For a moment, I could not say anything.
It was a silence of surprise, and a silence of joy. Those words meant he had lost the bet.
"Careful! You're stepping on ants!"
I flinched and nearly crushed the ants underfoot.
I could not know the reason why he let me win. Whether it was because of the relationship he had built with me until now, because of the True Poison Spider of the Sacred Demon Alliance that he found displeasing, or because of that boy who had lost his family. Or perhaps because of those poison ants marching in a line.
Either way, the reason did not matter.
"Poison King!"
I hugged the Poison King tightly. With all my might.
"Thank you. Truly, thank you."
Before I knew it, the Poison King was shaking one of the poison pouches at his waist beside my face.
"Want to die? Not letting go?"
"No, sir!"
I scrambled backward.
The Poison King rose from his seat and spoke.
"Let's go. Let's go bark, and then go to the Cult Leader."
He meant to put words into action at once.
"Poison King, allow me to bark in your stead."
"You?"
"You granted permission so readily; I must repay the favor. Have I not only learned from you until now?"
"You would truly bark in my place?"
"Yes."
At my answer, filled with sincerity, the Poison King smiled.
"Is that not too bright a smile?"
"I am becoming human from a dog. I should be happy."
"Let us go."
I had to move quickly before he changed his mind.
We made our way straight to the Grand Training Ground.
"Please wait here at a distance. I will go and bark to my heart's content."
As I tried to head to the training ground, the Poison King grabbed me.
"You stay here. I shall bark. I am not a man who breaks his promises."
"Will you be alright?"
"Are you alright? You possess a body that could become the Heavenly Demon."
"Did you not say you would not support me even if you died?"
"I will not."
The Poison King's gaze and mine intertwined in the air. Though his face still looked young, his eyes were deep. Not supporting me, yet worrying about the day I become the Heavenly Demon—that mature consideration. That is the true nature of the man called the Poison King.
"I will bark. You stay."
The Poison King, who hated even stepping outside the main gate of the Thousand Poison Gate, began walking toward the training ground.
Watching that sight, I added a new principle to my life.
Never arbitrarily conclude about anyone's world.
Look at people properly; when there is something that must be said, do not delay; never arbitrarily judge anyone. I was adding principles to my life one by one.
As soon as the Poison King appeared, every gaze in the area fixed upon him. Though he revealed no special demonic energy, he naturally drew the eyes. The presence of a demonic lord was beginning to manifest.
The demonic practitioners were startled. The Poison King, whom they could barely catch sight of, had appeared in the center of the Grand Training Ground.
Not only did they halt their steps, but people also poked their heads out of windows. Gradually, people began to gather around. Among them were those seeing the Poison King for the first time.
At first, some approached thinking, *That man is the Poison King? He's that young?* but then belatedly covered their noses and mouths and retreated far away.
The Poison King waited for as many people as possible to gather. He could have quickly barked while there were few people and called the promise kept, but he did not. He was a man among men. Simply a man who hated going outside.
Word spread, and people continued to pour in.
Among them was Demon General Jang Ho. Jang Ho, whom I had not seen in some time, looked as dependable as ever. I greeted him with my eyes, and from afar he bowed his head respectfully.
Upon hearing the news, Seo Dae-ryong, the inspectors of the Yellow Heaven Pavilion, and even the executioners came rushing out. Seo Dae-ryong sent a telepathic message with a surprised face.
*—Pavilion Lord, what is going on?*
*—I am on my way to uncover the truth behind this.*
*—What? What do you mean?*
*—Did you not say so at the brothel where the accident occurred? That you wanted to uncover why this happened.*
*—I did.*
*—I am going to uncover it.*
*—At the training ground?*
*—Yes. This is the starting point.*
Seo Dae-ryong made a face as if to ask what I meant, but I explained no further.
In this manner, the area around the Grand Training Ground was packed with people. Every gaze was fixed on the Poison King. The Poison King who conversed with snakes wearing a childlike face, the Poison King who fell into contemplation watching venomous insects, the Poison King who drew cute pictures on his poison pouches—he stood dignified before the stares of so many demonic practitioners without batting an eye.
Everyone knew. If the Poison King decided to kill everyone present right now, if the twelve poison pouches at his waist were to open, everyone here would be annihilated.
When it seemed people had gathered as much as they would, the Poison King raised his hand. The murmuring died down in an instant.
At that moment, when so many people were not even drawing breath.
The Poison King let out a loud dog bark.
Everyone was startled. They had not expected the Poison King to gather them and bark like a dog. Some even fled in surprise, thinking the Poison King had gone mad and would release poison.
Right then, another cry echoed across the grounds.
"Even a tiger father begets a dog son!"
The one who shouted was, of course, me. I too walked toward the Poison King and barked loudly.
The Poison King looked at me with an expression asking what I was doing.
How could I let him bark alone?
"Let us bark together."
"No! You……"
"It is fine."
I gave him a confident smile. It was a smile of self-esteem, believing that such a trivial thing could never touch the dignity of one who would become the Heavenly Demon.
And this was not a matter of self-esteem. It was friendship with the Poison King; it was a show of gratitude. I would not leave him to bark alone.
The second time, I barked first.
The Poison King looked at me with an expression saying he could not understand me at all. Yet an irrepressible smile curved his lips.
I would grow closer to the Poison King. So that later, when I revealed, *I am invulnerable to all poisons!* I would see joy, rather than any other emotion, on his face. That is my goal. By no means an easy goal. Because the Poison King and invulnerability to all poisons were polar opposites.
We barked together.
Since we were barking anyway, we barked long, magnificently, like the howl of a wolf. Are all dogs the same? We are not neighborhood mutts, but magnificent dogs loyal to the Heavenly Demon Cult! Hellhounds that bite evil!
The onlookers murmured. Everyone wondered what was happening, but no one dared laugh at us.
It was then. Someone among the watchers barked along with us.
It was none other than Seo Dae-ryong. When Seo Dae-ryong barked, the Yellow Heaven Pavilion inspectors barked, and the executioners barked. The Poison Children began to bark, and Jang Ho barked too. When the Demon General barked, everyone was shocked, and the loyal demon soldiers began to bark as well.
Other demonic practitioners followed suit. In an instant, the Grand Training Ground descended into chaos.
We barked together amicably five times in that pandemonium.
This moment of barking together was far more exhilarating than watching the Poison King lose the bet.
* * *
After creating a chaotic scene, I entered the Heavenly Demon Hall with the Poison King.
Before opening the door to the Heavenly Demon Hall, the Poison King took out several pills and swallowed them.
"What medicine are you taking?"
Then came an unexpected answer.
"Medicine to calm the mind."
I asked him in bewilderment.
"But you did not take it when barking before all those people?"
"Because this is ten times more nerve-wracking than standing in the training ground. Right now, I am not going to meet the Cult Leader. I am going to defy him."
Father had been certain the Poison King would never yield to me. Yet since he had yielded so completely, one could say he was going beyond defiance to pick a fight.
"Furthermore, the Cult Leader dislikes me."
"Father is a martial artist to the bone, so he does tend to be cold toward the unorthodox. But he dislikes poison arts, not you, Poison King. Father often invites misunderstanding in such matters."
"I refuse your consolation."
"It is not consolation. Consider this: if he truly disliked you, would he have made this bet with you? Would a man like you, Poison King, have tolerated making such an important bet with someone you truly hate?"
Perhaps it sounded somewhat reasonable, for the Poison King made no retort.
"And so what if Father dislikes you a little? You simply live while being hated."
"If you keep that up, you get dragged away without anyone knowing."
"Do not worry. They may boil all other demonic practitioners in a pot, but they will not boil you, Poison King."
"Because they cannot eat me due to the poison?"
"No. Because if you are not here, the Martial Arts Alliance would invade immediately."
"You need not flatter me to look good anymore. I will keep my promise regardless."
"I refuse. I shall keep flattering you. Today's emotion will last forever."
"You are doing this because you know I will not survive today, yes?"
We entered the Heavenly Demon Hall.
We walked side by side down the Path of Blood toward Father.
Father seemed to have already heard the news that we barked at the Grand Training Ground. The atmosphere was solemn and icy.
After respectfully paying his respects, the Poison King gazed at Father and spoke respectfully.
"Cult Leader. Please permit the Second Young Lord's request."
Father glared fiercely at the Poison King and spoke.
"You were the only one I trusted."
The Poison King made a troubled expression.
"I apologize."
"What in the world made you yield?"
Father asked with an expression of genuine curiosity.
The Poison King seemed to contemplate his answer for a moment.
"I was moved by the Second Young Lord's mourning."
At the unexpected words, both Father and I were surprised.
"Many died in this incident. I was moved by the Second Young Lord's mourning for those he did not know."
I had not known the Poison King harbored such thoughts. It had not seemed so, but he had heard everything and thought deeply on it.
"I believe you can tell what kind of person someone is by the way they mourn others."
The Poison King, who had been trembling outside the door, spoke boldly and well before Father.
Father's gaze turned to me.
"You feel good?"
"I feel as though I could fly. For the first time, I accomplished something with the support of the demonic lords. It will be a day I never forget in my life."
I conveyed my joy honestly.
In truth, all of this was thanks to Father. Father's sharp rebuke.
*Just how open is your world?*
With those words, I had realized the Poison King's world was not a closed one. In fact, it had not been closed at all. Had he truly been someone living in a closed world, he would not have barked at the training ground, nor would he be standing here now. I had simply looked at him with a closed perspective.
It was thanks to Father.
But I did not speak those words here. Because right now was the moment to give Father a chance to be angry.
I believe. At least half of Father's heart must have been hoping I would win. I decided to believe so.
As always, Father kept his promise.
"Very well. I grant your request."
I performed a deep bow right there.
"Thank you, Father."
I know this was not an easy decision for Father, either. That is why I know I must handle this matter well.
"If you made such a request, you must have the confidence to leave no evidence that we were the ones who handled it?"
"Yes, I will do my utmost."
"Trying is not enough. You must handle it without ever revealing that we killed them."
Handling Ya Yol-han, the second-in-command of the Sacred Demon Alliance, and the Four Devilmates who served as his limbs, without anyone knowing it was our doing.
This, too, was a mission close to impossible, but I answered energetically.
"Yes! I shall do so."
To receive this permission, all the demonic lords had stepped up; the Extreme Evil Lesser Demon had even staked his life; and the Poison King had barked at the training ground.
Then I must accomplish it. Perfectly.
Father had already returned to his usual self. Father was not one to second-guess himself once a decision was made. He was a man without lingering regrets.
"Who will you go with?"
"I will go with the Extreme Evil Lesser Demon."
"Two may not be enough. Three would be reassuring."
At that moment, the Poison King made an expression of disbelief.
Father's gaze turned toward the Poison King.
"You will go along and assist."
"That will not do, Cult Leader!"
The Poison King jumped up in disgust.
"Did you say it will not do?"
At Father's low question, the Poison King quickly answered.
"No. It will do."
As if Father would simply let that slide. It was a *you'll get a taste of this* expression. I stand corrected. Father is indeed a man who holds grudges.
Father rose from his seat.
"Poison King, listen."
When Father revealed his Heavenly Demon aura, the Poison King bent at the waist in respect.
"Yes, Cult Leader."
"From this moment, I permit the use of the Twelve Extreme Poisons."
"I shall receive your august command."
The Twelve Extreme Poisons, the Poison King's main poison, could only be used with Father's permission. It was also testament to how fearsome the Poison King's poison was.
After respectfully greeting Father, the Poison King and I exited the Heavenly Demon Hall.
"You said you were nervous, yet you spoke even better than I."
"It is all thanks to the medicine."
The Poison King sighed as though the ground would sink. He, who hated even going outside the Thousand Poison Forest, was now going to the Central Plains.
"Outside the Thousand Poison Forest is dangerous!"
"Actually, you, Poison King, are the most dangerous being of all."
The Poison King glared at me with eyes that said this was all my fault.
"I am sorry. I did not know it would turn out this way either."
"I am not going. I refuse."
"Yes. I shall go with Lesser Demon Soma. Please hide yourself well in the Thousand Poison Forest."
"If I do that, I will really be dragged away."
The Poison King vented his irritation on some random spot.
"If I go out, I will kill them all. I will stop at every village and annihilate them. You think I cannot?"
He truly must hate going outside immensely.
"Given the opponent, you must be worried about me. Seeing as you are sending out the cult's greatest trump card."
"That level of comfort is not enough, not at all!"
The Poison King walked toward the Thousand Poison Forest with deeply slumped shoulders.
I shouted after him.
"We will be departing as soon as possible, so please prepare! I truly thank you for today!"
At that, the Poison King walked away barking. He was a very angry dog.
Smiling as I watched his retreating figure, I turned my steps toward the Valley of Villains.