Chapter 188: What Do You Plan to Do After Getting Stronger?
Chapter 188: What Do You Plan to Do After Getting Stronger?
We were genuinely stunned.
It was shocking enough to hear the words "Late-night Training Group" come out of the Fist Demon’s mouth, but hearing him ask to join was nothing short of staggering.
Cheon So-hui, who had been hanging her head in trepidation, looked up as if she had misheard him. Her eyes met the Fist Demon’s, and she hurriedly looked back down, her shoulders trembling.
The Fist Demon ignored her, staring at me while waiting for an answer.
"I’m not the leader of this group."
I shifted my gaze toward Lee An.
The look in her eyes was unmistakable: Young Master! You’re throwing me under the bus? Despite her frantic internal screaming, Lee An maintained her composure and greeted the Fist Demon calmly.
"Allow me to introduce myself properly. I am Lee An."
The Fist Demon gave a single, curt nod. Even Lee An’s renowned beauty couldn't soften his fearsome expression.
"I did start the group, but I’m not the type to make arbitrary decisions," Lee An continued.
She then looked at Cheon So-hui. Cheon So-hui’s expression clearly said: And now you’re passing it to me?
Pretending not to notice the girl's panic, Lee An asked, "What do you think, Miss Cho?"
Cheon So-hui shouted without a moment's hesitation.
"I am absolutely in favor!"
The Fist Demon nodded and turned back to Lee An. "And you?"
The only person I knew who could look at that face and say "no" was probably my father.
"I am also in favor," Lee An replied.
With Lee An’s approval secured, the Fist Demon’s heavy gaze finally landed on me. "And you?"
"I’m against it, obviously."
For a split second, the Fist Demon’s face twitched, but I didn't even blink.
"Your reason?"
"Because it’s uncomfortable. I might be fine, but think of how awkward it would be for these two. Especially Miss Cho—she has to see you during the day, and if she has to see you at night too, she’ll be miserable."
Cheon So-hui spoke faster than my Azure Heaven Form.
"I’m perfectly fine! In fact, I’m delighted to be able to see him again!"
The Fist Demon turned back to me. "She says she’s delighted."
"There’s no way. Let me give you a simple example. Suppose that starting tomorrow, you have to practice martial arts with my father."
The Fist Demon’s expression stiffened instantly. A look of pure discomfort crossed his face—one he tried to hide but couldn't. That was the weight of my father’s reputation for you.
"You’ve seen enough of him during the day while training, but then you have to see him again at night. Now, how would you feel?"
It was an irrefutable example. Father, I’m sorry for using you like this.
"Then what must I do?"
Normally, those were words that would never escape the Fist Demon’s lips. Since he was going this far, I had to open the door for him. It was just that the entry fee would be a bit steep.
"Teach me the First Fist of your unique technique."
The Fist Demon’s signature martial art was the Thunder Asura Fist.
It was a rough, powerful, and overbearing style. It was said that when the Thunder Asura Fist reached its peak, the sound of actual thunder would erupt from the practitioner's strikes. The technique consisted of six fists in total, and I was asking him to teach me the opening move—the First Fist.
"The ones who are uncomfortable are those girls, so why are you the one trying to learn a martial art?"
"They’ll understand. I’m giving them that much in return."
Lee An and Cheon So-hui, who were watching the exchange with bated breath, likely thought the Fist Demon would never accept. Anyone would think so, but I threw the offer out anyway. It was important to keep moving toward my goal, one step at a time.
Of course, I had my reasons for being so bold. He had come here secretly twice already, and now he had explicitly asked to join. Whatever his motivation, he had a burning desire to be part of this group.
"Do you take me for a fool?"
"Not at all. I just think you might be willing to pretend to be one for this much."
I exchanged a long look with the Fist Demon.
You crazy bastard! his eyes seemed to say.
Yes, that’s right. I hear that a lot, I replied with a smirk.
After glaring at me for a moment, the Fist Demon simply turned around and walked away.
In truth, he could have pushed his way in. If he had used force, I would have had no choice but to let him join. If he had used the fact that Cheon So-hui called me "Senior Brother" as leverage, I would have had to comply.
But the Fist Demon simply backed off when I opposed him. He wasn't a petty man. He was someone truly worthy of the name Fist Demon.
The tension left Cheon So-hui, and she slumped to the ground.
"Ah! I thought my heart was going to explode."
Lee An shook her head as well, exhaling a long breath. "I knew he looked scary, but I didn't realize it would be this intense up close."
Once she had calmed down a bit, Lee An asked me, "But why does the Fist Demon want to join the group?"
To her, it was utterly incomprehensible. I voiced the thought that suddenly popped into my head.
"Because he’s lonely?"
I wasn't joking, but Lee An took it as one. "Don't play around."
"How should I know what’s in that man’s heart?" I shrugged. However, one thing was certain. "His ultimate goal is likely to fight me."
"With you, Young Master?"
"Yeah. He probably wants to use the training as an excuse to spar."
Lee An was shocked. She probably never imagined the Fist Demon would harbor such a thought. "If he wants to fight, he can do it during the day, can't he?"
"His subordinates are watching then. It would be a blow to his prestige."
"He could just call you aside and ask for a duel."
"I told him I absolutely wouldn't fight him."
"So he’s joining this group just to look for an opportunity to fight you?"
"That’s the only way to look at it right now."
Lee An raised her hand abruptly. "This dangerous group is hereby disbanded."
Of course, she didn't mean it. The Fist Demon had just been rejected and left; if we disbanded now, there was no telling what he might do in his frustration.
Meanwhile, Cheon So-hui, sitting on the ground, looked half-dazed. How must she feel, having been caught by the Fist Demon calling me "Senior Brother"? She probably thought she was on his bad side now and that her chances of becoming the next Fist Demon were gone forever.
"Should I... should I quit this group now?"
"Do you think he’ll let you off just because you quit? I doubt it."
"Then what do I do? Since it’s already come to this, should I just say 'to hell with it'?"
"You should."
"Pardon?" Cheon So-hui looked at me with wide eyes.
"You should train even harder and make up for your mistake with skill."
She let out a sigh, her expression saying easier said than done. After a brief pause, she asked, "He won't come back, right?"
"Probably?"
I said it to comfort her, but I had a feeling the Fist Demon wouldn't give up that easily.
"I... I’ll work twice as hard." Cheon So-hui seemed to be steeling her resolve, but then she clutched her head. "I’m doomed!"
*
The next day, Black Fist training proceeded as usual.
I kept an eye on the Fist Demon, but he acted as if nothing had happened. This made Cheon So-hui even more nervous, and she trained with a desperate intensity that was almost painful to watch.
Aside from that, my popularity among the Black Fists was rising by the day.
It was only natural, as I viewed these men as my future direct subordinates. They were people who would one day fight for me and alongside me. Because of that, I answered their questions sincerely and even shared stories unrelated to martial arts.
They were often surprised by my vast knowledge of the Murim and the Central Plains. They found themselves drawn into my stories, losing track of time as they listened.
The Fist Demon watched me from a distance, silent. I was curious about what he was thinking.
That night.
The three of us gathered first for the late-night training session. It was me, Lee An, and Cheon So-hui.
Cheon So-hui let out a heavy sigh. "The Fist Demon didn't look at me even once today."
"When has he ever?"
"..."
"Since you’re already on his bad side, why not just treat him comfortably?"
"Is that sincere advice? Or is it a trap to ruin me?"
"It’s advice for my Junior Sister, of course."
Cheon So-hui gasped. "You still think of me as your Junior Sister?"
"Yeah."
Realizing I was serious, she shook her head. "You can't. What are you going to do if he finds out?"
"Put yourself in his shoes. You’re the Fist Demon. You have a clever subordinate you want to pass your title to. But then you catch this kid colluding with the Second Young Master. And after that, she just keeps walking on eggshells around you. How would you feel?"
"I’d hate it."
"Exactly. So act with confidence."
"I think he’d hate that even more."
I couldn't help but laugh at her words. Lee An laughed, and eventually, Cheon So-hui laughed too.
Cheon So-hui steadied her heart. "Fine! I’ll try my best, just like you said, Senior Brother! What’s done is done, so let it be. I’ll tell him confidently why I took the Second Young Master as my Senior Brother. If I speak from the heart, it’ll get through to him. Even if he looks scary, his heart might be different. Thank you, Senior Brother! I’ll give it my all. Let’s keep being Senior Brother and Junior Sister behind his back. But... why is your expression like that? Why? Why are you looking so scared... No, right? Tell me it’s not him."
With a look of pure despair, she turned toward the chilling aura she felt behind her.
The Fist Demon had arrived and was standing right behind her.
Cheon So-hui’s face turned pale, looking as if she carried all the world's suffering on her shoulders. Just as she was struggling to find words, the Fist Demon spoke up.
"What were you thinking, taking the Second Young Master as your Senior Brother?"
He had heard everything.
Cheon So-hui spoke her honest feelings in a trembling voice. "I happened to see the Second Young Master sparring with a martial artist using the fist technique we learned. In that moment, I wanted to become strong like that."
She was admitting that she had gone behind his back to find a Senior Brother and learn martial arts while he was already teaching her. It was a situation where it wouldn't be strange at all if he struck her dead with a single palm.
But she spoke truthfully. Her mind was probably screaming don't do it!, but her mouth was speaking for her heart.
"What do you plan to do after getting stronger?"
"I will be honest. I wanted to follow in your footsteps and become the next Fist Demon. Though... it seems that’s all ruined now."
It was a life-or-death answer, but it wasn't the one the Fist Demon wanted.
"Yes, that is the position you want to hold. I asked what you plan to do once you are strong."
"!"
Cheon So-hui was momentarily flustered. She had likely never thought deeply about the difference between what she wanted to be and what she wanted to do. Having lived only with the goal of becoming the Fist Demon, she was even more confused.
Listening to their conversation, I felt a sense of admiration for the man. Yes, the Fist Demon was the kind of person who would ask such a question. This question alone proved he wasn't just a brute who used his fists, but a man of intellect.
I stepped in to save her. "Why have you come today?"
Then, surprising words flowed from the Fist Demon’s mouth.
"I shall impart the First Fist of the Thunder Asura Fist to you."
I was stunned. I expected him not to give up easily, but I didn't think he would actually teach me the First Fist just to join the group. For what purpose? Did he really want to fight me that badly?
Not just me, but Lee An and Cheon So-hui were shocked as well. No one would believe it—that the Fist Demon would teach the First Fist of the Thunder Asura Fist just to join this small late-night training group.
My gaze locked with the Fist Demon’s. We exchanged another silent conversation.
You really are something, I thought.
Could I ever compare to you? he seemed to counter.
Do you not regret this?
Will you not be the one to regret it? For drawing me in so completely.
I have no regrets.
"I have one condition," I said aloud.
"Name it."
"You must keep it a secret that I taught you this martial art."
"Of course."
The Fist Demon’s gaze shifted to the two women. Who would dare say otherwise in his presence?
"Yes! Do not worry!"
"We weren't even here!"
Though what they really wanted to say was: We don't want to be here in the future, either!
The instruction began immediately. The Fist Demon taught me the oral formula for the First Fist of the Thunder Asura Fist via Voice Transmission.
The First Fist: Black Cloud Asura.
Though it was the first of the six moves, it was a strike of immense power, stronger than almost any other fist technique. One would only need to be hit by it once to understand why this was the Fist Demon’s signature art.
The Fist Demon even corrected my posture, properly imparting the Black Cloud Asura to me. He was sincere, at least when it came to martial arts. I didn't know for sure, but among the Demon Lords, the Fist Demon was likely the best at teaching. And he did it with a gentle voice that didn't match his terrifying face at all.
Lee An and Cheon So-hui turned away and didn't watch us. Since the conversation was held through Voice Transmission, it wouldn't have mattered if they looked, but they weren't so rude as to watch the process of a secret technique being passed down.
And so, I learned the First Fist of the Thunder Asura Fist.
Boom!
Someday, the sound of thunder would erupt from this fist of mine.
The Fist Demon watched me perform the Black Cloud Asura and nodded. "You will need to keep practicing to bring out its true power."
"Thank you."
Since I had received something, I had to give something in return. I spoke to the Fist Demon formally.
"Welcome to the Late-night Training Group."
It was the moment four people who never would have been expected to be together—me, the Fist Demon, Lee An, and Cheon So-hui—were bound into a single group.
And it seemed the Fist Demon was determined to keep surprising us today.
"Now, let us train."
He took off his upper garment. I hadn't seen his bare torso once since coming to the Eastern Fist Sect. But he began to strip as if he truly intended to train properly.
Under the pale moonlight, the Fist Demon’s upper body was revealed.