Chapter 185: They Still Don't Know How Scary a Sword Is
Chapter 185: They Still Don't Know How Scary a Sword Is
The next day, I headed to the Black Fist training ground.
I had assumed the Black Fists would be the smallest group, as they were the most elite. However, upon arrival, I saw they were actually the most numerous. This was the result of the Fist Demon’s tireless efforts; he had spent years scouting those with the potential to reach the Black Fist rank and training them from the ground up.
These people were the true Iron Fists. Everywhere I looked, I saw experts capable of serving as team leaders or captains in the Cult’s most elite organizations.
The gazes directed at me were varied. Some watched with curiosity, while others displayed open hostility. The reason for their resentment was simple: these were martial artists who had trained for at least seven or eight years—and over a decade for some—to reach this level.
Yet, I had mastered the three volumes and ascended to the Black Fist rank in just over ten days. How could they possibly feel good about that? Some likely wondered if the Second Young Master intended to usurp the position of the next Fist Demon.
Among them, one person stood out.
It was a woman with her hair tied back tightly, bandages wrapped around her hands and wrists. She had a sharp, fierce beauty in her eyes.
I knew exactly who she was.
Cheon So-hui.
She was the future Fist Demon.
Despite her slender frame and small fists, she was the woman who would eventually overcome every other Black Fist here to inherit the title.
In my past life, after the Main Cult was forced into Sealing the Gates by Hwa Mu-gi, the Fist Demon had handed his position as a Demon Lord over to her before going into seclusion.
The Fist Demon had never managed to collapse the cliff. Though he had dedicated his entire life to martial arts, he never reached the realm of destroying that massive stone wall with a single punch. I often thought that if he had reached that level, he might have sought out Hwa Mu-gi for revenge. I hadn't realized it back then, but looking at it now, it seemed likely.
As I regressed, everyone’s fate and relationships were shifting. Therefore, I couldn't judge these people based on the past. I had to view them through a new lens and by new standards.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the Extreme Evil Smiling Demon were perfect examples. If I were to die at Hwa Mu-gi’s hands, would those two just sit idly by? I had a feeling they wouldn't.
“I heard the Second Young Master passed the Red Fist trial with ease.”
The man who approached me was Do Gang. Just as I knew Cheon So-hui, I knew him as well. Do Gang was the one who would compete with Cheon So-hui for the successor's position until the very end, only to leave the Cult once he was passed over.
“As a representative of the Black Fists, may I ask a question?”
“Ask as many as you like.”
“Why did you come to the Eastern Fist Sect? Why do you wish to learn fist techniques?”
“If you are worried that I might take the position you’ve spent your lives striving for, you needn't be. I did not come here to become the Fist Demon.”
I spoke to them calmly.
“I am the man who will become your Heavenly Demon.”
Because of everything I had accomplished since my regression, no one showed any sign of disdain. Considering the possibility of me actually becoming the Heavenly Demon, they knew better than to run their mouths recklessly.
However, no one went out of their way to curry favor with me either. For now, the Eastern Fist Sect was still a faction closer to the First Young Master.
“By the time I become the Heavenly Demon, one of you will be the Fist Demon. I look forward to working with you then.”
Do Gang asked another question.
“Then why did the future Heavenly Demon come here?”
“I came because I want to become stronger. I intend to use fist techniques to further my strength.”
These words likely bolstered the pride of the Iron Fists. It meant I was seeking to grow by learning the very martial arts they practiced.
Among the many eyes fixed on me was Cheon So-hui’s. Her aura was exceptional, but I particularly liked her gaze. Her eyes held a will that suggested she would never give up once she set a goal—a look that mirrored the Fist Demon’s.
I look forward to it, future Fist Demon.
Just then, the Fist Demon appeared. As with the previous training sessions, he didn't give me any special treatment.
“Begin.”
With that single word, training commenced.
The Black Fists also focused on practicing forms. The Fist Demon was a man who valued the basics above all else, considering the precise execution of forms to be of paramount importance.
I observed the movements of the Black Fists closely. On the first day, I did nothing but watch. I could have performed the forms if I had to, but I didn't think that would be a good choice for the Black Fists' morale or for myself.
And so, the first day of mere observation passed. On the second day, I continued to just watch.
The Black Fists looked triumphant, their pride practically screaming, See? It’s different from the Red Fists, isn't it?
The Fist Demon sent me a Voice Transmission.
— You must have mastered them all by now. Why aren't you following along?
— The Red Fists were one thing, but I have to look out for the face and morale of the Black Fists.
— Since when did you care about them?
— They are the people who will be my subordinates in the future. Of course I have to look out for them.
From a distance, I saw the Fist Demon snort.
*
On the third day, after training ended and everyone began to disperse, Cheon So-hui approached me.
When I had declared on the first day that I was the man who would become their Heavenly Demon, something had surged within her. She had staked her life on martial arts and had completely given up on romance; therefore, it wasn't a romantic attraction. It was a different kind of fateful pull. She had come to find me because she wanted to confirm what that feeling was.
“I am Cheon So-hui.”
“A pleasure.”
“I heard that you mastered the forms up to the Red Fist level just by watching.”
“I did.”
“You won't be able to learn the Black Fist forms just by watching.”
“They are certainly incomparably more difficult.”
“Then why haven't you asked to be taught?”
I gave her an answer she hadn't expected.
“I’ve already learned them all.”
I was honest with her, even if I wouldn't be with others. I wanted to form a different kind of connection with her.
Cheon So-hui flinched, and then a faint, mocking smile crossed her lips. She was certain that these techniques could not be mastered simply by sight. She looked as if she wanted to say that useless pride only makes a person look pathetic. Instead, she spoke politely.
“I’m curious, then. I wonder if you truly have an incredible eye for detail, or if you’re just bluffing.”
If I were merely a bluffer, her advice wouldn't work anyway; and on the off chance she was wrong, she didn't want to make a mistake.
“Well, I’ll be going now.”
As she took a few steps away, I called out to her.
“If what I said is true, grant me a favor.”
She turned back and asked, “And if you’re bluffing?”
“Then I will grant you a favor.”
“Fine.”
Seeing how she agreed without hesitation, she was clearly convinced I was bluffing. Cheon So-hui walked away, already pondering what favor she should ask. At the same time, she felt a pang of disappointment, thinking that the feeling of a fateful pull had been a mistake.
*
Her disappointment lasted only a day.
The next day, in front of everyone, I performed the forms the Black Fists had been practicing with perfect precision. Everyone was stunned. Cheon So-hui, in particular, was the most shocked.
— Did you... did you really learn that just by watching?
Her Voice Transmission reached me, trembling with disbelief.
— Didn't I tell you I did?
Her eyes shook. How could she have known? I was the man who had passed through the Small Heaven Cave—which took an average of three years and even my father two months—in a single day. These weren't the Fist Demon’s secret techniques; I could replicate the fist techniques the Black Fists were learning just by observing them.
— Don't forget about that favor.
— Of course. I always keep my promises.
The Fist Demon called me forward.
“Step out here.”
For the first time, the Fist Demon stood me in front of the Iron Fists.
“Do you know why I allowed you to train here?”
“What is the reason?”
The Fist Demon’s gaze shifted toward the Black Fists.
“These children have never fought a true master. Would you mind showing them what the Murim is really like?”
Surprisingly, he was asking me to give them a taste of real combat.
Of course, by the time someone reached the Black Fist rank, they had seen the world. Like the other Demon Lords, the Fist Demon had duties to perform for the Cult, and the Black Fists here were likely the ones sent to the Central Plains to handle those tasks. They had experienced real combat many times.
However, they had likely never encountered a true master.
I locked eyes with the Fist Demon. He sincerely cared for his subordinates. He was right—the Fist Demon was smarter than he looked. He was a man purely obsessed with martial arts.
“They still don't know how scary a sword is.”
These were words difficult to hear from the mouth of the Undefeated Fist Demon, but they were for the sake of his subordinates, who were currently brimming with arrogance. If he was showing this much sincerity...
“Then I should let them know.”
As I readily agreed, the Fist Demon’s expression brightened.
“Will you take on about twenty of them? Or maybe ten?”
Even the Fist Demon seemed to feel bad about asking me to face dozens of people. This was not an easy request, as it would be incredibly taxing for the one accepting it.
“No. Since we’re doing this, I’ll take them all on.”
A flash of joy and gratitude crossed the terrifying Fist Demon’s face. It was an emotion that looked entirely out of place and awkward on him, a sight rarely seen. Seeing that rare expression was payment enough for the lesson.
When I turned back to the Black Fists, my aura had already turned cold.
“There are many types of masters. Decent masters, strong masters, and true masters. Let’s start with what it’s like to encounter a decent master. Come, one by one.”
The Black Fists stepped forward. Their faces were full of confidence. Though they might not beat me, they were determined not to lose easily.
I sent a Voice Transmission to the Fist Demon.
— These are the people you trained. Are you sure about this?
— Turn them into a disorganized mess. That was my intention in setting this up today.
I faced them one by one.
“Your current opponent is skilled enough to defeat you in thirty moves.”
The Black Fist facing me showed his resolve, his expression saying, We’ll see about that. He likely wanted to teach me a lesson—to give this uninvited guest a taste of a real punch in front of the Fist Demon.
Knowing that feeling well, I fought him without crushing his pride. Even as I won, I tried not to trample on his self-esteem.
The first Black Fist lunged forward, throwing a punch with rapid speed. His basics were solid, and his footwork was excellent. Martial artists who practiced fist techniques were naturally proficient in footwork.
At the thirtieth move, blood soaked the first Black Fist’s flank. It wasn't a deep cut, just enough to draw blood.
“I have learned much.”
He bowed politely with a fist salute and stepped back. Though he had bled, he looked satisfied. Who wouldn't feel fulfilled after such a substantial spar?
The second Black Fist was also cut in the flank at exactly the thirtieth move. The third was the same.
The waiting Black Fists began to murmur in agitation. They had vowed to hold out no matter what, but they couldn't last past thirty moves, nor could they dodge the sword aimed at their flanks.
Having seen their comrades fall, they should have been prepared. But they weren't. It wasn't as if I suddenly increased my skill at the thirtieth move to force a hit. I fought them with the same speed and power from start to finish, yet without fail, they were struck in the flank at the thirtieth move.
A single emotion dominated them all: How is this possible?
Only one person, Cheon So-hui, who came out last, managed to barely dodge. She was cut on the thigh instead of the flank at the thirty-first move. She was indeed the most remarkably skilled among them.
The way they looked at me had already changed. It was no longer Let’s see what you’ve got, but What are you going to show us now?
“Up until now, I was a master of thirty moves. Now, I will be a master who can kill you in ten.”
The Black Fists stepped forward again, their resolve even firmer. This time, I dealt with them much faster.
“This is what a master of ten moves feels like.”
I pressured them quickly and roughly. One might think there wasn't much difference between thirty moves and ten, but the feeling for the one on the receiving end was on a different level.
Everyone was shocked and flustered. They had been confident they could beat anyone with their skills. But before they knew it, ten moves had passed, and a sword was pointed at their throats. In an instant, the blade was pricking their hearts. The cold steel was tapping against their arms. If I hadn't shown mercy, their heads would have been severed, their hearts pierced, and their arms lopped off.
The confidence and arrogance they had at the beginning were nowhere to be found. This was exactly what the Fist Demon wanted his subordinates to feel—to tell them not to get cocky just because they were Black Fists. To show them that there were masters who could shred the black uniforms they had worked so hard to earn in a single breath.
I delivered the shock of the ten-move master to everyone. It wasn't just my swordsmanship that amazed them; even after facing so many people in a row, my breathing hadn't even roughened.
Now, it was time to wrap things up.
“Now, I am a master of one move. They are rare, but such people definitely exist in this Jianghu.”
Everyone tensed. They tried to come forward one by one again, but this time, I changed my approach.
I fully released my aura. My presence dominated the space, making the Black Fists feel as if they were sinking into the deep sea. The Black Fist who had been stepping forward felt his breath catch and instinctively took several steps back.
Shring.
The Black Demonic Sword unsheathed itself.
Clatter-clatter-clatter!
Then, it began to split in front of my chest. The Black Fists were horrified as the sword energy instantly divided into twenty blades. It was their first time seeing a sword split into sword-shaped energies.
Swish, swish, swish!
The sword energies shot out in all directions, fast as light. Screams erupted from all sides.
The sword-shaped energies stopped right in front of the faces of the Black Fists standing in the front. They had flown so fast that there was no time to dodge. None of them could block my Flowing Heaven Form, which had reached Twelve-Star Great Achievement.
Everyone stared at the sword energies floating before their eyes with faces full of horror. They likely didn't realize that stopping the sword energies simultaneously in front of their faces was a much more difficult, high-level technique than simply piercing them all at once. In this moment, the only one who understood that was the Fist Demon.
Fwoosh.
As the brilliant light scattered, the sword energies vanished.
The real Black Demonic Sword, which had been floating in the air, was in front of Cheon So-hui. I had sent the actual sword to her, the strongest among the Black Fists. It was a gesture of consideration and respect. And I poured my heart into the blade.
What you see now is reality. From now on, the swords flying toward you will never disappear from before your eyes. Please, do not forget this moment.
The Black Demonic Sword floating before her cut through the air and returned to me. It slid back into its scabbard on its own.
Hearing the clear metallic click, I spoke calmly to the Black Fists.
“You all just died.”