There was a gift for the Drunken Demon.
On my way back, I stopped by a famous brewery in the Outlands and bought some wine.
Jeok-yeon unloaded boxes of wine from the carriage.
It was more than just one or two bottles.
I had bought several bottles of various kinds for him to drink over time.
"Don't tell me you bought this for me?"
"I bought them according to your taste, brother, but I'm not sure if you'll like them. I intentionally left out the ones that were too strong. For your health."
The Drunken Demon was flustered by the unexpected gift.
He had originally come to say a word to Geom Mugeuk about how his trip with the Demon Buddha went without him.
But a gift?
The Demon Buddha spoke on Geom Mugeuk’s behalf.
"The Young Cult Master visited several places in the Outlands for you. He didn't shy away from the trouble of going to distant places on purpose."
The Demon Buddha made up for the guilt of not giving the poisonous herbs to Geom Mugeuk by taking credit like this.
"Well then, I'll let you two talk. I'll head to the Cult Master’s Hall first."
The Demon Buddha took his leave.
After he left, the Drunken Demon examined the wine.
He was touched not just because he had bought him wine.
All the wines from the Outlands he had mentioned were good while drinking with Geom Mugeuk were there.
He had remembered everything.
The Drunken Demon picked up a bottle, opened the cap, and drank straight from it.
The wine was incredibly sweet.
"Give me a sip too."
Geom Mugeuk also drank the wine the Drunken Demon handed him.
"It certainly tastes different from the wine of the Central Plains. I'll visit you soon, so let's have a drink together."
Just then, someone else appeared.
"Did you have a good trip?"
It was the Plum Blossom Sword Sovereign.
The Drunken Demon asked her.
"I thought you were busy with your training?"
She came because she wanted to see Geom Mugeuk.
To show him that she was still training like this, without any makeup.
And one more thing.
"I came to tell you to take our drunkard with you next time you go out. But it seems there's no need for that."
She looked at the boxes of wine and asked.
"You've bought quite a lot. Is there no gift for me?"
"I'm sorry, but this time, the only gift is for our Drunken Demon Sovereign."
At that, the Drunken Demon asked Geom Mugeuk.
"The Cult Master's too?"
When Geom Mugeuk nodded, the Drunken Demon was inwardly flustered but pleased.
Normally, it was a moment that called for a round of banter, but he couldn't bring himself to do it in front of the Plum Blossom Sword Sovereign.
How could she not know? The reason she came here was to protest him taking only the Demon Buddha.
The Plum Blossom Sword Sovereign asked Geom Mugeuk.
"The matter you went for?"
"It was handled well."
"Of course, since you went."
"There were some dangerous moments."
Then the Plum Blossom Sword Sovereign repeated her previous words.
"Of course, since you went."
She meant that fortune and misfortune followed Geom Mugeuk.
"Stop by now that you're back."
"Yes, I will visit you soon."
The Plum Blossom Sword Sovereign looked at the Drunken Demon and asked.
"Should I help you carry these in?"
The Drunken Demon nodded.
With inner energy, what's ten boxes, or even a hundred? It wasn't that she didn't know that when she asked.
The Drunken Demon and the Plum Blossom Sword Sovereign walked side by side, carrying the boxes filled with wine bottles.
After walking for a while, the Plum Blossom Sword Sovereign suddenly said to the Drunken Demon.
"Demon Sovereign, let's grow up a little."
The Drunken Demon had nothing to say in response.
After the Drunken Demon and the Plum Blossom Sword Sovereign left, another Demon Sovereign came to that spot.
This time, it was the Soul-Devouring Demon Sovereign.
"Did you have a good trip?"
Since this trip to the Outlands had started because of her, how could she not come out to see him?
"Thanks to your concern, I had a good trip."
After exchanging greetings, she looked for the Wind Heaven Sect Leader.
"Where is my Master?"
"The Cult Master remained at the Wind Heaven Sect."
Seeing her surprise, I quickly said.
"He said he would come as soon as things are settled over there, so it shouldn't take too long."
A hint of disappointment crossed the Soul-Devouring Demon Sovereign's face.
It was clear that she had been waiting for the Wind Heaven Sect Leader more than anyone.
The Wind Heaven Sect Leader was currently exploding in popularity among his disciples.
After she left, Seo Daeryong spoke.
"How many Demon Sovereigns have come? Let me see. One, two... a whopping four have come."
Then Geom Mugeuk replied.
"No, five."
"What? Did I miscount?"
Geom Mugeuk's gaze was directed at a giant stone statue standing far away.
"There's one over there, too."
"Who is it?"
From Seo Daeryong's perspective, the figure was too small to recognize.
But with the Divine Eye Technique, Geom Mugeuk saw clearly.
A person he was happier to see than anyone else.
Wearing a white mask and with his arms crossed, the person looking this way was none other than the Evil Heart Laughing Demon.
He was on the same statue where they had stood together before.
‘Laughing Demon Sovereign!’
He was watching my return, even from such a distance.
Last time, he said it.
That he could have been the one to come meet me first when I returned to the sect.
He didn't just stop at those words and actions then; this time too, he had come out to greet me first.
‘Thank you, Laughing Demon Sovereign.
I will visit you later.’
I wasn't sure if he could see, but I bowed my head towards him in greeting and then turned towards the Cult Master’s Hall.
Right now, I missed my father too much.
In the Heavenly Demon Hall, my father was with Grand Strategist Sama Myeong.
The Demon Buddha had already greeted the two of them and left.
"I have returned, Father."
He received my greeting with a stern face, but I was so happy and glad to see my father.
I hoped this emotion showed on my face.
I hoped my father would recognize it.
"Grand Strategist, I have returned."
"You've worked hard, Young Cult Master."
He had already received a full report of the events in the Outlands through Silver Moon.
"Until now, the Main Sect has not detected any signs of the Blood Sect's revival. It is entirely my oversight."
"No, it is not. Before he died, he told me that his goal was to revive the Blood Sect, but then he had a change of heart."
"As if to prove it, in his final moments, he even tried to destroy the sacred ground left by the Blood Sect. He was a man moved by personal desire."
Of course, Sama Myeong probably had some idea.
Baek Cheon-gyeong, who had been secretly active in the Martial Alliance, had no connection to the Blood Sect whatsoever.
"There may be remnants, so please be careful."
"They're the ones who should be careful. Who do they think they messed with?"
Sama Myeong smiled at my joke.
Just then, my father, who had been silently listening to our conversation, suddenly asked me.
"What kind of people are they?"
He cut straight to the chase, asking directly.
He was asking for my intuition.
"They are very dangerous people. More dangerous than any organization that has ever appeared in the martial world."
"No one has ever thought of messing with the Righteous, Demonic, and Unorthodox Sects and the Outlands all at once."
My father slowly nodded, as if agreeing with my words.
My father looked at Sama Myeong and said.
"You're going to be busy."
It was a statement that contained his wish for the matter to be handled carefully and with discretion, and also a statement of his trust in the Grand Strategist.
"I will report as soon as new information comes in. Please, you two have your talk."
Sama Myeong bowed politely and excused himself.
My father descended from the Grand Advisor's seat.
"Let's walk for a bit."
"Yes."
Lately, my father enjoys walking with me.
Walking together in the inner courtyard was good for me in many ways.
Every time the demonic practitioners passing by saw us like this, their respect and loyalty towards me would grow.
"Oh, and Father. I've solved the secret of the Secret Vessel."
My father was so surprised he stopped walking.
I took the Secret Vessel out from my robes.
And I told him about absorbing the energy of the Black Eye at the Wind Heaven Sect.
"If you wish, I will return it to you."
"It is an item that found its destiny with you, so it is now yours."
My father's way of always moving me.
At times like this, the words 'a father is a father' come to mind.
My father reached out and grabbed my wrist instead of the Secret Vessel.
A stream of energy flowed in through my wrist.
He was checking if there was anything wrong with my body.
"I feel some kind of energy inside you, but I can't identify what it is. However, it doesn't feel malicious."
I looked down at the Secret Vessel in my hand.
As my father said, destiny had found me.
I feel that this destiny is by no means a bad one.
"If I find anything wrong with my body, I will tell you immediately."
I couldn't feel the energy of the Black Eye, but I could feel my father's worry.
It is an energy more precious and powerful than any other in the world.
"Oh, and the Wind Heaven Sect Leader remained in his sect. His relationship with the current Cult Master has grown stronger because of this incident. Just like you and me, Father."
"Do you think our relationship has become stronger?"
"The word 'stronger' isn't enough. It's sticky, thick, and hot. Ah! This feeling, I can't express it in words."
A smirk appeared on my father's lips.
Seeing that smile, I felt a pleasant sense of relief, a feeling of being truly back home.
"Isn't there someone else you should be getting stronger with?"
I smiled and said to my father.
"I was planning on paying my respects and then going to see my brother first."
A sense of tension filled the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect's Iron Workshop.
It was the moment of the final test for a newly developed weapon.
The weapon being tested today was a gauntlet for those who use fist techniques.
"The newly developed gauntlet is made of a material so thin and soft that you can't feel it when worn on your hand."
"However, its strength has been greatly improved compared to before, so it can prevent being cut by swords and blades."
The person explaining was Master Craftsman Gwak of the Iron Workshop.
Standing before him was the First Young Master, Geom Muyang.
The person who planned and pushed for the development of this gauntlet was Geom Muyang.
He was in charge of several key tasks within the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect.
At first, Geom Muyang naturally expected to be pushed into an idle post.
However, Geom Mugeuk shared important parts of his duties with him.
Moreover, those duties were not limited to administrative tasks.
He was also entrusted with matters related to the sect's key elite units and the Eight Demon Sovereigns.
It was a real demonstration of his trust in his brother.
The strength test was a success.
Even when struck with a sword, the gauntlet was not cut.
The onlookers cheered in unison.
"Not only that, but the power of the fist has also been enhanced by more than ten percent."
"You have truly worked hard."
"It is the First Young Master who has worked hard."
In fact, Master Craftsman Gwak had shaken his head several times while working on this project.
He was not one to be outdone when it came to meticulous work, but compared to the First Young Master, he felt like a slacker who did a sloppy job.
Geom Muyang would visit several times a day to check on the progress of the work, and if there was even the slightest strange part, he would ask for it to be remade.
However, Geom Muyang didn't just give orders; he personally investigated, researched, and took the lead, so the Iron Workshop couldn't complain.
Thanks to that, they succeeded in creating a more outstanding gauntlet than ever before.
"For now, this is a gauntlet that fifty people can use. First Young Master, please deliver it to the Eastern Fist Hall yourself."
He felt that with this much effort, he deserved to deliver it himself and take credit.
"Thank you for your consideration."
"I think the Fist Demon will be very pleased to see this gauntlet."
"Someday, we will have to make a gauntlet that the Fist Demon Sovereign himself will wear."
Although the quality was excellent, it was still a standard-issue gauntlet.
"Please, have that gauntlet made at another Iron Workshop."
Geom Muyang gave a faint smile at Master Craftsman Guo’s joke.
Just then, someone spoke from behind.
"As expected! The arm bends inward."
When the two turned around, they saw Geom Mugeuk entering.
"So you develop things for the person who supported you first."
During the succession fight, the Fist Demon had officially announced his support for Geom Muyang.
Unlike before, Geom Muyang smoothly received the comment.
"Isn't that obvious? From now on, I will only develop things for the Fist Demon Sovereign and the Demon Buddha. If you don't like it, you can just kick me out."
"To do that, you're just too good at your job, brother."
Geom Mugeuk bowed politely to Master Craftsman Guo.
"It's been a while, Master Craftsman."
"I heard you had returned."
"May I try on the gauntlet?"
"Of course."
Geom Mugeuk put on the gauntlet.
Master Craftsman Guo watched with a somewhat nervous heart.
Everyone knew that Geom Mugeuk had inherited the Fist Demon's fist techniques.
It was the moment a master of the fist arts was conducting the first test.
After putting on the gauntlet and swinging his fists around, Geom Mugeuk smiled cheerfully and said.
"It's very good. Can I have this?"
Only then did Master Craftsman Guo relax.
"Of course."
"Please leave your name here as a memento, Master Craftsman. Wouldn't its value increase tenfold then?"
Master Craftsman Guo smiled and excused himself, leaving them to talk.
As Geom Muyang tried to lift all the gauntlet boxes at once, Geom Mugeuk took half of them.
The two walked side by side.
"The Demon Buddha's help was huge on this trip out."
"He is a good person. You must not be rude to him."
Geom Mugeuk looked at Geom Muyang and smiled.
"Why are you smiling?"
"You know, you also take good care of the people around you. Developing these gauntlets first and all."
"It's like fixing the barn after the cow is gone."
"That cow didn't go far, it's right around the barn."
Geom Muyang also let out a small laugh.
"Thank you, brother."
At that, Geom Muyang said rather coldly.
"Do you know that I think back on the past and regret it several times a day? Do you know that every night I fall asleep imagining myself as the successor? I'm not someone to be thanked, so don't thank me."
"That's why I'm thankful."
"What?"
"Thank you for telling me this. From now on, if you're boiling with anger and just can't stand it, come find me and tell me like this. If I'm not here, go find the Demon Buddha and tell him. If that doesn't work, go find the Fist Demon Sovereign. If you really can't stand it, go find Father."
"Why is Father last? Father should be left out."
"Telling Father will be the most relieving, you know?"
Geom Muyang stopped walking and looked at me.
"You need to get close to Father. Leaving aside all this Young Cult Master business. We're his sons, aren't we?"
I will comfort my brother in my own way.
"Father and the Demon Buddha are worried about you. But I'm not worried about you. I have no intention of comforting you at all. You'll do well on your own. I, of all people, know how tough of a person you are, right?"
Geom Muyang smiled faintly, self-deprecatingly.
Of course, I know.
How quickly a person can crumble once they start to fall.
When our hearts start to tempt and whisper to us, we realize.
That our will is not bound by a lock made of ten-thousand-year cold iron.
That sometimes, it's tied with a cloth knot that comes undone with a slight tug.
"Have you ever asked Father?"
"What?"
"What hardships he faces."
For a moment, Geom Muyang flinched.
"Have you asked?"
"I haven't asked either. I thought that was something the eldest son should do first."
My brother stared at me intently.
So, the way I chose to comfort my brother was this.
If he wallows in self-pity, he will sink into an endless abyss.
"I think it's time for us to take care of them now. You go first, since you're the older brother."