Chronicles of the Demon Faction - Chapter 916



Only Noblemtl

Side story 266. Bloody battle in the shadows (1)

“… … .”

The calm appearance of the lantern drinking tea resembled that of an orphaned scholar.

“It tastes good. As expected, there is no one better than you, senior.”

The king, who had been quietly looking at the lanterns, turned his gaze to the window and asked.

“You stopped by the courthouse?”

“How did you know?”

“You know. I’ve been living in seclusion for a long time, but there are still many people who remember this worthless old man.”

The lantern’s smile deepened.

“That’s why I follow my senior. Because I won’t forget him. Even though he’s been in seclusion for over ten years, the shadow cast by his past still lingers. That’s proof of his value.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

“It’s just respect.”

“So what’s the answer?”

The lantern tilted its head.

“I went to see the Great Guardian. Are you not on good terms with the Great Guardian?”

“It doesn’t matter who you meet, but what you talk about.”

“I wonder if there was anything special. I just came to say hello. It may be hard for the Demon King and the Great Guardian to be on good terms, but there’s no reason why those who work hard for our school can’t have a cup of tea together.”

“Are you really saying you came back after only having a cup of tea?”

“Of course I wasn’t treated to tea. He really hated me.”

The lantern burst into laughter.

The smiling face of the lantern, the unique smile of Jasodaema that we have always seen, brings about complicated feelings in those who see it.

The king closed his eyes.

“Hey, listen up.”

“Please speak, senior.”

“When you came into this dwelling to join me in this cause, I did not believe you.”

“That makes sense. I’m a very serious person. Who would easily trust someone who is busy laughing and not being serious when they should be?”

“And that feeling is still the same now.”

“… … .”

“Just like you don’t trust me.”

The lanterns flickered.

“I feel sorry. If I hadn’t trusted you, how could I have clung to the world’s best dark spirit?”

“I guess you had faith that it could at least provide a roof. And further… … .”

The king smiled.

“After gaining your trust for a long time, you must have thought of using me for your own benefit.”

“You misunderstand.”

“Don’t you think it’s similar to the relationship between the contemporary religious leader and the great guardian deity Wu Hongbaek?”

The lantern’s smile was still the same, but the look in his eyes was a little different.

The king put his hand on the cold tea.

At that moment, a wisp of steam rose above his fingers. The cold tea had suddenly become hot.

The Shinyama-gong of the king is fundamentally the opposite of the Yeolyang-gong. His magic is based on yin energy, and in terms of yin energy, he is a master who has surpassed the magic path and has reached a level that is hard to find even in the entire Central Plains.

Since his understanding of yin energy is beyond imagination, he naturally brings in the opposing energy and instantly raises the temperature of the tea. If he had wanted to, he could even melt the teacup with magic fire like the masters of Yeolyanggong.

The path of martial arts (武功之路) means the path to Manryuguijong (萬流歸宗). Although it may not be the strongest, it is no exaggeration to say that one has reached Manryuguijong in terms of enlightenment.

“Sir.”

“… … .”

“You offered to help me purify the corrupted religion and create a new world. I told you that I was too old to do it, but you willingly knelt down, saying that it was an honor just to be with me.”

“… … .”

“I don’t think someone like you would come and wipe your mouth now. You may be a poisonous snake, but at least you’re not a two-headed snake, are you?”

The king sipped his tea.

“You had other intentions from the beginning. I knew it all too well, and I accepted it. I thought I could use you, just as you tried to use me.”

“Your guess is harsh.”

“Shouldn’t you have waited a little longer?”

A gentle vibration occurred from the tips of Wang In’s fingers as he put down the teacup.

The smile on the lantern disappeared. Although he didn’t raise his magic, the trembling of his fingertips was ready to strike at any moment.

“If you had endured more, if you had been more patient, you would have left me and flown away, no longer needing a roof. But why did you show your fangs so quickly?”

“What are you talking about, this junior has no idea… … .”

“Even if you change your expression with a fake smile, those who know you won’t believe your smile, your eyes, your voice, or your actions. Why would other Demon Kings hate you?”

“… … .”

“It’s time to be honest. Isn’t it, Lantern?”

It’s a lantern, not a letter.

Although only one name had changed, Yeondeung could not ignore the change.

Perhaps today, his religious life will reach another turning point. In the worst case, he may have to fight a life-or-death battle with the Demon Lord of the Night.

If you fight a life-or-death battle with him… … there’s a good chance you’ll lose.

It would be better if he died, but this demon spirit would never kill himself. That’s why it’s even scarier. Living as a cripple is scarier than death.

“You told me to be honest, but I have nothing else to say.”

The lantern’s tone of speech has also changed.

“Haven’t you come to your senses yet?”

“You haven’t come to your senses yet, Senior. When have we ever discussed honesty and lies with each other? This is all I’ve shown you so far. It’s up to you to read what’s true and what’s false in it.”

“… … .”

“You don’t even know the true intentions of your junior. You must have aged a lot, senior.”

Wang In nodded.

“Yes, perhaps you are right. The hellish world of Saba is a place where truth and lies, delusion and despair reign supreme. If you have lived to this age, it means you have some ability, but I have been waiting for you to be honest, so I have grown old.”

The lantern’s face hardened.

In these cases, admitting something is scarier than getting angry, because you can’t predict the reaction.

“This old man, who is on the verge of death, is no longer the same as before. So, I threw away my pride and visited the residence of Baekgol and Sipgeom. I plan to visit Gwanghyeol’s residence soon.”

“… … !”

“After I sort things out with you, I plan to go see him.”

Brrrrrr.

The two teacups on the table began to shake uncontrollably.

“From now on, answer carefully. As you know, I, who used to live off of honor, was quite bold when I killed the children I raised myself. Now that I’ve thrown away my honor, it’ll be hard for you to handle me.”

The king’s face turned cold.

“Let me ask you. What was the conversation you had with the Great Guardian?”

The lantern’s ball was spinning.

“I only said I would follow you, I never swore loyalty. Do I have to tell you all those things in detail?”

“I’ll give you two more chances.”

“… … .”

“What did you talk about with him?”

“… … .”

“This is the last one.”

The king held his teacup in his hand.

Phusssss.

The remaining tea water evaporated all at once. The room was filled with the deep aroma of tea.

“What did you talk about?”

A flash of magic flashed through Yeondeung’s eyes.

The king, who had been quietly looking at the lantern, nodded.

“I didn’t know you’d cut off your limbs before your disobedient bones.”

“… … .”

“It’s been fun.”

“Before that, let me ask you one thing.”

Even when faced with the most powerful of the Demon Lords, the Dark Night Demon, Yeondeung showed no fear at all. Instead, he placed his arms on the table as if he was proud and asked aggressively.

“Why are you moving now?”

“What nonsense is this.”

“Literally. Why are you only moving now? If you had wanted to, you could have moved a year ago, two years ago, no, even when the current leader ascended to the throne. That time has been over ten years.”

“… … .”

“I waited for you to come out every day. From the moment I first thought of it, I started counting the days. Every day was a repetition of hope and despair. And five days ago, it hit exactly four thousand days.”

“You were counting them one by one.”

“Why are you trying to move at this very moment when the new religion is about to undergo a change? Why didn’t you try to move sooner?”

‘The king’s eyes became cold.

“Was that it?”

“Are you not going to answer my question?”

“Are you trying to carry me on your back and protect me as your guardian angel, so that you can wield the power of one person under the sun and above all people?”

“Answer me!”

The excited voice of the lantern pierced the king’s ears painfully.

“It’s not that you didn’t know what I was thinking! You just ignored it. If that’s the case, then you shouldn’t have accepted me!”

“You followed me blindly even though I told you I wasn’t interested in anything. It’s a shame to try to shift the blame to me now.”

The king continued speaking, not hiding his pitiful expression.

“Baekgol had passion and conviction. Sipgeom had caution and a seeker’s attitude. The two of them did not abandon their dignity and subjectivity as befitting the Demon King. But you have become so ugly.”

The lantern’s face turned red. It was a face filled with anger, a much more natural expression than when he was smiling.

“No matter how ugly I am, how can I be your senior?”

“Think whatever you want.”

The king woke up slowly.

“Get up and go outside.”

“… … .”

“But we’ve been together for over ten years, so do you plan on experiencing tragedy in this cramped room?”

“Don’t worry.”

The lantern spoke as if spitting out words.

“Before that tragedy finds me, it will find you first.”

“That’s some serious nonsense.”

“It seems that heaven is on my side. You have waited until now because you were indecisive, but even though I am a fool, my patience was worth it.”

“… … ?”

“The timing was very good.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

That was when.

bang!

A group of people began to come in, breaking down the gate in the distance.

Even though they were coming, I couldn’t sense their presence. They were people who had learned the art of stealth, but that alone doesn’t explain it.

There was little life in the king’s eyes.

“Lantern, you?”

“How ridiculous it must have been for me, who worked under you like a servant, doing all sorts of odd jobs like tending to the flowerbeds. But why would I, who was as good as a hemp plant, take on the work that I could have done by ordering my subordinates?”

The lantern struck the table.

At that moment, Wang In felt as if the lantern’s body was moving away by dozens of chapters.

‘Jinbeop.’

The distant lantern laughed.

“After four thousand days of dreaming, I have returned to reality. You have been frustrated in reality for over four thousand days, and now you are finally moving towards your dream.”

“… … .”

“How can a dreamer handle the sword of reality? You have suffered so much.”

Kwajik!

The windows and the outer wall collapsed completely.

And there, the elite of the guardian court, including the Great Guardian Law Wu Hongbaek, were lined up, exuding murderous aura.

The corners of the king’s mouth went up.

“This is truly an unimaginable gift.”

“The King of the Night Gods.”

Wu Hongbai spoke in a stiff voice.

“I will arrest you on charges of treason. Come back obediently.”

“Treason… … .”

The king closed his eyes.

I lived in seclusion for over ten years, looking out at the world. Then, when I tried to go out into the world again, I was caught in a trap.

Of course, he wasn’t afraid of that trap.

“You guys, do you know that?”

The king smiled.

“It’s night now.”