‘Our’ Definition

Having finished breakfast with her disciple, the Heavenly Demon returned to the Heavenly Demon Palace with the Chief Manager, Gwonma, and Youngma to discuss future plans.

She sent Inho back to the Disciple’s Palace, where he would be staying.

“From now on, that will be your place, so get used to it.”

She said that, but in truth, she just felt uncomfortable having him sit in on a meeting about wreaking havoc on the Central Plains.

The Heavenly Demon sat on a chair as high as the Emperor’s throne, with the Chief Manager, Youngma, and Gwonma standing below her.

“Has there been any word from Sword Demon?”

“We received a letter yesterday saying he had passed Hunan. I believe he is probably halfway through Hubei by now,” the Chief Manager summarized.

Youngma continued, “Given Sword Demon’s personality, he may have reached Anhui already.”

“I see. That is Sword Demon for you.”

In terms of pure martial strength, he was second only to the Heavenly Demon, and one of the Black Heaven Cult’s greatest assets.

“We should join Sword Demon in ten days. Gwonma, you will come with me this time.”

“Understood.”

Gwonma bowed slightly in response, and Youngma, who was next to him, asked, “Cult Leader, will the Young Cult Leader not be joining us?”

‘Now that I think about it, I should introduce Inho to Sword Demon.’

The goal of this war was the destruction of the Martial Arts Alliance.

No, the eradication of the Martial Arts world.

The Heavenly Demon’s goal was to erase all traces of Martial Artists from this Central Plains.

Whether they were from the Orthodox Sect, the Evil Sect, or other independent sects. All of them.

To destroy the dantian of those who possessed even a bit of internal energy, and to eliminate those Martial Artists who wielded even more power than the government officials at times.

That was the great task that the Heavenly Demon had set.

Because it was a battle that would involve great sacrifice, the road to Anhui, where the Martial Arts Alliance was located, was treacherous and difficult.

Should she take Inho to such a place?

For the first time in a long time, the Heavenly Demon began to contemplate.

‘If it were up to me, I would want to show him how I destroy the Martial Arts Alliance.’

She hesitated because the reason she had undertaken this great task was because of Inho.

The burning Martial Arts Alliance, the broken signboard.

She wanted to show him those things, hold Inho, and say,

-I have avenged you. Aren’t you grateful?

She thought it would be truly delightful to kiss Inho against the backdrop of the blazing Martial Arts Alliance.

‘But my personal battles are different from war. I don’t know what will happen on the battlefield.’

Although she was the Heavenly Demon, unmatched in the world, if dozens of Orthodox experts ganged up on her, there would be a momentary opening.

What if Inho were to get hurt during that fleeting moment?

She would never be able to forgive herself.

“…Ah, I was lost in thought for a moment.”

The Heavenly Demon opened her mouth, looking at her subordinates who were silently waiting.

After much deliberation, the Heavenly Demon made up her mind and spoke.

“The Young Cult Leader will remain here with the Chief Manager. It is too early to take the Young Cult Leader to the front lines.”

He was still a disciple with much to learn. The Heavenly Demon added, “Ah, Youngma. Can you find someone named Lee Mina?”

Youngma blinked a few times at the Heavenly Demon’s sudden question.

“Do you have any information other than her name?”

“She is probably around the same age as the Young Cult Leader.”

After a moment of thought, the Heavenly Demon said, “It may be difficult, but I will try to find her.”

“No. Never mind. I shouldn’t have brought it up.”

Youngma prostrated herself without the slightest hesitation, and the Heavenly Demon waved her hand, retracting her words.

“That is all for the discussion. You may all leave.”

At her gesture, the Chief Manager and Gwonma bowed and left.

“Why are you still here?”

The Heavenly Demon asked, puzzled, as Youngma did not leave.

“If I may be so bold, may I ask you a question?”

“If it is bold, it is best not to ask, but go ahead.”

“It seems that you have become soft for the Young Cult Leader.”

“So, you disapprove of that?”

-Kugu.

“How could a lowly person like me harbor such thoughts about you, Cult Leader? I am obedient to you and the Young Cult Leader.”

As the Heavenly Demon’s energy vibrated the air, Youngma prostrated herself.

“Then why do you ask such a question? I almost misunderstood you.”

The Heavenly Demon relaxed her frown and leaned back in her chair.

“I was merely curious. The way you have been acting recently is new to me.”

“Hoh… In what way is it new?”

Gulp. Youngma swallowed.

“You are waiting.”

“Waiting?”

“Yes. The Cult Leader I have known has always obtained what she wanted and destroyed what was in her way. There was no hesitation in her actions.”

Youngma paused to catch her breath and assessed the Heavenly Demon’s mood.

“But you have given the Young Cult Leader chances time and time again. Even for impudence that the Cult Leader of the past would have punished with death or dismemberment.”

Returning from Sichuan to Henan, Youngma had been nervous several times.

Having served the Heavenly Demon for a long time, Youngma was confident that she knew the lines that should not be crossed.

However, the suddenly appeared Young Cult Leader was not only crossing those lines but also playing jump rope with them, so she watched carefully, wondering when his head would fall.

She had been especially astonished when she saw the Young Cult Leader fighting with the Heavenly Demon to protect the cook when he had served the wrong food.

That was why she was curious.

Just what kind of existence was the Young Cult Leader that the Heavenly Demon was showing such mercy?

What kind of person was the Young Cult Leader that the Heavenly Demon was yielding to so much?

Even Youngma, who had chosen to live as a shadow of the Black Heaven Cult, was very curious about this.

Surely the Chief Manager and Gwonma were just as curious as she was, Youngma thought.

“You are making a serious face over nothing. That is your problem. You are too serious about everything.”

The Heavenly Demon chuckled and looked at Youngma.

“Youngma, do you remember when you and I first met?”

“Yes. When my parents were killed by bandits, you saved me, Cult Leader.”

“Well, I merely punished the bandits who were disturbing my sleep. It was you who followed me without permission.”

“Whatever the reason, it is undeniable that you saved me.”

“Anyway, if, just if, your dead parents were to come back to life, how would you feel?”

“…I think I would be happy.”

Faced with an impossible hypothetical, Youngma hesitated before answering slowly.

“Me too. It was twelve years ago that I buried that foolish disciple of mine in my heart.”

“It took me four years to burn away the Demonic state of mind within me, and eight years to miss him.”

“Then, like a miracle, he reappeared. Since the dead have come back to life, it can be said to be a gift from the Divine Doctor. What do you think this means to me?”

“I do not know.”

“I want to show him only good things and let him know only beautiful things.”

“……..”

“If I acted according to my nature, I might have to bury him in my heart again. I do not want that.”

“I am not a fool. I know myself very well when it comes to my obsessions. Just think about how the ‘Heavenly Demon’ who plunged the Central Plains into chaos was born.”

“That is why I do not want to show him this obsession as much as possible. Right now, I want to understand and embrace him as much as possible.”

The Heavenly Demon smiled bitterly, and Youngma, still not understanding, asked, “I do not understand. If you do not restrain him, he might run away. Might he not fall in love with someone else?”

“Hahahaha!”

The Heavenly Demon laughed loudly as if the question was funny, and the Heavenly Demon Palace echoed with her laughter.

“Who in the world can stop me?”

The Heavenly Demon declared.

“No matter who is by his side, in the end, I will be the one who remains. Is there another crazy woman in this world who can surpass me?”