Poison King, capable of mass slaughter, was.

I recalled the Poison King, alone in the forest. I pictured him lost in his own world, staring at poisonous herbs and insects, regardless of what anyone around him said.

"He's the most difficult person to persuade among the Demon Supremes."

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon said with a meaningful look in his eyes, "That will be the same for the Cult Leader as well."

After leaving the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon's residence, I went straight to the Drunken Dream Palace.

Meeting the other Demon Supremes was important, but finding out my father's true intentions was the top priority.

What on earth did he discuss with the Drunken Demon?

Yeo Bin, whom I hadn't seen in a long time, greeted me warmly and guided me to the Drunken Dream Palace.

"I'm glad you've returned safely, Young Cult Leader."

"It was thanks to the Drunken Demon."

"The Drunken Demon said he gained a lot from this trip."

"I realized for the first time on this trip just how wonderful the Drunken Demon is."

When I praised the Drunken Demon, Yeo Bin smiled faintly.

I crossed the lake to the Drunken Dream Palace on a boat she rowed.

The Drunken Demon sat perched on the railing of the Drunken Dream Palace, gazing at the lake.

At times like this, the image of the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon staring at a white wall all alone came to mind.

Even from a distance, I could tell he was drunk.

"He has been drinking continuously since he returned from visiting the Cult Leader."

"Did he come back in a bad mood?"

"No, he's drinking because he's in a very good mood."

Just then, the ferry reached the island.

Seeing me, the Drunken Demon waved his hand and shouted, "You're here? Come on over! My little brother!"

He yelled excitedly, his words slurred.

When I went up to the pavilion, empty wine bottles were scattered everywhere. He was still pouring wine into the Ice Palace Chalice and drinking.

"What's with this binge? Didn't you promise you'd only drink one cup instead of two when using that chalice?"

"It's a special day, so let it slide just this once. I'm in such a good mood, I can't not drink."

Have I ever seen the Drunken Demon in such a good mood?

"Looks like your drinking session with Father went well. Did you drink a lot?"

"Don't even ask. We finished all the liquor in the Cult Leader's hall. I didn't realize it while we were drinking, but the moment I left his hall, the drunkenness hit me hard. I was so nervous being with the Cult Leader that I didn't even know I was getting drunk."

I could imagine how nervous he must have been without even seeing it.

"It's your first time drinking with Father, isn't it?"

"I've had a few drinks with him before. I drank with him when I first became a Demon Supreme, too. But back then, it was just a light cup or two. Or I was with other people. This was the first time I've had a proper drink with the Cult Leader."

"How was it?"

"It was good. It was really good."

"What did you talk about?"

"We talked about all sorts of things. The Cult Leader even remembered things from when I was young."

As if savoring the memory, the Drunken Demon drank happily.

"What made me feel the best was this. The Cult Leader said he was relieved to have sent you out with me. Ah, it's the first time I realized the Cult Leader trusted me this much."

The Drunken Demon looked genuinely moved.

Had my father really started managing the Demon Supremes? Or did he purely want to have a drink with the Drunken Demon?

"This is all thanks to you."

"Why?"

"If you hadn't accepted this Ice Palace Chalice, the Cult Leader wouldn't have suggested we drink, since he only suggested it because the liquor tasted so good."

"It might not be because of the chalice."

"You think not?"

"He might be trying to make you his right-hand man with this opportunity, you know?"

At that, the Drunken Demon shook his head firmly. "That's impossible."

"You never know."

After a brief pause, the Drunken Demon said, "I'm not the kind of person the Cult Leader would like. The Cult Leader likes people like the Fist Demon or the Blood Heaven Blade Demon."

"Seeing you judge things so clearly, you're not drunk at all."

No matter what order was given, the Fist Demon was the type of person to follow my father's command without a hint of hesitation. This was the deep trust that the man known as the Fist Demon possessed.

The Drunken Demon gazed at the lake for a moment before asking abruptly, "Why did you come here?"

He had noticed that there must be a reason I came to the Drunken Dream Palace when there were so many other Demon Supremes to visit.

It was time to throw a stone into this calm lake.

If I honestly told him why I came, I would be pouring cold water on the Drunken Demon's good mood. It wasn't even a certainty yet. Should I just let it go?

There are times when you want to avoid troublesome and uncomfortable situations under the pretext of being considerate of the other person. This was one of those times. If I just didn't say anything, we could laugh and move on. If I brought it up, things would get serious, and faces would flush.

However, this was precisely the time to put myself in his shoes. How would I feel if he didn't tell me something honestly, claiming it was for my own good? Wouldn't that consideration end up hurting me?

Putting myself in his position, I think I'd be upset.

Setting everything else aside, what if the decisive reason he didn't tell me was because he didn't want to ruin my good mood? That's not right.

And one more thing. It might be different if it were a secret no one knew, but this was something both the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon were aware of.

"Did you enjoy it enough?"

"What do you mean?"

"I'm asking if you've fully savored Father's affection."

The Drunken Demon's expression stiffened slightly. He had realized that what I was about to say was related to his drinking session with my father.

"I'm sorry to ruin your good mood. But this is something I have to be honest with you about."

I relayed the gist of the conversations I had with the two Demon Supremes earlier to the Drunken Demon.

"It's not certain yet. We're only guessing what's on Father's mind."

After hearing the whole story, the Drunken Demon was lost in thought for a moment.

"I've been thinking hard about yesterday's drinking session, and he didn't mention a single word about what you're worried about. He didn't give any hints either."

Then, as if suddenly craving a drink, the Drunken Demon downed several cups in a row.

His expression said it all. Right, there's no way the Cult Leader likes me!

"We don't know the exact details yet. He might have just been trying to resolve the distance between you two. Who can know what's on Father's mind?"

Refilling his cup, the Drunken Demon pointed out one thing. "Still, one thing is certain."

"What is?"

"He asked me to look after you, too. You said he told the Smiling Demon the same thing."

"He said that to you, too?"

The Drunken Demon nodded.

Father asked someone to look after me again?

"Did he just give up on the Smiling Demon and you and acknowledge you as being on my side?"

At that, the Drunken Demon sounded aggrieved. "Why would he give up on me?"

"What? Weren't you on my side?"

The Drunken Demon's expression turned serious as he replied, "Young Cult Leader, you must separate public and private matters."

His words were half-joking and half-serious, but they felt closer to being serious.

Right, and would it only be the Drunken Demon? No matter how close we've become, how could they refuse my father's command? There was no need to feel upset about this part at all.

However, I felt that I wanted to know the Drunken Demon's thoughts on this occasion.

"Even if that command is an order to start a war?"

The Drunken Demon gave no answer.

Did the Drunken Demon want to roam the misty battlefields, or did he want to stay here, drinking wine while gazing at this beautiful lake?

The Drunken Demon did not give a direct answer to my question.

"While dealing with those bastards who used the Self Destruction Art this time, I had a thought. These trash-like things are running rampant, not knowing how fearsome our Cult is."

I could feel that the Drunken Demon was speaking indirectly.

I want to sweep away everything that needs to be swept away.

Of course, that didn't mean the same thing as wanting to start a war, but I could tell it also didn't mean he wanted to live his life gazing at this lake.

"So you're on Father's side in the end."

"What do you mean, your side or my side?"

"It seems this matter will inevitably have to become a fight between sides."

The Drunken Demon drank his wine without answering.

"When I see Father, I'll be sure to tell him about your loyalty. I'll say, 'His loyalty to Father was stronger than our brotherly bond!'"

At that, the Drunken Demon said in a dejected voice, "Would he really like that?"

"What do you mean?"

"I feel like he'd dislike it, actually."

"Why would he dislike you for following him?"

The Drunken Demon drank again.

"The Cult Leader asked me to look after you, didn't he? For some reason, I feel like he might be expecting me to take your side."

The Drunken Demon looked at me and held out his cup. I drank the wine he poured for me, then poured him another.

"If you know that so well, why are you acting this way?"

"Why do you think? It's because I'm a drunkard."

Although the Drunken Demon had asked what was the point of 'your side' or 'my side', I could feel it. He was someone who truly wanted to be on my father's side.

Deep in the Drunken Demon's heart, there was a clear desire to be seen favorably by my father.

To the Drunken Demon, my father was that one person he wanted to impress and be acknowledged by more than anyone else.

I couldn't tell where the source of that longing came from. Whether it was because of the long-held misunderstanding that my father hated him, or if there was some other reason.

"Young Cult Leader."

Since the playfulness had vanished from the Drunken Demon, I also replied politely, "Yes, Drunken Demon."

"Make sure you persuade the other Demon Supremes."

"I will."

After giving a polite bow, I added with a shout, "What do you mean, you will! You abandoned me too, so who's going to take my side?"

"I'm sorry. I can't help it. He remembered a me that even I don't remember well."

"Next time I leave the Cult and come back, I'm visiting you last again!"

As I grumbled and was about to get up from my seat, the Drunken Demon said, "Thank you for being honest with me."

I gazed into his eyes and answered calmly, "Of course I had to. You're my brother."

At my words, the Drunken Demon smiled, deeply relieved.

Yes, the core of our relationship today lay here. I was honest with him, and he was honest with me.

Honesty can sometimes be a double-edged sword that hurts us, but we were people who knew how to handle a blade better than anyone.

That was why, even if he said he would take my father's side, we could still grow closer.

"Who's next?"

Someone who might know my father's true intentions.

I slowly walked down from the Drunken Dream Palace, clenching my fists.

"I'm going to try crashing against it head-on. I'm going to the biggest, hardest cliff."