Chapter 858: The First Place Has Changed!

TL: FoodieMonster007

All the Demon Supremes turned to Geom Woojin. It was the first time they had ever heard the words 'truly nice' had ever come from the Cult Leader's mouth.

Was he saying it because he liked the falling rain? No, it must have meant that it was nice to be together like this.

The Demon Supremes exchanged glances before looking at the person who had made this unbelievable event possible.

The person in question, Geom Mugeuk, was also looking at the same scenery his father was watching. "The riverside scenery in the rain is really beautiful. Watching the rain like this always puts me in a good mood," he said, not expecting a reply.

However, Geom Woojin responded to his son. "I like the rain, too."

"You do, Father?"

"Why are you so surprised?"

"I just thought you'd say you hate the rain because it's dreary and messy."

A faint, wistful emotion flickered in Geom Woojin's eyes as he watched the rain fall, but the emotion vanished just as quickly, leaving no trace.

The countless circles forming on the river, the smell of damp earth, the patter of rain on the tent, and the mist rising in the distance all combined to lift everyone's spirits.

Geom Woojin slowly turned his head to look at the Demon Supremes. He saw the Blood Heaven Blade Demon watching the rain with the Flower Sword Supreme, the Drunken Demon drinking with the sound of the rain as his side dish, the Poison King who no longer averted his gaze, the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme who exuded a distinctly youthful and vibrant energy, the Demonic Buddha who oscillated between the calculating Bloody Buddha and a Buddha who seemed to take the world lightly, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon who had already proven his loyalty to the son was as pure as his white mask, and finally, the Fist Demon who would leap to his feet at the words 'let's go' without even asking where.

There was a time when he had doubted and distrusted the Demon Supremes. Thinking back now, there had been no reason for it. It had been an inexplicably dark and gloomy period. Now, though, he trusted the Demon Supremes more firmly than anyone.

The Drunken Demon noticed that Geom Woojin's cup was empty. He could tolerate many things, but not this. "Allow me to pour you a drink."

"It's been a while. Let's drink from that cup," Geom Woojin suggested. Previously, after returning from the Ice Palace affair with Geom Mugeuk, he had drunk from the Ice Palace Chalice.

The Drunken Demon poured wine into the Ice Palace Chalice and handed it to Geom Woojin.

Geom Woojin took a sip and praised, "It tastes as good as I remember."

"I'll pour you another."

"That's enough. You have a drink." Geom Woojin poured wine into the chalice. "How is the wine of the Great Drunken Forest?"

Surprised by the unexpected question, the Drunken Demon asked in surprise. "Did you know the wine had gone bad?"

Geom Woojin nodded.

The Drunken Demon was astounded. As expected, the Cult Leader knows everything that happens within the Cult!

He answered, "After we repelled the Celestial Killer Star, the wine became clear again."

"That's a relief."

The Drunken Demon had thought the Cult Leader would consider it a superstition to divine the Cult's well-being through the state of the wine, so he was truly grateful that Geom Woojin had asked about it.

Geom Woojin's attention then turned to the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme. "How is your training progressing?"

"I am doing my best."

Geom Woojin took a small wooden box from his robes and held it out. "Take it."

The Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme approached Geom Woojin and politely accepted the box. When she opened it, she was surprised to find the Demonic Essence Pill inside.

"Take it and consume it."

Deeply moved, the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme bowed her head respectfully. "Thank you, Cult Leader."

At first, she wondered if he was giving them to all the Demon Supremes, but Geom Woojin did not bestow the elixir on anyone else.

Only then did she realize. The Cult Leader had given the elixir only to her, and he had done it in front of everyone. She was so moved that her eyes and face trembled slightly.

Geom Mugeuk was not one to let this pass without a comment. "Is that an elixir just for the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme?"

Geom Woojin nodded.

Geom Mugeuk pouted. "Why give it to only one person and disappoint the other Demon Supremes?"

"Because I wanted to."

Geom Mugeuk looked at the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme. "Soul-Stealing, it seems Father has noticed that you're trying to come over to my side."

The Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme felt like making a joke of her own and saying, 'In that case, I might have to reconsider becoming the Young Cult Leader's first Demon Supreme.'

Of course, though, she did not say that. She merely smiled faintly, her gaze falling to the box containing the Demonic Essence Pill.

Geom Mugeuk laughed and said to Geom Woojin, "Why have you been hiding such an affectionate side all this time? I was wondering why I was so warm-hearted, and it turns out I take after you, Father."

A surprising remark came from Geom Woojin, who was quietly gazing at his son. "No. You take after your mother."

For a moment, Geom Mugeuk was stunned. He never expected his father to mention his mother in front of the Demon Supremes.

Not only Geom Mugeuk, but the Demon Supremes were also surprised. Bringing this up was even more shocking than his earlier comment about it being 'truly nice' or his gestures toward the Drunken Demon and the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme.

"Then I must have inherited my talent for surprising people from you, Father," Geom Mugeuk joked.

However, his father denied even that. "You didn't get that from me, either."

Geom Mugeuk could tell that his mother must have often surprised his father when she was alive. he voiced the feeling he had gotten from his father's gaze as he watched the rain. "Mother must have been the one who liked the rain, and you came to like it because of her."

"……" Geom Woojin did not deny it.

Since his father had brought his mother up, Geom Mugeuk asked, "What kind of person was Mother?"

Instead of answering, Geom Woojin turned his head and looked at the rain, which was now beginning to subside.

The one who answered in his stead was the Fist Demon. "The Demon Queen was a truly wonderful person."

Geom Mugeuk looked at the Fist Demon. He was not the type to say pleasant things just to flatter someone, so his mother must have truly been a wonderful person.

Come to think of it, all the other Demon Supremes, except for the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme, might have met my mother. After all, the Flower Sword Supreme remembered her clearly.

Geom Mugeuk glanced at the Flower Sword Supreme. Her gaze, directed at her cup, had deepened. This was the Sword Supreme who had said she hated his mother.

Why would the Sword Supreme dislike her? Especially if she was such a wonderful person.

Perhaps because he knew the Flower Sword Supreme's feelings, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, sitting beside her, remained silent.

Not wanting the mood to become somber, Geom Mugeuk quickly changed the subject. "Alright, alright, let's get back to the fishing tournament and have a little chat with our trending Demon Supremes!"

His first target was the Poison King.

"Poison King, you're currently in first place for the most fish caught. How do you feel?"

The Poison King shot him a look that seemed to say, Do you really have to ask me that here? before replying sincerely, "I never knew fishing could be this much fun."

"It wouldn't have been fun if you hadn't caught a single fish, would it?" Geom Mugeuk slyly glanced at his father. "Father, who still hasn't caught a single fish, would know that feeling best. Father, if you're too relaxed, you won't get even your Thousand Year Blood Ginseng back."

The Thousand Year Blood Ginseng was promised as a commemorative prize for catching even one fish. It was practically a participation award.

"You're awfully confident for someone who only caught one fish by luck."

"I haven't even started fishing in earnest yet."

"Neither have I." Geom Woojin said confidently. "I will win the bet."

Piqued by his father's mysterious confidence, Geom Mugeuk asked curiously, "Who on earth did you write down? At first, I thought you'd obviously chosen yourself, but you're so relaxed right now. You didn't really write down 'Poison King', did you?"

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon chimed in. "He should have written my name."

Geom Mugeuk announced loudly again, "Here we have the Blade Demon, who is currently in first place for the biggest catch! What are your thoughts on today's tournament?"

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon declared confidently, "You want to win the bet? Then ask the Cult Leader to change the name you wrote to mine right now."

Geom Mugeuk did not forget to tease the Demonic Buddha. "And now a word from the Demonic Buddha, who also has yet to catch a single fish."

The Demonic Buddha was still unperturbed. "It's about time for beginners' luck to run out."

"Shall we go and see?"

Before they knew it, the rain had stopped. The riverside scenery after the rain was exceptionally clear and fresh, as if the heavens had granted them a brief gift, allowing them to enjoy the atmosphere and their meal together.

"Alright, the afternoon fishing tournament begins now! Anyone who wants to move spots is free to do so!" Geom Mugeuk announced, but everyone returned to their own spots and cast their lines.

Now that it was afternoon, everyone focused on fishing.

Geom Mugeuk also stopped wandering around and fished while standing. As if to prove his real skill, he caught the first fish of the afternoon. "Now I'm showing my real skills!" he exclaimed excitedly, but his mind was preoccupied with a single thought.

What does Father hate the most?

Setting aside the bet and the five-year promise, he was personally curious. He could just ask directly, but he knew he would not get an honest answer that way, because that answer might have to be pulled from the dark void that everyone carries in their heart.

What about me? What do I like the most? What do I hate the most?

He asked himself these questions as he once again cast his line forcefully into the river.

It seemed the fish also sensed that the real competition had begun. They were being caught more frequently than before, and the next fish caught was a significant one.

"It's a big one!"

The one who caught the huge fish was none other than Geom Woojin.

Geom Mugeuk applauded. "That's the biggest fish caught so far. You're finally showing your skills! Congratulations, Father!"

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon stealthily made his way over to where Geom Woojin was. "You've caught a big one. Congratulations."

His words were congratulatory, but his expression was different. Is it really the biggest one? he wondered, sizing it up to see if it was bigger than the one he had caught.

Geom Mugeuk, who had appeared from somewhere, spoke from behind him. "It's definitely bigger, isn't it?"

"Don't they look about the same?"

"It's bigger, much bigger!"

In truth, even the Blood Heaven Blade Demon could see that Geom Woojin's catch was larger.

Geom Mugeuk announced loudly to everyone. "The first place for the biggest catch has changed…" Suddenly, his face paled. "Father, don't tell me… did you write down your own name?"

Geom Woojin flashed a strange, unreadable smirk.

"This is an emergency!" Geom Mugeuk ran back to his spot and picked up his fishing rod. "Alright, no more playing around. Fish, come to me!"

Now relegated to second place, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon felt even more rushed. "You brat, if you keep shouting like that, you'll scare all the fish away."

The fish that fled went straight for the bait cast by the Fist Demon. Soon, a rather large fish flapped at the end of the Fist Demon's line.

Even from a distance, Geom Mugeuk judged the size with uncanny accuracy. "It looks small because Master's hands are so big, but that fish isn't small either. It's the third largest. Demonic Buddha, it seems that beginner's luck hasn't run out yet."

Having still not caught a single fish, the Demonic Buddha started radiating an aura of impatience. At this rate, he might really end up with nothing. Of course, even in a panic, he didn't forget imitate a devout high monk. "One must not forget that fishing is a time to converse with nature, and furthermore, with oneself."

"Please don't forget that this is a fishing tournament!"

"Empty your mind, Young Cult Leader."

SPLASH!

This time, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon reeled his second fish in.

Was my intense desire to win successfully conveyed to the fish?

After that, he caught several in a row. While he was still second in terms of the biggest catch, he now rose to second place for the number of fish caught as well.

"Elder, if you do well, you might take home both Ten-Thousand Year Blood Ginseng roots!"

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon's eyes sparkled as he steeled his resolve.

Meanwhile, after waiting all this time, the Demonic Buddha finally got a bite, only for the fish to steal the bait and run. He finally exploded in frustration. "You bastards! I'll wipe out your entire species!"

Geom Mugeuk laughed as he watched the Demonic Buddha. "Ah, the Bloody Buddha has returned."

Ultimately, though, the Poison King's beginner's luck held out until the very end. Whenever the Blood Heaven Blade Demon got close, he would pull ahead again.

The difference in fish between the Poison King and the Blood Heaven Blade Demon was just one. The difference in size between his father's catch and the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's was about a handspan.

As they caught and lost fish, the time they had initially set ran out. A bodyguard came and announced, "It is almost time to finish up."

At this rate, Geom Woojin and the Poison King would be the winners.

From a distance, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon watched Geom Mugeuk with a worried expression. His look seemed to ask whose name Geom Mugeuk had written, and if it was alright for things to end this way.

The atmosphere of the fishing tournament was wonderful, but the consequences of the bet was something everyone had to face. If the Cult Leader had written his own name and won, his wish would have to be granted.

Not just the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon, but all the Demon Supremes were certain. That wish would undoubtedly be related to conquering the murim.

The bodyguard announced loudly, "I will now count to ten, and the tournament will end."

The Fist Demon stretched, thinking, This boring fishing is finally over.

The Flower Sword Supreme also murmured that this would be her last time fishing.

The Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme had already put fishing aside, her thoughts on the Demonic Essence Pill she held close to her chest. Can I really consume something so precious?

On the other hand, there were those for whom the tournament was not yet over, even with only ten seconds left.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon prayed inwardly. He wanted to win and show off to the Flower Sword Supreme. Please! Just one last big one! Even a small fry, just one more!

The Poison King also stared at his float until the very end, trying to catch just one more.

Besides them, Geom Woojin and Geom Mugeuk kept their eyes fixed on their floats until the last moment.

The bodyguard began to count. "Ten, nine, eight…"

FWOOSH!

Suddenly, a brilliant light began to shine from beneath the water, spreading in all directions. The light grew larger and clearer, and then…

PWAAAAH!

A fish that had taken the bait shot into the air, emitting a red glow like a small dragon ascending to the heavens.

"WOOOOOAH!"

The moment they saw the fish, gasps of admiration escaped everyone's lips. It was bigger than any fish caught so far. It was a size that would undoubtedly make its catcher the winner, but it was not just a large fish.

The fish had golden pupils and long whiskers. It radiated fiery red energy, and each of its scales bore the marks of great age. Its fins, spread wide, were as magnificent as a phoenix's wings.

Emitting a radiant light, the fish flew into the arms of the owner of the fishing rod it had bitten.