AR Chapter 84

I entered Demonic Family Village with Father.

Walking through the marketplace together felt new. There’s always a thrill that comes with firsts.

“How long has it been since you last came to Demonic Family Village?”

“Quite a while.”

From his words, it seemed he hadn’t been here in a long time.

“Feels good to get some fresh air, doesn’t it?”

I wondered what this street meant to Father.

We strolled slowly, observing the shops lining the street, the peddlers in front of them, and the passersby.

People must be born with a certain aura. Father wasn’t using his internal energy or exuding any qi, yet the path naturally cleared as he walked.

Everyone unconsciously moved aside, not blocking Father’s way. Father had something that was difficult to explain in words, beyond mere presence.

I stopped in front of a fabric shop that sold both silk and clothes.

“Father, since this outing is special, shall we get matching martial arts robes?”

“I already have dozens of martial arts robes made by master tailors.”

“But you don’t have any made together with your son, do you? Just one set. Please?”

I entered the fabric shop first. Father followed, pretending to give in reluctantly.

Inside the shop, all kinds of silk, cloth, and clothes were piled up.

I quickly chose martial arts robes before Father could change his mind.

“How about those robes hanging there?”

They were martial arts robes with the Heavenly Demon Soul emblem, representing our main cult. Originally, it was a pattern that shouldn’t be used carelessly, but since they couldn’t stop it from being sold, it had been tolerated as a sort of souvenir for some time now.

But Father pointed elsewhere.

“How about those?”

It was a bright white martial arts robe. With plum blossoms embroidered on the arms and legs, it looked like something righteous cult members would wear.

“You want those?”

“Didn’t you say we should go play in the Central Plains sometime? We can’t go wearing something like that, can we?”

“!”

I was truly surprised. He remembered my words about going to the Central Plains together!

“I like those too. Please give us two sets of those robes.”

Surprisingly, Father even paid for them.

“Didn’t you say you’d buy the meal? I’ll buy the clothes.”

“Thank you, Father.”

I carefully took the two sets of robes, each wrapped in paper.

There was much I wanted to say, but I didn’t. If I made any unnecessary jokes, Father might respond with harsh words to dispel this awkward atmosphere. It was best to just enjoy this mood and situation for now.

“Where are you going to buy the meal?”

“Over there.”

I led Father to the Flowing Wind Tavern.

If I were hosting Father, I should probably go to the best inn, tavern, or pleasure house in town, but I didn’t want to. The best places would likely be frequented by Demon Supremes, and I thought a place meaningful to me would be better.

“This is my regular place.”

Cho Chun-bae greeted us with a broad smile.

“Today you’ve come with a guest I haven’t seen before.”

“Not a guest, but family.”

“It’s your first time bringing family. Right? Huh? Family? If you say family…”

Startled, Chun-bae examined Father.

Though he couldn’t see Father’s face due to the bamboo hat, Chun-bae confirmed that the aura he exuded wasn’t young, and unconsciously took a step back.

Then he asked me with his eyes.

It’s not him, right? It really isn’t, right?

I answered by nodding.

Yes, it’s the person you’re thinking of.

Realizing that the person who came with me was the Heavenly Demon, Chun-bae turned pale and trembled like an aspen leaf. How could I miss such great entertainment?

I ordered the dishes Father chose.

“Please make them delicious.”

“Yes.”

Chun-bae’s legs trembled as he walked to the kitchen. Thanks to this, he heard my voice transmission for the first time.

―Cook comfortably. Surely you don’t think my Father would kill you for bad-tasting food?

Chun-bae staggered even more, barely making it into the kitchen.

“When was the last time you drank in a tavern like this?”

“I used to come when I was young.”

“You haven’t come even once since becoming the Cult Leader, right?”

Father nodded.

“Don’t you feel stifled?”

“It’s fine.”

“Well, you might feel more stifled if you came out into the world. There are people you want to kill everywhere, but you can’t kill them all.”

I poured a drink for Father, who chuckled. Father also filled my cup. Now, even exchanging drinks feels natural. Well, we’re now even wearing matching clothes.

“Your internal energy has grown a lot. Where did you get it from?”

“I got a Blood God Pill from the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader.”

Father was surprised by my honest answer.

“He gave you that? That greedy person?”

“Everyone seems to find me pitiful. They all want to give me elixirs whenever they see me.”

“I doubt it.”

Father drank his alcohol, and I emptied my cup too. Father seemed to have a lot to say, but in the end, he only said this.

“As long as you didn’t lose what’s yours.”

“Don’t worry. I take after you in being greedy when it comes to martial arts.”

Meanwhile, the dishes arrived.

Chun-bae was originally someone who roamed the tavern freely. He had the skill to run around with dishes full in both hands without spilling a drop.

He was the type who wouldn’t slip even if alcohol was spilled on the floor. He would gracefully dart around like a master using the Lotus Step technique, and when expensive dishes were ordered at another table, he would rush over as fast as the Form Shifting technique to take the order.

But today’s Chun-bae was different. He walked carefully, almost tiptoeing, as if afraid the dishes might be disturbed. It was the first time I’d seen him bring food so cautiously.

“I thought an assassin was coming.”

In response to my teasing, Chun-bae walked over with a desperate look that seemed to beg me not to speak to him, and carefully set down the dishes he had brought.

“If you need anything else, please call anytime!”

Then Chun-bae went downstairs with a face that looked like he was about to suffocate.

He couldn’t even stand on the first-floor stairs to eavesdrop on Father’s taste evaluation. If he dared to try and eavesdrop on the Heavenly Demon, even ten lives wouldn’t be enough.

Father tasted the food and nodded.

“The taste isn’t bad.”

“Please tell the owner directly later. He’ll be really happy.”

“Unnecessary talk.”

“That unnecessary talk will be a lifelong memory and fulfillment for someone. If you don’t tell him, he won’t know.”

Father just continued eating silently.

Then he suddenly asked.

“Why did you shake up the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader like that? Tell me about that.”

Originally, I should have answered, ‘It was to get divine artifacts at first, and later to gain people.’

But I gave an answer more befitting an heir.

“It was to separate the Heavenly Wind Cult from the Eight Demon Supremes.”

“And? Did you succeed?”

“It seems successful for now.”

“What did you promise in return?”

“I’d like to open a small branch of the Heavenly Wind Cult in the Central Plains. Just a very small one.”

“Impossible!”

“Why not?”

Father gave an unexpected answer.

“Do you know why I oppose them entering the Central Plains?”

“Isn’t it because of the history between the Blood Cult and our main cult in the past?”

Father shook his head.

“What does the past matter? It’s not because of that.”

“Then is it because they’ve joined hands with the Eight Demon Supremes?”

“I deliberately left them to join hands.”

Words that would shock the Demon Supremes flowed from Father’s mouth.

“Whether to attack the Heavenly Wind Cult or the Eight Demon Supremes. If they’re entangled, it’s easier to create a pretext.”

Indeed, I could see that Father wasn’t afraid of the Heavenly Wind Cult or the Eight Demon Supremes at all.

“Then why are you opposed?”

“The time hasn’t come yet. Just know that much.”

The words “the time hasn’t come yet” resonated deeply.

I could guess Father’s thoughts. The Heavenly Wind Cult’s entry into the Central Plains holds great significance not only for us but also for the Righteous Martial Arts Alliance and the Demonic Path Alliance.

Especially if the Righteous Martial Arts Alliance, which had suffered great damage from the Blood Cult’s invasion of the Central Plains in the past, starts to frame the Heavenly Wind Cult’s entry as a revival of the Blood Cult, it could cause major political ripples.

Saying the time hasn’t come yet, isn’t that the same as saying he will decide when the time is right?

‘Father, are you perhaps dreaming of unifying the martial arts world deep in your heart?’

Although that dream wasn’t realized due to Hwa Mu-gi, given Father’s abilities, it might be possible. Blood Heavens Saber Demon calls me a hidden dragon, but the real hidden dragon might not have awakened yet…

I felt like probing Father subtly, but if I did, today’s pleasant gathering might be ruined, so I held back for now. There would be plenty of opportunities to find out later.

“I understand. I’ll handle that issue myself.”

“How?”

“Since I’m personally entangled with the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader, I’ll resolve it personally.”

“Personally? That’s the most difficult way.”

“But it’ll be the most effective, right? Don’t worry, I won’t be arrogant in thinking I understand others’ hearts. I won’t be greedy to win others’ hearts either, and I absolutely won’t trust them.”

It was only half true. I don’t want to live such a life. What’s the point of becoming the Heavenly Demon if I suspect everyone?

I may not be able to understand everyone’s heart, but I’ll strive to. I may not be able to win everyone’s heart, but I’ll at least try to win enough not to treat each other with lies and hypocrisy. And I intend to trust those who are trustworthy.

“Please leave the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader matter to me. I’ll handle it well.”

Father nodded and stood up from his seat.

“The meal was good. Come play Go with me next month.”

“Yes! You should sharpen your stones well!”

As Father held out his hand, one of the two sets of martial arts robes I had placed beside me flew up with a whoosh.

Holding it, Father went downstairs.

More than buying the robes together, more than paying for them, seeing him take the robes on his own without me saying anything was even more touching.

And Chun-bae completed Father’s unexpected behavior.

As Father passed by, Chun-bae, standing next to the counter, bowed so deeply his waist nearly touched the ground.

“It was an honor to serve you.”

Father, who was about to leave, stopped in his tracks.

“The taste was quite good.”

Father went outside, leaving behind Chun-bae who was standing there, too shocked and moved to do anything but gasp.

Chun-bae, who had been standing dazed, belatedly shouted.

“Yes! Thank you! Please visit us again!”

Father was already walking far away.

Only then did Chun-bae’s tension release, and he let out a long sigh of relief before collapsing into a seat.

He took out the alcohol he had hidden under the counter and gulped it down. He usually didn’t drink while doing business unless it was a significant event, but today had surpassed that threshold.

Leaning on the second-floor railing, I asked him.

“How do you feel?”

“I can die without regrets now. Even if I’m reborn, I’ll live as the owner of the Flowing Wind Tavern.”

“If you’re reborn, you should live as a hero of the martial arts world.”

“No thank you. I’m satisfied with this life of watching someone like you, Young Master, from the side. It’s enough to serve delicious food.”

“Why not become a master and then live this life?”

“Then I’d be even more unhappy. I’d have to hold back despite being a master, right?”

“I see.”

After watching the rare scene of Chun-bae drinking, I looked outside the tavern. In the distance, I could see Father’s back slowly walking away among the people. Who would know? That they had just passed by the Heavenly Demon.

Before my regression, I didn’t observe well.

Father’s retreating figure, Chun-bae’s flushed face smiling happily, those people walking hurriedly on the street to wherever they’re going. I didn’t see them. I didn’t look at their eyes and mouths to see how they lived their lives. Because I didn’t observe well, I didn’t know, and because I didn’t know, I couldn’t win.

Yes, I didn’t lose to Hwa Mu-gi. I lost to my own life. To my indifferent life.

“Young Master, would you like more alcohol?”

Chun-bae asked from below.

“No, thank you. I have people I need to see today.”

Leaving the Flowing Wind Tavern, I walked the same path Father had taken, returning to the cult.