Chapter 243: As Much as I Struggle, So Does the Demonic Buddha

TL: FoodieMonster007

The Demonic Buddha resided in a massive temple called the Golden Buddhist Temple. Dozens of large and small buildings, mostly painted gold, made up the temple. The pagodas erected throughout the grounds also gleamed with a golden light.

The Sichuan statues at the entrance, meant to ward off evil, looked different from those at a conventional temple. Their terrifying forms resembled demons.

A great golden Buddha statue stood in the middle of the temple, as large as the giant stone statues throughout the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. It was said that when the Demonic Buddha's Great Golden Mara Art reached its zenith, the golden Buddha would appear and disappear as he performed his martial arts.

Monks of the Demonic Cult were normally called demonic monks. The monks of the Golden Buddhist Temple, however, were called mad monks, using the character for 'madness'.

When I announced my arrival, a mad monk with an enormous build came out to meet me.

"I will guide you."

I knew this mad monk. He was Daegwang, the Demonic Buddha's right-hand man. His build was as great as his madness.

He's the kind of man who could suddenly lunge at me and strangle me with those prayer beads without it being strange at all.

The large man made the Demonic Buddha look even smaller when they stood together. Despite this, the Demonic Buddha had made such a large man his right-hand.

He might have chosen Daegwang to show he has no inferiority complex about his short stature.

Passing mad monks greeted me, pressing their palms together. I had heard my popularity here had risen since I barked at the training ground. Of course, they officially supported my brother because the Demonic Buddha was his ardent supporter.

The Demonic Buddha was chanting in the main Dharma hall.

I had only ever seen him with my brother, so seeing him dressed in a monk's robe and kasaya, reciting Buddhist scriptures, felt incredibly unfamiliar. The only thing that reminded me he was the Demonic Buddha was the golden Buddha statue, which looked far more terrifying than a normal one.

After paying my respects to the statue, I quietly sat behind the Demonic Buddha. He showed no sign of finishing his chanting, so I silently closed my eyes and cultivated the Heavenly Demon Defense Art.

Lately, my martial arts training focused on two things. If I needed to be aware of my surroundings, I practiced the Heavenly Demon Defense Art. If no one was around, I practiced the Heavenly Space Secret Art. All the martial arts I had learned were important, but these two were also crucial. The Heavenly Demon Defense Art was a martial art akin to having another life, and the Heavenly Space Secret Art was perhaps the most important martial art after the Nine Calamities Demonic Art from now on, essential for achieving complete mastery of the Nine Calamities Demonic Art on time.

Unfortunately, I was still researching the oral secrets of the Heavenly Space Secret Art. The incantations were so esoteric that performing the martial art was not easy.

Some time passed. The Demonic Buddha's chanting grew louder, and demonic qi started to swirl around me. The Heavenly Demon Defense Art activated naturally, protecting my body.

I thought I heard the chanting inside my head. Then I saw an illusion.

Pitch-black darkness.

A golden light shone from the distance. A figure began walking toward me. It was the Demonic Buddha, but in this illusion, he was tall. He walked right up to me and stopped, his face flustered.

The Demonic Buddha reached out his hand but it was repelled. An invisible, transparent barrier between us stopped him from crossing. It seemed the Demonic Buddha couldn't see me beyond it.

I understood. The Demonic Buddha had tried to invade my mind with the Great Golden Mara Art to read my thoughts but had been blocked. The Heavenly Demon Defense Art had activated and prevented the intrusion. After all, the Heavenly Demon Defense Art I had learned, along with the Nine Calamities Demonic Art, was an absolute demonic art that took precedence over any other.

The Demonic Buddha made a troubled expression, then turned and walked back into the darkness. The golden light vanished into the gloom.

Why did he appear before me with such a tall stature?

It occurred to me that perhaps, in that brief moment, I was the one who had looked into his mind.

The chanting that had echoed in my head gradually faded and then disappeared. When I opened my eyes, the Demonic Buddha had turned around to face me. He seemed flustered that his demonic art had not worked.

However, the Demonic Buddha pressed his palms together as if nothing had happened. "Second Young Lord. I'm glad you've returned safely this time."

"It's thanks to your concern." I also pressed my palms together and paid my respects.

"But wouldn't it have been more fortunate for you if I hadn't returned safely?" I asked.

The Demonic 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 me like hidden weapons.

My gaze naturally shifted to the golden Buddha statue behind him. Looking at the Buddhist painting behind the statue, I remarked, "Over there, demonic monks are tearing people to shreds, aren't they?"

At my unexpected words, the corners of the Demonic Buddha's mouth twitched upward slightly. He forcefully suppressed an incredulous laugh.

"Why have you come to see me? If you want to devote yourself to Buddhism, I'll personally shave your head. That'd be good. Then brothers wouldn't need to shed blood, just like you want."

"I like to have fun, so I'd get excommunicated for breaking my vows right away. My brother's more patient and quiet, so it'd suit him better. His head's a prettier shape, too."

Though we exchanged words like a joke, we were engaged in a tense battle of wills.

"The reason I came to see you today is…" I paused briefly before telling him. "Because of the Golden Grand Operation."

By telling him the name of the operation, I had officially begun it.

The Demonic Buddha asked with a suspicious look, "Golden Grand Operation? What is that?"

"It's an operation to make you, the Demonic Buddha, my man. Today is the day it begins."

In the end, the Demonic Buddha couldn't hold back his laughter. "I truly can't help but admit that you're a peculiar person. I admit it, I do."

"You used to call me a madman. I've improved."

The Demonic Buddha suddenly stopped laughing. "Don't underestimate the First Young Lord. The successor will be the First Young Lord."

"When I went to see the Demon Supremes, I should have visited you first, Elder. Then the Demon Supreme would be somewhere saying, 'Don't underestimate the Second Young Lord. The successor will be the Second Young Lord.'"

The Demonic Buddha scoffed. "You think I would've fallen for you just because of that?"

"What do you think would have happened?"

"Not a chance."

Seeing his unwavering loyalty to my brother, my first impression of him as a greedy political monk seeking power felt so wrong that he would be justified in feeling aggrieved.

"Why do you like my brother so much?"

"Your brother is…" He seemed to have a reason but didn't tell me.

I have a feeling I'll only hear that reason once the Demonic Buddha becomes my man.

"I believe the First Young Lord is more suited to be the Heavenly Demon," he said.

I nodded my head silently.

"Does that mean you think so too?"

"I admit that there are certainly things my brother does more meticulously and better."

"Then yield."

Instead of answering, I asked him, "Isn't it difficult dealing with my brother?"

"Are you trying to drive a wedge between me and the First Young Lord? It won't work."

"As I've said before, you, the Demonic Buddha, are a small giant. Gaining you was my brother's greatest fortune. I thank you."

"Why are you thanking me?" The Demonic Buddha gave me a suspicious look.

Knowing he wouldn't open his heart easily, I calmly conveyed my feelings. "I once told you that I intend to end the tradition of killing each other in the succession fight with this generation. I asked you, Elder, to help my brother from the side, as his strong pride makes it difficult for him to control himself. Do you happen to remember?"

"I remember."

"I believe it's all thanks to you, the Demonic Buddha, that my brother hasn't run wild until now."

"I said that if the First Young Lord were to run wild, I would pour oil on the fire. That I would incite him to burn everything down. So why do you think I would hold the First Young Lord back?"

I gazed at him and spoke calmly. "Because you know my brother better than anyone. If you hadn't been by his side, he wouldn't have been able to endure this long."

It was my sincere feeling. Regardless of whether I could win him over, I was genuinely grateful to him for steadfastly protecting my brother's side until I could come to him like this.

"I will take my leave for today." I respectfully pressed my palms together and bid him farewell.

The Demonic Buddha silently turned his back and began chanting again.

As I conversed with him, I realized one thing for certain. He may be the smallest in stature, but he was the most difficult person to win over.

It starts now.

The next day, I approached the Demonic Buddha as he was leaving the Golden Buddhist Temple and greeted him.

"Have you eaten?"

"I have not."

"Would you care to join me?"

I thought he would naturally refuse, but he readily accepted. "Let's do that."

I made a surprised face. The Demonic Buddha asked, "Why are you so surprised?"

"I didn't expect you to agree so easily."

"There's one thing you're mistaken about. I'm a very moderate and merciful person."

Moderate and merciful? He was saying such brazen things so nonchalantly.

"That's a relief. I was planning to follow you around every day."

The Demonic Buddha started walking first, and I followed behind him. "What do you like? Just say the word!"

Passing cultists stared at us.

Are their gazes filled with thoughts like, 'Is the Demonic Buddha now associating with the Second Young Lord too?'

However, the Demonic Buddha paid them no mind at all. In the past, he would've been uncomfortable if such talk reached his brother and caused misunderstandings.

The Demonic Buddha, walking forward with a resolute expression, looking only ahead… had definitely changed.

That evening, I went to see the Blood Heaven Blade Demon again. Seo Daeryong, having finished his duties for the day, was receiving martial arts instruction. Between his work at the Sanzu River Hall and his martial arts training, Seo Daeryong was always the busiest person.

"I'll be waiting in the room," I said.

"Why are you here again?"

"Didn't I say I'd be staying over until I find an answer?"

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon then shouted, "Don't lie on the bed without washing!"

"It's not like a woman's coming to this bed. Aren't you being a little too neat?"

At that, Seo Daeryong stepped forward for his master and raised his voice. "Who says that? That no woman comes here."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon and I both stared at Seo Daeryong. The one who flinched more at those words was the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.

"Don't you dare disrespect our Master!"

A heavy silence flowed.

My eyes said, Daeryong, I don't think this is it!

Seo Daeryong's eyes replied, Director, what do I do?

"He had women lining up for him in his youth. He's still hale and hearty now." I sighed with my eyes, and eventually, Seo Daeryong's voice trailed off. "…So don't disrespect him."

Finally, Seo Daeryong hung his head low. "I will prepare for hellish training starting tomorrow."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon said quietly, "Tomorrow? It starts now!"

Seo Daeryong's training didn't end until late at night. After sending his disciple off, 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 a book that wasn't a martial arts manual.

"Do you teach this late?"

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon nodded. "The kid is bright, so it's fun to teach him."

"He may not look it, but wasn't he the top entrant at the Sanzu River Hall?"

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon sat in a chair by the window. "So, why is the person who should be carrying out a grand operation here?"

"I told you, didn't I? Whenever I feel like I'm facing a crisis in life, I only think of you, Elder."

"It's not easy, is it?"

"He's an impregnable fortress. He's fiercely bound by his loyalty to my brother. You could say it's like the relationship between you and me, Elder."

"Then wouldn't a root of the Ten-Thousand Year Blood Ginseng solve the problem?"

I feigned not hearing him and sighed. "It's not easy."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon then smiled and recounted a past event. "I once had a drink with the Demonic Buddha at the Alluring Inn. At that time, I asked the Demonic Buddha the same thing. It's not easy, is it?"

"And what did he say?"

"The Demonic Buddha answered just like you, that it's not easy. It's funny, the two of you saying it's not easy in front of me."

I pictured the two of them drinking together. It must have been a very frustrating time for the Demonic Buddha. The very fact that he drank with the Blood Heaven Blade Demon proved it. Behind that resolute facade he showed me lay the anguish of the Demonic Buddha confessing to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon that it wasn't easy.

Leaning against the window, I looked at the moon and repeated once more, "It's not easy, really."

I was once again reminded that there is nothing more difficult than winning a person's heart. One would think it would get easier with my experiences with the various Demon Supremes, but when it comes to human relationships, it's always as difficult as the first time.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon looked up at the moon with me. "It's the matter of becoming the successor to the Heavenly Demon. How could that be easy?"

His words were a comfort. Just then, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon said abruptly, "Mugeuk."

For a moment, I was startled. It was the first time he had ever called me by my name. I looked at him with a trembling heart.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon, still looking up at the moon, spoke calmly. "I know you've worked hard until now to win the hearts of us old folks. It's okay to rest when you're tired."

I gazed at the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, deeply moved. The man who used to poke me in the side with a displeased look had now become my sanctuary.

What would I do without you, Elder? I was about to say it playfully, but the Blood Heaven Blade Demon beat me to the punch.

"You can't live without me."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon looked at me with a smile. I also smiled brightly.

"Thank you for your words. I'll also take a little rest and…"

It was at that very moment. A thought flashed through my mind.

If it's not easy for me, and it's not easy for the Demonic Buddha, then?

"Ah! As much as I'm struggling, the Demonic Buddha must be struggling too, right? He's not showing it on the outside, but his heart must be as anxious as mine, right?"

In the current situation, the best thing the Demonic Buddha could do was persuade me. The reason he readily agreed to have a meal with me today must have been because of that feeling.

"I was too hasty. Now isn't the time to push hard, but to slowly pull him to my side."

It was the moment the first detailed plan of the Golden Grand Operation was finally established.