I opened my eyes.
Though I had woken up in an unfamiliar place, my body felt so refreshed that I remained lying on the bed for a moment. Usually, when I slept for a long time, I had all sorts of dreams, but this time, I had slept deeply without dreaming at all.
How long had I slept?
A day? Two days? My stomach was so empty that I might have slept for a full ten days.
Then, remembering someone, I shot up into a sitting position.
“Lord Soma!”
Looking around, this place was not the infirmary.
It was an unfamiliar bedchamber I had never entered before. The clean bedding gave off a fragrant scent, and the bed and furniture radiated not a feeling of age, but the dignity of antique pieces.
Then, something caught my eye.
That thing hanging on the wall was…!
Surprisingly, this was my father’s bedchamber.
My last memory was the infirmary, so why had I been sleeping here?
A clean martial uniform had been placed beside the bed.
I changed my clothes and looked around the bedchamber with a dazed mind. Though I was his son, this was my first time entering this room.
‘Father gave me his room?’
I did not know what the situation was, but just this fact alone left me deeply moved. I lay back down on my father’s bed.
Thinking that my father slept here, I wanted to lie down a while longer for no particular reason. It might be an opportunity that would never come again.
Then, my father’s voice came from outside the window.
“If you are awake, come out.”
I sprang up from the bed and went outside.
Father was sitting at a stone tea table in the courtyard, drinking tea.
“To realize this is the Heavenly Demon’s bedchamber, shouldn’t one normally see the symbol of the Heavenly Demon Soul or the Heavenly Demon Sword? And yet, you figured it out from a pair of flower-patterned pajamas!”
That thing hanging on the wall had been my father’s flower-patterned pajamas.
At my jest, Father set down his teacup and spoke.
“It seems you are well enough to live now.”
“I feel like I could fly away.”
In fact, my body had been completely healed.
“Why am I in Father’s bedchamber?”
“Because I brought you here.”
“Did you come to the infirmary?”
At my surprised question, Father nodded.
“I was not the only one who went. All of your few connections came as well.”
I could roughly guess who had come.
“Those few people are basically one-man armies, are they not?”
As if they were merely one against a hundred? They were one against a thousand, one against ten thousand.
“What happened to Lord Soma?”
My heart pounded with anxiety. Father was someone who could sip his tea casually and say, “Soma is dead.”
“Ma-ui is still treating him.”
I was relieved at those words. The power contained in the single word “Ma-ui” was immense.
Then, maidservants from the Heavenly Demon Hall came and brought me rice porridge. Since it was a meal after starving for several days, it meant I should eat lightly. This was Father’s consideration.
“Have you eaten?”
“I have, so eat.”
“Yes, then I shall eat gratefully.”
Who knew porridge could be this delicious? After emptying the bowl cleanly and drinking a cup of tea, I was still hungry, but I felt like I would survive.
“Where did the Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng come from?”
“Yaryeolhan brought it as a ninetieth birthday gift for Oroesingeom.”
“What about cleaning up after them?”
“Bisa-in said he would take care of it.”
“Do you think he can do it?”
“Yes, I believe he can.”
“So you have marked that child as the next Cult Leader.”
“I believe it is not a bad choice.”
Then, a martial artist from the Heavenly Demon Hall brought something, placed it before me, and left.
“What is this?”
“Open it.”
When I opened the box, there was a Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng inside.
I was startled.
“Where did this come from?”
“What? Do you think I cut open Soma’s stomach to retrieve it?”
He must have brought a miraculous elixir from the Heavenly Demon Treasury. What lay within it was known only to the Heavenly Demon, but I had a rough idea.
“Are you giving this to me?”
“Yes.”
“Why are you giving me such a precious thing?”
“Since you willingly gave up the Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng for my Demon Venerable, I should naturally return it.”
He emphasized the words “my Demon Venerable.” It meant that Soma was not yet my Demon Venerable.
“Are you afraid of losing Geukak Soma to me?”
Then, my favorite expression appeared. That unique scornful smile with the corners of his mouth curling up.
“Do you not want to eat it? Then do not.”
“As if!”
When he tried to take it back, I quickly stuffed it into my mouth.
It was sweet and bitter, more fragrant and delicious than any elixir I had ever eaten.
I circulated my true energy through one full cycle and completely dissolved the Snow Ginseng’s energy, converting it into internal energy. As the Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng’s internal energy was added to my internal realm, which had ascended to a new stage, my internal energy grew even more refined and profound.
While I was circulating my qi, Father stood with his hands behind his back, gazing into the distance at Mount Daechon.
I went to his side and stood beside him. Instead of words of gratitude, I first offered an apology.
“I am sorry, Father.”
A son who falls into danger is already an unfilial son by that fact alone.
“As long as you know.”
“I will not forget the grace of bestowing upon me the Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng.”
As if he would give me something so precious simply because I yielded it to Geukak Soma? There was another meaning behind Father bestowing the Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng upon me. And I had guessed that meaning.
“You said it yourself. That you would fight a bloodless succession battle.”
“Yes.”
“Does that thought remain unchanged?”
“It remains unchanged.”
Father said nothing more.
I could tell. That Father would decide on his successor before long. The Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng was a gift bestowed with the meaning that I should bring that succession battle to a proper conclusion. Because I had guessed as much, every time I chewed the ginseng, these words rang in my ears:
‘Eat this and do well!’
If Father was going to make his decision, I too had to settle things with my older brother one way or another.
“We brothers will join hands and come to see you soon.”
This was what Father wanted. The final test of successor selection.
Because I knew my older brother’s personality, I thought that perhaps this matter might be more difficult than killing Yaryeolhan.
Because he was no longer my match in martial arts, and because most of the Demon Venerables had become my people, it was instead even harder. Because there was no telling what desperate move my brother might make.
“If you have finished eating, be on your way now.”
“May I go back into the bedchamber, put on your pajamas, and sleep for just one more hour? They are so soft and comfortable that I do not want to leave.”
Just as Father was about to speak, a martial artist from the Heavenly Demon Hall came and reported.
“The Poison King has returned.”
Upon hearing those words, I bowed deeply and ran off.
“Then I shall take my leave.”
I could feel Father’s dumbfounded gaze on the back of my head.
I understand, Father. I will end the succession battle this time. Because I, too, have a long road ahead.
* * *
The carriage carrying the Poison King and the Heavenly Flower Pavilion Lord entered the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
“Look over there!”
Where Seodaeryong pointed, a giant evil demon statue stood.
“Look at the opposite side.”
On the opposite side as well, stone statues pointed swords and blades at each other. There were statues reenacting past Heavenly Demons, and a statue in the likeness of the Heavenly Demon Soul.
“It is amazing.”
She answered as if in admiration, but right now, the stone statues did not enter the Heavenly Flower Pavilion Lord’s eyes.
Her heart was beating violently. Soon, she would hear news of Geukak Soma.
During the journey here, no news of Geukak Soma had been delivered. So she did not know whether he was alive or dead.
The Poison King did not mention a single word about Geukak Soma’s life or death. He did not console her by saying it would be alright.
From the Poison King’s demeanor, Seodaeryong felt that he was a truly different person from what he appeared to be.
He was not someone to be judged by that young, fresh appearance. Dazedly staring at poisonous herbs or digging in the dirt was only a part of him.
Passing through the outer court amid strict security, the carriage entered the inner court. The security became several times stricter.
Now all members of the party disembarked from the carriage.
As the Heavenly Flower Pavilion Lord looked around, her gaze stopped dead at one spot.
From afar, Geom Muguk was walking toward them.
In that moment, her heart pounded as if it would burst. What news would Geom Muguk bring? Please, let Geukak Soma be safe.
Geom Muguk approached her and spoke.
“Lord Soma is still under treatment.”
Geom Muguk spoke honestly to her.
“I have done everything I can. The Divine Physician of the main cult has also done his best. Now it is up to Lord Soma.”
At that, the Heavenly Flower Pavilion Lord broke into a bright smile.
“Then there is no need to worry.”
She was someone who believed in Geukak Soma like the heavens.
Because it was none other than Geom Muguk who told her, she felt relieved. If Geom Muguk had done his best, then it truly was the best that could be done.
“You must be tired from the long journey, so please rest first. We shall receive you as distinguished guests of the main cult until Lord Soma awakens.”
The Heavenly Flower Pavilion Lord bowed her head in gratitude. The maidservants who had accompanied her guided her to a detached house.
After she left, Seodaeryong ran to embrace Geom Muguk.
“Why are you being so creepy?”
“I am happy to see you, but is this something you need to dodge using footwork? Would you have done this even if a martial artist ran at you?”
Seodaeryong rushed at him again. This time, Geom Muguk did not dodge and let himself be hugged.
“I was really worried this time.”
“Then you should have come running then. When Yaryeolhan surrounded me with the clone technique, you should have come and taken on three of the clones.”
“Hah! He used the clone technique?”
“As if that was all? Demonic ghost-shaped sword qi came rushing at me as if to devour me.”
Seodaeryong subtly took a step back.
“As you know, I am a man suited to being an investigator. Do not waste your top student admission on the wrong place!”
If you are going to say that, your eyes should not be gleaming like that.
“I shall go greet my master.”
Even Seodaeryong left, and now only the Poison King remained. He had deliberately held back because the two wanted to talk quietly.
“You have worked hard, Poison King.”
“Have I worked hard at all? You all are the ones who suffered.”
The Poison King asked Geom Muguk.
“Did you obtain what you sought from this battle?”
After a brief pause, Geom Muguk spoke.
“Yes, I think I have.”
Staring intently at Geom Muguk’s deepened gaze, the Poison King moved toward the Heavenly Poison Forest and spoke.
“Come visit the Heavenly Poison Forest when you have time.”
At his waist, the Blood Poison Heavenly Silkworm gloves that Geom Muguk had given him as a gift hung dangling.
* * *
Finally, Geukak Soma opened his eyes.
By the unique scent of medicine piercing his nose, he could tell he was lying in the infirmary.
His last memory was Geom Muguk’s back. Running so frighteningly fast, and yet why is my body so comfortable? He had fallen asleep thinking that.
When he examined his body, the battlefield that had been inside was peaceful. It was not a complete end to the war, but at least there was a truce.
He could tell by his condition. That he had arrived safely at the main cult and that Ma-ui had treated him. Because there was no one else who could treat a body like his.
Geukak Soma slowly sat up. He perched on the bed and looked at the mirror. The white mask still had blood on it from the battle. They had not even touched the mask during treatment.
Geukak Soma suddenly recalled a moment.
The moment when, sensing death, he had tried to remove his mask, and Geom Muguk grabbed his arm.
“I think you are probably better looking than me, so I am not looking at that face!”
A smile formed at the corners of Geukak Soma’s lips beneath the mask.
Then, someone entered the room and spoke.
“You have awakened?”
The one who entered was Ma-ui.
Even though he knew that Ma-ui had saved him, Geukak Soma omitted greetings and asked about Geom Muguk first.
“What happened to the Second Young Lord?”
“In all my years as a physician, I have never seen someone so exhausted. Carrying the Demon Venerable on his back in that state…”
A hint of worry flashed through Geukak Soma’s eyes.
But soon, Ma-ui smiled and spoke.
“You need not worry. Right now, he could run back along the path he carried the Demon Venerable even faster.”
Only then did Geukak Soma feel relieved.
“I heard the Second Young Lord slept for several days as well. Indeed, he arrived before the messenger, so it is no wonder he was exhausted.”
Faster than the messenger? Yes, he remembered. How desperately Geom Muguk had run. Even amidst that, he had shared his energy to make his body comfortable. Geukak Soma knew well how much mental and physical strength that consumed.
Only after hearing the news of Geom Muguk did Geukak Soma politely express his gratitude to Ma-ui.
“Thank you for saving me. I apologize for the late greeting.”
Ma-ui shook his head and spoke.
“I am not the one to whom gratitude should be expressed.”
Ma-ui bowed his head respectfully and spoke.
“Thank you for resolving the grudge of my lifetime.”
The son in Ma-ui’s heart was now beginning to age.
“Now, first dissolve the Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng’s energy remaining in your body. If the Second Young Lord had not administered it, the Demon Venerable would not have survived until now.”
This time, Geukak Soma remembered the moment Geom Muguk had fed him the Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng. He also recalled the sight of Geom Muguk wailing, fearing he would die.
Feeling that he had too many things to be grateful to Geom Muguk for, Geukak Soma closed his eyes and began to dissolve the Snow Ginseng’s energy.
While Geukak Soma circulated his qi, Ma-ui sent someone to inform Geom Muguk that Geukak Soma had awakened.
When Geukak Soma had fully dissolved the internal energy, the gaze behind his mask grew even colder and deeper.
Shortly after, Geom Muguk, who had been waiting outside, entered.
Geom Muguk spoke to Geukak Soma, who was wearing his mask.
“Your complexion looks especially good today.”
How he had wanted to hear Geom Muguk’s banter! Seeing the blood on the mask, he said this:
“You even have a rosy flush on your face.”
Geukak Soma laughed out loud.
They could tell how grateful they were to each other without having to say it. This one phrase from Geukak Soma, who had just barely survived, was enough.
“Let us go fight again later.”
“Very well.”
No more words were needed.
“Oh, and a distinguished guest has come to the main cult.”
When Geom Muguk opened the door, the person waiting outside entered.
She was none other than the Heavenly Flower Pavilion Lord. She had come all the way to the main altar of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult because she was so worried about Geukak Soma, and had been worried that it might be a place she should not have come to.
But the moment she saw Geukak Soma, all such thoughts vanished. She could tell. That there had been no need to worry in the first place.
She was so happy just seeing him.
What more reason did she need? Nothing else mattered. Even if Geukak Soma was angry, she thought she had done well to come.
And Geukak Soma responded to her feelings all too well.
“Did you not say before that you wanted to see my room?”