Chapter 852: Fishing Is Just an Excuse to Get Together

TL: FoodieMonster007

"What are you doing here?" Geom Muyang demanded.

However, Geom Mugeuk, who was perched on the palm of a giant demon statue that held up a brazier for the Demonic Flames, kept his gaze fixed on the night view of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. "I heard you come up here every night, Hyung."

"Every night? This is only my third time."

Geom Muyang paused. Come to think of it, it was already his third time. When the Demonic Flames had first been lit, he had stood here, looking desperately toward the Demon Village where his father and brother had fought. He could not explain the feeling, but even now that the fight was over, he found himself repeatedly drawn to this place.

He sighed, "So? Did you come here to see me?"

"Don't just stand there, have a seat," Geom Mugeuk said. "It's worth coming up here often. The night view is amazing."

Geom Muyang slowly walked over and sat beside his younger brother. The two sat on the tips of the demon statue's fingers, looking down at the entire Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.

Geom Mugeuk handed a wine bottle to Geom Muyang. "Here, a gift. It's precious wine, so drink it on a special day."

The wine was from the Drunken Demon, and only one bottle was given to each person. However, as if to defy those words, Geom Muyang immediately poured himself a drink and downed it.

Geom Mugeuk smirked. "You're not ignoring me, you're just saying this moment with me is special, right?"

Geom Muyang gave no answer, but one corner of his mouth lifted slightly.

The brothers sat quietly for a long time.

Finally, Geom Mugeuk broke the long silence. "What will you do if I try to stop Father from conquering the murim? Whose side will you take, Hyung?"

"Obviously…"

For a moment, Geom Mugeuk thought his elder brother was about to say he would side with their father.

"…I'll have to take your side."

Geom Mugeuk stared at his brother, surprised. "You'd take my side?"

"If I get on the bad side of the next Cult Leader, my life will be miserable, won't it? I have a lot more days to live with you."

Geom Mugeuk was astounded. This was not the brother he used to know. The current Geom Muyang even knew how to make jokes like this. "Can you really defy Father to his face?"

Geom Muyang stared at Geom Mugeuk. "Of course I can. If anyone can't, it'll be you," he said with utmost seriousness.

"You think I can't defy Father?"

Geom Muyang nodded. "Yes. You've gotten too close to Father."

Geom Mugeuk could not refute his brother's words. He sighed lightly and extended his hand. The wine bottle flew from Geom Muyang's grasp into his own via telekinesis. He drank the wine straight from the bottle as if to quench his burning throat. "Don't you have any advice for me, Hyung?"

"No."

"You can reveal your secret techniques to your little brother. Don't you know any of Father's weaknesses that only you are aware of?"

"How many of your weaknesses should I tell Father about in return? I know quite a few."

Geom Mugeuk broke into laughter. Yes, even if his brother knew a method, he would never teach him how to go against their father. "This is enough. This must be the first time since the creation of Heaven and Earth that you have listened to me like this."

Geom Muyang extended his hand, and the bottle flew back to him. This time, he drank from the bottle, saying, "If it were me, I wouldn't try to stop Father. If Father conquers the murim, he'll gain the world."

"You're right. Maybe I should just pretend I can't win and not stop him. Then I can inherit the world later?"

"……" Geom Muyang stared silently at the night view, but not all of the scenery from here was beautiful. In the distance, the spot where the lights of the original Demon Village should have been was as dark as an abyss.

Geom Mugeuk waited for his reply. Does he think I would never do such a thing?

Suddenly, Geom Muyang asked, "I heard you asked about Mother?"

"Who told you? I've asked so many people."

"Father told me."

"I guess Father is the only one who looks out for his eldest son."

Geom Muyang's expression stiffened slightly. "……"

"Why does everyone get like this whenever Mother's name comes up?" Geom Mugeuk asked curiously.

"Who else did you ask?"

"I asked Master and the Sword Supreme. The Sword Supreme remembered Mother's floral gown."

Of course, the Flower Sword Supreme likely remembered much more, but she had not said anything else about their mother. He had come to see his brother after parting with her.

Geom Muyang asked, "If you were going to ask about Mother, why didn't you come to me?"

Geom Mugeuk glanced at the distant Heavenly Demon Hall. "I thought the mood would get too serious if I talked with you, Hyung. Seriously, the look on your face makes it seem like we're in the midst of an emergency that requires us to light the Demonic Flames again."

"……" Geom Muyang did not laugh at his younger brother's joke.

Geom Mugeuk continued, "When we were young, you told me never to talk about Mom, and those words became like a prohibition for me. I grew up truly believing I shouldn't ever mention her in front of anyone."

Geom Muyang stared at the view without a word, as if remembering that day.

"I don't plan on blaming you for it, though," Geom Mugeuk added. The past was the past. Back then, not only he, but his brother too, were very young. "What's the use of talking about someone who's already passed away? It would only have hurt our feelings."

Mother, don't you think this second son of yours speaks too heartlessly? No, even these heartless words have come too late. As you saw, Mother, my life before regression was too difficult, and after regressing, my mind has been completely occupied with saving everyone. I'm sorry, Mother.

"I haven't spoken of Mother since that day either," Geom Muyang mumbled.

Geom Mugeuk's eyes widened. It was the first time his brother had brought up their mother.

"I don't remember exactly how old I was," Geom Muyang said, "but I once asked Father about Mother. I saw it then. His face hardened and changed in an instant. Even as a child, I could tell how much pain he was in."

Geom Mugeuk nodded. It seemed his brother had also decided from that moment on that he should not bring up their mother, and he had told his younger brother that too. Perhaps, back then, he still cared dearly for his little brother.

Geom Mugeuk tried to recall his childhood memories, but try as he might, he couldn't remember his mother. "Actually, I don't remember Mother. She passed away when I was three, right? You'd think I'd have some faint memories from that time, but how can I not remember a single thing? Did she not even hold me?"

Geom Muyang shook his head. "No, she loved you more."

The image of his mother holding his younger brother surfaced in his mind. He had been there too, right beside them. His mother had smiled brightly and said to him, "Yang, you have to protect your little brother from now on."

Geom Mugeuk asked, "You remember everything, don't you, Hyung?"

"……" Geom Muyang said nothing.

"Since I don't remember anything, it's just a vague longing for me, but it's different for you, isn't it?"

Geom Mugeuk thought his brother must miss their mother more than he did. If there was any sadness or wound, it would be much deeper.

"Are you okay, Hyung?"

Knowing his brother's personality, the one thing he probably never talked about with anyone was their mother. He must have wanted to confide in someone about it at least once.

"Haa…" A faint sigh escaped Geom Muyang's lips.

Geom Mugeuk's gaze turned once more toward the distant Heavenly Demon Hall. "Hyung, if you ever want to talk about Mother, come find me. I want to hear about her."

"…You know, I planned to reinvestigate Mother's death if I became the Cult Leader," Geom Muyang suddenly said. "I couldn't believe she died of an illness."

Geom Mugeuk stared at Geom Muyang in shock, but his brother was serious. Geom Muyang could not accept the fact that the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult had failed to save their mother from her illness.

He could tell. His brother missed their mother so much that he needed someone to blame just to endure it. He was probably saying this now to imply that his younger brother should now be the one to uncover the truth.

Geom Mugeuk thought for a while before replying, "Yes, there might be another story behind Mother's death, but I'm not going to bother investigating it."

Geom Muyang glared at him angrily.

However, Geom Mugeuk had a firm reason for his answer. "Father surely did his best to save Mother. If he couldn't save her despite that, then it must have been something unavoidable. Even if there was a conspiracy behind Mother's death, like you suspect, Father would have already finished his revenge. She was the only person he ever loved."

Another soft sigh escaped his brother's lips. Geom Muyang was desperately suppressing the passion surging from his chest.

Geom Mugeuk could feel that his brother's heart was filled to the brim with longing for their mother. He turned his gaze to the night sky, searching for his mother's star among the countless twinkling lights.

Mother, I'm fine, so please take care of Hyung first.

It was well past midnight when Geom Mugeuk visited the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme.

"Welcome, Young Cult Leader," she greeted, surprised.

"I'm sorry for visiting at such a late hour, Soul-Stealing."

"Not at all. I was awake."

"Let's get some fresh air together."

Geom Mugeuk walked with the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme through the interior of the Western Illusion Sanctum. The shamans standing guard bowed respectfully to the two of them.

"Are your injuries okay?"

"Yes, they've already healed."

Geom Mugeuk held up the wine bottle in his hand. "Then you should be able to drink this. It's wine I received from the Drunken Demon. I brought it because I wanted to drink it with you."

"Thank you, Young Cult Leader."

As they walked, Geom Mugeuk looked around and asked, "Is it just me, or does this place seem different from the last time I was here?"

The old Western Illusion Sanctum was filled with traps and ghostly energy, with demonic flowers that could plunge people into their inner demons blooming everywhere. In contrast, the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme showed him an ordinary and beautiful garden during their walk.

"I had the demonic flowers dug up, and redecorated the whole place. The shamans deal with souls and meet ghosts every day, so I thought the place they live should at least be ordinary and beautiful."

Geom Mugeuk nodded. It seemed the change was not just for aesthetic reasons, but the former Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme would never have shown such consideration. This was why new blood was needed. He asked, "Are you preparing for the fishing competition tomorrow?"

"I've never fished in my life. I'm just hoping I get lucky and catch at least one."

"Come out early tomorrow. I'll teach you the basics."

"Thank you, Young Cult Leader."

Geom Mugeuk barely managed to hold back his desire to boast that his fishing skills had even beaten his father's.

At the end of the beautiful promenade lined with soul lamps stood a large tree.

"This is the tree called the Tree of Souls," the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme introduced. "It's known to have the effect of stabilizing a shaman's ghostly energy and clearing their mind."

Geom Mugeuk looked up at the Tree of Souls. Just looking at it gave off a mystical feeling. "This is the first I've known of such a tree here."

"There's a saying that shamans cannot lie beneath this Tree of Souls."

Geom Mugeuk immediately looked at the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme with a 'this is my chance' expression. "Soul-Stealing."

"Yes, Young Cult Leader?"

"Whose side are you on?"

The Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme smiled. They had discussed this issue before, and that was why she had been so happy during the fight with the Darkness Palace Lord, thinking she had won as the Young Cult Leader's first Demon Supreme.

Now, under the Tree of Souls, it was time to put a final stamp on it.

"I am on your side, Young Cult Leader," she said sincerely.

"Then my definite allies are now the Smiling Demon and you, Soul-Stealing."

The Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme was even more pleased that the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon was on the Young Cult Leader's side. Among the Eight Demon Supremes, she liked the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon the best. She was fond of the unique yet solitary feeling he exuded.

"I'm going to announce it in front of Father at the fishing competition tomorrow. From now on, Father has only six Demon Supremes!"

The Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme blushed. It was an awkward situation just thinking about it. "…Yes, you may."

"When Father tried to persuade you before, I let you go to the other side, but I won't let you go now."

"Even if you pushed me from behind now, I wouldn't go."

The two looked at each other and smiled.

The Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme finally felt that she had truly become Geom Mugeuk's person. Someone needed her, and that person was Geom Mugeuk. How could she not be happy?

Geom Mugeuk suggested, "Let's have a drink to commemorate this moment."

The Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme nodded. "Yes, Young Cult Leader."

Geom Mugeuk drank first, then handed the bottle to the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme, who also drank the wine down coolly.

"For the past few days, I've been meeting with the Demon Supremes and talking about Father," Geom Mugeuk explained. "I've been asking for advice on how to stop him from conquering the murim. Soul-Stealing, what should I do to stop Father?"

For a moment, the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme was flustered. She had not expected him to ask her. "I'm still inexperienced, so I won't be able to give you any helpful advice."

Geom Mugeuk shook his head. "Tell me anyway. If you, my first Demon Supreme, won't, then who will? I absolutely need your help, Soul-Stealing."

The Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme was touched. It was a burdensome request, but she was far more grateful for it than if he had dismissed her for being young.

She pondered for a moment, looking up at the Tree of Souls.

"The only thing I know is the art of soul-stealing," she said, conveying what she had felt while learning the art. "When you first learn the art of soul-stealing, you start by learning how to suppress a soul. In that process, souls can scatter, or conversely, the martial artist can be overcome by the soul and go mad."

"……" Geom Mugeuk listened to her calmly. He knew she had a personality that was good at cursing and provocation, but she was also good at speaking calmly like this.

"When you become a master of the art, you begin to understand what the soul wants. You gently soothe the soul and guide it down the desired path. Since each Chaos Demon has a different story and nature, one's skill is determined by how well one can soothe them.

"Finally, when you reach the final stage of the art, you don't need words, and you don't need to soothe. If you stand before a soul with a strong will, the soul will naturally be drawn to that strong heart. Just as Sword Unification is achieved in swordsmanship, the will of the practitioner and the soul to be controlled become one."

The Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme looked at Geom Mugeuk. "Don't try to persuade the Cult Leader with words. Instead, show him your will, Young Cult Leader."

Her words struck a deep chord in Geom Mugeuk's heart.

That's right; this isn't a battle of persuasion. It's a battle between the world Father wants and the world I want to live in—a battle of world against world.

Seeing Geom Mugeuk lost in thought, the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme felt unnecessarily embarrassed. "I've spoken out of turn, despite knowing nothing."

"Don't say that. Your advice is incredibly helpful."

"Thank you for saying so."

As the night was late, Geom Mugeuk bid her farewell. "Soul-Stealing, I'll be expecting a big catch tomorrow!"

"To be honest, I'm nervous thinking the Cult Leader will be there too."

Geom Mugeuk smiled. "Don't worry. Fishing is just an excuse to get together. Father just wants to spend some enjoyable time with his Demon Supremes."

At the same time, a light was on in Geom Woojin's residence, and an overwhelming tension permeated the space.

Geom Woojin was still awake. He handled the object in his hands meticulously, as if he were polishing the Heavenly Demon Sword before heading into battle. Like a martial artist seeking vengeance, his focus was colder and sharper than ever.

Hwi, watching from concealment, knew that the Cult Leader had not been this tense even when he went to face the Celestial Killer Star.

WHISH, WHISH…

Long past the hour he should have been asleep, Geom Woojin was diligently tending to his fishing rod.

Translator's Note: As 16-18 Feb are Korean public holidays, there will be no new chapter until Thursday. Happy Lunar New Year!