"Still bad-mouthing me behind my back, I see?"
I laughed at my father's words and replied.
"Bad-mouthing you? You misunderstand! Ah, and even if I were, how could I curse the Heavenly Demon to his face? Not even the Martial Alliance Leader could do such a thing. Come, please sit."
I must have been the first to notice my father entering the Tavern.
That's why I said it loud enough for him to hear.
I was telling him not to stay cooped up in the Heavenly Demon Hall and to go out and have some fun once in a while.
"Cult Master!"
Lee Ahn and Cheon So-hee shot up to greet him, but my father raised a hand to stop them before taking a seat.
Even without releasing any particular aura, the atmosphere in the room completely changed.
The second floor of this shabby inn had suddenly become the Heavenly Demon Hall.
"What brings you here?"
"I was just passing by."
He always said that, but could it really be true? Did he come to see me? Or did he come to see the Fist Demon?
Lee Ahn said cautiously.
"Please, talk amongst yourselves. We will take our leave."
"There's no need for that. I won't be staying long."
"Yes! Then we shall be as quiet as if we weren't here."
Looking at the spirited Lee Ahn, my father suddenly said.
"You've grown a lot."
It was such an unexpected comment that Lee Ahn was startled.
She was so surprised, it was hard to recall the last time she'd been this shocked.
It wasn't just her; I was surprised too.
I never imagined my father would acknowledge Lee Ahn.
"Thank you."
Lee Ahn's voice trembled as she bowed her head.
It was just that one word of greeting, but Lee Ahn was deeply moved.
Her gaze turned to me.
Her eyes said it all.
Did you see that, Young Master? The Cult Master remembers my childhood.
Ah! I'm so touched.
For the Cult Master to remember me.
Truly, if we weren't in this setting, she would have been shouting and jumping for joy.
My father's gaze then shifted to Cheon So-hee.
"I hear you're the best fighter in the Eastern Fist Hall?"
Cheon So-hee was also shocked to the point of fainting.
The Heavenly Demon knew about her? It was something she had never imagined.
"No, that's not true."
"Then was I mistaken?"
"What? No!"
She said no out of humility, then said no again.
She was flustered and didn't know what to do.
I came to the rescue.
"That's right. Miss Cheon is the most skilled in the Eastern Fist Hall. I think she's a candidate for the next Fist Demon."
It didn't feel much like a rescue, though, as Cheon So-hee only became more flustered.
"No, not at all! The next Fist Demon? That is an absurd suggestion."
She waved her hands frantically, strongly denying it.
My father's gaze turned to the Fist Demon.
It seemed as if he was asking, Is that what you think as well?
The Fist Demon just looked at Cheon So-hee without a word, neither confirming nor denying it.
"The Second Young Master is just teasing me, so please don't pay it any mind."
I didn't let it pass as a simple joke.
"I said it because I sincerely believe it. Father. There has never been a female Fist Demon in our Main Sect, has there? Don't you think that would be cool?"
I said this on purpose.
Becoming a candidate for the next Fist Demon in front of the Heavenly Demon.
Wouldn't that be a greater stimulus for her than hearing 'work hard' a hundred times?
My father, understanding my intention, said a word to Cheon So-hee.
"Continue to improve."
"Yes!"
Cheon So-hee wasn't getting any sleep tonight.
After taking care of the two women first, my father spoke to the Fist Demon.
"Have you been well?"
"Yes, Cult Master."
No matter how fearsome he looked, how well-built his body was, or how large his fists were, in front of my father, the Heavenly Demon, he became as gentle as a baby.
"I hear my son has been bothering you?"
"These days, I am the one bothering him."
"What do you mean?"
"This gathering today is a welcome party for a newcomer. I am the newcomer."
Unaware of that, my father looked surprised for a moment, then smiled.
This was a point that always upset me.
He showed the Demon Sovereigns a smile he never showed his own son.
My father said to Lee Ahn.
"It must be hard work, taking in such a grand newcomer."
"It's alright. The Fist Demon is..."
For a moment, she hesitated, unsure of what to say.
She had never really thought about how to describe or introduce the Fist Demon.
And on top of that, she was in front of the Heavenly Demon.
I was not one to miss such a golden opportunity to tease the flustered Lee Ahn.
"Please understand. It's because Lee Ahn can't lie."
At that, Lee Ahn quickly said.
"That's not it. The Fist Demon is very cool, gentlemanly, gentle, has a great body, and takes good care of us."
A moment of silence fell upon the place.
"Has a great body?"
Not expecting Lee Ahn to say such a thing, even the Fist Demon showed a flicker of embarrassment.
Lee Ahn, who had said it, was also flustered.
"Did I say that?"
"Yes. That was the only truth among all your lies."
At my joke, Lee Ahn glared at me.
Stop teasing me! The Cult Master is right here!
My father poured wine into the Fist Demon's cup.
"My mischievous son must be giving you a hard time."
With an expression that said, You have no idea, the Fist Demon politely accepted the wine.
The two men drank.
They were two people who seemed comfortable yet uncomfortable.
The Fist Demon was clearly awed by and uncomfortable around my father.
Still, if you looked closely, my father and the Fist Demon had a certain resemblance.
Both of them, regardless of their actual personalities, gave off an ultra-hardline impression of smashing things first and asking questions later.
And both of them looked lonely in a way.
"This is the first time you've joined a group like this, isn't it?"
"It is the first time."
"How is it?"
Was the reason my father came today because he was curious why the Fist Demon had joined the group?
"Being around young friends makes me feel young again, so it is good."
"Are you already at an age to be saying such things? It seems like only yesterday that we were in our prime. Do you remember? The time we fought the Righteous Sect bastards at Mount Wutai for three days and three nights?"
"You still remember that?"
"You were truly impressive back then."
"It must be because I haven't done anything more impressive to overshadow that memory."
Father and the Fist Demon.
I thought the atmosphere would be tense and conversation sparse when they met, but surprisingly, the two of them conversed quite well.
In fact, my father seemed a little more friendly and comfortable with him than with the other Demon Sovereigns.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon had said it before.
That the Fist Demon was my father's favorite among the Demon Sovereigns.
I started to think that might really be true.
On the other hand, the Fist Demon only answered when asked, treating my father with great deference.
Perhaps that was why their relationship was so well-maintained.
Problems always arose when both parties became too comfortable.
After a couple of rounds of drinks had been exchanged, Lee Ahn, who had been waiting for an opportunity, spoke to my father.
"I wanted to be sure to thank you in person if I ever had the chance. Thank you for what you did last time."
Lee Ahn stood up and gave a deep bow.
She didn't specify what she was thankful for, but both my father and I knew.
It was for giving permission to pass on the Flying Heaven Sword Technique to her.
My father said calmly.
"Great martial arts are always accompanied by a great destiny."
It wasn't just because of the Flying Heaven Sword Technique, but in any case, she was walking a new path of destiny.
"I will keep that in mind and do my best not to bring shame upon the great grace you have bestowed upon me."
I hoped this moment today would hold an even greater meaning for Lee Ahn.
"In that spirit, please bestow a lesson upon Lee Ahn."
At my words, my father's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Right now?"
"When else will there be an opportunity like this?"
I raised a hand to stop Lee Ahn before she could say it was alright.
"For you, Father, it may be just another drinking session, but for Lee Ahn, this could be a life-changing moment, couldn't it?"
I sent the rest of my words via telepathic message.
—She has reached the Ninth Star at that age.
You know how much effort that takes, don't you? That little kid has grown up so well, hasn't she?
Did the last part get to him?
My father stood up from his seat and said to Lee Ahn.
"Follow me outside for a moment."
My father took Lee Ahn and left.
As she followed him out, Lee Ahn looked at me.
Am I going to die?
I waved my hand as if saying goodbye.
She wouldn't die, but it would certainly be a killer experience.
Of course, I could guide her to Great Mastery, but the experience of receiving a lesson from my father was something that could bring great change and help to a demonic practitioner's life, separate from simply raising one's level of martial arts mastery.
I expressed my apologies to the Fist Demon.
"I'm sorry for ruining the mood."
"Being with you, I always seem to experience the unexpected."
"Everyone likes me for that fun."
The Fist Demon, who was staring at me silently, drained his cup and then spoke to me.
"Earlier, I told that child. The greater the faith, the deeper the wound. That misplaced faith would bring misfortune. Thinking about it now, I never said that to you."
It was a question: What will you do when you're betrayed by the very people you take care of like this?
"At a glance, it might seem like I trust everyone, but that's not the case. I trust this person this much, and that person that much. I have my own standards and boundaries. To trust everyone, or to trust no one. I actually think that's the easier way. So, I intend to take the harder path. The path of struggling with whether to trust or not. How much should I trust the Fist Demon? How can I make him trust me more? I plan to live through a series of such dilemmas."
It was the first time I had revealed to the Fist Demon what kind of person I was.
"So? Do you think you can take everyone with you that way?"
"A moment will come when I can't let anyone on my ship. Either because I'm exhausted, or the ship is too small."
"Why are you so intent on taking them aboard? With your martial arts alone, you could live the life of freedom you spoke of."
"Because I think the dam is about to break."
"!"
After a brief pause, the Fist Demon asked.
"If the dam breaks and a flood comes, will only the people on your ship survive?"
"No. It might even be the opposite."
"The opposite?"
"My ship will set sail to stop the dam from breaking. It's possible that people might die precisely because they are on my ship."
I said to Cheon So-hee, who was listening.
"So you don't have to get on my ship."
Her eyes, as she looked at me, said: I think I'm already on it?
Of course, this time, she spoke for her head, not her heart.
"Of course I have no intention of getting on. I will get on the ship steered by the Fist Demon. No, I am already on it."
"Junior Sister!"
"Junior Sister? Why are you calling me that, Second Young Master!"
She was drawing a clear line in front of the Fist Demon.
"Yes, Martial Artist Cheon. I wish you the best of luck!"
After saying that, I laughed first.
Cheon So-hee probably wanted to laugh along, but she didn't dare to in front of the Fist Demon.
Just then, the Fist Demon asked calmly.
"Will you let me on that ship too?"
A brief silence followed.
Cheon So-hee looked even more nervous than the Fist Demon as she waited for my answer.
"I don't know yet. To be honest, I haven't seen the real Fist Demon yet. All I have seen is that fist of yours. Right now, my only thought is to make this baby hand of mine into a fist like that."
Hearing my words, the Fist Demon drank his wine quietly.
I drank too, and Cheon So-hee also drank cautiously.
Fist Demon, you can get on my brother's ship.
If you don't like his ship, then let him on yours.
Instead, one day, I will load the ship you are on, in its entirety, onto my ship.
I am doing all this because I hope my ship will grow that large.
A short while later, my father and Lee Ahn returned.
Lee Ahn was flushed with excitement.
I didn't know what kind of lesson she received, but for Lee Ahn, it was surely a fortuitous encounter.
"How was it? It was a good welcome party, wasn't it?"
Lee Ahn nodded.
"What do you think? Father, would you like to join this group too?"
Everyone was horrified by my words.
In fact, Cheon So-hee barely managed to cover her mouth with her hands to stifle a scream.
I expected him to say, Do I look like I have that much free time?, but he showed an unexpected reaction.
"Are there any benefits if I join?"
"Of course. It's not just anyone, it's the Heavenly Demon joining. There are special benefits."
"What kind of benefits?"
"First, the four of us will hang out with you whenever you want."
At that, the Fist Demon blurted out.
"The four of us?"
"It's good for you too, isn't it, Fist Demon? Spending a pleasant time with the Cult Master."
The Fist Demon's expression soured, and he cursed with his eyes.
I pretended not to see and turned my head, and my father asked again.
"The second benefit?"
"If you give us lessons on martial arts, we will receive them anytime."
"Isn't that a benefit for you, not for me?"
"These days, young people tend to dismiss the teachings of their elders as nagging. They don't have many chances to show off their knowledge. So we will listen to every single word without missing a thing. Please feel free to tell us old stories to your heart's content!"
"But everyone, young and old, listens to me well?"
Lee Ahn and Cheon So-hee bit their lips.
They suppressed their laughter with the awareness that getting caught up in this joke could lead to big trouble.
"That's not all. We'll also take you on trips. When that happens, it's goodbye to the Heavenly Demon Hall, goodbye to Grand Strategist Sama Myeong, and goodbye to the Grand Advisor's seat."
"Anything else?"
"You're quite greedy. What else do you want?"
Then my father said.
"Play Go with me when I want, and go hunting."
The moment I heard those words, I felt a lump in my throat.
What my father had just said wasn't a benefit for himself, but entirely for me.
"With such incredible benefits, you still won't join?"
My father drained his last cup and stood up.
"That's enough for today."
Just as he had come suddenly, my father left just as suddenly.
My father bid farewell to the Fist Demon.
"Let's meet again soon."
"I will come to see you."
We all stood up and bowed politely to my father.
"Since you came all this way, you should buy us a round before you go!"
At those words, my father really did pay for the drinks before leaving.
An excited Jo Chun-bae was setting aside the money he received from my father.
"This is precious wine, a treat from the Heavenly Demon."
At my words, Lee Ahn and Cheon So-hee held their cups with both hands and drank reverently.
After draining another cup, the Fist Demon asked me.
"Do you know why the Cult Master came here today?"