Chapter 191: You Said You’d Only Say One Word
Chapter 191: You Said You’d Only Say One Word
Why did Father come?
Naturally, he must have come to support me.
I knew better than anyone that he wasn't that kind of person. Just as it was hard to fathom why the Fist Demon had joined our late-night training group, it was equally difficult to discern the true reason behind Father’s presence today.
“I wonder if that’s true,” the Fist Demon remarked, acting as if he had an inkling regarding Father’s visit.
I poured a drink into his empty cup and asked, “Then why do you think he came?”
The Fist Demon emptied the cup again, his expression remaining as stoic as ever. “I think it’s the opposite. He came to tell me to support the First Young Master.”
“Did the two of you share a transmission?”
The Fist Demon shook his head.
“Then how do you know what’s in Father’s heart?”
“The mere fact that he showed up here provides the answer. The Cult Leader went out of his way to attend the first drinking session of a group I’ve joined with you. To congratulate us? Is the Cult Leader that kind of man?”
“No, he isn't.”
“Exactly. So why did he come? He came to send a message. He wanted to signal that he is keeping a close eye on this situation.”
The Fist Demon couldn't possibly know everything about Father, but he clearly possessed a sharp intuition to be speaking with such certainty.
“So you’re saying that, in the end, Father is on my brother’s side.”
“I wouldn't go so far as to conclude that, either.”
“But you just said he was.”
“I said he came to tell me to take a side; I didn't say the Cult Leader himself has chosen the First Young Master.”
With those ambiguous words, the Fist Demon rose from his seat. “I enjoyed the welcome today.”
“I’m glad you joined the group, Lord Fist Demon.”
“Glad, you say?” The Fist Demon’s skeptical gaze shifted from me to Lee An and Cheon So-hui.
I spoke up on behalf of the two women, who were frozen stiff. “It’s naturally difficult and uncomfortable for those two, but I’m sure their joy is just as great.”
Knowing Lee An, she probably wanted to joke and say, “No, it’s not!” but instead, she nodded with a resolute expression.
“I am truly happy that Lord Fist Demon has joined us!”
“I’m sure. Especially since Lord Fist Demon has such a fine physique,” I teased.
Lee An glared at me, her eyes sharpening at the jab. The Fist Demon pretended not to hear. Even if it was a joke, having a woman who could be called the most beautiful in the world compliment his physique probably wasn't unpleasant.
In truth, the one most affected by the Fist Demon’s joining wasn't Lee An, but Cheon So-hui. She spoke to the Fist Demon in a trembling voice.
“You might not believe me because I’ve made so many mistakes... but the reason I chose fist techniques over swordsmanship is because I admired you. I... I want to be like you, Lord Fist Demon.”
Whether it was the alcohol or her nerves, her face was flushed a deep red. However, her eyes remained fixed on him, trying her best to convey her sincerity. “I am truly happy that you joined this group.”
The Fist Demon stared at her for a moment before heading down to the first floor without a word. Cheon So-hui stood there looking like she might collapse at any moment. I gave her an encouraging nod, then shouted toward the Fist Demon as he exited the tavern.
“Next time, you should buy the drinks, Lord Fist Demon!”
“There is no next time.”
“Who knows? We might even have a welcome party for my father.”
The Fist Demon stopped at the entrance, snorted, and shook his head. “The Cult Leader? Don't even dream of it.”
With that, the Fist Demon left the tavern.
Now, only Lee An, Cheon So-hui, and I remained. The two women slumped into their seats as if their strength had finally failed them.
“Aaaah! It’s over.” Lee An let out a massive sigh of relief and held out her cup. “Finally, we can have a drink in peace. Let’s have a toast, Young Master.”
I clinked glasses with her and drank. Cheon So-hui’s hands were still shaking violently.
“I’ll drink in a bit. I can’t even lift the cup right now.”
When everyone was together, they had been swept up in the chaos of the moment, but now that the Heavenly Demon and the Fist Demon were gone, it felt like a dream. They had shared drinks with the Heavenly Demon, and Cheon So-hui had confessed her admiration directly to the Fist Demon. Things they could never have imagined had all happened in a single day.
“Ah, I was so tense that my whole body feels stiff.”
“How about it? If I asked you to drink with them again, could you do it?”
To my question, Cheon So-hui gave an answer that contradicted her physical state. “It was incredibly hard... but this tension wasn't bad.”
Though she had been flustered by various events since meeting me, she was the foremost Iron Fist of the Righteous Fist Sect—a woman with more grit than anyone. “It’s not a matter of whether I can drink with them; I want to.”
“The thrill is certainly addictive, isn't it?”
Cheon So-hui smiled faintly in agreement. My gaze then turned to Lee An. “How do you feel?”
“How do you think I feel?”
It was the day she had received martial arts instruction from the Heavenly Demon himself.
“It wasn't just that I was happy the Cult Leader taught me martial arts.”
“Then what?”
“Teaching me martial arts means he has officially recognized me, doesn't it?”
Though she couldn't bring herself to say it out loud, Father had acknowledged her as someone as close as kin by personally passing down the Flying Heaven Sword Technique. After all, that technique was only ever taught to his own bloodline.
“It’s a day I’ll never forget. Thank you, Young Master.”
“What did I even do?”
“You told the Cult Leader, didn't you? That while it’s just one drinking session for a father, it could be a life-changing moment for Lee An. If you hadn't said that, none of this would have happened.”
Lee An remembered exactly what I had said to Father.
“Today, I felt like I was the one being welcomed.”
I grinned and gave her shoulder a pat. Welcome, Lee An.
And so, the drinking session at the Pungryu Tavern came to an end.
*
The welcome party was over, but my day had not yet ended. When I returned to my quarters, an unexpected person was waiting for me.
Standing in my courtyard, looking up at the moon in the night sky, was my brother, Geom Mu-yang.
“When did you get here?”
“A moment ago.”
Judging by the atmosphere, he had likely been waiting for quite a while. What had he been thinking about while he waited?
“I was having a drink with the Fist Demon. If I’d known, I would’ve invited you.”
Geom Mu-yang continued to stare at the moon in silence. I stood beside him.
“You look tired.”
At my words, Geom Mu-yang’s gaze shifted from the moon to me. “Do I? I’ve had a lot on my plate lately. What about you?”
He seemed softer than usual. I could feel it—Geom Mu-yang was straining with all his might. The more he was backed into a corner, the harder he tried.
In a way, I felt sorry for my brother. It was true that his life had become difficult because of my regression. This fight was one where the outcome was decided from the start. A young man in his twenties couldn't possibly compete with me. Furthermore, I had been growing infinitely stronger since my return.
Still, Brother, we can’t live the same lives as before. If we stay on that path, only death awaits us.
“Does it bother you that I’m meeting with the Fist Demon?”
“It would be a lie to say it doesn't.”
“I’ve been quite obsessed with fist techniques lately. You probably don't believe that, do you?”
“If you were me, would you?”
“You should feel free to meet the Demon Lords too, Brother. Meet the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and talk about books, or meet the Drunken Demon for a drink. I don't mind.”
“Are you that confident? That they’re already your people? Let me give you a piece of advice as your older brother. Do not underestimate the Demon Lords. If you think they are your people just because they’re smiling in front of you, you are gravely mistaken. In the end, they will choose whatever benefits them in the final moment.”
I looked at him and smiled.
“Are you mocking me?”
“No. I was just wondering when the last time was that you gave me advice. It’s been quite a long time, hasn't it?”
Geom Mu-yang turned his head to look at the wall where the moon cast its shadow. Between us stood a wall several times higher and thicker than that one.
“The Fist Demon said he supports you, Brother. And that Father would want that too.”
Geom Mu-yang flinched. “Is that true?”
“Yes.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
“Brother, this is who I am. I’m not the type to be difficult when someone treats me well.” I revealed my true feelings, which I hadn't shared with him for a long time. “Do you know why I told the Demon Lords that I would fight for the succession without shedding your blood?”
“Why?” Geom Mu-yang was genuinely curious.
“When we were young, you did some terrible things to me. You planted a fear of the Murim in my young heart and tried to make me collapse psychologically. Back then, just thinking about the word 'Murim' made me shrink back in terror.”
This was the first time I had brought this up. Geom Mu-yang’s pupils trembled. He must have thought I didn't know. Well, from his perspective, he had told me all those things while pretending to be worried about me.
He didn't deny it.
“Then you should be seeking revenge. Why say we shouldn't shed blood?”
“Because you were only a 'bad guy' up to that point.”
“...!”
“If you had been a real piece of trash, you would have killed me somehow. You would have destroyed my Dantian or used some other vile method. But you weren't the kind of person who wanted to become the successor so badly that you’d actually harm your own brother. You were a bad guy only to the extent that I could understand and tolerate. That’s why I decided to use my broad-mindedness to forgive you. You were young back then, too.”
Of course, the fact that Father wanted it that way was also a major reason.
“You crazy bastard, stop talking bullshit.”
Profanity, which he rarely used, burst out. Geom Mu-yang was flustered. Perhaps at this moment, he was being bombarded with questions from deep within his heart.
‘What if you hadn't been confident in becoming the successor? What would have happened then? Would you still have left your brother alone? Did you only stop there because you were sure you’d win?’
What kind of person was my brother, really? In truth, even I didn't know the answer to that. It was something that hadn't happened, and no one can guarantee what choice a desperate person will make in the heat of the moment.
“But don't let your guard down. Both you and I are still on trial. If I kill you and become the Cult Leader after saying I’d win the succession without bloodshed, no Demon Lord will truly follow me. The same goes for you. If you suppress me with some clumsy conspiracy and take the throne, the Demon Lords will never give you their sincere loyalty. Don't forget. They might not seem like they’re watching, but the Demon Lords always have their eyes on us.”
Geom Mu-yang, who had been staring at me intently, suddenly spoke. “Why have you become so talkative? You weren't like this when you were younger.”
“I guess all my internal energy is going to my mouth.”
“That’s not funny at all.”
Did my words manage to break at least one brick in the thick wall between us? Hoping that was the case, I nagged him some more. I had no choice but to unleash my 'Nagging Divine Art' on my brother.
“Since I’ve already become a chatterbox, I’ll say just one more thing. They say there’s no coexistence between brothers in a power struggle? That they eventually end up killing each other? Who decided that, anyway? Why should we be swayed by the precedents and suspicions of pathetic fools who couldn't even control their own desires?”
I stepped in front of Geom Mu-yang. Looking him straight in the eye, I said, “So don't even dream of being swayed. If you start feeling anxious that I might kill you, come find me. Looking at me will make those thoughts disappear. And don't think I’m looking down on you today! Don't think you’ve lost. Just think, ‘My little brother sure talks a lot.’ Don't get worked up! Don't make any hasty decisions!”
As soon as I finished, Geom Mu-yang roared.
“You brat! I thought my ears were going to bleed! You said you’d only say one word, but was that one word? If you feel like you want to kill me, you come find me! A mere kid trying to lecture me!”
Geom Mu-yang stomped away.
Do you know, Brother? You might find me difficult, but I feel the same way. I find you more difficult to deal with than Father or the Eight Demon Lords.
I stood in the courtyard for a while, looking up at the moon my brother had been watching. It was a night that brought back the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s words about family being the enemy.
*
The next day, and the day after that, we trained hard. We worked hard during the day and hard at night. It was a literal cycle of continuous training.
A few days passed, and we were in the middle of our late-night training session. I was practicing forms in the same posture as the Fist Demon when it happened.
Whoosh!
The Fist Demon’s fist came flying toward me. It looked like a mistake, but it wasn't.
Boom!
My fist and the Fist Demon’s fist collided in mid-air. At the sound, which was like a drum bursting, Lee An and Cheon So-hui looked at us in shock. We were both thrusting our fists in the exact same posture, and those fists were locked against each other in the air.
“My apologies. I was lost in thought for a moment.”
“It happens.”
“How about it? Since we’ve already exerted ourselves, shall we have a spar?”
“A good attempt, but I’ll pass.”
The Fist Demon was finally starting to play his little tricks. He wanted to fight me ten times more than I wanted to learn his martial arts.
“If you’ve declined, you should turn away. Why are you staring at me like that?”
It was likely a very strange experience for him. Hardly anyone would ever stare at him so intently. I intended to look at this Fist Demon properly now. I had looked at his fists first, but now I would look at the man. Straight on, without any prejudice.
“I was just thinking that the more I look at your face, the less scary you seem, Lord Fist Demon.”
The Fist Demon shook his head with an incredulous expression and put on his outer robe, signaling that today’s training was over. Once he left, Lee An and Cheon So-hui rushed to my side.
“Liar!”
“The more I look at him, the scarier he gets!”
I chuckled softly at their playful but sincere remarks. My gaze followed the Fist Demon as he walked away. He was walking alone into the darkness, showing only his broad, thick back.
It wasn't his face that kept catching my eye. In that lonely-looking silhouette... I saw myself from before my regression.