Chapter 832: Do You Know Why They Never Fight?

TL: FoodieMonster007

"You look exactly the same!" Geom Mugeuk exclaimed.

He walked forward and stared at his Heavenly Demon Soul. The large the Heavenly Demon Soul had shrunk in size while retaining its appearance.

It still possessed a face and eyes that were terrifying to behold. The hellfire shaped like the Heavenly Demon Soul's face in its heart remained the same.

Since it was small like a human, it felt even more terrifying, yet on the other hand, the smaller size made it look somewhat more refined and cool.

Feeling overwhelmed, Geom Mugeuk greeted, "It's been a while, friend."

He called his Heavenly Demon Soul a friend. When he first met the Heavenly Demon Soul, he told him that he was his master and friend, but of course, he would rather be a friend than a master.

His Heavenly Demon Soul seemed to glance at him for a moment, but soon fixed his gaze back on the Heavenly Demon Soul dwelling in Hwa Mugi's body instead.

"Thank you for saving me!" Geom Mugeuk said.

But that wasn't all. Would he be Geom Mugeuk if he just said that and moved on?

He continued, "Everyone expects you to speak well because you're my Heavenly Demon Soul, so say something."

"……"

Was it just his mood? Geom Mugeuk felt that his Heavenly Demon Soul was slightly perplexed.

Nevertheless, the chatterbox's delight continued. It was hard to believe he was someone driven to the brink of death just a moment ago.

"I once told Father that I had two wishes regarding you. The first is to have a conversation with you."

"……" The Heavenly Demon Soul remained silent.

"The second is to make your size small and travel around like friends. I've already achieved one of the two wishes!"

Those who had thrown themselves to help Geom Mugeuk were also looking at the Heavenly Demon Soul in surprise. In particular, Jin Paecheon and Baek Jagang were close to Geom Mugeuk, but they learned for the first time that the Heavenly Demon Soul could descend in such a small form.

Geom Mugeuk looked at them and said with a laugh, "Where in the world would you find a Murim Alliance Chairman and Evil Alliance Chairman throwing themselves forward to save the Young Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult?"

Jin Paecheon was truly relieved by the fact that Geom Mugeuk was safe. "Right now, you aren't the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult Young Cult Leader, but Hagun's friend."

Geom Mugeuk smiled and bowed politely. "Thank you. I'll boast about this incident for the rest of my life."

Because of this bond, Jin Paecheon's regret ran deep. He sighed, "You've saved us several times, but I can't save you even once."

"Even if it weren't for the Heavenly Demon Soul, you would have saved me, Chairman."

Jin Paecheon didn't know if he could agree with that.

Would I really have been able to save him? It was a close call when I tried to protect him earlier.

If the Heavenly Demon Soul had not descended, he would have tried to block it by launching sword qi, but there was no guarantee that Geom Mugeuk would have been safe.

He definitely regretted being a step late. He should have intervened regardless of the Demonic Cult Leader's will.

He was simply grateful to Geom Mugeuk for a few words of gratitude.

Geom Mugeuk's gaze turned toward Baek Jagang. "You came along as well?"

Baek Jagang answered nonchalantly, "We have a habit of instinctively moving when the orthodox sects move."

Geom Mugeuk laughed at that joke. Since Baek Jagang did not act condescending at all, his gratitude was even greater.

He bowed his head politely to him as well. "I won't forget the grace of you sacrificing your precious body for me today."

Baek Jagang sneered. As usual, Geom Mugeuk's promise did not make his skin crawl.

Geom Mugeuk hopped over to the Fist Demon. "As expected! Master is the best! Better than my heartless father!"

The Fist Demon didn't say anything. He could confirm that the Cult Leader had seen correctly.

To think he risked his life to make his the Heavenly Demon Soul descend.

Truly, it was something that could never be attempted unless one was Geom Mugeuk.

On the other hand, he also thought that Geom Mugeuk had made a wise judgment. If Geom Mugeuk or the Cult Leader's Heavenly Demon Soul did not descend, the fight against that Hyeok Docheon's Heavenly Demon Soul would have been impossible.

Geom Mugeuk had found a breakthrough in a disadvantageous fight.

Geom Mugeuk went over to the Sword King. It was truly historic how all these great masters tried to save him simultaneously.

"Actually, I wasn't that worried," the Sword King said first.

"Why?"

"I figured you were enduring like that because you had a plan."

Geom Mugeuk grinned. Although you came forward too urgently to say that.

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader shouted at Geom Mugeuk, "You, are you going to surprise people like this? What were you going to do if the Heavenly Demon Soul didn't appear?"

"I had a backup plan." Geom Mugeuk loosened his shirt to reveal the Top-Quality Heavenly Silk wrapped tightly around his chest. "I was using the Heavenly Demon Defense Art, the Big Dipper Body, and even the Vajra Asura on top of this. Even the sword of the Heavenly Demon Soul wouldn't have pierced me easily. Also, if I felt danger the moment I was stabbed, I would have used that trick I learned from you, Cult Leader."

Only then did a smile appear on the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's lips. "As expected! You had a plan for everything. Yes, you must have had a plan since you took my artifacts."

Geom Mugeuk chuckled. Hearing the terrifyingly persistent story of the artifacts come up again, it seemed the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader was also relieved.

Finally, his gaze turned toward his father, who hadn't budged an inch. "You're too much, Father! Even the Poison King took a few steps forward."

"……" The Poison King quietly stepped back.

Geom Woojin stared at his son without a word. How could the boy know how difficult it was to watch until the end without stepping in just now? It might have been the hardest moment recently, or perhaps in his entire life.

Geom Mugeuk bowed deeply. How could he not know how his father truly felt? The relief he felt now was a relief he was seeing on his father's face for the first time in his life. He could not convey his overwhelming gratitude with just words.

"Thank you, Father."

His father had believed in him until the end. Because his father believed, the Heavenly Demon Soul could descend.

After exchanging greetings with those who tried to protect him, Geom Mugeuk walked back to his Heavenly Demon Soul's side. Even while they were talking, the two Heavenly Demon Souls were staring at each other.

"You have to get used to it in the future. I'm a very talkative person."

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader could not hold back and chimed in, "He's your the Heavenly Demon Soul, so he might talk even more than you. He might be hiding his inner thoughts insidiously like his master right now."

Geom Mugeuk thought that he really wished it were like the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader's joke.

I want to talk about all sorts of things with you someday. I want to share words with you that I cannot say to anyone else. So please say at least one word before this fight ends.

This was his wish.

Meanwhile, the Heavenly Demon Soul dwelling in Hwa Mugi's body still seemed unable to believe what had just transpired. "You really descended?"

Previously, he had guaranteed that his opponents' Heavenly Demon Souls would never appear as long as he was present. However, Geom Mugeuk's the Heavenly Demon Soul had shattered that boast and descended.

And there was another fact that surprised him.

"How did you manifest in a small form?"

"……" Geom Mugeuk's Heavenly Demon Soul simply stared at the opponent silently without giving any answer.

Geom Mugeuk looked at his the Heavenly Demon Soul. "I don't know much about you guys. I only heard from Father that Heavenly Demon Souls are extremely reluctant to clash with each other, so I'm sorry for giving this kind of order as my first command." His voice turned stern. "Destroy him."

Receiving the order, the Heavenly Demon Soul walked forward without a shred of hesitation.

"Do you know what you've just done?" Hyeok Docheon's Heavenly Demon Soul sneered at Geom Mugeuk.

"Wait." Geom Mugeuk called his the Heavenly Demon Soul to a stop. The enemy's words sounded like more than just simple annoyance. When his the Heavenly Demon Soul stopped, he asked, "What do you mean?"

"Do you know why the Heavenly Demon Souls never fight each other?"

That was a question Geom Mugeuk had also been curious about, and today, that surprising secret was revealed.

"Because if the Heavenly Demon Souls fight each other and lose, they are extinguished forever."

"!" Geom Mugeuk was startled. He was surprised to the point where he wondered if he had been this surprised recently. This was a fact that neither he nor his father knew.

"That is why if there is a the Heavenly Demon Soul they consider stronger than themselves, they never manifest. That is the innate nature of the Heavenly Demon Soul. The winner absorbs the opponent's power and becomes even stronger. The existence of the defeated side is extinguished, and all the power he possessed is absorbed."

This was a secret that could only be heard from a the Heavenly Demon Soul.

Hyeok Docheon's Heavenly Demon Soul revealed a single emotion he had not shown until now—Greed.

"Your Heavenly Demon Soul is special. He manifested in such a small body."

Geom Mugeuk's gaze looked at his Heavenly Demon Soul.

Yes, you're special. You're the Heavenly Demon Soul who saved me the very first time you appeared!

This was the part that surprised Hyeok Docheon's Heavenly Demon Soul most about this descent.

"He descended even while knowing he was weaker."

Geom Mugeuk looked at his the Heavenly Demon Soul without a word. At that figure just staring at the opponent with a stoic face.

Did you descend for me even though you could lose the fight and be extinguished?

Because of that, the fellow's ambition did not reach Geom Mugeuk's ears.

"I will absorb your power and become the strongest the Heavenly Demon Soul in history."

Geom Mugeuk asked calmly, "Is he right?"

His Heavenly Demon Soul gave no answer. He used to express his intentions by moving his eyes slightly, but now he was only looking straight ahead.

Geom Mugeuk pouted. "I asked if if he's right. I know you don't speak, but answer me anyway."

There was still no reaction.

Because of that, he realized that the statement about eternal extinction was true.

"Go back inside," he ordered the Heavenly Demon Soul to disappear again.

However, the Heavenly Demon Soul did not disappear.

"That's an order. Go inside, quickly."

Geom Mugeuk's Heavenly Demon Soul still did not disappear.

He whispered, "The Heavenly Demon Soul is an existence that must protect its master. Did you judge that my life is in danger right now?"

He meant that the sense of duty to protect the master took precedence over the master's order.

Naturally, his Heavenly Demon Soul must have made such a judgment. It was true he was summoned when he was about to get hit.

You really descended to protect me, even going against your very nature.

Geom Mugeuk was touched, but he couldn't stop here. He had to break the Heavenly Demon Soul's stubbornness quickly.

"Look, friend. Even if we haven't been together for a long time, enough time has passed for you to roughly know what kind of person I am, right? You know that I always find a way, don't you? So go inside. Besides, I'm not alone. Father is here, and others are here too. So don't worry about me and go inside."

Even with gentle persuasion, the Heavenly Demon Soul didn't budge.

Geom Mugeuk read another emotion in those eyes besides the desire to protect him—the pride of the Heavenly Demon Soul that it would not lose to anyone.

'Would you retreat in this situation?' those eyes seemed to ask him.

Of course… I wouldn't abandon the person I have to protect.

The Heavenly Demon Soul resembled him exactly. Because of that, Geom Mugeuk could feel that he could not stop him.

In the end, he nodded, and the two Heavenly Demon Souls walked toward each other with heavy steps.

SWISH!

They swung their swords at each other. Tremendous demonic qi swirled as their swords clashed in midair.

BAM!

Due to the impact, demonic qi burst out like an explosion. Although only the size had shrunk, the fight between the two was spewing out the demonic qi flowing from a battle between two giant Heavenly Demon Souls.

WHOOOOOSH!

Everyone watching stepped back. They could only block the demonic qi by expending their inner qi to the limit.

Since the Heavenly Demon Souls were fighting, the aspect of the battle was different again. This was not a fight using fast technique and movement arts like humans.

It was a fight between demonic qi and demonic qi. A fight of spirit against spirit. A fight of pride against pride.

Two demonic qis with different properties confronted each other violently.

Over the crossed swords, Hyeok Docheon's Heavenly Demon Soul said arrogantly, "Do you think a Heavenly Demon Soul that hasn't been born for long can defeat me, who has survived for three hundred years?"

He was declaring that he was overwhelmingly ahead in combat experience.

Geom Mugeuk's heart sank. There was one thing he had forgotten.

He had not yet learned the Ninth Technique of the Nine Calamities Demonic Art. The Heavenly Demon Soul used the seventh to ninth techniques of the Nine Calamities Demonic Art, but he had only learned up to the eighth technique.

He had forgotten that point because the thought of summoning the Heavenly Demon Soul took precedence earlier.

Hyeok Docheon's Heavenly Demon Soul would definitely have learned up to the final technique.

What if the enemy uses the ninth technique, not any other technique? At this rate, he will lose and disappear forever.

This was a completely different issue from his martial arts becoming weaker. He couldn't bear to lose a friend.

What should I do? Think, Geom Mugeuk! Think!

A single thought crossed Geom Mugeuk's mind.

Perhaps? It sounds crazy, but this might be the only way…

He sent a telepathic message to his father. [Father, please teach me the Ninth Technique of the Nine Calamities Demonic Art right now.]

Geom Woojin could understand why his son was making such a request. If anyone other than his son had said that, he would have dismissed it as crazy nonsense, but since it was Geom Mugeuk, he didn't hesitate for long. They were in a fight against time. He had to decide quickly.

[Fine, I'll teach it to you. The Ninth Technique of the Nine Calamities Demonic Art, Supreme Demonic Soul.]

Geom Mugeuk was delighted. To think Father would teach me the final technique in this place!

[You must not only remember the chant perfectly, but fully understand it after hearing it only once!] Geom Woojin added. He was only attempting this because it was his son. Because he believed that if it was the son he had observed until now, he might be able to do it.

Geom Mugeuk nodded. [I will definitely grasp it.]

The current attempt was not for his the Heavenly Demon Soul to learn it to defeat the opponent. It was an attempt to at least endure enough not to be extinguished.

Please!

Geom Mugeuk sent another telepathic message to the two Chairmans and the others. [Please protect Father and me from all stray attacks for a moment.]

Jin Paecheon and Baek Jagang immediately understood that father and son were trying to do something. They moved in front of Geom Mugeuk, while the others stood ahead of Geom Woojin.

Geom Mugeuk concentrated harder than he ever had. He never dreamed that he would be learning the final technique of the Nine Calamities Demonic Art in the place where this final battle was taking place.

All my efforts to learn martial arts until now must be for this moment. Please let Body Reformation be of help! Let the martial achievement gained from the fight with Hwa Mugi earlier be of help! I will definitely grasp the Ninth Technique instantly and unleash it!

Listening to his father's chant coming through telepathy, Geom Mugeuk closed his eyes.

Please endure until then, my friend.

Translator's Note: Let's now suffer the Friday cliffhanger together, muhahahaha.