Chapter 181: It Is Not a Cliff to Be Climbed
Chapter 181: It Is Not a Cliff to Be Climbed
The Fist Demon was at the Great Training Ground.
Dozens of Iron Fists were practicing their techniques, and the Fist Demon stood before them with his arms crossed.
Undefeated Fist Demon Dan U-gang.
He was the supreme master of fist techniques, a man famous for never having suffered a single defeat in his life.
He stood a full head taller than me, his entire body a mass of corded, powerful muscle. His bronze skin looked as hard as tempered steel, as if no blade could ever hope to pierce it. His fists were particularly massive—without a hint of exaggeration, each was the size of a woman’s head.
The phrase "his body is a weapon" was surely coined for someone like the Undefeated Fist Demon.
And then there was the thing that truly commanded one's attention: the Fist Demon was terrifying to look at. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that the depictions of demons in the Cult’s paintings and statues were modeled after his face. He had the kind of visage that made you think he must be the vanguard whenever the Great Demonic-Orthodox War broke out. How many people in the Murim would dare to look him in the eye?
The Fist Demon slowly turned his head and looked at me.
It didn't matter what he was actually feeling; his features were so naturally sinister that even now, he looked like he wanted to kill me at the very least.
Of course, I held no prejudice based on appearance. How many times in my life had I experienced a person’s looks not matching their character? How many of those who killed with a smile looked perfectly normal?
I bowed politely in greeting.
“I greet the Lord Fist Demon.”
However, the Fist Demon did not acknowledge me. He simply turned his gaze back to the Iron Fists. It was a blatant snub, but I didn't mind.
In the past, I would have read into this gesture and felt my pride sting, but not anymore. Don't get worked up. Please, don't get worked up. Looking back, this is nothing.
If he acted this way on my first visit, he surely had his reasons.
I stood to the side and watched the Iron Fists practice.
Under the scorching sun, the Iron Fists stood like stone statues in a single stance. None of them moved, as if the world would end if they so much as twitched. Then again, with the terrifying Fist Demon watching them, no one would dare move just because they were tired.
A suffocating tension filled the air, but fortunately, no one made a mistake glaring enough to catch the Fist Demon’s eye.
How much time passed?
At the shout of the warrior at the very front, the Iron Fists shifted to the next stance. One of their outstretched fists pulled back to the waist as they twisted their bodies.
Once again, they became statues, frozen in a posture that seemed like it would last forever. They poured their hearts and souls into every single movement.
I considered this proper training. Of course, whether they truly understood the deep meaning behind these exercises and made it their own was a separate matter.
After an hour, the training session finally ended.
The Iron Fists dispersed, and the Fist Demon walked toward his quarters. He ignored me completely until the very end.
Since he must have heard the various rumors and news about me recently, this thorough silence could be seen as a form of communication in itself.
I imagined that terrifying face breaking into a bright smile at me. I imagined us exchanging jokes.
Fist Demon, if you treat me like this, I’m the kind of person who entertains these sorts of fantasies.
*
I visited the Fist Demon again the next day.
But today was the same as the first; after a brief glance at me, he silently watched the Iron Fists train.
Though I was ignored just as I had been yesterday, no one mocked me for it. While this discipline likely stemmed from their fear of the Fist Demon, I felt that the Iron Fists were the most well-disciplined subordinates of any Demon Lord I had seen so far.
It was only when the training ended that the Fist Demon finally spoke to me.
“Second Young Master.”
Compared to his terrifying face, his voice was unexpectedly soft. I had expected a heavy, cold tone, but it was gentler than I thought. It almost felt as if he were merely moving his lips while someone else spoke for him from behind.
“Why do you think I acted that way yesterday?”
“Is it perhaps because I visited during your training hours?”
At that, the Fist Demon turned around and strode away as if my answer were wrong. So, he wasn't going to make this easy? I watched his retreating back and let out a faint smile.
*
I returned to see the Fist Demon again the following day.
I was the one visiting, but it was the Fist Demon who was inducing my visits.
Today, I changed the timing and arrived before the training session began. As I sat on the railing in front of the building housing his office, the passing Iron Fists looked at me.
Though I was being ignored by the Fist Demon, none of the Iron Fists looked at me with disdain. Rather, their eyes held a subtle goodwill and respect. The Second Young Master from the time I had just regressed and the Second Young Master now were practically different people.
Just then, the Fist Demon emerged from the building.
“Did you sleep well?”
He glanced at me and started walking without a word. I followed him as he headed toward the Great Training Ground.
“I thought long and hard about the reason yesterday. Is it because you weren't the first among the Demon Lords I visited?”
Since I had met and formed ties with all the other Demon Lords, he was the seventh, excluding the Poison King.
The Fist Demon stopped in his tracks, turned his terrifying face toward me, and asked, “Do I look like such a narrow-minded person to you?”
“Then I must be the narrow-minded one. I thought I would be quite angry if I were in your shoes.”
The Fist Demon said nothing more and walked away. I shouted at his receding figure.
“I’ll see you again tomorrow!”
*
However, I couldn't see the Fist Demon the next day.
Only the Iron Fists were training at the grounds. I stayed until the end, watching them as a substitute for the Fist Demon, before returning.
I was stood up like that for three consecutive days. I couldn't tell if he was avoiding me on purpose or if he actually had business elsewhere.
So that’s how you want to play it?
In any case, these Demon Lords were all prickly and difficult. Truly, none of them were easy.
Let’s see who wins, I thought as I turned to leave. Just then, an Iron Fist whispered to me as he passed by.
“The Lord Demon Lord is currently at the Small Training Ground.”
When I gave him a look asking why he was telling me this, he spoke in a low voice.
“My family received great help through a matter handled by the Huangquan Pavilion recently.”
With that, he bowed and hurried away. It must have been a burden for him to tell me, but he seemed truly grateful for the work of the Huangquan Pavilion.
— Thank you.
I sent my gratitude via Voice Transmission to his retreating back.
I headed straight for the Small Training Ground.
The Fist Demon was sitting there alone, lost in thought. One might think that contemplation wouldn't suit such a large, rugged man, but surprisingly, he looked quite natural sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed.
I spoke softly from behind him. Omitting any mention of being stood up for three days or how I had found this place, I spoke to him as if I had just seen him yesterday.
“Is the reason you’re keeping me at a distance because of my brother? Since you’ve already decided to support him, are you trying not to let that conviction waver?”
After a brief pause, the Fist Demon opened his eyes and spoke.
“What kind of grand conviction would that be to justify mistreating someone? The people who ruin the world are all those with twisted convictions.”
It was an unexpected remark. Based on his appearance alone, he looked like the type to hold onto a decision until death.
“Then you might even support me instead of my brother.”
At that, the Fist Demon closed his eyes again, as if he had no intention of continuing the conversation.
I bowed politely.
“I will be sure to return with the answer tomorrow.”
I could tell. He was putting me through a sort of test. If he weren't, he would have told me flat out not to come. Regardless, it wasn't bad. If I saw him often enough, I would eventually find the solution to our relationship.
Leaving the Eastern Fist Sect, I headed to the Southern Blade Sect to meet the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.
Strangely enough, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon was also sitting in his yard, lost in thought.
“Is today National Meditation Day for the Demon Lords? Then I suppose I should do some meditating too.”
I went over and sat down beside him.
With his eyes still closed, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon spoke softly.
“Since you’ve done nothing but swing a blade your whole life, you don't know how to deal with a puncher, do you?”
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon knew my situation exactly.
“How did you know?”
“How could I not? Rumors are rife that you’ve been frequenting the Eastern Fist Sect lately.”
“My, how fast rumors spread. What a bunch of blabbermouth cultists!”
“At this rate, you’ll lose all the fish you’ve already caught.”
“It’s fine. I’ll just go catch them again. There are only seven of them; there should at least be some fun in catching them again.”
“Why seven?”
I stared silently at the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.
“Have you already caught and eaten me?”
I burst out laughing at his words. The Blood Heaven Blade Demon also chuckled, finding his own remark amusing.
“Actually, I came to see you because of that. What kind of person is the Fist Demon?”
“Usually, those who use their fists tend to be ignorant, but the Fist Demon is smart. He is a very intelligent man.”
A smart Fist Demon. That was likely why the Drunken Demon said he couldn't be easily defeated without significant resolve, and why my father said that although it was four against three, the balance was tight.
“A smart man’s punch hurts more.”
“Do you regret it? Thinking you should have caught him before this old man?”
“I should tell you this first. I don't know much about the Fist Demon yet, but one thing is certain. One Blade Demon in hand is better than ten Fist Demons!”
I never felt that the Flattery Divine Art was wasted on the Blood Heaven Blade Demon. Usually, there comes a moment when you wonder what you're doing while flattering someone, but that never happened with him.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon wasn't worried. It wasn't because I treated him like a caught fish, but because I genuinely liked him. Even when I asked him to be my left wing, it was because I needed a Demon Lord.
But now, it didn't matter if he wasn't a Demon Lord, or even if he were just the Cult’s stablehand. It didn't matter if he were someone who had no influence on my becoming the successor. I simply liked the man known as the Blood Heaven Blade Demon. As long as this feeling didn't change, I wouldn't have to worry about my relationship with him.
“Do you know why the Cult Leader likes the Fist Demon?”
“Does Father like the Fist Demon?”
“He doesn't say it out loud, but he probably likes him best among the Demon Lords.”
“Why?”
“The Fist Demon is a man obsessed with martial arts.”
Then there was no need to say more. He met the primary condition for being liked by my father.
“He’s not just obsessed; he’s purely crazy about it.”
“And yet he’s smart? That’s impressive.”
“Impressive, my foot. You’ve finally met your match.”
“It’s fine because I have you, Elder. Truly, if you weren't here, who would I get this advice from, and how would I even live?”
“You’d live just fine. Drinking with the Drunken Demon and hanging out with the Extreme Evil Smiling Demon.”
As expected, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon was jealous of the other Demon Lords. Even so, he was generously giving me information about the Fist Demon.
“You can't deny it, can you?”
“If I need to meditate, I’ll come see you again. I’ll bring the Fist Demon with me then.”
“Don't you dare!”
With that, I left the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s residence.
*
The next day, I sought out the Undefeated Fist Demon again.
He was neither at the Great Training Ground nor the Small Training Ground. After searching here and there, I found him in front of a cliff within the Eastern Fist Sect. I knew the Cult was vast enough to have lakes and all sorts of things, but I hadn't realized there was a cliff like this.
“Did you sleep well?”
Today, too, he did not return my greeting. It didn't matter. The fact that he allowed me to roam freely within the Eastern Fist Sect meant that he didn't entirely dislike my visits.
I stood beside him and looked up at the cliff.
“I think I’ve finally found the answer. But first, give me one promise. That you won't get angry after hearing my answer. No, you can get angry, but promise you won't hit me with those fists.”
The Fist Demon slowly looked at me. He didn't give a verbal promise, but his gaze was enough.
“You wanted to show your subordinates. Not that ‘I am someone who can easily ignore the Second Young Master,’ nor ‘I support the First Young Master, so take note.’ What you really wanted to say was that you have no interest in our succession struggle. Wasn't that it?”
Was it the right answer? Instead of chasing me away as he usually did, his gaze returned to the cliff.
I stopped obsessing over the correct answer and looked up at the cliff with him.
“I didn't know there was a cliff like this within the Cult. If you climb to the top, you’d be able to see the entire Cult.”
“The purpose of this cliff is not for climbing.”
“Then what is its purpose?”
A startling answer followed.
“This cliff is a cliff to be brought down by these fists. In a single strike!”
I was stunned because I could feel that he meant it with all his heart.
“You think it’s an impossible goal, don't you?”
No matter how powerful the Fist Demon was, bringing down this cliff in one blow was impossible. Even my father wouldn't be able to do it.
“No, I was just wondering why I never had such a concrete goal.”
I had never had a concrete goal when it came to martial arts. Of course, that was likely because Hwa Mu-gi occupied that space in my mind.
It had been a very long time since I had heard a martial artist speak of such a specific goal. It made my heart race.
“May I join you in this goal?”
“You want to try cutting this cliff with a single sword strike?”
“No. I want to try bringing it down with my fists as well.”
This time, it was the Fist Demon who was surprised. He surely never imagined I would give such an answer.
But I was being sincere. I felt that if I could bring down this cliff with my fists, I would be able to defeat Hwa Mu-gi. No, setting Hwa Mu-gi aside, I wanted to challenge it as a martial artist. I spoke even more surprising words to the Fist Demon, who was staring at me with a face as terrifying as a demon's.
“Please teach me your fist techniques.”