Seo Daeryong felt light enough to soar.
Now he understood why he hadn't been able to focus on his work today of all days. It was because something so thrilling had been waiting for him.
Seo Daeryong answered, lowering his voice.
"Capturing villains is the duty of our pavilion, Young Cult Lord."
The gravitas lasted only so long.
"Ugh, can't I at least be comfortable when I'm with the Young Cult Lord?"
In truth, what was more difficult than the work itself was showing the dignity befitting a pavilion lord. Having grown used to chatting and joking around with Geom Mugeuk, it was all the harder.
"But who is the man we need to catch?"
"Saujong."
Seo Daeryong knew him as well—the man who had once been the right hand of the Ilhwa Sword Lord.
Geom Mugeuk informed him that Saujong had gone to see Cheongseon. He left out, however, that Saujong had mentioned the Ilhwa Sword Lord's weakness, since it might be a personal matter.
"Something smells fishy. Then what is this pavilion's task?"
"Carry out a special secret investigation on him."
Once the special investigation begins, everything about Saujong will be laid bare. His assets, duties, martial arts, personal relationships, as well as his hobbies and how he spends his days. There is nothing about him we cannot uncover.
"Request support from Tongcheon Pavilion as well."
"Understood."
Then Seo Daeryong raised a question.
"But if he threatened a Demon Lord, isn't that in itself a grave crime?"
Depending on the circumstances, execution could even be ordered. That was how absolute a Demon Lord's position was within the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. The question was why they wouldn't simply resolve the matter and instead launch such a grand investigation.
"Saujong must know that as well. I want to know why someone who knows better would do a thing like this."
"Right? Why would he? If it's not a desperate struggle before death... then he must have some hidden source of confidence, don't you think?"
Geom Mugeuk nodded in agreement.
"Let's find out what it is."
"I'll begin the investigation at once."
In truth, Seo Daeryong wasn't curious about the reason at all. Right now, he was simply happy that he would be working with Geom Mugeuk.
"I'm off. If you don't want to work, switch places with me!"
Geom Mugeuk turned to leave, and Seo Daeryong called out from behind.
"Welcome back."
Though still the same mischievous Seo Daeryong, there was a newfound steadiness to him as a pavilion lord that hadn't been there before. He simply couldn't sense the change himself.
"Then I look forward to your work, Pavilion Lord Seo."
* * *
After leaving Hwangcheon Pavilion, I went straight to Thousand Poison Forest.
Thanks to the highly toxic elixir the Poison King had procured, my internal energy had increased greatly.
He had even chipped in his own money during the process. Of course, what I was most grateful for was that someone who hated going outside had personally made the trip to the Central Plains to obtain it.
Our handsome Poison King is probably out there digging the earth alone again today, searching for poisonous insects.
"Poison King! Let me dig with you!"
And then, the astonishing sight that unfolded before my eyes.
Hyeolcheon Doma's flower garden had been astonishing, and the duel between Gwonma and Ian had been astonishing too.
But if I were to judge coolly, this current sight was the most astonishing.
The Poison King and Mabul were walking out of the forest side by side. It was none other than Mabul himself. The two of them were even talking.
"Ah, to think you have such a discerning eye! Truly remarkable."
"Something like this is only ordinary."
The Poison King's bag held poisonous herbs. It seemed they had gone herb-picking together. The sight of those two together in this place, while I was away, felt incredibly unfamiliar.
In the past, Mabul and I had once made a bet in Thousand Poison Forest to find poisonous herbs. Back then, Mabul had found the herb, and we'd joked that it was all a scheme by the Poison King to exploit us as gatherers. But now Mabul had come here again?
I shouted toward them.
"Watch out! One of you two is a fake!"
At my quip, the two glanced at me. Then they pretended not to hear and continued their conversation.
"Just how did you find it so quickly? Tell me your secret."
"What secret could there be? I simply had good fortune."
"Truly, Mabul, you have an innate gift as a herb gatherer. I recommend you change professions even now."
To such nonsense, Mabul responded with complete seriousness.
"I've been thinking of taking it up as a hobby. Traveling to places with fresh air seems good for my health as well."
I shook my head, and this time shouted to Sangseon.
"Both of you are fakes!"
Sangseon merely smiled.
I truly never imagined. That these two would get along like this.
"What are you two doing right now?"
Then the Poison King spoke with an excited expression.
"Mabul found the Nine Yin Grass for me today. I had been searching for it for several years."
Judging by what he said, it wasn't his first time here.
"Was there a bet on the line this time too?"
Then the Poison King let out a sigh with a chagrined expression.
"I lost this bet as well."
"What was the stake?"
"A meal wager. Sangseon, prepare the meal."
Sangseon said with a smile.
"I had a feeling you would lose this bet as well, so I've already prepared it."
A lavish meal was spread out in the front courtyard of the residence.
I sat down among them. Sangseon brought me rice and chopsticks.
"How much does one root of Nine Yin Grass go for?"
"At least a hundred thousand taels, no?"
"And you're trying to settle it with just one meal?"
"Winning the bet is what matters."
I spoke to Mabul in a whisper.
"You're being deceived by a crooked gambler."
Mabul answered while enjoying his meal.
"The Poison King is not that kind of person."
To think such words would come from the mouth of someone as jaded as Mabul.
One pretends to trick, the other pretends to be tricked. Truly a pair of adorable people.
The Poison King pulled the dish in front of me over to Mabul.
"You eat only a little. This was made for Mabul, who worked hard."
"I'm the Young Cult Lord! Not the Second Young Master, but the Young Cult Lord! I'm someone capable of flipping the table!"
The Poison King pretended not to hear and only looked after Mabul.
"Please eat your fill."
"The flavor is excellent."
"We've only visited two branch halls, Honam and Gangseo, yet at this rate, if you traveled all over the Central Plains, you would have sworn brotherhood."
Sangseon was the one who laughed at my remark.
The two are polar opposites. One is someone who never leaves Thousand Poison Forest and enjoys his solitude, while the other is someone who traveled everywhere, meeting countless people and engaging in politics.
Seeing those two together, a sudden thought occurred to me. Perhaps, deep down, each harbored a longing for the other's life.
The Poison King might envy Mabul. Mabul, who travels the world freely. Despite his short stature, he meets people without hesitation. Meanwhile, the Poison King himself—handsome above all others—is cooped up in Thousand Poison Forest.
Mabul might envy the Poison King. Perhaps he's tired of traveling, tired of people, and now wishes to live a quiet, solitary life.
Perhaps that is why these two seem to get along so well now.
Then what kind of life do I want?
When I stood before my life after killing Hwamugi, what was I to do, and how was I to live? Whenever I had time, I kept asking myself that.
I try to avoid falling into the trap of "I'll take care of what matters first, then think!" Because something truly important might be slipping away unnoticed even now.
Mabul suddenly asked while eating.
"Gwonma has been quite active. Is that your doing?"
Taking two disciples, saving a daughter. Having even designated a successor, it was only natural he would draw Mabul's attention.
"You know my master's personality. He is not someone who would be swayed by anyone."
"If it's you, perhaps."
"You overestimate me."
The Poison King had kept his eyes on the Nine Yin Grass throughout the meal. I knew he was sincerely, utterly enraptured by that poison herb. By now, the only thought in his head must be rushing inside to concoct a new poison with that Nine Yin Grass.
"When do you plan to meet your brother?"
"Why would I run to him just because I want to? I'll go last."
"I shared a drink with the Eldest Young Master the other day. He brought you up that night."
"I only hope he didn't curse me out."
I'd never felt like seeing my brother in my entire life, but today, I wanted to see him.
"There is a loser's heart that the victor can never know. Your brother is a magnificent loser."
"That is because you remained by my brother's side, Mabul."
Mabul looked at me.
"You don't need to say such things anymore."
"I will continue. It is not flattery, but sincerity."
I felt the golden radiance emanating from Mabul's body grow even more intense.
While I was talking with Mabul, the Poison King, unable to hold back, had already taken the Nine Yin Grass into his quarters. Through the window, I could see him engrossed in cutting the Nine Yin Grass.
"Let's be on our way."
"Very well."
I left his quarters with Mabul. Sangseon did not follow, but bowed politely from where he stood.
A moment later, the Poison King's voice echoed from far behind.
"Young Cult Lord, where did you go? Where are you going! You have to help with the poison experiment!"
I had promised to help with poison experiments in exchange for him procuring those elixirs previously.
I quickened my steps, pretending not to hear.
Then the Poison King's cry reached Mabul as well.
"Let's make our next bet about finding the Returning Immortal Grass!"
A smile formed on Mabul's lips.
I felt that he, too, had changed a great deal. Just watching the path he took out of Thousand Poison Forest was proof enough. In the past, he would have chosen the shortest route and moved his stubby legs busily. Now, he slowly walked the long, winding path with the good scenery. He even paused for a moment to take in the view.
Suddenly, the words I had spoken to him outside the cave on the hill of his homeland came to mind.
—Now, stop and come out of that cramped and suffocating place.
I thought that perhaps Mabul had already left that cave behind and set out in search of a new life.
"Next time, too, I'll work you like a gatherer, Mabul, and find the Returning Immortal Grass."
Mabul answered, shifting his steps leisurely.
"The meal suited my palate... so it's fine."
* * *
At the same time, Saujong was walking through the streets of Maga Village's pleasure quarter.
Passing the pleasure house and walking further down, a small nursery appeared on the outskirts.
It was a place that sold flowers, trees, and seedlings.
That he frequently visited this nursery was already well-known even within the Bukcheon Sword Family.
There had been a large nursery he used to frequent during his time as the Ilhwa Sword Lord's right hand.
But now, having yielded that role to another demonic sword, he had taken to coming to this backwater nursery instead of his old one, sitting blankly before leaving.
Everyone understood this behavior because they knew all too well how immense his ambition had been to succeed the Ilhwa Sword Lord. Even if they heard news of his suicide, it wouldn't be too surprising. His sense of loss was immense, yet no one came to comfort him. It was the result of having run ahead single-mindedly in pursuit of success.
The nursery owner was a woman with a kind face.
"Welcome."
Without returning the greeting, Saujong sat in a corner of the nursery as if it were his own home, blankly staring at the trees. The flowers had all withered; only four-season tree saplings stood in rows.
Perhaps because him coming to sit blankly like this was not a matter of a day or two, the woman simply left him alone.
He appeared to be trying to escape the Five Desires and Seven Emotions by observing the plants, but rather than being freed from anguish, he was wandering amid worldly desires.
'I even brought men as offerings to become a Demon Lord, yet she casts me aside?'
Did she even know what it felt like to offer a man to the woman you loved? He had hurled every curse and insult at her. He never considered that he himself had been the one to try to use a man to bring the Sword Lord under his control.
The object of his love-hate was not only her.
Cheongseon, upon taking the seat of the Demon Lord, bid him farewell as if she had been waiting. The last bastion in his path to becoming the Sword Lord had crumbled.
For a time, he lived nurturing nothing but hatred. He dreamed every day. Some days he dreamed of killing the Ilhwa Sword Lord and then himself; other days he dreamed of killing Cheongseon and then himself. Some days he killed both women and then himself. Yes, if he could never become a Demon Lord, then killing them both and dying was the answer.
Since he had never possessed any intention of achieving something through his own effort, the end of this abandoned desire was always death. He simply lacked the strength to kill and thus could not act on it.
At the end of this despair, someone approached him.
It was precisely this person currently sending him a telepathic message.
—Have you met the Soul-Stealing Demon Lord?
Surprisingly, the sender of the message was the nursery's female owner. Saujong's reason for frequenting this place was not to soothe his anguish. He was not so weak as to drift through flower gardens to forget his pain—he was a man who would kill or be killed.
—I did as you instructed, but she did not try to kill me.
Saujong was exceedingly deferential. He was neither one to easily trust others nor one to lower his head. Yet this woman, who had approached him during his most agonizing hours, had recruited him in an instant.
She was a woman who dared target the Soul-Stealing Demon Lord of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, yet she had given him the conviction that she could see it through. Saujong had already experienced the fear hidden beneath her ordinary exterior.
Thus he was entangled with three women. He thought: it was his destiny to succeed only through women.
—Meet the Soul-Stealing Demon Lord again and provoke her. You must make her use the Soul Subjugation Technique to kill you.
—I will do so.
Saujong was no man to die meekly, so he had prepared a single contingency against the woman's words.
—The moment the Soul-Stealing Demon Lord uses the Soul Subjugation Technique, you must activate the Yin-Yang Reverse Soul Technique.
Yin-Yang Reverse Soul Technique.
A secret technique from the distant beyond, said to have been lost to practical application long ago, it was a secret art capable of blocking the opponent's Soul Subjugation Technique and reversing it onto them. However, it only worked on a partner with whom one had shared a bed.
That was why he had been chosen for this task. He had no interest in the woman's true intentions. Whether he turned the Soul-Stealing Demon Lord struck by the Yin-Yang Reverse Soul Technique into a puppet to kill the Cult Leader or the Young Cult Lord, it mattered not. Saujong's heart held only one thought.
—You must keep your promise.
At Saujong's repeated confirmation, the woman paused while moving a sapling as large as her torso and straightened her back. Wiping the sweat from her brow, she sent a telepathic message. It was a reward Saujong could never refuse.
—If you carry out this task, you will become the Sword Lord, and the Ilhwa Sword Lord will become yours.