Chapter 625: Don’t Make My Old Temper Flare Up
Chapter 625: Don’t Make My Old Temper Flare Up
The Demon Buddha revealed himself from within the fading golden radiance.
The moment he saw him, the Byeoksan Sword’s expression crumpled.
“Your Buddha has never once shown mercy, has he?”
The Demon Buddha replied, slowly rolling the prayer beads in his hand.
“You misunderstand. Our Buddha treats these poor sentient beings with great mercy. Though, on very rare occasions, even he finds his bloodlust difficult to restrain.”
With a relaxed expression, the Demon Buddha slowly walked toward him.
The two stood facing each other, only a few paces apart.
Because the Byeoksan Sword was exceptionally tall, the Demon Buddha had to look far up at him. Standing there, they looked like the tallest man and the shortest man in the world facing off.
“You seem to have grown even taller since I last saw you, friend.”
“Who gave you permission to call me friend?”
The two were already acquainted.
Since his youth, the Demon Buddha had traveled all over the Central Plains, interacting with many masters. He was the kind of man who had even befriended the Pungcheon Cult Leader of the Outer Regions.
“How many times have we met now?”
The Byeoksan Sword remembered exactly.
“Three times.”
“If you’ve met three times and survived in this treacherous Murim, you’re friends. Is that not so?”
The Byeoksan Sword’s reaction remained icy.
“I’m only saying this today, but you are far too flippant.”
The Demon Buddha was naturally gifted at saying things that provoked people’s emotions. He often turned his opponents' stomachs with his words.
“During those three meetings, you never failed to get under my skin.”
At that, the Demon Buddha asked calmly, “Was anything I said incorrect?”
The Byeoksan Sword’s face twitched. It was precisely because the words weren't wrong that they had irritated him so much. The man had a habit of bluntly hitting the nail on the head.
“Looking up at you is making my neck ache.”
The Demon Buddha turned around and perched himself on a rock. After staring at the ground for a moment, he spoke unexpectedly.
“It was probably worse because of your height. I felt like you had snatched away something I didn't have. That’s why I said such spiteful things.”
Since these were words the Demon Buddha would never have uttered in the past, the Byeoksan Sword grew even more wary.
“Stop your tricks.”
The Demon Buddha nodded as if he understood. The reason he could say such things now was due to Geom Mu-geuk’s influence. Bringing up his own height? It was something unimaginable in the past.
The Byeoksan Sword unleashed a majestic surge of internal energy and roared.
“How dare you! Do you know where you are? You are treading on land you must never set foot upon!”
His original reason for coming here was to uproot the Demonic Cult bastards who had entered Wuhan.
Sitting on the rock, the Demon Buddha looked down at his own feet.
“I’m not treading on the ground, though.”
The Demon Buddha’s legs were so short that his feet didn't even reach the earth.
Of course, the Byeoksan Sword did not take this as a joke, but as a mockery. Killing intent billowed from his body.
“Indeed, you always did enjoy ridiculing people.”
The Demon Buddha stared at him intently and asked, “Do you know who the person you tried to kill today is?”
The Byeoksan Sword didn't answer, but his eyes and expression gave him away.
“So you knew he was the First Young Master.”
The Demon Buddha’s pupils glowed with a cold, golden light. This was a phenomenon that appeared only in those who had reached the Great Achievement of his unique martial art, the Golden Daluo Demon Art.
The Byeoksan Sword circulated his internal energy, ready to draw his sword at any moment. He was not intimidated, even in the presence of the Demon Buddha.
“Anyone who enters the land of Wuhan without the Murim Alliance’s permission deserves to die. You are no exception.”
He released his aura. The grass and leaves shook in unison, and the surrounding air instantly turned frigid.
Since he had never engaged in a life-or-death duel with the Demon Buddha, he couldn't be sure of the outcome. However, he was confident he could win.
The Byeoksan Sword’s hand slowly moved toward his hilt.
He was an Orthodox master to his very core. While perhaps not as extreme as the Hanwol Sword, he harbored no good feelings toward the Demonic Cult. Furthermore, the Demon Buddha was someone he had wanted to put in his place for a long time.
“You realize there’s no turning back once you draw that blade, don't you?”
To the Demon Buddha’s question, the Byeoksan Sword replied coldly.
“Eradicating the Unorthodox and Demonic is the path I have walked my entire life. I will have no regrets.”
Amidst the taut tension, the Demon Buddha spoke softly.
“I respect that. You are a fine man of the Orthodox faction.”
The Byeoksan Sword flinched; it was the first time he had ever heard such words from the Demon Buddha.
The man was certainly acting differently than before.
He glared at the Demon Buddha with eyes that asked what kind of scheme he was plotting.
The Demon Buddha looked up at the sky. Stars were visible through the canopy of trees.
“My life has become quite leisurely lately. I am not the man I used to be.”
The Byeoksan Sword mocked him.
“I suppose that’s because you’ve become like a kite with a severed string.”
He was well aware that the Demon Buddha had supported the First Young Master.
“Aren't both you and the First Young Master useless now? I imagine your Cult would actually be grateful if I killed you.”
At the mention of Geom Mu-yang, the Demon Buddha’s expression turned cold.
“Byeoksan Sword.”
After calling his name icily, the Demon Buddha continued.
“I’m speaking to you nicely, so don't make my old temper flare up.”
The Byeoksan Sword knew well that those words weren't a bluff. He knew the man possessed the skill to back them up. He also knew how foul that temper could be.
However, if he had feared him, he wouldn't have revealed his pursuit of the First Young Master in the first place. This was a place where one of them had to die.
“People don't change that easily.”
The Byeoksan Sword slowly drew his blade.
“Demonic Cult bastards aren't meant to be reformed.”
At that, the Demon Buddha barked, “Shut up! When someone speaks to you kindly, you should listen! What is this absolute bullshit you're spewing?”
After venting, the Demon Buddha sighed.
“Forgive the profanity. I’ve been feeling quite suppressed and withdrawn lately. Seeing you after all this time, I find it hard to control my emotions.”
Perhaps that was why Geom Mu-geuk kept telling him not to let himself sink. To live a life that suited him.
“Madman.”
The Byeoksan Sword leveled his blade.
Watching the Byeoksan Sword become one with his blade, the Demon Buddha stood up from the rock.
“Did you know? Those on the outside might not realize it, but the Cult has changed a lot lately. Especially among the Demon Lords—getting stronger is the current trend. Everyone is obsessed with martial arts.”
The Demon Buddha hopped down from the rock.
“I’ve been working hard in secret so as not to fall behind the times. I’m the sort of person who absolutely hates losing, you see.”
A new golden radiance flowed from the Demon Buddha’s body. The depth of this golden light was different from his usual glow.
Zing.
Blue Gang Qi rippled like waves along the blade of the Byeoksan Sword as it vibrated in the air.
The moment the Byeoksan Sword was about to charge!
Swish!
Slice!
What shot out with force were the Demon Buddha’s prayer beads. One bead was sliced in half and fell.
Swish, swish, swish, swish!
The prayer beads flew in a continuous stream. Each strike carried enough power to punch a hole straight through a body.
The Byeoksan Sword’s blade embroidered the air. Dozens of sword lines were created in an instant. The prayer beads were split in two and rained down onto the ground.
As he cut the final bead, the Byeoksan Sword saw it.
The Demon Buddha’s empty hands were already forming a hand seal.
Golden Daluo Demon Art!
Killing Art Repentance Seal!
Golden Gang Qi spiraled out from the Demon Buddha’s hands.
Swoooooosh!
The Gang Qi spreading out like waves was not something that could be blocked easily.
Byeoksan Sword Art!
Byeoksan Wind Forest!
Blue Gang Qi poured from his sword in response.
The golden and blue energies collided in mid-air.
BOOM!
A shockwave powerful enough to shake the earth spread in all directions along with a thunderous roar. Trees snapped, boulders rolled, and a cloud of dust rose.
Sssshhh.
Cutting through the dust, the Byeoksan Sword charged in. The most certain way to deal with the Demon Buddha was to close the distance and prevent him from forming those hand seals.
But then, the Byeoksan Sword saw it.
The Demon Buddha had already formed another seal.
Heavenly Sky Vow Seal!
A bolt of Gang Qi struck down from the void toward the crown of his head like lightning.
The Byeoksan Sword, who had been lunging forward, twisted his body.
CRACK!
He swung his sword, imbued with Gang Qi, to block the lightning-fast strike. A shock that felt like it would snap his wrists surged through him. The Demon Buddha was far stronger than he had imagined.
‘I have to cut those hands off no matter what!’
The Byeoksan Sword charged again. In a flash, he reached the Demon Buddha, but another flash was waiting for him.
Dharma Light Seal!
In an instant, a light more powerful than the sun erupted from the Demon Buddha’s body. Because it was night, the light was even more intense.
The Byeoksan Sword squeezed his eyes shut and swung his blade. He slashed at the Demon Buddha not with his eyes, but with his senses.
Slash!
‘I missed!’
He raised his Body Protection Qi and unleashed another ultimate technique. For him, offense was the best defense.
Byeoksan Rotating Wheel!
WhirRRRRRR!
The Byeoksan Sword spun like a tornado on the spot, unleashing sword strikes in every direction.
Thud, thud, thud, thud!
Dozens of sword Qi strands embedded themselves into trees and rocks.
Thud, thud, thud, thud!
Though the sword Qi flew toward every possible hiding spot, he didn't hear the sound of the Demon Buddha’s flesh being torn.
‘Where is he?’
He had lost sight of the Demon Buddha for a split second.
By the time he spotted the glowing golden radiance beyond a fallen tree behind him...
The Demon Buddha had already completed his seal. It was his most elaborate one, with fingers intricately intertwined.
Demonic Palm Destruction!
Vrooooooom.
A massive pressure bore down, and a shadow stretched over the Byeoksan Sword’s body.
He looked up at the sky. The palm of a giant golden Buddha statue was descending upon him. Golden radiance erupted from the hand!
It was already too late to dodge. The Byeoksan Sword pushed his Body Protection Qi to its absolute limit.
BOOM!
With a cataclysmic roar, the earth was overturned and a massive cloud of dust billowed up.
As the dust settled, the Byeoksan Sword was revealed. He was standing inside a massive, palm-shaped crater. It was several times deeper than a man’s height.
The Byeoksan Sword tried to leap out but suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood. His internal injuries were so severe that he could no longer fight. It was a miracle he wasn't dead.
Staggering, he slumped to the ground.
Then he saw it.
From the edge of the crater, the Demon Buddha was now looking down at him.
Looking up from below, the Demon Buddha appeared like a giant.
‘I was defeated this helplessly?’
It wasn't bad luck. He felt a clear difference in their strength. From the moment those small prayer beads were thrown to the descent of the giant palm, the entire fight had flowed exactly as his opponent intended. He had expected at least a close match, but the man was a level above him.
He couldn't clearly see the Demon Buddha’s expression from down there. Then, the Demon Buddha’s voice reached him.
“Fortunately, it seems I haven't fallen behind the trend.”
Seeing the Demon Buddha forming another hand seal, the Byeoksan Sword closed his eyes.
‘A complete defeat.’
It was a fight where he had no right to complain even if he died.
He expected the killing blow of Gang Qi to strike, but instead...
Whoosh.
His body rose out of the crater, carried by a wave of golden light.
He was set down gently in front of the Demon Buddha.
The Byeoksan Sword asked with a startled face, “Why aren't you killing me?”
“If I intended to kill you, you would have died down there.”
It meant he hadn't even used his full power in that final move.
The Byeoksan Sword stared at the Demon Buddha with eyes full of disbelief.
“...You were this strong?”
The Demon Buddha’s gaze was soft, and his face was at peace. The momentum he had while fighting to the death had completely vanished. The radiance that had shone so brightly throughout the battle had already dimmed.
Since the succession struggle, there had been a change in the Demon Buddha’s state of mind. He had been greatly influenced by his meetings with Geom Mu-geuk. He had also found peace while carving stone statues.
He had done things he had never done and felt emotions he had never felt. As the Demon Buddha’s life changed, so did his martial arts.
By letting go of everything, the Demon Buddha had become stronger.
“Even if you spare me, I won't tell you who sent me.”
“I’m not going to ask.”
The Byeoksan Sword looked at him in surprise. He had naturally assumed he was being spared so he could be interrogated.
“Finding out who is behind you is the First Young Master’s job. I only came to ensure the First Young Master can do his job.”
The Demon Buddha gave the Byeoksan Sword two choices.
“Now, choose. Will you return to your hometown as you are? Or will you die by my hand right now?”
The Byeoksan Sword had tried to kill the First Young Master, and he had tried to kill the Demon Buddha as well.
“You’re letting me live? Why?”
The Demon Buddha pressed his palms together in prayer.
“Our Buddha shows mercy to pitiful sentient beings.”
“Stop the nonsense!”
The Demon Buddha answered honestly.
“Because, as you said, this is Wuhan.”
The moment rumors spread that the Byeoksan Sword had been killed by a Demon Lord in Wuhan, the Orthodox Murim would rise up in a fury. Perhaps that was exactly what the masterminds wanted.
“Still, if you wish, I will kill you. It would cause a great problem, but it would be settled somehow. In the end, only the dead man loses out. You know that, don't you?”
The Demon Buddha persuaded him calmly.
“Why do you think the First Young Master came all the way to Wuhan to cause this stir? To destroy the Murim Alliance? Do you truly believe that? Do you think the best plan we could come up with was merely sending the First Young Master to Wuhan to take down the Orthodox Murim?”
After a brief pause, the Byeoksan Sword asked. His voice lacked confidence.
“...Then what is it for?”
“What did the person who called you say it was for?”
The Byeoksan Sword could sense another meaning behind the Demon Buddha’s words. He was asking if the Byeoksan Sword truly believed the person who had summoned him.
One thing was certain. If these people were truly plotting a grand conspiracy, they wouldn't have spared his life.
After a long silence, the Byeoksan Sword made his choice.
“I will return. I will return to my hometown and not emerge for three years.”
The Demon Buddha knew. Even if only out of pride, the man wouldn't say he returned because he lost. He would make up some other excuse, so at least his presence in Wuhan wouldn't be revealed.
“Since this is our fourth meeting, let’s have a drink when we meet for the fifth.”
The Byeoksan Sword stared at the Demon Buddha, then turned and walked away without a word.
As he walked away with staggering steps, the Demon Buddha called out to him.
“Hey, friend.”
When the Byeoksan Sword looked back, the Demon Buddha spoke flatly.
“Next time, the First Young Master is off-limits too.”
From the depth of the Demon Buddha’s gaze, the Byeoksan Sword could see how much he cared for the First Young Master.
“If this happens again...”
The Demon Buddha did not hide his intent.
“It won't matter if it’s Wuhan or right in front of the Murim Alliance Leader’s palace—you will die by my hand.”
Having finished, the Demon Buddha bowed politely with his palms together and walked away.
The Byeoksan Sword watched the faint golden radiance disappear into the darkness before turning to walk in the opposite direction.
And so, the two banners drifted apart once more.