Absolute Regression - Chapter 852

“What ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍are you doing here?”

Even ‍​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍at his brother’s voice coming from behind, Geom Mugeuk’s gaze remained fixed on the night view of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.

“I ‍​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍heard you come up here every night.”

The ‍​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍place where Geom Mugeuk sat was atop the palm of a gigantic demonic statue that held up a brazier burning Demonic Flame.

“Every ‍​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍night? It’s only the third time.”

Come ‍​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍to think of it, it was already the third time. When the Demonic Flame had risen, Geom Muyang had stood here, staring every day with desperate longing toward the direction of Maga Village, where his father and younger brother had fought.

He did not know what kind of feeling it was, but even now that the fight was over, he kept finding himself coming here.

“So? You came to see me?”

“Don’t just stand there, sit. It’s worth coming up often. The night view is incredible.”

Geom Muyang slowly walked over and sat beside Geom Mugeuk. The two sat on different fingertips of the demonic statue, looking down at the full view of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.

Geom Mugeuk handed the bottle he was holding to Geom Muyang.

“Here, a gift.”

The liquor given by the Drunken Demon was being distributed one bottle to each person.

“It’s rare, so drink it on a special day.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than Geom Muyang opened the bottle and took a drink.

“You're not just ignoring what I said, are you? This moment we're sharing is what's truly special, isn't it?”

The corner of Geom Muyang's lips curled up slightly, but he gave no answer.

The brothers sat like that in silence for a long while. It was Geom Mugeuk who finally broke it.

“If I stop Father’s Unification of the Martial World? Whose side will you take?”

“Of course……”

He thought he would say Father’s side.

“I should take your side.”

Geom Mugeuk stared at his brother in surprise.

“You’d take my side?”

“If you get on the bad side of the next Cult Leader, you’ll suffer for life. I’ve got far more days to live with you.”

He wasn’t the same brother as before. He could even make jokes like this now.

“Do you think you could really defy Father?”

Geom Muyang looked at Geom Mugeuk and said something unexpected.

“I can. If anyone can’t, it’d be you.”

His expression was serious, as if he truly meant it.

“You think I can’t defy Father?”

Geom Muyang nodded.

“You’ve grown too close to Father.”

Geom Mugeuk couldn’t refute that.

With a light sigh, he stretched out his hand, and the bottle in Geom Muyang’s hand flew into his own through Void Telekinesis.

As if his insides were burning, Geom Mugeuk drank deeply.

“Don’t you have anything to say?”

“No.”

“Give your younger brother a secret technique or something. Don’t you know any weakness of Father that only you know?”

“I know quite a few of your weaknesses I could tell Father.”

At that, Geom Mugeuk laughed. Even if his brother did have a method, there was no way he would reveal something that went against their father.

“This is enough. Just having you listen to me like this is already something that could turn heaven and earth upside down.”

When Geom Muyang extended his hand, the bottle flew back to him. This time, Geom Muyang drank.

“If it were me, I wouldn’t stop Father. If he achieves Unification of the Martial World, he’ll gain the world.”

“Right? I should just pretend I can’t win and not stop him. Then inherit the world later?”

Was it because he thought Geom Mugeuk would never do such a thing? Geom Muyang simply stared at the night view in silence.

Not everything in that view was beautiful.

Far away, the place where the lights of Maga Village should have been was dark like a void.

Then Geom Muyang suddenly asked,

“I heard you asked about Mother?”

“Who told you? I asked so many people.”

“Father told me.”

“Still, the only one who looks out for the eldest son is Father.”

Geom Mugeuk could see his brother’s expression stiffen slightly.

“Why does everyone react like that whenever Mother comes up?”

“Who else did you ask?”

“My master, and the Sword Supreme too. The Sword Supreme remembered Mother’s flower-patterned palace gown.”

Of course, the One-Slash Sword Supreme remembered far more than that, but she said nothing further about Mother. After parting from her, he had come to see his brother.

“If you were going to ask about Mother, why didn’t you come to me?”

Looking toward the Heavenly Demon Pavilion in the distance, Geom Mugeuk replied,

“If I'd talked to you, it felt like things would only get heavier. Just look at your face right now. It's serious enough that we might need to light the Demonic Flame again.”

Even as a joke, Geom Muyang didn’t smile.

“When we were young, you told me never to speak about Mother. That became like a binding taboo for me. I grew up thinking I absolutely must not talk about it.”

Geom Muyang, as if recalling that time, only looked out over the view without answering.

“That doesn’t mean I resent you.”

They had both been very young back then.

“What’s the point of talking about someone who’s already passed away? It would only hurt.”

Mother, doesn’t your second son sound so heartless?

Even these heartless words have come far too late. As you saw, life before regression was too difficult, and after regression, my mind was consumed with saving everyone. I’m sorry, Mother.

“I never spoke about Mother again after that day.”

It was the first time his brother had brought up their mother.

“I don’t remember exactly how old I was, but I once asked Father about her. That was when I saw it. Father’s expression stiffened in an instant. Even as a child, I could tell. He was in pain.”

Perhaps it was from that moment that his brother decided never to speak of her again.

And he had passed that silence on to his younger brother.

Maybe, back then, he had still cared about him.

Geom Mugeuk tried to recall memories again here, but nothing about Mother came to mind.

“Honestly, I don’t remember her. She passed away when I was three, right? At three, I should at least have faint memories, so how can I not remember anything at all? Did she never even hold me?”

Then a short remark slipped out of Geom Muyang.

“She liked you more.”

Their mother was holding his younger brother in her arms while he stood beside them. She smiled brightly and said to him, ‘Yang-ah, from now on, you must protect your younger brother well.’

“You remember everything, right?”

Geom Muyang said nothing.

“For me, it’s just a vague longing since I remember nothing. But it’s not the same for you, is it?”

Geom Mugeuk believed his brother must miss their mother far more. If there was sorrow or pain, it would be much deeper.

“Are you okay?”

With his brother’s personality, this was probably something he had never told anyone. Surely, he had wanted at least once to share it with someone.

A faint sigh escaped Geom Muyang’s lips.

Geom Mugeuk’s gaze turned again toward the distant Heavenly Demon Pavilion.

“If you ever want to talk about Mother, come find me. I want to hear it.”

Then Geom Muyang said something unexpected.

“If I became the Cult Leader, I planned to investigate Mother’s death.”

Geom Mugeuk looked at him in shock. His brother was serious.

“I couldn’t believe she died of illness.”

He could not accept that the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult had failed to save her from a mere illness.

Geom Mugeuk understood. His brother missed their mother so much that he needed to place the blame on someone to endure it.

The fact that he was saying this now could only mean one thing.

If nothing else, he wanted Geom Mugeuk to uncover the truth.

“Sure, there could be another story behind her death. But I won’t look into it.”

Geom Muyang glared at him angrily, but Geom Mugeuk had a firm reason for answering that way.

“Father must have done everything he could to save her. If even then he couldn’t, then it couldn’t be helped. Even if there was some conspiracy behind her death like you think, Father would have already taken revenge. She was the only person he ever loved.”

Another thin sigh escaped his brother’s lips.

He was forcing himself to suppress the surging emotions rising from his chest.

It was clear that longing for their mother filled his heart completely.

Geom Mugeuk’s gaze turned toward the night sky. As he searched for the star where his mother might be.

Mother, I’m fine, so please take care of my brother first.

By the time Geom Mugeuk went to find the Soul Reaper Demon Supreme, it was well past midnight.

She was inwardly surprised by the late visit.

“Welcome, Young Cult Leader.”

“Soul Reaper, I apologize for coming so late.”

“Not at all. I was awake.”

“Let’s get some fresh air together.”

Geom Mugeuk walked through the interior of the Western Illusion Formation with the Soul Reaper Demon Supreme. The ghost art practitioners standing guard politely greeted the two.

“Are your injuries alright?”

“Yes, they’ve already healed.”

Geom Mugeuk raised the bottle in his hand as he spoke.

“Then I suppose you can drink this. It’s liquor I received from the Drunken Demon. I brought it because I wanted to drink it with you.”

“Thank you, Young Cult Leader.”

As he walked, Geom Mugeuk looked around and asked,

“It seems different from when I came before?”

In the past, the Western Illusion Formation had been filled with traps and ghostly energy everywhere, with Ghost Flames blooming in places that could drive people into heart demons.

But now, as he walked with her, the surroundings looked like an ordinary, beautiful garden.

“I removed the previous Ghost Flames and redesigned it.”

It wasn’t just for appearance.

“Ghost art practitioners deal with souls every day and encounter spirits constantly, so I thought the place they live in should at least be ordinary and beautiful.”

This was why new blood was necessary. The old Soul Reaper Demon Supreme would never have thought this way.

“Are you preparing for tomorrow’s fishing tournament?”

“I’ve never fished in my life. I’m just hoping I might catch at least one by luck.”

“Come early tomorrow. I’ll at least teach you the basics.”

“Thank you, Young Cult Leader.”

Geom Mugeuk suppressed the urge to boast that he had even beaten his father.

At the end of the beautiful path lined with rows of Soul Lamps stood a large tree.

“It’s called the Soul-Spirit Tree. It’s said that being here stabilizes the ghostly energy of ghost art practitioners and clears the mind.”

Geom Mugeuk looked up at the Soul-Spirit Tree. Just looking at it felt mystical.

“I didn’t know such a tree existed here.”

“Ghost art practitioners do not lie beneath this tree.”

At that, Geom Mugeuk seized the opportunity and looked at the Soul Reaper Demon Supreme.

“Soul Reaper.”

“Yes, Young Cult Leader.”

“Whose side are you on?”

The Soul Reaper Demon Supreme smiled as well. They had discussed this before. Now, beneath the Soul-Spirit Tree, it was time to conclude it.

“I am on the Young Cult Leader’s side.”

It was a sincere answer.

That was why, in the recent battle with the Dark Palace Master, she had been happy thinking she had won as the Young Cult Leader’s first Demon Supreme.

“Then now my certain allies are the Soma and you.”

The Soul Reaper Demon Supreme felt even more pleased that the Evil Smiling Demon was also on the Young Cult Leader’s side.

Among the Eight Demon Supremes, she liked him the most. She liked the unique yet lonely aura he gave off.

“Tomorrow at the fishing tournament, I’ll announce it in front of Father as well. From now on, Father will have Six Demon Supremes!”

Even imagining it made for an awkward situation.

“Yes, you may do so.”

“When Father tried to persuade you before, I let you go over to his side, but now I won’t let you go.”

“Even if you push me away now, I won’t go.”

The two smiled at each other.

The Soul Reaper Demon Supreme finally felt that she had truly become Geom Mugeuk’s person. Someone needed her—and that someone was him. How could that not make her happy?

“Let’s have a drink to commemorate this moment.”

“Yes, Young Cult Leader.”

After Geom Mugeuk drank first, he handed the bottle to her. She drank it refreshingly as well.

“These past few days, I met the Demon Supremes and spoke about Father. I asked for advice on how to stop his Unification of the Martial World.”

She hadn’t expected he would ask her as well.

“Soul Reaper, how can I stop Father?”

For a moment, she was flustered.

“I still lack experience, so I don’t think I can offer anything helpful.”

Geom Mugeuk shook his head.

“Even so, please try. If you, my first Demon Supreme, don’t help me, who will? I need your help.”

It was a burdensome request, but it was far more appreciated than being dismissed entirely for being young.

The Soul Reaper Demon Supreme looked up at the Soul-Spirit Tree for a moment, thinking.

“All I know is the Soul Reaping Art.”

She spoke of what she had realized while learning it.

“When you first learn the Soul Reaping Art, you start by learning how to suppress souls. During that process, the soul may scatter, or the practitioner may instead be overwhelmed and lose their mind.”

Geom Mugeuk listened calmly.

“When you become skilled, you begin to understand what the soul wants. You gently soothe it and guide it along the desired path. Since each soul has its own story and nature, the level of skill is determined by how well you can soothe it.”

He had thought she was someone who cursed and provoked easily, yet she also spoke with calm clarity like this.

“At the final stage, words are no longer needed, nor is any soothing. If you stand before it with an indomitable will, the soul will naturally be drawn to that strength. Just as Sword and Body become one in swordsmanship, the will of the practitioner and the soul they command become one.”

The Soul Reaper Demon Supreme looked at Geom Mugeuk as she spoke.

“Do not try to persuade the Cult Leader. Show him your will.”

Those words struck deeply within Geom Mugeuk. Yes, this was not a battle of persuasion. It was a clash between the world his father sought to create and the world he himself wished to live in. A battle between worlds.

Seeing him lost in thought, she felt a bit embarrassed.

“I spoke carelessly despite not knowing much.”

“Don’t say that. Your words were very helpful.”

“Thank you for saying so.”

As it was late at night, Geom Mugeuk bid farewell.

“Soul Reaper, I’ll be expecting a big catch tomorrow!”

“Honestly, knowing the Cult Leader will also be there makes me nervous.”

Geom Mugeuk smiled.

“Don’t worry. Fishing is just an excuse for everyone to gather. Father just wants to spend an enjoyable time with the Demon Supremes.”

At the same time, light was still on in Geom Woojin’s residence.

A suffocating tension filled the place.

Geom Woojin was awake.

As if preparing for battle, like tending to the Heavenly Demon Sword before stepping onto the battlefield, his hands carefully handled what he held. His gaze as he looked at it was colder and sharper than ever, like that of a martial artist dreaming of revenge.

Hui, watching in concealment, knew that even when the Cult Leader went out to face the Heavenly Killing Star, he had not been this tense.

Ssk, swish.

Far past the time he should have been asleep, Geom Woojin was meticulously tending to a fishing rod.