Chapter 149 – Three Peaches (9)

The Heavenly Demon is the most disastrous human calamity that has pervaded the era.

With his personal power transcending all limits, he ultimately reached the pinnacle alone. Even the World Tree, revered as a deity, could no longer control him.

Catastrophe.

The figures of the Mok Ingyo sect appraise the elder in this manner. He refuses to believe in the World Tree, and once destroyed a church solely because it irritated him.

Humanity’s foe.

The perspective on the Heavenly Demon held by the Association and the Mok Ingyo followers was not much different. To them, the elder was nothing but a threat—an unusable pawn. If anything, he would only sabotage their plans.

Businesspeople shared similar sentiments.

After several influential figures who controlled the underworld were decimated by the Heavenly Demon, they vowed revenge. Driven by their individual interests, they pursued the Heavenly Demon, whose lifespan was nearing its end. They also harbored intentions to annihilate Do-won.

“I believe the time is not right yet.”

In a certain location, influential figures gather around a round table, engaging in a discussion.

“The adversary is the Heavenly Demon. Regardless of its weakened state, do we really want to suffer further losses? I propose we wait a bit longer.”

The guild leader, adjusting his stylish glasses, shares his thoughts. He, too, had suffered at the hands of the Heavenly Demon in the past.

Though he would like nothing more than to sever the old creature’s throat immediately, the task is not so simple. Extreme caution must be exercised when hunting such a monster, a fact well understood by everyone present.

Various factions, including the Hunter Association, are deeply involved in this matter, taking it with utmost seriousness. The stakes are high, as the resolution of the World Tree’s troubles promises a wealth of rewards, treasures, and prestige. Even if morally questionable acts occur along the way, they will undoubtedly be justified in the name of the divine.

This man had fought for the gods. Perhaps he would etch his name into the annals of history.

Of course, one must not be blinded by enticing gains and devise haphazard plans.

“I believe we must wait still.”

“…Wait for the right moment?”

At that point, one individual raised their voice in response to the guild leader’s remark.

“Are you joking? It is the World Tree’s desire that we slay the Heavenly Demon as soon as possible.”

The Wooden Man Cult. Representative of the pope.
Commander of the Golden Knights. Lemon.
A faint golden lion emblem adorned her shoulder.

“I cannot comprehend. What is so difficult about capturing a single aged man that we must drag our feet like this? Are you frightened?”

“Frightened, you say? I lost my father to the Heavenly Demon.”

“Then all the more reason for you to go out and fight with increased fervor. What are you doing? Just sit there.”

Though arrogant, Lemon exuded an air of nobility. She narrowed her eyes and glared at the guild leader with an intense gaze.

The guild leader managed to conceal his emotions, swallowing his resentment internally.

Another individual intervened in the conversation.

“Make a mistake, and everyone here could perish. Captain Lemon.”

Although honorifics were used out of courtesy, the tone was laden with warning. Lemon displayed an annoyed expression in response to the cautionary words of the Hunter Association’s vice president.

The others inwardly clicked their tongues at Lemon’s attitude.

‘Does she think the Heavenly Demon is some kind of mere troublemaker? She’s out of her mind, not even having seen him firsthand.’

‘What is Mokinyo trying to achieve by sending someone like her in a parachute? Just to have her name on the list for helping overcome the catastrophe?’

Ignoring the vice president, Lemon turned her gaze to the president of the Hunter Association. She believed herself to be in a similar position to the association’s president.

“…What do you think? Don’t you live in a country close to the Heavenly Demon?”

Korea and China – the closest nations to the lair of the Heavenly Demon.

The elderly man with long, gray hair tied up in a topknot gazed at Lemon, his face marred by countless scars.

Even she, usually so full of pride due to her striking appearance, found herself swallowing nervously.

Soon, he spoke.

“That man is dangerous.”

The President of the Hunter Gun Association, he had lived through a great war, enduring an existence parallel to that of the Heavenly Demon. Known as the Sword God and Jin Gwang, he had earned numerous epithets, difficult for anyone else to achieve.

Mugung.

He was the living history of the Hunter Association itself.

“I’ve faced him before. It’s why I’ve become like this – a man who once had not a single scar for a lifetime.”

He was a swordmaster who ruled the pinnacle of all Hunters in the Association, and a man who had once dueled with the Heavenly Demon.

Mugung regarded Lemon with a steely, piercing gaze.

“Do you understand the implications? You must.”
“…”

In a low voice, Lemon tensed her shoulders and sealed her lips.

A bead of sweat trickled down her pristine collarbone.

“Still, it’s a fact that we must hasten. I never imagined he’d be raising a disciple.”
“Y-yes, that’s true.”

As Mugung’s words of affirmation emerged, Lemon finally eased his expression. His thighs quivered from merely locking eyes with him.

Mugung gazed at the vice president and inquired.

“Has the existence of Socheonma been confirmed?”
“It has. Though I’m uncertain about the skill level.”
“No matter. As his disciple, there’s no doubt he’s nurturing a monster.”

Mugung moistened his parched lips and surveyed the surroundings. A young man raised his hand. The hastily appointed head of the Cornus family: Sanhyeokwon.

These were the words of a man who was a noble to the core, so prestigious that even the Mok-in-gyo couldn’t easily touch him.

“The preparations to topple Do-won are nearly complete. In fact, if we can only defeat one Heavenly Demon, the rest should be easy. However—”

Even though there were elders and leaders of the Munpa sect in Do-won, there were countless people here with similar powers.

The problem was the Heavenly Demon.
A malevolent spirit of this age whose immense power was said to have reached the heavens.

The only person who could stand against the Heavenly Demon here was Mugung.
Even then, victory was far from certain.

“Nonetheless, the danger remains unchanged.”

As the vice president had mentioned, everyone here could potentially perish.
The mood grew somber.
Even the usually boastful Lemon grasped the gravity of the situation and fell silent.

“Were you the one targeting the heart of the Heavenly Demon?”
“…Yes.”

Sanhyeokwon nodded in response to Mugung’s question.
He crossed his fingers, presenting his opinion.

“The power that remains elusive is that of the Lesser Heavenly Demon. There’s only one. That’s also why we must hasten our efforts now.”

This matter had already been resolved in a prior meeting. The reason they had not vanquished the Heavenly Demon in Do-won up until now was due to the demon’s limited lifespan. However, with the emergence of his disciple, the necessity for subjugation had become pressing.

“Who knows when the matured Lesser Heavenly Demon might incite yet another great war?”

The war instigated by King Mokryeong. From the perspective of the Mokinyo faith, it was a conflict that resulted in the deaths of numerous gods. The extent of the damage inflicted by the fallen Pope’s authority was immense.

This was Sanhyeokwon’s assertion. A similarly devastating event could potentially follow.

The mention of the ‘Great War’ by Sanhyeokwon was enough to heighten everyone’s vigilance.

“That’s why I’ve been considering this. What do you think?”

After surveying the assembly, he raised a finger.

“The Heavenly Demon’s life is nearing its end. The goal is to take out the Lesser Heavenly Demon.”

After all, the Heavenly Demon’s time was running short.
Thus, should they not aim for his disciple instead?

Once the Lesser Heavenly Demon fell, there would be no need to battle the Heavenly Demon. They could gradually seize control of Do-won after his demise.

What a splendid opportunity to end the war and reap the rewards!

If all went according to plan, they could achieve this without lifting a finger.
It would be quite easy to receive the accolades of a hero who vanquished the calamity.

“Hmm. Any specific plans? Surely, you must have one?”
“Of course.”

Everyone began to listen intently as Sanhyeokwon spoke with an air of assurance.

* * * * * *

Astonishing, indeed.

‘So they’re targeting me.’

As I reflected on my conversation with the Heavenly Demon, I pondered over and over again.

The world’s powerholders had conspired together.
That alone was shocking, but the Heavenly Demon’s prediction that I would probably be the next target was quite plausible.

‘After all, the Heavenly Demon’s lifespan is short. Prioritizing my demise would make sense.’

Severing the line of succession.
It was a common tactic in politics.
Taking a nation’s heir, holding them hostage, and manipulating them – a scene frequently witnessed throughout history.

To them, I, the one who would carry on the legacy, was more of a nuisance than the soon-to-perish Heavenly Demon.

‘Then, if I hadn’t been present at this time… would Heaven have been the one targeted?’

No matter how carefully one hides, a long tail is bound to be caught.
However, that tail was entirely concealed by my very existence.

In the entire world, no one would know that Heaven was a disciple of the Heavenly Demon, save for the Peach Sisters, myself, and the elder.

If I were to die like this, the Heavenly Demon would be left without a disciple.

Heavenly Demon’s great sword could safely be connected with Heaven’s.

“…Execution?”

It was then that Heaven, who had been sitting closely beside him, asked.

“Huh?”
“Meat, is it okay?”

Ah, right.

Snapping out of my thoughts, I hastily flipped the pork ribs. If the person holding the tongs becomes absent-minded, a real disaster could occur. Fortunately, the ribs were now perfectly golden brown.

“It’s fine. Pork ribs are actually better when not flipped too often.”
“Is that so?”

In truth, it doesn’t make much of a difference regardless of how many times they’re flipped. Nevertheless, the one grilling holds a certain conviction. For instance, flipping the meat precisely twice. When you visit a barbecue restaurant and start grilling with tongs, you develop your own routine.

‘Of course, I almost caused a major problem just now by being so absent-minded.’

While Heaven and Zodiac seemed to brush it off, the sharp-eyed White Peach gave me a meaningful look.

“Grill it properly, please.”

Still a fierce child.
Sharp eyes flashed through the snowy white hair.

“Baekdo, really! Are you actually going to do that? My brother put in so much effort because he wanted to go outside.”
“Hwangdo, whose side are you on?”
“Your brother’s side?”
“…Ugh.”

Baekdo tried to give Hwangdo a hint, but what could be done? Hwangdo had long been bought by me with this month’s moon at its fullest.

The April issue is hidden in a corner of Hwangdo’s room—~Grafting onto Someone Else’s Tree~! Today, Hwangdo is essentially on my side.

Baekdo gritted her teeth, seemingly guessing why Hwangdo had become like this, and suppressed her anger.

“Baekdo, it’s time to stop.”

Heaven, of course. Having not met for a long time, she came with great expectations. This morning, it was Cheondo who was giggling and asking me to pick out her own clothes.

“Alright… I’m sorry.”

Baekdo lowered her head, seemingly disheartened by Cheondo’s rebuke.

If it’s Cheondo’s words, would she be utterly defeated?

Indeed, the reason White Peach came to this place was because of Heaven.
It wasn’t that she particularly wanted to see me, nor was the allure of the outside world enough to break her stubbornness.

White Peach had essentially come to see Heaven.

And did she recognize her mistake? She covertly spoke to me while picking at the side dishes.

“…You did well today, though.”

It sounded like praise. Or perhaps that was just my impression.

With a conflicted expression, White Peach applied light pressure to the chopsticks in her hand.

“…Thank you.”

The words emerged with difficulty.
Only then did Heaven and Zodiac offer faint smiles.

“White Peach is kind~ Kind White Peach’s tea~ Khan~ White Peach!”
“Zodiac, stop when you’re saying nice things, will you?”

Zodiac and White Peach bickered playfully. Watching them, I couldn’t help but smile.

Clearly, witnessing the harmonious rapport between Heaven and me had brought about a change in White Peach’s heart.

It had been quite a while since these three had gathered together.
They must have felt a certain level of gratitude towards me for organizing the occasion.

“Now, it’s all cooked.”

With the meat roasted to perfection, I diligently began cutting it with tongs and scissors.

Squeak! Squeak!

I boldly sliced the meat, neatly laying it out on the plate.
The appetizing juice flowed from the cuts.
The eyes of the three youngsters were naturally drawn to the feast.

The lavish pork ribs prepared today would surely be a hearty meal for these kids who mainly consumed vegetables.

“It seems to be cooked thoroughly.”
“Can we eat now, older brother?”
“…”

Chirp, chirp. They looked at me with eyes as innocent as chicks.
Their bright faces seemed to radiate light.

“Go ahead, eat up.”

I smiled and nodded, and they excitedly started using their chopsticks.

“Wow, it’s cooked so deliciously, older brother!”
“…It’s delicious.”

Even the previously sullen White Peach tasted the meat and widened her eyes in surprise.

Upon reaching the ecliptic, Hwangdo let out a “kyaak” just loud enough not to cause a disturbance.

Could there be anything more gratifying for the one grilling the meat? The meal was so delectable that two portions disappeared even before the scissors were lowered.

Although the meat had vanished after being diligently grilled, there was no sense of disappointment. Quite the opposite, actually. It was fine. Seeing the three sisters smiling brought a wave of relief to the heart.

Indeed, it was for these three that life was truly worth living. Truly.

“Do-won, my friend,”

As I was observing the three sisters eating, Heaven, sitting beside me, unexpectedly reached out with her chopsticks.

“Hmm?”

“…It seems like you haven’t eaten a single piece.”

The ribs held between her chopsticks were enormous, not just one, but three pieces offered at once.

I didn’t refuse and put the meat in my mouth.

Moving my jaw, I swallowed it with a satisfying gulp.

“Delicious.”

An honest reaction. Cheondo shrugged her excited shoulders and lifted the corners of her rosy lips.

“Because it was cooked by the executioner.”

Her cheeks flushed with joy rather than shyness.
Behind Cheondo’s smile tinged with a shade of pink.

“Gasp.”
“…!”

Hwangdo, her eyes wickedly wide, and Baekdo, her face shocked as if struck on the back of the head with a hammer, both stared at Cheondo.