The Return of the Crazy Demon-Chapter 279: How Much Is It Here?

I listened to the life stories of three men.

A story that began in the dark of night ended again in the dark of night. It wouldn’t have been strange if my ears had bled from how long it went on, but I didn’t miss a single word. I needed to understand their stories in order to know their true nature. And I needed to know their true nature so I could leave without any trouble.

And so, I heard all three of their tales.

The epic of how the ancestors of the Mansang Gate Lord were defeated generals, blocked from entering the military, and thus turned to the dark path.

The solemn tale of how the Thundercry Gate, once a sect of just ten people, fought the dark path and eventually became part of it.

And the pitiful tale of Cheonungbang, originally a unifying power in all of Makseong’s dark path, but weakened by internal power struggles.

I sat through this dreary narrative to the end. Along the way, the three of them came to understand one another’s stories as well—what they thought, how they lived.

What more could I offer them?

I gave my verdict.

“...Though the Mansang Gate Lord’s ancestor was a defeated general, Sun Woo-jin, while remaining in the dark path, still remembered he was the descendant of a warrior who once served the nation. He refrained from using poison or launching cowardly ambushes and tried to maintain a line. Do you both agree with that?”

“After hearing what he’s done and his story tonight, I agree.”

“I do as well. There was no cowardice.”

I nodded.

“Then let me ask—do you want my most skilled direct subordinate from Haomun to lead the Makseong dark path? Or do you want the Mansang Gate Lord to unite all three factions and lead them himself?”

The Thundercry Gate Lord and Cheonungbang Lord glanced at each other, then gave the expected answer.

“We’ll follow the Haomun Lord’s will. We’re not in a position to choose otherwise.”

“I feel the same.”

“If any of you lied about what you’ve said, you’ve surely figured out what kind of person I am after spending the entire night with me, haven’t you?”

“Yes.”

I spoke to the three men of the dark path.

“I suppressed my killing intent all night just to listen to your stories, but honestly? They weren’t fun, they weren’t touching, they weren’t interesting, and they weren’t moving. I was amazed at how someone could fill their story with nothing but excuses. You’re masters of excuses. But, Mansang Gate Lord.”

“Yes.”

“I’m leaving you with a promise. Unite the dark path of Makseong. Summarize what’s happened so far, and report it to the Martial Alliance. And ask them for a way to survive.”

“How should I ask?”

“Just be honest. Say you’re from the dark path and ask how you’re supposed to live from now on. People aren’t idiots. There are plenty of smart folks in the Martial Alliance. Ask how your faction can survive without collecting tribute. The four of us have risked our lives in Jianghu, so asking that much from the Martial Alliance isn’t too much. There are definitely people more competent and responsible than us over there. Do you think those strategists are all idiots? Will you do what I said?”

The Mansang Gate Lord nodded.

“I will.”

“This is a promise between men, so I won’t ask for anything else. But if I find out that you’ve broken it... I swear I’ll come back and kill all three of you without hesitation. I’ve already killed public enemies like Mulungja, the Sword Guest, and Dokhaeng, and wiped out entire demonic cult units. You know what that means?”

I looked over at the subordinates standing nearby.

“...Killing all of you wouldn’t be difficult. And if the three of you run off with your fortunes, I’ll pay every intelligence group in Jianghu to find my sworn brothers first. Mansang Gate Lord, you explain what that means.”

The Mansang Gate Lord answered.

“If that happens, the Demonic Cult will come looking for us first.”

The eyes of the Thundercry Gate Lord and Cheonungbang Lord trembled.

“...!”

“I’m already a target of the Demonic Cult. You’ll end up living on borrowed time as well. I suggest you don’t go down that road. I’ve already wasted two days because of you. But if I hear that Makseong has changed someday, then I’ll know this night-long conversation wasn’t for nothing.”

I stood up and retied the knot on my travel pack.

“I’ll be taking the robe as a gift... just so you know.”

The black robe of the Mansang Gate was quite to my liking. The Mansang Gate Lord jumped to his feet, while the other two struggled due to their injuries and having sat for too long.

The Mansang Gate Lord asked me in a flustered tone.

“You’re leaving just like that? Won’t you stay for a meal at least?”

“How could I eat the food of the dark path? It would be uncomfortable.”

“If I go to Ilyang County, can I see you again?”

“Chances are slim. Don’t come looking unless I call for you.”

I turned to the Thundercry Gate Lord.

“Thundercry Gate Lord.”

“Yes.”

“I’m not particularly sorry for slapping you. I’m sure you understand why.”

“You were planning to kill me anyway, so it’s only natural.”

I looked at the Cheonungbang Lord. He bowed his head slightly.

“...Thank you for sparing my life, Lord. I should’ve gone to Suwol Pavilion sooner.”

His speech had shifted into full formality, but I didn’t care much.

I said to all three of them.

“After talking all night, you don’t seem like strangers anymore. If we survive and fate allows, let’s meet again. Men of the dark path... I’m going now. Oh, wait.”

I paused and turned around.

The three leaders, along with all the men of the dark path, were staring at me.

I gave them one final suggestion.

“You’re going to report to the Martial Alliance, right?”

“Yes.”

“Then beforehand, why not distribute the wealth you’ve collected in tribute to the people of Makseong? I don’t care if it’s just for show. The Alliance is still full of people. It’ll help when the investigations come. If I pass through Makseong again, instead of beating someone to death, I’d rather just walk into an inn, eat a bowl of noodles, and move on. I’ll check the results then. By that time, I’ll probably be wandering around like some herbal merchant. So don’t provoke me.”

I looked slowly around at the silent crowd before setting off on my way. From behind, I heard the voice of the Mansang Gate Lord.

“Take care.”

I didn’t bother replying.

I spent two whole days on these dark path bastards—how pathetic.

Was it the right thing to do?

Was it just pointless meddling?

Did I foolishly let people live who should’ve died?

Or was this the way a person ought to act?

Because it was a different choice from my days as the Crazy Demon, I couldn’t say for sure if it was the right one.

Honestly, I didn’t expect Makseong to change overnight. I didn’t think those three would repent and become righteous heroes. People don’t change so easily. Still, the reason I acted like this... is because you never really know with people.

Just like with me.

I set off alone again, and the pathetic stories of those three idiots kept drifting back into my mind.

Come to think of it, I never really told them my story.

Because I kept it hidden, they probably thought I was some extraordinary young master.

Which is fine. Sometimes pretending to be a calm, mysterious master puts people more at ease.

Suddenly I felt drowsy, and my stomach was growling. My pace slowed.

With no choice, I pulled out a hundred-year hasuo root from my pack and chewed it.

Even though I was starving, it tasted like utter shit.

It was one thing to go out gathering herbs, but at this rate I’d end up eating all of them myself.

Was this whole trip just some gourmet elixir-tasting tour?

Thankfully, after gnawing through the hasuo, the hunger faded, the sleepiness disappeared, and my steps quickened.

Maybe what I ate wasn’t a hundred-year hasuo, but a three-hundred-year one?

Goddamn...

My lower belly felt tingly, like I was being told to hole up somewhere and circulate my energy. But I ignored it and kept walking. I couldn’t return all at once anyway. I needed to find a place to sleep first.

A thought suddenly crossed my mind.

Maybe I ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ hadn’t gone out to gather herbs—maybe I’d just wanted to be alone for a few days. Only after being on my own did I realize I’d never given a proper name to that insane combination of frost and thunder energy I’d developed.

The fusion of sun and moon energy was Heaven-Piercing Sun-Moon Radiance.

The twin-handed fusion of Hundred Battles Tenfold Palm was Thunderstorm Chariot.

As for the combination of moonlight and lightning, I wanted to give it a simple name.

The moonlight shot out like a bolt of lightning, radiating white energy—so I named it Moonlight White Shock.

It was a technique I created, but it didn’t roll off the tongue. I had a feeling I’d forget it soon.

‘Weird. I really might forget it.’

Somehow, White Night sounded easier to remember than White Shock, so I changed the name to Moonlight White Night.

That way, it would mean a night bathed in white moonlight—something I wouldn’t forget.

Heaven-Piercing Sun-Moon Radiance. Thunderstorm Chariot. Moonlight White Night. Radiant Sun-Moon Veil.

Do I have the internal energy to wield all four techniques freely?

...Not yet. That was the honest truth.

Even as I walked and ran, my mind was immersed in martial techniques, and before I knew it, I’d wandered off the familiar path.

“......”

I’m not bad with directions, but when walking alone at night, this sort of thing happens. I’m human too. I gradually turned toward signs of life, leaving the deserted trails behind. Maybe this is why moths fly into flames.

I became a lone moth seeking the glow of a tavern light.

Come to think of it, maybe I’m someone destined to live forever in the mundane world. I long for people when I’m alone, yet when I’m among them, I feel the urge to travel by myself. I don’t even understand myself.

Having stayed up for two nights, I stepped into a shabby tavern by the roadside.

It wasn’t peak business hour, but sometimes taverns open early for laborers to eat before dawn.

I planned to leave if no one came out to greet me. But then a voice called out from the kitchen.

“Here to eat?”

The voice sounded fairly old.

“It’s quite early. Is that alright?”

“Yes. We’ve got noodles, dumplings, and one type of alcohol.”

“Bring all three.”

“Yes, sir.”

I took a seat and looked around the small tavern. The tables and chairs looked to be over twenty years old. While dozing off, a man in his forties brought out a big bowl of noodles, dumplings, two side dishes, and some alcohol.

As he placed the dishes down, the owner said,

“...You look tired.”

“I haven’t slept in days.”

Out of habit, I looked at the owner’s face and met his eyes. He was smiling excessively, but his eyes were small—I couldn’t read his expression.

“Enjoy your meal.”

As he turned back to the kitchen, he tossed out a useless remark.

“Out early gathering herbs, are you?”

I thought to myself that this tavern owner had the nose of a damned hound, then picked up my chopsticks.

The noodles, dumplings, and side dishes all looked unappetizing. Food should at least look decent—but everything looked dull and lifeless.

I glanced toward the kitchen, then stabbed the center of a dumpling and split it open. As expected, the inside looked just as dismal. I stirred the noodles to check the broth and the texture, then put them down.

What about the drink?

When I poured it into the cup, it turned out to be some kind of murky rice wine.

Nothing on the table was worth eating.

Dressed like a worn-out herb gatherer, I stared at the trash laid before me. Honestly, I’d intended to eat it, pass out on the table for an hour or two, and then set off again. But once again, I was reminded that things rarely go the way you plan.

I called toward the kitchen.

“...How much is it here?”

A confused voice answered back.

“Pardon?”

“I said—how much. The bill.”

The tavern owner came out and stared blankly at the table, then finally met my gaze. His small eyes were filled with obvious emotion. His face stiffened as he said,

“Just go.”

“Go?”

“Yes.”

I locked eyes with him, then slowly reached into my robes. Instead of pulling out a coin pouch, I drew a flash dagger and stabbed it into the table.

I glared at him and gave a slight nod.

“That won’t do. Come out here.”

The tavern owner gave a hollow laugh, wiped his hands on his apron, and walked out. Sitting across from me, he asked,

“What seems to be the problem?”

I looked him straight in the eye and said,

“I’ll pay, so eat the noodles, the dumplings, and the drink. One bite, one sip, one swallow.”

“Why?”

“Why?”

“Yes.”

Because I figured one of those three things was poisoned.

I was about to force-feed him when the door opened, and some men with swords at their waists walked in and greeted the owner.

“Opening early today?”

“Let’s have a bowl of noodles.”

The three of them took a table and looked at me and the owner, grinning. Judging by the stench that filled the room, these bastards hadn’t bathed in days.

The tavern owner called out to them for help.

“He ordered food but won’t eat it—and now he wants me to eat it.”

“Is that so? Young man, is there a problem?”

I glanced around at the new guests and replied,

“...You came to share noodles too?”

“......”

I rolled my shoulders and chuckled.

“You bastards... picked the wrong day.”