Chapter 794: Please Help My Friend's Father

TL: FoodieMonster007

Perfect darkness surrounded them, a void where nothing could be seen.

This was the Eternal Prison of Darkness.

Normally, those trapped here would wander through the darkness. They would try to measure the space, find an escape, or see if anyone else was present. They would search for any way to break free.

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon, however, did not. He stood still within the darkness, even staring into it with wide-open eyes, as if he could see something in front of him. The sight was truly bizarre.

Ultimately though, Hoe was the one in control.

He won't break easily, but he will break eventually.

This darkness drove people mad. It delved into the human mind and unearthed every negative emotion a person possessed.

Fear and anxiety, helplessness, hatred, sorrow, guilt, weakness.

He had seen many times how easily and quickly a human could break.

Soon, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon would become enraged and laugh like a madman. Even a stoic martial artist who had never shed a tear would end up wailing here in the Eternal Prison of Darkness.

Now, break, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon!

Hoe pushed his inner arts further, and the darkness grew even deeper.

When there was still no reaction, Hoe decided to provoke the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon directly. "Do you know why I trapped you instead of Lee Ahn? It's because I judged that your death would be a greater shock to the Young Cult Leader than the death of Lee Ahn."

The voice echoed from all directions, making its source impossible to pinpoint.

Hoe was certain the Young Cult Leader's well-being could shake the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon's heart the most.

Sure enough, the previously silent Extremely Evil Smiling Demon finally spoke at the mention of Geom Mugeuk. "Even after so many encounters, you still know nothing about the Young Cult Leader."

"What do you mean?"

After a brief pause, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon answered, "Even if we all die, the Young Cult Leader will not be shaken."

"!"

"He'll probably just become even colder."

Hoe could feel that the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon genuinely believed that.

"So in the earlier fight, you should have targeted the weaker Commander Lee, not me. Did you think that if that woman got hurt or died, we would all truly die?"

Hoe's heart sank at the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon's words. "Then your death will be a meaningless one."

"Why seek meaning in death? I never sought it in life."

Hoe's provocations and taunts had no effect.

This time, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon asked a question. "What in the world have you prepared on that ship?"

Hoe could tell. The quiet man was conversing with him only to ask this question. He wanted to find out anything he could and report it to Geom Mugeuk.

"You're madly devoted to the Young Cult Leader. What you said was wrong. If the Young Cult Leader loses someone like you, he'll go mad and run rampant."

Damn it, if only our Palace had someone like him…

Hoe poured out the maximum amount of qi he could muster. The dark energy grew stronger and stronger.

However, the two eyes behind the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon's mask were smiling. "Thank you for bringing me to a place like this."

With those incomprehensible words, he drew his dagger, but even that blade reflected no light in this darkness.

Even so, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon slashed through the empty air.

SWISH!

A pure white line of sword qi cut through the darkness. Really, it should have vanished into the darkness, but it remained exactly as it was.

The darkness quickly surged to erase the sword line.

Still, the line left by the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon's dagger did not disappear.

"!" Hoe was shocked. This had never happened before.

Something even more surprising followed.

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon began to execute the Laughing Fragrance Dagger Technique in the darkness. The lines created in the empty air followed original and special trajectories that only a supreme martial art could leave behind, but more surprisingly, the trajectories left by the dagger remained in the darkness, emitting a pure white light.

SWOOSH! WHOOSH!

No matter how the darkness rushed in, it could not erase the lines.

Hoe could not comprehend this phenomenon at all. "How in the world did you do that?"

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon's training in the pure white room was a discipline to cultivate extreme concentration and mental tranquility. It was a training to deeply contemplate the moral principles of good and evil, using it to realize the principles of martial arts.

When he entered the Eternal Prison of Darkness, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon immediately realized. His pure white room and this room of darkness were, in the end, the same room.

After all, what he had been seeing in his white room was not light, but darkness. He had stood there alone, gazing at his own life, a life lived in extreme evil.

That was why this place was comfortable. It was like entering his own room.

Just as the Dark Black Painted Spirit could not face the Drunken Demon, the Eternal Prison of Darkness could not hold the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon. He had overwhelmed the Pitch Black Demonic Art, and this room had become his own.

That meant he could engrave light into the darkness with the Laughing Fragrance Dagger Technique.

After executing all the techniques, he slowly watched their trajectories.

Where else would I get the chance to see every trajectory of my martial arts so vividly?

This was something only possible when he and the Eternal Prison of Darkness met.

That was not all. He took a step to the side and began to perform the Laughing Fragrance Dagger Technique again. This time as well, the darkness tried to erase the traces of his technique, but the pure white sword lines did not disappear.

He compared the new performance of the Laughing Fragrance Dagger Technique with the one from before, examining it again.

"You crazy bastard! Are you training your martial arts in my Eternal Prison of Darkness right now?" Hoe's agitated voice echoed.

He swore he had never imagined something like this could happen in his unique demonic art. His qi and blood nearly flowed in reverse from pure wrath, causing internal injuries. This was a different problem from his dark qi not working!

"Stop it! You madman!"

However, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon did not stop. He simply performed the Laughing Fragrance Dagger Technique again and again, as if this were a miraculous, once-in-a-lifetime encounter. It seemed he intended to completely master the martial art here today before leaving.

Agitated, Hoe shouted, "Aren't you worried about the Young Cult Leader? What would he say if he knew you were leisurely training your martial arts here?"

The two eyes behind the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon's mask smiled brightly. "The Young Cult Leader would be the most pleased, of course."

Hoe poured in his remaining qi to strengthen the dark energy.

However, just as the moon shines brighter on a darker night, the trajectories of the Laughing Fragrance Dagger Technique only became clearer.

Finally, he understood. He was the one being affected by this place.

Damn it! The Smiling Demon was never an opponent I could handle in the first place.

As countless shining sword lines appeared, the space gradually brightened. This training, performed alone in the darkness, was both martial arts training and a process for the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon to find the light.

After a long time, when the space filled with light.

SPARKLE!

The surroundings seemed to flash brightly, and then the two men found themselves back in their original spots.

Blood gushed from Hoe's mouth. The breaking of the Eternal Prison of Darkness had severed all his meridians, a fatal injury.

"Kill me," he gasped for breath in agony.

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon gazed quietly into Hoe's pained eyes. The eyes behind the mask held no hatred or animosity for the one who tried to kill him. Instead, his gaze was gentle. "Your darkness was comfortable for me."

SHWIIIIK!

His dagger cut through the air, liberating Hoe from his pain.

The last thing Hoe saw was the character for 'Smile' that Geom Mugeuk had engraved on the dagger.

Lee Ahn, Cha Yiran, Green Mask, and Jang Ho, who had been waiting outside, bowed to the Smiling Demon respectfully. They had all waited anxiously after he was suddenly dragged into the darkness.

However, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon had returned safely.

They knew it before, but now they experienced directly just how terrifying the beings known as Demon Supremes were.

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon stood by the lake, silently gazing at the Ship of Fortune.

Normally, Lee Ahn would be tense, wondering what might pop out next, but being with the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon made her feel at ease.

In fact, she found herself feeling quite envious of Geom Mugeuk.

How wonderful must it feel to have someone like that by your side in life?

[Don't be too envious.] Cha Yiran, ever the astute one, sent her a telepathic message.

Lee Ahn pouted. [I'm not envious. If I had to say, I'm a person closer to the Smiling Demon than the Young Cult Leader.]

[What do you mean by that?]

[It means I'm not a vessel big enough to contain someone like the Young Cult Leader. I'm the type of person who's more comfortable following and admiring him. Even if I get abandoned in the end, that's easier on my heart.]

Cha Yiran grinned at her commander's answer.

Lee Ahn thought that this kind of relationship with her subordinate was not so bad. It wasn't easy to meet someone in life with whom you could share such honest feelings.

Right, so what if my heart's a soy sauce dish? I'll just live my life holding soy sauce. What's important is not spilling it!

She directed her gaze toward the distant Ship of Fortune.

So, greatest vessel in the world, please come out quickly and hold all of us little dishes!

An urgent report arrived at the Murim Alliance's Chairman's Hall.

"The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult has lit the Demonic Flames," Murim Alliance Head Strategist Jaegal Hyeon reported.

Both the Murim Alliance Chairman Jin Paecheon and Jin Hagun, who was with him, were startled. The Demonic Flames had not been lit once since Geom Woojin ascended to the position of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's Cult Leader.

"Now, every Branch of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult has entered a state of emergency."

Jin Paecheon worried that the event he had been anxious about was finally happening. He trusted Geom Mugeuk, but he did not trust Geom Woojin.

Jaegal Hyeon knew what the Chairman worried about, so he quickly added, "Fortunately, there are no signs of war breaking out."

That could only mean that the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult was in danger.

"There's one more piece of news. After sealing the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult Headquarters, the Demonic Cult Leader and the Demon Supremes went to the evacuated Demon Village."

This additional news was even more surprising than the lighting of the Demonic Flames. As leader of the Murim Alliance, Jin Paecheon knew what that meant. A powerful enemy was heading toward the Cult, strong enough to make the Demonic Cult Leader tense and bring out the Demon Supremes.

"It seems to be related to the recent appearance of the Celestial Killer Star."

Of course, the Murim Alliance also knew about the appearance of the Celestial Killer Star. They were taking the matter seriously and carefully observing the murim.

"We believe they have judged that the Celestial Killer Star is coming for them."

Jin Hagun's expression hardened as he silently listened to the two men's conversation. He had not been this worried when the Demon Supremes had left the cult before. However, the subsequent appearance of the Celestial Killer Star had made his heart sink, and now, even the Demonic Flames had been lit.

There had been countless incidents involving the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult and Geom Mugeuk until now, but this was the first time he had ever been this worried about them.

Mugeuk, are you alright?

He truly felt like he wanted to rush over there right this instant.

"Was there any word from the Divine Cult regarding this matter?" Jin Paecheon asked.

Jaegal Hyeon shook his head. "No, there was not."

Jin Paecheon's expression hardened.

We can only guess, then. Most likely, they lit the flames because the Celestial Killer Star is heading in their direction. Fuck, how nice it would be if those bastards would give us even a rough hint? As always, that damned Heavenly Demon is taking matters into his own hands.

Then again, that was what the Cult were like before Geom Mugeuk, the oddity, appeared. In fact, they used to worry that the cult would find out about their important affairs.

Regardless, they had already activated their highest level of emergency alert, the Heavenly Dragon Order, when Geom Mugeuk left the cult.

"What do you suggest we do?"

"If the Celestial Killer Star truly exists as the Divine Cult believes, there is no guarantee that person won't come to our alliance."

Jin Paecheon slowly nodded. That person was surely connected to the mastermind that the orthodox, unorthodox, and demonic had been fighting together.

"Please recall all the masters who are outside and permit the activation of all formations and mechanisms within the Alliance."

If that happened, the Murim Alliance would also become an ironclad fortress and shift to a full wartime footing.

"Do it."

"Yes, I'll implement it immediately."

Jaegal Hyeon left, leaving only Jin Paecheon and Jin Hagun behind.

Jin Paecheon walked to the large window next to the grand chair and looked outside.

Jin Hagun read one thing from his grandfather's back. "Do you want to go help the Demonic Cult Leader?"

"……" Jin Paecheon looked back at his grandson.

"I asked because it seemed like you did."

Surprisingly, Jin Paecheon did feel the desire to help Geom Woojin. The Demonic Cult Leader made him uncomfortable just by looking at him, yet he still wanted to help him. It was less a rational judgment and more an emotional impulse.

Nevertheless, despite knowing his rival was in danger, he was locking his doors and breaking the promise made during the tripartite meeting to face the enemy together.

For someone with his personality, it was unusual. However, for the sake of the Murim Alliance, it was something he had to do.

"If the Demonic Cult Leader dies because of this, where do you think the sword that brought down the Demonic Cult will be aimed next?"

"Then why are you hesitating?"

Because of a single possibility.

Jin Paecheon was neither afraid of the Celestial Killer Star, nor of the infamy he would gain for helping the Demonic Cult.

"What if that Celestial Killer Star comes to our alliance?"

What if the Celestial Killer Star were to attack this place while he was away? If his grandchildren and the Murim Alliance martial artists were to die because of it? It would truly remain an eternal regret.

"Haven't you protected the alliance your entire life with that kind of heart?" Jin Hagun asked.

"!"

"I think it's okay for you to follow your heart just this once, Grandfather."

Thinking his grandson was saying it for his own sake, Jin Paecheon gently reprimanded him. "That's a rash thought."

In truth, Jin Hagun had said it because he was certain of one thing. "The Celestial Killer Star won't come to our alliance."

Jin Paecheon gave his grandson a questioning look.

Jin Hagun calmly replied, "Because if they had judged it so, the Divine Cult would have sent word for us to be careful."

His words stemmed from a deep faith in Geom Mugeuk and the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.

"I think I know now why the Young Cult Leader led the Demon Supremes out without any word. That rascal is trying to fight the final battle without our help, even after telling us to be sure to send word if anything happened. Damn bastard's trying to act all cool all by himself."

This was why he wanted to run over there right now and yell at Geom Mugeuk: 'At the next gathering, you'll start by drinking three penalty bottles!'

"I believe the appearance of the Celestial Killer Star is also a fate that originated from my friend. That's why they must have headed for the Divine Cult."

Jin Paecheon silently looked down at the view of the Murim Alliance, where formations were being deployed and mechanisms were beginning to operate.

When his grandfather said nothing more, Jin Hagun bowed respectfully and withdrew.

Even after his grandson left, Jin Paecheon stared out the window for a long while.

When he finally turned around, a single sword was standing next to the grand chair. Surprisingly, it was the Gentleman Sword, which Jin Hagun had received as a gift from Geom Mugeuk.

First among ancient swords, the Gentleman Sword.

Jin Paecheon slowly walked over and picked up the Gentleman Sword. It seemed his grandson thought he might leave. The boy must have left this sword here, telling him to take it if he did go, believing that the Gentleman Sword in his grandfather's hands would make him invincible.

Perhaps this thoughtful grandson was making a request of him.

Grandfather, please help my friend's father.

Jin Paecheon looked down at the Gentleman Sword with a deep gaze. "With a grandson like this, doesn't it just make you want to go and brag about him to that person?"