Chapter 443: Father's Fight Was Elegant

TL: FoodieMonster007

I watched my father descend the stairs in silence.

Father. Do you know when I thought of you the most in my life before regression? When you passed away? When I was running around gathering ingredients, dreaming of revenge? When I was mentally and physically exhausted? Or when I was lonely? It was none of those. It was when I had reached the same age as you.

Having never had a proper heart-to-heart conversation with him, I thought I wouldn't miss my father. I assumed it would just be a vague sense of longing. However, as I got older, I strangely found myself thinking of him from time to time.

I feel like I could have a deep conversation with him now. I feel like I could understand him a little better. If only it were now.

Father stopped a few steps in front of me. Our gazes met and tangled in the air. I had faced him many times, but there had never been a moment as tense as this.

Finally, my father asked.

"Did you say you were jealous because my Demon Supremes are so impressive?"

His first words were for my benefit. He was letting them know that I had called the Demon Supremes impressive.

I glanced at the Demon Supremes standing on either side. My eyes met with each of theirs, however briefly. The emotions in their gazes as they watched us were all different.

As always, the Fist Demon's gaze was heavy. Next to the calm Flower Sword Supreme were the half-closed eyes of the Drunken Demon, hiding his complex feelings. The Demonic Buddha's eyes were full of interest, the Poison King was indifferent, and the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's gaze was fiery. The Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme was dignified, and the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon was smiling.

"Yes. I'm so jealous I want to make them all my Demon Supremes."

The first to react was the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.

"Young Cult Leader, don't say such things, even as a joke."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon had clearly taken it upon himself to scold me today. He knew that someone had to play this role, and I was grateful to him.

"What can I do? They're just that impressive."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon shot me a stern look.

Are you really going to be like this?

I suppressed the urge to tease him and politely bowed my head.

"I apologize. I'll be more careful with my words and actions from now on."

As I apologized, I saw the Demonic Buddha smiling at me. He was having the most fun out of anyone in the audience today.

You've been withdrawn lately, just carving stone statues, so this must be exciting for you, right?

As if in response to my thoughts, the Demonic Buddha's aura intensified.

Still, I couldn't be careless. Joking around when I was alone with a Demon Supreme was one thing. A clumsy joke in front of my father, however, could be a great discourtesy to them.

Knowing how to hold back a joke is more important than making one.

I looked at my father again.

"Father, there is something I would like to ask you."

Everyone's gaze focused on me. Amidst the palpable tension, I finally asked my father the question.

"I would like to ask what your dream is, Father."

I could feel everyone flinch.

No way, is he really asking the Cult Leader that directly? That must have been what they were thinking.

Naturally, all eyes turned to my father. They weren't waiting for an answer, since no one here was unaware of his dream. They were curious about how he would react. Would he answer obediently, or would he get angry?

Father didn't answer.

His silence heightened the tension. He wasn't emitting demonic qi or hardening his expression, but he still made everyone nervous.

The one who broke the swelling, near-bursting tension was the Drunken Demon. He stepped forward with a slurred voice.

After all, only a drunkard could intervene at a time like this.

"Before you ask about the Cult Leader's dream, you should reveal your own first, Young Cult Leader."

"Of course, I should. That was short-sighted of me. My dreams change often, so if you ask me later, I might give you a different answer."

I deliberately added that part for my father to hear.

Don't just have one dream. A dream can change.

Then, the Drunken Demon thankfully asked the question.

"Does our Young Cult Leader's dream change often, as you say?"

The quick-witted Drunken Demon knew what I intended when I said that.

"Does a dream have to be just one thing? We only live once, so we can have this dream and then that dream. And what if we don't have a dream at all?"

I was looking at the Drunken Demon as I said it, but my words were actually for my father. He probably knew that, of course.

I didn't just let the drunkard who had crashed the stage go.

"By any chance, Drunken Demon, do you have a dream?"

Normally, he would have laughed and said something like, 'Just to drink for the rest of my life'.

"It is to achieve the unification of Murim under the Cult Leader."

The Drunken Demon said the words 'unification of Murim' in his stead. He knew that my father wouldn't say those words himself.

I'll step up for you, so use me to say what you need to say to the Cult Leader.

This was how he was repaying his guilt for siding with my father.

"Do you think the world will become a better place if Murim is unified?"

Right. I couldn't ask my father something like this directly.

No, I think it will get worse.

"It will be better than it is now, at least."

"What's your reason for thinking so?"

"Imagine a world where demonic cultivators, people from the orthodox sects, and people from the unorthodox sects are all lumped together. The demonic cultivators, having unified the world, will try to oppress the orthodox and unorthodox sects. The people of the unorthodox sects, steeped in defeat, will commit even more heinous acts. The people of the orthodox sects will try every method possible to reclaim the Orthodox Murim. In that process, there will be countless more sacrifices. In the end, it will be a world where everyone is dissatisfied."

Father and the Demon Supremes were all listening to me in silence.

"Can't we just control that chaos with our power?"

The Drunken Demon offered a solution on their behalf.

"A Murim ruled by oppression and control, is that the world you hope to achieve through unification?"

I was looking at the Drunken Demon, but these words were truly meant for my father.

I had actually experienced it. A Murim where the balance between the demonic, orthodox, and unorthodox had collapsed. I also knew that the nature of power never allows a vacuum.

Another power, the Twelve Zodiac Kings, took that place, and the martial artists' killing intent grew harsher.

It would be the same for us. The Eight Demon Supremes would simply replace the Twelve Zodiac Kings.

"I believe it's a world that should never have been combined in the first place."

Thanks to the Drunken Demon stepping forward, I was able to say everything I wanted to.

Now, sending the Drunken Demon off the stage, I looked at my father. I couldn't tell what meaning my previous words had held for him.

He was looking at me with the same unchanging expression as before.

"Father, putting everything else aside, I don't want to lose anyone here."

"No one here fears death."

"Yes, I know. I know that they are all brave. I'm also well aware that they would lay down their lives without hesitation at your command, Father. This is just my personal feeling. It's my selfish desire not to lose them."

I looked around at the Demon Supremes with a serious gaze.

"I don't want to lose a single person here. You might ask if there won't be seven left if one dies. No, I will miss that one person for the rest of my life."

Father probably couldn't understand why I wanted to save them this badly. He wouldn't know the efforts I made before my regression to save those who needed to be saved.

My gaze, which had been on the Demon Supremes, turned to my father.

"To confess honestly, this is an effort for my own life. That's right. It's my desperate struggle to avoid a life of missing the dead."

"Is that your dream?"

"No, this is my personal wish. It's just my selfishness."

"Then what is your dream?"

Father was allowing me to say everything I wanted on this stage. It was as if he was making me the protagonist.

Say everything you want to in front of me and the Demon Supremes.

That's why this might become an even more difficult fight.

"My dream is to live my life contemplating in that grand chair."

Not just my father, but everyone else showed a look of confusion. They couldn't understand what I meant by those words alone.

"While sitting in the grand chair, I'll contemplate which Demon Supreme I should visit today, or what dish I should ask the chef of the Heavenly Demon Hall to make."

"Does that seat look like such a leisurely position to you?"

"I know it's not. I'm well aware of how much work you handle from that seat, Father."

Seeing his expression that asked why I would say such a thing, I calmly retorted.

"Isn't that all the more reason to contemplate? One can't live their entire life just working."

Depending on how one interpreted it, it was a clear provocation towards my father, so the atmosphere grew heavy again. Father himself remained still, but the reactions of the Demon Supremes set the mood.

"How can I handle work more efficiently? How can I have as much of my own time as possible? I'll contemplate that every day. When I get bored of that, I'll go visit the Murim Alliance Lord. When I get tired of teasing that stiff man, I'll go find the Evil Alliance Chairman and ask if his dancing skills are still sharp. Living like this is my dream."

My real dream is not to be trapped in that grand chair. To travel the world and live freely, that is my real dream.

However, I couldn't say that in front of my father. I couldn't speak of such a dream to the father who had lived his entire life in that grand chair for our Cult. And for the sake of my brother, who was pushed out of that very seat.

So what I'm saying now is a compromise for my dream. Father, can't a dream be compromised like this? Isn't it because you treat it so preciously that you can't achieve it?

"What about you, Father? Don't you want to try living a life like that?"

My answer and question were treading a fine line. However, if I didn't speak this strongly, I wouldn't be able to face my father on this stage. I wouldn't be able to persuade him.

However, the reality my father envisioned was cold.

"That stiff Murim Alliance Lord you mentioned will one day stab you in the back and say he had no choice."

"That he had no choice because he is the Murim Alliance Lord. And as he looks down into your dying eyes, he'll spout some nonsense about justice."

The Fist Demon, the Flower Sword Supreme, and the Demonic Buddha nodded. The Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the Drunken Demon didn't react, but their expressions weren't much different from my father's opinion.

Regardless of their relationship with me, they didn't trust people from the orthodox sects. And was that distrust limited only to them?

"How long do you think the Evil Alliance Chairman can keep dancing? When will a surprise attack spring from those dance moves? Do you really believe that people don't change? Do you believe they'll remain steadfast in the face of circumstances or profit?"

I didn't answer. I could have refuted him if I wanted to, but I didn't. At least on this point, it was a conclusion drawn from my father's long life and experience.

I let out a light sigh and said softly.

"Perhaps you're right."

As I said that, I looked around at the Demon Supremes.

"Isn't there anyone who will step up and help me out here? Someone to say, 'Cult Leader, it won't necessarily be like that!' Anyone!"

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon's gaze said, You punk, stop fooling around. Be serious! The Demonic Buddha was simply beaming, thoroughly amused. The Flower Sword Supreme's eyes seemed to say, I'm sorry, and the Drunken Demon pretended to be drunk.

And in that moment, someone completely unexpected stepped forward.

"The Young Cult Leader will not be easily defeated."

It wasn't the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon. The one who stepped forward was someone I never thought would, the Fist Demon.

"He only appears that way on the surface. The Young Cult Leader doesn't trust people easily."

"As expected! The Master knows his disciple well. But was that a compliment? Or an insult?"

I spoke to my father again.

"Even if I am deceived by them, it's fine. I've been training my martial arts like a madman in preparation for that. The knife in my back won't be able to pierce my skin, and in the end, the dance will end as just a dance."

"Are you saying you'll let the martial arts you've built up so painstakingly go to waste?"

"I'm saying I'll use those skills to enjoy my life."

"Just by worrying about what to eat or where to go for fun?"

"Yes, that's what I'll do."

Father, who had been staring at me, slowly began to walk.

He headed toward the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon.

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon's gaze was calm, but I was the one who grew tense.

"Will you still support the Young Cult Leader after this?"

It was a loaded question. The question itself contained a demand to answer no.

However, like his pure white mask, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon's heart was resolute.

"Yes, I support the Young Cult Leader's will."

Father asked him again.

"Even if it means you can never wear your Undying Ghost Mask again?"

The Undying Ghost Mask was the mask the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon wore when he went to war. In the past, when the Demon Supremes had stood before my father for my sake, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon had worn the Undying Ghost Mask to make his plea.

Since it was the mask he cherished most, my father had struck him where it hurt the most.

However, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon spoke to my father more politely than ever before.

"Fortunately, I have several masks."

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon's gaze, which had been on my father, turned to me.

"I will live my life wearing the Happy Ghost Mask with the Young Cult Leader."

The Happy Ghost Mask was the one he wore for large events or banquets within the Cult.

Despite giving up his favorite Undying Ghost Mask, the two eyes behind his mask were clear and deep. It was the gaze he had when he revealed his true feelings.

This was the only way I could repay the sincerity he showed in front of my father, of all people.

I will make that banquet the grandest of all.

All the Demon Supremes looked at the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon. Each of their gazes held a different emotion.

Father said no more to the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon. Could he really have asked without knowing how the demon would react?

This time, my father stood before the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme.

She was dignified even before my father. It was a well-known fact that he disliked the Poison King and the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme, which is why she tried to be even more dignified.

I thought he would ask why she had sided with me, but my father asked an unexpected question.

"Is your training going well?"

Though inwardly flustered by the gentle question, the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme answered politely.

"I am training diligently."

I thought he would just offer a word of encouragement and turn away.

"Don't forget. You are my Demon Supreme."

This time, the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme was surprised and moved. She had always thought she was out of my father's favor.

"Will you still stand here?"

The Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme was flustered. She looked at me.

There are many times I don't know what my father is thinking, but I know this for sure. He is not the type of person to pressure a young Demon Supreme in a situation like this to bring them to his side.

What does that mean? This wasn't my father pressuring me, but him looking out for her. It was his way of saying it wasn't her time to step up yet. It was his consideration, his wish for her to grow quietly among the other Demon Supremes.

I conveyed my thoughts to her with a look.

It's okay to go.

The Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme, understanding my intention, gave me a polite clasped hands greeting.

"I will serve you well later."

She crossed the red carpet and stood on the opposite side.

Of course, I said something completely different from what my gaze had conveyed to her.

"How could you! Did you really think about who you'll be spending more of your life as a Demon Supreme with before deciding? Where in the world is there such a spineless ghost!"

The Demonic Buddha, standing next to her, smiled brightly.

It's not easy, is it?

On this stage, my father was strong.

He was leading this stage while taking care of and showing consideration for me, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon, and even the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme. Father never got agitated. His fight was dignified and elegant.

The gazes of all the Demon Supremes turned to me. The question in their eyes was the same.

Young Cult Leader, what are you going to do now?