In fact, when Blood Heaven Butcher first heard Geom Woo-yang’s words that they would have to wait and see, he couldn’t bring himself to believe it.

Geom Woo-yang was coming to find him first? Without taking care of the other Demon Lords? That didn’t seem possible.

But, as if they had planned it together, that very night, Geom Woo-yang arrived.

“Is something wrong?”

Geom Woo-yang raised a bottle of alcohol that he had brought with him.

“I wanted to have a drink with you, Elder. If I remember correctly, you liked this drink, didn’t you?”

“You managed to remember, huh? Well, come on in.”

However, Blood Heaven Butcher did not invite him into his home but instead sat him down on a large, flat stone in the yard.

“It’s cool out here; let’s drink here.”

“That’s fine.”

Blood Heaven Butcher had a servant bring the alcohol and some simple snacks.

They had met again after Geom Woo-yang’s return, but at that time, they hadn’t had the chance to check on each other’s situation.

Now, at last, Blood Heaven Butcher took a moment to observe Geom Woo-yang’s aura. Indeed, his aura was different from when he had left.

“I heard you’ve crossed the boundary of the Devil’s Qi?”

“Thanks to your concern, I managed to get through it.”

“Congratulations.”

“Thank you.”

“Your sect leader must have been happy to hear that.”

“Yes.”

Blood Heaven Butcher asked a few more questions about the Devil’s Qi boundary, and Geom Woo-yang answered as sincerely as he could, within what he was able to share. They had often discussed martial arts in the past.

Geom Woo-yang had always enjoyed discussing martial arts with Blood Heaven Butcher. For some reason, they communicated well on the subject.

As their drinks began to dwindle, Blood Heaven Butcher brought up the topic first.

“You came here because there’s something you want to ask, right? Go ahead and ask freely.”

“Yes, I won’t beat around the bush. Why did you choose my younger brother? I’m sure there’s a reason, or something that made you decide.”

“Of course there is.”

Blood Heaven Butcher thought for a moment about how to answer, then replied.

“Your younger brother has a power that draws people in.”

Geom Woo-yang silently nodded in agreement.

“A power that draws people in…”

He had expected many possible answers, and he had considered that this might be one of them. But when he actually heard it, he felt a strange, mixed emotion of confusion and disappointment.

He had never been told that he possessed such a power to draw someone’s heart.

“I’ve never felt such a power in Geom Muguk. Ah, I’m not saying this to belittle him. I’m just curious about what that kind of feeling is like.”

“Of course you haven’t felt it. Your younger brother had no reason to attract your heart, and you also didn’t have the space to accept his heart, did you?”

“Yes, that’s true.”

Blood Heaven Butcher poured him another drink as Geom Woo-yang nodded sincerely.

“You’re a fine martial artist. You surely have the potential to become the Heavenly Demon.”

Blood Heaven Butcher truly believed that. If Geom Muguk hadn’t come up like a madman, he would have continued to support Geom Woo-yang.

“Even so, you chose your younger brother, didn’t you?”

“Sometimes in life, you’re pushed by the wind that suddenly blows your way.”

“I wish I were the one the wind is blowing toward. I want to walk this path with you, Elder.”

Geom Woo-yang’s gaze was filled with light. At least at this moment, he was speaking from the heart.

“Aren’t there other Demon Lords?”

“No. I need you, Elder.”

“Why?”

Even though Ma Bul followed him like his right arm, deep down, Geom Woo-yang preferred Blood Heaven Butcher more.

“Because... you are someone I absolutely need.”

He didn’t offer any other reason.

If he hadn’t heard from Geom Muguk that Geom Woo-yang would come, Blood Heaven Butcher might have been moved by his earnestness.

“May I make a few suggestions to you, Elder?”

“Go ahead.”

“If I become the Heavenly Demon, I will place you in the position of the First Demon Lord.”

“The First Demon Lord?”

“Yes. I will create the highest position among the Demon Lords recognized even in the Heavenly Demon Wars. I will also triple the size of the South Demon Sect. I’ll remove the limit on the number of disciples and significantly increase support for the South Demon Sect. Additionally, I will grant you special access to the Heavenly Demon Library. You may go and see it whenever you like.”

Geom Woo-yang knew that Blood Heaven Butcher liked books. The Heavenly Demon Library didn’t just store martial arts secrets. It also held rare books such as poems and collections that would be difficult to find in the market.

Considering fairness among the other Demon Lords, it was indeed an exceptional offer.

Of course, Blood Heaven Butcher wasn’t naive enough to fully believe such words.

What would happen when Geom Woo-yang becomes the Heavenly Demon and says, “The opposition from the other Demon Lords is stronger than I expected, so Elder, you’ll have to make some concessions”?

Moreover, he would be even older by then, likely a toothless tiger.

“Ma Bul would be disappointed, wouldn’t he? He’s probably sure he’ll become the First Demon Lord.”

Geom Woo-yang showed no signs of surprise, as if he had expected such a reaction.

“There’s nothing I can do. I respect and like Ma Bul, but I believe that the position belongs to you, Elder. You can tell Ma Bul exactly what I said.”

He had faith that Ma Bul wouldn’t hear those words. Where did this faith come from? Did he think of himself as such a noble person?

“I’ll think about your suggestion.”

“Yes, thank you.”

They clinked their glasses and Geom Woo-yang got up to leave.

As he was about to leave, he added one last thing.

“Elder, I will definitely become the Heavenly Demon.”

After Geom Woo-yang left, Blood Heaven Butcher took out the poisoned wine that Geom Muguk had given him as a gift. He hadn’t trusted Geom Woo-yang when he brought the wine.

Blood Heaven Butcher muttered to himself.

“...Yeah, I was certain of it once.”

When Geom Woo-yang returned, Ma Bul was waiting for him.

“Did you visit Blood Heaven Butcher?”

“He’s still the same. No secrets.”

“What’s this nonsense about secrets? Why did you go to see him?”

“I went to try and win him over.”

“And?”

“He said he’d think about it.”

“He’s a traitor.”

Ma Bul deliberately used the strong word "traitor."

“Once someone turns their back, they’ll turn again. You know that, don’t you?”

Then, Geom Woo-yang said something that surprised Ma Bul.

“He was drinking poisoned wine.”

“He’s not sane, that man!”

Ma Bul yelled in anger, while Geom Woo-yang remained calm.

“It didn’t seem like he was trying to hide it. It was as if he was saying, ‘I don’t trust you, like Blood Heaven Butcher would,’” Geom Woo-yang said.

“Don’t associate with him anymore.”

The most surprising part came next from Geom Woo-yang’s mouth.

“Oh, and I suggested giving him the position of First Demon Lord.”

For a moment, Ma Bul froze, stunned by the unexpected remark.

He had always thought that position would be his.

So, Ma Bul waited for the next words, expecting Geom Woo-yang to say something like, “Forget that, I was just saying it to try and win him over.”

But Geom Woo-yang didn’t say that.

‘So what does this mean? Are you really going to give it to him?’

Ma Bul unconsciously clenched his teeth. When a person clenches their teeth like that, it’s clear to anyone watching, especially to a skilled person like Geom Woo-yang. Yet, Geom Woo-yang pretended not to notice, not reacting at all.

A flurry of thoughts passed through Ma Bul’s mind.

Could it be a mistake? Or was he being careless? Or perhaps he knew but was intentionally saying it?

He began to wonder if this might be a way of punishing him for involving Wunnam and Sanggwa.

There had been similar situations before. What was most troubling was that Geom Woo-yang was someone so sharp and intelligent.

So, Ma Bul was always confused, unsure whether it was just a mistake or whether there was some hidden intention behind his actions.

And above all, the worst part was this:

He couldn’t express these feelings.

If it were anyone else, they would have asked directly by now.

Why? Are you disregarding me? Don’t do this.

But with Geom Woo-yang, those words didn’t come easily. Was it because he had misstepped from the very beginning? Or was it because Geom Woo-yang had placed some invisible barrier between them?

The relationship between Geom Woo-yang and Ma Bul was one-sided for Ma Bul.

It was worse than not being close at all…

In the end, Ma Bul always concluded like this:

‘Yeah, that’s possible. I’m still young after all.’

As the elder, he had to endure. After all, this was about making the young man into the Heavenly Demon.

“You need to take care of your side too. They’re all watching.”

You should understand that these words came after many thoughts!

Perhaps sensing Ma Bul’s thoughts, Geom Woo-yang spoke.

“I don’t feel much attachment to the ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) other Demon Lords.”

“What do you mean?”

“Elder, you or Blood Heaven Butcher would openly stand up and declare who you support. But the other Demon Lords just watch, waiting to attach themselves to whoever is in a favorable position. It’s pathetic.”

It would have been nice if Blood Heaven Butcher had been left out of those words. No, if he truly wanted to deceive him, he probably would have left it out on purpose. Being so honest was a way of showing respect, after all.

“Even so, they’re still necessary.”

“I trust only you, Elder.”

Ma Bul and Geom Woo-yang looked at each other and smiled.

Ma Bul felt somewhat relieved, but the knot in his heart hadn’t loosened.

‘So who will you give the position of First Demon Lord to?’

But in the end, neither Geom Woo-yang nor Ma Bul spoke about that.

Blood Heaven Butcher looked at me with a surprised expression when he found me.

“You were right. The Grand Prince really came to find me. How did you know?”

“This is a secret, but… I have the ability to see the future.”

“You’re still as crazy as ever. It seems no one used soul-binding magic to take your mind away.”

Blood Heaven Butcher made a joke, and I smiled.

“Didn’t I tell you? He’s just like that.”

“This time, I’ve realized something very clearly.”

Blood Heaven Butcher hesitated for a moment before continuing, though he had clearly been intending to speak his mind.

“You’ve shown me who you really are.”

“!”

I tensed. This was the first time Blood Heaven Butcher had spoken about me like this.

“What do you mean?”

“No matter what temptations the Grand Prince threw at me, I couldn’t hear them. Just as you said, he made outrageous proposals. But I didn’t budge.”

I could hear the sound of his heart slowly opening, letting me in.

I felt grateful to Blood Heaven Butcher for telling me this. It was such a relief to hear him express it.

Yes, this is how I need to know. Everyone acts as if they know, but if they don’t say it, I wouldn’t have known.

I immediately drew the black sword and made a long line on the ground. I then drew another line, slightly to the right of the one Blood Heaven Butcher had previously made.

“Is this where your affection for me is now?”

Blood Heaven Butcher didn’t deny it, but he also reminded me.

“Just don’t let it get to your head.”

“What will happen?”

“You’ll pay a steep price. Among the prices to be paid, the one most prominently displayed is arrogance.”

Because he read so many books, Blood Heaven Butcher occasionally used expressions that didn’t quite match his character. I really liked this side of him.

“I’ll remember.”

“If you’re telling the truth, then the Grand Prince will visit the Wind Sky Sect too. Will you leave it like that?”

“Of course.”

“Do you think that person will be as firm as I am?”

“Well, it’s two of them, isn’t it?”

“Two? Who? Go-wol?”

“The Wind Sky Sect leader will surely discuss it with Go-wol.”

“Do you trust Go-wol?”

“Yes.”

“You shouldn’t trust people so easily.”

I thought I detected a hint of jealousy in Blood Heaven Butcher’s words. But I didn’t intend to take advantage of that to win his heart, so I just quietly followed his words.

“Yes, I’ll always stay vigilant. Please watch over things as well, Elder.”

“I will. By the way, with the Grand Prince stirring things up, are you just going to stay idle?”

“It’s been a while since I returned, so I’ll give him a chance to make the first move. Let’s see how he acts.”

I thought it was a good thing. My brother would test all of us.

“Whether the ground hardens after rain, or whether we end up rolling in the mud naked, let’s see.”