Chapter 76 -----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 76
Chapter Title: The Heavenly Demon's First Blind Date (1)
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"I haven't."
[Eh? Then you've only experienced half the emotions a human should feel.]
Nameless's sharp probe slipped in, but the Heavenly Demon deflected it with effortless skill.
"This lord has transcended life and death, and I've witnessed the myriad lives of countless humans with my own eyes. Just because I haven't experienced something myself doesn't mean I can't understand it."
[That's true, but there are limits to insights you haven't personally attained. Facing it directly might reveal something entirely new.]
"This lord has even discarded such emotions. I simply exist."
-Emotions discarded. Simply existing.
Was it because his appearance had changed?
The Heavenly Demon's voice rang confident, yet those words somehow echoed like a melancholic melody.
"Mr. Cheon."
Unable to stand it any longer, Kim Chanwon asked in a subdued tone.
"What on earth happened to you? Why do you look down on humans with the same cynicism as our yokai ancestors?"
The Heavenly Demon gazed at the sky with a serene expression.
"Humans fear beings superior to themselves. And they always believe such beings bring calamity and terror."
A deep regret lingered in the Heavenly Demon's eyes as he stared heavenward.
It was a gaze one could never have imagined from the Heavenly Demon with his formerly fierce and rugged features.
"...."
Everyone watching fell silent, unable to find words.
As the once rugged Heavenly Demon transformed into a delicate, beautiful young man, it felt as though they could glimpse the emotions swirling in his mind.
"Heavenly Demon."
[Heavenly Demon.]
"Mr. Cheon."
Jang Chaewon, Nameless, and Kim Chanwon called out to him at once.
Looking at the Heavenly Demon, who proclaimed himself superior to humans, the same thought struck all three minds simultaneously.
-He seems terrifyingly cold, but maybe he's actually suffering from a profound emptiness?
Was it the changed face? Or the alcohol? Today, the Heavenly Demon appeared unusually emotional and solitary.
"Mr. Cheon."
Lost in deep thought, Kim Chanwon filled his soju glass to the brim and spoke.
"I've got a good idea."
"What is it?"
"A way for you to see the world—and people—from a fresh perspective."
The Heavenly Demon's eyes gleamed with interest.
A method to alter his indifferent view of the world.
"Speak."
Kim Chanwon downed the full glass in one go, slammed it down with a confident grin.
"Go on a blind date."
"A blind date? What's that?"
"Well… It means meeting a nice young lady I'll properly introduce you to."
The Heavenly Demon scowled deeply and shook his head.
"I refuse."
"Why? You haven't even tried it."
"Far from it. This lord has met more women than you can imagine."
His eyes narrowed as if reminiscing on distant memories.
"And I know full well how meaningless such encounters are."
"Huh? Encounters?"
"Meetings between men and women are a form of transaction, aren't they?"
Contempt flickered in the Heavenly Demon's crossed-arm gaze.
"All those who approached this lord sought power or high status. A few demonic women offered novel excuses like world peace or family obligations, but most calculated their interests coldly before drawing near."
"Liar."
Jang Chaewon snickered at his words.
"With your current face as your original look? No way women only approached for those reasons."
As Jang Chaewon grinned, the Heavenly Demon revealed a new fact matter-of-factly.
"This lord once trained in the Demon Vault. Each breakthrough to a new realm subtly altered my appearance."
"What?"
"In the beginning, this lord emerged into the martial world in the state of the Diamond Body."
"Ugh."
A sympathetic groan escaped Jang Chaewon's lips.
"So no one's ever seen your current face?"
"Correct."
The Heavenly Demon achieved the Diamond Body right upon entering the martial world.
Women drawn to his immense power—and even more striking appearance—fell into just two categories.
Demonic women craving power, or righteous women seeking survival or peace.
"What's that about?"
Jang Chaewon's eyes widened as she listened quietly.
"So you've never had normal dating or natural connections from wandering around."
"Indeed."
"Poor thing, or is it just desserts?"
Pondering the pitiful lifelong bachelor's life, Jang Chaewon shook her head.
"Mr. Kim, we should scrap the blind date idea."
"Huh? Why?"
"With that twisted worldview, introducing the Heavenly Demon would lead to disaster—no three slaps would end it."
"Hmm."
She had a point.
Kim Chanwon pondered briefly, then shook his head.
"No. My niece is different from the rest. She might just win Mr. Cheon over."
"Your niece?"
"Yeah. Not blood-related, but… smart as a whip and full of energy."
Kim Chanwon thumped his chest proudly.
"Meet someone as great as my niece, and Mr. Cheon, your thinking might change."
"Hmm."
Jang Chaewon had grown quite fond of the Heavenly Demon regardless.
And if anything, she hoped his frozen emotions would thaw while he was here.
"Alright. Let's give it a shot."
As Jang Chaewon nodded firmly, Nameless chimed in.
[Intriguing. Could we at least see her face?]
"Huh? Want me to show you?"
Kim Chanwon pulled out his phone toward Nameless.
Jang Chaewon, Nameless, and even Sparrow peered at the screen with curiosity.
"Oh? Her? She's too good for the Heavenly Demon."
[No. In terms of looks, Heavenly Demon holds his own now.]
-Kyukyu! (Let him meet her first, nyang).
"Great. Let's set a date quick then."
At Kim Chanwon's words, Jang Chaewon beamed.
"Oh, clothes first then. Can't go out in training wear."
[While we're at it, how about a haircut? It suits him, but he looks like some rugged naturalist with a backstory.]
Watching them huddle and plan without him, the Heavenly Demon stated firmly.
"I won't do it."
But his words drowned in the lively buzz of blind date talk surrounding him.
* * *
What makes clothes good?
The Heavenly Demon's criteria for good clothes were thus.
"They should minimize friction with the skin, enhance mobility, and maintain constant body temperature regardless of climate."
Jang Chaewon frowned at that.
"That's athletic wear. I mean everyday clothes."
"Don't you move your body in daily life? All clothes must allow unrestricted movement. Look at this."
He shrugged off the jacket he'd tried on and picked up the Light Demon Blood Battle Robe from the rack.
"This Light Demon Blood Battle Robe absorbs and circulates body heat. Cool under the blazing sun, warm in winter's chill."
Stripping off the uncomfortable outfit, the Heavenly Demon donned the robe's top, looking refreshed.
"Ahh, truly comfortable. This is what clothes should be."
"But it doesn't fit anymore."
"What about Our Clothes?"
"That's even weirder."
With his muscles gone, the Heavenly Demon in Our Clothes looked like he'd draped a sack over himself.
No matter how he tightened the waist, it sagged like a donkey's belly.
"Hmm."
Grunting, the Heavenly Demon cinched it tighter.
"See? It won't slip now."
"You're kidding? Who goes on a first blind date like that? Did you wear sack-like robes for dates in your world too?"
"Of course...."
His eyes drifted upward as he trailed off.
He recalled nagging from his subordinate Ma Gi-ja, forcing him to remove the Light Demon Blood Battle Robe.
"I won't insist on a suit. At least wear those training pants. Please."
Jang Chaewon pointed to the black striped training suit on the rack.
The Heavenly Demon nodded reluctantly.
"Fine."
It was Sunday, the Heavenly Demon's blind date day.
Kim Chanwon had nagged persistently for a week straight, but the Heavenly Demon stood firm.
His resolve to never do a blind date crumbled at Jang Chaewon's single offer.
-I'll replace all the busted Lamas parts—even the tires—with brand-new ones if this goes well.
For the Heavenly Demon, tormented by the Lamas's maintenance woes, it was an offer too good to refuse.
Creak.
The rooftop door swung open as Kim Chanwon, sharply dressed, poked his head in.
"Mr. Cheon. Ready?"
He sighed at the training-suited Heavenly Demon.
"What? Training clothes after all?"
"This was the compromise after convincing him out of sleeveless martial robes."
At Jang Chaewon's words, the Heavenly Demon quickly hid the Light Demon Blood Battle Robe.
"Mr. Kim, listen well. Unlike this shoddy garb, the Light Demon Blood Battle Robe repels blades and swords, fire and water...."
"Hmm. Can't be helped."
"Will it really be okay?"
"With Mr. Cheon's looks now, sure."
Lately, they'd taken to ignoring the Heavenly Demon's words entirely.
"Won't it be rude?"
Huddled with Jang Chaewon, Kim Chanwon grinned confidently.
"It's fine. I've told her all about Mr. Cheon. She'll understand."
"Unfair. Why withhold the other party's info from this lord?"
At the Heavenly Demon's protest, Kim Chanwon chuckled.
"Just meet her, Mr. Cheon."
* * *
What makes food good?
The Heavenly Demon's idea of good food was this.
"Balance."
Settling into the passenger seat of Jang Chaewon's van and slamming the door, he said gravely.
"Food is the pillar sustaining vitality. It also aids tissue growth and recovery."
"So where are we eating dinner?"
Lately, the Heavenly Demon had unearthed even a hidden gem called "Nobyeong" in a remote alley—one Jang Chaewon didn't know.
She asked in hopes of a surprise tasty spot, but the answer was absurd.
"Mom's Home-Style Set Meal."
"What?"
"I told you. Balance is key in food."
Narrowing his eyes, he stated as if obvious.
"Of the places this lord knows, that one offers the most balanced meals. Last night: six side dishes, steaming soup, spicy pork stir-fry, and grilled fish."
"What, Mr. Cheon? You order two set meals—pork and fish?"
"Didn't you hear? Food above all needs balance...."
Ignoring the Heavenly Demon's food philosophy lecture, Jang Chaewon and Kim Chanwon huddled again.
"Sounds like a plain old set meal joint...."
"Better if Manager Jang picks the dinner spot."
"Y-yeah?"
Jang Chaewon slumped, pulling out her phone.
* * *
In front of a family restaurant downtown.
Jang Chaewon parked, looking up worriedly at the Heavenly Demon in black training clothes, who scowled discontentedly.
"Then go have a good time."
"Understood."
Staring at his training-suited form, Jang Chaewon put on a resolute face.
"I won't demand polite speech, but be as courteous as possible. No rudeness."
"I'll consider it."
"Think of the Lamas."
"No rudeness."
Like an obedient child, the Heavenly Demon replied and headed to the restaurant. He paused, turning back.
"Shopkeeper."
"Yeah?"
"Remember your promise: all parts brand-new."
Having learned about aftermarket and fake parts from mechanic Park, the Heavenly Demon spoke solemnly.
"This lord's Lamas must have only genuine parts."
"G-got it. Don't worry, go."
"Good."
Watching his calm departure, Jang Chaewon felt a strange pang.
"The Heavenly Demon on a blind date...."
Had she grown fond of his handsome new look? Her gaze unfocused on his retreating figure, her shoulders slumped.
"Stings my conscience."
With his distrust of women—no, humans—the blind date started with good intentions to instill a proper worldview. But the outcome was predictable.
"Feels like we're doing that poor woman wrong."
On second thought, the other side seemed too pitiful.
Sure, Kim Chanwon's niece or not, a tuft of conscience sprouted in Jang Chaewon's heart.
"What could go wrong?"
Watching the Heavenly Demon vanish into the distance, Jang Chaewon let out a regretful sigh.
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