Chapter 183: When a Rift Forms Between People

TL: FoodieMonster007

The next day, I went to the Green Fists' training ground. They wore blue martial arts uniforms, a clear distinction from the White Fists. Their composure reflected their superior skill.

The Fist Demon had not yet arrived, so I greeted them comfortably. They already knew I had trained with the White Fists.

One of them asked, "Did you learn everything you needed from the White Fists? I heard you were only there for seven or eight days."

"How long did it take you?"

"I was there for two years. If you didn't learn properly from the White Fists, training with the Green Fists won't be easy."

He sounded concerned, but his words revealed his displeasure. He subtly complained that I had passed in a few days what took them two years. He implied my status as the Second Young Lord, not my skill, was the reason for my success.

I did not bother making excuses. Others were bound to have similar complaints, and words could not resolve this issue.

A short while later, the Fist Demon appeared. I had learned that the Fist Demon personally instructed everyone from the White Fists to the Black Fists. Other Demon Supremes only taught their disciples, who then taught the lower subordinates, but the Fist Demon instructed all his subordinates himself.

"I believe personally instructing all the iron fists is truly worthy of respect," I said loudly. Everyone probably thought I was just flattering him, but I was sincere. In an atmosphere where no one dared ask questions, the Fist Demon had likely never heard such words. So I spoke them.

The Fist Demon's gaze turned to me. I looked at his fierce, blunt face and spoke even louder.

"It's magnificent!"

It's better to say this once when everyone is present than a hundred times when we're alone. This was not flattery. He deserved the praise. It was no easy feat for a Demon Supreme to look after his lowest subordinates.

The Fist Demon's eyes seemed to say, 'Your tricks won't work on me.'

My eyes replied, 'Then it will work, because these aren't tricks.'

When training began, all the Green Fists removed their shirts. From the Green Fists onward, they trained bare-chested to observe every muscle movement.

After they removed their shirts, their gazes turned to me. Their eyes seemed to say, let's see the pale body of our dear Second Young Lord.

I slowly took off my clothes. Everyone was startled when they saw my body. It was covered in battle-hardened muscles and countless scars. The Fist Demon himself would have been shocked if he knew who gave me each one.

I smiled brightly at everyone. "I came here so I wouldn't have to get hit anymore."

A clear sneer crossed the Fist Demon's lips. He still looked disbelieving, as if waiting to see how long I would last.

The training began in earnest.

The Fist Demon still did not teach a single move, so I watched the others and copied them. Breathing methods were also important for their techniques, which I also learned by copying. I used the Divine Eye Technique to carefully observe their noses, throats, stomachs, and mouths to figure out the breathing method.

Then I asked the Fist Demon for confirmation.

"Please see if this breathing method is correct."

"Who taught you the breathing method?"

"I learned it by watching them perform their martial arts just now."

The Green Fists all looked at me with disbelief.

The Fist Demon, however, would believe me. He was surely reading the flow of my qi.

I wonder how he's evaluating my skills.

I remembered Father's words. He had said that if I got involved with the Fist Demon through martial arts, we would inevitably fight.

I looked at him, raised my hand high, and shouted, "I have another question!"

The next day, and the day after that, I trained diligently.

The cynical gazes from the Green Fists soon vanished. I worked hard, performed better than anyone, and above all, I brought out a new side of the Fist Demon.

"How should this technique be applied in a real fight?"

Strictly speaking, I aimed this question not at the Green Fists, but at the Fist Demon.

The Fist Demon must have wanted to explain the technique's practical application to his subordinates.

If it were me, I'd want to tell them. Why would the Fist Demon be any different?

Indeed, the Fist Demon explained in such detail that it made me wonder what he would have done if I had not asked. The Green Fists also looked surprised. They probably never imagined the Fist Demon could explain things so well.

I asked questions about psychological aspects, and even more fundamental ones.

"Why fist techniques?"

In truth, everyone from the White Fists to the Black Fists, and even the Fist Demon himself, should constantly ask that question.

As I asked it, I naturally questioned myself as well.

Why the sword?

How one finds the answer to this question determines how far that person can grow.

Five days after I started training with the Green Fists, the Fist Demon spoke to me in front of the other martial artists.

"Starting tomorrow, come to the Red Fists training."

"……"

None of the Green Fists complained about this decision. In just a few days, I had perfectly mastered the techniques they had learned.

Eventually, the man who had spoken to me on the first day came to apologize.

"Please forgive my rudeness on the first day."

"Anyone would have thought the same. There will probably be someone in the Red Fists who says the same thing."

"That person will also come to apologize like me in a few days. Thank you for opening our foolish and inadequate eyes."

All the Green Fists martial artists standing behind him bowed their heads lightly to me. I also bowed my head to them. Just seeing a new side of the Fist Demon must have made this a very meaningful time for them.

"I heard Mugeuk is training under the Fist Demon."

Geom Muyang kept a close watch on his younger brother's movements.

"In just over ten days, he broke through the Green Fists training. I hear he started with the Red Fists two or three days ago," the Demonic Buddha replied from across the table.

"With the Second Young Lord's martial arts skill, it's certainly possible."

The Demonic Buddha knew what worried the First Young Lord. He must be concerned that at this rate, the Second Young Lord might actually become the Fist Demon's disciple.

"You don't need to worry about the Fist Demon. If the Second Young Lord tries to pull him in, it'll only backfire."

At that, Geom Muyang recalled a past event.

"Do you perhaps remember what you told me before?"

"What did I say to you?"

"The Drunken Demon is an unpredictable man. If he starts stirring things up, even the Second Young Lord won't be able to handle him easily. The Second Young Lord will lose the Demon Supremes he has so carefully gathered."

These were the words the Demonic Buddha had said to Geom Muyang when he received the broken liquor bottle from the Drunken Demon.

However, the news that eventually reached them was of Geom Mugeuk drinking and carousing with the Drunken Demon.

"Don't take this the wrong way. It's just that I can't ignore what happened with the Drunken Demon."

Although he said not to take it the wrong way, the Demonic Buddha felt displeased. Was there really a need to repeat my own words so precisely? Doesn't it mean he's been holding onto that incident all this time?

Is it really impossible to mend a rift once it forms between people?

At first, he tried hard to ignore the rift, careful not to let it crack further. He thought it would be fine as long as it did not shatter completely.

However, the Demonic Buddha was realizing it.

In human relationships, the problem was not whether the rift shattered. The problem was that a rift had formed in the first place.

If his counterpart had not been Geom Muyang, this relationship would have already been settled one way or another, but he could not do that. Because Geom Muyang was the path he had chosen. Because he had bet his life on him.

Geom Muyang said to the Demonic Buddha, "Could you meet with the Fist Demon and find out what he's thinking?"

"Yes, I will go and meet him."

The Demonic Buddha readily accepted the request.

As he got up from his seat, the Demonic Buddha looked back at Geom Muyang. He wanted to say something. That it was okay to show his anxiety. That he could tell him everything. That his damn younger brother was too strong and hard to handle. That he would feel better after saying it all.

But the words caught in his throat.

"What is it? Is there something you wish to say?"

"It's nothing. I will be on my way."

Leaving the office, the Demonic Buddha reproached himself. If the First Young Lord can't do it, I should have been more open… This isn't something to blame Geom Muyang for.

The next day, the Demonic Buddha's steps halted as he entered the Eastern Fist Garrison.

He saw Geom Mugeuk with the Red Fists martial artists.

"Widen your stance. Lower your arms."

Geom Mugeuk was correcting their movements. The Demonic Buddha knew the man was no ordinary person, but how many days had it been? How was he already so friendly with the Red Fists?

Just then, the Demonic Buddha saw Geom Mugeuk's eyes and his expression. He was passionately discussing with the Red Fists, like someone truly immersed in fist techniques.

Right, that's why. That's how everyone gets drawn in. They're deceived by that strange fervor I almost fell for myself.

At that moment, Geom Mugeuk saw the Demonic Buddha and ran over to greet him.

"It's been a while. Have you been well?"

Geom Mugeuk smiled brightly. How nice would it be if Geom Muyang smiled so brightly?

No. I shouldn't have such useless thoughts. He's smiling like that because he's an enemy.

Isn't it human nature to smile at strangers but scowl at your own people? I mustn't be deceived by that smile. The First Young Lord gets annoyed because he's on our side. The Second Young Lord smiles because he's the enemy.

"The rumors are rampant that you've become engrossed in fist techniques lately."

"Being the Sanzu Hall Director, I've found there are just too many bastards I want to beat to a pulp with my fists."

"Look here, let's not be so hypocritical with each other. Aren't you here to win the Fist Demon over to your side?"

"Those words, 'with each other', are truly pleasant to hear."

That silver tongue. He's so obviously speaking pleasantries, yet it keeps melting my ears.

"Stop with the pretense and go swing those cotton fists of yours."

After deliberately treating him coldly, the Demonic Buddha headed for the Fist Demon's office. From behind, he heard Geom Mugeuk's shout.

"The Fist Demon called them baby hands, so are you calling them cotton fists, Demonic Buddha?"

"You're a busy man, so I'll get straight to the point. I came here today because of the Second Young Lord."

The Fist Demon waited silently for the Demonic Buddha's next words, as if he had expected this. The tall, large-framed Fist Demon and the much smaller Demonic Buddha were a true contrast.

"The Second Young Lord's desire to learn fist techniques is a ploy to draw you to his side."

In truth, the Demonic Buddha had never been close with the Fist Demon, but he felt a one-sided camaraderie. He considered his own short stature and the Fist Demon's frightening face to be similar physical weaknesses. He thought people would frown upon seeing either of them.

Of course, he had never revealed such private thoughts to anyone.

"So? You came here because you're worried I'll fall for the Second Young Lord's tricks?"

"That's right. That's what I'm worried about. The Blood Heaven Blade Demon went over to his side, and so did the Flower Sword Supreme. Even the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon and the Drunken Demon."

The Demonic Buddha spoke frankly. Beating around the bush could cause trouble later. He had to be direct.

"The Second Young Lord is a fox. A fox with a hundred tails. That silver tongue of his is sweeter than a treacherous courtier's. If you let your guard down, you'll find yourself taking the Second Young Lord on as a disciple before you know it."

The Fist Demon stared intently at the Demonic Buddha and asked abruptly, "By any chance, were you almost won over too?"

For a moment, the Demonic Buddha flinched inwardly, but he spoke confidently.

"From the beginning until now, and in the future, I am on the First Young Lord's side."

"The Second Young Lord said so. He told me to protect the First Young Lord."

The Demonic Buddha was startled. He had said something similar to him as well.

"He said he would end the succession fight without shedding any blood."

"Do you believe him?"

"Do you?"

The Demonic Buddha did not answer. He should have said he did not believe him, but the words would not come out. He had come to give the Fist Demon confidence, but he was only confirming that Geom Mugeuk had swayed him too.

"Go and tell the First Young Lord. My heart in supporting the First Young Lord remains unchanged."

He could not know the Fist Demon's true feelings, but the Demonic Buddha thought it was enough to have given him this warning.

"The First Young Lord will be greatly pleased."

With that, the Demonic Buddha left the office.

On his way back, he saw Geom Mugeuk again. Far away in the training grounds, he was still honing his fist techniques with the Red Fists. Even from a distance, the Demonic Buddha could feel his genuine immersion in the art. It was just like when he himself had been immersed in martial arts as a youth.

There had been many times until now when he had considered Geom Mugeuk to be remarkable, but today's feeling was a little different.

It was probably because of the Red Fists training with him. Have you all fallen for him already? How long have you known him? What's so great that you're swinging your fists together?

The Demonic Buddha suddenly became afraid of Geom Mugeuk.

Doubts washed over him like inner demons. What if his scheme to sway people's hearts is genuine? What if I'm the fool who resorts to schemes? What if I've chosen the wrong side?

However, the Demonic Buddha soon shook his head. At times like this, he had to be stronger. Emitting a golden radiance, he walked on with powerful steps. Even though he was confused, pushed back, and even though a rift had formed.

First Young Lord, let us be strong.