Chapter 8

“…How much?”

“A hundred taels.”

“A—a hundred taels? Are you insane?”

Yuk Ja-heung’s eyes went wide.

“Insane? Are you saying the flask personally used by the Heavenly Demon isn’t worth even a hundred taels?”

“I—I didn’t say that…”

“Watch your mouth, boy. Unless you want to rot in a cell for insulting the Heavenly Demon.”

Yuk Ja-heung clamped his mouth shut.

He’s surprisingly naive.

Getting spooked by such bluffs.

“So what’s it gonna be? You buying it or not?”

“A hundred taels is a bit much…! N-not that I’m saying Master’s possession isn’t valuable! Just that—it’s a lot of money.”

“What’s there to think about? Your family’s loaded.”

Even so, Yuk Ja-heung seemed hesitant.

The Heavenly Demon had never gifted anyone a personal belonging.

That made this practically one of a kind in the entire world.

Someone who idolized the Heavenly Demon as much as he did couldn’t help but covet it.

The only issue was the price.

A hundred taels could buy a low-grade elixir.

So naturally, he’d think carefully.

‘Looks like I’ll have to fan the flames a bit.’

“Alright, picture this.”

I spoke in a low, persuasive tone.

“The younger generation of the Seven Demonic Houses are gathered, drinking together. You know there’s always someone bragging, right? This time, they’re showing off their flasks—‘Mine’s better,’ ‘No, mine’s finer,’ that sort of thing.”

Yuk Ja-heung absentmindedly nodded along.

“You say nothing. Just smile faintly, like there’s a story behind it. Someone will ask—‘Why are you so quiet?’ And instead of answering, you just run your thumb over the flask.”

Yuk Ja-heung’s breathing changed.

He was starting to picture the scene I painted.

So he urged me on, eager for more.

“A-and then?”

“Then someone else asks, ‘What’s with that shabby flask?’ You don’t reply—you just pop the lid. A powerful aroma floods out. Why? Because it’s filled with strong alcohol. For reference, Master loves strong alcohol.”

Yuk Ja-heung muttered under his breath, “Master… likes strong alcohol…?”

I kept going.

“You gulp it down. Guh—and a groan slips out before you know it. The alcohol’s so strong it feels like your throat’s burning. But that’s what makes it cool. And whose flask is it?”

“Master’s!”

“Exactly. Cheap alcohol or not, the moment you drink from this flask, you’re no longer drinking strong alcohol—you’re tasting the loneliness of the Greatest Under Heaven.”

“…!”

Yuk Ja-heung’s mouth fell open.

Almost there.

It was time to hammer in the final nail.

“When you finish, don’t say much. You just say one line. This flask—”

“—belongs to Master himself, you bastards!”

“Yes, just like that!”

Yuk Ja-heung clenched his fist.

“Fine, damn it! I’ll buy it!”

His eyes changed.

All anger and hostility were gone—replaced entirely by greed.

“Good. I’ll let you buy it. Go fetch a hundred taels.”

Yuk Ja-heung rose slowly.

He was still too injured to move freely.

But just as he was about to leave, he hesitated.

“Hey, you know…”

“What.”

“It’s great and all, but don’t you think it could use some… decoration?”

“What kind of decoration?”

“Like wrapping it in gold or something.”

I shook my head.

“Gold doesn’t suit a flask like this. Makes it look like you’re trying too hard.”

“Yeah?”

Yuk Ja-heung scratched his pale cheek.

What a sight, living twice and seeing this.

Who’d have thought this guy could look so docile.

“Better idea—get some fine jade and fit it around the narrow part of the flask. Makes it look classy.”

“Oh, that’s good! Refined!”

Yuk Ja-heung’s face brightened.

“A hundred taels, right? Wait here. I’ll bring it soon.”

“Hold on.”

“What?”

“A hundred twenty taels.”

“…What?”

Yuk Ja-heung stared at me, as if doubting his ears.

I kindly repeated myself.

“One hundred and twenty taels.”

“You said a hundred!”

“It went up. I gave you a suggestion that increased its value. That’s the consultation fee.”

“You damn con artist bastard!”

“Tsk, con artist? If you don’t want it, fine. I’ll just fix it up with a jade and keep it myself then.”

I pretended to tie the flask back to my belt.

Yuk Ja-heung hastily thrust out his palm.

“No, I’ll buy it!”

I nearly burst out laughing.

I held it back and nodded.

“Good choice. This flask’s value will skyrocket later.”

“Don’t raise the price again! I’ll seriously kill you!”

“I won’t, don’t worry.”

Still doubtful, Yuk Ja-heung left Hidden Cloud Pavilion.

That afternoon, one of his men came.

A one hundred-tael note, and a twenty-tael note.

Two promissory notes in total.

My mood soared.

I hadn’t expected my offhand plan to work this well.

Truly, every item finds its rightful owner.

When I first got that flask, I’d wondered what use it’d be.

‘Now to go spend some money.’

I got ready and stepped outside.

A servant sweeping the yard asked where I was going; I just said I’d be out briefly.

Leaving Hidden Cloud Pavilion, I headed for the Ten Thousand Demons Hall.

It was where the Heavenly Demon resided.

The hall’s gates were open all twenty-four hours of the day.

No guards stood watch at the entrance, so I entered freely.

In the vast audience hall, only a single throne sat in the middle.

Unlike other places in the Demon Cult, there were no massive demonic statues, no warriors radiating overwhelming presence.

Of course, the Heavenly Demon’s guards were likely hidden somewhere.

But even they had concealed their presence, leaving the place utterly silent.

‘It’s no wonder the man grows lonelier.’

I clicked my tongue.

Perhaps the Ten Thousand Demons Hall mirrored the Heavenly Demon himself.

Grand on the outside, hollow within.

A thought struck me.

It’s generally said that people become demonic when their chaotic demonic qi runs amok.

But could someone like the Heavenly Demon really have been consumed by it because he couldn’t control it?

Maybe it was this emptiness and desolation that led to it.

“Would you be the Seventh Young Lord?”

While I was lost in thought, someone approached from a corridor off the hall.

Naturally, there were others in the hall besides guards—attendants.

The one who addressed me was an elderly woman who seemed to be their chief.

“Yes. I’m Master’s new disciple.”

“Do you wish to see the Cult Leader?”

“Yes.”

“The Cult Leader is in training. Please wait a moment.”

“Alright.”

I stood still for a while.

I glanced idly around the empty hall.

How long had it been?

“Will you come this way?”

“Yes.”

As I followed the attendant down the corridor, I asked.

“Say, how long does Master usually train?”

“Unless there’s special business, all day.”

“I see.”

She led me to the Heavenly Demon’s private training hall.

He must have just finished as a thin mist seemed to rise from his bare torso.

Fine muscles writhed like flowing magma, and countless sword scars were etched across his upper body.

Each one, a mark of glory that had forged the Heavenly Demon of today.

But even more arresting were his eyes.

Though training had just ended, they held not a trace of heat.

It was as cold as ever.

No, frozen would be closer to the truth, like midwinter itself.

‘Why is that?’

Puzzled, I greeted him.

“Long time no see, Master.”

“Didn’t we meet yesterday.”

“We were stuck together twelve hours a day, then apart—so yeah, feels like a while.”

“…What is it?”

“I heard you train all day unless something special comes up?”

The Heavenly Demon didn’t answer.

He just gave me a calm look, as if to ask why I’d ask that.

“You know, everyone needs someone to talk to. Life gets lonely, stifling sometimes. Talking often helps.”

“……”

“And when one spends all their time alone, they get gloomy, and their spirit wanes.”

“…What exactly are you trying to say?”

His eyes narrowed a hair, so I hurried on.

“Don’t just train. Go see some friends. You have friends, right?”

“No.”

“Come on, just how old are you? How could you have no friends?”

“And you—do you?”

My words snagged.

Come to think of it, I don’t have any either.

“You don’t.”

The corner of his mouth twitched.

“Huh? Did you just smile?”

“I did not.”

“You definitely did.”

“Enough. Your business.”

The Heavenly Demon’s tone cut sharp.

Playtime was over.

“I’ve got something to show you.”

I took out a one-hundred–tael promissory note.

He held out his hand, naturally.

“It’s not for you, Master.”

“……”

Expressionless, he withdrew his hand.

“Money squeezed from Ja-heung, I presume.”

“You knew already?”

“I did. A hefty yield for selling a shabby flask.”

“Heh. That’s called initiative. You’re not upset I sold the flask you gave me, right?”

“I do not experience such feelings.”

“Good to hear. Anyway, I have a favor.”

“Speak.”

“Please authorize me to enter the True Demon Market.”

Within the Demon Cult’s domain are several great markets.

The True Demon Market was one of them.

There were a few conditions for entry.

First, you must be someone who receives the Cult’s monthly stipend.

Second, at least one month must have passed since your first stipend.

Third, you must carry an identity plaque proving the above.

Lastly, you must prove you hold at least one hundred taels of silver.

Unfortunately, I met only one of those.

I’d arrived just yesterday, so none of the paperwork was done.

It would take time to satisfy the other conditions unless I used a shortcut.

A guarantor of high rank.

That was why I’d come to the Heavenly Demon.

“How did you learn of the True Demon Market?”

“Just picked it up here and there.”

“……”

He studied me in silence.

It would seem strange.

A boy with no ties to the Demon Cult suddenly acting like he knew it well.

But the world keeps its riddles.

To him, I must be one of them.

“What do you intend to buy there?”

“Elixirs.”

I answered without hesitation.

Now that I was here, it was time to move in earnest.

The duration I could use internal energy is between half a quarter and a quarter of an hour.

With elixirs, I’d be able to hit harder during that window.

Yuk Ja-heung was only the start. From here, plenty of more pests would come to bother me.

So I needed the strength to beat them.

Although it’ll be a long road, I’ll take it, step by step.

“Are you familiar with elixirs?“

“Not really. I plan to look around first.”

“With that attitude, you will be swindled.”

“If you’re worried, you could always come with me.”

“I am not your nanny.”

He refused outright.

I hadn’t expected otherwise.

“Either way, you’ll vouch for me, right?”

The Heavenly Demon gave the slightest nod.

“Thanks. I’ll be back after I buy the elixirs.”

“Back?”

A faint crease formed between his brows.

“Yep. See you.”

I dashed out of the Ten Thousand Demons Hall.

He’d find me bothersome, no doubt—but I still had another favor to ask.

Though for now, that was a secret.