Chapter 359: Chapter 359

Mount Song, Henan Province, Shaolin Temple.

Amidst the tense and chaotic atmosphere following the recent attack, a massive figure appeared within the temple grounds.

“Ha! Where have you been?”

“Hahaha! I had some… urgent business to attend to! Sorry about that! Were you waiting long?”

“…Not really. There’s nothing else for me to do, so I was just… killing time. Especially after the incident with the Demonic Cult.”

“Right, right. I brought you some souvenirs, so cheer up, friend!”

Harley laughed heartily, his usual cheerful demeanor unchanged, despite the underlying annoyance in Mok In-gwang’s, the former Mad Demon’s, voice.

The Shaolin monks were turning away all visitors at the foot of the mountain, but he was an exception.

He was, after all, their savior.

“…Just curious, but… what are you doing?”

“Huh? Eating meat? Want some? …It’s a rare delicacy, you know…”

So, they couldn't scold him openly, despite their disapproval of his… unconventional behavior.

But even so, they couldn't just ignore him devouring meat in a Buddhist temple.

Harley hesitated for a moment, glancing at the chunk of meat in his hand and then at Mok In-gwang’s disapproving expression.

And then, he nodded decisively, as if making up his mind.

“Tsk— Right, a true man shouldn’t be stingy with his food. Here, have some of this rare delicacy. You should be grateful! It’s really good!”

He extended his hand, offering the meat, and then—.

“Ahem. Excuse me, Benefactor. This is a sacred Buddhist temple. We would appreciate it if you could… refrain from consuming meat within the temple grounds.”

…A monk, his face carefully neutral, approached them and spoke softly.

He seemed awkward, as if he hadn’t expected to have to say this.

“…Ah, right! I forgot!”

Harley quickly retracted his hand and shoved the entire chunk of meat into his mouth, swallowing it whole, then nodded.

He smacked his lips, wiped his greasy hands on his pants, and grinned.

“Hahaha! My apologies! I’m not used to your… customs! I’ll be more mindful in the future!”

A quick apology and a promise to behave.

Whether he was sincere or not… the monk, having achieved his objective, bowed slightly and retreated.

“It can’t be helped! We’ll have meat later!”

He seemed to have been waiting for an interruption, but it wasn’t because he was being stingy. He wasn’t reluctant to share his precious meat.

‘…Should I have a little more? It’s normal to lose some… resources during a battle. If I consider this as… compensation… Yeah, one head’s worth should be fine.’

Harley glanced down at his arm, flexing his fist, and licked his lips.

An unprecedented power surged through his hand.

But within that familiar strength, there was something… different.

‘“Gourmand”… It’s living up to its name. It’s still a seed, but…’

He hadn’t liked the skill’s name at first.

It sounded too… common, too… comedic.

But that was just his prejudice.

It was a skill with the word ‘God’ in it.

It couldn’t be ordinary.

If he had to describe it in a single sentence, it would be…

‘The pinnacle of consumption, capable of devouring even divinity.’

It wasn’t just because he had consumed the Six-Headed Dragon’s flesh while possessing 「Power of Gluttony」.

The Master of Heaven’s Turn Society’s wing, which he had consumed in Auterica, had also played a significant role.

He hadn’t noticed any immediate changes back then, aside from acquiring resistance to holy power… but the karma he had absorbed had finally reacted, triggering a skill evolution.

That’s why he regretted not consuming more of the Six-Headed Dragon’s flesh.

It had been a weakened and incomplete divinity, but it had still been a powerful being, a monster who had touched upon godhood.

Its flesh must have contained a fragment of divinity.

But Harley suppressed his hunger and shook his head.

‘No, I shouldn’t be greedy. Moderation is key. I’ve planted the seed, there’s no need to overdo it.’

Death itself caused a significant decrease in power.

Even a true god had to pay a heavy price for resurrection, so how much could he expect to gain from a weakened and incomplete divinity?

It would be more efficient to use the body for his original plan, the restoration of Ganghwange.

‘There will be other opportunities.’

He was confident he would eventually acquire what he desired.

‘Opportunities will arise naturally, as long as I continue on my path. Just like always.’

There was something he had to do.

An important task he had been postponing.

“I heard people calling us ‘old Mad Demon’ and ‘new Mad Demon’.”

“Tsk— I don’t like it. It must be those who were present at the time. If someone had corrected them, we wouldn’t have these strange titles. What do you think?”

Mok In-gwang averted his gaze, his lips pressed into a thin line, as Harley spoke, his eyes narrowed.

If he had corrected them when the rumors first started spreading, it might have been different.

Even if titles were given by others, not self-proclaimed, they wouldn't have ignored the words of someone who had just saved them and displayed such overwhelming power.

But he had chosen to remain silent.

It was understandable.

He would rather be called ‘old Mad Demon’ than admit defeat and become ‘Mad Dog’.

“It couldn’t be helped. There was a lot of confusion after you disappeared, and by the time things calmed down, everyone was too busy returning to their homes… And besides, titles aren't something you can just… choose…”

“Hey! Why are you being so long-winded? I’m not blaming you! Are we the type to argue over such trivial matters? I’m hurt!”

Mok In-gwang’s expression brightened at Harley’s magnanimous words.

He had been expecting another argument with the easily offended giant… but it seemed like he had been mistaken.

‘That’s a relief. Well, he doesn’t seem like the type to…’

But Harley wasn’t done yet.

“Hahaha! Let’s just… communicate in our own way! That’s how we became friends in the first place!”

“Yeah! Just like when we first met!”

He grinned, bumping his fist against Mok In-gwang’s.

His massive muscles flexed and twitched.

And a memory, faint but distinct, flashed through Mok In-gwang’s mind.

His face stiffened as the traumatic memory resurfaced.

But Harley, oblivious to his reaction, simply grinned.

Physical communication, a conversation between bodies.

It was the best way to have a sincere and honest discussion!

‘This is a good opportunity. I’ll see how much he’s changed.’

The best way to assess someone’s growth was through a spar.

And Mok In-gwang, known for his durability, was the perfect opponent.

“Come on, friend! Let’s go! Hahaha!”

Harley, leading the way, confidently strode towards the training grounds, while Mok In-gwang, unable to refuse, reluctantly followed, like a lamb being led to the slaughter.

Only one of them walked out of the devastated training grounds.

‘Whew, that was refreshing. He needed another… treatment anyway. Two birds with one stone.’

Even though Mok In-gwang had become a relatively normal and sensible person after meeting Harley, he had still been one of Ganghwange’s most notorious madmen, known as the ‘Mad Demon’.

He had been relatively quiet lately, but there was always a chance of a relapse, so regular… maintenance was necessary.

It wasn't just a random act of violence, it was a treatment, a purely benevolent act of kindness.

‘There weren't any demons in the Golden Island Sect who knew the Mad Control Heart Technique, but I have the “modified” version, so it’s not a problem.’

With his guidance, it wouldn't be long before Mok In-gwang reached the Mysterious Realm.

Of course, the process would be… painful and arduous, but that was the nature of enlightenment.

‘Now then, let’s get to work.’

Harley, having dealt with the… unfinished business, formally requested a meeting with the Shaolin Abbot.

To set the stage for his Home Theater rehearsal.

It wasn’t strange that Zhuge Hyemi’s communication spell had connected to Hugo.

It was her first time using a formal sorcery technique, after all.

So, a slight error in targeting was understandable.

[“…It seems my calculations were off when I borrowed Prince Zhu Gang-in’s energy. I was nervous, and the others weren’t in good condition, so I had no choice but to ask for his help…”]

Thanks to that, she had not only formed a strong bond with both of them, but also created a causal connection with Hugo, who had come to rescue them.

‘That’s quite impressive in itself.’

But it had saved him time, which was a good thing.

Time was of the essence.

Hugo reassured her, telling her to contact the Zhuge Clan and relay their current location and situation.

[“Are you sure it’s okay? It’s been quiet for a while. Even if I was careful, a master-level expert might sense something if they get close.”]

He had cleared the area of any potential threats.

But he couldn’t tell her that, so he just reassured her, his voice calm and confident.

[“…Huu, alright. I’ll try again. I’m feeling a bit more confident now that I’ve done it once. To think I spent all those years bedridden because of this…”]

Her voice, which had been trembling with anxiety, was now filled with a newfound determination.

And just as he thought the conversation was over…

[“…It’s all thanks to you, Young Master Ha. I wouldn’t have been able to do this if I was still as weak as the others.”]

Her voice continued, hesitant and uncertain, a hint of her lingering anxiety resurfacing.

[“…We’ll… meet again, right?”]

And Hugo’s reply was already prepared.

[“Of course. Didn’t we promise? I’ll tell you all about the Murim Alliance meeting.”]

[“Of course. I even got you a souvenir. Have you been exercising diligently, Young Miss?”]

[“I haven’t missed a day… until today. I was too busy with this.”]

[“Fortunately, it’s still a long way from midnight. You have plenty of time to contact the Zhuge Clan, exercise, and then go to sleep.”]

Their lighthearted banter seemed to have eased her anxiety.

It hadn't been a completely useless conversation.

[“I’ve almost reached Beijing. I’ll find a way. Don’t give up. I’ll rescue you, no matter what.”]

His words, filled with an unwavering conviction, a promise based on an absolute truth,

[“…Yes, I’ll be waiting.”]

And then, with a faint whisper, the connection was severed.

She would rest for a while, then contact the Zhuge Clan, relaying their location and the surrounding situation in as much detail as possible.

He might end up having come all this way for nothing… but he didn’t care.

His visit to Beijing wasn't just about gathering information.

Hugo nodded, his expression serious, his thoughts returning to the task at hand.

He had been interrupted by Zhuge Hyemi’s call, but he was in the middle of something important.

‘Let’s see… next… Hundred Year Mountain Polygonatum? Skip. I don’t want to build up a tolerance to low-grade elixirs. Oh! Thousand Year Ginseng King. Now that’s more like it. Though it’s still a bit… I should summon Harris and have him gather some proper elixirs.’

He swallowed the elixir whole, without any processing or refinement.

It was something one shouldn’t normally do, but with 「Power of Gluttony」, it didn't matter.

His internal energy surged, his body resonating with the flow of Ki.

Hugo—Ha Seung-hoon, a peak Master Realm expert in his early twenties.

His internal energy, in terms of sheer quantity, was already among the best in the world.