Chapter 382 : That Soma-nim Has a Big Face

Translator: FenrirTL

Editor/Quality Checker/Notes : Saphartlantis

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Chapter 382: That Soma-nim Has a Big Face

Others wouldn’t believe it if they heard, but we really did come back with our pajamas packed.

"Is it really okay for us to do this?"

"Of course it is!"

"Now that I think about it, I have some unfinished business at the Underworld Pavilion that I need to urgently take care of."

Seo Daeryong, who only came to his senses belatedly, tried to slip away from this midnight adventure, but I wasn’t going to let him go so easily.

"When will we ever get a chance like this again? And think about it. He said we could go, but do you really think he meant it? Why wouldn’t those guys come? Hanging out with them makes you feel young again, and it’s just so much fun."

Right? Seo Daeryong moved his feet, half in doubt. For someone who feared his master so much, there was a reason he was pushing himself today.

"I never imagined I’d manage to open the Ren-Du Meridians."

Seo Daeryong was burning with heat. Gratefulness and worry toward his master, excitement from opening the Ren-Du Meridians, joy from seeing me again after so long—all of it was mixed together in a frenzy. He felt like if something were to go wrong today, he’d make it go wrong in a grand way.

When we returned to the dwelling of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, he was out like a light. This time, he really was asleep. He lay on the bed, in a deep slumber, and we stood by the window watching over him before quietly slipping out of the place.

‘Sleep well, elder.’

I walked through the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's inner courtyard with Seo Daeryong.

"It’s been a while. Walking like this with you, Young Cult Leader."

"It’s only because our Branch Leader Seo is so busy."

"Then at least show your face and say that."

I laughed awkwardly, and Seo Daeryong laughed along with me.

"Time really flies. Every day feels tough, but then suddenly a few days pass, then before you know it, a month is gone. Is it supposed to be like this?" 1

He asked absentmindedly, then shook his head.

"I’m the older one here, but I’m asking the Young Cult Leader about how fast time passes."

I wanted to tell him, your youthful years haven’t even reached half of their full speed yet. They’re still only at three steps of a brisk pace. When time reaches its peak, it sweeps away all memories and races far into the distance.

So, in that spirit, shall we spend our time on something worthwhile?

"Shall we go see our dear Evil Smiling Demon then?"

Seo Daeryong screamed, "Oh no!" in horror.

"Just tell me you hate me instead. I’d rather you challenge me to a duel and beat me up!"

"Is Soma-nim really that scary?"

"Isn’t he scary?"

"You used to live together once, didn’t you?"

It was when we were dealing with Yaryuhan’s subordinates.

When the Poison King and I were carrying out an operation in jail, Seo Daeryong had stayed briefly with the Evil Smiling Demon. He’d even personally gone out to buy side dishes and cooking ingredients at the market and cooked for Soma.

"You guys got close back then, didn’t you?"

"Got close? I couldn’t even make eye contact! I was dying inside, waiting for the Young Cult Leader to show up, wondering when, when. Do you know how nervous I was?"

"You'll realize he's a good person once you talk to him. If he were really that scary, would I like him this much?"

I could feel Seo Daeryong's heart waver just a bit.

"Think about it—ten years from now, when you look back on today. 'Ah, if only I’d gone to see Evil Smiling Demon-nim with the Young Cult Leader, how fun that would've been.' What were you so hesitant and scared about?"

When I finished speaking and turned around, Seo Daeryong was already far off in the distance, running away. Now that he had opened the Ren-Du Meridians, he ran even faster than before.

Right, if it were that easy, he wouldn’t be called the Evil Smiling Demon.

"Move the bed before you leave!"

Seo Daeryong stopped in his tracks.

"Bed? What bed?"

"You wouldn’t know because you’ve never been there, but there’s nothing at Soma-nim’s place. If you want to sleep there, you need to bring your own bed."

Seo Daeryong blinked in confusion.

"So you’re bringing a bed to the Valley of the Wicked?"

"We can’t exactly show up in the middle of the night and ask for a bed, can we? But we can’t sleep on the bare ground either. I want to sleep comfortably on my own bed."

"You’re seriously bringing the bed?"

In the end we really did bring it. 2

We carried the bed from my place—me holding the front and Seo Daeryong the back.

The demons on guard duty stared at us with shocked eyes. On top of the bed was neatly folded bedding and even a pair of pajamas, which made it all the more eye-catching.

"You can move this by yourself, can’t you?"

"It’s heavy."

"Heavy? You’re someone who can use Void Telekinesis to float it in the air. Just let me carry it."

"I can’t make the Underworld Pavilion Lord do something like that."

"This is more embarrassing! Anyway, I’ll just carry it for you and leave right after. I’m saying it clearly! Don’t say something else later."

When we arrived at the entrance of the Valley of Wicked, Seo Daeryong recalled the past.

"Do you remember? When you first came to meet the Evil Smiling Demon, I was waiting here."

"I remember. You even brought a sword in case something went wrong, ready to jump in and save me."

"And now we’re going all the way into his chamber."

"You brought your sword, right?"

"Please, don’t joke like that. My heart is already about to burst."

Seo Daeryong took several deep breaths, trying to calm his trembling heart.

"Don’t be nervous. You’re someone who’s going to be a Demon Supreme, aren’t you?"

"That just makes me even more nervous! The fact that I’m becoming a Demon Supreme is still the most shocking and terrifying thing in the world to me. I still sometimes have nightmares. Dreams where I’m still an investigator at the Underworld Pavilion, endlessly gloomy and full of resentment toward the cult. Dreams of walking in and seeing someone else sitting across from me when I first went in to meet the Young Cult Leader."

"But you’ve changed."

"Sorry?"

"Your fate didn’t change because of me. You changed it yourself." 3

Seo Daeryong remained silent, lost in thought.

At last, we entered the Valley of Wicked.

Not only the Faceless Swordsman guarding the entrance but also the ones passing by looked at us with odd expressions.

―Everyone’s giving us strange looks. That yellow-striped mask over there just smiled.

―Should I erase them?

―The list of people who need to be erased just keeps growing.

And so, we arrived at the Evil Smiling Demon’s residence.

*         *         *

“Soma-nim, we’ve come to impose for the night!”

Looking cheerfully at Geom Mugeuk who stepped inside, the Evil Smiling Demon’s eyes smiled through the wide, hollow holes of his white mask.

Who in the world would come to him and say they wanted to crash at his place for the night? Who would show up carrying a bed and even pajamas?

“Were you kicked out of your home?”

“I’ve caused quite the trouble recently, so I’m almost at that point.”

“The Young Cult Leader is always welcome here.”

“At this rate, you’ll get kicked out with me, Soma-nim.”

The Evil Smiling Demon burst out laughing. It had been a while since I’d heard him laugh like that.

“You’ve changed your mask.”

“As expected! You noticed.”

It seemed that after Cheong Myeon left, a new Faceless Swordsman had appeared to make him a new one.

“Is the new mask more comfortable?”

“Tell Cheong Myeon it’s much more comfortable than the one he made.”

“I’ll be sure to tell him.”

Because that, in a way, would be passing on the Evil Smiling Demon’s longing of him.

This time, Seo Daeryong greeted him politely.

“It’s been a while.”

He was secretly surprised. He’d heard there was nothing inside, but he didn’t think they meant it so literally. Not even a speck of dust was visible. Well, there was one thing that caught the eye—a long line drawn on the wall. Horizontal lines and vertical lines. Why was that left there in such a spotless room?

“Your gaze has grown sharper.”

The Evil Smiling Demon said this with an incredibly cold look, which confused Seo Daeryong.

‘That was a compliment, right? That was a compliment?’

He was so terrified of Soma that it sounded more like, “Nice eyes—want to fight?”

“Recently, my master gave me a great teaching. It’s thanks to that.”

The Evil Smiling Demon simply gave a silent nod.

Geom Mugeuk asked Soma,

“Where should we put the bed?”

“Wherever you’d like.”

“Then I’ll place it over here.”

We set the bed along one side of the wall. It was the first time any furniture had entered the Evil Smiling Demon’s empty room.

Why did he bring the bed? Because now, he hoped the Evil Smiling Demon would sleep lying down.

The white walls were related to the martial art mental method he’d mastered, but the reason he sat upright to sleep had been something else.

Before the regression, Soma had once wished to become friends with me. He’d said something long ago:

―Someone bearing the name 'Evil Smiling' shouldn’t sleep peacefully, right? It’s the least and the only piece of conscience I have.

Back then, I had thought it was just bravado—his way of trying to befriend me. I assumed he probably had some extravagant sleeping room tucked away.

But after the regression, as I forged a new relationship with him, I came to understand that those words had been sincere.

I hadn’t told him at the time. No—even if I had known he meant it, I still wouldn’t have said anything. Back then, I hadn’t opened my heart to anyone.

Now was the time to tell him.

‘Sleep peacefully now.’

Because he was living a different life. And from now on, he would continue to live a different life. He would continue to change.

That was why today’s bed was the first step in taking our relationship one step further.

“Would you be willing to lend me this entire wall space? I think moving it back and forth every time would be a hassle.”

The Evil Smiling Demon looked at me for a moment. At this unexpected request, he nodded without hesitation.

“Go ahead.”

“Thank you. Next time I come, I’ll bring a small side table to place next to the bed. Also, a little wardrobe to put a change of clothes in. This wall is mine now.”

Seo Daeryong watched the scene in stunned silence.

‘You’re seriously moving in? Into the Evil Smiling Demon’s room?’

Originally, he had planned to say goodbye and head out, but now he was deeply curious about what had gotten into Geom Mugeuk.

Seo Daeryong said to Soma,

“If you consider the Young Cult Leader’s actions overbearing, please report it to the Underworld Pavilion. I’ll investigate immediately.”

It was the greatest joke of Seo Daeryong’s life.

Knowing just how much courage it must have taken him, I desperately held back my laughter and put on a straight face with difficulty.

The Evil Smiling Demon silently stared at him, eyes filled with confusion about how to react.

‘What did I just say? Did I just make a joke to the Evil Smiling Demon? Seo Daeryong, are you out of your mind?’

His sound transmission flew to me as fast as the Star Light Step.

―Please save me! I’m begging you, clean this up for me!

Of course, I, Geom Mugeuk, had no intention of helping in such a delightful moment.

―Seems like opening the Ren-Du Meridians inflated your guts too. So, who’s going to be the next Lord of the Underworld Pavilion?

Just as Seo Daeryong’s panic reached its peak, Soma spoke.

“It’ll be fine. I plan to paint all the furniture white anyway.”

To that nonchalant response, Seo Daeryong forced a smile and said,

“I think white suits this room well.”

With those words, he hurried to try and say his goodbyes.

But just then, the Evil Smiling Demon approached him.

‘Why’s he coming over? So he really couldn’t forgive the joke?’

As Seo Daeryong flinched, Soma stood beside him.

“For the furniture layout, I think it would be better to put the wardrobe over here.”

“You think so?”

Even though the Evil Smiling Demon was merely standing beside him, Seo Daeryong felt like he couldn’t breathe.

‘How did the Young Cult Leader become so close to someone this terrifying?’

When I see the relationships between the Young Cult Leader and the Demon Supremes, it’s beyond admiration—it’s awe.

Seo Daeryong subtly stepped aside. In truth, he wanted to go all the way to the opposite side of the room, but he couldn’t dare do that.

‘I’ve lost it. Why did I even come here in the first place?’

To be honest, half of it was curiosity. What would the Evil Smiling Demon's place really be like? The other half was filled with bravado and bluster.

I mean, I’m the Lord of the Underworld Pavilion now, and I’ve even opened the Ren-Du Meridians. Don’t I deserve to visit at least once?

Deserve? Deserve what? Why would you walk into hell on your own two feet!

Just as he was searching for a chance to say goodbye—

Soma glanced at Seo Daeryong. Through the holes of the mask, his eyes looked like they were smiling, but that was somehow even scarier.

Anyway, their eyes had met. Now was the time.

‘I’ll take my leave now!’

Just as he was about to say that, the Evil Smiling Demon spoke first.

“I owe you for back then.”

“Pardon?”

With eyes that clearly said, "Have you already forgotten?" Seo Daeryong’s mind went blank and his words froze up.

“You went through a lot trying to feed someone like me with such a small appetite.”

It was about the time Seo Daeryong cooked for him. He’d once joked, in his absence, that he had no appetite—and had been caught and scolded for it. Was he still remembering that?

“No, it was only right that I did it.”

He even managed to smile as he finally prepared to say his farewell—but now it was Geom Mugeuk who began telling a story from the time he’d left the cult. 4

“I’m not even sure where to begin.”

Previously, he’d told part of it while sitting on the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s bed. Now, he sat on the one he brought and continued.

He spoke of how he killed the infiltrator from the Unorthodox Alliance, how he came to invite the Alliance Leader of the Unorthodox Alliance, and even how he ended up bringing in the Martial Alliance Leader too.

Seo Daeryong had heard some parts before and missed others while brewing medicine. As he listened now, he became so drawn into the story he completely forgot about leaving.

During a lull in the conversation, Seo Daeryong sent a sound transmission.

―Why are you telling them all of this in such detail?

He figured there must be a reason. And indeed, there was.

―So when something happens later, you all will be able to respond accordingly. Information is power.

It wasn’t that he was being chatty with Gu Cheonpa and Soma for the fun of it. It was all to prepare for any possibilities in the future.

Anyway, he’d heard the story well. He’d heard it twice now, so there should be no need to hear it again.

“I think I should…”

Just as he was about to finally say he was taking his leave, the Evil Smiling Demon started talking about martial arts.

When that ended, Geom Mugeuk asked after the Sky Flower Pavilion Mistress.

The tale of Yeo Jeong, the woman who loved Soma, and her expansion of her courtesan business throughout the Central Plains, was so interesting that Seo Daeryong feared the words “I should leave now” might never come.

Then they discussed the current martial world situation.

That was when Seo Daeryong realized for the first time that the Evil Smiling Demon was far more knowledgeable in various fields than he had thought—and that he actually enjoyed conversing a lot.

In the end, when the topic of the masks in the Valley of Wicked came up again, Seo Daeryong couldn’t hold back. Hadn’t he been tempered by Geom Mugeuk’s constant banter? His mind and heart held firm, but his mouth unhesitatingly betrayed him.

“I have a rather small head and a small face too, so the mask suits me well.”

Soma gazed at him in silence. Geom Mugeuk, standing beside him, deliberately made a surprised face to add to the tension.

“No, no, I didn’t mean to say that Soma-nim has a big face.”

That’s not what I meant! Geom Mugeuk made an even more exaggerated expression of shock. 5

The Evil Smiling Demon suddenly rose from his seat and began walking toward Seo Daeryong.

‘I should have left earlier.’

Seo Daeryong squeezed his eyes shut.

Soma walked past him and stepped outside, only to return shortly after.

In his hand was a white mask. A brand-new one, freshly made.

“Try it on.”

Seo Daeryong’s heart pounded wildly.

If the mask doesn’t fit, will he rip off the parts of my face that stick out with his own hands?! Is that it?

Thankfully, the mask fit. It was a bit snug, but he forced himself to act like it was perfect.

“It fits perfectly!”

“It’s a gift.”

“Thank you.”

Seo Daeryong was stunned. He had truly not expected the Evil Smiling Demon to give him the mask as a gift.

In the end, he ended up dozing off while listening to the two of them talk until dawn. 6

He hadn’t imagined he would ever fall asleep in the Evil Smiling Demon’s room. But there he was, sitting on the floor, back leaned against the bed, and drifting off.

When he awoke, Geom Mugeuk and Soma were standing side by side by the window, quietly watching the dim light of dawn rise.

They weren’t even conversing through sound transmission. They just stood there, silently, facing the same direction.

More than their earlier conversations, it was the sight of those two standing silently together, facing the same horizon, that engraved itself into Seo Daeryong’s heart.

That was when the Evil Smiling Demon turned around.

Startled, Seo Daeryong quickly shut his eyes and pretended to be asleep.

‘I need to go. Please, let me leave.’

While pretending to sleep, Seo Daeryong ended up truly falling back into slumber. 7

When he opened his eyes again, the sun was already high in the sky.

And there stood Soma, looking down at him. He was so startled, he nearly screamed—but he desperately held it in and looked around. Geom Mugeuk was already gone. 8

Right, that man was a devil.

The kind of devil who would leave someone in hell if it made things more fun. Of course. Who else could have dragged me into this white hell to begin with?

The Evil Smiling Demon asked bluntly, but in a soft tone,

“When exactly are you planning to leave?”

Clutching the gifted mask tightly in his hand, Seo Daeryong finally said the words he’d wanted to say all night.

“I’ll take my leave now.” 9

1 : Don’t worry, I haven’t seen the last 3 years pass. The 25 before too though XDXDXD

2 : Was there ever a reality where you wouldn’t have brought it ? XDXDXD

Reminds me of ‘From Cosmic Rascal to Professor’ and the MC obsession (madness) with thesis. Even through millions of parallel timelines, his obsession never changed XDXDXD (to prevent DCMAs, let’s just say that the group tling it could be renamed ‘Heavenly’ Demon Order)

3 : Let’s say it was a group effort. None of you could have succeeded in that task alone.

4 : Lol, they’re team tagging to block all windows of escape. Poor Seo Daeryong XDXDXD

5 : Lol, live commentary from the scene XDXDXD

6 : Hehehe, just as planned ^^

7 : Bwahahahaha, this jinx he have XDXDXD

8 : Now that’s just cruel Mugeuk XDXDXD

9 : I can see his teary eyes, poor guy XDXDXD