Chapter 853: The Heavenly Demon Cup Fishing Tournament

TL: FoodieMonster007

The Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme arrived at the designated location. She had arranged to meet Geom Mugeuk and came earlier than the appointed time.

Along the riverbank, Heavenly Demon Hall bodyguards set up tents for the Cult Leader and the Demon Supreme, searching the surroundings for potential ambushes. Security was at its tightest for their attendance, though this event was safer than most.

The Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme spotted another Demon Supreme standing by the river, already fishing. It was still early, so she hadn't expected anyone else, but an unlikely person had arrived first.

"You're here already, Poison King?" she asked politely.

The Poison King bowed his head in return.

The Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme was inwardly surprised. The Poison King, of all people, practicing his fishing? He seemed the last person to enjoy such an activity.

The Poison King has this side to him?

While she was lost in thought, Geom Mugeuk arrived. He gave the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme a brief nod before approaching the Poison King. "Have you been practicing much?"

Hearing Geom Mugeuk's question, the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme understood. Ah, it's because of the Young Cult Leader.

It all made sense. Just as Geom Mugeuk had summoned her here so early, only he could make the Poison King practice fishing alone. There must have been some arrangement between them that she didn't know about.

"How is it? Is my form okay?" the Poison King asked, demonstrating the motion of casting and reeling in his line for Geom Mugeuk.

"Who taught you?"

"Sangseon."

"I knew it! Your form is excellent. However, don't choose this spot later." Geom Mugeuk looked around. "That spot over there looks good. I'm sure Father and Elder Blade Demon will try to claim it, so even if you have to poison them, make sure you get it."

The Poison King nodded solemnly at the grim joke.

Geom Mugeuk whispered quietly into the Poison King ear, "There's only one antidote for building a good relationship with Father."

"Winning."

"No. Winning isn't the antidote. It could become an even stronger poison."

"?" The Poison King gave Geom Mugeuk a questioning look.

"It's the fact that you, the Poison King, learned to fish to get closer to Father. It's showing him you've learned the discernment to claim a spot like that."

The Poison King nodded. He had detoxified countless poisons, but striving so hard for an antidote to a human relationship was not entirely new.

He recalled barking like a dog with Geom Mugeuk and leaving the Thousand Poisons Forest for the Central Plains. All of it had been an effort to find an antidote for a relationship.

Because of those past efforts, this one did not feel unfamiliar.

"Then keep practicing," Geom Mugeuk said.

As he was about to walk over to the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme, the Poison King suddenly interjected, "Have you found your antidote?"

Geom Mugeuk looked back at him. The Poison King was essentially asking whether he had asked the Cult Leader the most important question about his dream of conquering the murim. He replied seriously, "I plan to ask him today."

The Poison King's gaze deepened as he turned back to the river. "No one knows who will catch what today."

Geom Mugeuk watched the morning sunlight shattering on the water's surface beside the Poison King. "I'm more nervous than I was for the fight with the Celestial Killer Star. Poison King, please be on my side!"

The Poison King cast his line into the river again. "Nice try."

Geom Mugeuk smiled and went over to the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme. "You just need to go where you feel it and cast your line. Enjoy your first time fishing."

"Yes, I understand."

Despite his words, Geom Mugeuk taught her properly, from baiting the hook to casting the line and knowing the right moment to jerk the rod.

As he was teaching her, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon arrived. He stood at a distance, watching them.

A scene from long ago superimposed itself over the pair, a memory of his younger self teaching the Cult Leader how to fish. Back then, they had both been so young.

Seeing the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, Geom Mugeuk greeted warmly, "Welcome, Elder!"

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon declared confidently, "You know, fishing isn't something you can master with just a day or two of practice."

SHHHHK!

He hadn't brought just one fishing rod. More than ten fishing rods spread out in the air like an unfurled arsenal.

Geom Mugeuk looked up at the floating rods and smiled. "I bet each of those has a story." He then brought up the most significant event in the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's fishing life to boost his spirits. "Which one is it? The rod you used to teach my father how to fish for the first time?"

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon pointed to the first rod among them. It was a rod he wouldn't sell for a thousand gold pieces. "This is the one."

"Please offer a word of advice for our two novice anglers, the Poison King and the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme," Geom Mugeuk prompted.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon stroked his chin, pondering. "In murim, there are enemies itching to draw their swords, aren't there? It's the same here. You can't be itching to make a catch. The fish can sense the trembling of the line like mind-readers." He approached Geom Mugeuk and pinched his cheeks. "And for bait, use bait like this."

"What kind of bait is bait like me?"

However, the Poison King and the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme nodded as if they understood perfectly. The lesson was clear, it was important to use bait the fish liked. The Young Cult Leader knew better than anyone what his opponent desired, which was why one couldn't help but take his bait, even knowing it was a trap.

"The fish in this river today might be a bunch of simpletons," Geom Mugeuk said.

A woman behind him remarked, "They can't have come with a mind as empty as mine."

Geom Mugeuk turned around. The next to arrive was the Flower Sword Supreme, dressed in even more beautiful clothes and makeup than the day before.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon's eyes widened at her stunning appearance.

"First place today will go to the Sword Supreme," Geom Mugeuk announced.

"And why is that?" she asked.

"Because the fish will swarm just to see your beautiful face."

The Flower Sword Supreme beamed. "Of course! It was worth waking up early to do my makeup for our Young Cult Leader."

She, too, had memories associated with fishing. Looking at the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, she remarked, "Seeing you hold a fishing rod after so long reminds me of the old days."

She had no interest in fishing herself, but she recalled a time when the Cult Leader and the Blood Heaven Blade Demon went fishing together.

"Did you say fishing is about waiting?" she asked.

Geom Mugeuk nodded. "That's right."

"I don't know how someone as impatient as you can like fishing so much."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon answered, "The thrill of the catch is good, but sometimes I get a certain feeling. The world doesn't always go my way, but there are moments when it feels like not just a fish, but the world itself is being pulled toward me. I do it because I can't forget that moment."

The Flower Sword Supreme shook her head as if she couldn't understand. She had never felt that pulling sensation, from a fish or from the world.

Just then, the Fist Demon arrived. The fishing rod in his large hand looked as if it might snap at any moment.

"Master, do you enjoy fishing?" Geom Mugeuk asked.

"I tried it a couple of times with the Cult Leader back in the day."

Geom Mugeuk imagined the Fist Demon fishing with his father, a picturesque scene in his mind.

"I have no talent or interest in fishing," the Fist Demon admitted. Standing still and waiting for a fish to bite did not suit his temperament. The thrill of the catch wasn't particularly moving for him either, perhaps because he had mastered martial arts that primarily used the hands.

"Ah, it's actually harder when there are a lot of beginners," Geom Mugeuk worried aloud.

Another person arrived and responded, "Put your worries aside. As long as I'm here, there will be no room for beginner's luck."

The one who arrived so confidently was the Demonic Buddha, a single fishing rod slung over his shoulder. Considering his talent for gathering medicinal herbs, his fishing skills could not be underestimated.

After greeting everyone, the Demonic Buddha approached Geom Mugeuk and asked quietly, "You say the Poison King is a fraud? What on earth has changed about him?"

The Poison King was squatting by the riverbank, looking for poisonous insects. As more Demon Supreme gathered, he had begun to revert to his usual self.

Geom Mugeuk shook his head. "That appearance right now is an act. He's a master actor!"

Next, the Drunken Demon arrived, also looking confident. "Have you forgotten that the Drunken Dream Palace floats on a lake? Do you think all I did there was drink?"

The last Demon Supreme to arrive was the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon, who came even though he had no interest in fishing.

Geom Mugeuk met him with high praise. "Smiling Demon, you look so good holding a fishing rod!"

"Thank you, Young Cult Leader."

Jeslous, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon muttered quietly, "What doesn't look cool on him? Don't you shout that he's cool even when he just points a finger?"

"How many people in the world look cool just by pointing a finger?" Geom Mugeuk retorted. "You have to tell such a person that they're cool."

Behind the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon's mask, his eyes smiled brightly.

Since the Cult Leader hosted the tournament, no one was late. It was a grand reconciliation after a major battle, and the atmosphere was exceptionally pleasant.

Still, with all eight Demon Supremes gathered, the riverbank felt like it would explode from their immense auras.

Just then, one of the bodyguards announced, "The Cult Leader has arrived!"

Geom Woojin slowly walked into the area, assisted by Geom Muyang, who carried his fishing rod. The Demon Supremes reverently welcomed Geom Woojin, and the relaxed atmosphere instantly grew tense.

Geom Mugeuk exclaimed, "Father! Your second son is also your son! Why didn't you ask me to come with you?!"

The Demon Supreme once again realized what an incredible feat Geom Mugeuk had accomplished. This was a scene that should have been impossible. The Cult Leader might bring the Young Cult Leader to such an event, but never the First Young Lord who had lost the succession war.

Yet, here was the Young Cult Leader chatting with the Demon Supremes, while the ousted First Young Lord confidently escorted the Cult Leader.

"We greet the Cult Leader!" the Demon Supremes shouted in unison.

Geom Mugeuk stepped forward. "Today, I am a participant, but I've also decided to act as the host."

No one objected. Geom Mugeuk was the only one who could lighten the stiffening mood. Even if he had refused, they would have forced him into the role.

"Now then, before the tournament officially begins, can our Cult Leader please say a few words! …Father, please say something."

Geom Woojin met the eyes of each Demon Supreme, from the ever-reliable Fist Demon to the Poison King, who was always intimidated in his presence. "You all worked hard fighting those bastards. For today, just think of it as a day to rest and enjoy yourselves." He suddenly turned to Geom Mugeuk. "Now you say something too."

Everyone instantly understood. This was the Cult Leader officially acknowledging the Young Cult Leader's crucial contribution to their recent victory.

Geom Mugeuk put on a deeply moved expression. "Standing in this emotional spot, I'm suddenly reminded of the first time I met all of you. First, our dear Elder Blood Heaven Blade Demon. When I first met him, he was so stubborn and crotchety…"

As the speech threatened to drag on, the Demon Supremes began to feign disinterest. The Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the Flower Sword Supreme started a conversation, the Demonic Buddha swung his fishing rod around, the Poison King went back to searching for bugs, and the Drunken Demon sneakily took a sip of alcohol.

"…I'm kidding, I'm kidding! You're all too much! How has our Cult not changed at all?!"

The gazes of the Demon Supremes, who had played along, focused on Geom Mugeuk once more.

"Thank you," Geom Mugeuk said, his tone turning serious. "Thanks to all of you, we were able to eliminate our enemies." He first expressed his gratitude, then added what he truly wanted to say. "However, I don't think we need to place too much meaning on that. It was an obvious outcome, wasn't it? When it comes to killing our enemies, aren't we the best at it in all of murim?"

The Demon Supreme smiled at the realistic statement.

Geom Mugeuk delivered his point. "Our job is to kill the absolute evil that no one else can kill."

Geom Woojin remembered. Those words, spoken long ago, defined the demonic path his son pursued. Geom Mugeuk was declaring that he would stay true to that path.

"I've heard that when external enemies disappear, an internal crisis arrives," Geom Mugeuk continued. "I'm a worrier, so I plan to live without letting my guard down. For me, a new fight has already begun."

The Demon Supremes knew exactly what fight he meant. It was a fight between the Demonic Cult Leader and the Young Cult Leader, a conflict upon which the fate of murim rested. Of course, it was their fight as well, one where they would have to choose between the two men.

Before the atmosphere could get too heavy, Geom Mugeuk changed the subject. "Alright, let me tell you about today's fishing tournament." He walked over to a table laden with prizes. "It should go without saying, but no martial arts are to be used. Revealing your aura is also forbidden. You must compete using only pure fishing skills. The time limit is from now until the sun sets over that river."

He had deliberately set a long time limit so they could all eat together and catch up.

"Now, I will announce the most important detail. The prize for the winner is!" Geom Mugeuk checked the contents of the prize box, then lifted the box to show everyone. "Oooooh! Father is being very generous today. To the person who catches the biggest fish, we will award a Ten-Thousand Year Blood Ginseng Root. This is the first time in murim history that a Ten-Thousand Year Blood Ginseng Root has been offered as a prize in a fishing tournament! A round of applause for our Cult Leader!"

The Demon Supremes laughed and clapped. This was the first time they had all gathered in such a pleasant atmosphere.

"There's another prize," Geom Mugeuk announced. "The person who catches the most fish will also receive a Ten-Thousand Year Blood Ginseng Root!"

The Flower Sword Supreme asked, "What if someone catches the biggest fish and also the most fish?"

"Then of course, they'll receive both roots! Also, anyone who catches at least one fish will receive a root of the Thousand Year Blood Ginseng Root as a commemorative prize." Geom Mugeuk glanced at his father. "Seeing how amazing the prizes are, I think Father plans on winning everything. Am I right?"

A corner of Geom Woojin's mouth lifted, and the smiles on the faces of the Demon Supremes deepened.

Geom Mugeuk raised his own fishing rod high and shouted, "Now, let the first ever Heavenly Demon Cup Fishing Tournament begin!"