Chapter 243: As Much as I Struggle, So Does the Demon Buddha
Chapter 243: As Much as I Struggle, So Does the Demon Buddha
The Demon Buddha resided within the Golden Buddha Temple, a sprawling complex of immense proportions.
It consisted of dozens of buildings, large and small, most of which were plated in shimmering gold. Even the pagodas erected throughout the grounds radiated a brilliant golden luster.
The statues of the Four Heavenly Kings standing at the entrance to ward off evil spirits were a far cry from those found in ordinary temples. Their visages were so grotesque and terrifying that they seemed more like demons than divine guardians.
In the heart of the temple stood the Great Golden Buddha. It was a statue as colossal as the giant stone monuments found throughout the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. It was said that when the Demon Buddha’s Golden Daluo Demon Art reached its peak, the Great Golden Buddha would manifest and vanish in tandem with his martial techniques.
Normally, monks belonging to the Demonic Cult are referred to as Demonic Monks, but the practitioners of the Golden Buddha Temple were known as Mad Monks.
When I announced my arrival, a Mad Monk of massive proportions emerged to greet me.
“I shall escort you.”
I knew exactly who this Mad Monk was. He was Dae Gwang, the right-hand man of the Demon Buddha. His name was perfectly suited to him—"Dae" for his massive size, and "Gwang" for his immense madness.
He was the kind of man who looked like he might suddenly lunge forward and try to strangle you with his prayer beads without a moment's notice.
When his hulking frame stood beside the Demon Buddha, the latter appeared even smaller by comparison. Yet, the Demon Buddha had specifically chosen this giant to be his right hand. I wondered if he had picked Dae Gwang just to prove he felt no inferiority regarding his short stature.
As I walked, passing Mad Monks pressed their palms together and bowed to me. I had heard that after my "barking" incident at the training ground, my popularity had soared among these lunatics. Of course, since the Demon Buddha was a fervent supporter of my brother, these monks officially supported him as well.
The Demon Buddha was currently chanting sutras in the Great Dharma Hall.
Having always seen him at my brother's side, seeing him now in Buddhist robes and a kashaya, reciting scriptures, felt incredibly surreal. The only thing that confirmed his identity as the Demon Buddha was the golden statue behind him, which looked far more menacing than any traditional Buddha.
After paying my respects to the statue, I quietly sat down behind the Demon Buddha.
Since he showed no intention of ending his chanting, I closed my eyes and began practicing the Heavenly Demon Body Protection Art. Lately, my training focused on two core pillars: the Heavenly Demon Body Protection Art when I needed to remain aware of my surroundings, and the Time Heaven Secret Technique when I was alone.
Every martial art I had learned was important, but these two were vital for my survival.
The Heavenly Demon Body Protection Art was essentially an extra life, and the Time Heaven Secret Technique was perhaps the most critical art after the Nine Calamities Demonic Art, as it was the key to achieving Great Achievement within the necessary timeframe.
Unfortunately, I was still in the stage of deciphering the oral formulas for the Time Heaven Secret Technique. They were so profound and complex that even attempting the technique was a monumental task.
How much time had passed?
The Demon Buddha’s chanting grew louder, and a thick, demonic energy began to swirl around me. Instinctively, the Heavenly Demon Body Protection Art activated to shield my body.
I heard the chanting echo inside my mind, and then a vision manifested.
I stood in pitch-black darkness.
A golden radiance shimmered in the distance, and a figure began walking toward me. It was the Demon Buddha. In this vision, however, he appeared tall and imposing.
He walked right up to me and stopped. I could see the bewilderment etched on his face.
The Demon Buddha reached out his hand, but it was violently repelled, unable to cross the threshold. It was as if an invisible, transparent membrane existed between us, preventing him from reaching me. It seemed the Demon Buddha could not even see me through that barrier.
I realized what was happening. The Demon Buddha had tried to use the Golden Daluo Demon Art to invade and read my mind, but he had been shut out. The Heavenly Demon Body Protection Art had triggered to halt the intrusion. Along with the Nine Calamities Demonic Art, the protection art I practiced was an Absolute Demonic Art that took precedence over any other demonic power.
The Demon Buddha wore a troubled expression before eventually retreating back into the darkness. The golden light vanished into the void.
Why had he appeared before me with such a tall stature?
I realized that in that brief moment, I might have been the one who looked into his heart.
The chanting echoing in my head grew fainter and eventually ceased. When I opened my eyes, the Demon Buddha had turned around to face me. He looked flustered that his demonic art had failed so completely.
However, acting as if nothing had happened, he pressed his palms together and spoke.
“Second Young Master. I am glad you returned safely.”
“It is thanks to your concern, Elder.”
I also pressed my palms together, returning the respect.
“But wouldn't it have been more fortunate for you if I hadn't returned at all?”
The Demon Buddha slowly rolled his prayer beads.
“The Buddha said that all life is precious.”
To hear about the preciousness of life from a man who made me worry those prayer beads might fly at my throat like hidden weapons at any second...
My gaze drifted toward the Great Golden Buddha behind him. Looking at the Buddhist painting behind the statue, I remarked, “But in that painting over there, aren't Demonic Monks tearing people apart?”
At my unexpected comment, the corners of the Demon Buddha’s mouth twitched. He was clearly suppressing an absurd chuckle.
“Why have you come to see me? If you intend to take refuge in the Buddha, I shall personally shave your head. That would be a grand occasion. Just as you wish, there would be no further need for bloodshed between brothers.”
“I enjoy my vices too much; I’d be expelled for breaking the precepts in a heartbeat. My brother is steadfast and taciturn; he’d suit the robes much better. His head is shaped more nicely, too.”
Though we spoke in jests, a tense battle of wills unfolded between us.
“The reason I came to see you today is...” After a brief pause, I told him, “Because of the Great Golden Operation.”
By revealing the operation's name, I officially commenced the mission.
The Demon Buddha gave me a suspicious look. “The Great Golden Operation? What is that?”
“It is an operation to make you my person. Today is the first day.”
In the end, the Demon Buddha couldn't hold back his laughter.
“I must admit, you truly are a peculiar man. I’ll grant you that much.”
“You called me a madman before, so I’ve made progress.”
The Demon Buddha suddenly stopped laughing. “Do not underestimate the First Young Master. He will be the successor.”
“When I went to visit the Demon Lords, I should have visited you first, Elder. Then, right now, you would be somewhere saying, 'Do not underestimate the Second Young Master, he will be the successor.'”
The Demon Buddha snorted. “Do you think I would have been swayed so easily?”
“What do you think?”
“Not a chance.”
Seeing this unwavering loyalty to my brother, I felt that his reputation as a power-hungry, greedy political monk was so off-base that he had every right to feel wronged.
“Why do you favor my brother so much?”
“Your brother is...”
There seemed to be a specific reason, but he didn't elaborate. I realized I would only hear that reason once the Demon Buddha truly became my person.
“I believe the First Young Master is more suited to be the Heavenly Demon.”
I nodded silently.
“Does that mean you agree?”
“I acknowledge that there are certainly areas where my brother is more meticulous and capable than I am.”
“Then yield to him.”
Instead of answering, I asked him a question. “Isn't it difficult dealing with my brother?”
“Are you trying to drive a wedge between us? It won't work.”
“I told you before, you are a small giant. Having you is my brother's greatest stroke of luck. I am grateful.”
“Why are you grateful?”
The Demon Buddha shot me a suspicious look. Knowing he wouldn't open his heart easily, I calmly conveyed my feelings.
“I told you once before that I intend to end the tradition of brothers killing each other for succession in this generation. I asked you to stay by his side and help him, as his pride is strong and he finds it hard to control himself. Do you remember?”
“I remember.”
“I believe the reason my brother hasn't spiraled out of control until now is entirely thanks to you.”
“I told you that if the First Young Master spiraled, I would be the one to pour oil on the fire. I said I would encourage him to burn everything down. So why do you think I am restraining him?”
I stared at him and spoke calmly.
“Because you know him better than anyone. If you hadn't been by his side, he wouldn't have been able to endure this long.”
I meant it. Regardless of whether I could pull him to my side or not, I was truly grateful to him for steadfastly staying by my brother's side until I could come this far.
“I shall take my leave for today.”
I politely pressed my palms together and bid him farewell. The Demon Buddha turned back without a word and resumed his chanting.
Through our conversation, I realized one thing for certain. He was the smallest man, but he would be the hardest to win over.
This was only the beginning.
*
The next day, I approached the Demon Buddha as he was leaving the Golden Buddha Temple.
“Have you eaten?”
“I have not.”
“Would you like to join me?”
I expected a refusal, but he accepted readily.
“Let us do that.”
When I looked surprised, the Demon Buddha asked, “Why do you look so shocked?”
“I didn't expect you to agree so easily.”
“You are mistaken about one thing. I am a very moderate and merciful person.”
Moderate and merciful? He said those shameless words with a perfectly straight face.
“That’s a relief. I was planning to follow you around every day.”
The Demon Buddha started walking, and I followed.
“What do you like to eat? Just say the word!”
Passing cultists stared at us in shock. Is the Demon Buddha hanging out with the Second Young Master now? Their eyes were filled with confusion.
But the Demon Buddha didn't care at all. In the past, he would have been uncomfortable with the rumors and misunderstandings that might reach my brother. Walking forward with a determined expression... the Demon Buddha had definitely changed.
*
That evening, I visited the Blood Heaven Blade Demon again.
Seo Dae-ryong, having finished his daily duties, was receiving martial arts instruction. Between his work at the Huangquan Pavilion and his training, Seo Dae-ryong was always the busiest person in the cult.
“I’ll be waiting in the room.”
“Why are you here again?” the Blade Demon grumbled.
“Didn't I say I’d be staying here until I found the answer?”
At that, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon shouted, “Don't you dare lie on that bed without washing up first!”
“It’s not like a woman is coming to this bed; aren't you being a bit too fastidious, Elder?”
Then, Seo Dae-ryong spoke up for his master, raising his voice. “Who says so? Who says a woman isn't coming?”
Both the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and I stared at Seo Dae-ryong. The one who looked more startled by those words was the Blood Heaven Blade Demon himself.
“Don't you dare look down on my master!”
A heavy silence fell.
I said with my eyes, Dae-ryong, I don't think this is it!
Seo Dae-ryong said with his eyes, Pavilion Master, what do I do?
“In his younger days, women used to line up for him! He’s still going strong even now!”
I sighed inwardly, and eventually, Seo Dae-ryong’s voice trailed off. “...So, don't look down on him.”
Finally, Seo Dae-ryong hung his head low.
“I will prepare for hell training starting tomorrow,” he whispered.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon said lowly, “Tomorrow? It starts now!”
*
Seo Dae-ryong’s training didn't end until late at night.
After sending his disciple away, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon entered the room. I had been reading a book until then—I couldn't remember the last time I had read something that wasn't a martial arts manual.
“Do you always teach him this late?”
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon nodded. “The lad is bright, so teaching him is quite enjoyable.”
“He did enter the Huangquan Pavilion at the top of his class, after all.”
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon sat in the chair by the window. “But why is the person who should be conducting a 'Great Operation' here?”
“I told you, didn't I? Whenever I feel like I’ve hit a crisis in life, I only think of you, Elder.”
“It’s not easy, is it?”
“He’s an impregnable fortress. He’s a solid mass of loyalty to my brother. It’s almost like the relationship between you and me, Elder.”
“Then a single root of Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng should solve it, shouldn't it?”
I pretended not to hear and let out a sigh. “It’s not easy.”
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon chuckled and recalled a memory. “I once drank with the Demon Buddha at the Pungryu Tavern. Back then, I asked him the same thing. 'It’s not easy, is it?'”
“And?”
“The Demon Buddha answered just like you—that it wasn't easy. It’s quite funny seeing both of you tell me the same thing.”
I imagined the two of them drinking together. It must have been a very frustrating time for the Demon Buddha. The fact that he drank with the Blood Heaven Blade Demon proved it. Behind that determined facade he showed me lay the hidden anguish of a man who had confessed that things weren't easy.
Leaning against the window, I looked up at the moon. “It really isn't easy.”
I realized once again that nothing is as difficult as winning over a person's heart. Given my experiences with various Demon Lords, it should have become easier by now, but human relationships are always as difficult as if they were the first time.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon looked up at the moon with me. “You are trying to become the successor to the Heavenly Demon; how could that possibly be easy?”
His words were a comfort. Then, he suddenly said, “Mu-geuk-ah.”
I was startled for a moment. It was the first time he had called me by my name.
With a fluttering heart, I looked at him. The Blood Heaven Blade Demon continued calmly, still gazing at the moon.
“I know you’ve worked hard to win over us old-timers. You can rest when it gets tough.”
I looked at him, deeply moved. The man who used to poke me in the ribs with a disapproving look was now becoming my sanctuary.
What would I do without you, Elder? I was about to joke, but the Blood Heaven Blade Demon beat me to it.
“You can't live without me.”
He looked at me with a smile. I beamed back at him.
“Thank you for your words. I’ll take a bit of a rest and...”
Right then, a thought flashed through my mind. If it wasn't easy for me, and it wasn't easy for the Demon Buddha either...?
“Ah! As much as I struggle, the Demon Buddha must be struggling too, right? He isn't showing it on the outside, but his heart must be just as anxious as mine.”
In the current situation, the best thing the Demon Buddha could do was to persuade me to yield. The fact that he readily ate with me today must have been because of that.
“I was being too hasty. Now isn't the time to push with all my might, but to slowly pull him toward my side.”
The first detailed plan of the Great Golden Operation was finally formed.