Chapter 254: Yesterday Feels Like Today
Chapter 254: Yesterday Feels Like Today
I decided to take the Extreme Evil Smiling Demon’s advice to heart.
Step back from the Time Heaven Secret Technique.
Of course, as he said, it wasn't an easy task. We are martial artists—people who have spent our entire lives charging forward.
The first thing I chose to do was reduce the time I spent practicing the Time Heaven Secret Technique. Instead, I used those hours to hone the Nine Calamities Demonic Art.
Right. Now isn't the time to be distracted by other martial arts.
With that mindset, I threw myself into the Nine Calamities Demonic Art.
To be honest, if it weren't for the Time Heaven Secret Technique, I would have happily spent all day practicing nothing else. It was a truly profound, high-level martial art, and its sheer difficulty possessed a certain charm that drew a person in.
Even the mental cultivation method alone was incomparable to other arts. The internal energy gathered through its practice was far greater than anything I could achieve with my previous methods.
If my father were here, I definitely would have teased him with a bit of banter.
— To think you were keeping a masterpiece like this all to yourself!
I became completely immersed. For now, rather than practicing forms, I focused on making my body fully accustomed to its unique breathing techniques. Even that was enjoyable.
Of course, that didn't mean I had completely lost interest in the Time Heaven Secret Technique. In fact, the more I mastered the Nine Calamities Demonic Art, the more I realized how much I truly needed the other.
And then, I realized something else.
Reducing my training time wasn't the answer to "stepping back."
This method was wrong.
* * *
When I arrived at the residence of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon of the Southern Blade Sect, he was engrossed in a book.
I stood at a distance and watched him for a moment.
Strangely, seeing the Blood Heaven Blade Demon sitting by the window with a book always calmed my mind. Was it because I wanted to read but couldn't find the time, so I was living vicariously through him?
Just then, his voice transmission reached me.
— Stop peeking and come here.
— You send your voice transmissions quite far, Elder. Are you practicing the Thousand-Li Voice Transmission as well?
— Look who’s talking!
I walked over to him with a grin.
“Aren't you busy? I’ve never seen such an idle Young Cult Leader.”
“I am busy.”
“And yet?”
“No matter how busy I am, shouldn't I be here? Right next to my elder!”
I leaned against the window frame with my arms crossed.
“To be honest, I’ve been a bit idle lately.”
“A Young Cult Leader should look for work to do.”
“I don't want to. Work will probably come flooding in all at once soon anyway. I’ll just rest while I can.”
“Then rest. Why come here?”
“Being with you is what puts my mind most at ease. I came here to rest.”
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon shook his head, but he clearly looked pleased to see me.
Entering the room, I let out a playful remark.
“Ah, this is great! How do you still smell so good even at your age, Elder?”
“You don't need to feed a fish you've already caught.”
“It’s not flattery, I’m serious.”
I scanned the books on his shelf, making a mental note of the ones that looked interesting. I planned to buy them for my own shelf later. If I bought them, I’d read them eventually.
“Have you read all of these?”
“I don't use them as decorations like some people.”
“Someone once said that reading begins with the act of buying the book.”
“You just like looking at books on a shelf more than actually reading them, don't you?”
“I’ll read them all someday! I’ll read even more than you, Elder.”
“Do you think this is all I’ve read?”
I looked at him in surprise.
“I mean, you are a Demon Lord. What if I open your secret vault and find piles of books where the weapons and elixirs should be?”
“If a sword comes flying at me, I’ll try blocking it with a book.”
At first, the image hadn't suited him at all, but now he looked more natural holding a book than the Heaven Extermination Great Blade.
“There’s some tea I just brewed over there. Drink some if you want.”
“I was actually just craving a cup.”
I sat at the tea table and took a sip.
“It’s the same tea, but why does yours taste better?”
“That’s because you enjoy working an old man to the bone.”
I ignored the remark and ran my hand over the wood.
“I should get a table exactly like this for my room.”
Suddenly, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon asked, “Is something bothering you?”
As expected, he knew me better than anyone. I toyed with my teacup before asking.
“Have you ever tried stepping back from something?”
He shifted his gaze from his book to me.
“From what?”
“From the thing you want most.”
He seemed to ponder the intent behind my question for a moment before answering firmly.
“Never.”
His expression said his life only knew how to move straight ahead. To an outsider, he certainly appeared that way—a stubborn old man who didn't look like the type to ever back down.
But he had already stepped back several paces.
By accepting me.
If anything, I was the one who had charged straight ahead. To open the door to his heart, I had rushed toward him, and he had stepped back to let me in. If he had only moved forward against me, our relationship would have been very different.
“Why do you ask all of a sudden?”
“I was wondering how to take exactly one step back.”
Having weathered all sorts of storms, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon likely guessed what I meant.
“Is there a book among those you've read called How to Take Exactly One Step Back or something like that?”
“How could such a thing exist?”
His gaze drifted back to his book but then returned to me. He was curious after all.
“Seeing a clever boy like you agonizing over it, the subject must be quite extraordinary.”
“It’s a martial art.”
He probably assumed it was the Nine Calamities Demonic Art, since this struggle began after I became the Young Cult Leader.
“But why try to step back?”
“It’s so profound and difficult that I’m stuck. I want to look at the martial art from a bit of a distance. I wonder if it’s not working out because I want it too desperately.”
“Could it be that you don't want it desperately enough?”
“That’s definitely not it. I’m confident in my effort, at least.”
After a brief pause, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon asked, “But isn't trying to step back from the martial art specifically to find a way to master it... actually drawing even closer to it?”
“...!”
In an instant, a realization flashed through my mind. I couldn't help but spring up from my seat.
“You’re right! I wasn't stepping back; I was actually clutching it even more fiercely.”
I rushed toward him.
“If I’m going to hug someone, it should be you, Elder! Elder!”
“Don't come near me, you're creeping me out!”
Using Telekinesis, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon pushed me back and forced me into my seat at the tea table. Then, he lowered his voice solemnly.
“Young Cult Leader, please maintain your dignity.”
I slurped the remaining tea loudly and replied, “No, I’m going to throw even more of it away. I’ve found the answer.”
* * *
“The prodigal son has returned! I’m joining you again!”
The three members of the late-night training group stared at me blankly. I hadn't been able to participate lately because of my duties, but I had suddenly shown up tonight.
Lee An spoke up. “You still plan on doing the late-night sessions even though you’ve become the Young Cult Leader?”
“Yeah. I’ll do them even after I become the Cult Leader.”
“Well, we wouldn't like that.”
I had realized something thanks to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon. To step back from the Time Heaven Secret Technique, I had reduced my training time and tried to find other methods.
The conclusion I had finally reached was to just do things as I had before.
Just like before I had learned the Nine Calamities Demonic Art or the Time Heaven Secret Technique.
Back then, I had also practiced martial arts diligently. The difference was that there was no pressure. I clashed fiercely with the Demon Lords and used every spare moment to train. It was just something I did naturally, without the burden of feeling like I had to achieve a certain result by a certain time.
Even in that process, I had continuously grown stronger.
I needed to step back—not from the martial art itself, but from the pressure and the impatience. I needed to just live busily as I used to, letting the progress happen naturally.
“Please grant me your teachings after such a long time.”
As if ready to get serious, the Fist Demon took off his shirt. A terrifying face and perfect musculature—it was a sight I hadn't seen in a long time.
I took off my shirt as well. Compared to him, I had the hands and body of a baby.
I felt a twinge of guilt for neglecting my fist training, especially after I had pestered him so much to become his disciple.
I performed the Thunder Asura Fist alongside the Fist Demon. Normally, I would have been too preoccupied with the Time Heaven Secret Technique to even think about practicing his martial art.
Lee An and Cheon So-hui were also focused on their training nearby. Lee An’s skills had improved again; I could tell just by looking at her for a brief moment how hard she had been training.
When our eyes met briefly while performing a form, I flashed a smile at her. She gave a small smile in return.
Cheon So-hui looked at the Fist Demon with an expression that said, ‘Did you just see them flirting in front of a single woman? Lord Fist Demon!’ then she startled herself. She was shocked that she had unconsciously expressed such a thought to the intimidating Fist Demon.
The Fist Demon continued his training, pretending not to notice.
As we were training like that...
Rumble!
A sound like thunder erupted from my punch.
Not only was I startled, but Lee An and Cheon So-hui were also shocked.
“Was that... me?”
“Yes,” Lee An said. “That sound came from your fist.”
Everyone was surprised, but I was the most shocked of all.
“How did this happen? To be honest, I’ve been neglecting my fist techniques lately. Today was the first time in a long while that I’ve practiced. Why on earth did it make a thunderous sound?”
The Fist Demon gave me a look that said, ‘How should I know?’ and silently resumed his training.
Had I grown stronger in the meantime? Or was it because I had unconsciously stepped back from the fist technique?
One thing was certain. After learning the Nine Calamities Demonic Art, my martial arts had begun to fluctuate.
Rumble!
This time, a thunderous sound came from the Fist Demon’s punch. It was a much louder crack of thunder than the one from my fist.
“Wait, why haven't you made that sound until now? You didn't do that during training!”
At my protest, the Fist Demon continued training as if he hadn't heard me.
“I mean, why did you have to do it on the very day I made the sound for the first time! Are you perhaps jealous...?”
Rumble!
My words were drowned out by the Fist Demon’s thunder.
“You’re really taking this too fa—”
Rumble! Crackle!
* * *
As I headed toward my quarters with a tired body, I suddenly thought of someone and changed direction.
A person who would likely be awake even at this late hour—and indeed, he was.
“What are the stars saying about me, Brother?”
The Drunken Demon, who was floating on a boat in the lake looking up at the night sky, replied.
“The stars say this: ‘Of everyone in the Murim, you have the best luck!’”
The Drunken Demon turned toward me and gave a welcoming smile. “You’re here?”
Standing on the shore, I crossed the water in a single bound using the Water Walking Technique and landed on the boat.
“You’re finally showing off your skills to your heart’s content.”
On the day I was chosen as the successor, I had displayed my aura before all the demonic cultists. Now that I had become the Young Cult Leader, there was no reason to hide my strength.
“I was never one for hiding things. I’m someone who likes being the center of attention.”
“Actually, so am I.”
“Is that why we get along so well? Let’s go get some attention in the Central Plains sometime!”
“I know plenty of good places. Let’s go!”
Could he possibly know more than I did? We should have a drink together in a place with good liquor and beautiful scenery.
We filled each other’s cups to the brim.
“Congratulations on becoming the Young Cult Leader.”
“Your help was a big part of it, Brother. Thanks.”
“I was probably about the fifth biggest help, right?”
“You’re drunk, Brother. I can tell because you’re being self-deprecating again.”
We toasted and emptied our cups.
“Kaa, that’s good!”
“As expected! Drinks are best shared with you, Brother.”
It felt great to drink with him after such a long time. We talked about this and that. I even felt comfortable telling him about how I was struggling with my martial arts being blocked.
His solution was typical of the Drunken Demon.
“Drink! The answer is in the alcohol. Everything will be resolved once you’re drunk.”
“You really are the person with the best luck in the world.”
“Drink. Life is in the wine, the Jianghu is in the wine—it’s all there.”
We drank more. Since I was drinking with him for the first time in a while, the liquor went down like water.
The Drunken Demon talked about everything. He gossiped about the other Demon Lords, told stories about women he’d met in his youth, and talked about martial arts. He seemed to be talking recklessly because he was drunk, but he never crossed the line. It always made me think that the only time the Drunken Demon made a mistake was when he was sober.
Splash!
Eventually, the Drunken Demon jumped into the water, and I followed suit. After swimming around the lake, we floated on our backs, looking up at the night sky.
“It’s still as nice as ever here.”
“When you’re playing the sage like this, it feels like time has stopped,” he mused. “An hour ago feels like now, and now feels like an hour from now. Yesterday feels like today, and today feels like tomorrow.”
Brother. That time... I’m the one who has to stop it.
Perhaps because he mentioned time, I thought of the Time Heaven Secret Technique.
The pathways of the blood vessels in my body appeared overlaid against the night sky. I had tried so many methods until now. Sending true qi from this vessel to that one, then from here to there. There were still so many combinations left to try.
Stop it. Why think about that at a wonderful moment like this?
I was hanging out with the Drunken Demon specifically to step back from the technique.
Splash!
I dove back under the water. But a moment later, I poked my head back out.
I once again imagined the blood vessels overlaid on the stars. Not here, not there. Where was it earlier?
Then, I found a spot where the blood vessels I was imagining perfectly matched the positions of the stars.
Found it!
A thrill ran through my entire body. Was it a simple coincidence? Or something more?
What if I operated my true qi according to the order of those constellations? It felt like it might actually work. Could it be that the Time Heaven Secret Technique was a secret art created by observing the constellations in the sky?
“Brother!”
“What is it?”
“I think I just solved that problem I mentioned.”
The Drunken Demon was startled. Then, he let out a hearty laugh, looking genuinely happy for me.
“Didn't I tell you? Everything gets solved when you drink!”
“I’m heading out first! Thanks, Brother. Let’s talk more later.”
I soared straight out of the water into the air. Changing direction mid-air, I flew toward the shore.
I heard the Drunken Demon’s voice from behind me.
“This brother of yours is always here.”
Starlight was pouring down on the Drunken Demon as he floated on the water.
* * *
Returning to the training ground, I prepared two sticks of incense.
After lighting both simultaneously, I placed one in the incense burner and activated the Space-Time Displacement Technique.
The space I created was an empty void, designed to maximize concentration and minimize the internal energy consumed. And there, I recited the oral formula of the Time Heaven Secret Technique. I moved my true qi in a way that was different from before, following the order I had realized from looking at the constellations.
Did it work?
I couldn't tell yet. At my current realm, I would only know once I left this space and compared the time. If there was even a slight difference, it would be a success. If only the Time Heaven Secret Technique would just start!
Please!
It was my desperate wish to somehow achieve the Twelve-Star Great Achievement of the Nine Calamities Demonic Art.
When the incense had burned to a certain point, I deactivated the Space-Time Displacement Technique.
Shhhhh.
The world of the Space-Time Displacement Technique vanished. As I emerged, I walked slowly toward the incense I had lit. I crouched in front of the incense burner where I had placed the stick at the same depth.
My heart hammered as fiercely as the gaze I fixed upon the sticks.
The two sticks of incense had burned to different lengths.