The next person I went to see was Blood Heaven Butcher.

It was only natural that after seeing my father, my steps led to him.

I had expected to find him reading by the window in his room, but instead, he was in the courtyard swinging the Heaven-Cleaving Blade, practicing his Dao techniques. When he noticed my arrival, he sheathed his sword.

“You’re here?”

He greeted me casually, as if we had met just yesterday. It was a reunion befitting Blood Heaven Butcher—his calmness carried an undercurrent of passion.

“You look impressive reading books, but you look even more impressive wielding the Dao.”

“Flattery, eh?”

“I owe my life to you, Elder.”

I opened the front of my clothes to show the noble garment he had given me.

There were several deep cuts and tears—marks left by the Sword Sovereign Baekmanggi himself.

“I survived thanks to you. Thank you, Elder.”

Of course, the Ultimate Heavenly Swallow Poison also played its part; the combined effect of the two artifacts saved me.

Blood Heaven Butcher came closer and examined the marks on the garment. Relief flickered in his eyes.

“You were worried?”

“What worry? I was just checking if my precious garment was damaged. It’s fine; you can keep wearing it.”

I’m sure he never told Seo Daeryong about me—he was secretly worried all along.

“So the rumors were true.”

“What rumors?”

“That the Sword Sovereign Baekmanggi is dead.”

His death was not yet officially announced outside.

“Did you know about his swordsmanship?”

Blood Heaven Butcher shook his head.

“But why do you say these marks belong to Baekmanggi?”

“If not Baekmanggi, then it must be from your joint attack with Geukak.”

“How did you know I collaborated with Geukak?”

“Follow me.”

He led me inside and pulled something out of a closet, then tossed it to me.

Surprisingly, it was a white mask worn by the Faceless Guests.

Not just any mask, but the finest one used by Geukak himself—light, well-ventilated, and especially designed so that the eyes couldn’t be seen from the outside.

“Did you kill Geukak in battle?”

“I wanted to, but that guy isn’t easy to kill.”

“Then why is this in [N O V E L I G H T] your closet?”

“Didn’t Geukak say anything?”

“I came back without meeting Geukak first. I stopped by here after the Heavenly Demon Hall, then came to you.”

“You didn’t even visit Evil Valley?”

“Of course, I came to you first. Why would I go to Geukak first?”

Unexpectedly, he said,

“Geukak came by.”

“To you? What did he say?”

“He left it to me. Said to give it to you when you came.”

“He entrusted this to you? Why?”

“I want to ask that myself. Why would he leave this troublesome thing with me?”

Blood Heaven Butcher eyed me suspiciously.

Since Iian had taken what he gave me, it seemed he made another. Having returned to the sect, he crafted a new one—making it the finest to give it properly.

“What kind of trick is this?”

“You should’ve asked Geukak back then.”

“I did.”

“And?”

“He just told me to give it to you and left. What on earth was that about?”

“Maybe he was afraid someone would lose it if left with anyone else.”

“Is there anyone in the sect who would lose something entrusted by him? I’ll clear the treasure and place this mask there.”

I laughed heartily, but Blood Heaven Butcher did not. He sensed something had happened between Geukak and me.

“Well, since you went out with him, something must have happened. What exactly was it?”

“He promised to give me the mask.”

“Why?”

“That’s a long story. I’ll tell you everything if you want.”

“Enough. What good would hearing that do?”

“He entrusted the mask to cause discord between you and me by flaunting our friendship.”

“So why?”

Blood Heaven Butcher, quick-witted, obviously understood the intention. He wanted to know the reason behind the discord.

“I don’t know either. How could I know his true intentions?”

After a pause, Blood Heaven Butcher said,

“You’ll regret trusting Geukak.”

It was no jealous remark, but a warning that traveling with Geukak on our path was dangerous.

“I don’t trust him.”

Blood Heaven Butcher fixed his small, sharp eyes on the mask in my hand.

“Indeed…”

He said no more, but I could guess what he meant.

Will it really go your way? Geukak is reacting so actively.

He probably refrained from saying this to avoid seeming too concerned about Geukak.

“Why do you dislike Geukak, Elder?”

“Go ask him. He likes me too. It’s mutual. Why does the sect only have hateful people like these?”

I laughed again. The words “Isn’t that because of your personality?” rose to my throat, but I swallowed them. Surely, he did not say that without knowing his own temperament.

“Now I should talk about the hateful ones. Has my brother visited you again?”

Blood Heaven Butcher shook his head.

“After his last visit, I gave no answer. The eldest son would have taken it as a clear rejection.”

“That’s reassuring.”

“Don’t let your guard down. I can visit the eldest son anytime.”

“Then I’ll come with you.”

“What do you mean?”

“When the wings on me fly away, I’ll go with you.”

Blood Heaven Butcher gave a look of disbelief.

“As long as you wear that unlucky mask, your wings will soon fall off.”

Though he said that, Blood Heaven Butcher was not the type to leave easily. Even if Geukak sowed discord, he was generous. That’s why he was the first person I sought.

“Even if you go to my brother, I will come to see you. I will open the door where the plan to eliminate me is underway and find you.”

“Why?”

“Because I want to see you. I will want to see you then too.”

“More blatant flattery.”

Blood Heaven Butcher laughed mockingly but did not hide that he felt good. His heart’s door was now quite open, and I could see him smile within. Good, smile more like that.

“Then I’ll visit again. Let’s have a drink at the Daily Elegance Tavern.”

As we said farewell and I rose, Blood Heaven Butcher asked,

“You’re going to Geukak?”

“Yes. Since I received the gift, I must thank him.”

“Even if not for the gift?”

“Probably yes.”

I did not lie to Blood Heaven Butcher. Always honest. No matter how awkward or unwelcome the truth, always honest. I believe that is my greatest strength in not losing him.

That is why Blood Heaven Butcher gives me sincere advice.

“I don’t know what happened outside, but Geukak is still Geukak. Never forget that.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

After leaving Blood Heaven Butcher’s place, I went straight to meet Geukak.

Wearing the mask given by Geukak, I entered Evil Valley.

The gazes of the Faceless Guests focused on me. Though all wore white masks, Geukak’s was unmistakable. They were surprised I wore the mask of their demon lord.

Under those astonished eyes, I was guided to Geukak’s room.

His room was unchanged from my previous visit.

All the walls and even the floor were painted entirely white; there was still nothing inside. No table, no display cabinet. Only Geukak stood alone.

The only difference from last time was that whereas before he faced the wall, today he was looking out the window.

“I’m here, Soma.”

Geukak turned around. Seeing me in the mask, his eyes gleamed with pleasure.

“How do you like the mask?”

“It’s good. Far better than the previous one.”

“That’s enough.”

“Why did you entrust the mask to Elder Doma?”

“I heard you two are closest.”

“But?”

“The Second Prince hates seeing me close to anyone else. That petty old man must be worried.”

I lifted the mask over my head and asked,

“Do you have to be closest to be satisfied?”

“That’s my personality. From now on, you must be my closest. If not, I’ll go to the eldest son.”

“I understand your selfishness, Soma.”

Geukak laughed loudly. It was unclear where his joke ended and his sincerity began.

One thing was certain.

Winning over one Demon Lord is hard; winning over two is exponentially harder. Three or four times the effort. They’re like oil and water—they never mix.

“How was your beautiful heart and the trip?”

“Very good.”

“Traveling with a beauty is best, isn’t it?”

“She was so happy. It was a late trip, I almost felt sorry.”

“Don’t fall for women. Eventually, you’ll betray the Second Prince.”

“The Heavenly Flower Pavilion master will be disappointed to hear that.”

“She knows. She knows I don’t trust her. You can’t betray someone you don’t trust.”

“Then I suppose you don’t trust me either, Soma.”

“I don’t trust humans. Friendship and trust are separate things.”

I’m grateful he speaks so openly. The most common problem in relationships is disappointment when one realizes the other wears a different mask.

“Has your brother visited?”

Geukak added more information.

“Twice. Not only me, but the Poison King and the Tyrant seem to be meeting diligently.”

“So we’re still in a favorable position?”

“Why do you think so?”

“Even if the Poison King and Tyrant side with my brother, that’s three. We have you, Blood Heaven Butcher, Sword Immortal Ilhwa, and myself—four. Four versus three, we’re winning.”

“Not four versus three.”

“Why not?”

“For starters, I’m neither on the eldest son’s nor the second prince’s side.”

He had achieved his goal of making me his enemy. Though emotionally, I was closer to him.

“So we’re at a disadvantage. Our Tyrant Demon is too weak to count as one.”

“It’s not just the Tyrant. Are you sure Blood Heaven Butcher and Ilhwa are on the Second Prince’s side? Did you draft a battle report? You must not ignore what the eldest son offers: money, power, clearly and precisely including amounts and positions. He knows he’s at a disadvantage and is risking the maximum.”

I had allowed a loophole. Yes, brother, do your best. Those who try their hardest understand each other.

“When complicated problems arise, humans choose the simplest option. The eldest son at least seems simpler than the second prince.”

Maybe Geukak was trying to show me how easily humans waver. How quickly relationships crumble.

That’s probably why he entrusted the mask to Blood Heaven Butcher—to show that even a slight crack can ruin relations.

Though Blood Heaven Butcher’s broad mind prevented it.

He was warning me that approaching emotionally would lead to failure.

“I will bet everything. Twice as much as my brother! What do you say? Are you afraid?”

“Do you have that much money?”

“I have to earn it now. Lend me some if you have it.”

Geukak suddenly flew backwards, hitting the wall behind him.

“That’s cruel.”

“Remember, the one who borrows money is always the one who is cruel.”

We laughed together.

“But you said my brother is approaching the Poison King and Tyrant. Why did he leave out the Great Drunken Demon?”

When I mentioned the Great Drunken Demon, Geukak’s smile vanished as he abruptly asked,

“Do you like alcohol?”

“I drink moderately.”

“The Drunken Demon has mastered the ultimate in drinking. It’s hard for a sober person to face a drunkard.”

“Do you know the Drunken Demon?”

I knew enough about the demon lords, but most information was about their future—big deeds, the time they came to gather Grand Regression Art materials, and their end.

I didn’t know much about the Drunken Demon at this time. Geukak, a contemporary, was in the same position.

“I don’t know much. I just don’t like him.”

“If Geukak dislikes him, isn’t that a good sign?”

“Maybe. Or… he’s even worse.”

“That’s scary. Worse than Geukak?”

“The smell of his liquor always puts me in a bad mood.”

After that, Geukak never mentioned the Drunken Demon again.

There was a strange intrigue in his eyes as he looked at me, as if he was curious how I would deal with him.

He obviously knew more about the Drunken Demon but enjoyed withholding it out of spite.

Soma, what do you know about the Drunken Demon?