The eyes of the Evil Heart Laughing Demon behind the mask held sincerity.
To say he would follow any order I gave meant he would support me even if it meant defying the Heavenly Demon's command.
He could lose his life for just saying those words.
Defying the Heavenly Demon's order meant death, regardless of one's position.
Just now, the Evil Heart Laughing Demon had risked his life for me.
That was why my gaze and my voice trembled as I looked at him.
"This must be why. Why my father met you first among all the Demon Sovereigns."
The Evil Heart Laughing Demon stared at me quietly before saying something unexpected.
"I hope you do not let this become a matter between father and son."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean that you two should not grow distant over this. Instead, make it an issue between the Cult Master and the Demon Sovereigns."
The Evil Heart Laughing Demon was worried about the relationship between my father and me.
"Young Cult Master, you must actively use the Demon Sovereigns. It might be different for other matters, but when it comes to war, the will of the Demon Sovereigns is absolutely crucial."
This was because no matter how powerful the Heavenly Demon was, he could not make a unilateral decision on a war where everyone's lives were at stake.
"If more than half of the Demon Sovereigns oppose it, the Cult Master will have no choice but to abandon his intentions."
But would the other Demon Sovereigns willingly side with me like the Evil Heart Laughing Demon? Probably not.
Even the Blood Heaven Blade Demon had been conflicted and unable to make a decision.
"Even though I've grown close to the Demon Sovereigns, it will be difficult to make them go against my father's will."
"Of course, it will be difficult. But if you are to achieve your Demonic Path, Young Cult Master, you must succeed."
I nodded silently and revealed my honest feelings.
"It feels more difficult now that we're closer. Before, I used to use the art of flattery and all sorts of words to practically bewitch them, didn't I? Now that feels a bit difficult. Is it finally time to return to the original spirit of flattery?"
Despite my joke, the eyes behind the mask were serious.
"Do you think the Demon Sovereigns fell for that art of flattery?"
"They didn't?"
The Evil Heart Laughing Demon said firmly.
"They fell for your sincerity, Young Cult Master. The sincerity that was always present amidst the flattery and dazzling words you speak of. The Demonic Path of a Young Cult Master who would even protect a mere tavern innkeeper. I believe that is what everyone fell for."
The reason he was more talkative than usual was likely due to his sincere concern for me.
"So you can be even more forthright. Whether it's flattery or coercion. Shout at them to follow you, for this is your Demonic Path. Do not worry about the Demon Sovereigns. Do not worry about burdening them. If those people have made a decision, it's because they have a reason to, and they made that decision because they can handle it."
After a brief pause, the Evil Heart Laughing Demon added.
"There are eight of us. Even if we are wounded, the eight of us will share it. So do not hesitate. Draw that sword."
The Evil Heart Laughing Demon before my regression was not this kind of person.
And now, I could see that there was such a fire deep in his heart.
That heart, which wished to be my friend even in his final moments, must have come from this fire.
Soma, in this life, let's go together until the very end.
Let's go to the end as friends.
This was my answer to Soma's passion.
I politely clasped my fists and conveyed my gratitude.
"Yes, I will keep that in mind. Thank you for your advice."
The Evil Heart Laughing Demon also clasped his fists politely to me.
"It is I who should be thanking you."
"What do you mean?"
"Thanks to the Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng you gave me before, my martial arts have risen by a level."
"Ah, congratulations!"
I was as happy as if it were my own achievement.
No, I was happier than when I had achieved something myself.
And I couldn't accept this gratitude.
"That achievement probably isn't because of the snow ginseng."
After all, an increase in inner energy didn't mean one's martial arts would advance to the next level.
Various factors must have played a part.
The snow ginseng would have had an influence, but so would everything from the life-and-death battle with me to the change of heart that led him to bring a bed into his room and study financial records.
"My martial arts had been stagnant for a long time. It was very frustrating, but I broke through and rose this time. Thanks to that, there has been a great change in my martial arts as well."
He was happy.
It was truly a difficult feat to rise to the next level from the skill of a Demon Sovereign.
Isn't this what he wants to hear from me the most right now?
"I look forward to our next fight."
As expected, the Evil Heart Laughing Demon's eyes brightened with a smile.
"Then, I shall take my leave now."
Before I left, the Evil Heart Laughing Demon emphasized one thing.
"To stop the war, you must win one of the Eight Demon Sovereigns over to your side."
"Who would that be?"
The person the Evil Heart Laughing Demon had in mind was...
"The Poison King."
In truth, I had the same thought.
In a war, the one who could inflict the greatest fear upon the enemy was the Poison King.
The moment a war broke out, he would become the number one assassination target for both the Martial Alliance and the Unorthodox Alliance.
In fact, countless assassins and assassination squads would be mobilized to kill him.
He might even be classified as an enemy to be killed with higher priority than my father or me.
The Poison King, capable of such mass slaughter, was just that terrifying a presence.
I pictured the Poison King, alone in the forest.
The image of him, lost in his own world, staring at poisonous herbs and insects, no matter what anyone around him said.
"He is the most difficult person to persuade among the Demon Sovereigns."
The Evil Heart Laughing Demon said, his eyes filled with meaning.
"The same will be true for the Cult Master."
*
After leaving the Evil Heart Laughing Demon's residence, I went straight to the Drunken Dream Pavilion.
Meeting the other Demon Sovereigns was important, but finding out my father's true intentions was the more urgent matter.
What did he talk about with the Drunken Demon?
Yeo Bin, whom I hadn't seen in a long time, greeted me warmly and guided me to the Drunken Dream Pavilion.
"I am glad you have returned safely, Young Cult Master."
"It was thanks to the Drunken Demon."
"The Drunken Demon said you gained much from this trip."
"On this trip, I learned for the first time just how wonderful the Drunken Demon is."
When I praised the Drunken Demon, Yeo Bin smiled faintly.
I boarded the boat she was rowing and crossed to the Drunken Dream Pavilion in the middle of the lake.
The Drunken Demon was sitting on the railing of the pavilion, looking out at the lake.
Times like this reminded me of the Evil Heart Laughing Demon, who would stare at a white wall all alone.
I could tell he was drunk even from a distance.
"He has been drinking continuously since returning from his visit with the Cult Master."
"Did he return in a bad mood?"
"No, he is drinking because he is in a very good mood."
And so, the small boat reached the island.
Seeing me, the Drunken Demon waved his hand and shouted.
"You're here? Come on! My brother!"
He shouted excitedly, his words slurred.
When I went up to the pavilion, empty wine bottles were scattered everywhere.
He was still pouring wine into the Ice Palace Sacred Cup and drinking.
"What's with this binge drinking? Didn't you promise that when you drink from that cup, you'd only drink one cup for every two you normally would?"
"It's a special day, so let it slide just this once. I feel so good I can't stop drinking."
Had I ever seen the Drunken Demon in such a good mood?
"Looks like you had a good time drinking with Father. Did you drink a lot?"
"Don't even ask. We finished all the wine in the Cult Master's Hall. I didn't realize it while drinking, but the intoxication hit me as soon as I left the hall. I was so nervous around the Cult Master that I didn't even know I was drunk."
I could imagine how nervous he must have been without even seeing it.
"Was it your first time drinking with Father?"
"I've had a few drinks with him. I drank with him when I first became a Demon Sovereign, but back then it was just a light drink or two. Or I was with other people. This was the first time I've properly drunk with the Cult Master."
"How was it?"
"It was good. It was really good."
"What did you talk about?"
"We talked about all sorts of things. The Cult Master even remembered things from when I was young."
As if recalling it again made him happy, the Drunken Demon drank cheerfully.
"What made me happiest was this. The Cult Master said he was relieved to have sent you out with me. Ah, I never knew the Cult Master trusted me this much."
The Drunken Demon looked truly moved.
Is Father really starting to manage the Demon Sovereigns? Or did he purely just want to have a drink with the Drunken Demon?
"This is all thanks to you."
"Why?"
"If you hadn't accepted this Ice Palace Sacred Cup, the Cult Master wouldn't have asked me for a drink. He asked because the wine tasted so good."
"It might not be because of the Sacred Cup."
"It's not?"
"He might be trying to make you his right-hand man with this opportunity, you know?"
At that, the Drunken Demon firmly shook his head.
"That's impossible."
"You never know."
After a brief pause, the Drunken Demon spoke.
"I am not the kind of person the Cult Master would like. The Cult Master likes people like the Fist Demon or the Blood Heaven Blade Demon."
"Seeing how you're making clear judgments, you're not drunk at all."
No matter what order was given, the Fist Demon was someone who would follow Father's command without a shred of hesitation.
This was the deep trust that the man called Fist Demon possessed.
The Drunken Demon gazed at the lake for a moment before asking abruptly.
"Why are you here?"
He had noticed that there must be a reason I had come to the Drunken Dream Pavilion when there were so many other Demon Sovereigns to see.
It was time to throw a stone into this calm lake.
If I honestly told him the reason for my visit, it would be like pouring cold water on the Drunken Demon's good mood.
It wasn't even certain yet.
Should I just let it go nicely?
There are times when you want to avoid troublesome and uncomfortable situations under the pretext of being considerate of the other person.
This was exactly one of those times.
If I just didn't say anything, we could laugh it off.
If I brought it up, things would get serious, and faces would turn red.
But this was precisely the time to put myself in his shoes.
How would I feel if someone didn't tell me something honestly, claiming it was for my own good? Wouldn't that consideration hurt me?
Thinking about it from his perspective, I would probably feel bad.
Putting everything else aside, the decisive reason for not telling him was because I didn't want to ruin his good mood? That wasn't right.
On top of that, if it were a secret no one else knew, it would be a different story, but this was something the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the Evil Heart Laughing Demon already knew.
"Have you enjoyed yourself enough?"
"What do you mean?"
"I'm asking if you've fully savored Father's affection."
The Drunken Demon's expression stiffened slightly.
He had realized that what I was about to say was related to his drinking session with Father.
"I'm sorry to ruin your good mood. But this is something I have to tell you honestly, brother."
I relayed to the Drunken Demon the core of the conversations I had with the other two Demon Sovereigns.
"It's not certain yet. We're only guessing what Father's true intentions are."
After hearing the whole story, the Drunken Demon was lost in thought for a moment.
"I thought back carefully about yesterday's drinking session, but he didn't mention a single word about what you're worried about. He didn't even hint at it."
Then, the Drunken Demon suddenly felt the urge to drink and gulped down several cups in a row.
His expression said it all.
Right, there's no way the Cult Master would like me!
"We don't know the exact details yet. He might have been trying to make up for being distant with you all this time. Who knows what's on Father's mind?"
Refilling his cup, the Drunken Demon pointed out one thing.
"Still, one thing is certain."
"What?"
"He asked me to look after you too. You said he said the same thing to Soma."
"He said it to you too?"
The Drunken Demon nodded.
Father asked them to look after me again?
"Did he just give up on Soma and you, and acknowledge you as being on my side?"
At that, the Drunken Demon looked wronged.
"Why would he give up on me?"
"What? Weren't you on my side, brother?"
The Drunken Demon then said with a serious face.
"Young Cult Master, you must separate public and private matters."
It was a half-joking, half-serious remark, but it felt closer to being serious.
Right, was it just the Drunken Demon? No matter how close we had become, how could they refuse Father's command? There was no need to feel upset about this part at all.
However, I felt that I wanted to know the Drunken Demon's thoughts on this occasion.
"Even if that command is to start a war?"
The Drunken Demon gave no answer.
Did the Drunken Demon want to traverse the fog of the battlefield? Or did he want to stay here, gazing at that beautiful lake while drinking his wine?
The Drunken Demon did not give a direct answer to my question.
"While dealing with those guys who used the Self-Destruction Art, I had this thought. These pieces of trash are running rampant without knowing how fearsome our Main Sect is."
I could sense that the Drunken Demon was speaking indirectly.
I want to sweep away everything that needs to be swept away.
Of course, that didn't mean the same thing as wanting to start a war, but I could tell it also didn't mean he wanted to live his life gazing at this lake.
"So in the end, you're on Father's side."
"What's this about your side and my side?"
"I think this matter will inevitably have to become a fight between sides."
The Drunken Demon drank his wine without answering.
"When I see Father, I'll be sure to tell him about your loyalty. 'His loyalty to Father was stronger than our bond as sworn brothers!' I'll say."
At that, the Drunken Demon spoke in a dejected voice.
"Would he really like that?"
"What do you mean?"
"I feel like he might dislike it instead."
"Why would he dislike you following him?"
The Drunken Demon drank again.
"The Cult Master asked me to look after you, didn't he? For some reason, I feel like he might be expecting me to side with you."
The Drunken Demon looked at me and held out his cup.
I drank the wine he poured for me, then poured him another.
"Why are you acting like this when you know so well?"
"Why do you think? It's because I'm a drunkard."
Although the Drunken Demon had said there was no 'your side' or 'my side,' I could feel it.
He was someone who truly wanted to be on Father's side.
Deep inside the Drunken Demon's heart, there was a clear desire to be seen favorably by Father.
Father was that kind of person to the Drunken Demon—someone he wanted to impress and be acknowledged by more than anyone else.
I couldn't know where the source of that longing came from.
Whether it was because of the long-held misunderstanding that Father hated him, or for some other reason.
"Young Cult Master."
Since the Drunken Demon's playful mood had vanished, I also spoke politely.
"Yes, Drunken Demon Sovereign."
"Make sure you persuade the other Demon Sovereigns."
"I will."
After bowing politely, I added with a shout.
"What do you mean, you will! You abandoned me too, so who's going to take my side?"
"I'm sorry. I can't help it. He remembered a me that I don't even remember well."
"Next time I leave the Sect and come back, I'm visiting you last again!"
As I grumbled and was about to get up, the Drunken Demon spoke.
"Thank you for being honest with me."
I gazed into his eyes and answered calmly.
"Of course, I should. You're my brother."
At my words, the Drunken Demon smiled with deep relief.
Yes, the core of our relationship today lay here.
I was honest with him, and he was honest with me.
Honesty can sometimes be a double-edged sword that hurts us, but we were people who knew how to handle a blade better than anyone.
That was why, even if my brother said he would take Father's side, we could still grow closer.
"Who's next?"
The one person who might know Father's true intentions.
I slowly walked down from the Drunken Dream Pavilion, clenching my fists.
"I'm going to try confronting it head-on. I'm going to the biggest, hardest cliff."