Chapter 254: Yesterday is Like Today

TL: FoodieMonster007

I decided to accept the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon's advice and take a step back from the Heavenly Space Secret Art. Of course, it wasn't as easy as he said. We are martial artists, people who always charge forward.

First, I reduced my training time for the Heavenly Space Secret Art. I used that time to practice the Nine Calamities Demonic Art instead.

Right, this isn't the time to worry about other martial arts.

With this mindset, I focused on the Nine Calamities Demonic Art. Honestly, if it weren't for the Heavenly Space Secret Art, I would have wanted to train in the Nine Calamities Demonic Art all day.

The Nine Calamities Demonic Art was a truly profound and high-level martial art. Its difficulty held a magical allure that drew people in. Its core technique alone was incomparable to other martial arts. The inner arts cultivated through it were also far greater than my previous core techniques.

If Father were here, I would have definitely joked with him.

[You're telling me you were learning this amazing martial art all by yourself!]

I became completely engrossed in training the Nine Calamities Demonic Art. For now, I focused on accustoming my body to its breathing method instead of its techniques. Even that alone was enjoyable.

Of course, that didn't mean I had completely lost interest in the Heavenly Space Secret Art. The more I learned the Nine Calamities Demonic Art, the more I realized I needed the Heavenly Space Secret Art.

I also realized something else. Reducing my training time was not the answer to taking a step back. This method was wrong.

When I arrived at the residence of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon of the Southern Blade Sect, he was reading a book. I stood at a distance and watched him.

My heart strangely calmed whenever I saw the Blood Heaven Blade Demon reading a book by the window.

I want to read books but can't read much, so maybe I'm finding some vicarious satisfaction?

Just then, a telepathy from the Blood Heaven Blade Demon reached me.

[Stop peeking and come over.]

[You can send telepathy quite far. Can you perhaps use the Thousand Li Telepathy Art?]

[Look who's talking!]

I walked over to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.

"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, isn't my place right here? Right next to our Elder!"

I leaned against the windowsill and rested my arms on it.

"Honestly, I've been quite free lately."

"A Young Cult Leader should be looking for work to do."

"I don't want to. Things will suddenly pile up all at once. I'm just going to rest while I can."

"Then why did you come here instead of resting?"

"Because I'm most at ease when I'm with you, Elder. I came here to rest."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon shook his head, but he was clearly pleased. I entered the room and made a needless jest.

"Ah, this is nice! How do you smell so good even at your age?"

"You don't need to feed a fish you've already caught."

"It's not flattery, I'm serious."

I looked over the books on the bookshelf and mentally noted the interesting ones.

I plan to buy them later and put them on my own bookshelf. If I buy them, I'll read them someday.

"Have you read all of these books?"

"Unlike someone, I don't buy them just for decoration."

"Someone once said that buying a book is the first step of reading."

"You like looking at the books on the shelf more than reading them, don't you?"

"I'll read them all someday! I'll read even more than you, Elder."

"Do you think these are all the books I've read?"

I looked at the Blood Heaven Blade Demon in surprise.

"No way, you're a Demon Supreme. What am I supposed to do if you open your secret vault and it's filled with books instead of weapons or miracle herbs?"

"If a sword comes flying, I'll try blocking it with a book."

The sight of him holding a book, which once seemed so out of place, now suited him more than him holding the Heaven Destroying Dao.

"There's some tea I just brewed over there. Drink it if you want."

"As a matter of fact, I was just craving a cup of tea."

I sat at the tea table and drank the tea.

"It's the same tea, so why does the tea you brew taste better, Elder?"

"It's because you enjoy making an old man work."

I pretended not to hear and stroked the tea table.

"I should get a tea table just like this for my room."

Just then, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon asked abruptly, "Is something troubling you?"

He knew me better than anyone, as expected. I fidgeted with my teacup and asked him.

"Have you ever taken a step back?"

At my question, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's gaze shifted from his book to me.

"From what?"

"From the thing you desire most, Elder."

He seemed to ponder my question's intent for a moment before answering firmly.

"Never."

His expression seemed to say his life was only about moving straight ahead.

Of course, to someone who didn't know him, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon would seem like that kind of person. That stubborn old man didn't look like someone who would ever back down.

However, he had already taken several steps back by accepting me. I was the one who charged straight ahead. I went straight for the Blood Heaven Blade Demon to open the door to his heart, and he stepped back to accept me. If he had also charged straight at me, our relationship would have been different.

"Why the sudden question?"

"I was wondering how one can take just a single step back."

Having been through thick and thin, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon probably guessed what I meant.

"Among the books you've read, is there one called 'How to Take a Single Step Back'?"

"How could such a thing exist?"

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon's gaze started to return to his book but then turned back to me. He was curious, after all.

"Seeing a smart kid like you worrying about something, the subject must be extraordinary."

"It's a martial art."

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon would probably think that martial art was the Nine Calamities Demonic Art. It was a concern that arose after I became the Young Cult Leader.

"But why are you trying to step back?"

"It's so profound and difficult that I've hit a wall, so I'm trying to look at the martial art from a slight distance. I also wonder if it's not working out precisely because I desire it too desperately."

"And it's not that you're not desperate enough?"

"I don't think that's it. I'm confident in my efforts, at least."

After a brief pause, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon asked, "But trying to step back from that martial art to find a solution like this… isn't that actually getting closer to it?"

"!"

In that moment, a realization flashed through my mind. I couldn't hold back and shot up from my seat.

"That's right! I wasn't stepping back, I was embracing it even more fiercely."

I ran to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.

"If I'm going to embrace someone, it should be you, Elder! Elder!"

"Stay away, you're disgusting!"

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon used telekinesis to push me back, forcing me to sit at the tea table again. Then, he deliberately lowered his voice and said, "Young Cult Leader, please maintain your dignity."

I slurped down the remaining tea and replied, "Nope, I'm going to abandon it even more. I've found the answer."

"The prodigal son has returned! I've rejoined you!"

The three members of the late-night training group stared at me. I had been too busy to participate at all, but I suddenly showed up today.

Lee Ahn said to me, "You've become the Young Cult Leader, but you're still going to attend the late-night meetings?"

"Yep. I'll still do it even when I become the Cult Leader."

"We wouldn't like that."

Thanks to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, I had a realization. To take a step back from the Heavenly Space Secret Art, I had reduced my martial arts training time and tried to find other methods. Now, the conclusion I reached was to just do things as I used to.

It was like before I started learning the Nine Calamities Demonic Art or the Heavenly Space Secret Art. Back then, I still trained diligently in martial arts. The difference was that there was no pressure in my training. I sparred hard with the Demon Supremes and trained in every spare moment. I did it naturally, without the burden of having to achieve something by a certain time.

In that process, I had continuously grown stronger and improved.

I had to step back. Not from martial arts, but from the pressure and the impatience. If I just lived hectically like before, it would be achieved at some point.

"Please bestow your teachings upon me after so long."

The Fist Demon took off his shirt as if to say 'let's do this properly'. A fearsome face on a perfectly muscular body, a sight I hadn't seen in a long time. I took off my shirt as well. Compared to him, my hands and body were like a baby's.

I felt sorry to the Fist Demon for neglecting my fist arts training, especially after pestering him so much to become his disciple. I performed the Thunder Arhat Fist alongside the Fist Demon. Normally, preoccupied with the Heavenly Space Secret Art, I wouldn't have even thought of performing the Fist Demon's martial arts.

Lee Ahn and Cheon Sohwi were also engrossed in their training beside us. Lee Ahn's skills had improved again in the meantime. I could tell from this brief glimpse how dedicated she was to her training.

When our eyes met for a moment as she performed a technique, I gave Lee Ahn a smile. She smiled back faintly.

Cheon Sohwi looked at the Fist Demon with an expression that said, 'Did you just see that blatant display of affection in front of a maiden, Fist Demon!' She then flinched, surprised at herself. She was startled that she had unconsciously expressed such a thought to the intimidating Fist Demon.

The Fist Demon pretended not to notice and continued training. It was while we were training like that.

KWAREUREUNG!

A sound of thunder erupted from my outstretched fist. Not just me, but Lee Ahn and Cheon Sohwi, who were training beside me, were also startled.

"Was that sound from me?"

"Yes, that sound came from your fist."

Everyone was surprised, but I was the most surprised of all.

"What happened? To be honest, I've neglected my fist arts lately. Today was the first time in a while that I've practiced them. Why on earth did it make a thunder sound?"

The Fist Demon gave me a look that said 'how should I know' before silently resuming his training.

Did I get stronger in the meantime? Or was it because I unknowingly took a step back from the fist arts?

One thing was certain. After learning the Nine Calamities Demonic Art, my martial arts had begun to stir.

KKWAREUREUREUNG!

This time, a thunder sound came from the Fist Demon's fist. It was a louder thunder than the one from my fist.

"Hey, why are you making that sound now when you haven't been? You didn't make it while we were training, did you?"

The Fist Demon ignored my protest and continued training.

"Hey, why did you have to do it on the very day I first made a thunder sound! Are you perhaps jealous…?"

KWAREUREUNG!

My words were drowned out by the Fist Demon's thunder.

"This is too mu…"

KKWAREUREUREUREUREUNG!

I was heading to my residence, my body tired, when I suddenly thought of someone and changed direction. I thought of a person who would be awake even at this late hour, and indeed, he was.

"What are the stars telling you, Hyung?"

At that, the Drunken Demon, who was looking up at the night sky from a boat on the lake, answered.

"The stars are saying this. Your fate is the best in all of murim!"

The Drunken Demon turned to me and smiled warmly.

"You're here?"

I stood at the lake's edge and used Flying Over Water, crossing the water in a single breath to land on the boat.

"You're showing off your skills freely now."

On the day I was chosen as the successor, I demonstrated my qi before all the cultists. Now that I had even become the Young Cult Leader, there was no reason to hide my skills.

"I'm not the type to hide things. I'm someone who likes to step up and get attention."

"Actually, me too."

"Is there any other reason we became sworn brothers? Let's go get some attention in the Central Plains next time!"

"I know a lot of good places. Let's go!"

Could he possibly know as many as I do? We should have a drink together somewhere with good liquor and a great view.

We filled each other's cups to the brim.

"Congratulations on becoming the Young Cult Leader."

"Your help was a big part of it, Hyung. Thanks."

"Maybe the fifth biggest part?"

"You're drunk, my Hyung. Seeing you being self-deprecating again."

We toasted and emptied our cups.

"Kyah, this is good!"

"As expected! Liquor is best enjoyed with my Hyung."

It felt so good to drink with him after such a long time. We drank back and forth, sharing all sorts of stories. I comfortably told him about my struggles with being stuck in my martial arts.

The solution was very much like the Drunken Demon.

"Drink! The answer is in the liquor. Once you're drunk, everything will be resolved."

"You really are the person with the best fate in the world, Hyung."

"Drink. In liquor, there is life, there is the jianghu, there is everything."

We drank again. Drinking with the Drunken Demon after so long, the liquor went down like water.

The Drunken Demon told all kinds of stories. He gossiped about the Demon Supremes. He talked about the women he met in his youth. He talked about martial arts. He seems to speak carelessly when drunk, but he never crosses the line. That's why I always think this. The only time the Drunken Demon makes a mistake is when he's sober.

PLOP!

Eventually, the Drunken Demon jumped into the water, and I jumped in with him. After swimming around the lake, we floated on our backs, looking up at the night sky.

"This place is still nice."

"When you're enjoying yourself like an immortal here, it feels like time has stopped. An hour ago feels like now, and now feels like an hour from now. Yesterday is like today, and today is like tomorrow."

Hyung. That time, I have to be the one to stop it.

Perhaps because we were talking about time, the Heavenly Space Secret Art came to mind. The blood vessels inside my body appeared, overlapping with the night sky. I had tried various methods until now, sending qi from one vessel to another, then from here to there. There were still so many possibilities left.

Stop it. Why am I thinking about that at a great moment like this?

I'm here playing with the Drunken Demon precisely to take a step back from the Heavenly Space Secret Art.

PLOP!

I dived back into the water. However, the next moment, I poked my head out of the water again. I again imagined my blood vessels and superimposed them over the stars.

Not here, not there either. Where was it just now?

Then, I found a spot where the blood vessel I envisioned and a star perfectly aligned.

I found it!

A thrill ran through my entire body.

Is it a simple coincidence? Or…?

What if I circulate my qi in the order of those constellations? It feels like something might happen.

Could it be that the Heavenly Space Secret Art was a secret art created by observing the constellations in the sky?

"Hyung!"

"What's wrong?"

"I think I solved that problem I mentioned earlier."

The Drunken Demon was startled. Soon, he burst into a hearty, delighted laugh.

"See, what did I tell you? Drinking solves everything!"

"I'm leaving first! Hyung, thanks. Let's talk again later."

From the water, I shot straight up into the air. Changing direction in mid-air, I flew towards the lake's edge.

From behind, I heard the Drunken Demon's voice.

"This Hyung is always here."

Starlight poured down on the Drunken Demon as he floated on the water.

*

I returned to the training ground and prepared two incense sticks. After lighting both sticks at the same time, I placed one in an incense burner and activated the Spacetime Manipulation Technique.

The created space was an empty void. I designed it to heighten concentration and minimize the consumption of inner arts. There, I recited the incantations of the Heavenly Space Secret Art. I moved my qi in a different sequence than before, following the order I had realized from observing the constellations.

Did it work?

I couldn't tell yet whether it had worked or not. At my current level, I would only know by leaving this space and comparing the time. Even a small difference would be enough. As long as the Heavenly Space Secret Art has begun!

Please!

It was my desperate wish to somehow achieve the Twelfth Star mastery of the Nine Calamities Demonic Art.

When the incense had burned a certain amount, I released the Spacetime Manipulation Technique.

SEUSEUSEUSEUT

The world of the Spacetime Manipulation Technique vanished. Emerging from it, I slowly walked toward the lit incense stick. I crouched in front of the incense burner and planted the stick to the same depth.

My heart trembled as much as my gaze, which was fixed intently on it.

The two incense sticks were burning at different lengths.