Before the full-fledged match began, Geom Mugeuk set restrictions on the location.
“Today’s fishing must not go beyond that protruding rock over there or past that tree on that side.”
Everyone was limited to within visible range, and to a distance where voices carried if infused with Internal Energy.
Since it was a bend in the river, they did not line up in a row but stood where they could see one another’s faces. Today’s gathering had been arranged not merely for fishing, but for conversations they usually couldn’t have.
“Now, let’s decide positions. Once you pick your spot, you may move later if you don’t like it, or stay as you are.”
In truth, securing a good spot mattered even more than the fishing itself. Especially since the area was limited, choosing well at the start was of utmost importance.
“Now, Father, please choose your spot first.”
Though Geom Mugeuk offered the opportunity, Geom Woojin declined.
“I’ll choose later.”
Given his temperament, he likely did not want to hear that he won simply because he had taken the best spot.
As if he had been waiting, Geom Mugeuk made a suggestion.
“Then how about this? To be fair, those without fishing experience will choose first.”
His father nodded, accepting the proposal. Today’s match was both a fishing contest and a battle of pride.
With his decision made, priority for choosing positions was given to the beginners.
“For now, those who were boasting earlier, please step aside.”
The three loudest boasters were Blood Heaven Blade Demon, Demonic Buddha, and Drunken Demon. They were excluded from priority selection.
As people who knew well how important a good fishing spot was, they felt inward regret, though they did not show it.
“Now then, among those remaining, the one who arrived first today!”
As everyone looked around, the Poison King subtly raised his hand.
“Very well, then. The Poison King will choose first.”
He had even declared that he would defend that spot even if he had to unleash poison everywhere, yet Geom Mugeuk had still given him the right to claim it first.
“Then I shall not refuse.”
After bowing to Geom Woojin, the Poison King was about to head toward the spot Geom Mugeuk had indicated.
At that moment,
“How strange.”
A voice rang out.
The Poison King flinched and came to an abrupt halt.
Unexpectedly, the one who had spoken was the Demonic Buddha.
“The Poison King has no interest in fishing whatsoever, yet you say he arrived here first today?”
Among the Demon Supremes, the Demonic Buddha was the one closest to the Poison King, yet he was now the very one raising doubts.
“Why did you come out first?”
Geom Mugeuk looked at the Demonic Buddha.
Was he trying to seize the Poison King’s spot to win the fishing competition?
If it had been the Demonic Buddha of old, he would certainly have done so. He might even have concocted a conspiracy, claiming that the Poison King had colluded with the Young Cult Leader to secure a prime spot in advance, and then used the excuse of uncovering the truth to seize it for himself.
But the Demonic Buddha of now would not do such a thing. Geom Mugeuk trusted him enough to make such a joke.
“So the little giant’s revenge for being made to gather poison herbs has finally begun.”
That alone revealed that the Demonic Buddha had been gathering poisonous herbs for the Poison King.
With everyone’s attention focused on him, the Poison King answered calmly.
“Is this not the first tournament personally hosted by the Cult Leader? So I came early to practice. As for selecting a spot, I learned it from the Young Cult Leader.”
“I see.”
The Demonic Buddha accepted the answer without resistance.
From that reaction alone, it was clear that he had guided the Poison King into saying those words himself so that the father would hear the reason.
Just as Geom Mugeuk had expected, upon hearing that the Poison King had arrived first, the Demonic Buddha had guessed he was trying to improve his relationship with the Cult Leader.
Since the Young Cult Leader had gone around meeting all the Demon Supremes, he must have provided a method to mend relationships.
And so the Demonic Buddha had stepped in to help the Poison King.
What mattered most was Geom Woojin’s reaction.
He looked at the Poison King with calm eyes, then spoke in a gentle tone.
“Fishing will become an enjoyable pastime for you.”
After offering a respectful fist salute, the Poison King went to the spot and stood there. Thus, he secured the best position.
Geom Mugeuk whispered into the Demonic Buddha’s ear.
“I’m telling you, you’re being deceived! Our Demonic Buddha is being fooled to the very end.”
The Demonic Buddha smiled when Geom Mugeuk recognized his intent. Yes, it was because the Young Cult Leader understood him without misunderstanding that he had been able to act as he did just now.
Once the Poison King took his place, Geom Mugeuk called out.
“Next to arrive!”
At that, Soul Reaper Demon Supreme stepped forward.
It was surprising enough that the Poison King had arrived first, but the second to arrive was her? Everyone looked on in disbelief.
The Poison King and Soul Reaper Demon Supreme.
They were the two most feared individuals in the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult—yet those very two had arrived first for a fishing competition. And both were beginners.
Soul Reaper Demon Supreme chose her spot as she pleased.
Seeing it, the expressions of the three boasters relaxed. From an expert’s perspective, it was a spot where catching even a single fish would be difficult.
Geom Mugeuk called out to her.
“Soul Reaper Demon Supreme!”
The moment she saw the mischief on his face, she tensed inwardly.
So it has come.
He was surely going to say it—that before the Cult Leader, this sect was no longer the Eight Demon Supremes, but the Six Demon Supremes.
She had already resolved herself to become the Young Cult Leader’s Demon Supreme, but even so, the thought of admitting those words before the Cult Leader made her heart pound.
But what Geom Mugeuk said was something else entirely.
“Use your Soul Reaping Art to send all the fish to me! You must never send them to Father!”
Of course, martial arts were forbidden, so it was merely a joke.
Relieved, she smiled and replied.
“For some reason, it sounds as though you are telling me to send them to the Cult Leader.”
Geom Mugeuk shook his head.
“I may be a filial son destined to go down in the sect’s history, but not today! Today is not a fishing contest—it’s a fishing war!”
Indeed, even Geom Woojin did not hide his competitive spirit in his gaze and expression.
Geom Mugeuk, too, looked at his father with eyes that refused to lose. The sight of the two ignited everyone else’s competitive spirit.
“Now then, the next to arrive is Elder Blade, correct? As a master among masters, I’m sure you’ll yield.”
Blood Heaven Blade Demon clicked his tongue in regret. He had already marked several good spots, and if he lost them all, his chances would be slim.
The next to choose was One-Slash Sword Supreme. Having no idea which spots were good, she headed toward a place shaded by a tree. Since she had dressed up nicely today, she had no desire to stand under the sun all day.
As she was about to take that spot, Blood Heaven Blade Demon subtly gestured with his chin for her to go farther.
A little further back. Come on, at least you take a good spot!
He refrained from using Sound Transmission, thinking that would truly count as cheating.
Geom Mugeuk, of course, did not miss it.
“Our elder is worried the Sword Supreme might return with an empty basket.”
One-Slash Sword Supreme smiled and looked at Blood Heaven Blade Demon.
“Catch plenty for my share as well.”
That alone showed how much she had changed.
Fist Demon King simply strode forward and took an empty spot. Judging by his appearance, he looked like someone who would grow impatient, snap his fishing rod, and jump straight into the river to catch fish with his bare hands.
Evil Smiling Demon chose the farthest spot. Even from how they selected positions, one could sense the personalities of the Demon Supremes.
“What about you, brother? Aren’t you joining the competition?”
“I’ll watch Father fish today and learn.”
It seemed like a wise choice.
On a day like this, rather than competing, staying by his father’s side and assisting him would be far better for their relationship.
Now, those remaining were the self-proclaimed fishing experts—Geom Woojin, Blood Heaven Blade Demon, Demonic Buddha, Drunken Demon, and Geom Mugeuk.
“Then, as the youngest, I’ll choose my spot first.”
As Geom Mugeuk subtly tried to go first, Demonic Buddha rolled his prayer beads and asked:
“Does our Young Cult Leader know what fishing and life have in common?”
“What is it?”
“After fishing, there are days when you return with an empty basket yet feel content, and days when you return with a basket full of fish yet feel hollow. Is life not the same? There is no need to fill the basket so completely.”
“No, why say that of all things at a fishing competition!”
The Demonic Buddha pretended not to hear and acted like an enlightened monk who had attained enlightenment.
“Rather than how many fish you catch, is it not more important for you how many people you converse with?”
“Then why are you saying that to me? Fish are more important to me! Do you think Millennium Snow Ginseng is a joke!”
Everyone watching smiled.
From the very start, the atmosphere was excellent. As expected, with Geom Mugeuk leading the mood, there was no chance for things to become dull or stiff.
Geom Mugeuk looked at the Demonic Buddha and smiled.
Since he had entertained them like this, he deserved a reward. Geom Mugeuk spoke to his father.
“Since the Blood Buddha who came to the fishing spot has become a benevolent Buddha, we should yield him the spot.”
Geom Woojin readily nodded.
“Haha. When one abandons greed, unexpected fortune comes like this.”
“That’s not true! You didn’t abandon greed!”
Leaving Geom Mugeuk’s shout behind, the Demonic Buddha went ahead and chose his spot first. Seeing how he secured a truly good position, it was clear he had not been bluffing about his fishing skills.
“Now then, next, as the youngest, I—”
As Geom Mugeuk tried to step forward again, Geom Woojin spoke to Drunken Demon.
“You go next.”
“Thank you for yielding.”
Drunken Demon was greatly pleased that the Cult Leader was looking out for him. Moreover, there were still decent spots remaining.
‘This isn’t bad!’
Overall, he had chosen a spot farther back, but it was still better than those of formidable competitors such as the Cult Leader, the Young Cult Leader, and the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.
Geom Mugeuk had expected his father to naturally give the next turn to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, but instead,
“Next is my turn.”
Seeing his father step forward as though he had yielded enough already, Geom Mugeuk asked curiously,
“Leaving me aside, why are you not yielding to Elder Blade?”
At that, unexpected words came from Geom Woojin’s mouth.
“I must protect the pride of the master who taught me fishing.”
At those words, Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s expression brightened. Just being acknowledged like this in front of everyone was enough.
“No, Elder. Father just took your spot, so why are you smiling like a fool? Father considers you his greatest rival. This fishing ground is full of schemes!”
Blood Heaven Blade Demon smiled.
“If you ask me, the one he’s most wary of is you.”
“Me?”
As Blood Heaven Blade Demon strode forward and took the last decent spot, the only one left was Geom Mugeuk.
“Ah! I got so caught up watching the battle for spots that I forgot to secure mine!”
Everyone smiled at his jest.
In the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult of the past, such a scene would have been unimaginable. There wouldn’t even have been such a tournament, and even if there had been, they would have been suppressed by the Cult Leader’s presence and locked in power struggles among the Demon Supremes. It would have been nothing short of a brutal battlefield.
The place Geom Mugeuk chose was between his father and Blood Heaven Blade Demon. Standing between them made the three unusually close, yet neither Geom Woojin nor Blood Heaven Blade Demon minded at all.
Rather, Blood Heaven Blade Demon was pleased that Geom Mugeuk had come to stand beside him.
Once everyone had taken their positions, all eyes turned to Geom Woojin. After placing bait on the hook, he cast his fishing line powerfully toward the river.
Swoosh—
The fishing line flew over the shimmering silver river.
Plop.
With that as the signal, everyone cast their lines. Fishing lines sliced through the air all at once.
Thanks to his practice, the Poison King cast his line like someone far from a beginner. Plop.
The Fist Demon King, who looked as though he might snap his rod in half and hurl it as far as possible, instead cast gently nearby.
In contrast, the One-Slash Sword Supreme, who seemed like she would cast with the utmost elegance, sent her line the farthest with surprising enthusiasm.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon displayed the most refined technique.
The Demonic Buddha cast his line sideways in a rather unique manner.
The Drunken Demon struck a stylish pose and cast with one hand.
The Evil Smiling Demon kept his movements as simple as possible.
The Soul Reaper Demon Supreme merely followed what she had been taught. Plop.
Finally, Geom Mugeuk cast his line.
Though it appeared ordinary, the countless hours of fishing experience showed in his movements.
Thus, the fishing truly began, and all gazed at the river, lost in thought.
Geom Mugeuk had realized something in his life before regression while searching for the Inner Core of the Thousand-Year Carp Core Essence.
Back then, his heart had been impatient. He wanted to find it as soon as possible.
But in the end, he came to understand.
Just as a life lived in haste ends by merely chasing opportunities, an impatient fisherman only muddies the water.
One must know how to wait. While calmly watching the river, one must endure a thousand breaths, ten thousand breaths, for that single moment of the catch. And if one does not miss that one moment, it can change one’s life.
And do not be disappointed if you miss an opportunity. No fisherman quits just because he lost a fish. It was through such persistence that he ultimately succeeded.
Blood Heaven Blade Demon glanced at Geom Mugeuk. The gaze with which he watched the river now was deeper than that of any Demon Supreme present.
‘Boy, what are you thinking right now?’
At that moment, Geom Woojin also subtly turned his head toward his son.
As a result, the eyes of Blood Heaven Blade Demon and Geom Woojin met.
‘Your son has brought us this far. Do you intend to go all the way with such a son?’
Perhaps he had read that thought.
Geom Woojin’s gaze seemed to say:
‘If it is us as we are now, we will surely succeed. Do you truly wish to miss this opportunity?’
After staring at each other for a moment, Geom Woojin and Blood Heaven Blade Demon simultaneously turned their gazes back to the river.
After a while, Geom Mugeuk fixed his rod in place and went to his father. His brother stood beside him, looking at the river.
Geom Muyang asked Geom Mugeuk,
“Shall I move aside?”
“No. What is there I can’t say in front of you, unless I’m speaking ill of you?”
Geom Muyang looked dumbfounded, but he felt grateful for those words.
“Come to think of it, this is the first time the three of us have stood side by side by a river like this, isn’t it?”
Geom Muyang nodded.
“We should bring that painter from back then and have him paint this scene too. Or better yet, let’s have someone from Maga Village make dolls of the three of us fishing.”
At that, Geom Woojin suddenly spoke.
“Judging by how relaxed you are, you must be confident.”
“Would a big catch wake up this early and start moving? It’ll wake up late in the afternoon and slowly start moving. It’ll be relaxed, just like me.”
He even added a bit of swagger.
“Shall I call this the composure of a winner?”
“It won’t be easy today.”
“Then, aside from this match, shall we make a separate bet?”
At the word “bet,” Geom Woojin’s eyes gleamed.
“What kind of bet?”
As if he had already thought it through, Geom Mugeuk said,
“A bet on who will take first place. Of course, you may predict yourself.”
A strong interest sparked in his father’s eyes.
“We observe from now and decide after one si-jin. Who will take first place.”
“And if one wins the bet?”
Geom Mugeuk put forward something even more drastic than Millennium Snow Ginseng.
“How about granting the winner any one wish?”
“Any wish?”
“Yes, any wish. Without exception.”
Geom Woojin snorted.
“You will lose.”
“That remains to be seen.”
After staring at his son for a moment, Geom Woojin, for some reason, readily nodded.
“Very well.”
They should have placed restrictions—such as refusing certain wishes—but neither of them did. A truly enormous wager had been made.
Blood Heaven Blade Demon, who had been listening nearby, shook his head as if they were hopeless, then looked at the flowing river and spoke quietly.
No—he spoke to the fish within it.
“It is no longer the Heavenly Killing Star. Now, the fate of this martial world rests in your hands.”
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