novelraw Chapter 52 : The Trap (2)
Chapter 52 : The Trap (2)
From a certain day, my senior brother started avoiding me. To be precise, it was after I first used the Revolving Heaven when I had a duel with him.
It was not difficult to guess the reason.
The look in my senior brother's eyes as he looked at me.
It was by no means the look of someone looking at an ally. It was the look of someone looking at his enemy... as if looking at the enemy who had taken his life. Since then, I had been implicitly avoiding my senior brother.
I don't know why, but it had become awkward to face my senior brother.
There was still something I hadn't learned from my senior brother.
My father's legacy and the only proof of our bond.
The Heavenly Demon Divine Art.
But since that day, I hadn't brought up the Heavenly Demon Divine Art to my senior brother.
Because I had a feeling that the moment I brought it up, my senior brother would leave for good.
And so, a year passed.
During that time, I had been learning martial arts on my own, just as I had done in the old days. Fortunately, when I met my senior brother for reasons other than martial arts, he would return to his usual affectionate self.
So I didn't bring up the topic of martial arts even more.
Now, it didn't matter much whether I learned the Heavenly Demon Divine Art from my senior brother or not. I just placed meaning on the time I spent with my senior brother itself.
But recently, after I came to the Little Demon Academy, my senior brother had that look in his eyes again.
So I had been deliberately keeping my distance from my senior brother.
I had wanted to do this mission with my senior brother, but I had acted with the Sword Demoness unni. Because that was also my senior brother's wish.
But the result is what it is now.
My senior brother had a bandage wrapped tightly around his stomach. The wound was so severe that his stomach was bulging out. Anyone who saw it would think he had overeaten.
It's not human to eat like that even with a hole in your stomach.
Just looking at it, I felt as if my heart had been completely emptied.
After my dad left, my senior brother was the only family I had left in this world.
In fact, it was no exaggeration to say that the past three years I had spent with my senior brother were the happiest in my entire empty life.
And I had sent such a senior brother away alone.
If I had gone with him then, something like this would never have happened.
It was something that had happened because I had looked away.
If I could go back to the past, I would have accompanied him even if I had to knock him down.
Fortunately, my senior brother had returned safely.
Although he was now in front of me with a large wound on his abdomen and had lost consciousness, he was breathing properly. That was the most important thing right now.
And it was different from my dad's time when I could do nothing.
Now, I had the strength and ability. I didn't know how grateful I was for this fact.
I will not lose anyone anymore.
Swoosh.
I drew my sword.
Slice.
I lightly cut the tip of my finger. Blood dripped onto the ground.
Yoo Su-a had naturally come to know that she had risen to the realm called the Demonic Zenith in the world not long ago.
And as she rose to the Demonic Zenith, she had become able to do new things she couldn't do before, and what she was about to do now was one of them.
As Yoo Su-a rose to the Demonic Zenith, she had become able to materialize her will.
If she had a strong killing intent towards someone, her will would materialize and pressure the target, and on the contrary, if she had a generous heart, the target would unconsciously relax without realizing it.
Perhaps the reason she had gained this ability was a side effect of the Revolving Heaven.
The Revolving Heaven could be said to be a technique that twists the axis of time, making one's own time go faster than the surroundings by rapidly rotating the internal energy of the great meridians.
As a result, she had been able to glimpse the twisted axis of time for a short while, and in that short moment, a large amount of information had entered her mind.
And in that sea of large amounts of information, in order to properly recognize the being called me, my mental strength had no choice but to become stronger, and that had manifested in the form of being able to materialize my will, I guessed.
Yoo Su-a had been thinking ever since the moment her senior brother had gone missing.
What is the best thing I can do for my senior brother?
Yoo Su-a materialized her will and melted it into her blood.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that this blood now contained Yoo Su-a's own soul, with a little exaggeration. This was an extremely dangerous act, and it was also an act that should never be done.
Because it was like placing a restriction on oneself.
But Yoo Su-a, without a moment's hesitation, materialized her will and melted it into her blood.
'I, Yoo Su-a, will never let my senior brother die from today onwards!'
This blood was now Yoo Su-a's will and a piece of her soul.
Drip!
Yoo Su-a dropped the blood containing her will into the mouth of her fainted senior brother.
This contract would be completely fulfilled when her senior brother swallowed her blood.
Yoo Su-a forced open her senior brother's closed mouth.
It was harder than she thought to just open his mouth. And his mouth, as if it had a will of its own, kept trying to close.
But for Yoo Su-a, who had entered the Demonic Zenith, it was not a difficult task to open the mouth of a fainted patient with her grip strength. Crack! Yoo Su-a opened her senior brother's mouth, and gulp! She quickly hit his Adam's apple to make him swallow.
She could feel her will settling in her senior brother.
"It's done!"
With this, from now on, she would do her best, consciously or unconsciously, without sparing any means, to save her senior brother.
And her blood would help with the recovery of his wounds. Because it was her blood, who had eaten various spiritual medicines as a child, even though her dad had told her to keep it a secret.
"Ugh..."
It seemed that her senior brother was about to wake up.
It was a time when her senior brother needed to rest more.
He would surely cry and make a fuss with relief and longing if he saw her!
Yoo Su-a quickly left the room.
* * *
In response to my junior sister who had drawn her sword, I had made full preparations to be able to move no matter what situation arose.
Finally, my junior sister swung her sword.
What she cut was her own finger.
At first, the question 'Why?' came to mind.
And the question was not resolved even in my junior sister's following actions.
She was suddenly trying to force open my mouth and feed me her blood.
I resisted as much as I could, but I could not go against my junior sister's strength. If I had resisted by force, I could have, but then if I had used my qi, it would have been revealed that I was not unconscious.
Then I might miss the golden opportunity to distinguish whether my junior sister was an ally or an enemy.
My junior sister was not in the room now. Because she had just left.
And I was even more unable to tell whether my junior sister was an ally or an enemy.
The smell of my junior sister's blood remained in my mouth. Strangely, I feel a sense of vitality in my body.
"Why did she feed me her blood?"
My junior sister's actions were ambiguous, both before and after my regression.
However, one thing was certain today.
That my junior sister had not killed me this time either.
* * *
No one knew when the Chaotic Heavenly Society had existed.
That was the same for Sheep and Rat, who had been in the Chaotic Heavenly Society longer than anyone else.
The mid-slope of Mount Diancang.
Corpses formed a mountain. On top of it, the one wearing the sheep mask was looking up at the sky.
The figure, illuminated by the moonlight, was even mysterious.
Swoosh.
Sheep turned his head.
Although it was not visible, hidden in the mask, a sharp gaze was directed at the one who had appeared in front of the mountain of corpses.
That person was also wearing a mask. The mask was in the shape of a monkey.
"The rest?"
At Sheep's question, the monkey answered.
"I have taken care of them."
Sheep jumps down from the top of the mountain of corpses and lands in front of the monkey. His movements were as light as they could be.
"Is this the end of Diancang?"
The place where Sheep and the Monkey were was Mount Diancang in Yunnan.
"It's a bit strange for the one who personally destroyed Diancang to say that, but with today, the history of Diancang is also over."
To say that the two of them had destroyed one of the Nine Great Orthodox Factions, the two were showing a very calm and composed appearance.
Sheep throws his gaze far away. The Monkey, realizing it late, looks at the same place.
"It seems the members of the Suicide Squad are coming."
"Shall I take care of them?"
At the Monkey's words, Sheep shook his head.
"You are still not enough to face the Suicide Squad."
"That's a pity. I thought I would get to meet that famous Suicide Squad once."
Sheep stealthily looks at the Monkey.
At this, the Monkey also looked at Sheep. The Monkey did not feel the gaze that had been felt from within the mask until just now.
What was visible in those two gaping holes was a darkness with not a single ray of light.
"If you show your ability, I'll let you meet the Suicide Squad."
"Oh-ho! Is that true?"
"If you want, I can even catch one of the Suicide Squad and bring him to you."
"This is an honor. For a great senior like Sheep to show me such consideration."
The period Sheep had been in the Chaotic Heavenly Society was over 40 years. On the other hand, the Monkey had just barely passed 3 years since joining the Chaotic Heavenly Society.
In a situation where the Suicide Squad was coming this way, the two were still continuing their conversation in the same place.
"I heard the Rabbit failed twice. I can hear the sound of him running wild all the way here."
The Rabbit is currently in Zhejiang Province.
The distance between Yunnan Province and Zhejiang Province was at least over 500 li. Of course, there was no way that sound could be heard, but seeing the Rabbit's nature, it was easy to tell that he would by no means be quiet.
"I really hate variables."
"I see. I'll keep that in mind."
At Sheep's words, the Monkey nodded his head.
This was also the reason why Sheep had followed along, even though the Monkey alone was enough to destroy the Diancang Sect this time.
Perhaps if the Monkey had been alone, there was a very high possibility that the Diancang Sect would not have been destroyed today.
By the variable of the Suicide Squad that was approaching now.
"A variable is something that always complicates the situation. That's why I hate it so much."
"I see."
At Sheep's words, the Monkey just nodded his head again.
Sheep looks at the Monkey. The eerie gaze that had been seen from the mountain of corpses shines again. The monkey met it and then had to turn his eyes to another place.
"Shouldn't you also be solidifying your position?"
"Are you saying you'll give me a chance?"
"How long will you stay at the Demonic Zenith and just be mindful of your surroundings? Don't you want to go above that?"
Above the Demonic Zenith.
From the moment he heard the words, the Monkey felt his breathing quicken. Because that was the reason he had come here.
"The previous Monkey died, and you became the new monkey. The previous Fighting Demon King had an easily excitable personality. In contrast, you are calm. I really like that about you."
"Thank you for looking at me favorably."
The only people in the Chaotic Heavenly Society who knew the Monkey's identity were the three who had recommended the monkey: Ox, Rabbit, and Rooster.
It was an implicit rule among the twelve zodiacs not to reveal each other's identities.
Therefore, the Monkey had no idea who this person wearing the sheep mask in front of him was.
However, what he did know was that he possessed a martial prowess that he could not dare to covet.
"Yoo Jae-ha. He was a child at the center of the variables. You, who are in charge of the first elder of the Heavenly Demon Cult, can easily kill him, right?"
The Monkey, the first elder, at the moment he heard these words, realized that this was not simply a request made to him.
'The fact that he even mentioned my identity... this is a warning. He is telling me that if I refuse, he will kill me and install a new monkey.'
The first elder noticed that his life was now in danger.
"They're getting closer."
If he were to refuse the proposal here, he would be killed by Sheep. And the revealed cause of death would most likely be death during a battle with the Suicide Squad.
"If I accept that proposal, what can you do for me?"
But the Monkey was also a being who had gone through all sorts of hardships. Moving with his life as collateral was a very familiar situation for the Monkey.
"The way you don't get excited and take care of your own interests first. I like that. As I said again, I like you. If you succeed, I will make it so that you don't have to bow your head to anyone."
"Alright. I accept the deal."
"I'll be waiting for good news. Don't worry about the Suicide Squad. I'll hold them off for a while."
"Thank you for your consideration. Then, I will leave first."
The Monkey leaves, and Sheep kicks off the ground towards the place where the Suicide Squad is.
And the next day, the news that the Diancang Sect had been destroyed was spread throughout the martial world.
* * *
Murong Seryeong longed for true freedom after the Divine Demon Tournament. And in order to obtain it, she had made up her mind to use everything she could, even if it was the one holding her leash.
So, since that day, she had been learning martial arts from the first elder.
"If you just resolve this matter safely, I will give you your freedom."
The first elder, who had suddenly called her, said.
"Yoo Jae-ha, bring that child to the place and time I tell you."
"The reason?"
"To kill him. You are that child's close friend, so you can do it well, right?"
The first elder came close to Murong Seryeong, stroked her hair, and whispered.
"You have to think of your younger siblings. Don't you?"
Murong Seryeong answered.
"Yes. I understand."
"Yes. You're a good child."
To the first elder, the existence of Murong Seryeong was a very useful card.
Moderately competent, moderately good to use, and moderately good to discard.
Although she had used her very well until now, it seemed that she would have to get a new card soon.
The first elder, who had parted with Murong Seryeong, stopped by her safe house to check the leash that was restraining her.
"Huh?"
There was no one in the safe house.
* * *
When I woke up, my wound was completely healed.
"So it was there, but now it's gone?"
"That's right."
The Demonic Doctor placed his hand on my forehead and continued to speak.
"It's strange. There's no fever."
"I'm telling you, it's true."
"You didn't eat a spiritual medicine, but you had a hole pierced through your stomach from your back, and it's completely healed. Is that right?"
"Yes! That's right!"
"You really didn't eat a spiritual medicine?"
I didn't eat a spiritual medicine, but I did drink blood. Since my junior sister's blood is not a spiritual medicine. I told the truth.
"That's right!"
"Hah! This is a case for the ghosts to cry about. I've been a physician my whole life, but this is the first time I've seen something like this. But it's not a lie, since there is a scar here. Hah, well! Since you've come after a long time, let's just draw some blood and go."
The reason I came to the medical hall now was because of the Heavenly Demon's order. Seeing that the old Demonic Doctor was not talking about an autopsy this time, it seemed that he was not a completely shameless old geezer.
"Yes."
But that was purely my own misunderstanding. As I left the medical hall, I staggered slightly.
"I can't believe he drew two bowls."
I was not going back to the Ten Demon Hall right away, but was heading to the residence where the Fourth Elder, the Fist Demon, was staying. Because there was something I had to check.
"Chung!"
I arrived at the Fist Demon's residence, and the gatekeeper greeted me as soon as he saw my face. Now, I familiarly raised my hand and went inside.
"It's hyung!"
"It's oppa!"
Fortunately, both of them seemed to be doing well.
In just a week that I hadn't seen them, the children's cheeks had become plump.
I couldn't tell how much they had been fed.
Even now, they were holding a piece of beef jerky in each hand. I don't know if the Sword Demoness will scold me later for making the kids too fat.
"Captain!"
The Mad Demon was running towards me over there. After the Divine Demon Tournament, the Mad Demon had officially announced his master-disciple relationship with the Fourth Elder, and was now staying in the Fourth Elder's pavilion.
And as a side note, the Fourth Elder, in order to save the Mad Demon the time of going down to his family home every vacation and to have him focus more on training, had brought all of the Mad Demon's family members who were at his family home to his own pavilion.
This was also the reason why I had entrusted the children to this place.
I said to the Mad Demon.
"You didn't tell the Sword Demoness, did you?"
The Mad Demon answered.
"Yeah! I promised I’d keep it a secret if you sparred with me, so I didn’t say anything!"
Before my regression, the Sword Demoness had become the youngest elder by killing the first elder.
At that time, as the Young Lord, I had never heard that the Sword Demoness had such cute younger siblings. But now, they were brazenly existing.
I thought I knew why the Sword Demoness had killed the first elder, of all the many elders.
'To think that that was the first elder's safe house.'
A week after returning to the Heavenly Demon Cult.
So far, nothing particular had happened.
I tilted my head back. The sky was as peaceful as it could be.
'Was it just my delusion?'
(End of Chapter)