Chapter 203: Who on Earth Did You Mess With!
Chapter 203: Who on Earth Did You Mess With!
The moment he laid eyes on the Fist Demon, the 1st Immortal realized that things had gone horribly, catastrophically wrong.
His survival instincts screamed at him to run. However, the Fist Demon’s aura, which seemed to freeze the very air, paralyzed both his will to fight and his will to flee.
Just then, the eight experts who had been lying in wait revealed themselves.
Seeing them surround the Fist Demon, the 1st Immortal felt the icy grip on his heart loosen slightly.
The Eight Hands of the Ghost Sword.
Moving as a single entity, these eight were men who had once struck terror throughout the Murim. In a martial arts battle, one plus one does not necessarily equal twice the strength, just as a hundred men attacking at once does not make them a hundred times stronger.
However, the Eight Hands of the Ghost Sword truly felt eight times stronger. While perhaps not literally true, they gave off that overwhelming impression. Their combined attack techniques were that flawless.
This was why they could stand tall and face the terrifying aura radiating from the muscular man before them without flinching.
Strictly speaking, the Eight Hands were not the 1st Immortal's subordinates. They were fixers sent by the Master to ensure the job was done correctly. Thus, they were his guards and his hands to carry out any order, but they were also his overseers.
"Kill him!"
As soon as the 1st Immortal’s command fell, the Eight Hands lunged without hesitation. They simultaneously struck at eight of the Fist Demon’s vital points.
The moment they moved, the Fist Demon threw a punch toward the one directly in front of him.
Boom! Crack!
A thunderous roar was followed by the sickening sound of shattering flesh and bone. One of the Eight Hands was sent flying, smashing through a tree before collapsing. It was the Thunder Asura Fist, First Fist: Black Cloud Asura.
Though one had been sacrificed, the remaining seven swords struck the Fist Demon’s body.
Clang!
The sound of metal clashing against metal rang out despite the blades hitting a human body. By activating the Fifth Fist: Vajra Asura, his entire body had temporarily become as hard as tempered steel.
In the moment the Eight Hands froze in shock—
Thud-thud-thud-thud-thud!
The Second Fist: Thunder Asura erupted from the Fist Demon’s hands. The technique was so blindingly fast that it looked as if an Asura with multiple arms was striking all at once.
With this single move, six of the Eight Hands were sent tumbling in every direction. Killed instantly upon impact, they crashed into trees and rocks or rolled lifelessly across the ground.
Just as the last remaining member of the Eight Hands tried to lunge for the Fist Demon’s eyes—!
The Fist Demon’s massive frame tore through the air with incredible speed. He delivered a single blow backed by his full weight.
Boom!
The flesh and bone of the man he hit twisted as if caught in a whirlwind.
Struck by the Third Fist: Heavenly Thunder Asura, the final member of the Eight Hands was sent flying so far he vanished from sight.
It all happened in the blink of an eye.
In the eyes of the Immortals, there had been a sound of thunder, a flash of light, and then the Eight Hands were nothing but corpses. It felt like divine punishment delivered from the heavens.
A heavy silence descended.
The scene was so surreal that the four men, including the 1st Immortal, stood with vacant expressions.
Over the past few years, the 1st Immortal had witnessed the prowess of the Eight Hands many times. When ordered to kill, they killed regardless of the opponent. Even renowned experts fell to their perfect coordination.
Watching them fight had led the 1st Immortal to establish a rule for himself.
If four of them fall, turn and run without looking back.
He had judged that if their perfect harmony was broken, it was time to flee. But what was he supposed to do in this situation? What if they all died in an instant?
Geom Mu-geuk could tell. The Fist Demon had deliberately showcased a variety of techniques, from the First Fist onwards, specifically for him to see.
It was distinctly different from his own fist arts. It was more domineering and possessed even greater power. It wasn't a matter of the sheer volume of internal energy; the aura imbued in the punches was more vibrant and overwhelming.
"Ah! That was truly magnificent."
Seeing it once was indeed better than hearing about it a hundred times.
At Geom Mu-geuk’s exclamation, the 1st Immortal thought the young man from the Righteous Fist Sect was lying through his teeth. The punches had been invisible to the naked eye—what could possibly be "magnificent" about that? Just who was this man to display such divine might...? Gasp!
It’s the Fist Demon! You idiot! How are you only realizing it now?
That massive fist, those thick forearms that looked as if they had personally pried open the gates of Hell... If that man wasn't the Fist Demon, then who could he be? If not the Fist Demon, who else could send the Eight Hands of the Ghost Sword to the afterlife so effortlessly?
"Please spare us! Lord Fist Demon!"
The 1st Immortal threw himself to the ground. At the mention of the name "Fist Demon," the remaining three also collapsed in terror. Their bodies shook uncontrollably once they realized their opponent was a Demon Lord of the Demonic Cult.
While prostrate on the ground, the 1st Immortal sent a message via Voice Transmission to the 3rd Immortal.
— Didn't you say that successor of the Righteous Fist Sect was trying to kill the Fist Demon?
— That is correct.
— You utter moron! Do those two look like enemies to you?
— I... I don't know how this happened.
— You useless piece of trash!
He truly wanted to jump up and beat the 3rd Immortal half to death. But he couldn't.
He had lived his entire life following his temper. He had never once suppressed his rage. He had once gouged out the eyes of a passerby just for glancing at him. He never let anyone who crossed him go unpunished. Yet, that rage was being very well-regulated right now.
"Please spare our lives!"
The four of them begged for mercy.
The Fist Demon walked slowly toward them.
"So these bastards believed that story without a shred of doubt?"
Geom Mu-geuk chuckled at the Fist Demon’s lingering annoyance.
"Yes. Since they live that kind of life themselves, they assume everyone else does too."
Mu-geuk then cleared up the misunderstanding regarding the Fist Demon.
"All of you, look up. Straighten your backs."
The men raised their heads while remaining on their knees.
"You fools! Do you really think Lord Fist Demon would lay a hand on the fiancée of a successor from a sect belonging to our Cult? Does that even sound plausible? I made that up just to lure you out. Do you understand?"
"Yes! Yes, of course!"
The Immortals bowed their heads repeatedly, agreeing unconditionally.
Geom Mu-geuk turned to the Fist Demon.
"How do you feel? A bit better?"
The Fist Demon shook his head. No, of course he wouldn't feel better.
Mu-geuk knew that the Fist Demon wouldn't have overreacted like this for any other reason. If the rumor had been that he killed someone or looked down on someone, he wouldn't have batted an eye.
However, the Fist Demon loathed those who committed such acts against women. It made sense when one thought about it. He was a man who spent his life punching cliffs; he had never once been involved in a scandal with a woman. That was the kind of man the Fist Demon was.
"I'm sorry that you came out to slack off and ended up being labeled a lecher. Thank you."
Mu-geuk was sincerely grateful.
"I know your personality, Master, and I know you hated this. Thank you for putting up with it."
He expressed his gratitude in words. One might ask if they were close enough that words weren't necessary, but no—some things must be said to be known. How could one know if it wasn't spoken?
What Mu-geuk was most grateful for was this: the Fist Demon didn't hide his distaste and let it fester. He expressed his annoyance, which gave Mu-geuk the chance to soothe his feelings like this.
"The lecher who appeared and disappeared in the Murim over the last few days without anyone knowing... he was probably the strongest lecher in the history of the martial world."
At Mu-geuk’s joke, the Fist Demon finally cracked a smile.
Their gazes met under the moonlight. Mu-geuk felt the tension leave the older man's face. The Fist Demon’s frustration wasn't resolved by revealing the truth to those villains, but rather by hearing the words "thank you for putting up with it" and "I'm sorry."
That was why the Fist Demon could finally say:
"You said this would save hundreds, thousands of young people? Then I suppose playing the role of a Divine Healer for once isn't so bad."
As if embarrassed by his own words, the Fist Demon looked up at the moon. His broad back looked even larger and more solid than before.
Meanwhile, the 1st Immortal was sending a Voice Transmission to the 4th Immortal.
— The Fist Demon will never let us live. Find an opening and take that young man hostage! That's our only way out.
Judging by the atmosphere, the two were clearly close. If they could just take him hostage, they might at least find a way to survive.
Just then, Geom Mu-geuk approached them.
As he passed the 4th Immortal to reach the 1st, the 4th Immortal lunged upward like a bolt of lightning and successfully leveled his sword at Mu-geuk’s throat.
"Move and this brat dies!" the 1st Immortal shouted.
"Got him!"
After glancing at the scene, the Fist Demon looked back up at the moon and spoke.
"You should have taken me hostage instead."
The moment those incomprehensible words left the Fist Demon’s mouth, Geom Mu-geuk was already turned toward the 4th Immortal.
When did he turn around?
It was a question the 4th Immortal, who was supposed to be holding the sword to his throat, should never have had to ask.
Mu-geuk’s fist gave a light tap. But the result was anything but light.
Thud!
The 4th Immortal’s head snapped back and then returned to its original position. Was it okay for a neck to bend like that? It was not.
The 4th Immortal collapsed forward and did not get back up. He had died instantly, his neck broken.
Mu-geuk looked at the remaining three and spoke coldly.
"I never liked the fact that you lot called yourselves 'Immortals' in the first place."
At that sight, the 1st Immortal realized the truth.
Ah! This man isn't the successor of the Righteous Fist Sect!
There was no way a young successor could so easily overpower the 4th Immortal while a sword was at his throat.
Damn it! Curse it all!
The 1st Immortal regretted everything.
He was usually a very cautious man. If it had been a simple clash with a demonic practitioner, he never would have shown his face. But the mention of the Fist Demon left him with no choice. If he handled it wrong, the entire system of the World of Chivalry he had painstakingly built would have vanished.
Get a grip! Focus!
He had already been dragged into the tiger's den. Fortunately, there wasn't just one prey, but three. They might spare at least one of them.
I will survive! I must survive!
He was making so much money right now. He was supposed to live in luxury for the rest of his life. He couldn't die like this.
"Which of you is the worst?"
The three flinched at Mu-geuk’s question.
"Why so surprised? You lot picked people too, didn't you? Who should we threaten? Who should we swindle? If you get to choose, why can't I?"
He pressured the three of them as if he intended to return their sins in kind.
"If you don't choose, all three of you die!"
At that, the 1st and 2nd Immortals looked at the 3rd Immortal as if they had rehearsed it. Since they often joked that he was the worst among them, the decision wasn't difficult.
The 3rd Immortal cried out in a voice full of grievance.
"No! I'm the one who did the most good! I gave those young people hope and dreams!"
"I know very well that isn't true. Didn't you say it earlier? That it wasn't for my youth, but for yours?"
"Please, spare me!"
"When those young people begged like this, did you spare them even once?"
"..."
"I thought so."
Crunch!
The 3rd Immortal’s face caved in under Mu-geuk’s fist, and he died instantly.
Thud.
Just as he had told the man earlier that he would forget him starting today, Mu-geuk tossed the corpse aside carelessly. He felt this was exactly the kind of treatment they deserved. He might tell them he’d spare them to extract information, but he had no intention of letting any of them live.
The 1st Immortal prepared to make his final move. He would run without looking back. Even if he died from a hidden weapon in his back, he would die trying to escape. He had a glimmer of hope; he was confident in his lightness skills.
Just as he was about to turn, someone draped an arm around his shoulder and stood beside him.
"You can't run. I'm not joking—even if you had a two-hour head start, he'd catch you. Running is what that man is best at."
The middle-aged man acting friendly beside him was none other than the Pungcheon Cult Leader.
The 1st Immortal was losing his mind.
Who is this now?
Not only had the man approached without a sound, but how did he know he was planning to run?
Finally, the 1st Immortal couldn't take it anymore and roared at the 2nd Immortal.
"You absolute moron! Who on earth did you mess with!"
This was because choosing the targets was the 2nd Immortal's role.
The Pungcheon Cult Leader chuckled and said, "Exactly. I used to say that to myself a lot, too."
Soon after, Go Wol appeared.
"I searched the safe house where that fellow was staying and found the ledger."
The thick ledger contained the names of hundreds of people and the amounts they had borrowed.
"I will handle this ledger appropriately."
Knowing Go Wol would handle it wisely, Mu-geuk nodded readily.
The 1st Immortal’s face contorted. How on earth had they found his safe house? He had been so careful, so incredibly cautious. He felt dizzy. This was a natural disaster.
Mu-geuk sealed the Mute and Demonic Acupoints of the 1st and 2nd Immortals.
"Only one of you lives. The one who tells me something more useful will be the survivor. If you have something to say, blink your eyes."
The 1st Immortal didn't hesitate to blink rapidly.
Mu-geuk unsealed his Mute Acupoint.
"There are eight hundred thousand taels of remaining funds in the Central Plains Bank. The seal is in my robe, and I will give you the code phrase needed to withdraw the money."
The 1st Immortal gave the code to Go Wol.
Seeing this, the 2nd Immortal was stunned. The 1st Immortal was giving up the money that easily? Well, it was understandable. Their opponent was the Fist Demon; how could they possibly resist?
What shocked the 2nd Immortal was this: the 1st Immortal had spoken immediately without even a glance of apology. He hadn't even pretended to hesitate before signing the 2nd Immortal's death warrant.
Mu-geuk spoke to the 2nd Immortal.
"It's unfortunate for you, but it seems our First Immortal is about to ascend to the heavens."
At that, the 2nd Immortal began blinking his eyes furiously.
Mu-geuk resealed the 1st Immortal’s Mute Acupoint and unsealed the 2nd’s. Since the 1st Immortal had so heartlessly tried to save himself, the 2nd Immortal had no reason to hesitate either.
"There is another ledger."
The 1st Immortal’s eyes bulged, but with his Mute and Demonic Acupoints sealed, he could do nothing.
As if he had expected this, Mu-geuk said to the 2nd Immortal, "The Master's Ledger, I presume."
They must have been paying a monthly tribute to the person who provided the initial funding. A ledger recording when and how much was paid.
"The ledger is hidden inside the 1st Immortal’s belt."
Go Wol unfastened the 1st Immortal’s belt and searched it, finding a rolled-up piece of paper inside. It contained a detailed record of the tributes. If they needed to officially take down the person behind this, this was the essential evidence.
Mu-geuk looked at the 1st Immortal.
"It seems we'll have to let our Second Immortal take the turn to ascend instead."
At those words, the 1st Immortal began blinking his eyes faster than the speed of light.