“I refuse.”
The Evil Smiling Demon firmly rejected the offer.
“Are you defying the words of your elder brother?” 1
The mere fact that he had tried to kill Soma by releasing the villains of the Valley of Wicked revealed what kind of person he was, even as he shamelessly spoke those words.
“What’s so special about that mask!”
Yang Cheogi took off his mask. The face of a wrinkled old man was revealed—a truly ugly man. His face was in stark contrast to the handsome face of the Evil Smiling Demon that I had seen before the regression.
“Take it off at once!”
“I refuse.”
“Yes, you’ve always disregarded me.”
It seemed that the relationship between the Evil Smiling Demon and his master had not been bad. The fact that he refused to obey the words of his senior brother was likely because of his respect for his master.“The moment your master died, you lost the right to wear that mask.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s only when your master was defending you that you belonged to the White Mask Sect, but you are no longer a part of it. I will expel you.”
The sect where the Evil Smiling Demon learned martial arts was a faction called the White Mask Sect. Later, Soma joined the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult and became a Demon Supreme. Becoming a Demon Supreme was his master’s dream, one that the Evil Smiling Demon fulfilled on his behalf. I had heard all of this when I interacted with him before the regression.
“You cannot expel me at your whim.”
“Shut up!”
A murderous intent emanated from Yang Cheogi’s body. It was not just an intent to intimidate, but a genuine killing intent aimed at ending his opponent’s life.
“Indeed, having killed even the Sword Emperor, there’s no way this senior brother would scare you. When I first heard the news that you had killed the Sword Emperor, I couldn’t believe it. I even thought there might have been some problem with the Sword Emperor. But seeing you standing here in perfect health, it seems there was no such issue with him.”
Despite this, he showed no fear at all. He clearly had something to rely on.
“Why does your senior brother want to kill you, Soma-nim?” I asked.
The Evil Smiling Demon calmly responded to my question.
“His dream was to become the leader of the Unorthodox Alliance. He resents me because he believes I prevented that.”
“Of course, it’s because of you! My aspiration was shattered because of you. A sect cannot have both a Demon Supreme and the leader of the Unorthodox Alliance at the same time!” 2 ṟάNօᛒ˧
He blamed Soma for his failure to become the leader of the Unorthodox Alliance. Although it happened quite a long time ago, it seemed he had been nurturing that resentment ever since.
“You couldn’t do anything while our master was alive, but now that he’s gone, you act like this.”
“Shut up! I only held back because you were bound by the prohibition and locked up in the cult. This has nothing to do with our master-disciple relationship!”
Yang Cheogi had been a failure all his life. In his youth, he also joined the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult with hopes of becoming a Demon Supreme, but he couldn’t adapt and had to leave in disgrace. He wanted to become the leader of the White Mask Sect, but that position was inherited by the Evil Smiling Demon’s master. Finally, even his last desire to become the leader of the Unorthodox Alliance went unfulfilled. His life was one of dreaming too big for his capabilities.
“How pitiful.”
At my words, both Soma and Yang Cheogi turned to look at me.
“Blaming others, using others to kill. It’s truly pitiful. How is it the Evil Smiling Demon’s fault that you’ve become unhappy? It’s your fault for ruining your life by blaming others.” 3
A cold murderous intent poured out from Yang Cheogi, but I said everything I wanted to.
“Do you really think that just because a Demon Supreme came from the same sect, you couldn’t become the leader of the Unorthodox Alliance? I think that’s an excuse. If you had shown the qualities and abilities fit for that position, you would have become the leader. Isn’t that just an excuse you made up?”
Yang Cheogi couldn’t refute my words.
“With such a narrow-minded attitude, even if you had become the leader of the Unorthodox Alliance, the alliance would have been in shambles because of you. Eventually, you would have been assassinated by someone within the alliance. You should be thanking the Evil Smiling Demon instead of resenting him. Go ahead, say it. Thank you for sparing my life. Thank you, Soma!”
Yang Cheogi’s eyes were deeply sunken. His gaze conveyed a determination to kill me no matter what. It seemed my words had struck a nerve.
I stared directly into his eyes, which were hiding his shame as best as possible, and spoke.
“The reason you’re trying to kill the Evil Smiling Demon, it’s not just because of that, is it?”
At my words, Yang Cheogi flinched. Soma, standing beside him, asked me.
“What do you mean by that?”
“A petty man like him always puts his own interests first. He wouldn’t risk his life for revenge. Who did you make a deal with? What did you get in return? Did they promise to fulfill your last dream?”
Yang Cheogi couldn’t deny my words.
“You little brat, your mouth sure is sharp. The future of the cult looks bright!”
His shame turned to rage, and it was once again directed at the Evil Smiling Demon.
“They say you became the Evil Smiling Demon after joining the cult, right? Let’s see just how evil you really are.”
When Yang Cheogi snapped his fingers to signal, those who had been hiding started to reveal themselves one by one. There were dozens of them, all wearing masks—they were all members of the White Mask Sect.
“Go ahead, kill all the senior disciples of your sect.” 4
I was startled. I hadn’t expected him to take this approach.
This wasn’t about bringing us here to kill us; it was to torment the Evil Smiling Demon. Though their faces were masked, making it impossible to guess their ages, from their auras and heights, I could tell that several of them were young, some even younger than me.
What choice would Soma make?
If they rushed in to kill us, I, too, would have no choice but to act. Even though they were from an unorthodox sect, could he truly bring himself to kill his own sect members? And how would the Evil Smiling Demon respond?
I glared at Yang Cheogi. When I speak of absolute evil, I’m referring to people like him. Not those who are forced into a corner, but those who deliberately break others’ spirits, who sacrifice their own sect’s brothers and disciples without a shred of guilt. You will die by my hand.
Just then, the Evil Smiling Demon spoke in a booming voice.
“Listen to me, senior brothers, junior brothers, sisters, and disciples. Though I left the main sect and entrusted myself to the Divine Cult, I am still the senior disciple of our late Sect Leader. The Sect Leader never expelled me during his lifetime, so as the rightful heir of the White Mask Sect, I order you all to stand down!”
The disciples of the White Mask Sect exchanged glances.
Yang Cheogi shouted.
“What are you waiting for? Kill them now!”
Soma shouted even louder.
“Yang Cheogi, who recklessly manipulates the disciples of the sect for his own desires, is a traitor who will die here today. So stand down!”
“I said kill them!”
At that moment, someone unleashed a wave of energy.
Piiing.
The Evil Smiling Demon twisted his body to avoid the energy. It wasn’t intended to kill but rather as a warning shot.
“Senior Brother!”
The Evil Smiling Demon immediately recognized the man who had unleashed the energy as his senior brother.
“You recognize me?”
“How could I not?”
In the gaze, they exchanged in mid-air, memories and longing from their childhood were evident.
“Senior Brother, please take the disciples and return.”
“I cannot disobey the orders of the Fourth Elder…”
“The Fourth Elder has already abandoned the sect. Can’t you see that he intends to use you and the disciples as mere pawns by aligning with the Valley of Wicked?”
They had overheard my earlier conversation with Yang Cheogi, so they clearly understood the situation.
“There are only two possible outcomes for this fight: either you die fighting me, or you kill us and face the annihilation of the White Mask Sect at the hands of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. Is that what you want? To drive everyone to their deaths?”
Yang Cheogi urgently shouted to kill them quickly, but the Senior brother and Soma silently stared deeply at each other.
“That old man who is trying to ruin our sect by using you all as a weapon will die by my hands. So, don’t worry and go back. You know well what kind of person I am, don’t you?”
“Yes, I do. You are someone who always keeps your word.”
“Let’s meet again next time, senior brother.”
The Evil Smiling Demon’s senior brother nodded to him before shouting to the disciples.
“Let’s go back!”
The disciples of the White Mask Sect followed him and swiftly leaped away. 5
I was genuinely impressed by Soma’s calm handling of the situation. It was the moment I saw a new side of him.
—To resolve this without any sacrifices… It was the most impressive moment since I met Soma-nim.
—To think that it’s impressive that the Evil Smiling Demon didn’t shed any blood? That feels somewhat strange.
I started to wonder if he might also be changing as a result of meeting me.
“You fools!”
As Yang Cheogi vented his frustration, the Evil Smiling Demon teased him.
“It seems I have more blessings in senior brothers than our master.”
“Shut up!”
I added my own remark in response to Yang Cheogi’s irritated reaction.
“They left because they couldn’t stand you. They likely only came here because they were forced to follow orders. Just think, they even listened to the words of Soma, who left the sect long ago. How could they not know that you’re trying to drag your disciples to their deaths just because you’re an elder of the sect? It would be better for you to die here today.”
Yang Cheogi sneered.
“You think I would face you alone, knowing that you killed the Sword Emperor? I have kept you waiting long enough. Odd Demon, please come out now.”
Then, from a building across the street, an old man appeared. He was an elderly man who had not aged gracefully. His face was deeply wrinkled, exuding malice, and his eyes were filled with murderous intent.
I was shocked at the mention of Odd Demon.
He was a demon who had mastered demonic arts but did not belong to the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
He was infamous for using demonic arts to commit massacres, leading to both the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult and the Martial Alliance forming an assassination squad to kill him. Afterward, he vanished, only to reappear today.
I asked Yang Cheogi, “Just who have you allied with? Who did you join forces with to the point that even the Odd Demon would show up?”
But before I could hear his answer, Odd Demon stepped forward with a cold gaze.
“Show up? What insolent speech. Is that how your father taught you?”
He mentioned my father in this situation?
“With shameless old men like you running around, it’s no wonder the old masters of the martial world are losing their place. You come here to kill us and still expect courtesy? Fine, I’ll show you all the courtesy you desire. Greetings, senior. Please value the connection we share as demons and spare this humble junior of yours. So, will you spare me?” 6
Odd Demon twitched at the corner of one eye, unable to respond.
“So, stop talking nonsense about courtesy. Where do you get off suddenly showing up and spouting this crap?”
I deliberately provoked him. After all, they came here to kill us. The more I provoked him, the more advantageous it would be in the fight. In battles between masters, letting emotions interfere is always a disadvantage. He likely mentioned my father to get a rise out of me for the same reason.
Yang Cheogi then spoke to Odd Demon.
“Break every bone in his body. Let’s see if he still dares to act so arrogant.”
“Such a bother. Pay close attention now. He’ll disappear without a trace soon enough.”
Even with their despicable temperaments, the martial arts skills of these two were nearly on par with those of the Sword Emperor, Baek Mang-gi. Facing just one of them would be challenging, but confronting both at the same time was no easy feat.
It was precisely at that moment.
Clang, clang.
The sound of chains clinking could be heard from somewhere.
When I turned around, I saw a man with a sturdy build, winding a blood-colored chain around his wrist and dragging it as he appeared.
“Cheol Soeja!”
He was a villain known as Cheol Soeja, a figure who had once plunged the martial world into fear. Countless experts had lost their lives, their bodies bursting apart as they came into contact with that crimson chain of his. His aura was no less formidable than that of the Odd Demon who had appeared earlier.
His appearance made my heart sink. It was already difficult enough to deal with the first two. But now, with Cheol Soeja in the mix, the situation had become overwhelmingly disadvantageous.
I sighed as I spoke to the Evil Smiling Demon.
“This is all my fault.”
“What do you mean?”
“The Blood Heaven Blade Demon once warned me. He said that I’d stir up a storm and wake up all the hidden masters. I never imagined I’d encounter both the Odd Demon and Cheol Soeja here.”
“This time, it seems I’m the one who woke them up, not you, Young Master.”
“In that case, could you please take on the stronger one, Soma-nim?”
Even in this situation, I couldn’t help but crack a joke, and the eyes behind the mask seemed to smile at me. It was the worst possible scenario, but strangely enough, I felt reassured by the thought that I was with Soma.
“By the way, I should ask you this first.”
I looked at Yang Cheogi as I spoke.
“Which side are you going to join in the battle?”
Of course, I asked this with the intention of preventing him from joining the fight.
Yang Cheogi laughed leisurely.
“You don’t need to insult my pride like that. I won’t be getting involved in your fights. But make sure to take a good look at my brother’s face and body. He’ll soon disappear as a blood-soaked mess.”
Since the Odd Demon wanted to face me, it naturally meant that the Evil Smiling Demon’s opponent would be Cheol Soeja.
I thought it worked out well. Although both the Odd Demon and Cheol Soeja were formidable opponents, I still expected the Odd Demon to be slightly stronger.
I looked at Soma.
I didn’t ask him if he was confident. That would have been an insult to him. Instead, I kept up my composure until the very end.
“Let’s make a bet on who dies first.”
At my words, the Odd Demon laughed. Cheol Soeja laughed, and Yang Cheogi laughed as well.
“I don’t understand why they’re laughing when the Evil Smiling Demon is just standing there.”
Only then did Soma laugh, and finally, I laughed as well.
As I drew my sword and let it hang by my side, the Evil Smiling Demon lightly flicked the blade of my Black Demon Sword with his finger.
Teeng!
Hearing the clear ringing sound of metal, filled with the Evil Smiling Demon’s resolve, I walked forward toward what would be the most challenging battle since my regression.
1 : Why the heck should he listen to the fucker who tried to get him killed, not to mention that he framed him and slaughtered the sect of his lifesaver ?
2 : Why not ? It proves the excellency of your faction, and if you really wanted it, you would have obtained it by yourself. Sure, it might have been seen as an aggressive attack on the other sects, but they just needed to excommunicate you to resolve the problem.
3 : He drowned himself in bitter resentment until he grew mad with jealousy. Not like I pity him, he could have literally done anything else, becoming a recruiter for the White Mask Faction, or fighting other masters to increase his fame, anything. Instead he tried to overreach before limiting his worldview on ‘Soma is the root of my misfortune’.
4 : Cruel, very cruel. I wonder if they were aware of what they came here to do.
5 : Impressive, they didn’t recklessly attack !!! This novel is really of high quality * nods sagely*
6 : I’m always baffled by the shamelessness of some villains. If you come to kill us, you should at least expect some insults and trash talk, that’s all you deserve, idiots !!!
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