Chapter 185: You Still Don't Know the Terror of a Sword

TL: FoodieMonster007

The next day, I went to the Black Fists training grounds.

I had assumed the Black Fists, being the most skilled, would have the fewest members.

When I arrived, however, I saw the Black Fists had the most members. This was thanks to the Fist Demon's efforts. He had built them up from the basics, continuously discovering those with the potential to become one of the Black Fists.

These were the true Iron Fists. I saw skilled individuals everywhere who could easily serve as a Division Leader or Captain in our Cult's elite organizations.

Their gazes varied from curious to hostile. The reason for their hostility was simple. These Black Fists had trained for a minimum of seven or eight years, and some for over a decade, to reach this level.

How could they be pleased when I had broken through the Three Fists and risen to the Black Fists in just over ten days? Some probably wondered if the Second Young Lord was trying to become the next Fist Demon.

One person stood out among them.

She was an attractive woman with her hair tied up tightly and bandages wrapped around her hands and wrists. Her captivating eyes looked strong.

I knew who she was.

Cheon Sohwi.

She was the next Fist Demon.

With that slender body and small fists, she was the woman who would overcome all the other Black Fists here and inherit the Fist Demon's title.

After Hwa Mugi closed off our Cult, the Fist Demon would pass the position of Demon Supreme to her and go into seclusion.

The Fist Demon never managed to shatter the cliff. He had dedicated his entire life to martial arts training, but he never reached the state where he could destroy a cliff with a single punch.

I realized that if he had reached a state powerful enough to shatter the cliff, he might have sought revenge on Hwa Mugi. I didn't see it back then, but looking at it now, that seems to be the case.

Since my regression, everyone's fates and relationships have been changing.

Therefore, I couldn't judge these people by past standards. I had to see them with a new perspective and new standards.

Just look at the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon. If Hwa Mugi killed me, would those two just stand by? I had a premonition they wouldn't.

"I heard the Second Young Lord passed the Red Fists with ease."

The man who approached and spoke to me was Do Kang. Just as I knew Cheon Sohwi, I knew this man as well.

Do Kang was the one who competed with Cheon Sohwi for the successor's position until the very end. When he was passed over, he left the cult.

"On behalf of the Black Fists, may I ask you a question?"

"Ask as many as you like."

"Why did you come to the Eastern Fist Garrison? Why are you trying to learn fist arts?"

"If you're worried I might take the position you've all dedicated your lives to obtaining, you don't have to be. I didn't come here to become the Fist Demon."

I told them calmly.

"I am the one who will become your Heavenly Demon."

Because of what I had accomplished since my regression, no one showed any disrespect. The possibility that I might become the Heavenly Demon made it difficult for them to run their mouths carelessly.

However, no one went out of their way to get on my good side either. The Eastern Fist Garrison was still closer to the First Young Lord's faction.

"By the time I become the Heavenly Demon, one of you will have become the Fist Demon. I look forward to working with you."

Do Kang asked again.

"Why would someone who is to become the Heavenly Demon come here?"

"I came because I want to become stronger. To learn fist arts and become stronger."

This would also boost the pride of the Iron Fists. After all, I was saying I wanted to learn the fist arts they practiced to become stronger.

Cheon Sohwi's gaze was among those focused on me. Her exceptional qi was one thing, but I particularly liked the look in her eyes. It was a gaze filled with a will that seemed it would never give up on a goal, much like the Fist Demon's.

I'll be in your care, future Fist Demon!

Just then, the Fist Demon appeared. As with the previous training sessions, he paid me no special attention.

"Let's begin."

With the Fist Demon's single phrase, training began.

The Black Fists also focused their training on technique. The Fist Demon valued fundamentals and considered executing techniques with precision to be the most important thing.

I observed the movements of the Black Fists in detail.

On the first day, I only observed. I could have demonstrated the techniques if I had to, but I didn't think that would be a good choice for the Black Fists or myself.

And so, the first day passed with me only observing.

The next day, I continued to just watch.

The Black Fists triumphantly displayed their pride, as if to say, 'See, we're different from the Red Fists, aren't we?'

The Fist Demon sent me a telepathy.

[You must have already mastered it all, so why aren't you following along?]

[I could get away with it for the Red Fists, but I have to consider the pride and morale of the Black Fists.]

[Since when did you care about them?]

[I have to care for them since they will one day be my subordinates.]

I could see the Fist Demon scoffing in the distance.

On the third day, after training ended and everyone was dispersing, Cheon Sohwi approached Geom Mugeuk.

When Geom Mugeuk had said he would become their Heavenly Demon on the first day, something had stirred in her chest.

She had bet her life on martial arts and had completely given up on love. Therefore, it wasn't a feeling between a man and a woman. It was some other kind of fateful pull. She had come to find Geom Mugeuk to confirm what it was.

"I'm Cheon Sohwi."

"A pleasure."

"I heard that you learned the techniques from the Red Fists' training just by watching."

"That's right."

"You won't be able to learn the Black Fists' techniques just by watching."

"They are certainly incomparably more difficult."

"Then why don't you ask to be taught?"

Geom Mugeuk gave an unexpected answer.

"I've already learned them all."

He might not have for others, but he spoke honestly to Cheon Sohwi. He wanted to form a different kind of connection with her.

Cheon Sohwi flinched in surprise, then a faint sneer touched her lips. She was certain it was impossible to master the techniques just by watching.

She was about to say that useless pride only makes a person look pathetic, but instead phrased it nicely.

"I'm curious now, whether you truly have a keen eye, or if you're just bluffing."

After all, if he was the type to bluff, such advice wouldn't get through to him anyway, and if by some chance she was wrong, she would be making a mistake.

"Well then, I'll be going."

She had taken a few steps when Geom Mugeuk called out from behind her.

"If what I said is true, you have to grant me one request."

She turned and asked.

"And if it's a bluff?"

"I'll grant your request."

"Fine."

She agreed without hesitation, clearly convinced it was a bluff.

Cheon Sohwi left, wondering what kind of request she should make. At the same time, she was disappointed that it wasn't some kind of fateful pull after all.

Her disappointment lasted only a day.

The next day, I demonstrated the exact techniques the Black Fists had been practicing in front of everyone. When I executed the techniques perfectly, everyone was stunned. Cheon Sohwi's shock was the greatest of all.

[Did you really learn all that just by watching?]

Her incredulous telepathy reached me.

[Didn't I tell you I did?]

Her eyes trembled. How could she know? I was the one who passed through the Little Heaven Cave in a single day, a feat that took an average of three years and even Father two months. These weren't the Fist Demon's unique martial arts, so I could certainly execute the fist arts learned by the Black Fists just by watching.

[Don't forget, you have to grant my request.]

[Of course. I always keep my promises.]

The Fist Demon called me forward.

"Step forward."

For the first time, the Fist Demon had me stand before the Iron Fists.

"Do you know why I permitted you to train here?"

"Why is that?"

The Fist Demon's gaze then turned to the Black Fists.

"These kids have never fought a true master. Would you show them what the murim is really like?"

Surprisingly, he was asking me to give them real combat experience.

Of course, those at the level of the Black Fists would have had various experiences. The Fist Demon, like the other Demon Supremes, had duties to perform for the cult, and the Black Fists here likely went out to the Central Plains to handle them. They would have experienced real combat many times.

However, they had likely never met a true master.

My eyes met the Fist Demon's. He was genuinely concerned for his subordinates. His words were right. The Fist Demon is a smarter man than he looks. The Fist Demon is a man purely mad for martial arts.

"They still don't know the terror of a sword."

It was a difficult thing for the undefeated Fist Demon to say, but his words were for his subordinates, who were puffed up with arrogance. If he was willing to show this much consideration…

"Then I'll have to make them understand."

When I readily agreed, the Fist Demon's expression brightened.

"Will you do it with about twenty of them? Or maybe ten?"

It seemed even the Fist Demon felt bad asking me to give all several dozen of them the experience. This was certainly a difficult request, as it would be incredibly draining for the person accepting it.

"No, since I'm doing it, I'll take on all of them."

A flash of joy and gratitude crossed the fearsome Fist Demon's face. The emotion looked truly out of place and awkward on him, a sight one couldn't see often. Seeing that precious expression was payment enough for the lesson.

When I turned to the Black Fists, my qi had already turned cold.

"There are many types of masters. Decent masters, strong masters, and true masters. First, let's start with what it's like to meet a decent master. Now, come forward one by one."

The Black Fists stepped forward one by one, their faces full of confidence. Although they knew they couldn't beat me, they had the will not to lose easily.

I sent a telepathy to the Fist Demon.

[These are the men you taught, Fist Demon. Will this be alright?]

[Turn them into a disorderly mob. That is my intention for creating this session today.]

I faced them one by one.

"Your current opponent possesses the skill to defeat you in thirty moves."

The opposing Black Fist showed his resolve, as if to say, 'You think it'll go your way?' He probably wanted to teach me a lesson. He must have wanted to show this uninvited guest the true taste of a fist, especially with the Fist Demon watching.

Knowing his feelings well, I faced him in a way that wouldn't break his pride. Even if I won, I tried not to trample on his self-respect.

The first Black Fist rushed in, throwing a punch. His fundamentals were solid, and he was confident. His footwork was especially good. Martial artists who learn fist arts are naturally proficient in movement arts.

After thirty moves, the first Black Fist's side was stained with blood. It wasn't a deep cut, just enough to draw a little blood.

"It was a good lesson."

He gave a polite clasped hands greeting and retreated. Although he had shed blood, his expression was one of satisfaction from the first real fight in a long time. Considering who his opponent was, how could the duel not feel substantial?

The second Black Fist was also cut on the side in exactly thirty moves. The third was the same.

At this, the waiting Black Fists began to murmur and stir restlessly.

They tried their best to hold out, but they couldn't last beyond thirty moves, nor could they dodge the sword flying at their sides.

Having seen their comrades fall, they should have been prepared, but they weren't.

It wasn't that I suddenly increased my skill on the thirtieth move. I faced them with the same speed and power from the start, but without fail, they would expose their side on the thirtieth move. That was why everyone was so shocked.

A single emotion dominated them all.

How can this be?

Only Cheon Sohwi, who came out last, barely managed to dodge. She was cut on her thigh instead of her side on the thirty-first move. Indeed, she was the most outstanding among them.

The look in their eyes as they watched me had already changed. It was no longer 'Let's see what you've got,' but 'What will you show us now?'

"Until now, you faced a master who could defeat you in thirty moves. Now, you will face a master who can kill you in ten techniques."

The Black Fists came out one by one, their resolve even firmer. This time, I faced them much more quickly.

"This is what a master of ten moves feels like."

I pushed them back quickly and fiercely. It might not seem like a big difference between thirty moves and ten moves, but for the one on the receiving end, it would feel worlds apart.

Everyone was shocked and bewildered.

With their skills, they had been confident they could beat anyone down.

After a frantic ten moves passed, they would find a sword aimed at their neck. In an instant, a sword would be poking their heart. A cold, sharp blade would be tapping their arm. If I hadn't held back, their necks would have been severed, their hearts pierced, and their arms cut off.

Their initial confidence and arrogance were gone. This must have been the feeling the Fist Demon wanted his subordinates to experience. A warning not to get cocky just because they were the Black Fists. That masters existed who could rip to shreds the black martial arts uniform they had worked so hard to earn.

And so, I gifted them all the shock of a ten-move master.

It wasn't just my swordsmanship that surprised them. I was facing so many people consecutively, yet my breathing hadn't even become ragged.

Now, it was time to conclude the session.

"Now, for a master of a single move. They are difficult to encounter, but they certainly exist in this jianghu."

Everyone tensed at the words 'a master of a single move'.

They were about to come forward one by one again, but this time, I changed my method.

I fully released my qi. My qi dominated the space, making the Black Fists feel as if they were sinking into the depths of the ocean. The Black Fist who had been walking forward felt his breath catch, and he unconsciously took a few steps back.

"……"

The Black Demon Sword drew itself from its sheath.

CHWAAAAAAK.

It began to split apart in front of my chest.

The Black Fists were horrified by the sword qi that had split into twenty pieces in an instant. It was the first time they had seen such a thing. A sword splitting into sword-shaped sword qi.

SHWISHWISHWISHWISHWISHWISHWISHWISHWISH!

The sword qi shot out in all directions, flying as fast as light.

Screams erupted from all sides.

The sword-shaped sword qi had stopped right before the faces of the Black Fists standing at the front. It had flown so fast that they had no time to dodge. None of them could have blocked my Ominous Sky Strike, which had reached the Twelfth Star mastery.

Everyone stared with horrified faces at the sword-shaped sword qi floating before their eyes.

They wouldn't know. Stopping the sword qi simultaneously in front of their faces like this was a far more difficult, higher-level technique than simply piercing them all at once. At this moment, the only person who could comprehend that was likely the Fist Demon.

SHHHHHHH.

As the brilliant halo of light scattered, all the sword qi vanished.

The real Black Demon Sword, which had been floating in the air, was now in front of Cheon Sohwi. I had sent the real sword to her, the strongest of the Black Fists. It was a consideration and a sign of respect for her, and I imbued the sword with my thoughts.

What you see now is reality. The swords that fly toward you in the future will never vanish before your eyes. I hope you never forget this moment.

The Black Demon Sword floating before her cut through the air and returned to me. The Black Demon Sword sheathed itself.

Hearing the clear metallic click, I spoke calmly to the Black Fists.

"You were all just killed."