Dad Is the Demonic Cult Leader – Chapter 167

Chapter 167

“Cough…… Cough!”

“Yin Demon…… Are you alright?”

The Yin-Yang Twin Demons, who had left the Ten Thousand Great Mountains for Chang’an to assassinate Jin So-cheon and Kang Baek-san, had arrived at Mount Guangyang.

Yin Demon Baek Won-cheon’s cold illness had worsened.

He suffered from terrible chills at night and coughed up blood during the day. Watching him, Yang Demon Baek Won-gyo felt as if a boulder had settled in his chest.

“Yang Demon…… Don’t worry. I still have some time left.”

“Nonsense! You’re dying. Why don’t we find a renowned physician and recuperate, then plan for the future? It’s not like we’re in a hurry.”

Yin Demon scoffed at Yang Demon’s words.

“Haha! Yang Demon. I told you not to worry. If I’m about to die, I’ll leave you a will.”

“What?”

“It means I won’t die suddenly, you fool.”

“D*mn it!”

Yang Demon was annoyed by Yin Demon’s relaxed attitude despite coughing up blood.

‘No matter how I look at it, it seems serious……’

Even to Yang Demon, who was ignorant of medicine, Yin Demon’s complexion was clearly sickly.

Worry and concern filled Yang Demon’s mind, fearing that his brother might die if things continued this way.

“Yang Demon…… I really told you not to worry.”

“……”

“I know myself well. I’m not someone who dies easily, so stop it.”

“Just try dying. I’ll throw your corpse to the wild beasts.”

“Haha! You rascal!”

At that moment.

━Kaaaaaaaang!!!

A beast’s roar, filled with terrifying yet auspicious power, echoed in their ears.

“Yin Demon. Is that a tiger’s roar?”

“It sounds like a tiger at first glance…… But judging by the divine power felt in the roar…… It could also be the sound of a divine beast.”

“A divine beast? Then we should catch it right away, shouldn’t we?”

“Haha…… It would be a stroke of luck if we could catch it.”

“Let’s go. Let’s catch the divine beast.”

“Let’s do it!”

Whoosh━!

The two of them flew into the air.

◈ ◈ ◈

“Hehe━ Whitey, come here!”

━Kraaaaaang!

What caught the eyes of the Yin-Yang Twin Demons who had tracked the roar of the divine beast was……

‘……Huh!’

‘What…… What is that?’

A young girl who looked to be about five or six years old, and a giant white tiger divine beast rolling on its back and acting cute around her.

“Whitey…… When will my dad come back? It’s been a long time. Sniffle! I miss Dad……”

The girl stroked the white tiger’s head and muttered to herself.

However……

The Yin-Yang Twin Demons’ eyes gleamed with affection as they found the child’s appearance utterly adorable.

“Haha…… Yang Demon. Looking at that child reminds me of So-yun.”

At that moment.

Yin Demon Baek Won-cheon’s mouth opened slightly as he looked at the child.

Yang Demon Baek Won-gyo made a complicated expression and let out a long sigh.

“Sigh…… Let’s not talk about So-yun. It makes me feel uneasy.”

“Yang Demon…… It’s been 50 years. How can you still be in pain? It wasn’t your fault. For the sake of your daughter So-yun who passed away, bury the past in your heart.”

“……”

That’s right.

50 years ago, Yang Demon Baek Won-gyo lost his daughter, whom he had at a late age, to illness.

Of course, a long time had passed, but the horrific feelings and scars from that time remained etched in Yang Demon’s heart.

At that moment,

“Haha……! So-yun.”

“Grandpa!”

Suddenly, an elderly man with a stern face approached the girl and handed her a pill.

“So-yun. You need to take your So-yun Elixir even while you’re playing. Come on, eat it.”

“Yes, Grandpa!”

The girl quickly swallowed the pill, and the Yin-Yang Twin Demons’ eyes widened in surprise at the name ‘So-yun’ that came out of the old man’s mouth.

‘Of all things…… The child’s name is So-yun?’

As Yang Demon’s anguish deepened……

“Who are you?”

The old man, who had appeared suddenly, asked the Yin-Yang Twin Demons who were hiding in the bushes.

◈ ◈ ◈

“……We are passing travelers. We happened to hear a tiger’s roar, and it sounded so extraordinary that we came to take a look. We weren’t intentionally eavesdropping, so please don’t misunderstand.”

Yin Demon answered Master Dongbyeok’s question.

Then So-yun took a step toward the Yin-Yang Twin Demons and greeted them with a bright smile.

“Hehe━ Hello, Grandpas! What you heard wasn’t a tiger’s roar, it was Whitey’s bark!”

Yin Demon put on a bright smile at So-yun’s words.

“Haha! I see…… But, child. You’re amazing. You look so young, but you can control a white tiger divine beast at will! How can you be so bright?”

“Heehee! Grandpa! It’s because So-yun is a genius.”

“Huh?”

“Dad said so. He said So-yun is the greatest genius in the Central Plains!”

“What? Hahahaha!”

While Yin Demon burst into laughter, Yang Demon’s expression remained stiff.

“Grandpa…… Were you startled by Whitey’s bark? You don’t look well.”

Seeing So-yun cautiously approach and ask, Yang Demon, flustered, stammered and spoke in a low voice.

“Child.”

“Yes?”

“Is your name So-yun?”

“Yes! My name is Jin So-yun!”

“Jin So-yun…… What a beautiful name.”

“Heehee━ Thank you!”

“Haha…… You’re so cheerful.”

For a moment, Yang Demon unconsciously stroked So-yun’s head.

So-yun smiled even more brightly, and Yin Demon’s expression became incredibly peaceful as he watched them.

At that moment,

“Old man……”

Master Dongbyeok spoke as he carefully observed Yin Demon.

“What is it?”

“Forgive my bluntness, but you look quite ill. Judging by your pale complexion, it seems like you’re experiencing symptoms of poisoning, but it doesn’t seem to be caused by poison…… Your eyes are dry, your breathing is rough, and you lack vitality. It seems like you’re suffering from a cold illness, am I right?”

Yin Demon and Yang Demon’s eyes widened simultaneously.

“How did you know?”

“I’ve lived my whole life as a physician. Also, I’m currently writing a medical text about cold illnesses, so I’m researching cases related to cold damage.”

“Huh……! You’re amazing. I am indeed suffering from a cold illness. It’s a chronic illness that’s been going on for a very long time.”

Master Dongbyeok nodded as if he had expected it, and then spoke again.

“Old man. I know this is rude, but I’ll speak frankly. From what I see, your condition seems critical. If you don’t receive proper treatment, you won’t last more than three days.”

Yang Demon, instead of Yin Demon, asked in a startled voice.

“I-Is that true?”

“It’s certain.”

“Then…… Where is the nearest physician? We must go immediately.”

“Not just anyone can cure this old man’s cold illness.”

“……!”

“I’ll treat the old man’s cold illness for the time being.”

“You will?”

“Yes.”

“Could you…… Tell me your name?”

“My name is Yi Si-jin.”

At that moment, the Yin-Yang Twin Demons couldn’t hide their astonishment.

◈ ◈ ◈

Wudang Sect Jade Void Palace━.

Ju Yeong-cheon, who had lost consciousness and was on the verge of death, woke up on the third day after returning to Jade Void Palace.

“Martial Uncle…… Are you conscious?”

Sect Leader Heo Won, who hadn’t left his side for a moment, spoke in a worried voice.

However, Ju Yeong-cheon burst into his usual childlike laughter as if it were nothing.

“Hehe…… Heo Won. I’m so glad. I almost died in Gansu. But since I get to die at the sect, this must be a blessing, right?”

“Martial Uncle…… How can you say such a thing? The Medical Hall Master is taking care of you with all his heart. Also, we’ve sent a message to Shaolin, so Abbot Gong-won will soon arrive to examine you. Abbot Gong-won is known as one of the three greatest physicians in the world, isn’t he? With his miraculous medical skills, you’ll be able to recover, so don’t say such disheartening things.”

“Huh! Heo Won. Why did you have to ask those Shaolin monks for help? It’s not very dignified for the Wudang Sect, the greatest Taoist sect in the world, to ask a monk for a favor.”

“Martial Uncle……”

“Hehehe…… I’m just kidding. But you did something unnecessary. I won’t get better.”

“……”

“I’ve exhausted a lot of energy, and I used my Innate True Energy at Mount Wonjong. Even if Hua Tuo were to come back to life, he wouldn’t be able to cure me, would he?”

“Huh……”

A deep sigh escaped Heo Won’s lips at Ju Yeong-cheon’s words.

Actually……

Heo Won also knew that Ju Yeong-cheon’s recovery was unlikely.

While caring for him for three days, Heo Won realized that Ju Yeong-cheon had used his Innate True Energy, and considering his old age, it was impossible for him to recover his energy.

Nevertheless……

Heo Won didn’t want to let Ju Yeong-cheon go powerlessly.

Not only was Ju Yeong-cheon a living witness and history of the Wudang Sect, but he was also a symbolic figure of the current Righteous Path.

‘Martial Uncle…… You must regain your strength!’

Heo Won couldn’t help but hold onto a sliver of hope.

However, Ju Yeong-cheon, the person involved, continued to speak calmly.

“Heo Won…… There’s no need to feel resentful or sorrowful.”

“Martial Uncle……”

“Still, I fought against the Heavenly Demon of this generation and narrowly lost, so I’ve lived up to my name.”

“Martial Uncle…… How did you end up fighting the Demonic Cult Leader?”

Ju Yeong-cheon stroked his beard at Heo Won’s question.

“Haven’t I been hunting Demonic Cult members? While doing so, I met the old Sword Emperor and had a conversation, which naturally led me to Gansu. While I was there, I decided to eliminate the Demonic Cult’s lair at Mount Wonjong, and that’s when I met Wi Ji-hon.”

“Martial Uncle……”

“Heo Won. Wi Ji-hon is strong. He was like a wild horse that never tires. Also, even though he’s a demon person, he’s achieved complete Transcendence from Demon, so I couldn’t find any weaknesses. He was someone who saw through and countered all the secret techniques of Tai Chi that I’ve honed throughout my life.”

Heo Won’s shoulders trembled violently.

“If he countered Martial Uncle’s Tai Chi Sword…… Who in the world can stop him?”

“Who knows what the future holds. There are many talented individuals in the martial world. Our Jinhu is one of them. Hehe! But for now, no one can defeat him. Not even the old Sword Emperor.”

“……”

“But a crisis becomes an opportunity.”

“Martial Uncle……?”

“The Heavenly Demon overexerted himself. It will probably take him at least a year to recover to his state before fighting me.”

“……”

“Therefore, now is the chance.”

“Martial Uncle……”

“Contact the Sword Emperor immediately. If it’s now, the Sword Emperor might be able to fight the Heavenly Demon. Of course, only heaven knows who will win or lose, but one thing’s for sure: if it’s not now, the Sword Emperor will never be able to defeat him again. That old man is getting old too.”

“Martial Uncle…… What should I tell Senior Dokgo?”

“Tell him to challenge the Demonic Cult Leader right away.”

“……!”

“Wi Ji-hon has a strong sense of pride…… Incomparable to his grandfather. If the Sword Emperor challenges him, he’ll have no choice but to accept, even if the situation is unfavorable to him.”

After saying that, Ju Yeong-cheon suddenly struggled to sit up.

The surprised Heo Won hurriedly supported him and asked.

“Martial Uncle…… Where are you going?”

“Heo Won. Take me to the Ancestral Hall.”

“Why the Ancestral Hall……?”

“Hehe━ Actually…… I had a strange dream about 10 years ago.”

“A dream…… You say?”

“Yes. And that dream showed me where I would die.”

“Martial Uncle……”

“I foresaw my death then. After living for nearly 100 years as a Taoist, I finally gained divine powers. Hehehe!”

“……”

“I clearly died in the Ancestral Hall then.”

“Martial Uncle!”

“I want to see my master. Take me to the Ancestral Hall.”

“No, Martial Uncle!”

“Please.”

“……”

“I may have lived like a fool all my life…… But at least in my final moments, I want to confirm my Taoist powers.”